As Earth Day approaches, it's a perfect time to reflect on our impact on the planet and consider ways we can make a positive difference. At Geri Reilly Real Estate, we believe that small changes at home can add up to significant environmental benefits. That's why we're passionate about helping homeowners make their homes greener and more energy-efficient. In this blog post, we'll explore some practical tips for creating an eco-friendly home that not only reduces your carbon footprint but also saves you money in the long run.

1. Energy-Efficient Appliances: One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is by upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These appliances use less energy, which not only reduces your utility bills but also decreases your home's overall carbon emissions.
2. Smart Thermostat Installation: Installing a smart thermostat is another simple yet effective way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. These thermostats can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly, optimizing energy usage. Additionally, you can control them remotely via a smartphone app, allowing you to adjust your home's temperature even when you're away, further saving energy and money.
3. LED Lighting: Switching to LED lighting is a small change that can make a big difference. LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, reducing both energy consumption and the frequency of bulb replacements. Plus, LED bulbs come in a variety of colors and designs, allowing you to customize your home's lighting while still being eco-friendly.
4. Proper Insulation and Sealing: Proper insulation and sealing are essential for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy waste. Inspect your home for any gaps or leaks around windows, doors, and vents, and seal them as needed. Additionally, consider adding insulation to your walls, floors, and attic to prevent heat loss in the winter and keep cool air in during the summer.
5. Renewable Energy Sources: If you're looking to take your commitment to sustainability to the next level, consider investing in renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. While the initial cost may be higher, these systems can significantly reduce or even eliminate your reliance on traditional energy sources, lowering your carbon footprint and potentially saving you money on energy bills in the long term.
6. Reduce Water Usage:  You can reduce the amount of water usage in your home by shortening shower times, fixing any leaky faucets or pipes, and using the cold-water cycle for laundry.   If you’re ready to make updates on fixtures you can purchase low-flow, high efficiency toilets, showerheads, and faucets which can help you save on water bills as well!
7. Reuse: To put it simply, reusing = reducing!  There are numerous household items we can either swap or get creative with to increase our reuse.  Swap plastic shopping bags for reusable ones, find some fun kitchen towels to replace paper towels, cut back on plastic water bottles and find one you can use over and over! Ready to reuse all those glass food jars?  Use the jars as drinking glasses, vases, containers to organize office supplies, or to hold dry goods!
8. Recycle: One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!  This year, while cleaning out your home and closets make a pile to donate or sell!  Clothes can be brought to Goodwill instead of thrown in the trash. You can find your unwanted furniture a great new home by posting the items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Challenge yourself by searching for items you want to add to your home on these sites as well!

As we celebrate Earth Day, let's remember that every action we take, no matter how small, has the potential to make a difference. By implementing these tips to make your home greener and more energy-efficient, you'll not only reduce your environmental impact but also create a more comfortable and cost-effective living space for yourself and your family. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Happy Earth Day from Geri Reilly Real Estate!

Ways to GREEN-up Your Home This St. Patrick’s Day 

Searching for ways to go GREEN this St. Patrick’s Day?  It’s your lucky day!  Read below for our list of ways to live more sustainably in your home.  These tips will not only lower your carbon footprint but can put a pot of gold in your pocket from savings on utilities and more!

 

Reduce:

Water Usage:  You can reduce the amount of water usage in your home by shortening shower times, fixing any leaky faucets or pipes, and using the cold-water cycle for laundry.   If you’re ready to make updates on fixtures you can purchase low-flow, high efficiency toilets, showerheads, and faucets which can help you save on water bills as well!

Electricity Usage:  As our parents used to say… “turn off the lights!”  Reducing your bulb usage and unplugging cords that aren’t in use are a great first step in conserving electricity at home.  Looking for new appliances or need new light bulbs?  Check out “Energy Star” machines or LED/Energy Efficient light bulbs!

 

Reuse:

Bags, Bottles, Towels, Oh my!: To put it simply, reusing = reducing!  There are numerous household items we can either swap or get creative with to increase our reuse.  Swap plastic shopping bags for reusable ones, find some fun kitchen towels to replace paper towels, cut back on plastic water bottles and find one you can use over and over! Ready to reuse all those glass food jars?  Use the jars as drinking glasses, vases, containers to organize office supplies, or to hold dry goods!

 

Recycle:

Spring Cleaning: One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!  This year, while cleaning out your home and closets make a pile to donate or sell!  Clothes can be brought to Goodwill instead of thrown in the trash.   You can find your unwanted furniture a great new home by posting the items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Challenge yourself by searching for items you want to add to your home on these sites as well!

 

Bonus Points!

Green Thumb:  Planting an indoor or outdoor garden will save you money and supports sustainability!  Even better, create a compost/decomposition bin and use the results for nutrient-rich soil.  Fruit & vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells all promote plant growth!

Go Paperless: An easy way to reduce paper use and never miss a billing cycle is switching to paperless! Set up the process online for electricity, heat, water, and cable bills. Tired of receiving snail mail credit card offers?  You can cancel those too! 

With the cold Vermont winter behind us, sunny days are upon us with warm weather and flowers blooming. Spring is the perfect time to take part in the cleaning tasks inside and outside your home that you have been unable to do or simply just not wanting to do. Spring cleaning can make your home look fresh and new which can be very helpful if you are looking to sell your home. Even if you’re not looking to sell, it’s a wonderful way to start your Spring! Keep reading to learn about some easy Spring outdoor cleaning tasks that can really change the look of your home.

Start With a Good Wash

The first task you can do is give all external surfaces of your home a nice power wash. Power washing your deck, front porch, chimney and siding is a sure-fire way to make your home look fresh and clean especially if there is grim and build up that has accumulated over the years. When it comes to the sides of your home this is an easy way to brighten up, you’re siding without having to give it a new paint job which can become rather expensive and time consuming. Get your power washing done in the spring so that your home looks fresh and clean during the entire duration of the summer for you to enjoy!

Update Those Flower Beds

Over the winter your flower beds and bushes can take a beating and get filled with a lot of trash and debris. Make sure this Spring that you give you flower beds a little TLC. A new layer of mulch, trimming your bushes and planting some new bright flowers can really make your home look more welcoming for both you and your guests. This might sound simplistic but it is probably the best way to personalize your home while at the same time making it a more welcoming environment.

Don’t forget the Backyard

Especially if you are looking to sell your home, don’t forget the importance of a well decorated and maintained backyard. If you keep your outdoor furniture out during the winter it can get very dirty so while you have that power washer out don’t forget to give your outdoor furniture a good hose down. If it seems to be dingy and needing an update see if it is within your budget to get a few new pieces of furniture. Not only will the “clean look” appeal to potential buyer if you’re looking to sell, but for your own person usage, it will make your space feel more welcoming and relaxing. Don’t forget to bring that flower bed maintenance to the back as well, clean up the mulch with a fresh layer, plant some beautiful flowers, give your shrubs a little trim and maybe get some cute lawn decorations that please you. With COVID and having to be in lockdown people have grown fonder of this outdoor space, so make it your own!