Weekly Home Tip #3

Solar Lighting For Your Yard

One of the simplest, most economical and also eco-friendly ways to provide lighting in your yard is to use solar lights.  There are a wide variety of solar lighting options on the market that can help you to create the right ambience for an evening on the porch, light your sidewalk and driveway, or simple illuminate your yard for aesthetic appeal.

Solar lighting is simple to install and uses the energy absorbed from the sun during the day to provide the power for nighttime lighting.  This means you can light your yard without affecting your energy bills.  There are a few different options you can use to create the lighting effect you are seeking in your yard.

Lighting Your Yard And Patio

The most commonly used solar yard lights are the classic stake lights.  They can be placed at the interval of your choice, and are great for lining flower beds, placing around the patio, or illuminating the path up to your house.  These versatile lights are perfect for just about any situation.  They give a very classic look that works in both the front and back yard and will fit in with most landscaping or architecture.

To add mood lighting to your patio, solar powered Tiki torches are a great choice.  Unlike traditional torches, there is no risk of fire and no messy oil.  Many even flicker just like a candle to create the same ambience that you would expect from traditional Tiki torches.

Lighting Your Driveway

Another option you might want to consider is driveway solar lights.  These flat lights are designed to light the edges of the driveway to make parking easier at night.  Especially for long or curving driveways, these are a great way to illuminate the way at night.  There are two main types of driveway lights; the first type sits on top of the surface, while the second type is actually embedded in the driveway surface, leaving it level.  Either type illuminates very well, but the second type will not be damaged if you accidentally drive over it, so if that is a risk you might consider the embedded type of driveway lights.

Solar lights give your home a warm glow at night and require virtually no maintenance.  Install them, let the sun do the work, and then enjoy them when the sun goes down!

Weekly Home Tip 2

Tips On Saving Energy & Money At Home

When you save on energy, you also save money.  As a homeowner, there are a number of ways that you can do both and still have the energy to enjoy your everyday life.

The Buzz On Bulbs

One of the most obvious ways to save energy in your home is to turn off the television when nobody is watching or when the room is empty.  Additionally, avoid leaving lights on that aren't necessary.  Speaking of lights, your choice of light bulbs may also have an impact on your energy bill as certain types require more electricity than others resulting in higher energy costs.

Keep It Cool

During the warm spring and summer months, it's best to keep all appliances that give off a lot of heat away from the thermostat.  Otherwise, your home may appear hotter than it actually is and the air conditioner will then be made to work harder.  This, in turn, equals more energy being used and more money being spent on energy costs.

Speaking of heat, it's a good idea to avoid excessive use of the oven when it's hot outside.  During the warm weather months, the oven can quickly cause your home's interior to heat up.  This means the air conditioner will once again be working harder to cool your home's interior, which increases your energy consumption.  One popular alternative is to use the microwave.

Shop Smart

Whether you have outdated appliances or are simply looking to furnish a new home, it's a good idea to keep energy efficiency in mind while shopping for new models.  Although energy-efficient appliances may be more expensive, they can save you money in the long run by cutting your energy costs every month.

Heating & Cooling

If you want to save a substantial amount of money, take a close look at your heating and cooling costs, which often make up over 50 percent of a family's energy bill.  When it comes to heating or cooling, make sure that the thermostat is adjusted at night and when the home is empty.  Otherwise, you are simply wasting energy.  Make sure that filters for both heating and cooling units are replaced regularly.

Sun Sense

In the summer, leave your curtains and/or blinds closed in order to minimize the sun's heat from entering your home as this could cause your air conditioner to work harder.  After all, your air conditioner is designed to cool your home and the sun's heat only makes the temperature rise.  In the winter, however, open your curtains in order to get the most out of the sun's warm rays.