North Texas Real Estate Blog

During the long, hot Texan summers, residents of Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville, Trophy Club, HEB, and Flower Mound TX real estate brace themselves for higher utility bills.  Most builders of newer homes in Tarrant and Denton Counties install now install energy conserving features into their homes.  Some build Southlake TX homes to the highest standards for green living and pass it on to the consumer.  Others add a few features helpful to the consumer in an effort to keep the sales prices down.

All North Texas real estate owners, however, can cut down their utility bills by listening to the advice from TXU Energy. 

The first place builders can help homeowners is in the walls, floors, and attic.  They need to be properly insulated.  If the original builders skimped in these areas, homeowners can investigate the latest ways to add insulation after the fact.  Homeowners also need to check around the windows and doors for drafts.  Weather-stripping and caulking are relatively inexpensive fixes.  Some people install double-pane windows and thicker doors.  Sealing leaks in air ducts will reduce cooling costs by 10 to 20 percent. 

Did you now that compact fluorescent lights could save hundreds of dollars a year or that putting your computer into sleep mode will reduce electricity usage?  Have you considered that running the dishwasher or clothes washer half full will cost you twice as much in electricity?  Do you check your filters every month and empty the lint filter every load?  Is there at least an inch of space all around your refrigerator for air circulation?  If not, it could cost you 10 percent more.

If you keep your water heater at a very hot setting, you will pay more.  Lower the temperature 10 degrees and save $30 to $60 a year.  Did you ever think about the attic?  Do you have any blocked vents?  Opening the upper vents will let the warm air out.

TXU recommends air-conditioning units with a 13.0 or higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER).  But it is also important to consider your thermostat settings and efficiency.  During the summer, the thermostat could be set at 78 degrees or higher, especially when occupants are not at home.  Householders can have programmable thermostats installed and lower costs by 20 percent.  However, one thing that may fool you is an inaccurate reading.  The accuracy of the thermometer can be checked by placing a thermometer next to the unit and comparing the readings for room temperature.  If the thermostat is two degrees off, adjust the settings accordingly.

We suggest that homeowners and future homeowners access their real estate and potential homes for energy efficiency.  Try some of these money saving tips and let us know about your successes!