Find Out What Energy Efficient Home Improvements Will Save You Money

St. Louis County has recently invited communities to take part in “St. Louis County Saves” in an effort to promote energy efficient home improvements. Low interest loans are now available to single family St. Louis County homeowners for approved improvements. You need to check the website or contact your own municipality to see if they are participating in this program with St. Louis County. If they are, you are on the way to saving money. Both Manchester and Town and Country recently joined the program.

I am always asked, “What is the best improvement to make my home more energy efficient?” I wish I had an easy answer there.

As a realtor, I often hear “replace the windows” as an answer. Though that seems sensible, older windows are not always the biggest energy hole in your home. Every home is different and you need a roadmap to point out the improvements that will get you the best return on your energy efficient investment. So, my answer to the question typically is, “Get and energy audit."

An energy audit is a thorough analysis of the condition of your home and it is a requirement before the St. Louis County Saves low interest loan funds will be approved. You certainly would not go on a vacation without a map or a clear understanding of how to get to your destination. The energy audit consist of a visual inspection and a mechanical analysis of your home. This may take a few hours to complete.

When the auditor provides you with their report, they will include suggestions of what you can do and what benefit there will be for each improvement. This is your “Let’s save some money” roadmap. The auditor may also tell you about the tax incentives, rebates and low interest loans that are available to you. Other great sites for this information are www.EarthwaysCenter.org and www.dsireusa.org.

Not interested in borrowing money? You may still benefit from the energy audit.

The report you get can be a reference tool for you as you make improvements or changes to your home. You can make the improvements as you can and over time you will have improved the comfort and the value of your home.

More and more people are now considering the “Cost to Own” approach to home buying and not just the “Cost to Buy” approach. I would not like to see, in the future, people who can afford their house payment but can no longer afford their utility payment.

Be prepared, be informed and be proactive. You can take advantage of this program, or you can take advantage of what you now know in order to save some money today.