Go GREEN, Save GREEN

 

Go GREEN, Save GREEN

Energy star

You don’t have to build from scratch to have a greener home. These quick and easy home fixes will shrink
your consumption and your monthly bills.

RATE IT. Look for Energy Star-rated products. This government program helps peoplemake energy-efficient choices, which can lead to savings of up to a third of energy costs.

SWITCH THE LIGHTS. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. Replace them in highly used fixtures such as porch lights, bathroom vanities and office lamps.

GO WITH THE FLOW. Use low-flow showerheads and consider installing low-flow toilets to reduce water usage and
save on water-heating costs.

PLUG IN, TURN OFF. Use a power strip for your home office or home entertainment center. Even in standby mode,
consumer electronics — which account for 15 percent of household electricity — use a little juice, so turn the power
strip off when you can.

COOL IT. Turn the water temperature for your washing machine or dishwasher down to 120º F to cut water-heating
energy consumption.

SEAL IT. Search for hidden air leaks in your attic, basement or crawl space, and seal them with caulk, spray foam or
weather stripping. Home sealing can be an inexpensive way to cut energy consumption by up to 10 percent.

Sources: www.energystar.gov

DID YOU KNOW

DID YOU KNOW

According to the Insurance Information Institute, in the event of a fire or other disaster, a current, detailed home inventory can help you obtain enough insurance to replace the things you own, get claims settled faster, and substantiate any losses on your tax return.

Nearly 30 percent of home electrical-wiring fires can be traced to the misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or through high traffic areas.

Cut Closet Clutter

Cut Closet Clutter

closet mess

Professional experts say we wear only 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time, which means much of what’s in our closet is rarely used. If you have to dig through or climb over mounds of clothes to find what you’re looking for, it may be time to clear out and reorganize. Here are some suggestions from closet design pros.

* Empty the closet of everything, so you can see what you have. Then sort your clothes into three piles: keep, toss and donate. If you have a hard time discarding items, have a friend help you or hire a professional organizer.

* Keep the items you wear often. Toss the items that are ripped, stained or damaged. If you haven’t worn something in at least a year and it’s still wearable, donate it. Donating items to your favorite charity not only makes you feel good, it might get you a tax break.

* Remove the discarded items immediately so you won’t be tempted to put them back in the closet.

* Sort the remaining clothes by type (dresses, slacks, shirts, etc.). It might also help to sort by color and by how often you wear things.

* Scrub the inside of the closet with soap and water. Then install shelves, racks and containers to organize the remaining clothes, so all similar items are stored together.

Once your closets are neat and organized, you won’t mind if anyone asks to peak inside.