Kihei Home Is Energy Efficient – For the Most Part!

108 Kawailani Circle, Kihei (MLS# 344276) is an excellent buy at $389,070. This 4 bed / 3 bath home offers 1780 square feet of living area on two levels, along with a a direct access garage.

The open kitchen is perfect for today’s easy living lifestyle.

But wait… Not only is it a good buy, it is also a home that is energy efficient—for the most part. As I have stated in previous blogs, the biggest culprit in a non-energy efficient home is electric water heating. You are in luck here, however, because this home already has solar water heating.

Nonetheless, take a look with me as I point out a few ways in which this home could become even more energy efficient.

1.  Front windows – If you have an unlimited budget, I would replace all front windows with double paned low-e windows. Next best fix would be to plant two large trees (or fast growing ones) directly in the front yard to cut down the hot afternoon sun. The last option would be to install awning above the windows. This would be the quickest fix.  You would, however, want to clear that with the neighborhood association.

2.  Lighting – Incandescent lighting not only adds to your electricity bill, but it heats up your home.  If you want the Cadillac fix, I would install LED lighting wherever you can find comparable replacements (recessed lighting, ceiling fan bulbs). The perfectly acceptable replacement would be Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. Without doing much calculation, I would say that you could save as much as $50/month with this fix.

3.  Appliances – The appliances do not appear to be Energy Star rated and therefore are not the most efficient appliances available. I would replace all appliances (stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer) with Energy Star rated applicances (no such thing for a dryer). Unfortunately, it’s too late to take advantage of the Hawaii Appliance Rebate Program, as the funds have all been dispersed.

4.  Maintenance – It is always advisable to have your air conditioning units and solar water heating units serviced yearly. A poorly performing unit adds to your energy usage.

5.  Photovoltaics – Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. But you must first bring your energy consumption down so as to minimize the number of panels needed, thereby reducing your cost to install. Be smart about it. You may bring your electricity bill down so low that photovoltaic panels won’t be needed at all. Use your ceiling fans instead of A/C, and you’re already saving.

There you have it. A perfect recipe for low cost living on the island. Who said things here are expensive? Phooey!

For more information on this listing or if you have any questions about energy efficiency, please contact me.  If you would like to read about what an energy audit is, please read my blog Hawaii Home Energy Audit…Watts up With That.

Peace – Out

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