How to lower
your utility
Attosts during
the hottest
months of
the year.
Pam Stoler
248.840.0044
Sal Impastato
248.763.2223
www.Pa_mAnciSal.com
BIRMINGHAM Four bedroom renovated
charmer with a huge yard located on a premier
street near town. Living room with arched entry,
fireplace and bookcases leads to sunny library/
solarium. Classic white kitchen with granite
tops, butcher block island, stainless appliances
opens to vaulted family room with fireplace and
custom built-ins. Upper level features master
suite with walk-in-closet and white marble
bath, finished lower level playroom, beautiful
landscaping. Open House: June 12, 1-3 pm,
648 Dewey, Birmingham $995,000
rine 12, 1-3 pm
DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM
Prime location for this updated
townhome. High end finishes throughout
including newer island kitchen with
granite and stainless appliances. Living
room and dining room boast cherry
flooring, fireplace and doorwall to serene
private patio. Master suite with jetted tub
and separate euro steam shower. Finished
lower level with fireplace. First floor
laundry, 2 car attached garage, walk to
everything! $465,000
BLOOMFIELD 5,400 square foot newer
construction on 2.73 acres with ravine setting.
J a rge foyer with open staircase and bridge leading
to 6 bedrooms. Living Room with limestone
fireplace centered on French doors to bluestone
terrace. Formal dining room. Custom Amish
kitchen with island, stainless steel appliances and
granite tops opens to double story family room.
Vaulted beamed screened porch overlooking in-
ground pool and spa. Lower level features 10 foot
ceilings and exercise room. 3 car garage. Great
floor plan. Birmingham schools! $1,479,000
BLOOMFIELD 1.67 acres with 325' of
frontage paradise! Spectacular Wing Lake
front 7,600 square foot country French
dream house. Grand foyer with limestone
flooring and barrel ceiling opens to spacious
living room with stone fireplace. Gourmet
island kitchen with breakfast room boasts
curved wall of glass. Main floor master
with marble bath and home office space.
Glass solarium, walk-out lower level with
2nd kitchen. Every room enjoys lake views.
$2,295,000
Hall
EXCLUSIVE AF•ILIAT•
CHRISTIE'S
INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
Ilt er .00 111
50 June 2 • 2011
T
he dog days of summer can
be brutal on utility bills and a
major drain for pocketbooks,
but they don't have to be.
During the hottest months of
the year, water is wasted due to over-
irrigation, and air conditioning systems
are forced to run longer to keep indoor
temperatures cool. While scorching
temperatures can push water and ener-
gy consumption to its limits, there are
ways to consume less and save more.
"Reducing water and energy
consumption isn't as difficult as many
think," says Rhonda Hills of Kudzu.
corn, an online resource for homeown-
ers looking for expert home advice.
"Even minor changes in behavior
and small investments in energy-
conscious materials can make a big
difference."
The home experts at Kudzu.com
recommend the following actions to
provide short-term and long-term
relief as the mercury rises.
• Install a soil or rain sensor.
They are effective water conservation
tools. Soil sensors monitor the soil's
moisture content and allow sprinklers
to operate only when water is needed.
Rain sensors detect precipitation and
shut off sprinklers if it is raining. Both
devices are upgrades from traditional
timers and can greatly reduce water
usage.
• Seal openings around win-
dows and doors. Cracks around win-
dows and doors are a source of signifi-
cant energy loss. The U.S. Department
of Energy reports more than 20
percent of the air entering and exiting
the home does so around windows and
doors. Using caulk and weather strip-
ping to seal around these vulnerable
areas can make a significant difference
in the home's energy efficiency and
monthly utility bills.
• Replace old windows. Windows
are a major source of energy loss in
most homes. Old, single-paned win-
dows are inefficient and will allow
radiant heat from the sun to increase
indoor temperatures. Replacing old
windows with Energy Star-rated win-
dows can save 7-15 percent on energy
bills and increase comfort within the
home.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate
air. Fans do not reduce indoor tem-
peratures, but they can make the
home feel more comfortable. Fans
work by circulating air across the skin
and creating a wind-chill effect, which
makes inhabitants feel cooler. It's been
proven that using a fan can allow
homeowners to turn up their ther-
mostat by 4 degrees with no drop in
comfort level. Ensure the fan's blades
are turning counterclockwise during
the summer to maximize the wind-
chill effect.
• Increase attic insulation.
Adding insulation to a home is one
of the fastest ways to reduce energy
consumption. More than 10 percent
of the average utility bill goes to cool-
ing a home, and insulation can help
significantly reduce the frequency and
duration the air conditioning system
is running. Only 20 percent of homes
constructed prior to 1980 are properly
insulated.
• Replace incandescent bulbs.
Light bulbs produce light, and they
also produce heat as a byproduct.
Only about 10 percent of the energy
consumed by a traditional light bulb is
used to create light. The remainder
becomes heat. By switching to Energy
Star-rated lighting, homeowners can
consume less electricity and produce
less heat within their homes. -1