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Millennials Ideal Homes

Let me introduce you to the Millennials:

The Millennial generation, or Echo Boomers, is those born between 1980 and 1998. They represent anywhere between 70 and 95 million U.S. consumers. Described as educated, diverse, creative, technologically advanced, connected and open to change, they are the first generation to grow up with the Internet and other forms of digital media, they are probably the most educated generation in the United States’ history. Going through so many challenges: underpaid salaries, uncertainty in the job market, massive amount of student loans caused them to delay their marriage, families and home-ownership, but also, it defines their character to pursue the American Dream.

Millennials and the Housing Market:

Millennials are labeled as the next generation to turn around the housing market with their unique style and high-tech preferences. They will account for an astounding 75-80% of owner-occupied housing sales by people under the age of 65 before the year 2020. According to Dr. Stan Humphries, Zillow chief economist, by the end of 2015, millennials became the largest home-buying age group transforming the real estate market.

Millennials Ideal Homes:

The most significant factors for this generation in the selection of a new home are the following:

  • Sustainable Communities: they will be looking for resilient, healthier and walk-able communities that will offer them everything: connectivity, workplace proximity, access to public transportation, safety, centers of entertainment and outdoor life. They want to a live a more conscious lifestyle, no worrying about transportation costs & commute time.
  • Green Building: Millennials will prefer green building and homes that use sustainable practices, smart technologies and recycled materials. 20% under the age of 34 will choose green alternatives regardless of cost. They will be attracted by LEED or FGBC certified homes.
  • Energy Efficient: a substantial 84% of them have strong preference for energy efficiency technology. The three most popular home features are: energy efficient appliances, security systems, and smart thermostats. Another energy savings options will include low-e windows, additional insulation, smart lighting, and home energy monitor. Also, homes certified under the programs Energy Star and ZERO energy will be demand.
  • Smart Technology: a very important feature for them. They want smart home technology for comfort, safety and also, because of the money-saving potential, such as an automated climate control, remote home monitoring, lighting control systems and key-less entry doors. Remember, they live and breathe technology!
  • Functional Space: they will look for “essential homes” smaller and more adaptive than conventional houses, thoughtful modern designs that maximize space and functionality.

To take advantage of the booming housing market, we must learn to meet the desires of this unique, clever and demanding Eco-conscious generation. Therefore, builders and contractors must rise to the challenge; parents of Millennials selling, should retrofit its conventional and inefficient dwellings; realtors and brokers, should familiarize themselves with the GREEN MLS, the EEM (Energy Efficient Mortgages) and certification programs such as LEED, Energy Star, FL Water Star, Indoor airPLUS, FGBC, Zero Energy Home Ready, to be at the forefront and to be able to identify smart implementations of a market that has already begun its transformation. Education is the key to conquer the change. For corporate education, individual consulting or implementation of green and efficient technologies in new or existing homes, please send an email: floridaleedap@gmail.com

By: Maria M Hernandez, LEED AP

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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WARNING: Energy Vampires lurking your home

Halloween is almost here and a band of spooky energy vampires could be lurking around your home. Ghosts and zombies will be roaming the streets, be careful, stay at home and prepare to hunt down those pesky Energy Vampires that are already sucking your power bill. Watch out, don’t let these vampires give you a scare this Halloween, keep them at bay year round by learning some tricks on how to hunt phantom loads and ward off Energy Vampires.

Energy vampires are appliances that even when turned off utilize a small amount of electricity, called phantom loads. The average home in the US spends around $150-$200 every year on vampire energy. Some estimates suggest that Americans have anywhere between 30-65 vampire devices throughout their homes. Nearly every appliance has become smart with electronic digital displays. Some of the biggest energy consumers include cable or satellite set-top TV boxes, computer modems and aquariums.

Haunted rooms found in your home:

  • Living Room: this is the scariest one, most homes have two or more TV/cable set-ups, so you could easily be losing $50-$100 a year on TV-based phantom load alone. If you leave your cable box plugged in for a year and never turned it off, it would add $17.83 to your electrical bill and If this cable box has a DVR capability, the energy waste will doubles to $43.46.
  • Office: Be aware, this could be another scary room. Just a desktop computer left running, connected to monitor in sleep mode, can cost over $87 per year, also, you have to add the computer speakers (3 watts); a wireless router (5 watts); a printer (5 watts); surge protectors (2 watts), and a cordless phone that uses 3 watts even when it’s completely off adding a waste of $25.50 a year.
  • Bathrooms: could be a cause for concern if you’re leaving devices like hair dryers, curling irons, or electric shavers plugged into the wall. Even when turned off, these devices can idly sip electricity from your outlet costing you money.

TRICK on how to slay the Energy Vampire:

Here I share with you some tricks on how to kill the Phantom load and the amount of power you waste:

  • Unplug all your appliances and device chargers when you are not in use.
  • Use a power strip with an on/off button so you can easily shut down multiple devices at once.
  • Set your computer or laptop to go to sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity or less.
  • Purchase appliances and equipment EnergyStar qualified products that use less energy and limit the amount of standby power they draw.
  • Install switches or timers that automatically stop powering devices once they go to standby mode
  • Use a “Kill a Watt” on your appliances to cut down the cost.

Unplugging energy vampires can lower your electric bill up to 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Now that you know the Tricks, don’t let the Vampires and Phantoms attack your power bill, treat yourself with extra cash and a better planet reducing your carbon footprint.

We can help you to find ways to fix leaks in your home with a simple home energy audit. By making upgrades following a home energy audit, you can save up to 30 percent on your energy bill.

By: Maria Mercedes Hernandez. Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP), Building Analyst, General Contractor. hernandezmaria@hhdcgreen.com

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