I recently made the decision to reduce my ecological footprint as much as possible. But where to start?
Well, finally I did, and you can too! It doesn't need to all happen all at once.  Just take your time. Plan a schedule and begin. Step by small step. We may need to wait a while to see the ecological return on our investment, but I am already seeing the financial return on mine.  

Here are a few tip you may find of value...

Ten Tips to Go Green

1) By Turning down my thermostat, by lowering it by just one degree I will reduce heating energy costs in my home by about four percent.

2) Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.

3) Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating. Compared to a 1990 model, my recently purchased Energy Star-qualified refrigerator will save enough electricity to light my home for more than four and a half months.

4) Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as much as 10 gallons of water each week.

5) I Installed low-flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets. Low-flow faucets reduce water consumption and the cost of heating water by as much as 50 percent; using a low-flow toilet can save a LOT of water.
6) Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.

7) Try ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fasted growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization or pesticides.

8) Select solid woods harvested from sustainably-managed forests, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.

9) Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable. Consider the lifecycle of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is no longer needed?

10) Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.

From time to time my newsletter will have some ideas to make your home more ecologically friendly and therefore more marketable in this competitive and changing real estate market. I would just love to hear what you have done to make a difference for yourself and for future generations. Or if you like to share a green secret with my newsletter world please email me at mwhelan@terrequity.com.