Eco Friendly
Today in the Real Estate market people are quite concerned about their environmental impact on the world from a remodel of a home to a new build of a home, to just saving money on their air conditioning and heating bills. There are simple steps to try lessening your impact on the ecological and environmental systems of the earth. With the increasing technological advancements comes new ways to save this beautiful planet we live on its simple it’s easy and many different ways to help starting in your own home. As your Realtor for the Austin Texas area here are a few tips to help Keep Austin Beautiful starting with your own home, home purchase or home remodel. Begin with increasing your property’s energy efficiency to reduce the overall carbon footprint the overall long run of “save the planet” start with one change. Energy Star is a joint U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy can schedule a contractor to perform a full assessment on your property. Go to energystar to learn about what energy start standards for lighting, appliances, and electronics. The Nature Conservancy has a website where you can fill out its Carbon Footprint Calculator. This site will help you with commuting, travel, and food choices as well as housing to construct an overall view of your household’s effect on the environment. Are you thinking about remodeling will given America’s vast range of climates and landscapes, materials and design can vary greatly, but there are always common concerns such as healthy indoor-air quality, sustainable materials and water and energy efficiency? Some simple ways recommend are purchase a thermostat regulator it will regulate you air conditioning and heating when you are not home, turn down your water heater temperature for your home to keep the energy bills lower. You can also caulk around your ac ventilation systems to save on air conditioning and heating costs that might be leaking through the duct work. You can have your ducts as well as natural gas heaters cleaned to help with ventilation, air and grime. Simply change your light bulbs to the more energy efficient ones. Those are just some of the inexpensive ways to “go green”. Building Green saves you money and the environment at times it can cost a little more than not but in the long run you have save money, the planet, and save the environment. If you are remodeling you can replace your floors with concrete you can also have heating coils installed below the concrete to heat them which is more energy efficient or replace the old vinyl that lets off phthalates and a toxic chemicals with a natural linoleum or with a bamboo flooring or a certified wood or recycled or savaged floor. Try a rooftop canal, or scuppers, to channel runoff into rain barrels from which water is fed into a drip irrigation system. Don’t forget about your toilets you can save 45% on your water bill with a low flow model. With appliances the Sky is the Limit. Natural gas clothes dryer, a solar heating system or an evaporative cooler, put in tightly sealed, coated windows and increase insulation in attics, walls and floors. Depending on your area you are looking at buying the government will offer tax breaks for eco-friendly homes owners. Check with your local agencies for more information on what the tax break may be. There are many ways to save the environment starting with your home every dollar counts well every light bulb does too. Does it make an impact and overall efficiency on your home well it sure doesn’t hurt? You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to appreciate the ways to you can impact your environment and energy you just have to be aware.
About the Author
The author manages a company that specializes in Lakeway Real Estate
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