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(ARA) - The summer months are right around the corner, and water conservation will undoubtedly be brought to the forefront for those who are impacted by seasonal droughts and water usage restrictions in their towns.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at least 36 states anticipate local, regional or statewide water shortages by 2013, even under non-drought conditions.

"The reality is that water conservation is a responsibility that we all share, regardless of location," says Carol Anne Kemper, product manager, Delta Faucet Company. "By making small changes around the house and to our daily routines, we can make a significant impact on our water supplies without feeling as though we're sacrificing our comforts or experience."

She suggests starting with the home bathroom, where the water-saving potential is great. "The EPA estimates that Americans use roughly 3.3 billion gallons of water each day just for showering," says Kemper. "We can bring that number down by taking a slightly shorter shower or using a water-saving showerhead."

It seems to be abundant, but water is a relatively scarce resource. Less than 1 percent of the world's fresh water is readily accessible for direct human use. Here are a few tips that you can follow to reduce your water consumption in the bath:

* Install a water-efficient showerhead. By installing a water-efficient showerhead, the average four-person household can potentially save an estimated 11,000 gallons of water per year. Here's an example:
8-minute shower x 2.5 gallons per minute (standard showerhead) = 20 gallons used per shower.
8-minute shower x 1.5 gpm (water-efficient showerhead) = 12 gallons used per shower.
8-gallon savings x 4 people per day x 365 days yields approximately 11,680 gallons of water savings per four-person household, per year.

* Fix a leaky faucet. According to the EPA, a leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.

* Learn to reuse and recycle. Don't pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering plants or cleaning.

* Turn off the water. According to the EPA, a bathroom faucet usually runs at 2 gallons of water per minute. By turning off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, you can save more than 200 gallons of water per month.

* Take showers instead of baths. The average bathtub can hold up to 70 gallons of water when full. By taking an 8-minute shower instead of a bath, each person can save approximately 50 gallons of water per day.

* Switch to a high-efficiency toilet. A high-efficiency toilet uses less than 1.3 gallons per flush, leading to an average of 20 percent less water per flush when compared to the industry standard of 1.6 gallons.

For those who want to conserve water in the bath but are concerned about sacrificing their desired shower experience, Delta Faucet offers its award-winning, exclusive H2Okinetic technology that blankets the body while using less water. The technology manages droplet size, velocity, spray coverage and thermal dynamics, which results in larger water droplets that retain heat longer. The combination of the massaging effect and a denser spray pattern creates a drenching coverage that delivers a satisfying shower at a 1.5 gpm flow rate at 60 pounds per square inch (psi), resulting in water savings of approximately 36 percent.

In conjunction with manufacturers, leading organizations are also taking on water conservation as a serious issue. In March 2010, the EPA established its WaterSense specifications for showerheads to promote water efficiency in the shower, and product performance and quality.

To earn the WaterSense designation, a showerhead or handshower must flow at a rate of no more than 2.0 gpm, tested at a flowing pressure of 80 psi, and is tested against the following attributes to ensure performance and user satisfaction:

* A consistent flow rate across a range of pressures
* Spray force
* Spray coverage

Delta Faucet Company was the first to earn the WaterSense designation for showerheads, and currently more than 50 percent of its bath suites feature showerheads and handshowers that meet the latest WaterSense specification. Those showerheads and handshowers that meet these WaterSense requirements use about 20 to 40 percent less water than the industry standard.

In addition, the company will continue to gain showerhead and handshower certifications, with the expectation that by summer 2010, 80 percent of its bath suites will feature an option to meet WaterSense requirements.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) -- The tax credit eligibility for qualified garage doors will expire on Dec. 31. Now is your last chance to save 30 percent off the price of an energy-saving curb-appeal-inspiring garage door, courtesy of the U.S. government.

The savings come from a federal income tax credit, which is more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction, because a tax credit reduces your tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only decreases the amount of income that is taxed. Through the end of this year, the U.S. government is offering up to a $1,500 tax credit for homeowners who buy and install qualifying insulated garage doors. Full details can be found at GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial home improvement resource dedicated to garage doors and garage door openers.

The government is encouraging everyone to save energy, and the tax credit is an incentive for homeowners. If your home has an attached garage, you've probably noticed that the room next to the garage is typically the coldest room in the winter and hottest in the summer. That's because the winter's cold and summer's heat can enter the house through the garage, which increases the amount of energy your home needs for heating and cooling. That's why insulated garage doors can make a difference in reducing your heating and cooling bills, and saving valuable energy resources.

Getting your share of the tax credit
Tax credits are available for qualifying garage door purchases placed in service by Dec. 31. A taxpayer may claim a maximum of 30 percent of qualifying home improvement products, and a maximum of $1,500 for qualifying purchases in 2009 and 2010. For example, if you replace two garage doors with two new qualifying insulated doors that cost $1,000 each, you may claim a tax credit of $300 per door, or a total of $600, provided you have not exceeded the $1,500 total over the two years of the tax credit period.

To be eligible for the tax credit:
* The door must be an insulated residential garage door, installed on an insulated garage.
* The door must have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30, even if the door contains windows.
* The door perimeter must have a means to control air infiltration.
* The door must be expected to remain in service for at least five years.
* The garage must be part of the taxpayer's principal U.S. residence.

An appealing improvement
Beyond saving you tax dollars and energy expenses, a new garage door can also add curb appeal and value to your home. Because an attached garage can comprise a third or more of the front of your home, a new garage door can make a dramatic statement. Need proof? Check out the before and after images at GarageWowNow.com to see how new garage doors can enhance the look of a home.

It's all about style. Over the past several years, manufacturers have introduced carriage house garage doors that reflect the look of days gone by and provide a touch of charm and elegance to the home. If your home has a more modern look, contemporary doors that boast bright colors, opaque glass and aluminum, or a range of metallic finishes might be more your style.

A new garage door can also increase the value of your home. One survey shows that 71 percent of homeowners who replaced their garage doors felt that it increased the value of their home.

Don't do it yourself

Garage door installation is best left to the pros. Why? Your garage door is more than just a door - it's a system that includes springs, cables, rollers, tracks and other hardware. This system is under high tension that can cause severe injury or even death if improperly installed. In short, it's not a job for the weekend warrior. To properly install, or even repair, a garage door system, an experienced professional is always your best bet. GarageWowNow.com can point you to the qualified professionals nearest you through a handy ZIP code search function.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - What's the one natural resource you rely on most in a day? If you think about it from the first things you do in the morning, to the chores you do, to the last things you do to wrap up your day, you'll likely conclude it's water. We use it for showering, brushing teeth, flushing the toilet, washing dishes, cleaning, cooking, drinking and more - without water, we'd be lost. The problem is, high demand is leading to concerns about water shortages. With fresh water supplies diminishing because of misuse and pollution, the worldwide water crisis will eclipse many other environmental issues in the coming years. That's why it's so important to learn what your water footprint is and how you can begin reducing it now.

Your water footprint - how much water you use on a daily, weekly or monthly basis - might be a lot bigger than you think. If you tend to go about your daily activities without considering how much water is literally going down the drain, it's likely that there's room for improvement. The good news is that there are plenty of easy fixes that can help you reduce your water footprint. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

* In the laundry room: The average American household uses 16,000 gallons of water each year, just on laundry, so it's a major factor in your footprint. One way to cut back on water usage in the laundry room is to use a high-performance front-loading washing machine. They typically use far less water than top-loaders, and washers from Miele use less than 13 gallons - which is less than other Energy Star-rated washing machines. Also, take a thoughtful approach to how you run the washer - only use it for full loads, unless the unit is equipped with a load recognition sensor that only fills the washer with enough water to manage that load.

It's also important to have a washer that treats your clothes well. Your clothes themselves affect your water footprint - it takes 3,600 gallons of water to produce just a single cotton T-shirt and a pair of jeans. In addition to saving on water, all Miele's front-loading washers treat clothes gently with their patented honeycomb drum technology, that is proven to extend the life of clothes up to four times longer than other washers. The fewer clothes you buy, the smaller your water footprint. It also lessens strain on your wallet.

* In the bathroom: Long, hot showers might feel good after a long day, but they'll expand your water footprint quickly. Limit the amount of time you spend in the shower by setting a timer - or keep a clock in your bathroom so you can watch the time. If you have the option to do a bit of remodeling in your bathroom, consider installing a new toilet that offers a dual flush option (a half flush and a whole flush). By using the half flush option more frequently, you'll save a good deal of water. Other water-saving steps include installing a high-efficiency showerhead and turning off the water as you brush your teeth and wash your face.

* In the kitchen: Think back to how you approach washing clothes, and apply it to your dishwasher - make sure you're washing a full load and using the most efficient setting. If your machine is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a new water- and energy-efficient model.

* Throughout the house: Your water footprint might be expanding without you even knowing it, due to leaky pipes - do a quick check around the house and repair any leaks. While you're making the rounds, take the time to install aerators or low-flow faucets on all sinks. Keep in mind in that, in addition to being good for the environment, saving water can also help you save money, too.

* In the outdoors: Having a nice lawn can improve the look of your home and your whole neighborhood, but it's essential to be smart about watering. If you need to water, do so early in the morning or at dusk to cut back on evaporation. Consider switching to drip irrigation as an effective and more efficient alternative to sprinkler systems. Installing a rain barrel to catch the water that nature delivers for free is another great idea - you can then use the collected rainwater to refresh your garden.

From your washing machine to your garden, some simple adjustments can shrink your water footprint to a more earth-friendly size. For more information about saving water, visit the EPA's WaterSense website at www.epa.gov/watersense; or to learn about how much water goes into making your clothes and how best to protect them, visit www.mieleusa.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - With the economy making a slow rebound, homeowners continue to look for cost-effective options when building or renovating their homes. Natural exterior building materials are often very expensive and require both time and money to maintain. Choosing vinyl and polymeric siding is one way people are saving on building materials. Both siding options, which many considered at one time to be fake-looking or boring, have become one of the most versatile, detailed and eco-friendly home exterior products available on the market today.

Throughout the last few decades, vinyl cladding products have evolved from simple, smooth, non-engineered panels without much detail, to now include hundreds of colors including dark hues, engineered features that drastically improve on-the-wall performance, and computer digitized wood grains from real wood to create authentic-looking accents and profiles such as shake, shingle and scallops. The ability of manufacturers to create natural-looking products that can be customized for a wide range of home styles means that homeowners in every part of the country can find a style that suits them.

"Vinyl products are available in so many colors and styles that they really suit any taste," said Deryl Patterson, partner at BSB Design, the nation's leading residential architectural firm serving clients nationwide. "More and more people are switching to vinyl siding and accessories as they look to personalize their homes with vibrant colors and detail, and save money during construction and throughout the life of the product."

Vinyl siding is not only less costly to install than natural wood; it also requires little maintenance and no painting throughout its lifetime, which saves homeowners time and money. Insulated siding is also now available from top siding manufacturers, which can save homeowners on heating and cooling costs as well. Polystyrene foam insulation can increase a wall system's R-value and boost heat transfer performance up to 25 percent, significantly cutting down on the energy needed to heat or cool a home.

Manufacturers have also created low-maintenance exterior finishings including window trims, shutters, gable vents, mantels and dentil moldings to complement your home's exterior. Ply Gem is one company that is leading the charge in creating a large portfolio of low-maintenance, sustainable and stylish options for homeowners.

"The products that Ply Gem offers allow eco-conscious homeowners to create beautiful, custom homes with value in mind that reflect the homeowners' personality," said Jerry Blais, vice president, marketing, Ply Gem siding group. "Ply Gem has a wide array of siding colors and profiles, insulated siding options, accessories and designer accents that fit perfectly together and create unique solutions. And, because we also offer Ply Gem Windows, Ply Gem Stone veneer, and fence and rail solutions, you can get all your low-maintenance renovation products from one provider."

The expanding accessory offerings, eco-friendly attributes and hundreds of color options help vinyl siding match personal taste and complement mixed exteriors. Home exteriors that have multiple cladding products on them are known as designed exteriors, and this concept is one of the fastest growing building trends in the U.S. Deeper earth tones and darker colors are becoming more prevalent, especially when paired with stone veneer or brick sections of a home.

"In the future, we will continue to see the details of vinyl siding and accessories be enhanced," said Patterson. "Manufacturers have come a long way by adding colors and profiles, but now we're seeing more attention paid to the intricacies and details that make it very authentic. The possibilities with vinyl siding are endless."

For more information about the attributes of vinyl siding, visit www.plygem.com, and check out www.bsbdesign.com for ideas on personalizing your home with vinyl siding.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

As a parent, you'd like your home, community, and children's schools to be greener. Unfortunately, daily life can get in the way of that. You have limited time and budget in which to make the world around you a more sustainable place.

But fortunately, going green doesn't have to be difficult, time-consuming or expensive. In fact, a smart and savvy parent can go green and save green at the same time. Here are a few easy ways you can change the world for the better, and even have fun while you're at it:

* Click it - Most children (and a lot of adults) have no idea where the power comes from. So leaving lots of lights on in the house is no big deal. Teaching kids the value (monetary and environmental) of turning out the lights they're not using is a direct way to connect being greener with something your kids do every day. You could even have competitions with your kids to see who can turn out the lights the fastest.

* Slay vampires - Just because something's off doesn't mean it's not still using electricity. While some newer appliances and gadgets are getting much better at using minimal electricity while on standby (or "off"), many continue to be "energy vampires." Cell phone chargers are infamous for using nearly the same, if not equal to, the electricity that's used when charging a phone. Here again you can make a game out of "slaying the vampires" with your kids. They have fun and you save money.

* Strip - Does the thought of unplugging and replugging cords for so many things make you think you'll never stick to it? Easy -- get a power strip for each cluster of things you have in the house (i.e., family room, kitchen, kids' play room) and plug everything into those, rather than each in its own plug. Then, you can easily turn several things off (and back on) at once. Even the most affordable power strips have the ability to have some dedicated plugs for those "need to be plugged in" things like the refrigerator.

* Get trashy - As a parent you probably go through lots of food for your kids that comes in difficult- or impossible-to-recycle packaging, as far as you know. There's a company called TerraCycle that makes products like umbrellas to backpacks, gardening products to recycling bins from recycled trash. TerraCycle works directly with the public, enlisting their help in the form of "brigades," - self-organized groups of people, typically schools - that collect packaging. The newest collected product is Malt-O-Meal, the cereal company that long ago decided to "Bag the Box," skipping the paper box that is typical of cereals; that alone already reducing the packaging by 75 percent.

Kristen Burke, a third grade teacher at Signal Hill Elementary School in Manassas, Va., leads one of these brigades. "The more my class and I began collecting, we truly began to look at trash in a different light," she says. "It was no longer trash to us, instead, it was things that could be turned into new products, as well as money to help our school. While raising money for our school was a wonderful incentive, it has become even more so during the times of budget cuts within our school. We have found a way to help our school and save the environment."

But in the end, the smartest resource you may have for going greener may be right under your nose - your kids. Children are increasingly green savvy, and they probably have a lot of great, creative ideas that you'd never think of. They get to be helpful, you learn some new things to do, and everybody - including the planet - wins.

If you want to get started immediately in greening your home, try upcycling some of your own trash to make a wallet.

Food Wrapper Wallet

Materials:
1 clean, empty food package (at least 7 inches by 5 1/2 inches in size)
1 ruler
1 pen
1 pair of scissors
tape
1 self-adhesive Velcro fastener

Directions:
1. Cut a rectangle that is 7 inches by 5 1/2 inches in the package. Centered inside the rectangle, draw a smaller rectangle that is 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches. This smaller rectangle will be 1 1/2 inches from each edge.

2. From the top edge of the smaller rectangle, draw a semicircle that intersects with the top of the large rectangle and the corners of the small rectangle. Repeat for the other three sides. Cut around these lines.

3. Fold in all four semicircles so your cut piece folds up to the size of the small rectangle. Tape the bottom flap and two side flaps in place.

4. Attach one side of the Velcro fastener on the inside of the top flap. Fold down the flap so the other side of the Velcro attaches to the outside of the bottom flap.

If you'd like to join or start your own TerraCycle Brigade, go to www.terracycle.net.

Courtesy of ARAcontent