New Tips to Conserve Water and Energy - Be Green!

Here are a few tips to reduce your use of water and electricity around the home and help the earth be GREEN!

Kitchen

• Install aerators - free to Austin and San Marcos residents - on faucets (also in baths).
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator rather than waiting for cool water from the tap.
• Wash vegetables in a bowl of water rather than in running water.

Bathroom

• Capture warm-up shower water in a bucket for plants.
• Do not use the toilet as a trash can.
• Replace older toilets with low-flow models.
• Install water-saving shower heads which are free to Austin and San Marcos residents.
• Put food coloring in the toilet tank to check for slow leaks. Repair if necessary.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, lather your hands, shampoo or shave.

In the laundry

• Install a tankless water heater.
• Lower the thermostat on a traditional water heater to 120 degrees.
• Replace a top-load washing machine with a front-load one.
• Operate washing machine fully loaded or on the appropriate setting for the load size.
• Insulate water heater and pipes according to manufacturers' directions.

In the yard

• Place plants with similar watering needs together.
• Landscape with native plants accustomed to our dry climate.
• Water in the early morning and only when necessary.
• Track rainfall with a gauge to set a good watering schedule.
• Hand-water garden beds and lawn with a hose when possible.
• Use mulch on flower beds to retain moisture.
• Capture rain in a barrel for irrigation.
• Make sure every hose has a shutoff nozzle.
• Only install fountains or water features that use recycled water.
• Aerate your lawn and leave clippings on lawn.
• Select smaller bedding plants that require less water to become established.
• To reduce evaporation, cover a swimming pool when not in use

In general

• Report water waste from malfunctioning irrigation systems (in Austin, call 974-2199).
• Wash your car on the grass.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Use porous materials for driveways and sidewalks to discourage runoff.
• Track your water usage on your bill andmeter.

Numbers that hold water

1. 8,500 gallons: average monthly single-family water use in Austin
2. 350 gallons to 600 gallons: the amount of water wasted by a leaking toilet per month
3. 5minutes: the ideal time a shower should take
4. 4 gallons: amount of water perminute saved if you turn off the water while brushing teeth
5. 20 gallons: amount of water per load saved by a new front-loading washing machine
6. 7 years: age of a water heater when you should shop for a new one

Sources: Agriculture Program of the Texas A&M University System's 'Efficient Use of Water'

Ways to Conserve Energy

Air Conditioning/Heat

• Clean or replace AC filters at least once a month.
• Shade outside air conditioning units.
• Clean your AC's condenser/evaporator coils at the beginning of the season.
• Keep debris and high grass away from the AC condenser.
• Set your thermostat at 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter.
• If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
• Consider new high efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps.

Water Heater

• Lower the thermostat to 120 degrees and wrap with an insulation blanket.
• Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.

Lighting

• Turn off unneeded lights, even when leaving a room for a short time.
• Consider fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.
• Clean lampshades and light bulbs. Dust can reduce lighting levels by asmuch as 50%.

Refrigerators and Freezers

• Consider an energy efficient refrigerator.
• Side-by-side refrigerators use about 45% more energy than ones with a freezer on top.
• Upright freezers use 10%to 25% more energy than chest styled freezers.
• Make sure your refrigerator and freezer doors seal properly.
• Defrost (manual) freezers before the frost exceeds a quarter inch thick.
• Let foods cool before placing in refrigerator unless the recipe specifies otherwise.
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator rather than on a counter top.
• Freezers work better fully loaded.

Clothes Dryers

• Dry loads of clothes back to back. Clean the lint filter after every load.
• Close the door to the dryer room. To keep from heating up the house.

Other Appliances

• Unplug seldom-used appliances such as extra tv's, video tape players and computers; when not in use or even off, they continue to draw as much as 10 watts of electricity.
• Consider a laptop computer, they use significantly less energy than desktop models.

Home Weatherization

• Check your insulation.Ahomewith inadequate attic insulation can lose as much as 40% of its cool air. Because heat rises, as much as 60%of heat can be lost in the winter time in poorly insulated homes.
• Seal Leaking ducts. Ducts in the attic of the average 10 to 15 year old home leak 15% to 25% of its heating and cooling. Leaking ducts can also affect air quality in your home by sucking in and redistributing pesticides, fiberglass fibers and dust.
• Consider low energy windows.
• Consider storm windows and doors.
• Keep blinds and drapes closed.
• Tint windows. Applied to windows, tint can block out 40%to 60%of sunshine/heat.
• Consider solar screens, they can block out 60% to 70%of sunlight/heat.
• Caulk to stop leaks. 

This information is brought to you as a public service of the The HBH Group Realty Team with Keller Williams Realty. You may learn more about us at our websites located at: http://www.TheHBHGroup.com/ and http://www.TheHBHGroup.biz/ or contact our offices at (512) 439-3772 or toll-free at (877) 268-1877. We teach a monthly real estate investment seminar in the Greater Austin area and YOU ARE INVITED to this FREE event. Simply call our offices to reserve you seats! Also ask about the investors club that we are forming in the North Austin markets currently - We would love to have you participate!

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Here are some other Buyer's Resources from Our Website: Seven steps to buying your home
Deciding how much house you can afford Making your home wish list Opting for new home construction
How can a real estate agent help me? 10 things you should ask a real estate agent
Location, Location, Location Mortgage Calculator Contact us about buying your home

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How can a real estate agent help me sell my home Practicing good seller's etiquette
How to price to sell and still make a profit Understanding the buyer Increasing your home's appeal
Mortgage Calculator Contact us about selling a property

The HBH Group/HBH Property Management
101 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Suite 190
Roundrock, TX 78664

To contact us:
Phone: 512-439-3772
Toll-Free: 877-268-1877
Fax: 512-579-4248
E-mail: info@TheHBHGroup.com
Websites: http://www.TheHBHGroup.com/
http://www.TheHBHGroup.biz/
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