Green energy is becoming a trendy way to trim your electrical bill. Are there any eco-friendly discounts shoppers can get on their Houston homeowners insurance? Read on to find out how to save Mother Earth and save a little cash.

Green Home Efficiency and Houston Homeowners Insurance Rates

Everyone knows students with good grades can receive automobile insurance discounts. However, what about deals for Houston, TX, Homeowners who invest in green energy technology for their homes? Is there any benefit to investing money into green tech? Let us find out if a green home affects Houston home insurance rates.

Sustainable living might also earn you a discount on your Houston homeowners insurance – find out what is available. Those who care for Mother Earth are more likely to have a safer home. Here are some of the fixtures that might qualify for sustainable home insurance discounts:

1. Energy
2. Faucets
3. Windows
4. Security
5. Furnaces
6. Lighting
7. Insulation
8. Water heaters
9. Air conditioners
10. Replacement

Non-drip faucets are less likely to cause floods. Double-paned windows and better insulation can reduce your heating bill. Some old World War II-era homes used newspapers for insulation. However, newspaper insulation can be a fire danger when electrical wires overheat. In addition, more efficient appliances are less likely to suffer from mechanical breakdowns.

Modern wireless and wired networks can create a remote-controlled Home Security System. You can view your home from work with cameras and use speakers to scare potential burglars. A good Houston homeowners insurance firm offers discounts for these features.

2008 Ceres Report Findings

Environmental advocacy group Ceres found in a 2008 report that there was a statistical correlation between green homes and lowered risk. However, the lower risk could be due to higher quality appliances or the homeowners’ conscious focus on home risk management solutions. For example, insurers offer discounts for green appliances, non-toxic carpeting, and energy-efficient HVAC. In addition, well-maintained, cooler-running devices are less likely to catch on fire.

According to Ceres, on April 23, 2009, Jilian Mincer and Shelly Banjo of the Wall Street Journal reported that “almost two dozen insurers offer premium credits and discounts for owners of “green” commercial and residential buildings. In the U.S., that typically means buildings with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Energy Star certifications.”

What is the Difference Between Energy Star and LEED?

Energy Star is a government program under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) auspices. It creates the standards for energy-efficient products. On the other hand, LEED is a non-profit organization that concentrates more on encouraging the building of energy-efficient structures.

Blue Energy Star Symbol

In 1992, the EPA created the Energy Star system as a voluntary way for businesses to identify, promote and advance energy-efficient products. As a result, shoppers can find the blue Energy Star label on many appliances, including air conditioners and heaters. Also, Texas Quotes estimates that more than 1.5 million American homes have earned the Energy Star label.

When Houston homeowners compare the increased energy savings attributable to Energy Star products, they cannot argue with the science. Furthermore, a new home can add these higher-rated appliances to create a tighter, sealed environment and improve comfort due to superior temperature regulation. In addition, your HVAC will be more efficient and might not run as frequently.

New houses can control their energy costs by adding renewable wind, biomass, or solar power. Moreover, new homes add innovative home technology and create the ideal atmosphere 24/7/365. In addition, older Houston homes would benefit tremendously by upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances.

Houston homeowners insurance policies might offer several ways to benefit from Energy Star efficiency. Also, by installing Energy Star appliances, you might receive a 5% discount. After an accident, you could upgrade your bathroom, kitchen, or living room with superior Energy-Star appliances (usually, your premium will be about $20 to $30 or higher).

LEED Certification

In 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. The system has four levels of energy-efficient buildings – Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. LEED attempts to influence professionals in the building industry – architects, builders, and carpenters – to create green standards for design, construction, operations, maintenance, and repair.

An environmentally-conscious home uses renewal, earth-friendly materials, and building methods. A LEED-certified home might receive a 10% discount on yearly insurance premiums. Houston insurance companies might reimburse you for installing non-toxic carpets, upgrading after a loss, or recycling costs associated with LEED certification.

Eco-Friendly Discounts on Houston Homeowners Insurance

It would help if you replaced your home appliances eventually. Why not upgrade to more energy-efficient models at the same time? You might as well gain insurance credit for doing so. You might want to ask Houston homeowners insurance firms on the web if they offer energy-efficient discounts or rebates.

Now that you know it is possible to get a discount on any Houston, TX, homeowners insurance policy after upgrading to green technology, what are you waiting for now? Click on “Get A Quote” and compare some quotes. Furthermore, there is no fee, and you will be shocked at how much money we can save you today.