4 Cost Cutting Upgrades to Make to Your Kitchen
kitchen
A house can be a costly expense, but you’re only making it harder for yourself if you aren’t taking measures to keep things cost-effective. That’s especially true of your kitchen.
It’s one of the most important rooms in the house, but it can also be one of the most costly.
Fortunately, there are a few upgrades you can make to save money.
Changing to Energy Efficient Appliances
Your kitchen probably has more appliances than any other room in your home, so it’s important to make sure that power hogs like electric ranges and refrigerators aren’t driving your electric bills up.
Energy Star appliances are available for a decent price and offer some of the best power savings around.
A new appliance may be costly, but power usage is a significant cost factor as well. Fortunately, modern appliances come with power cost analysis.
Updating Your Plumbing
If your kitchen is starting to age, it might be time for a regular plumbing checkup.
A qualified plumber can analyze your pipes to check for any leaks. For an aging pipe system, getting replacement or repairs can be an upgrade that will show a noticeable effect on your monthly utility spending.
If you’re worried about potential leaks or other plumbing issues, be sure to check your meter for signs of elevated water usage.
They can also help you find fixtures that can minimize the amount of water you use.
Swapping Out the Lighting
Changing out your light bulbs is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to upgrade your kitchen.
If you want the most energy-efficient light bulbs, you’ll want to go with LEDs.
Fortunately, they also create a sense of natural light that can dramatically improve the ambiance of your kitchen as well.
As an added bonus, LED lights won’t need to be changed out for decades.
Upgrading Your Windows
The Energy Star rating we talked about earlier applies to windows as well. Whether you’re looking to simply upgrade your existing windows or tear down the exterior wall for more open lighting, Energy Star windows are going to be the way to go.
They create a more natural sense of interior lighting that can save you on heating and cooling bills while also reducing the need for harsh artificial interior lighting.
No matter what your budget is, you can reduce your ecological footprint, improve the beauty of your kitchen, and cut down on your monthly costs while doing so.
It’s simply about finding the solutions that suit your needs and your budget.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
Category: Home Renovation
