everGREEN Information Packet

TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR UTILITY EXPENSES

The information contained herein was prepared as a courtesy for our residents. The information contained herein is not a substitute for a thorough due diligence investigation by any person obtaining or utilizing the information. Evergreen, its agents and the complexes it manages shall not be held liable for providing such information and make no warranty or representation as to whether the information provided is complete, accurate, current or applicable to anyone’s individual circumstances. Evergreen is not an agent for (with the exception of the apartment complexes it manages) any agency, governmental body, company or organization providing resources, goods, or services.

Live Well… Live EVERGREEN

It's that time of year again when we need to start thinking about saving on our energy costs! Evergreen Apartment Group is happy to provide our residents in Wilmington, Delaware, Newark, Delaware, Newport, Delaware, Bear, Delaware, New Castle, Delaware, and Elkton, Maryland with information and tips that can help save some money this season!

SAVING ENERGY AND MONEY IN YOUR HOME

Information courtesy of Delmarva

Caution: The elderly, infants and persons with circulatory problems may require higher indoor temperatures (above 65 degrees F at all times) to avoid health problems. Please seek the advice of your physician regarding winter and summer thermostat settings in your home.

YOUR HEATING SYSTEM

• Keep your heating equipment well-tuned. Report any operational concerns to the Rental Office.

• Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly. You can blow away a houseful of heat in just two to three hours using ventilating fans. Turn them off when their job is complete.

• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees F during the day and 60 degrees F at night. You can save 3 percent on your heating costs for every degree you reduce the temperature below 70 degrees F for the entire heating season.

• Turn down your thermostat at night or when you’re away for more than four hours during the day.

• Maintain proper air circulation. Keep heating supply registers and cold-air return registers clear of draperies and furniture.

• Clean or replace the filter in your forced-air heating system each month. Foam filters can be rinsed with water but be sure they are dry before replacing. Fiberglass filters need to be replaced periodically.

• Keep draperies and shades open during the day to let the sunshine in; close them at night.

• Dust or vacuum radiator surfaces frequently. Dust and grime impede the flow of heat throughout your home.

• Keep lamps or television sets away from the thermostat. Heat from these appliances is sensed by the thermostat and could cause your furnace to shut off sooner than is needed for adequate warmth.

• Dress warmly to help retain body heat. Wear closely woven fabrics, which add at least a half degree in warmth. Slacks are at least a degree warmer than skirts, a light longsleeved sweater equals almost 2 degrees in added warmth, a heavy long-sleeved sweater adds about 3.7 degrees, and two lightweight sweaters add about 5 degrees in warmth because the air between them serves as insulation to keep in more body heat.

• Make sure windows (and storm windows if applicable), doors, and sliders are all closed securely and locked. Check for cold air drafts from unit entry door, windows, outlets, and HVAC penetrations. Report any drafts to the Rental Office. The major energy users in your home – the heating system, air conditioning, water heater, refrigerator, dryer, lighting – all contribute to your overall utility bill. This brochure offers tips to help you use them more efficiently, lower your energy use, lower your water use, and save money on your monthly utility bills.

YOUR COOLING SYSTEM

• Keep your cooling system well tuned. Report any operational concerns to the Rental Office.

• Utilize window fans to circulate the air in your home with the air outside. Although not a replacement for an air conditioning system, these fans are an effective and economical way to stay comfortable on milder days.

• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees F, a reasonably comfortable and energy-efficient indoor temperature.

• Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you first turn your air conditioner on. It will not cool faster, but it will cool to a lower temperature than you need and use more energy.

• Consider using a ceiling fan with your air conditioner to spread the cooled air to other rooms. The use of ceiling fans will also make your home comfortable at higher temperatures, allowing you to raise the temperature at your thermostat and save money.

• Keep lamps or television sets away from the thermostat. Heat from these appliances is sensed by the thermostat and could cause your system to run longer than necessary.

• Turn off electronics when they are not in use. This will not only save you money on your electrical consumption, but electronics generate significant heat that must be cooled by your air conditioner.

• Clean or replace air conditioning filters. Dirty air filters should be cleaned or replaced every month. Foam filters can be rinsed with water and wrung dry. Fiberglass filters need to be replaced.

• Be sure to securely close and lock all windows and doors when the air conditioner is operating.

• Keep out the daytime sun with vertical louvers or by drawing any draperies, blinds and shades.

• Keep lights low or off when not needed. Electric lights generate heat and add to the load on your air conditioner.

• Cook and use other heat-generating appliances in the early morning and late evening hours whenever possible.

• Use vents and exhaust fans to pull heat and moisture from the kitchen, bath and laundry directly to the outside.

• Use a spray bottle and mist water on your skin. The evaporation of the water off your skin will cool your body temperature naturally.

WATER HEATER UTILITY SAVERS

• Turn down the water heater temperature dial to 120 degrees F, or less. Be sure to check your manufacturer’s instructions for the minimum water temperature.

• Turn the water heater temperature dial to the “vacation” or “off” setting if you will be away from your home for more than 24 hours.

KITCHEN UTILITY SAVERS

• Use cold water rather than hot to operate your food disposal. Cold water also helps to get rid of grease by solidifying it, so it can be ground up and washed away.

• Install a water saving aerator in your kitchen faucet. Report any faucet leaks to the Rental Office immediately.

• Boil water in a covered pot as the water will come to a boil faster and use less energy.

• Keep range-top burners and drip pans clean. They will reflect heat better and you will save energy.

• Match the size of the pan to the heating element. More heat will get to the pan, and less will be lost to the surrounding air.

• Get in the habit of turning off the elements or surface units on your electric stove several minutes before completing the allotted cooking time. The heating element will stay hot long enough to finish the cooking without wasting electricity.

• Turn off the oven five to 10 minutes before cooking time is up and let trapped heat finish the cooking.

• Avoid opening the oven door repeatedly to check food that is cooking. This allows heat to escape and results in the use of more energy to complete the cooking of your food. Instead watch the clock or use a timer. • Use small electric cooking appliances for small meals rather than the range or oven.

• Don’t preheat the oven unless absolutely necessary and then for no more than 10 minutes.

• Use pressure cookers and microwave ovens if you have them. They save energy by reducing cooking times.

• Avoid using the broiler. It is a big energy user.

• Thaw frozen foods before cooking. It will save time and energy.

REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER UTILITY SAVERS

• Set the refrigerator thermostat at 38 degrees F for fresh food compartments and 5 degrees F for freezer compartment. Separate freezers for long term storage should be kept at zero degrees F. Open the refrigerator or freezer door only when necessary and don’t hold it open any longer than necessary.

• Vacuum refrigerator coils at least every three months. The dirt buildup makes the refrigerator use more energy to keep contents cool.

• If possible, don’t place your refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or near the stove.

• Make sure your refrigerator door seals airtight.

• DO NOT over pack the refrigerator or freezer as this will cause them to use more energy to keep the contents cool.

• Allow cooked food that will be kept as leftovers to cool prior to placing them in the refrigerator or freezer.

BATHROOM UTILITY SAVERS

• Take showers rather than tub baths, but limit both your showering time and the water flow if you want to save energy.

• Install a water-flow controlling showerhead. This saves a considerable amount of water and limits the energy required to produce hot water.

• Install a water saving aerator in the bathroom sink.

• Don’t let water run while shaving. This wastes hot water and the energy used to heat it.

• Report any leaky faucets to the Rental Office immediately.

• Pay careful attention to your toilet. Listen for running water and watch to see if the water in your toilet is perfectly still when the toilet is not in use. Over time, flapper balls and fluid masters can breakdown, allowing water to run continuously from your toilet and down the drain. When this happens, tremendous amounts of water are used needlessly. If you have any concerns regarding this issue, contact the Rental Office immediately.

LAUNDRY UTILITIES SAVERS

• Wash clothes in warm or cold water. Rinse in cold water.

• Fill washers and clothes dryers but do not overload them. Avoid frequent small loads.

• Clean the lint screen after each load of laundry. A lint screen in need of cleaning can lengthen drying time and increase the amount of energy used.

• Place a dry towel in the dryer with each load of wet clothes to absorb dampness and reduce drying time.

• Save energy needed for ironing by hanging clothes in the bathroom while you’re bathing or showering. By doing so you can steam wrinkles out and cut down on ironing time.

LIGHTING ENERGY SAVERS

• Use compact fluorescent bulbs. They produce about three to four times as much light per watt as incandescent bulbs, so they use much less energy to produce equal light.

• Halogen bulbs are another energy efficient choice for indoor and outdoor lighting. They use about 25 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and produce an intense white light.

• Turn off lights in any room not being used, even if your absence will only be momentary. *NOTE- Turn off electrical devices (especially computers and TVs) when not in use.

• When using incandescent bulbs, use the lowest wattage possible or convenient. In many cases a lower wattage bulb can be substituted for the one currently being used.

• Purchase holiday light strings that feature LEDs or light-emitting diodes. LED lights use 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.

• Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.

For more information regarding resident resources, provided by Evergreen Apartment Group, and other apHEARTments publications, please visit http://www.evergreenapartments.com

Evergreen apHEARTments is a program created and directed by the Evergreen Apartment Group which focuses on our commitment and dedication to the community. The program reaches out not only to each individual Evergreen apartment community but it also extends into the larger outside communities where our properties are located. What drives this program is our commitment to resident care and support, civic duty, our desire to build long term relationships with our residents and the community at large and to enhance the communities where our properties are located.

apHEARTments FOR RESIDENTS

apHEARTments starts at home with our commitment and dedication to resident care and support. When you choose to rent at an Evergreen property, you will find a great home AND a wonderful community. Building that sense of community starts with you knowing that there is always someone there to lend a helping hand. By providing heartfelt resident care and support, Evergreen builds communities to call home. That is apHEARTments and that is living Evergreen. The information contained herein was prepared as a courtesy for our residents.

The information contained herein is not a substitute for a thorough due diligence investigation by any person obtaining or utilizing the information. Evergreen, its agents and the complexes it manages shall not be held liable for providing such information and make no warranty or representation as to whether the information provided is complete, accurate, current or applicable to anyone’s individual circumstances. Evergreen is not an agent for (with the exception of the apartment complexes it manages) any agency, governmental body, company or organization providing resources, goods, or services.

Live Well… Live EVERGREEN

Creating a Budget: 7 Steps to Success

You'd never set out on a cross-country road trip without consulting a map. And, likewise, you can't expect to reach your financial goals without developing a plan for spending and saving. Information provided in this booklet was obtained from bankrate.com 7 steps for a successful budget

1. Track spending for a month.

2. Put savings on autopilot.

3. Prioritize spending.

4. Use cash for daily spending.

5. Tackle credit card debt.

6. Build emergency savings account.

7. Live within your means.

Follow the money: Track Your Spending

The first step to developing a budget is to track your expenses for at least a month, using a checkbook ledger, a sticky note inside your wallet or a daily expense spread sheet. Be sure to record every purchase no matter how small, including ATM fees. Once you know where your money is going, you can make an educated decision about how best to allocate your money.

Many novice budgeters make the mistake of becoming too financially conservative, at least on paper. The No. 1 rule of setting budgets is to not cut all the fun out of your life. Inevitably, budgets that have no allowance for entertainment are doomed to fail.

Instead, learn to moderate. If you're eating out every night, and that's something you enjoy doing, try eating out once a week instead. It's not about cutting out everything that gives you joy in life. It's about better allocating your money.

Make Savings Contributions Automatically

Though every budget scenario is different, a good rule of thumb is to allocate at least 10 percent of your earnings toward savings, using direct deposit to pay yourself first. If you put that money aside before you even see it, you won't miss it. Direct deposit helps to put your savings on autopilot.

Short-term savings that you may need to access can be held in an interest-bearing savings account, six-month certificate of deposit or money market fund. Long-term savings, meanwhile, should be directed toward a tax-friendly retirement savings tool, such as an individual retirement account, or IRA, or 401(k).

Define Spending and Priorities

45 percent of your earnings should be earmarked for housing and utilities. If you're saving for something specific, such as a new car or your child's college education, you may want to set aside another 10 percent of your earnings into an interest-bearing account or a tax-favored 529 college savings plan.

Everything else– the remaining 35 percent– is discretionary, for use on food, transportation, entertainment, clothing, household purchases, etc. That's where priorities come in. While you can't have everything you want, you can direct your dollars toward things you want the most. Start by deciding what's most important to you, then cutting back on some of the things that aren't important.

Pay With Cash

Once you've determined how much to set aside for saving, spending and investing; it's time to make those numbers stick. The growing popularity of credit and debit cards makes it all too easy to overspend. With the exception of your rent, utilities, and car loan, most consumers should implement a strict policy of paying with cash for groceries, clothes, and nonessential items.

Try relying less on ATMs, especially those that charge a fee. Withdrawing a fixed amount of discretionary money at the beginning of the month forces you to make better spending choices. By spending cash you begin to get a better feeling for where your money is going and what your priorities really are.

Strategically Pay Down Expensive Debt

It is difficult to get ahead if you don't also implement a plan to pay down your debt. Interest payments made to credit cards not only cost you big, but also deny you the ability to apply that money toward savings or entertainment.

Conventional wisdom maintains that consumers with multiple credit card balances should tackle the card with the highest interest rate first, while continuing to make minimum payments on their other cards. Once the first card is paid off, focus on the next highest rate card.

The secret to paying off debt is to determine how much you can afford to send each month and make those payments consistently. It's important to keep sending the maximum amount you can afford to send. Some people make the mistake of reducing the amount they send when they see their payments going down.

Build a ‘Safety Net’

No matter what your debt situation, you should also begin saving for a rainy day. Financial planners recommend setting aside three- to six-months' worth of living expenses into an emergency fund, in case you or your spouse lose a job, fall ill or get hit with an unexpected bill.

The most painless way to save, of course, is to set aside any financial windfalls you receive, such as bonuses, tax refunds or yearly raises. You could also try saving your change or any $1 bills that find their way into your wallet.

Live Within Your Means

Learning to live within your means is a simple matter of spending less than you make. For most consumers, that means cutting back. It does not mean doing without. There are dozens of ways to reduce your monthly expenses without crimping your lifestyle.

Live within your means

• If you're paying multiple credit cards, consider rolling the balances over to a lower rate card, taking note of any introductory rates that may expire.

• Slash health-care costs by ordering generic medications through a mail-order pharmacy. If you're taking a medication regularly, you can save a lot of money using a mail-order service (always consult your physician and medical plans first).

• Depending on your family's needs and comfort zone, you can also save big by raising the deductibles on your insurance policies.

• Don't be afraid to play hardball. Many consumers today continue to pay more than they should for cable TV, Internet service and phone plans. By approaching your current providers with more competitive offers and a threat to switch teams, you can often significantly lower the rates you pay.

• It's equally important to pay your bills on time. Not only will you avoid late fees, but you'll keep your credit score clean, which rewards you with the best possible rates on future loans.

And above all else, stop trying to keep up with the Joneses. Your neighbors with the latest clothes and luxury gadgets may be drowning in debt, and while you may not sport the latest and greatest, you will be able to sleep at night. Being in control of your finances not only saves you money, but it also makes you a more financially secure person and family.

For more information about aptHEARTments resources for our Evergreen Apartment Group residents in Delaware and Maryland, please visit http://www.evergreenapartments.com/pages/evergreen-apheartments.html