There are a lot of ways to enjoy the summer. Some people hit the beach every weekend, other people go on fun, European vacations, and still more go on wild adventure trips with nothing but a backpack and a sleeping bag. These things are all part of what makes summer one of the best times of year. But these things all cost a lot of money. So many people will go out of their way to save money on other costs, freeing up their funds for summer stage concerts, whitewater rafting, and outdoor camping gear. One place to save money is on your plumbing. Below are some tips to get you started on keeping your home plumber repair costs low.

Cost Saving Tip #1 – Don’t wait until the problem worsens. The first thing to remember is that plumbing problems only get worse – they do not fix themselves. If you notice a problem, make sure you handle it right away. As the problem worsens, it will cost more to fix. And ignoring problems entirely often ends up costing a lot of money. Fixing a leaky faucet is a lot cheaper and easier than fixing your damaged walls or floors.

Cost Saving Tip #2 – Don’t be afraid to call a plumber. Unless you have been trained by a plumber, you problem do not know a lot about plumbing.
Do not try to fix a big problem yourself. Roto-Rooter says, “Don’t complete any plumbing repairs on your own if you don’t have the skills, materials, and equipment necessary to do so successfully. This may end up costing you more money because you may end up making a small problem much worse than it was in the first place.”

Cost Saving Tip #3 – Get a referral and see if you can get a referral discount. It is always best to find a plumber through a referral, so if you do make sure you tell the professional plumber how you located him or her. Ask if there are any discounts you can take advantage of, like if you refer him or her to another customer.

Cost Saving Tip #4 – Get leaky faucets fixed immediately. Leaky faucets waste a lot of water and this ends up driving up your water bills. Do not ignore a leaky faucet. If you cannot fix it yourself, call the plumber and schedule a time when he or she can come fix it. The sooner you get your leak fixed, the sooner your bills will drop.

Cost Saving Tip #5 – Do not skimp on your plumbing products. Instead of buying the bargain basement version of your plumbing and drain cleaning products, invest in the high quality goods. Using a reliable brand of plumbing products means you only have to buy the product once to know that it will work. Buying the cheaper version will likely end up costing you more because, for example, it does not actually clear the drain, it just fixes it enough for a short time.

Cost Saving Tip #6 – Have all your plumbing problems fixed at once. Spend some time making a list of all of your plumbing issues around the house – a leaky faucet, a stopped up sink, a toilet that does not flush well. Call the plumber and have him or her fix everything in one trip. This is cheaper than having him or her make multiple trips. It can lower your total bill by as much as 25 percent.

Cost Saving Tip #7 – Learn a few basic skills. There are some plumbing skills that everyone should have, whether or not you plan to practice professionally. You should know how to unclog a toilet, for example, with a plunger. You should also know how to replace the ball cock on your toilet. According to Real Simple, “It’s a straightforward switch that will cost you about $15 at a hardware store—a lot less than the $150 you would pay for a plumber to do the same thing.”

Cost Saving Tip #8 – Use green plumbing products. Although the green version of products can cost more upfront, you should consider it an investment. Not only are these products more environmentally friendly and less toxic to your health, a green drain cleaner, like TerraCycle Natural Maintainer & Cleaner (available on Amazon for $9) will also keep your drains cleaner.

Jim Klossner writes about plumbing and heating repair money saving tips for Cahill’s services.  You can connect with Jim on Google +.

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Tip #1 – Keep all of the blinds and shades closed whenever you can. A lot of heat can come into your home through the windows during the daytime when sunlight is pouring through. It is a smart move, therefore, to keep your blinds and shades drawn whenever you can. If you want to keep them open while you are in the room for the natural light, just be sure that you close them when you leave.

Tip #2 – Skip the clothes dryer when you can. Not everyone has the option of line drying their laundry, but if you do, you should take advantage of it. During the summer you can dry your clothes outdoors on the line and use no extra energy. The dryer uses a lot of energy, so this will cut your energy use – and your bills – significantly.

Tip #3 – Keep all of the doors and windows closed when running the air conditioner. When you are using your air conditioner you should aim to keep all of that cool air indoors, and not allow it to escape outside. If you keep your doors and windows open, you will need to run your air conditioner on a higher setting, wasting energy, and driving your bills up. However, it is still a good idea to ventilate your house once a day by opening all the doors and windows for fifteen minutes. It will allow fresh air into your home, clearing away dust and other airborne toxins. Just turn the air conditioning off when you do it.

Tip #4 – Clean all of your filters. Cleaning filters is not anybody’s idea of a fun way to spend an afternoon, but it only takes a few minutes and can have a big impact. According to U.S. News, “Geoff Godwin, division vice president of Emerson, the country’s largest provider of heating and cooling systems, says it’s important to clean out air conditioning filters once a month, which usually involves running water through them and letting them air-dry.”

Tip #5 – Use your thermostats on a timer. Timers are an excellent way to keep your energy costs low. You do not need to cool your home during the day when you are at the office. Programmable thermostats allow the temperature to go up during the daytime when the house is empty, and can save users as much thirty percent on their energy bills. Most thermostats come with these functionalities, but people forget to use them, wasting their money and energy.

Tip #6 – Use the oven less than you do in the winter. Cooking your food in an oven is a great option in the winter, but in the summer it makes your whole house hot. Find other ways to cook – there are plenty of them. You can sauté on the stove, grill on the barbeque, or cure your food in the fridge. Using the oven means you have to blast the air conditioner, so avoid it if you can.

Tip #7 – Lower the temperature of your hot water heater. Most people keep their hot water heaters way too hot, much hotter than necessary to perform basic functions. Lowering the temperature to 115 degrees Fahrenheit can save you more fifty dollars annually, and chances are you will probably not even notice the difference. And besides, in the summer you should enjoy cooler showers anyway – it uses less energy and is more refreshing!

Of course when the weather is hot, you should also take health precautions to avoid overheating and dehydration. Make sure you drink extra water when you are out in the heat and wear plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin!

Matthew Zajechowski writes about air conditioning and heating savings tips for Controlled Comfort.

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There are a lot of reasons to make your fireplace more efficient. To start, there are a huge range of options for efficient fireplace models. You will not have to sacrifice style or choice by going with an eco-friendly fireplace model. Another important reason to make your fireplace more efficient is that it is good for the environment. There is news in the papers everyday about climate change, so we should all do what we can to cut our carbon footprint. An efficient fireplace is a great way to cut your personal emissions. And one of the best parts about upping your fireplace’s efficiency is that it will save you money. Not only will you save on your energy bills, you will also save on routine cleaning and the costs of maintenance.

Efficiency will save you money. According to BobVila.com, “A fire in an open hearth is only 10 percent efficient at best, which means that 90 percent of the heat energy you’ve paid for goes up in smoke.” And because the hot air flows up the chimney, your central heating system is forced to do extra work just to keep the house warm. You can install a glass fireplace door but that will still only add about a 20 percent improvement in your fireplace’s efficiency.

Wood-burning fireplaces are very eco-friendly. Though burning wood is becoming harder to do in densely populated urban areas, it is still a fuel of choice for those homeowners who make the investment in an EPA-rated wood stove that has a catalytic combustor. You should only use wood that is seasoned or that has been split and left stacked in the sun for approximately six months. Using green wood produces a smoky fire that causes more pollution and also leaves your chimney coated in resins. This can cause chimney fires and should be avoided.

Gas-burning fireplaces are another eco-friendly, efficient option.  Shoveling ashes and carrying wood is tiring work and people that don’t want to do it anymore should consider getting themselves a gas-burning fireplace insert. It saves space and works efficiently. A built-in fan takes the heat through the room and using a thermostat lets you set up a target temperature. You can even find a model that has a timer on it – that way you can set your fireplace to have a roaring fire welcoming you when you return. Best of all – a gas-burning stove has the capacity to heat an entire small home in the winter, which will save you money over using your main heating system if it is either electric or oil-fired.

 A warning about bioethanol fireplaces. Although bioethanol fireplaces are both safe and beautiful and make great decorative fireplaces, they simply do not provide the same amount of heat that other models do. However, if you live in a place where you do not need a lot of heat, but still want to have a fireplace, then a bioethanol furnace may be a good option for you. Even though they are not exactly traditional, they are perfect for the eco-friendly, forward thinking homeowner in a mild climate.

If you care about leaving the planet in good condition for the next generation then consider investing in an efficiency upgrade for your fireplace.

Matthew Zajechowski writes about fireplace efficiency and other fireplace topics for Northshore Fireplace in Evanston.

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Guest post by Dean Brady.

Home improvements that enhance the energy-efficiency of a house offer tremendous value and a permanent reduction in utility costs. Not only will such upgrades reduce monthly bills for a home owner, but the value of the home may even increase through such changes. Energy efficient improvements and changes are available all around the home, and certain improvements may even qualify a home owner to receive certain tax breaks or benefits.

Getting an Inspection

No matter the age of a home, any residence may benefit from an inspection by an expert regarding the efficiency of the home and what might be the best options for improvements and replacement. Such professionals are often general contractors or companies that specialize in energy efficient designs or installations. Knowing what to replace and what to update will help a home owner make the best use of his home improvement loan or the funds put aside for the project.

Efficient Home Improvements

A home may be changed in several ways to accommodate energy efficient design, and changing the actual architecture and physical design of the home is one of the costliest types of home improvement projects. Different options for energy efficient home refurbishment include the following options:

1. Window replacement

By replacing the windows in the home with versions that are positively rated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a home owner will reap tremendous savings on utility bills. The most energy efficient types of windows will usually be double-paned and may be composed of advanced glass that offers better insulation.

Home owners who may not be able to afford the replacement of the entire home’s allotment of windows may want to consider an energy efficient coating. This may reduce the amount of heat allowed into the home by the sun. A home owner may also benefit from being able to replace the windows on one particular side of the house, such as on the western side of the home where the midday sun is at its hottest.

2. Home insulation changes

A large source of heating or cooling loss in the home comes from bad insulation and replacement of this home element will help the home to maintain a consistent temperature. When the temperature of the home doesn’t change dramatically on a regular basis, other systems in the home such as the air conditioner don’t have to work as hard to do their job. This means less energy spent on heating and cooling and a lower workload on the air conditioner.

3. Air conditioning and heating systems

Although it can be costly, upgrading the air conditioning system is a valuable project for many reasons. Newer air conditioning and heating systems are particularly energy efficient, and any system that is over ten years old will benefit from replacement. Not only do the newest air conditioning models offer just as much cooling power and sometimes more, they also perform their job at a rate that uses far less energy.

Efficient Home Appliances

Just about every appliance or machine in use in the home today comes in an energy-efficient model. For home owners who have particularly old appliances, choosing to upgrade those devices is one of the easiest ways to improve efficiency within the home. Replacing an appliance may require nothing more than removing the old appliance and replacing it with an energy efficient model, although some replacements may require some changes to the electrical systems within the home. Efficient home appliance replacement may include:

1. Toilets

The commodes all around the home may be replaced with versions that use far less water. The Environmental Protection Agency has provided consumers with ratings on the water-saving level of various appliances and installations within the home, and a good toilet will have a “WaterSense” rating indicating that it uses less water.

2. Water heaters

A low-flow water heater uses less water than a traditional or older water heater and also runs more efficiently, lowering energy costs. Old water heaters are a huge source of energy waste in many homes and are a prime replacement option.

3. Dishwashers

The best dishwashers for saving energy will not only be more efficient at reducing water usage, but these appliances will also have an air dry option that allows for power-saving.

4. Refrigerators

The “Energy Star” label from the Environmental Protection Agency has long been applied to refrigerators, and these behemoths will use a ton of energy when they’re old and out of shape. Replacement of old refrigerators should be a priority for efficiency improvements.

Small Accessories and Energy Efficient Objects

Small changes around the home may also result in big energy savings, and one of the simplest improvements that a home owner may begin immediately is the replacement of all the light bulbs in the home. Every time an incandescent bulb burns out, it’s a good idea to replace it with a compact fluorescent bulb. It’s also possible to save energy over the course of the year by unplugging unneeded appliances since most devices use energy when they’re plugged in, even if they’re not in operation.

Financing Improvement Projects

Taking out a line of credit against the equity in the home or applying for home improvement loans are common methods used to finance the installation of energy-efficient upgrades. Because such improvements often provide tax credit opportunities and will provide continuous reductions of utility costs, the cost is very nearly always worth it.

The price paid for such projects will be even more valuable when the home owner lists the home for sale, and its value increases dramatically due to the houses’s high efficiency rating. A full home makeover where the home owner focuses on energy-efficient design will offer years of lower utility bills, sleek updated appliances, and the peace of mind that comes from an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Author: Dean Brady, Green Housing Business Developer. Senior writer from Mortgageloan.com with experiences in sustainable financing, real estate and home improvisation. Advocates green living is the way in achieving a better life. Physically, Mentally, and Financially.

Allconnect is a free online resource to review and compare the costs and choices for essential home services, including home utilities, high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, and home security systems.

Draft Proofing The Gaps

The most common problem area with interior doors is the gap between the door and the floor. This can be fairly easily rectified by purchasing draft excluder strips which can be attached onto the bottom of the door. This type of draft proofing is only really necessary on doors between heated and unheated rooms. For example, it is fairly common not to cool utility rooms, but if there is a gap in the interior doors then these rooms could be sucking away the cooler air from other rooms such as a sitting room. If the door is between two air conditioned rooms then draft proofing is not really necessary as the colder air will circulate freely between the two rooms.

What If The Doors Is Poorly Fitted?

However, that gap underneath your interior doors may not be the problem. If your doors are ill fitting then there will be gaps on all four sides. This is not something that can be addressed with draft excluder strips. If there are substantial gaps around your doors which are causing a draft then you may need to look at having new doors fitted. This might seem a little pricey, but in the long term the cost of some good solid interior doors will be worth while once you start to see the cost of cooling your home begin to drop somewhat dramatically.

Measuring For new Interior Doors

Taking accurate measurements for an interior door is not as easy as it might seem. Interior doors tend to come in two somewhat standard widths – 30 inches and 32 inches. However, you must measure to make sure, and you must never assume that all of your doorways are the same size! The first measurement that should be taken is width and height. It is recommended that you add an additional 2 inches onto both measurements to allow for the frame. These are your basic measurements. However, you must also go on to measure the width of the door at the top, the bottom and around the middle of the doorway. This should be repeated on the height measurement taking the measurement at both the left and right of the doorway and again in the middle. These measurements need to be as accurate as possible and should be rounded to the nearest eighth of an inch. Lastly, it is essential that you check all four corners of the doorway to make sure that they are square. If they are not then take note of the angles and inform your interior doors manufacturer so that they can compensate for the discrepancies.

Choosing The Best Interior Doors

Once you have your measurements you will want to look for a supplier or manufacturer who can offer custom sizing on your interior doors. If you are at all unsure about your own measurements then you may also wish to see out a provider who can offer a free measuring service. Once you have selected a supplier the next step is to choose the style of door you would like. There are many things to take into consideration including the look, the finish and also the cost. One piece of advice that is well worth taking into consideration is that you should opt for solid interior doors rather than hollow core ones. A heavier door may be more expensive, but it will offer much more in terms of keeping out those drafts.

If you are looking at ways to cut down on your utility bills then looking at your interior doors is a great place to start. If they are ill fitting, then there could be hundreds of dollars worth of cold air escaping through the gaps. If you replace them now you will soon reap the benefits of lower utility bills. Take the time to measure the doors accurately and look for a good quality solid wood interior door to help cut out those drafts.

Alyson Duncan is a home improvement enthusiast who has been published by various blogs and online publications. For further information you can checkout her website, or catch up with her on Twitter @27estore.

Allconnect is a free online resource to review and compare the costs and choices for essential home services, including home utilities, high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, and home security systems.

How to choose the best pages for a mind-boggling amount of creativity might, at one time, have seemed overwhelming – but no more. Try the one-stop cure that so many homemakers and DIY home improvers are using around the world: Pinterest. The famous and still-growing pinboard site just recently ranked at number 50 on the list of most-visited sites in the United States. If you are wondering why 25,330,000 people visited Pinterest last month, find out by visiting the Pinterest idea bank. You are sure to become motivated to take on new projects and freshen up your outlook on life. For starters, check out Pinterest’s top ten most-popular home decor ideas.

#1 — The Picture Wall Composition Chart

Are you stuck with a picture wall that looks like your family photos were arranged haphazardly? Check out the #1 most-pinned item in the home decor category on Pinterest: a chart showing different ways to arrange picture walls. If you thought your picture wall was boring or messy, fear not. There is hope for redemption, and you, like 61,038 other pinners, can rearrange that wall into a decor masterpiece to be proud of.

#2 — The Open Floor Plan

Apparently “open” is the name of the game in floor plans if the #2 most-pinned home decor page on Pinterest is any indication. While changing your floor plan may not be an option (unless you’re planning a move in the near future), there are some other ideas provided that bear consideration: warm-but-neutral wall colors, lots of light, and white cabinetry and moldings can help give an impression of openness and breathability to any floor plan.

#3 — The Ideal Bedroom

Occupying the #3 spot on Pinterest’s most popular home decor pages list is this romantic bedroom set-up. A canopy bed with curtains, a sweet chandelier, and lots of white give it an oh-so-enviable ethereal atmosphere.

#4 — The Hanging Trampoline Bed

Pinterest is ripe with ideas for repurposing old items, and this #4 most-pinned item is a great example. Trampoline converted into an exotic hanging daybed, say what?!

#5 — Northern Lights Tile

An unusual, but colorful, take on shower tile makes #5 on Pinterest’s most-pinned home decor pages list. The arrangement of the colored tiles is reminiscent of the Northern Lights streaking across a dark night sky.

#6 — Inspirational Photo Wall

Here’s one photo wall composition that the #1 most-pinned page didn’t include. The #6 most-pinned home decor page features a grid of family photos on a dark wall, topped by the inspirational reminder that “The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.” 33,554 Pinterest users clearly agree.

#7 — The Rainfall Shower

Pinterest’s #7 home decor page is an enviable rainfall shower. In a minimalistic shower room, the stunning rectangular panel from which falls a light-infused column of water droplets is the main attraction. It’s not hard to see why this item is popular.

#8 — The Bookcase Door

It’s easy to imagine many different variations on this idea, which is probably why so many pinners have repinned the #8 most popular Pinterest decor page: the bookcase door. Any home could use a touch of literary whimsy such as this.

#9 — Paint Texturing

Pinterest’s #9 decor page offers an alternative to wallpaper. The idea is amazingly simple: paint a pattern on an accent wall using high-gloss paint in the same color as the matte base coat.

#10 — Bathroom Mirror Re-design

Tired of the flat, unimaginative mirror in your master bathroom? Check out Pinterest’s tenth most-pinned decor idea: a DIY before-and-after refurbished bathroom mirror. The new version is complete with a center shelf for storage and beautiful white molding to frame the edge of the mirror.

Paul Moore is usually involved, in one fashion or another, in housing supply and decor. He works both in real estate and in corporate housing provision with Bakken Residence Suites. You can connect with him at his Linked In page.

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You can pick these new fixtures up at most any hardware store. If that doesn’t work, try an insulation wrap around the unit.

What else can you do to reduce your energy use and electricity bill?

VisualGuide to Home Energy Savings – courtesy of PurelyShutters.co.uk

The Basics

Generally, the solar cells you are going to see are photovoltaic cells, also known as PV cells. Photo means light, and voltaic means electricity, which allows us to see where the name solar energy comes from. These PV cells convert sunlight into electricity allowing you to light your home, power your electronics, and more. Normally, they are connected together into a group, and then put into a frame. This is what makes up the solar panels we see on a regular basis.

So, What Happens?

Each cell has a variety of material, including semiconductors. Currently, the most commonly used is silicon. The silicon absorbs the energy of the light that hits it. Because of the energy, the electrons get loosened, and they are then able to flow. With strategic placing of magnets on the solar panels, the electron flow is directed and power is produced.

Why do we use Silicone?

There are many different reasons silicon is currently used for solar panels. One is because it is a great semiconductor. Another is because of the great properties it has while still in crystalline form. The atom is made up of three shells, each of which holds a part of its 14 electrons. The first shell holds two electrons, the second shell holds eight electrons, and the third shell only holds four electrons. However, the atom is constantly trying to fill that last shell to maximum, by attaching to other electrons.

Generally, it is not pure silicon that is used, but an impure mixture of silicon and phosphorous. This creates an effect where the shell is filled, and since the phosphorous has five electrons, instead of four, there is only one left over. When energy is added to the impure silicon, the extra electron can be easily knocked loose from the structure, allowing a large number of free carriers to power the cell.

How Efficient Are Solar Panels?

Once the panels have been created, and had an antireflective coating added, as well as a glass cover plate, they can be used in a variety of ways. One great way a solar panel can be used is on the roof of your home. The question becomes, how effective are these panels? In 2006, almost all panels had an efficiency rate between 12-18%. The best option in that same year had a 40.7% efficiency rating. For many people, this seems extremely low. So, why is there such a low efficiency when tapping into the energy of the sun?

Many Ways to Lose Energy

There are a variety of ways that energy can be lost. Unfortunately, these are unavoidable. For example, we know that light comes in a variety of wavelengths. We have found out, since working with the solar panel technology that some of these wavelengths have too much energy for us to trap, while others don’t have nearly enough. This is defined by the material used for the cells, and we can use materials that have a broader range. However, if we do that, we lose a lot of the voltage of the panel.

In addition to the losses that happen because of the wavelength, there are also losses in energy due to the makeup of the cell itself. Since a semiconductor is used, in this case silicon, there is going to be some resistance against the current. This resistance is going to cause some loss of energy, even though the current is helped along with metallic contacts.

Power Concerns for Those Using Solar

If you have added solar panels to your home, or are considering taking the plunge, there are some concerns that have probably crossed your mind. The most prevalent being that it’s not always sunny. What can you do if there’s not enough sunlight to go around? Luckily, there are some options for those in this predicament.

• Have a backup generator that will kick in when the solar panels don’t have enough power to do it all.
• Connect to the utility grid. This also allows you to sell power back to the grid when your panels produce more than you are able to use.
• Get a battery. This will help you store the power that you produce in your own home. It will allow you to draw on this power in the future when you need it.

Each of these options has definite pros and cons to them, and it all comes down to personal preference. If you are trying to go completely off the grid, and not rely on the power company at all, a generator or battery is what you will need. However, the stability of working with the power company is a benefit for many. This is a very personal decision, and should be made after doing some research on each of the options available.

What Are the Advantages of Solar Energy?

Because of the lost energy, the question becomes whether or not solar energy is worth what we are putting into it. For many, it is a resounding yes. Not only is this something that is a great scientific find, it is also an amazing option for anyone who is looking to cut down their carbon footprint and live a greener lifestyle. There are, of course, downsides to solar energy. However, there are downsides to everything we do. If one of the worst things that can be said about the technology is that right now we are only at, at max, 40% efficiency that simply means we have more work to do to make it better.

Understanding solar energy can be a little difficult sometimes. There is a lot that goes into it. When considering solar energy, it is important to understand the basics of what goes into it.

Resources:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/solar-cell1.htm

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/06-10028-01.pdf

http://science.sbcc.edu/~physics/solar/sciencesegment/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/how-solar-cell-works.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-does-solar-power-work

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/how-does-solar-energy-work.html

About the Author – Shaun Chatman is a well published author on many authority sites. He lives in Dunedin, FL, and spends his free time playing with his kids or advising friends on tech, gadgets, travel and finance

Allconnect is a free online resource to review and compare the costs and choices for essential home services, including home utilities, high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, and home security systems.

Going green has its perks. It’s a chance to do your part to save the environment and it’s also a way of significantly cutting costs. But living the green life doesn’t mean going all out green by replacing all of your appliances with energy efficient ones or using entirely renewable energy sources. You can start going green with just little things. A few additions and small renovations could result to a huge impact in your home. The most cost-efficient way to do these is by doing them yourself. They aren’t just for savings, they could also liven up your home by adding a little character to it.

Shading

For those living in warmer climates, you can reduce your home’s air condition usage by just decreasing the amount of heat entering your home. A simple and effective way of doing it is by adding an outer shade onto your windows to prevent direct sunlight from striking through them. Traditional sun awnings are perfect for coverage and shading. They have been proven to reduce solar heat gain by as much as 60-80%, depending on the window types. There are different types of awnings, like sun awnings, rain awnings or patio awnings but all of them can endure any kind of weather from the hottest of summers to the coldest of winters. A study from the Center for Sustainable Building Research from the University of Minnesota found that even homes in colder climates benefit from awnings by reducing energy by 23-24%. The study also covered how awnings can potentially reduce maintenance costs of power equipment as a result of its role in reducing energy costs.

Awnings can either be manually or automatically retracted when not in use and their angle of shading can also be changed, depending on your preference. Most awnings available in the market have instructions for manual installations, making it easier for DIY installations.

Simpler and more readily available materials for shading include blinds, curtains, and bug-and-weather-resistant zip screens.

Insulation and Ventilation

Insulation is important in keeping your house comfortable and lowering energy costs from cooling or heating all year round. Even simple attic insulation like laying fiberglass rolls to the joists can be enough. Other insulation can be installed but it usually depends on the climate and the structure of your home.

Besides from the usual insulation materials like fiberglass or cellulose, roller shutters that are usually used for security purposes have built-in insulation. Whether installed inside or outside the home, they help reduce heat gain and loss. Roller shutters are also well designed home defense measures.

But insulation alone will not suffice. A home also needs to be well ventilated to go along with the insulation. The most preferred type would be the cross ventilation design that lets in more air. Letting natural air flow freely inside your home is a good energy efficient tactic. It decreases utility bills because the need for air cooling systems or appliances are lessened. While not all houses are designed to accommodate natural airflow, small, homemade windmills can be used increase needed wind flow.

Landscaping

When thinking of landscaping, you would usually think it’s something that can boost the appearance of one’s home. But it is also a way of adding shade, ventilation, and even protection from winter winds. The right type of landscape, e.g. the kind of trees, bushes, and shrubs you would want to plant, relies heavily on the type of climate you have. Temperate to hot-humid regions such as Georgia and Mississippi need landscapes that maximize wind and shade and plants that need less water, while cool regions would need dense windbreaks as winter protection. While regional climate is the main consideration, microclimate or the immediate surroundings of your home should also be considered for the perfect and most effective landscape.

Smart Spaces

Spaces that are a source of subsidiary heat are handy and helpful in keeping your homes warm. One example is a sunroom or sunspace. They are basically another room inside or an additional room/space outside of your home that can be used for warmth and makeshift greenhouses. Sunspaces are built to help reduce heating expenditures as well as added aesthetics.

If you’re not too keen (or maybe under a certain budget) in constructing a sunspace, a good alternative are verandas. Your very own veranda is the next best thing. One study showed that using verandas can result in 4-23% in energy savings. The rate of efficiency ranges, depending on the environmental conditions, type of housing, and the insulation and glazing used on the veranda. Besides its energy efficient function, a veranda adds exterior appeal to your home.

While all of these might seem trivial to some, their significance in improving your home’s effectiveness in using lesser energy is enormous. And these examples prove that having a greener lifestyle is easy. It doesn’t just have to be about buying a lot of solar panels, building large scale wind turbines, or making use of backyard hydropower. It all starts with little things. It’s easy and effective. Anyone can do it.

Guest Author Bio: Emily Harper is a housewife and an active member of the neighborhood watch. She worked in marketing but is now keeping her readers up-to-date with the latest security technology and DIY trends through writing.

Allconnect is a free online resource to review and compare the costs and choices for essential home services, including home utilities, high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, and home security systems.

As we charge head-on into the 21st century, adaptations to the Internet are providing a wide range of services that we wouldn’t have conceived of in the 1990s. As email was a basic ability that required very little connection power, many still don’t realize the potential that high-speed Internet holds for other activities.

1. Streaming Content

Millions of people stream content to their computers and mobile devices on a regular basis. The more power you have to your Internet connection, the faster this content is brought to you. Although the speeds of specific websites are capped at a certain rate to help ensure everyone has equal access, greater bandwidth within your home will allow more than a single person to stream that content at the same time without feeling the effects of slower connections.

2. Multiplayer Gaming

Higher speeds to your home equals a better experience for gaming. Slower access to the Internet could cause synchronization problems to the game server which could affect your game-play. For example, in games where timing is crucial such as first-person-shooters or real-time strategy games, latency between yourself and the game server could cause you to play poorly against other players. And like streaming content, higher bandwidth to your location increases the amount of people you can have in your home playing online together without causing the latency problems.

3. VoIP

Many of today’s offices, schools, and even homes use some method of Voice-over-Internet-Protocol. This is where you use the Internet to make phone calls. A slower access to these phone servers could cause a typical phone call to become distorted and difficult to understand. When it comes to anything accessing the Internet, a faster speed means a better connection for what ever your purpose is. In this case, the calls will be clearer without having the “choppy” effect where every other word is missing in the conversation.

4. Purchasing Software

There are a lot of companies that are focusing a great deal of development of new software to be sold online as digital downloads. This allows them to make far more money on their titles for it removes the need for boxes, inks, paper, and third-party resellers. The overhead is much lower and most of the time, some of the savings is given to the consumer at a reduced digital only price. Faster Internet speeds will greatly affect the time it takes you to download one of these programs or update one you already have. Updates from companies such as Microsoft that would have taken several hours on an old dial-up modem now take less than a minute on high-bandwidth cable or DSL connections.

5. Multi-computer Households

High speed access doesn’t just cover how quickly you’re able to access websites. As more devices in the home are tapping the Internet access, you could begin to feel the effects of slowing down in general. Whether this connection is from computers, tablets, smartphones, or TVs more devices will reduce the capacities for quick access. A higher bandwidth will be needed if you have multiple devices accessing the Internet simultaneously.

Technologies are continuing to develop at a rapid pace. As each individual piece of the tech-puzzle is laid into place, another innovative use is developed. The possibilities are endless for personal and professional expansion and we should embrace this change for it will make our lives easier than we could previously imagine.

Author Bio:

Ken holds a master’s in business leadership from Upper Iowa University and multiple bachelor degrees from Grand View College.  As president of morningsidenannies.com, Ken’s focus is helping Houston-based parents find the right childcare provider for their family. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife.

Allconnect is a free online resource to review and compare the costs and choices for essential home services, including home utilities, high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, and home security systems.