I’m a Remodeling Contractor: These Home Improvements Save Money
Written by
Lydia Kibet
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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You don’t need a full renovation to slash your bills. According to Megan Doser, remodeling contractor and CEO at Doctor Fix-It, many homeowners overlook simple fixes that can dramatically improve efficiency and save money.
If you feel like your utility bills are way more than expected, Doser says these home improvements will deliver some of the most noticeable savings.
Install Return Air Door Grilles
Proper airflow is one of the biggest energy wasters in older or poorly designed homes. “Forced-air HVAC systems only work well if air circulates freely throughout the house. Without that, it simply heats the same pocket of air,” Doser said. “Closed doors with no return air grilles don’t let the air move back to the system and create pressure imbalances that choke airflow and make the furnace run longer than it should.”
Installing return air grilles, which cost about $20 to $40 each, helps the HVAC system circulate air properly without requiring you to keep every door open all the time.
Replace Drafty Pet Doors With Insulated Models
Pet doors are convenient, but drafty ones can leak a surprising amount of air. According to PlexiDor, drafty pet doors can add 10% to your energy bills, especially if they don’t seal properly when closed.
“Replace an old drafty pet door with one that has a double or triple-flap design, a rigid insulated frame and tight magnetic seals that close firmly,” Doser explained. “It’s not just a good pet door that matters but also how you install it: make sure there are no gaps, adding exterior-grade caulk or expanding foam around the edges.”
Insulate Your House-Garage Wall
The wall between the house and garage is often left uninsulated, which costs you serious money during winter months. “If it’s a finished wall, use spray foam insulation and rigid foam boards if it’s open or unfinished,” Doser said. “Just make sure you use insulating material that doesn’t absorb moisture because it loses its insulating properties when damp.”
Doser warned against using fiberglass and cellulose kinds, as they’re not moisture-resistant because garages often have humidity spikes. This is especially true for when snow melts off a parked car, making the damp insulation quickly lose its effectiveness.
Install Smart Outlets
Electronics in standby and home office electronics in sleep mode are quietly consuming energy. “[Install] smart outlets in living rooms with TVs, game consoles and streaming boxes. You pay around $15 to $25 for one and save up to $50 per year by reducing vampire power draw,” Doser added.
Smart outlets let you schedule these devices to completely power down during hours you’re not using them.
Use LED Light Bulbs With Built-In Timers
How many times have you left lights on in storage areas and noticed days later? “LED light bulbs with a built-in timer are an excellent solution for sheds, workshops or storage areas where lights may get left on and you only notice it a few days later,” Doser said. “They’re weather-resistant, cost under $10 to $15 per bulb and you just screw them in, set the timer for two/four/eight hours and after that time the bulb automatically switches off if you forgot to switch the lights off yourself.”
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