They say that location has the most significant impact on the value of your home, but there are several additional factors that also play a key role in its final price. Maintaining your home is a relatively simple and affordable process that not only keeps it looking nicer, but often improves its function as well. Not to mention, many home maintenance and improvement measures improve the energy efficiency of your home, which can often deliver a substantial return on investment when adding up utility bill savings and tax breaks. If you’re looking to boost the value of your home before putting it on the market, consider the following home improvement projects that can make a difference.
The efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems depends on how often you change furnace filters. As your system runs, debris such as dust, dander and pollen build up on the filter and cause the system to work harder to get air to pass through. This effect exhausts the system, raises utility bills, and reduces the air quality in your home significantly. Furnace filters are relatively simple devices, but not all of them are of equal quality. Trion Air Bear furnace filters absorb a larger variety of airborne particles than the average filter and also come with an above-average efficiency rating. By installing these simple devices, you can extend the life of these systems, thus increasing the value of your home overall.
Speaking of energy efficiency, did you know that insulating your home can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs? Keeping your home fully insulated prevents outside air from coming in and vice versa, which means your systems don’t have to work as hard or as often to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Sealing your home can be as simple as purchasing weather stripping from your local hardware store and applying it around the doors and windows. However, if this method doesn’t do the trick, you may have to consult a professional to apply more advanced insulation techniques.
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Builder and author Steve Berges recommends having your house examined by a certified home inspector at least once every two to three years. A professional will conduct a thorough inspection of your home from multiple angles, including the roof and basement for structural damage and leaks, the foundation for moisture and termites, and all of the internal functions of your home, such as your heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical wiring. Conducting these inspections will give you a good idea of the current state of your home, while preventing expensive problems from catching you off guard later on down the road.
Maintaining your home through these measures is one of the best ways you can preserve its overall quality and longevity. A good rule of thumb is to pay extra close attention to any damages or changes that may have occurred after each season has ended. For example, once the snow clears away after winter, check the roof and basement to make sure no moisture damage occurred during this time. Changing filters seasonally is also a good way to keep up with this maintenance task in the most effective manner possible. These tasks may seem like bothersome chores at first, but the reward of a more comfortable and valuable home offers an excellent trade-off in the end.
