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Do You or Anyone You Know Own a Single Family Home in Seattle? Then This is News That Could Benefit You…

As part of the stimulus package, the City of Seattle is sponsoring a new Energy Performance Score Pilot Program for Seattle homeowners. Energy Performance Audits are a “test” that can give your home a “score” to determine how well you compare to the average home in terms of energy efficiency.  The audit will also recommend upgrades and retrofitting that will not only result in utility savings but improved indoor air quality & greener living! Help the planet AND your pocketbook at the same time.

 During a recent energy audit I was at, I learned that the home was losing 20% of it’s heat because the can lighting throughout the home wasn’t insulated when the home was built! Imagine that! By simply insulating it,  this home could save about $60-90/year on electricity.  Other examples of recommendations would be: weather stripping, heating, cooling, windows, water heater upgrades, and insulation. And the testing itself is very interesting!)

 Generally Energy Audits cost around a whopping $400. But if you contact the City of Seattle right now, they will give you a coupon so that your cost is only $95! This is only available to a certain number of homes on a first come, first serve basis.

 If you find that your home is in serious need of energy efficient upgrades/retrofitting and you would like to “green” up your home in order to improve your pocketbook, quality of life, and home value,  The City of Seattle is also setting up a fund issuing low cost loans for energy efficient upgrades. The loans are NOT credit score driven,are billed monthly on your electrical bill for easy payment, and you do not need equity in order to obtain a loan.  People already taking advantage of the program report that the average cost of upgrades is about $4-8k.  However, the energy savings are estimated at about $500/year, the value of the home increases, and you will likely qualify for rebates and incentives that offset much of the cost. The loans cover most upgrades such as insulation, furnaces, water heaters, ect., but do NOT cover windows or appliances.

 As an ADDED BONUS!, the City will come out for a 2^nd, no cost, audit after you’ve made improvements, and if your home has shown that it has reduced it’s carbon footprint, you may be entitled to a credit from the city’s Carbon Reduction Incentive Fund!

The program is not available in other cities yet but may become available if the pilot program is a success. The city will market the program to 25,00o Seattle homeowners and hopes to engage 5,00 of those homes in the program over the next year.

For more information contact:

Christie Baumel – EECBG Manager        206.233.7173

Christie.baumel@seattle.gov

 Website: http://www.seattle.energy-performance-score.com/ 

More info: www.seattle.gov/light/conserve/hea/

Want more great, current  real estate info? Also follow Jennifer Nilssen on Twitter @ jennifernilssen  OR www.livekirklandwa.com