We all know that home maintenance can be expensive. Faulty roofs, furnaces and other major components can take a bite out of any budget. But although some expenses are unavoidable, many can be skirted with just a modicum of vigilance.
We recently ran across an article from RisMedia’s Housecall, detailing costly mistakes homeowners commonly make. Before the year gets too far along, why not take the time to correct the following money-wasting items in your home?
Using incandescent light bulbs: “Over its lifespan, an incandescent bulb can use $180 worth of electricity,” notes RisMedia. By contrast, CFL and LED bulbs only use $41 and $30 respectively. Change out the old to save hundreds of dollars.
Ignoring leaky faucets: A faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. This equates to more than 180 showers—and an oversized water bill.
Using old-style thermostats: Newer thermostats allow you to program the temperature to adjust at different times during the day. You can, for example, automatically lower the heat while you’re away at work and raise it at night— dramatically reducing energy costs overall.
Allowing uneven air flow in vents: In many homes, air flows heavily to one room and not another. This results in homeowners turning up the air conditioning or heat to accommodate all rooms. Adjust your your vents reduce flow in rooms closest to the furnace and push conditioned air to furthest registers. A professional can help if needed.
Ignoring curled shingles and other roof issues: It’s easy to overlook a few shingles that seem to be wearing out, but seemingly small issues lead to bigger problems when it comes to your roof. Early repair can save big money down the road.
Ignoring leaky windows and doors: Drafty windows and doors let cold air in during the winter and air conditioned-air out in summer, causing higher energy bills. Caulk and install rubber seals around doors for instant savings.