Severe drought and water restrictions may be making headlines and history, Texas is far from the only region in the U.S. facing a drier summer. With the Environmental Protection Agency reporting that 40 out of 50 state water managers predict shortages in their states within the next 10 years, conserving water is no longer just… Continue Reading
For many homeowners the biggest utility bill is electricity. Heating and cooling the home makes up nearly half of electricity costs, but the next biggest source is the water heater. Water heaters can account for up to 25 percent of total household energy use. Taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of a home with… Continue Reading
First introduced in five states as a pilot program in 1992, energy efficient mortgages have helped homeowners and buyers save money on utility bills by enabling them to finance the cost of adding energy efficient features to new or existing housing as part of their Federal Housing Association insured home purchase or refinanced mortgage. The… Continue Reading
There’s no better time than now to give your home the attention it deserves. Give your windows and doors an annual checkup before cold weather arrives to help add comfort, save energy and cut home maintenance in the long-run. Inspect interior and exterior finishes. Over time, paint and stain can weather away. Flaking or peeling may… Continue Reading
The winter of 2014 was a wake-up call for homeowners facing higher-than-normal heating costs. With polar vortex cold sweeps, heavy snowfalls and ice blizzards affecting much of the country, energy prices for electricity, gas and oil have increased. Propane prices have skyrocketed due to scarcity of supplies, leading some governors to declare a state of… Continue Reading
With climatologists predicting a hotter than normal summer, the International Window Film Association (IWFA) is filling a need in the market as both a consumer resource and a window film advocate by helping to establish National Window Film Day on April 30. The IWFA released new data from a national survey conducted online by Harris… Continue Reading
In recent times, temperatures have been quite chilling and a lot of stress is being laid on energy efficiency. Both these factors have paved way for homeowners to purchase green mortgages. These are aimed at funding home improvements in your home, but they are often characterized by high monthly payments. The Federal Housing Administration or… Continue Reading
It’s always a good idea to find simple ways to save energy at home. Along with saving money on utility bills, you also have environmental reasons to reduce energy usage in your home. While the use of renewable energy is growing, as of 2012 electricity from renewable sources was only about 12 percent while 88… Continue Reading
The nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers announced its support for federal legislation that would improve the mortgage underwriting process by ensuring appraisers are provided relevant property information relating to green and energy-efficient features. The Appraisal Institute expressed its backing of the recently introduced Sensible Accounting to Value Energy Act of 2013. “We… Continue Reading
There’s no better way to enjoy the summer than by lounging by the pool. Unfortunately, this backyard family oasis requires regular maintenance throughout the summer that can include expensive and sometimes unhealthy chemicals. Have you ever wished there was an easier way you could clean your pool, that was also more eco-friendly? Just as there… Continue Reading