It’s pretty typical for most homes and offices to have at least one special cleaning day each year–that day when you take care of everything you’ve been putting off for months. But there are even bigger projects and fixes that we sometimes put off for years. We procrastinate on that stuff because it’s just too much work to bother with, or it’ll cost too much and we don’t have room in our budget. But sooner or later, they do need to get done.
We figured it would help to put together a list of these items, because if you have a reminder, you’ll remember to take advantage of situations that pop up unexpectedly, such as sales at your local hardware store, or specials offered by appliance installation businesses. Put this list on your fridge so you don’t forget.
- Check the seals in your home. Rubber and silicone break down over time. Check the weather stripping around doors, and any caulking around windows or other seals that are exposed to the external environment. Failing to replace weathered seals can raise your energy bills considerably, and can also raise the risk of water damage due to wet weather.
- Look over the ductwork. HVAC systems only work if the hot and cold air they produce gets where it’s supposed to be going. Plastic and metal ducting can develop cracks, and joints can separate and leak as well. Also make sure that the ductwork is properly insulated.
- Upgrade your thermostat. Many people admire and appreciate the simplicity of old style thermostats; slide the switch to where you want it, and that’s it. In contrast, newer programmable thermostats can appear overcomplicated and fussy to operate. However, the learning curve is worth it, as many new thermostats offer all sorts of programs and features that can cut way down on energy usage, and do the same thing for your power bills.
- Redo attic and wall insulation. If you’re living in a brand new, well-constructed home, then your insulation will likely work just fine until your grandchildren are old and gray. However, older homes can have insufficient or aged insulation that allows too much heat to escape out of–or into–the home. If you’ve been putting off doing renovation work on your old home, you may want to consider the potential cost savings.
- Replace the refrigerator and freezer. If you bought your kitchen fridge/freezer combo unit sometime in the last ten years, then you’re probably good to go. However, when you start looking at models older than that, their energy cost begins to rise swiftly. The energy consumption of the average fridge has been halved over the last 15 years, while Energy Star models are even more efficient. Also, don’t forget to check your garage. Many people retire their old models to the garage as a beer and soda fridge. However, while it may be impressive that the antique in your garage is still going strong, it may be costing you three or four times as much to run as the newer one in your kitchen. If it’s more than 30 years old, it may cost five to six times as much as your average new model.
- Upgrade the furnace and water heater. The argument here is much the same as it is with the fridge and freezer. Newer models are just as powerful as the old ones, while using much less energy. Newer furnaces can cut costs by 35 percent. If you really want to splurge, take a look at some of the new tankless water heaters now on the market.
- Annnnnnd look at replacing your clothes dryer. Yep, same deal with your clothes dryer as with the last few things. Old models = use lots of energy. New models = use less energy (and money).
We’re not trying to say that you need to rush out and do all of this right now!!! in order to save money. Just keep these things in mind, and seriously consider making these changes when circumstances allow, or opportunities present themselves. As you make these changes, over time they’ll begin to add up, and eventually make a significant difference in your monthly household budget.
