Kerry Veach

In the spirit of the season, Energy.gov released energy saving tips throughout December.  Here’s a recap of the tips that will benefit Destin, FL homes:

•  Home Energy Audit

You can do this yourself or hire a professional.  Either way, walk through your home and take note of energy wasters, like air leaks and drafts.  Don’t neglect the attic and garage.  These areas tend to be the biggest culprits.

• Lighten Your Carload

Did you know that an extra 100 pounds in your car could increase the amount you spend on gas by 0.08/gallon?  All the more reason to travel light!

• Power Strips

Phantom loads – leaking electricity caused electrical appliances that are switched off but still drawing current – cost Americans an average of $100/year.

• Timers

Install a light timer to automatically shut your lights off during the day.  While you’re at it, you may also want to get a timed thermostat to adjust the temperature during the day as well.

• LED’s

LED’s are not only more energy efficient, there are also much less expensive than traditional incandescent lights.

• Kitchen

By simply using the right sized burners for your cookware, you can save $36/year with an electric unit or $16/year with gas.

• Batteries

Rechargeable batteries are more cost efficient and eco-friendly than disposable batteries.

• Energy Star

Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for electronics.  An Energy Star computer can save 30-60 percent more electricity than a standard computer.

• Sunlight

Here in Destin, FL we have the best renewable energy there is – the sun!

• Windows

Energy efficient windows can add up to big savings by reducing air leakage.

Kerry Veach is a Destin, FL Realtor and Real Estate Broker with 22 years of experience assisting thousands in the exciting process of buying and/or selling a home.   He is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the RE/MAX Platinum Club, and the RE/MAX® 100% CLUB.  In 2011, he earned the RE/Max Lifetime Achievement Award. 

If you would like to buy a home in Destin, FL or sell a home in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach.  With over 1,000 closings and thousands of satisfied clients, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time to start thinking about holiday decorations.  Whether you celebrate Chanukah, Kwanza, or Christmas – lights will probably be a large part of your festive theme.  Here are some tips to help you save energy this holiday season:

• LED lights use 90% less electricity than traditional Christmas lights.
• Trees and decorations that are fiber optic are far more eco-friendly than the “real” thing. In fact, many of these units use a single light bulb in the base to illuminate the entire decoration.
• Don’t turn your lights on until it’s dark…besides, you want to actually see them don’t you?
• Take advantage of all this extra lighting by limiting the amount of time other house lights are on.  If your tree is so bright it lights up the entire living room, then why bother using the household lamps and lighting fixtures.
• Throwing a holiday party?  Turn the thermostat down while the oven is working and guests are crowding your home.
• And while you’re playing the role of party chef, maximize efficiency by baking mulitple dishes in your oven at the same time.  In fact, you might not even need the oven for everything.  If you have a toaster oven or similar electric heating device (like a hot plate) use those when/if possible.

For more home improvement and energy saving tips, visit the Veach View Blog by Kerry Veach.  Kerry is a Destin, FL Realtor and Real Estate Broker with 22 years of experience assisting thousands in the exciting process of buying and/or selling a home.   He is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the RE/MAX Platinum Club, and the RE/MAX® 100% CLUB.  In 2011, he earned the RE/Max Lifetime Achievement Award.

If you would like to buy a home in Destin, FL or sell a home in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach.  With over 1,000 closings and thousands of satisfied clients, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Due to the location, Destin, FL homes are some of the most desirable in the nation.  However, there are unique challenges homes is a warm climate face with respect to indoor air quality.

Newer homes, especially, are built to be air tight.  This is great for not allowing cool air to escape, but the problem is moisture can’t escape either.  As the moisture becomes trapped in the home, mold grows – and we all know what kind of a hazard mold poses.

John Jordan of Jordan Air Enterprises Inc. – 2012 recipient of the “Finest on the Emerald Coast” award in Heating & Air Conditioning/Home Repair – offers a couple of solutions to control indoor moisture.

“I’m familiar with the challenges that this area faces with indoor environment control. Gaining control over rampant indoor moisture is a passion of mine,” he said. “In the South, we deal with high humidity.”  He goes on to explain one possible solution:  “It is central dehumidification just like your air conditioner.  It drains automatically, and you’re not tied to emptying the bucket. It is tied to the existing drain system.”

The humidity inside of Destin, FL homes becomes particularly high in the fall, winter, and spring seasons because air conditioning units generally don’t run long enough to completely dry the air.  For homeowners who are out of their homes for the majority of the day, he recommends the Ecobee thermostat system.  This systems gives homeowners the ability to monitor temperature levels and adjust settings from a smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc.  This system will also send an email alert if it detects a problem.

For more home improvement and energy saving tips, visit the Veach View Blog by Kerry Veach.  Kerry is a Destin, FL Realtor and Real Estate Broker with 22 years of experience assisting thousands in the exciting process of buying and/or selling a home.   He is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the RE/MAX Platinum Club, and the RE/MAX® 100% CLUB.  In 2011, he earned the RE/Max Lifetime Achievement Award.

If you would like to buy a home in Destin, FL or sell a home in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach.  With over 1,000 closings and thousands of satisfied clients, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Destin, FL homeowners can always benefit from ways to save electricity, and one area of opportunity for huge savings is in a home office.  If you have a home office, then where you are saving on gas you could be losing on electricity if you don’t have an ENERGY-STAR computer and/or laptop.

ENERGY-STAR equipment uses up to 65 percent less power than older equipment.  In addition to purchasing energy efficient computers, it’s also advisable that you plug these units into a power strip so they can be turned off easily.  Otherwise, they will continue drawing current and wasting electricity (known as “vampire” loads).

One outdated notion is that leaving your desktop computer on is better for the machine, making it last longer.  This was true years ago with larger mainframe computers, but it is not at all the case now.  You can, however, adjust your computer’s power management settings on the cpu and monitor to use less energy while the unit is running.

If you’ll be in the market for a new purchase soon, look at laptops instead of desktop units.  Desktops use considerably more electricity than laptops, and the mobile feature of the laptop means that you are running on battery power instead of your home’s electrical current.  Here’s a helpful tip:  It’s recommended that you only plug your laptop in to charge the battery – not only will this save energy, it will also extend the life of your battery.

Make sure you check the Veach View Blog frequently to get more energy (and money) saving tips.  And as always, if you or anyone you know would like to buy real estate in Destin, FL, or sell a home in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach online or call him directly at 1.800.879.0309.

With over 1,000 closings, 20+ years of experience and a full-time real estate team, it’s no surprise that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The traditional method of heating water involves a large storage tank that requires a great deal of electricity to be kept warm.  Tankless Water Heaters – also called Instantaneous or Demand Water Heaters – only heat water as needed which eliminates the need for a storage tank.

These units have gained increased popularity as Destin, FL homeowners look for ways to save electricity and reduce utility bills.  Other applications for Tankless Water Heaters include use with:

• Remote BBQ or outdoor sink
• Poolhouse or pool shower
• Remote bathrooms or hot tubs
• Solar water heating systems
• Dishwashers and sanitation

A Tankless Water Heater can save Destin, FL homeowners 27 – 50 percent on water heating costs.  If you plan to purchase an Electric Tankless Water Heater, you’ll need to consider the following electrical requirements:

• Voltage
• Amperage
• Circuit Breaker

Next, you’ll need to consider size and location.  These factors can be discussed with the manufacturer you are purchasing from and/or the contractor that will perform the installation.  Note: proper installation is critical to the proper operation of these units, so do not attempt on your own unless you are a professional.

Make sure you check the Veach View Blog frequently to get more energy related news and money saving tips.  And as always, if you or anyone you know would like to buy a home in Destin, Florida or sell a home in Destin, Florida contact Kerry Veach online or call 1.800.879.0309. With over 1,000 closings, 20+ years of experience and a full-time real estate team, it’s no surprise that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

With Hurricane Isaac having passed, I’d like to take this opportunity to help residents prepare their Destin homes for a blackout in the future.

• Flashlights

Keep plenty on hand…ideally one in every room.  This is a MUCH safer alternative to candles.

• Batteries

Those flashlights won’t do a lot of good without any batteries.

• Bottled water

In the event you lose your running water, you’ll be happy to have gallons of water on hand.

• Ice

Keep bags of ice in a freezer so that when the power goes out, you can transfer this ice and food into coolers

• Coolers

Speaking of coolers, have plenty of those on hand too.  The cheap, styrofoam coolers will work just fine.

• Emergency Numbers

Make sure all of your emergency numbers are accessible so that, if needed, you can call from your cell phone.

• Car and USB chargers

If you have a garage and a car that will charge even when off, have a car charger on hand to charge your cell phone.  If not, use a USB to charge your phone on your laptop (for the time that your laptop holds a charge).

• First Aid Kit

Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked and easily accessible.

• Back-up generator

Ideally, this is a great thing to have.  However, it may not be enough to power your home in severe weather, so don’t develop a false sense of security if you own one.  Make sure you still prepare using the above bullet points.

From one Destin, FL resident to another…stay safe out there!

These tips have been provided by Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net