5 Home Upgrades to Save Money in the New Year

January 15, 2022
Happy House

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Key Takeaways

Upgrading to smart thermostats, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and modern appliances can significantly reduce household energy costs.
Ceiling fans and smart thermostat adjustments help improve comfort while lowering heating and cooling demand.
Switching from incandescent bulbs to LED lighting can dramatically cut electricity use and replacement costs.
Replacing older systems like HVAC units or water heaters with energy-efficient models can reduce energy consumption by 20–40% over time.

The new year is all about making constructive changes that will leave a lasting and positive impact on your life. While most of these changes are often personal, professional, or financial in nature, who’s to say you can’t set goals for making your home a happier place as well? As the Happy House guys, your friends at Arlinghaus are here to share five home upgrades that will help you save money in 2022 and beyond.

Consider a Smart Thermostat

The Nest Learning Thermostat and ecobee SmartThermostat are the top two choices among homeowners. Although their price tag is a little higher than most programmable thermostats, these accessories practically pay for themselves within the first few years. Plus, they provide so much insight regarding your HVAC system’s energy consumption that this will be the easiest home upgrade you chose this year to save money.

Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient HVAC System

Do you have an HVAC unit that’s over 10 years old? Believe it or not, older systems can drive up your heating and cooling costs exponentially. In fact, they are the largest expense on your utility bill, making up about 40% of your energy consumption. An HVAC system that is past its prime likely suffers from wear and tear and possible internal damages that radically decrease the unit’s energy efficiency. This leads to wasted energy and increased operating costs—not to mention the additional maintenance and repair services needed to keep your unit functional. Installing a new HVAC system is the best home upgrade for saving money. Sure, this is a big upfront investment. However, a furnace or air conditioner replacement can reduce energy consumption by 20-40% in the long run. Choose an ENERGY STAR® product with a high SEER or AFUE rating (for AC or furnace, respectively), and your savings will lean towards the higher end. This is an energy-efficient home improvement that will have your family and your wallet smiling from ear to ear.

Put in Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans alone won’t keep you cool during the hot summer months, but they are an easy way to maximize your air conditioner’s cooling power. Running the ceiling fan counterclockwise in the summer creates a downdraft that feels like a nice chill breeze. This, in turn, allows you to increase the thermostat temperature by as much as four degrees and still remain comfortable. But this energy-efficient home improvement isn’t just perfect for the summer. Instead of letting your ceiling fans gather dust in the winter, reverse the direction of the blades (so they spin clockwise) to push warm air down and enjoy even heating throughout your home.

Ditch Incandescent Lights

If you’re looking for a cheap home upgrade to save money, start here! Incandescent light bulbs are the most inefficient means of lighting a home—yet they still remain popular after 100+ years since their invention because they are manufactured and sold for cheap. The price of an incandescent light bulb is around $1, whereas LED light bulbs can cost anywhere from $2.50 to $10 to purchase. With this information alone, it’s obvious why you would reach for incandescent lights while shopping. What you might not realize is that incandescent light bulbs cost six times as much to run in terms of electricity usage. Plus, they need to be replaced more frequently than their LED counterparts. Replacing incandescent lights with LED is an easy, quick, and inexpensive energy-efficient home improvement you can make in the new year! Rake in extra savings when you opt for LED smart lights.

Replace Your Old Water Heater

The water heater is the second most expensive appliance to run, after your heating and cooling system. As such, you shouldn’t hang on to an older unit after its useful life is over. Installing an energy-efficient tank or tankless water heater will do wonders for your energy savings and your hot water needs! You can finally say goodbye to unexpected cold showers and hello to quick and efficient water heating.

Choose Arlinghaus for Energy-Efficient Home Improvements

If you’re looking for home upgrades to save money in 2022, we’re here to help! At Arlinghaus, we understand the importance of home comfort better than anybody else, which is why we always carry leading products from the leading HVAC and plumbing brands in stock. Whether you’re in the market for a furnace replacement or you would simply like tips on making your HVAC system more energy-efficient, give us a call or contact us online. You can also use our energy savings calculator to estimate how much you could save with a more efficient system.

In The Community

We believe that one of life’s greatest gifts is the ability to celebrate one’s place in a thriving community, with family and friends, where everyone shares a common set of goals and dreams. We are fortunate to work and live in great communities throughout Kentucky, Cincinnati and Indiana, areas that have welcomed and embraced us over the years. We are happy to give back to those communities through a variety of initiatives, some very public, others totally private. We’re a people-first company.