Q: I was thinking of making some energy efficient upgrades to my home but I don’t want to spend a lot of money. Do you have any suggestions? – Heather
A: Addressing what architects consider to be the “envelope” of your home will give you the most bang for your buck. The envelope of a home is the roof, outer walls and other areas of the home the make up the shell of the home. The object here is to keep as much of the desired air in the home as possible (i.e. cold in the summer, warm in the winter). Adding things like Radiant Barrier, cocoon insulation or a solar attic fan are very cost effective and can help keep the envelope of the home fully functional. There are things you can do that cost very little or noting at all. Start by unplugging anything that’s not in use. Especially items like unused appliances, TV’s, DVD players, computers, cell phone chargers etc. will reflect a noticeable difference on your utility bill. Check the weather stripping at all your exterior doors & caulk at the windows, replace as necessary. Have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year and change the filter every month and every 2 weeks in the summer when the a/c’s going. There are several rebates and free items offered by your local energy and water providers. To see a list of some of these incentives visit www.ecodifferencehomes.com or contact your local energy/water provider.
Tags: Energy Efficient upgrages, lending, loans, market, real estate
