18. September 2008 by Burbank Real Estate.

1. Caulk gaps and cracks
2. Switch to Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
3. Install a low-flow showerhead
4. Go for double paned or triple paned windows
5. Insulate your home
6. Turn off or unplug products that are not currently in use
7. Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances
8. Install solar panels
9. Use drought resistant landscaping
10. Tank-less water heaters
11. High efficiency gas furnaces and air conditioning systems
12. Install motion sensor lights
13. Install solar tubes

These are just a few ideas to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency, for more energy saving tips, check out Burbank Water and Power.

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14. September 2008 by Burbank Real Estate.

Sustainability is a huge buzz word and building green through more efficient heating and cooling systems, lighting system, plumbing systems and using non toxic materials is starting to infiltrate all levels of real estate.  But when you have existing structures, such as the Bob Hope Airport, current and future renovations benefit from using sustainable alternatives.

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is committed to making sustainability one of it’s top priorities.

Renovations completed at Bob Hope Airport include:

• Hands free faucets

• Recycled paper in restrooms

• LED/incandescent taxiway lighting

• New electric ground service equipment charging stations to encourage use of non-diesel baggage carts

• Catch basins in airport parking lots to capture storm water and filter out toxins

• Triple paned windows, high efficiency air conditioning systems and solid doors with weather stripping for homes within airport vicinity

Future items include:

• Solar tubes will be installed in the Terminal A baggage claim area

• Pilot project with Burbank Water and Power to install ice-energy air conditioning system

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30. July 2008 by Burbank Real Estate.

Ever wonder what grasscycling is?

I didn’t, but I did find out recently that golf courses, school districts, parks, commercial landscapers and city landscape crews are doing it!

All it entails is leaving grass clippings on your lawn.  It’s really the best way to use your clippings as grass clippings contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, which are the same nutrients that fertilizers provide.  This approach helps to build your topsoil, reduces water demand and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers!

When doing this it’s recommended:

• That you use a mulching blade on your mower
• Mow your grass high
• Cut when dry
• Water after cutting

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25. July 2008 by Burbank Real Estate.

We’re not only having to conserve our water as we’re having a tough time with our water supplies, but we also need to conserve on our energy usage. Reasons to conserve are many……from helping our environment to saving a few dollars……whatever your reasons, keep it up!

Here are some conservation tips:

• Set your air conditioning to 76 degrees

• Run fans instead of central air

• Turn off lights in any of your unoccupied rooms and don’t turn on lights close to your thermostat.

• Unplug any charging devices that are not currently in use…..if you really want to take this concept further you can unplug any electronic item in the house that’s not in use.

• Use low flow showerheads

• Use low flow faucet aerators

• Plant drought tolerant varieties in your garden

• Use high efficiency toilets

• Try to be efficient with your sprinklers……I know this one is challenging. I’m constantly trying to monitor how much time my sprinklers are on as well as using mulch/bark to keep the moisture in the ground.

Don’t forget that Burbank Water and Power will pay $100 bounty for old refrigerators!

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23. October 2007 by Burbank Real Estate.

City of Burbank has an excellent page on their website, under conservation, that lists over 50 energy saving tips!

Many of these tips are common sense and you may be using them already, but there are some you may not have considered, such as:

• Make sure the seals in the oven fit properly.
• Do not use fireplaces while your central heating system in on.

• Use reversible ceiling fans to push warm air downwards and keep rooms warmer.
• Match water heater size to your needs and set the temperature at 120°-140°

• Cover wall-mounted air conditioners with plastic film or an airtight cover.
• Check with your pool supply advisor for recommendations on how long to run your pool pump daily. Don’t run it any longer than necessary.
• Don’t block microwave vents.
• Keep lids on pots when cooking. While baking, do not open the oven; consider using the light instead.

For the complete list, check out Burbank Water and Power!

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