8 Simple Tips for a Greener Home

When you incorporate green practices at home, you use less electricity and water. In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, you’ll reduce your monthly bills, saving you money every month.

Not all sustainable choices are difficult to implement or impossible to keep up with. In fact, there are many simple ways to go green in your own home, starting today.

Keep reading for 8 simple ways to make your home more sustainable.

Unplug

One of the easiest ways to save energy is to unplug devices when they are not being used. When you keep appliances plugged in, they continue to suck up electricity even when they are not powered on. Get in the habit of unplugging toasters, heaters, coffee makers, and fans when not in use. You can also use a smart power strip in your home office or entertainment center. These power strips cut power off and save energy when devices are in standby mode.

Program Your Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to monitor your heating and cooling systems. This allows you to easily use less energy when you are at work or traveling, and keeps your preferred temperature while you are home.

The Nest Thermostat takes programming to the next level. This ENERGY STAR thermostat learns what temperature you like and builds a schedule for you. It also provides maintenance reminders and HVAC system alerts to keep your system in the best condition.

Stock Your Freezer

A full freezer works more efficiently than one that is nearly empty. The freezer works harder, and uses more energy, when cooling down air that comes in every time you open the door. If fully stocked, less air is able to enter, which helps to keep the temperature down while saving energy.

Seal Your Home

Gaps around windows and doors let hot outside air into the house in the summer, and heat escape in the winter. This makes your HVAC system work harder, wasting energy on heating and cooling. Every year, check for gaps throughout your home. When needed, seal the gaps, and use weather stripping around windows and doors to keep inside air in and outside air out.

Switch to LED Lighting

LED lightbulbs consume about 80% less energy and last up to 20 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. As light bulbs burn out, make sure you replace them with LED lightbulbs for both interior and exterior lights.

Fix Leaks

Small toilet or faucet leaks often end up on the to-do list, only to be tended to months later. Even small leaks (like a constant dripping) can waste up to 90 gallons of water per day, according to epa.gov. If you notice a leak, call a plumber to assess how it started, and make sure to fix the issue right away.

Upgrade Your Insulation

Older homes often lack sufficient insulation. A properly installed home and attic help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This means your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard.

Purchase Efficient Appliances

When you are replacing appliances, purchase energy-efficient models. You can find ENERGY STAR dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, ovens, and refrigerators. This label verifies that the appliance is energy efficient. In the bathroom, opt for low-flow showerheads and toilets to save water.

Which of these green tips have you already implemented? Let us know in the comments!

February 2, 2021 0

Benefits of a Hot Water Recirculating Pump

Most of us like to step into a hot shower to begin or end the day. How many times have you turned on the water, and then proceeded to brush your teeth or lay out your clothes as you wait for the water to get warm?

In the average household, the shower uses two gallons of water per minute. If you and the other members of your home wait just two minutes for the water to heat up before every shower, it adds up to a significant waste of water. Hot water recirculation systems instantly provide water at a comfortable temperature, increasing comfort and optimizing energy consumption.

What is a Hot Water Recirculation System?

In systems without a recirculation pump, water sits in the pipes and must be pumped out of the faucet or showerhead. If the faucet has been off, this water will come out cold.

With a recirculation pump, cooled water is pumped through pipes back to the water heater to get heated, and a dedicated hot water line pumps water to faucets. The water is continuously recirculated, which means you don’t have to wait for hot water; it comes out instantaneously.

A recirculation pump can be easily installed to the point of water distribution, without the need for additional piping. Of course, hot water doesn’t need to be recirculated all day long. To improve the efficiency of your recirculation pump, you can put the pump on a timer or use a hot water demand pump.

Benefits of Hot Water Recirculation

The most apparent benefit of hot water recirculation is comfort. Recirculation pumps allow for more precise control over water temperature. Water instantly comes out to your preferred temperature, and remains steady throughout the shower, so you don’t finish rinsing off in lukewarm water. In addition, you don’t waste time checking to see if the water is warm enough.

Recirculation pumps also save water from being wasted. Each time you wait two minutes before stepping into the shower, you waste four gallons of water. A hot water recirculation pump eliminates the need to wait for the water to become warm, saving time, water, and energy.

November 19, 2019 0

Steel: A Sustainable Construction Choice

Steel is one of the greenest materials in construction. With a high recycling content and an industry committed to reducing emissions, steel surpasses other construction materials in regards to sustainability.

Steel in Construction

Steel has always been a popular choice of material. Steel framing is used in Type II-B construction because of its strength and durability. When framing out a building, steel is lighter than a structurally sound wood frame, and because steel is pre-engineered, it cuts down on time needed to build.

In addition, steel is flexible and can be molded into almost any shape. The non-combustible material has a long lifespan, combined with the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material. This gives steel the ability to withstand all types of inclement weather.

Steel Manufacturing

Steel is made of iron, one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Even though iron is plentiful, the steel industry continues to work toward sustainable practices. Manufacturing plants use steel scrap to make new steel, which helps to conserve energy and resources. According to the Steel Recycling Institute, the industry has reduced energy intensity by 31% per ton of steel shipped, and emissions by 36% per ton of steel produced since 1990.

Recycling Steel

Steel is one of the most widely recycled materials on the planet, with 80 million tons of steel recycled in North America every year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. All steel can be recycled, and because it is magnetic, it is quickly sorted from waste at recycling plants.

Recycling steel does not affect the strength and durability that is crucial to building with the material. This allows steel to be recycled an unlimited number of times without compromising the product.

Due to its strength and sustainability, steel is a natural choice in our building developments, where we utilize Type II-B construction.

September 17, 2019 0

Energy Efficient Offices

Offices are energy-consuming buildings; between heating and cooling, lighting, and technology and equipment required to run a business, the amount of energy used continues to rise.

With more builders and contractors committing to sustainable building, commercial offices are becoming more green, or environmentally friendly. Green buildings are designed and constructed with sustainable materials that make the building more energy-efficient and reduces energy costs.

Business owners don’t often have control over how the building was built, unless moving into a brand new development. But there are things every office can do to maximize energy conservation and reduce costs.

HVAC

Space heating accounts for 25% of energy use in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Ideally, a building will have proper insulation to help maintain a comfortable temperature. In older buildings, this cannot always be achieved. Whether you are leasing office space or own the building, maintaining your HVAC system can help decrease energy use and save money. Here are some ways to make the most of your HVAC:

Clean filters. Dirty filters slow down airflow. Check any filters regularly and change as necessary.
Program heating and cooling. Program the temperature of the office. After employees leave for the day, the heat (or AC) does not need to be turned up as high.
Equipment tune-up. To make sure all systems are working efficiently, get a tune-up from an HVAC professional.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to make energy-saving changes to your office space. Because lighting makes up 10% of the total energy use in buildings, it is worth the effort.

Motion sensor lights. Motion sensor lights are ideal for areas that are occupied during certain times of the day, including parking lots, stairways, and meeting rooms.
Make the most of natural light. Builders are taking more advantage of natural light. Through a process called daylighting, sunlight illuminates buildings, cutting energy use and costs. This provides an added bonus – sunlight increases positive moods of everyone in the workspace.
LED lights. LED bulbs last longer than fluorescent and incandescent lighting, and reduce the amount of energy used.

Office Technology and Appliances

Offices are filled with technology and appliances – from computers and copiers to refrigerators and microwaves. Being mindful in your selection of these items can significantly reduce energy usage.

Laptops. Laptops use up to 90% less energy than desktops. Depending on how many people work on computers in your office, this can make a significant difference.
ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR appliances, computers, copiers, televisions, and even fans and thermostats, are the most efficient equipment for the office.

Minimizing energy consumption in the workplace is beneficial for both the environment and your business savings. As we take on new developments, we are mindful of sustainable practices and work to make each building as environmentally friendly as possible.

August 6, 2019 0

Car Charging Stations at 66 High Street

Tesla has experienced massive growth in the past six years. The plug-in electric car models allow people to charge their cars rather than fill up at a gas station. Not only are these luxury cars cheaper to run, but they are also better for the environment.

With the increase in sales, more charging stations are being opened throughout the country. People need to be able to charge their cars, and charging stations at home or work are the most convenient option, as it can take between 1 and 12 hours to charge, depending on the charger (Supercharger Stations the fastest option, though not available for home use). Being able to get home, plug in your car, and charge overnight is most convenient for Tesla cars.

Connecticut is one of the states where Tesla has installation services, making it possible for residents at 66 High Street to have home chargers installed through Tesla or an independent electrician. The quickest home charging option is the Tesla Wall Connector, although owners can also use the Mobile Connector included when purchasing a new model.

In a multi-unit dwelling, Tesla owners need to speak with either the board, manager, or owner of the complex before installation. Tesla provides a template letter if you need approval to install a charging station. At 66 High Street, some of our residents already have charging installed in the underground parking garage.

As more charging stations appear in New England, Tesla automobiles are becoming an option for more people every day. The Horton Group strives to make the communities we work with both luxurious and sustainable, and are available to help residents who own a Tesla set up a home charging station.

April 23, 2019 0

The Benefits of Landscaping

Landscaping does more than just create beautiful curb appeal. Taking care of your property, whether a single-family residence, a condominium community, or a commercial development, has environmental, economic, and health benefits.

Environmental Benefits

Maintaining your lawn or property helps to protect you and the environment. Here are some of the ways landscaping helps the environment:

A lawn helps to control temperature extremes. In summer months, grass is cooler than pavement or cement, and trees that provide shade help cool down the property and home even more.
Grass helps to capture dust and pollutants and produces oxygen, keeping the air we breathe cleaner.
Pollutants and storm runoff are reduced when healthy lawns absorb water, which reduces local flooding and keeps polluted water out of larger bodies of water.

Economic Benefits

Along with helping the environment, a well-cared for property has economic benefits for homeowners and business owners alike:

Curb appeal is the first thing people notice when looking to buy a home. A beautiful property can increase the value of your home and reduce the time your property is on the market.
Residents of apartment complexes or condominiums are likely to pay more to live in a complex with grounds that are well cared for. HOA fees generally take care of landscaping, which means residents can enjoy the benefits of the property without having to care for it themselves.
In commercial spaces, green space encourages shoppers to spend more time at the development and increases property values.

Health Benefits

Landscaping also positively impacts health, both at home and work environments.

By filtering pollutants, landscaping helps to clean to the air.
In workplaces, landscaped areas help to decrease stress and increase positive mood, even if just looking out a window.
A well-planned property can provide privacy and a beautiful environment where you can spend time with loved ones.

With warmer weather approaching, now is the time to get started on your landscaping, so that you can enjoy the benefits of the outdoors for the next several months.

April 17, 2019 1

What are the benefits of underground parking?

The arrangements for parking at The Residences at 66 High Street are in large part site-specific. In the three new luxury condominium developments, resident parking is under the buildings. The quasi-underground parking structure mainly stemmed from efforts to raise the building’s living and mechanical spaces out of the 100-year flood zone.

Placing parking below the structure or underground can offer a number of other advantages. These include:

More available land. With parking under buildings, residents have more green space to enjoy.
Reduces crime. With easier access control, underground parking reduces crime when compared to large, open parking lots, as a result of easier access control.
Unobstructed views. When looking out luxury condominium windows, the last thing residents want to see is a parking lot. With cars out of sight, people can enjoy the beauty of the shoreline.
Pollution control. Underground parking improves both liquid and solid waste pollution control.
Convenience. Underground parking keeps cars as close to the building as possible while protecting the cars from elements of weather.
Reduces artificial cover. Underground parking also reduces artificial impervious cover such as asphalt, concrete, or brick, which is an environmental concern.

The Residences at 66 High Street, combining the freeboard, or an elevated first floor, with parking, is both convenient and beneficial.

January 16, 2019 1

Emtek Hardware

When designing or remodeling, hardware plays an important role in the aesthetic of a space. Door knobs, locks, and even hinges all add to the overlook of both the exterior and interior of your home.

Emtek, a company with decades of experience designing door hardware, allows you to mix and match hardware to achieve the look you want. They offer over 100 types of hardware, with designs that range from traditional to contemporary to rustic. In addition, Emtek offers a variety of materials and finishes. To view Emtek products, click here.

Emtek is part of the Assa Abloy group, the “global leader in door opening solutions.” Emtek designs and assembles hardware for doors and cabinets in Southern California.

Security is another top priority when choosing door hardware. Emtek offers a variety of locks, including:

Electronic Locks
Tubular Entry Sets
Mortise Entry Sets
Deadbolts
Key in Knobs
Sideplate Locks

There are many manufacturers who consider design and security when it comes to hardware. So what makes Emtek standout? Along with exceptional craftsmanship, Emtek provides quality customer service and is committed to sustainable practices. These are reasons Horton Group uses hardware products from Emtek in our development projects.

November 21, 2018 0