Now is a great time to make some improvements to your Ormond Beach home. The weak economy has brought down contractor and material prices and retailers are offering big discounts on appliances and lighting. As soon as you improve your home's energy efficiency - even if that means new light bulbs in your Ormond Beach condo - you will see a change in your energy bills. Many energy-efficient upgrades also qualify for federal tax credits. Check with our local utility also - they may offer additional incentives for replacing old appliances.
Some examples of how you can save money, as reported in On Investing, by Schwab & Company:
20% = amount saved on heating and cooling costs by sealing and insulating the shell or envelope of your home
80.4% = costs recouped at sale for installing foam-backed vinyl siding
$100 = annual savings for a typical family installing a gas Energy Star tankless water heater
77.7% = costs recouped at sale for installing wood replacement windows
(source: Hanley Wood, Cost vs Value Report, 2008-2009)
The National Assn. of Realtors also publishes yearly an extensive report on which home improvements will bring the greatest return. Contact me for a free copy.
Think Energy Star
If you plan to replace appliances, try if at all possible to purchase Energy Star-qualified products. They use 10% to 50% less energy. Energy Star appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators, cordless telephones, and TVs. Visit EnergyStar.gov.
Think Efficiency
$600 - $1200 is the amount the government's Home Energy Saver website says you can save annually by improving your home's energy efficiency. Visit HomeEnergySaver.gov.
Learn How to Save More
There are plenty of books and magazines on the subject, but here are 3 books on energy-efficient renovation:
Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time, David R. Johnston and Kim Master
Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies, Eric Corey Freed
The Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency: A Guide to Big and Small Improvements, John Krigger and Chris Dorsi
If you need references for local Ormond Beach professionals who can help you with remodeling projects, let me know. I'm the Relocation Expert for Ormond Beach, and live and work in our community.
Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
www.sherryarmstrong.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
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