Resolve to Be "Green" in the New Year

OAKVILLE, ON--(Marketwire - December 10, 2007) - New Year's is a time to make a fresh start for the year ahead. Not sure what your resolution will be? Why not resolve to be more "green" in the New Year? With the trend focusing on being more eco-friendly, these tips will not only make a difference for the environment and add some green in your wallet, but also make you feel good about yourself for keeping your resolution throughout the New Year.

Light Years Ahead

Time to drag out your ladder and replace those hard-to-reach light bulbs? Not anymore. It's time to shed some light on the subject and make a change. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) not only last ten times longer than incandescents, but also use 75 percent less energy. Their cost of approximately $7 each may seem steep at first, but you will be light years ahead and save up to $60 in electricity per light over their lifetime.

Control the Flow

According to Statistics Canada (www.statcan.ca), in 2004 the average daily residential water flow was 329 litres per capita. By installing a water saving aerator in your bath faucet, such as Moen's Water Saving Aerator, you can reduce water flow from the standard 8.32 litres per minute (lpm) to 5.7 lpm -- reducing overall consumption by 30 percent.

Here Comes the Sun

During cooler months, keep your blinds or drapes open throughout the day to let in natural solar heat. This simple trick can reduce your heating bills by 10 percent. Blocking out sunlight with exterior blinds or shutters during the summer can also cut your utilities by up to 33 percent.

Indulge in a Shower

By switching from a bath to a shower, you not only save time, but also money. A typical ten minute bath requires 114 -- 265 litres of water versus 95 litres under a 9.5 lpm showerhead.

Want to conserve even more resources? Install Moen's new Water Saving Showerhead. Unlike some low-flow showerheads that simply restrict the water flow, Moen's Water Saving showerhead features optimized spray formers that increase the velocity of the water streams hitting the body, treating you to a full, enveloping spray. Plus, with a flow of 6.62 lpm (compared to the industry-standard 9.5 lpm), you'll feel good knowing that you're using 30 percent less water and also reducing energy costs, as less hot water is used without sacrificing the shower's performance.

Feel the Heat

Have your furnace checked yearly to make sure it's running properly and efficiently; and tuned every two years. Not only will you save 10 percent on your heating bills, but you'll also save approximately 2,500 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Dish Duty

Although bottled water and disposable plates and cups may be enticing for easy use and clean-up, they aren't so earth-friendly -- heading straight from your trash into landfills. In fact, one billion plastic water bottles end up in landfills every year. Instead, enjoy your food and beverages on washable serving wear! It'll only take moments to load them into the dishwasher. Plus, running a full load in an Energy Star-rated dishwasher only uses 15 litres of water.

Take It Down a Degree

According to the Alliance to Save Energy (www.ase.org), you can subtract 5 percent from your utility bill for every degree you lower your home's temperature. Be sure to add layers of clothing or put on a sweater during the cooler months!

Follow these tips and you'll be on the right track for a "green" New Year!

For more information on the new Water Saving Showerheads and Aerators, call 1-800-465-6130.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Timeless designs that reflect good taste. Faucets and fixtures that are livable and enduring. These are just some of the reasons why Moen® is the #1 faucet brand in North America. In addition to stylish and affordable faucets, Moen also offers residential and commercial sinks and a full range of tub and showering packages. Moen brands include ShowHouse® by Moen, Creative Specialties International® and the Cleveland Faucet Group®. ShowHouse offers high-end, luxury faucets and accessories to consumers with discriminating tastes. Creative Specialties International offers complete suites of decorative bath accessories, including innovative bath safety products that are fashionable -- not institutional. The Cleveland Faucet Group manufactures affordable, durable faucets for the multi-family housing market.

Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO) (www.fortunebrands.com), the consumer brands company that includes leading home products brands such as Aristokraft®, Omega®, Diamond® and Schrock® cabinetry, Therma-Tru® door systems, Simonton® windows and Master Lock® security products.

With Moen, you'll always find the perfect balance between styles you'll love and innovation you can live with. Buy it for looks. Buy it for life®.

Contact Information: Contact: Jennifer Allanson or Alissa Kiktavy Robert Falls & Co. Public Relations (905) 842-9920 jallanson@robertfalls.com or akiktavy@robertfalls.com