Go Green and $ave Green - 10 Easy Ways to Save Energy (and MONEY!) in Your Home

By Jenni Boucher

There are numerous ways for homeowners to save BIG on their energy costs, make their home more attractive to buyers, and help the environment. The best part is that most of them are easy and inexpensive for homeowners to do themselves.

Why make your home more energy efficient? For starters, there are a variety of state, utility and local financial incentives, such as tax breaks or rebates that are available after making upgrades to the energy efficiency of your home. It also saves money because you will be using less energy to power your home while making your home more comfortable. You would also be doing a favor for Mother Nature since energy efficient homes use less energy, therefore reducing excess energy consumption and the pollution created by producing energy that many scientists believe contributes to global warming.

Below are just a few ways that you can make your home more energy efficient, courtesy of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors - a.k.a. InterNACHI.

1.)    Make sure your home is properly sealed and insulated. Sealing and insulating your home is generally one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient.  Leaks in your home’s building envelope contribute to high energy bills and poor indoor air quality. The most common places for leakage are: around electrical receptacles & outlets, mail slots, around pipes or wires, wall or window-mounted air conditioners, attic hatches, fireplace dampers, doors, baseboards, window frames and switch plates. These areas can be sealed inexpensively with caulking, spray-foam insulation or weather stripping. Also make sure that all pipes and duct work are insulated to minimize energy loss while cold air and hot water move through your home.

2.)    Pay attention to your heating and cooling systems. Make sure to change your air filter regularly (most systems recommend monthly) to avoid excess strain on your air handler from having to push air through a dirty filter, which also increases your indoor air quality and reduces allergens. Set thermostats to an appropriate temperature, such as turning it up to 78 – 80 degrees during the day when no one is home. In most homes, about 2% of the energy bill will be saved for each degree the thermostat is increased for at least 8 hours each day. You can even install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperature settings based on the time of day. Use ceiling fans in place of the air conditioner as much as possible since they use a lot less electricity, or use the “fan-only” option on your thermostat.

3.)    Install a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, save energy by only heating water when it is needed. Traditional tanked water heaters heat water 24 hours a day, and much of that heat is lost in storage or traveling through the plumbing system. Tankless systems are extremely compact compared to traditional tanked models, and are great for homes that are tight on space. They are also great at eliminating one of the biggest annoyances for larger families – you will never run out of hot water again! The best part is that tankless models are very comparable in price to traditional tanked models and there is minimal work involved to transition your existing system.

4.)    Install efficient plumbing fixtures. Low-flow showerheads are available in different flow rates and have been proven to dramatically reduce water usage while showering. Aerators are an inexpensive addition to kitchen and bath faucets to increase water flow while minimizing water usage. Upgrading your toilet from the standard 3.5 gallon (or more) flush model to a low-flow 1.6 gallon flush model could save as much as 12,000 gallons per year in most households. Dual-flush toilets can reduce water consumption by an additional 30% by providing a 1 gallon (or less) flush for liquid waste and a 1.6 gallon flush for solid waste. Vacuum-assist toilets use a vacuum chamber to suck air from beneath the bowl to quickly, efficiently, and quietly clear waste while using a minimal amount of water.

5.)    Use appliances and electronics responsibly. Appliances and electronics account for around 20% of the average home’s annual energy consumption. Shut computers down when not in use, or at least turn the monitor off if the computer cannot be turned off. According to home studies, computers average around 3% of all energy consumption in the United States. Make sure that chargers for phones and laptops are unplugged when not in use. Replacing your electronics and appliances with ENERGY STAR-rated models will also lower energy costs. According to the EPA, if just 10% of homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 1.7 million acres of trees.

6.)    Use smarter lighting. Daylight is free, and it is a great way to brighten the interior of your home. Aside from opening your curtains or blinds, you can also introduce more natural light into your home by installing skylights or light tubes. Just make sure that they are sealed and flashed properly to avoid leaks. Another way to light smarter is to replace your home’s incandescent light bulbs with much more efficient CFL (compact fluorescent) or LED (light-emitting diode) versions, which could reduce your energy requirements for lighting by 50% to 75%. CFL’s use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last on average 10 times longer. LED’s last even longer and use less energy than CFL’s and unlike CFL’s, they do not contain mercury. Putting lighting on motion sensors and converting at least some of your exterior lighting to solar power also helps to reduce energy costs.

7.)    Cook smarter. An enormous amount of energy is wasted while cooking, something that most of us do every day. Replacing your existing oven with a convection oven, which uses a fan to distribute heat evenly, could reduce energy consumption while cooking by as much as 20%. Microwave ovens use approximately 80% less energy than conventional ovens. Using pots & pans with lids that are the correct size for the stove element or flame you are using will help food cook more quickly and evenly while using less energy.

8.)    Change how you do laundry. Instead of doing small loads, wait until you have a full load to maximize your energy and water usage. Avoid using high-temperature settings if the clothes are not very soiled. Water that is 140 degrees (hot setting) uses a lot more energy than water that is 103 degrees (warm setting), but isn’t that much more effective at getting clothes clean. Using cold water whenever possible also helps to reduce energy costs. Using the spin-dry cycle on your washer or wringing the clothes out before putting them in the dryer helps to reduce the time it takes for them to dry. Make sure to clean out the lint trap on your dryer before every use and clean your dryer vent hose quarterly. Not only is excess lint a fire hazard, but it will increase the amount of time it takes for your clothes to dry. You could also go a step further and dry your clothes using lines and racks when possible.

9.)    Use smart landscaping. Deciduous trees (like oak or maple) are great at providing shade during the summer to keep your home cooler and reduce the workload on your air conditioner. Using plants that are native to Florida and are drought-tolerant helps to reduce water consumption during months with little rain.

10.)  Decorate with light colors. Homes with light-colored paint (interior & exterior), roofing materials and/or flooring do not get as hot during the day and require less energy to cool.

Taking the initiative to implement these changes in your home is more than worth the effort. These small changes could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars every year on energy and water costs, while also making your home more comfortable and more desirable when it comes time to sell it.

Renovate Wisely: Always Hire A Licensed Contractor

By Jenni Boucher

   At some point during the course of home ownership, most people will want or need to renovate or add-on to their existing home. The causes of renovations are many, such as updating for more modern features or adding space for new family members, just to name a few. Whatever your reason for renovating, make sure that you hire professionals to do the job so that it doesn’t cost you BIG.

   The most obvious reason to hire professional, licensed contractors is the quality of work. Licensed contractors are required to attend numerous courses prior to being licensed and continuing education courses after licensing, understand the Florida Building Code and pass a test before their license is issued, as well as carry liability insurance in the event of a mistake. A licensed contractor can only have so many complaints before the state will step-in and take their license. This is extra motivation for the contractor to do the job right, the first time.

   I have heard from numerous homeowners in my 10 years of working in the construction industry that price is often the issue determining whether they will hire a licensed contractor or “someone else”. I have always told these same people that 9 times out of 10 they will get exactly what they paid for, i.e. cheap and/or unprofessional work, and a lot of headaches.

   What kind of headaches am I talking about? MANY! To start with, many homeowners end up paying for their renovation twice (or more) due to bad work being done and having to pay a licensed contractor to fix it. This same bad work is most often not up to building code standards and will have to be partially or completely removed WHEN (NOT IF) the government finds out. Numerous local municipalities require two – to –three times the original permit fees if a homeowner has been busted with un-permitted work, or any work done by an unlicensed contractor who cannot pull permits. Code Enforcement can also (in addition) fine you up to $250 per day for un-permitted work from the date the work was caught until a permit is pulled or the work is torn down. Homeowners also need to consider the consequences of what could happen to their home and family because un-permitted work has not been verified by a licensed inspector to meet code or safety standards.

   Even if Code Enforcement doesn’t catch you right away, the Property Appraiser will when you go to sell the home. Too many times I have seen real estate transactions be halted temporarily or indefinitely because of un-permitted work. The types of un-permitted work that the Property Appraiser is most likely to catch are changes in the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, changes to the square footage of the home, or homes that are in flood zones that have illegally closed in the open lower floor of the home, creating a non-conforming space.

   Remodeling or adding on to your home is something that most homeowners will do at some point in time. Protect yourself and your real estate investment by hiring a licensed contractor the first time.

Hurricane Shutters: Build Them or Buy Them?

By Jenni Boucher

   Most Florida homeowners have some type of protection for the windows and doors of their home in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane. Any home that was permitted after February 28, 2002 is required to have some type of opening protection per the Florida Building Code. Many homeowners have opted for impact-resistant windows and doors to help protect their home, but this can be a very expensive upgrade for older homes. The most budget-friendly way to protect your doors and windows is with hurricane shutters.

  The least expensive shutters to install are made from plywood. These shutters can easily be made and ready to install over a weekend. While they are inexpensive, they are also the least attractive way to protect your openings. When the shutters aren’t in use, they must be stored on-site and the bolts around the windows and doors used to secure the shutters will be visible year-round. They are also heavy, and can be a challenge for many people to install with a storm on the way. Per the Florida Building Code, plywood shutters can only be used for openings less than 8'-0" wide. According to Florida’s Foundation, a state-run non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeowners protect their home in the event of a storm, these shutters can get you up to a 35% discount on your property insurance premiums.

   If you don’t want to build plywood shutters, there are a variety of other shutter options on the market to fit your needs. Prices range from inexpensive to very expensive, and there are a large range of style, material, and color choices to choose from. Some styles of shutters, like composite panels, must be stored on-site and installed like plywood shutters, but are many times lighter and stronger. Other types, like roll-down cloth or metal shutters, are left up all year long and are typically very easy to engage in the event of a storm. Depending on the model, these can look like a big box over all of your openings or they can blend seamlessly into the architecture of your home. These shutters can get you up to a 44% discount on your property insurance premiums.

    Whether you build your shutters or buy them, it is critically important to have some type of protection for your openings in the event of a storm. Most hurricane damage is caused by wind and water intrusion after the windows & doors of a home have been compromised. Once this happens, forces called “uplift” could literally lift the roof off of your home, causing a catastrophic structural failure. Don’t let that happen to you; make sure your openings are protected!

Why Wind Mitigation Matters

by Jenni Boucher

   

   Have you ever considered what you could do to make your home safer in the event of a hurricane? Did you know that these upgrades could significantly lower your property insurance premiums? Manatee Home Inspection Services owners Ken & Sharri Miller saved $788 on their 2013-2014 insurance premiums by installing hurricane clips to anchor the roof framing to the walls of their 1955 home.

  Wind Mitigation is the process of securing your home to make it better able to withstand wind and water intrusion during a tropical storm or hurricane. Many homeowners are unaware that there are many small (and large) upgrades that can be made to their home to make it safer during a storm, many of which may already be installed in their home!

  These types of upgrades can be very inexpensive, such as installing plywood shutters to protect windows & glass doors, or hurricane clips to fasten the roof framing to the walls. Larger upgrades, such as metal or vinyl hurricane-rated shutters and replacing existing doors & windows with impact-resistant models are more expensive, but generally add to the appearance of the home. Homes permitted after February 28, 2002 are required to have many of these upgrades installed per the Florida Building Code.

   According to Florida’s Foundation, a state-run non-profit organization dedicated to Wind Mitigation, homes built to Florida Building Code standards qualify for a minimum 68% discount on their property insurance premiums. Any home can qualify for discounts with a few upgrades, such as an 11% discount for hurricane-rated shingles, a 35% discount for plywood shutters, a 44% discount for hurricane-rated shutters, 35% discount for hurricane clips or straps in the attic, or an 82% discount for having a poured-solid concrete roof. Altogether, homes can qualify for a maximum 88% discount on their property insurance premiums with these upgrades. In order to find out how much you can save, you must have a Universal Mitigation Verification Form filled out by a licensed home inspector to submit to your insurance company.

   These same upgrades can also save your home in the event of a major storm. Most damage is caused by wind or water intrusion due to broken windows & doors or improperly installed vents and soffits. Once wind enters the home, forces called “uplift” literally could lift the roof from the structure. When water intrudes, it can begin to cause mold and mildew in a matter of days with Florida’s hot and humid climate.

   Why does Wind Mitigation matter? A few small upgrades to your home can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars every year on property insurance premiums, protect your real estate investment and make your home a safer place to live.