Investing in the Home: Energy Savings
Whether you are shopping for a new home or considering
refinancing your current home loan, here are some energy
saving measures to consider that may reduce your energy
and water bills.
Are you thinking of upgrading your current home?
If you'd like to increase the energy efficiency of
the home you're living in, an energy audit or home energy
rating report might make sense. Want to audit your own
home? Check with your utility company, as many offer
self-audit packets. You answer the questions and send
the information back to the utility company, which,
in turn, provides you with feedback based on the information
you've provided.
Are you planning on building a home?
If you're planning to build, ask an energy expert for
help to see if the home design is as energy efficient
as possible. Trained utility company employees sometimes
conduct energy audits for free or at a small cost. There
also are home inspectors, energy raters, and private
consultants who can help.
Are you planning on buying an existing home?
If you're planning to buy an existing home, a close
look at the home's past utility bills may be a sign
of things to come for your utility costs. Ask the sellers
if you can review their utility bills over the last
12 months. In some instances, you may be able to obtain
this information directly from the utility company by
providing the street address to the utility company.
Keep in mind, however, that high past utility bills
may not be due entirely to the home itself. Family size
and lifestyle also affect utility bills. As mentioned
above, you may find it helpful to have an energy audit
performed. With the results, you'll know the energy
efficiency of the home in its current state and learn
about the most cost-effective improvements you can make
to upgrade the home.
Here are some energy efficiency measures to consider
whether you are purchasing a new home or refinancing
your current home loan:
* How efficient are the heating and cooling systems?
* Are there any water leaks?
* What are the usage patterns based on past utility
bills?
* How is the insulation in the walls, ceilings, attic,
floors, and crawl spaces?
* Are there holes or cracks around the walls, ceilings,
windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches
or electrical outlets? Weather strip and caulk wherever
needed as these can be the source of energy loss.
* Are the appliances and equipment energy-efficient?
For information and educational purposes only.
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