Real Estate Warming Trends and Energy Efficiency Tips

We are experiencing not only Global Warming, but Market Warming as well. The multiple offer environment is waking up quickly as was evidenced by no less than 11 offers yesterday on 300 Reed Blvd, Mill Valley listed at $1,475,000.

Here are some tips on keeping your home more energy efficient, which is a hot topic whether you’re buying, selling or just staying put, see below:

ENERGY USE:

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). They use 75 percent less energy. Replace all nightlights and holiday lights with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Turn off lights and computers when not in use.
• Use a power strip for televisions, DVD players, VCRs and chargers. Turn off the power strip when done.
• Use your drapes properly. In the summer, close your drapes during the day. In the winter, open your drapes at night. Open your windows for natural ventilation on cool summer mornings and nights.
• Plant shade trees.
• Click here for a quick energy assessment of your home.

WATER USE: 

• Shorten your showers; reducing lingering time by a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of hot water per month (for a family of 4). Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Wrap the hot water tank with jacket insulation and insulate the first 5 feet of pipes.  Remember to turn down the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit; savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs.
• Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for full loads only. Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when possible. It reduces your washer’s energy use by 75 percent.

HEATING AND COOLING:

• Replace or clean your furnace filter once a month. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Tuning-up your system saves energy and improves comfort and safety.
• Heating and cooling ducts in an average California home leak almost 30 percent
• Turn down the thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-70 degree range, you save up to 5 percent on heating costs.
• Properly installed R-38 insulation makes your home quieter and more comfortable.
• Add or repair weather stripping on all doors and windows. Use caulk and spray foam to fill all visible air gaps.
• Have a pressure test done to show where air is leaking out.

UPGRADE:

• Unplug and recycle any inefficient old refrigerators and freezers. Buy ENERGY STAR products. They will save you money in the long run. Use appliances efficiently.
• Recycle burned-out CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes, televisions, computer monitors and all other electronic waste.

Federal tax credits now available include:

• 30 percent of cost with no upper limit
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Small Wind Turbines (Residential)
• Solar Energy Systems

A Marin Independent Journal article this week states: “The median single-family Marin home price edged up nearly 8 percent year-to-year in January to $679,000, and total sales rose 15 percent to 115, according to figures from the county assessor’s office. Strong demand and a low inventory of houses for sale have increased competition for houses during the typically quiet winter season, Realtors said." I agree with this assessment.

Information gathered from:
www.energystar.gov
www.energy.ca.gov
www.consumerenergycenter.org