Going Green Around Your Property
Who wants to keep more money in their pocket? Me, too! Whether you’re planning a remodel or just tidying up, incorporating eco-friendly green practices into your home is worth some consideration. There are proven cost savings — in the long term and some right away — in going green. Put any hesitations aside and begin by following these savings tips.
Indoor & Outdoor Eco-Friendly Tips
Blinds & Window Coverings
By opening or closing the blinds or window coverings during the day, you can control your room’s temperature. This action aids the efforts of your HVAC system in running efficiently. How? During the hottest part of the day, by adjusting the blinds you can reduce the amount of heat that comes inside. Your A/C unit won’t need to work as hard to keep the room comfortable. When the HVAC isn’t running hard it is reducing your utility costs. And during the cooler outdoor temps, open the blinds and window coverings to allow more sunshine inside to naturally warm the room.
Redirecting the Vents
By noticing which rooms are too cool on the warmest days, you can close the air vents to infrequently used rooms, redirecting the cool air to the most used rooms. In the cooler fall and winter months, redirect the heating to rooms most used.
Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat can reduce the cost of your utility bill and makes your home more eco-friendly at the same time. Why run the A/C for hours during the day when no one is home? It makes sense to coordinate your heating and cooling to the times when your family is at home.
Use LED Bulbs
General lighting usage can account for up to 9% of a typical home’s energy usage. Replacing incandescent light bulbs for LED bulbs is the way to go. LEDs — especially ENERGY STAR rated products — use at least 75% less energy plus last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Did you know incandescent bulbs produce more heat than LED? During the warmer summer months, your air conditioner must run harder to compensate and keep the room cooler.
Clean with Vinegar
If you don’t already keep white vinegar in your cleaning caddy, add some in a spray bottle. Just a ½ teaspoon of vinegar to a 4-ounce spray bottle is handy for whenever you need it. This natural alternative effectively kills germs, mold, and bacteria.
Repair Leaking Faucets and Toilets
According to the EPA, 10% of homes have leaks that can waste up to 90 gallons or more of water per day, and the average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Stop ignoring those drips. You may find fixing the leak is a simple DIY project you can tackle.
Compost and Recycle
Did you know 50% of home trash is often food leftovers? This type of waste makes great compost. Modern compost bins are designed to be neat, tidy, and odor-free. Composting your leftovers is easy and so good for your plants — flowers or vegetables.
Don’t forget to recycle your paper, glass, and cardboard. Many waste management companies are happy to provide a recycle bin and do regular collection to keep recycling quantities to a minimum between pick-up dates.
Get a Rain Barrel
Place a rain barrel under the downspout to collect rainfall. This free water can be used to water the garden and flowers, to wash the car, fill the birdbath, or to wash the driveway and sidewalk.
Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers and was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020 citywide. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.
