Creative Ways You Can Utilize Solar Power

Creative Ways You Can Utilize Solar Power

Solar power is one of many energy sources that power homes, businesses, cars, and electronics. Solar energy is the cleanest and most environmentally friendly of all power sources. When you employ solar power, you’ll save money and discover even more creative ways to utilize sustainable energy.

Water Heater

One of the better ways to make your home energy efficient year-round is with your water heater. While you might heat a pool normally, you can use solar power to heat water in your home. Homeowners can benefit in two ways: active or passive solar heating systems.

These options differ, but the biggest difference to know is active water pumps have circulating systems while passive water systems don’t. Also, depending on your area, you may benefit from great weather and clear skies while others don’t. Consider that as you decide on an active or passive solar water system.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting, whether in a public or private place, is the best way to use solar power. With the sun’s power, you’ll have enough energy to project light all evening for guests and yourself to enjoy in the comfort of your outdoor patio.

Utilizing solar power over the traditional power grid also saves money; homeowners tend to pay less when they switch to solar power. Whether you’re entertaining daily or want a lit path to the front door, you’ll love having solar panels light up your home at night.

Transportation

Public transport vehicles are another thing many communities could power with solar energy. For instance, taxis, buses, and trains run on fuel, which hurts the environment. Switching to electric and solar power creates better energy sources that absorb sunlight.

Transportation is fun in the sun, but it could be even more enjoyable with solar power. Solar power’s a proven technology that helps the environment in many ways and provides better savings for community members.

Signs

Street signs can transition to solar power. While billboards and other signage fade over time, they cost more to replace. When costs skyrocket, it turns into larger discussions on how to save money on sign making and how cities can use public street signs without harming the local ecosystem.

The great thing about solar energy is that it helps power many things, especially street signs. They don’t need to be repainted or replaced since the power cells use energy from the sun to light up the posters and billboards.

There are many creative ways to utilize solar energy to power your devices, home, or some other asset in the community. If you’re considering solar power or on the fence about switching, let this list be the thing that gets you excited about the shift to solar power.

5 Ways To Keep Your Farm Animals Healthy

5 Ways To Keep Your Farm Animals Healthy

Taking good care of your livestock has many benefits, especially when you rely on their products for business. There are simple ways you can provide a better environment for them. To keep your farm animals healthy, you need to rely on a variety of tools and common best practices. Make a habit of these methods to ensure your animals feel their best.

Keep Them Clean and Protected

While farm animals can develop and live in almost any environmental conditions, it is important to keep their space clean and free of dangerous materials that could hurt them. When mud excessively accumulates, animals like cows have a hard time standing up because they slip, which could hurt them badly. It is also important to provide shade with a roof or cover for the scorching summer months.

Feed Them Clean

Scientists and farmers work together to understand and develop feeding processes that will benefit farm animals according to their purpose on your farm. Food high in fiber will maintain a good balance and keep most livestock healthy. Meanwhile, some seeds, syrups, and even fruits are good for sheep, goats, and pigs. Water is always crucial, no matter what animals you raise, to keep them hydrated. Ensure the water is clean to prevent harmful bacteria from developing.

Track Their Development

Tracking the way your animals move, how active they are, and how consistently they eat will tell you how they are developing. If you are raising animals for sale, you need to learn the basics about livestock scales and choose one that will help you track growth and weight. This will ensure that you reach your goals while monitoring your animals for any unwanted changes.

Keep Species Separate

Some species act differently and carry different diseases. It is important to keep specific groups of animals together, whether it is at the farm or while transporting them. Doing this will prevent the larger livestock from injuring smaller animals and allow you to keep better track of your flocks and droves.

Monitor For Disease and Quarantine When Necessary

If your animals show signs of injury, distress, or pain, it is essential to address it immediately. In an effort to keep your farm animals healthy, you often need to isolate the ones exhibiting symptoms to avoid potentially spreading diseases. Work with a local veterinarian to ensure your animals are in the best shape possible and learn what signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for.

3 Tips for Keeping Your Caught Fish Fresh

3 Tips for Keeping Your Caught Fish Fresh

Successful fishing requires a combination of the right gear and methods, then a time of trial and error out on the water. Don’t waste all your preparation and work just to let your catch spoil. Make the most of your harvest with these three tips for keeping your caught fish fresh.

Immediately Ice Fish

Putting your fish in ice will help preserve good flavor and prevent the flesh from changing texture. Put ice above, below, and around the fish to maximize the cold surface area. Crushed ice, rather than blocks, will increase the contact between the ice and fish and keep the fish cold more effectively.

Keep your cooler drain open to let the melting ice drain away. Letting the fish sit in water can damage the meat and make it mushy, throwing off the flavor and texture. Be sure to replenish the ice if the levels get low.

Clean the Fish ASAP

The next tip for keeping your fish fresh is to clean it as soon as possible. If you don’t bleed your fish enough or delay gutting it, blood clots can form in the meat.

Rinse the oil from the fish, pat the fish dry, and keep your knife clean between uses to prevent the spread of bacteria. Lay the fish on newspaper and have plenty of newspaper on hand to catch the refuse you’ll clean away.

After removing the scales, cut a V-shape incision into the fish’s belly, carefully avoiding piercing the intestines. Open the fish carcass and remove the entrails. Then, clean out the cavity.

If you want, remove the head by cutting behind the gills. Be sure to clean your cleaning area thoroughly and throw away the newspaper filled with guts, heads, and scales.

Vacuum Seal To Keep Fish Fresh Longer

Once you get home, you can place your fish in the fridge if you plan to cook it in one or two days. Put fish in an airtight container. Frozen raw fish is best eaten within three to six months. One of the best ways to package frozen fish is to vacuum seal it. The vacuum seal will prevent moisture loss and preserve the flavor and texture of the meat.

While a regular vacuum sealer might work, fish has a high water content that can make the process impossible or inefficient. But when you choose a vacuum sealer for fish, you won’t need to worry about the excess moisture. And depending on your device, you can even add a marinade which can improve the fish’s flavor and speed up meal prep when you decide to cook.

If you get a committed fish vacuum, you can also marinate your fish. This will make the fish taste better and aid in meal preparation.

How To Keep Boats and Docks Safe During Hurricane Season

How To Keep Boats and Docks Safe During Hurricane Season

While summer is the start of warmth and sun, you can’t have sunshine without a little rain. Summertime is also the beginning of hurricane season, and there’s nothing more nerve-racking than getting caught in the middle of a storm unprepared.

It may be easy to forget about your property’s outer limits in the midst of preparing your home for inclement weather. Fortunately, this guide can teach you how to keep boats and docks safe during the hurricane season so that your assets suffer minimal damage and loss.

Inspect Your Boat Dock

Your boat dock may not be able to withstand rough and high waters, so you want to inspect the structure and promptly address repairs. Consider contacting a professional to help with piling inspections to ensure they’re in good condition.

Set Multiple Anchors

You would typically anchor your dock during its initial assembly, but your efforts don’t stop there! It would be wise to anchor your boat to prevent swinging during periods of high winds.

You can set two anchors in a linear formation and connect them with a chain or in multiple directions to reduce the size of the waves.

Know Your Coverage

You want to ensure that your boat dock has insurance coverage. It always helps to be familiar with insurance stipulations.

The more understanding you have in regard to your coverage, the fewer surprises you can expect after the storm clears and the dust settles.

Prepare Your Boat

Start by establishing an inventory of things you keep on your watercraft. List contact numbers, including your insurance company’s contact information, and copies of your policy. Afterward, turn off the boat’s electrical system and remove the battery.

Consider removing all detachable accessories, like sails, radios, canvases, and cushions, to prevent damage. Also, you’ll want to wrap protective covering around boat lines to prevent chafing against the watercraft. Lastly, seal off windows and doors, and shut off fuel lines.

While there’s no way to protect your boat completely from hurricanes, it helps to start on the right foot. There may not be much you can do to prevent a hurricane from occurring in your area; however, you can keep your boat and dock safe during the storm season.