INVESTING IN YOUR HOME - ENERGY SAVINGS

Before you commit, whether you are shopping for a new home or considering refinancing your current home loan, here are some energy saving measures to consider that might reduce your energy and water bills while you own your home.

Are you thinking of upgrading your current home?
If you'd like to increase the energy efficiency of the home you're living in, an energy audit or home energy rating report might make sense. Want to audit your own home? Check with your utility company as many offer self-audit packets. You answer the questions and send the information back to the utility company. They then offer you some ideas for your own home and lifestyle.

Are you planning on building a home?
If you're planning to build, ask an energy expert for help to see if the home design provides the most energy efficiency possible. Trained utility company employees sometimes conduct energy audits for free or at a small cost. There are also home inspectors, energy raters, and private consultants who can help.

Are you planning on buying an existing home?
If you're planning to buy an existing home, a close look at the home's past utility bills may be a sign of things to come for your utility costs. Ask the homeowner if you can review their utility bills over the last 12 months. In some places, you can get this information directly from the utility company by giving the street address. Keep in mind, however, that high past utility bills may not be entirely due to the home itself. Family size and lifestyle have a lot to do with utility bills. You could also consider having an energy audit performed. The results can tell you the energy efficiency of the home in its current state and will provide information about the most cost-effective improvements you can make to upgrade the home.

Here are some energy efficiency measures to consider whether you are purchasing a new home or refinancing your current home loan:

• How efficient is the heating and cooling system?
  
  
• Are there any water leaks?
  
  
• What are the usage patterns based on past utility bills?
  
  
• How is the insulation in the walls, ceilings, attic, floors, and crawl spaces?
  
  
• Are there holes or cracks around the walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches or electrical outlets? Weather strip and caulk wherever needed as these can be the source of energy loss.
  
  
• Consider buying energy-efficient appliances and equipment.

GETTING STARTED
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or learn more about our current rates with today's rate sheet.

If you have questions or would like to speak with me, please give
me a call at 888.691.0151 or drop me an email at dave@lenderdave.com.