Purchasing a home is a big financial investment. The cost does not only include the home’s purchase price, but also utilities and homeowner’s insurance.
While the cumulative costs may seem high, there are several home improvements that can decrease insurance and utilities costs.
Here’s a quick rundown on how to save some bucks on the home front:
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats reduce the costs of monthly energy bills. They allow homeowners to set the thermostat to a lower heating or cooling temperature while they are away.
When the homeowner returns, the temperature is returned to comfortable levels. This thermostat prevents the energy waste involved in heating and cooling a home when no one is there.
This is a minor change that produces visible savings on utility costs.
Add a Home Security System
A home security system can let a family feel protected from intruders that might enter the home. Installing Wirelessalarmsystems also helps homeowners save money on their home insurance premiums.
Most insurance companies will lower the cost of the insurance premiums. Alarm systems are deterrents to crime and protect the home from any potential damage an intruder may cause.
Switch to Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy and create a lot of heat when they are in use. Compact fluorescent lights not only use less energy, they do not generate as much heat.
Home owners will notice a change in their electric bills, especially during the summer. The decrease in the amount of heat generated by the bulbs will reduce the need to have the air conditioner constantly running.
Increase the Home’s Resistance to Natural Disasters
The risk of natural disaster can increase homeowner’s insurance premiums. Updating a home to withstand the damage caused by wind, rain and other natural disasters can result in a decrease in insurance premium costs.
Adding storm shutters and strengthening the roof are a few upgrades homeowners can undertake.
Install Low-flow Shower heads and Aerators
There are several easy modifications that can be done to decrease the monthly water bill. Installing a low-flow shower head will decrease the amount of water wasted during a shower. Adding an aerator to a faucet has the same water-conservation affect. The aerator increases the concentration of the water stream without the need to increase the amount of water running from the faucet.
Making some simple home improvements can help reduce the costs of homeowner’s insurance and lower utility bills. These improvements can be as simple as installing a home alarm system or as involved as replacing a roof. Over time, homeowners will notice a significant amount of savings.
