GO GREEN

Most of us are familiar with the “going green” movement now in full swing in America and across the globe. Green living does not only improve the quality of our environment and its ability to sustain us but also, in terms of real estate, can give you an edge when selling your home in this very competitive market.

Here are some tips provided directly from Listed, (a magazine of the Richmond Association of Realtors). This is an excerpt is from an article written by Kelly Surmacewicz, Director of Communications.

Buying and Selling Green

“Going green” is a broad definition referring to environmentally-friendly lifestyle and concern for the conservation and improvement of the environment. It also includes a construction style that considers the environmental impact of a project, and uses sustainable or recyclable materials that are safer for a home’s occupants. Green building is quickly becoming a prominent initiative in both new home construction and remodeling. Although green homes tend to be 3-5% more expensive to build, these additional costs are recouped over the life of the home in the form of lower utility bills.

But green isn’t just for new homes. Those looking to remodel their current homes, either in preparation to sell or simply to raise their quality of life, can do so in ways that conserve energy and natural resources. The REGREEN guidelines (www.regreenprogram.org) list environmentally-friendly products and building materials that will help make your home more efficient. Some popular fixtures in green homes include bamboo cabinets, spray foam insulation, sustainable wood flooring, and non-toxic paint low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Green Living:

Creating a More Energy-Efficient Household

If you are not looking to move or undertake a major remodeling job but still want to make your home green, there are a variety of things you can do. Some are costly, some are inexpensive-but every little bit helps reduce your carbon footprint. Here are a few examples of some of the many ways you can go green at home:

Temperature control

• Install a programmable thermostat, and keep it set at a moderate temperature
• Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows to seal off air leaks
• Consider installing a solar panel system to capture and convert the sun’s light energy with zero noise pollution or harmful emissions

Water Conservation

• Repair leaky faucets to combat drips
• Only wash and dry full loads of laundry, and stick to warm and cold settings; use hot water sparingly
• Wash dishes by hand when possible, and avaoid running water while scrubbing
• Insulate your water heater, and install low-flow shower heads

Electricity

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Keep your electronics off when they are not being used; when you leave a room or the house, unplug electronics and turn off lights
• Cook with small appliances that use less energy, such as crock pot or toaster oven.

You may also consider replacing your older appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of energy that promotes the use of energy efficient products and practices. While these products can be more expensive to purchase initially, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills. For a complete list of ENERGY STAR products, visit www.energystar.gov.

RESOURCES

Here is a list of resources provided by Listed, (a magazine of the Richmond Association of Realtors), and Commonwealth, (a journal for real estate professionals published by the Virginia Association of REALTORS®), Magazines.

LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) www.usgbc.org/LEED

ENERGY STAR www.energystar.gov

The REGREEN Guidelines www.regreenprogram.org

Marmoleum flooring www.forboflooringna.com

PET carpet made from recycled soda bottles www.nps.gov/sustain/spop/carpet.htm

PaperStone countertops made from recycled paper www.paperstoneproducts.com

Method natural cleansers www.methodhome.com

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute’s FloorScore program for rating green flooring www.rfci.com/int_FloorScore.htm

Central Virginia Waste Management Authority www.cvwma.com