(Carthage, MS – September 24, 2010)– Mississippi is helping build momentum to make the 2010 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour the most successful grassroots solar event in history. The more than 650 tours featured in this year’s tour is nearly triple the number of tours featured in 2009, and more communities continue to join the movement each week.
Most of us know we should rein in our energy use. But to be successful, it’d help if we knew the best way to do it. So scientists asked more than 500 people, “What’s the most effective thing you can do to conserve energy?” The results were illuminating.
As the single largest housing expense after a mortgage payment, your utility costs can have a direct impact on how large a mortgage you can afford. You can save money on the cost of utilities by purchasing new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems or by making home improvements, such as weatherizing and insulating older homes and these investments can end up saving you money through lower utility bills.
Statistics show that lowering home energy usage directly improves value. This notion is supported by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, ENERGY STAR, FHA and VA financing instruments. When you increase the value through energy savings the increase is recognized in the new loan. A potential buyer will consider cost to operate the home, but only if informed. Information and education is the key to using the homes energy consumption as a sales marketing tool.