Too many times, homeowners spend frivolously on home improvement projects that, frankly, aren’t worth the money and bring no real value to the property. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how good your place looks if you end up overspending to maintain it. By not prioritizing your utility bills, you could be squandering your hard-earned money.
Consume Less Energy with Upgraded Windows
When getting serious about reducing your utility bills, window replacement should be top of the list. This simple maneuver of upgrading your windows can help you save on energy costs, and it’s good for the planet.
When replacing old windows, any style will do. However, using more picture or fixed windows throughout the home is worth considering. There are fewer chances of drafts wafting through, and the frame-less window maximizes the amount of sunlight that comes through. As a result, less electricity is used.
But here’s why you need to invest in ENERGY STAR® certified windows installed by a Canadian owned business like Centennial Windows & Doors. Besides reducing your carbon footprint by about 12 percent, professionally-installed windows are manufactured to reduce ‘heat gain’ from happening in your home. That’s when sunlight affects the air in the room, increasing its temperature. Install these types of windows if you want to maintain control over the room’s temperature without sacrificing the natural light that comes through.
Speaking of natural light, sunlight can sometimes cause irreversible damage to your possessions. One of the many reasons why ENERGY STAR® is worth the investment is because of the special coating on their windows. They keep your couches, rugs, and furniture from discoloring by up to 75 percent.
Make sure that the window installation company you hire installs ENERGY STAR® and other energy-efficient products if you want quality. Also, any warranty offered should cover the product for as long as you own your home.
Get Eco-friendly about Water Consumption
The summertime months typically will have you going out more or inviting more people over for barbeques and outdoor parties. With lockdown in effect, that isn’t necessarily the reality, but when things return to normal, expect a surge.
All of that activity will result in an increase in the amount of water used for showering, washing hands, and toilet usage. That also means that you’ll be seeing an increase in your water and electricity bills. Keep those bills down by installing energy-efficient appliances in your bathrooms.
Showerheads are an easy installation that requires only minutes, and the latest gadgets don’t make you sacrifice water pressure or temperature. Low flow showerheads, as they’re typically called, give the same, if not better, experience than standard showerheads, all while consuming less water and energy.
And since you’re already upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, you might as well install a high-efficiency toilet. Standard toilets use more than a gallon of water per flush, while high-efficiency ones use less than half. Designs are sleek and modern, and some come with high back support.
Being a homeowner isn’t easy. It requires many things, including time, money, and energy. To run your home efficiently, you have to be smart about the money you use to maintain it and the energy it takes to run. You shouldn’t squander either one.
