Rain Barrel Benefits

Green this, green that...

April always seems to be the month for fellow earth lovers. But did you know that there are many other ways to do something good for the environment besides throwing stuff into the yellow bin, taking a short shower or posting your "Happy Earth Day" posts on Facebook?

Rain barrels are a great example of a way to employ some simple ideas to reduce your overall eco footprint.

                                 (not an ACE advertisement but notice the reused picnic bench)

My main reasons for attempting a rain barrel project:

We were having some standing water issues...now it has been solved.

I was looking for a way to have a water source, other than using our well, for our garden...done.

Always in search of a meaningful project in which the kids can learn about conservation while getting to spend some family time...was accomplished.

Although my initial attempt at the rain barrel was elementary at best, it is serving the purpose for which it was intended. We were also able to construct at a fairly cheap price in comparison to the kits that are out there... and we had some fun doing it.

For more information about rain barrels and some of their benefits on the environment, check out the great article by National Geographic... http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/benefits-rain-barrels-2219.html

If you are interested in some more simple ways to be eco friendly, shoot me an email or give me a call.

Until next time, stay on Top of the Market -

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, GREEN, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com
www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

Greener Laundry (No Dyes Required)

There are so many simple tips to help people cut back on water use and energy consumption, most of which result in extra money in your wallet. One simple example is right down the hall, or in the basement. Welcome to your laundry room, where efficiency can reign supreme -- if you have a newer washer and dryer. If your washer and dryer have some age to them - more than ten years to be precise - chances are they are actually costing you over $130 extra each year through your utility bills.

The time has come to consider (or at least become familiar with) more efficient options. While it may be a small investment up front, your new, efficient washer and dryer will pay for themselves in no time! ENERGY STAR rated washing machines use about 1/3 of the water a standard machine would use. Plus, the dryer cycles complete faster. And who doesn't love that?

With a couple of rating options available for such machines, it is important to grasp the numbers and figure out what the precise benefits will be for you and your family. This concise blog post offers great insight into the electricity and water used for traditional machines versus the more efficient, labeled machines. 

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales 
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
http://www.erikhart.lnf.com/
http://www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com/