The Green Garden: Power-Saving Ideas for Outdoor Spaces

For Texans seeking to manage rising energy costs, looking beyond the interior of the home for potential savings can be a smart move. Fort Worth prepaid electricity, available through Pronto Power, empowers consumers to embrace eco-conscious practices that transform their outdoor spaces into environmentally responsible green gardens. This not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also results in lower energy bills. Read on to discover the areas where simple yet effective strategies can be implemented for cultivating a thriving outdoor oasis that is as beautiful as it is energy-efficient.

Irrigation

Proper irrigation of your outdoor living space is essential to growth. If you have an automatic irrigation system for the lawn and garden, it’s important to test it monthly for leaks and to adjust sprinkler heads for adequate coverage so you aren’t wasting water. Consider installing a smart irrigation system to more accurately manage water use. You can often reduce up to 50% of your water usage over an older irrigation system. Never water in the heat of the day to reduce evaporation and water waste. Consider using a rainwater collection system to maintain gardens. 

Lighting

Landscape lighting enhances the beauty of your home and provides a sense of security. Older lighting systems often come with the drawback of being energy-intensive. Newer LED lights offer both greater longevity and energy efficiency. To further reduce your energy consumption, consider installing timers and motion sensors to control your landscape lighting. Timers allow you to program use, while motion sensors, strategically placed, activate lights only when movement is detected. A more aggressive approach is to switch lighting to solar-powered lights. These lights harness the sun’s energy to illuminate outdoor spaces, completely eliminating the need for electricity.

Gardening Tools

Electric gardening tools are convenient and time efficient. However, they come with a hidden cost to our ecosystems. To minimize their environmental impact, prioritize using hand tools whenever possible. When electric tools are necessary, use them with mindfulness: limit their operation time, and promptly unplug them after each task to eliminate unnecessary power drain.

Landscape Materials

Often overlooked, the appropriate design and the correct materials for use in your outdoor spaces can significantly impact your energy consumption. Introducing mulch, which acts as a natural insulator and retains moisture in the soil, reduces the need for frequent irrigation which translates to less energy spent. Native plants, grasses and trees are an eco-friendly choice, as they thrive with minimal intervention, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. Purposeful planting of native trees to provide shade over your home in the summer helps to reduce the need for air conditioning. Trees can also serve as wind buffers that minimize heat loss during the cooler months, reducing heating costs.

Pools and Patios

Also overlooked as a culprit to soaring electric bills is your pool filtration system. Regular inspection and maintenance of your equipment can keep operational costs to a minimum. Clogged skimmers and filters force the pump to work harder, wasting energy. Keeping the filtration system clean and in good working order keeps costs lower. Consider installing a smart system or a timer to control hours of usage and adjusting those times seasonally. Consider using a solar blanket instead of a traditional heating system for your pool.

By implementing a few simple strategies, you will reap the rewards of a more beautiful and energy efficient outdoor space and a reduction in your energy bills. Choosing Pronto will provide you access to check daily energy consumption and save even more money. Call us today at 1-844-621-2852 or contact us online to get started.