Category: Homeownership

Photo of a brightly lit, modern kitchen in a new, energy-efficient house.

Homeownership

Are New Houses More Energy Efficient?

If you’re looking for a new home and you want it to be energy efficient without a lot of improvements, your best bet is to buy a home built in the last 20 years.

Erin Shine July 6, 2021

Florida Green Building

Why are Florida Water Bills So Darn High?

U.S. water bills vary widely. If you live in Florida or plan to move there, you might wonder how Florida water bills compare to the rest of the country.

Erin Shine June 25, 2021

infrared camera showing heat coming from the HVAC during the blower door test of our net-zero project

Renewable & Efficiency Technology

Air Sealing vs. Insulation: What’s Better For Efficiency?

Air sealing vs. insulation: both can both be important measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Where should you start?

Erin Shine June 5, 2021

Photo of energy efficient outdoor lighting fixture at night from the First Attainable Home project.

Renewable & Efficiency Technology

Energy Efficient Home Resale Value (What Improvements Work)

If you want to increase your home’s resale value, consider going green with Energy Star windows and appliances, lighting, insulation, air sealing and solar panels.

Erin Shine June 2, 2021

A picture of a hand being placed up to an open air vent in a house with gaps between the drywall and the air vent, letting hot attic hot air leaking into the house.

Renewable & Efficiency Technology

Does Air Duct Sealing Work? (With Project Cost Estimates)

Air duct sealing is one surefire way to decrease your monthly energy bill and increase your home’s energy efficiency. Whether you choose to perform the inspection and air sealing yourself or hire a professional, the energy savings will far outweigh the upfront costs of the project.

Erin Shine May 25, 2021

A picture of a blue Tesla Model 3 in front of our white-painted net-zero house with solar panels on the roof, and palm trees around the yard.

Homeownership

16 Reasons Why You Should Definitely Not Lease Solar Panels

Leasing solar panels can be a tempting option. But there are a lot of compelling reasons not to. In this article, we tackle 16 reasons, along with personal stories, about why it’s probably not a good idea.

Erin Shine May 19, 2021

A picture of a man using caulk to seal the gaps around an electrical outlet with the cover off. This helps for energy efficiency by air sealing your home.

Renewable & Efficiency Technology

What is Air Sealing a Home? (And Why It’s So Effective)

Do you have a drafty or uncomfortable house? Or maybe your electric bills just seem higher than they should be. Or maybe the different floors of your home have a significant temperature difference? Homes that are not air sealed might be all of the above, and cause other issues to boot.

Erin Shine April 30, 2021

A split image showing a ladder, busted drywall, and a dark dusty living room on the left. On the right side is our finished net-zero home renovation project living room, with mid century modern furniture, bright white walls, and an open concept.

Homeownership

The Best 11 Online Sites to Find Your Next Home Contractor

Have you been trying to find a good home project or renovation contractor online? We list the 11 top sites to search on and include our own experiences as well.

Erin Shine April 28, 2021

A picture of a modern California home with solar panels on top and a for sale sign out front that says "Solar Home"

Homeownership

Do Homes With Solar Sell Faster? (What The Research Says)

Erin Shine April 28, 2021

A picture of two solar panels together with light snow covering them. Written in the snow is "clean me", indicating the need to brush off the snow.

Homeownership

Solar Panels In Winter and Cold Climates: Do They Work?

I’m sure you’ve seen on TV or online that solar panels are the new green energy source for your home. You can use them to power your house, heat water, and even generate electricity! But do they actually work in winter and cold climates? The answer might surprise you.

Erin Shine April 26, 2021

Terms & Conditions

Having an Attainable Home, at the end of the day, is an idea. An idea that everyone has the right and the chance to work hard, live comfortably, and have prosperity throughout their life, and we’re happy to say that it’s still possible.

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Attainable Home's content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional legal or financial advice. If you feel you need advice, you must consult a professional licensed in the appropriate field. While we do our best to keep these updated, things can change sometimes. Our primary purpose is to help others by providing great content and resources, and we may also have relationships and sources listed on the website that may result in compensation to our company in some form, as our company needs to be financially sustainable by paying all authors well and supporting the online systems. All views and writing are also solely the opinions of the authors and may or may not fully represent the view of the company's.