PROView - June 2008 - (Page 8)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Compost happens. Food waste that winds up in land lls generates methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Take charge of your greenhouse gas emissions by composting food scraps (except meat) in a backyard composting bin or even a worm bin. A bonus: Your plants will love the nutrient-laden nished compost. $ 16. One man’s trash is another’s treasure. When you’re through with an item, sell or freecycle it rather than throwing it away. To look for more ways to donate items, check out www.freecycle.org. $–$$ 20. 25. An old refrigerator or changing the world one gift at a time 21. The M word. To keep mold at bay, freezer in the basement that’s just cooling its heels and a few cases of soda may be costing you as much as $100 each year. If it’s more than 10 years old, recycle it and replace it with a new, high-e ciency model. leaks. To stop drafts, install weatherstripping around doors and caulk cracks around windows. Check the heating and cooling systems’ ducts to make sure all joints are connected and well sealed. Use a mastic sealant or foil-backed tape to seal ducts. $ 17. Prevent energy-wasting air use your bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans. To be e ective, fans need to vent to the outdoors and Energy Star products are more e cient, quieter and last longer. $–$$ $–$$$ 26. Once is not enough. Choosing to the house, fumes from car exhaust and stored chemicals can enter living spaces through gaps around doors or cracks in the ceilings and wall. Make sure the door between the garage and house seals tightly, and caulk or seal any cracks or openings between the garage and house. $ 18. If your garage is attached salvaged, secondhand or antique furnishings, doors, trim, xtures and other items that have been around the block a few times is often a smarter use of natural resources than buying new products. One caveat: Steer clear of single-pane windows, old toilets and used appliances that waste energy or water compared with their newly manufactured counterparts. $–$$$ 22. Automate it. Reduce energy bills by as much as $150 a year with a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature when you leave the house or go to sleep. $–$$ 23. Audit it. A home energy audit 19. Breathe easy. Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it’s colorless and odorless. If you have a fuel-burning appliance inside the home, such as a gas stove, furnace, water heater, replace or clothes dryer, be safe and install a UL-listed carbon monoxide detector on each oor. $ $–$$$ helps you assess how your home uses energy and prioritize actions you can take to make it more e cient and comfortable. To get started, try Energy Star’s Home Energy Yardstick (energystar.gov). $ Consider the true costs Often we’re won over by low upfront costs rather than taking into account long-term value, but when it comes to home improvements, that strategy can cost a bundle. Whether you’re replacing a refrigerator or a roof, consider value over cost, and how much you can save in terms of energy, maintenance and time over the long haul. 24. Water is the new oil. Consider repurposing water for irrigation. Graywater systems typically recycle wash water from sinks, tubs, showers and clothes washers. Rainwater harvesting systems direct rainwater from the roof into barrels or above- or underground tanks. $–$$$ 8 PINELLAS REALTOR® ORGANIZATION June 2008 http://www.freecycle.org http://energystar.gov

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PROView - June 2008

PROView - June 2008 Contents Chairman’s Notes Sustainable Lifestyles Greening the Not-So-New House Green Renovation Checklist Green Building Tips Going Green PROActive You Have 30 Seconds to Prove Your Value Marketplace Analysis Home Sales Report PRO Biz Calendar of Events & Programs New Members and Affiliates

PROView - June 2008

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