Knoxville TN Real Estate Blog

Homeowners Guide to Going Green

All across the world, homeowners are going green.  As with any initiative, going green can range from small simple steps to full house retrofit.  There are many benefits of greening up your living space, including improving the indoor air quality, saving energy, reducing waste, and saving money on energy bills.

When the whole green concept was first introduced many thought it was just a trend, but the research is out and going green is not only healthy but can quantifiably beneficial.  With energy bills on the increase going green can put some green back into your pocket- a trend that everyone should strive to achieve.

So how can going green save you money?  Many green products are designed to be sustainable.  While in some case these products could be initially more expensive they will save money in the long run.  In addition, these green additions could make your home much more valuable in the eyes of potential buyers- possibly giving you as a seller a serious market advantage.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® green housing trends are on the rise and a recent poll shows 8 out of 10 home buyers consider energy efficiency of major importance.

Below are links to some simple and cost effective ways to get you well on your way to going green:

Composting 101: What is Composting and Why Should Everyone Do it?

How to Exorcize the Vampire and Monsters in your Life- the "dangers" of phantom energy sources

WARNING: Read This Before you Upgrade Your Windows in Attempts to Cash-In on the new Energy Tax Credits.

Color me Green- The In's and Out's of Low VOCs Paints

I Am Proud to Say That Our Future Looks Greener, Thanks To Our Little Earth Stewards!

CAUTION- Read Before you Dispose of Household Chemicals: Homeowners Guide to Trash, Recycling, and Disposal- Household Hazardous Waste

Go Green with Sustainable Landscaping Techniques

Get in My Belly- My Big Solar Belly, That is- Knoxville Goes Green with Solar Trash Compactors

Watch Out For Greenwashing when Purchasing Green Cleaning Products

Green up your Landscaping by Limiting Fertilizers: A Look into the Negative Ecological Impacts of Fertilizers

The Dangers of Over Watering

DIY Home Energy Audit Part 1- Checking for Leaks

If you are looking to buy a home in the Greater Knoxville TN area instantly search all homes for sale at www.MyKnoxvilleHomeSearch.com.  If you are looking for a luxury home in Knoxville TN visit http://knoxvilleluxuryhomesellers.com.

Free Buyers Tools

Instantly search all properties for sale in the Knoxville TN and surrounding areas now!
www.MyKnoxvilleHomeSearch.com

Visit Christine McInerney and Jennifer Halinkowski with Keller Williams Realty on-line at:
www.HomesForSaleKnoxville.com and www.KnoxvilleReal-Estate.com
Office: (865) 694-5904
Christine (865) 237-5289 and Jennifer (865) 621-3658
Mail to: McIn-Kowski@HomesForSaleKnoxville.com

Instantly Search For All Knoxville, TN Homes , Condos , and land For Sale!!

 

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 Christine McInerney and Jennifer Halinkowski - Knoxville TN Real Estate - Keller Williams Realty Knoxville Copyright © 2009

Instantly search for all Homes For Sale in Knoxville , Farragut, Powell TN, Alcoa TN, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Corryton, Louisville, Blaine, Seymour, Strawberry Plains     

Please visit us at www.HomesForSaleKnoxville.com and www.KnoxvilleReal-Estate for additional information about the Knoxville TN area, Knoxville Relocation, and Selling and Buying Knoxville Real Estate.

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Owning a home can be a great investment and allow homeowners to have a sense of freedom.  However, homeownership also requires regular maintenance and upkeep if you expect to be able to cash out when it comes time to sell your home.

Whether you are getting your home ready to sell or just looking for some cost effective upgrades, keep energy efficiency in mind.  According to the National Association of Realtors 8 out of 10 home buyers say energy efficiency is of importance when purchasing a home.

With in some cases minimal changes can lead to lower utility bills, improved indoor air quality, an upgraded look, as well as will make your home more desirable to future buyers.

Check for Leaks

Have you ever walked past a window or door and could feel air seeping into your home?  Or perhaps you can see daylight through cracks in the door?  To some people this may seem like a small issue, however did you know that a leaky home can cost between 5-30% more on your energy bills?  When you add this up every month it can make quite a financial impact.

To check for leaks first evaluate some of the key entry points:

• Check around windows (caulk if needed) - if windows are worn consider updating- new windows could qualify for the energy tax credit rebate.
• Feel around electrical sockets and light switches- foam insulating sheets can be added behind them to decrease leaks and improve efficiency.
• Feel for leaks around the doors and look for daylight- a simple door adjustment or new weather stripping could do the job.  If your doors have seen better days or lack overall insulating ability a new door could be eligible for the energy tax credit rebate.
•  Check around the foundation, exterior trim, fireplace, attic opening and seal all holes with appropriate sealers- not only will this prevent energy loss, but also unwanted animal intrusion.

Please read our eco-minded blog posts for more information pertaining to "all things green":

Composting 101: What is Composting and Why Should Everyone Do it?

How to Exorcize the Vampire and Monsters in your Life- the "dangers" of phantom energy sources

WARNING: Read This Before you Upgrade Your Windows in Attempts to Cash-In on the new Energy Tax Credits.

Color me Green- The In's and Out's of Low VOCs Paints

I Am Proud to Say That Our Future Looks Greener, Thanks To Our Little Earth Stewards!

CAUTION- Read Before you Dispose of Household Chemicals: Homeowners Guide to Trash, Recycling, and Disposal- Household Hazardous Waste

Go Green with Sustainable Landscaping Techniques

Get in My Belly- My Big Solar Belly, That is- Knoxville Goes Green with Solar Trash Compactors

Watch Out For Greenwashing when Purchasing Green Cleaning Products

Green up your Landscaping by Limiting Fertilizers: A Look into the Negative Ecological Impacts of Fertilizers

The Dangers of Over Watering

Instantly search all properties for sale in the Knoxville TN and surrounding areas now!
www.HomesForSaleKnoxville.com

Visit Christine McInerney and Jennifer Halinkowski with Keller Williams Realty on-line at:
www.HomesForSaleKnoxville.com and www.KnoxvilleReal-Estate.com
Office: (865) 694-5904
Christine (865) 237-5289 and Jennifer (865) 621-3658
Mail to: McIn-Kowski@HomesForSaleKnoxville.com

Instantly Search For All Knoxville, TN Homes , Condos , and land For Sale!!

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 Christine McInerney and Jennifer Halinkowski - Knoxville TN Real Estate - Keller Williams Realty Knoxville Copyright © 2009

Instantly search for all Homes For Sale in Knoxville , Farragut, Powell TN, Alcoa TN, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Corryton, Louisville, Blaine, Seymour, Strawberry Plains     

Please visit us at www.HomesForSaleKnoxville.com and www.KnoxvilleReal-Estate for additional information about the Knoxville TN area, Knoxville Relocation, and Selling and Buying Knoxville Real Estate.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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