Full Circle Real Estate Group: Athens Real Estate, Sustainable Real Estate

After recently moving into an older home that I presume isn't very energy-efficient, I started investigating cheap ways to cut my bills and save on energy. With the thermometer only going up, here are the top 10 tips (mostly under $25) to beat the heat and save some cash this summer from www.greenandsave.com:

The Right Setting

Typical air-conditioning settings for a programmable thermostat at different times of day:

• 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 75 degrees
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 80 degrees
• 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. = 75 degrees
• 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 80 degrees

     It certainly doesn't look like the thermometer is going to drop around here anytime soon. If you're like me, you're thinking about how this early heat wave is going to affect your electric bill. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program offers low to no-cost energy-efficient cooling tips to beat the heat. A typical household spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling, and by taking steps this summer to improve energy efficiency, you can save energy, save money and help fight climate change.

Try these simple tips to start saving today:

No-Cost

•  Program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so your cooling system isn’t cooling an empty house. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 a year in energy costs.

• Check your HVAC system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it, but change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy.

• Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.

•  Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a really simple and cool interactive website this week that you must check out HERE! We've also added a link to it on our Resources page.

Home owners, buyers and renters can use this resource for going green indoors and outdoors. EPA’s new Green Homes Web site will help people make their homes greener with tips on reducing energy consumption, carbon footprints, waste generation and water usage, as well as improving indoor air quality.

The latest federal survey of American housing (2007) reported 128 million housing units across the U.S., accounting for nearly 54 percent of national energy use and nearly 31 percent of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, the most common greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

It's that transitional time again in Athens where U-Hauls zig-zag across town, Target makes zillions of dollars and wide-eyed freshman cram themselves into spaces as large as walk-in closets.

Since a growing number of students are showing their concern for the environment with groups such as Go Green at UGA, I thought we should show renters and apartment dwellers ways they can green their spaces. You don't have to own a place to make changes that will help the environment.

1. Make sure your windows and doors are sealed tight

2. Use CFL bulbs, which you can buy almost anywhere these days

3. Change your air filters. If that is your landlord's job, make them do it.

4. Reduce, Reuse and Recyle - www.acc-recycle.org

5. Get a low-flow shower head

6. Only run full loads in the dishwasher and laundry machine

7. Use greener cleaners

8. Put aerators in your faucets

9. If you are painting, use No or Low-VOC paint, which can be found at your local Sherwin-Williams

10. If your space doesn't already have a ceiling fan, ask your landlord if you can install one