Your Villa - Desert Cities - July/Sep 2021

D E S I G N + B U I L D Five green home improvements BrandPointContent.com edited by YourVilla Sta Are you looking for ways to upgrade your home with the environment in mind, but worried about the expense? Fortunately, many home improvements are not as costly up front as they used to be, and the return on those investments - both in energy savings and your home’s value - is well worth the effort. Choose Energy Star certified products For an efficiency upgrade, look for the blue Energy Star label on products ranging from appliances and electronics to lighting and HVAC systems as a simple way to save money and conserve energy, which helps fight climate change. You can even find Energy Star windows. Update your HVAC Heating and cooling cost the average homeowner about $875 a year, according to the EPA’s Energy Star website. If you’re still using a furnace for heat and a separate AC unit for cooling - or worse, an outdated system that relies on fossil fuels - it may be time to upgrade. Go solar You’ve heard about solar for years, but now may be the perfect time to switch to renewable energy. Solar energy can help power your home, saving hundreds of dollars in utility bills. Reduce air leaks and check insulation Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can help increase comfort and energy efficiency, and may provide up to a 10% savings on your annual energy bills, according to the EPA. Upgrade bathroom plumbing fixtures For older toilets, sinks or showerheads in your bathroom, upgrading to newer models can help save on your water bill, while also wasting a lot less water. CLEANING | POLISHING | SEALING TONY TOMAS MARBLE CARE SINCE 1985 TT COMPLETE STONE & TILE CARE Marble Travertine Limestone Terrazo Mexican Pavers Tile & Grout Other Stones Indoor & Outdoor (760) 776-5878 tonytomasmarblecare.com FREE Estimates! 22 | YourVilla Magazine AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS