Narec Solar – Innovation For Your Roof

Keeping the roof clear of debris, cleaning gutters, and inspecting the flashing around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, and other penetrations prevents leaks and extends the life of your roof. These are tasks that can normally be assigned to mechanics in your maintenance crew who perform routine housekeeping surveys.

Leaks are commonly found at penetrations, where the sealant is cracking or deteriorating. Re-caulking or sealing these areas can save thousands in repairs and maintenance costs in the long run.

Gutter cleaning is often a homeowner’s least favorite maintenance task, but it’s a necessary one. Clogged gutters lead to a host of problems, including roof leaks and foundation issues. They can also damage shingles and invite pests into your home. If you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder, or are simply too busy to clean your gutters yourself, hiring a professional is a smart option.

A well-maintained gutter system is crucial for your home’s structural integrity. It prevents soil erosion around the foundation and protects landscaping and walls from dampness. Gutters that aren’t functioning properly, on the other hand, can cause a number of problems, including rotted fascia, sagging shingle edges, deteriorating roof materials, and water-damaged walls.

Having functional gutters is particularly important in colder climates. The moisture in clogged gutters can freeze and expand, damaging the structure of your home. In addition, ice dams can form over the gutter opening and prevent proper water dispersion.

Gutter cleaning should be done at least twice a year to maintain optimal performance. However, the frequency of cleanings will depend on the type of trees in your yard and how frequently leaves fall. If you have a lot of pine trees, for example, your gutters will need to be cleaned more frequently than those on birch or oak trees.

When it’s time to clean your gutters, make sure you have a sturdy ladder and a few ladder stabilizers (also called “ladder horns”), which will help keep the ladder from knocking uncomfortably against the house. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, safety glasses, and grippy shoes before beginning to work. Have a bucket or bag handy to put the debris in as you go along.

As you work, start at the end of the gutter nearest to the downspout and move towards the closed end. Using your hands, scoop the gunk out of the gutters and into the bucket or bag. You can also use a plastic scoop or even a child’s sand shovel. Once all the gunk is removed, run a garden hose through each downspout to flush it.

Trim Trees

Regularly trimming trees that overhang the roof prevents them from rubbing against the roof during storms and causing damage. It also reduces leaf litter and debris that accumulates on the roof and accelerates deterioration.

The first step in pruning a tree is removing branches that have already grown too long. This can be done using a ladder or by climbing the tree with a pair of loppers. It’s important to make sure you are not removing too much at once. This can weaken the tree and leave it vulnerable to disease.

You should also trim low-growing limbs. These can be a hazard to people or infrastructure and divert energy from the main branches.

Narrow crotches are another problem that should be pruned out. These are a hazard because bark can become trapped between the limbs and cause a weak attachment point. This also encourages disease. Proper pruning will reduce the amount of overlapping limbs and promote the formation of “wound wood” that protects against rot. If the wound wood is not properly formed, it can allow fungi into the cut and lead to disease.

Aim for a balanced, natural shape with a clear trunk and branch structure. Maintain a single dominant leader stem and remove co-dominant stems to avoid structural weakness.

Do not remove more than 25% of a tree’s canopy at one time. This can lead to stress that weakens the tree and can even kill it.

Avoid topping, which is the indiscriminate shortening of a tree that causes a cluster of unruly and weakly attached branches to emerge near the cut. This practice has been shown to significantly decrease a tree’s life span and can also pose a safety hazard to people or property. Avoid shearing trees into hedges, which is a poor form of pruning that can weaken the structure of the tree. Wound paints should be avoided as they appear to interfere with the ability of a tree’s wound to heal properly and may even encourage rotting.

Inspect Shingles

Shingle roofs are a common choice for homeowners, as they are cost effective, durable, and offer a wide range of color options. However, shingle roofs can be vulnerable to a number of conditions, and it is important to evaluate their condition regularly.

During a roof inspection, inspectors look for a variety of issues. First, they check for missing or cracked shingles. These can allow water to leak into the home, so it is important to replace them as soon as possible. Inspectors also note any areas where shingles have begun to curl or shift, which can lead to further damage and leaks.

Inspectors also evaluate the granules that protect the asphalt layer from UV radiation. When granules are dislodged, it can expose the roofing materials to additional damage and shorten their lifespan. Inspectors can identify this by checking the gutters for excessive granule accumulation, and also by looking for areas of the roof that have bare spots.

A roof inspection should also include a look at the ventilation of the attic space. Proper ventilation is critical for shingle longevity, as it prevents the buildup of heat and moisture that can damage the shingles and other roofing components. Inspectors can check ridge vents, eave vents, and other ventilation systems to ensure proper airflow.

Inspecting the shingles themselves can be challenging, as it is often necessary to walk on the roof to get a good look at all the visible areas. However, this is a dangerous task for people without the proper training and safety equipment, and should only be performed by qualified professionals. During the inspection, it is important to note any areas of buckling or curling, which can allow moisture into the attic and lead to expensive repairs.

It is also a good idea to inspect any areas where there has been recent construction near the home, as this can potentially loosen shingles. Finally, it is essential to check the flashing around any roof features, such as chimneys and vents, to ensure it is secure and free from leaks. Inspectors can check the flashing from the ground by looking for gaps, cracks, or rust.

Inspect Flashing

The exposed areas of a roof’s flashing are highly susceptible to damage and deterioration. These vulnerable spots include window flashing, the intersections of different elevations (roof valleys and corners), and equipment curbs and penthouses. A thorough inspection includes a review of these areas for physical damage and accelerated weathering.

Cracked or broken flashing can be caused by physical damage or inclement weather, and gaps between the flashing and the wall or roof surface can allow water to penetrate a building. A water test can be performed to determine if moisture is penetrating through the flashing. In addition, water stains on the ceiling or walls are an indicator of leaks and should be investigated immediately.

A regular schedule of inspections and repairs can extend the life of a roof’s flashing, as well as prevent costly water intrusion problems. Investing in the proper tools and knowledge can enable a homeowner or professional to quickly address issues with the flashing, such as rust, corrosion, cracks, and gaps.

Roofing tools such as caulking guns, tin snips, and roofing tar are essential for addressing flashing problems. A ladder, harness, and safety goggles are also necessary for working on a roof to ensure the proper safety procedures are followed.

A visual inspection of the flashing should begin at a safe, easily accessible point on the roof, such as the top of a chimney or the roof’s ridge. A good rule of thumb is to inspect the flashing once per season, but if it is being exposed to extreme weather conditions, twice per year may be more appropriate.

If there is a significant amount of rust or corrosion on the flashing, it should be replaced immediately to prevent further damage. A flashing replacement can be done without removing the existing shingles or tiles. To ensure a complete and secure installation, the new flashing should be thoroughly caulked and caulked again around the edges. The caulking should be inspected to make sure it is intact and in good condition. If water is leaking through the flashing, it is likely due to the caulking being degraded or damaged.

Pest Control

What Are Pests and How Do We Control Them?

September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 Elliot Johnson

Pests are organisms that negatively impact humans in one way or another. They include organisms that infest buildings, spoil food and fabrics, damage or displace plants, and transmit diseases.

Methods for controlling pest populations include natural, biological, chemical, cultural, and genetic controls. Natural controls are environmental factors that limit pest populations while biological control relies on natural enemies to injure or consume target pests. Cultural and genetic controls are human activities that alter the environment or restrict access to essential elements that support pest population growth. Contact Pest Control Trophy Club TX for professional help.

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on earth. They can be found in every terrestrial ecosystem and in aquatic environments. They are often considered pests if they disrupt the surrounding environment by causing damage to crops, gardens, homes and yards or negatively impacting terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. Pests may also contaminate food, degrade soil, displace native species and cause detrimental economic or environmental effects.

Bugs exhibit different activity patterns depending on the season and weather conditions. For example, ants become more active in the spring as they emerge from hibernation and seek food to sustain themselves. Recognizing peak seasons allows homeowners to implement pest control measures before infestations become widespread.

The number of insects in an area depends on a number of factors, including temperature, moisture and light conditions. Many bugs thrive in warm environments, which can speed up their life cycles and increase their populations. Conversely, colder temperatures can inhibit insect growth and force them to find shelter or enter a dormant state.

Humidity is another factor that can influence insect behavior and activity. Certain pests such as mosquitoes and termites are attracted to areas that have high humidity levels, as they provide the ideal breeding and feeding conditions. Homeowners can reduce the occurrence of these pests by keeping indoor areas clean and dry.

It is also important to consider the impact of pest control methods on beneficial insects. The pesticides used by professional pest control services can have adverse effects on predaceous or parasitic insects that feed on or kill the targeted pest. In addition, some of the microbial pesticides, like those derived from the bacteria or fungus Beauvaria bassiana, can be toxic to bees and other pollinators.

Many pests have natural enemies that can help keep their numbers under control. These predators, parasitoids and pathogens are known as biocontrol agents and can be used in conjunction with traditional pesticides to manage harmful organisms. For example, the Cornell AES professional greenhouse staff has successfully used a natural enemy of purple loosestrife (Galium birmanica) to help control the invasive plant. By releasing weevils that eat the water chestnuts, they were able to reduce loosestrife population without harming any other beneficial insects or affecting the surrounding environment.

Rodents

Rodents (Rodentia) include squirrels, mice, rats, gophers, woodchucks, chipmunks, hamsters, guinea pigs, and other rodents that have long been considered pests. Fortunately, rodents are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of habitats and climates. They are also important in a number of ecosystems as they disperse seeds and play other beneficial roles, such as creating wetlands and maintaining the health of forests.

Rodents can cause a variety of problems around homes. They can chew through wires, damage a home’s structure, and spread disease. They can even affect a family’s air quality by spreading allergens such as dust mites and molds throughout the home.

Signs of rodent infestation can include droppings, gnawed areas, and a musty odor. Look for holes in the exterior of a home or in lanais, and secluded areas in the yard that suggest rodent burrows or nesting sites. In addition, rodents can gnaw through wires inside of a vehicle, which can lead to shorted circuits and potentially dangerous fire hazards.

In the house, rodents are difficult to detect because they thrive in out-of-the-way places like attics and wall voids. They are very elusive, and by the time you realize there is a problem, the rodents have already done a lot of damage and contamination.

Rodent feces, urine, and saliva can contaminate food and cause diseases that are harmful to humans and pets. These include salmonellosis, mycoplasma genitalium, leptospirosis, and hantavirus, which causes fever, chills, muscle aches, and abdominal cramps.

You can reduce the risk of rodent infestation by keeping food in sealed containers and storing garbage in metal bins with tight-fitting lids. Regularly inspect the outside of your home and reseal any cracks or holes larger than a quarter inch. Also, keep your lawns trimmed and clear of debris and other potential shelter for rodents. Finally, store animal feed in metal or glass containers and place them away from the home to eliminate access.

Rodent Extermination

Rodents breed rapidly and must be controlled to prevent a full-blown infestation. Rodent exclusion and control techniques include trapping and baiting, sealing entry points in walls, attics, and crawlspaces, and making environmental modifications. Traps may be physical devices that catch and kill rodents on contact, or they can consist of luring chemicals that attract them to the traps. The type of trap used depends on the rodent, and they range from traditional snap traps to glue traps and live traps. Poisons in the form of baits lure rodents to their demise, as well, but must be used carefully to avoid poisoning pets and children. Fumigation is also an option in severe cases of rodent infestation, and involves blocking the target area and pumping gaseous pesticides into it.

Rodents are a serious health hazard to humans, carrying dozens of diseases that can be spread directly or indirectly through bite wounds and by eating food contaminated with rodent urine and droppings. They gnaw through wood, drywall, and insulation, which can lead to costly structural damage. They also chew wires, which can pose a fire risk and put your home at risk for electrical outages and house fires.

The best method to prevent a rodent infestation is prevention. Ensure that your garbage is tightly closed and removed regularly, clean up food crumbs immediately, and store all produce in tightly sealed containers. Rodents are drawn to cardboard, so don’t keep it lying around the yard or in the house. Regularly sweep up leaves and debris, and clean out the gutters to reduce their breeding habitat.

Even with these precautions, a small rodent problem can grow quickly. Rodents are incredibly adaptable, and if the conditions are right, they can find their way into your home. That’s why it is critical to have a professional rodent extermination company on your side. They will be familiar with the nuances of rodent biology and behavior, and can create customized treatment plans that defend your property year-round. Professional rodent control will give you peace of mind, and save you from having to deal with the hassle, expense, and health risks of a full-scale infestation.

Pest Control Services

Pests are more than just a nuisance; they can also pose health risks. Rodents and insects carry many deadly diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Effective pest control prevents these unwanted visitors from invading homes and businesses. Pests can also cause damage to property, leading to costly repairs and replacements. Pest control services include pest identification, prevention and exclusion, eradication and monitoring.

Pest control experts use a variety of techniques to prevent pest infestations, such as physical barriers and environmental modification. They carefully inspect properties to determine the extent of pest problems and identify the factors that contribute to their occurrence. They may then recommend specific treatments depending on the situation.

Professional pest control experts are highly trained to safely and effectively eliminate pests. Their years of experience and hands-on practice give them a deep understanding of pest behavior, infestation patterns and effective control methods. Pest professionals know which products to use and how to apply them to achieve the best results. They understand the importance of proper safety and sanitation procedures when handling pesticides.

A comprehensive pest control program is designed to suit the needs of each client. It includes regular inspections, monitoring and treatment as needed for each type of pest. This program can be implemented for a single building, a multi-building complex, a hotel, condominium association, restaurant or other commercial establishment.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that employs various strategies to manage pest populations without using toxic chemicals. It combines biological, mechanical and cultural pest control measures to achieve long-term pest control with minimal impact on the environment.

Additional pest control services may be necessary in cases of severe infestations, recurrent pest problems or as preventive measures against future pest invasions. These services can include baits, traps, environmental modifications and targeted pesticide application.

Whether you are dealing with rodents, ants or any other pests, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. These experts will be able to provide you with the most appropriate solutions that will protect your property, your family or your employees.

Surgeon

Colonoscopy – What You Need to Know

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 Frankie Riley

A colonoscopy is a routine test done to check for cancer, polyps and other conditions. You need to eat a liquid diet the day before your procedure and take laxatives (pills, powder that dissolves in liquid or an enema).

You’ll be given medicine through an IV line to help you relax during the test. This is called minimal or light sedation. Learn More by reading the article below.

A colonoscopy is an exam that lets doctors see inside your colon or rectum. It is usually done to find out what is causing your symptoms or to check for colorectal cancer. The test is also used to remove polyps, which are often the first sign of colon cancer. Doctors can also take tissue samples (biopsies) during a colonoscopy. The test can be done in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. You will be given medicine (sedatives or anesthesia) through a tube in your arm or hand before the procedure starts. Your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing will be watched during the procedure. Most people who have a colonoscopy do not remember the procedure afterward.

Before the procedure begins you will lie on an exam table, usually with your knees drawn toward your chest. The doctor will put a thin tube called a colonoscope into your back passage (rectum). This is long and flexible enough to go around the curves of your bowel. They may pump air into your bowel to help them see the lining of your colon better. You may feel some cramping or pain in your tummy during this part of the test. It is caused by the carbon dioxide or air that was put into your bowel and will go away shortly after the procedure is finished.

During the test, the doctor will look for signs of trouble such as polyps or blood in your stool. The doctor will also use a tool (wire loop) at the end of the colonoscope to remove any growths they find. They will send the polyps to a lab to be tested for cancer. The doctor can also spray a dye onto the lining of your intestine to highlight any areas that have extra tissue. The lining of the colon is often damaged by inflammation from Crohn’s disease or other bowel conditions, and this can be seen during a colonoscopy.

Doctors can also use a colonoscopy to treat bowel problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. The results of a colonoscopy can help doctors work out what stage of bowel cancer you have and what treatment is best for you.

Preparation for a colonoscopy

If a person has a screening colonoscopy, their doctor will give them instructions to follow for the days leading up to the procedure. This may include changing the diet and taking laxatives in pill or liquid form. This is done to clean out the bowels so the doctor can see clearly during the test. People are also likely to need to do an enema the night before or on the morning of the procedure.

On the day of the procedure, the person will be asked to arrive at a hospital or medical clinic and change into a hospital gown. They will be given painkillers and a medicine to make them sleepy (sedative). Then the doctor will insert a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end (colonoscope) into their anus. This will be moved up into their rectum and then colon. The doctor will probably inflate their colon with air for a clearer view. They will use the tube to check for polyps, tumors and any other abnormalities.

A biopsy may be taken of any tissue found. If the biopsy shows cancer, the doctor may decide to remove a small piece of the colon. The doctor may also take a sample of their stool or fluid for further testing.

The procedure is usually quite safe and quick. But there is a risk of complications such as stomach cramps, gas pains and bloating. There is also a chance that the doctor will miss something or cause bleeding during the procedure. Bleeding usually occurs where a polyp is removed or a biopsy is taken.

After the test, the person will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours while they recover from the sedation. This is because it is unsafe for them to drive or work at that time. They will need to arrange for someone to drive them home or stay with them until the sedation wears off. It is important to do this because people can feel very drowsy and may not remember the test. They will also be too drowsy to sign any legal documents or drive a car after the procedure.

During a colonoscopy

During the colonoscopy, you will lie on an exam table and wear a hospital gown. A nurse will put an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to administer sedation and fluids during the procedure.

A gastroenterologist or anesthesia specialist will talk with you before the procedure and answer any questions you have. You will also be asked to sign a consent form prior to the test.

Your doctor will insert a long, thin tube called a colonoscope into your anus and move it down your rectum and large intestine. It has a camera on the end to allow your doctor to see inside your colon, as well as a light for illumination. The camera sends images to a monitor, which your doctor will watch while doing the procedure. The doctor will remove any polyps that are found, as well as take samples of any abnormal tissue for further testing.

You may feel pressure, bloating or cramping during the procedure, but it is very safe and usually not painful. You will be given pain relievers and a sedative to minimize discomfort.

When the procedure is done, you will be taken to a recovery room where you can rest comfortably until the sedation or anesthesia wears off. You will need someone to drive you home, as the effects of sedation or anesthesia can impair your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

While you are in the recovery room, your physician will explain how the procedure went and give you instructions for when it is safe to go home. You may experience a bit of gas and bloating due to the air introduced into your colon during the procedure, but these symptoms should disappear quickly as you pass gas.

After the colonoscopy, your doctor will let you know the results of any biopsies or polyps removed during the procedure. You should discuss the results with your gastroenterologist at a follow-up appointment in a few weeks. It is common to have some bleeding if polyps were removed, but this should stop within a few days. If you experience heavy or persistent bleeding, contact your doctor immediately.

Post-colonoscopy care

The recovery period following a colonoscopy is just as important as the procedure itself. In order to ensure that you get the best results from your procedure and to avoid complications it is important to follow the guidelines provided by your doctor.

As soon as your procedure is complete you will be wheeled into a recovery room or cubicle where the nurses will monitor you until the sedative wears off. At this time you will be able to leave the hospital once the nurse who is looking after you has confirmed that you are well enough. It is a good idea to have someone escort you home as the sedatives can have lingering effects that may affect your judgement and reaction times.

Once you are at home you should try to take it easy and rest. You should also try to avoid strenuous activities as these can strain your body and increase the risk of side effects. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolyte drinks, avoiding any caffeine or alcohol as these can make you dehydrated.

It is also a good idea to slowly reintroduce solid foods into your diet. At this point you should be eating bland food such as crackers, applesauce or broth and avoiding any fatty or rich foods. You should also try to take walks as this can help pass gas and reduce bloating. You may also want to use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed if you experience any discomfort.

While some cramping and bloating is normal it is vital to report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately. Unusual symptoms like severe pain, fever or blood in your stool could indicate a serious problem and should be treated as such.

It is also important to attend any follow-up appointments with your doctor as they will be able to provide you with the details of any polyps that were removed or any other findings from your test. The appointment will also give you the chance to discuss any concerns you have about your progress and how you are feeling in general.

SEO

How to Optimize Your Online Presence With Local SEO

August 14, 2025October 14, 2025 Glenn Keller

Optimizing your business’s online presence with local SEO drives more website visits, phone calls, and foot traffic to physical locations. It also improves brand awareness and credibility among local consumers.

Create content tailored to your local audience and incorporate geographic keywords in the title, URL, and metadata. Sponsoring local events and charity drives can boost your rankings and visibility while demonstrating community involvement.

Mastering keyword research is a vital part of local SEO, as it helps you optimize your content with keywords that resonate with your target audience. This improves your online visibility, drives targeted traffic, and increases your chances of converting visitors into paying customers.

To begin, identify the products and services that your target customers are searching for in your area. Then, use a keyword research tool to find related keywords and their search volumes. Once you’ve compiled a list of relevant keywords, add geo-modifiers to your search terms. These can be as simple as a city name or neighborhood, or more specific as the specific product or service you offer. For example, if you’re a dentist in Minneapolis, consider using keywords like “dentist downtown Medical Arts Building” or “exotic flower shop in RDU.”

A good keyword research tool can also help you find the best local keywords by assessing their competition and search volume. For example, Mangools displays the number of monthly searches and the difficulty level for each keyword, so you can choose ones with high search volume and low competition that are likely to perform well in organic searches.

Once you’ve identified your most promising local keywords, allocate them to the right pages on your website. Assigning your keywords to individual pages based on their content can help you achieve a more diverse range of rankings in search results. For example, if you offer a variety of moving services, your homepage might focus on packing services, while a page on your website about a particular type of move might talk about your same-day moving services. Ultimately, it’s important to continually monitor and adjust your keyword strategy based on performance data and changing market trends.

On-Page Optimization

Local on-page optimization involves optimizing individual webpages within a business’s website to align with relevant local search queries. By adding location-specific keywords, optimizing meta tags, and ensuring accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information, businesses can enhance their visibility in local search results.

Integrating keywords into a page’s content can improve its relevance to local search queries, thus attracting users who are likely to convert into customers. Keywords should be included in the title tag, meta description, and body text of a webpage to ensure their prominence. However, it is important that these keywords are incorporated naturally into the content and do not appear forced.

Optimizing a site’s internal linking structure can also help enhance its performance in local search. This can be done by ensuring that each internal link is directed to a different page of the website, rather than to an irrelevant page or one that does not provide value to the user.

It is also recommended that websites make their NAP information easily accessible to users. This can be done by making sure that the NAP information is displayed prominently on all pages of the website, such as in the header, footer, and contact page. Additionally, NAP information should be consistently presented in the same format across all online platforms that a business is listed on, such as on Nextdoor, online review sites, and online directories.

It is also recommended that businesses encourage their clients to leave reviews for them on Google and other online platforms. By doing so, a business can increase its ranking on the local search engine results page (SERP). This can be done by prompting clients to leave a review after they have received a service or purchased a product from a business.

Backlink Building

Backlinks play a critical role in local SEO, boosting the authority and relevance of your business’ website. The key is to target local links from sites that have a high domain authority and are relevant to your industry. This helps search engines understand that your business is authoritative and should rank highly for relevant local searches.

The best way to build local links is to create quality content that resonates with your audience, such as city-specific guides or news. Partnering with other local businesses or organizations can also provide valuable backlinks. This can include collaborating on an event or offering joint promotions that are promoted on both parties’ websites. Additionally, writing guest posts for popular local blogs and community websites can be an effective way to get noticed by potential link partners.

It is important to avoid common local SEO mistakes, such as over-optimizing pages or using keyword stuffing. Over-optimizing content can look spammy to Google and could result in negative SEO penalties. It is also important to keep up with changes in consumer behavior, SEO trends, and local competition.

Another local SEO strategy is to ensure that your business information is consistent across all citation sources, including online directories and review platforms. This is important to avoid duplicate listings and other errors that can affect your local search rankings. It is also important to have an accurate Google My Business (GMB) profile that reflects the products and services your business offers.

Finally, it is crucial to build relationships with other local businesses and organizations. This can include co-hosting events, providing educational or community services, and collaborating on projects. This can help you gain valuable backlinks and promote your business to a new audience.

Content Creation

There’s an old saying that content is king, and it holds true for local SEO as well. Your web pages and blog posts should be chock-full of valuable localized content that answers the questions your potential customers are most likely to ask. It’s important to take your time and create content that’s worth sharing.

While it’s tempting to simply stuff keywords into your website, this isn’t going to help you rank any higher. Instead, focus on incorporating locally relevant keywords into your content naturally. This will help search engines recognize your site as an authority on the topic, and it’s also more helpful for your audience. Start by analyzing your competitors’ websites and search engine results to identify keywords you can use. Once you’ve identified a few keywords to focus on, try using them in your product and service pages.

Additionally, be sure to include your local address and phone number in the body of your content. This is something that Google pays attention to, and it will help your business stand out in search results. If possible, localize your content to match the language and culture of your target audience. For example, if your customers are in a country where the text flows from left to right, be sure to adjust the layout of your website accordingly.

Implementing these strategies can significantly improve your online visibility and drive more traffic to your business. However, if you don’t have the time or expertise to handle local SEO on your own, consider working with a trusted local SEO expert services provider. They can save you time by automating optimization processes and allowing you to track your progress in real-time.

Social Media

When it comes to local SEO, social media can be a powerful tool that helps businesses build brand awareness, increase traffic, attract backlinks, and improve search engine rankings. However, it’s important to understand how social media impacts local SEO and how the two strategies can work together to optimize your business’ online presence.

Incorporating locally relevant keywords into your website content is an important part of local SEO. However, you must be careful not to overdo it. Adding too many keywords to your content can flag you as spammy and negatively affect your search engine ranking. Instead, try to incorporate keywords naturally into your content and include them in the title, title tag, URL, and meta description.

Another great way to incorporate local keywords into your website is through blog posts. Each new post you create is an opportunity to target a geographic keyword and increase your chances of appearing in the search results for those keywords. Plus, blogging is a great way to keep your audience engaged and show that you’re up-to-date on what’s happening in your area.

Boosting local SEO is essential for small business owners who want to get in front of their target audience. By optimizing Google business profiles, using appropriate local keywords, and creating locally relevant content, businesses can significantly enhance their visibility and grow their customer base.

While proximity, relevance, and prominence are all key factors for improving local SEO, it’s important to balance them out in order to get the most results. Proximity ensures that a business’s information is accurate and up to date, while relevance involves keywords, content, and descriptions that align with user search intent. Finally, prominence measures a business’s popularity and authority both online and offline, which can greatly impact search engine rankings.

Landscaping

The Art of Landscaping

August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 Mathew Baldwin

Landscaping Cape Girardeau is the art of designing outdoor spaces to accommodate daily activities while reflecting a homeowner’s personal style. Landscape best practices include plant selection suited to local climate conditions, sustainable maintenance strategies, and thoughtful design considerations like transitional paths, visual focal points, and proper drainage.

From increasing home value to lowering energy costs, the benefits of landscaping are wide-ranging.

Plants form the foundation of modern landscape design and elevate outdoor spaces to new heights. Their role in luxury landscapes goes beyond visual embellishment and encompasses elements like environmental stewardship, microclimate management, sensory enhancement, privacy enhancement and more. Incorporating plants that are suited to your climate and maintenance needs ensures that you’re creating a garden that is both beautiful and sustainable.

Plant features such as delicate leaves, vibrant blooms and unique growth patterns can dramatically impact the overall aesthetic of your landscape. By choosing a mix of grasses, wildflowers and shrubs with varying color palettes, heights and textures you can create formal arrangements that offer structure and balance suitable for traditional landscape styles or more naturalistic arrangements perfect for contemporary settings.

Landscapes featuring native plants are a great way to increase the biodiversity of your garden. Natives have adapted to your specific environment over thousands of years and support local wildlife species. In addition, they require fewer fertilizers and chemicals than conventional lawns.

Incorporating a variety of plant heights, colors and textures offers depth and complexity to your garden. By strategically incorporating grasses, flowering shrubs and perennials into your landscape, you can create a balanced groundplane that’s easy to maintain. For those who prefer a low-maintenance approach, there are many options available that allow you to enjoy your garden with minimal upkeep, such as no-mow grass varieties and drip irrigation systems.

Hardscapes

Hardscapes are the non-living components of a landscape design that include man-made elements such as walkways, patios, walls and driveways. They can improve the aesthetic and usability of your outdoor space, while complementing the horticultural features.

The right materials and design will ensure that your hardscapes blend seamlessly with your home and natural surroundings. Concrete pavers offer durability and versatility, while granite and marble are more luxurious options that add a distinctive look. For a more organic feel, flagstone and landscape rock are good choices for pathways and garden bed edging. Retaining walls are an excellent way to control erosion and stabilize slopes, while adding visual interest to your garden.

In addition to improving the appearance of your home, a well-designed hardscape project can also increase your property value. For example, a gorgeous stone patio, stylish paver walkway or elegant retaining wall can make your home stand out from the competition and turn heads.

Functionally, hardscapes can transform outdoor spaces into living rooms, allowing for family gatherings and socializing. They can also add privacy by separating your yard from the street. Additionally, features like fire pits and outdoor kitchens can improve your home’s resale value by making it more attractive to buyers.

Professional hardscaping services provide expertise across design, material selection, project management and long-term maintenance planning-benefits that DIY projects rarely match. They use accurate site analysis and modern techniques to optimize space, ensuring longevity and resistance to environmental wear and tear. They can also incorporate sustainable options such as permeable pavers that manage stormwater and reduce flooding, as well as recycled materials for a greener finish. Lastly, they can make sure your hardscape is properly maintained, by clearing debris and securing built-in water features before winter.

Lighting

Landscape lighting brings out the best in your home’s architecture and draws people outdoors. Whether you want to highlight the beauty of an architectural detail or a tree trunk, create an intimate seating area with soft illumination, or make your pool shimmer under the stars, well-designed landscape lighting elevates your property and extends outdoor living past sunset.

The proper use of lighting not only adds ambiance to your landscaping, but it can also improve safety and security. For example, walkways and steps can be illuminated to increase visibility, reducing the risk of injuries from slips or falls in the dark. Lighting can also help deter burglars by increasing visibility around the property, making it harder for them to hide or sneak into your home undetected.

Spotlighting outdoor art is a popular trend that can enhance the appeal of your property and create a welcoming, warm ambiance after the sun goes down. It’s important to consider sight lines from multiple points of view when illuminating artwork, and it should complement rather than compete with other lighting elements in the landscaping. Smart technology is increasingly being integrated into landscape spotlight systems, allowing you to control and adjust lighting settings with ease.

Landscape lights aren’t just for visual appeal; they can increase your home’s value. By highlighting the unique features of your property, lighting can draw in potential buyers and set your home apart from other homes on the market. In addition, well-lit homes have a lower crime rate, as burglars are more likely to be seen by neighbors and law enforcement officers. In addition, eco-friendly options like LED lights reduce energy consumption and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Lines

Lines are one of the most important tools for landscape art and are fundamental in establishing a realistic look. Horizon lines and vanishing points are two important concepts that help create depth and structure in a painting or drawing. When positioned correctly, these lines can make your work feel bigger and more alive, adding a 3D effect to a flat surface. They also aid in making objects that are closer seem larger and more detailed, while those that are further away appear smaller and less defined.

Whether they’re natural or man-made, leading lines help guide the viewer’s eye to your landscape’s focal point. They can be straight, curved, diagonal or repetitive patterns. For example, flowing water, tree branches or a row of flowers all naturally create lines that lead the eye into the shot. Other examples include roads, pathways and fence lines.

When planning your landscaping, consider how you want to use the space and what type of atmosphere you would like. For instance, if you plan on entertaining guests or spending time outdoors, consider incorporating patios and pergolas. These features provide plenty of room for gatherings and will add interest to the overall design of your home’s exterior.

The color of your landscape is another important factor in its appearance. Warm colors like red, yellow and orange can make a scene feel more exciting while cool colors such as green, blue and purple can help convey a more serene mood. In addition, the intensity of light at different times of day can affect the way you perceive colors. For example, bright sunlight can give a scene a warm glow while low light can cause shadows and highlights to appear cooler and more muted.

Texture

A landscape is more visually interesting when it contains a variety of textures. Texture refers to the roughness or softness of a surface, and can be experienced tactilely through touch or seen at any distance. Whether it be the surface of a rock, the grain of wood, the fine lines of a sedge or grass or the coarseness of a plant’s bark, seed head or leaves, texture provides a variety of ways to add interest to a garden and evoke different emotions and feelings in a viewer.

A predominance of smooth textures creates a calm and serene feeling, while rough textures can evoke an energy and drama. Texture also has a practical side as it can add traction to walkways and patios or provide a natural surface for seating areas.

There are many ways to incorporate a variety of textures into your garden, such as adding different types of plants, mixing up the visual plant texture, contrasting smooth and rough textures, and even changing the color of your mulch. However, it’s important to remember that a landscape that’s overloaded with texture can actually make it look chaotic and unorganized, so try not to overdo it.

Observing the natural world and practicing various drawing techniques are both helpful in understanding texture and capturing it in landscape art. It’s also a good idea to experiment with different tools and materials to find the one that works best for you. Achieving realistic texture in your landscape design takes time and patience, but the rewards are great. Texture can greatly improve a landscape, whether it’s a simple flower bed or a complex, lush backyard retreat. It’s a perfect way to add depth, visual interest and functionality to your garden.

Insulation

Common Signs Your Property Needs New Insulation

August 4, 2025August 14, 2025 Lance

Insulation is one of the most critical yet often overlooked elements of any building. Whether it’s a home, office, or commercial space, insulation plays a vital role in maintaining indoor temperature, reducing energy costs, and improving overall comfort. Over time, however, insulation can degrade, become less effective, or fail to meet modern energy efficiency standards. Knowing when it’s time to replace or upgrade your Insulation can save you money and enhance the comfort and value of your property.

Rising Energy Bills

One of the most noticeable signs of poor insulation is a sudden or steady increase in energy bills. When insulation becomes less effective, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This extra strain leads to more frequent use and higher utility costs. If your energy consumption seems unusually high compared to past years, and your usage habits haven’t changed, your insulation might be to blame.

Poor insulation allows heat to escape during the winter and enter during the summer, making it harder to regulate indoor temperatures. Upgrading to new, properly installed insulation can significantly reduce energy usage and bring your utility bills back to manageable levels.

Uneven Temperatures Throughout the Property

Do some rooms in your property feel colder in the winter or hotter in the summer compared to others? Uneven indoor temperatures are often a result of inconsistent or degraded insulation. This is particularly common in multi-story homes, where heat tends to rise and accumulate in the upper floors, leaving the lower floors chilly.

Inadequate insulation in walls, attics, crawl spaces, or basements can create cold or hot spots throughout a building. New insulation ensures a consistent thermal barrier that regulates temperature evenly across all rooms.

Cold Drafts or Air Leaks

If you frequently feel cold drafts near windows, doors, or floors—even when they’re closed—it could be due to insulation gaps or failing air seals. Air leaks allow outside air to seep in and conditioned air to escape, making your HVAC system work harder than necessary.

Drafts are not only uncomfortable, but they also indicate that your insulation is no longer creating an effective barrier. New insulation, combined with proper air sealing, can eliminate drafts and increase indoor comfort.

Overworked HVAC System

If your heating or cooling system runs almost constantly and still struggles to maintain a set temperature, your insulation could be underperforming. When your insulation doesn’t properly contain conditioned air, your HVAC system has to work overtime to compensate for the heat gain or loss.

This overuse can lead to frequent maintenance issues, a shortened lifespan for your system, and increased repair costs. Installing new insulation helps reduce the workload on your HVAC system, improving its efficiency and extending its useful life.

Cold Walls, Floors, or Ceilings

Touch the interior surfaces of your walls, floors, and ceilings. If they feel cold to the touch during winter or hot in the summer, it may mean that insulation within those areas is lacking or failing. Proper insulation should act as a thermal barrier that prevents temperature transfer through surfaces.

New insulation adds a layer of protection, keeping interior surfaces closer to room temperature and making your space more comfortable overall.

Frequent Pests or Insect Problems

Rodents and insects often find their way into properties through poorly sealed or inadequately insulated areas, particularly in attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Damaged or deteriorated insulation can provide easy access and even nesting material for pests.

If you’ve noticed an increase in pest activity despite taking preventative measures, it could be time to inspect your insulation. Upgrading it not only boosts energy efficiency but also helps block entry points and discourages infestations.

Moisture and Mold Growth

Moisture accumulation is another major warning sign of insulation failure. Insufficient insulation can lead to condensation on walls, ceilings, and windows, particularly in high-humidity areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.

Moisture that’s allowed to linger can promote the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage structural components and compromise indoor air quality. Replacing old insulation and ensuring proper vapor barriers are in place can help prevent mold issues and maintain a healthier environment.

Ice Dams on the Roof in Winter

If you live in a cold climate, you may notice ice dams forming along the edges of your roof during winter. Ice dams are caused when warm air escapes through the attic and melts snow on the roof, which then refreezes at the edges.

This cycle not only leads to potential water damage but also signals poor attic insulation and ventilation. Upgrading insulation in the attic can stop heat loss, reduce the formation of ice dams, and help protect your roof from seasonal wear and tear.

Insulation Appears Compressed or Dirty

If you have access to visible insulation in your attic or crawl spaces, take a look at its condition. Insulation that appears compressed, dirty, discolored, or damp is no longer functioning as it should. Over time, insulation materials can settle or break down, losing their ability to trap air and provide thermal resistance.

Old or damaged insulation should be replaced with newer materials that meet modern energy codes and efficiency standards. Clean, dry, and well-installed insulation works much more effectively at insulating your property.

Older Home Without Upgraded Insulation

If your property is older and has never had its insulation upgraded, it likely doesn’t meet current energy efficiency standards. Many older homes were built with minimal insulation or outdated materials that don’t perform well by today’s standards.

Even if you haven’t noticed obvious signs of poor insulation, it’s worth having an energy audit or insulation inspection done to assess your home’s current performance. An upgrade can bring long-term savings and a major comfort boost.

Benefits of Replacing Old Insulation

Identifying the signs of failing insulation is just the first step. Replacing or upgrading your insulation can deliver a wide range of benefits:

Lower energy bills through improved thermal efficiency
Increased indoor comfort with stable room temperatures
Better indoor air quality with reduced moisture and allergens
Quieter interior spaces due to the sound-dampening qualities of insulation
Environmental benefits through reduced energy consumption
Higher property value from improved energy performance

While some insulation upgrades, such as adding batt insulation to accessible attics, can be tackled by homeowners, many situations require the expertise of a professional. Trained insulation contractors can assess your home’s unique needs, identify problem areas, and recommend the best insulation type and installation method.

A professional assessment can also uncover hidden issues, such as inadequate air sealing, moisture problems, or structural weaknesses that impact insulation performance.

Insulation may be out of sight, but its performance is central to the health, comfort, and efficiency of your property. If you’ve noticed rising energy bills, uneven temperatures, or any of the other signs mentioned in this article, it’s likely time to consider upgrading your insulation.

Addressing insulation issues promptly not only saves money but also ensures a more comfortable and sustainable living environment. Don’t wait for small problems to turn into major expenses—regularly inspect your insulation and invest in upgrades when necessary for better performance and peace of mind.

Plumbing

Why Septic Tank Cleaning Is Essential for Home Maintenance

July 31, 2025September 7, 2025 Lance

While modern appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and garbage disposals make life easier, they can also strain your septic system. For instance, running multiple loads of laundry or dumping food scraps into the septic tank throws off the primordial ecosystem that breaks down waste.

Septic systems work by separating wastewater into layers, with lighter solids floating to the surface as scum and heavier particles sinking and compacting as sludge. Regular Septic Tank Cleaning Perth ensures that these layers remain separate, keeping them from clogging pipes and soil absorption fields.

Prevents Clogs

Keeping your septic tank clean can prevent clogs, which is why it’s essential to schedule regular maintenance. Clogged drains can cause wastewater to back up into the house, which is dangerous and inconvenient.

A septic system works by breaking down solid waste and treating wastewater. The tank itself is a large underground container that holds wastewater and sludge until it’s ready to be emptied.

However, the system can be overloaded with water and cause clogs when non-biodegradable materials are flushed down the toilets. This includes non-flushable items like tampons, wipes, and paper towels. It’s also important to use a septic-safe garbage disposal and keep grease out of the drain lines, as this can solidify into clogs.

Other warning signs of a clogged septic system include slow draining and gurgling sounds coming from the pipes. To prevent these issues, schedule regular septic tank pumpings every two to five years and follow prevention tips like staggering laundry loads, installing low-flow fixtures, and being mindful of water usage. You can also add bacterial additives to the septic tank to help break down waste more effectively.

Prevents Backups

Although it may not be an ideal situation to have to live with, neglecting septic system maintenance can lead to inconvenient waste clogs and costly repairs. However, by taking preventative measures, you can avoid this issue. Getting your septic tank pumped regularly and maintaining a good microbial ecosystem within the system can help to keep it functioning well.

When solids enter your septic tank, lighter materials will float to the top as scum, and heavier materials will sink and collect into sludge. This helps to separate them so that they do not clog pipes or strain the soil’s natural absorption ability. However, as the sludge layer builds up, it becomes more difficult for wastewater to pass through into the drain field, and it also increases the likelihood of clogs in household plumbing.

In addition, sewage overflow is an unpleasant and potentially dangerous problem that can expose family members to harmful bacteria and even contaminate the surrounding environment. Regular cleanings and inspections can ensure that your septic system is working properly, which is vitally important for you and the surrounding environment.

https://www.septictankarmadale.com.au/

(08) 6117 5752
18 Brumby Pl, Armadale WA 6112, Australia

Prevents Sewage Smells

Septic tank systems require a delicate balance of bacteria to break down waste. If too many of the same types of materials are dumped into the system, this can cause a disruption in the bacterial balance and lead to the system becoming overloaded. This can lead to clogs, sewage backups, and untreated wastewater spilling into the yard or home.

Regular septic tank cleaning is the best way to prevent these issues from occurring. A septic tank cleaning service will also include a thorough inspection of the drain field and other parts of your plumbing system. This is the only way to catch any small problems and prevent them from causing big ones.

If you notice sewage smells wafting into your home or yard, call a plumber right away. The smells may be limited to one area of the house, which indicates a problem with a drain or sewer line. For example, a smell coming from the bathroom may mean that the toilet’s P-trap has dried out. A plumber will be able to fix this issue quickly, preventing unpleasant septic tank odors from entering your home.

Prevents Environmental Damage

As a homeowner, it’s easy to take your septic system for granted until something goes wrong. But regular cleanings and inspections can protect your home and prevent expensive repairs. They also help to preserve the value of your property.

Septic tanks that are not pumped out frequently can allow wastewater to flood the yard and garden soil, introducing harmful bacteria and chemicals into local waterways. Excess nutrients encourage algae blooms, contaminating drinking water and threatening public health.

If you notice a change in your well water, such as cloudiness or unpleasant smells, it may indicate contamination. If you spot green, lush grass above or around your drain field, it could also indicate that wastewater is surfacing instead of being absorbed.

Avoid dumping non-biodegradables (cigarette butts, paper towels), sanitary products, cooking grease, disinfectants, paint thinner, polyurethane, pesticides, and other harsh chemical cleaners into your septic system. These can damage the delicate balance of bacteria that maintains your tank and leach field lines. Always use septic-safe or all-natural cleaning products. These contain fewer chemical solvents and are less likely to damage the system.

Prevents Costly Repairs

A septic tank that is neglected can develop into a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and pathogens. This poses a serious health risk for homeowners and their families, and it may also impact the local environment. Regular cleaning and maintenance help prevent this by ensuring that all waste is properly contained.

During cleaning, professionals remove the sludge and scum layers from the septic tank using high-powered equipment. This eliminates any potential blockages in drainpipes and minimizes the risk of system failure and costly repairs down the line.

The septic tank contents are then disposed of in compliance with local regulations, ensuring that the environment is protected. Homeowners can further support the integrity of their septic system by fixing household leaks, spacing out laundry loads, and avoiding flushing non-biodegradable items like wipes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.

Investing in a well-functioning septic system protects your family and preserves the value of your home. It is especially important to schedule routine septic tank cleaning every three to five years, or as needed, depending on the size of the tank and your household water usage.

Uncategorized

How Solar Panels Can Increase Your Home’s Value

June 21, 2025June 21, 2025 Lance

A solar panel is a series of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. They generate energy without releasing any harmful gases.

Choose a reputable installer that offers equipment from well-known brands and is financially stable. Ask about available incentives and financing options.

Choose a model that best fits your roof and budget. The best-performing panels use monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon.

Reduced Electricity Bills

Solar energy is an incredibly clean source of power. While fossil fuels produce many unwanted pollutants, solar does not. In addition, when used on a large scale, solar energy can help to reduce electricity bills and dependence on imports.

Solar panels generate electricity using the photovoltaic effect, turning sunlight into direct current (DC) or alternate current (AC). When DC is converted to AC, it can be used to power homes and businesses, or fed into the electric grid for use by all.

There are many different types of solar panels available. The most common use is monocrystalline silicon cells, which are manufactured by melting silicon into a block and cutting it into wafers. Metal connectors are then soldered to the wafers, and ethylene vinyl acetate glue holds everything together. These parts are then encased in glass, and the panel is mounted on your roof.

Another popular type is thin film, which combines layers of solar materials like amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide. These panels are more flexible than other types and can be used in curved or shaded areas. Thin-film solar panels have the added benefit of being easier to recycle than other types of solar panels. However, some waste from the manufacturing process – such as silicon tetrachloride – is generated, and this needs to be managed safely.

Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The sun’s rays create electricity, and solar PV (photovoltaic) systems harness this energy to power homes or businesses. This reduces carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and cuts back on pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and particulates that are bad for human health.

There are many different types of solar panels available, ranging from monocrystalline to thin-film. Monocrystalline are the best-performing and longest-lasting — they have an efficiency of between 15% and 20%, and take up less space than other types. They’re also the most expensive, but they’re worth it for homeowners that value a high-quality product.

Thin-film panels use a variety of materials with photovoltaic properties, like amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride or copper indium gallium selenide to produce electricity. They’re cheaper than monocrystalline, but have lower efficiency rates of between 7 and 10%. They’re often used for large-scale installations and in places with shaded roofs.

The simplest type of solar panel is fixed to a support frame that’s tilted south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere) for maximum efficiency. More complex deployments use motor-driven tracking systems that continually reorient to follow the daily and seasonal movements of the sun.

Reduced Water Consumption

The solar panels on a home or commercial building collect energy from the sun, which is then converted into electricity by an inverter. That electricity is then fed into the electrical system, which uses it to power appliances and other devices. Since they don’t require direct sunlight to work, they can also function on cloudy days or during the night.

Depending on the type of solar panel, its performance can be monitored with a smartphone app or microinverters that are affixed to each individual panel. Both options can provide insights into the performance of the panel and help homeowners identify issues quickly.

A basic solar panel is composed of a silicon matrix sandwiched between a glass front plate and a polymer back sheet. A phosphorus layer gives each cell its electrical charge, and metal connectors connect the cells to form a single panel. A protective polymer or glass sheet is then affixed over the top, and the entire unit is held together with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) glue.

Several different types of solar panels are available, based on their manufacturing materials. Among the most popular are monocrystalline and polycrystalline, both of which are made from melted silicon. The former is cast into long cylinders and sliced into thin wafers, making it more efficient than its competitor, with lab tests showing it can reach up to 23 percent efficiency.

Increased Home Value

Adding solar energy to your home can increase its value. Solar PV panels are viewed as upgrades, similar to a renovated kitchen or finished basement, and buyers are willing to pay premiums for homes with them. A study by Berkeley National Laboratory found that, on average, a house with an average-sized solar system sold for $15,000 more than a comparable property without it.

A solar power system is a long-term investment, but it is a good choice for homeowners who want to save money on energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. It is also a good option for people who live in rural areas and don’t have access to the main electric grid, as solar panels can generate enough electricity for their needs.

Solar panel technology has improved over time, and newer models offer more efficiency and higher peak power ratings. Some new solar systems include performance monitoring, which allows homeowners to see how much power their panels are producing in real time. Your solar retailer or installer can explain what the different options mean for you.

In addition to installing solar, there are other ways that homeowners can improve their home’s energy efficiency, such as installing new windows or upgrading appliances to more efficient versions. Rocket Mortgage recently reported that 35.7% of home buyers surveyed prioritized energy-efficient features when buying a new property.