5 Ways to Save and Be Green

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As time goes on and technology advances, everyone is interested in being more efficient and environmentally friendly when it comes to their homes. However, it isn’t always easy being green. With several options available today, it can be overwhelming to know where to start and how to go about implementing some of today’s options. Here are some ways to begin which can also help save you money.

Small changes for big results - A simple way of cutting down on the pollution in your home is to just take off your shoes. This is because 30 - 40% of indoor contaminants are brought in by your shoes. Pick out a fun or decorative door mat and take off your shoes by the door. Other small changes include turning off lights when you leave a room, set your water heater to a max of 120 degrees and install a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature.

Beware of becoming “greenwashed” - Not every product out there is environmentally friendly. Some claim to have a concern for being eco friendly yet still have harmful chemicals in their ingredients. Always read the labels and if in doubt, do some quick research online to verify.

Don’t forget your landscaping - Too often people focus on the interior of their homes when choosing to make green changes. However, your landscaping can have a big effect as well on the environment. Your landscaping can be environmentally friendly and sustainable. Replacing a traditional lawn with native grasses can require 50% to 70% less water, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. That can save you nearly 60 hours a year in maintenance.

Green upgrades pay off - If you are interested in getting started a great place to start is with your local utility company to check for any savings or incentives. Also, check for any tax incentives should you be interested in upgrading any of your systems to energy efficient ones including adding solar panels. Even smaller changes like planting trees for shading your home can reduce cooling costs or replacing bulbs with EnergyStar ones can save a quite a bit over time.

Purchase a LEED certified home - If you are in the market for a new home and don’t wish to add green features on your own, consider purchasing a LEED certified home. These homes do typically come at a premium, yet you realize the savings over time with considerable savings and efficiency all while being environmentally friendly.

Beth Dickerson

Boston, MA

Primary phone
(617) 510-8565
Email
[email protected]
Address
277 Dartmouth St. , 2nd Floor,
Boston, MA 02116

About The Author

One of Boston’s most reputable real estate brokers, Beth Dickerson has achieved more than $2 billion in sales and thousands of successful real estate transactions over her nearly thirty-year tenure. Beth has received national acclaim from the real estate industry and represents some of the most prestigious residents and properties across Massachusetts. Her enduring record as a top producer comes from the intuitive gift of sensing her clients’ needs. She has built a business that is referral-based at its core—a testament to her relationship-driven approach and penchant for exceeding expectations. It is this nuanced expertise that Beth leverages to guide many of her clients-turned-friends through some of the greatest milestones of their lives.

Beth was the proprietor of her own real estate company before joining the residential division of R. M. Bradley in 1993, where she was a top producer for more than a decade. In 2003, she founded her own boutique real estate firm, Dickerson Real Estate, before merging with Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty in 2007. Today, Beth attributes her success to her comprehensive marketing and advertising strategies, exclusive contact network, and unparalleled insight into neighborhoods like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End and Waterfront. With an understanding that no two clients are alike, she works with clients in all phases of life—from first-time buyers to luxury developers, seasoned sellers and beyond. Beth offers clients the resources to aggressively market their property locally, nationally and globally, and her attention to detail, drive and enthusiasm are unmatched.

Beth has appeared in prestigious media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Mansion Global, The Boston Globe, and Boston magazine, and was prominently featured as Greater Boston’s real estate expert on WCVB Chronicle in 2020. She has had the honor of serving as President of the Downtown Council of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. For over ten years, she has been a Co-Chair and Committee Member for the Massachusetts General Pediatric Hospital for Children’s Storybook Ball. She serves as a Board Member of the Community Music Center of Boston and a member for the Perkins School for the Blind, Emerald Necklace Park Conservancy, Justine Liff Luncheon, Youth Villages and the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, among dozens of other organizations throughout the Boston area.

A long-time resident of Boston’s Back Bay, Beth was an active member of the community as she raised her two children: she served as treasurer of the Clarendon Street Playground and was an avid supporter of the Hill House Community Center.