$80 upgrades that’ll save you money down the road

Some upgrades pay for themselves faster than you’d think. Spending around $80 on the right home improvements can save you hundreds later—whether it’s through lower energy bills, fewer repairs, or avoiding replacements altogether.

The trick is knowing which upgrades actually make a difference long-term instead of just looking good in the short term. These are the ones worth every dollar because they work quietly behind the scenes to keep your home running smarter and more efficiently.

Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat lets you automatically adjust heating and cooling when you’re asleep or away. It’s one of the easiest ways to lower your utility bills year-round.

You can find reliable options around $80 that work with almost any HVAC system. Once it’s set, it does the saving for you—cutting costs without changing how comfortable your home feels.

Switch to LED light bulbs

Replacing every bulb in your house with LEDs can feel expensive upfront, but they last years longer and use a fraction of the energy.

Over time, that $80 investment pays for itself in lower electric bills and fewer replacements. Plus, the light quality is better, and they don’t put off as much heat.

Add a smart power strip

Even when electronics are “off,” they can draw standby power. A smart power strip cuts that waste automatically by shutting off unused devices.

They’re especially useful for TVs, computers, and chargers. It’s an easy, affordable way to lower your monthly energy costs without thinking about it.

Replace old weather stripping

If your doors or windows let in drafts, your heating and cooling bills are probably higher than they should be. New weather stripping fixes that for around $80 worth of materials.

It takes just a couple of hours to install and instantly makes your home more efficient. You’ll feel fewer drafts in winter and waste less air conditioning in summer.

Install a low-flow showerhead

A good low-flow showerhead can cut water use by up to half while still keeping good pressure. That saves money on both water and heating costs.

The newer models feel just as comfortable as standard ones, so you won’t notice a difference—except in your bill. It’s one of the easiest ways to start saving right away.

Seal air leaks in the attic

A few cans of spray foam or tubes of caulk can close up gaps around vents, pipes, and attic edges. Those tiny leaks add up fast in lost heating and cooling.

This small weekend project makes a huge difference in comfort and energy use. It’s an $80 upgrade that can save you hundreds over time.

Add a water leak detector

Water damage can get expensive fast, but leak detectors alert you the moment something starts dripping under sinks, near the washer, or by the water heater.

You can get a set of battery-powered detectors for under $80. They could easily save you from a repair bill in the thousands if they catch a leak early.

Upgrade to a rain barrel

If you garden or water plants often, a rain barrel pays for itself in one season. It collects runoff from your roof that you can reuse instead of running your hose.

They’re easy to install and cut down on your water bill—especially during dry months. It’s one of those upgrades that makes sense for both your wallet and your yard.

Replace HVAC filters and buy extras

Old, dirty filters make your system work harder and raise your energy costs. For around $80, you can buy several high-quality filters and swap them out regularly.

Doing this keeps your air cleaner, reduces strain on your HVAC unit, and can help prevent expensive breakdowns.

Add a faucet aerator to every sink

Aerators screw right onto the end of your faucet and mix air into the water flow, cutting water use by up to 30%.

They’re cheap, effective, and barely noticeable in daily use. Adding them throughout your house keeps your water bill low without changing a thing about your routine.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.