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- | Landscaping is simple enough that anyone can do it, but before you go to your local home improvement store to buy equipment, there are a few things you should know and keep in mind. This article contains some sound advice on landscaping that will help you to make your home look amazing.[[http://goarticles.com/article/Excellent-Assistance-As-It-Pertains-To-Landscaping/7430657/|Permeable Pavement Granite Cobbles]] | + | 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]] |
- | When you select plants, pay attention to their texture and branching patterns. Color is not everything. Choose plants with different shapes and textures to create an interesting design that you will never get tired of looking at. You should also keep in mind that a plant will have different branching structures throughout its growth. | + | 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. |
- | Look to flowering trees to add color and depth to your landscaping design. Trees are a great way to create a border in your design, and a flowering tree adds the benefit of an additional blast of color during certain times of the year. It can add a truly dramatic effect to your garden. | + | 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. |
- | [[http://landscapingideasforyou.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/where-to-find-great-outdoor-landscaping-ideas/|Permeable Pavers Lowes]]Make a list of the things you like and dislike about your current yard. Make sure you include all of your favorite things on your list as well as those you want to change so that you don't make any changes that destroy things you already love about your yard. | + | 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. |
- | Don't be afraid of using curved lines in your landscaping design. Beginning landscapers often tend towards squares or rectangles when building out their yards. The end result can feel very rigid, and even a bit unfriendly, in its overall feel. Adding some curved lines, or building a circle flower bed, can really soften up the look. | + | 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. |
- | Think about how you and your family use your yard before making any changes to it. Remember that if you plant trees, bushes or shrubs where people usually walk, your yard may not be enjoyable to use. Discuss your plans with your family to make sure that they are pleasing to everyone before you re-do your yard. | + | 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. |
- | [[http://hreconomics.uni-koeln.de/index.php?title=Read_The_Following_Tips_For_Improving_Your_Landscaping_Skills|Permeable Paving Systems]]When planning a landscaping project for your house, do not forget the importance of having evergreens in your yard. Evergreens are great because not only are they going to look the same year round, but they also are perfect for using as coverage for widespread areas. This is true for ground coverage as well as privacy borders. | + | [[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. |
- | When you are planning landscaping for your yard, make sure to use plants, and flowers well suited for the climate you live in. Check the zone rating of plants, and make sure they will do well in your area. Investing in shrubs and trees, and have them die is discouraging, and also expensive. | + | 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 you are purchasing flowers look for perennials rated for your zone. Annuals are great for quickly creating a colorful flowerbed, but they will need to be planted again the following year. Perennials come back year after year and cut down on the work and expense of maintaining a beautiful flower garden. | + | 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. |
- | Consider the 'rule of three' when it comes to planting. Many advanced landscapers believe that plantings look best in groups of three, If not three, then any odd number typically looks better than an even number of plantings. This is not a set rule in any way, but a good one to keep in mind. | + | 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. |
- | Carefully determine the quantities of material you will need. It can be very easy to under or overestimate how much of any given material you will need to get the job done. Before you get started, check you math. Get a second pair of eyes or even a professional to take a look at your materials list. | + | 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. |
- | [[http://www.viewdocsonline.com/document/cnza71|Permeable Paver Cost]]As you may have realized, landscaping has different meanings for those to do it. Some will think of it as a quick touch up job, while others will think of it as a whole artistic process full of style and grace. Using the tips above, any landscaping you do will look wonderful. | + | [[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. |