Summer heat has arrived, as have some surprisingly large electric bills.
Soaring temperatures place an incredible strain on our power grid, which can cause outages. And there’s nothing worse than being without power on a sweltering summer day, right?
So, what steps can we take to ease the burdens and save money? When working with one of our local Realtor members, you might learn about the green fields in our MLS.
There are also a few local Realtors who carry the NAR’s Green Designation (www.green.realtor), which can help you implement green features into your remodel, new construction or existing home.
These Realtors can serve as a source of information for curbside recycling, dual flush toilets, energy-rated HVAC systems, hot water recirculation, low emissivity windows and rainwater collection systems – and will highlight such green features for buyers and sellers.
In the tightening market of the past couple of years, many new homeowners feel lucky to have purchased the home they did, no matter its efficiency levels. These homeowners should fear not, as many companies specialize in retrofitting and providing green services to suit various budgets.
There are many resources available to help make any home more energy efficient, which also means more money in your pocket over the long term.
Locally, EPB and TVA offer the Home Uplift Program, which provides no-cost home energy upgrades to qualified homes in our community. Such improvements could include HVAC repair or replacement, insulation, weather stripping and more energy-efficient lighting.
On average, HUP participants have saved more than $400 annually on their energy bills. This service provides valuable assistance to many in our community. To get started, visit epb.com/energy/home-energy-uplift.
Chattanooga has also been blessed for more than 15 years with green|spaces (www.greenspaceschattanooga.org), which aids home and company owners through advocacy and incentive campaigns, education and training classes, design competitions and other programs. green|spaces has advanced the sustainability of living, working and building in Chattanooga.
Another resource is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, operated by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the U.S. Visit DSIREusa.org and enter your ZIP code to view all the tax incentives for our area.
These are just a few of the many steps you can take on your energy-saving journey. Many people think a Realtor’s job is finished once a transaction closes. In reality, Realtors are a valuable resource, even after the housing transaction is complete.
No matter the time of year, Realtors serve their clients and community in their home buying and energy conservation needs. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is a regional organization with more than 2,500 members servicing Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a multiple listing service that’s one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 2,700 users.