Blog Post to the Rescue - Specializing in Energy Efficiency

By
Real Estate Agent with Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 SA5376460000

We write blogs for a variety of reasons.  Sharing statistics, information on real estate transactions, products and services and our own views on the industry or personal topics.  

It's always likely that someone has read a blog and posts an opinion within ActiveRain.  But what if a blog has never been read and a question surfaces about one of our blog topics?  

That's just what happened this morning.  We never know how far the band-width of a blog will reach.  Sometimes that doesn't even matter! 

 

Today, a local designer that knows my specialty in energy efficiency called about  a client need.  Her client, not mine.   Her client has already purchased a home, a gorgeous home very near another one of my client's new-builds in Scottsdale.  

 

The designer had already referred me to this client to discuss ways to make their home more energy efficient.  This mornings call is along the same lines, but it's about the client's failing water heater.  

 

Searching for my recent blog Which Water Heater is Right for Your Home, I sent it to the designer, copying that client. 

 

Meeting with my designer friend's clients at their new home in Scottsdale, we did a walk through of their desired changes.  There were a few items that might be worthy of an energy audit.    Mentioning one of my trusted referral sources, an assessment was made and my friend's client now has new ductwork and new HVAC systems.    

 

Sharing information is one of the great things about ActiveRain.  You just never know how a blog might come in handy to anyone reading, or not!

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HomeSmart Elite Group                                  

8388 E Hartford Dr., Suite 100

Scottsdale, AZ 85255                                                         

(602) 620-2699   DIRECT

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Comments (25)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Jan, for sharing your experience and your advice.

Jan 05, 2022 08:19 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Jan - things like this can certainly happen.  And while they may not occur often (or as often as we might want) it is nice when they do.  Whether it be as a rescue, a resource or a recollection --- blogs can matter.  

Jan 05, 2022 08:49 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

My most effective posts often have the fewest comments.  They fill a need and those that need to find it, find it.  They don't comment, they call.

Jan 05, 2022 09:02 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Jan - when I am discussing wants, needs, and solutions with clients I will say here is a link to more information in an article I have written.  Writing to deliver content is always needed.

Jan 05, 2022 12:24 PM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Great post Jan! Certainly you are the expert I see in this field

Jan 05, 2022 01:21 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thanks for stopping by Eric Bouler ! I've read your posts before, always insightful!

Jan 05, 2022 01:41 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Glad it was helpful and thank you for mentioning it on Twitter Raymond Henson, eXp Realty !  Happy to be of assistance!

Jan 05, 2022 01:42 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Kathy Streib for commenting and for your opinion.  Our opinions in print sometimes arrive on point!  Always feel free to reach out with questions! 

Jan 05, 2022 01:42 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP  - appreciate your review, too! 

Jan 05, 2022 01:43 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Your welcome Roy Kelley - have a great rest of your day! 

Appreciate your opinion and review Michael Jacobs !  

Interesting and valid point Liz and Bill Spear !  Your posts are always insightful and great marketing data!  I'm sure your readership is high no matter how many comments you receive!   

Jan 05, 2022 01:45 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great way to share information Grant Schneider !  People/readers are more likely to trust an author when they defer to a 3rd party resource!  

Thank you Rocky Dickerson !  Appreciate your review! 

Jan 05, 2022 01:46 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Jan Green ,

And your post really helped a consumer which will not go unnoticed! You will remain top of mind with these folks as well as all their friends and family they tell!

Jan 05, 2022 04:01 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Dorie Dillard Austin TX .  It's funny that these were not my clients, but they raved about the service to their designer, a friend of mine.  Not sure that any of this will turn into real estate clients, but it was just wonderful to be appreciated for my skills in energy efficiency!  It's been an uphill battle since 2008 with fellow realtors, trades, and others that didn't take me seriously.  So this was a bonus even though I didn't earn a commission, I earned some kudos which means the world to me!  Thanks for stopping by and commenting!  

Jan 05, 2022 04:42 PM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

How wonderful that you have become the "go to" person for energy efficiency questions! Keep writing what you know! You will get requests for assistance like this one, and will also get clients. Kudos to you!

Jan 06, 2022 04:50 AM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
Carolina Life RealEstate & Relocation 919-602-8489

Hi Jan, AR blogs can be sticky, meaning they stick around for a long time. Way to go! 

Jan 06, 2022 06:07 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

Hi Jan,
It's so true. You can't judge a book by its cover or a blog post by the number of comments.  Carry on...   😊

Jan 06, 2022 06:42 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Energy saving projects are never cheap. I spray foam into new window gaps and found out they tend to ooze out. Using a newly acquired digital thermometer, I detected a few small leaks from a custom windows. My under the floor insulation blankets were never installed due to fear of clearance in the crawl space.  To justify a 90% efficient furnace costs 1-2K more than a 80%.  Replaced an oldie which was 80% rated but work more like 50%. The saving was actually a leak below. I don't see any savings gained from winter use yet with all these projects completed.

Jan 06, 2022 09:11 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

It's a great niche that my friends now know as well, which was the reason the designer friend referred  me Kat Palmiotti . It's a good time!  Thank you for commenting!

Yes they are Carla Freund !  Appreciate your read and comments!

Thank you my friend Carol Williams !  Makes total sense!

Jan 06, 2022 01:33 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Sam Shueh I can comment on each of these but you should have this stuff installed by professionals. 

Your climate zone is different than mine.  Your climate zones vary a lot in CA.  Here's a link so you can study products to install via climate zone and how they react to your weather: 

 https://www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/about/edusafety/training/pec/toolbox/arch/climate/california_climate_zone_04.pdf

My  response is you used the wrong foam to seal your windows.   Check the label and make sure it's supposed to be used for window sealing.   You need a full blown energy audit by a professional to look at all of your leaks, not just those in windows.  I promise you there are more in ducts, light fixtures, etc. 

You're speaking of the cost of furnace without including energy savings, another piece of data that an energy audit provides.  If the label says 80% savings, are your ducts sealed so you aren't leaking air to reduce the savings?    Furnaces have a return on investment including energy savings which is also provided in an energy audit.  

Check with your utility provider for a list of contractors who do the work, perform tests and provide software results of your existing features.  When looking at energy savings, your home is viewed as a system with each part working together.  Focusing only on one part you may be skipping other aspects of energy inefficiency and you won't receive the full savings listed.   

 

Jan 06, 2022 01:43 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

I love this story, Jan! You certainly can't judge the efficiency of a post by the number of comments, can you? Oftentimes, those with the least number of comments are the ones that lead to business for us. This consumer will not forget how knowledgeable you are or how generous you were with your time. I see future business for you from this!

Jan 08, 2022 01:37 PM