You’re trying to live a greener lifestyle. But with summer just around the corner, you’re probably steeling yourself against the spiking electric bill that seems inevitable as the heat increases. Air conditioners begin cranking up by the millions in an effort to keep things cool. When you toss in electrical appliances like televisions, stereos, computers, and all the other electronic goodies that get used everyday, then it’s not long before your monthly Bill grows to the size of a William.

Here are some money saving tips to help you save on your electric bill. You’ll not only live more green, but you’ll save some as well:

1. Check that your cooling system (and, come winter, your heating system too) are working at maximum efficiency. Get them inspected annually by a reputable maintenance company. Be sure to change the filters on both your air conditioner and furnace every month. You will not only save on your electric bill by doing this, but you will be creating healthier air in your home, which is a big boon to those who suffer from allergies and asthma.

2. Closing the blinds and drapes on the side of your home that gets the most sun will go a long way toward cooling the interior when the outside temperatures are soaring. You may also consider covering your glass panes with window film, as this will reduce the radiant heat and still give you a unobstructed view to the exterior. If you haven’t already, use a light colored paint on your house and install awnings to further cut down on the heat inside.

3. If you plan to be absent from your home for a short period, it’s best to simply turn off your air conditioner. If you live in a hot, desert-type environment, you can at least turn the thermostat a little higher than would be normal for optimum comfort and adjust it back down upon your return. If you live in a cold climate, reverse this by lowering your thermostat during the winter months. You’ll save on your electric bill all year ’round.

4. Place any window air conditioners you may use in windows near the center of your house and located on the shadiest side. You want your air conditioner to draw upon the coolest air it can find.

5. Plant shrubs and trees around your house to provide shade, making sure that any shrubs growing near your air conditioning units are properly trimmed to allow for adequate air flow.

6. As you may have heard, incandescent light bulbs use approximately 10 times the power of fluorescent. Switching the kind of bulbs you use will show a significant savings in the long run.

7. When planning your meals, choose to cook them in the microwave, if possible. Electric stoves not only use 90 percent more energy than a microwave, but add noticeably to the amount of heat already in your house, which then requires that much more electricity to drive out.

8. When shopping for computers, scanners, printers and other such equipment, keep an eye out for those that feature automatic “sleep modes” or turn off when not in use. What you save on your electric bill at the end of the year will help you afford better quality equipment up front.

9. Even when you’ve turned off a piece of electrical equipment, it may still be sucking up electricity. Unplug them when going away for vacations or any extended periods of time. Plug things like electric razors, hair dryers, curling irons and so on into power strips so that they can be easily switched off when they’re not needed.

10. During blackouts or brownouts, unplug or turn off as many appliances as possible. Lightening the power load lowers the risk of blowing out a transformer when everybody’s power comes back on at once.

11. Major appliances older than 10 years should be replaced, as they cost more to run than newer ones. More modern appliances are required to conform to “Energy Star” standards of efficiency and are ten to twenty percent less expensive to run, helping you save on your electric bill even with appliances that have to run 24/7.

Any one of these ideas will help you keep your electric bills at a minimum. Put them all into effect, and the savings will be even greater. You’ll have the satisfaction of contributing to a greener environment while adding to the green in your wallet, too!

South Africa boasts a surprisingly rich selection of flowers. The country is host to a vast and world-famous array of flowers, shrubs and trees which grow in the arid and Mediterranean climates of the country. One of the world’s six floral kingdoms is situated in the Cape. Although it is a space of just 0.2% of the earth’s surface, it contains 3.2% of all the world’s flowers. This shows just how thriving South Africa’s floral growth is! As well as the indigenous fynbos that occurs all over the Western Cape and some parts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa boasts many other species of flowers, including the very attractive fresh cut flowers available on the flower market. You don’t need to travel into the Cape’s floral regions to enjoy these colourful blossoms. In fact, you don’t need to travel at all! Order South African flowers online now, and uplift any room with the vibrant blooms indigenous to South Africa. The Cape Floral Region: Flowers of South Africa The Cape Floral Region is part of the larger Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the world’s floral kingdoms. The area contains almost 8,600 species of flowers, of which almost 70% are indigenous and unique to the region. This means that the flowers and plants growing in this area do not occur naturally anywhere else in the world. The fynbos found in the floral kingdom has a pleasant fragrance and exotic appearance. There are many different species that bloom at different times of the year, and in the South Western Cape, there are flowers blooming perennially. The protea, South Africa’s national flower, is found throughout the cape Floral Region, as is the strelitzia, a highly striking and colourful bloom also known as the bird of paradise flower. In Namaqualand, a dry and rocky stretch of land on the West Coast of South Africa, the spring brings many daisies and other flowers collectively known as the Namaqualand Daisies. The spring daisies are a popular tourist attraction, as the area becomes carpeted with the yellow and red flowers. The Karoo, too, has floral attractions, despite having an arid desert climate. During winter, flowering aloes are a beautiful sight to behold in the area. The Drakensberg Mountains and the escarpment in Limpopo and Mpumalangha feature a spectacular assortment of flowering plants. Ericas are the largest family of flowering plants in South Africa. These flowers bloom in a variety of colours at different times of the year, especially in the Cape region. The area also has some 550 species of orchid flowers and arum lilies. White lilies indigenous to South Africa are from the Cape region and pink and yellow lilies are found throughout the rest of the country. Popular fresh cut flowers in South Africa South Africa has a wide variety of bulbous plants and orchids that can be used as fresh cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements. Some of the most popular of these flowers are agapanthus, Barberton daisies, freesias, gerberas, orchids and sunflowers. These flowers are widely available from various nurseries for home cultivation, or they can be ordered through florists as fresh cut flowers. South African fresh cut flowers make a wonderful gift on any occasion, or simply to brighten up your living rooms. With the colourful floral displays available through online florists and delivery services, it is easy to experience the beauty of South African flowers in your very own home. The online catalogues available through these florists in South Africa are usually quite extensive, featuring many of the indigenous flowers of South Africa. Easy-to-navigate websites, combined with search functions, help customers to narrow down their choices and find the product best suited to their requirements. Online florists are especially useful for delivering flowers on occasions when families are separated by distance. Dedicated and reliable delivery services ensure that fresh cut flowers arrive timeously and in the crispest condition possible. Enjoy indigenous South African flowers every day South Africa features a rich diversity of flowers. The shrubs and fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom, coupled with exquisite bulbous plants, lend South Africa its reputation for floral wealth. Enjoy the splendour of South African flowers when you send flowers and gifts with an online florist.

Chandler Arizona was named after Dr. Chandler who moved to the area decades ago. The town was put on the map when the prestigious San Marcus hotel was built close to now what is considered down town. When the hotel was first built it was in the middle of the desert accompanied only buy desert cacti and shrubs. Today it is a historic hotel tucked behind growth and development. Chandler has become a modern society aided by the employment of the tech industries.
Chandler center for the arts is just a stones trow away from the San Marcus Hotel and Golf Course. It is used as a theatre from concerts to ballet. The structure is filled with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of chandeliers. The entire city benefits from the structure as it is even used for the local high school concerts and art displays.
Fine dining isn’t foreign to Chandler, but some of the best restaurants are ran by Mom and Pop. One can choose from authentic mexican at Elmer’s Tacos or Guedo’s Tacos, One of the best pizza places is Nello’s just up the street. Or the more popular restaurant chains like the Cheese Cake Factory and BJ’s Pizza are found at the Chandler Mall. Chandler is also home of the first Cold Stone Creamery. Whatever your craving is, Chandler will have it.
One of the most anticipated event of the year is the Ostrich Festival. I know that might sound a little out of place for Chandler, but Chandler had ostrich Farms back in the day. In celebration of Chandler’s roots, people from all over the phoenix valley come to watch ostrich races and enjoy a carnival. Rides and plenty of good food abound. Live music fills the air each night and unique vendors line the streets. It is a fond memory for Chandler residents who remember the festival as kids. It is a one of a kind festival that the entire family can enjoy. It last for a few days and happens one time a year.
Chandler also was a farming town. There is still evidence of this in the way the city is laid out. There are a few farms here and there that remain that give Chandler that rural look. Chandler has a building code that includes a strict height limit to buildings and commercial fronts. You won’t see any sky scrapers in Chandler, but you will find a south west fill to everything from the shopping centers to the neighborhoods.
Although Arizona is a desert, Chandler has many lake communities and plenty of green golf courses. With all the sunshine just about anything grows in Arizona. All one needs to do is add water. Chandler is an Oasis for many residents. A good portion of the population comes from other states only during the winter time. These winter visitors return to their home towns during the summer and take advantage of Arizona’s perfect winters. The cost of living is very reasonable and is sure not to turn anybody away. The variety of what Chandler has to offer will suit any new comer. Residents are friendly and almost nobody is native. Well, at least that is the way it seems. With 4% a year population growth it is no wonder either. Arizona is t he place to be.

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