Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Season in Evanston!

Living in Evanston comes with many perks such as a great community and close proximity to downtown Chicago.  Yet for those of you who’ve lived in Evanston, you know that these perks also come as a packaged deal with the famous Chicago winters.  While many of us enjoy seeing the winter wonderland, we also know that keeping warm during the winter comes at a price.
Whether you live in one of Evanston’s stunning remodeled vintage homes or a beautiful condo, you’re probably considering cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to stay warm. The community of Evanston is known for their environmentally conscious efforts, so take a few minutes to review these seven eco-friendly ways to enjoy Evanston’s cold weather season.
1. Set the Timer- Set your thermostat to lower temperatures while you’re away from your Evanston home or while you’re sleeping. This will automatically help reduce energy used as well as costs just by programming your thermostat.
2. Let the Sunshine In- During the day, be sure to leave blinds and curtains open to let in the sunlight and natural heat. At night, shut them to help “trap” the warmth.
3. Light a Fire- It’s amazing how a fire in your fireplace can heat up a room instantly! Consider lowering your thermostat on cooler evenings and lighting a fire instead. You’ll instantly feel cozier in the midst of Chicago’s chilly winters.
4. Bundle Up- Feeling chilled? Instead of turning up the thermostat, throw on a pair of socks or an extra layer. These small choices to not turn up the heat can really add up in energy savings!
5. Switch our Your Lights- From lamps to the Christmas tree, all of your lights can be changed out for energy efficient LED lights! With the sun setting earlier, you’ll be using your indoor lights more often. Also, the festivity of the season’s decorations can spike energy bill. LED Christmas lights can cut back on costs and energy usage.
6. Stop Leaks- Check all doors and windows for drafts. You can easily seal windows and doors to prevent the warm air from your Evanston home escaping while making sure the cool air doesn’t leak in!
7. Unplug- Not using an appliance? Unplug it! The Department of Energy notes that, even if appliances are not being used, they are still using energy. 40% of electricity used for your home electronics is used when they’re turned off, but still plugged in. Getting in the habit of unplugging will prove to be a smart habit in the long run!
Of course there are many other ways to be eco-friendly this late fall and winter season, but these tips should help you get started.  As Evanston Real Estate agents, we want to provide you with the best advice on the Evanston Real Estate market as well as enjoying your Evanston home!
Please feel free to let us know if you have questions about living in Evanston, or buying or selling a home in Evanston.  We’d love to help!
Don’t forget about this Thursday’s 1st Annual Turkey 5K Walk/Run as it’s sure to quickly become a new Evanston Thanksgiving day tradition!  View more information about the race on our blog.  
Happy Thanksgiving!


The Thomas Team
Properties
Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

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