As a homeowner it is likely that you will always be looking for the next way to improve your home, save yourself some money and make your house the best looking, most comfortable and most efficient place to live. This is a given as most people who own their own home are very house proud and then there are those who are looking for ways to improve their home so as to be able to sell it quickly and move on in the current competitive housing market.
Here are some of the most cost effective home improvements you can make, in other words one that won't cost you a fortune but instead will give you a great return on investment:
Install double glazed windows if you currently have old sash, single glazed or stained glass windows as all three of these types of windows will be insecure and energy inefficient. Single glazing allows hot air to escape quickly and allows cold air to penetrate easily, meaning your heating only goes so far and not far enough when you consider the cost of gas and electricity these days.
Replace your old household appliances with newer, more energy efficient models as these days domestic appliances have to pass strict energy tests and are given a lettered rating from A+ to G, with A+ being the best and G being the worst. Look for these ratings when you buy in store or online and read customer reviews and ratings which will often tell you how much people have saved on energy and water bills as a direct result of investing in a more efficient washing machine, dishwasher, television or fridge freezer.
Have loft and cavity wall insulation fitted, this doesn't have to be expensive or disruptive if you do your homework and if you're not sure where to ask it's worth contacting your local council for advice or going online and finding a reputable company based on customer reviews and feedback. Insulation can reduce your heating bills by an average of £150 per year, making you the money of installing it back in between one to two years which is a great return on investment.
Fit decent guttering a rainwater butt to the outside of your home and use the water you collect to water the garden and vegetable patch when the rain stops and the sun comes out. We waste a lot of natural resources and this is an easy way to harness nature and is an easy way to save yourself money.
