Every home impacts the environment. Virtually all these households (particularly in the industrialized world) have some sort of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It’s time to pay attention to HVAC tips to save energy. As sustainable living becomes more important, companies are doing their best to meet consumers’ eco-friendly demands. Those who live sustainably help keep the environment clean. They also benefit from saving money on utility bills. Without spending much money, you can use these 5 HVAC tips to save energy in your eco-friendly home. HVAC Tips to Save Energy #1: Seal Doors and Windows A quick and easy way to make your home more energy efficient is to seal your doors and windows. Your HVAC system’s job is to heat, cool and ventilate your home. It can’t do its job if the warm or cool air it puts out is just leaking out of your house through broken seals. Tightly seal your doors and windows. Check for cracks and gaps … [Read more...] about 5 HVAC Tips to Save Energy
Homestead
Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves
DIY pull out shelves changed my life. I am only slightly exaggerating here. But seriously, we decided to transform our cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom with DIY pull out shelves. The result has been nothing short of amazing. When we moved into our home five years ago, the kitchen pantry had no shelving. So, we built our own pull out shelves. In our deep cabinets, the new full-extension pull-out shelves allow my family to reach the back of cabinets with ease. The do-it-yourself DIY pull out shelves also make the narrow openings easier to navigate. The shelves now pull ALL THE WAY OUT to bring order to overly deep spaces – like our bathroom cabinets. After years of stretching through the 12-inch opening to reach items at the back, we decided it was time to build pull out shelves. It was one of the smartest DIY projects we ever did. The following steps walk you through the process of building your own DIY pull out shelves. Getting Started on Your Pull-Out Shelves What … [Read more...] about Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves
Backyard Greenhouses for Every Budget
It’s always growing season inside backyard greenhouses. Quite simply, that’s the appeal of a backyard greenhouse-- or even a larger-scale greenhouse on your acreage property. Even when there’s snow on the ground and the cold wind is howling, it’s always summer in the greenhouse. The controlled climate inside a greenhouse makes it possible to grow ornamental plants and edible fruits and vegetables all year long. According to Tammy Wylie of Advance Greenhouses, you can enjoy the benefits of having your own greenhouse without being a professional grower. "Greenhouses enable you to enjoy growing plants all year long, and that's the best way to take your gardening to the next level," she said. Many avid gardeners and property owners have installed a greenhouse to grow their favorite plants—especially homegrown fruits and vegetables—throughout the year. That's because an impressive variety of greenhouse styles, sizes and price points is available. Some lightweight greenhouses can … [Read more...] about Backyard Greenhouses for Every Budget
5 Common Roof Problems to Fix Now
Common roof problems should be fixed right away. After all, the roof of your house is one of the most important structural elements. It protects you from the extremities of the weather and keeps your place safe and comfortable. Although common roof problems deserve immediate attention, many homeowners let problems continue. Age and weather can compromise the strength and condition of your home’s roofing. That’s why you need to be watchful about even the smallest signs of problems. While you may delay addressing some issues, other common roofing problems require immediate attention to prevent catastrophic damage. Here are the top 5 common roof problems that you should address sooner rather than later. Common Roof Problem #1: Leaks A leaking roof is a common roof problem—and it can be one of the biggest nightmares for homeowners. Ignoring leaks can lead to extensive damage to the structure of the building, and you may eventually end up with massive roofing repair … [Read more...] about 5 Common Roof Problems to Fix Now
How to Start a Hobby Farm
You are interested in how to start a hobby farm. But what separates a hobby farm from a standard farm or homestead? And what do you need to know to start a hobby farm to ensure its success? Below are the characteristics of a hobby farm, the potential goals you can establish for your hobby farm, and how to write a one-year plan for your farm. These tips and bits of information will help you stay on track when buying and operating your own hobby farm. What Is a Hobby Farm? A hobby farm is a farm with a small footprint that is run and maintained for pleasure instead of profit. It's important to understand that the crops you grow or yield from your hobby farm are not going to be a major source of income for you or your family. Unlike a homestead, a hobby farm is not a source of total self-sufficiency. Hobby farmers, because they are not primarily concerned with profit, have the luxury to decide exactly what the purpose of their hobby farm is. For example, do you want … [Read more...] about How to Start a Hobby Farm
