NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2013) - Spending money to save money makes sense when it comes to sustainable home improvements, and summer is the perfect season to make such upgrades. "In just a weekend, you can dramatically alter your utility spending," says Tom Kraeutler, home improvement expert and syndicated radio show host of The Money Pit (http://www.moneypit.com). "Take time now for an easy project that enhances home comfort and value while minimizing year-round energy bills."
Kraeutler suggests the following solutions for a more efficient, sustainable home.
Hands-free convenience in the kitchen
Imagine a kitchen faucet that offers hands-free help for everyday tasks. The Moen Brantford™ pull-down kitchen faucet with MotionSense is just that convenient, with a Wave Sensor at the top that starts and stops water flow with a simple hand movement from above, and a Ready Sensor near the base that detects when an object is placed beneath the spout. The Brantford pull-down kitchen faucet comes in Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Spot Resist Stainless finishes. View Brantford features and find a local Moen retailer at http://www.moen.com/motionsense.
Smart lighting and energy control
You'll save energy and finally stop asking, 'Who left the lights on?' when you install the Lutron Maestro Occupancy Sensing Switch. It easily replaces a traditional light switch with innovative sensor technology that automatically turns lights off after you leave a room, or on when you enter. Lutron Maestro is designed for use with all light bulb types, and senses daylight so it only turns lights on when they're needed. It also includes a time-delay feature with a range of one to 30 minutes. Learn more at http://www.lutronsensors.com.
Faster charging for electric vehicles
If you're going green with an electric car, outfit your garage for faster, more efficient charging with the EVLink Residential Electric Vehicle Charger from Schneider Electric. Its 30 amps of power can recharge a full-battery vehicle in as few as four hours, and you can set charging to start when your household utility demand is lower. The small, streamlined EVLink charger has a cord-mounting bracket for flexible installation, and can be personalized with a custom skin made from a favorite photo or one of over 600 stock designs. Find out about faster electric car charging at http://www.schneider-electric.us.
Insulate and air-seal in one step
Make a move to increase indoor air quality and trim heating and cooling bills by up to 50 percent with Icynene Spray Foam Insulation. It insulates and air-seals all in one step, as it expands up to 100 times its size to fill every nook and cranny of your home's building envelope. Icynene stops costly air leaks, keeps out allergens and pollutants, dampens noise, and reduces fire risk in unvented attics. Find a local Icynene installer and learn more about this energy-saving spray foam insulation at http://www.icynene.com.