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You read that title right \u2013 learning how to save energy when you buy a new home.<\/p>\nYou read that title right \u2013 learning how to save energy when you buy a new home.<\/p>\n
Because truthfully, new homes aren\u2019t always constructed to be highly energy-efficient. Yes, they\u2019re new and they look good. But contractors do cut corners sometimes, which can leave you with massive energy bills when you don\u2019t have a lot of money laying around to pay them!<\/p>\n
Your new home has no reason to not be energy-efficient. So, do this to make sure the home you\u2019re getting isn\u2019t an energy efficiency nightmare:<\/p>\n
1. Get a Year\u2019s Worth of Energy Bills from the Current Owner<\/strong><\/p>\n You have the right to do due diligence. There\u2019s no reason the current owner can\u2019t come up with the energy bills for their home.<\/p>\n Remember, your bills will be slightly higher because rates do rise over time. You may also have a larger family, which could increase costs.<\/p>\n But, you\u2019ll at least have a reasonable idea of your energy costs.<\/p>\n 2. Ask for a Home Energy Audit<\/strong><\/p>\n You can get these done in Texas for free. Contractors are happy to do this because they can show you what\u2019s wrong, why, and then you\u2019ll hopefully have them do any work because you trust their opinion.<\/p>\n An energy audit checks things not easily observed. This means the right size HVAC system for your home, insulation amount and quality, return air ventilation, and others.<\/p>\n Make sure you\u2019re present for the audit. This allows you to judge the character of the organization and person doing the audit.<\/p>\n And if you need a major repair performed, you have more negotiating power with the current homeowner.<\/p>\n