Conserve Water — and Your Pocketbook The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average family of four uses 400 gallons of water every day. To combat this, the agency suggeststhat you: Don't let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth. Take short showers instead of tub baths. Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool. Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher;
wash only full loads. Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load
size selection on the washing machine. Repair all leaks (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day). Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
Group plants according to their water use so you don’t overwater. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice. Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only — not the street or sidewalk. Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
Keep your yard healthy — remove dead grass from your lawn, use mulch, and set your mower on a high setting to encourage grass growth and eliminate weeds naturally. Sweep the driveway and walkways outside instead of using a hose to spray it down. A few behavioral changes in your water usage can make a big difference to the environment, and to your pocketbook. Incorporate Energy-Efficient Appliances into Your Home When the time comes, replace appliances with energy-efficient models. Tankless water heaters, for example, are comparable in cost to traditional gas water heaters but are 30 percent more efficient, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Another easy option is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable one. These types of automatic thermostats will lower the heat when home
owners are at work, but will automatically raise it to make the home comfortable again when they return home. As an added bonus, some home energy-efficient upgrades may provide
tax credits of up to $1,500. Find out what qualifies at www.nahb.org/ efficiencytaxcredit.
wash only full loads. Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load
size selection on the washing machine. Repair all leaks (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day). Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
Group plants according to their water use so you don’t overwater. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice. Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only — not the street or sidewalk. Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
Keep your yard healthy — remove dead grass from your lawn, use mulch, and set your mower on a high setting to encourage grass growth and eliminate weeds naturally. Sweep the driveway and walkways outside instead of using a hose to spray it down. A few behavioral changes in your water usage can make a big difference to the environment, and to your pocketbook. Incorporate Energy-Efficient Appliances into Your Home When the time comes, replace appliances with energy-efficient models. Tankless water heaters, for example, are comparable in cost to traditional gas water heaters but are 30 percent more efficient, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Another easy option is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable one. These types of automatic thermostats will lower the heat when home
owners are at work, but will automatically raise it to make the home comfortable again when they return home. As an added bonus, some home energy-efficient upgrades may provide
tax credits of up to $1,500. Find out what qualifies at www.nahb.org/ efficiencytaxcredit.
• asic appliance package
• first floor laundry
• 3 car garage with keyless entry
• 1,663 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath
• brick on front porch area
• hardwood & tile flooring
• gas fireplace
• tray ceiling in master bedroom
Spring storms are just around the corner and Mother Nature’s wicked rages can take a toll on your home. Take the steps now to prepare your house and yard so that it will stand up
to the extreme weather that spring can sometimes bring. Before you begin, look over your insurance policies to make sure you’re covered for losses incurred as the result of a natural disaster or brutal storm. Damage caused by flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes is generally
not covered by your regular homeowner’s policy, but can be purchased separately.
Try to prevent wind and water from entering through windows, cracks, entry doors and garage doors. Especially in hurricane- or tornado-prone areas it is important to seal your windows
and doors as tightly as possible. High winds can easily tear through double doors, French doors and sliding patio doors that have no structural device between them. You may need to purchase and install special hardware to more adequately secure the doors where they meet. Try bolts that fasten the door into the framing at the top and the bottom. Your home’s roof can shield its interior from the storm outside so it is an essential step in preparing your house to withstand a severe storm. Apply sealing around your chimney or vent pipes to help prevent water from
seeping into your home. Hire a contractor to check for the structural integrity of the roof system.
Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. If the rain that accompanies a heavy storm can’t run through the gutters and downspouts, it will spill over the sides, landing in areas where it can soak through to your home’s foundation, causing flooding and structural damage. Outside, protect your home from objects that can take flight during a storm. Remove all dead and dying
limbs from your trees, and secure lawn furniture, trashcans, flowerpots and other yard ornaments. High-speed winds could transform any of these objects into flying missiles traveling
toward your house. Tie down the larger items such as sheds, doghouses, playhouses, swing
sets, and boats. When you and your house are prepared, you’re more likely to weather
the toughest storm with less property damage. Taking time now to prepare your home for storm season could save you a lot of money later.
to the extreme weather that spring can sometimes bring. Before you begin, look over your insurance policies to make sure you’re covered for losses incurred as the result of a natural disaster or brutal storm. Damage caused by flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes is generally
not covered by your regular homeowner’s policy, but can be purchased separately.
Try to prevent wind and water from entering through windows, cracks, entry doors and garage doors. Especially in hurricane- or tornado-prone areas it is important to seal your windows
and doors as tightly as possible. High winds can easily tear through double doors, French doors and sliding patio doors that have no structural device between them. You may need to purchase and install special hardware to more adequately secure the doors where they meet. Try bolts that fasten the door into the framing at the top and the bottom. Your home’s roof can shield its interior from the storm outside so it is an essential step in preparing your house to withstand a severe storm. Apply sealing around your chimney or vent pipes to help prevent water from
seeping into your home. Hire a contractor to check for the structural integrity of the roof system.
Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. If the rain that accompanies a heavy storm can’t run through the gutters and downspouts, it will spill over the sides, landing in areas where it can soak through to your home’s foundation, causing flooding and structural damage. Outside, protect your home from objects that can take flight during a storm. Remove all dead and dying
limbs from your trees, and secure lawn furniture, trashcans, flowerpots and other yard ornaments. High-speed winds could transform any of these objects into flying missiles traveling
toward your house. Tie down the larger items such as sheds, doghouses, playhouses, swing
sets, and boats. When you and your house are prepared, you’re more likely to weather
the toughest storm with less property damage. Taking time now to prepare your home for storm season could save you a lot of money later.
