Being a homeowner comes with tons of advantages, such as stability, building equity and your credit score, privacy, and the freedom to make changes as you see fit. Of course, it’s not without its responsibilities, and you’ll be on the hook for fixing anything that breaks down. While these challenges can be frustrating at times, they’re also a great excuse to start making some much-needed home improvements. Particularly during the summer when the kids are out of school, and you likely have a summer vacation planned, there’s never been a better time.

Home improvements can range from practical and safety-oriented to luxurious. Either way, they help increase your enjoyment of your own home, and many of them can raise your resale value later down the line. Whether it’s for practical purposes or just to have some fun in the sun, here are some of the best home improvements you can make this summer.

Get your appliances up to date.

There’s no denying the benefits of having optimal appliances. From the convenience of everything working as it should to the energy efficiency of newer appliances, you really shouldn’t be settling for anything but the best. If money is an issue, consider how much you could save on your electric bill if your appliances were efficient.

Your HVAC system undeniably uses the most energy out of anything in your home (a whopping 46 percent), and you’ll never want anyone but licensed professionals with years of experience to touch that system or your thermometer. Still, you can’t discount the effect that appliances like your oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and washer and dryer combo have on your electric bill. All told, these devices consume about 13 percent of your electricity.

If you really want to maximize electrical efficiency, then new appliances are the way to go. Maybe you have some that are still under warranty but aren’t functioning as well as before. Get these fixed immediately to enjoy their full benefit again. Even if you can’t afford to buy all new appliances, you can likely improve your current ones by taking advantage of services like appliance repair in Honolulu, Hawaii. These professionals serve a wide range of areas outside Honolulu as well, and first-time customers are even eligible for 15 percent off labor costs for appliance repair, so don’t hesitate to call.

Have your windows replaced.

You probably don’t spend a lot of waking moments pondering your windows, but they’re more important than you may think. They’re crucial for ventilation, and older windows may reduce your energy efficiency through leaks. New windows are guaranteed to be as energy-efficient as possible, and they often have better noise-canceling as well. Of course, windows are a safety issue as well, which is why it’s so important to find technicians like these who install windows in Traverse City.

Michigan may be mainly known for its heavy snowfall during the winter, but that isn’t the only extreme weather the state gets. Particularly in the southern part of the state, Michigan is known for extreme thunderstorms and even tornados. Windows that aren’t prepared to stand up to this kind of weather are prone to breaking, which creates a serious safety hazard in the home. New windows aren’t just a better investment for practicality, either. The style upgrade they give you can significantly boost your home’s curb appeal.

Install a Pool

Speaking of curb appeal, you can become the star of the whole neighborhood if you have a pool installed. A backyard pool is a great way to spend more family time together, and if you choose to stay home for the summer more often, it may even save you the money you would have spent on expensive vacations in the long run. Of course, this doesn’t even begin to factor in the fitness benefits and the time you’ll likely be spending with friends and neighbors.

These days, there are all kinds of creative custom pool designs to choose from, so you can make yours really stand out. You can customize it further with your own water features or accompanying garden as well. A pool can be a particularly good idea if you live in an area where swimming is popular, as it can increase your home’s value significantly.

Build an outdoor kitchen.

They say swimming is some of the best exercises that you can get, as it uses all of your muscle groups, and that’s sure to work up an appetite. With an outdoor kitchen equipped with a pizza oven, you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your backyard to make your family and friends a great meal.

When narrowing down choices for an outdoor pizza oven, you might get caught between some major brands like Roccbox vs. Ooni, but that’s what online reviews are for. The best brands will boast pizza ovens with temperatures exceeding 900 degrees—perfect for authentic Neapolitan pizza.

With these upgrades, you’ll be proud to own a home that’s safe, efficient, and fun for your entire family. Get ready to spend more summers at home!