Do: Make your home energy efficient if you are looking to lower your BEC bill. Having an energy efficient home will appeal to buyers and may just give you the edge you need to sell your home before your neighbor does. Some of the tips I am about to offer may be easier to follow than you think. One of the quickest and easiest ways to start making your home more energy efficient is by changing your current incandescent light bulbs to the beneficial energy-efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy.
LED lights are also a great way to save, but the initial cost can be higher than fluorescent bulbs even though the savings in the long run are much higher. Having your drapes closed in the warm summer months is another easy way to help lower your utility bill. Keeping the sun out as much as possible will help your air conditioning units run less and more efficiently. Adding fans to your room is also another great way to help keep your home cool.
Invest in having your air conditioning units maintained by a professional on a regular basis to ensure that filters are clean and the units are working properly. Duct work should be checked annually to ensure there are no tears allowing your cool air to escape into the attic. Approximately 20 percent of the air that travels through the duct work in a conventional home is lost due to leaks and improper sealing.
Seal ducts and insulate them for increased efficiency and lower utility bills. Install a programmable thermostat and set it to turn off the systems when you know you will not be home. Cooling systems can be responsible for over half of the energy consumed in your home. This is the main reason more and more people are making their homes energy efficient by adding extra insulation to their attics and sealing cracks around windows and doors to avoid air leaks. These air leaks can equate to continually having a window open in your home and are the main reason cooling systems work harder increasing your utility bills.
If you are planning to replace your appliances and water heaters, look for energy efficient products. Energy efficient rated products are tested to ensure the highest efficiency among competitor products. o Carmen Massoni is president of Bahama Islands Realty and has 18 years of experience in the Real Estate profession in The Bahamas. She has been the recipient of many international awards recognizing her as a top producer amongst her peers. If you have any questions or need real estate advice, call 322-7770 or email Carmen@BahamaIslandsRealty.com.
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