Everyone is going “green” and looking for more efficient ways to live. Here are a few inexpensive tips and comments from My Arizona Home Team that any homeowner can use.
We asked our team members to comment on this topic and this is what they had to say…
Ashley Dewey wants you to know that going green also means going healthy! Green building not only reduces your energy bills but it can also reduce biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, molds, pollen, and dust that can lead to allergies, fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, and respiratory infections to name just a few. It can also reduce indoor air pollution caused by chemical contaminants from our everyday products! Adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, pesticides, cleaning agents, fireplaces, and gas stoves may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and other carcinogenic particles. Having your home built tight and built right with proper insulation and ventilation can save you money AND your health!
At My Arizona Home Team we understand the importance of a balanced and properly charged AC system. Barb Egbert wants you to make sure your air conditioning system and compressor are functionally properly. She recommends checking your temperature splits often. The proper temperature split between supply and intake air in a typical system is 18 to 22°F. Low temperature splits normally indicate a leak in refrigerant or a blockage in the duct system. Temperature split is the difference of the air coming out of the supply and into the return where the filter is located. If the air returning to the unit where the filter is located is 80 degrees, the air coming out of the supply should be 58-62 degrees. A difference of 4-8 degrees will cause a substantial increase in monthly utility costs. We typically find homes that are ranging from 12-14 degrees and have been for many years. Any member of My Arizona Home Team can offer a free check of your system to address this concern.
Did you know that the average home in Phoenix spends about $2200-$2500 on energy costs every year? Laurel Nielson thought it was most important to inform homeowners on the importance at looking to new appliances to help reduce energy consumption. Look for appliances, water heaters, light bulbs, and AC systems that are Energy Star rated and start saving today.
And speaking of saving money, energy efficiency pays you back not only in your monthly savings but there are also approved tax credits that pay you back at tax time. Katie Halle suggests visiting: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#s1 for details. There are credits for consumers as well as builders and commercial buildings too. Be sure to check out this link before purchasing your new energy efficient products.
Owning a swimming pool is common in Phoenix, so Tim Wallace thought homeowners may want a few tips on saving money there too. Properly maintaining pool water chemistry is perhaps the most important aspect of swimming pool maintenance. Proper chemical balance is critical to cleanliness of the water as well as protecting the pool surface itself. Test your water at least twice a week to ensure the levels are stabilized. For best results, apply the chemicals just before sunrise or right after sunset. The sun will otherwise quickly burn up the chemicals. Following these tips and operating your pool filter at the correct time of day will add to your monthly utility savings. Fact is, running your filter 24 hours a day to attempt to clear the pool water simply wastes energy and does little to correct the problem.
Although “Going Green” is currently on everyone’s mind, did you know that My Arizona Home Team has been involved with training, consulting, and educating buyers, Realtors, and local builders for over ten years on the benefits of energy efficiency? Please give us a call for a free energy efficiency consultation.
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