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- | Our home is our castle, but that doesn't mean that we should be selfish about the world outside our door. It is up to us to take care of our environment, and that can start in our home. Read on to find some ideas which will help you implement green energy solutions within your home.[[http://bookmarkz.info/story.php?title=ratings-and-reviews-with-regards-to-comflor|Corus Comflor 225]] | + | 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]] |
- | Turn your water heater temperature down. Setting the temperature at 120 degrees will still allow steaming hot water to come out of your faucets and showers, but you will save on your energy bills. According to research, for each 10 degrees you lower your water heater thermostat, you can save about three to five percent on energy costs. | + | 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. |
- | When shopping for appliances, computers or other electronic items, look for products that wear an Energy Star badge. To earn the right to display the Energy Star logo, products must meet certain energy-efficiency criteria. There are different tiers of efficiency as well, which can translate into additional energy savings over the lifetime of the product. | + | 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. |
- | Windmills are capable of creating electrical energy without polluting anything. Purchasing your own windmill can be expensive, and there may be restrictions on putting one up where you live. If you can install your own windmill, you will be able to sell excess electricity to your local power company and recoup some of your costs. | + | 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. |
- | Take an active part in your local community if you find that green energies are a common concern. You will learn more about alternative energy solutions and get a chance to convince local authorities to adopt green energies or offer tax incentives and other advantages. | + | 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. |
- | Reduce energy in your home by checking the amount of insulation in your attic, crawl spaces, basement walls, floors, ceilings, and exterior. Look for any cracks or holes in and around walls, windows, ceilings, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and other electrical outlets which can leak air in and out of your home. | + | 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. |
- | [[http://pawn.tom.ru/wiki/index.php?title=Small_Steps_To_Living_A_More_Sustainable_Life|Comflor Alistage]] Turn off appliances when you aren't using them. This will eliminate much of the unneeded heat that is generated in your home. Make sure to also unplug everything when it is not in use; this will lower your energy costs because appliances still pull a bit of power from the outlet even if the appliance is off. | + | 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. |
- | Contact your current energy provider and see if they offer an option for you to use renewable-energy sources. Many providers harness renewable energy through solar or wind power and therefore, have this option available for their clients. However, you should keep in mind that this may cost a little bit extra. | + | 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. |
- | A significant green energy initiative is to is having a professional do a home energy audit. These professionals will assess your home and find areas where you can save money and conserve energy. Some power companies even offer this service for free to help reduce the impact of their customers on their energy supply. | + | 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. |
- | Try heating your home with a wood pellet stove. The pellets burned in a pellet stove are made of highly compact sawdust. They burn so cleanly than they are not required to get an EPA certification for emissions. Be aware, however, that the cost of the pellets may be high in some areas. | + | 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. |
- | Clean the filters in your air conditioner and dryer. Clean filters mean that your appliances use less energy, and less traditional energy means greener energy. Schedule a time to clean the filters so you don't forget. You might, for example, clean the filter for the dryer and air conditioner once every week. | + | 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. |
- | [[http://wiki.goodtogreatfoss.org/index.php?title=Why_Going_With_Green_Energy?_It_Will_Save_Your_Family_A_Lot_Of_Money|Corus Comflor 225]] Now that you've read a little about how to use green energy, you should have a few ideas in your head to make your home more green. Use the ideas in this article to get you started, and to give you concrete actions you can take today to make sure you are living green. | + | 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! |