Tips on How the Home Energy Upgrades You Made Last Year Could Make a Big Difference in Your 2015 Tax Return

Tax Day right around the corner, Homeselfe is raising awareness about large tax credits available for those who made energy efficiency upgrades to their homes in the 2015 tax year. Homeselfe wants to ensure American families receive the maximum refund they are eligible for in their tax returns by keeping up-to-speed on the latest federal energy tax credits.

"If you upgraded your home in 2015 by adding insulation, one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make, you already know you are saving on your utility bills every month plus you may be eligible for a tax credit on that investment," said Ameeta Jain, co-founder and spokesperson of Homeselfe. "Not taking advantage of that is throwing away your hard-earned cash. We want to empower families to receive the maximum refund allowed on their tax returns by providing them insight into the energy credits that are available."

Homeowners should also keep up-to-date on tax credits available for smaller upgrades in their homes, which can be eligible for tax credits up to $500 on their return. These small upgrades include:

• Biomass stoves
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Advanced main air-circulating fans (tax credit amount of $50)
• Insulation  (10% of the cost, up to $500)
• Roofs (metal and asphalt)
• Water heaters (non-solar earns a tax credit amount of $300)
• Windows, doors and skylights (tax credit amount is 10 percent of the cost excluding labor)

Plan ahead for your tax returns in 2016 by taking a Homeselfe and identifying areas in your home that need improvement and qualify you for tax credits on next year's return. For more information on energy tax credits or how to save on your monthly utility bill, visitwww.homeselfe.com.

To schedule a time for an interview with Co-Founder Ameeta Jain, please contact media@homeselfe.com or 951-719-1040. She will be available to discuss Homeselfe's commitment to improving financial and energy efficiency in households throughout the United States.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Survey Finds the Technology of Tomorrow Helps Many Smart Homes Sell Faster Today

As smart home technology plays a larger role in real estate, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today released a survey uncovering what smart features home buyers are looking for when purchasing a home and how those features impact a home's sale. Coldwell Banker Real Estate also announced a list of 25 smart home products and systems in the categories that matter most to home buyers.

Smart home appliances and technology are becoming more mainstream in homes throughout the country. Products and features once reserved for only the highest priced properties are now found in homes across the United States at various price points. The proliferation of this technology is not only changing the way Americans live, it's also changing their tastes and expectations when shopping for real estate -- so much so that making your home "smart" may be smarter than you think.

A survey of more than 500 sales associates affiliated with the Coldwell Banker® brand found:

• Buyers are asking, "How smart is this home?": Nearly two in three (64 percent) of the sales associates surveyed agreed that buyers today are more interested in homes with smart home features and technology than they were two to five years ago.
• Buyers want to control their home from their smart phone: 62 percent are seeing more buyers interested in controlling their home technology through their smart phone or tablet now than they were two to five years ago.
• Listings are getting smarter: Nearly 60 percent said they are seeing more smart home features in listings than they did two to five years ago.
• Smart homes sell faster: One in three (33 percent) noted that homes with smart home features and technology sell faster than homes without them.
• Gen X is the "smartest" generation of home buyers today: While it's no surprise that almost half of sales associates are seeing Millennials (age 18-24) interested in homes with smart home features, even more (57 percent) identified Gen X (age 35-49) as the top buying group interested in smart home technology.

"After being on the ground at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, it was clear that the connective tissue of smart technology in the home is entering the mainstream," said Sean Blankenship, chief marketing officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "Smart homes are solving many consumer and societal needs when you consider all of the security, energy efficiency and entertainment advantages that come along with a connected home. This is why we are taking a leadership stance and working to ensure that Coldwell Banker affiliated sales associates are more aware and understanding of this evolution so they can continue to provide consumers with exceptional experiences."

According to the survey, home buyers are most interested in smart home technology for the following categories:

• Security (65 percent of sales associates agree)
• Temperature control (57 percent)
• Safety (48 percent)
• Lighting (46 percent)
• Entertainment (42 percent)
• Appliances (23 percent)

Based on findings from CES 2015, Coldwell Banker Real Estate identified its list of 25 smart home products and systems, combining favorites from the conference as well as research on what home buyers care about most.

Smart Security	Smart Lighting
Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock	Sengled Pulse Smart Bulb
iSmartAlarm	Lutron Caséta Wireless
Oplink Connected	Philips Hue
SAGE Security & Home Automation	Belkin WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set
Smart Temperature	Smart Appliances
Nest Learning Thermostat	LG Studio Collection
Honeywell Lyric Thermostat	Whirlpool Smart Duet Washer and Dryer
Canary	LG Mega-Capacity French-Door Refrigerator
Big Ass Fans' Haiku with SenseME	GE ChillHub
Smart Safety	Smart Entertainment
Iris Safe & Secure Kit	N'Finity Pro HDX 38 Dual Zone Wine Cellar
First Alert OneLink	Vizio 60" P-Series Smart TV
Nest Protect	TCL Roku TV
Leeo Smart Alert Nighlight	DishWorld TV App
Connected Home Platform
Iris Smart Kit

The full list, including additional information on the top 25 smart home technologies, can be found on the Coldwell Banker® blog.

"Smart home technology will soon be expected in homes, just like stainless steel and granite are the norm across properties today," said Travis Gray, a sales associate affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Annapolis, Md. who is well-versed in smart home technology. "In three to seven years, I foresee homes being completely outfitted with smart technology — for improving both functionality and lifestyle in our homes."

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States between Jan. 12 – Feb. 24, 2015 among 513 real estate sales associates affiliated with the Coldwell Banker® network.

About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate.  Coldwell Banker is the oldest national real estate brand in the United States and today has a network of more than 86,000 affiliated agents working in approximately 3,000 offices in 43 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand with an iPad app, the first to augment its website www.coldwellbanker.com for smart phones, the first to create a iPhone application with international listings and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSMYouTube channel.  The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in niche markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program.

Four Ways to Keep Homes Safer and More Energy Efficient While Owners Are on Vacation

Energy Education Council provides practical tips to cut electrical costs this summer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer months are a popular time for many families to take a vacation. If you plan on spending time away from your home yet this summer, remember to prepare it for your absence. With the proper preparations you can cut electrical costs and keep your home and electronics safe while you are away.

"We want people to enjoy their vacations and keep their homes as safe and efficient as possible when they are away," said Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council and its Safe Electricity program.

The Council offers tips to help you prepare your home for vacation:

• Change thermostat settings before you leave. When temperatures are warm outside, it is unnecessary to keep your home as cool as you normally would since you will not be in it. Turn the thermostat up to a warmer temperature or turn it off entirely. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can adjust it to cool down the house just in time for your return home.
• Unplug appliances and electronics. You will not use your computer, television, or toaster while you are away, but they will use continue to use energy and waste money if you do not unplug them. Even when appliances are turned off, many of them go into standby mode and continue to draw power. Unplug appliances and electronics to prevent phantom power draw. This also protects your electronics if there is a power surge in your absence.
• Adjust the water heater. The water heater can account for 15 to 25 percent of the average energy bill. Water heaters continue to use energy to keep the stored water warm. Since you are not using this water while on vacation, either adjust the water heater temperature to the lowest setting, or turn it off if you will be gone for more than three days.
• If you plan on leaving lights on to deter burglars, put the lights on a timer. You can save money by not having lights on constantly and make it appear that people are home by varying the times the lights are on.

There are other ways to make your home more efficient throughout the summer, not just while on vacation:

• Clean your air conditioning unit. Blocked or dirty air filters and coils can reduce your system's ability to push and pull air through vents, so make sure to wash or replace filters. Also remove debris from around the outside unit.
• For inside lighting, use CFL or LED bulbs. Not only do they save energy, but they also give off less heat than regular incandescent bulbs, keeping your home cooler.
• Make sure all air leaks are sealed. Inspect caulking around windows, doors, and any openings into the home. Weather stripping and caulking will help maintain your home's temperature.
• Close your drapes or curtains during sunny or hot days. This helps prevent the summer sun from warming up your home through the windows.
• Clean off ceiling fans, and make sure they are circulating air in the correct direction for the season. During warm months, ceiling fans should operate in a counter-clockwise direction. This creates a cooling effect at less cost than air conditioning. For more tips on keeping your home safe and efficient year-round, visit http://EnergyEdCouncil.org/.