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Keep Your Cool and Save Money with these Energy-Saver Tips

By
Real Estate Agent with The HBH Group (Keller Williams affiliate)

Summer's here, and energy costs are rising! Here is some timely information to help you keep your cool and save money on your energy bills this summer.

Cooling Tips 

  • Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. They are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside.
  • Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. 
  • Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense. 
  • Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use. 
  • Don't place lamps or a TV set near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary. 
  • Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units without blocking the airflow. Place your room air conditioner on the north side of the house. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun. 
  • Keep in mind that increasing insulation and sealing air leaks will help your energy performance in the summertime by keeping the cool air inside.

Long-Term Savings Tips:

  • If your air conditioner is old, consider purchasing a new, energy-efficient model. You could save up to 50% on your utility bill for cooling. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels. 
  • Consider installing a whole house fan or evaporative cooler if appropriate for your climate.

This information is brought to you as a public service of the The HBH Group Realty Team with Keller Williams Realty. You can learn more about us at our websites located at: http://www.TheHBHGroup.com/ and http://www.TheHBHGroup.biz/ or contact our offices at (512) 439-3772 or toll-free at (877) 268-1877.

We teach a monthly real estate investment seminar in the Greater Austin area and YOU ARE INVITED to this FREE event. Simply call our offices to reserve you seats! Also ask about the investors club that we are forming in the North Austin markets currently - We would love to have you participate!

CLICK HERE to view our current Virtual Tours of properties on one of the team's web sites.

Here are some other Buyer's Resources from Our Website: Seven steps to buying your home
Deciding how much house you can afford Making your home wish list Opting for new home construction
How can a real estate agent help me? 10 things you should ask a real estate agent
Location, Location, Location Mortgage Calculator Contact us about buying your home

And some seller's resources as well:Eight steps to selling your home
How can a real estate agent help me sell my home Practicing good seller's etiquette
How to price to sell and still make a profit Understanding the buyer Increasing your home's appeal
Mortgage Calculator Contact us about selling a property

The HBH Group/HBH Property Management
101 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Suite 190
Roundrock, TX 78664

To contact us:
Phone: 512-439-3772
Toll-Free: 877-268-1877
Fax: 512-579-4248
E-mail: info@TheHBHGroup.com
Websites: http://www.TheHBHGroup.com/
http://www.TheHBHGroup.biz/
Blogs: http://RoundRockRealEstateBlog.info/
http://www.RoundRockRealEstateBlog.com/

Russ Lenich
Baird & Warner - Naperville, IL
Naperville, IL Homes

Good morning Steve from hot and humid Naperville, IL.  Whole house fans are not that expensive and I think the pay-back is under 5 years for the investment.

Jun 27, 2008 12:56 AM
Hans Iduma
Gaithersburg, MD
Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist

Thanks for the tips. I did not realize that setting your thermostat colder than normal when you turn on your air conditioning will not cool the home any faster. I have always done that and now I know better. 

Jun 27, 2008 01:28 AM
Steve Homer
The HBH Group (Keller Williams affiliate) - Round Rock, TX

Russ:  It has been Hot and Humid here in the Round Rock area for weeks!  If it were not for fans, I would be dieing!

Hans:  Yes that was an interesting point to me as well.   But according to DOE, that is the case!

Jun 28, 2008 12:38 PM
Ronald Gillis
Southwest Florida Notaries (Mortgage Notary Signing Agent) - Port Charlotte, FL
CNSA Southwest Florida. Notaries, Port Charlotte, 941-7-NOTARY

I must say, I've never heard of shading the A/C unit.  Thanks!

Signature 

Jun 29, 2008 12:49 AM
- -
- - Bogota, TN

Thanks for yout tasking the time to provide us with this information in the Active Rain network.  AR is the new "cyber backbone" of the industry, and with it's uplink to Localism.com it will transfrom the marketplace. Agents who don't see which way the cyberwind is blowing are going to find themselves at a considerable disadvantage inside of three to five years.

Jun 30, 2008 04:47 AM