Facing tighter budgets, more homeowners are rethinking remodeling

(ARA) - The average return on investment for midrange home improvement projects focused on aesthetic appeal, such as kitchen or bathroom remodels, is down since 2007, according to "Remodeling" magazine.

"Energy efficiency upgrades provide homeowners with the rare opportunity to see a return on their investment almost immediately and at resale," says Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit dedicated to promoting energy efficiency. "We can't always predict how the market will impact home prices over the long term, but all homeowners can improve their home's energy efficiency to increase its value."

To get started, homeowners should first estimate the current performance of their home by using an online energy efficiency assessment tool, such as the Home Energy Analysis test available at JMHomeowner.com. Online assessments help gauge the savings that could be realized by making efficiency upgrades.