Friday, August 29, 2014

Lower Water Bills and Conserve for the Future


Water is our most precious resource.
As our planet becomes more crowded and the demand for clean drinking water grows, it’s increasingly important that we look for creative ways to reduce needless waste. You might underestimate how small changes can really add up. Did you know simply by turning off the water while you brush your teeth, you may save up to as much as 25 gallons per month? (A great way to make this point with kids is to show them at the grocery store what 25 gallons of milk looks like... that’s a lot of water!) Even shortening your shower by two minutes can add up to 150 gallons per month.
Below are some creative tips you can use to cut down on your water consumption, lower your water bills, and preserve a resource we truly can’t live without:
1. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. Instead of waiting for cold water, every drop ends up as part of your drink.

 2. Wash veggies and fruits in a pan of water, then gather the water you use and reuse it to water indoor plants.

3. Consider installing an instant water heater near your kitchen, so you don’t have to run the water excessively when you need hot water. (This can also reduce overall energy expenses.)

4. Remember: Washing dark clothes in cold water saves on both water and energy, and it helps your clothes retain their vibrancy.

5. Rather than following a set watering schedule for your lawn and garden, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering. If it’s still moist, hold off on running those sprinklers.

6. Reduce the amount of lawn you have to water by practicing xeriscaping, which is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation. (Rocks, natural, local vegetation, etc.)

7. Does your shower fill a 1-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds? Replace your shower head with a water-efficient model. 
Share these seven tips with others and encourage people in your neighborhood to join you in your support of water conservation. If you’re interested in looking at eco-friendly homes, give me a call 850-814-8259! I’d be happy to show you what’s on the market:

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Local Tweets Deliver News as it Happens



With all of the social media websites and mobile apps out there today, you might find yourself looking to cut back oreven use certain social sites for specific functions. While Facebook might be great for keeping in touch with family and friends scattered across the country, and Pinterest might be ideal for “scrap-booking” ideas for your next home, what in the world should you use Twitter for?

If the idea of “tweeting” messages out in 140 characters seems like a waste of time, perhaps you should consider Twitter in a new light. What Twitter excels at is breaking news, especially hyperlocal breaking news.

Hyperlocal is a term which simple means “very close” to you or your neighborhood. While a wildfire two states away might not be of concern to you, a four-alarm disaster in your neighborhood can suddenly be a real priority.

You don’t have to tweet to make use of Twitter. In fact, one of the best ways to use Twitter is simply as an “awareness” tool for your immediate area. Many people don’t realize that a variety of services and businesses break news daily via short Tweets with links to more information.

Here are some common categories you’re likely to find if you search Twitter for tweets and accounts near you:
  • Fire / Police / EMS / local radio scanners
  • Public utilities (including power and water... great for getting updates on outages)
  • Local transit (trains, busses, taxis)
  • Local government and civic notices
  • Sports stadiums (traffic advisories, event information)
  • Local news stations (learn what’s going on between regular broadcasts)
  • Neighborhood blogs (very popular in cities)
  • Neighborhood businesses (often advertise specials, events, and “Twitter only” freebies)
  • Your actual neighbors!

    You’d be surprised how useful Twitter can be when you think of it in terms of a breaking news delivery platform. Give it a try today. Who knows, you may even find yourself becoming a local news source yourself!
Ready to start reading hyperlocal tweets? Start by following me on Twitter! Follow my account; @BrookinPC