Christa Shoreman’s red cardinal flower plants grew thirsty this summer. The relentless sun and lack of water curled the plant’s leaves, says Shoreman, a master gardener who coordinates Penn State Extension’s master gardener program in Lancaster County.

Shoreman usually relies on Mother Nature to water her more than 1,000 plants, trees, ferns and grasses during May and June. Not this year. The Millersville resident began adding supplemental water in May and never stopped.

“It was a struggle this summer,” Shoreman says.

Indeed. Temperatures are rising and rain patterns are changing, which means Lancaster County residents may see their electricity and water usage increase, along with their bills. There’s a way to fight back, say Shoreman and two other Pennsylvania experts. Planning and changing how we garden and power our homes can conserve energy and money.

The problem

Pennsylvania is getting hotter, the state Department of Environmental Protection says. Temperatures have risen 1.8 degrees in the last century and should warm another 5.9 degrees by 2050.

Although sizzling weather has increased rainfall in Pennsylvania, the timing has changed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a 2016 report that analyzed climate change in the state.

Severe storms bring intense flooding, but the soil fails to absorb most of the water. Droughts then occur between storms, the EPA noted.

Pages and pages of energy conservation suggestions can — and do — fill books. Here are a few changes you can make now.

Tips for outdoors

People in the United States use about 9 billion gallons of water each day, says the EPA, and 30% of that amount accounts for outdoor use. Think about watering less, Shoreman advises.

Use a rain gauge.

Plants need about an inch of water each week, so water only if the gauge shows less than that amount, Shoreman says.

Use rain barrels.

In addition, use rain barrels to collect water. Shoreman put three on her property and says rainwater will stay fresh for a couple of weeks.

Watch how you water.

Water in the morning, and water correctly, she says. For instance, getting water on the leaves of a plant offers no nourishment, and the moisture at night can open the plant to disease. Shooting water from a hose will not work, Shoreman says. Instead, she fills several 5-gallon jugs with water, cuts a small hole on the side of each jug and places them separately near the roots of a plant or tree. A steady slow stream of water aims directly for the plant’s roots, she explains.

Use mulch.

Covering spaces around plants with mulch will slow evaporation, Shoreman says. “It’s like putting a blanket around these plants.”

Know your property.

After rainfall, check your yard. Where does water gather? Where does it run? Choose native plants that need less water, Shoreman advises. Plantings that need more moisture can go in spaces where water collects in your yard.

Thinking about a lawn?

Smooth turf allows play areas and beautiful views. Grass requires water, though. Choose lawns that use less water, such as some fescue grasses, Tanner Delvalle, a horticulture educator for Penn State Extension, writes in an email.

“The best choice in PA for a full-sun lawn is turf-type tall fescue. It tends to require the least amount of irrigation, the deepest root system, and can recover well after moderate drought conditions,” Delvalle suggests.

He also says to avoid mowing during dry weather, and to mow at a higher height, about 3 to 4 inches in summer, to promote deeper roots.

Some gardeners bypass turf grass completely. Shoreman suggests using ground cover, such as sedges.

More Home and Garden News: 

Tips for indoors

About 96% of U.S. utility energy usage in 2021 came from electricity, the U.S. Energy Administration says. In total, the United States consumed 3.94 trillion kilowatt hours.

PPL offers several programs consumers can use to curtail energy usage, says Tom McAteer, the utility’s manager of energy efficiency. Residents who purchase electricity from a reseller on the open market can still use these services, as long as a residential power bill comes from PPL. Customers from other power companies may check to see if their utility offers similar programs.

For instance, PPL offers virtual and in-home energy audits that may find ways to save money.

Here are some tips for making your home more energy efficient:

Choose the right appliances.

When appliances stop working, opt for energy efficient replacements, McAteer says. The utility will pick up used appliances for free. It also offers rebates for purchasing energy-saving appliances.

Adjust the thermostat.

Heating and cooling costs comprise the largest home energy expense, accounting for about 45% to 50% of a home’s usage, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Adjusting a thermostat “is always going to be the best thing you can do,” says McAteer, who works in Allentown. Moving the indoor temperature one degree could save 3% on an electric bill, he says.

Supplement with fans.

Use fans in addition to air conditioning, McAteer says. A fan costs about a penny an hour to run; a window air-conditioning unit costs about 25 cents an hour. In addition, he advises adding insulation where possible.

Fill the fridge.

Keep your refrigerator mostly full. Don’t need a lot of food kept cool? Water-filled jugs will take up space and cut down on cooling costs. “It’s not a hard thing to do,” McAteer says.

Watch the windows.

McAteer advises caulking perimeters around windows and keeping them locked when not open. “A lock is not just for safety,” McAteer says. “It keeps the air in.” McAteer also says window shades and blinds offer about the same energy efficiency. He opts for insulated curtains to reduce consumption.

“We know it’s not easy to take energy-efficiency steps all the time,” McAteer says, “but there are simple things that every person or family can do.”

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