Landscape lighting can bring outdoor spaces to life after the sun goes down. Although in the past, landscape lighting was primarily used to provide security at night, today’s homeowners know it can do much more. Outdoor lighting can highlight a home’s architecture, create a stunning first impression, transform gardens and pathways into beautiful creations, extend the time spent outdoors, and add a resort-like feeling.

The latest fall trends include LED (Light Emitting Diode) outdoor lighting, an eco-friendly statement of style and one of the most dramatic improvements a homeowner can add to their landscaping. Renewable energy for the home has become a hot trend sweeping the nation in the last decade and outdoor lighting is no exception.

“Contemporary LED lighting systems are a smart investment and the future of landscape lighting,” says Tobi Ulemek, owner of TRU Landscape Services. “Professionally installed and maintained outdoor LED landscape lighting systems increases the safety and beauty of a home or business while adding resale value at the same time. LED lighting also offers energy efficient illumination that uses a fraction of the power consumption of similar traditional incandescent fixtures and will outlive its incandescent counterparts by decades.”

Not only is LED landscape lighting about 80% more efficient, LEDs work silently without emitting noise, do not contain dangerous substances like mercury, and come in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

With 25 years of experience in providing landscape lighting, TRU Landscape Service can help homeowners find the perfect solutions to deter intruders by eliminating dark areas and shadows as well as provide a refuge for relaxation after dark with the latest state-of-the-art lighting products. Their installers are trained and educated about each product and all their landscaping products are guaranteed to last.

To learn more about this company where perfection is the only option, please visit their website www.trulandscape.com or check out their profile on BuildZoom.

The post Why LED Landscape Lighting is a Smart Way to Save Green by Going Green appeared first on Remodeling View.

Sharpbuilt Construction is looking forward to sharing their services on a new website, http://www.sharpbuiltinc.com/. “We are a small owner operated and owner supervised, artisanal company,” said Anthony. A more intimate work environment guarantees an ardent emphasis on quality craftsmanship for Sharpbuilt Construction. “We love building and are passionate about making our clients dream a reality,” said Anthony.

With a rising demand in green building and sustainability homeowners are looking for ways to reduce the depletion of materials. Building more efficiently can be accomplished by the reuse of materials. Sharpbuilt Construction utilizes high efficiency appliances, reclaimed wood, reuse and sustainable materials for a more eco-conscious home. Reclaimed wood, is unique, high-quality wood from historic buildings or old barns that can be used for flooring, cabinets, walls and furniture. “Green building is a more responsible and efficient way to live,” said Anthony. Green building provides a reduction in emissions, water conservation and waste reduction. Along with environmental benefits come economic advantages such as a reduction in energy and water bills and improved health with the reduction of toxins.

Kitchens and bathrooms are among the most popular renovations homeowners are currently requesting. Homeowners looking for a complete remodel, expansion or custom design can turn to Sharpbuilt Construction to meet their needs and requirements. Specializing in modern design and building, they can help guide customers along in an exciting home transformation. Multi-tasking kitchens, luxurious bathrooms and open floor plans transform a bathroom and kitchen from simple and utilitarian to efficient and spectacular. Improvements such as lighting, new cabinets, countertops, frameless shower doors, custom tile, new fixtures, integrated appliances, and kitchen islands for cooking prep and dining can have a striking impact on a room. Sharpbuilt also provides a variety of sustainable options for renovations like high efficiency appliances, reclaimed wood, bamboo, PaperStone, (a sustainable countertop material) and paint with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). “There are common misconceptions about going green, the products are too expensive, your aesthetic will have to be sacrificed, you have to live like a hippie, these ideas are simply not true,” said Anthony. Many green products carry a lower price tag than traditional products and can be implemented into any design aesthetic.

Additions give homeowners the opportunity to expand their living space without the inconvenience and large expense of moving. Additions are providing the solution to homeowners who need more room while improving the design, livability and efficiency of their home. As families grow and transition their needs can demand a change in the home’s layout. Sharpbuilt Construction can seamlessly blend a home office, mother-in-law suite, mud room and additional room into the current layout and design of a home. “An addition should offer confluence with the home, it should not feel foreign to the original style of the home,” said Anthony.

For more information about this company, please call (415)578-5697, or visit their website http://www.sharpbuiltinc.com.

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Solar energy systems have low maintenance costs and the fuel is free once the higher initial cost of the system is recovered through subsidies and energy savings. According to the USDA On-Farm Energy Production Survey, solar panels have been the most prominent way to produce on-farm renewable energy.

“Agricultural solar systems are more affordable and efficient than before,” explains Jay Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Sun Pacific Solar Electric, Inc., who has been designing and installing solar systems since 1996. “Solar powered agricultural pumping power systems can save money, increase self-reliance, reduce pollution, and provide irrigation during daylight hours when farms need it the most. Ranchers can also provide fresh water for livestock with agricultural solar water pumping.”

The sun’s rays can be used to generate electricity, warm homes and livestock buildings, and provide hot water for pen cleaning. Photovoltaic (PV) panels are a highly reliable and low maintenance option for electric fences, lights, and water pumps.

Although electric and fuel prices will always increase, clients using solar power can enjoy the security against all rising energy costs.  Some benefits include:

• Saves or eliminates fuel and maintenance costs

• No generators, inverters, grid interconnections, or batteries are required

• Increased pump reliability

• Systems qualify for 30% federal tax cuts

Sun Pacific Solar Electric, Inc. is the top provider of solar panel installation and service in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Last year their work was featured in the Santa Barbara Contractors Magazine for an historical project and they have provided solar power for the Santa Barbara Search & Rescue Radio Repeater Station, Bishop Diego High School, and Figueroa Mountain Lookout Station.

North County lenders including Community West Bank and Cal Coastal Rural Loans, and the USDA Farm Service Agency have recognized the benefits of solar power for agricultural customers and recently sponsored a workshop to introduce area growers, vintners and others to their new solar water transporting process and discuss financing options. “We thought businesses in our area, particularly agricultural operations using lots of water and power, would be interested in a new process which can conserve on both,” said Mike Kirkwood, Vice President for Commercial Lending for Community West Bank.

To learn more about this company with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, check out their profile on BuildZoom.

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Why go green? In addition to saving money and resources, occupants of green homes enjoy healthier and more comfortable indoor environments, higher productivity levels, and an improved quality of life. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 36% of total energy use and 65% of electricity consumption. One of the greatest benefits of green buildings is decreased electricity and energy usage, which helps reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes the strain on local utility infrastructure.

Fehl Construction has provided residents with environmentally-friendly and budget-friendly newly constructed and remodeled homes for the past 30 years. In addition to a general contractor’s license and C10 electrical license, Fehl Construction has a Green Building Certification as part of their commitment to the environment. The certification allows the company to offer a complete building package while promoting energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy.  As a participant of PG&E’s rebate program, they can help their customers make conservation-conscious decisions while saving money.

“We promote energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy as it applies to framing, insulation, windows, water heating, appliances, heating and cooling, lighting and resource conservation,“ says owner of Fehl Construction, Jim Fehl. “On the job site we reduce material waste through recycling, reuse, landscaping, water conservation, efficient framing, durability, and material choices. By participating in PG&E’s rebate program, we look forward to continuing to work with families to improve energy efficiency in their homes and helping them save even more money.”

PG&E Whole House Rebate Program offers both basic and advanced packages. The program encourages residents to take a “whole house” approach by combining several related improvements at once to increase a home’s overall energy efficiency and achieve greater savings. A basic upgrade package can reduce energy consumption by an average of 10% and offers up to $1000 in rebates. An advanced package includes an energy audit and can provide 15% to 40% of energy savings with incentives ranging from $1250 to $4000 depending on efficiency improvements.

To find out more about this exceptional company, please visit their profile on BuildZoom.

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