How to Green Your Green #4 - Appliances and Lighting

August 23, 2016

How to Green your Green? #4

Energy Saving Appliances, Light bulbs, etc.

Making your property “green” can help you make more money when you rent and when you sell. When I first joined Bigger Pockets, I indicated that I would like to bring sustainable principles to my rental properties. Some Bigger Pockets members saw it as a good idea.

In 1998, my former wife and I built a house in Northern Virginia on a 14-acre semi-rural lot. It was a big house, 5400 sq.ft. and I worked hard to make it as energy efficient as possible by insulating properly, using 2x6 framing, zoning the HVAC system, using baseboard hot water heat and energy efficient windows, doors and appliances. We moved into the house in 2000 and sold it in 2004 for a 100% return, so I lived there long enough to measure the energy efficiency. Of that 5400 square feet, we heated and cooled 5200 sq. ft. and the largest energy bill I ever had was $386.00. Admittedly, we had well water, but it still utilized an electric pump. Three women lived in the house and only knew how to turn lights on, not off.

So, I want you to think about this. What if your tenants move out and you have a hard time renting for awhile, wouldn’t you rather pay the minimum utility bill that you would have to pay? No matter who is paying, the meter is still running!

So, with that pessimistic idea out of the way, let’s talk about saving energy on appliances, lighting, etc. If you type “Energy Star” into your browser, you will gat a good list of everything from cooking ranges to sump pumps. There is no reputable appliance maker or maker of electric equipment (like sump pumps and generators, to name a few) that is not making better, money saving appliances and equipment.

But, when you go shopping for appliances and lighting, do some homework online; compare prices and then visit your favorite stores and ask about sales, promotions and discounts. Shop for lighting at lighting fixture stores and do the same thing. Investigate CFL’s, compact fluorescent lighting as they are now available in many different wattages and are extremely energy efficient.

The most important thing to remember is that tenants, especially millenials, are paying attention to energy efficiency, minding their budgets and looking for value. You should, too.

In the following Blogs we will look at: KITCHEN CABINETS and BATHROOM VANITIES, WINDOWS AND DOORS, ROOFING, AND INSULATION AND SIDING.

THANKS!