Stay Green and Save Water

It's all about curb appeal when it comes to selling your home this time of year. And even if you're home isn't on the market, you want it to look its best inside and out. Depending on the size of your outdoor space, landscaping can be as simple as planting a few flowers or as involved as needing a whole crew and an entire weekend to make your lawn and garden look beautiful.

If you have a large landscape, an irrigation system may be what you need to keep your land lush and green. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, about half of the water used in irrigation systems nationwide is wasted by it falling on sidewalks or evaporating into the air before it reaches the ground.

So what can you do to use water more efficiently, and help to lower your bills?

• Drip irrigation systems are long, thin plastic tubes with small fittings that release water, allowing you to send water only where you feel necessary. A new drip system costs around $200 for a whole yard, or you can convert your existing in-ground sprinkler system. The cost is well worth it: Going from sprinklers to drip irrigation can cut lawn water use by up to 50 percent.

• Recapturing rainwater allows you to irrigate at no cost. To harvest rainwater, place a simple plastic or wooden drum, with a spigot near the bottom where you can attach your hose, underneath a downspout. A 60-gallon barrel costs only $75 to $150, and one inch of rain on a 1,000- square-foot roof provides 600 gallons of runoff.

• Putting your irrigation system on a timer will keep water waste to a minimum and can also help you comply with any local watering restrictions. Timer kits range from the simple to more sophisticated ones with sensors that adjust the water flow based on how much rain has fallen.

Like my tips? You'll love what I can do as your Realtor®. Don't forget, if you or someone you know is planning on buying or selling a home, give me a call and I'll make your home ownership dreams come true.

Kristy O'Connor
Realtor®
Weichert, Realtors - Media
606 E. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA
267.243.6434
KristyLOConnor@gmail.com