A fresh coat of paint, new carpet, shiny and strong siding – all common additions and improvements we make to our homes in order to increase its overall value. Sometimes, boosting the value of our houses means making an initial investment and working on some much-needed updates.
But, we don’t often think about the ‘little things’ that can quickly add up each day, that can also add to the value of our homes. The best part? Many of these simple upgrades and regular changes also can save energy. It’s a win-win situation that’ll save you on your utility bills now, and put extra cash in your pocket if you ever choose to sell your home. So, what are some energy improvements you can make to increase your home value?
Replace Your High-Energy Appliances
That avocado green has to go!
It’s extremely easy to choose from a wide variety of energy-efficient appliances nowadays. If your house is still running on a refrigerator from the 1990s, it’s time to make a switch. A good rule of thumb is to switch out any major appliance that is over 15 years old. These appliances are no longer considered energy-efficient. That means you could be paying a lot more than you need to each time you run the washing machine.
New appliances are a quick way to give different areas of your house an instant upgrade. Plus, today’s energy-efficient appliances are easy to use and can save you a lot of money in a short amount of time.
Insulate the Attic
Most new homes are adequately insulated, but older homes can suffer from a lack of proper insulation. That’s probably why your house always feels cold in the winter, even when you have the heat on! If you do have an older home that doesn’t have enough insulation, you can benefit from trying a new method like blown-in insulation.
However, even some newer homes don’t have insulated attics. Because heat rises, it’s easy for a good portion of your heat to simply flow out of the attic. Not only will this raise your heating bill, but your home will never get as warm as it could be. The good news? Most attics are fairly small and easy to insulate. Even batting insulation is effective in attics, and can be installed in just a day.
Install New Windows
Installing new windows and doors is a great way to have more control of the temperature in your home. You might think that sealing windows and doors with caulk is sufficient enough. While it’s true that doing this can be helpful, it’s not always the best method for keeping the temperature regulated.
So, what is the best method? You might be surprised to learn that windows with wooden frames, and wooden doors are your best bet when it comes to keeping out a draft. They are slightly more expensive than their vinyl counterparts, but they can save you money on your utility bills, and because of their high quality, they end up adding a lot of value to any home.
Small Changes for a Big Profit
As you can see, these are three simple changes that don’t take a lot of time or effort to install in your home. It doesn’t matter if you have an older house or something new, there’s a good chance it could benefit from at least one of these upgrades. Not only will you be saving energy (and money!) right away, but you’ll end up making a nice profit when it comes time to sell your house.