There are quite a few different things that you can do to your home in order to improve it. Some of them are going to be smaller items, such as painting the inside of the home or perhaps moving the furniture. Although those small changes in the home can really make quite a difference, they are certainly not the only options that you have open to you. If your budget allows, you should also consider doing something larger to the home that is going to help to improve its comfort as well as improving its value. Here are a few options that are open to you that you may want to consider.
One thing that you may want to think about is upgrading the home to be more energy-efficient. This can be done in many different ways, including updating your water heater and your heat pump. Although a heat pump can be quite expensive to replace, there are times when it is going to be necessary and you certainly would want to consider spending a little bit more to get one that is energy-efficient. The water heater, on the other hand, is a relatively inexpensive thing to replace although you are going to have to pay somebody to replace it, if you are unable to do so yourself. Being a little bit more energy-efficient with these two items can really help to make a difference in how much you spend per month on your energy bill.
Have you considered replacing the windows in your home? This is also a large project but it is one that can have a lasting impact. Much of the energy that escapes our home and ends up costing us money on a monthly basis goes out the windows. By purchasing new fiberglass windows or vinyl windows and replacing the old ones in the home, it can really make a difference in how much you spend on energy. As an added bonus, it also helps to even out the temperature inside of the home so that it is much more comfortable for the entire family.
Changing the appliances in the home to be more energy-efficient is also something that you may want to consider. There are many different appliances that we likely use on a regular basis including a washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, microwave and refrigerator. Yes, it is going to be a considerable financial outlay for you to make the changes in this regard but it is something that can improve the usability of the home as well as decreasing your energy expenses.
An added benefit that goes along with all of these changes is the fact that you’re not only more comfortable and improving the value of the home, you are also in line for a tax refund. These types of changes in the home are often rewarded by a reduction on your taxes and it can really add up at the end of the year. If you are able to make all of the changes properly, you might be surprised with the tax impacts that it brings to the table.
