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The energy-efficient home is moving from the horizons of futuristic planners to the agenda of current homeowners. ERA Justin Realty shows their buyers and sellers; there is a difference in real estate companies, a Realtor of choice since 1950.
Michelle Korosy, a Realtor salesperson with the firm, offered, “Summer is a perfect time to explore cost efficient areas before we approach cooler weather. First, you’ll want to figure out what needs fixing. To identify problem areas, contact a qualified professional and get an energy audit of your home. Some upgrades are simple and less expensive. For example, one common problem is insulation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that proper ceiling insulation alone can reduce your heating bill by as much as 20 percent. Other energy draining can be solved by replacing old fixtures with more modern and efficient models. Windows, doors and skylights equipped with sealed double panes also reduce heating and cooling costs, and are features for which utility companies may offer rebates.
The EPA notes that air leakage from gaps in your home’s structure, holes for plumbing and wiring, for instance, accounts for 25 to 40 percent of the energy a common home uses for heating and cooling. Similar troubles come from inadequately sealed duct joints and otherwise inefficient, older heating and cooling systems.
Even conventional systems such as ventilation can release enough heat from your home to cost a fortune in unnecessary bills. Upgrading these systems can pay for itself, and later pay off as an attractive resale value when possible buyers of your home want to benefit from this form of savings.
And when you’re ready to go from finding the problem to fixing it, agencies don’t just supply the news, it may provide some solutions, as well. The EPA’s Energy Star rating appears on numerous products, identifying efficient appliances and other home furnishings that enable vast savings. Energy Star central air conditioners may save approximately 20 percent on cooling bills.
Studies have shown the resale advantages of homes with lower energy costs. Look for such solutions. Your utility bills, Energy Star fact sheets and other documentation can be attractive proof to present to prospective buyers.
In the short term, you can save on some of these improvements even as they help enhance your home’s value. In addition to offering expert advice and home-selling solutions, real estate brands such as ERA Justin Realty, feature the Select Services network of national and local vendors with leading household products.
