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Want
to
save
the
environment,
but
can’t
afford
costly
solar
panels?
Are
you
eager
to
cut
down
on
energy
costs,
but
leery
about
putting
a
wind
turbine
in
your
backyard?
Don’t
worry.
There
are
plenty
of
easy
and
affordable
ways
to
“go
green with
a
home
makeover
and
stay
within
your
budget.”
Here
are
some
green
living
tips
for
doing
environmentally
friendly
home
and
yard
makeovers
on a
tight
budget:
Audit
Start
with
a
home
energy
audit.
Check
to
see
if
your
local
utilities
company
provides
this
service.
If
it
doesn’t,
plenty
of
other
companies
do.
The
auditor
should
make
a
complete
inventory
of
all
your
household
appliances
that
use
electricity
and/or
water.
An
energy
audit
is a
good
way
to
determine
how
efficient
(or
inefficient)
your
appliances
are,
and
whether
your
home
heating
and
cooling
system
is
running
efficiently.
Change
your
lights
Replace
your
incandescent
light
bulbs
with
more
efficient
compact
fluorescent
light
bulbs
(CFLs).
The
latter
will
last
longer
while
using
less
power.
Water,
water
everywhere
Some
modern,
multi-headed
shower
systems
spew
out
water
at
the
incredibly
wasteful
rate
of
80
gallons
per
minute
(gpm).
Buy
a
water
saving
showerhead
that
emits
water
at a
rate
of
1.75
gpm
instead.
You
will
save
thousands
of
gallons
a
year.
Toilet
Composting
toilets,
that
turn
human
waste
into
natural
fertilizer,
are
a
great
way
to
conserve
water.
However
switching
to a
composting
toilet
is a
pretty
major
step
for
most
people.
Fortunately,
there’s
no
shortage
of
other
things
you
can
do
in
the
bathroom
to
go
green.
Use
recycled,
processed-chlorine
free
toilet
paper,
organic
cotton
bath
linens
and
a
PVC-free
shower
curtain.
Magic
carpet
ride
Your
home
contains
a
magnet
for
dirt,
dust,
bugs,
fungi,
animal
dander
and
toxins.
It’s
called
a
carpet—i.e.
the
wall-to-wall
variety
found
in
so
many
American
living
rooms.
Not
only
is
your
carpet
a
dirt
reservoir,
but
it’s
probably
made
from
nylon
or
some
other
petrochemical
synthetic
material.
Use
area
rugs
made
from
natural
fibers
instead.
Make
sure
the
rugs
are
stitched,
not
glued.
Naturescaping
Instead
of
drowning
your
lawn
in a
sea
of
dangerous
pesticides
and
chemicals,
make
your
own
bug
and
weed
repellent
from
hot
peppers
and
water.
Some
households
remove
the
grass
from
their
yards
and
replace
it
with
rocks,
gravel,
wild
flowers
and
native
plants
(hearty
species
that
don’t
require
much
water
or
fertilizer).
If
you
do
have
a
grass
lawn,
don’t
feel
obliged
to
constantly
mow
it.
A
“high
mow”
with
a
push
mower
gives
grass
the
chance
to
grow
sufficiently
to
deny
shade
to
weeds,
and
hopefully,
kill
them.
Other
simple
suggestions:
- Don’t run the water while brushing your teeth
- Only use your toilet for its intended purpose, not as a ‘garbage disposal’
- Cut shower time to five minutes max
- Dry your clothes on an outdoor line or on a drying rack
- Wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot
- Use an organic, cotton or wool mattress and organic cotton bedding
- Turn your thermostat down two degrees in winter. Turn it up to 73 in summer
These
simple
methods
will
help
reduce
your
carbon
footprint
while
saving
money
on
utility
bills.
Any
structural
upgrades
you
make
to
the
home
will
be
especially
valuable,
as green
homes
are
increasingly
sought-after
by
many
homebuyers.
With
global
warming
quickly
becoming
a
huge
issue,
it’s
up
to
each
of
us
increase
our
focus
on
environmentally
friendly,
sustainable
living
Contact
Me
I can help you with every
aspect of buying or selling your home because I’m
experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens
Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . .and because I
care.
As
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
Rand
Realty
Sales
Professional,
I
will
provide
you
with
the
information
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision.
The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding. I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you. |
