Living
in the Florida Keys, you may not give much thought to home weatherization, but
it is something important to consider, for the environment and for your wallet.
Homes that are more energy efficient can also sell for more, as many buyers are looking for homes that have
already been updated with more environmentally friendly energy features. Weatherization is not just about preparing your home for
bad weather. It is an overall approach
to lower the amount of energy your home consumes, and Monroe County has a
program available to help homeowners achieve more energy efficiency.
Monroe
County’s assistance program, WAP,or Weatherization Assistance Program, is designed to
help home owners complete energy
efficiency upgrades to their single family homes. Qualified residents must live within their home full-time and
fall within the 120% Area Median Income
Guidelines as established by the county. Within the WAP program, there are
certain improvements covered, such as air infiltration reduction, air quality
inside, appliance replacements, door replacements, energy efficient lighting,
insulation, and window replacements. There are also some health and safety
improvements available within the program. Once you determine if you are
qualified for assistance, there is a free
energy audit to be completed by a State Certified Weatherization Inspector.
The audit report will show what upgrades and improvements your home can get
done through the program.
If
you already have energy efficient appliances and upgrades completed, there are small steps you can take to help
increase how much energy and money you can save. Some of these ideas include:
·
Setting your air conditioner
thermostat between 75-78
·
Setting your water heater between
115- 120 degrees
·
Wash laundry in cold water, and
line dry (electric dryers are some of the biggest energy users in the home)
·
Use the energy saver mode on your
dishwasher
·
Cover pots and pans when cooking
& match up the burner size to the pan size
·
Keep your refrigerator between
38-40 degrees
·
Clean the coils on your
refrigerator often
·
Keep your freezer full, water
bottles or containers work great to take up space when needed
·
Use compact florescent light bulbs
·
Use task lighting, as opposed to
full room lighting
·
When possible, use natural day
light instead of lamps
·
Use low flow water and shower
faucets
By taking some steps
to improve your home’s energy efficiency, you can save money on your utility
bills, and do something good for the environment. If selling your home is in your near future,
updating to energy efficient features will help get your home noticed, and
could add value to your property. If you’re ready to sell or buy a home in the Key West area, please contact me, JimmyLane, for all of your real estate needs.
Labels: jimmy lane, Monroe County, Weatherization Assistance Program
