Hi! Welcome back to #WorldWednesday! Earth Day celebrates its 40th Anniversary on April 22! Earth Day is a great time to begin talking with your clients about energy efficient homes and sustainable living. Here are facts to consider for cost savings and eco friendly living:
Energy saving tips:
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy-upgrading to single-pane ENERGY STAR windows can save homeowners between $126 and $465 in energy costs per year.
- Replacing just one 60 watt incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR CFL bulb in every American residence would save 6 billion kWh per year. That is enough energy to light almost 3 million homes and $600 million in annual energy cost savings for home owners.
- An ENERGY STAR washing machine will help save approximately 6,700 gallons of water per year.
Choose eco-friendly paints:
- Choose a low VOC or 0 VOC paint as an alternative to heavy chemical paints. They are made with less volatile organic compounds which means they are safer and cleaner to use. These paints produce less pollution and improve the air quality inside your home. There are a number of natural house paints available on the market. Natural paints are also water-based, making them extremely easy to clean up with soap and water.
- Make sure your paint doesn't contain lead. It's extremely important to be wary of lead contamination from old paint when repainting your home. Lead can be absorbed into the blood stream and cause kidney, nerve and brain damage.
Building with Brick
- The materials in brick – clay and shale – are among the most abundant minerals on Earth. And virtually all brick used for construction in the U.S. is manufactured in the U.S.
- Homes with brick veneer use 2 to 7 percent less energy than those with fiber cement siding.
- Brick has a 100-year lifespan, or longer.
- Clay bricks are recyclable. They can be reused in other structures or broken down to make new brick.
"The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share."-Lady Bird Johnson. Check back next Wednesday for more Earth friendly tips & tricks. See you soon! Warmly, Susan