7 Tips On Greening Your Home To Attract Potential Buyers
With concerns over the environment and global warming, more and more people are opting to go green these days. As for the real estate business, greening your home can be another great selling point to potential buyers.
Here are some ways to green your home without spending a lot of green:
1. Green water heater- Hot water accounts for up to 13% of your typical utility bill, so to potentially save energy, lower bills, and save the environment, try these 2 tips below to save on energy bills.
a) Wrap your hot water heater with a layer of insulation. For a nominal cost of $15 you can reduce heat loss through the walls of the tank by up to 40%.
b) Reduce the temperature of the thermostat to 120 degrees. Doing this can save you 10% or next bill.
2. Low-E window films- Low emissions window films are easy to install and can save you potentially 60% of the heat loss through windows. When the film is applied one way, it keeps solar radiation out of the home, keeping it cooler during summer months. When applied the other way, the film holds radiation inside, keeping it warmer during the winter months.
3. Detox paint- Many people are increasingly aware of paints that contain highly toxic volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. It can emit hazardous gases into the air and potentially cause adverse health effects, especially children.
Applying non-toxic paint to your walls can also be a great selling point to a potential buyer with children.
4. Green mortgage- In 1979, President Carter signed an executive order directing federally-sponsored secondary market institutions to offer consumers incentives for energy-efficient homes.
Energy Efficient Mortgages allow homeowners to use their commitment to the environment to leverage bigger loans for both. To qualify, you’ll need to provide a Home Energy Rating System report. HERS reports indicate that your house meets all energy efficiency guidelines.
5. Green washing machine- Washing machine with a front loading washer can use 50% less water and save you $120 a year. However, if it seems impossible for the time being to buy a whole new machine, simply use cold water and wait until you have a full load every time. This way, you can save a lot of energy and potentially a lot of green.
6. Get unplugged- Did you know that even if you turn off a device, leaving it plugged in will still drain electricity? A television can draw in 12 watts even after you’ve turned it off! That means when you’re done with the coffee pot, hair dryer, microwave, etc. just pull the plug and start saving money! Try plugging in your electronics to a power strip; when you’re done, just switch it off.
7. Green your lights- Switch your old light bulbs with new compact fluorescent bulbs. Though the compact fluorescent bulbs do cost a little more than conventional bulbs, it will pay for itself in just a few months. Not only will these bulbs save you money, they will prevent 450 pounds of power-plant emissions being released into the atmosphere over the bulbs lifetime.
