Barbara and Melanie are Committed to the Environmental and Economic Health of our Community and they want to help you Go Green!

10 Tips to Help you Go Green At Home

1. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just a few degrees can reduce heating energy costs. A programmable thermostat can help ensure those savings.

2. Use energy efficient appliances with an Energy Star rating. Using Energy Star rated appliances can save you $60-$100 a year in energy costs.

3. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). Using this type of lighting can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 60% to 75% and these bulbs can last up to 10 times longer.

4. Reduce water heating bills by: installing aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads; lower the thermostat on your water heater; take more showers than baths; insulate your hot-water storage tank, wash clothes in warm or cold water and repair leaky faucets promptly.

5. Check your home's insulation and ventilation to help protect against air leaks and provide proper moisture control. Check your windows and doors to see if they need caulking and/or weather stripping.

6. Use energy-saving ENERGY STAR home electronics; use rechargeable batteries when possible; turn off or unplug appliances when not in use.

7. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Choose products that are recyclable or biodegradable such as recycled paper products. Participate in your cities recyclable programs.

8. Consider using renewable energy sources by buying "green power" from your utility companies or installing solar heating sources.

9. Purchase a highly fuel-efficient vehicle; a hybrid vehicle or an alternative fuel vehicle. Save gas by avoiding high speeds and using your cruise control. Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gas mileage.

10. Check with your state, city, or local utilities for offers of rebates, tax credits or other incentives. See: http://www.dsireusa.org/ to find out about financial incentives in your area.

For more information on how to find, sell or build Green , contact Barbara Allen or Melanie Mularz at: 1-800-877-9501 or VM 24/7 541-482-SOLD.
E-MAIL team@windermere.com

Check out these Green Websites for great information on how to Buy, Sell and Build GREEN!

1. U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: WWW.EERE.ENERGY.GOV

2. "HIP" GREEN LIVING: WWW.IDEALBITE.COM

3. GREEN LIVING MAGAZINES: WWW.ENERGYTRUST.ORG/GREEN_LIVING AND WWW.NATURALHOMEMAGAZINE.COM

4. A WEBSITE OF SUSTAINABLE SOURCES: WWW.GREENBUILDER.COM

5. NORTHWEST ECO BUILDING GUILD: WWW.ECOBUILDING.ORG

6. ENGERGY STAR PROGRAM: WWW.ENERGYSTAR.GOV

7. FUEL ECONOMY: WWW.FUELECONOMY.GOV

8. LIFESTYLES OF HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY: WWW.LOHAS.COM

9. GREEN BUILDING DESIGN AND GREEN BUILDING: WWW.USGBC.COM

10. ENVIRONMENTAL BUILDING SUPPLIES RESOURCES: WWW.ECOHAUS.COM

11.  YOUR EARTH-FRIENDLY-EVERYTHING STORE: WWW.ECOWISE.COM