It’s So Easy, Being Green

Whenever oil and natural gas prices climb, stoking fears of long, cold and expensive winters, a renewed interest in keeping heating costs under control is sparked. Homeowners have an ignited passion for understanding energy saving methods. If you’re in this boat, stuck in cold waters, here are some energy saving tricks of the trade. If you’re living in a home with a furnace that’s more than 20 years old, you may have already attempted the “buy a sweater” method of keeping warm. This is certainly one approach, but these days upgrading your home’s conditioning system is a much better option, and will bode well for you in the here and now, and in the long term, should you decide to sell your home. More and more, homebuyers are looking for homes with energy efficient systems already in place. So, think of these upgrades as a long term investment in the resale value of your home, as well as a cost efficient and green alternative to your current conditioning system. Now, with that old choker of a furnace huffin’ and puffin’ away, guaranteed it’s not as efficient as it could be, no matter what fuel type it uses. The newer gas furnaces are mid-efficiency (78-82%) or high efficiency (89-96%). Although the higher efficiency products can cost up to $1000 more than the mid-efficiency products, extra costs will be recouped in a couple years, as they will burn less fuel. And, you’ll be the greenest frog on the block, sending less harmful emissions out into the atmosphere. “It’s so easy being green”, murmured Kermit, once he upgraded his furnace. With oil furnaces, there are again, much more efficient products on the market as of late. But, an oil furnace does need to partner with a good chimney, and so this may be an additional cost to keep in mind. Take note, it’s still the case that electric heat is more expensive than oil and gas, although a smart combination of central woodstove heat, supplemented by electric heat can be cost efficient. Let it Flow: Change Your Filters! Whether disposable or washable, all forced-air heating/cooling systems use filters. And, these filters need to be maintained and changed. Some filters require monthly changes while others last up to three months, and much depends on the conditions within your home. A dirty filter will restrict air flow and with clogged filters you’re blocking heat that would otherwise be keeping you toasty warm. Do yourself a favor and keep on top of the regular changing of your heat filters. This is a pretty easy way to boost your energy efficiency and cut costs. Pump it Up: Install a Heat Pump Air source heat pumps are the most common and they are generally used with a back-up heating system. In terms of function a heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside and bringing it in (in heat mode), and by removing heat from the inside of the house and releasing it outside (in cooling mode).

Whether it’s the heating system, the AC, or simply staying on top of filter changes, small efficiency upgrades can make a home more comfortable to live in and easier to present when it’s time to sell. If you’re weighing which updates are worth making before a sale, I’m happy to talk through your options with you. Reach out anytime through reynoldsrealty.com or call/text 941-737-6562.
— Linda Reynolds, Reynolds Realty Gulf Coast