Energy costs
may not be skyrocketing as quickly as some other costs, but Charleston area property
owners continue to watch incoming utility bills with a wary eye. It’s only
natural: they remember sudden energy price leaps in the past.
One of the
ripple effects of high energy prices is the possible impact on anyone planning
a future sale of their own property in Charleston,
SC. Canny prospects are likely to demand to examine past utility bills —
sometimes going back for a year or two. As we encounter cooler weather, that’s
why it’s doubly important to keep a lid on gas and electricity bills.
Some of
these steps you can take are easy to accomplish…and all too easy to forget!
Most experts
recommend setting the water heater thermostat between 120 and 140
degrees Fahrenheit, with the exact setting dependent upon your area’s
microclimate, Charleston property type, and your particular household’s
requirements. The goal here is to avoid sustaining temperatures above the
140-degree mark — which would be sure to add digits to this autumn’s energy
bill.
Now is the time to take an inspection walk
around your property on the lookout for leaks, be they toilets, pipes or
faucets. It’s easy to do a double-check, too: just keep an eye on your meter
over a two-hour period when there is no water use (this idea comes from Mark
LeChevallier of American Water). If you spot activity, you may need to do more
active detective work.
Clogged
air filters are more serious than most would think: they can burden
mechanical systems — not only boosting energy costs, but eventually damaging
the mechanicals behind them. Failing to replace filters causes dryers, heaters,
AC units, etc., to run longer. It’s easy to picture what the impact on the
monthly energy tab can be.
Being able to produce low energy bills is just one way to
help prospective buyers see the wisdom of buying your Charleston area property.
If you are considering selling your own property in Charleston , SC anytime in
the future, now is the time to make a few changes.
Interested in selling your
Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com
Interested in buying a Charleston
area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com
-Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook Real Estate
Charleston, SC
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