Save Money...With Your Home!

I don't know about you, but I really like saving money whenever I can. One of the biggest expenses in our life is the cost to operate the place we call "Home". Whether you are renting or own it, utilities are expensive!!! If you follow a few of the suggestions listed below, you should be able to save enough to pay a little more toward the credit cards in January.

1) Get an Energy Audit. An independant energy audit will cost around $200-300 to have done by a professional but might entitle you to government rebates and incentives to help offset the cost of adding insulation, upgrading systems, etc.

2) Visit the Eco Options page on Home Depot's website. This section of HD's website offers you the opportunity to find rebates by state, take efficiency surveys to see where you are wasting utilities, and offers suggestions to correct or improve the efficiency of your home. http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/index.html?MAINSECTION=energyaudit&cm_sp=homepage%2d%5f%2dwk43%2d%5f%2dF2%2d%5f%2dhome%5fefficiency%5faudit

3) Replace the Weatherstripping on your doors and windows. This will help eliminate drafts created by worn or crushed seals. If your windows are older than 20 years, consider replacing them with the latest in thermopane windows. If your door is an older wood door, consider replacing it with an insulated steel or fiberglass door and add a storm door.

4) Caulk around all windows, doors, and vents on the outside of your home. When coupled with replacing the seals as mentioned in #3, this will help eliminate the draft from the outside and help prevent water from getting behind your siding which can lead to other problems such as rot, mold, or wood destroying insects.

5) Insulate your pipes in the basement and crawlspace. This simple step is often the most overlooked point of savings in a home. Measure your pipes for the diameter and buy the appropriate pipe insulation. It is usually sold in 3 to 4' lengths and often features a tape seal making intallation easy. While you're at it, wrap your water heater with a pre-made water heater insulation blanket.

These are just a few suggestions to make your paycheck last a little longer or to help pay for your holiday shopping.

Thanks!

Bill Nelson
REALTOR, Real Estate Investor, SRES