Go Green With A Realtor®

Did you know that there are almost 10,000 Arkansans licensed to sell real estate but only 7,200 are professional Realtors®? Each of those Realtors® must adhere to a Code of Ethics that not only commits them to putting their client’s needs ahead of their own at all times, it also commits them to being knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which they engage. That means continuing education.

This September members of the Arkansas Realtors® Association will gather in Rogers, Arkansas, to learn from some of the top real estate professionals in the country. One of those speakers, Mark Given, will address one of the hottest topics in real estate – taking care of the environment – and how Arkansas Realtors® can help Arkansans take care of our planet while at the same time saving money.

Here are a few simple home tips Given recently shared with the Arkansas Realtors® Association for improving your “green-ness” while at the same time saving some money:

1. Switch your light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (cfl). Studies show that they will save 25% to 35% of a typical light bulb electrical consumption. “While they are filled with gas and we don’t know their long term environmental impact, a standard light bulb has environmentally unsafe lead components,” says Given.

2. If you are building a new home, remodeling or replacing existing or worn-out appliances, consider purchasing Energy Star appliances. The savings can be significant as compared to older existing appliances.

3. Make sure your home has programmable thermostats. A typical home can save as much as 5% to 10% on their annual heating and cooling bill by making the switch.

4. Showers and baths account for 30% of indoor water use. Invest in attractive water efficient fixtures or replace your water heater with an instant unit.

5. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket. It can reduce standby heat losses by 25% to 45% and save you around 4% to 9% in water heating costs.

“We really don’t have to be politically correct when showing concern about what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren,” says Given. “Together we can make a difference.”

For more information on your Arkansas Realtors® Association and how Arkansas Realtors® are working hard for Arkansans every day visit http://www.arkansasrealtors.com/. For more tips from Mark Given on the benefits of “going green” visit http://www.markgiven.com/.

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House to House is written by Amy Glover Bryant, APR and

distributed weekly by the Arkansas Realtors Association.