Moving into a new home can be expensive. From closing costs to new furniture and appliances, the cost adds up quickly. Many of these expenses are unavoidable and should be considered when you are planning to purchase a home.

Luckily, there are many ways you will be able to start to save money right away as a new home owner. We have created a list of items new homeowners should check off when they first move in that will save them time and money in the long run.

Energy efficiency

We all know that having a home that is energy efficient is a great way to save money on utility bills. But what if you move into a home that isn’t setup to be energy efficient?

There are many small, inexpensive ways you can make your home more energy efficient today.

Check you attic for insulation. You should see about a six inch covering of installation in your attic. If this isn’t the case, install new installation in the spots that need it. This will save you money on your heat and air conditioning.

Save yourself money on heating water, as well. Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Most people don’t use water much hotter than this as it could burn your skin, meaning you are wasting your money trying to keep it any warmer.

Additionally, wrap any exposed pipes in insulation to prevent water from cooling as it travels through your pipes.

Other things you can do to create an energy efficient home include installing ceiling fans, cleaning air filters and vents, getting a clothes rack, and replacing old light bulbs with energy efficient ones. Each of these little steps will save you a lot of money as your continue to live in your home.

Disaster prevention

There are a few steps you must take note of that can help prevent any major disasters in your home. For example, check all your pipes, sinks, baths, showers and toilets for leaks right away.

Catching a leak early could prevent flooding in your new home.

Also take the time to examine any cracks in your basement or foundation. Mark and cracks you observe with a piece of tape with the date on it so they can be monitored.

Home Protection

There are a few items on our checklist that are going to help you protect your home and your family. For starters, you may want to replace the locks when you move into a new home. This may seem silly, but there really is no way of knowing how many copies of your house key may be floating around. You may just find you sleep a little better at night knowing you are the only one who can access your home.

Having the proper homeowner’s Insurance near Springfield, Ohio may also help you rest easy at night. Homeowners insurance will protect your home when you have done everything right and something still goes wrong.

Taking the time to work with one of Link-Hellmuth’s Insurance agents before you move into your new home could be the best thing you do to save you time and money in the long run!