Five Easy Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Projects for Under $50
(So easy, you have no excuse not to make them)
- Install aerators on faucets - These screw-on mesh screens break up water droplets, so you use less water but get just as much rinsing power.
- Clean your refrigerator coils - If they’re coated with dust, refrigerator coils can’t transfer heat efficiently, so it takes more energy to cool your food. Get at them (they’re usually found underneath the unit or at the back) with a long-handled brush.
- Replace weatherstripping - Over time, the seals around windows and doors wear out, letting in the chill of winter air and prompting you to crank up the thermostat.
- Reduce light pollution - Put a motion sensor on your all-night garage floodlight. Not only will you save electricity; you will get to enjoy one of early fall’s greatest pleasures: a clear view of the night sky.
- Clean green - You don’t need dozens of toxic products. Soap, baking soda, and vinegar or lemon juice can take care of most household cleaning needs. For recipes, get the book Clean and Green, by Annie Berthold-Bond.
(courtesy of greenhomeguide.org)
Are your windows collecting condensation or a frost buildup? In the winter, does your window feel colder than the rest of the house? Is the trim rotting, cracking or missing? You may be due for a replacement window or two. Anyone who has done a recent price-check on windows knows they are not a cheap update. While making such an investment in your home, why not be eco-friendly? The Greenandsave.com website offers a great article on updating or replacing windows: Window Replacement: What's the Greenest Choice?
Autumn...the leaves are falling, the chill is in the air, snow is right around the corner. Before you start packing up all the yard tools, you have one more chore to do...clean those gutters! Water trapped in gutters can cause major damage to your gutters, roof, and walls. Don't forget about those downspouts! Clogged downspouts can also present a problem. A pressure washer can sometimes be the best and fastest way to breakup debris. Simply insert sprayer tip into downspout and spray until unclogged. As always, if the project seems too dangerous or time consuming, hire a professional to do the job.
A photo update of the Steamboat Springs, CO Deer Clover project. We are currently in the exterior finishing stage. The 6300 sq ft home is located on an amazing lot, tucked into a vast Aspen grove, just below the infamous Fish Creek Falls trail head. The views of the Steamboat valley below and the mountain ranges beyond are breathtaking. The 3000 sq ft + decks and stamped concrete verandas, offer great outdoor spaces to take full advantage of the surroundings. Want a sneak peek? Contact Chris Paoli at 970.819.1432, chris@mybrokers.com, or visit his website at www.thepaoligroup.com.
