Earth Day Tips: 7 Tips to Reduce Conservation

With Earth Day around the corner on April 22, now is a great time to join the green initiative and reduce your environmental impact (and save a few dollars, too). Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club is committed to conservation and was recognized for its efforts with the Arizona Community Environmental Award by the National Golf Course Owners Association in 2016. Reduce your daily impact inside and outside of your home with the following tips:

1. Window Treatments – A Clear Way to Save
The right type of windows can block a considerable amount of heat from the sun, and proper window coverings can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by more than 70 percent. Also, consider dual shades that feature a white side that reflects heat and a black side that absorbs heat that can be reversed in the winter.

2. Size Matters
Efficient use of your cooling system is another important component in keeping energy costs at bay.  Proper sizing is very important for efficient air conditioning – bigger does not always mean better!  A unit that is too large will not cool your home uniformly. An improperly sized unit will cool the room to its thermostat set point and shut down prior to properly dehumidifying the room, leaving the area feeling damp and humid…sending your electric bill through the roof.

3. Water Conservation
Landscape using natural desert vegetation in your yards. These resilient plants are low maintenance and require little water to survive. Say goodbye to the lawnmower and fertilizer and consider investing in artificial turf instead of a traditional grass yard. Water early or late in the day when the sun is the least intense, this will reduce the amount of water lost by evaporation.

4. Get with the Program
Use a programmable thermostat. You can keep your house warmer than normal when you are away and set it to a lower, more comfortable temperature when you are home. 

5. Let There Be Light
Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with long-lasting LEDs or CFL bulbs. These efficient bulbs use as little as 1/4 the energy of regular bulbs and can last 10 times as long.

6. Out with the Old
Remember to replace those air filters!  Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a new one every 3-4 months can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. 

7. Cool Down
Water heating can account for 14-25 percent of the energy consumed in your home. Turn the temperature of your water heater down to the warm setting (120°F). You can also take cooler showers, which can often be refreshing in the warm, summer months.

With these tips, you’ll be sure to enjoy savings while reducing your impact on the environment. Learn more about Earth Day.