Monday is Earth Day, and your clients can do their part to protect the environment and save on utility bills. Going green can also make a difference at resale: 69 percent of real estate professionals say promoting energy efficiency in listings is “very” or “somewhat valuable” in a home sale, according to the latest REALTORS® & Sustainability Report.
Ply Gem, an exterior building product firm, outlines the following six-step checklist for homeowners who want to improve their home’s efficiency both for the interior and exterior.
- Check the windows for signs of drafts and seal any air leaks. Add weatherstripping around the frame to any drafty windows. Energy-efficient windows can help improve thermal insulation and save on energy costs.
- Unplug small electronics, such as computer monitors, cell phone chargers, lamp fixtures, and other small appliances, when they’re not being used.
- Use halogen, compact fluorescent lamps, or LED lightbulbs in your fixtures. Energy-efficient lightbulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, according to energy.gov. They can also last three to 25 times longer.
- Check the roof for leaks, ponding water, and damaged shingles. If a roof replacement is needed, a green alternative could be engineered cedar and slate roofing shingles. These roofing products are mostly made from recycled materials and can last for decades, according to Ply Gem.
- Traditional insulation doesn’t usually reach every crack or corner of wall space, according to Ply Gem. Make sure the siding around the home is fully intact to lessen the chances that air is seeping in or out. Insulated vinyl siding, such as Mastic insulated vinyl siding, can add a blanket of insulation to the exterior and help improve thermal insulation and preserve energy, according to Ply Gem.
- Go with eco-friendly outdoor materials, such as vinyl siding, fencing and railing, windows, and shutters, Ply Gem recommends. Vinyl is one of the most durable and cost-effective construction materials, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. It has little to no maintenance and can help save on energy costs.
For homeowners looking to do a home remodel, there are also plenty of ways to save on water bills. This chart from Homeadvisor.com reveals some water-saving remodeling ideas:
Source: REALTOR® Magazine Daily News
