Green Tips & Energy-saving Improvements to Help Sell Your Home

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Improvements that will help you use less energy but may not have a positive impact on the sale price:
  • Add foam insulation to outlets and switch plates
  • Caulk or apply spray foam areas where air might be escaping, entering or moving
  • Install CFL light bulbs
  • Install programmable thermostats
  • Weatherstrip all exterior doors
  • Weatherstrip, seal and/or insulate attic access hatch, house vent, and fireplace draft
  • Insulate hot water heater, hot water pipes, and heat pipes
  • Evaluate windows – are they operating properly for a full seal?

Improvements that will help your home sell quicker and at a higher price:

  • Conduct a home energy audit and complete all upgrades – provide before and after docs
  • Change out your oil fired boiler to natural gas or propane and change from steam to hot water
  • Separate hot water production from heat – use a wall mounted, on demand gas system
  • Add mini-split heat pumps on the second floor for space heat and air conditioning
  • Add a pellet, wood or gas fireplace or stove or two
  • Upgrade or repair your windows (unless you are in a historic home)
  • Spray foam basement walls and add insulation to the attic
Information & Resources

www.efficiencymaine.com

www.energy.gov

www.portlandlandmarks.org

www.cornerstonebr.com

 

Tom Landry is the owner of both Benchmark Residential & Investment Real Estate and CornerStone Building and Restoration. This article originally appeared in the West End News and can be viewed here.