37% of Homeowners Are Renovating With This Cost Saver in Mind

Raise your hand if you cross your fingers every time your utility statements arrive in your inbox or mailbox. At that moment, we try to recall every light we turned on and every shower we took, convincing ourselves it can’t be that bad. Then the disappointment sinks in—I spent how much on electricity? We’re tired of being bummed out by our bill, so much so that many of us are taking preventative measures. 

According to a new survey from Modernize Home Services, a platform that connects people with local contractors and helps them plan (and budget for) their next big project, 37 percent of homeowners are tackling renovations that will save them money on their monthly utility bills. Before you jump to, “But I can’t afford a $25,000 solar thermal heat pump like Adrian Grenier,” note that the majority of these renovators (72 percent) intend to allocate $5,000 or less to their upcoming projects. So in that spirit, here are some tricks and tweaks that will spare your bank account. 

Hand Over Control to Your (Smart) Thermostat

Since the Google Nest thermostat’s launch, the sleek round display (it only costs $130) has saved users 41 billion kilowatt-hours of energy. That translates to lower energy bills, saving most people around $131 to $145 a year, based on typical energy prices. How? It gets a sense of your routine and then adjusts the temperature of your space accordingly without you even having to think about it when you leave the house. 

Invest in a Quality Dishwasher 

When shopping for fresh appliances, opt for a dishwasher model that’s got an Energy Star label, which indicates it will use less water and power. Psst: Our overall favorite is Bosch’s 300 Series DLX dishwasher (did we mention it’s under $1,000?). 

Seal Up the Fireplace

Ensuring your home is airtight is a great way to not waste energy, so start small by adding doors to the front of your fireplace or a proper chimney flap that can be opened and closed. This way you don’t have a gaping hole letting cool air up and out. 

Expand Your View 

A simple way to cut back on the need for artificial lighting during the day is to install large picture windows that let in tons of sunshine. Take it from a building designed by Turett Collaborative; it consumes about 75 percent less energy than the average new project.