Regardless of your politics, “green” is the watchword here in Chicago and across the country. Why? Well, making your home greener won’t just have a net benefit for the environment in the long term, but actually help you save a lot of money in utility bills in the short term, all while adding plenty of resale value to your property down the line.
You’d be surprised how many prospective buyers’ faces we’ve seen light up at the mention of energy efficient modifications around a house. And the good news? You don’t need to break the bank to make a greener home a reality right now!
In fact, a lot of very valuable installations are available to Chicago home- and condo-owners for free, thanks to the “Home Energy Jumpstart” program offered by People’s Gas and ComEd. What sorts of energy- and water-saving features can you have in your home in as much time as it takes to pick up a phone? The “Home Energy Jumpstart” offers free installation on:
Programmable Thermostats
These handy devices allow you to raise and lower the temperature around your home automatically, meaning that you no longer need to waste energy when you’re away from home or sleeping soundly.
Low-Flow Showerheads
The green plumbing experts over at Ravenswood’s J. Blanton Plumbing have all but written the book on low-flow showerheads, but here’s the gist: Installing a low-flow head gives you the same water pressure while using a fraction of the total number of gallons, potentially saving thousands of gallons of water – and big bucks – every year.
Faucet Aerators
These handy little faucet add-ons can save your water use by a whopping 30%, and they’re easy to maintain and replace!
Pipe Insulation
Why insulate your pipes? Well, besides helping to prevent freezing and bursting in the Chicago chill, a wrapped pipe traps heat energy, keeping the water flowing through your system warmer for longer – meaning that you’ll cut be able to cut back on your total water consumption and reduce the amount of energy needed by your water heater. Even better? No more waiting for hot water in the mornings!
CFL Lightbulbs
Energy Star-certified compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs not only use 70% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they last up to 10 times longer – meaning that you won’t have to shell out for new bulbs every few months!
Smart Power Strips
Some of the biggest energy sucks in our homes are “vampire” electronics, which we leave plugged in all the time, generally for lack of a better option. Take control of these power-suckers with a smart power strip, which automatically shuts off power when an appliance or electronic goes idle.
Even if you don’t take advantage of these incredible deals, we encourage you to look into the green plumbing and energy saving options available to you at home goods stores around the country. A little innovation can go a long way!
Have any more questions about getting a home ready to sell in Chicagoland? Looking to buy? Drop Real Group a line today to get the conversation started!
