(Family Features) When you’re considering upgrades for your home, earth-friendly enhancements that impact your energy usage are smart investments. Energy-saving home upgrades can offer long- and short-term advantages for the earth, your wallet and even your safety.

Many homeowners evaluate their energy needs as they plan home improvements. There are several low-carbon, resilient energy options available that can help safeguard your family. Consider these environmentally friendly upgrades to diversify your home’s energy sources, reduce energy consumption and ensure your home is well-prepared to withstand interruptions to power service if the electrical grid fails.

Diversify Energy Sources
The growing conversation to “electrify everything” will require an overhaul on the aging electric grid just to manage the increase in demand. Accomplishing this will take decades and cost billions, according to the Department of Energy. In fact, according to a study conducted by Acupoll Precision Research on behalf of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), 54% of respondents believe electricity for everything will be too expensive for taxpayers while 70% strongly agree Americans should have a choice when it comes to their energy source. Propane is a clean, affordable and abundant energy option that reduces carbon emissions right now. Using propane appliances like furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and kitchen appliances alongside other energy sources reduces the strain on the fragile electrical grid. Unlike electric appliances, propane appliances can work even during power outages.

Seal In Energy
Outdated doors and windows often lack energy benefits. Newer models have stronger, thicker panes that reduce the transfer of heat from inside to outdoors (and vice versa in the warmer months). Updating doors and windows allows you to easily repair any cracks or faulty seals that make it easy for energy to escape. When your home is well-insulated, your heating or cooling system works more efficiently.

Consider Solar Panels
When many homeowners think of renewable energy, they often think “solar.” Some states are mandating solar adoption, and while financial rebates help, solar panels are still considered an expensive upgrade for many people. The number of panels you need depends on your geographic location and weather, as well as the size of your home and your family’s energy consumption habits, which can add up. If you have access to propane and electricity, and are planning to upgrade to solar, consider adding propane appliances to offset the energy load required from your solar system.

Install a Backup Power Source
The Department of Energy’s “Electric Disturbance Event Annual Report” showed an increase in power outages from 2000 to 2020. More than half of consumers nationwide indicated they or a close family member or friend have been personally impacted by a power outage in the past two years, according to PERC.

As a result, many homeowners are saying “yes” to backup power generators. A propane standby generator can be a key part of resilient home upgrades by offering supplemental electricity in as little as 10 seconds after an outage. Propane doesn’t degrade over time, making it an ideal standby power fuel. Plus, it’s cleaner than diesel so you can keep your home functioning and family safe while being a good steward for the environment.

Increase Energy Efficiency
While landscaping plays an important role in curb appeal, it also serves more practical purposes. Thoughtfully placed trees and shrubs can block the heat that comes from powerful direct sunlight while serving as a break against blustery winds and providing a natural form of external insulation for the home. In outdoor living spaces, propane-powered appliances can offer increased energy efficiency. For example, propane can power full outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and fire pits, patio heaters, flame lighting or pool and spa heaters.

Find more ideas and information to inspire your earth-friendly home upgrades at Propane.com.

When the Grid Fails

In 2021, a winter storm decimated a major electrical power grid, leaving thousands of Americans in the dark and cold. Some people lost their lives while others battled to overcome extensive damage to their homes and businesses.

Jennifer Borget’s family is one of many that weathered those winter storms. However, the Borget family home used propane to power their water heater, stove, furnace and fireplace.

“When your power goes out, you can still use some propane appliances,” said Borget, who blogged about her experience. “This is one of those things I didn’t realize but learned during the historic winter storms. When the power was intermittent, our propane-powered fireplace and water heater quickly warmed our family.”

One year later, the Borgets are discussing investing in a standby generator to mitigate future power outages.

Another way to reduce the risk of large-scale disasters is increasing Americans’ reliance on a broader mix of energy sources. Using a combination of propane, solar, electricity and natural gas can keep homes and businesses alike running efficiently and safely.

Relying on alternative energy sources like propane can also make a meaningful environmental impact in the long-term while offering short-term advantages, including continued access to power during emergencies when another energy source fails.

SOURCE:
Propane Education & Research Council

(Joan Casanova) In neighborhoods across the country, homeowners are getting extra help in their quest for the elusive, perfect lawn.

The secret? An innovation in grass seed technology known as OptiGrowth, promising faster, stronger and more resilient grass – and it’s living up to the hype.

What is the Technology?
A revolutionary, natural seed treatment, OptiGrowth is a unique technology designed to enhance the performance of grass seed, giving it a higher chance of success. It coats traditional grass seed in a protective, moisture-attracting layer designed to retain moisture and kickstart healthy growth without harming the environment.

Developed through years of agricultural research, this technology enhances the natural germination process, giving each seed a better chance to sprout, grow and survive early, tough conditions. It uses water more efficiently, develops stronger roots and shoots, and helps seeds survive in drought, poor soil conditions and extreme temperatures.

Unlike traditional uncoated grass seed, which can struggle in less-than-ideal soil conditions or unpredictable weather, seed treated with this technology is designed to thrive. It’s not genetically modified; instead, it’s a smarter version of existing seeds, treated to improve their natural abilities, which leads to faster growth, better health and a thicker, more resilient lawn.

Faster-Growing, Healthier Lawns
One of the biggest advantages of this coated seed is speed. Under ideal conditions, these seeds may germinate faster than untreated seeds. The faster sprouting reduces the vulnerable window when new grass can be overtaken by weeds, dried out by sun or washed away by heavy rains.

Grass seedlings also emerge healthier and develop deeper roots more quickly, setting the stage for a thicker, more resilient lawn. In the early stages, when most lawn failures happen, OptiGrowth seed can better resist stresses like drought, heat and foot traffic.

“New grass is incredibly delicate,” said Troy Hake, owner of Outsidepride.com, an online seed company specializing in a wide variety of high-quality grass seed, flower seeds and lawn and garden-related products at competitive prices. “OptiGrowth provides seeds with a built-in advantage: helping more seed survive and thrive. It’s like giving each seed its own personal water bottle and first-aid kit.”

Water Efficiency is a Key Advantage
As water conservation becomes increasingly important, another major benefit of this seed is improved water usage. The seed coating absorbs and retains moisture more efficiently around each seed, so homeowners can water less during the critical establishment period when the seed is most vulnerable to drying out. The moisture-holding properties ensure the seed remains hydrated for longer periods, helping it sprout and establish strong roots.

In trials conducted by several university agricultural departments, lawns seeded with OptiGrowth needed up to 30% less water to reach full establishment compared to lawns planted with traditional seed.

“For areas prone to drought or watering restrictions, that’s a major win – both for homeowners’ wallets and the environment,” Hake said.

When Utilizing the Technology Makes Sense
While the coated seed is effective in almost any planting situation, it’s especially beneficial in challenging conditions. The coating acts as a shield, protecting the seed from stresses such as temperature fluctuations, heavy rains and dry spells. New lawns on sloped ground, areas with patchy sun and shade, or lawns planted in late spring or early fall – times when weather can be unpredictable – benefit the most.

These seeds are designed to succeed even when conditions aren’t ideal by improving moisture retention and boosting germination rates. This means less time reseeding, rewatering and repairing your lawn.

However, Hake notes that in perfect conditions – rich soil, regular rain, mild temperatures –
traditional high-quality grass seed can still perform well.

“If you’re planting in ideal conditions and you can baby the lawn with watering and care, you might not need OptiGrowth,” Hake said. “But in most cases, perfect conditions are rare.”

A Greener Future
As innovations like OptiGrowth make their way into more products, it’s clear the future of lawn care is working smarter, not harder. These seeds have a built-in advantage – they grow faster, stay hydrated better, have fewer bald spots, require less reseeding and survive tougher conditions, leading to a greener, healthier lawn requiring less effort from you.

For more information, visit outsidepride.com.

Photos courtesy of Outsidepride.com

SOURCE:

Outsidepride.com

Cracked Concrete

(Family Features) Concrete is a strong, durable and easy-to-maintain material that is popular for driveways, walkways, patios and more. Like most materials, though, it can inevitably wear down over time. When signs of failure show themselves, homeowners commonly face two options: repair or replace. Prepare and plan for eventual concrete deterioration with this advice from the experts at Thrasher Foundation Repair, which has served more than 150,000 families over the last 50 years. Reasons for Concrete Failure Natural elements like weather, water and earth are often to blame, but man-made mistakes can also contribute to concrete failure.

1. Poorly compacted soil: When a home is constructed, a lot of soil is moved around and put back in place. This often results in loose, poorly compacted soil, which allows water to seep in, saturate and dry out. The constant expansion and contraction can create voids beneath the concrete, which it eventually sinks into.
2. Weather: During hot weather, concrete expands and causes pressure throughout the slab, often resulting in cracks. Conversely, during cold weather, the moisture in the ground freezes and can cause the slab to shrink, causing concrete to lift, heave and crack.
3. Excessive weight: Concrete is strong but not indestructible. Excessively heavy objects, like snow, can cause cracking.
4. Shrinkage: When concrete is installed, water is used to facilitate mixing and pouring. As concrete cures, excess water evaporates and causes a reduction in concrete volume, sometimes leading to cracking.

Defects: Improper installation or a poorly prepared concrete mix may lead to a weak slab that’s prone to cracking. Signs of Concrete Failure Identifying failure can help you address issues before they get out of hand. One of the most common signs is cracking – while a few hairline cracks that aren’t actively growing aren’t typically a problem, larger cracks that spread can affect drainage, aesthetics and structural integrity. If you notice water collecting in areas following heavy rain, that may indicate a soil issue that can lead to concrete failure. Pitting, flaking and staining are also signs of damaged concrete. Uneven surfaces or sinking concrete are serious signs that concrete slabs are struggling with external factors that need to be addressed. Options for Addressing Concrete Failure When homeowners notice signs of failure in their driveways, sidewalks or patios, they often assume replacement is the only option. However, concrete repair can revitalize slabs without a full replacement, typically at a lower price. Repair: New technology makes repairing concrete less invasive, more affordable and quicker than total replacement. Consider Thrasher Foundation Repair’s PolyLevel process, which refers to a system using a two-part polyurethane polymer to fill voids and lift concrete slabs to their original position. It’s injected through a pencil eraser-sized hole and expands into a structural foam that compacts the soil. Quick, noninvasive and aesthetically pleasing, it’s a fast installation process with a curing time of 15-20 minutes so the surface can be used the same day. This repair process is recommended for cracks, settled and unlevel slabs or sunken steps. “Repairing concrete, rather than full replacement, can save homeowners as much as 50-80%, depending on square footage,” said Dan Thrasher, CEO of Thrasher Foundation Repair. “It’s often a more economical solution that provides peace of mind, visual appeal and long-lasting results.” Staining: After a repair, slabs may appear mismatched. Staining concrete adds visual appeal while helping to prevent pitting, flaking, cracking and moisture-related issues. Replacement: As a long, disruptive and inconvenient process, full slab replacement can be overwhelming, both in terms of time and money. Some situations do call for full slab replacement, however, such as concrete older than 30 years, deep cracks and large potholes or a poorly installed base. When choosing the right way to address concrete failure, it’s important to consider your time and budget. When in doubt, contact a professional who can walk you through the process by visiting GoThrasher.com.   SOURCE: Thrasher Foundation Repair