TIPS FOR LIVING GREEN!
REDDING LIFESTYLES, TIPS FOR BUYERS, TIPS FOR SELLERS, TIPS FOR SENIORS
October 21st, 2008
It costs on average $1,900/year to pay for a homes energy needs. However, you can save money and the 
environment by cutting back on unnecessary energy use. Realtors have focused o going green this year and I wanted to share some tips you may not have heard before:
LIGHTING and ELECTRONICS
- Unplug electronics, battery chargers, other small equipment when not in use
- Use power strips for computers, TV’s, monitors, home theater equipment, etc and flip the switch to off when not in use
- Switch out incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent-if all Californians did this it would be equivalent to removing 275,000 cars from the roads
HEATING and INSULATION
- During summer, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting
- During winter, keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower and even lower when you are away
- Replace furnace filters frequently and keep it tuned up
- Weather-strip, seal, and caulk leaky doors and windows and install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch covers
- Use window blinds and shades effectively to keep heat inside at night in winter and keep sun out and the home cool during hot summer days
USE YOUR APPLIANCES WISELY
- Avoid running appliances during peak hours (4 to 6PM) or anytime an emergency is declared
- Turn your water heater to 120 degrees for normal use and lower when you are away
LAUNDRY
- Wash only when you have a full load and use warm or cold water to wash and always use cold water to rinse (90% of energy goes to warm the water)
- Line dry clothes whenever you can
- When using the dryer, run full loads, use the moisture-sensing setting and clean the lint trap before each use
- Clean the dryer vent periodically to increase efficiency
KITCHEN
- Only run the dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry feature
- Washing dishes by hand uses more water
- Use your microwave whenever possible. It uses 2/3rds less energy than a stove
- Don’t preheat or peek in the oven-it wastes energy
- Keep your refrigerator well stocked, the stored items keep the fridge cool when the door is opened
- Replace an old refrigerator with a new one. Read my blog about Energy Star ratings before you place too much value on this rating system
- Side-by-side refrigerators are not as efficient as top or bottom freezer designs
THINK GLOBALLY, BUY LOCALLY
- Buy products grown or made locally. This reduces transportation energy and helps sustain the local economy
- Try Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) when you are done with an item instead of throwing it away. “Away” means in the landfill!
EVERY DROP COUNTS
- Place a bucket in the shower to collect the water that’s used while waiting for the water to get warm. Use the water for plants or cleaning.
- Turn off the shower while soaping up and reduce your shower length
- Cut water use by installing aerators on faucets, low-flow shower heads, and low or dual flush toilets (19% of California’s energy use is to pump, transport and treat water)
Thank you Arlene Baxter, Realtor with the Berkeley Assoc. of Realtors for compiling these tips. She is a member of CAR’s Green Task Force.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
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