Energy Efficient Landscaping for Your Commercial Property

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 19:00:00 GMT

With increasing energy costs, businesses are always on the lookout for ways to save money. Did you know that you can cut heating and cooling expenses by strategically landscaping your commercial property? Here are four tips you can put to use to lower your utility bills.

Plant Shrubs and Bushes Near Your Building

Use lower shrubs and bushes around the first floor of your building to protect this lower level. They’ll block wind, help hold in winter heat, and provide insulation to keep cool air in summer. Just make sure the soil you plant in has good drainage. You don’t want excess moisture from water sitting on your foundation for too long.

Use Evergreens to Block Wind

A wall of evergreen trees, like pine, spruce, or cypress, can act like a windscreen in colder months. If you get heavy winter winds from the north, for example, plant a line of evergreens along the north line of your property to block the chilling effects of these winds. More mature trees will give you better coverage faster.

Let Deciduous Trees Provide Shade

In summer, deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in autumn) are the heroes. Plant leafy trees near your business building to give cooling shade and a little breeze on hot days. Then, when winter comes, the warming sun will still be able to shine through. When adding deciduous trees, ensure they’re spaced far enough from your structure to avoid branches damaging your roof. Also, remember that they’ll grow over time, so leave room for the canopy to expand over the coming years.

Take Advantage of the Hardiness of Native Plants

When selecting plants for any business property landscaping needs, try to buy natives whenever possible. These are plants that are from your geographic area. They will do better because they’re meant to grow in your climate, whether you have dry summers, wet winters, or a heavy snow pack half the year. Native species can usually withstand more ups and downs in water supply and temperature changes too.

How are native plants more energy efficient? You likely won't have to run your irrigation system as often for them because they’re less fussy. And they’ll grow bigger and faster than so-called exotic species from other regions, giving you the energy-saving results you want quicker.

Any time you make improvements to your business property, including landscaping, you should make sure your commercial property insurance reflects the upgrades. Call Midwest Focus Group Insurance Services at 309-596-3900 today if you need insurance for your business.

Read the full article at www.midwestfocusinsurance.com

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 19:00:00 GMT

Keys in a door by PhotoMIX Company

Whether you’re just getting away for a long weekend or spending a few weeks out of the house, it’s important to ensure your home is safe while you’re gone. Follow these tips to help prevent break-ins, fires, and water damage.

Pause Your Mail and Paper Delivery

It’s immediately apparent to anyone passing by that you’re not home if your mail and newspapers are piled up on your porch. Also, these items and unattended parcels are subject to theft and weather damage. Have the post office and newspaper carrier stop delivery while you’re gone, or have a friend or neighbor collect everything for you. Likewise, have someone shovel your snow in winter.

Use Motion Sensor and Automated Lights

Outside lights that are triggered by motion can trick would-be intruders into thinking that someone’s home or watching the house. It’s easy to add motion detection to the lights at your entrances and over the garage.

Use automated lights inside the home via a timer or smart system controlled by your mobile phone to make it look like people are there even when no one is home. For example, photocell landscape lights turn on automatically outside when the sun goes down and shut off again in the morning when the sun rises.

Utilize Smart Home Security

Suppose a full security system that connects to an alarm company or law enforcement isn’t an option. In that case, you can harness relatively inexpensive smart home technology to make your home more secure. Some options include:

Doorbell cameras
Smart locks
Security alarms on doors and windows
Remote garage door controls

You’ll be able to operate these items remotely from across the state or the globe, and in some cases, you can even see who is on your property in your absence.

Install a Wifi Smoke Detector

If a regular smoke alarm goes off while you’re not home, who would hear it and call the fire department? A more modern wifi smoke detector will alert you and, in many instances, notify your local fire department for you if it senses smoke or fire.

Shut Off Water or Consider a Water Leak Sensor

You don’t want to return to a flooded home and massive water damage because a pipe burst or your washing machine connection broke. Either shut off your water at the main valve, or install smart plumbing that uses sensors to alert you about leaks, broken faucets, and other water emergencies.

Never Turn Off Heat Completely in Winter Cold Weather

A common way pipes burst in winter is due to freezing. Therefore, you never want to completely shut off your heat if you live in a cold climate and leave for vacation. Instead, lower the heat, never below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A programmable or smart thermostat lets you raise the heat again before you come home.

You can safeguard your home when you go away on vacation, and the proper home insurance policy can give you peace of mind year round. To learn more, call Midwest Focus Group Insurance Services at 309-596-3900, or request a quote online.

Read the full article at www.midwestfocusinsurance.com

Insurance News

Energy Efficient Landscaping for Your Commercial Property

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation