RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—Taking steps to minimize your energy use is not only good for the Earth, but for homeowners as well. While being altruistic and helping a cause generally means giving—not getting—back, going green provides noticeable benefits to everyone. Here, Mike Vazeii, Director or Marketing, American Home Shield discusses why going green is in fact a good thing.
Mike Vazeii
Director of Marketing
American Home Shield
www.ahswaranty.com
Lowering energy consumption can be good for the planet and good for homeowners’ pocketbooks. That’s because taking steps to minimize energy use in the home can often significantly lower heating, cooling, water and utility bills and may have other financial advantages for you and for your clients.
It almost sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Being altruistic and helping a cause usually means giving—not getting—back. However, going green can help save the Earth and help save household budgets. Helping your clients decrease their carbon footprints and protect our natural resources while spending less is a tangible way of delivering extra service value to them.
For example, make sure your clients know they may be eligible for federal tax credits or tax incentives for the purchase of specific energy-efficient products or renewable energy systems for the home. Today, energy-efficient improvements can often be incorporated into home mortgages, enabling homeowners to pay for the upgrades over the life of the loan.
Depending on the lender, there may be additional advantages, such as lower mortgage rates or reduced loan fees. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIMs) are also available. Encourage your clients to check with a tax professional for tax credit and incentive qualification specifics, deadlines and eligibility requirements, and to consult with their local lender for mortgage information and guidelines. Websites such as www.energy.gov, www.energysavers.gov, www.energystar.gov and www.irs.gov also contain useful information.
You can help raise your clients’ awareness of the green compatibility in homes. For example, if you are showing a home that has skylights, be sure to mention that skylights decrease the need for artificial lighting and help warm the home during winter months, decreasing energy use. Home appliances with the Energy Star label meet and exceed minimum, strict energy efficiency government guidelines and can reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. Even seemingly small things, like light switch dimmer controls and automatic occupancy sensors, can contribute to energy and monetary savings.
For energy-efficient ideas that your clients can incorporate into their own homes, visit www.Live-GreenSaveGreen.com. Living green and saving green is easy, fun and beneficial for everyone involved.
Your homeowners will be grateful for the conservation and cost-saving tips, and can appreciate the fact that you care enough about them and about our planet to share such useful information. You’ll find some helpful ideas for your own home, too. Find out for yourself and show your clients why living green isn’t only the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do.
