Deanna Bimer & Theresa Barber, REAOTRS® Homeowner's Tips and Information

Environmentally friendly features are updates that will only increase the value of your home, whether you are listing your home for sale, or seeking to update your current home.  One of the quickest ways to go green is to install a digital thermostat.  These new thermostats are programmable, have no moving parts (thus need no repair), and they increase the efficiency of the energy used to heat and cool your home, which is better for the environment, and your wallet.  These thermostats are also popular updates we can include on the MLS listing to alert potential buyers.

Replacing your older appliances with energy-efficient versions is another fantastic way to go green.  Appliances with the Energy Star certification are 10-50% more efficient, on average, than traditional appliances.  Energy Star refrigerators, for example, use 40% less energy than refrigerators produced in 2001.  Motion sensor light switches in all bathrooms and closets are another simple way to update your home while increasing both the value of the home as well as the efficient use of energy.

Living in the Sonoran Desert makes water a critical resource worthy of conserving.  Low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets are all easy ways to reduce the amount of water used in everyday life.  Drinking water is another area where a small investment can pay big dividends for the environment.   Water filtration systems such as reverse-osmosis will eliminate reliance on wasteful plastic bottles and containers, and will reduce one’s carbon footprint.  These systems are another upgrade that will pay dividends in the listing price when you are ready to sell your home.

Finally, whether you are painting your home to prep it for sale, or freshening up the paint in your current residence, low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint is an easy way to reduce the toxicity of your environment.  The EPA has determined that inside air is 3-5 times more toxic than outdoor air, thanks to the toxic compounds in paint and finishes in your home.  Low or no VOC paint is also beneficial for health reasons, and people with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals will also appreciate these paints.

We’d be happy to discuss more ways to update your home with an eye towards going greener!

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