Buying GREEN : Old vs New
Is it more green to buy an older home or a newer home that is said to be green? Here are some things to think about before making this very difficult decision. Newer homes are almost always more expensive than older homes. Although, older homes usually have much more character than the newer ones.
Insulation- New wins. Newer homes are required to build with more insulation and the products available now are much more efficient. Older homes do not have as much insulation which makes them drafty and less efficient. Insulation in olden homes is often costly to replace as well.
Flooring- Older homes usually win. Older homes often have hardwood floors which are very green. New homes really depend on the price range. The more the green the product the more expensive the home is.
Appliances- New wins again. New homes are usually equipped with the latest energy efficient appliances, whereas older homes are often stocked with aged inefficient ones.
Windows- Close call. Many older homes have put in energy efficient replacement windows. I am also finding more and more new homes with very inefficient windows.
Countertops- Also a close call. Stone counter tops are best. I think you can find equal amounts in both categories.
Lighting-New wins. Newer light fixtures are almost always more efficient. However, this is not an expensive replacement.
The median age of U.S. homes is 32 years, according to the U.S. Census. Repairs and Replacement costs go up every decade of a homes life. Experts estimate one can generally save 20 to 30 percent on energy costs with $4,000 to $8,000 worth of improvements.
Most of you who are looking at this decision will probably still have many things on your list that you want to change to make the home more green regardless of whether you get the old or get the new. The important thing is that you find the home that has the things in it that you value the most be it character or the latest design.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:06 am
The above comment by Chris points out exactly what IТve been saying
about debt company fees. They are at the WRONG end of the program. In
the old days, we used to charge a very small retainer up front, but
the main fee was based on a percentage of the savings achieved during
the negotiation. So the fees were based on success, and did not interfere
with the clientТs ability to accumulate funds for some early settlements.
Nowadays, itТs a rare company that operates this way, and the result is
that very few settlements take place during the first 12 months clients
are enrolled in a third-party debt settlement program. Skip the fees! Learn
how to do this yourself. YouТll be out of debt faster, and youТll have
more control over the process.
debt settlement option