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Nina Kurtz
(310) 428-6066
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 Tips
for a Green Home
Hi all! There's
never been a better and more exciting time to "Go Green" than right now.
Yes, we all have a lot of work to do together to heal this planet, but
knowing what we know now, that work seems like it's a sincerely attainable
goal through all of the new education and applications available. There
are simple things we can do to implement that positive environmental
change and be a pro-active part of the solution. Going green can
accommodate any budget and any lifestyle. We don't have to make huge
sacrifices like eating brown rice in our tipis (although the hippy in me
thinks that might be fun).
We don't have to have huge budgets (although a roof full of solar panels
can be great too). Here are a few things that can start us on our path to
going green right away, and help us to turn over a new leaf... a green
leaf!
-Nina
Eco-friendly. Carbon footprint. Global warming. Energy-efficient. These
catch phrases have become part of our lexicon as we’ve become more aware
of our impact on the environment and our role in protecting it. As a
homeowner, there are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to make
your home energy-efficient. Get started on the road to being “green” with
these five tips:
Change
Your Light Bulbs
By
replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL)
bulbs, you can save $100 per year on electric bills while using up to 75
percent less energy and removing greenhouse gases from the environment.
Buy
ENERGY STAR® Appliances
ENERGY
STAR-qualified appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and air
conditioners, meet a higher level of energy efficiency set by the
Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy than
standard models. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used
ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting
1.7 million new acres of trees. And, switching to these appliances is not
only good for the environment, but easy on your pocketbook. Although these
appliances may costs more, you can reduce your energy bill by $80 per
year.
Seal Up
Cracks and air leaks represent cash seeping from your doors and windows.
Get rid of air leaks in doors, windows and other areas by caulking gaps
and cracks. This will help decrease your heating and air conditioning
bill. But make sure you use silicone sealants. Acrylic caulk tends to
shrink, while silicone sealants are waterproof and won’t shrink or crack,
creating less waste.
Use
Less Water
Did you know that roughly 60 percent of a home's water consumption takes
place in the bathroom, according to the California Urban Water
Conservation Council? The largest culprit is the toilet, which accounts
for 27 percent of your household supply every year. By installing low-flow
toilets, showerheads and faucets, you can save thousands of gallons of
water each year. In addition, replace leaky fixtures. That slow-dripping
faucet can waste as much as 2,400 gallons of water per year.
Adjust the Thermostat
When
adjusting your home’s thermostat, the rule of thumb should be:
turn up the dial in the summer and down in the winter. Lowering the
temperature by just one degree will reduce your electrical costs. And if
you use a programmable thermostat, you can program your air-conditioning
and heating systems to reduce output while no one is at home or at night
while you sleep. Ceiling fans are also helpful in circulating the air to
keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Going green doesn’t have to be overwhelming or costly. By making just a
few small changes within your home, you can help decrease energy
consumption and help make the world a “greener” place.
Nina
Kurtz can be reached at (310) 428-6066.
Prudential Malibu Realty is an independently owned and operated member of
Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal
Housing Opportunity.
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