When it comes to home remodeling projects, most people immediately think about renovating their bathroom or kitchen, replacing windows and/or doors, or maybe even adding some square footage to their living space.
While those remodeling projects are no doubt worthwhile, they can be quite pricey and time intensive for the value they’ll add to your property. If you’re considering making a few home improvements this year, but don’t want to drop tens of thousands on a major project, you still have plenty of options.
Check out these seven highly underrated home projects that can add more comfort and value to your house.
1. New Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment
Most air conditioners and furnaces have a lifespan of roughly 15-20 years with proper maintenance and periodic repairs. If your furnace or a/c unit is nearing the end of its recommended lifespan, replacing either one or both of your units will not only make your home more comfortable but can also help reduce your energy bills.
Furnace and air conditioner replacement can also yield a pretty decent return on your investment, depending on the type of units you choose. On average, you can expect to recoup about 35%-50% of what you pay for new heating and cooling equipment should you decide to sell your home.
2. New Water Heater
If you have a conventional, tank water heater, you can expect it to perform optimally for about eight to 12 years. After that point, the unit may develop problems that could present a safety hazard or result in inefficient performance and higher-than-necessary utility bills.
If your unit is approaching the end of its recommended lifespan, water heater installation is one home improvement you should definitely consider. You may want to consider upgrading to a tankless water heater if you’d like to save money on your monthly electricity costs.
3. Upgrade to a Heat Pump
Want to have the most efficient heating and cooling system on the block? Then it may be time to consider upgrading your traditional air conditioner and heating unit to a heat pump.
What exactly is a heat pump? These units pull heat from either the ground or the air and transfer that heat energy into your home. When you need to cool the interior of your house, a heat pump removes hot air from your home and deposits that heat energy back into the ground or the air, depending on the type of unit you choose.
You can opt for a ground-source heat pump, which extracts heat energy stored beneath the surface of the earth, or an air-source heat pump, which pulls heat energy from the air around your home.
Regardless of the unit you select, a heat pump can either function as a standalone heating and cooling unit or an adjunct heating and cooling system to supplement what your traditional HVAC units already provide. Check out How Do Heat Pumps Work? for a more in-depth breakdown.
If you’re interested in reducing your household energy expenses as much as possible, check out 7 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient for a few valuable tips.
4. Ductwork Replacement
Have you noticed a decrease in your heating and cooling system’s efficiency? Perhaps you’ve been paying higher-than-normal electricity or gas bills lately and you’re not sure why? If so, holes and/or cracks in your ductwork could be allowing warm and cool air to escape the system, which can drive up your energy costs.
Replacing your ductwork might not be an exciting home improvement, but it’s one you should definitely consider. Not only will new air ducts help reduce your energy expenses immediately, but they can also improve the overall value of your home.
5. New Toilet Installation
If the toilets in your home are old, chances are you’re wasting water every time you flush. And that wasted water is costing you money every month. If you want to save money on your water bills and enjoy a prettier porcelain throne to boot, upgrading your toilets is one remodeling project you can’t overlook.
How much could you save by installing new toilets? That depends on the type of toilet you currently have and whether your house has municipal or well water supply. If you’re on city water, your savings will vary based on water prices in your local area. Regardless, you’ll save a considerable amount of water each year.
Some older, low-efficiency toilets can use up to seven gallons per flush, while modern, water-efficient toilets use a mere 1.6 gallons. If your toilet is old and you swap it for a high-efficiency model, it could reduce your water usage by up to 50% with every flush, depending on your chosen toilet.
According to the EPA, that translates to a 16% reduction in household water usage and a savings of 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of water annually for a four-person household.
6. Bidet Installation
Installing a bidet will save you even more. When you flush a bidet, it’ll use roughly 1/8th of a gallon of water to both flush and clean itself. So if your old toilet uses about five gallons to flush, a bidet could save you big. Installing a bidet will also reduce your household’s toilet paper use, saving you even more money long-term.
7. Drain Maintenance
Taking good care of the drains in your home might not be a remodeling project, but it can certainly help save you from needing unexpected (and expensive) plumbing repairs. So if you’re looking to make some home improvements, this is one project you definitely shouldn’t neglect.
Your home’s plumbing system is a workhorse, and if you’re like most homeowners, you don’t often think about it until something goes wrong. But if you consider yourself a conscientious homeowner, that’s not how you should treat one of your home’s most important functional components.
Instead, you should schedule annual drain maintenance service to ensure your plumbing system remains free of debris and buildup that can contribute to blockages over time.
A drain maintenance specialist can also alert you to potential problems with your plumbing system like corrosion, limescale buildup, small cracks, and deteriorating seals. If present, these issues can lead to sneaky plumbing leaks and other serious problems if they’re left unaddressed. A quick camera inspection can reveal all kinds of stuff you never even knew was there.
Think your drains might be developing issues? If so, check out our blog on the 6 Minor Plumbing Problems You Should Never Ignore. We’re available 24/7 if you need emergency help.
Need High-Quality Heating and Cooling Service Near Wisconsin Rapids?
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, boiler, air purification system, or ductwork, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating!
For nearly 30 years, we’ve proudly provided comprehensive heating, cooling, and plumbing services for homeowners throughout Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, Stevens Point, Marshfield, and the surrounding areas.
To get a service quote or learn more about what we can do for you, give us a call today at 715-421-1800 or request an estimate online, and we’ll get in touch promptly.