energy efficient homes – Pennysaverblog

Household

Smart Home Features That Can Help You Save Green

It’s not that difficult to find homeowners that are content with the amount they pay for their monthly bills. If they’ve done a decent job with their budget and they strive to live within their means, then chances are good that they’re meeting their financial obligations, spending a little fun money, and squirreling some away for a rainy day. Even so, you’d be hard pressed to find a homeowner that isn’t interested in the prospect of lowering monthly utility bills. And these days, smart home technology is leading the way when it comes to decreasing energy consumption in order to cut one’s carbon footprint and save some scratch in the process.

If this sounds interesting and you’d like to know more about smart home products that are sure to help you save, here are some you might want to try.

The first thing you’ll want to look into when it comes to smart home technology is mobile applications and the many devices that they can control remotely. A smart home setup is based on the ability to use sensors and wireless technology to monitor and control everything electrical from a central hub, i.e. your computer in most cases. However, the latest advances have expanded that functionality to allow for remote management via smartphones and tablets. And if you’re looking to cut your carbon footprint and shave down your utility bills in the process, then the best potential for savings is going to be offered by technology that lets you make changes at any time, no matter where you are (provided you have mobile connectivity).

December 16, 2013

Money Saving Tips

Study Shows Energy Star Homes Less Likely To Default

If you live in an Energy Star home or you’re in the market for one, there are definitely some benefits that come with owning one. They have great insulation. Their windows come with protective coatings that block ultraviolet sun rays. Their energy-efficient central air systems are quieter while reducing the levels of humidity within the home. They also come with appliances that are Energy Star certified; many of which use 50-60 percent less electricity than other standard models. Plus, there’s the added bonus of the fact that all of these things combined can save homeowners an average of $200-400 in utility bills annually.

Perhaps that’s a big part of the reason why a study that was recently released by the University of North Carolina – Center for Community Capital reveals that another benefit of having an Energy Star home is that it is much less likely to default than other ones. How much less likely? A whopping 32 percent, to be exact.

This data was released after approximately 71,000 Energy Star single-family homes were compared to similar homes that do not have that certification. What was discovered was that no matter where the homes were located, the value of the house or the loaner’s credit history (among other criteria), consistently, across the board, Energy Star homes did not go into default nearly as much. Another interesting fact that was also published in the study is that the more energy efficient an Energy Star house proved to be, the lower the risk of default became.

March 22, 2013