The average American household spends around $1500.00 every year on energy bills, according to the U.S. government's ENERGY STAR program.

Homes and buildings account for 40% fo energy consumption.

Real estate generates 21% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Greening oproperties can make a lasting impact on the enviroment and bring positive change to our communites and planet.

Easy ways to save energy and water.

1.) Clean the coils behind or underneath your refrigerator.

2.) Switch to LCD lights in your home and for holiday lights.

3). Wash your clothes with cold-water.

4.) Don't rinse your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

5.) Put your PC in hibernating or standby mode.

Cynthia Barron
Realtor, Green
The Keyes Company Realtors
954-298-6678

6.) Plug electronics into a power strip so that you can turn all off at once.

7.) Don't overload the dryer as clothes will take longer to dry, andl come out wrinkled.

8.) In hot areas of the country such as South Florida, close the window blinds and shades on hot days as solar heat gain can raise interior temperature significantly.

9.) Replace or clean your A/C filters monthly.

10.) Start cooking with a slow cooker. You will use use less energy than burners and the oven.

11. Many Utility company offers rebates or tax rebates to customers who replace old appliances with energy-efficient models.

12.) Insulate your home.

13.) Seal cracks and gaps around you doors, windows and ducts.

14.) Lower water-heater temperature to 120 degrees from 130 and insulate hot-water heater and pipes.

15.) Better still, replace you hot water heater with and on demand hot water system.

16.) Weather-strip old windows and doors. It is the best way to to close the gaps around openings, reducing heating and cooling costs.

17.) Install a high-efficiency low flow showerhead.

18.) Upgrade to a low-flow toilets or replace your toilets flush valve assembly with an low flow system.

19.) Drain a bucket's worth of water from your water heater a few times a year to remove sediment, which can decrease efficiency.

20.) Plant a shade tree on the west and southwest sides of a house to save energy.