Buying an Eco-friendly Energy-Efficient Home – Charlotte NC EcoBroker Certified® Professional

With so many homes sitting on the market, home buyers are in a position to be even choosier about the homes they buy.  An energy-efficient home is a smart choice because it saves us money, reduces our carbon footprint and improves the over-all quality of our life. Consequently, many home buyers are putting green features and energy efficiency at the top of their list of requirements. 

Here a few things to keep in mind if you are in the market to buy an eco- friendly energy-efficient home:

• Size - Obviously, the more square footage your home is, the more energy it will use. In today’s economy, the lure of “big home prestige” is waning and being replaced by energy-efficient home choices. Instead of looking at how much home you can buy, consider how much home you actually need.  
• Location – If you choose a home that is conveniently located to shops, public transportation, work, amusements, etc., you will less and walk more. Walkable neighborhoods offer personal health benefits and are healthier for the environment. Public transportation is not only more cost effective than driving, car emissions are a major contributor to global warming. There is actually a cool website you can visit called WalkScore that calculates the “walkability” of an address based on the distance from your house to nearby amenities so that you can drive less.  http://www.walkscore.com/
• Insulation and Ventilation – Every hole and crack should be filled. Wall insulation should be a minimum R-13 for 2X4 framed walls and R-19 for 2X6 framed walls. Attic insulation should be at least R-30 and evenly distributed.
• Right Exterior – Light colored exterior walls and roofing reduce heat absorption. Look for roofs made of durable/low maintenance reusable/recyclable roofing materiel such as metal, clay, slate or concrete tile.
• Air Ducts & Filters – Most houses lose 25% of their AC due to duct work leaks, which affects utility costs and air quality. Make sure ducts have been tested for leaks. Good air filters improve air quality as well as increase the lifespan of cooling and heating equipment. Air fitters should have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8.
• Window and Exterior Doors – Look for windows that are double pane and minimal use of skylights to reduce heat gain. Windows and exterior doors should have an Energy Star rating (joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help people save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices) that indicates they meet a certain standard of efficiency in heat loss prevention in the cold months and  cooling in the hot months. 
• Water Use – Look for water-efficient plumbing fixtures such as high-efficiency faucets and shower heads (less than 2.5 gallons per minute, toilets (1.3 or less gallons a flush) and sprinkler systems that minimize water usage.
• Lighting and Appliances – Look for light fixtures and appliances labeled Energy Star for energy efficiency.
• Green Certified – You can hire an EcoBroker Certified® Professional to help you find a green certified home for sale. The EPA also offer ratings on homes, based on inspections by trained third-party professionals.  You can find an efficiency home inspector in your area by visiting Energy Star’s Home Performance Program. 

The truth is we can all reduce our carbon footprint and save money on home energy costs by making changes in the way we live and the homes we choose to live in.

Charlotte North Carolina EcoBroker Certified® Professional

Leigh Brown is an EcoBroker Certified® Professional and leading real estate expert of the Charlotte Metro area. Over the years, Leigh has been committed to helping clients buy homes in  Charlotte, NC that are energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive in design. 

Leigh also helps clients market their homes for sale in Charlotte, NC with green features. If you are looking to buy a home in Charlotte, NC with green features or position your home to sell with green features, you need Leigh Brown on your team! You can reach Leigh by filling out the online contact form or by calling her at (704) 688-5005 or toll free (866) 440-7136.

Sources:
Energy Star
Seattle.Gov
Wall Street Journal