Handymen say you're wasting money if you aren't making any of these easy upgrades around your home

"The heart of a home's comfort lies in its HVAC system,” says Benas Leonavicius, HVAC specialist and CEO and founder of HomeCaprice.com. “Like any machinery, it requires regular attention to function at its best. One of the most straightforward yet often overlooked tasks is the routine cleaning or replacement of filters.” This is so simple to do with this HVAC filter cleaner. And this cleaning chore can make your system last years longer while saving money. “A clogged filter forces the system to work harder,” he says, “consuming more energy and potentially reducing the system's lifespan."

Replace your manual thermostat with this smart thermostat to save even more money and make your home more convenient, says Leonavicius. "These devices, equipped with intelligent algorithms and sensors, can learn a homeowner's routine and adjust the temperature accordingly,” he says. “For instance, during the hours when no one is home, the thermostat can reduce heating or cooling, ensuring energy isn't wasted."

"A well-insulated home is a fortress,” according to Leonavicius. “Keeping the desired indoor climate intact.” This is especially crucial in attacks and walls, he says, but uninsulated windows are also big cracks in your climate security. Until you can afford insulated glass, those are easy to insulate with this window insulation kit that wraps them in plastic, creating an insulating air gap to keep heat and AC inside. “Proper insulation ensures that the warmth stays in during winter, and during summer, the cool air doesn't escape."

Another oft-neglected but essential area of your home is the roof. Roof damage or decline can do enormous damage in very little time. But a little maintenance goes a long way. "Trim overhanging branches,” recommends Brendan Anderson, Founder of Brix Systems, a roof repair and installation company. Just grab this lopper and tree trimmer and cut off anything that threatens to drop onto your roof. “This will help to prevent branches from falling on your roof and causing damage."

If you are trying to clear debris — on the roof or in your gutters — that is too high to reach from the ground, stay safe by extending your reach rather than attempting that trim from a ladder. This telescoping extension pole adds anywhere from five to 12 feet to your reach and screws into everything from brushes to dusters to tools.

"Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly,” says Anderson. “This will help prevent water from backing up and overflowing the gutters, damaging your roof and foundation." This gutter guard brush is the tool to use for this chore. It has stiff brushes in many directions and quickly clears away leaves and other debris so the water goes where you want it to go.

"Talking about home upgrades, one of the most transformative changes I've witnessed has been the simple act of weatherproofing windows and doors,” says Matt Hagens, a general contractor and the founder of Mr. Kitchen Faucets. Insulating those small escape routes for sound and air completely transforms the feel of your space. “It might appear purely functional, but [it provides] immediate energy savings and reduced drafts,” he says. “Not to mention, the aesthetic lift that it brings to the façade of a home."

"Upgrade [to] smart locks,” says Adrian Pedraza, licensed real estate broker, certified home inspector, renovator, and owner of The California Home Buyer. “It’s 2023!” It’s about time you added some functional technology to your home,” he says. “Upgrading to a smart lock isn’t just cool; it’s practical and ramps up security."

This U-Bolt Pro lock has a trim and small shape and lets you type a code — and give codes to guests, family, and the housekeeper — to open the door so you can ditch your keys and forget getting locked out. Or you can use your fingerprint to open the door.

"Swapping out exterior light fixtures is such an underrated move,” says Pedraza. “It’s a quick fix but gives a massive boost to that first impression of curb appeal." You don’t even have to call an electrician to do this. Use this two-pack of solar flood lights to easily put lighting on the porch, over the garage door, in your greenhouse or chicken coop, or on fencing with nothing but a few screws. They use the sun for power and are motion-triggered so once you mount them, your work is done.

"A high-flow, water-conserving shower head is the kind of practical luxury everyone needs,” says Pedraza. This SparkPod, for example, douses you in a deluge of fast-moving water for a delicious sensation that gets you clean by using 90 powered jets — evenly distributed over its6-inch diameter — to boost the water speed. “Not only is it eco-friendly, but it feels like you’re in a spa,” he says.

When it comes to making your home comfortable, it is often things you can’t even see that make a huge impact. "A common issue is gaps around the windows and doors,” says Adam Donnelly, Franchisee at Handyman Connection. “Gaps allow insects, and cold and hot air to enter your home in turn causing an elevated gas/electric bill or the need for an exterminator to eliminate the insect infestation." A simple and fast fix is to slide this door draft stopper under any door with a visible gap.

Some upgrades save more money than they cost. Lighting is often one of those things. "Swap out old, dim light fixtures for energy-efficient LED options to brighten up your space,” says Jeremy Lesher, the co-owner and product manager of Louisville-based company Bluegrass Foundation Repair. This affordable and dimmable bathroom vanity light, for example, will transform the ambiance in your washroom and save up to 80% of the electricity a conventional fixture uses.

Another way to save money on your power bill is to stop the leak of air (and sound) under your doors. "Install draft stoppers on doors to prevent cold air from entering during winter,” says Lesher. This two-pack of peel-and-stick draft stoppers are nearly invisible once installed, come in five colors to match your decor, and are so affordable they will pay for themselves in short order.

"Weatherproofing windows and doors is a great way to improve energy efficiency and make your home more comfortable,” says Schlomo Cherniak, the owner of Cherniak Handyman Services. “This can involve sealing gaps and cracks, adding weatherstripping, or installing storm windows and doors." For sealing cracks anywhere in the house, you will want a tube of this silicone sealant, which seals out water effectively and dries quickly. It’s easy to apply and nearly invisible.

If you are hankering for a bathroom remodel, it’s possible that a few easy fixes will help you make peace with the bathroom you have — at least for a little while. "One easy and affordable home upgrade that I can advise to homeowners is to recaulk their bathroom,” says Jono Thornely, director of Australia-based company, Correct Caulking. “Over time, mold can grow in the sealants of your bathroom floor, wall, sink, and bathtub." Use this adhesive caulk to make fast work of this chore. Just squeeze the tube to apply the caulk. It will fight against mildew and mold, reducing the feeling that the room is old, damp, and musty.

"Replace weatherstripping at the bottom of garage doors,” suggests Thomas Borcherding, owner of Homestar Design Remodel. “Unknown to most homeowners is a track at the bottom of garage doors that features a removable weather stripping. These get worn out over time, and can allow not only air infiltration but also rodents and insects into your home.”

The fix is so easy you will be amazed. You will need this universal garage door bottom in approximately the width of your door. It’s easy to cut and flexible. “Simply slide the weatherstripping out of its track, and insert a new one for better home insulation and protection against pests!" says Borcherding.

"One home upgrade homeowners can do is to clean their shingle roof,” says Benjamin Nguyen, owner of Full Color Cleaners, an Austin-based window cleaning and pressure washing company. “That's right,” he says. “Not replace, but clean it. There's a method called soft washing that instantly — within a few hours — washes the shingle on a roof and gets it perfectly cleaned as if it were new. It adds an additional five to seven years of life to your roof." To do it, load this softwash solution into your pressure washer and spray as usual.

"An easy upgrade that makes a remarkable difference is for you to paint your grout lines using a grout colorant,” says Borcherding. “You can revitalize any room featuring tile by applying a grout colorant to the grout lines." This grout pen makes the job so easy it’s like coloring between the lines. Just pop the cap and start drawing.

"Invest in smart thermostats, doorbell cameras, or lighting systems for added convenience and energy efficiency,” suggests Austin Fain, CEO of Perfect Steel Solutions, a roofing contractor in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This wireless doorbell, for example, is affordable, easy to install— reviewers report it takes about five minutes — decorative, and gives you a choice of over 50 chimes.

A front-door camera, too, is super easy to install and lets you see who is at your door when you are home — and when you aren’t. This simple doorbell camera peels and sticks at your entry, detects motion, and sends still images to your phone so you know what’s happening without window peeping. Installation is a matter of plugging it in. The lack of video and two-way audio makes it super affordable — with no monthly costs — and easy to set up.

Replace a light switch with this smart one and you can turn the lights on and off without getting out of bed. Connect it to your smart home system and you can even put the overhead lights on routines and schedules so that your home anticipates your every need — turning on when you get home from work or turning off when you have fallen asleep with the lights blazing.

"One great and easy home upgrade is just improving the lighting in your outdoor spaces,” says Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter. Especially as the weather cools and it gets dark earlier. “I would consider this a wise move not only for making your outdoor gathering spaces more accessible as the days get shorter,” he says, “but also for safety in general during the darker months.”

It’s easy to do. Just hang these outdoor string lights with plastic Edison bulbs. “I prefer softer and more atmospheric lighting,” says Farley. “I've had great luck using strings of LED lighting for more of an ambient glow around my patio."

"Weak water pressure is another common issue that has a DIY fix,” says Glenn Wiseman, RASDT, RHDT, and sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services. You might think this is a plumbing problem. But it’s much easier than that. “A showerhead upgrade can help fix any water pressure problems you are having while also boosting the aesthetic of your bathroom," he says. Just unscrew your current showerhead and screw in this high-pressure showerhead with a 6-inch diameter. You will be amazed.

Replacing the overhead fixtures is easy and has an enormous effect on the ambiance of your living space. "Look on Amazon for ceiling fixtures and hanging lights that will add to the effect,” suggests Wiseman. “Something that has a modern look and feel and either black or gold trim really adds to the overall luxurious and updated feel of a room, and has the effect of modernizing it."

This industrial mount ceiling light is perfect. You can choose from six colors and load it with a pretty Edison bulb for a warm and modern look.

For a wall sconce or as a light over the bathroom vanity, this globe light is a great option. You can choose how many lights fit your space — maybe four or five over a vanity and two in a stairwell or entryway. You can also choose the finish to compliment your decor.

You don’t have to do electrical work to update your lighting, though. "Adding under-cabinet lighting also goes a long way toward creating that upgraded look,” says Wiseman. “And there are some very inexpensive options on Amazon."

These two LED lights, for example, peel and stick under your cabinets, creating spot lighting right where you need it. You can use the remote to control the brightness and set them to turn off automatically to conserve battery power.

Want to save money and time? "Switch to LED light bulbs,” suggests Will James, Virtual Handyman Expert at Frontdoor. “These types of bulbs last longer and are more efficient. And with the newly updated LED bulbs on the market, you can change the feel to a room with either bright, soft, warm, or colored lights.”

These Sengled smart light bulbs are a great example. “They can be connected to an App or Wi-Fi. Set them up to customize the lighting in your house for a theme party, or game night, and [sync them with] your sound system for a light show.”

"Clean your light bulbs,” says James. This might never occur to you because you are accustomed to changing the bulbs so often. “Yes, it is true,” he says. “With most people now using LED light bulbs, they last longer than the older style bulbs. This means that they have time to collect dust. A dusty or dirty bulb will emit 25-30% less light."

This is a job for this excellent, flexible microfiber duster. Just sweep it over every dusty bulb — and anywhere else that’s dusty — and it will grab the dust and hold it. Just shake it out or wash it when it gets dirty.

"Use a power strip,” says James. And not only when you need another outlet. But also to control your power consumption. “Did you know that your coffee maker, TVs, laptops, and other appliances are still using power even when you’re not using them?” he asks. “You can add a simple easy on-off power strip to stop these electrical vampires."

This affordable version has five outlets and three USB ports so you can streamline your setup while you stop the vampires from sucking down all your power-bill money.

"Amplify your curb appeal,” suggests James. Start by grabbing a pair of excellent pruning sheers and trimming back leggy shrubs and overgrown branches. “There is nothing better for a house to have a facelift,” he says. “Doing away with old overgrown shrubs, tree [branches], bushes, and outdated flower beds and adding in some color and design can change the outside look of any home."

When you are working in the yard, be sure and take care of your back and knees so you can get the job done without incapacitating yourself. This garden kneeler and stool gives you a place to kneel, a place to sit, and a hand up when you are on the ground. It also comes with an integrated bag to store your tools and a pair of gardening gloves.