8 Easy Ways to Make Your House Appeal to Energy-Conscious Homebuyers
Article by Mike Manosky
In the Huntsville real estate market and across the entire country, energy efficiency has been steadily climbing the priority lists of homebuyers. The results of a 2007 NAR (National Association of Realtors) survey showed that more than 90% of recent homebuyers thought energy efficiency was an important consideration when searching for a home to purchase.
As concern over the environment and increasing energy costs continues, highlighting the energy efficiency of your home can be an excellent way to draw interest from energy-conscious homebuyers. But what if your home is not energy efficient? There are a number of ways you can easily improve the energy efficiency of your home without breaking the bank. Let's take a look at 8 of the easiest ways.
1. Programmable Thermostat - This is an excellent idea especially during the hot summers of Huntsville. Real estate and home-improvement professionals recommend installing a programmable thermostat. It allows you to program the temperature so that less energy is used in heating or cooling the house during the times when you are away or sleeping. When used properly, it can save around 0 a year in energy costs.
2. Air Leak Sealers - An unsealed crack of just 1/16 of an inch can let as much air in as a window left open 3 inches. Check for drafts around windows and doors on windy days by using a tissue or lighted candle. Caulking or weather stripping can help eliminate drafts, resulting in energy savings as well as a more stable temperature throughout the home.
3. Insulation - Proper insulation keeps the heat out in the summertime and the heat in during the cold winter months. Many older homes are poorly insulated or have no insulation at all. Adding insulation will result in a house that is easier to heat or cool in addition to a quiet, more comfortable living environment.
4. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less electricity and 90% less heat than traditional light bulbs. Replacing just 5 of your most frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs will result in a significant savings in energy bills ? ? " around a year. The kitchen, family room, bedrooms, bathrooms and outdoor porches are good places to start.
5. Window Coverings - Windows contribute up to 25% of energy loss in a home. However, replacing them is costly and inconvenient. Installing energy-efficient blinds, curtains or shades is a cost-effective way to provide extra insulation and reduce the transfer of air from the outside in and vice versa. Cellular or honeycomb shades are considered among the most energy-efficient window coverings available today.
6. Ceiling fans - Ceiling fans help save energy year-round. In the summer, rotating the blades in a counter-clockwise direction will create cool air and reduce the stress on your air conditioner. In the winter, reversing the direction of the blades and setting it on its slowest speed will push the rising air downward, helping to prevent heat loss and keeping the house warmer.
7. Water Heater - Water heaters are already insulated, but you can further reduce the amount of heat loss by adding additional insulation. Timers are also available to prevent the water heater from using energy to maintain hot water during the times it's not needed.
8. Appliances - If you have a little extra money to invest in energy efficiency, consider replacing an older appliance with a new Energy Star?-rated appliance. An Energy Star?-rated refrigerator can reduce energy costs by - a year. Replacing a top-loading washer with a front-loading washer will reduce water usage by 7000 gallons a year and cut energy costs by a year. Replacing all your major appliances with Energy Star? appliances can save up to 0 a year.
There is no end to the advantages of energy-efficient home improvements. Just a few simple changes can turn your ordinary house into a desirable money-saving home that is more comfortable to live in, boasts lower energy costs and is kind to the environment. And that will certainly be attractive to the growing number of energy-conscious homebuyers in the Huntsville real estate market today.
About the Author
Mike Manosky has over 16-years experience serving the needs of those who wish to buy Huntsville real estate. If you're thinking of moving to Huntsville, real estate listings that match your criteria can be sent to you immediately. Contact Mike today to get started. http://www.movetohuntsville.com. ? 2008, All Rights Reserved
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Source: http://nationalrealtynews.com/8-easy-ways-to-make-your-house-appeal-to-energy-conscious-homebuyers/
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