Heating and cooling in Texas have an immense impact on energy use and costs for homes, totaling about 40% of residential energy expenses.
High temperatures and humidity can keep HVAC systems hard at work for most of the year across the state, but we can conserve energy and money with a…, Long gone are the days of simply turning a dial to adjust the temperature indoors. As simple and reliable as those systems are, they result in much…, Smart thermostats will allow you to easily access and audit your energy consumption data, making it simple to measure how your adjustments are…, To ensure that you’re getting the best smart thermostat for your needs, look for the blue Energy Star logo on the package. The US Department of…
If you’ve been reducing waste by almost 30% through composting, it won’t be long before you have a rich, earthy material to use in your flowerpots…
This powerful substance can even reduce your landscape’s watering needs by 60%! But how do you know when it’s ready, and what is a gardener to do…, Before you begin using compost, be sure it is ready to be useful to your plants. Composted material takes at least four months to break down into…, Once you’ve determined that your compost is ripe for use, you can use this powerful, natural substance to give your plants and vegetables a…, For more information about composting, check out the following:
Download a digital version of our Guide to Yard Care (12mb PDF file) …
We’re moving in an increasingly green direction, especially with the things we choose to buy and use in our daily lives. But what do these “…
In recent years, the demand for “green” products has been skyrocketing, and companies are aware that this should be reflective in their products’…, First issued in 1992, the FTC’s Green Guides have since been revised in 1996, 1998, and 2012. The most recent revisions include…, When you’re out shopping and reading product labels that say things like “eco-friendly,” “green,” or “environmentally safe,” it’s best to look a…, While this isn’t the entire list of “green” claims used by companies, we’ve listed a few common words and phrases for quick reference so…,
Going green isn’t always easy, but hopefully de-mystifying the process sheds a little more light on what we can all do to make smarter choices. So…
Cut your cooling and heating costs by simply adjusting your thermostat during overnight hours or when no one is home.
What exactly is Household Hazardous Waste? The Environmental Protection Agency considers HHW to be “leftover household products that can…
Products that may become HHW are often readily accessible and contain labels that read “DANGER”, “WARNING”, or “CAUTION.” Some examples of household…, Do NOT assume your garage or storage shed is the best place to store HHW. It is very important to carefully follow the suggested storage practices…, It is best to keep all hazardous products in their original containers. If you must transfer a product into another container, make sure the new…, The more hazardous products you own, the more may need to be disposed of as HHW. Source reduction is a practice that reduces waste before it has the…, It is important to understand that HHW disposal is a risk to human health and the environment. While some products, such as chlorine, may be…
Some insects bite, some may sting; many will annoy. Some are even considered destructive to homes, crops, and gardens. But the fact is, most insects…
Read on to find out which bugs are beneficial, what they do for us, and how to attract them.
, Pollinators
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from one flowering plant to another, resulting in fertile seeds. Pollinator insects include…, Predators
Predators are insects that hunt for their food, catching, killing, and eating a wide variety of other insects. Some types of predators,…, Parasitoids
In nature, parasites usually only weaken or sicken their hosts; parasitoids, however, kill and consume their hosts.
Parasitic…, Decomposers/Recyclers
A decomposer’s job begins when the life of another organism ends. Decomposers break down the complicated compounds in dead…, Keep your garden healthy by providing appropriate moisture, drainage, and air circulation. Including flowering plants will help ensure that these…