Plant Trees to Save Energy and Grow Value

Plant a tree to add value to your home and have a positive impact on the local environment.


But every year, 3.2 million acres of forest are cut down, according to the Nature Conservancy. Several million more acres are lost to fire, storm, and disease. That's why planting new trees and protecting the ones we have is so important. You can do your part by caring for the trees in your yard.

Supporting tree-planting activities in your community
Donating to organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which works to preserve the world's trees and forests, and American Forests, which offers a unique way to take action. First, use its online Climate Change Calculator to determine your carbon footprint. Then, make up for your emissions by donating to a forest restoration project.

Why should you care about trees?

Bankable benefits:
The most tangible bang from your bark comes from energy savings. Three properly placed trees could save you between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Trees save energy two main ways. Their shade cuts cooling costs in the summer. In winter, they serve as windbreak and help hold down heating costs.

The National Tree Calculator estimates that a 12-inch elm in an Omaha yard can save $32.43 a year on your energy bills; the same tree in Atlanta would save you $11.89 annually. The calculator also breaks down other dollars and cents benefits of your tree, like decreasing storm water runoff, removing carbon dioxide from the air, and increasing property values.

In our elm example, the 12-inch tree adds $40.23 to the Omaha home's value and a $57.33 to the one in Atlanta. And as trees grow larger, they can add even more value.

A 2002 study by the USDA Forest Service pegs the value a single tree adds to a property of about $630. Of course, tree value depends on size, species, location, and condition.

Adds Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston, “On a $100,000 home [in my market], as much as $10,000 of its value could be associated with mature trees.”

That's peanuts compared with the role trees play as the lungs of the planet. A report by the Trust for Public Land estimated that one mature tree takes 48 pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere each year and returns enough oxygen for two human beings.

Plant your tree in the right spot
To get the full benefits from your trees, choose the right one and put it in the right location. Planting a deciduous tree on the west side of a house provides cooling shade in the summer. In winter, after it loses its leaves, the same tree lets in sunlight that cuts heating and lighting bills. On the other hand, an evergreen on the west side blocks sun all year long, making a home colder and darker in winter. Rather plant evergreens, a great choice for blocking icy winter winds, on the north side of your home.

If you're planting a new tree, think about its fully grown size and shape before you dig. Branches from a tree located below power lines can cause outages as it grows. Roots from a tree located too close to a home can damage the foundation or block sewer lines. The wrong tree in the wrong place could actually lower your home's appraised value if it's deemed hazardous, says Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston.

Tree costs
Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree, such as a katsura or evergreen. The same tree at 15 feet will cost $100 to $200, according to Brad Swank of Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville, Wash. The Arbor Day Foundation sells saplings for as little as $8-$15, or less if you're a member.

Since trees cost money, be cautious about any home construction work. "Tree failure can happen seven to 10 years after construction, primarily because the root system fails when the soil is compacted," says Thomas Hanson, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists from Kirkland, Wash. Also watch for diseases or pests that can threaten trees in your yard and community.

Become a tree advocate
Ensuring that your community has lots of healthy trees doesn't have to be more complicated than a trip to the nursery and a hole in your backyard. Dig it twice as wide as deep. Let kids push in the dirt and help water weekly until the tree is two years old. The Arbor Day Foundation will tell you how to select the right tree for your needs and climate, where to plant it, and how to maintain it.

The foundation also is a great place to look for community and educational programs.

Its Tree City USA initiative provides expert advice and national recognition to cities and towns that want to establish tree-management plans.
Its Arbor Day Poster Contest for fifth-graders gives teachers a fun way to help students learn the importance of trees.
Its nationwide list of volunteer organizations lets you search for tree care opportunities in your state.
Considering everything trees do for you, it's the least you can do for them.

9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers

Just in time for Earth Day, here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this season:

Put lamps in the corners:
Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter.

Switch to a laptop:
If you’re reading this article on a laptop, you’re using 1/3 less energy than if you’re reading this on a desktop.

Choose an LCD TV:
If you’re among those considering a flat-screen upgrade from your conventional, CRT TV, choose an LCD screen for the biggest energy save.

Give your water heater a blanket:
Just like you pile on extra layers in the winter, your hot water heater can use some extra insulation too. A fiberglass insulation blanket is a simple addition that can cut heat loss and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill.

Turn off the burner before you’re done cooking:
When you turn off an electric burner, it doesn’t cool off immediately. Use that to your advantage by turning it off early and using the residual heat to finish up your dish.

Add motion sensors:
You might be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights, but your kids? Not so much. Adding motion sensors to playrooms and bedrooms cost only $15 to $50 per light, and ensures you don’t pay for energy that you’re not using.

Spin laundry faster:
The faster your washing machine can spin excess water out of your laundry, the less you’ll need to use your dryer. Many newer washers spin clothes so effectively, they cut drying time and energy consumption in half—which results in an equal drop in your dryer’s energy bill.

Use an ice tray:
Stop using your automatic icemaker. It increases your fridge’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%. Ice trays, on the other hand, don’t increase your energy costs one iota.

Use the dishwasher:
If you think doing your dishes by hand is greener than powering up the dishwasher, you’re wrong. Dishwashers use about 1/3 as much hot water and relieve that much strain from your energy-taxing water heater. Added bonus: you don’t have to wash any dishes.

Okay...let's say your tax refund was just $500

Here are five great ideas for investing a tax refund in your home if you receive $500 or less back from the IRS this year. 1. Go with the low flow If you're tired of watching money go down the drain, invest in the latest low-flow showerheads. Old showerheads (pre-1992) can pump out 5 gallons of water per minute. Newer showerheads, while more efficient, still use 2.5 gallons per minute. But the latest low-flow showerheads use up to 50% less water than even the newer showerheads, yet technological innovations make it seem as if you're bathing under the same amount of water. The latest low-flow showerheads run between $50 and $200 apiece, but the payback can be quick. Swapping out old showerheads can reduce your home's water-heating costs by about $150 a year. If your showerheads are already updated, but you're still looking for ways to save on water, install a low-flow toilet. One of these efficient flushers can shave $90 off your annual water bill. 2. When it rains, it pours Homeowners insurance is critical, but it's not comprehensive. Most policies offer limited liability protection that could prove inadequate if someone gets hurt on your property and you get sued. Umbrella insurance offers liability protection beyond the limits of your homeowners policy. An extra $1 million in umbrella liability coverage, which extends to your cars, too, typically costs about $300. If your liability insurance is sufficient, then consider flood insurance instead. Floods can affect homes in all 50 states, yet fewer than 1 in 5 homeowners have flood insurance. Typical homeowners policies exclude floods. The average flood policy costs $540, according to the National Flood Insurance Program; the average flood claim totals more than $33,000. 3. A model of energy efficiency A typical homeowner spends an extra $350 a year on heating and cooling due to air leaks. Gaps, even small ones, around doors, windows, and recessed lights waste energy and raise utility bills. You can conduct your own energy audit and try to seal air leaks yourself, but the result will vary wildly depending on your DIY skills. A better option might be a professional energy audit, which can cost between $400 and $600 for a full diagnostic inspection. Expect the use of sophisticated equipment like thermal or infrared scanners, blower door testers, and smoke puffers that can pinpoint energy leaks. A visual-only inspection by a pro costs less--about $150--but the findings won't be as accurate. 4. Lightning only needs to strike once A power surge, whether caused by a lightning strike or some other fluctuation in your supply of electricity, can wreak havoc on home electronics. Thousands of dollars' worth of computers, appliances, and entertainment equipment can get fried in the blink of an eye. If you're lucky, perhaps some of your electronics are plugged in to surge protector power strips. Most probably aren't. Although homeowners insurance offers peace of mind that your possessions will get replaced, a smart way to prevent damage in the first place--and avoid the hassle of filing claims and paying deductibles--is investing in a whole-house surge protector. For about $300, an electrician can install the device at your breaker box. It only takes an hour or two. Keep surge protector power strips in place for an added layer of safety. 5. Roll out the rain barrel Why pay for water when nature supplies it free of charge? The typical homeowner spends about $140 annually on water used outdoors. Meanwhile, an inch of rain dumped on the roof of a 2,000-square-foot house produces 500 gallons of runoff. It makes sense to harvest that rainwater to nourish plants and rinse off patio furniture. Enter the rain barrel. A rain barrel is much like it sounds: A large container hooked into a downspout that stores rainwater for later outdoor use. A basic commercial rain barrel can cost as little as $50; a more sophisticated system with multiple barrels, pumps, and spigots can run as much as $600. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a rain barrel can save 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months, and that's a lot of showers or loads of laundry!

Using your $1000 tax refund for the biggest home bang

Consider these five great projects that cost around $1,000 if you decide to invest a tax refund in your home this year.

1. It all comes out in the wash
It might not sound sexy, but equipping your laundry room with a new washing machine will pay off immediately on your utility bills. Today's high-efficiency washers use less water per load than standard top-loaders, so you save on your water and water-heating bills. Replacing a washer made before 2000 with an Energy Star model can save a typical homeowner as much as $135 annually. We bought one last fall and there's a world of efficiency difference, and much lower water usage.

A high-efficiency top-loader costs between $700 and $900. A stylish and even more efficient alternative is a front-loading washer. Prices for front-loaders start at about $750. As a bonus, either high-efficiency option could net you an appliance rebate from the manufacturer, your local utility company, or your state government.

2. Make your mortgage disappear
A mortgage, especially one that spans three decades, can seem insurmountable. Yet it's possible to use small sums of money over time to make a big dent in the principal. The net result is saving thousands of dollars on interest and shortening the time you spend paying off the home loan.

Let's say you take out a $250,000 mortgage. The rate is fixed for 30 years at 6%. Your monthly payment would be $1,500. Over 30 years, you'd pay a total of $540,000. But if you pay an extra $100 per month--$1,200 per year--you'd pay off the mortgage four years early and save $52,000 in interest. Use a mortgage calculator to run your own numbers.

3. Where there's no smoke, there's fire
Do you dream of curling up in front of a roaring fire, yet your home lacks that one essential ingredient--namely, a fireplace? Don't fret. Your dream can become reality at a surprisingly affordable price. Ventless fireplaces offer the ambiance of the real thing without the need for a chimney or flue to vent smoke outdoors.

Ventless fireplaces, which exhaust small amounts of combustion gases inside the home, can run on natural gas, propane, electricity, or flammable gel. At between $2,000 and $6,000, including professional installation, gas units are pricey. More budget-friendly is an electric ventless fireplace that starts at $1,000. All you need to do is plug it in. Gel-fueled fireplaces are in the $300 to $700 range, with no professional installation required. A gel canister that'll burn for two-plus hours costs $3.

4. Don't knock it 'til you try it
A new entry door can do wonders for a home. Not only can it enhance curb appeal and security, but the right door can lower utility costs too. An energy-efficiency exterior door can shave as much as 10% off energy bills. Plus, if you install an eligible door in 2011, you can claim a federal tax credit worth up to $500, excluding installation charges.

Wood and fiberglass doors are usually the most expensive options, but you can get a steel entry door installed in a couple of hours (assuming no surprises) for about $1,200. The money you get back from the tax credit will reduce this cost. As a bonus, Remodeling Magazine estimates that a $1,200 steel entry door replacement project actually will add an incremental amount of value (102%) to your home.

5. You take the high road, I'll take the slow road
Don't let your property line limit your spending plans. Some small investments on your part can benefit an entire neighborhood, which not only improves livability but can also increase property values. Take, for example, the speed hump, a raised mound of pavement on a residential street designed to slow lead-footed drivers.

One traffic-calming study found that 12-foot speed humps reduced average speeds by 22% and the average number of traffic accidents by 11%. You'll need to work with your local government to have a speed hump installed, but offering to foot the bill can grease the wheels of bureaucracy. Basic speed humps start at about $1,000 apiece. Your share will be less if you convince neighbors to chip in.

Now if your tax refund is around $500.00 or less stay check back for our next posting...

Using your $2500 tax refund for the biggest home bang

If you want to invest a tax refund in your home this year, consider these Five great projects that cost around $2,500.

1. A tankless task
If you're like most homeowners, you probably don't care how your water gets heated, so long as it's hot when you turn on the shower. Fair enough. But your water heater deserves closer attention, especially if it's more than a decade old. That's when conventional storage-tank water heaters tend to fail, leaving you with a wet mess.

You can replace your water heater with another storage-tank model for between $500 and $1,500 installed. Better yet, spend between $1,500 and $2,500, including installation, on a gas tankless water heater. It takes up half the space, lasts twice as long, and will save the typical homeowner about $115 a year on water-heating costs. Buy certain approved water heaters in 2011 to take advantage of a federal energy tax credit that'll reimburse you up to $500.

2. Think pink
A few rolls of that familiar pink fiberglass insulation could save you a lot of green. In cold climates like the Northeast, getting an attic up to recommended insulation levels could lower energy bills by $600 a year. Blown-in cellulose or fiberglass insulation can work equally well, depending on your attic. Consult a qualified contractor.

Figure you'll pay a contractor between $1,000 and $2,500 to insulate your attic. Costs vary based on square footage, attic accessibility, where you live, and insulation type. Add insulation in 2011 and qualify for a federal energy tax credit worth up to $500. The tax credit excludes installation, so ask your contractor to separate materials cost and labor cost on your invoice.

3. No pane, no gain
Replacement windows offer a lot to homeowners: energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and high resale value. Unfortunately, those benefits come with a steep price tag. High-efficiency replacement windows that qualify for a federal energy tax credit cost between $500 and $1,000 apiece installed, so you're looking at spending $10,000 or more to outfit a typical home.

Budget-minded homeowners can get similar energy savings--15% to 40% off heating and cooling bills--at a much lower price by opting instead for tax-credit-eligible storm windows. Storm windows, which work in conjunction with existing windows to lower energy consumption, cost between $100 and $300 each installed. Adding storm windows to a typical house takes a day or two, vs. two to three days for replacement windows.

4. Give your garage a facelift
Homes with prominent garages can benefit greatly from a curb-appeal standpoint from the addition of new garage doors. Standard doors usually come in wood or steel. It costs between $550 and $1,650, including installation, for a single door. A double door runs between $800 and $2,500. Custom garage doors cost more, as do heavy-duty aluminum doors.

5. Emergency power to the people
A blizzard sweeps in, the lights go out, and you're left with no heat until the utility company can fix downed power lines. Estimated wait time for repairs: two days. What's a resourceful homeowner to do? Crank up the portable generator, that's what.

Portable generators cost between $500 for a 3-kilowatt model to $2,000 for a 10-kilowatt model. Larger units should be able to power a heater, some lights, the refrigerator, and a few other essentials for as long as you can keep the generator supplied with gasoline. A pricier alternative is a permanent standby generator that's hard-wired to your home's electric grid. Standby generators start at around $4,000 to $5,000, though prices can escalate quickly.

Say you got a refund and it's something less...stay tuned for other ideas costing less.

Getting a Tax Refund...use it wisely!

Let's assume you're getting a tax refund this year (that would be nice) and you're wondering what's the best use of the money for enjoyment and maybe a little profit somewhere down the road.

Upgrading and maintaining your home preserves its value, giving you a nice return on your investment. Plus, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labors every day.

With summer on the horizon, here are four outdoorsy ideas for spending your refund.

Add outdoor lighting
Show your house in its best light, even in the evening, with an outdoor lighting scheme. You’ll enhance your home’s architectural features and play up landscaping details, plus you’ll be adding safety and security to your property.

Here’s a quick price check on a professionally installed system:

7 LED outdoor lighting fixtures to illuminate 100 feet of walkway: $2,275.
A transformer to convert household current into low-voltage: $400.
Two motion-detector security lighting fixtures: $300.
Total: $2,975.

Install a patio
A backyard patio is an inexpensive way to add some sweet living area to your home.

For a professionally installed brick or concrete paver patio that’s 12 by 16 feet--plenty of space for a table, chairs, and barbecue equipment—you’ll pay about $15 per square foot, or $3,000 total. Expect a payback of 30% to 60% on your investment (plus many hours of great outdoor living).

Other paving materials include limestone, slate, and granite. Concrete is a less expensive option that costs $6 to $12 per square foot, installed.

Upgrade your deck
Make your deck more livable with upgrades that add shade, increase privacy, and provide convenience.

Shade sails provide soft, diffuse shade for areas not covered by trees and building overhangs. They’re made of weatherproof materials that never need maintenance, and come in various shapes. Professional installation of a 12-foot triangular sail costs about $3,000, including the sail and support posts.

Cable railings are thin stainless steel cables stretched between posts. They open up views and add a contemporary feel. Expect to pay $70 per lineal foot for the railings plus pro installation.

Built-in planters add visual texture and help define separate areas of your deck. Integrate their construction with built-in benches to add seating. You’ll spend $150 to $250 per lineal foot for cedar or redwood planters and benches, including materials and installation.

Replace your air conditioning
Hoping the old unit holds on for another year? New central air conditioning units require 30% less electricity and lower energy bills by 30% more than AC units made just a few years ago. You also may qualify for a $300 energy tax credit. Prices for a new energy-efficient central air conditioner start around $3,000.

Getting a lesser refund? Stay tuned for more ideas that cost less.

Cleaning House: Secrets of a Really Deep Spring Cleaning

Deep clean your house and you’ll brighten rooms and help maintain your home’s value.


De-bug the light fixtures
See that bug burial ground within your overhead fixtures? Turn off the lights and carefully remove fixture covers, dump out flies and wash with hot soapy water. While you’re up there, dust bulbs. Dry everything thoroughly before replacing the cover.

Vacuum heat vents and registers
Dirt and dust build up in heat vents and along register blades. Vents also are great receptacles for coins and missing buttons. Unscrew vent covers from walls or pluck them from floors, remove foreign objects, and vacuum inside the vent. Clean grates with a damp cloth and screw back tightly.

Polish hardware
To deep clean brass door hinges, handles, and cabinet knobs, thoroughly wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, then polish with Wright’s or Weiman brass cleaner ($4). Dish soap shines up glass or stainless steel knobs. Use a Q-tip to detail the ornamental filigree on knobs and handles.

Replace grungy switch plates
Any amateur can wipe a few fingerprints off cover plates that hide light switches, electric outlets, phone jacks, and cable outlets. But only deep cleaners happily remove plates to vacuum and swipe the gunk behind. (OK, we’re a little OCD when it comes to dirt!) Make sure cover plates are straight when you replace them. And pitch plates that are beyond the help of even deep cleaning. New ones cost less than $2 each.

Neaten weather stripping
Peeling, drooping weather stripping on doors and windows makes rooms look old. If the strip still has some life, nail or glue it back. If it’s hopeless, cut out and replace sections, or just pull the whole thing off and start new. A 10-ft. roll of foam weather stripping costs $8; 16-ft. vinyl costs about $15.

Replace stove drip pans
Some drip pans are beyond the scrub brush. Replacing them costs about $3 each and instantly freshens your stove.

Look at some of the neatest homes in Johns Creek: All homes in Johns Creek

Green Window Cleaning Makes Glass Pane-Fully Clear

Window cleaning with non-toxic ingredients and reusable cloths protects your health, preserves resources, gains a streak-free view, and stretches your budget.

Mix a green window cleaning solution
Commercials cleaners leave behind a waxy residue on windows that can result in streaks. A homemade window cleaning solution made with vinegar and water helps cut through grime, minimizes streaking and water spots, and prevents windows from fogging.

The first time you clean your windows with a homemade vinegar solution, include a few drops of dish detergent to eliminate the waxy buildup. Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle for streak-free windows:

¼-cup white vinegar
¼- to ½-tsp. eco-friendly dish detergent
2 cups water

After an inaugural washing, keep your windows spotless with a window cleaning solution made from 2 teaspoons white vinegar mixed in 1 quart warm water. (Too much vinegar can etch window glass, which results in clouding.)

You can whip up gallons of window cleaning solution for a few dollars: A 32-ounce bottle of white vinegar costs about $2. A 16-ounce bottle of eco-friendly dish soap costs about $3.50. By comparison, a 16-ounce bottle of commercial window cleaner costs about $3.

Polish to a sustainable shine
Use microfiber cloths, rather than paper towels or newspapers, for window cleaning. Paper towels are manufactured from trees and end up in the landfill. Newspapers can blacken your hands and fall apart. Microfiber cloths are affordable, lint-free, and can be washed and reused again and again.

A six-pack of reusable microfiber cleaning cloths can be purchased at national discount stores for less than $10. By comparison, an eight-pack of bargain-priced paper towels costs about $9.

Window cleaning tips
Window cleaning on a sunny day can dry the solution too quickly and create streaks, so select a cloudy day to work.
Begin window cleaning by spritzing the glass with your homemade vinegar solution. Wipe away grime with a damp microfiber cloth. Rinse this cloth often in clean water.
Follow with a dry microfiber cloth to polish the glass to a shine.

Create A Garden Room: It’s a Natural Choice

Create a garden room to provide space for tools and seeds, and to allow you to commune with nature from inside your home.

Garden room must-haves:
Sink: Keep it deep for rinsing slugs off garden vegetables or cleaning muddy trowels. A stand-alone stainless steel sink from a kitchen supply store is a workhorse ($250 to $1400), but a plastic tub ($80) will do, too.

Countertops: When you create a garden room, more countertop is better for repotting plants or pressing seeds into soil. Counter space next to the sink makes cleanup easier. Stainless steel is best because it won’t stain and you won’t care about scratches. Cost: $75/sq. ft. If your budget is tight, use an old wood table that a few more scars won’t hurt.

Storage: Throw up some cabinets in your new garden room; you can get deals at Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets ($45 for a single cabinet), rescue school lockers from a yard sale, or stack and anchor inexpensive bins to a wall. A forged iron curtain rod with some large J hooks is a great place to hang baskets for less than $100.

Light: Your seedlings and hanging plants will love natural light. Replace wood doors with a swinging all-glass door. Rip down window treatments to maximize light.

Flooring: Choose a surface in your garden room that won’t show dirt and is easy to clean. Vinyl sheets ($8 to $10/sq. yd.), are best. Ceramic tile (typically $1 to $10/sq. ft.) is sturdy and can give a natural feel to your space. To hide dirt, use darker tiles and grout. Also, make sure you periodically reseal grout lines to keep out dirt.

See all the homes in the area: Homes for Sale

Seeing Red? It could help you sell your home.

Painting walls red—or any bold color—makes a definite statement, which you may want to take back someday. A tinted primer will cover your mistake.

Effort: Low 2 hours/coat for 10x15 rm
Investment: Low $20-$30/gal primer; $20-$70/gal paint

A rich red on the walls can make a large space feel more intimate. Painting walls red is an inexpensive way to add pizzazz to a room and bring a lush, romantic mood into your home. But red—and any bold color—is a bear to cover up when you suffer painter’s remorse. Here’s how to find the right red and how to cover your tracks when you decide to get rid of red.

Seeing red
Painting walls red is less forgiving than, say, painting walls Linen White. Make a mistake, and you’ll feel like you’re dining inside a tomato. Change your mind, and you’ll need at least two new coats of paint to cover your regrets. Here are tips on where and which red to choose.

Painting walls red can make large spaces feel more intimate, and small spaces look more interesting. Splash a little red in a powder room, or on just one wall in a den.
Bluish reds can be festive and a good choice for dining and living rooms.
Orange-hued reds are anxiety-producing colors—popular in casinos—so keep them out of the bedroom.

Paint your selection of a sheet of poster board—not on the walls—and place it in different parts of the room, at different times of the day, and in different sunlight conditions. At night, turn on lamps to see how your red reacts to artificial light.

Choose to re-chooseRed walls don’t play well with new colors: Whites turn pink, yellows become orange, and blues look purplish. You won’t be able to throw up a coat of crème and call it a day.

Here’s how to neutralize red:
Prime walls with water-based sealing primers, such as Benjamin Moore Color Foundations or Behr Premium Plus Interior Enamel Primer.
Tint primer to make it closely match your final color. Or, choose a grey or pink tint to help transition from red to a more neutral color.

Paint two coats of primer and let dry completely. Use fans to speed up the process.
After priming, choose a good quality paint and you’ll likely need only two coats. For a high-quality paint, look for 100% acrylic and stick to national brands.
Apply new color with a 3/8-in nap roller. The shorter the nap, the better the coverage, which is important when covering red colors.

Click here to start picking out your new project home in Johns Creek.

Repair and Replace Door Hardware to Update Rooms

Spruce up quickly (and cheaply):

Repair and replace door hardware that makes rooms look dingy and outdated. We’ll show you how door and cabinet pulls, knobs, and hinges can give your home new sparkle.


Repair and replace kitchen cabinet hardwareReplacing or repairing knobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers is a quick way to give your old kitchen a new look.

Cabinet hardware can be simple or ornate, and ranges from $1 a knob to $45 or more. Here’s your game plan:

Repair loose knobs and pulls by tightening holding screws, replacing stripped screws, or plugging gaps with wood filler applied with a putty knife.
Count the number of knobs or pulls you need before you head to the hardware store. Estimating will cost you time and money.

To replace pulls, which are attached to cabinets by a screw at each end, measure the distance between holes--not the length of pulls--to assure a perfect fit.
If you’re switching from a two-hole pull to a one-hole knob, choose hardware with back plates that cover door scratches and holes.

Tighten, polish, or replace door hardware
Nothing ages a room like a loose doorknob. You can tighten mortise-style doorknobs by simply tightening the setscrew on the side of the doorknob. For cylindrical doorknobs, you’ll need to take the doorknob apart.

Replace dated doorknobs with sleek door levers.
For easiest installation, choose a lever handle lockset made by the same manufacturer. Prices range from $20 to $160.

Spiff up with a bright new shine.
Buy a commercial polish, such as Wright’s or Weiman, to make brass doorknobs shine. Warm water and a little dish soap or a homemade paste of equal parts vinegar and baking soda will scrub off dirt and make stainless steel and glass doorknobs sparkle.

Clean or replace door hinges
Telltale paint on door hinges says someone did a sloppy job. To restore hinges, try these techniques.
Wash with sudsy hot water.
Scrub with a nylon brush or a toothbrush. A wire brush could damage the finish.
Brush on paint stripper that is safe for all surfaces.
Polish with beeswax furniture polish or brass polish.

Momma always said to put your best foot forward and that we never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, whether you are in the midst of marketing your home, thinking about putting your home on the market or just want to spiff up to put your best foot forward, follow these simple and fairly inexpensive tips and you're part way there.It's worth the effort.

And, if you want to see all the available homes in your area(s) just click through to Atlanta's easiest home search...no hassle, no registration,

Fix it Like a Pro: The right Plumbing Tools for the Handy

Plumbing tools are a godsend when a sink clogs or toilet overflows on weekends, holidays, or just before dinner guests arrive. For big problems, like a burst pipe, shut off your water (know where your shutoff valve is) and call a plumber. But you can fix everyday annoyances if you add these basic plumbing tools to your fix-it arsenal.

Plungers: No home should be without these suckers/pushers whose rubber cups form a seal around the drain or toilet. Use a cup plunger to push clogs through sinks and tubs; use a flange plunger, with a non-splash ball cup, for toilets. Use a bellows plunger when the other two don’t work. Cost: Cup, $3 to $4; flange, $8 to $15; bellows, $7 to $11.

Closet auger: Named for “water closet,” this 3-foot plumbing tool has a crank, handle, and flexible shaft tipped with an “auger bit” that breaks and grabs troublesome toilet clogs. Cost: $10 to $20.

Hand auger, aka plumber’s snake: A hand-powered crank and reel of ¼-inch steel cable clears obstructions from sink, tub, and shower drains. Cost: $15 to $30.

Hacksaw: This go-to saw cuts through just about anything—metal pipe, hardware, nuts, or bolts. Keep blades tight in the frame, and keep extras on hand. Cost: $15 to $30. Blades: $5 for 2.

Adjustable pipe wrench: The serrated mouth on this iconic plumbing tool grips pipes. It has one fixed jaw and one that moves by turning a thumb screw. Buy two—one for gripping and holding, one for turning. Cost: $17 to $35.

Hex key or Allen wrench set: Thin L-shaped wrenches with hexagonal heads often are used to fix stuck garbage disposals. Cost: $5 to $15 for a set of 6 to 7 wrenches.

Caulking gun: A metal frame and trigger holds and applies caulk, which seals seams around the edges of tubs and sinks. Cost: $15 to $25.

Tongue-and-goove pliers: Also called water pump pliers or channel locks, these pliers with a right-angled and serrated jaw can turn, hold, twist, or loosen nuts, bolts, fittings, and frozen parts. Buy the 10-inch and 12-inch. Cost: 10-inch $10; 12-inch $10 to $14.

This is the first in a series of five handy articles for quick repairs around the home, and the tools you'll need for the repairs. Stay tuned for the rest of the menu of tools and repairs.

Improve your Credit Score in 2011....you're gonna need it!

How you manage your home ownership finances affects your credit score—and your ability to refinance later.

1. Postpone that refinance until your credit is squeaky clean
Even a small blemish on a credit report can cost you at closing. Money expert Denise Winston found that out firsthand: Her husband hadn’t paid a $40 pager charge. The unpaid bill was turned over to a collection agency and ended up damaging his credit score.

Because of that one small unpaid bill, the interest rate on the couple’s mortgage was 0.25% higher than if he'd had a clean score. Put another way, that’s $13,000 over the life of the loan.

The lesson? Even small items can damage your financial position. Get your credit report beforehand to see if there’s anything damaging. If so, consider postponing a refinance or HELOC (home equity line of credit) until small but potentially costly dings fade over time.

2. Pay your mortgage—now
Not all late payments are created equal: Almost nothing hits your credit score harder than a late mortgage payment. Payment history generally accounts for 35% of your credit score, which is bad enough, but credit score agencies consider late home payments graver than late credit card or car loan payments.

In fact, credit score agency VantageScore will knock off more than 100 points beyond what it would do for delinquent auto loans or credit cards.

But if you think you can improve your credit score with early payments, think again. Geoff Williams, co-author of Living Well with Bad Credit, says it may make a slightly positive impression on today’s risk-averse lender, but it won’t make a big difference in getting future credit.

3. Cool it on second mortgages and HELOCs
Drawing down a second mortgage or HELOC can have a negative impact on your credit score because 30% of your credit score is based on how much you owe to creditors. However, if you pay the loan on time, it will have less of an impact, says Winston.

Also, you can mitigate the credit score damage of a HELOC by staying within 30% of the limit.

4. Protect your mortgage to protect your insurance rates
Late payments on your mortgage may also affect your home owners and automobile insurance rates, potentially costing you hundreds of dollars a year, says Williams. Insurers may assume that if you’re strapped for cash and pay your bills late, you’re more likely to file a claim because you need the money.

5. Pay your utility bills and property taxes on time
If you're late on your utility bills and your account is assigned to a collection agency, that agency may report it, causing a drop in your credit score, says Winston. The good news is that utility companies often don’t bother to report late bills to credit bureaus until your delinquency becomes serious.

Interestingly, late payment of property taxes won’t affect your credit score unless you find yourself with a lien on your property. Since liens are public records, they may appear on your credit report and might cause a drop in your credit score.

6. Refinancing? Beware of taking out equity, too
Refinancing your home generally won’t have an impact on your credit score as long as you continue to pay your loan on time, says Williams. However, if you extract equity in the deal, you could marginally affect your credit score because the amount you owe will increase.

Then, when you're ready to buy your first home, or to trade up(or down), check out all the available Decatur homes and condos at: http://bit.ly/JohnsCreeksBest It's Easy!

New Kitchen Cabinet Hardware—Low-Cost Ways to Jazz Up Your Style

Replace old kitchen cabinet hardware and gain an instant style update that’s simple to do and easy on the budget.

Measuring for kitchen cabinet hardware
Replacing kitchen cabinet hardware is a job you can do yourself. But note there’s a wide range of sizes when it comes to the spans between screws on kitchen cabinet hardware. You’re in luck if your doors feature a knob with a single screw that secures to the door or drawer front, and you want to replace it with the same.

Otherwise, you’ll need to measure precisely the spread between screws. Use a measuring tape to measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other. Write the measurement down and count the number of pulls and/or knobs that you need. If you’re making your purchase at a home center, bring the handle and dimensions with you.

If you opt for handles that don’t match up with existing holes, fill holes with wood filler and camouflage the repair with fresh stain or paint. Or you can cover the fix with a backplate that fits behind the new handle.

Hinges can be tricky
Hinges can be difficult to switch out because there are so many different types and sizes. If your kitchen cabinet hinges match the finish on the new hardware or if the hinges are hidden anyway, you can keep the originals.

Otherwise, before removing all the hinges, remove just one and then shop around—online or at a home center—to make sure you can find one that will work for your installation.

Installation tips for kitchen cabinet hardware
If you need to re-drill your cabinet drawers and doors, speed up the project either by making a jig or buying one. You can make a jig from scrap plywood following directions available online. Or purchase a plastic jig from a home center or online for about $7.
As you drill, keep the bit perpendicular to the door or drawer face. You can position an 8-inch tri-square next to your drill as a visual guide. If you’re inexperienced using a power drill, there are a number of drill guides available, starting at about $17.

Have Breakfast with Santa in Johns Creek

Breakfast with Santa
Join Recreation & Parks for "Breakfast with Santa" on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 at the Newtown Park Community Clubhouse.

Enjoy music, gingerbread cookie decorating, holiday crafts, and have the opportunity to write a letter and hand-deliver it to Santa. Parents have an opportunity to take photos of their children with Santa.

Registration deadline is December 6, 2010.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010
1st Seating: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
2nd Seating: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Newtown Park Community Clubhouse in North Fulton
Cost: $15 per child
Directions: http://bit.ly/Directions-NewtownPark

Foreclosure Process Under Review

There has not been much good news lately. This latest wrinkle in the foreclosure mess had got us talking to ourselves.

"A top federal bank regulator said Thursday that he has directed seven of the nation's largest lenders to review their foreclosure processes after learning about the widespread mishandling of homeowner evictions by the industry." [Washington Post]

These are some of the banks contacted by regulators. J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, HSBC, PNC Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo. GMAC put a hold on foreclosures in 23 states.

We heard news stories last week where bank employees signed off on documents without reading them. They were likely told by the boss that they had to keep it moving along and are buried under a pile of what they call "files" and what we call peoples homes.

Foreclosures are on the rise again. The foreclosures that have been in the pipeline are starting to hit the local market which is bad news for most but bargains for some. We're sure when the smoke clears it will be found that some mortgages were foreclosed upon unlawfully. Ponder this: what will happen to the people who now own the homes if they were taken back by the bank and then sold again. Title insurance is likely to offer protection.

"Old Republic National Title Insurance told agents Friday it would stop insuring homes foreclosed by JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), The New York Times reported Saturday, citing a company memo." [Rueters News]

With all that has happened in the last few years involving mortgages and foreclosures nothing surprises us. We have worked fairly closely with some banks these past years. When we see it all up close and personal our impression is that no matter how much it costs the bank their preference is to foreclose on the delinquent mortgage! We would not have sais this two years ago but it must be so because we have seen several cases where both banks and home owners would have come out ahead with a short sale or a loan modification....and the lender still foreclosed.

We can't prove it with numbers other than our own and those of our fellow associates at this point, but loan modifications are almost unheard of and there are far too few short sales that actually result in a closed sale. The programs set up to help distressed home owners don't seem to help any of them, hardly ever. They may provide some counseling and maybe give money management advice to struggling home owners but in most cases people will not be able to pay their mortgages with advice or counseling they will need more money. (reposted from the St. Paul Register)

Bridge Repairs in Johns Creek

Bridge repairs mean
quicker Fire Department
responses, strengthening
spans could shave off minutes
posted on 10/5/2010






Johns Creek has bolstered eight of its bridges so that fire trucks can cross them, speeding response times in emergencies.

"This is really good news," said Fire Chief Joseph Daniels. "This could cut response times in some parts of the city by one to three minutes. This work by the Public Works Department could make a real difference in making people safer."

A survey by the state last year showed that eight bridges in the city were potentially unsafe for fire trucks. The Fire Department re-routed some of its trucks to be on the safe side.

In dire situations, fire officials would use some of the bridges but make the fire engines stop, halt traffic, and then creep across. Ladder trucks had to avoid the bridges altogether. Pumper trucks can weigh up to 19 tons and ladder trucks can weigh 39 tons. A World War II Sherman tank weighs about 33 tons.

Now, pumpers can roll across the bridges without worry.

In all, 10 bridges received various improvements at a cost of about $641,000. All of the bridges pre-date the incorporation of the City in December, 2006.

In repairing four spans on Bell and Old Alabama roads, crews this summer scraped off up to six inches of excess asphalt layered over the years. The asphalt weighed tons, which limited how much more weight the bridges could handle.

Repairs to bridges also included tightening and adding bracing to beam-supports, fixing guardrails, removing debris from the streams, and placing rip rap to prevent erosion.

The bridges are now refurbished, stronger and safer.
Repaired Bridge Locations:

1.Bell Road over Cauley Creek
2.Bell Road over Chattahoochee River Tributary
3.Old Alabama Road over Johns Creek Tributary
4.Old Alabama Road over Johns Creek
5.McGinnis Ferry Road over Caney Creek
6.Barnwell Road over Hogan Creek
7.Parsons Road over Johns Creek
8.Brumbelow Road over Chattahoochee River Tributary
9.Buice Road over Johns Creek
10.State Bridge Road over Chattahoochee River (Westbound approach slab only)

Facing Foreclosure? What to Do Right Now

A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009. That’s the bad news. The good news: About two-thirds of notices don’t result in actual foreclosures, says Doug Robinson of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit group that offers foreclosure counseling.
Many homeowners find alternatives to foreclosure by negotiating with lenders, often with the help of foreclosure counselors. If you’re facing foreclosure, call your lender right now to determine your options, which can include loan modification, forbearance, or a short sale.


Foreclosure process takes time
The entire foreclosure process can take anywhere from two to 12 months, depending on how fast your lender acts and where you live. Some states allow a nonjudicial process that’s speedier, while others require time-consuming judicial proceedings.

Once you miss at least one mortgage payment, the steps leading up to an actual foreclosure sale can include demand letters, notices of default, a recorded notice of foreclosure, publication of the debt, and the scheduling of a foreclosure auction. Even when an auction is scheduled, however, it may never occur, or it may occur but a qualified buyer doesn’t materialize.

Bottom line: Foreclosure can be a long slog, which gives you enough time to come up with an alternative. Meantime, if your goal is to salvage your home, think about keeping up with payments for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Otherwise, you could compound your problems by getting hit with an uncovered casualty loss or liability suit, or tax liens.

Read the fine print
Start by reviewing all correspondence you’ve received from your lender. The letters—and phone calls—probably began once you were 30 days past due. Also review your mortgage documents, which should outline what steps your lender can take. For instance, is there a “power of sale” clause that authorizes the sale of your home to pay off a mortgage after you miss payments?

Determine the specific foreclosure laws for your state. What’s the timeline? Do you have “right of redemption,” essentially a grace period in which you can reverse a foreclosure? Are deficiency judgments that hold you responsible for the difference between what your home sells for and your loan’s outstanding balance allowed? Get answers.

Pick up the phone
Don’t give up because you missed a mortgage payment or two and received a notice of default. Foreclosure isn’t a foregone conclusion, but it’s heading in that direction if you don’t call your lender. Dial the number on your mortgage statement, and ask for the Loss Mitigation Department. You might stay on hold for a while, but don’t hang up. Once you do get someone on the line, take notes and record names.

The next call should be to a foreclosure avoidance counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. One of these counselors can, free of charge, explain your state’s foreclosure laws, discuss alternatives to foreclosure, help you organize financial documents, and even represent you in negotiations with your lender. Be wary of unsolicited offers of help, since foreclosure rescue scams are common.

Be sure to let your lender know that you’re working with a counselor. Not only does it demonstrate your resolve, but according to NeighborWorks, homeowners who receive foreclosure counseling are 1.6 times more likely to avoid losing their homes than those who don’t. Homeowners who receive loan modifications with the help of a counselor also reduce monthly mortgage payments by $454 more than homeowners who receive a modification without the aid of a counselor.

Lender alternatives to foreclosure
Hope Now, an alliance of mortgage companies and housing counselors, can aid homeowners facing foreclosure. A self-assessment tool will give you an idea whether you might be eligible for help from your lender, and there are direct links to HUD-approved counseling agencies and lenders’ foreclosure-prevention programs.

There are alternatives to foreclosure that your lender might accept. The most attractive option that’ll allow you to keep your home is a loan modification that reduces your monthly payment. A modification can entail lowering the interest rate, changing a loan from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate, extending the term of a loan, or eliminating past-due balances. Another option, forbearance, can temporarily suspend payments, though the amount will likely be tacked on to the end of the loan.

If you’re unable to make even reduced payments, and assuming a conventional sale isn’t possible, then it may be best to turn your home over to your lender before a foreclosure is completed. A completed foreclosure can decimate a credit score, which will make it hard not only to purchase another home someday, but also to rent a home in the immediate future.

Your lender can approve a short sale, in which the proceeds are less than what’s still owed on your mortgage. A deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, which amounts to handing over your keys to your lender, is another possibility. The earlier you begin talks with your lender, the more likelihood of success.

Explore government programs
The federal government’s Making Home Affordable program offers two options: loan modification and refinancing. A self-assessment will indicate which option might be right for you, but you need to apply for the program through your lender. A Making Home Affordable loan modification requires a three-month trial period before it can become permanent.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have their own foreclosure-prevention programs as well. Check to determine if either Fannie or Freddie owns your mortgage. Present this information to your lender and your counselor. Fannie and Freddie also have rental programs under which former owners can remain in recently foreclosed homes on a month-to-month basis.

The federal Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, which takes full effect in April 2010, offers lenders financial incentives to approve short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. It also provides $3,000 in relocation assistance to borrowers. Again, talk to your lender and counselor

See Foreclosure homes in Metro Atlanta: http://bit.ly/TodaysForeclosures

12 Tips for Saving Energy in your Home Office

With roughly 34 million telecommuting adults in America—a number slated to double by 2016, according to Forrester Research—adjustments to your home office power consumption, lighting, and heating and cooling can impact the environment and your wallet—up to about $200 per year in energy costs.

Down-shift your power consumption
1. Activate power-management settings.
Home office electronics have multiple power modes: active (or “on”), active standby (“on” but consuming less than 100% power), and passive standby (or “off”), according to the nonprofit American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, which promotes energy efficiency to consumers and government policy makers.

You can instruct your computer to move into lower-consumption modes automatically when you’ve stopped using it temporarily—during a lunch hour or phone call, for instance—yet also wake up when you’re ready to resume working. Such tactics can reduce your computer-related electricity costs by $25 to $75 per machine annually, says Energy Star.

Energy Star-rated power management features are available on Macintosh and Windows platforms (XP, Vista, 2000). Energy Star offers tips for how to adjust settings on different platforms.

Other providers offer help, too: Software vendor Verdiem offers a power management set-up tool called Edison and EnergyStar offers a similar tool called EZ Wizard, both of which guide you through the process of setting up power management.

If you’re uneasy launching power management protocols yourself, you can pay software companies’ IT pros to log on to your computer remotely and adjust your settings. Symantec, for instance, charges about $20 for its “Green PC” service.

2. Use a power strip for your computer, printer, copier, and other peripherals.
If you plug office electronics into a power strip, you can switch all of them fully off (versus leaving them in “standby” mode) with one button. Power strips cost around $3 to $12 from online retailers. Standby power—the energy that’s wasted by electronic devices that are plugged in, but not in use—represents about $100 per year in the average household’s electricity costs, says Energy Star. Assuming your home office equipment represents about 4% of your electricity bill, you could save up to $4 a year.

3. Be Energy Minded when you buy.
If you’re investing in new computer equipment, look for Energy Star-rated computers, small servers, copiers, fax machines, and adapters. Energy Star estimates that using these rated electronics in your home office can save $115 over the products’ lifetimes.

4. Consider a laptop over a desktop. Laptops use one-third the power (22 watts) of a typical desktop (68 watts) when in active mode, according to ACEEE. Annually, a laptop could save you about $19 compared with a desktop.

5. Opt for a flat-panel vs. CRT monitor. A cathode-ray tube monitor consumes about 70 watts of power, while an LCD or flat-panel eats only 27, according to ACEEE data. That’s about $1 in savings over year.

Reduce lighting costs
6. Replace traditional bulbs with compact fluorescents. By replacing one 60-watt incandescent bulb with an equivalent compact fluorescent in a home office where lights are on for eight hours per day, you could save up to $15 per year, according to Energy Star.

7. Buy CFL versions of halogen lights. If you like the look or brightness of halogen or torchiere lamps, the The Edison Electric Institute recommends buying compact fluorescent versions that consume less than 25% of the power (55 to 65 watts) of conventional versions (300 watts) and cost about the same.

8. Consider task lighting. Opting for a desk lamp versus whole-room lighting lets you use fewer bulbs concurrently, according to The Institute.

9. Locate lamps in corners. The adjoining walls will magnify the light across the room.

10. Turn off lights when leaving a room.

Keep heating and cooling costs at bay
11. Lower thermostats 10% during the day (to 62, for instance, from 68). This can save up to 10% on annual heating and cooling bills, according to the DOE, or about $100 per year. Supplement with thick slippers and sweaters in winter and keep windows open in summer, with shades down in the afternoon.

12. Use a space heater in winter and a portable or ceiling fan in summer. Both room-specific solutions cost far less than running whole-house systems at maximum capacity. Using fans or space heaters will eat into your savings for lowering the thermostat, but not nearly as much as using a central heating or cooling system throughout the house. Fans can run $25-$150; space heaters, $10-$80 at online retailers.

If your office is one-third the size of your house or smaller, you can safely estimate that space heating will be more cost-effective than heating the entire home just for the sake of the office, according to NYSEG, a utility company in Rochester, N.Y.

Optimizing your home office for maximum energy efficiency requires little effort, but can help lower your home’s overall energy consumption and annual utility bill without hampering productivity.

To see all the homes with home offices that are available in the Atlanta area go to: http://www.anzianorealestate.com/

Save Energy in the Family Room

Reduce your electricity bills by systematically purging your family room of wasteful energy practices.

The fun—a video game console, TV, DVR, DVD, and stereo system—that your family room provides comes with a price. By reducing standby power, using rechargeable batteries in remotes, and replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, you could save up to $130 a year in energy costs.

And if you’re in the market for a new TV, you can save even more energy by being flexible on the type you buy.

1. Reconsider that plasma TV. The three biggest energy hogs in the family room are the plasma television, DVR/Tivo box, and digital cable box, says the nonprofit American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, which promotes energy efficiency to consumers and government policymakers.

A typical plasma TV (less than 40 inches) consumes 441 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, according to ACEEE. That translates into about $50 (based on 11.3 cents per kilowatt hour). Next up are TiVo devices at $41 annually, followed by digital cable boxes at $27. Both devices are always fully on because they constantly receive and download data.

Opting for an LCD (liquid crystal display) TV will cost about $8 to operate annually—for an annual savings of about $42 over the plasma. Of course, weigh your decision against the cost of a new TV.

2. Reduce standby power. Vampire power—the energy that’s wasted by electronic devices that are plugged in, but not in use—represents about $100 per year in the average household’s electricity costs, says Energy Star. Assuming the family room represents about 15% of your electricity bill, you could save about $15 per year with smart standby practices.

Unplug rarely used electronics (like that karaoke machine) altogether and cluster other appliances, even adapters for cell phones and digital cameras, onto power strips ($3-$12 for a six-outlet strip). Then you can fully turn off all attached electronics with one switch.

Unfortunately, some family room electronics, such as set-top boxes and downloading devices like TiVo, can’t be turned off, because that would disrupt the digital data-gathering you’ve programmed them to do. But with a so-called smart power strip (about $20 to $40 through online retailers), you can completely turn off your TV while leaving the always-on DVR plugged in.

3. Opt for Energy Star-rated electronics. They’re anywhere from 6% (audio products) to 75% (DVD players) more efficient than non-rated electronics. Take Energy Star-rated television sets. They use about one-third less energy than their nonrated counterparts.

If you can’t live without plasma, consider an Energy Star model for which you’ll pay $18 less per year in operating costs than for a nonrated one. If you use an Energy Star-rated digital cable box (ask your provider if any are available for no charge), you could pay 30% less for energy—an annual savings of about $8.50. Energy Star hasn’t yet published data on swapping out a DVR or Tivo device.

4. Invest in rechargeable batteries. No, they won’t help you save on your electric bill. But you’ll save on the cost of batteries for your video game system and other entertainment remotes, according to PJ Stafford, founder of Green Irene, an eco-consulting company that provides energy and environmental makeovers to homeowners. You’ll help the environment, too. For every rechargeable battery you buy, you prevent at least 500 single-use batteries from entering the waste stream, Stafford says.

Consider a game system charger station, which runs about $25, or outfit your media room with 10 rechargeable batteries and two chargers for $55 to $65. (Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries cost $3 to 3.50 apiece, versus 75 cents to $1 for disposables; a charger costs $25 to $30.) That investment in rechargeable batteries and chargers, in lieu of 500 batteries over four years, adds up to about $310 to $445 in savings. Buying a charging system for your video game system eliminates the need to buy batteries for the controllers.

Call your local trash collection service to find out which batteries can be recycled or taken to a transfer station versus being thrown away. If you’re doing a major sweep-out of old batteries and appliances, consider Big Green Box, which lets you send your devices and batteries to a sustainable processing facility. Recycle old rechargeable batteries for free via programs like Call 2 Recycle.

5. Replace bulbs with compact fluorescents. By replacing one 60-watt incandescent bulb with the equivalent compact fluorescent in a family room where lights are on for four hours per day, you could save $7 per year. CFLs cost between $2 and $15.

See all the energy efficient homes in Metro Atlanta.

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• 10 Easy Energy Saving Tips to Save Energy at Home and Office (saving-energy.suite101.com)