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AUGUST 2023 | What's in this issue? >> ECO-FRIENDLY UPDATES THAT SAVE ENERGY AND BOOST YOUR HOME VALUE
>> YOUR AUGUST LAWN CARE CHECKLIST TO RESTORE YOUR TIRED TURF
>> 6 BLUE RIBBON-WORTHY STATE FAIRS
Eco-friendly updates that save energy and boost your home value
Looking for home improvement ideas that will make your listing pop? Nine out of 10 homebuyers prefer properties with eco-friendly features that lower their energy bills, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
As you decide on home improvement projects, focus on those that target energy costs, such as heating, cooling, windows, doors and siding. These may cost more upfront than conventional options. But you can recover some of your investment by checking for rebates from your utility provider.
You’ll also realize ROI with energy savings and higher valuation of your property.
Heat pump
Replacing your conventional furnace and air conditioner with a geothermal heat pump system can have a tremendous impact on your utility bills. These reduce energy usage by 30-60%* and keep humidity under control.
Tankless water heaters
Swapping the bulky storage tank water heater with a space-saving tankless model will pay for itself over time, particularly because tankless boasts double the lifespan. If your home uses 41 gallons or less of hot water for daily use, you’ll achieve a gain of 24-34%* in energy-efficiency.
Triple-pane windows
Did you know that windows are responsible for 25-30% of heat gain and loss in our homes? Triple-pane windows deliver 50%* higher energy-efficiency than the standard double pane, making this a high-impact upgrade for your home.
Pull quote: These three upgrades offer outsized energy savings that will make a strong selling point for your home!
*Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Your August lawn care checklist to restore your tired turf
Your lawn can take a beating after a summer of intense heat and too-little rain. Now that it’s August, it’s the best time of year to treat your turf to a much-needed dose of nourishment and TLC.
Apply fertilizer
We often associate lawn nutrition with spring. However, if you were to fertilize only once a year, do it in late summer or early fall. The nitrogen stimulates root growth so it has sufficient reserves to revive in the warming days of spring after winter dormancy.
Remove excess thatch
Thatch is that tangled layer of organic matter that lies right above the soil surface. Contrary to popular belief, thatch isn’t necessarily bad. The right amount provides nourishing decomposing matter and microbes to growing grass. Still, you’ll want remove thick layers that are impeding growth.
Overseed or lay sod
Does your lawn have bare spots or thin vegetation? August is the best time to reset and regenerate by reseeding or laying new sod. The reason is cooler temperatures allow the soil to retain moisture longer, yet the daytime highs are still in that sweet spot to generate growth.
6 blue ribbon-worthy state fairs
Texas State Fair (2.5 million fairgoers)
Minnesota State Fair (2.1 million fairgoers)
The Big E (New England) (1.6 million fairgoers)
Tulsa State Fair (1.18 million fairgoers)
Iowa State Fair (1.13 million fairgoers)
Arizona State Fair (1.1 million fairgoers)
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