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Know What The #1 Energy Efficiency Killer For Your Home Is?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

Energy

Know what the #1 Energy Efficiency Killer for Your Home is?
It's your failure to change your heating and cooling filters on a regular basis!

It's July and for many of us in Texas we are beginning to experience the hottest temperatures of the year!  The U.S. Department of Energy encourages us to make sure our homes are energy efficient. Check out this great energy savers booklet provided:
                                          www.eere.energy.gov

Here are 12 items that commonly cause loss of heat and air to check in your home:

1. Dirty filters
2. Dropped ceiling
3. Recessed light
4. Attic entrance
5. Sill plates
6. Water and furnace flues
7. All ducts
8. Door frames
9. Chimney flashing
10. Window frames
11. Electrical outlets/switches
12. Plumbing/utility access

With remediation of any or all of these items a significant savings could be realized.

Owning a home means you need to be aware of proper maintenance in order to keep your home running as energy efficient as possible.  Forming a whole house efficiency plan is a must.  You need to obtain advice from a professional so you can make smart choices to maximize energy efficiency and save the most of your hard earned dollars.

To find the right contractor try the following:

hammer Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations
hammer Look in the yellow pages or on the internet for LOCAL companies
hammer Look for licensed insured contractors
hammer Get 3 detailed written bids
hammer Ask for references and check them out
hammer Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints
hammer Check out Austin Energy for an Austin Energy Audit
hammer Check with your local Realtor for references

Austin prides itself on implementing measures to rank in the top cities for a "green environment."  Take advantage of all the programs available to you to save big money long term.

I live, work and play in Austin and am here to help you in all  your home ownership needs.  Call me if I can be of assistance at 512-346-1799 or email me at dillard@reloaustin.com



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I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Morgan: How are your utility bills?

Lyn: That electric meter is spinning for sure today!

Terri: My husband does the same and I always notice dirty filters when walking into a home. I always tell my sellers to make sure they have a fresh one in when the house goes on the market.

Jul 05, 2010 12:20 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Paula,

Hey great idea on hanging these tips up!

Jul 05, 2010 12:21 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Michael: Thank you!!

Hi Ruthanne: My son has 1 dog and he really notices the difference now and is always changing his filters!

Vickie: You are right there is much to be said about the power of suggestion!

Jul 05, 2010 12:27 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gloria: We are now requiring energy audits in Austin with homes over 10 years old!

Zeta: You are right about those extra refrigerators for the cokes and beer..real energy hogs!!

Jul 05, 2010 12:29 PM
Russell Benson
Old Republic Title - Norman, OK
We'd love to close your deal at Old Republic!

Excellent post.  I use the lifetime filters that can be hosed out once per month and they both have already paid for themselves.  I've been told that the cheaper 30 day filters are OK but you just have to remember to change them in a timely manner.

Another good idea is to clean your outside condenser often.  When I mow, I take my leaf blower and run it up and down the ac unit.  This helps keep all the little fuzzy cotton like particles out of my unit.  Keeping those outside coils clean and clear and extremely important to having an efficient system.  My ac unit is 20 years old and works great, even in 100° weather.  You must maintain your appliances year round or face those horrible repair bills and high utility bills.

Jul 05, 2010 12:34 PM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Thanks for the list. Very informative.

Jul 05, 2010 12:38 PM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Thanks for the good read. I enjoyed it.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Jul 05, 2010 02:11 PM
David O'Doherty
Clayton, NC
Clayton NC Homes, Raleigh, NC

I'm about a month behind on changing my filter...I blame AR

Jul 05, 2010 02:49 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Russell,

Excellent advice when mowing & trimming the yard to blow off your condenser. You are right it is all about maintenance of our appliances to ward off those high utility bills and costly repairs! 

Jul 05, 2010 03:55 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Eric,

Glad you stopped by and felt the list was valuable.

Jul 05, 2010 03:55 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Patricia,

We can all benefit by a reminder to be diligent on helping conserve energy.

Jul 05, 2010 03:57 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Dedra,

It's amazing how all these things can add up for a positive if we remember to do them!

Jul 05, 2010 03:58 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening David,

Now you can blame AR for gently reminding you!

Jul 05, 2010 03:59 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

These are great tips for efficiency.  We are fortunately in an area that doesn't frequently require either a heater or A/C.

Jul 05, 2010 06:27 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Christine,

That would definitely help! We sure require the A/C at this time of the year!

Jul 05, 2010 11:45 PM
Colin Moody
HCo Properties - Durham, NC

Dorie, I'm certainly guilty of forgetting to change those filters. I've purchased a a full years supply so that when I see that they need to be changed they're readily accessible.

Jul 06, 2010 02:39 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Colin,

Everyone is guilty of changing filters! Good for you for getting a year's supply..now there is no excuse!

Jul 06, 2010 12:04 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Dorie, even with the schedule on the frig in the execise room, we forgot to change the filterss....I usually keep extra filters for the furnaces, but alas we are out.....need to make a run!

Jul 22, 2010 02:02 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Dorie!

I don't know how I missed this one but, found it on a re-blog that Missy Caulk did for her area.  EXCELLENT pointers and I have to admit that we are obsessive about our filters but, the other items need a little work!  Thanks for the great tips!

Jul 22, 2010 03:21 AM
Diane Williams
Pell City, AL

We all are looking for ways to save on energy. Thanks for the great information you provided.

Aug 02, 2010 11:57 PM