Summer Energy Saving Tips

The weather is warming up and we all know what the means: the fight to beat the heat begins! Clients often ask for tips on how to make their home more energy efficient to save on energy costs, especially during the warm summer months. The good news is that there are a variety of simple things you can do every day to cut back on your energy usage while still beating the heat—and putting a little green back in your wallet: Plant trees to shade your home and help reduce your cooling costs Use your microwave to cook meals and in by doing so, you’ll use two-thirds less energy than your stove When running your dishwasher, run only full loads and let your dishes air-dry Health permitting, turn up your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are at home and 85 degrees or off when you are away Use fans and ceiling fans, if you have them Avoid running your appliances during the peak hours of 4:00 to 6:00 pm Do your laundry efficiently by using the warm or cold water setting for washing your clothes, and always use cold water to rinse clothes Hang dry clothes whenever you can Run full loads when you have to use the dryer and clean the lint trap after each use Turn off appliances, lights and equipment when not in use Likewise, unplug electronic devices and chargers when not in use, and turn power strips off when you can Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don’t really need it Replace your air conditioner filters periodically Keep the heat out by making sure your windows and doors are sealed properly with weather-stripping, seals and caulking When purchasing new appliances, buy ENERGY STAR® models Consider installing a whole house fan in your attic and reduce your air conditioning use Install patio covers, awnings and solar window screens or films to shade your home from the sun

I hope you found these summer energy saving tips useful. As the weather heats up, the real estate market appears to be doing the same. If you are interested in learning more about the market activity in our neighborhood or would like a free market evaluation of your home, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d welcome the opportunity to assist you with your real estate questions and needs. Nicole Culbertson Direct: (408) 355-1512 Mobile: (408) 410-2060 E-mail: nicole.culbertson@cbnorcal.com http://www.realestatebynicole.com CA DRE# 01899594