Green Property Features – Flexmls Feature Friday

Welcome to the latest edition of… f-cubed!  It feels good to be back in the saddle again.  Today’s article is about new options in flexmls designed to promote environmentally friendly features of homes.  Here is the breakdown of the upgrades along with where to find out what all these things are.

Chances are you know about the Energy Features field, it’s been around for a while.  It’s the field that had 7 options including Ceiling Fans, Multi-Pane Windows, and Sunscreens.  The reason I bring it up? It got a name change and 11 new options.  It’s now called the Energy/Green Features field.  Green is the new yellow, or blue, whatever.

The 11 new options are the ones checked in the photo.  I believe in full-disclosure.  I had no idea what the HERS Rating, Solar PV Panels, R-Value Upgrades or Gray Water Systems were.  In the event you’re in the same boat, check out this PDF that ARMLS put together – it’s got definitions at the bottom.  But…

Before moving on to more newness, let me quickly comment on the solar options since I know there is going to be some confusion.  What’s the difference between Solar Panels and Solar PV Panels? No idea, so I called the experts at American Solar Electric and asked them.  Helpful Sales Guy informed me that the Solar PV Panels referred to electricity generating solar panels, and when people referred to Solar Panels (sans PV) they were usually talking about the same thing.  However, he said it could refer to solar panels that didn’t produce electricity, such as solar panels used to heat water for the house or pool.  Well, since Solar Pool Equipment and Solar Hot Water are already options, I went to the source.  God bless ARMLS, they weren’t sure either.  My perspective, the option Solar Panels should be used in conjunction with Solar PV Panels, Solar Hot Water, and/or Solar Pool Equipment until we get a better answer from someone more in the know – cough (comment section) cough.  If I were a guessing man, I’d say ‘Solar Panels’ days are numbered.

Let’s continue with the newness.  The Flooring field got a new addition – Sustainable.  The Technology field got a new addition – Smart Home System. Wait, pump the brakes.  Sustainable floor???  Smart Home System???  Again check the ARMLS PDF for definitions.  I did find some good information on Smart Home Systems here – bottomline, I want one.

Last but not least, the birth of two completely new fields, Green/Energy Certification and Green/Energy Certification Year.  Use of these fields are even more valuable when you attach the verification documentation.

Happy Friday!