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If
there’s
a
rule
of
thumb
you
can
apply
to
maximizing
comfort
while
minimizing
your
heating
or
cooling
bills,
it’s
that
being
eco-friendly
is a
long-term
investment
that
will
pay
off
for
both
you
and
the
value
of
your
home.
Furnaces:
Operating
costs
should
figure
prominently
in
your
decision
to
buy
a
furnace.
In
descending
order,
propane,
electric
and
oil
furnaces
cost
the
most
to
operate,
with
natural
gas
being
the
most
economical.
The
energy
efficiency
of a
furnace
is
measured
using
an
AFUE
(Annual
Fuel
Utilization
Efficiency)
rating.
Older,
conventional
furnaces
have
an
AFUE
of
60
percent,
which
means
that
40
percent
of
the
heat
provided
escapes
up
the
chimney.
High
efficiency
furnaces
operate
at
90
percent
efficiency
or
more.
Prices
vary
based
on
the
unit,
so
it
pays
to
shop
around.
But
how
about
a
furnace
that
keeps
you
warm
and
produces
electricity?
New
"micro-combined-heat-and-power"
units,
or
CHP,
turn
natural
gas
into
hot
water
and
generates
up
to
$800
a
year
in
electricity.
At
least
five
companies
are
building
micro-CHP
systems
worldwide.
In
the
United
States,
Marathon
Engine
Systems
of
East
Troy,
Wisconsin,
offers
a
4-kilowatt
hot-water
system.
With
these
furnaces,
more
than
90%
of
the
energy
that
is
produced
as
heat
and
electricity
is
utilized,
with
CO2
emissions
at
65%
below
a
coal
fired
power
plant
(source:
www.marathonengines.com).
The
Micro-CHP
units
run
from
$13,000
to
$20,000,
including
installation.
Heat
pumps:
In
essence,
a
heat
pump
is a
device
that
moves
heat.
In
the
winter,
a
heat
pump
draws
heat
from
the
outdoor
air
(all
air
has
some
heat)
or
the
ground
(all
ground
has
some
heat)
and
circulates
it
through
ducts
into
your
home.
During
the
summer,
it
reverses
the
process
and
draws
heat
from
your
interior
air
and
releases
it
outdoors,
either
into
the
air
or
into
the
ground.
Heat
pumps
do
not
burn
fuel
directly,
and
cost
less
to
run
than
an
electric
furnace.
They
also
come
with
additional
features.
For
example,
two-speed
eco-friendly
units
can
run
on
low-speed
most
of
the
time
while
using
about
50
percent
of
the
energy.
Therefore,
they
offer
fewer
on/off
cycles
and
produce
fewer
drafts,
less
obvious
temperature
swings
and
improved
air
circulation.
Heat
pumps
can
range
from
about
$800
into
many
thousands
of
dollars
depending
on
the
size
of
your
home
and
the
features
you
want.
Air
Conditioners:
Air
conditioners
come
in
many
forms
and
sizes
today,
from
the
central
house
unit
delivering
cool
air
through
your
vents,
to
portable,
room-specific
ones
that
fit
in
windows.
The
alternative
is
to
cool
rooms
independently,
using
closed
circuit
“roll-from-room-to-room”
units
that
cost
in
the
$500
to
$800
range.
Full
housing
units
can
range
from
about
$1500
upward
depending
on
the
size
of
your
house
and
the
deal
you
can
cut
if
installed
during
the
“low
business”
season.
Recently,
ice
air
coolers
and
mini-eco-ice
coolers
have
also
debuted
at a
cost
below
$200.
Contact
Me
I can help you with every
aspect of buying or selling your home because I’m
experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens
Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . .and because I
care.
As
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
Rand
Realty
Sales
Professional,
I
will
provide
you
with
the
information
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision.
The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding. I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you. |
