5 energy Efficient Upgrades that increases your Des Moines home’s value & comfort

It's a good time to upgrade your home if you’re going to sell, but you’re wondering how much your investment will pay off. First impressions matter a lot: when buyers pull up to your house, are you giving them good vibes? Most folks would agree that greener homes make for better home buying experiences. And here’s the best thing about it: it will also add value to your home’s selling price!

Whether you’re instantly seeing a return on your investment or not, there are so many benefits to increasing the energy efficiency of your home — which could be an energy saver for you in the long run (or at least a money saver). 

Home improvement projects that improve the energy efficiency of a house and reduce utility bills are a win-win.  Upgrading your home’s insulation, windows and doors is an important step to making sure you get the most out of your investment. From saving you money on energy bills, to improving the value of your home, here are five energy-efficient upgrades to start with.

1. Install Energy Efficient Windows to Stay Green

Homes must be warm in winter and cool in summer in Des Moines for comfort. Old, inefficient windows make this problematic. Windows account for 25- to 30-percent of temperature fluctuation. Over time, that heat gain and loss can cost the homeowner thousands of dollars in energy bills. 

Des Moines homeowners who want to be more energy efficient will find that replacing old windows with new energy efficient ones will pay for itself over time. It increases the value of the home, adds comfort and saves money on energy bills.

Not only do old windows affect the comfort level of a home, they also affect curb appeal and resale value. The National Association of Realtors estimates that replacing old, inefficient windows with vinyl ones will recoup 73% of their cost at resale.

Vinyl windows are often the most energy-efficient choice. Look for ones with the ENERGY STAR label and NFRC certification (National Fenestration Rating Council). The latter gives detailed performance ratings for air leakage, solar heat gain, and more.

Besides being energy efficient, vinyl windows are affordable, durable and low maintenance. They come in a wide variety of styles, including double-hung, sliding, bow and bay types. Replacement is fairly easy as well — simply measure the existing window opening(s) and order one/some from your local home improvement store or contractor to replace it/them.

2. Seal that Cracks and holes - proper insulation pays off 

Proper insulation is important for energy efficiency. Without it, the heating and cooling system has to work harder to maintain a stable temperature. This puts extra wear and tear on the system, which can lead to breakdowns and costly repair bills.

The key is to have the right amount of insulation in place, because too much or too little can be detrimental to the system. Some areas of your Des Moines home might require more insulation than others. 

Insulation should be installed at all points where heated or cooled air could escape. A home's insulation can be damaged over time due to pests, normal wear and tear or improper installation. It's important to have the insulation inspected regularly and replaced if necessary. Insulation should be added in the following areas:

• Attic

• Walls

• Basement

• Crawlspace

From the attic to walls, basement, and crawlspace, home insulation helps the HVAC system work more efficiently year-round. Poor insulation allows heat to escape during the winter, forcing the HVAC to work harder, costing more money. The same thing happens when the air conditioner runs in the warmer months. 

Cracks and holes are your enemy and should be sealed as soon as they appear. This process can help save money on your utility bills year-round, helping to protect your home from being too hot or too cold. Sealing cracks in the walls, floors, and ceiling are according to the US Department of Energy, one of the easiest ways to go green simply by doing simple repairs. 

3. Installing A Programmable Thermostat In Your Home

Installing a programmable thermostat in your Des Moines homes is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase energy efficiency. By allowing you to control the temperature throughout the day, programmable thermostats can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.

There are seemingly endless types of smart home products. But two features that can be the most useful in improving your home are smart lights and a programmable thermostat. They keep your home comfortable and efficient around the clock, even when you're not home, by preventing your HVAC system from running at full speed all day long.

• Programmable thermostats are often one of the first home automation items installed in a home, and for good reason. A programmable thermostat can pay for itself within a year's time with all of the savings you'll realize from more efficient heating, cooling and ventilation.

• Smart thermostats go one step further by connecting to a smart hub unit. This allows users to control their thermostat from an app on their internet-connected smartphone or other device. Smart thermostats also collect data about your energy habits, so you can make smarter decisions about how to save energy and money in the future.

To make your house more attractive to buyers, you might also consider smart lighting systems that react to sensor-based controls. This way, if someone enters or leaves a room, the lights automatically turn on and off as needed.

4. Smart Sprinkler Timers Can Reduce Your Watering Overhead

U.S. households waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually from leaks, according to the EPA. With water shortages and droughts becoming more common, it's important to consider how much water you use. Of course, you could always turn your sprinkler system off or adjust the timer manually. Or, you can use a smart sprinkler timer to take care of that for you.

It's a waste of money to water your Des Moines lawn when it's already raining. It also feels wasteful to water your lawn, knowing that it won't get used.

A smart sprinkler timer can help reduce that number by allowing you to set timers for different zones of your home and automatically adjust schedules based on local weather conditions and rainfall.

If you have a sprinkler system at home, get a smart timer. It will save you time and money. You'll also be able to make sure your lawn is getting enough water.

        5. Upgrade your Appliances

Upgrading your appliances can be overwhelming but you can do it one step at a time. While this project will not be cheap, the financial savings may offset the expense if you start with replacing appliances that have reached their peak energy usage.

There are many reasons why you might want to upgrade your home appliances. Maybe you're planning to put your house on the market, or maybe you're just sick of having to wait forever for the dishwasher to finish so you can open it. Whatever the reason, a little appliance upgrade can go a long way.

Deciding which appliances to replace first can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make this process easier. 

An energy-efficient home upgrade you can take on over time is replacing your appliances. On the top of the list for highest energy consumption are refrigerators, washing machines and dryers. Replace them on an as-needed basis, but make sure to do your research on which brands have earned the Energy Star seal of approval.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to boost the value of your home, one great place to start is with energy-efficient upgrades. Not only will they help you save money on monthly bills, but they will also add to the overall value and become a key selling point if and when the property goes on the market.

But considering all the reasons listed above, it is clear that a little investment in energy efficiency makes sense and may likely offer some extra value when the time comes to sell. Considering that upgrades to a home can be sizable, it's important not to underestimate their impact on value. And in this case, such an investment could pay off very nicely.