Solar panels are a reliable source of energy, but what should you do if they don’t perform as expected? A few different factors could be at play if you notice a lower energy output from your panels. Keep your sustainable home energy system running smoothly by understanding the reasons why your solar panels might not be working and how to address them.

Obstructions Blocking Sunlight

Solar power allows you to conserve energy in your home, but over time, obstructions can creep in and block sunlight, reducing your panels’ efficiency. Tree branches might grow taller, dirt might accumulate, or debris could settle on the surface.

Even something as simple as a thick layer of dust can mess up your panels’ ability to function. Regular cleaning with water and a soft cloth and pruning nearby trees can go a long way toward maximizing sunlight exposure.

Wiring or Connection Problems

Solar panels rely on properly installed wiring and connections to channel energy to your home or battery system. Therefore, energy output drops when these connections become loose or damaged.

Animals chewing on wires or weather-related wear and tear might be to blame. Thoroughly inspect the wiring, and have a professional take care of the repairs if you spot any frayed or disconnected components.

Incorrect Tilt or Angle

Placement is key when it comes to solar panel performance. Improperly angled panels might fail to capture enough sunlight throughout the day. Adjusting the tilt to align with your region’s latitude and the season can optimize the panels’ position and, in turn, their performance.

Use a solar tracker or manually reposition the panels as needed. A steeper angle can benefit those in areas with lower sun exposure, while flatter positions suit spots closer to the equator.

Faulty or Aging Components

Even the most durable systems have limits. Their energy production may drop if the panels are old or the inverter isn’t working correctly. The inverter, which converts solar energy into usable electricity, is one of the most common points of failure.

Keeping an eye out for error codes or unusual noises will help you notice a problem before it snowballs into a mess. Replace outdated parts to breathe new life into an aging system.

Extreme Weather Events

Heavy storms, hail, or severe windstorms might cause damage to solar panels or their mounting structure. Cracks in the panels or bent frames can block sunlight or even render the system inoperable.

After extreme weather, examine your system for any visible signs of wear or damage. Repairs or replacements may be necessary before the panels can function properly again.

Identifying the reasons why your solar panels might not be working is key to restoring their efficiency. Regular maintenance and quick attention to problems can help your panels work their best year-round, powering your home with clean and renewable energy.

The post Reasons Why Your Solar Panels Might Not Be Working appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

If you’re considering starting a plant family but don’t necessarily have a green thumb, don’t worry! Growing a garden is a rewarding and nurturing journey that requires patience, dedication, and a touch of love. From choosing the right plants to learning why your leafy friends may occasionally lose a few leaves, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the exciting world of becoming a plant parent with these tips on how to grow your garden.

The Green Selection: Choosing Your Plant Babies

Before you can officially join the ranks of plant parents, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. That means selecting the right type of plants for your garden. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Space
• Location
• Climate
• Your lifestyle

Do some research based on these factors to determine the plant species that will thrive in your garden. Tending plants that are incompatible with your garden and lifestyle is a battle you’re going to lose.

Caring for Your Plants: Tips To Keep Them Alive and Happy

Good news—those Pinterest photos of full, colorful gardens can be your reality! Learning the ropes of proper plant care can be overwhelming when you first start, but with the right guidance, your garden will flourish! Below are a few tips to consider.

Watering Wisely

Watering is essential for healthy plants. However, too much water can cause root rot, so be mindful of your plant’s needs. Research each plant’s watering preferences and stick to a schedule.

The Soil Situation

Different plants require different soil types, so knowing what works best for your green companions is important. A well-aerated soil with proper drainage is generally a safe bet. To provide essential nutrients, you can also enhance your soil with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure.

Primping and Pruning

Growing plants often need a bit of grooming to encourage healthy growth. Regularly remove dead leaves, trim excess growth, and pinch back any leggy stems. This enhances the plant’s appearance, promotes air circulation, and discourages pests.

Waging War on Plant Pests

Pests can be your worst enemy when it comes to gardening. To protect your plant babies, promptly address any infestations using chemical or organic treatments. You might also consider introducing beneficial insects, like ladybugs or praying mantises, to make your garden a no-pest zone.

Oh No, My Plant Died! What Went Wrong?

If you find that your landscaping plants keep dying, don’t worry! Many factors can contribute to this sad outcome, including overwatering and inadequate light. Identifying the problem is essential to learn from your mistakes and become a better plant parent.

Use these tips on how to grow your garden so you can see the fruits of your labor—literally. And remember that every error is an opportunity to learn and try something different.

The post Becoming a Plant Parent: How To Grow Your Garden appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Your home is where you seek comfort and peace after a long day. However, unpleasant odors can easily interrupt that peace. Here are tips on how to keep your home smelling fresh for years.

Refresh Your Rugs and Carpets

Vacuuming your carpets and rugs removes dust, debris, pollutant buildup, and even odors in your flooring. However, you can also do carpet shampooing for stubborn odors left behind by food, paint, pets, and children. You might have to clean them several times until your water comes out clear.

Change Your AC Air Filters

One of the main functions of an air conditioner is to filter out air pollutants and particles in your home to deliver cool, fresh air throughout your ventilation system. However, a big sign that you need to improve your air quality and replace your air filters is persistent unpleasant odors. The dirtier your air filters are, the harder your AC unit works. Changing your air filters preserves AC unit functionality while maintaining pleasant smells in your home.

Open Your Windows

After spending many months with your windows and doors closed, it’s no surprise that your home can accumulate unpleasant odors. You can make your home feel less stuffy by opening your windows and letting fresh air in. It’s the easiest way to help your home smell fresh and eliminate lingering odors from cooking, home projects, and more.

Opening a single window can do wonders for lingering, persistent odors in your home. You can also open multiple windows on various sides of your home to create a cross breeze that carries fresh air in and push unpleasant odors out. Even in colder temperatures, opening a window with a crack can make a significant difference.

Invest in Houseplants and Flowers

One tip for a long-lasting, fresh-smelling home is to liven it up with houseplants and flowers. Sturdy houseplants look beautiful in your home and provide air-filtering properties that keep your home fresh and odor-free. You can also invest in houseplants that give off subtle scents and place them near unpleasant areas in your home.

You can also purchase beautiful flower bouquets that improve your home’s overall smell and add visual interest. Choose fresh, pleasant-smelling flowers, such as peonies, sweet peas, freesia, lilacs, lavender, jasmine, and roses. Consider which rooms have the strongest odors and how your arrangements will make the room feel cozy and inviting. These are natural smells, and should not bother anyone with allergies or other sensitivities.

The post How To Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh for Years appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

A garden is one of the best additions you can make to your home and outdoor space, but many fear starting their own garden. It’s a significant undertaking if you’re not ready, and with so many options and directions to take your garden, people often worry they’ll make the wrong choices. There’s a world of beautiful garden ideas for your outdoor space, and as long as you find what works for you and your area, you won’t need to look back.

Don’t Forget Plant Diversity

One big issue that many run into when starting gardens in their yards is that they solely focus on growing edible plants. While these plants still require a lot of time and effort, you shouldn’t forget to include other plants that simply look good and add another dimension to your garden. Some great examples of plant diversity you can’t forget about include:

• Trees
• Flowers
• Shrubs
• Decorative plants

These plants contribute a lot to your garden’s overall feel and atmosphere. Include these other plants to make your outdoor space functional and beautiful.

Go Geodesic

While somewhat unconventional, a great way to take a garden in your backyard to the next level is with a geodesic dome. There’s a lot to love about these geodesic domes, and they’re also a great way to separate your yard space, keeping the garden separate from other areas. If you want to maximize the potential of your geodesic greenhouse, invest in screen doors and insulation. They’ll help regulate the temperature and keep out pests that could harm your garden. Once you have that taken care of, you’re free to let the dome do its job and give your garden excellent air circulation and optimal humidity.

Remember Decorations

A garden will do a lot to make your outdoor space look and feel better, but in addition to the plants themselves, you need to also decorate. Decorations like yard sculptures, lawn chairs, or anything else you can think of will make your outdoor space and garden feel homier. Customizing your garden to your liking can initially sound intense, but it’s not a one-and-done thing. The whole time you have your garden, you just need to occasionally step back and ask yourself, “Do I like these decorations, or do I want to do something new and exciting?” Regularly asking yourself this will help ensure your garden is always to your liking.

These fantastic and beautiful garden ideas for your outdoor space will turn your bare yard into a backyard oasis. In addition to beautifying your outdoor space, gardens will provide you with many fresh herbs, fruit, and other produce that can take your cooking to the next level. If you’re still unsure about starting your garden, take the first leap forward and make it a reality.

The post Beautiful Garden Ideas for Your Outdoor Space appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

by Roberta Murphy

I have always felt such a sense of peace when I am in the garden fooling around with dirt and plants, but never gave it much thought until this morning.

I read an article today relating research that confirms my senses: Garden Dirt actually serves as an anti-depressant. And could take the place of Prozac.

I don’t suffer from depression and have never taken Prozac, but I do notice a difference in myself when I am in the garden, fooling with dirt, and daring to go barefoot (which has different research supporting the practice). I feel a delicious sense of peace and connection with the earth. It now turns out that beneficial microbes in the soil can enter the body through both breathing and our skin (Perhaps I should remove gloves more often?).

It appears that antidepressant microbes, specifically Mycobacterium vaccae, in the soil cause our cytokine levels to rise, resulting in the production of increased levels of serotonin. There may also be some evidence that the microbes help create an increase in cognitive ability and better concentration on tasks. These effects may be felt for up to 3 weeks, if current research with rats is any indication. According to the article in Gardening Know How.

“Mycobacterium antidepressant microbes in soil are also being investigated for improving cognitive function, Crohn’s disease and even rheumatoid arthritis.”

After reading this article, I can’t help but wonder how a garden might be helpful for memory care residents, or even those in assisted living of some sort. Not only would they get the gratification of growing flowers or vegetables, but it just might elevate spirits and cognition. I know a couple of elementary schools in Encinitas and Carlsbad have cultivated gardens as a learning experience for the children. Might the soil organisms also make them more attentive in class?

Makes you wonder.

I know that in an hour or so, I am going to go fool around in the garden, play in the dirt, and spread more worm castings while I’m at it. And this time,  I’m not wearing gloves!

 Want to know more?

Read more at Gardening Know How: Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/antidepressant-microbes-soil.htm

The post Garden Dirt as Anti-Depressant? appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

by Roberta Murphy

A couple of evenings ago I had the surprising privilege of experiencing the INSANE BUTTON on the Tesla P85D.

Friends and dinner guests  arrived for dinner and somehow the conversation turned to cars, with me lamenting how youngest son had totaled my hybrid and how I would be eternally grateful that no one was injured. A hybrid is only pale green for these greenest of friends. She drives an electric Volt–and he, the new Tesla P85D with a 285-mile range.

I seem to frequently be late to the party and must admit I had never ridden a Tesla before. Therefore, couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to not only see the car but take a short ride. We backed silently out of the driveway, put the car into some kind of gear and went from 0 to almost 70 in 3 seconds. It is the closest I’ve ever come to experiencing negative G’s in automobile.

The Tesla video and control screen is enormous and this vehicle certainly ranges near the top of car Mensa scores. Using one’s cell phone, the car can not only be started from afar but can be summoned to come pick you up. (driverless, of course). The computers on board will also let you know where to find the next charging station and a full charge supposedly only takes a half hour or so. Enough time for a sandwich and latte.

To say the least, I was sufficiently impressed with the silent 691-horsepower surprise coming from this 2.5 ton beauty.

Elon Musk and Tesla: You amaze!

Wonder how others respond to the Tesla Insane Button?

The post An Insane Ride in the Tesla P85D appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

I am personally not offended and have often suggested to sons and family that my eventual remains be fed to the tomato or kale plants in a garden somewhere. Or perhaps a tree.

This cremation idea from Urbanios has really caught my imagination, though–and just consider the possibilities of a lush green forest with monuments (perhaps) that tell a little about the tree and its benefactor:

“Here lies Roberta Murphy, who now feeds this perennial tree rather than the tomato plants she imagined. She loved her family, parrots, dogs, that alluring garden..and of course, her erratic writing habits.”

Apparently, one’s remains can be deposited into a biodegradable container which also contains a pine seed (or other tree seed). This container can then be planted, where the ashes will help nourish the seedling and eventual tree. Just imagine the possibilities and longevity if a redwood seed were included! That’s what I want.

I’m not totally sure why I am writing this, other than I intend to email this post to husband and sons so that they insure that my remains are nourishing something more substantial than a tomato plant. How about a redwood?

Care to join me in my forest?

by Roberta Murphy

The post The Luxury of Morphing into a Tree appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

But so do others. Especially those with allergies to dust mites.

Long ago, I was holding an open house for a lovely pool home in a gated San Marcos, CA neighborhood. Mid-afternoon, a tall German man walked in and placed a small hygrometer on the dining room table and proceeded to preview the home. Unable to restrain curiosity, I inquired about the purpose of the meter, which was measuring humidity levels.

The gentleman replied in a thick dialect that he had sold his home on the beach in Del Mar because he is allergic to dust mites, who require humidity levels above 70 percent in order to survive. He explained they absorb moisture through their exoskeletons and that is the reason these pests thrive in humid conditions. He went on to say that it is the feces from dust mites (which float around the air) that can be so toxic to those with allergies to dust mites as there is no convenient way to avoid breathing their crap.

And the lower humidity levels in San Marcos explained why this wealthy German was looking to relocate to this more arid and inland city in San Diego County.

After this encounter I immediately purchased my own hygrometer at the local Radio Shack and almost simultaneously called my parents in ever-humid Houston, Texas to share this dust mite revelation. There, humidity levels are regularly above 80 percent which just might have explained my dad’s deteriorating COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) condition.

My folks also ended up moving to San Marcos a few months later, where my father’s condition improved enough for him to live another 8-plus years. He thrived during our fire seasons, when humidity levels drop into the single digits and we ended up purchasing a $200 dehumidifier for the winter season when we occasionally receive rain and have some overcast conditions. This portable machine kept humidity levels low and additionally helped filter the air.

Earlier this week, I received a call from a dear friend who is also battling COPD and was complaining about the congestion that seemed to accompany the recent rains. I shared with her the story of our German client, the hygrometer–and the dehumidifier, which she purchased from Amazon while we were still on the phone.

Of course, mattresses, pillows and mattress pads can also hold human humidity and it is wise to have covers that repel dust mites.

For anyone who struggles with COPD or other breathing issues, I continue to champion dry air, dehumidifiers, protective coverings and the use of a hygrometer to measure indoor (and even outdoor) humidity levels.

Let those mites die of dehydration!

The post The Luxury of Breathing appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Most of us appreciate the earthy luxury of a true wine cellar and also see the value of repurposed materials emerging as elements in our homes. But how about a slice from the best of both worlds and have rich wood flooring crafted from old California wine barrels?

I’ve seen serving trays and other novelties emerge from wine barrel tops, but hardwood flooring from the actual wine barrel offers some beautiful possibilities. Fontenay Woods is likely the original source of reclaimed barrel flooring, and handcrafts each plank for custom installation.

Their Vintage Barrel Collection includes three wine barrel sources:

• The Cooperage comes from the outside of the barrel head and displays deep patina, cooper’s stamps and special markings.
• The Wine Infusion represents the inside of the barrel and retains rich infused coloring from aging red wine.
• The Stave displays the outer sides of the barrel where the hoops have been removed–and provides further pattern interest.

Their goal, says Fontenay, is to provide an elegant product that “is guaranteed for life.”

Now, how to recycle all the wine bottles–with least processing possible?

The post Wine Barrel Flooring: The Luxury of Recycling appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Magic must be in the air.

Even our middle son Eric — who has never, ever cottoned to bagged lunches — packed one the other day and probably saved at least $5. This college student works part time, but last week discovered the agony of having to pay $1,800 or so for a new bumper and rear quarter panel that met a brick wall when he was backing out of a narrow Rancho Santa Fe driveway in the dark recently. This story has little to do with the great money saving tips I am about to pass along, except I’ll insert it first:

1. Pack a healthy lunch, fill a Thermos of coffee, and spare the environment another plastic bottle by carrying water in a reusable container. Eric now saves at least $5 per day out of his pocket. Take away a couple of dollars, max, for ingredients, and you are still dollars ahead

2. Paste a sticker that says, 800-FREE-411 (or 800-373-3411) onto both your cell and home telephone. Instead of paying your telephone service up to $3.50 for a telephone number, why not listen to a 10-second commercial and get the number for free? Makes sense to me.
Click to see the 8 other great money-saving  tips.

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