Author Archive: Ruth Collins

The Benefits Of Going Green With Energy

March 21, 2019

Caring for the Earth is the responsibility of every single one of us. Environmentally friendly energy comes in many forms, such as solar and wind power. How can these technologies be put to work for you? Continue reading to learn about it.

Do you have a farm? If you do, then you probably own property. This might be an opportunity to rent a portion of that property to a company that will build a wind turbine on it. You will benefit from the wind turbine’s free energy and it will take up minimal space.

Use cold water in your washing machine. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. If your detergent is of good quality, you should have no problems using cold water. Additionally, do not run the washer until it is full so as to maximize your energy use.

Don’t run your dishwasher if it is less than totally full. It consumes the exact same amounts of electricity and water even if it’s not full. When you run a dishwasher, use the ‘energy-saver’ setting so dishes can air-dry.

Passive Power

If you are interested in solar power learn about the difference between active and passive power. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. Active power requires the installation of solar panels, mechanical systems, and cells. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.

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. The other benefit to using laptop over a desktop is that it is portable, so it can be taken anywhere!

Seek out local and federal rebates offered for making energy upgrades to your home. In a few cases, local utility companies tend to offer rebates for expenses associated to upgrades. The federal government, or your city or state government, may also offer tax breaks. These credits and rebates will ultimately cut your costs of bringing green energy technology to your house.

It’s very important to use green technology now than it ever has been. Green energy offers us the chance to lower our negative impact on the environment, and it really is the best alternative available today. Becoming a green person has become easier than ever, and if you put this information to use, you will be green in no time.

Community Development

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SBA Loans Explained

March 20, 2019

This short video describes the most popular Small Business Administration loan program, the 7(a) loan.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.

Community Development

Green Energy Solutions For An Older Home

March 20, 2019

A lot of people do not think about the environment as they use items in and around the home. But, truth be told each thing you do has a consequence for the environment. There are things you can do to use green energy at home so you can improve things for the environment. This article has some great “green” tips.

Consider installing solar powered lamps for outdoor lighting. They don’t use any energy other than solar energy and they are cost effective. This not only saves money. It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.

Natural Fabrics

Wear natural fabrics during the summer in order to avoid wasting energy on air conditioning. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, allow skin to remain cool by drawing moisture away from skin. Lighter colors also make you feel cooler.

The U.S. Government makes grant funds available as an incentive for consumers to start using green energy. Contact local government and discover the programs that exist locally. 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.

Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions. Think about the amount of sunlight that hits your house on an average day. If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.

Are you a farmer? If you have one, an energy company may be interested in renting a portion of the property to install a wind turbine. The energy generated can benefit your entire area without taking up much room.

Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. Also install filters on air registers. These filters keep children’s toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.

You may not consider the environment much on a daily basis; and you have plenty of company. Now that you understand the basics of green technology, you can work to change this. Use the tips provided to use green energy and benefit the environment.

Community Development

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Tips On Becoming A Landscaper On Your Own Lawn

March 19, 2019

Everyone would like a landscape which is the envy of the neighborhood, but most don’t know how to create it. Landscaping is fairly simple after you learn how to go about it. This article will introduce you to the advice of the professionals and using it can help to make your landscaping design a beautiful one.

Ask an expert to test your soil before you plant. This way, you will know what has to be put in or what has to go, and you can work on these things prior to planting. Your plants will thank you by growing to their fullest potential and making your yard look great.

There’s much more to landscaping then simply planting some grass and trees. Consider cement, wood or iron structures to add a little texture to your yard. To increase beauty in your yard, as well as visual interested, put in archways, birdbaths, decks and pergolas. These things can be found at prices that work for any budget.

Purchase your landscaping needs at different times of the year to get good discounts. Purchase lumber in the wintertime. Toward the end of the season, purchase your shrubs trees and mulch. Instead of buying new plants when they first appear, wait a year or two and let the prices fall.

Consult a professional prior to starting any type of landscape work in your yard. While you probably don’t need them to work on the whole project, spending money for consultation can help you avoid in making expensive mistakes. Especially if you don’t have experience in landscaping, this step is vital.

When planning your landscaping, include a variety of different plants. A landscape that features many different kinds of plants is more resistant to diseases and insects. If plants of the same type are used, they may all perish in such an episode. Diversity is key when planning a landscape project.

Now, armed with this information, your yard will be greener and more beautiful than ever. Keep these tips in mind and you can have the yard you have always dreamed of. Your neighbors will surely be jealous of your beautiful yard.

Community Development

In Need Of Home Mortgages Advice? Read On

March 17, 2019

Is a home mortgage something that you’ve previously had? Even if you have had experience with getting a mortgage, the market has changed quite a bit in recent years. It is always changing, based on economic conditions. You need to understand the ways to shore up your financial standing and how to handle the inevitable expenses involved with a home loan. Read on to learn some helpful information to aid you on your journey.

Start preparing for home ownership months before you are ready to buy. If you seriously thinking of home ownership, then you should have your finances in order. This ultimately means that you should have savings set aside and you take care of your debts. Waiting too long can hurt your chances at getting approved.

Do not take on new debt and pay your old debts responsibly while awaiting your mortgage loan decision. You will be able to get a higher loan for your mortgage when you have minimal debt. When you have a lot of debt, there is a good chance your application for a mortgage loan will be denied. Carrying a lot of debt can also increase the rate of your mortgage.

Do your research before you go to a mortgage lenders. If you don’t bring all the right paperwork, the visit may be pointless. The bank needs to see every one of these documents. Make sure you bring them when you go to your appointment.

Now is the time to try refinancing your home even if you are upside down on the mortgage. The federal HARP initiative has been adjusted to permit more people to refinance when underwater. Speak to your home loan provider about the new possibilities under HARP. If your lender won’t help you, move on to one who will.

You can find a great mortgage for you when you are informed. Remember that this is a huge financial commitment, and making it blindly can cause you to lose control and feel frustrated. Rather than taking out a bad loan, you want to seek out a lending institution that does right by the homeowner.

Community Development

Helpful Tips On Landscaping Your Yard

March 17, 2019

If you would like to sell your house or make it look better, landscaping is a great tool to use. Use this article for help even if you do not plan to landscape yourself.

You should always make a material list before starting any landscaping project. You don’t want to get started on your landscape project and then have to stop to go back to the store for something you have forgotten.

Create a multi-seasonal garden to make the most of your landscaping endeavors. Use plants that bloom for different seasons so that your yard looks at its best. You can even choose trees that have beautiful leaves, or evergreen trees that will keep your grounds looking beautiful all year.

It’s tough to landscape an entire residence in one go. Instead, try to divide the job into smaller projects, which will be easier for you and a bit less expensive as well. This gives you the ability to change your design as necessary as time passes.

Most people haven’t considered buying landscaping materials online. Shopping online is faster and more convenient, and also provides you access to unusual plants that may not be in stock at a local store.

Many people think landscaping projects need to be completed by a professional, but that isn’t true. The result will be a large bill you will need to pay. You might need a consultant though, as they will help you take the right steps.

Measure out the area you plan to make changes in before you purchase any materials or plants. It will be a lot easier to gauge the number of plants you need when you have the measurements mapped out. Doing so can help you to avoid purchasing too little–or too much–of anything.

When planning on some landscape modifications, always consider the existing structures before you break ground. Look at all facets of your home, from cable and wire entry points to gutters and air conditioning units, and build them into your landscaping plan. You can make a quick call to the city to verify where things are so you don’t damage anything.

Whether it’s planting flowers and trees, fixing up your lawn or perhaps adding some rocks, all this can a lot of beauty to your home. When you do everything right, your home will become the envy of the neighborhood. Use the tips you have just discovered to get started on your landscaping project today!

Community Development

Pell Grants – Help Financing Your Education

March 17, 2019

The Federal Pell Grant Program is overseen by the Department of Education and falls under the Federal Student Aid Information Center. In order to be eligible students must be enrolled in eligible schools that may be public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.

Community Development

Introduction to the Small Business Administration

March 16, 2019

If you’re looking for a way to help your business grow, now would be a good time to understand how the government can help you with your small business needs.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on nonprofit information, educational grants and Civic Engagement programs from around the world.

Community Development

How to Apply for a Federal Grant

March 10, 2019

We often hear of federal grants and how they can help make our lives better. Well, they actually do, make our lives better. But instead of assisting our personal financial needs such as personal debts and rent payment, federal grants intend to make our lives better by innovating solutions to the problems in the community and the society.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

Community Development

Why You Should Invest In Green Energy Appliances?

March 9, 2019

Many people are interested in going green, but don’t know how to start. There are plenty of ways that consumers can use renewable energy sources to protect the environment. By reading this article you will get great hints for using green energy.

Solar Panels

You could easily have solar panels in your house to collect energy from the sun for you to use. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. One major factor to consider with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home receives. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.

Do you live on a farm? If you do happen to own some farmland, try renting some of the land to a power company that specializes in wind energy solutions. Not only will the turbine use minimal land, it can provide you with free energy.

When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. Having heated water in your washer can use up to nine-tenths of the energy required to run a washing machine. As long as the washing detergent you use is reliable, using cold water instead of hot water will wash your clothes just as well. It is also better to clean a full load, not smaller loads.

If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, do not operate before it fills up. The dishwasher cycle uses the same amounts of water and energy, whether it is full or not. When you do use the dishwasher, be certain to always use the setting for saving energy, which air-dries your dishes.

When planning out your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the cells as possible. By doing so, energy loss through the cable is reduced. It also lowers the risk of the cable casting a shadow over the cells, which reduces their ability to generate power.

Green Energy

As this article previously stated, green energy is a topic on the forefront of the political agenda and is increasingly important as cheap oil becomes a thing of the past. With the right information, it’s easy to use green energy daily. By utilizing the information located above, you can begin living an environmentally friendly life today.

Community Development

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