When investing in your home, especially with renovation projects, you always want to maximize your ROI by ensuring that your investment will pay off. This means not only ensuring that the project will significantly boost the value of your home, but also making sure that you invest in renos that help you save money on utility bills for as long as you own your house.
If you ask any expert, they will tell you that one of the best ways to save money and reduce your home’s carbon footprint is with ENERGY STAR upgrades — both to your appliances and your windows. Here’s what you need to know.
Look for the Right Appliances
Your old appliances might be costing you extra every month — as much as 10-15% per appliance depending on how old they are. The retail price of an appliance is not the only factor you should consider when making a purchase. Buying an ENERGY STAR® appliance will lower your home’s energy bill every month for many years, which will far outweigh the extra costs upfront.
ENERGY STAR® fridges are designed to save energy (and money on hydro bills) without sacrificing the capacity or appearance options. Dishwashers with this certification save not only on electricity, but water as well, using less water than one sink full of dishwater. Furthermore, depending on where you live, you may qualify for government rebates simply for investing in energy efficient appliances, so check out their site right away.
Choose the Best Windows for Your Needs
The right replacement windows can dramatically change the look of your home, but you also want to make sure you’re getting the best ROI.
If you take the time to install new ENERGY STAR® windows, you can save as much as 20% on your heating and cooling bills. In the summertime, ENERGY STAR® windows let in all the light, without allowing cool air indoors to escape — especially when installed by professionals. Improperly glazed panes, low-quality seals, and poorly installed frames can mean you’ll face leakages throughout the year, costing you more to heat and cool your home.
The right window and door company will offer you many options, and they’ll conduct an assessment to help determine your needs without breaking your budget.
For example, if you want to let a lot of breeze as well as light into your space, consider casement windows. If you want to add space to your room, consider bow or bay windows as they arch outward opening up nook space that wasn’t there before.
Find a Top Installer
When you begin your search for the right installation company, be sure that you factor in both the quality of construction and the quality of the installation. Don’t simply buy your windows from a big box or hardware store because you can never be sure of the quality. Instead, look for an end-to-end window and door replacement company that manufactures, sells, installs, and services their line of products.
Because end-to-end installation companies are responsible for every step of the process, you know they are taking responsibility, and they won’t pass the buck should any problems arise.
While it’s the costlier choice upfront, always choose a professional to get the job done right, as it will save you money — and stress — in the long run.
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