Cut Heating Costs & Improve Your Home

There are simple and affordable things that you can do to cut heating costs this winter, and many of these also add to the value of your property too.  These improvements, along with the fact that your energy costs are low, are very attractive to people wanting to buy a home in mid-Missouri.  

 Most of these updates are inexpensive.  These tips can save you money while you are living in the house and they are impressive to point out to potential buyers when you are ready to sell.  

 Protect what is already in the home.
Properly taking care of what your house is already using will keep your heating bill low and keep those items from needing to be replaced when you sell.  

Seal leaks.

Over time, many areas in your home can produce small gaps or cracks where the cold air can leak in and the hot air leaks out.  Replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows.  Leaks in exposed duct work can be losing 20% - 30% of the air going through it.  Sealing them with mastic sealant or metal tape can fix this problem.  You can even eliminate drafts around light switches and outlets by filling the gaps behind the cover plate with acrylic latex caulk or foam sealant, covering it all with a foam gasket, then replacing the cover plate.    

Insulate pipes.

There are a couple of benefits to insulating your pipes.  It will help to keep water from freezing inside them and bursting the pipes.  The insulation also keeps your hot water costs down.  One more thing to brag about to potential home buyers.      

Have your heating system inspected annually.

Heating systems should get a check-up every year.  Many companies offer this service for free and only charge you if something needs to be fixed.  Small repairs to keep it running correctly are a lot less expensive than replacing a broken furnace.  




Add some new updates.
These items will add to your comfort while living in the home, plus look great to anyone wanting to buy it later on.  

Programmable thermostat.

One of these can reduce the cost of heating your home by 10%.  You don't have to remember to turn the temperature up or down when you leave the house or go to sleep for the night.  Program it ahead of time and the thermostat will take care of it for you.  Another bonus, the house will warm up for you right before you get back home.  

Storm doors and windows.

Replacing summer screens with storm doors and storm windows goes a long way in keeping the house insulated.  They are great for keeping cold out and heat in.    

Ceiling fan.

Ceiling fans are an excellent tool for increased air flow in a house.  Hot air rises, and setting the fan to turn clockwise in the winter will push that hot air down to where you are.  In the summer, set it to turn counter-clockwise to push the hot air up and away.    


These easy steps will keep you warm in your Lake of the Ozarks home, cut your energy costs, and make your house look better when you are ready to sell it.  Devine & Associates Real Estate knows what buyers look for in a home, and also which small touches really impress them.  Stay warm this winter, and give us a call when you are ready to move on to your next home.  




Where Your Best Interests and Our Best Efforts Meet


Devine & Associates Real Estate
Eldon office:  (573) 392-9900
Laurie office: (573)207-8407

Follow Us On...
LinkedIn      Google+

Location: Eldon, MO 65026, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Tips for Buying & Selling Your Home Simultaneously

Image
You may come to a point in your life where you are ready to sell your first home and move into a larger home.  Whether your family has outgrown your first home, or you have decided to move into a different neighborhood there are several buying and selling tips that you need to know before signing up with this somewhat risky task of buying and selling at the same time.   Your best real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you navigate and mitigate the risks involved by buying and selling a home at the same time. TIP #1- KNOW YOUR MARKET Is it a buyers’ market or a sellers’ market?  Make sure you do your due diligence in researching this topic, this will help you decide when you need to place your current on home on the market and when you will need to seriously start inquiring about purchasing a new home.  If you have questions about the market, contact a real estate agent at Lake of the Ozarks , they will be able to answer any questions you ma...
Read more

Unexpected Expenses to Prepare for When Buying for the First Time

Image
Buying your first home is an exciting time in your life. There's a sense of accomplishment and excitement in the air. As you prepare for your home purchase in mid-Missouri, you may start to think about the financial responsibility that comes along with becoming a homeowner. As the expert for first time home buyers near Eldon, MO , our team of agents have some tips for new homeowners. To start with, you need to get an idea of your future costs of owning a home and that's what this week's blog is all about. Home Upgrades There are many upgrades that can be done to different spaces. Depending on your personal preference and living condition needs, you may have a long list of to-dos to your new home. These home upgrades take time and money. As you invest in your home, try to save up for your major projects ahead of time that way it isn't so much of a crunch when it comes time to purchase your needed materials and labor. Exterior Maintenance If you're buying y...
Read more

Reasons You Should Stop Renting & Buy A Home

Image
Buying a home is likely one of the biggest investments you'll make in your lifetime. This can feel intimidating as you think about the large investment that may lay ahead but buying doesn't have to a scary process. As an experienced team of real estate agents in Eldon, Missouri , we know how beneficial it can be to buy a home in mid-Missouri . Check out the reasons you should buy instead of rent below. Invest in Your Property When you make your monthly mortgage payments, a portion of each payment goes toward the equity of your home. This is a great way to make an investment and is a way of forced savings - in a sense. You are required to make your payments and along with that, you're earning equity on your property. Home values are trending upward which works in favor of making a purchase now and hopefully be able to sell your property in the future for more. Mortgage is Being Paid Whether you own or rent, you are paying a mortgage payment. When a landlord charge...
Read more