Moving to the fastest growing city in America? Las Vegas offers an amazing quality of life. Order your free copy now!
| Remodeling and Home Services |
WATER CONSERVATION
— MANDATORY WATERING SCHEDULE
Watering restrictions allow watering any day of the week from May 1 through August 31. Mandatory watering restrictions prohibit sprinkler irrigation between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. from May 1 until October 1. During the hottest hours of the day, water is often lost to evaporation from the heat and high winds in the area. Watering during restricted hours is considered water waste and may result in a water-waste citation. You may handwater your landscape at any time of day, but use a hose with a positive shutoff nozzle. While daily landscape watering is permitted, the SNWA reiterates that landscapes can stay healthy and look great with less water. Monitor your landscape closely during the hot summer days and adjust watering times or add watering days only as needed. Follow these recommendations from the SNWA:
THE PUSH FOR GREENER HOMES
A major nationwide trend keeps sustainability in mind. This also applies to remodelers who are leading the charge to provide eco-conscious solutions for home-remodeling projects, according to NARI.
Faced with mounting scientific evidence that climate change threatens the health of our planet, homeowners are compelled to ask how they can make a difference. Green remodeling practices have become more popular as homeowners cope with ever-increasing energy costs, health concerns and diminishing natural resources.
Following are a few specific ways NARI remodelers can help plan a green remodel.
— EFFICIENT HEATING AND COOLING
With dramatic increases in energy costs becoming an annual occurrence, many homeowners have come to realize that building in an environmentally friendly way also means making smart decisions that translate into financial savings. New insulation technologies, such as spray-in cellulose insulation made from 80-percent postconsumer recycled newspaper, effectively will seal homes from harsh heat and cold.
Thermal solar energy is a nonpolluting source that is captured easily and used for water and space heating. Although solar water heaters can be expensive ($1,000–$4,000), they can show paybacks of only four to eight years, according to Austin Energy. Space heating systems can vary from $800 for wall heaters to $4,000 or more for large central systems. Qualified remodelers can help homeowners choose the right combination of insulation and energy-saving heating and cooling systems to reduce energy costs.
— REDUCING WATER CONSUMPTION
Southern Nevada is located in the arid Mojave Desert, which averages about four inches of rain each year. Reducing outdoor water use and water waste is essential to long-term sustainability in the desert. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (www.snwa.com) offers residents many tips on water conservation for every part of the house, yard and for washing vehicles.
— MANDATORY WATERING SCHEDULE
Watering restrictions allow watering any day of the week from May 1 through August 31. Mandatory watering restrictions prohibit sprinkler irrigation between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. from May 1 until October 1. During the hottest hours of the day, water is often lost to evaporation from the heat and high winds in the area. Watering during restricted hours is considered water waste and may result in a water-waste citation. You may handwater your landscape at any time of day, but use a hose with a positive shutoff nozzle. While daily landscape watering is permitted, the SNWA reiterates that landscapes can stay healthy and look great with less water. Monitor your landscape closely during the hot summer days and adjust watering times or add watering days only as needed. Follow these recommendations from the SNWA:
- Water your landscape after sunset and before sunrise to reduce evaporation caused by wind and heat.
- One way to keep your water bill down during peak temperatures is to cut one watering day per week out of your daily sprinkler schedule. Taking just one day off can reduce your water use by as much as 10 to 15 percent.
- Use the cycle-and-soak sprinkler irrigation method, which allows the soil to absorb water slowly and reduces the risk of runoff. Water four days per week and increase the schedule only if your landscape needs more water.
- Don’t water on windy or rainy days. Winds can send sprinkler water in unintended directions, saturating the sidewalk more than the lawn. Watering during rainy periods can cause soil over-saturation and wasteful runoff. Shut off the sprinklers on windy or rainy days to save as much as 500 gallons of water a day.
- If you notice brown spots in your lawn, check your sprinklers to see if any of the heads are broken or twisted. Also check to see if your sprinklers are popping up four inches above the grass. You may water by hand with a hose. To break down surface tension and allow for better water absorption, add a tablespoon of liquid soap to a gallon of water and drench the brown spots with the mixture.
- During the summer, run your drip irrigation system in a single cycle of 30 to 90 minutes, three days per week. The length of each watering should be determined by the emitter flow rate, soil type and weather conditions. Experts agree that running drip irrigation less frequently is much better for plants than daily watering.
THE PUSH FOR GREENER HOMES
A major nationwide trend keeps sustainability in mind. This also applies to remodelers who are leading the charge to provide eco-conscious solutions for home-remodeling projects, according to NARI.
Faced with mounting scientific evidence that climate change threatens the health of our planet, homeowners are compelled to ask how they can make a difference. Green remodeling practices have become more popular as homeowners cope with ever-increasing energy costs, health concerns and diminishing natural resources.
Following are a few specific ways NARI remodelers can help plan a green remodel.
— EFFICIENT HEATING AND COOLING
With dramatic increases in energy costs becoming an annual occurrence, many homeowners have come to realize that building in an environmentally friendly way also means making smart decisions that translate into financial savings. New insulation technologies, such as spray-in cellulose insulation made from 80-percent postconsumer recycled newspaper, effectively will seal homes from harsh heat and cold.
Thermal solar energy is a nonpolluting source that is captured easily and used for water and space heating. Although solar water heaters can be expensive ($1,000–$4,000), they can show paybacks of only four to eight years, according to Austin Energy. Space heating systems can vary from $800 for wall heaters to $4,000 or more for large central systems. Qualified remodelers can help homeowners choose the right combination of insulation and energy-saving heating and cooling systems to reduce energy costs.
— REDUCING WATER CONSUMPTION
Southern Nevada is located in the arid Mojave Desert, which averages about four inches of rain each year. Reducing outdoor water use and water waste is essential to long-term sustainability in the desert. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (www.snwa.com) offers residents many tips on water conservation for every part of the house, yard and for washing vehicles.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Nevada consistently ranks high among the favored states ...
