Water and Energy

Dear homeowners.

During the summer we tend to increase our water and energy consumption. Did you know you can reduce your water consumption by 20-40 percent without purchasing expensive equipment? Reducing water use can mean substantial savings on water, sewage, and energy bills.  The following suggestions will help you get in the habit of saving water:Kitchen:

• Avoid the garbage disposal. It uses a lot of unnecessary water and can lead to problems with septic systems. Start a compost pile instead!
• Run automatic dishwashers only with a full load.
• When washing dishes in the sink, use one side of the sink or a large bowl for rinsing, rather than running water.
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator for cold drinks. If you have to run your tap while waiting for cold water, collect running water in a pitcher for later use.

Bathroom:

• Conventional toilets use about five to seven gallons of water per flush. Water used for each flush can be reduced by placing two half-gallon plastic bottles filled with water in the tank.
• Install a low-flow aerator on your showerhead and sink. These devices can be purchased at a hardware store and are easy to install. They reduce flow to approximately three gallons per minute instead of the usual five to 10 in a shower.
• Turn off the tap water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Take shorter showers. During droughts, turn off the water while soaping up.

Remember, when you use less water, you are also using less energy, leading to even greater savings.

Do you have an additional tip? Share it with us 

Fundamentals of a Community Association

Dear homeowners,

Even though we live in an association, you might be surprised by how many of your neighbors, owners and renters alike, don’t really understand the fundamental nature of common-interest communities.

The Community Associations Institute (CAI), developed 10 basic principles that answer three essential questions: What is the basic function of a community association? What are the essential obligations and expectations of homeowners? What are the core principles that should guide association leaders?

We’re confident you’ll recognize your community while reading these principles:

1. Associations ensure that the collective rights and interests of homeowners are respected and preserved.

2. Associations are the most local form of representative democracy, with leaders elected by their neighbors to govern in the best interest of all residents.

3. Associations provide services and amenities to residents, protect property values and meet the established expectations of homeowners.

4. Associations succeed when they cultivate a true sense of community, active homeowner involvement and a culture of building consensus.

5. Association homeowners have the right to elect their community leaders and to use the democratic process to determine the policies that will protect their investments.

6. Association homeowners choose where to live and accept a contractual responsibility to abide by established policies and meet their financial obligations to the association.

7. Association leaders protect the community’s financial health by using established management practices and sound business principles.

8. Association leaders have a legal and ethical obligation to adhere to the association’s governing documents and abide by all applicable laws.

9. Association leaders seek an effective balance between the preferences of individual residents and the collective rights of homeowners.

10. Association leaders and residents should be reasonable, flexible and open to the possibility, and benefits of compromise.

Spring Cleaning

Dear homeowners,

Spring cleaning is here! The steps you take now can help avoid costly maintenance and repairs later. Here are some tips that you can apply to the inside and outside of your home:

• Inspect the roof and gutters. Check the roof for damage; it’s been taking a beating all season. Then clear gutters of debris; a clog can lead to water damage.
• Check the HVAC system. Hire a professional to clean and service your system. You also should clean or replace filters; it’ll help ensure your system is running efficiently, keep energy costs in check and remove extra allergens from your home.
• Replace smoke detector batteries.
• Steam-clean floors and carpets.
• Vacuum underneath and behind your refrigerator. A dusty, dirty fridge also increases electric bills.
• Clean out the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Toss expired foods, clean surfaces and reorganize.
• De-clutter closets. Donate, re-purpose, recycle or set aside clothes for a garage sale.

Here are some other tips:

1. Clean your windows with vinegar and water.
2. Dust blinds blade by blade with a microfiber cloth.
3. Clean your ceiling fan. Wrap a pillow case around each blade and use it to dust instead of a rag. The dust will fall into the pillow case instead of all over the floor.
4. Dust baseboards and doorways with a dryer sheet or use your vacuum.
5. Steam clean your carpets.
6. Launder all your bedroom quilts, sheets, and pillows.
7. Condition leather furniture.
8. Using an upholstery attachment, vacuum your furniture and treat spots.
9. Clean out your refrigerator throwing old expired food away and wipe down the shelves.
10. Remove pans from the oven and use the self-cleaning feature.
11. Organize your pantry and throw out expired food.
12. Launder/dry clean your curtains.
13. Organize your closets and donate the clothing you no longer wear.
14. Vacuum both sides of your door mat.
15. Scrub and hose down your garbage cans.

Do you have any other tip? Share it with us!

Sounds Like a Good Idea

Dear homeowners,

Noise is a concern for every resident and because you live in a community, it’s important to understand that some degree of noise is to be expected. At the same time, residents need to consider the consequences of their noisy behavior. To keep everyone happy and maintain civility among neighbors, you can take a few steps to reduce or eliminate some noise.

Be kind and respectful. A little common courtesy makes a big difference. Keep your music and television at reasonable levels, do your vacuuming before bedtime, and before remodeling, check with the manager about acceptable hours and days of the week that work can be done. If you put in hardwood or tile flooring, use a sound-reducing under layment. Move your noisy appliance away from walls and put sound-absorbing material underneath before your neighbors complain.

Keep a log. If you’re disturbed by a noise problem, note the times and the nature of the noise. Ask neighbor to listen and verify the noise as well. There may be a pattern in the noise that can be adjusted.

Visit your neighbor. If your neighbor is the source of the noise, try a friendly chat. Sometimes people just don’t realize how noise is affecting others. People are usually considerate once they realize they’re disturbing others. And, if your neighbor knocks on your door, listen politely and be willing to make changes to reduce your own noise.

Contact the manager. If a polite request doesn’t change your neighbor’s noisiness, it may be time to ask the manager for help. Have your noise log ready, including attempts to solve the problem yourself.

Reducing noise sounds like a good idea. A quiet, peaceful community, relatively speaking, is a happy community.