Energy Efficiency: Rising Energy Costs Will Impact Consumers
Analysts anticipate rising energy prices this winter and in 2022. Consequently, consumers will see both oil and natural gas costs increase in the coming months. Therefore, homeowners who review their property’s energy efficiency are wise, especially when considering selling a home. In this article, The Real Estate Inspection Company reviews possible energy inefficiencies so that you can proactively address them.
Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance
You’d be surprised how quickly HVAC systems and components can run amok. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take much more than a clogged furnace filter to ruin its efficiency and degrade the entire system. With rising energy costs, no homeowner should pay more money to run an inefficient HVAC system. Therefore, we suggest annual HVAC system maintenance. Afterward, the technician will share any issues, and you can determine what to do. Finally, a yearly tune-up avoids costly repairs down the road.
Ensure Home Entry Points Are Sealed
Doors, windows, and chimneys all provide opportunities for hot air to escape and cold weather to intrude. A pre-listing home inspection provides ample opportunity to see if any entry points don’t seal properly. Afterward, we suggest you submit the report findings with our partner agency and get a repair quote. As a result, you limit surprises and last-minute expenses during the actual selling process. Additionally, sealing the property’s entry points improves its energy efficiency. After all, San Diego gets cooler weather, too.
Invest in New, Energy Efficient Appliances
Newer appliances run more efficiently than older ones. Appliances with a Gold Energy emblem mean they operate efficiently with less energy. To combat rising energy costs, replace old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones. You’ll find the return on investment offsets the initial cash outlay. Plus, you help the environment at the same time!
Be Conservative
Conserving energy and running your appliances during off-peak hours can help you reduce your energy bills. Most modern appliances such as washers and dishwashers have delay start functions. And a programmable thermostat allows you to use heating and cooling at just the right times of the day which can further save on energy costs.
Need a Home Inspection?
To learn how to increase the thermal efficiency of your home, and how you can save money on your heating and cooling bill, consider getting a home inspection. If you are selling your home, a pre-listing inspection can identify issues that may be easily corrected and avoid having a buyer ask for concessions before closing. Call The Real Estate Inspection Company at (800) 232-5180 to schedule a residential or commercial property inspection in in San Diego County, Orange County and Riverside County. Alternatively, you can schedule a verbal consultation instead. Verbal consultations don’t include all the detailed reports, pictures, and other aspects. However, they do tell you what you need to fix and help determine a course of action. If you choose to schedule a complete inspection within 60 days of your verbal consultation, we’ll apply a $50 discount towards the cost of a full home inspection of the same residence.
