HOW YOU CAN BE GREEN

THE GREEN CHOICE | RECYCLING

SUMMER ENERGY SAVINGS
At Sewell Shutters, we want to help the Earth be strong and live long! So we wanted to give a few tips on how you can help be Earth friendly so we can have fresher air and cleaner water for generations to come.

TOP FIVE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY:

UNPLUG IT!! Appliances and equipment that are plugged in are still sucking power even though they’re off (think cell phone chargers, toasters, lamps). Turn off power strips when not in use to reduce “Vampire Power”.

Install a PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT or in the summer, keep your thermo- stat at least 78 degrees while you are at home and at least 85 degrees when gone; in the winter, try 68 when you’re home and 60 when gone. Watch your energy bills decrease!

SEAL IT UP to avoid intruding air.  Replace weather stripping.  Seal windows seams.  Add extra insulation in attics and in walls.

Turn your HOT WATER HEATER DOWN to 120 degrees. The water will still be hot but your energy bill will be much lower.

TOP FIVE WAYS TO SAVE WATER:

TURN IT OFF!!! Turn off water when brushing your teeth.

Take SHORTER SHOWERS! You’ll save water and the energy used to heat it! Extra payoff: And by taking shorter showers, you'll conserve 350 pounds of CO2 and keep about $100 in your pocket each year.

Install a LOW FLOW SHOWER HEAD, one that puts out less than 3 gallons per minute. They still have great pressure but conserve gallons of water from each shower.

Install an EFFICIENT TOILET. New toilets use around 1.6 gallons per flush. Find out if you qualify for a voucher from the City of Dallas that helps homeowners and apartment managers/owners purchase water-saving low-flow toilets.

WAIT UNTIL IT’S FULL. Run the washing machine and dishwasher only when they’re full… and don't prerinse dishes (a waste of time, water, and energy). Extra payoff: By skipping pre-rinse, you'll save 200 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released and $40 a year.

TOP FIVE WAYS TO CLEANER AIR:

TUNE-UPS AND TIRES. Keep your vehicle in tune, get it inspected, and check the air pressure in your tires. An under inflated tire will cause your vehicle to get poor gas mileage. Extra payoff: You’ll increase the life of your vehicle, get better gas mileage and clean the air at the same time. Proper tire inflation can reduce your car’s emissions by as much as half.

REPORT SMOKING VEHICLES. Call #SMOKE. The North Central Texas Council of Governments will advise vehicle owners of possible emission problems they may not be aware of in order to take corrective action.

SHARE. Carpool or use public transportation. Extra payoff: Fewer vehicles on the roads mean fewer emissions. You’ll save a few bucks in gas and not have to search for a parking space.

DON’T TOP OFF. Topping off the tank releases gas vapors in the air and cancels the benefit of the pump's anti pollution devices.

WAIT ‘TIL THE PM. Do not fuel your vehicle or mow your lawn during morning hours. Otherwise, all those emissions bake in the sun all day causing more ozone.