Right now is the
perfect time to start saving money on your home whether it is new to you or you
have lived there for years! Starting on
these things as soon as possible will allow you to start saving money sooner
rather than later. Enjoy the savings!
Lower the temperature on your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most people do not use hot water any hotter than 120 degrees, but their
thermostats are set much higher and producing scalding hot water. By lowering
your temperature you will end up using energy much more efficiently and saving
money on your bills! Some hot water
heaters aren’t insulated very well and you could be using energy to keep the
heat in the tank. A simple trick is to put a water heater blanker over the hot
water heater (just be careful not to cover the water heater’s top, bottom,
thermostat or burner compartment).
Wrap exposed water pipes with insulation. Any exposed hot water pipes lose heat
as they transfer the water from the heater to your shower or faucet. Use
pipe-insulation to wrap exposed pipes, especially in cold basements or garages.
This will not only keep you water at a higher temperature, but allows hot water
to reach your faucets faster.
Install LED or CFL light bulbs. These types of light bulbs will save you
a lot of money on energy bills as well as have much longer life span than
normal incandescent bulbs. If you do not want to make the investment for the
entire house, at least consider installing some in the places where the lights
may be used for the longest periods. LED bulbs have actually come down in cost
significantly over the past few years.
Mark any cracks in foundation or basement
with dated masking tape. Homes
settle over time and cracks appear in foundation and basement walls. By marking
these cracks with dated masking tape you will be able to tell if the cracks are
growing or not. If the cracks are not growing at all, your home is safe. If you
notice the cracks growing past the tape, you will save yourself a lot of money
by having the issue addressed now rather than later.
Pay attention and take advantage of tax
benefits and other incentives. The energy tax credit has been renewed
and homeowners who have made energy-based improvements to their homes are
eligible for discount on their taxes. Check with your state or city to discover
its benefits. Many local utility companies also provide home energy audits and
services. Someone will inspect your home to figure out where you could be
wasting energy.
Do not forget to look at all your
expenses when budgeting for your home. Many people only take into consideration the principal
mortgage payment, interest, taxes and insurance. Make sure to include all
utilities and keep an upgrade account. Call the utility companies to ask about
budget plans and shop rates. If you budget for upgrades and emergencies, it
will not be such a hard financial hit when items arise.
As I have said before, please call a local REALTOR for all
your real estate needs no matter how big or small. We are trained professionals here to make
your life easier. It's best to surround yourself with the right team of
professionals that can continuously give you the right advice for all your
circumstances.
Lisa DiBiase is a
Broker/Owner. She and her company represent buyers and sellers in the Greater
Portland area. For all your real estate needs contact
lisa@landinghomesmaine.com.
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