How to Green-Up Your Home’s Value

How to Green-Up Your Home’s Value


(ARA) - Want a good way to help protect the value of your home? Remember these two words: green matters. Not green paint, mind you, but green space. It’s an umbrella term for the trees, lawn, shrubs and other plantings that can affect not only the salability of your home, but your utility bills as well.



Which is why Project EverGreen, a national non-profit organization, is leading the charge to educate consumers about the many values of green space -- especially as it affects their pocketbooks.



According to Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, “research shows that improving the green space around your home can have real economic benefits.”



Protecting Home Value



Gardner cites a number of studies which show that sprucing up your green space can help protect and, depending on market conditions, bolster home value. For example: a study cited in Smart Money magazine indicated that consumers value a landscaped home up to 11.3 percent higher than its base price. In addition, The Wall Street Journal reported that landscaping investment is normally recovered fully and sometimes doubled by its ability to increase home value.



That sounds good, but Gardner adds this important caution: “It’s wise to plan before you plant. Make sure you begin landscape improvement or renovation with well-thought-out ideas for maintaining and/or improving your green space. You may want to do the work yourself -- and that’s good exercise; however, it’s always wise to seek professional advice to get the right balance and placement of trees, shrubs, grass and other plantings.”



As evidence of this he cited a research project conducted by the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). This showed that a sophisticated landscape design with trees and large, colorful bedding plants can raise the perceived value of a home between 5 and 11 percent. On the other hand, consumer reaction was that minimalist landscapes (i.e. with small plant size and low sophistication) actually decreased the perception of home value.



Saving Energy Costs



Planning the right mix of trees, grass and other plantings can also make a difference in a home’s energy consumption. One study has estimated that when properly placed to shade your home, trees can reduce air conditioning demand by 10 to 30 percent. Another study found attic temperatures could be up to 40 degrees lower when adequate shade was present.



“There are two ways you take advantage of this natural cooling effect,” Gardner says. “First, if you have mature trees make sure they’re pruned properly to maximize shade benefits, and second, in planning for future shade, seek professional advice as to the type and location of the trees you should plant. Both steps can help lower your electrical bill.”



Also, don’t overlook how maintaining a thick, healthy lawn and other plants also provides cooling benefits. “This is due to a process known as evapotranspiration.  Gardner says. “When vegetation is warmed by the sun it gives up water which then evaporates to cool not only the plant itself but the surrounding area as well. The result is one of nature’s most overlooked, and yet most efficient cooling systems. In fact, researchers have calculated that evapotranspiration from the front lawns in a block of eight houses, produces cooling equivalent to 70 tons of air conditioning.”



You can find more information about these and other benefits of green space by accessing www.projectevergreen.com.



Courtesy of ARAcontent

Everyday Tips for Going Green

Conservation Starts at Home: Everyday Tips for Going Green



(ARA) - It seems green is the color for the season, and not just on the runway. Environmentalism is here in full force, and by the looks of things, it’s here to stay. One area that is red hot -- or green hot, as the case may be -- is making your home environmentally friendly. And it’s no wonder. Anything that saves money and the planet is a sure-fire win in anyone’s book. If you are looking for a way to go green around the house, start by taking steps to conserve water and energy. Try out these easy ways to care for the earth, enjoy your home and save money.



Don’t Waste the Water

When it comes to water conservation, every drop counts. Look around your home for any leaky faucets and get them repaired as soon as possible. You can also save on water in the bathroom by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. They save on energy costs by cutting down on water usage, and with less hot water being used, less water is being heated.



Laundry is also a big water-eater. With kids, it seems clothes get dirtier by the second. But you can easily conserve water by adjusting your “squeamish” threshold. Dry off with that towel more than once before tossing it into the hamper. And, unless you are out roping steer every day, you can often get by with a two or three wears before laundering your jeans. Remember, every little bit helps.



By far, the best way to conserve water is to make it a family affair. Get your kids on the bandwagon by teaching them the value of water. Show them how to turn off the water when they brush their teeth or take a quick shower, and of course, set a great example.



Green Up the Air

Heating and cooling our homes is one of those touchy subjects we all have to deal with. Sure, I want to save energy and preserve our planet, but when sweat is dripping down my neck in the summer and my teeth are chattering in the winter, self-preservation wins out every time. Fortunately, there are great ways to save on energy costs so you can feel comfortable without feeling guilty.



Hands down, the best way to green your home is to invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system that is Energy Star certified. By installing a high-efficiency HVAC system you will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted. And if that’s not enough to smile about, you also shave a big chunk of change off your utility bills. Look for a product with a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which means it meets strict government standards for energy efficiency. Today’s government standard is 13 SEER, but American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning has a wide range of products on the market that meet and exceed the standard, reaching as high as 18 SEER.



Another helpful tip is to clean out your filters or replace them regularly. A dirty filter will quickly hamper the airflow, costing you more money to run your system. And, of course, when you’re not home, adjust your thermostat to compliment the changing weather temperatures outside. One of the easiest ways to regulate this is to use an automated thermostat. American Standard has a variety of thermostats to choose from. Just as every drop of water counts, every temperature degree counts. You can save about three percent of your heating costs for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter, and up to six percent for every degree you raise it during the summer. This adds up quickly!



Greening it Together

Make saving energy a game by getting the family on board. Post your utility bill where everyone in the family can see it, and as a group try to lower it by ten dollars next month, perhaps twenty the month after that. Before you realize it, you’ll be line drying heavy items like comforters or pants, or cleaning out the filters in your fridge to make it run more efficiently. Little steps here and there add up in no time.



No one has to suffer when it comes to greening up your home. On the contrary, by making the challenge fun, you can get everyone in the family on board. As a result, everyone comes out a winner -- your home, your wallet, your family and your planet.



Courtesy of ARAcontent



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EDITOR’S NOTE:



Hannah Keeley is a lifestyle expert, author and founder of TotalMom.com. Her work has been published in numerous publications and she has been featured on national television programming as the go-to source for moms.

Do You Think Green When You Travel?

ARA) - Think "green" when you travel? Eco-tourism is a growing movement that encourages environmentally responsible travel around the world.

“Regardless of where you plan to visit this summer, being kind to Mother Nature during your travels is easier than you may think,” said Jeanenne Diefendorf, Orbitz Travel Insider. “Whether you rent a hybrid car, choose to offset your carbon emissions, or spend a week cleaning beaches, eco-friendly travel is a growing trend that everyone can contribute to on many different levels.”

Making big contributions to the environment on your own can often seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of simple things any traveler can do to make a difference when you’re on the road.

* Conserve at home while you’re away. Before you leave for vacation, turn down the thermostat, lower the water heater, and stop newspaper delivery for the duration of your trip.

* Stay at a “green” hotel. Many lodging properties use wind and solar power as energy sources or purchase only environmentally-friendly products, such as "green" detergents for linens and soaps. Check out www.eco.orbitz.com to find eco-friendly hotels in your destination city.

* Rent a hybrid car. Write your favorite rental car company and tell them you want to rent a hybrid vehicle. Some rental companies are already offering hybrid rentals in certain areas of the world. Some eco-friendly hotels even offer free parking to guests who are driving these efficient vehicles.

* Offset your carbon footprint. If you’re flying or driving, you’re contributing to carbon dioxide emissions already in the environment. CO2 emissions are a major cause of global climate change. Check out non-profit organizations like Carbonfund.org that allow you to contribute to carbon-offsetting initiatives such as reforestation projects and renewable energy programs.

* Get involved. Whether its one day or one week, spend some of your vacation time giving back to the local environment in the community you visit. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful and help is always needed for activities such as trail maintenance and beach clean-up.

So, whether you’re off to see the lights of New York City or the depths of the Grand Canyon, make this summer vacation a green one!

Courtesy of ARAcontent