Want to save money on heating this winter? Here are 5 steps you can take to keep the heat in.

The previous post in the Simple Ways to Save Money this Winter series focused on with exterior walls.  Here we discover 5 other insulation solutions that are not only inexpensive but can be done in a short amount of time and don’t require you to tear down walls to accomplish.

…read more of 5 Simple Ways to Save Money this Winter Pt. 2 here

Although the economy is said to be getting better, most of us are still in savings mode.  With winter approaching and 40% of our energy costs going to heating our homes, the best thing you can do to save money and energy is to ensure that the heat stays there.  And with 80% of homes built before 1980 not sufficiently insulated (According to the Department of Energy), chances are you can you save a bit of money this winter.

The good news is that you don’t have to tear apart your walls to add extra insulation.  In fact, the greatest bang for your buck is by insulating exterior walls.

Here are 7 areas to start insulating to prevent heat loss: …read more of 7 Simple Ways to Save Money this Winter Pt. 1 here

Insulation is the one of the best ways to save money on heating and air conditioning. Considering a third of a home’s annual costs are spent on heating, it’s worth spending a little on insulation to keep that heat inside.  In this series, I will focus on an array of cost saving solutions for effectively insulating your home. By following these tips, you’ll be able prevent heat loss and conserve energy without breaking the bank. You can even receive a 30% tax credit in certain areas.

Where to Start

Test your airflow  On a windy day, hold a lit candle or incense stick to these areas: …read more of Insulation: Save Money and Gain Heat here

I have gotten some feedback regarding the last LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design article I wrote on certain certified projects and I decided to break down the different forms of the systems and how the numbers apply.

This system is an internationally recognized volunteer certification process that offers concise, measurable, and repeatable framework for identifying, implementing and maintaining practical green building design, construction, site development operations, material and resource selection, and maintenance solutions and procedures that measure; energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental air quality, stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

The best way to start with a project is to hook up with the elite in the industry for LEED certification by contacting LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) or going to The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) where the LEED AP program is taught. They also administer LEED certification for all commercial and institutional projects registered under any LEED Rating System. …read more of LEED: A Simple List of Options and How it Works here

Annuals are for the birds… As I mentioned in my article on Easy Green Lawns, I love having one of the nicest landscapes in the area, but I also enjoy having the freedom to take shortcuts, which in turn, allows me to spend more time on enjoyable tasks.

In this post I would like to give you some tips on how to do a chore once, and not yearly.

Lets start with flowers. We want to have manicured, flower ridden beds as soon as it first hint of warm weather arrives. But why do more work than you need to? Work smarter, not harder. …read more of Lazy Gardener Flowers and Herbs here