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- | Anyone who has used gas and oil can reluctantly agree that green energy is cleaner, safer, and less expensive. But many people don't know how to implement green energy into their lives. So here are just a few of the many ways that green energy can be good for your home and your life.[[http://fr8pals.com/blogs/145779/263396/reasons-you-should-make-your-new|Composite Floor Deck]] | + | Landscaping your home isn't as hard as other people make it out to be. You can do a lot of the work yourself if you desire, or there are a multitude of services that will perform the basic maintenance for you. This article will highlight the different reasons and ways that you can better your home through landscaping.[[http://www.matsgrids.co.uk/porous-paving/83-pavers.html|Porous Pavers Price]] |
+ | Think about water requirements. If you live in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain, try to use plants that don't require a lot of water. Grass needs more water than any other type of plant, so replace your lawn with wood chips, gravel, or a type of ground cover that is suitable for high drought areas. | ||
- | Don't throw away that coffee grinds- use them to fertilize your plants. Coffee grinds are rich in nitrogen so these make great, healthy plant food. Using coffee grinds as fertilizer keeps them out of the landfill, makes it unnecessary for you to purchase and use chemical plant food, and make your plants grow nicely, adding oxygen to the atmosphere. | + | Prior to purchasing the materials you need for your landscaping adventure, have your designs planned out. This could mean putting whatever you want to build, or plant on paper. By doing this, you will know exactly what you need when you go to the store to purchase all of these materials. |
- | Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished. | + | Prior to purchasing the materials you need for your landscaping adventure, have your designs planned out. This could mean putting whatever you want to build, or plant on paper. By doing this, you will know exactly what you need when you go to the store to purchase all of these materials. |
- | Find out more about ground source heat pumps. These pumps are located under your home and pump the natural heat of the earth to keep you warm. This system can be costly but the pumps use very little power and can last up to fifty years. Invest in this system if you are going to stay in a home for decades. | + | If you are tired of seeing your beloved plants trampled by visitors, consider adding a footpath. Use brick, stone or wood to create a path that extends well beyond the boundaries of the area you wish to protect. A well-defined, wide path makes it clear which areas are safe as well as, which should not be trodden upon. |
- | Get an energy audit of your home. Having your home inspected by a professional is the best way to find out how you could adopt alternative sources of energy. In some cases, the sun or wind exposure is simply not high enough to justify investing in alternative sources of power. | + | Try talking to a pro before you start working on your landscape. You might not need a landscape designer or architect to draft your whole project, but for under $100, a consultation that lasts about an hour can be well worth the money if it prevents you from making costly mistakes later on. |
- | If you are in the process of, or planning to, design your own home, you can build some green energy sources right into your home from the beginning. Start by looking for land that has a water source such as a creek or room for wind turbines. Another good idea is to choose a roof with solar panels built in. You can even position them to get the most out of sunlight. | + | Compile materials over time. Landscaping can be expensive. Most people just don't have the money to buy the materials they need all at once. Instead of giving up on landscaping, purchase your materials gradually. Buy materials only when you can afford them, and keep an eye out for good deals. |
- | [[http://wiki.argos-nalog.ru/index.php?title=Pros_And_Cons_Of_Choosing_A_Green_Energy_Provider|Composite Floor Deck]] Watch to make sure your refrigerator and freezer are at the proper temperatures. Do not allow them to get too cold. The recommended temperatures are around 37°-40°F for your fresh food compartments and about 5°F for the freezer. If your freezer is separate and used for long-term storage, keep it around 0°F. | + | When selecting trees for your landscaping project, look for those with rough, glossy or peeling bark. Birch, crepe myrtle, paperbark maple and Japanese cherry trees all have interesting bark that can add texture and visual appeal to your landscape design. Choose trees with bark colors that complement other aspects of your landscape, such as stones or flowers. |
- | Consider investing in an electric kettle as a means of saving energy. Electric kettles use less energy to boil your water than stove-top kettles, and not only can they be used to make tea, but you can also use them to boil water for smaller meals you plan to cook. | + | While you might not be able to afford to hire a landscape architect or design professional to develop your landscaping plans. It is well worth the money to pay for an hour-long consultation with one. Doing so can help you refine your ideas and prevent you from making costly mistakes. |
- | When you purchase new appliances, like refrigerators, ranges, and washing machines, look for the Energy Star label. The United States Department of Energy recommends these products because they save energy. You will also save money by using them. Products that are energy efficient will usually have a star on them. | + | Cheaper doesn't always mean better. Generally, common plants and some building materials, like lumber, cost less. Cheaper materials may not have the quality and selection that you can find at many specialized stores. While they may be pricier, these stores tend to include expertise that you won't find in some of the cheaper places, like tips, assistance, deals, and warranties on the particular materials that they specialize in. |
- | Make small changes if you do not have a lot of money to invest or do not have access to the kind of resources you need. Get a small solar power installation to provide power for one room only, and get a few solar cells to charge your cell phone and other devices, for instance. | + | When planning a landscaping project for your house, be sure to go beyond the home-improvement stores and check out online resources. You might just find deals and products that are not carried locally. Due to the lack of a physical store, you might find that selection, and pricing is far superior. |
- | A very easy and cheap way to save on your high energy bills is to try installing some low flow shower heads and faucets. Switching from the standard, 2.5 gallon/minute shower heads, to the low flow 1.5 gallon/minute ones, can help you save a lot with your hot water energy costs. | + | Whatever your plans might be, just putting the effort into beautifying your yard will bring great rewards in a small amount of time. Place a pot or build a waterfall, whatever you can afford to do. Use what you've learned here and you'll be ready to renovate your landscaping today! |
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- | [[http://www.viewdocsonline.com/document/lv4jzu|Composite floor deck]] Whatever your reasons for wanting to go green, stick with them! Saving money is in everyone's interest, as is working for a cleaner environment. Hopefully, you have learned enough from this article to begin putting green energy to work in your home, to see significant savings and feel better about the impact you have on the environment very soon. | + |