S.I. PREMIERE PRESENTS: HOMEOWNERS TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY THIS SUMMER

GO GREEN THIS SUMMER 

PREPARE YOUR HOME AND YOURSELF FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

WITH THESE IMPORTANT TIPS THAT WILL SAVE YOU BIG BUCKS$

PRESENTED BY S.I. PREMIERE PROPERTIES

• Coordinate with Neighbors for Professional Services

Share the rental fee for tillers, chippers, or other heavy equipment with others on the block, then take turns and save. Check if a local contractor will provide a group special if several neighbors also use their services. This will cut down the contractor’s fuel costs, and minimize the pass-through by scheduling service calls with neighbors. Savings $100 – $250

• Utilize Window Coverings

Insulated blinds, wood blinds, and other specialty window treatments protect best against the sun and heat on hot days. Though they can be pricey, they are cheaper than air conditioning. For those on a tighter budget, consider curtains made from thick materials. Savings $120 – $150

• Contact Air Conditioning Pros Early

Air conditioning units should be inspected by an HVAC contractor before summer. The professional can make deft adjustments to the unit to ensure that it is in prime condition. Savings $75-100

• Buy Materials in Bulk

Take advantage of a home improvement warehouse’s volume buying power for bargains on common annuals and perennials, mulch, pavers, and containers. Save money on trees, shrubs, perennials, soil, and mulch by buying late in the season. Savings $150-$250

• Water Lawn Appropriately

Install rain sensors on sprinkler systems to automatically shut off sprinkler systems when it rains. Water lawn during the morning hours from 4 to 8 a.m. Less water is lost to evaporation in the early morning, temperatures are lower, sunlight is less intense and there is less wind. Savings $300-$500

WANT TO SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY? FOLLOW THESE TIPS!

1. Turn off the air conditioning. This doesn’t mean you have to suffer through sweltering heat, but you should be aware of the weather so that you can maximize efficiency and save money by using it only when needed. For example, if it is going to be a cool night, turn off the air before heading to bed and open a few windows.
   
2. Cook outside. Using the stove or baking in the oven can create a lot of excess heat that has nowhere to go except in your house. Consider taking meal plans to the barbecue grill outside so that you can keep your cool inside.
   
3. Let your laundry dry outside. If you have the ability to hang up laundry outside, let the sun and warm summer breeze do the drying for you. Even if you can’t hang up clothes outside, try using your dryer on a lower heat setting or only partially drying your shirts and letting them air dry the rest of the way.
   
4. Replace your air conditioner filters. This can be easy to overlook, but a dirty filter can increase cooling costs. Dirty filters restrict the airflow and the efficiency of the air conditioner, which translates into more run time and higher cooling costs. Filters are cheap, so replace them regularly.
   
5. Plan ahead for future home and garden projects. As summer begins to wind down, it is a perfect time to be on the lookout for season ending sales. Landscape plants, tools, and other outdoor project materials tend to go on sale as people begin to look toward autumn and spending less time outside.