Real Estate Resolutions - Save Money in 2022

A new year is here, which often means new resolutions. While diets and exercises are always popular choices, don't forget about the fitness of your most valuable financial asset: your house. By committing to these five easy-to-follow home resolutions, you can potentially lower your monthly bills, maintain (or increase) your property value, and fall back in love with your living space.

1 Get The LED In

Energy-efficient light bulbs have come a long way since those ice-cream-cone-shaped compact fluorescents. Now, thanks to light-emitting diode bulbs (better known as LEDs), you can double the luminescent lifespan of everything from the lamp on your nightstand to the bulbs in your ceiling fan. Some brands even have built-in smart technology that allows you to change the brightness and hue or schedule timers directly from your phone or smart speaker. While it's true LED bulbs are more expensive upfront, many satisfied customers believe they are worth it in the long run.

2 Boost Your Home's IQ

Smart LED light bulbs aren't the only electronics that can lower your bills and increase your property value. Appliances like smart thermostats, smart electrical outlets and even smart smoke detectors can make your home safer, more efficient, and more appealing to potential buyers if you're planning on selling it. And because the companies that manufacture them are so smart, all you typically need to get started is a Wi-Fi connection and some kind of computer or mobile device to control it. Even if your home was built before the internet, you can modernize it with a few appliances.

3 Remember Your Furnace Filter

Pop Quiz: How often should you change the furnace filters in your house? If you don't know, you're not alone. Many people either change their filters on a whim or forget about it all together, but that could be costly for your energy bill and your health. As a rule of thumb, homeowners should use a 1” filter and change it every 30 days (possibly more frequently if you have pets or struggle with allergies). The 1” filter is best for keeping the air flowing efficiently and reducing energy costs. 

4 Seal Your Sanctuary

You may not realize it, but there are a lot of places in your living space where air can leak out and creatures can creep in. Protect your house from unwanted bill increases or insects by weather stripping or caulking the gaps around windows and vents, adding door sweeps to all of your exterior doors, and installing foam gaskets to your electrical outlets and light switches. Some of these measures may sound tedious, but they are guaranteed to increase your comfort in the long run. 

5 Beef Up Attic Insulation

Enjoy lower fuel bills and increased comfort by ensuring your home is well insulated. According to Energystar.gov, attic insulation typically has the greatest potential for energy savings.