Flat Fee MLS Blog

                                Ceiling fans do a nice job of circulating air in the rooms that you occupy most, and they use only about 1/30th the electricity of a room air conditioner.  But if you can’t live without air conditioning, there are some greener options out there.

A single window unit that  keeps one room cool is far less energy intensive and polluting than central air conditioning that keeps all the rooms in the  house (including those you’re not using) cool. Look for new models that display the federal Energy Star label,  which marks units as energy efficient.

By investing in an Energy-Star certified air conditioner, you will see substantial savings in your energy bills, as well as enjoying high quality. Maximizing energy efficiency is a great way to relieve stress on the over-taxed power grid. Room air conditioners must be a t least 10% more efficient than typical models to achieve Energy Star, and central air must be at least 14%.

When the heat is sweltering , cooling costs really add up across the country. Home buyers and sellers, FSBO, and those listed on the MLS are all interested in saving money and decreasing our carbon footprint while staying cool.

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                           If you don’t think that hot water is a hot  topic, think again. The average electric water heater serving a family of four uses 6,400 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, releasing eight tons of CO2, according to the University of Wisconsin’s Solar Energy Laboratory. That’s more than a typical automobile! Gas-fired heaters release about two tons of CO2 a year.

Investing in a solar water heater is a simple and affordable way to save money on your utilities while helping to protect the environment. Solar water heaters are very reliable and can work in any climate. There are several different types, including those with pumps and those that work passively. You will need a storage tank and some type of solar collector. Some homeowners use the devices exclusively or sometimes with a gas or electric tankless water heater as a backup, while others pair them with other systems as pre-heaters.

You don’t have to go off the grid and the good news is that home solar water heating systems cost an affordable $1,500 to $3,500 and pay for themselves in four to eight years. If you are selling your home  ” fsbo ” or advertising on the MLS, why not schedule one into your next renovation?

Shop for a solar water heater online at: solarhome.org and solarroofs.com

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     According to the Rocky Mountain News, a new factory that will make affordable solar panels from ordinary window panes is set to open in Colorado this year.

The AVA Solar Inc. project uses a technological breakthrough by Colorado State University researchers, and promises to produce solar panels at a price that is comparable to other forms of energy…potentially catapulting solar energy into the mainstream once and for all according to energy expert Dan Shapley.

Reaping what the sun gives naturally everyday is smart and efficient. The fewer “conversions” energy goes through the more efficient it is. If the sun drives the growth of a plant, turning that plant into fuel adds a conversion, and energy is lost. Letting that plant cook underground for millions of years until it becomes coal or oil is yet another inefficiency.

Solar power has never been very appealing, that’s the problem with it and it just costs too much. But the AVA Solar plan-should it prove to be as good as it says it is-along with other innovations are transforming solar power into a mainstream commodity. The project is one of 10 Photovoltaic Module Incubator projects funded by the Dept. of Energy’s Solar America Initiative. The program has the goal of driving technological innovations that makes the cost of solar energy competitive with traditional forms of electric production, like burning coal, oil and natural gas, says Shapley.

If every house had affordable solar panels supplying a portion of its electricity, the demand for electricity from heavy-polluting sources like coal-fired power plants would drop, along with emissions driving global warming, causing acid rain and poisoning lakes and streams with toxic mercury.

And the jobs created at the factory–as many as 500–show that dreams of a “green collar economy” that has at its heart technological innovation and high-tech manufacturing are a very real and lucrative path toward the future.

Energy is a necessity and clean renewable energy is an obligation to our earth and our future. Solar energy is currently available, cost effective and clean. It’s time for us to adopt solar energy systems. 

For competitive cost estimates and expert advice check out www.energy-guru.com

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                                          The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched an appealing, user-friendly new internet feature that provides tips to consumers on how to make smart energy choices. These days, consumers are looking for ways to save money around the house, and energy conservation is one of the best win-wins around. Unfortunately, so many don’t have as much education on this issue as they could.

Now, the DOE’s interactive web page gives easy info on how to use less energy in such areas as electronics, lighting, appliances and even with vehicles, according to expert Brian Clark Howard.

The DOE’s extensive web presence also highlights some of its ongoing research and support of research on cleaner energy. Hopefully, Congress and a new President will give the department more of a mandate to go further in these vital areas, and lead the country into a greener, more productive future. Make everyday Earth Day by making smart energy choices to save money while protecting the environment. 

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                      Sears’ Kenmore appliance brand is rolling out some new fridges this month according to Ruth Katz. Just in time for Earth Day! Unveiled this past winter at the International Builders Show, Sears’ Kenmore state-of-the-art refrigerators are now featuring Microban antimicrobial technology, which allows the crisper drawers to remain fresh for longer periods in between cleanings; moreover, this innovatiove technology inhibits the growth of stain-and odor-causing bacteria.

Another plus -the Kenmore PUR Ultimate II water filter with two-stage filtration, which removes impurities from drinking water. This can produce a real savings on the purchase of bottled water, resulting in less plastic emanating from your house. Perhaps best of all, check out the Sears web site to see which Kenmore models not only meet-but exceed-Energy Star standards. The new Microban antimicrobial technology can be found in a variety of Kenmore refrigerators, in white, stainless steel, biscuit, satina and black. Prices range from $1,099 to $1,399.

Check out these new chilly “ice boxes,” as our Granny used to call them, in case you want to buy an Earth Day gift for your home. www.Sears.com

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        Look for the new label from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called WaterSense, it addresses the need to be water smart as well as dollar smart. This program’s mission is to protect the future of the water supply by promoting water-efficient products and services.

You will find the label on a variety of plumbing equipment scheduled to roll out this year and next. WaterSense partners for high-efficiency plumbing equipment include some of the biggest manufacturers in the business- Kohler, Delta Faucet, Hansgrohe, American Standard and Crane. Kohler and its  sister brand, Sterling, already have eight toilets that have earned the WaterSense label, meaning that they use at least 20% less water than standard toilets.

According to the EPA, the average American home uses more water for flushing the toilet than running the shower. A family of four could save 16,000 gallons of water a year by replacing a traditional toilet with a high-efficiency model. This is a big savings in dollars as well as droplets.

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     It’s a tough time to sell a house. But what if you really need to sell your home….right now? If you can’t wait until the market improves, the good news is you can gain a leg up on the other houses for sale in your price range by making smart and quick eco-renovations.

Here are ways to make your house stand out from the rest by going green:

1. The key is to make improvements to your home’s energy efficiency, and document how the monthly bills change over time. Highlight the savings to your potential buyers and provide comparisons to typical bills for similar-sized houses in your region (call your utility for details or visit the Dept. of Energy’s Energy Infomation Administrations at eia.doe.gov)

2. Replace as many lightbulbs as you can with CFLs (compact fluorescents). CFLs use a quarter of the electricity as regular bulbs, and lighting accounts for 20% of home energy use.

3. Upgrad any old or questionable appliances with new Energy Star-certified models. The EPA’s blue and white label indicates models must be 10% to 50% more effcient than standard offerings. A good idea-install a programmable thermostat and motions detectors.

4. Make sure cracks are tightly caulked and leaks are sealed. Just doing that can drop your annual heating bill by $100, according to Dept. of Energy figures. Consider if your insulation needs beefing up as insulation can be a selling point.

5. Make your home as healthy a space as possible, going healthy sells. There are many people with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, etc. who consider top indoor air quality a necessity. Putting on a fresh coat of the new and now-widely available “low-VOC” paints can go a long way toward attracting buyers.

6. Old carpets can be a real turnoff, and can emit allergens and toxins. Expose the hardwood floors if you have that option, if you don’t have that option consider new, eco-friendly carpeting.

7. If your home is older, you’ll want to a check on the possible situation of lead paint and asbestos-issues much better left to qualified professionals. The best thing you can do when considering selling your home green is to call in experts to make recommendations, such as an energy audit.

Remember that you may qualify for federal, state or local tax credits by going green. www.dsireusa.org , www.energystar.gov

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Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater or buy a new, more efficient water heater.

Here are some tips:

1. Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.

2. Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.

3. Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120 degrees F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.

4. Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household.

5. Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

6. Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the water heater’s top, bottom, thermostat or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.

7. Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

8. If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient water-saving ENERGY STAR model to reduce hot water use.

9. Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.

10. Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the  efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer’s advice.

Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it’s best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

Consider natural-gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural-gas storage tank water heater.

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