(NUI) - Your home is one of your greatest assets. It's important that you
protect and improve on that asset to get the most value from your home.
Whether you are trying to sell your home or just ready for a change, there
are a few improvements you can make that offer the double-benefit of reducing
your energy bills while you increase the value of your home.
Try these ideas from the company that brings you Tempstar heating and cooling
products:
* Plan your landscape for energy efficiency. One way to improve your home's
appeal is to landscape around the home. With planning, it can also reduce your
energy bills by shading the home during the summer and letting in light during
the winter.
* Use energy efficient lighting. According to the U.S. Department of Energy,
replacing 25 percent of lights in high-use areas can save nearly 50 percent on
your lighting energy bill. Take advantage of the various energy efficient
lighting products available, like fluorescent and solar-powered lights, to help
save energy. Lighting inside and outside the home provides decoration as well as
security.
* Upgrade your heating and cooling system. A new heating and cooling system
not only improves home comfort, but it also adds to the value of your home -
especially when it's backed by a strong warranty. The Tempstar SmartComfort line
of variable-speed gas furnaces provides your home with energy efficient comfort,
which could save up to 50 percent in electricity over furnaces equipped with
conventional blower motors.
* Update appliances. Update the look of your rooms, especially the kitchen,
by replacing old appliances with more energy efficient products for a new look
and lower energy costs. In the long run, new energy efficient appliances can pay
for themselves in energy savings.
* Replace roofing, siding and windows. Spending money to replace worn
roofing, siding and windows can be a good return on your investment because they
can increase the value of your home. Energy efficient replacements will also
help you cut your energy bills.
There are energy efficient solutions for a variety of home improvement
projects, both large and small. Take advantage of these opportunities and find
out just how much you can improve your greatest asset.
For more suggestions on improving home efficiency, contact your local
Tempstar contractor. To find a local heating and cooling contractor near you,
visit the "Dealer Locator" at www.tempstar.com.
