Teresa Hames REALTOR(r) for Topanga Canyon, Malibu and Pacific Palisades, California real estate, Ocean View, Canyon view, Country living, Luxury Estates, Horse ranches, Equestrian Property
Teresa Hames Realtor, Topanga, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Real Estate, GRI, e-PRO, Prudential Malibu Realty, Malibu Association of Realtors

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    Teresa Hames, Topanga Real Estate, e-PRO, GRI, Malibu Real Estate, Prudential Malibu Realty

    Teresa Hames, Topanga Real Estate, e-PRO, GRI, Malibu Real Estate, Prudential Malibu Realty

    Topanga Properties

  • Five Tips for a Green Home


    Presented by Teresa Hames - Realtor, GRI
    Prudential Malibu Realty

    Eco-friendly. Carbon footprint. Global warming. Energy-efficient. These catch phrases have become part of our lexicon as we’ve become more aware of our impact on the environment and our role in protecting it. As a homeowner, there are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to make your home energy-efficient. Get started on the road to being “green” with these five tips:

    Change Your Light Bulbs
    By replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, you can save $100 per year on electric bills while using up to 75 percent less energy and removing greenhouse gases from the environment.



    Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances
    ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and air conditioners, meet a higher level of energy efficiency set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy than standard models. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. And, switching to these appliances is not only good for the environment, but easy on your pocketbook. Although these appliances may costs more, you can reduce your energy bill by $80 per year.

    Seal Up
    Cracks and air leaks represent cash seeping from your doors and windows. Get rid of air leaks in doors, windows and other areas by caulking gaps and cracks. This will help decrease your heating and air conditioning bill. But make sure you use silicone sealants. Acrylic caulk tends to shrink, while silicone sealants are waterproof and won’t shrink or crack, creating less waste.

    Use Less Water
    Did you know that roughly 60 percent of a home's water consumption takes place in the bathroom, according to the California Urban Water Conservation Council? The largest culprit is the toilet, which accounts for 27 percent of your household supply every year. By installing low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year. In addition, replace leaky fixtures. That slow-dripping faucet can waste as much as 2,400 gallons of water per year.

    Adjust the Thermostat
    When adjusting your home’s thermostat, the rule of thumb should be: turn up the dial in the summer and down in the winter. Lowering the temperature by just one degree will reduce your electrical costs. And if you use a programmable thermostat, you can program your air-conditioning and heating systems to reduce output while no one is at home or at night while you sleep. Ceiling fans are also helpful in circulating the air to keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

    Going green doesn't have to be overwhelming or costly. By making just a few small changes within your home, you can help decrease energy consumption and help make the world a "greener" place.


    Teresa Hames can be reached at (310)924-2479.

    Prudential Malibu Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

    Teresa Hames, topanga canyon real estate, malibu, california real estate, horse properties, equestrian estates, ocean views, country living

    Copyright 2005-2016 Teresa Hames DRE Lic. # 01444436 - Topanga and Malibu Real Estate Agent
    REALTOR serving Topanga, CA 90290, Malibu, CA 90265, Santa Monica, CA, and beyond!