Green Source DFW Advisory Board Member

Jan. 7, 2013

By Rita Cook   

When you think of purchasing a house how often do you wonder how you can make sure that the house is as eco-friendly as possible? 

While how green your home is might not be at the top of your list, it should be, at least that’s what Ebby Halliday Green Realtor, Pam Daniel believes.

“I have always been passionate about conservation of our natural resources and had been teaching water conservation classes for years when it occurred to me to integrate my passion into my professional career,” Daniel says.  “I researched available training and transitioned into a green realtor.” Daniel, who is also a Sustainable Program Consultant at Cedar Valley College, a Master Gardener at Ellis County Master Gardener and a Rainwater Harvesting Specialist.

She takes pride too, in making sure her clients are aware of the benefits of greener living and buyer an eco-friendlier home.

“I formally became a green realtor in June of 2008 when I completed my EcoBroker designation,” she explains.  “The demand for green is growing as consumers are wanting to save money on energy use in their homes, protect the environment and live a more sustainable lifestyle.” 

After Daniel completed her EcoBroker designation she then completed the National Association of Realtors Green designation the following year. EcoBroker and the NAR Green designation are programs for licensed real estate professionals providing education on energy and environmental issues as well as energy efficiency and sustainability in the various facets of real estate. 

              
                           
“As a green realtor, I can assist consumers by providing awareness about the benefits of sustainable energy efficient homes, cost savings and energy efficient technology, increased value and green ratings, health benefits and green design, green living and more.”
 

A green realtor like Daniel can also help seller’s market and illustrate the increased value of homes with energy efficiency and environmental features.

“With the rising cost of energy, it is becoming increasingly important for buyers to find a home that has energy efficient features and will save money over the years in their utility bills,” she explains.

A fifth generation Texan, Daniel has lived in the DFW area her entire adult life from north to south. She says her real estate business since 2002 has spread to all corners of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area from Ellis and Johnson counties to Collin County.  

“Over the past few years consumers have become much more aware and interested in green living as it related to real estate,” Daniel says. “Texas has the second highest average electric bill in the United States and energy costs are continuing to rise. Buyers want to know prior utility information for homes they are considering to purchase.”

As for the Sustainable Program at Cedar Valley College, Daniel says that came about soon after she was hit with the “green bug."

She began to search for opportunities to learn more about sustainability. She enrolled in several green building courses offered by Cedar Valley College and from there because of her background she was hired as a consultant assisting with the sustainable course offerings, student campus sustainability and reporting and community engagement.


“Cedar Valley College is committed to sustainability awareness not only for their students, but for the community they serve,” she adds.

Daniel became a Texas Master Gardener in 2005 receiving special training in horticulture and then contributing time as a volunteer and from there she attended the first specialist training in rainwater harvesting that same year becoming a Rainwater Harvesting Specialist through the Texas AgriLife Extension. She went on to become an accredited professional through the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association and she has been teaching water conservation/rainwater harvesting classes all over the Metroplex ever since.

                          
“Rainwater harvesting can be as simple as using a rain barrel or creating a rain garden, to as extensive as collecting and using for in home potable use,” she explains. “There are many energy efficient and water conserving measures that can be implemented in your home from no cost measures to higher cost items such as replacing appliances.”

Daniel says she has always been a nature lover and water conservationist so for her, expanding into green living was a natural choice.

Here are a few no or low cost options to improve the energy efficiency of your home, save water and live green, according to Daniel. 

  •  Unplug appliances when not in use.
  •  Replace existing bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL).
  •  Take shorter showers and use a low flow shower head.
  •  Insulate water heater, turn down to 120 degrees.
  •  Replace air filters every three months and have the HVAC serviced regularly.
  •  Vacuum refrigerator coils twice a year.
  •  Install motion sensors in common areas to turn off lights when not in use.
  •  Replace weather stripping, seal doors & windows.
  •  Install foam gaskets behind electric outlet & switch plate covers.
  •  Start a compost pile, mulch beds and trees.
  •  Recycle
  •  Use native plants and plant trees
  •  Harvest rainwater in a rain barrel and use wise watering techniques.

About Pam Daniel, Ebby Halliday

EcoBroker Certified
GREEN, Sustainable Property Designation
Rainwater Harvesting Specialist

972-283-7549
PamDaniel@Ebby.com
www.PamDaniel.Ebby.com


Rita Cook is an award winning journalist who writes or has written for the Dallas Morning News, Focus Daily News, Waxahachie Daily Light, Dreamscapes Travel Magazine, Porthole, Core Media, Fort Worth Star Telegram and many other publications in Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago.  With five books published, her latest release is “A Brief History of Fort Worth” published by History Press.  You can contact her at rcook13@earthlink.net

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