Here are some questions that we recommend you ask before purchasing a new home or office:

What will my water, electric and gas bills be during the summer and winter months?

How can I tell if my home or office is insulated or sealed properly?

Is the air circulating in my home or office healthy?

What are some easy improvements I can make myself to increase efficiency?

Are there incentives for purchasing Energy Star appliances and products?

How can I use less water?

Call your utility companies and city providers to find out what homes or offices in your area pay for the energy, water and gas consumption. Ask your builder to provide information on the heating, cooling and ventilation systems they are installing, including forecasts from the manufacturer. Consult an energy professional for more in depth recommendations.

Home Energy Raters (HERS) are specialized contractors who perform standard evaluations on the energy efficiency of your home including, on-site inspection, air leakage test of your home and duct work, computer analysis, estimated savings and a list of recommended improvements.

Some health effects can be used as indicators in considering the indoor air quality of your home or office. Symptoms may appear after a person moves to a new residence, remodels a building or sprays pesticides in or around the building. Keep an eye out for condensation on walls and windows, stuffy or odorous air and dirty heating and cooling equipment.

Here are a couple of tips for saving money in your home or office. Change incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs, they use 75% less energy and last up to eight times longer. Turn your thermostat up to 85 degrees when your home is unoccupied. Utilize blinds, shades and fans in the rooms you occupy most. Make sure the weather stripping around doors and windows is in good condition. Purchase Energy Star products whenever possible. Close the damper on your fireplace. Make sure your crawl space is sealed. For more tips on how to save energy, click here.

Energy Star offers tax credits on several products. For a comprehensive list, click here.

There are some easy steps to take when trying to conserve water. Use a rain barrel to collect the run-off water from your roof. That water can be used to irrigate your yard or wash your car. Use low flow shower heads and double flush toilets when possible. You can save between 2-3 gallons a day by turning off water while brushing your teeth. Make sure none of your faucets are leaky or faulty.