You’d be surprised to know how many different styles you can choose from in the world of windows. From picture and bay to casement, double-hung, and awning, there’s a type of window that fits your home-style. So where do you start on this journey to finding the perfect windows? You start with learning more about the different styles and weighing the pros and cons of each.

Let’s take a look at five popular window styles so you can get a better idea of how they might fit your home.

Picture Windows

If you are fortunate to live in an area that comes with an amazing view or you just really enjoy watching your kids play with the dog in the backyard, then this style of window is for you.

Pros: The picture window gives you an unrestricted view with the intention of capturing the outside canvas as if you were framing a picture – hence, the name picture window. For a long time, the downside of owning this style fell on the fact that it couldn’t open, but now there are a few manufacturers stepping out and removing that hang-up. That’s right. You can enjoy the view and a breeze too.

Cons: Be aware of the amount of light you are letting into your home. Picture windows can cause rooms to get extremely hot and stuffy, which may cause an increase in your energy bill because you’ll have to use the air conditioner to cool it off.

Bay Windows

A bay window may be a great addition to your home. There are many variations beyond the usual inside angles of 90, 135, or 150 degrees, which opens the window of possibility on where you can install it.

Pros: A great feature of the bay is that it may actually increase the square footage in your home due to the fact that it projects outwardly. With the extra space, you could build a reading nook or maybe an arts and crafts area for the kids. However you decide to use the space, you’re allowed to add your personality to the room with something that speaks to who you are.

Cons: A disadvantage of the bay is usually found when trying to add window treatments. With the bay being a unique frame, you want to avoid damaging it or compromising the style when trying to add window treatments, so hiring a professional is highly recommended. Due to the uniqueness in this style, replacement windows could cost upwards of several hundred dollars.

Casement Windows

If the view isn’t the reason you’re getting a window, then chances are you’re a fan of the cool summer breeze. If this is the case, then the casement window is the window for you.

Pros: Built almost like a door, using vertical hinges, the casement opens outwardly, which allows you to receive more ventilation than most styles. There is even a crank used to open and shut the window, making it very easy to maneuver.

Cons: Even though the window is easy to maneuver, some consumers find the appearance of the crank a little unpleasant. Other reasons casement windows are often passed over are due to the lack of functionality in the style. Storm screens aren’t able to be placed on the outside of the window because it opens outwardly (the screen would have to be installed on the inside of the window). This also makes installing an air conditioner challenging as you would be required to purchase a special mounting system to make sure your air conditioner is secure within the window.

Double Hung Windows

A double hung window is one of the more popular styles on the market and one of the easiest to identify.

Pros: A double hung window has two sashes that slide up and down. They come in a variety of sizes and are compatible with many home styles. This window is air conditioner and storm screen friendly, easy to clean, as well as energy efficient. However, the efficiency is usually only found in higher quality styles because they have the ability of quadruple weather stripping, which makes it virtually impossible for heat to escape or cool air to enter.

Cons: On the flip side, if you’re not purchasing a higher quality style then you run the risk of having a window that does the complete opposite. Also, double hung windows only have the ability of opening half of the entire structure so you aren’t receiving the amount of air you would with another style such as the casement.

Awning Windows

Awning windows have many benefits aside from providing natural light and breezes.

Pros: What separates this window from others is the ability you have to place it higher than most. This design allows you to obtain the light and ventilation you want, but also maintain a level of privacy. A typical awning style window remains intact at the top and opens outwardly from the bottom. Making this the perfect window for those, like me, who enjoy keeping the window open during a rain storm and catching the nice, cool breeze.

Cons: If you live near a public walkway, awning windows may not be permitted by your city’s local-council. Also, the height and design may make it hard for you to keep clean or escape in the event of an emergency. These are definitely concerns that should be taken into consideration before making a decision.

These are just five of the many style windows available on the market. But before making a final decision, it’s important to talk to a professional window consultant who can recommend the right type of window for your home, climate and desired functionality. Have you recently purchased new windows? Which style did you choose?

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Tis the season for home renovations, and aside from bathrooms, kitchens are one of the most popular places to start. Whether you plan on tearing it down to start over to just want to freshen it up a bit, a new countertop is a great place to start.

There are tons of options when it comes to countertops, and in recent years eco-friendly alternatives have gained popularity. The even better news is that according to many real estate agents, green upgrades can add value to your home and possibly even sell it faster.

Whether replacing your counters is part of a larger renovation project or just one update you want to do in your kitchen, eco-friendly counter tops are a smart upgrade.

Recycled Glass (Starting at about $20 per square foot)

Companies like Vetrazzo collect glass and ceramic and repurpose it into modern-style counter tops. Experts note it’s easy to take care of and durable. The Environmental Protection Agency says, “Glass, especially glass food and beverage containers, can be recycled over and over again. In fact, 90% of recycled glass is used to make new containers.”

Recycled Lumber (Starting at about $20 per square foot)

Salvaged wood has tons of character and adds warmth to almost any space and helps keep thousands of pounds of lumber from taking up space in landfills. Although wood countertops need regular sealing and maintenance to keep them in the best shape possible, it’s probably one of the cheaper options on this list.

Recycled Paper (Starting at about $30 per square foot)

That’s right. All that paper you recycle can get turned into a durable, heat- and stain-resistant counter top. PaperStone notes a piece of 1”x5’x12’ section of paper countertop saves more than 1,200 gallons of water, 130 pounds of solid waste and 50 pounds of petroleum-based phenol.

Stainless Steel (Starting at about $40 per square foot)

Better Homes and Gardens notes that stainless steel is “Made of 65 to 100% recycled content.” Okay, stainless steel is expensive, scratches easily and you have to wipe it constantly so it’s not covered with finger prints; however, it’s high heat resistance and durability make it another great option that will last for years. And getting brushed stainless steel alleviates most of the aforementioned problems.

Okay, some of these manufactured eco-friendly counter tops are a touch on the expensive side. However, a few of these styles can easily turn into weekend DIY projects. Creating a recycled glass counter top would pretty much follow the same process as making a recycled glass backsplash.

With tons of options, you’ll find an eco-friendly countertop style that fits your home décor and budget.

Have you considered replacing your old countertops for eco-friendly ones? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below!

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I firmly believe the vast majority of women in America dream of one day owning a huge closet. I can admit that I’ve unrealistically envisioned myself strolling through a gigantic walk-in, complete with a love seat, full-length mirrors and a fancy chandelier.

Needless to say, I’m still waiting for my dream to be realized. However, I do have some great news for all of the other women (and men) out there who want more closet space. Although I can’t deliver a bigger closet, I CAN share some solid ways to create more space in your closet, despite the size!

• Clear out old clothes. Experts say that most people wear only about 20% of the things in their closet. So this probably means that there are a number of items that are either outdated, don’t fit or just belong in the trash. Consider pulling out a trash bag and making a trip to the Salvation Army.
• Try a closet organizer. These come in all shapes and sizes, and are available at most stores. Be prepared to pull out your handy tools to put your organizer together. They typically consist of shelving, hanging bars, drawers and dividers. Organizers are a great way to use uniformity and give everything a specific place in your closet.
• Lose bulky or flimsy hangers. Bulky hangers take up excessive space and it’s often hard to keep clothes on flimsy hangers (and not on the closet floor). Investing in higher quality, sturdy hangers will help make you closet rows neater.
• Add a shoe rack or shoe shelf. A rack will help keep your shoe mates together and help avoid a pileup at the bottom of your closet. Consider color coordinating the rack for quick reference.
• Use hooks. Mounting a hook rack on the wall of your closet to store belts, scarves, ties and necklaces is an effective way to create more shelf and drawer space.
• Buy stacking dividers. If you don’t prefer a full-closet organizer, dividers can make stacking neat piles of pants and shirts a cinch! This may prove to be a space-saver over hanging more items on a bar. Dividers are perfect for the upper-level shelves in your closet.
• Switch to space-saving hangers. Tiered hangers are a big win in the space-saving arena. There are several versions of these hangers that allow you to save a ton of space along the hanging bar in your closet. Just be sure that your bar can support the extra weight of tiered hangers! Typically, one hanger can hold four to five items.
• Try vacuum bags. Space-saving bags are often overlooked as a means to store off-season clothing. They are touted by various companies because they’re air-tight and water-tight. Best of all they can save up to 75% in closet volume (Not to mention they’re kind of cool).
• Use labeled storage bins and boxes. Bins and boxes are a good organization tactic for the top and bottom of your closet. They work well for socks, bags and other accessories. This also is a good way to create and identify your space if you share a closet with others.

There are many other ways to be creative and make space in your closet. But these are a few quick ways to transform your space!

How do you save space in your closet? Share your tips with other Zing readers below!

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Most of us know that a key element of selling a home is curb appeal, and a huge part of that is landscaping. It’s the first impression potential buyers get of your home.

Properly planned landscaping makes your home stand out from the others on the block and can also give you a pretty decent return on investment (ROI). That’s right, your landscaping offers a return on investment, but just how much can you expect?

Experts nationally agree that investing in landscaping around your home is a strong move to make. RealEstate.com shares the following landscaping-related statistics that might help change your mind if you’re still on the fence:

• Raises the property value as much as 12%.
• Increases your resale value 14%.
• Spending as little as 5% of your home’s value on landscaping may get an ROI of as much as 150%.
• Decreases the amount of time your home is on the market – sometimes by as much as six weeks.
• Nearly 90% of real estate agents encourage homeowners to invest in landscaping prior to selling.

Sounds pretty great, right? Well, before you go crazy planting trees and flowers everywhere, you’ll want to take some time to create a landscape plan. After all, if you’re going to spend a ton of money on this, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t wasting your money.

Make a List of What You Would Like

Sit down and think about all the things you would like to have in your yard. Do you want a large patio or composite deck for hosting parties? Is a vegetable garden area important to you? Maybe you’re thinking about putting in a pool or hot tub. All of these things are important so you can plan a budget and start thinking about where to put all that stuff.

Contact a Landscape Architect

A professional licensed by the American Society of Landscapers can help you plan your landscaping project. They’ll work with you create the back or front yard you’ve dreamed of. Whether you want lush plants or something that requires little maintenance, they’ll work with you to determine what will work best to meet your needs.

Don’t forget that you have tons of landscaping options that can help you save on your monthly water and energy bills. Make sure to mention that to your architect if it’s important to you.

Buy Quality Materials and Plants

Low prices sometimes don’t warrant quality, and you don’t want to buy a whole bunch of cheap plants only to have them die a few months later. Spend a little bit more at your local greenhouse to get quality plants and trees for your yard.

The same goes for the hardscaping, or non-plant items in your plan. For example, instead of opting for poured concrete patio, which is pretty cheap, consider a brick or wood patio instead. Not to knock on poured concrete patios, but wood or masonry make a larger visual impact in the space and look a bit nicer.

Learn How to Care for Your Landscaping

At this point you’ve probably spent a significant amount of dough on plants, flowers and trees, and you certainly don’t want it to die or turn into an out-of- control jungle. Decide whether you want to take care of it yourself or hire a landscaping expert to maintain it.

An important thing to keep in mind is most real estate experts suggest you shouldn’t do all your landscaping right before you plan to sell. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to let your landscaping fill in first.

Whether you’re thinking about selling your home or just want to build an outdoor oasis, landscaping is a worthwhile investment. This summer, plant a little green around your home to get a little green back later on.

Do you have any landscaping tips? Share it with other readers in the comments section below!

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In general, landscaping is mostly for aesthetic purposes. Plant some flowers here. Put in a brick patio there. Build a 10-foot by 10-foot deck off the house. Grow all the things!

The problem is our glorious backyard paradises use a ton of water. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average lawn in the U.S. uses nearly 10,000 gallons of water or more each year.

Water-efficient landscaping, or xeriscaping, if you’re feeling fancy, carefully plans out where plants, decks and patios are placed to maximize natural resources and native plants. It can also help lower your water bill.

There are a ton of easy things you can do to turn your yard into a water-efficient oasis. Plus, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Here are a few simple things to get you started.

Plan Appropriately

Just like traditional landscaping, you need to plan out what goes where. However, when you do so, you’ll also want to take a few more items into consideration:

• Regional climate
• Existing plants and grasses
• Topography of your yard
• Sun and shade spots
• Soil condition
• Water needs of the plants you plan to add

Take Care of Your Soil

Indeed, soil gets worn out. If your soil looks kind of gray and sandy, it’s time to hit the local greenhouse or your compost bin and replace it. A soil test, which you can pick up at your local garden center, can determine the quality of soil you have at home.

Rich, dark black soil is full of organic materials and contains tons of nutrients that help retain more moisture ­–­ meaning you’ll use less water.

Pick Native Plants

A core concept of xeriscaping is picking out native plants to enhance your garden. Jay Biernat, landscape architect with the Greening of Detroit, says, “Native plants can tend to be more water efficient because they are more used to the local hydro logic cycle.” In other words, having a large, grassy lawn in a desert-like area where grass is not native might not be the best choice.”

Bierat adds, “Natives are more beneficial and less invasive to the landscape than exotics and are more energy efficient when it comes to transport.”

Use Plenty of Mulch

Mulch serves a few different purposes in water-efficient landscaping plans. You can use it to create long winding paths or mulch beds that reduce the amount of grass in your yard. Covering garden beds with mulch also helps reduce evaporation – retaining more water for your thirsty plants. It also helps keep weeds at bay in garden beds.

Get Rid of Weeds

Weeds aren’t only unsightly, but they also hinder the plants you want to grow. Biernat notes, “Weeds drink much of the needed water in a garden and create competition.” Aside from mulch mentioned, landscaping fabric or recycled newspaper can keep weeds away.

Imagine how much money you could save by reducing the amount of water you use to keep your lawn lush and green. A little bit here and there not only helps the environment; it also helps you.

Need a little more incentive? Okay, fair enough. How about getting some cash back from your local government for making your landscaping water-efficient? Cities like Las Vegas offer a rebate of up to $1.50 per square foot of grass converted to xeriscape. Check with your city or county office to find out if your area offers rebates.

Landscaping is a great way to liven up the outdoor spaces around your home. Instead of just planting things all over the place, make sustainable choices and plan  a water-efficient landscape.

Do you have any experience with water-efficient landscaping? Share your experiences with other Zing readers in the comments section!

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With warmer weather on the horizon, you may be ready to start a home improvement project, but you might not even know all of the cool things that are available these days to give your home a makeover. To the rescue – home improvement expos and garden shows! Hundreds of these shows take place across the country every year with many of them coming up in the next few months.

If you’re thinking about making upgrades to your home, you should consider visiting one of these shows so you can see what’s new, get ideas and compare prices!

What to Expect at a Home Improvement Expo

Don’t just rely on ads in your newspaper or flyers attached to your door when considering the right home improvement professionals for you. At an expo, you’ll interact with some of the best builders, remodelers and landscapers in your area.

Some of the professionals you’ll meet include:

• Architects
• Design Consultants
• General Contractors
• Home Security Consultants
• Landscaping Professionals
• New Home Builders

In addition, the latest innovations for products and services will be on display, and you can receive tips and cost estimates so you can make informed decisions.

These shows aren’t boring either! Many expos offer state-of-the-art displays, giveaways, free seminars, live demonstrations and even discounts on services. Larger shows may offer entertainment for kids to keep them occupied while you cruise through aisles of home improvement utopia.

If you already have some ideas, bring them along with you! Whether it’s the smallest detail or the largest upgrade, show your ideas to the professionals to get their opinion, expertise and cost analysis. They may be able to point out things you haven’t thought of, or offer a different twist on what you’re envisioning.

Home and Garden Offerings

With all of these professionals in one place, it’s a good idea to attend the show with a list of questions you have so you can walk away with a realistic plan of action. You’ll be able to see what you can achieve within your budget and even learn about various financing options. They can help you determine the upgrades that will give your home the most value for your investment, or perhaps give you insight about permit requirements in your city.

The good news is, whether you know what you want to do or simply want to see what catches your eye, here is a list of just some of the home and garden offerings you may encounter at your nearest show or expo:

Indoors

• Kitchens & Baths
• Cabinets & Countertops
• Siding, Windows & Doors
• Flooring
• Lighting
• Storage
• Heating & Air Conditioning
• Basement Finishing
• Hardware & Fixtures
• Furniture
• Interior Decorating
• Custom Design Options

Outdoors

• Landscaping & Gardening
• Decks & Gazebos
• Sunrooms, Patios & Pools
• Ponds & Fountains
• Outdoor Lighting
• Stairs & Ramps
• Waterproofing
• Green & Solar Technology

There’s so much to see and learn – you owe it to yourself to spend a few hours getting acquainted with some of the upgrades and technology that’s available to help you turn your home into a castle. Visit your area’s convention center website, or your local newspaper’s event calendar to find out when the show comes to your town!

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Photo courtesy of J. C. Swanson’s Fireplace and Patio.

Courtney Merz writes for J.C. Swanson’s Fireplace & Patio Shop, sharing product knowledge, and enjoys reading on her porch in her sunhat in her spare time.

Whether you’re using your patio for barbeques or for play-dates, it’s important to make the space feel like home. Just as you carefully put together the pieces for your living room, you’ll need to cautiously select what you need for your outdoor space.

Each type of furniture will have its own benefits: wrought iron stays strong and has a classic, gothic look, whereas plastic furniture is durable and colorful. If you want your furniture to complement its natural surroundings, wood may be exactly what you’re looking for. Wood furniture, however, often requires more care to be protected from the elements.

Want the best of both worlds? Envirowood patio furniture is made from recycled plastic but looks natural. This eliminates the constant coatings you would have to apply to real wooden patio furniture, giving you more time to actually enjoy it. As an added bonus, Envirowood comes in many different styles to suit your specific patio needs.

Versatility

Let’s talk about wearing different hats: the handyman around your home isn’t the only one good at many different things. Envirowood is made in a variety of colors, styles, and designs to suit backyards in suburbia, yards on the coast, and even your wind-blown patio in the Midwest.

In addition to complementing your style, Envirowood stands up to the environment. The blend of recycled plastic is resistant to the saltwater in sea breeze and the harsh hail in fierce storms. While it’s tough enough to resist the fiercest elements, it’s not too hard to sit on.

Worried about the already-cramped space your landlord called a backyard? You still have the option to turn that postage stamp of land into a party-worthy patio. Instead of trying to fit a traditional outdoor couch into the space around your dance floor, consider other options. Envirowood is made to fit into the smaller spaces of your yard without compromising on looks. Due to its light weight, it’s easy to move around whenever you’re craving a new design.

Green Living

If your primary concern for your patio is to be as eco-friendly as possible, you’ve probably worn yourself out looking for just the right touches. Iron furniture can be too harsh for your nature-friendly setting, and forget about even using plastic. While natural wood is a viable option, it also requires proper care. If you barely remember what free time is, you may not have the time to dedicate to proper sealant coatings or removing the furniture from the weather.

Not all hope is lost—Envirowood is made from recycled plastic, and can be recycled again at the end of its life. It’s already coated in ultra-violet sealant to protect it, which is free of harsh chemicals. Instead of looking like the plastic chairs you might find at your local department store, Envirowood is made to look like natural wood. Blending the best of both worlds, you’re able to have the eco-friendly, natural look without chemicals and sacrificing design.

Style and Comfort

If this sounds too good to be true, it’s about to get better: Envirowood is available in more than fourteen colors, which allows you to truly customize your patio. Whether you prefer yellow benches with blue accent pillows, or a hunter green dining set with a bright pink umbrella, you have hundreds of options to express yourself. Turn your bench next to your fountain into a couch with a cushion, and relax in your new favorite spot (or remove all cushions when your in-laws visit, they’ll never know).

Whether you like having options, or your primary concern is your eco-footprint, Envirowood blends the best of the outdoor world. With a design that will fit any outdoor space and colors to express your personality, what more could you want from your patio furniture?

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The month of April usually means that many of us will begin the arduous task of spring cleaning. While obvious areas such as the garage, floors, windows and carpets will receive attention, it’s the lesser known areas of your house that can make a huge difference when properly cleaned.

Garbage Disposal

We thoughtlessly toss our banana peels, eggshells and rotten milk down the drain, so this kitchen appliance certainly takes a lot of abuse. It’s important to only use the disposal to grind biodegradable food such as fruit and vegetable scraps, but it’s also important perform some routine maintenance to keep it operating correctly. Running a few cups of ice cubes through the disposal will help sharpen the blades, which in turn will improve the grinding power. In order to keep the disposal from reeking like a high school gym locker room, clean it once a day by pouring biodegradable soap and water down the drain and turning on the power. If the smell persists, pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain, and immediately seal it. After the reaction has died down, rinse with water.

Vacuum

If you notice your vacuum isn’t eating up dust bunnies like it used to while you spring clean, you may need to give it a cleaning (after unplugging it from the wall). Emptying the bag or canister is the easiest way to improve suction, but other tactics, such as taking out the brush roll and removing all the hair wound around it can bring your vac back to life. Many vacuums have filters, which can become packed with dust and debris. Take the filter out, empty it and wash it with soap and water to ensure maximum filtration. If it is a paper filter, purchase a new one from your local hardware store. Finally, wash out all hoses and attachments with soap and water to prevent blockage or clogs. That dust won’t stand a chance.

Washing Machine

If this appliance is dirty, you can’t expect it to keep your clothing clean. One of the easiest ways to clean a washing machine is to fill it with hot water and a cup of detergent and run a complete wash cycle. Then run another cycle with just hot water to rinse. If mildew is a problem, make sure you don’t leave your clothes inside for longer than a few hours. Cleaning the inside of the tub with vinegar will help get rid of the soap buildup and any lingering mildew. If this doesn’t work, put on some rubber gloves and use a mixture of ten parts water and one part bleach to wipe down the inside. Then, fill the tub with warm water and let it go through one cycle.

Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is responsible for cleaning all the remnants of that Sunday dinner, so it’s important to keep it in top shape. Once again, vinegar is your friend. Fill up a tub with warm water and about two cups of vinegar, then remove the arm, grate and filter. Soak them all in the vinegar water, and let them dry. Wipe down the inside of the dishwasher with the mixture, removing any soap deposits and residue that can eventually clog the drain. Put all the parts back into the dishwasher, then add two cups of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run on a light cycle. Wipe down the inside afterwards, and enjoy your fresh dishwasher!

Home Air Filter

The air filter in your home heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is responsible for filtering out all of the grime, pollution and allergens from the air you breathe every day. So if you want to enjoy that fresh spring air, replacing your filter on a regular basis is a must. It is generally a good idea to get a new filter once a month, but some filters can last as long as three months. New filters are no more than $20, and are easily replaced. Simply turn off your HVAC unit, take out the old filter (located on the side of the unit) and slide the new filter in place.  Presto! Fresh air!

Have any other areas that are usually overlooked when it comes to spring cleaning? Let us know in the comments below!

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This earthbag home uses thick stone walls and floors and southerly facing windows to capture sunlight and heat.

At one point you’ve probably driven through a neighborhood and saw a house covered with solar panels on the roof. This type of home, known as an active solar home, simply has the addition of solar panels to the already existing structure.

However, some people are taking advantage of solar energy without solar panels—creating a new style of home construction called passive solar homes.  Sunplans.com notes that utilizing the passive solar in-home design can possibly cut energy bills in half.

Passive solar homes are custom planned and built depending on the region and hemisphere you live in. For example, here in the northern hemisphere, the sun in the winter season comes up in the southeast and sits low in the southern sky.

Therefore, to capture the most amounts of sunlight and heat in the winter, you would want to put as many windows as you can on the southern side of your house. Conversely in the summer, the sun rises higher in the sky, so constructing an overhang or porch area on the southern side of your house will block most of the summer sun from heating your house.

What I love about the passive solar style is that there are elements you can incorporate into your existing home if you want to make it more energy efficient. Some of the ideas may cost a bit of money to install; however, they may add value or even living space to your home. Adding any one of these elements can help you utilize the natural sunlight to warm your house even in cool climates.

Add an Aperture

Basically, an aperture is an area on the south side of your home that utilizes tons of windows to capture sunlight during the winter—much like a how a greenhouse captures and traps sunlight to warm it. You could even add a few skylights to the southern-facing roof of your house to also help capture sunlight for both maximum heating and lighting in your home.

Install a Darker, Hard Masonry or Wood Floor

Once you have fine-tuned your house to seize the most sunlight it can, you’ll want to make sure the heat from the sun gets trapped in the house. One way to do this is by installing a thick stone or dark wood floor to absorb and retain heat.

Add Thermal Masses to Retain More Heat

Many people chose to add thick masonry walls and/or masonry below the flooring to retain even more heat. This is similar to the heat-island effect that occurs in large, metropolitan areas. I’m sure when you’ve watched the weather in the morning, you noticed that cities are often warmer than the suburbs or rural areas. During the day, all that brick, metal and concrete in the city absorbs the daytime heat. The same thing on a smaller level happens in a passive solar house with a thermal mass. During the day it absorbs heat, and at night when it’s cooler, the mass releases heat.

Add an Overhang or Sun Porch

In the summer, all of those windows you put on the south wall will turn your house into an oven! To moderate the temperature in the summer, install an overhang or sun porch to limit the summertime sun—keeping your house cooler.

Adding Planned Landscaping

Seasonal landscaping can also help with keeping your house cool in the summertime, but still allows sunlight for winter heating. Many people plant seasonal trees or vines that may help block sunlight. Even though it was unintentional, my house is completely shaded during summer afternoons courtesy of some lovely, leafy trees around our backyard. In the fall, all of the leaves fall off the trees and the back of the house generally stays pretty warm in the winter since it gets the most winter sunlight. The lesson here is not to plant evergreen trees or any other type of plant that might block the sunlight during the winter season.

Some of these concepts aren’t the cheapest additions or fixes to your home and may come along with a little sweat equity. However, with these additions, you can avoid the installation and wiring that comes along with installing solar panels in your home. With many people turning to more sustainable homes to save money and resources, incorporating more environmentally friendly options makes your home more desirable if you decide to sell it in the future.

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MaryFreeWriter is a freelance writer from the London School of Journalism. At present she writes for some local and international websites about home improvement and eco-friendly living. You can follow her on Twitter clicking here.

We are constantly being told to lead more environmentally sustainable lives and, in light of evidence of the colossal damage being suffered by the environment, most of us are beginning to recognize our social responsibility towards environmental protection. So how can we improve our eco-friendly credentials while keeping costs down? Below are several quick fixes that will help you to reduce your consumption and energy bills without breaking the bank.

Assess and Improve the Eco-Friendliness of Electrical Appliances

Energy monitors are widespread and can be purchased for fairly cheap from hardware stores. Assess how much energy your appliances are consuming, paying particular attention to old ones, and consider replacing overly-inefficient devices with more sustainable alternatives. Meanwhile, remember that as much as 10-15% of your electricity bill might be the result of your ‘phantom load,’ in other words, the power consumed by devices while they are switched off. Unplugging devices before going to bed should significantly reduce your energy consumption and electricity bills.

Avoid Toxic Cleaning Products

Many common cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that eventually find their way into the environment, causing large-scale damage and degradation. There are several non-toxic alternatives on the market. However, traditional methods such as using distilled vinegar and water to clean glass and using baking soda to scrub sinks and bathtubs provides extremely cost-efficient and eco-friendly alternatives to commercial products.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat and Insulate Your Home

When you’re leaving the house or going to bed, reprogram your thermostat to reflect the outdoor temperature. This is a fantastic way to cut down on energy consumption and even a small change could improve your home’s eco-friendly credentials significantly. At the same time, ensure that your home is draft-proof and properly insulated in order to avoid losing warm air during the winter and cool air during the summer.

Fix Your Leaking Taps

Not only are dripping taps quite irritating, but they can also cause alarmingly high levels of waste. It has been estimated that a tap that drips once a second for a year will waste around 9,000 litres of water annually. This enormous wastage can usually be resolved quite easily and economically; ask an expert at your local hardware store for advice or check out wiki-how if you’re brave enough to do it on your own.

Use Rechargeable Batteries

Traditional batteries contain all sorts of toxic compounds and acids that are harmful to the environment when disposed of on a large scale. With the majority of households using batteries for numerous devices, the quantity of batteries thrown into landfill sites is alarmingly high. To avoid this, try using rechargeable batteries, which are more eco-friendly and cost efficient.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Houses

Besides helping Mother Earth and our future generations, having a sustainable home can help you save money. Sometimes you may need to invest in good insulation for your windows, changing your faucets, installing a thermostat or even solar panels, but in a few years you would clearly see your electricity and water bills go down. If you’re planning on buying another house, this is also something to take into consideration.

If you have made those upgrades and decide to sell your home, there are some things you need to take into consideration when posting your ad. Make sure you look for a local real estate business, especially if you happen to live in a small town or city; avoid putting it up in big international real estate websites since there’s the risk your ad will get lost in the crowd. For example, if you live in Lagos, Nigeria, it’s better to post your ad in your local free-classifieds website where you can find properties listed by city; if you’re living in the U.S. you can try to post it on your town’s real estate company.

When considering an appropriate asking price, take a look at the price of some houses in your area and check out their features. Sustainable houses have a higher price than regular houses which usually scares away customers that are not able to look into long-run expenses. A way to combat some of that hesitation is to list all the advantages of your eco-friendly home and maybe cite how much money you saved on your bills after your home improvements. Potential buyers will be attracted to the idea of saving money while still living comfortably when energy prices go up.

Though these changes will not allow you to save the world single-handedly, every little bit certainly does help. Remember that making your home more eco-friendly has a lot of positive aspects, like saving money or making a little more than what you expected if you decide to sell your home. It all comes down to one thing: eco-friendly homes are always worth it.

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