Real Estate / Dec/Jan 2012
Ask the Experts
Question: How can we save the planet while also saving some money?
Transportation is an often overlooked area to save both money and resources. In fact, AAA Insurance estimates that just operating a vehicle costs over $700 per month! Many Americans believe that they have to own their own vehicle and cannot reduce their transportation costs. Ideally, you can reduce the number of vehicles in your household and get by with sharing a single car instead. If that is not possible, try committing to using your vehicle less by riding the bus, joining a vanpool, or biking to work. By setting all appointments and errands outside of the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for example, and finding an alternative the other three days of the week, you can reduce your car use by 60% during that time. And, if you are in the market to buy a new car, consider electric or natural gas. Try increasing your miles per gallon by 10 and reducing your fuel costs by 33%. This will make an enormous difference over time. With a little planning, you should be able to substantially reduce your transportation costs.
Mark Shaffer
CEO
FunRide
We get this question a lot, and before our customers invest in solar panels or energy efficient heating, we recommend that they first maximize the efficiencies of their current systems. Simple things like replacing old refrigerators, properly sealing a home, and checking the duct work make a big difference. There was a study conducted by the Energy Commission last year in San Diego that found that 50% of the surveyed home’s heat going through the ducts was lost in the attic! 50%... and that was a new home! It is not uncommon to find up to 40% heat loss in the duct work of an average home. Keep in mind, too, that this work doesn’t have to be expensive. And there are government programs available currently to help with the cost. Once these things are completed, you will likely discover that you actually needed a smaller solar system than you initially thought. The same is true with hearth products. Maybe you won’t need as much heating capacity as you expected because your home has become more energy efficient.
John Ewan
Owner
Pacific Energy Co.
