Home Upgrades That Pay You Back
Prices for just about everything keep climbing. Some home projects push back by lowering your bills every month. Start with the low-cost, high-return projects, then plan the bigger ones around the age of your equipment.
Start here: low cost, fast return
Change your AC filter
The Department of Energy says replacing a dirty, clogged filter can lower AC energy use by 5% to 15%. It costs a few dollars.
Program your thermostat
Turning it back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling, according to the Department of Energy.
Switch to LED
The Department of Energy says LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
Fix dripping faucets and running toilets
The EPA says the average household loses more than 9,300 gallons a year to leaks, and fixing easy ones saves about 10% on a water bill.
Turn down the water heater
Many water heaters ship set hotter than you need. A setting around 120°F saves energy and lowers the risk of scalding.
Next: seal and insulate
Air sealing and attic insulation
ENERGY STAR estimates an average savings of 15% on heating and cooling costs, or 11% on total energy costs, from sealing air leaks and adding insulation.
Duct sealing
ENERGY STAR says about 20% to 30% of the air in a typical duct system is lost to leaks and poor connections. Ducts in a hot Houston attic make this worse.
Radiant barrier
The Department of Energy says some studies show radiant barriers can cut cooling costs 5% to 10% in warm, sunny climates like ours.
Solar screens
Screens on east- and west-facing windows block a large share of the sun's heat before it gets inside.
Bigger projects: plan by age and condition
New AC system
Worth planning when your system is 10 to 15 years old, uses R-22 refrigerant, or needs frequent repairs.
Replacement windows
ENERGY STAR says replacing poor-performing windows with certified models saves an average of about 12% a year on energy costs. Savings vary by climate.
How to decide what to do first
- 1 Fix what's failing Leaks, unsafe wiring and a dying AC come before anything else.
- 2 Do the cheap wins Filters, thermostat settings and water heater temperature cost little and pay back fast.
- 3 Seal, then insulate Stopping air leaks first makes new insulation work better.
- 4 Replace on schedule Use our maintenance calendar to plan big replacements before they break down.
Keep reading
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