April 22nd means that Earth Day is here! It’s time to start thinking and acting a little more eco-friendly. Here’s are six ways to optimize your Earth Day experience.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

This sounds simple and may be overly obvious, but it really works. Get in the habit of incorporating the “three R’s” into products you use on a daily basis. This process can have an effect on what you choose to buy. It also affects how you use and dispose of things you already have.

Remember to review all the acceptable items that can be recycled in your community. It’s likely that you’ll find something on the list that you’re accustomed to throwing away. Below are the links to view the lists for the current Ferris Homes communities.

• Grand Bend at Green Bay: City of Evanston Recycling
• Liberty Grove: City of Libertyville Recycling (PDF - 286 KB)
• Amberwood Estates: City of Wheaton & DuPage County Recycling (PDF - 120 KB)

2. Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Replace three (3) frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds a year. With CFL bulb prices continually dropping and the technology improving (increases in both bulb life & lumens per watt) this should be an easy choice. Need more reasons?

• CFLs save people money. Switching to CFLs is a fundamentally good economic decision
• Anyone can make the switch and begin using the bulbs
• CFLs drastically reduce energy consumption

3. Party Smart

Late April is also a great time for parties. But parties can generate a lot of waste. Here’s a few tips for an eco-friendly party:

• Set up recycling bins for aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles
• Buy large quantities of food and drinks to reduce packaging
• Encourage guests to bring their own glasses and/or plates to reduce waste (there will also be less confusion about which drink belongs to each person

4. Use Water Wisely

Saving water around the house is important because it is a limited resource. Here’s a few easy ways how to use less water and save some money:

• Take shorter showers because showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs
• Put a filled bottle in your toilet tank (less water used per flush)
• Reuse water around the house, such as using cooking water for plants
• Keep your water heater insulated and the thermostat no higher than 120°F
• Use cold water to wash your clothes

5. Stop Filling Up The Gas Tank

Car pool, use public transportation, bike to work or drive a fuel efficient car. Not only will you be putting much less carbon dioxide into the air, you’ll also be saving a bundle as gas prices creep upwards towards $4.00/gallon.

6. Take Advantage of the Weather

Depending on where you live, this time of year has some of the nicest weather. Try opening windows instead of running the air conditioning and/or heater. This will also save some money on your energy bill.

Nice weather is also a great excuse to drive less. Walking and biking help your health and are better for the air.

Chicago Tribune
November 2007

WHEATON – Ferris Homes has broken ground at Amberwood Estates in Wheaton, a new development planned for 33 custom residences.

Set on land formerly occupied by Sunny Ridge Community Center, the secluded setting will be amplified by the planting of an additional 380 trees.

The site has been incorporated into the City of Wheaton allowing for municipal amenities such as water, sewer and sidewalks.

Lots are about a third-acre and are priced from the mid-$400,000’s. Most of the residences will be priced from $1 million and will have at least 3,800 square feet of floor area.

For information, contact Ferris Homes at 847-344-8924, or Susann Rhoades of ReMax Suburban at 630-653-1900, ext. 266.

Pioneer Press/Today’s New Home
November 15, 2007

Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk joined Ferris Homes recently to break ground at Amberwood Estates, a new neighborhood development in the heart of Wheaton.

Wheaton Municipalities, the original developer and Ferris Homes,” explained Andrew Ferris, president of Ferris Homes, an award-winning residential builder and developer. “Together we have worked painstakingly to implement a beautifully designed, responsible planned neighborhood that will incorporate all of the city amenities and an extensive landscape plan. We are pleased to move forward with the groundbreaking of this approved development plan.”

Amberwood Estates features 33 planned home sites meticulously laid out to take advantage of the private setting and designed to relate well with nearby, established neighborhoods. The landscape plan, developed closely with the Mayor and City Council, includes the planting of additional 380 trees, and will accentuate the new residences and overall natural setting.

Moreover, careful attention has been paid to preserving the architectural integrity and overall appearance of the development. Each lot owner will have the opportunity to design and build a custom home, using the architect and builder of their choice. While allowing for individual customization, Amberwood Estates has defined detailed architectural standards and building covenants that will be spearheaded by Ferris Homes.

“Having a strong set of guidelines ensures the architectural integrity of the neighborhood while allowing for the distinctiveness of individual builders and custom home styles,” added Ferris. “By partnering closely with the City, and the homeowners and individual contractors, we can deliver aesthetic success and create long-term value in the community of Wheaton.”

Amberwood Estates assumes the acreage previously occupied by the Sunny Ridge Community Center. “Sunny Ridge had outgrown their existing facilities and was unable to make the necessary structural changes to ensure the safety and functionality of its buildings long-term,” explained Ferris. “The sale of the property has afforded Sunny Ridge the ability to further its mission, while the Amberwood Estates development has removed potential hazards, incorporating the site into the City of Wheaton with municipal water, sewer and sidewalks.