energy star

Buying a Home with an Older HVAC Unit?

Considering buying a home with a central air conditioning or a heat pump system? Well it is essential that you know that as of January 1, 2010, manufacturers aren’t going to build any new systems using R-22 refrigerant or any new spare parts for those existing systems using R-22. And, virtually all those old HVAC systems use R-22 to work their magic.

Eliminating a Greenhouse Gas at home

The 1992 Montreal Protocol was amended to phase out HCFCs (Hydro chlorofluorocarbons), commonly referred to as a Greenhouse Gas, which have been identified as causing damage to the ozone layer. The refrigerant known as R-22 is HCFC-22. The U.S. EPA implements Title VI of the Clean Air Act, and the 1st of January was an important phase-out date under the amended Montreal Protocol.

This situation came to light recently when a RE/MAX colleague was called out of town and his buyer client’s had a home inspection on a cute little Vienna, Virginia home. The home inspector must have pointed out that the Lennox system was from 1992 (yes, there is a manufacture date on the label) and that it would need replacement when it pooped out.

In the meantime, there are home buyer warranty programs that have coverage for existing R-22 systems in the first year which addressed the buyer’s concerns. This specific R-22 coverage is new, but like all types of insurance they have limits and fine print for pre-existing conditions. It is best for home sellers to provide this coverage (costs about $450 at closing) to the buyer in case service is needed in the first year.

Home Owners should budget now to replace R-22 heat pump systems

If you are a current home owner like me who has an R-22 heat pump system, then it may be time to start budgeting for a replacement heat pump or A/C system. Most systems now meet EPA Energy Star standards and qualifications using a replacement refrigerant like Puron® or SUVA 410A®. New Energy Star units use considerably less electricity and the savings are significant and almost pay for themselves over five years.

Only a licensed HVAC contractor can calculate what type of system you will need to install to properly heat or cool your home. Using the square footage of your home and other factors, they will determine the proper “tonnage” of your compressor unit. Too big and it won’t work properly. Today’s systems are quieter outside and have multi-speed air handlers for better air flow inside.  But remember, gget a few estimates and the highest SEER rating that fits your needs.

Make sure to get a few estimates of replacement systems, and make sure that your system qualifies for the $1,500.00 Energy Star Tax Credit.

The EPA has published consumer guidelines that may be helpful if you are concerned about this issue or are planning to replace your R-22 Air Conditioner or Heat Pump system this year.

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First-time home buyer credit of $8,000 set to expire!

Yes, time is running out for the $8,000 first time home buyer credit!

This economic stimulus plan for the nation’s real estate market has certainly been appreciated by people people, like me. Not to sound selfish, but any real estate agent will tell you that there are clients who have been “on the fence”,  waiting for that magical moment when there will be a sign, or a dream that wakes them in the middle of the night, that beckons to them… right now is the right time to buy. Prices down, inventory up, interest rates down, and the tax credit incentive period is almost over. Who or what are you waiting for, Mr. Miyagi?

Today’s consumers don’t want to be rushed into anything, but it is time to ring a wake-up bell that there is fine print in the $8,000 tax credit. Fine print? It may just light a fire under anyone looking to purchase a “first home”.

To qualify, you need to purchase the house between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009. Also, to qualify as a”first-timer”, only meaning that  you have not owned a home in the past three years.

Yes, you just read November 30^th.

As I have mentioned before, as an active real estate agent I see these trends from the ground floor and my understanding of the fine-print is where my clients benefit from our relationship. Maybe $8,000 isn’t much to you, but it would certainly fix up a kitchen, buy some new carpet, or pay for some landscaping. And if you buy Energy Star appliances or heating and AC, then you probably will get an additional tax credit!

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Building with green ideas

energy star

Going Green in Northern Virginia

I recently commented on a question posted on the Trulia web site regarding Going Green when making upgrades to your own house. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the number of issues and choices, and a recent survey showed that 90% of homeowners thought Going Green was important. The person asking the question simply wanted to get an idea of where to start that would get give the most practical impact for their home?

There are many levels of green homeowners and home buyers:

• Economizers
• Lifestyle-Focused
• Environmentalists
• Eco-chic

The Trulia posting was from an Economizer, so I tailored my response since I had replaced an old heating system with an energy efficient heat pump that paid for itself over a few years. And I had replaced windows with high efficiency Anderson Renewal windows. This not only made the home warmer in the winter, but dampened the noise level making the house more peaceful.

Some of my clients have fit into the Lifestyle category. They may not have deliberately bought their homes to fit into the green trend, but the exemplified a key issue. They bought homes where they could either walk to work, ride their bikes on the W&OD trail to work, or walk to the metro station. So they actually fit into the sub-category regarding Smart Growth.

The Environmentalists are maybe the true idealists in the green movement. A few years ago I developed a rainwater collection system with my neighbor Chuck to divert water off his roof into a new flower garden between our homes. People in this category may buy tank less hot water heaters, compost their food scraps and coffee grounds, or use shredded-paper cellulose insulation. They look for native plants to plant when landscaping around their homes.

The other day I spoke with a local builder friend, J.P. Sorrell of Clear View Homes, LLC in Vienna about green-home-building since so many builders are looking for the “eco-chic” buyers. He told me about redesigned heating and cooling vents, using more sustainable building products, and building homes that aren’t McMansions anymore, the not-so-big-house concept. There are also tax incentives established to use Energy Star rated equipment that help the new home meet Energy Star ratings as well.

You may just want to start with a new light bulb or cutting two minutes off your shower everyday. Or there are energy/power settings right in the control panel on your computer under “Performance and Maintenance”. If you have an old refrigerator in the basement or garage it is probably using 20% of your energy each month, unplug it! You can act in a manor that will reduce your impact on the environment with a little planning. So now it is time for you to start Going Green!