Affordable Lawn Sprinklers Blog

Residential Energy, 5th Edition: Energy Efficiency Reference Tool Recommeded by Outdoor Lighting and Lawn Care Experts

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A home owner thinking about the addition of outdoor night lighting would find Residential Energy, 5^th Edition a useful reference tool for discovering ways to save home energy cost. Use of sensors and setting timers to control the times of day outdoor lighting is turned off and on as well as product brand quality light bulbs used, and a well-thought out design of the installation are extremely important factors to ensure energy efficiency and energy savings.

Author of Residential Energy, 5^th Edition, John Krigger, founder of Saturn Resource Management has shared his vast knowledge and experience through countless seminars on energy efficiency in the home for more than 20 years and has written five books on the subject.

John’s expertise in energy conservation and sustainability has been condensed in one publication, now on its 5^th edition; known as a house hold hand book for the energy conscious home owner. Readers will learn how to audit their home’s energy consumption and learn ways to improve energy waste from a global view of the home in its entirety.

As a company who installs energy efficient irrigation and lighting systems, Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting recommends this read for anyone thinking about making an addition or replacement. It is important to view home energy cost savings from a whole-home approach and fully understand the multiple ways to save money on a monthly basis with the right design and the right system.

Residential Energy, 5th Edition starts at $71.00 new, but can be found on Amazon.com for much less. We recommend starting here first.

For a hands on free consultation, contact Affordable Lawn Sprinklers at (703)289-1155 or write us with your question.

Video Lawn Care Tutorial By This Old House On How to Dethatch To Open Up Lush New Green Grass Growth for Small or Large Yards

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

De-Thatching Your Lawn Opens Up Your Yard to Lush Green Growth

In a "How To" tutorial video by This Old House, we found the three minute tutorial worth the watch for any home owner looking to get the most out of warmer Spring days, longer hours of sunshine, and more rain. Follow these take aways for a couple of weeks and enjoy the greenest lawn in your neighborhood.

To summarize the video tutorial we've provided Landscape Contractor, Roger Cook's most useful tips:

1. Use a basic thatch rake with sturdy thatch blades to pull thatch off your lawn to open up your lawn to sunshine and water.

He suggests to keep this up for two weeks for best results.

2. The easiest process using a motorized version of the thatch rake; a 5HP of 28 steel teeth that constantly spin to pull up thatch and get the entire job done quickly. Some names for a motorized version could be: power rake, vertical mower, slicer or verticutter. You can pick up a power dethatcher at your local Sears or other hardware store at around $120.00 and up.

3. Don't leave spaces. Overlap by two inches to get the whole job done efficiently.

4. Once the lawn is opened up, put down a grass seed blend; a mixture of blue grass, fescue, and rye.

5. Turn the rake upside down to gently work in your seedlings as they are spread across the surface area.

6. Be sure to get some fertilizer on the lawn. To control crab grass, use pre-emergent crab grass control in your fertilizer.

7. Make sure you use a mixture that doesn't effect the new grass seedlings. Some Crab Grass controller interferes with new seedling growth.

8. Keep the bare areas damp and if three days pass without rain, go ahead and water the lawn.

9. Make double sure to get nitrogen and crab grass preventative down into the lawn.

10. Once you've followed these instructions, you will be the proud owner of a new lush green and healthy lawn to enjoy all summer long.

To learn more about how Affordable Lawn Sprinklers Can Save You Money and Energy Costs, Click Here for a free consultation appointment or contact us at (703)289-1155.

New Improvement Upgrades Qualify You for Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction On Outdoor Lighting

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

New Home Improvement Upgrades Qualify You For Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction on Outdoor Lighting

You may be eligible for an energy efficiency tax deduction claimable through January 1, 2014 for your energy cost saving improvement.

Outdoor Lighting is the easiest way to not only lower your monthly energy bill but also receive a tax deduction for sustainable energy improvement. Through Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting's methods, we save cost of energy for our customers by installation of only low voltage LED lighting with timers, photo sensors, dimmers, motion detectors, and other energy management systems necessary to keep energy waste to a minimum and lower the overall monthly energy cost.

We provides the home owner guidance on how to program and control the installed energy management system to only turn on after sunset and off at sunrise. This type of lighting installation not only improves the quality of light and adds curb appeal to your home's exterior but also greatly reduces energy waste and saves the home owner money.

So how do you know if you qualify? Here are some of the requirements as listed by The National Electronic Manufacturer's Association.

Primary Requirements:

1. Only New Buildings or Renovations of Facilities
2. Include Bi-Level Switching for reduced lighting output
3. One control per per 2,500 square feet if space is smaller than 10,000 square feet

What's more, this can apply to both residential or commercial facilities. If you are using your home as a home-based business, you can earn a tax credit on many home improvements. The easiest tax deduction being lighting.

Are you interested in learning more about this cost saving approach to improve your outdoor space with artistic lighting? Call us at (703)224-4438 or talk to us: www.affordablelawnsprinklers.com/contact.cfm

VISUALLY INSPIRATION FOR A BACK YARD CINEMA ADVENTURE

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Let's Be Facebook Friends!

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Come on over and "LIKE US" on Facebook.

We offer exclusive rates for our friends

Cool ideas to inspire you

Special News, Polls, & Surveys

Horticulture Humor

Hort-Couture

Our NEW Newsletter Archives

...and other awesome "stuff"!

We LOVE you, come on over, and "LIKE" us!
& don't forget to share with YOUR friends!

WWW.Facebook.Com/AffordableLawnSprinklers

NEW!! Affordable Lawn Sprinkler Customer Gives STELLAR Review!

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Posted by: Chris Puffer
Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:22 am (PST)
I just had to share with everyone what a great experience I had recently getting outdoor lighting installed. I got several recs for Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Lighting - affordablelawnsprinklers.com, (703)224-4438. One of the owners is a MONA dad, btw.
I called Reed Libby, who came out immediately and gave me a quote for getting uplighting on three of our trees, walkway lighting, and a light put at the end of our driveway.

He was very nice, great with my kids and dog, and absolutely no pressure whatsoever (I hate being pressured!). We'd have outdoor lighting installed in our old home around 2000, and Reed's quote was about the same as what we paid then! He was very knowledgable about the products, and answered all questions patiently.

As we'd been holding off on doing this for so long, I went ahead and asked him to schedule us for an install. He fit us into his schedule the next week - amazing.

I was not home when a crew of his came by for the install. When I got home I saw the lights and honestly could not see how they'd gotten them in, despite the fact that they had to dig under our walkway to install several of them, and run lines across our lawn in several places as three of them were a significant distance from the house. The job was seamless. Seriously - there was minimal disruption, they cleaned everything up, and you had to work hard to see the cuts they had to make in the lawn to get the lines in. Pretty impressive.

We had a problem w/a new outlet we'd hired an electrician to install and they kindly dealt directly with him (as it was needed for the new transformer), and solved the issue with him. Nice crew, wonderful experience. There was a minor thing they needed to fix - I called Reed, and a crew came out THE NEXT DAY to fix it and, again, they did so seamlessly. I cannot recall getting better customer service with any other provider that we've used. Seriously.
Also - Reed called us TWICE to make sure everything was done perfectly and came over yesterday (yes, on Presidents Day) to show my husband how to deal with upkeep and trouble shoot.
We could not have had a better experience. I highly recommend using them.

If you use them, just let them know you're a mona family, too. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Chris

Win $5,000 in Outdoor Lighting by Memorial Day in ALS Spring 2012 Best Back Yards Contest

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

WIN $5,000 IN OUTDOOR LIGHTING!!

Enter to win the "ALS Virginia's Best Back Yard" contest today.

Want to beautify your back yard? Create more safety outdoors at night? Want to add evening entertainment space to your homes back yard? Wow your neighbors? How about grill in the cool summer nights and not in the with the hot sun beating down on your guests midday?

Want to do it all for free? One winner will take home the prize on May 1st!!

Compete for $5,000 in outdoor lighting this Spring as Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting launches their inaugural Best Backyards Contest. ALS will reward the winner on May 1st with a brand new free artistic night lighting installation in time for Memorial Day.

Co-owners Reed and Ryan will visit the winning property site, create a drawing of the design to the likings of the winning contestant and use their best brands and creativity to show off the winning assets of the back yard. Design and installation worth $5,000 will take half a day, with optional upgrades. Low voltage lighting will be used to highlight architecture, create strategic shadows and light to enhance rolling landscapes, add the illusion of more space to nooks, platforms, and crevices, and for most importantly highlight pathways for added safety. Outdoor lighting creates an outdoor entertainment area for evening grilling during cooler summer nights or to simply to make gardens visible at night.

To enter to win $5,000 in Outdoor Lighting Design and Instllation follow these contest rules:

1. Up to 3 awesome photos of your backyard and a story about why your yard rocks must be submitted by email to Connect@AffordableLawnSprinklers.com, directly to our Facebook page, or by snail mail by April 15th (address listed on our Contact Us page).

2. The top 10 entries will appear online (ALL Property/Contact will remain confidential and internal)

3. Contestants can promote and viewers may vote throughout the months of March and April!

4. The contestants who promote and ask for votes DO have an advantage!

5. $5,000 in outdoor lighting design and installation is a hefty prize, so we hope to see a serious competition!

6. Must be a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC resident and home owner to win

7. NO purchase necessary

8. MUST BE A GOOD SPORT

9. No catch. Enter to win today! Call us at (703)224-4438 for more information and additional contest details

10. Spread the news to someone you know who should enter!

For ten years, Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting has designed and installed over 3,000 high quality automatic underground sprinkler systems and outdoor night lighting. Customer service driven with a minimum of a 2 year guarantee and two free yearly maintenance visits, Angie’s List has awarded ALS Highest Ranking Business for three years in a row. Angie’s List’s users reviewed ALS with 48 consumer grade A’s where similar businesses have 5-10.

Our Facebook fans receive special promotions and tips at www.facebook.com/AffordableLawnSprinklers and on Twitter, at www.Twitter.com/ALSprinklers.

Capitol Home and Gardens Show 2012 Feb24-26

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Did you know the annual Capitol Home and Gardens Show will be held this weekend? The show starts today, February 24th and continues through Sunday February 26th.

Some Key Capitol Home and Garden Show Highlights:
Stroll through dream gardens and check out diverse exhibits to gain fresh ideas and renewed inspiration for Spring. Learn tips and trade secrets from the best in lawn care in Virginia. Gather new information to make your Spring project a breeze!

Where:

Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Shopping Center
Chantilly, VA 20153
www.dullesexpo.com
When:

February 24-26

Hours:

Friday: 10am - 9pm
Saturday: 9am -9pm
Sunday: 10am - 6pm

*Park and Ride Shuttle Service Available
Registration, Information, and Ticket Purchase:

Phone: (703)766-1311

Website: www.capitolhomeandgardenshow.com

Don't forget to "LIKE" us on FaceBook for additional useful promotions, ideas, and tips. Connect with us at: www.FaceBook.com/AffordableLawnSprinklers

TIPS FOR ORDERING YOUR SPRING TURN ON SERVICE! PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEK SALE THRU SUNDAY!

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Need a little motivation to give your yard the healthy lush green start it deserves this Spring?

Breaking NEWS!!!! Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting
President's Day Sale CONTINUED!
(Thru Sunday Only)

Go GREEN for Spring:
Get 15% off you Spring-Turn On Service when you call before this Sunday for your appointment!

Now onto our advice of the day:

You know the saying. The early bird gets the worm...

1. Select your contractor now! If you're waiting, stop that behavior right now, and start your process now.

2. Be a smart Early Bird! Get your order in this month for Spring Turn On Service (now is better than later)!

3. Don't be left with the low hanging fruit of contractors: If you wait until March to prepare your lawn sprinklers for Spring, you may find yourself waiting for weeks for service turn-around by any qualified technician and be left with an unreliable contractor.

4. Give your lawn a healthy start this Spring. Don't let the heat catch up to your yard which could dry out your yard's grass and leave you with an unhealthy lawn this Spring and Summer.

5. Refresh!... your garden beds with fresh mulch and plant your annuals now!

6. Additional cool tip for a dash of color in the cold: For added color while it's still chilly, cabbage is a great choice!

7. Thinking about kicking off Spring with a BBQ? Left in the dark with your grill? Light up that back yard with a well designed plan by our consultants this Spring.

8. Enter Our Contest to win $5,000.00 in Outdoor Lighting! Rules and Details Coming Soon. Check our Facebook page and website daily for more!!

Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor lighting can transform any lawn at an affordable rate! Wow your neighbors while saving your time.

Love your Lawn? Love Saving Money?
Call us at (703)289-1155 for an appointment today!

ALS RECENTLY SPOTTED:
Cabbage addition of color in the cold to an otherwise drap gray walkway!

Spring Lawn Care Check List: "It's 1:30PM, Thursday February 16. Do you know where your landscaper is?"

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

To prepare your lawn sprinkler system for turn on at the start of Spring Season, it is necessary to complete the following check list. Right now it's late in the game if you haven't selected the company you would like to use. To ease your mind and provide a no-brainer approach. Affordable Lawn Sprinklers is number one in our business for three years running, on Angie's List, with 48 consumer grade A's.

Here's a brief run-down of what we'll do for you at time of your Spring Turn On service:

Fill empty pipes with water
Check for leaks
Check sprinklers for proper rotation and function
Check rain sensors for proper operation
Check Booster Pump for proper operation
Raise or lower sprinkler heads
Adjust sprinkler heads for proper spray pattern
System evaluation for customer's review

Even if you already have an irrigation system in place and are new to ALS, call to receive a free system evaluation and let us determine how to save you money on your already installed lawn sprinkler system. Additionally, we will evaluate whether we can save additional money on your monthly utilities bills. Don't let warmer days catch you by surprise.

Call (703)289-1155 for an appointment.

NO LAWN LEFT BEHIND: SPRING 2012 NOVA's RESIDENTIAL BEAUTIFICATION CAMPAIGN

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             Contact: Shelley Tidmore
January 12, 2012                                                                                                         Email: Shelley.Tidmore@gmail.com
                                                                                                                                  Office: (703)224-8114
                                                                                                                                     Cell: (205)522-3694

                    “NO LAWN LEFT BEHIND”: SPRING 2012 NOVA’S RESIDENTIAL BEAUTIFICATION CAMPAIGN"
                      Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting Reach Virginians through Lawn Care Tips

Vienna, VA—No Lawn Left Behind” is Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting’s new motto for Spring 2012 as the 10 year old Vienna based business behind over 3,000 of Virginia’s most beautiful yards reach more residents with lawn care and lighting tips through social media.

Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting is known for high quality, automatic underground sprinkler systems and customized outdoor night lighting. Lighting enhances a home’s best architectural features and a lush green yard is made affordable without spending personal time.

For the past three years Angie’s List has awarded Highest Ranking Business to Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting who boast 48 consumer grade A’s where similar businesses have 5-10.

“To achieve long term customer satisfaction, customers need to seek the trifecta of a well thought design by an experienced designer, high quality installation, and great ongoing support. Without all three, your system will be a poor experience,” says Reed Libby, co-owner and managing partner of Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting.

“We work with local residents and property managers who want a great experience and system to last 20-30+ years, with reliable maintenance. All systems come with a comprehensive warranty from two years upgradable to a full life time”, Reed continued.
Reed explains the distinction. “Our focus is to provide an outstanding customer experience. Keep the customer happy and they will continue to use your services and also rave about you to friends. We recognize that to keep customers happy and get their referrals is the most effective way to grow. It all starts with building the right team. Through a tough hiring process we seek out employees with the best attitude and character. Lawn sprinklers and lighting is complex. We have developed an effective training program which provides ‘class training and mentoring with senior technicians’. We put ourselves in our customer’s shoes and consider comfort and safety first. Technicians arrive in uniform and a clean truck with secured equipment- you get a sense of relief. Being in a service business, positive attitude is only as strong as the least friendly employee. I would not want to work with a company whom constantly churns through the cheapest workers in town.”

For more information or to schedule a free consult call (703)289-1155 or visit www.AffordableLawnSprinklers.com for tips and educational videos. Fans receive special promotions and tips at www.facebook.com/AffordableLawnSprinklers and on Twitter, at “ALSprinklers”.
                                                                                                ###

If you’d like to contact Shelley Tidmore for more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Reed Libby, please call Shelley Tidmore at (703)224-8114, or by email at shelley.tidmore@gmail.com.

Don't Let Your Sprinkler System Be Left In The Cold: Home Care Advice for Winterization

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Don't Let Your Sprinkler System Be Left Out In the Cold: Home Care Advice for Winterization

Winterization of your underground automatic lawn sprinkler system is important in maintaining your sprinkler through icy temperatures this winter. We can do it for you or if you want to take on this project yourself follow these basics to ensure all excess water and air is removed.

1. Ensure your water system is turned off and as much water has been drained as possible.

2. Make sure you have the right equipment: You'll simply need an air compressor. If you don't have one Affordable Lawn Sprinklers can help.

3. Connect the air compressor and piping to extract any air and water from the sprinklers

4. This process should be repeated several times at each station; repeat until ONLY air passes through the sprinkler heads.

5. Sprinkler and Hose Winterization: Water can freeze inside sprinkler components and wreak havoc. Frozen water can rupture hoses and deteriorate your system components. Disconnect and store sprinklers in a dry controlled climate out of the way of the elements.

6. Disconnect hoses from the water source and drain of excess water; coil and store in a dry controlled climate (indoors).

7. If you prefer to let us take care of your winterization, call us at (703)289-1155 and we'll be there in a snap! ... before the next cold snap.

No Lawn Left Behind: Five Tips to Prepare Your Lawn and Garden for Spring 2012

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

No Lawn Left Behind. Five Easy Tips for Spring Preparation:

1. Treat your lawn with pre-emergent chemicals with a high nitrogen count, low phosphate count, and potash. A recommended formula would be 25-10-10. Don't forget to use some weed control.

2. Add a fresh coat of mulch to your beds (1.5" of topcoat is recommended) and remove old nasty mulch.

3. Plant your Spring Annuals (Inpatients, Petunias, Pansies). Start your seedlings indoors to control a healthy start in a predictable environment.

4. Start your sprinkler system and water your yard 1-2 times per week. Run a water hose on your rain sensor to make sure it is active. A rain sensor should deactivate sprinklers after 1/4" of accumulated rain water. Check the water coverage for beds and make sure to adequately water all your plants and shrubs.

5. Water your grass once per week until June. As the weather becomes warmer and rainy days more infrequent, add additional minutes to watering your lawn.

Here comes the winter!

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Here comes the cold! To protect your valuable system from the freezing weather this weekend make sure to shut off the water supply to the sprinkler system then go to your controller and press "manual start". This will drain some of the water from the exposed pipes outside, don't forget to turn the controller dial to "Off" after a minute or so. If you have a backflow device on the outside of your home, it might be a good idea to wrap an old blanket around it to give a little extra buffer from the cold!

Make sure you're scheduled for Winterization!

Unique Islander Tiki Light!

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Check out this great video from Unique about their Islander Tiki Light. The Islander has truly unique looks and functionality that just can't be beat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmnk8kTDhgs

Veggie Gardens

Thu, 20 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Hunters unveils its new video support wall!

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Hunter Industries has unveiled their new sprinkler system repair video wall. It looks like a great way to see what you need to do for homeowners who want to repair or adjust their own irrigation system!

http://www.hunterindustries.com/Support/TrainingVideos/

Spring has sprung!

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

March has come and preparations are in full swing for our Spring Turn-On services. All our existing customers will begin seeing our full-color reminder mailer [Flyer] in their mailbox and getting reminder calls to set up their spring service!

Having our trained technicians do your turn-on in the spring is your best bet for reliable service throughout the season. Affordable Lawn Sprinklers knows that the whole system needs to be reviewed for damage and adjusted for coverage, especially after the weight of all that snow sitting on it for months! Your Technician will activate the water supply, check for leaks and test the functionality of every part of the system, then walk the zones and adjust or repair as necessary to get your system in top shape for the season ahead.

We recommend your irrigation system be started up and active to protect your valuable landscaping by June, but, as many folks do planting or over-seeding as early as the first week of April we begin our scheduling then. April and May are such cool, wet months that these are good times to come out and get the system ready to protect your lawn from the summers heat!

Call the Office at 703-289-1155 to schedule your Spring Turn-On Service soon, dates are filling up rapidly!

Lawn Sprinkler Winterization Virginia

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Winterization of Sprinkler System

This is a very very important service visit for sprinkler system. This is when we use a high volume air compressor and remove all of the water from the sprinkler system with a HIGH Volume air compressor. This service protects the following:

Backflow preventor
Rotor Heads
Spray Heads
Valves
Underground piping

We recommend having this service done between Early October and Mid-November. Homeowners with a backflow above the ground need to be especially cautious because those devices are pressurized and are the first things to break and they are very expensive.

Another testimonial: Sprinklers make your already healthy lawn greener and stronger...

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

I have been always able to grow thick green grass; the issue was keeping the lawn watered, I since contacted Affordable Lawn Sprinkler and Lighting of Vienna Virginia. I must say the project was affordable and I did not realize everything that is involved to achieve an efficient irrigation system. From the permit process to the actual installation. Peter the installation technician and crew foreman once on site, explained to me the complete task of what they were about to accomplish. The crew worked around my hardscape and plantings with no damage. Several days after installation a service technician arrived and walked me through newly installed irrigation system, explaining in detail from the system control panel and each installed zone, including adjustments of the individual sprinkler heads.

As I monitor my system operation, water is delivered to every foot on my lawn, with very little, if any overspray. In just this short time I can see the difference with the plantings and newly planted seed. I am please with my system, service and product. I should have had this system installed years before.