In 2013 alone, homeowners are expected to spend more than $150 billion on home improvements. This forecast comes from the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. With countless options available, many homeowners are left overwhelmed with the best way to spend their home improvement dollars. New York-based interior designer, author and TV star Cortney Novogratz recommends starting with an investment in home comfort.
“I tell my clients that you can spend a little less on decorative items so that you can really invest in the high-quality systems that are going to make your home functional and comfortable, especially in the summer months,” says Novogratz. “I urge my clients to ask themselves, what’s going to help you live better in your home? Often, that’s your cooling and heating system.”
While known for her eclectic decorating style that mixes high-end collectibles with flea-market finds, Novogratz is no stranger to what makes a home more habitable. She emphasizes that a quality cooling and heating system is one of the most important investments homeowners can make. Novogratz offers five reasons why a cooling and heating system is a smart investment for home remodeling this summer:
1. The impact on comfort. Many homes in the U.S. have cooling and heating systems that result in parts of the house being either unbearably hot or uncomfortably cold. Advanced technology should precisely adjust the temperature to a homeowner’s preference in each room. This allows homeowners to cool the rooms they use the most, while saving energy in less used areas of the house.
2. The utility costs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 50 percent of the average home’s energy bill can be linked directly to cooling and heating costs, amounting to approximately $1,100 per year. The right air-conditioning and heating system is the single most significant way a homeowner can save on utility costs, especially in the summer, when cooling costs can skyrocket. Ductless systems avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork, which the EPA estimates can account for more than 30 percent of energy consumption. Homeowners may be eligible to receive a tax credit of 10 percent, or up to $300, for qualifying systems through the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
3. The impact on the environment. By using systems that are made of mostly recyclable parts and use an environmentally friendly refrigerant that won’t pollute the environment, homeowners are doing their part to help conserve energy and resources.
4. The way you live in your home. Many times the cooling and heating system is a nuisance. Window air conditioners are unsightly, and traditional systems require extra space to accommodate ductwork, creating awkward room shapes and drop ceilings. Most newer systems can be easily installed in new construction and in older buildings. They can be controlled anytime, anywhere through a smartphone or other Internet-enabled device.
5. The quality of air your family breathes. “What is especially important to me with these systems is that I can be in control of the air my kids are breathing,” says Novogratz. Circulating room air effectively and having multiple allergen filters can greatly improve a home’s indoor air quality.
Source: Cortney Novogratz
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2013. All rights reserved.
