There's no doubt about it... Florida can be very hot and humid during the summer months.  I've also been hearing in the news that this summer has also been especially hard in other parts of the country as well.  Whether it's due to global warming or just coincidental, it's always a good idea to take energy conservation seriously. 

Taking steps now to conserve home energy costs can save you money over time.  These steps range from the free or low-cost to the more expensive which are worthwhile but will take longer to see a return on investment (ROI).  Examples of both include keeping your blinds closed (except during showings if your home is for sale), installing a programmable thermostat, regularly replacing your A/C filter, vacuuming any build-up of dust on refrigerator and freezer coils, lowering your hot water heaters' temperature setting, installing window tinting, or replacing your air-conditioning system with a new, more efficient one.  Whole house air-conditioning units typically need replacement every 10-12 years in Florida.

Also, many utility companies offer homeowners a free energy audit that includes a report on things you can do to lower your energy bills.  Below are some links to articles that offer home energy conservation tips:

Articles for further reading:

• A Cool Deal:  Buying Updated Air Conditioner Can Save Energy, Money
• Cool Tips for Getting Your Air Conditioning into Top Shape
• Home Energy Analysis and Energy Conservation Tips
• Chill Out: Unorthodox Approaches to Cutting Summer Energy Bills
• Cool It!  How to Cut those Skyrocketing Energy Bills
• Something Shady's Going On

We've all heard it before: first impressions are lasting impressions.  If you're planning on selling your Florida home in the near future, one way to increase your home's curb appeal as well as your Florida home's value is through landscaping.  In this article, we'll concentrate on the front yard since that's among the first things a prospective home buyer will notice as they pull up to your home. 

At a minimum, the lawn should be free of weeds, fertilized when appropriate, mowed and watered regularly and any patchy areas should be replaced with new grass or sod.  Any dead or dying plants, shrubs, etc. should be removed or replaced.  While mature trees can be great providers of shade and help reduce home energy costs, they should be pruned back if they touch your home or thinned out if they shade such a large area that grass won't grow under their branches.  Applying a fresh layer of mulch around trees, plants and in flower beds is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to improve your home's curb appeal.  Finally, placing a nice container full of flowering plants next to the front door makes for an inviting entrance.

Articles for further reading:

• Numerous Ways To Spruce Up Your Landscaping Before You Sell
• Grass: Just Say 'Yes!'
• Learning to Mulch