Most people will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars when buying a new house. For that reason, many of them won’t have much left in their accounts after the move. So, it makes sense to try to save as much cash as possible when personalizing your property. You’ll probably want to decorate, and you ought to perform many alterations. You might also encounter some damage that needs fast repairs. While I won’t manage to cover every possible situation in this post, I’ve tried to mention all the basics. Considering that, the information on this page could help you to save thousands during the next few months. In most instances, you just need to use some common sense and think outside of the box. There are always methods you can use to cut back if you’re smart.
Check the insulation in your attic
Nobody wants to live in a cold house, but few people are willing to deal with huge energy bills. So, it’s important that you check the insulation in your attic before doing anything else. If there isn’t enough up there, you should buy some more. Most of the heat in your home will leave the property via the roof, and so you need to take precautions. After installing more insulation, you should notice that you don’t need to use the heating quite as often. That is because less heat will escape, and your home should remain toasty. With a bit of luck, the improvement will last for many years, and your utility bills will decrease. Also, you won’t have to purchase any electric blankets for the kids bedrooms. We all know how dangerous those devices can become if they’re left switched on.
Lower the temperature on your water heater
Many people set the temperature far too high on their hot water heaters. That means they are using energy unnecessarily. Next, you should check the system and lower the gauge to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter than that and your family will have to use a lot of cold water to cool the water down. That’s counterproductive when you’ve just spent so much cash heating it up. By setting a more suitable temperature, you will lower your energy usage. You’ll also use less water which means you’re doing something good for the planet. If you need advice on how to perform that action with your water heater, just consult the manual. Alternatively, you could call the manufacturers to ask for some guidance.
Buy some fans for your ceilings
As you now understand, heating your new home is expensive. That’s why you need to work hard to reduce the costs involved. However, most people don’t realize that cooling their house can also require mass expenditure. Those air conditioning units are excellent at lowering the temperature, but they use a lot of electricity. Thankfully, there is a better solution that all new homeowners should consider. Ceiling fans are not expensive, but they’re perfect for keeping the air moving in your property. You can switch them on and off using a remote control, and they use much less electricity when compared to air conditioners. Just make sure you always send the kids to bed with a glass of water because they can cause the air to become rather dry.
Purchase wraps for exposed water pipes
If you have any exposed water piped in your home, it’s possible to save even more cash! There are specialist products you can purchase that fit over the top of those pipes and stop them from losing heat. You won’t have to spend more than a few dollars, and the items will pay for themselves in less than a couple of months. Just search online to find retailers who focus on those wraps. Some will even come out to your house and install them for a small fee. However, there’s no reason you shouldn’t manage to handle the job without professional help. It says at http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-insulate-hot-pipes-with-rope-15526 that you can even insulate them using rope. In most instances, exposed water pipes will run under your heating system and towards any taps in your property. Just take a moment to identify them now, so you know how many covers you need to buy.
Fix any broken windows or doors
Broken windows and doors will allow too much heat to escape from your home. So, it’s vital that you fix them as soon as possible. You might have to call professionals in some instances, but you can handle most of the work yourself. Just don’t make the mistake of overlooking the garage - especially if it’s joined to your home. Fixing a garage door is simple, and you can get the details at GarageDoorService.com/garage-door-repair/. Plenty of other websites offer information too. You just need to search online and speak to the right professionals. In most circumstances, you’ll want to employ an expert for the afternoon, but it’s worth the expense.
Clear all obstruction from your vents
Some people think that covering the vents in their home will help to reduce heat loss. While that is true, it doesn’t work as well as you might think. Those vents are positioned carefully to encourage optimum air flow. Any obstructions will alter the way in which air moves from room to room. It could also mean you struggle to cool the house down in the summertime. So, remove all the panels and take a look inside. It’s possible that a previous owner might have plugged them for some reason. If that’s the case, you just need to remove the paper or whatever they used. You might notice your home feels a little colder initially, but the issue will resolve itself. The only time you might want to plug a vent is when it runs into your basement. People who live in areas that have a high risk of flooding will want to make sure the vent is closed.
Hang a clothesline in your back garden
It might sound like a simple move, but clotheslines could help you to save a fortune. Hanging one in your garden will mean you don’t have to use the dryer as often. It will also mean you don’t turn the radiators on quite so frequently. We’re currently approaching the summertime, and so there should be plenty of beautiful days for drying that washing. You can pick up a clothesline for next to nothing from most budget home stores. However, you’ll also find some excellent deals online. Do yourself a favor and purchase a prop too. Sometimes the weight of your clothes will cause the line to sag and break. A clothes prop will make sure that doesn’t happen, and you can continue using the clothesline for many years. One last tip - don’t place it under any trees, or the birds will make sure you have to wash everything a second time.
Switch to LED light bulbs
Depending on the nature of your fittings, you might have to install some new devices to use LED bulbs. However, I guarantee that you will save a lot of money on electricity. You don’t have to look far online to find a wealth of benefits people notice when using that alternative. Firstly, the bulbs can last for almost five times as long as standard lights. Secondly, they use around 40% less energy during their lifetime. You can get them in many different colors, and they’re only around twice as expensive to purchase as traditional bulbs. Within the next few years, most homeowners will make the switch and reduce their bills. So, you should jump on the bandwagon right now if you’re trying to live on a tight budget. If you decide to use LEDs, make sure you buy them in bulk to keep costs down.
Use solar power
Solar panels are the best way to live an eco-friendly life and keep more cash in the bank. The only issue is they are expensive to purchase and install. However, the US government is currently running some schemes that could help to cover the costs. In some instances, you can get the product for free if you forfeit your annual payment. That means you don’t have to pay for the energy you use on your property. It’s just that the power company will keep any unused units instead of paying you a commission at the end of the year. Essentially, that means you can get the thousands of dollars worth of equipment without spending a dime. You will also reduce your electricity bills to zero within a couple of months. That said, the schemes change all the time, and so you need to check with your local authority for the latest deals.
Add smart plugs to electrical devices
Smart plugs are excellent for people who worry about their consumption of electricity. In most situations, you can program them to switch items off at specific times. You can also make it, so inactive devices are turned off after a particular period. Research shows that most homeowners waste around $500 per year by leaving their electronics on standby mode. That money could be better spent on a family weekend away or something enjoyable. Smart plugs are not expensive to buy if you shop around. Just make sure you don’t opt for the cheapest products on the market because they won’t offer the same benefits. If you take the time to read some online reviews, it should become apparent which items people find most useful.
Those ideas will help you to save thousands when moving into a new property. So, you just need to put them into practice as soon as possible. The longer you wait; the more cash you will spend - it’s as simple as that. Now you know how to make the savings; you have no excuse for not performing the work. Your bank manager should get off your back when he sees how we’ll you’re managing your finances after the major purchase. That’s always a bonus.
