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As a homeowner, you have to be mindful of your energy consumption, as the amount of energy you use affects your finances and our environment. So what should you do if you notice an increase in your energy bill? Take these simple and effective steps to curb your spending and help the environment.

First, Check Your Appliances

Faulty appliances can consume more energy than they should, leading to increased bills. Ensure all your appliances are in good working order if you notice an unexplained spike in your energy bill. If you notice a problem, fix it or call a professional to fix it as soon as possible. Regular maintenance checks and timely repairs can help you save energy, promote sustainability, and keep your home running smoothly.

Then, Adopt Energy-Saving Habits

If your appliances aren’t the problem, you might be the problem. We don’t say this to blame anyone; many people are simply unaware of how much energy they use. Small changes in your daily routine can significantly reduce energy consumption and therefore your energy bill. Turning off lights when they’re not in use or unplugging electronics are simple ways to save money and energy. You contribute to a more sustainable future and reduce your energy bills when you adopt these habits.

Next, Consider Upgrading Your Windows

Are you and your appliances doing everything possible to save energy? Maybe the problem is your home itself. Old windows can lead to significant energy loss, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder than necessary. Consider replacing them with energy-efficient windows that offer better insulation. The common problem of insufficient insulation is why the service crew checking old windows for drafts is one of the first things you can expect during a residential window replacement. To help mitigate waste from the replacement process, you could repurpose your old windows by turning them into a custom greenhouse or simply recycle them.

Lastly, Switch to Solar Power

Maybe there is no definitive problem. Energy costs are just high, subject to inflation like everything. If this is the case, harnessing the power of the sun through solar panels is an excellent way to reduce your energy bill and your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources. Ask yourself if solar panels are a good investment for your home. You have to factor in the upfront cost, but you will save money and help the environment in the long run.

Now that you know what to do if you notice an increase in your energy bill, you can ensure long-term savings and a more sustainable lifestyle by applying each solution.

The weather is often detrimental and can cause great harm to growing plants. Implementing ways to defend against the weather will ensure your plants live for many cycles. Use these ways to protect your garden from the weather to shelter your vegetation.

Use an Automatic Plant Waterer

Keeping plants hydrated throughout the seasons isn’t easy, especially during months with dry heat. Use an automatic plant waterer to ensure plants receive the hydration they need to grow. You can install an automatic waterer in several ways.

For a DIY approach, simply poke holes in a water bottle cap and stick the filled, capped water bottle upside down into your garden bed or pots. You can also install plastic stakes with openings to screw water bottles into and let the water drain slowly.

Add these automatic waterers around the garden, placing them in each corner and in separate spaces near the center. These devices are especially helpful during heat waves and clear, sunny days when the relentless heat dries out the soil.

Use a Mesh Cover

Various types of precipitation will fall on your garden. This is generally harmless, but heavy rainfall or snow can harm your garden’s growth. To prevent such harm, you’ll need to install a cover.

Mesh is an ideal form of cover for any garden. The spaces in between the material ensure circulation and help sunshine reach the plants while still providing a protective barrier against the elements. Metal mesh in particular helps create healthy mid-door environments surrounding the garden.

Wrap your garden’s perimeter in mesh to create a vertical barrier, and add a layer to the top as a cover. Your plants will get protection from heavy precipitation in every direction with a well-ventilated barrier surrounding them.

Cover Seedlings With Terracotta Pots

If you have spare terracotta pots, you have a means of protecting the seedlings of the garden. When the frost starts to creep in and you need a quick way of covering young plants, place the pots over them as a frost guard.

Terracotta has excellent weather resistance and keeps what’s inside safe from the cold. The porous nature of the clay benefits the seedling underneath that needs air circulation to prevent decay. Once temperatures rise, remove the pot and continue the usual watering schedule.

The weather may be bad sometimes, but staying prepared helps protect the plants you’ve cultivated. Use these ways to protect your garden from the weather to create a safe space for your flora to grow.

The tiny house movement started in the 1970s, but the modern versions took root in the early 2000s. Decades later, many people still love the idea of a stationary or mobile tiny house. While both versions have their benefits, we think there are more benefits to living in a mobile tiny house.

Tiny Houses Are More Affordable Than Traditional Homes

Since tiny houses are true to their name—tiny—they are much more affordable than traditional homes. Whether you’re building one from scratch or buying one, you can expect to spend around 50,000 dollars. Stationary tiny homes can cost more than this since you have to buy a plot of land. Mobile tiny houses don’t require a permanent land purchase, which makes them even more affordable. The cheap price tag is great for first-time homeowners and people living on a limited income.

Limited Space Keeps You Organized

Most tiny houses measure around 225 square feet, although some are bigger or smaller. A mobile tiny house can accommodate this average or larger square footage, but it must measure no more than 30 feet long for easy towing. Limited space within this square footage and length keeps homeowners like you better organized. Every item in your home must serve a purpose and have a specific spot where you can safely store it.

Tiny Houses Are Better for the Environment

One of the biggest benefits of living in a mobile tiny house is that they’re better for the environment. The smaller size requires fewer building materials and creates a smaller carbon footprint. You may even wonder if solar panels are a good investment for your home, and they are. Solar panels and other eco-friendly home features come with more upfront costs, even for tiny houses. However, the money you spend is worth it, especially if you take your mobile house to particularly sunny states.

You Can Travel With Your Home Instead of Away From Home

The most obvious benefit of choosing a mobile tiny home is that you can travel with your home. Traveling with the comforts of home, either for a new job opportunity or fun adventures, can make life on the road easier. While following a few easy steps to building a tiny house, you’ll also have to remember building and road regulations in any state you plan to travel to. However, more and more states are welcoming mobile tiny homes, so you should be free to travel.

Even in the 1970s, people knew these tiny house benefits. We can continue to enjoy them now when we build or buy our tiny homes and hit the road.