CENTRAL & WEST ORLANDO Blog

5 Ways to Improve your Orlando Home’s Return on Investment

Home renovations can improve the quality of your living space while also increasing the value of your home for the future. Regardless of your motivations for a home improvement plan, it’s important to know that your money is well spent. That starts with understanding what projects will give you the best return on investment. Upgrading your insulation and air sealing can not only improve the comfort and safety of your home but also provide a great opportunity for monthly savings. 

What is a Return on Investment? 

A return on investment, commonly referred to as ROI, is used to measure how positive the cost to performance ratio is for a project, installation, or purchase. As long as you have the costs in front of you, it’s an easy calculation most homeowners can gather themselves. First, you need to find the Net ROI; this is done by taking the final value of investment (FVI) and subtracting the initial value of investment (IVI). Once you have this number, the Net ROI needs to be divided by the Cost. When you multiply the resulting number by 100%, you have the ROI percentage. 

As a Florida resident, you may already be familiar with a few ROI home improvements you can make that have a great ROI. For example, solar panels in Florida are considered a good investment because homeowners are likely to see an average of 20% ROI in the first year after installation. Not only is the value of your home increased, but you’re also saving on electricity bills and recoup a significant percentage of the cost in the first year. Here are a few other ways you can save with quality home improvement projects. 

5 Home Improvements for Better ROI 

Minor Remodels 

One of the most common misconceptions among homeowners looking to get a positive payback for their investments is the idea that “Bigger is better.” In reality, most of your best ROI will come from minor remodeling projects in places like the kitchen or bathroom instead of major upscaling jobs. Keep in mind that the key to a cost-effective change is to make functional upgrades as 

opposed to adjustments that are purely for appearance. You can touch up a paint job instead of redesigning, upgrade energy-wasting appliances, and consult real estate agents on what trends buyers are looking for in your area. In the southeast of the United States, basic remodeling jobs can recoup over 50% of the cost on average. 

Window Replacements 

Taking the initiative to replace windows throughout a house not only enhances the aesthetics of the space but also contributes to improved air sealing, insulation, and durability. You’ll have a variety of options to choose from when replacing the frame, sill, or even the entire window, but the highest ROI typically comes from vinyl or wood replacements. Wood is most often sought after in class style homes, but vinyl is easier to maintain and has on average a higher return on investment in the southeast of the U.S. It’s also important to consider energy-efficiency when looking for replacements, as this factor can help you save on regular energy costs. The Department of Energy has a guide to their Energy Star standards and essentials for making environmentally friendly adjustments throughout your home. 

Updated Air Sealing 

By ensuring the air sealing throughout your house is updated, you can prevent conditioned air and heat from escaping the building envelope through small gaps, cracks, and holes. These openings most often occur from general wear, natural weather damage, and past pest infestations. Homeowners will find most problematic spaces around windows, doors, and other outside access points but a further investigation may show air leaks throughout the walls, attic, and even in the ceiling of a house. The EPA estimates that having your home properly air sealed and insulated can save homes on average 15% on heating and cooling bills. 

Insulation Upgrade 

The insulation material and air sealing throughout your home are two sides of the same coin. If you discover one needs to be replaced, it’s more than likely you should take a look into the other at the same time. The main benefit of updated insulation is temperature regulation and the support it provides to your home’s climate control capabilities. This material regulates heat transfer, which is how heat moves in and out of your building; the regulation helps to keep in desired warmth during the winter and block unwanted heat during the summer. Updated insulation helps to reduce wasted energy and save you money on regular utility bills by putting less pressure on your HVAC system to keep up with the desired temperature on the thermostat. This is a significant factor for potential buyers, since recently upgraded insulation typically means there’s been a thorough investigation to detect hidden moisture and mold growth, pest nesting, and air leaks. 

Garage Door Replacement 

Finally, one of the most well-known ROI upgrades you can make is replacing your garage door. A new or upgraded garage door installation in the southeast can recoup an average of 88% of the cost, depending on your weather, household habits, and air sealing. Similar to window replacement, this upgrade can focus on functionality and aesthetics at the same time without 

significantly affecting your cost of return. In fact, in many cases the existing motorized opener can be reused, increasing your recouped cost and improving your long-term savings. While this is one of the best ROI changes to make for older homes, it’s important to consider if the adjustment is really necessary by consulting a professional to ensure you need to go through with an updated purchase. 

Make Better ROI Choices with Local Experts 

Whether you’re a homeowner that keeps the future in mind at all times or you’re getting ready to put your house on the market, home improvements should be about comfort, safety, and savings. At Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando, our team of industry experts works to bring cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions to our community. With our free evaluations, we can break down the current condition of your home’s insulation and air sealing while also giving your household the opportunity to consider the schedule and budget you have available. 

The material throughout your home has a significant impact on monthly savings and return on investment opportunities; taking the chance to learn more is as easy as calling up your local experts for a quick investigation into your home’s energy usage. Contact Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando today to schedule your free evaluation and learn more about how insulation and air sealing can improve your environment.