Underrated Home Improvements That Protect Your Investment
What’s the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life?
Yep. Your home.
If you want to protect that investment, where do you start?
Most folks will tell you to focus on big ticket items. Kitchens. Paint colors. Flooring. Heck, some people throw everything they’ve got into fancy bathroom remodels.
Here’s the thing…
When it comes to truly protecting your biggest investment, things you can’t see matter more.
And they’re way more affordable than you think.
What you’ll learn:
- The importance of behind-the-scenes maintenance
- Air duct cleaning: something most people overlook
- 5 hidden home improvements that protect your investment
- How to prioritize your hidden home improvements
Maintenance Things You Can’t See
Want to know what determines how much your home is really worth?
Curb appeal matters, sure. But most of your home’s value is derived from the literal things you can’t see.
I’m talking about all of the systems that keep your home running every day. We’ll touch on the HVAC system later, but what about your plumbing? Electrical? Ventilation?
These things tend to get overlooked. Most homeowners don’t think about their ventilation system until it starts causing problems.
And trust me…when your ventilation system causes problems. They become expensive, fast.
Prospective home buyers have home inspectors come through their potential dream homes. These inspectors know all about the stuff you can’t see.
If things like your HVAC system, water heater, or plumbing haven’t been maintained, you can kiss that sale goodbye.
Or at least you’ll be sitting at the bottom of the seller’s market when it comes to your home’s value.
Keep reading to discover hidden home improvements that protect your investment like nothing else.
Air Duct Cleaning: Something You Never Consider
Unless you’ve had to deal with poor indoor air quality, air duct cleaning might not be on your radar.
But consider this…
Your HVAC system pushes air through miles of ductwork to heat and cool your home every single day. All of that airflow means dust, debris, pet dander, and allergens get trapped inside those air ducts.
Eventually, that buildup starts causing problems.
Duct issues can account for 25% to 40% of your heating and cooling energy expenses. That means your hard-earned money is literally pouring out of your air ducts every single month.
Dirty air ducts make your HVAC system work harder.
Think about how that feels when you go for a run. You’re breathing harder because your body is working overtime to keep up with the demand you’re placing on it.
Your furnace and air conditioner aren’t much different.
As air ducts become clogged with debris, your HVAC system has to work harder and run longer to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Once again, that places unnecessary strain on some pretty expensive equipment.
Service providers like Capitol Duct Cleaning use professional equipment to remove that buildup from your air duct system. The end result? Cleaner air for your family, better airflow, and improved HVAC efficiency.
Sounds great, but how does that protect your investment? Simple.
Clean air ducts = lower energy bills
Cleaner air helps keep your family healthy
Clean air ducts improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, prolonging the life of expensive equipment.
The EPA says people spend about 90% of their time indoors. Whether you realize it or not, the air you’re breathing matters.
Dryer vent cleaning is another service most people don’t think about. Doing so can improve dryer efficiency by removing lint buildup that restricts airflow.
Lint is also highly flammable. Keep your family safe by scheduling annual dryer vent cleaning with a professional technician.
5 Hidden Home Improvements That Protect Your Investment
Air duct cleaning is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are five home improvements you might not think about but can protect your home more than you know.
Insulation
Okay. So this one is visible. You can see insulation if you look in your attic.
Most homes are seriously under-insulated these days. Adding plenty of insulation keeps your home comfy year-round and puts less strain on your HVAC system.
Think of insulation as the giant thermos keeping your home from heat loss and gain. It doesn’t take much to install more, and the energy savings can pay for itself in a few short years.
Water Heater Maintenance
Your water heater doesn’t last forever.
Flushing out sediment once a year can extend the life of your water heater and improve efficiency. A poorly maintained water heater could give out in 7-10 years. A well maintained heater can last 15 years or more.
Gutter Cleaning & Repair
Gutters don’t get the love they deserve until they start causing problems.
Overflow water can cause foundation issues, basement flooding, and exterior damage. Cleaning your gutters and repairing any damaged spots saves you from thousands of dollars in water damage.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
We already touched on dryer vents, but they deserve a second mention.
Dirty dryer vents are severely overlooked by most homeowners. Professionals use special tools to remove built-up lint from your dryer vent.
Not only does this prevent a potential house fire, but clean dryer vents allow your dryer to work less to dry your clothes.
HVAC Filter Replacement
This is the cheapest home maintenance item on the list and something most homeowners never think about.
Dirty HVAC filters cause strain on your HVAC system and make it work harder.
Swap out your filter every month or so to save money on cooling and heating bills. Not only will your energy bill drop, but you prolong the life of your HVAC system.
Home Improvements You Don’t See: What To Do First?
Not all of these improvements can (or should) be done at once.
Creating a home maintenance schedule is your best bet. Focus on things that impact your home’s integral systems first.
Here’s what we suggest…
Your HVAC system is pretty pricey to replace. We’re talking $10,000+ for a complete replacement depending on what you go with.
Keep your HVAC system running smoothly for years by having your air ducts inspected and cleaned every few years. If you have pets, smokers in the house, or you’ve done any renovations you might need it done more frequently.
Water damage should be your next big concern. Gutter repair, drainage, and plumbing can cause some serious headaches when left unchecked. That small leak can turn into a mold problem if left alone for too long.
Insulation is always a good idea too. Not only will properly insulating your home save you money on energy bills, but those savings will continue to add up month after month.
The moral of the story?
You’ll never hear most of these “home improvements” popping up in home remodeling magazines.
But they protect your home better than all of the shiny, new upgrades combined. The homeowners who know what they’re doing focus on maintaining the home and preventing problems before they start.
Home Improvements Nobody Sees (But You Should)
Home improvements don’t have to be expensive to protect your biggest investment.
All of these hidden home improvements have one thing in common. They help maintain your home and the systems that matter most.
Air duct cleaning allows your HVAC system to run better while improving the air your family breathes every day. Insulation keeps your home nice and cozy without wasting energy.
And maintaining water heaters, washing vents, and gutters can save you thousands in potential repairs.
Just remember this…
The hidden home improvements that protect your home aren’t typically things you can see.
They occur within your walls, inside your attic, and deep within your air ducts. They sure don’t make for a good Instagram photo or Pinterest post.
But they work hard to save you money and protect your home from costly damage. Never underestimate the power of preventive maintenance.
Start with these tips, create a home maintenance schedule, and tackle problems before they happen.