Solar Panels: The What, Where And Why

Solar Panels: The What, Where And Why

Home solar panels are fast becoming a hugely popular choice for energy generation across the country, and

in addition to its green benefits, it also comes with great money-saving capabilities! If you’ve been in any

doubt as to whether or not you should join this movement, here are a few reasons why you should.  

The beauty of sunlight is that it cannot be worn out, and is your first frontline ally in achieving a lifestyle

of environmental conscientiousness and financial savings. Taken over an average of several years, the

benefits of solar are undeniable. Still need that final push to get things going? Here’s why you should go

for it. 

Do solar panels cost a lot?

Prices can range a lot, from individual components to a full installation. But an even more pressing

consideration is - what are the consequences of not opting for solar? The sun is renewable and free - at

least for the next few million years - so through consistent use and constant creation of renewable energy,

you might even find yourself returning usable power to the grid, in exchange for kickbacks and benefits!

If I use a solar power company near me, can they do the full installation?

Remember that a solar system is about much more than just the panels. The best call is to run what you

have in mind past a few installation companies, to see what their solutions might be, and how they can

help you. When you finally decide and say I found the best solar companies near me to run , make sure

that they are able to deliver all the services you need in their installation. A company worth their salt

should be able to advise you on whether your roof will be able to handle the installation in its current

state, or whether you will need to do any roof alterations before attempting to add any additional weight

to the structure. 

Another vital component is an inverter, as without that, your system is unlikely to work, as it is necessary

to generate an alternating current suitable for home use from the direct current that a solar system generates. 

Batteries to store the additional energy will also be useful to help you store backup energy in the event of

heavy weather when the solar system might not work as well as intended. 

The flip side of the deal

Everything has its pros and cons, and solar energy is no exception. While it is easy to get excited about the

plusses, you will also need to consider the other side, which most often comes down to the huge cost of

installation. While this cost will eventually be offset through savings over time, the initial outlay can be

intimidating. 

Another factor to consider is that you need to find an installer near you who can deliver the goods in a

legal and industry-compliant way. Taking short cuts can lead to greater repair costs being incurred further

down the line. 

Why Should Government Leaders Prioritize Environmental Issues?

 You might not hear many leaders solving environmental issues as the center of their political campaigns. It can even go the other way where some aspiring politicians use it as a wedge issue to divide their constituents. It’s easier to shrug this problem off and see it as a non-issue. However, the truth is environmental issues must be a priority. Here’s why. 

We only have one world

Sure, many scientists are looking into the possibility of exploring space and finding a new planet for humans to live in. While it’s within the realm of possibility, it’s a long shot. Besides, it also costs a lot to make it happen. If that amount goes into the rehabilitation of this planet, it would have been easier to solve global warming. Scientists warned us that we only have a few years left to change the situation, or we won’t have the world as we see it now. Hence, there’s no doubt that it must be a priority. If you agree, consider service providers in scrap metal Kansas City for trash disposal issues at home. You don’t have to go through the process alone if you let these people help you. 

We can start feeling the effects now

Some people might say climate change isn’t true. Even if it is, it could take a while before seeing its impact. People in cold places also believe it’s untrue since it’s cold where they live. Global warming affects us in many ways. Storms are more intense, and flooding is heavier. Earthquakes occur more often in many places. Forest fires and drought have led to the distraction of lives and properties. The problem is here, and action is necessary now. 

It's cost-effective

It’s also easy to argue that solving global warming is expensive, and the government has a limited budget. However, the truth is, the cost of its impact is way higher. Hence, we should start acting now. These natural disasters brought by global warming cost the government a lot, and we can’t afford to keep it going. It's like dealing with trash at home. Working with experts in scrap metal Kansas City might be costly, but it’s a great option. It’s easier to deal with trash with their help. 

It's a winning message

Sure, there are skeptics about using the environment as a primary platform. It’s not the “sexiest” political message. But, the truth is it’s easy to connect this topic with other issues out there. From the economy to jobs, the environment is at the center. Hence, prioritizing it is a winning message. It's just sad that not everyone sees it that way.

For these reasons, politicians have to prioritize climate-related issues. The problems might seem impossible to overcome, but we can get there. We need more leaders who understand the urgency. Politicians can shape our future because they can craft and enact laws. We have to organize and have more leaders who can drive us in the right direction. It’s never too late to do something now. 

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/x1w_Q78xNEY 

9 Terrific Ways to Celebrate their Retirement

9 Terrific Ways to Celebrate their Retirement

Retirement is such a big life change, it should be celebrated properly. Help the retiree in your life commemorate this

great achievement with a new tradition, a getaway or even something that pushes their comfort zone. Now that their

punching-the-time-clock days are over, guide them into a greater, even more fulfilling mindset with these nine terrific

ways to celebrate. 

Create a Career Memento Collection.

Now that the retiree has the time, why not map out a strategic road map to all of the places they’ve worked? Take along a camera and scope out every place they’ve punched a clock to make the all mighty dollar. If they lived out of state, make it a road trip with the idea of collecting thoughts, ideas, dreams and goals for the future. And of course, memories in the form of written text and photos to compile in an album that will mark their new beginning.

Focus on Health.

Now that time is theirs for the taking, the greatest currency they have is their health. Help the retiree with changes they can make in their life to put health at the top of their priority list. Entering a 5K (even if they walk), joining the spin class at the YMCA, and even looking up recipes for eating healthier can be motivation enough to change for the better. Being consistent in these changes is key, so be sure you are there for support and encouragement.

Build a Gift Basket.

Receiving a gift basket is always fun and goes a long way in expressing admiration and appreciation. Building one yourself for the retiree in your life gives you agency over what will go inside. So ask yourself, what are their favorite things? Their favorite places? Their goals for the future? Fill the basket with items like health products, motivational books, travel ideas, gourmet snacks, and egift cards that can be purchased from any one of thousands of retailers nationwide. They will delight in the thought and care that went into making it.

Plant a Tree.

Chances are good that if the retiree had planted a tree on their first day of work, today it would be standing tall and proud. Now that they’ve entered into this new phase of life, accompany them to the garden center, choose a tree that will do well in your area, and help them plant it in their yard or other location. It will require nurturing, which in turn will give them a new sense of purpose and responsibility.

Redecorate the Home Office.

Just because they won’t be ‘working’ anymore, doesn’t mean that their home office can’t go to good use. It all depends on their focus, of course! Are they planning on consulting part time? Maybe they would like room for crafting, indoor gardening or meditating. Ask them how they envision the room and then work together to refashion it into a place that best represents where they are in life now.

Do Something Unconventional.

At the end of a person’s life, what they most regret are the things they haven’t done. This bucket list might include adrenaline-rush opportunities like skydiving, ziplining or learning to ride a motorcycle. Or, it might be a bit more mellow like learning to cook French cuisine or reading the top 100 books of all time. Ask them to write down a few things they’ve always wanted to do but never have, and support them in their mission to accomplish them.

Go Permanent.

Many people never see retirement. They may see retirement age, but are unable to truly retire due to various reasons. Celebrate your loved one’s retirement by purchasing a piece of jewelry or even getting a tattoo that commemorates and affirms their mantra for success. This might be Chinese letters, their spirit animal or a phrase they uttered to themselves when times got tough.

Give Back.

Chances are good that after a long, successful career, the retiree has much wisdom that can be given back to the community. Encourage them to teach a class, start a YouTube channel, create an informational TicTok account, whatever fits their personality and gets them inspired.
Start a Tradition.

People celebrate all kinds of days – birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, so why not turn retirement day into a brand new day to celebrate annually? Specifically take that day to cross something off the bucket list, go out to dinner or commemorate it quietly. Either way, it will be a yearly reminder for the retiree that life is short but also sweet.The retiree in your life deserves special treatment after a long, fruitful career. While gifts are always nice, think about how you can help them

Why Storytelling Is So Important For A Child's Development

When it comes to storytelling, children have an innate ability to understand and appreciate the power of a good story. Stories help children make sense of the world around them and learn about themselves. They also help foster creativity and imagination. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of storytelling for child development, and we will provide some tips on how you can get started!

Image From Pixabay CCO License

The Benefits of Storytelling For Children

Encourages Imagination and Creativity

Stories help children imagine and create their own worlds. They can explore different characters, settings, and storylines. This helps foster creativity and imagination. These are very important skills and they will have a lot of real-world applications as they get older.

Improves Their Cultural Understanding

Stories introduce children to different cultures and worlds. They can learn about other people, their customs, and their way of life. This helps them develop a broader understanding of the world around them. If you want to raise a conscientious child that gets on well with people from all walks of life, improving their cultural understanding from a young age is key.

Boosts Communication Skills

Stories help children develop their communication skills. They learn how to share and exchange ideas, and they learn how to negotiate and collaborate with others. These are essential skills that will help them in all aspects of life. Getting them to read stories out loud can also help with things like public speaking.

Sharpens Their Memory

Longer stories help children engage their memory. They have to remember the characters, the setting, and the storyline. This helps them develop a strong memory early on in life. By doing this from a young age, you can sharpen their memory so when they start learning things in school, they will retain them much better.

How To Engage Your Child With Storytelling

Read To Them

The simplest way to get your child engaged with storytelling is by reading to them. There are so many amazing children's books out there, and it's a great bonding experience for both you and your child. Even before they can read themselves, they are already excited about stories.

Once your child is old enough, let them choose the books that they want to read. This will help them stay engaged.

Encourage Them To Write Stories

Another great way to get your child engaged with storytelling is to encourage them to write their own stories. This can be in the form of a journal, or they can even make up their own bedtime stories. You can get some great writing worksheets online (click here for some examples) that will help your child generate some ideas. Writing stories is the best way to really engage their creative side.

Create A Reading Area

If you want to make storytelling a regular activity in your home, consider creating a reading area. This could be as simple as setting up a few cushions and blankets on the floor, or it could be something more elaborate like an attic reading room. Either way, make sure that the area is comfortable and inviting so your child will want to spend time there.

Storytelling is a very important part of child development. It helps encourage imagination and creativity, boosts communication skills, sharpens memory, and improves cultural understanding. If you want to get your child engaged with storytelling, read to them, encourage them to write their own stories, and create a reading area in your home.

 

DIY Tips for Protecting Crawl Spaces from Pests

 DIY Tips for Protecting Crawl Spaces from Pests

Crawl spaces are an important component of homes, and they can have a direct impact on your energy efficiency, air quality, and many other things. One common problem with crawl spaces is that pests are often able to find a way to get into them. This presents a variety of problems, necessitating the need to keep these critters out. Continue reading to learn some DIY tips for protecting your crawl space from pests.

Problems Pests Cause

You might be wondering what kind of problems pests can cause if they are in your crawl space. One of the most serious problems that pests can cause when they get into crawl spaces is that they can decrease your energy efficiency by creating holes, allowing heat and cold to come in under your home. Another problem caused by pests is that if there is any wiring or structural materials in your crawlspace, they are able to chew through these things, potentially causing fires or damage. Perhaps the most serious problem is that many HVAC systems get their air supply from the crawl space. If you have pests down there, they will be leaving their disease-laden feces all over. In addition, if a pest dies down there, they will decompose. This means you and your family are breathing in the diseases and stench of pests. For these reasons, it is very important to keep pests out of your crawl space. If you are unsure if there are pests in your crawl space but see signs like your energy bill increasing, call a pest control company to safely inspect the area.

Clean Your Yard

One of the best ways to keep pests away from your crawl space is to diminish the attractiveness of your yard in the first place. Most crawl space invasions only occur because the pest was initially attracted to the yard. Start by cleaning up any tall grass or weeds around your property. Clean up any wood piles or other accumulations of debris. Finally, keep any pet food, garbage, and fruit from fruit trees cleaned up, as these are all serious attractants.

Seal It Up

This piece of advice is applicable to every pest-related scenario. If you are trying to keep pests out of an area, the best way to keep them out is to ensure that they do not have easy access into the area. When it comes to keeping your crawl space sealed, one of the first things you have to do is inspect your crawl space. Visit pestcontrolanimal.com to learn about animals’ potential entry points. If you find any problems, repair them using whatever material you prefer to use. Many people will use all-weather sealant, aluminum sheeting, or other repair materials. Once you have the crawl space sealed off, you can be less worried about pests making their way in.

Prevent Digging

One common problem that occurs with pests getting into crawl spaces is that they will dig their way into it. This makes it hard to prevent, as you can seal up your crawl space and still have rodents and other animals dig their way in. One way that you can keep animals from digging is to install slabs of metal around the perimeter of your crawl space that extend into the ground a certain depth. This can deter many common digging pests.

 Set Traps

While this is the type of thing you hope does not ever have to work, this can be a great way to keep an infestation from  occurring. If you set different traps in your crawl space, you will be much more likely to immediately take care of the pests when they get in. Setting a few rodent traps is smart. Glue traps are actually a homeowners best friend here, as they are capable of catching all kinds of crawl space invaders, such as snakes, mice, rats, insects, and many more. This is a great and affordable preventive step that can save you from having a serious infestation.

Hire a Pro

One of the smartest things you can do to prevent pests from getting into your crawl space is to hire a professional pest control company, such as District Wildlife Solutions. These companies have years of experience in not only removing pests from homes, but in preventing them from getting into homes and crawl spaces in the first place. In addition, these companies generally offer many other pest-related services, such as attic and crawl space restoration, cleanup and sanitation, and many more.