https://stories.wf.com/our-impact/disaster-proof-home-resilience-upgrades
By Eric Best for Wells Fargo
How resilient is your home? Preparing for storms, dangerous heat, and natural disasters has never been more important as extreme weather — and expensive repairs — become more common.
In recent years, disasters causing losses of more than $1 billion in the United States have skyrocketed, from just a few per year in the 1980s to an average of nearly two dozen per year in the 2020s. National Center for Environmental Information shows the data.
Beyond extreme weather resistance, modern disaster-proofing upgrades can help homeowners respond to these crises and unlock measurable energy savings, according to Rulon Washington, senior manager of customer growth. Wells Fargo Home loans.
“Investing in the resilience of your home is really about protecting your peace of mind,” he said. “These improvements keep your family safe, help you recover faster during a storm or outage, and are a smart financial move as natural disasters become more common.”
“These improvements keep your family safe, help you recover faster during a storm or outage, and are a smart financial move as natural disasters become more common.” -Rulon Washington, Senior Manager of Customer Growth at Wells Fargo Home Lending
For example, residents in rural Georgia and Alabama saved an average of 35% on their utility bills. GroundswellA non-profit organization focused on building resilient communities, Paid more than $1 million in resiliency improvements such as new HVAC systems and roofs on 115 homes. And when the nonprofit worked with the Wells Fargo Foundation to create a resiliency hub in Georgia, the community found a reliable and trusted place to find shelter and food during extreme weather.
“Resilience is how you shore up the day-to-day situations that people face so that when a storm hits and an outage occurs, there’s a baseline set of conditions that people can bounce back from,” says Matthew Wesley Williams, Groundswell’s senior vice president of community development. “Resilience is about everyday and emergencies.”
Here are a few ways to make your home more disaster-proof.
take root
- Why invest in disaster-preparedness? Damaging storms and natural disasters have become increasingly common in recent years, the data show.
- Where to upgrade: Consider home efficiency or resilience upgrades throughout key areas of your home, including the roof; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; Battery storage system; or windows and doors.
- Understand your climate: Invest in improvements that best suit your climate and storm risk.
- Unlock savings: Resilience-boosting, energy-efficient improvements to your home can help you better recover from extreme weather by lowering utility bills or insurance premiums.
4 ways to invest in your home’s resilience
the roof
A good roof over your head is essential, yet it is one of the most damaged parts of your home. Roof damage accounts for approximately 70% to 90% of insured residential catastrophic losses most years, depending on the specific weather event — such as hurricanes, high wind and hail storms, or other high-wind events — Insurance Institute for Business and Home Security.
When replacing or repairing your home’s roof, resilient materials can protect against things like wind and hail damage, the most common factors behind homeowner’s insurance claims, according to data released by the Office of Insurance Services. Insurance Information Institute.
These upgrades include things like impact-rated asphalt shingles or metal paneling to resist hail, debris, wind or fire during tropical storms, tornadoes and other natural disasters.
Your roofing project can even unlock significant discounts on your home insurance premium, depending on your insurance provider and policy.
heating and cooling
Efficient HVAC systems reduce energy demand, reduce energy costs, and promote resilience by helping maintain comfortable indoor temperatures even during extremely hot or cold temperatures. The core components of your HVAC system are the most important: a thermostat, a furnace or heat pump, an air conditioner, and any fans, ducts or vents.
Modernizing your HVAC may mean investing in a smart thermostat, a new air conditioning unit, or switching systems altogether, such as moving from a traditional furnace or baseboard heating setup to an electric heat pump, which can be especially effective in warmer areas.
Backup battery
For homeowners at risk of severe storms, another option to increase resiliency is to build a backup power source or battery storage. A standby generator or solar power and battery system can be a lifeline if you’re prone Loss of power from storms or an unreliable electrical grid.
These systems work in conjunction with residential solar panels, which are typically installed on the roof of your home. When these panels produce electricity you don’t need, that energy can be stored in batteries for later use, such as keeping your fridge running or keeping the heat on through an outage.
In recent years, homeowners have been investing in solar Battery added Keep their house powered. Most U.S. households can weather blackouts while saving an average of 15% on their electricity bills by installing these systems, according to published research. Power of nature.
windows and doors
Windows and doors affect the efficiency, resilience and comfort of your home. They are important security points, too; According to a Home Improvement Research Institute survey, 36% of homeowners wanted to feel safer and more secure by upgrading their windows and doors.
To increase both efficiency and resilience, replace single-pane or sash windows with impact-resistant, multi-pane varieties, or consider adding storm doors, which both better insulate your home and protect it from the elements.
Work with your contractor or vendor to find the best options for your home and climate. For example, some windows are designed to reflect heat, keeping your home cooler. Windows with multiple layers of glass create air pockets for better insulation.
How to pay for home improvements that increase resilience
If you’re looking to invest in disaster-proofing or efficiency upgrades, you’re not alone.
“As home improvement costs increase, we’re seeing more interest from consumers in financing solutions that allow them to invest in their homes while managing costs,” said Emily Chin, head of retail services at Wells Fargo.
Beyond financing, consider how your home improvement project may qualify for discounts, rebates or other programs.
- Before starting work, check with your home insurance provider for documentation confirming which upgrades qualify for discounts and how much they will lower your insurance premium.
- Check local rebate programs for home improvement incentives. Your city, county or state may offer incentives such as low- or no-interest loans for eligible projects.
- Make sure you understand any requirements to qualify for these discount or rebate programs. Using a licensed contractor often results in insurance premium discounts, rebates or other incentives. Beware of scammers Posing as a contractor.
Finally, consider how these investments can help you save money immediately through lower utility bills and build long-term value through the potential resale of your home.
For example, upgraded windows can pay for themselves over time, especially given Electricity prices have been increasing in recent years. At least a quarter of your heating and cooling energy use comes from heat gained or lost through windows. US Department of Energy.
“We have electricity shortages and fewer days, while demand on the grid is skyrocketing. And as a result, that demand is driving costs,” Williams said.
Many efficiency upgrades have a track record of increasing resale value, allowing homeowners to recoup some of their investment. These projects include adding backup power generators, swapping out a furnace setup for a heat pump, and replacing windows or roofs. The Journal of Light Construction.
This is the story is produced by Wells Fargo and review and distribution Stacker.
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Previously published at hub.stackernewswire
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