Home Improvements That Increase Your Savings and Comfort

Thinking of renovating your home?  You’re not alone.  With record low inventory and high interest rates, many homeowners are opting for home improvements to meet their lifestyle goals rather than selling and buying.  If you’re among the many who are deciding which types of renovations will make the biggest impact on comfort and long-term investment, the home service experts at Heritage are here to help.  Read on!

Energy Saving Improvements

This one may seem obvious, but when it comes to making your dollar go further, you have a lot more options other than attaching solar panels or going for a drought style lawn.  Things like low flush toilets, high efficiency appliances, and even smart monitoring devices can help cut down on utilities each month, while also improving your comfort indoors.

Here are just a few options we recommend:

• Indirect Water Heaters – If you’re running a stand alone water heater and have a boiler, consider converting to an indirect water heater.  This combines your hot water and heating into one system that is more efficient, especially during winter months, since it uses the same energy that’s already being generated from your heating system.
• Hybrid Water Heaters – Don’t have a setup that could benefit from an indirect?  No problem!  Like an indirect, Hybrid water heaters can help you save on energy costs, and make a great long-term home improvement project.  Using heat pump technology along with a traditional fuel source, a hybrid water heater can cut energy consumption up to 63%!
• Programmable Thermostats – Time to ditch the dials, folks!  With programmable thermostats you can easily set a schedule for your comfort systems to run only when you need them to.  No one home 8 hours out of the day?  Easy – set your thermostat to be 3-4 degrees warmer than how you typically like it, and have it automatically adjust to your usual temperature when you return home!  Sticking to a routine like this can help you save big in the long run.
• Energy Monitoring Devices – From smart oil tank gauges to smart water shutoffs, there’s never been more options to get complete control over your home’s energy and water consumption.  At Heritage, we sell products for monitoring exact usage of your oil tank, fuse box, and whole home water shutoff.  These will not only help you understand peak use times for your family, but also where there’s waste.  With this information, you can make smarter decisions about whether a larger improvement like a new comfort system or appliance is necessary.

Plumbing Repairs & Leaky Fixture Replacements

Is your old plumbing costing you money?  Dripping faucets, leaky toilets, and old water heaters can all rack up your costs when the bills come in.  These are not only nuisances to your everyday comfort, but they are literally flushing money down the drain.  Don’t wait on replacing a dripping fixture!  The cost in wasted water will outweigh the cost of replacement over just a few months. 

While you’re at it, consider modernizing your fixtures to really spruce up your living space.  With more time today spent at home, your kitchen and bathrooms will see a lot more wear and tear over their lifespan.  Make sure these spaces are not only efficient and reliable, but comfortable and inviting to use.  You’ll be happy you did!

Here’s just a few of the plumbing renovations we recommend:

• Bathtub Replacement
• Kitchen Sink Replacement
• Lavatory Sink Replacement
• Toilet Replacement (consider “low-flush” models for water savings)
• Outdoor Faucet Replacement
• Hot Water Heater Replacements (avg. lifespan of 8-12 years)

High Efficiency Comfort Systems & Electrical Upgrades

If you’ve read our article on the Inflation Reduction Act, you’ll know that the US government has classified new comfort systems and electrical upgrade installations as qualifying for the energy saving home improvement tax credit.  In short, you could save up to $3,200 with a qualifying installation when you file your taxes next year!

These types of renovations are much larger in scope, but can really pay dividends when it comes to your long-term comfort and savings.  If you want a home improvement that may not catch your eye, but will definitely grab your attention when it’s working poorly, consider installing a new, efficient, and reliable comfort system in your home.

Installations That Qualify for the IRA Tax Credit:

• New HVAC System Installation (AC, Furnace, Boiler, Heat Pump, Combi Units)
• New Water Heater Installation (Standalone or Indirect)
• Electrical Upgrades:
  • Panels
  • Sub-Panels
  • 200 Amp Service
  • Smart Breakers

Looking for more information on how to get started with your next home improvement project?  With over 30 years of experience taking care of everything that runs your home, you can trust the experts at Heritage to help.  Give us a call or contact us online today!