Cut, Don't Run
Pools, sprinklers, hoses -- there are many ways to use water outdoors in the summertime, and there are also countless and easy ways to conserve it. Check out the following tips for developing good H2O habits:
· Water your lawn only when necessary; if you leave footprints when you walk across it, it's time to water (usually once every three days).
· Minimize evaporation by watering your lawn during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
· Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption.
· Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
· Weed your lawn and garden regularly; weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water.
· When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler
in an area where your lawn needs it most.
· Use sprinklers that throw big drops of
water close to the ground.
· Use a hose nozzle and turn off the
water while you wash your car --
you'll save more than 100 gallons.
· Use a screwdriver as a probe to
test soil moisture; if it goes in
easily, don't water.
· Use a grease pencil to mark
the water level of your pool,
and check the mark 24
hours later; your pool should
lose no more than 1/4 inch each day.
· Check your sprinkler system
frequently and adjust sprinklers so
that only the lawn (not the house,
sidewalk or street) is watered.
Source: www.wateruseitwisely.com

Fan Fare
If you're looking to stay cool and save on energy bills this summer, look up. A good ceiling fan, when properly used and maintained, can help keep your cooling and heating costs down throughout the year.
    To reap the maximum benefits -- in comfort level and savings -- it's important to make sure that ceiling fans are properly installed and that you use the right size and model for the room.
    Consider ceiling fan blade spans, which range from 29 to 54 inches, and room size, and be sure that the fan is mounted in the middle of the room, at least 7 feet above the floor and 18 inches from the walls. Other performance factors to consider include the motor type and grade (performance, medium or economy), and the blades' pitch and material. The fans with the best blade and motor designs are most efficient and quieter as well. Look for models with the highest air flow efficiency, which is measured by cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/watt) at each speed.
    An Energy Star-rated fan is 50 percent more efficient than a conventional fan and can save $10 or more annually on utility bills. If this doesn't seem like much, consider the additional savings that come from adjusting the thermostat accordingly and keeping air conditioner (or heater) use to a minimum.
Ceiling fans keep people cool, not the spaces they're in, so be sure to turn off the fan when not in a room. In the summer, make sure the fan is moving in a counter-clockwise direction so that it produces the downward windchill effect; in the winter, reverse the direction and use the fan at a low speed to force the warm air near the ceiling up and then down along the walls and floor.
    And don't forget about the lights. Most ceiling fans include some kind of light fixture, which is often used as the main light source in a room. Be sure to use an energy-efficient light kit and to turn it off when a room is empty.
Source: www.energystar.gov

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