If you work hard on your home’s landscaping, installing some kind of home irrigation system might be the best way to ensure your toils don’t go to waste. An irrigation system can keep your lawn green, your flowers and shrubbery thriving, and can even increase the value of your home. What’s more, new smart irrigation systems can connect with weather forecasts and use sensing technology to keep water usage to a minimum. Still, these systems can cost as much as $7,000 for professional installation, so deciding to put one in should be carefully mulled over.

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Here are some things to consider as you’re thinkin’ ’bout sprinklin’:

Do You Need a Sprinkler System?

It might seem like an obvious answer, but understanding your need for a sprinkler system is an important part of this process. You’ll want to take into consideration what your actual watering needs are. Do you live in a place that gets plenty of rain? Do you have a large lawn that needs coverage, or are there only a few areas that need consistent moisture? Is your yard planted with local vegetation that can withstand the weather fluctuations in your area, or do you have specialized plantings that need extra attention?

A good way to determine how often your grass needs water is simply to step on it: If it springs back, then it’s fine but if not, it needs to be watered. By conducting this simple test over a few weeks, you’ll get a sense of just how much of a water deficit there may be in your yard.

While installing a sprinkler system might seem like an efficient way to keep your plantings and grass healthy, according to a study by the American Water Works Association ( as reported by the EPA), the most water-efficient way to keep your yard at the proper moisture level is to use a hose. The group says that manually watering with a hose will use 33% less water outdoors than average household usage, while in-ground sprinklers cause 35% more usage. Even more surprising is that sprinkler systems on timers actually use 47% more water than normal.

That being said, if you set up and use your sprinkler system with water usage in mind, you can cut down significantly on the amount you use of this particular natural resource. Plus, if you’ve spent a good amount of money on your landscape, the extra water costs might outweigh the risk of losing precious grass or plants.

One of the key steps you can take to have a sprinkler system function properly is to set it up with zones — a specific set of water outlets to a specific area of your yard. That lets you give low-water usage plants less moisture, while delivering greater amounts to grasses or other plantings that need it.

Are You a Drip…

There are basically two types of irrigation systems for your yard: drip and sprinkler. Drip systems consist of a long stretch of either flexible or rigid tubing that runs to a specific part of your yard. The tubing can be either above ground or buried 2 inches below ground. Water travels through the tube and slowly leaks out into the surrounding soil, which has the benefit of feeding the roots of your greenery directly.

According to the AWWA, drip irrigation systems use just 16% more water than standard households versus 35% for normal sprinkler systems — so they’re also more water efficient. Part of the reason is that sprinklers broadcast water over a large area, which means some of that moisture is lost to evaporation; drip systems avoid this problem. That being said, drip systems are really best for watering specific areas of your yard, such as flower beds, rather than an entire lawn, which can be better served by the greater range of a sprinkler system.

According to Lawn Love, you can expect to pay an average of $223 to $2,000 (CAD 306 to CAD 2,745) per watering zone for a drip irrigation system with the tubing above ground, and about $815 to $4,335 (CAD 1,118 to CAD 5,950) per acre for a system with buried tubes, which is helpful if you’ll be mowing the area where it’s installed.

…Or Are You More of a Sprinkle?

The second major type of home sprinkler system is one that uses a series of sprinkler heads sunk in the ground and spaced apart to provide broad irrigation coverage. These systems consist of a main water line and a series of branch lines that travel to the individual sprinkler heads.

The ultimate cost of a sprinkler system is determined by a number of factors, including how easy it is to dig the trenches in your yard, how many zones and heads you’ll need, whether you’ll do the job yourself, and whether local building codes require you to hire a plumber to connect the system to your home’s water supply.

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DIY or Pro

According to data from Lawn Love, a professionally installed sprinkler system for an average yard measuring 1,000 to 3,000 square meters will run between $500 and $1,500 (CAD 700 and CAD 2,100). Doing the job yourself, however, would save significant cash, ringing up at around $130 to $260 (CAD 180 to CAD 360). If your landscape watering needs are relatively simple, or you only need to sprinkle a portion of your yard, you may very well wish to go it alone.

One important consideration to take into account before you begin is to measure your home’s water pressure, which you can do by attaching a pressure gauge to your hose bib. Most sprinkler systems best operate around 30 psi (pounds per square inch of pressure) or more, so if your pressure is lower than that, you’ll need a system designed for a more minimal flow.

Keep in mind that a pro may be able to bring benefits to the job that you might not otherwise be able to take advantage of. Pros know their way around local permitting laws, will work with a plumber if needed to get your system installed legally, and will be aware of which parts of your yard to avoid due to water lines or other utilities. A good irrigation system installer will also help you plan the number of sprinkler heads and zones you’ll need for your particular area of the country and the types of plants you have. If you’re still in the planning stages of your landscaping project, pros can also provide input in terms of what to plant where to minimize water usage.

Smart Vs. Not

Beyond choosing either a drip or sprinkler system, and choosing the right sprinkler heads for your needs (which are inexpensive at around $45 (CAD 60) for a pack of four), you’ll also want to decide what kind of control system you’d like your system to run off of. Thumbtack says this can be as simple as a heavy-duty sprinkler timer that clicks your system on and off at the same time each day — which could cost as little as $50 (CAD 70) for a six-zone controller — to a modern “smart” system that connects to the internet and special in-ground sensors to adjust your watering schedule based on weather forecasts and soil saturation. A smart sprinkler controller should run in the range of $60 to $300 (CAD 80 to CAD 415), depending on the features you need.

The number of zones you set up will also factor into the final cost for your project. According to HomeGuide, every additional zone you add to a system will run about $300 to $700 (CAD 415 to CAD 960) in extra expense.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

Maintaining a comfortable temperature is the one job you require of your air conditioner, but high humidity can make you lose your cool — literally.

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Air conditioners don’t work as effectively when the air outside is muggy. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to stay chill and comfy even on humid days.

Understanding Indoor Humidity

Humidity levels describe how much moisture is in the air, and ideal levels for home interiors are between 30% and 50%. High moisture levels can contribute to mold and mildew growth and lower indoor air quality, so keeping humidity under control is essential.

While your AC might struggle with high humidity, it also helps remove moisture from the air to combat excess humidity inside your home. If you live in a humid climate and your AC can’t keep up, you might need to take extra measures to control indoor humidity.

How Does Humidity Affect How an Air Conditioner Works?

In a humid environment, your AC works harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Humid air tends to feel warmer, so your air conditioner has to cycle on more frequently to provide the same amount of cooling power.

Does an Air Conditioner Work Better in Lower-Humidity Environments?

In low-humidity environments, the air naturally feels cooler and your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. This can extend the lifespan of the unit and put less stress on internal components. Because humidity affects how warm the air feels, your AC unit uses less power to cool dry air.

Does an AC Help With Humidity?

Your air conditioner helps reduce indoor humidity by pulling moisture from the air. This moisture condenses on the evaporator coil and drips into a collecting pan. In general, your house shouldn’t feel humid with the AC running.

Why Does My Air Conditioner Feel Like It Can’t Keep Up With High Humidity?

If you notice a decrease in performance of your air conditioner in high humidity, there could be a problem with the unit. Clogged drain lines, leaky ducts and frozen or dirty evaporator coils can all prevent your AC from effectively cooling humid air. You may want to call a professional for a tune-up if your air conditioner isn’t keeping up with high humidity.

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How Should You Maintain Your Air Conditioner in High-Humidity Conditions?

When it comes to regular maintenance of your air conditioner, high humidity presents a few challenges. The first step of AC maintenance in high-humidity environments is to clean or change the filters regularly. Anything that obstructs airflow can reduce AC efficiency, so clean filters help improve performance. Check the refrigerant levels if your air conditioner still seems to have trouble working properly in a high-humidity environment. Low refrigerant levels could hamper the AC’s ability to wick water from the air.

If everything is clean and working properly, try running your AC on low speed or setting the fan to auto. This slows the airflow and gives the evaporator coils more time to extract moisture.

What Else Can You Do to Remove Humidity and Improve AC Performance?

Humidity levels inside the home are a direct result of outdoor humidity levels. Keeping doors and windows closed while your AC is running keeps the air inside cooler and drier. If your home has chronic high humidity, check for cracks in the walls or foundation, drafty windows or insufficient door seals. Excess condensation on pipes, plumbing leaks and pooled water in basements also impact humidity levels. Sometimes a simple home repair can keep moisture out and make it easier for your AC to run efficiently.

Older systems may have more trouble dealing with high levels of humidity. In some cases, you might want to invest in a new AC unit with modern features designed to tackle excessive humidity. Mini-split systems let you maintain different temperatures in different parts of your home, and units placed high on a wall may capture more warm, moist air than traditional central air conditioners.

If your air conditioner doesn’t remove enough humidity to keep you comfortable, you may want to consider getting a dehumidifier. Whole-home dehumidifiers integrate with your existing HVAC unit to pull moisture out of the air as it flows through the system. Portable dehumidifiers decrease the humidity levels in a small space, such as a single room.

Every home has its own scent — good or bad — and having a home that smells good can be welcoming and cozy.

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Why Does My House Smell Bad?

First, you need to rule out the really bad smells. Sewage, sulfur and gas odors need to be addressed ASAP by a professional. These signal that there’s something wrong with your pipes, drains or gas lines.

While some house odors have an easy-to-track-down source (such as your furry friends’ dirty litter boxes, overflowing garbage or a bag of burned popcorn in the microwave), others seemingly come from nowhere. Musty or damp smells could be from mold and mildew. Stale odors can be the result of stagnant air, dust and humidity. Bad smells can come in from the outside, too. If you live in an industrial area or a farming community, icky scents can infiltrate your home.

Volatile organic compounds are the culprit for many unknown home odors. Volatile organic compounds are gasses that certain solids and liquids give off. The off-gassing of some products — like paint, adhesives and cleaning supplies — can be pretty obvious. But a variety of products can release organic compounds when you use them, and even in storage. Here’s a short list:

• Building materials
• Furniture
• Copiers and printers
• Paint
• Cleaning supplies
• Aerosol sprays
• Solvents
• Adhesives
• Air fresheners
• Cosmetic products
• Dry-cleaned clothes

But volatile organic compounds aren’t just stinky. Some can be chemicals (like benzene and formaldehyde) that are harmful to your health and impact indoor air quality.

10 Ways to Get Your Home Smelling Good

Let in Fresh Air

Opening the windows — as long as the weather isn’t too hot or cold — is a great way to make your home smell great. It lets in fresh, clean air from outside and can make it feel less stuffy. The natural scent of the outdoors can be especially pleasant if you have nearby flowers. Make sure your window screens are intact so you don’t let in any unwanted insects. Spread the fresh air around with floor and ceiling fans.

Regularly Vacuum Carpets

Carpet lasts between five and 15 years, depending on the material and how well it’s cared for. It also accumulates scents over time from spills, dust, odors and walking on it. Regular vacuuming and occasional shampooing can help keep your carpets smelling fresh. Sprinkling baking soda on carpets and rugs can absorb even more odors before vacuuming.

If your carpets are old, you might consider having a professional replace them. Replacing carpets has a big effect on the overall smell of a space.

Get Rid of Mold

No number of reed diffusers or air fresheners is going to put a dent in the smell of mold if you don’t do something about the root cause. If you can see the mold and reasonably clean it up (such as mold around porcelain bathroom fixtures), go ahead and do so. But if you’re smelling mold and mildew and you can’t see it, you’ll want to contact a mold remediation specialist.

Wash Curtains and Linens

Curtains can absorb bad smells over time, like unwashed clothes. They also tend to get dusty. Laundering your curtains can make a difference in the overall smell of your home. Make sure your curtains or drapes can actually be washed, as some materials may be dry-clean only. When you rehang them, use a garment steamer to get out any wrinkles.

On that note, you should clean any linens you have lying around. Blankets, duvets and bed linens can also trap smells. Launder them with pleasant-smelling dryer sheets or fragrant laundry detergent to get a lasting air freshener effect.

Put Baking Soda in the Fridge

Putting an open box of baking soda in the fridge can help absorb odors from food and keep your fridge smelling clean. You can use a traditional box of baking soda or one specifically made for fridges — it has a breathable panel on the side to freshen your fridge. Change it out once every three months or more often if you regularly store smelly foods, like fish.

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Run Lemons Through the Garbage Disposal

A kitchen sink with a garbage disposal is really convenient for cleaning up food waste and scraps. But over time, it can develop an unpleasant smell. To help counteract this and disinfect it, cut up a whole lemon and put the pieces through the garbage disposal while running cold water. The acid in the fruit helps disinfect internal parts, and the rind and citrus oils provide a pleasant, clean smell.

Consider an Air Purifier

Although air purifiers are more expensive than other ways to make your home smell better, they’re a great long-term solution. Air purifiers trap dust and other particulates and filter odors from pets, food, garbage and other unpleasant smells in your home. Some are small enough to sit on a tabletop, while others are designed for larger living areas. There are even whole-house options.

Make a Simmer Pot

One of the best home scents can be created with a little water and some ingredients you might have in your fridge. Slice a lemon, orange or lime and add it to some fresh herbs, like basil, mint or lavender, in a pot. Fill it with water and simmer it on your stovetop on very low heat. Slowly, over time, the scents from the citrus and herbs will infuse your house. Apples, cinnamon sticks and cloves are another great combination to make your house smell great.

Use Candles, Diffusers or Room Sprays

Sometimes, making your house smell better is about removing bad smells, but it can also be done by adding pleasant fragrances. Scented candles, reed diffusers and room sprays are all effective at making your house smell better. You can select your preferred scents — whether floral, fruity or clean — and they help create a cozy ambience whether or not you’re entertaining guests.

Beeswax and soy candles generally burn cleaner than traditional paraffin candles because they produce less soot, and diffusers can be used with essential oils. Room sprays work well in any room of the house, including bathrooms.

Be careful about mixing fragrances together to avoid your house smelling like a scented candle factory. And consider only using them when you’re not cooking in the kitchen, as fragrances from candles and scents from food can be unappealing when mixed together.

Cook and Bake

This one seems obvious, but cooking and baking are great natural ways to make your house smell great, even if it’s temporary. Sweet baked goods and fresh bread are some of the best appetizing smells, and savory smells can be enjoyed from seared meats and simmering sauces.

Turn on your kitchen faucet, and water flows like magic — but have you ever wondered about its journey to your glass? Whether it’s traveling through miles of municipal pipes or being pumped from deep beneath your backyard, your home’s water source plays a key role in your daily life.

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Understanding the difference between well water and city water might not seem exciting — until your morning shower runs dry or your coffee tastes a bit different.

What Is the Difference Between Well Water and City Water?

The fundamental difference lies in where your water comes from and how it gets to your home. City water is supplied through a complex infrastructure of treatment facilities and underground pipes. It undergoes rigorous treatment processes and is regularly tested by local authorities.

Well water comes from an underground aquifer accessed through your well. It provides nutrients and minerals since it’s naturally filtered through layers of soil and rock. While city water systems handle treatment and testing for you, well water leaves you responsible for water quality and system maintenance.

Key Differences Between Well Water and Municipal Water

Here are the essential factors that set these water systems apart:

• Treatment methods. Municipal water undergoes standardized treatment processes, while well water may require individual water filter systems.
• Testing requirements. City water is tested by authorities to make sure water is safe, but well owners must arrange privatewater quality testing.
• Infrastructure. City water relies on municipal pipes and systems, while well water depends on a water pump and private system.
• Emergency preparedness. Natural disasters like floods can affect both systems differently, requiring distinct approaches to water security.

Can All Houses Get Both?

Just like a municipal sewer or septic system and in-ground septic tanks, not every property has access to both options. Your location largely determines your available water sources.

City Water Pros and Cons

Does city water require a water pump? Not for you as a homeowner, because the city maintains the pumping system. Municipal water service is typically collected from surface water and is available in urban and suburban areas, though it requires your property to be within reach of existing water lines. While this service is common in more populated areas, you might find it limited or completely unavailable in rural locations.

Well Water Possibilities

There are several pros and cons of well water. Well water systems are most prevalent in rural areas where groundwater is accessible and property size permits drilling. While there are many well water advantages, local regulations may restrict well installation. These water well systems typically work in tandem with septic systems where municipal services aren’t available.

Is Well Water Free?

Do you pay for well water? While well water doesn’t come with a monthly water bill like city water, it’s not exactly free. The costs of well water systems fall into two main categories: installation and maintenance.

Well systems require initial drilling and equipment setup, followed by pump installation and home connection. Some properties may also need additional water treatment systems depending on water quality.

Maintaining a well system involves regular water quality testing, system maintenance and repair costs. Homeowners should also factor in electricity costs for running the pump and eventual equipment replacement over time.

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What About City Water?

City water systems provide certain conveniences but also come with their own considerations. Here’s what you should weigh when evaluating city water service:

• The benefits of city water include consistently treated and monitored water.
• Users enjoy reliable pressure and flow, and municipalities handle line repairs and maintenance.
• While convenient, city water comes with monthly bills and limited control over treatment methods.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Whether you’re using well water vs. city water, understanding the source helps you make informed decisions about your personal water use. It falls to you to select filtration systems, address specific water quality issues and ensure drinking water remains safe through proper maintenance and monitoring.

Both well water and city water can provide safe, reliable water for your home when properly maintained. Well water offers independence and potentially better-tasting water with natural minerals, while city water provides convenience and regulated safety standards. Understanding these differences helps you make the best choice for your situation or better manage the water system you currently have.

Remember that local regulations, environmental factors and your property’s location may influence or limit your options. Consulting with local water quality experts or municipal authorities can provide specific guidance for your area’s water systems and requirements.