Here are some good uses for your tax refund from House Logic, National Association of Realtors® website.
1. Low flow shower heads. Did you know old shower heads (pre 1992) can pump out 5 gallons of water per minute? The latest low-flow showerheads use up to 50% less water than even newer shower heads, which use about half of the old shower heads. That's a lot of water savings! The latest shower heads run about $50-$200. The savings can be about $150 a year, depending on usage. Low-flow toilets can save an additional $90 per year!
2. Heating and cooling efficiency. If your like me, you'd want to conduct your own DIY "energy audit". Visit House Logic for more info. Sealing up those gaps around windows, doors walls, and attics can go a long way to saving on your energy bills. Of course, if your not into DIY, you can always a hire a pro and get a professional diagnostic. Its not exactly inexpensive to get one of these done, but in the long run, the savings will make up for it.
3. When it rains it pours. And when it pours, you can harvest mother nature's power! A rain barrel is pretty much a large container that collects rain. Hook it up to your down spout and collect rain water for washing the car, rinsing out patio furniture and watering the lawn. These puppies can cost as low as $50 and as much as $600. Considering that the average home owner spends about $140 a year on water for these uses, this is not a bad investment that will pay itself off and make you feel good about saving your watershed and conserving water. Rain barrels work with gravity, so you'll need a spout at the bottom and one about 2/3 of the way for filling up containers. Also recommended are a fine mesh to keep the skeeters out and screens to keep pets and kids out.
Visit the Durham County website for a recycled, ready to roll rain barrel for only $90.
For this and other fabulous tips, visit NAR's House Logic site!
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