When you think about home improvement, many people think that it costs money to improve your home. But done right, home improvement can actually save you money in the long run. This can take the form of lowered utility bills or damage prevention. If you’re looking for ways to improve your home and save some money, consider the following three pieces of advice.
Insulation
Adding more insulation or upgrading to a more efficient material can reduce your home’s energy bill. The purpose of insulation is to prevent the exchange of heat with the outside. In the summer, you want to keep the heat out. In the winter, you want to keep heat in. More or better insulation will make it more difficult for heat to invade your home or escape it. This means that you won’t have to use as much energy for heating and air conditioning. There are many options available for insulation, but before working with it, you need to take some precautions. Some types of insulation can be hazardous to human health if not handled properly.
Asphalt Sealcoating
Most asphalt driveways will last between twelve and twenty years. However, that depends largely on how well you care for it. Asphalt is made out of pitch mixed with sand and gravel. Once it cures, there are a lot of tiny crevices that can allow water to get inside. If this water freezes, the water will expand and cause large cracks to form. Sealcoating can add several years of life to your asphalt driveway. Sealcoating is a process where a special liquid is laid down that fills the small crevices in the asphalt. In this way, it prevents water from getting inside and freezing. It may not be cheap to sealcoat your driveway, but it will be a whole lot cheaper than replacing it.
Upgrading Appliances
If you have an older refrigerator, it probably gets a little noisy when it kicks on. But did you know that a new refrigerator will do more than give you peace and quiet? Over the last few decades, appliances have improved remarkably in their energy efficiency. This means that they can maintain their performance, while requiring less energy to function. Replacing your appliances will have a large upfront cost, but the reduction in your energy bill will make it worthwhile within a few years. Besides the refrigerator, you should consider upgrading your water heater, lights, washer, dryer, dishwasher, and even your tv.
While these home improvement projects may not seem flashy, they have real value. Energy efficiency is a very important quality that home buyers are looking for these days. By having a more energy efficient home, your home will increase in value. This is just another way that these tips can help you save money in the long run.
Here’s another article with more great tips: How to Keep Your House Clean When You Have a Dog
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