As resolution-making for 2024 ramps up, make it a goal to make sustainability a priority in 2024. Making sustainable choices benefits you, your HOA and the environment, and it's easier than you think! See our tips below to help you and your HOA meet sustainability goals.
1. Prepare your home for the changing seasons and temperatures
Seal air leaks around windows and doors to prevent drafts and save on heating costs.
Use natural swaps like a mosquito bucket of doom instead of standard pesticides to keep unwanted pests away and your yard safe.
When considering your landscaping for the upcoming year, replace your shrubs or trees with native options.
Leave the leaves in your yard and landscaping (as allowed in your community) as a free source of mulch and to provide food and shelter for birds and pollinators.
2. Save money with sustainable practices
Invest in a programmable thermostat: This lets you adjust the temperature automatically to save money on heating and cooling costs.
Choose LED lightbulbs: They use less energy and last longer than traditional lightbulbs. Be sure to turn off lights in spaces or rooms you aren't in to conserve electricity.
Conserve water: Fix leaky faucets, take shorter showers and water your lawn less frequently.
3. Plant native trees and shrubs
Including native trees and plants in your yard or homeowners association common areas provides essential food and shelter to birds and pollinators while saving money. Local organizations like Root Nashville and the Tennessee Environmental Council can help HOAs organize tree-planting days in their communities. In addition, some organizations host free tree giveaways throughout the year, providing easy access to native trees. Click here to learn more about the benefits of native trees.
4. Visit Ghertner & Company's website for resources
Ghertner & Company's Sustainability Initiative, established in 2018, encourages homeowners associations to adopt sustainable practices through nurturing healthy yards and common areas. Visit our website at https://ghertner.com/sustainability/theinitiative for sustainability tips, a list of informative books, and examples of what other HOAs are doing to incorporate sustainability in their communities.