In addition to purchasing a new environmentally friendly home from Skobel Homes, there are many simple ways you can reduce your family’s consumption of natural resources, save money on energy bills, and make your home a healthier place to live.

• Heating and Cooling

  • Do not place lamps or TV sets near your air conditioner thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, and causes the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
  • Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
  • Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the winter months and 78 during the summer months. For each degree you increase or decrease the temperature from the recommended setting, you can increase your bill 3 to 5%.
  • Regularly maintain your heating and cooling system to avoid the build-up of dust and moisture.

• Laundry

  • Wash your clothes with cold water. About 80 to 85% of the energy used for washing clothes is from heating the water. Your clothes will be just as clean as using warm or hot water and you'll save money.
  • Wash only full loads of clothing whenever possible. If you are washing a small load of clothing, be sure to change the load setting.
  • Clean your dryer’s filter after each use. A filter full of lint will reduce dryer performance and use more energy.

• Water

  • Turn off the water while shaving, brushing your teeth, washing your hands, and take shorter showers.
  • Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of day to avoid evaporation; early morning is best.
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean outdoor areas.
  • Do no pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as cleaning or watering plants.
  • Fix leaky faucets or running toilets, which can waste approximately 20 gallons of water per day.

• Cleaning

  • Use non-toxic cleaning products and be aware of what goes down the drain. Harmful chemicals in cleaning solutions can contaminate groundwater systems, harming animals and even other people.
  • Match pan size to element size when cooking. For small pans, use a small burner and for large pans use a large burner. Using the wrong sized element will cause you to use more energy.
  • Use biodegradable shampoos and soaps, and buy rechargeable batteries. Leaking mercury from used batteries can contaminate water systems.

• Lighting and Appliances

  • Unplug or switch off power strips for small appliances and electronics when not in use.
  • Always turn off the lights when leaving the room and use compact fluorescent light bulbs.