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There's no doubt about it... Florida can be very hot and humid during the summer months. I've also been hearing in the news that this summer has also been especially hard in other parts of the country as well. Whether it's due to global warming or just coincidental, it's always a good idea to take energy conservation seriously.
Taking steps now to conserve home energy costs can save you money over time. These steps range from the free or low-cost to the more expensive which are worthwhile but will take longer to see a return on investment (ROI). Examples of both include keeping your blinds closed (except during showings if your home is for sale), installing a programmable thermostat, regularly replacing your A/C filter, vacuuming any build-up of dust on refrigerator and freezer coils, lowering your hot water heaters' temperature setting, installing window tinting, or replacing your air-conditioning system with a new, more efficient one. Whole house air-conditioning units typically need replacement every 10-12 years in Florida.
Also, many utility companies offer homeowners a free energy audit that includes a report on things you can do to lower your energy bills. Below are some links to articles that offer home energy conservation tips:
There's been a lot of talk lately about how much our home energy bills have risen. To find out if your energy use is above average, take 5 minutes to complete this home energy analysis. To perform this worthwhile test you'll need to know your home's age, square footage, number of occupants, and energy bill totals for a consecutive 12-month period (1 year).
Here's a breakdown of what the typical energy bill pays for:
45% - Heating and Cooling
15% - Other*
11% - Water Heater
10% - Clothes Washer & Dryer
7% - Lighting
6% - Refrigerator
2% - Dishwasher
2% - TV / VCR / DVD
2% - Computer & Monitor
* "Other" represents an array of household products including stoves, ovens, microwaves, and other small appliances. Individually, these products account for no more than about 2% of a household's energy bills. Source: EnergyStar.gov
Wondering what to do to reduce your home's energy consumption? Here are some resources to assist you:
As a Florida Realtor, I'm occasionally asked which home improvements provide the greatest return on investment (ROI). My answer really depends on several factors and in order for me to provide useful advice, I must be familiar with the property in question as the options can vary somewhat from house to house. Having said that, there are a few rules of thumb that are rather standard no matter what the property.
Generally speaking, kitchen and bathroom improvements will provide sellers with the greatest resale value. However, this does not mean it must be a complete makeover. Sometimes replacing items such as flooring, countertops, sinks, faucets, cabinet hardware and/or lighting fixtures can make a room look considerably more updated than before. Applying a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint is among the easiest and least expensive improvements you can make to any room. On the outside of the property, well-maintained front yard landscaping can also provide a good return on investment.
Another factor to consider when deciding what home improvements to make is the neighborhood the property is located in. Many real estate investment books advise home buyers and real estate investors to purchase the worst home in the best neighborhood in order to get the best value for their money. Keeping this in mind, you don't want to over-improve your home or landscaping so that it becomes the best house in the neighborhood unless you are doing it for your own enjoyment and not for resale value.
The suggestions in this article can be useful even if you own a condo. If you are thinking of placing your Florida condo for sale, it helps to know what types of improvements or upgrades your neighbors have made before deciding what, if any, updating you will make to your own condo before selling. The older the condo building is, the more useful this knowledge and research will be to you.
High on the list of things to take into account when making decisions about home improvements is whether you will be selling during a buyer's or seller's market. In the hot seller's market that we experienced in recent years, I found that even properties that were not in good condition were selling quickly, sometimes at or near full price. However, now that the market has cooled down somewhat and there are more properties on the market for buyers to choose from, buyers have the luxury of being pickier and expect more for their money.
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There's no doubt about it... Florida can be very hot and humid during the summer months. I've also been hearing in the news that this summer has also been especially hard in other parts of the country as well. Whether it's due to global warming or just coincidental, it's always a good idea to take energy conservation seriously. 
There's been a lot of talk lately about how much our home energy bills have risen. To find out if your energy use is above average, take 5 minutes to complete this 