2015考研英语阅读集中练Making Your Grass Greener_大学英语阅读

2015考研英语阅读集中练Making Your Grass Greener

　　Existing homes are getting greener, too. To help with energy improvements, your stare may offer low-interest loans or grants. State and federal tax credits are on the table. To find a green builder or remodeler, click on Partner List at energystar.gov, Also, put build green and the name of your state into a search engine and see what comes up.

　　Home energy ratings. Your utility may offer free or low-cost energy audits to suggest ways of cutting your heating and cooling bills. For more formal audits, green builders and lenders are turning to certified raters. Homes are awarded points on a scale of one to 100, depending on their energy efficiency. Each rating comes with a list of possible improvements you might want to make, as well as an estimate of your savings in energy bills

　　Why would you pay $350 to $600 for a rating? Lenders might require it, if you re borrowing money to add energy-efficient systems to your home. States might require it for people applying to affordable-home lending programs. In bum real-estate markets, a good rating might help sell your house-especially if you re listing with with a green broker. For certified raters, go to resnet. us and energystar.gov

　　Green mortgages-otherwise known as Energy Efficient Mortgages . You usually qualify if you re buying a new Energy Star home or planning cost-efficient upgrades on an older home. Various types of loans exist; often, they let you borrow more money than would normally be the case. If the loan is done right, you ll be able to handle the higher monthly payments because youre saving so much on your energy bills. You might also get reduced closing costs. The largest program allows loans up to $417,000, depending on where you live, but it s possible to borrow up to $1 million or more. If you re upgrading a home, part of the money goes into escrow until the job is done.