A new report, prepared for the California Homebuilding Foundation by ConSol, a nationally recognized consultant on energy solutions for homebuilders, examined the historical standards for water usage by California home owners and then compared those findings to the usage under today’s building code requirements and also, the new California Green Building Standards Code requirements that will take effect in 2011.

Not surprisingly, the study found that homes built in 2009 reduced water use by 20% compared to home built in 1990. With the introduction of low flow shower heads and low flow toilets, water usage in new homes has been significantly reduced over the past 20 years.

The study also found that under the new regulations for 2011, new home construction would further reduce indoor water use by 21%. The study estimated the cost of these new regulations to be around $350 per home.

Landscaping accounts for more than half of a home’s water usage. 57% of a home’s water usage is outside the home. Irrigation of landscaping is the largest single water use at most homes. The new Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance are part of the new regulations for 2011.

In terms of gallons of water saved, today’s new homes in California use 15,000 gallons less than homes built in 1990. A 2011 new home will use 12,000 gallons less than today’s new home inside the house and 26,000 gallons less water outside the home!

Additional water savings can be created through retrofitting of the 7.5 million single family homes built before 1980, when the first plumbing standards went into effect. By replacing original shower fixtures alone in a pre-1980 home with the new 2011 standard shower fixture, the average home owner can save over 22,000 gallons of water. By replacing one pre-1980 toilet with a 2011 standard toilet, the home owner can save another 16,000 of water each year.

For more details and facts about water saving ideas, visit the San Diego County Water Authority web site or you local water agency. Remember, whiskey is for drinking and water is for saving!

Information released by the Mayor of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority show that county residents in San Diego are going above and beyond the 10% monthly conservation goal. For the month of June, county residents and businesses used 21% less water than they did in June of 2008. Following up that great report, for the month of July county residents used 16% less water than they did in July of 2008.

San Diego residents have established a good track record, but they will be put to the test as they enter the hottest months of the year, August thru October. Hopes for relief from an “El Nino” this winter have not yet materialized, so the focus needs to remain on conservation … here and now!

To assist county residents with water conservation, the San Diego County Water Authority is offering rebates and incentive programs for residential, commercial and public agencies. “Funding for programs is limited and available on a first-come, first served basis. In most cases, a rebate reservation must be obtained before purchasing an eligible water conservation device.”

Keep up the good work San Diego! Every drop of water conserved is a drop of water saved.

Officially, the SDCWA points to cooler weather in June and the publics efforts to conserve water. “The community is pulling together and making a big difference in saving water, but our true tests still lie ahead,” Chairman Bud Lewis said. “For example, we need to continue to save as much water as we can through the summer months, when water demand is highest – and July already has produced hotter weather than normal.”

Hopes for a return of the El Nino weather pattern that may provide some drought relief in the future years, are tempered by the continued problems in the Bay Delta. Pumping of Bay Delta water is still strictly limited due to impact on an endangered species of fish living in the delta waters. So more rain in Northern California does not guarantee an end to drought issues.

The real solution for California’s water problems lies in the solution of the Bay Delta water issues and the construction of a delivery system that reduces impacts to endangered species. Meanwhile, conservation is the name of the game and San Diegans are off to a good start in the summer of 2009. Let’s keep up the good work!

For more information on water saving tips, please visit the SDCWA website or check back to an earlier post in this blog.

Not Enough Raindrops!

The Level 2 Drought Alert Condition has been brought about by over three years of lower than normal precipitation across the state. Reservoir levels have dipped to cautionary levels and mandatory conservation is needed to prevent further water restrictions.

The new restrictions will impact watering schedules and durations for homeowners. As of June 1st, homes with odd-numbered addresses may water landscaping on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Even-numbered addresses may irrigate landscaping on Saturday, Monday and Friday. Condos, apartments and businesses will be limited to landscape irrigation on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All irrigation cycles are limited to 10 minutes and must be done between 6pm and 10am. These restrictions will run through October or until further notice is provided.

In addition, washing your car at home is limited to the use of a bucket and hose with a shut-off nozzle, and again, only between 6pm and 10 am. You may not use your hose to wash off your driveway, patio or sidewalk. Fines may be assessed to homeowners that fail to follow these new rules.

Interior water conservation is also highly suggested, but for obvious reasons, enforcement is extremely difficult. Therefore, usage pricing will also be applied to your monthly water bill. The more water you use the higher the rate for water you will pay.

Interior water conversation can be accomplished by limiting your shower times, making sure your dishwasher and laundry washing machines are full before cycling and many other simple water saving ideas. The San Diego County Water Authority has many ideas to help you save water. Visit the “20 Gallon Challenge” for other ideas to help you conserve water around your home.

If a particular hardship exists at your home and water conservation is not possible for you, the City of San Diego has a variance program that may assist. And, if you would like a free water use audit of your home, a representative from the City Water Department will tour your home and property with you to identify leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.

And, finally, if you want to make water savings improvements around your San Diego home, you may be eligible for a rebate. This is one way you can make conservation of water help pay for itself!

Brookfield Home Owners

Who is the “Top Homebuilder in San Diego, California“? Who is the “Best Homebuilder in San Diego, California”? I guess that really depends on who you ask and how they justify their answer.

I want to make the case that Brookfield Homes is the Best Homebuilder in San Diego. My justification is not based on the total number of houses sold or the highest amount of revenue generated. Those measuring sticks are great for “industry ranking”. Home buyers in San Diego want the best home for their money and their family. We at Brookfield, take the time and effort to consider these values, and more!

What sets Brookfield Homes apart from other home builders is our philosophy and implementation. Our philosophy starts with the planning of our communities. Brookfield is a master planned community developer and builder. We do more than build your home, we build your neighborhood and your community.

Before Brookfield acquires a property for development, we investigate the surrounding neighborhoods, the schools, recreational amenities, public facilities (like libraries, fire stations and parks), commercial facilities and the infrastructure situation. We talk with community groups and local jurisdictions to better understand the current neighborhoods and their needs. Then, we start to look at how the property being considered fits into the existing situations.

Once we commit to a piece of property, we engage the local community and other interested parties, to help us design the new master plan. We coordinate with the local city to facilitate infrastructure needs and identify areas of concern. We do all this leg-work before we start the technical side of the planning and engineering.

We use this same philosophy when we begin to design new neighborhoods for our new master plan. We spend hours, days and weeks going through architectural design concepts and use focus groups to help us hone in on the best floor plans for our new homes. Once the conceptual work is done, we move on to the implementation phase. We work with our contracting partners and coordinate a plan review with our construction team to reduce design and construction conflicts.

We integrate architectural design, interior design and landscaping design on paper, before we put a shovel in the ground. We look at the house from every angle, perspective and point of view. We focus on live-ability, flow through the home and comfort for the future residents. We want to build homes that people want to live in.

Our construction process is unique. We go above and beyond other companies’ standards. We quality walk our homes at every stage of construction. We focus on the design aspects, and equally important, the “behind the walls stuff”. You can see many of these features at www.expectmoreinahome.com.

Our Quality Assurance Manager is a stickler for detail. His 300+ point checklist is his bible and he is very picky. Our Customer Service Team is second to none. We focus on getting things done right and doing them right the first time. We are there for our home buyers and we proudly stand by our homes.

Awards are a nice way of showing off your design and marketing prowess. And, Brookfield has won lots of awards. We have Home of the Year Awards from local, state and national organizations. However, the best award we can ever receive is the letter from a happy home owner telling us that we exceeded their expectations and how they are happy and proud to recommend Brookfield Homes to all their friends.

When you measure the Best Homebuilder in San Diego or the Top Homebuilder in San Diego, remember to ask who did the measurement of best and what was their guideline for judging. If your criteria is the Best or Top Homebuilder for you and your family, Brookfield Homes will always be at the top of the list!

“Tips regarding how to lower spending around the house or any thing of that variation will always be appreciated. For instance, money saving tips around the home.

What are the top three home repairs that one can fix themselves, but always thought it was a difficult task?”

We can do this!

Number 1. The most important and one of the easiest home repairs that can be done is caulking/grout maintenance. I know it sounds messy and difficult, but really it is very simple. And, the tools and supplies available today can make everyone look like an expert.

Water intrusion is a major cause of damage to your home. The principal sources of water intrusion inside a home come from the kitchen and the bathroom. The most important areas of the home that need caulking and or grout repair are the kitchen and bathroom. Keeping water out is a lot easier than fixing the damage caused by water getting into areas it doesn’t belong.

The annual application of caulk around sinks, bathtubs and showers is the simplest way to control water problems. A tube of caulking costs a couple of bucks and application is very simple. The US Department of Energy provides a simple, step by step process for identifying and applying caulking. Various manufacturers, like Kohler, provide designer colored caulking to provide protection and enhance the visual appeal to your protection. And, retailers and do-it-yourself websites can help you through the process.

When you gain a little confidence with caulking, look to expand your use of this wonderful material. Caulking around windows, vents and any exterior penetration can help you save on heating and cooling expenses and prevent water intrusion. I will suggest you go back to the US Department of Energy website, or any of the other websites for more information on caulking exterior penetrations.

Hot Stuff!

Number 2. Repainting (mainly exterior components) is the second best home maintenance program you can do. Especially any painted or stained exposed wood areas. The sun is a particularly damaging element of nature. Wind and precipitation are also harmful to exposed building elements. Paints and stains help protect these elements and extend the useful life of these material.

Retailers again, can offer many hints and materials you will need to complete your painting or staining job. It is important to pay attention to things like the weather, the type of material you are painting or staining and the tools and supplies you will need to complete the job. Invest a little time preparing for your painting or staining task and the results will be much better and last longer.

Furnace Filters

Number 3. Replacing your heater filter is a very simple and money saving maintenance idea. Especially during these colder months when the furnace gets used more often. And, if you have an integrated heating and cooling system with your ductwork, then you get a double benefit when the warm months roll around.

Changing the filter is the easy part of this maintenance. Making sure you have the right filter is more of a challenge. The manufacturer’s filter information should be on your furnace. Check there first. If not, go to the Internet and look for your manufacturer. Their website will usually provide you with the information you need to need to complete this simple task.

I hope this answers your question and gives you some easy tips to maintaining your home and saving money!

Hi Steve,
I’ve got a new counter top and it keeps getting these white stains on it and I have no idea from what. It’s really noticeable and it won’t wipe off. Any idea how to remove the stains or if its a defective counter?

Stacie

Well Stacie, there could be a number of issues that may cause “white stains” on you new counter top. It would be helpful to know what material your counter top is made of, and whether you have any plants or food material stored in the area of the stain. But let me give you some general suggestions to get started.

Before trying to clean any counter top, always check with the manufacturer for a list of “safe” products to try for removing stains, as well as recommendations on sealing the material. (Note: do not use a sealer over an existing stain you want to remove!)

The key in stain removal is identifying what may be causing it. In what locations are the stains occurring? Do they take on a consistent shape or appearance? Is the stain near a plant, food service area or an area where cosmetics are used? Sometimes, an accumulation of hard water can create a white stain. The hard water stain can be buffed out with Steel Wool #0000.

I would also like to refer you to the Marble Institute of America, which addresses care for multiple types of natural stone surfaces. On their web site, you can find their consumer resources information by following this link.

I hope this information helps.