"Green" Living Archives - Christy & Garth Gillespie

What to Know When Installing Electric Vehicle Charging in Your Home

June 12, 2023/in "Green" Living

Owning an electric vehicle (EV) not only helps you save money on fuel but also contributes to environmental protection. While public charging stations are becoming more accessible, it’s worth considering the convenience of having your own home charging station. If you’re contemplating the installation of an electric vehicle charger at home, here are some essential factors to consider.

Charging Speed: Most EVs come with a standard Level 1 charger, which is slower as it plugs into a traditional outlet. For faster charging, many EV owners opt for Level 2 chargers, which operate at a higher voltage (240-volt) and amperage. Installing a Level 2 charger requires a different plug type and typically requires the assistance of an electrician.
Hard-Wired vs. Plug-In Chargers: Plug-in Level 2 chargers are cheaper and portable, but permanently installed (hard-wired) chargers can handle higher currents, allowing for faster charging. Hard-wired chargers are more suitable for outdoor charging.
Installation Location: If your home lacks a garage or carport, installing a home EV charger may not be feasible. If your garage has a suitable power source, the installation process should be relatively straightforward. However, if there’s no power outlet in the garage, additional construction work, such as running cables underground or through the basement ceiling, may be necessary, which can increase installation time and cost.
Installation Costs: In cases where the installation is straightforward, like having a garage with a power outlet, the installation cost by an electrician and required permits may be around $500 or more. In more complex situations where the power source is far from the car or your home’s electrical service needs upgrading, costs can significantly rise. Additional charges ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 may apply if a new electric panel is required. For extensive upgrades to the entire electrical service, costs can reach up to $8,000.

Installing a home EV charger requires careful consideration of factors such as charging speed, charger type, installation location, costs, and potential rebates. By understanding these key points, you can make an informed decision about installing an electric vehicle charger at home.

If you are considering putting your home on the market, or are looking for a green home, reach out!

THE WELLNESS HOME OF 2020

July 11, 2019/in "Green" Living

Spending up to 90% of time indoors, how you live is just as important as where you live. Ask your Real Estate Professional how to enhance the wellness in your home. Here are 6 ways to optimize your home’s wellness.

AIR QUALITY

Indoor air is said to have 2-5x the pollution of outdoor air. Main pollutants indoors are household cleaning chemicals, dust, artificial fragrances, and gases from furniture, clothes, and cooking. The use of indoor plants and air purifying and recycling systems can have a significant impact on improving air quality and ultimately the health of everyone in the home.

LIGHTING

Improper lighting can be responsible for mood and sleep disorders. Try using lighting controls that allow for bright lighting during the day and dim lighting in the evening. Eliminating the use of blue lights 1 hour prior to bedtime can improve sleep duration and quality. Smart bulbs and shades can help sync lighting with your natural Circadian rhythm.

CLIMATE

Body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, ideally your indoor air temperature should too. 60 -67 degrees Fahrenheit is said to be the best sleeping temperatures and 72-77 is said to have the highest productivity rates during the day. Keeping humidity levels around 45% will be best for you home and your health.

WATER

Water filtration systems should deliver the cleanest water, reducing exposure to chlorine and other harmful chemicals that can damage or dry out skin and have ill-health effects. Touchless water systems can help reduce the spread of bacteria in kitchens and bathrooms.

SENSES

Engaging sights, scents, sounds, and textures can enhance the wellbeing of a home. Choose textures and scents that bring in nature, using only fragrances and materials free of artificial chemicals and perfumes. Sitting spaces should have sight lines to windows with adequate light and no glair. keeping background noise levels capped at 35db will contribute to greater mental clarity.

INTERFERENCE

Be sure to turn off wifi and bluetooth devices when not in use especially in sleeping areas. Electronic interference can disturb hormone balance and sleep. Choose a device-free room in the home for everyone to enjoy.

If you have questions about designing or creating a wellness home, we are happy to assist. We provide health and wellness services through Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates/Christie’s International Real Estate’s Chief Wellness Officer, a service offered exclusively to our clients. Contact us for more information.

Time to Update Your Home

April 27, 2012/in "Green" Living, Energy Savings, Financing, Jackson Hole Community, Solar Power, Solar Powered energy

The was an interesting article in Thursday’s Jackson Hole Daily, written by Tram Whitehurst. The article helped explain an excellent opportunity for homeowners to receive cheap loans to improve home energy efficiency.

The program is initiated by the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project allows homeowners in Teton County to upgrade things like old windows, insufficient insulation and could possibly be used to add solar panels to their homes. The current loan limit is $7,500 but is expected to rise as more funds become avaialble.

To qualify all you have to do is own a home or townhome, have good payment history, use electric and schedule a home audit by a Lower Valley employee. Christy and I just went through this process this winter and it was a wonderful program. We took advantage of repair credits (another Lower Valley program) verse the low interest loans and were suprised by so many areas that our home could use attention in bettering our energy efficiency.

Homeowners who qualify and receive the loans have up to 5 years to repay. To schedule a home audit simply call Lower Valley at 307-733-2446 or visit its website at www.lvenergy.com.

Gillespie Real Estate Team Member Earns Green Designation

June 2, 2009/in "Green" Living, General Real Estate Information, Real Estate Buyer & Seller News

Christy and Garth Gillespie are pleased to congratulate Don Alsted, Gillespie Team Member – Listing Specialist for his hard work and being awarded by the National Association of Realtors the “Green Designation.”

LOCAL REALTOR® ACHIEVES
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® GREEN DESIGNATIONJune 2, 2009
Jackson, Wyoming– Don Alsted with Sotheby’s International Realty of Jackson Hole
has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR’s) Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Don achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work
designed specifically for REALTORS®. The courses were created in collaboration with a
multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gaincomprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability inrelation to real estate.

More specifically, Don was trained in understanding what makes a property green,
helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices,
distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing
green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to
homeowners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential. “As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibly,” said Dick Gaylord, NAR’s immediate past president.

NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS® who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As an NAR Green Designee, Don has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary
to become a trusted green resource for Jackson Hole. For more information about Don
Alsted please visit www.jhsir.com or email Don at Don.Alsted@SothebysRealty.com.
For more information about NAR’s newest designation, visit www.greenresourcecouncil.org Way to go Don!

For more information on Jackson Hole Real Estate please contact the JacksonHoleExperts.

What to Know When Installing Electric Vehicle Charging in Your Home

THE WELLNESS HOME OF 2020

Time to Update Your Home

Gillespie Real Estate Team Member Earns Green Designation

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