7/19/12

If you're in a drought and there are restrictions on watering your lawn, don't worry if the grass turns brown. A brown lawn is not a dead lawn: an underground crown of grass will survive that will re-emerge when the weather cools off to create a lush lawn. Keep in mind that watering your lawn less in the summer months can be one of the best ways to save water. On average, more than 67,000 gallons of water are used to water lawns during this time.

7/18/12

In the hot summer months, a window unit air conditioner can help cool rooms and make living more bearable. Keep in mind, though, that not all air conditioners are designed the same. Some are smaller and use less energy for smaller rooms, while larger ones are designed to cool large, open spaces. And units are designed to remove both heat and humidity from the air. Using a unit that is too large for the space will cool the room quickly, but will remove only some of the humidity. The result? A room that is damp and cold. The right size unit will create a perfect environment and save you energy in the long run.

7/17/12

Be wary of donating clothes to those drop boxes that are often found in supermarket parking lots. Yes, the clothes dropped in those bins are collected and recycled, but they are often designated for questionable for-profit companies that make money selling used clothes for textile recycling. It’s best to donate to reputable charities like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, where you know your donation will go to good use.