Home prices in April were 3.5% higher than a year earlier, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index.

Read more: cnbc.com

Going green has numerous benefits for the home, while offering positives for the environment, as well. You can change some simple things in your home to make it more energy efficient, while cutting electricity costs! Keep reading to discover some simple ways to conserve energy in the home.

If you plan to purchase lighting for your deck or patio, you should give solar-powered lamps a try. Not only are they a reasonable purchase price, but they do not require electricity to run. This not only reduces energy costs, It also means you don’t need to wire your outdoor lights.

People can get government grants to invest in some renewable energies. Check out your local government so that you can see what type of programs are available in your area. It may be possible for you to get wind or solar installation for free, or you may be able to get a deductions on your taxes.

Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions. A big consideration is how much sunlight does your home typically receive? If you’re in a shady area, or a place that doesn’t have many sunny days, you won’t be able to gain as much power.

Your furnace filters should be cleaned monthly and replaced yearly. Warm-air registers should also have filters installed on them. This will help keep debris or dirt from clogging vents and reducing their overall efficiency.

Turn it off. Turn it off. Turn it off. Any rooms in the home that are vacant should not have any electronics or lights left on. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.

If you utilize a dishwasher, avoiding using it until it’s filled up. Dishwashers consume a similar amount of water and electricity regardless of whether it contains one dish or 20. When you run a dishwasher, use the ‘energy-saver’ setting so dishes can air-dry.

When you install a solar energy system, place the batteries close to the cells. This procedure guards against power loss as energy travels through the cable. This can reduce chances of cables shading cells and reducing capabilities.

Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. Although tankless heaters require electricity or gas to heat water, they only do this on the amount you need as opposed to storing it in a large tank that is kept hot all the time. You can purchase tankless water heaters that are small enough to heat one faucet, or large enough to heat your entire house.

Change up the way you dress in your home and warm yourself up to avoid turning on the heater if possible. A sweater that is heavy adds 4 more degrees of warmth, and a lighter sweater adds 2 degrees. It’s not necessary to wear so little at home, so out on a sweatshirt and save some cash!

Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative. Making this switch can reduce your power consumption by up to 75%. This is especially true if you are an Internet addict or do heavy word processing. Because laptops are portable, you can also enjoy the convenience of taking your computer anywhere.

Keep a record of your energy efficiency goals. Each month, check your utility bills to check your year-over-year progress with regard to saving energy. Just thinking more about your energy usage will help you to change habits that lead you to over-use energy. Taking the time to use less resources will help you get into a habit of preventing energy waste through unattended appliances.

Many people don’t turn off appliances when not using them. Just by simply being aware of things that are on, and making an effort to turn things off when not in use, you can substantially save on your energy bills. By thinking about the costs involved and how much extra energy you use, should get you to shut off those appliances and lights when not in use.

Consider replacing your wooden products with bamboo when buying new. Bamboo is a product that grass-based and a lot stronger than many of the commercially available wood products on the market. Bamboo grows quickly and it used for several products including flooring. This saves energy, as bamboo is easy to produce and can be recycled.

If you can, replace your old windows with the more efficient new styles. When you use these type of windows you can notice a significant different in things like your energy bill, less condensation right on your windows, a quieter home, and one thing that you can’t see is less carbon dioxide in your home.

To increase your home’s energy efficiency, try weatherizing your home. You can seal ducts, add in insulation, and put in new windows and cooling systems that are energy efficient so that you can reduce the energy it takes to operate your home. These items will also mean lower energy costs on your monthly bill.

Adopting green energies should not bust your wallet wide open. Oftentimes, just a few simple changes around the home will save energy and money. Remember the tips in this article and pass them on, so you can see an improvement in the environment.

With the advancements in technology, it is easier to do many things. It is now quite simple to design your home’s interior yourself. Would you like a little advice? This article will give you sound advice on how you can beautify your home.

Consider the main function of a room or area before you start on a new design project. If you are decorating your child’s bedroom, you may consider using lively and bold colors to match their personality. But those colors will not work if the room is a library.

Decide on a mood for a room or space before beginning to actually work on designing the space. Moods are as varied as, well, your moods. They can swing from bold to relaxed, and anywhere in between. Thinking of the mood theme before beginning will help you choose the theme of the room, and it ends up giving the room cohesion.

One piece of fine art added to a room can be well worth the price. You might not think much of art or care about it at all, but one little painting can pull a whole room together. In addition, a painting can provide you with a focal point that is the basis for the rest of your decorating.

Keep your interior decorating costs down by searching for discount versions of designer items. You can easily spend you life’s savings on high-end merchandise while decorating, but you do not have to, as there are things that are made well that do not cost nearly as much. Go with the designer brands only if you cannot find comparable quality offered at a lower price point.

Before starting any interior decoration, de-clutter your home. Every home can be cleaned up in some way, cleaning up some clutter is the best way to start. You could give extra stuff to charity, recycle them, or sell them through a yard sale so that you can earn some extra money.

Interior Decorating

Do you feel like an expert when it comes to interior decorating? There is a lot to do after you initially figure out what you need to do to improve the look of your home. You’re more than ready to put your skills to the test to determine what sort of talent and taste you can bring to the interior decorating process.

You do not have to break the bank to become more green, and you don’t have to waste a lot of valuable time either. There are a few simple changes you can make to your home that will drastically reduce your utility bills while helping the environment. Read this guide to learn how you can use green energy efficiently, while making great lasting impacts in the environment.

Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. By wearing natural fabrics, such as cotton, you will keep moisture away from your skin and help it stay cooler. Wear lighter colors since warmer ones can make you warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.

If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. A lot of times this can be done with minimal modifications to your existing system. Biodiesel can assist you in cutting your environmental impact when it is cold, because it burns more efficiently and cleaner than petroleum.

You can consider getting solar water heaters to heat your water. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. It’s a good idea to use a supplemental water heater, however, if you cannot count on constant sunshine or if your hot water consumption is high.

Take advantage of solar energy to heat your home’s water without breaking the bank. Purchase a solar water heating system. It is possible to use either a direct or indirect circulation system. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.

Plan out and calculate your energy consumption rates for your home solar system for the winter months so that you know what you can consumer on a daily basis. Using this metric means you will meet your energy needs in the winter, while greatly exceeding them in the summer. You can actually get money back from your utility company for any energy your generate if you’re on the net usage plan.

When installing solar panels, ensure that the energy-storing batteries are installed as close to the cells as possible. This helps prevent power loss in the cables. The cable also is less likely to block power generation by providing shade if you do this.

Storm Windows

Storm doors and windows can make air flow in the home better. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. Installing storm windows and doors can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%.

Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. Although they still use gas or electricity, they only heat on demand rather than maintaining an entire tank of hot water at all times. You can purchase a tankless heater for a faucet or your whole home.

Make energy efficiency a priority by buying products to assist you to reduce energy. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy. The use of these types of technologies can drastically reduce both your cooling and heating costs.

Energy Upgrades

Seek out local and federal rebates offered for making energy upgrades to your home. Ask your utility company if they offer rebates for green energy upgrades. In other instances, credit or tax deductions are offered by federal or state governments. These credits and rebates reduce the price you will pay to install green tech products at home.

If you are someone who is seeking out ways to live green so you can help save the planet’s energy, there’s a lot you can do. You might not have the money to invest in a solar panel array, but you can commit to cleaning your furnace filters once per month and setting your thermostat to 60 degrees while you are out. Reducing the water heater temperature to 120 degrees can save money too. Anything you can do will help!

Green Energy

While people may have different opinions about global warming, green energy can benefit anyone. Green energy saves money with just a few minor changes that are easy to do.

One of the smartest things you can do for you and your diet is to start an organic garden. But, you need to put in a lot of effort to grow your garden effectively. Knowing where to start when planning an organic garden can be a little confusing.

Plant bulbs if you want spring and summer flowers. Most bulbs are hardy and require little to no care in order to develop into beautiful perennials that will reappear each and every year. The types of bulbs you use will determine the time of year your flowers will bloom, giving you the pleasure of blooms from spring to summer, if you plant them right.

The approach of fall means you need to start planting autumn goodies. Rather than putting standard clay vessels into use when planting crops of lettuce and kale, think about using pumpkins instead. Cut an opening in the top of your pumpkin, scoop out the inside, and spray the entire thing with Wilt-Proof. This will prevent rotting. Once this is done, you are ready to plant!

Before you start planting your garden, plan it! That way, if you see your plants beginning to bud but can’t recall what they are, you can refer back to your plan to refresh your memory. You might end up losing small plants in a large area, because you did not water them.

Knee Pads

It is a good idea to invest in a good pair of knee pads, made specifically for horticulture. They can be very helpful when working close to the ground on low-growth plants. You will end up spending a good deal of time on your knees and this can cause a lot of pain by the end of the day. Your knees can get supported with a decent pair of horticulture knee pads.

Fresh mint is a wonderful addition to a herb garden, but it can quickly take over your entire yard. Instead of planting mint in your garden, keep it in a large container or pot to prevent it from spreading. Plant the container in the ground, but its walls will hold those roots captive, and will prevent the plant from engulfing your garden!

If you are just starting out, follow all the guidelines and rules on your chemicals and tools. If you fail to do this, you could cause yourself all sorts of injuries, the most common of which is irritated skin. Protect yourself and follow all instructions.

Take a look at planting berry-producing evergreens in your yard. The evergreens will add some color to your garden or yard, especially during the winter, when other plants have died or lost color. These plants can help you get some color during the winter months: Winterberry, Common Snowberry, American Holly, and American Cranberrybush.

You never want to do any horticulture with open wounds, so make sure everything is completely healed up before you begin; otherwise, you run the risk of your cut being exposed to dangerous chemicals and dirt. If dirt and grime get into a cut while gardening, it may become infected. Look for newer bandages which are able to completely seal your cut.

As you have read, a lot of hard work and homework go into producing a plentiful organic garden. You will get great results if you are consistent and patient. Use the tips presented here, along with some ideas of your own, and you can be a thriving organic gardener in no time.

The government stands accused of failing to protect workers as it sold off projects to EDF and other foreign firms

In the renewables sector, the Scottish government has been perfecting a form of political alchemy over the last decade. In this, Nicola Sturgeon and her ministers have succeeded in spinning mere optimism into hard political currency.

The title of its manifesto for the 2011 Holyrood election asked voters to “Re-elect a Scottish Government Working For Scotland” and claimed that developing the low-carbon economy would create “around 130,000 jobs”. At the current growth rate of real jobs in this sector, you wouldn’t bet on that figure of 130,000 being reached before that big asteroid with Earth’s name on it finds its bearings.

Continue reading…

Read more: theguardian.com

There are so many different types of green energy, from solar to wind to water, that they are readily available for use in your own home. If you’d like to make the energy that you use to power your house’s technology a little bit greener, just keep on reading. You’ll find some excellent suggestions on how you can get started.

Use solar-powered lamps for outdoor lighting. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight. This will save significant energy. Also, it will no longer be necessary to install wired outdoor lights.

If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Don’t run it with just a few dishes. With a little effort, you will be amazed by how much you can fit in one load. Set up the plates so that you fill it up as much as possible.

Take advantage of solar energy to heat your home’s water without breaking the bank. Upgrade your hot water system to one that’s solar-powered. You can select from direct circulation systems or indirect varieties. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.

Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. Although they still use gas or electricity, they only heat on demand rather than maintaining an entire tank of hot water at all times. Tankless heaters come in various models that either supply a single faucet or the whole house with hot water.

Passive Solar Power

When looking at solar power, know the difference between passive solar power and active. Passive solar power doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power, although active is stored for later use. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. Passive energy is about using windows and insulation to keep your home warm and well-lit.

Make your home more energy efficient by purchasing energy saving products to help you save energy. Installing efficient windows and doors, window coverings, and insulation are just some of the ways to save big. You will also cut down on the cost to heat and cool your home by implementing these products into your life.

Instead of using a desktop computer, which sucks up more electricity, buy a laptop. These portable machines will reduce your electrical use by 75% while you do everyday tasks. You can also bring your computer anywhere if you have a laptop.

Heat your house with biofuels. This type of fuel is usually made with a combination of animal fat, vegetable oil and wood. In many cases, if your furnace is propane, a professional can make the necessary changes that will allow you to heat with a blend of fuels. Your fuel choices are likely to be between 20 and 99 percent biofuel. However, it is important that you seek professional advice before any attempt is made to utilize this fuel.

A microwave is a more energy efficient appliance than a stove, so consider using it more often. The stove and oven use a lot more energy to cook foods. Microwaves have a bed reputation because they tend to produce lackluster food and emit radiation, but the fact of the matter is that making use of them can greatly reduce your energy costs.

A water heater that provides hot water on demand is a wonderful appliance for green energy. Traditional water heaters run constantly, heating the water when it’s completely unnecessary. On-demand models provide hot water instantly when necessary, instead of continuously throughout the day, saving you money and energy.

Upgrade your home’s electronics and appliances to save yourself some cash in the future. Green technology appliances can cost a bit more up front, but you will be paid back through lower energy bills for the life of the appliances. It is also one more positive impact on the environment that compounds.

Energy Star

The easiest way to find these appliances is to look on them for an Energy Star badge. If your appliance has an ENERGY STAR logo, then it falls within the guidelines set by both the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the Environmental Protection Agency Sometimes these products offer tax rebates.

To cut your energy use, set your heater to 60 degrees when away from home and while you sleep. Your home uses the least energy possible when the heat is set to 60 degrees. This helps greatly reduce your energy consumption and saves you money.

Check your refrigerator and freezer regularly for broken seals to avoid wasting electricity. Broken seals can make your refrigerator run when it does not need to be, which wastes energy and hurts your pocketbook. To check for a faulty seal, a paper can be inserted inside the fridge door in order to ensure it does not slip out easy.

Use your ceiling fan in the winter. Switching them to the clockwise rotation lets them push the warm air from your ceiling where it collects, which reduces use of your heating appliances. Running the heater less frequently will more than compensate for any electricity used by the fan.

A simple way to save energy is by thawing all your frozen items in the refrigerator. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.

Step Towards

When you take a small step towards using more green energy, you take a big step towards saving yourself money and protecting Earth. As you have seen, it does not take a great deal of effort to go green, so start using the tips from this article to make your home more sustainable and efficient.

The city was dying. Then somebody had a great idea to save it – make it the greenest place on Earth

‘People talk about Eskilstuna as the place where nothing new is invented,” says the shopping mall manager Anna Bergström. An hour’s train ride from Stockholm, the “Sheffield of Sweden” has had something of an image problem in recent years. Once a steel-producing powerhouse, the town has fallen on hard times, thanks to the rapid decline in the industry throughout the 1970s. It now has an unemployment rate that is almost double the national average of 8%.

But the town has come up with an answer: recycling. Far from the Scandinavian stereotype of glossy modernity, Eskilstuna’s wide-paved, near-deserted grey streets are populated by kitsch 1980s pizzerias, workers’ cafes and gloomy pubs – not a place where you would expect to find such a radical approach to the environment. Yet since 2012, Eskilstuna has implemented a spate of green initiatives, vying to make it the most environmentally friendly city in Sweden – and perhaps the world. Public buses and cars are run on biogas and electricity, and the town uses low-carbon combined heat and power plants, which use the thermal energy from electricity production to heat water. Residents sort their waste into seven multicoloured categories at home – green for food, pink for textiles, grey for metal, yellow for paper, blue for newspaper, orange for plastic and black for mixed – and for the past four years people have been able to drop off their unwanted goods for recycling at Bergström’s secondhand mall.

Continue reading…

Read more: theguardian.com

Yana Vasileva/Shutterstock

The key components of sports drinks are water, carbohydrates, and electrolytes.
INSIDER consulted two registered dietitians to get recommendations for sports drink alternatives.
Options like coconut water have many of the same hydrating properties of sports drinks without added ingredients.
Visit INSIDER’s homepage for more stories.

Despite what sports drink ads might make you think, you probably don’t need to be chugging down a bottle of supercharged neon liquid during your average workout. Sports drinks’ three key components (water, carbohydrates, and electrolytes) can be found elsewhere — and without the added calories and sugar. 

INSIDER consulted two registered dietitians to get their recommendations for sports drink alternatives. Here’s what they had to say:

Chocolate milk is this dietitian’s go-to post-workout recovery drink
Flickr/USDAgov

Natalie Rizzo, a registered dietitian in New York City and author of “The No-Brainer Nutrition Guide For Every Runner,” listed chocolate milk as a great sports drink alternative due to its 3-to-1 carb-to-protein ratio, which, she said, “helps replace carbohydrate stores and repair worn down muscles.”

The childhood favorite also provides key electrolytes including calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium for refueling after a workout. Plus, Rizzo added, “research suggests that drinking fat-free milk after exercise replenishes lost electrolytes and rehydrates better than a sports drink or water.”

Orange juice has electrolytes and antioxidants.
Jeremy Keith/Flickr

Jonathan Valdez, owner of Genki Nutrition and the spokesperson for New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recommended drinking orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

“Not only does it have electrolytes like sports drinks,” he said, “but it also has concentrated antioxidants such as hesperidin that may fight off high blood pressure and cognitive decline.” 

Coconut water naturally has some of the key components found in sports drinks.
Valentina_G/Shutterstock

All three of the key components in sports drinks are found naturally in coconut water. This hydrating beverage has potassium (an electrolyte), natural sugars, and water, Rizzo explained.

“The natural sugars help keep your energy levels high for exercise that lasts longer than an hour, and research points to the fact that it may be just as hydrating and cause less stomach distress than sports drinks,” she said.

If you’re exercising in the heat or for a long period of time, Rizzo recommends adding a dash of salt to coconut water to help replenish salt lost in sweat.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:

12 of the best noodle dishes from around the world13 destinations in the US that rival castles in Europe11 reasons why your skin could be oily

Read more: feedproxy.google.com

There are many places where you can obtain ample gardening information. The amount of information available is enormous. Start with general information and refine your searches as you learn more. However, a source of wonderful information to get you on your way is right here, right now. Peruse them now.

Think about starting plants in pots, and then placing the seedlings in the garden later. Your plants will be more likely to mature this way. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. Once you remove the most recent mature plants from your garden, the seedlings are immediately ready to be planted.

Use the handles of your tools as a handy ruler when doing your outdoor chores. Handles of things such as rakes, hoes or shovels make excellent measuring instruments. Lay your handles on the floor, and put measuring tape right next to them. Label the distances using a permanent marker. This modified ruler will serve you well as you begin working in your garden.

If you want to effectively weed out young plants, you can try “boiling” away the weeds. Boiling water is an excellent, organic substance for use against weeds. Literally pour the water on the weeds, avoiding any wanted plants near them, and watch the weeds die over time. If you pour the water near your plants, it will kill the roots.

Fertilizer is important when you garden. Manure is very effective in helping plants grow, although it is important to use a commercially composted product to minimize the risk of pathogens. There are a wide variety of fertilizing options available, although which type you use is not that important; just make sure to use something.

Learn the best harvesting time for each kind of vegetable you plant. Each veggie has its own prime time for harvesting. For instance, peas and zucchinis are tastiest when picked young. The opposite is true of tomatoes. They taste their best if you allow them to ripen on the vine as long as possible. So, be aware of the best harvest time to pick your veggies.

Controlling pests can be quite challenging when trying to grow a healthy, hardy vegetable garden. It is important not to use harmful chemical agents, because you are growing produce that is intended to be eaten. One way to control horticulture pests is to be vigilant. If you happen to notice them early on, you can control them just by physically removing them from your plants with your hands.

The water that is leftover from the steamed vegetables is great to pour over them. Try adding used coffee grounds to the soil around plants that grow in acidic soil. If fungus is an issue, Chamomile tea sprinkled on the plant may be effective.

Flower Beds

Add three inches of mulch to your flower beds. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden. This also gives your flower beds a more aesthetic aspect.

Work properly in your garden. If it takes you thirty minutes to find a needed tool, then you are doing something wrong. Have all of tools you will need for the day before you head out your garden. When you are finished, put them away neatly for the next time. Get yourself a tool belt, or wear pants with many pockets.

Aim to increase your property’s value. Landscaping your yard will bring you a big return on your investment. Some investments on plants can increase the value of your property when you resell by twenty percent or more. Get plants for your yard and garden that are low moisture, and well suited to your environmental conditions.

Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. There are certain little things to help you keep up with your garden, even if you don’t have the necessary time each day to do everything. For example, if you are playing in the yard with your child, take a few moments to pull some weeds as well.

You can have a great experience horticulture! The better educated you are about horticulture, the greater your skills will be. Use all of the information you can gather to improve and enhance your experience. The tips from this article will help you have a nice garden.