De-clutter – Go through all key rooms picking up all clutter. Do not be concerned about where it should go. Put it all in a closet: catalogs, bills and newspapers, pet toys, handbags, shoes, sports equipment, stray DVDs, etc. 4 minutes

Wipe Down – use a small cleaning caddy with all the products and gloves.

Kitchen – Spray an all-purpose cleaner on kitchen counter top. Remove fingerprints from stainless-steel surfaces.

Dining room – Wipe down the dining room table and other surfaces like china cabinet or server.

Bathroom – Spray bathroom sink, vanity, counter tops with disinfectant. Clean mirror. Spritz all outside surfaces of toilet with disinfectant and wipe down. Using cleaner in water and toilet brush. Scrub under the rim and flush. 10 minutes

Dust – Dust coffee table, TV ( including screen), entertainment center, frames and collectables on display. Then dust the floors in the kitchen, living room, great room, bathroom. Finish up by defurring couches and chairs with a lint roller. 5 minutes

Empty – Clear out the sink and put dishes in the dishwasher. Empty waste basket in the bathroom and take out the trash. 2 minutes

Restock – Put out fresh hand towels, a box of tissues, and hand soap. Put out fresh place mats. 4 minutes

Display – Fluff and arrange throw pillows and push couch cushions that might be out of kilter. Make and instant centerpiece by throwing fruit or vegetables into a decorative bowl in the center of the dining room. 4 minutes

We see green homes advertised in national publications all the time. While it is debatable whether or not the earth is warming, I feel that it is our responsibility to be kind to the Florence environment when we can. While many “green” details cannot be retrofitted to existing construction, there are several simple ways to reduce your “utility footprint” on the world when building a new home in Florence. As a bonus, YOU SHOULD HAVE GREATLY REDUCED HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING BILLS.

If you are planning to build your dream home in Florence, plan to ask your chosen builder about a few easy changes to the norm:

1 – Construct the outside walls using 2 X 6 studs instead of 2 X 4. The extra space will allow the use of R-19 insulation instead of the more common R-15.

2 – Insulate the attic with R-42 value product.

3 – Use Low E, argon insulated windows

4 – Consider a front loading washer. They use 50%less energy and 33% less water.

5 – Tank less water heaters reduce energy consumption by up to 40% by heating water only on demand and avoiding standby loss.

6 – A radiant barrier applied to the attic roof. There is emerging technology in attic roof coatings that will also reduce heat penetration in the Florence, South Carolina summers.

Above chart shows an actual Florence home built using these features, showing the 2007 utility bills. CONSIDER THE VALUE OF A FEW EXTRA CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS OVER THE MONTHS, YEARS, AND DECADES YOU WILL OWN YOUR NEW HOME IN FLORENCE.

Check out these sites to make your home more green: tankless hot water heater, radiant barrier, low-E Argon gas windows, front loading washing machines.