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PRE-MARKET STRATEGIES: IMPROVEMENTS

3. “Green” Upgrades: Energy Efficient &
Environmentally Friendly

One of the bonuses of creating a home that’s friendly to the environment is that it also
makes your house worth more! Of all the improvements and upgrades that you can
make to your home, it has been shown that “green” improvements often deliver the
most “return on investment” in terms of dollar-for-dollar added value to your home. This
chapter contains an overview of some of the best “green” upgrades you can make.

Let’s start with a very simple, no-brainer maintenance item that should be done
regularly whether you’re planning to sell right away or not, and that is to replace the
filter(s) in your central heat/air conditioner. It’s amazing how many sellers neglect this
simple and inexpensive item. Not only does it save you money on your utility bills and
make your HVAC unit more efficient, it also gives you cleaner air to breath. Plus it tells
the buyers that you take care of routine maintenance items in your home.

Your heating and air conditioning system (HVAC) is likely the largest consumer of
energy in your home, so it makes sense to have it functioning as efficiently as possible.
Make sure the outside unit of the air-conditioner is in prime condition, that the fins are
straight and unobstructed. It can easily become clogged with grass clippings, spider
webs, or dirt. A good power-washing will do wonders for the efficiency of your outside
unit, not to mention making it look nicer and newer.
Next, check the ducts in the attic that they are sealed, insulated, and that the air flow is
unobstructed. If a smoker has lived in the house or a lot of pets (especially cats),
sometimes it pays to have the ducts professionally cleaned. This improves the flow of
air and also the quality of the air by removing potential allergens.
One final tip for greening an older, existing HVAC unit is to install a digital thermostat
with programmable timers if you have one of the old mechanical thermostats. A
thermostat ensures the heating system installed in your house works optimally. This
gadget can be set to turn your heat/air on or off at certain times, and to what
temperature the heat will rise or fall. A thermostat can be your partner in lowering your

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