MAY - GOING GREEN

(Image via tripsavvy.com)

The foothills are so green with all of the rain and late season snow we have had this year! Everything in Salt Lake is so vibrantly green and alive. I’ve decided to take nature’s hint and focus this newsletter on how we can do our part, and “go green” within our homes. 

With so much technology and new products emerging that are all-natural and “green”, it can be a little overwhelming to take the first step. Every little change can ultimately save you money and help ensure that our springs are green for years to come. In this newsletter you’ll find information and tips on how you can start moving towards becoming a green household. 

THE LITTLE “GREEN” THINGS

Going green is a choice and a lifestyle change that only you can make for yourself. While most people immediately think of the big things they can do to go green, there are simple and little things that can make a difference as well. Starting with the small changes can make big, permanent changes in the long run. Here are some of my favorite ways to go green in everyday life. 

1. Reusable shopping bags: In some states, like California, stores charge per plastic bag. This encourages shoppers to bring their own totes or reuse bags to help eliminate the waste plastic bags cause. Did you know it can take 100 years for a plastic bag to decompose? Next time you go to the store, purchase a tote to use for groceries, opt to carry items without bags or save your bags for your next trip. 

2. Skip the bottled water: Like I mentioned before, it can take 100 years for plastic to fully decompose. By using reusable water bottles, you are helping to eliminate plastic waste. There are over 1,500 water bottles discarded every second of every day, and refilling your bottle can help make a huge difference. 

3. Buy secondhand: The fashion industry is a huge creator of waste. Because we purchase and cycle through clothes so fast, a lot of it ends up getting thrown away. By buying secondhand, you are not only saving money, you are also keeping clothes from ending up in the dump. If something has a hole in it, think of ways to repurpose it by using old clothes as cleaning cloths, dog toys/blankets, or even using them to patch different items. 

BIG WAYS TO “GO GREEN” 

The big “go green” choices do tend to have a cost associated with them up front, but will save money in the long run. These choices can vary from energy saving thermostats, solar panels, and high tech water usage monitors. 

1. Energy Saving Thermostats: The Nest thermostat is one of the highest rated energy saving thermostats. The Nest learns your habits and temperature preferences, and even learns when you’re at home and when you’re away. After a short time, it’ll automatically raise the temperature when you get out of bed, lower it for bedtime, automatically adjust for the seasons, and more. You can control your Nest when you’re away or on the couch from the mobile apps, and when you’re away from home for long periods, the Nest will set itself to save you money on energy. It’ll even show you energy savings and reports through the mobile app so you can see how much money the Nest is actually saving you.

You can purchase yours at nest.com.

2. Solar Panels: Solar panels have become a popular option when it comes to energy saving and going green at home. When deciding if a solar panel system is right for your home, you can actually estimate your savings through google based on your address. The average savings over 20 years is about $1,000 with solar panels. The upfront cost for a Salt Lake City home to get solar panels is about $16,000-$20,000.

If you are interested in learning more, visit solar-estimate.org.

3. Smart Water Detection Monitors: Water usage monitors can detect any leaks and prevent water damage or overuse in your home. Most systems have an automatic shutoff that you can use if you are away from home and there appears to be a leak. It can also alert you with custom settings that allow for detection of faucets or bathtubs running for too long, sprinkler errors, and more. This will save you money, protect you from costly water damage, and save water. 

You can find the right system for you at https://www.techlicious.com/guide/smart-water-monitors/ 

HOME SPOTLIGHT

522 Marathon Circle - Active 

OPEN HOUSES: 

Wine and Cheese Open house May 31 (FRIDAY), 4-7 PM

Open house: June 1 (SATURDAY), 1-5PM

With show stopping mountain views and luxury finishes, this elegant, contemporary home is ideal for those who want space to breathe while still living only minutes away from the city. As you walk through the main entrance and into the great room, you'll be blown away by views in every season-lush greenery in spring, golden sun-kissed peaks in summer, fiery red, orange and yellow in fall to dramatic snow-covered slopes in winter. The gourmet kitchen offers ample space to prepare small snacks for a casual gatherings at the bar to multi-course holiday meals served in the formal dining room with seating for everyone. Invite friends and family to enjoy your expanded patio with ample entertainment space to take in those jaw dropping views.

Snuggle in to the main floor master bedroom with a crackling fire in the fireplace or enjoy some alone time on your private balcony surrounded by the magnificent landscape. Start your day off with a spa-like experience in the master bath, which includes a steam shower and radiant floors, while the adjacent spacious walk- in closet includes an additional loft for extra storage.

Click here to see the full listing.