10 Clever Home Improvement Hacks That Save You Time and Money
Having a home can be an amazing accomplishment. After all, it’s likely to be your most expensive investment ever. But at the same time, a home won’t keep up by itself, so it requires regular maintenance and improvements.
You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune, though. Here are a few useful tips to save both money and time.
Replace your doors
This is one of the best ways to add value to your property for many years. While some people choose to repaint their doors every few years, the truth is they’ll start chipping with time, especially around the edges.
Get some quality internal doors, and they’ll last for ages with proper maintenance. Oak is an excellent material for doors. As for the actual design, find something that complements each room.
On a different note, oak is energy efficient and acts as a good insulator.
Get low flow water appliances.
This isn’t necessarily about electrical appliances, but about toilets and showers. Think about it for a second, you flush a full tank of water when you could do with half of it. Think about all the water going to waste when you shower.
Switch to low flow facilities for the shower head and plumbing. Keep in mind that you use these things daily, so they’ll most likely pay for themselves in no time.
Go for energy-efficient lights
Switch all the bulbs to LEDs. Your carbon emissions will be dramatically reduced. Besides, you’ll save money on your bills as well. About 10% of your energy bill depends on the actual lighting system, so you’ll see an improvement right away.
How about heating controls?
Heating controls are not all about convenience and adjusting the temperature, but also about saving money in the long run. Get the thermostat to a comfy temperature, and keep in mind that lowering it by one degree only will save you quite some money over a year.
At the same time, thermostat radiator valves are just as effective to ensure you only heat particular rooms.
Opt for energy efficient appliances
Got some old appliances? Undecided about replacing them? If you keep repairing them all the time and their energy efficiency is not great, you might as well invest in something new. It will save you money straight away, but make sure you double check the energy ratings.
At the same time, unplug appliances when not in use and try to maintain them according to the guidelines.
Keep an eye on your home
A security system based on alarms and cameras is not necessary for your peace of mind only. Indeed, you want the best for your loved ones and valuables, but this isn’t everything. A proper system will also save you money.
How? Simple. There’s obviously less risk for your property, so home insurance premiums will also get lower. Plus, what could be better than knowing your home and family are safe and happy?
Ceiling fans for low energy bills
Ceiling fans are often overlooked, maybe because they don’t offer the same experience as an air conditioning unit. But then, an AC unit is also likely to cause various health problems, not to mention energy consumption.
At this point, ceiling fans make a better option for hot summers. They should be large enough to ensure air circulates well. Moreover, they can only be installed in rooms with high ceilings.
Trees for hot summers
Trees won’t cost a fortune, but they can offer a significant cooling system during hot summers. It’s difficult to buy massive trees, though, so most homeowners stick to small trees and give them a few years.
There are more things to take into consideration, such as the root style and proximity to the house.
Harvest rainwater
This hack is ideal in areas with lots of rain. The project requires a tank, a filter, and some gutters. Whether over or underground, the system may need to follow some regulations. Different areas have different rules.
Harvester rainwater can be used for watering, toilets, laundry, car washing, cleaning, you name it. If well filtered and safe, water can also be used for cooking purposes.
Replace the gutters
Gutters don’t have to be boring. These days, many homeowners opt for custom made gutters. Whether it comes to durability, materials, aesthetics, or performance, you can find whatever suits your home.
Poor quality or damaged gutters will cause issues to your foundation and roof. If you’re not sure whether or not you have to replace them, simply look for signs like standing water, cracks, leaks, or mildew.
Bottom line, these quick hacks won’t cost you too much, but they’ll often pay for themselves if used correctly. Many times, home improvement projects are all about using your creativity and thinking out of the box, rather than going with the flow.