Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Tips
Posted by in Green Living on March 31, 2012
The Easter Bunny will be hop hop hoppin’ into your yard soon not to mention precious tiny hands on an Easter Egg hunt. Ensure that each and every blade and leaf that gets touched is as natural and organic as possible with these eco-friendly lawn care tips:
Give your grass seeds a fighting chance – Instead of pouring on chemical-filled growth supplements, be sure your lawn is free of debris and use spike-thonged sandals to aerate instead of gas-guzzling machines. (You will keep pollutants from the air and get a workout in!) Use compost from your organic composting pile to fertilize or make your own.
Homemade Organic Fertilizer
4 parts seed meal or fish meal
1 part dolomite lime
1 part rock phosphate or ½ part bone meal
1 part kelp meal
Make your own organic pesticide – To repel pests from your lawn you’ll need a mixture with an appalling taste and smell. Create an oil, soap or vegetable based mixture to utilize within your garden.
Oil Mixture Read the rest of this entry »
3 Financial Benefits of Using Solar Energy
Posted by in Green Living on March 27, 2012
The worsening environmental condition of the world has pushed a lot of nations to be conscious of that fact. Since then, many countries have tried many ways to lessen climate change through the adaptation of various sources of green energy – and one of them is solar energy.
The sun is an infinite source of energy. It lights up our days, gives plants food through photosynthesis, and even has effects on our psychological well-being. It’s a good source of energy that we can convert into electricity through the use of solar panels. Forget about images of calculators and other small devices with small solar panels because the solar panels used for homes are enough to power your abode throughout the day.
And just like other home improvement technologies, having solar panels installed in your home will cause you significant upfront costs. Solar panels can cost you around £8,000 to £12,000 but they can be acquired through loans or financing. Despite that, solar panels are known to have a big return on investment. Here are three financial benefits of using solar energy in your home.
1. Get tax-free profits by simply generating electricity for your own consumption
According to the Feed-in Tariff scheme concerning generation tariff, homeowners who generate their own electricity through the use of their PV solar panels will be paid for every unit of electricity they produce. This means your energy provider will pay you a set rate for each kWH you generate for your own consumption. This is guaranteed for up to 25 years and is index-linked. Read the rest of this entry »
Finding the Best Spray Foam Contractor
Posted by in Green Living on March 25, 2012
Even a cursory perusal of spray foam insulation information on Wikipedia or the latest home improvement magazine will show the potential gains from its use in buildings of any kind. We know there are energy savings to be had, not to mention the added sound dampening and critter resistant qualities inherent in polyurethane foam insulation. In short, most of us who have made an effort to understand the ties between thermal efficiency, building science and the cost of running a home, also know spray foam is the way to go. The decision is made. Now the task of finding a good spray foam insulation contractor begins.
It doesn’t matter what kind of project it is, anyone in the market for a contractor knows they need someone who is able to do the job well and do it safely. When it comes to using chemical compounds contained in high pressure flammable tanks, a fairly comprehensive level of training and certification is required by law. Look for spray foam sealant contractors who have installers that are trained, accredited and/or certified to handle high pressure spray polyurethane foam installation. Ask how current the accreditation is, and perhaps if it has been upgraded or refreshed (if appropriate).
With so many young people entering the job market these days, it is certainly not unusual to encounter installers who have recently completed their training. The facts may be sharp in their minds, but it is highly likely they lack experience. Now, there is nothing wrong with a newly trained installer – provided they are assisted by a highly experienced supervisor. Don’t be afraid to ask the question. At the very least, the installers will know you are paying attention and most likely be extra careful. Read the rest of this entry »