An increasing number of Charlottesville residents are becoming aware of the impact that their home has on the environment. They are concerned with the carbon footprint of their home.
The following are some simple ways that you can make your home "greener" and lower your utility bill at the same time.
- Switch to Compact flourescent light bulbs.
- Program your thermostat. Set the temperature to 78 or lower in the summer and 62 or lower in the winter. A programable thermostat allows you to set the temperature to use less energy at times when you are away from the home or sleeping.
- Seal air leaks. Caulking around windows and doors will decrease inside air loss thus cutting down on your heating or air conditioning bills.
- Tune up your HVAC system. Check the system every 2 years to make sure it is running efficiently and clean or change the filter monthly.
- Select Energy Star Appliances. These efficient appliances will provide you with long- term savings in your electric bills.
- Cut down on water use. Indoors:change to low flow shower heads and add aerators to sink faucets. Outdoors landscape with drought resistant native plants.
The Charlottesville, Virginia real estate market has a selection of green and Energy Star homes to choose from if you are looking for a Charlottesville green built home. For instance Albemarle County even has an ecco community called The Quarries and Charlottesville has the first American Lung Association homes in Virginia. Contact me and I would be happy to provide you with a list of the green homes that are currently on the Charlottesville and Albemarle County real estate market.
Or click here to perform your own search of the Charlottesville and Central Virginia homes currently on the market.
To learn more about green building click here.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, VA
434 960-0161
Charlottesville Homes
Charlottesville Horse Farms
Licensed to sell real estate in Virginia
Hi Pam,
Good tips. I can do the 78 degrees in the summer (in fact, I set mine on 80) but I cannot live with 62 in the winter--I would freeze. 68 is the very best I can do and I still have to wear a heavy sweater and socks in the house. I rationlize that I make up for it in the summer.
Cynthia - I agree: I freeze in the winter. I set my temp at 68 and still am bundled up.
Pam, I'm as bad as Cynthia, if not worse! I am in layers and layers of clothes--those heating bills are enormous and I can't imagine what they'll be this year.
Carole - I think that I will miss having a wood burning fireplace. Gas has gotten so expensive.