Latest posts by Joe Pawlikowski (see all)
- Top 5 Apps All Small Businesses Need - May 12, 2013
- 5 Crucial Tips for Buying a New Smartphone - March 9, 2013
- 5 Steps To Turning Around Your Finances - February 20, 2013
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For homeowners, they’re necessary nuisances. There are many large appliances in your home that can break at any time. There are also many parts of your house that could use an upgrade, but don’t necessarily need them at the time. Usually we put off these expenses until the last minute. But that might not be the best strategy.
There are instances when upgrading before it’s necessary will work out in your favor. Here are four such instances. Get ready to open your wallet now for savings later.
1. New windows
No one wants to replace their windows until it’s completely necessary. Not only are the windows themselves expensive — especially if you have a bay window — but chances are you can’t install them yourself. That means paying someone, and any specialty labor costs plenty. So why go out of your way to pay for this kind of upgrade?
Sure, you might pay hundreds of dollars to put in new windows, but that investment will pay you back every month. Old windows are notorious for letting hot air out and cold air in during winter months (and the opposite during the summer). It might take a couple years to recoup your money, but there’s no doubt that you’ll make it back in savings on your heating and cooling bills.
2. Backup sump pump
If your house has a basement, you know the importance of a sump pump. It’s a little guy that pumps water away from your house. It is integral to avoiding a basement flood. Yet sump pumps, like any other household appliance, can break. Worse, sometimes it breaks and you don’t know it. Then you get a bad rainstorm and your basement floods. So what do you do?
If you have a backup sump pump, you can get it installed and stanch the flow of water into your basement. It will still take an effort to bail it all out, but at least you’ll have a pump working on your side. If you don’t have a backup that means taking a drive to the hardware store where you just hope they have one in stock. All that time, your basement continues to flood. Having a backup might cost a few hundred, but it can repay you a thousand times with the damage it helps avoid.
3. Tankless water heater
Here’s a fact that many homeowners know from first-hand experience: your hot water heater is only expected to lost a decade at the longest. Some last even less than that. They’re not exactly cheap to replace, either, and the cheaper you go the less life you’re likely to get from it. Worse, it uses a ton of energy. Just think about how much it takes to keep that tank warm constantly.
A tankless electric water heater can save you money in three ways. First, they can run cheaper than comparable tank water heaters. Second, they use less energy, since they don’t need to heat an entire tank of water. Instead they heat the water on-demand. Third, they last much longer than your tank water heater — perhaps twice as long or more. Plus, it means never running out of hot water, so there’s no getting into a freezing shower.
4. Programmable thermostat
If your house is unoccupied while everyone is at work or school, you’re probably wasting money on heating and cooling costs. After all, you don’t want to arrive home to a freezing or sweltering house, so you keep it at a reasonable level while everyone is gone. It would be nice to turn down the heat or air conditioning while you’re gone, turning it back up just before you arrive. This you can accomplish with a programmable thermostat.
There are a few different types of these, but the most popular ones let you set it on a schedule. In the winter, for example, you might set the temperature to lower at 8 a.m. and then start warming up at around 2 p.m. when the kids get home from school, or around 5 or 6 when you get home from work. That way you’re not wasting money heating the house for no one’s benefit. Soon enough you’ll see thermostats you can control from your smartphone. That will really help save money.
Laying out the cash for these upgrades might hurt at first. You’ll lament the money spent in the short-term. But in the long term you’ll see the savings rolling in. That is, these one-time expenses will bring with them long-term monthly savings. It might take a while, but you’ll eventually make your money back on them. Once you’re in the black, it’s all gravy.
Twitter: india_darshan
Yes i am agreed with you and you are saying in right words when you want to see your home more cool then i don’t think so you don’t try to save money in that condition.
Yep, Agree.
People shouldn’t fear to invest in the beginning because thats gonna help them in the future. If they don’t make it, they will have to spend even more in the long run.
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Gotta agree with you here, Sam. Get these money saving areas sorted at the start and they mean long term gains.
I gotta admit though that I didn’t know what the heck a tankless water heater was. My Dad was a plumber and when I needed to replace our water heater, it was a right royal pain – I couldn’t imagine the cost but I guess that’s where tradesmen make their money
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Hello, Joe. I kind of agree with those upgrades but this is a good investment when you are planning to live in the house for 10-15 years. If you bought a house and know that withing 5 years it will be sold ( usual Canadian practice for the first, second house purchased) than some of these improvements will not receive expected return when the house will be sold. BUT — lucky new owners!!!! Thanks for the arcticle.
Blogs like these are not just investment ideas, but they contribute to environmental aspects too. Especially when the globe is embedded into a situation of predicament.
Hi Joe,
Excellent tips. I guess every one looking for Household Investments and they wants to invest on the right place. If you have have invested once on the right track, you can make your money long term in your house.
I have been looking for these ideas, Thank you for this post.
Mike
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Yes yes,
I think If someone are on that way to make their home blaster and attractive also then it is not necessary that he/she makes lots of expenses.Here are the great example of this.
Sometime we don’t think about to spend money on worth things.
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Along the lines of windows, good quality roof insulation is a necessity given that 40% of a home’s heat loss is through the roof. Making a home as passive as possible is a must, but try telling that to an angst ridden teenager who leaves doors open in the middle of winter.
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I think the first investment with windows can be reduced with the window tinting. It will save your costly imported window from breakdown and reduces the energy bills. And its a one time investment to secure your home for long years…
Twitter: SteveRo60881115
How about loft insulation as a good way to invest? And if your house is built with wall cavities, maybe wall insulation. Personally, with all the brown-outs and blackouts I’m expecting, I’m thinking a generator is next on my list
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Twitter: Elena__Anne
These are all good investments for any homeowner. A programmable thermostat is probably the cheapest thing you can do that will save a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills. Aside from that, the energy savings in the home is one way that each person can help conserve natural resources.
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Hi Joe,
A different but useful post. Most of our time is spend in education and then career. We never think about future or long term savings unless something very harsh and unexpected happens to us. Really a thought provoking article. Thanks a lot.
Regards,
Vijay
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I agree with you Joe but if you are renting your apartment then these might not be the best investment.
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Hello there,
No i think this is not right as you are saying.many and many peoples lives outside from a house and spend their half life in apartments.
At that time will you see that not to live properly?
you are making peeve with your words?
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The idea that you can conrtol the heating and cooling in your house using you smart phone is a great idea however I bet it will come with a heavy price tag!
this is great! i much prefer for the tankless water heater. cuz it nott spacious and it is very handy to install.
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All points are excellent, use architecture for construction of home it is very good
thank you Joe Pawlikowski
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The discussion about the basement water via rain fall, that is really a problem, how can i tackle this problems, i always ask my servants to put the water out, they can manually put the water out, but its really a difficult job, i will try to use this service to put the water out from the basement.
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These tips are very very useful after all everyone wants to invest it right for when it comes to their household. Thanks a lot.
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Having a thermostat is the best idea to go for.As energy resources are on the verge of extinction from the planet earth.one has to take step to save them by whatever means.
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We just installed out waterless water heater. Love it and can’t wait to see the savings.
Thanks for the other tips.
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Very rightly said.I too hav installed the tankless water heater and am waiting for bettr results
Twitter: PMStudyCircle
You have given good advice for the people living in their own home. How about people living in rented flat or house.
Regards,
Fahad
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Great tips , there are many more ways to invest as well to save money in long term
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Great post! Saves both money and the environment! Keep up the great posts!
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Agreed, Initial investment either in business or in studies always pay after some time.
Can personally vouch for electric heaters. If you’re living in a part of the earth that remains cold for more than 6 months, or has a predominantly cold climate, you’ll save a ton on energy costs with these (speaking from experience). Plus they’re instant and provide hot water within seconds!
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Hi Joe, nice tips. I guess every one looking for Household Investments and they wants to invest on the right place. If you have have invested once on the right track, you can make your money long term in your house.
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Hi Joe,
You have really written a nice article.
And the points discussed by you are really amazing as we can’nt even thought of such deep points that you have explained so beautifully.
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Hi Joe, I would say thank you for every line which you have posted here.I have lot of family commitments ,which i am fulfiling successfully.However my extra expenses are very less.But i learn here,still i can save some money.
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You have given good advice for the people living in their own home. How about people living in rented flat or house.
Fantastic tips. I conjecture each one searching for Family Speculations and they has a desire to contribute on the perfect place. Depending on if you have speculated once on the right track, you can save your cash lifelong in your house. I have been searching for these thoughts, Thank you for this post.
Twitter: blogdum
Good advice but it will work when are you are staying for longer time.
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Your opinion is right and mostly people doing the same thing.
For most kinds of purchases, you can get valuable advice and comparisons on the Internet. Ask a librarian or friends which Internet sites they think are helpful, or you can use a search engine like Google or Yahoo. Be aware that information you find is often biased. At many websites, the only products or sellers listed are ones that pay to advertise. Before buying anything on the Internet, check several websites and make sure you deal with reputable dealers.
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few point from where you can save your money.
1. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest price.
2. You will spend less on food if you shop with a list, take advantage of sales, and purchase basic ingredients, rather than pre-packaged components or ready-made items.
3. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing price-per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Stock up on those items with low per-unit costs.
I replaced my old windows the last fall, they were still functioning, but as you said in the article, they did let some cold air in which was pretty annoying especially during winter. I am waiting for the gas bill summary now, hope to see it lower than the last season.
Twitter: fred_henning
Hi Joe-
I am in the business of residential repair and construction. You are so correct. These investments are nuisances. But, if you don’t address them, they just get worse or even fail and result in a huge expenses.
Whether you are a homeowner or a rental property owner, save yourself some grief and also potential liabilities. Invest in the upkeep of your properties. It’s much better in the long and short run.
Great article!
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tankless water heater is a safe bet.. rather than buying another tank, the tankless water heater will end up saving you so much more money in the long run.
Perfect! Money is the first thing which comes in the mind and everyone wishes for the best and long term work in case of home.
Twitter: @bestofshayari1
tankless water heater is the new concept that i have evr heard …actuallt it is a great idea too.really good tips.
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