Conserving Energy with a Home Energy Audit – Certified EcoBroker® Charlotte NC
November 23, 2009 by Victoria Stankard · Leave a Comment
We live in economically shaky times and one of the ways we can keep more money in our pocket is by conserving energy in our homes. Living greener and more efficiently also makes sense in terms of reducing global warming and there are many innovative “green” products, appliances and renewable energy sources available that will not only reduce our home’s carbon footprint, but save our hard earned cash.
Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit can be a big first step in living greener, smarter and more efficiently by determining how much energy your home is actually using. If you know what to look for you can conduct your own home energy audit. Here are a few examples of how an energy audit can help:
- Determine the efficiency of your AC and heating systems.
- Show you how to save electricity by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
- Show you ways to trim costs in heating water, such as turning down the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Bring attention to costly gaps around window frames, doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, baseboards, electrical outlets, etc. where AC and heat might be leaking out.
Every little energy efficiency tweak you do will help reduce the pressure of rising energy costs and your home’s carbon footprint.
Home Energy Audit Resources
- The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has a “Home Energy Checklist” on their website you can use to get started.
- There is a “Do-It-Yourself” energy audit tool offered by the federal government called the “Home Energy Saver” .
- Many utility companies offer home energy audits or can provide referrals for professional home energy auditors.
- You can also visit Energy Star’s Home Performance Program, offered by the U.S. Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA). It’s an excellent resource for trained energy experts that can evaluate your home using state-of-the-art equipment and recommend improvements.
More on Energy Efficiency and Green Living
- Living Greener Charlotte North Carolina Real Estate Certified EcoBroker
- Reducing Your Home’s Carbon Footprint Charlotte NC Real Estate Ecobroker
- Energy Efficiency Upgrade Tax Credits For Charlotte NC Homeowners
Charlotte North Carolina Certified EcoBroker® Real Estate Professional
Leigh Brown is an EcoBroker Certified® professional located in the Charlotte NC metro area. Leigh is dedicated to helping her clients purchase real estate in Charlotte, NC that is energy efficient and environmentally sensitive in design. Leigh also helps clients market their homes for sale in Charlotte, NC with green features. Contact Leigh Brown, EcoBroker Certified® professional and real estate expert of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Victoria Stankard is a freelance journalist, SEO copywriter and co-owner of Get Found Now, an online marketing and search engine optimization company. She and her husband, Michael Stankard, live in Tampa, Florida with their two children. Victoria writes for industry leaders who desire a strong Internet presence. If you would like Victoria to write for your current website/blog or create a dynamic, search engine friendly WordPress website/blog that will rank high in the search engines, email Victoria at: victoria (@) getfoundnow.com.
Leigh Brown, aka The Real Estate Diva, is a native of Concord NC in the Charlotte area. She grew up on a farm at the edge of Cabarrus County, still goes to the same church she grew up in (home of the world famous Mallard Creek Barbecue!), but has become a leader in area real estate through constant learning and continually upgrading technology to better serve buyer and seller clients. Leigh does indeed have a reputation as a barracuda-when it comes to protecting client interests. Her softer side is reserved for her husband and two kids who provide a constant source of joy-and entertainment
