7/26/13

Air conditioning units can be real energy hogs in hot summer months. Plant shade-giving trees and plants around your HVAC system or window units to give them a little respite. Cooler air will help the compressors run more efficiently. And remember to replace the air filters in your system; it's an easy thing to do that helps keep your system running better all summer long.

7/25/13

Summer gardens need lots of water to thrive. Smartly watering your potted plants not only helps you save water, but it trains them to become heartier and healthier. When watering hanging baskets, put other potted plants underneath; the water that drips down will also water those plants. Don't water every day: Give plants a deep soak at the roots every few days; they'll retain water and send roots deeper into the ground. And when using a hose, don't spray water into the air. Instead, send water below the foliage line. More water will get to the base of the plant and into the roots, where it counts.

7/24/13

Recycled paper is good for the environment. It's also more energy- and water-efficient to make new paper products from old paper than from virgin wood pulp. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, contaminants in paper recycling can ruin a load of recyclable paper, forcing the recycler to send it to the landfill. So be sure to remove plastic covers and spiral bindings from reports, peel off stickers and labels, and toss paper if there is any food waste on it.