Your Lake Arrowhead Realtor would like to share some local Lake Arrowhead Information with you.
I think I can safely say that most folks are interested in making their home a "healthy environment,"and at the same time save money and help the preserve our planet, right? Of course! It's a no-brainer. So I thought I'd share some ideas that I've learned over time, and try to practice. Some are easy. Some are fairly inexpensive. Some are quick fixes.
1. LIGHT BULBS: Replacing your "incandescent light bulbs" with "compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL)" can actually save
3/4 of the electricity that you normally use. CFL cost approx. $2.00 - $3.00, BUT they can last 10,000 hours and use only about 27 watts compared to a regular bulb which uses as much as 100 watts. BIG SAVINGS over all.
2. WATER HEATERS: Turn down the temperature of your water heater to around 120°F. Next, insulate your hot water lines so they don't cool off to quickly between uses.
3. WINDOWS: If your windows are old, it may be time to put in some energy-efficient ones. Replacing windows may save you 7-24% on your heating and air-conditioning bills. Not everyone can afford to replace windows, though. In that case, go around and check each and every one, chalk and apply weather stripping where needed.
4. HEATING & COOLING: Once a month (at least) check your heater's filter. Especially in winter. If it looks dirty, CHANGE it. A dirty filter will make your system work harder, thus costing you more $$$. Also, a once-a-year heating/cooling check-up by a professional is a great idea. SAVINGS!!!
5. TOILETS: Most of us are flushing tons of money down the drain! Your potty could be consuming an average of 20.1 gallons of water per person, per day, if you're not using a low-flow toilet. That's approx. 30 percent of an average home's daily per-person indoor water use. A "newer" toilet may reduce one person's annual water use from 27,300 gallons to 12,500 gallons. AND, while you're checking out a new potty, think about a low-flow shower head. HUGE savings!
Feel free to share your ideas... the more the merrier. We're all in this together!
Additional points:
* Unplugging appliances (computer for instance) when not in use, is a big saver.
If you're looking for more "Green" ideas, check out some of the useful links below.
AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ECONOMY
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For all your LAKE ARROWHEAD Real Estate needs, call "Kat" @ 909-273-4542
Kat, These are all good suggestions for saving energy. I wish that I could install new energy-efficient vinyl windows in my home. Turning down the temperature of water heaters saves energy and is safer - it is less likely that children can get scalded in a bathtub.
Vicki: Excellent point about kids and how hot water can scald them... if the hot water heater is turned up too high.