Owning or even renting a home means a lot of unavoidable expenses, including electricity, water, safety, WIFI, and maintenance. Fortunately, most if not all of home-related expenses can be managed so that there’s no need to break the bank just yet.
In particular, while maintaining your home is non-negotiable, there are plenty of things you can do to cut down on costs in that regard; here are 3 tips.
Regular Maintenance
Yes, a major part of reducing maintenance costs is regular maintenance. Why? Regular maintenance is a good idea because it allows you to identify and address small issues before they become major and costly problems. So it’s primarily important because it extends the lifespan of your home’s components and systems.
You want to create a maintenance checklist, including tasks like cleaning gutters, checking for leaks, inspecting the roof, servicing the HVAC system, etc. Then schedule routine inspections accordingly.
For example, having your gutters regularly cleaned prevents clogs and water damage to your home’s foundation and walls as well as preventing water from overflowing and water damage, saving you from expensive repairs.
DIY Repairs
Why not do it yourself? While you should never attempt major repairs or installations by yourself, learning to handle minor repairs on your own can save money on professional labor costs and empower you to address issues promptly.
Investing time in learning basic repair skills through online resources or home improvement books, and then acquiring essential tools for common DIY tasks is a good idea.
Start with small, manageable projects and gradually tackle more complex ones. For example, repairing a leaky faucet on your own can save on plumbing service fees. Turn off the water supply, disassemble the faucet, replace the washer or O-ring, and reassemble it. This way you avoid a plumber’s hourly rates, and even the cost of possibly inflated replacement material.
Energy Efficiency
It’s true, energy efficiency does often mean a less costly utility bill, primarily saving you money in the long term while also helping the environment.
There are several ways to make your home more energy efficient. Including conducting an energy audit to identify areas where your home is losing energy, sealing drafts around doors and windows, adding insulation where needed, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances.
For example, you want to upgrade to energy-efficient LED light bulbs because they reduce electricity consumption and save you money in the form of lower electricity bills. Similarly, consider replacing older, single-pane windows with double or triple-pane windows that have low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings as such windows provide better insulation and reduce heat transfer.
Being proactive about cutting down expenses is one step closer to financial security. So why not do all you can, including reducing home maintenance costs? Practice regular maintenance, pick up some simple but handy maintenance skills, and prioritize energy efficiency.
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