Go Green And Get Smart

The benefits of green upgrades, no matter the size, are far-reaching for both your global footprint and your wallet. Leaving a light on here or there causes small but significant increases in the size of your carbon footprint and your energy bill, but new technology can stop those little expenditures.

Two of California’s major metropolitan areas hit the smart mark when it comes to housing. According to a recent survey from Realtor.com, out of the top 10 national hot spots for smart-home technology, Los Angeles and Riverside both made the list. This is good news for our housing home front as it becomes increasingly clear that the greener the home, the smarter the homemaker. Eco-friendly living and smart technology is driving the market into 2017 as a hot trend and an all-around slick move when it comes to saving money, time, and energy. Local real estate broker and National Association of Realtors Green Designee, Eileen Oldroyd, of Mission Viejo recaps, “You’ll have a home that is more comfortable, more durable, with lower energy bills.” This sounds pretty good when coupled with peace of mind in contributing to an even greater good. And sounding better yet is that experts agree: going green just makes plain good sense.

And today, at the dawn of a brand new year, there are more options than ever in making homes greener without spending a fortune. Builders like Ewan Utting of San Francisco wraps his business around constructing passive homes and states, “A passive house minimizes heating and cooling needs because it is sealed air-tight, meaning temperature-controlled air doesn’t leak out.” Other locals, such as Cassy Aoyagi of FORM LA Landscaping, suggest planning outdoor designs around native species because, “They thrive without chemical pesticides and fertilizers and need little water.” Shockingly, Aoyagi further stakes the claim that, “replacing a traditional lawn with native grasses will require 50% to 70% less water and save you approximately 60 hours per year in maintenance, for a saving of up to $3,500 in thirsty climates.” All in all, in 2017, going greener and getting smarter is really getting a whole lot easier.