Please keep an eye on our new project- construction will begin soon at 1507 E Cross Street. This will be a Green Certified Home. We will be obtaining the FGBC (Florida Green Building Coalition) Green Certification, the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Green Certification, the Energy Star Home Certification, and we are also trying for the Florida Friendly Yards.
Watch my blog for updates, and I will let you know when construction has begun so you can drive by and check our progress. Please let me know if you have any questions about this project, or if you are interested in finding Green Homes for sale in Pensacola or surrounding areas.
Thanks!
Trish Sarfert, Broker/Owner, GRI
Certified EcoBroker
NAR Green Designation
EcoLogical Realty
http://www.greenhomespensacola.com/
850-449-0908 cell
Trish@Eco-LogicalRealty.com
Showing posts with label Pensacola Green Homes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pensacola Green Homes. Show all posts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audit
How To Do a Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
Whether you are getting ready to sell a home or if you are concerned about the environment or just wanting to cut down on your utility bills, you can do a self-directed energy audit of your home. Grab a clipboard or legal pad and take a tour of your own house! Here's what to look for and some suggestions on how to conduct your audit.
1. Insulation - do you have it in your walls? Find out by temporarily removing and looking behind a wall light switch or outlet. If you don't see any insulation, you need to have insulation blown into your walls behind the siding.
What about attic insulation? If you have at least a foot of insulation material in your attic, there should not be a problem. If there is any less than that, then you need to add more or replace it.
2. Check outside switch plates. Leakage can occur at these sites, and can be resolved by putting foam gaskets behind the switch cover.
3. Windows can be a source of drafts and air leakage. Raise and lower (or slide side to side) the window; if it's loose, add weather stripping to tighten the movement. Check the glass panes - if you have single-pane glass, you can cover them with plastic sheeting. Look closely at the window molding and the wall - if there are cracks, use caulk to fill them in.
4. Doors, like windows, need to be closely checked. Check the seal - if it is loose or if you see light around the edges of the door when it is closed, apply weather stripping. Use caulk to fill in cracks between the door frame and the wall.
5. Check your fireplace. See that the flue is closed when the fireplace is not in use, and that it has a tight seal. If you choose not to use your fireplace, consider using board insulation to seal it.
6. Now look at the thermostat. Are you turning it down at night when you are sleeping and when you are not at home? Try to turn it down 10 degrees lower than during the day. If you are taking care of the other energy wastes in your home, you may be able to get by with turning your thermostat up in the morning (in winter) for about a half an hour, then turning it down for the rest of the day as your house retains the heat. (The inverse would be true for air conditioning.)
7. Head for the basement and check your water heater. Does it have insulation built into its walls? If not, consider wrapping it with an insulating jacket made for the purpose. Turn down the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees (this will also help protect small children from getting burned from hot tap water).
8. The ducts of your heating and cooling system may need sealing, especially around the joints. If you see any gaps or cracks, seal with aptly-named duct tape.
Whether you are getting ready to sell a home or if you are concerned about the environment or just wanting to cut down on your utility bills, you can do a self-directed energy audit of your home. Grab a clipboard or legal pad and take a tour of your own house! Here's what to look for and some suggestions on how to conduct your audit.
1. Insulation - do you have it in your walls? Find out by temporarily removing and looking behind a wall light switch or outlet. If you don't see any insulation, you need to have insulation blown into your walls behind the siding.
What about attic insulation? If you have at least a foot of insulation material in your attic, there should not be a problem. If there is any less than that, then you need to add more or replace it.
2. Check outside switch plates. Leakage can occur at these sites, and can be resolved by putting foam gaskets behind the switch cover.
3. Windows can be a source of drafts and air leakage. Raise and lower (or slide side to side) the window; if it's loose, add weather stripping to tighten the movement. Check the glass panes - if you have single-pane glass, you can cover them with plastic sheeting. Look closely at the window molding and the wall - if there are cracks, use caulk to fill them in.
4. Doors, like windows, need to be closely checked. Check the seal - if it is loose or if you see light around the edges of the door when it is closed, apply weather stripping. Use caulk to fill in cracks between the door frame and the wall.
5. Check your fireplace. See that the flue is closed when the fireplace is not in use, and that it has a tight seal. If you choose not to use your fireplace, consider using board insulation to seal it.
6. Now look at the thermostat. Are you turning it down at night when you are sleeping and when you are not at home? Try to turn it down 10 degrees lower than during the day. If you are taking care of the other energy wastes in your home, you may be able to get by with turning your thermostat up in the morning (in winter) for about a half an hour, then turning it down for the rest of the day as your house retains the heat. (The inverse would be true for air conditioning.)
7. Head for the basement and check your water heater. Does it have insulation built into its walls? If not, consider wrapping it with an insulating jacket made for the purpose. Turn down the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees (this will also help protect small children from getting burned from hot tap water).
8. The ducts of your heating and cooling system may need sealing, especially around the joints. If you see any gaps or cracks, seal with aptly-named duct tape.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Searching For Green Appraisers
Calling all Pensacola area appraisers!!! We need appraisers that have knowledge in appraising Green certified homes in Pensacola and surrounding areas. We have builders that are building Green or that want to build Green, we have buyers that want to buy Green homes, and we have lenders that want to offer Energy Efficiency Mortgages and HOP Down-payment assistance for Green homes (if it gets re-funded). What we don't have are appraisers that have taken Green appraisal classes or that are certified for Sustainable Green Home appraisals. I searched the Appraisal Institute website out to a 300 mile radius and could not find one appraiser who was a match for Sustainable Green homes. I called about a dozen local appraisers, some of whom had some knowledge, but none of whom had taken any special classes on the subject.
So, my appeal to you, Mr. or Mrs/Ms. Appraiser- if you are educated or certified for these types of properties, please show up at the next Homebuilder's Association Green Council meeting so that our builders can pick your brain and ask you questions. We meet the last Wednesday of every month at noon at the HBA, 4400 Bayou Blvd St 45. Even better, if you'd like to be a guest speaker, we'll give you free lunch. Our builders want to build affordable Green homes in Pensacola and other areas, and we want to make sure that the builders do not have appraisal issues come closing time. Please come share your knowledge with us so that we can bring affordable Green home building practices for Pensacola home buyers.
So, my appeal to you, Mr. or Mrs/Ms. Appraiser- if you are educated or certified for these types of properties, please show up at the next Homebuilder's Association Green Council meeting so that our builders can pick your brain and ask you questions. We meet the last Wednesday of every month at noon at the HBA, 4400 Bayou Blvd St 45. Even better, if you'd like to be a guest speaker, we'll give you free lunch. Our builders want to build affordable Green homes in Pensacola and other areas, and we want to make sure that the builders do not have appraisal issues come closing time. Please come share your knowledge with us so that we can bring affordable Green home building practices for Pensacola home buyers.
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