Thinking about buying or building a home? You’re not alone. The real estate market is booming right now, especially in our neck of the woods.
But a house isn’t just a home; it’s one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. And one of your home’s biggest annual costs is energy consumption.
Whether you’re looking for your forever home or just want to flip investment property, be wise: Before you buy or build a house, ask these four energy efficiency questions.
1. How old is the HVAC?
Oklahoma can be scorching in the summer and freezing in the winter. Is the HVAC up to the job?
There’s nothing worse than being blindsided by an old HVAC going down, so find out how old an existing unit is before you buy or ask your builder about the capacity and efficiency of a new unit.
Even better? Switch to an ENERGY STAR®-certified air conditioner or heat pump and get peace of mind and energy savings all the time. Plus you’ll get cool rebates from us too!
2. How old is the water heater?
The water heater is typically the second-biggest energy consumer, after the HVAC. However, it doesn’t get nearly as much attention.
Don’t make the mistake of ignoring the water heater when looking at a home. If it’s 10 years or older, give it the cold shoulder and switch to an ENERGY STAR®-certified heat pump water heater. Not only does it save you much more energy, you’ll save $500 with rebates from us. Best part? No cold showers!
3. What are the appliances?
Washers. Dryers. Refrigerators. These are the things you use every day, which means old, inefficient ones can really do a number on your energy savings.
Whether you’re building or buying, make sure you’re using energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. We believe in ENERGY STAR-certified appliances so much, we’ll help you pay for qualifying products.
4. How bad are the air leaks?
Anywhere from 25-40% of the energy used to heat and cool homes is lost due to air leaks. So your dad was right: You may be literally air conditioning the neighborhood.
Stopping air leaks is so important to saving energy, we offer air-sealing and insulation rebates for just about every room in the house, from projects as big as installing attic/ceiling insulation to as small as door sweeps. Every bit counts.
Good luck on your journey to homeownership! Whether you’re in a home for the long haul or a short stay, your pals at PSO are here to help all the way. Hey, what are good neighbors for?