Transform Your Home and the Planet
Mercury Insurance Offers Eco-Friendly Home Solutions
(BPT) – In these economically and environmentally challenging times, the cost of running a home is rising just as swiftly as interest rates. The costs associated with maintaining our homes are growing, driven by increases in energy prices and the escalating expense of non-sustainable building materials. Yet, Earth Month presents an opportunity to examine how we live. Mercury Insurance (www.mercuryinsurance.com) is assisting homeowners by offering practical ways to reduce their bills and their environmental impact. “We’re highlighting the crucial role individual choices play in global sustainability,” said Steven Ward, director, strategic planning and ERM at Mercury Insurance. “By adopting eco-friendly home improvements, homeowners can decrease their environmental footprint while enhancing their home’s efficiency and reducing operational costs.” Mercury Insurance is supporting these initiatives with discounts like the Green Home Discount, rewarding those who achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) green certifications. Not all discounts are available in all states; please check with your local Mercury agent. “These certifications are not just plaques on the wall; they signify a home’s reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower resource consumption, which can also lead to savings on insurance premiums,” Ward explained. Moreover, the Digital Discount encourages customers to reduce paper waste by opting for digital account management, further lessening the ecological footprint and aligning with modern, sustainable practices. Homeowners looking to make a substantial impact might consider the following Mercury-recommended improvements:
Energy-Efficient Appliances: Installing ENERGY STAR-rated appliances can cut energy consumption by up to 30%, lowering energy bills (Source: U.S. Department of Energy).
Solar Panel Installation: Reducing reliance on fossil fuels through solar energy can decrease electricity bills by 50%-90%. (Source: U.S. Department of Energy).
Water Conservation Measures: Equipping homes with low-flow fixtures and intelligent irrigation systems can save up to 50% in outdoor water usage. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency).
Sustainable Building Materials: Opting for recycled content or responsibly sourced timber can reduce emissions by up to 50% and operational costs by up to 30%. (World Green Building Council).
For those interested in embracing these eco-friendly improvements, visit mercuryinsurance.com or speak with a Mercury Insurance agent to discover if these initiatives are accessible in your state and learn more about the potential reductions in your insurance expenses.
Outdoor design trends
(BPT) – Americans are spending more time in their outdoor spaces and want to maximize those spaces. Studies show that nearly 90% of homeowners consider their outdoor areas to be important to their health and well-being. Design trends reflect that people are showing more interest in connecting with nature in their own backyard and enjoying the comforts of indoor living while gathering outdoors. This means creating environments that are comfortable, multifunctional and cost-effective. The outdoor design experts at Belgard, the trusted leader in hardscape solutions from pavers to retaining walls, share exclusive insights into 2025 outdoor design trends to help homeowners plan their dream outdoor spaces.
| Privacy and spaces of solitude | As property footprints continue to shrink year over year, homeowners are looking for aesthetically pleasing ways to incorporate more privacy from neighbors or their surroundings. Decorative screen panels, pergolas, built-in planters and other structures can add elements of both beauty and functionality that provide a sense of solitude, even in urban environments. Sound gardens and water features can further enhance a feeling of solitude by adding audible privacy from neighbors or street traffic. For example, even a simple fountain or water bowl can enhance the ambiance and help muffle sound. Back yard privacy fence with pergola, patio, outdoor kitchen and bar area.
| Shifting back to classic style | While minimalism remains a popular trend, there’s also been a shift back to a more classic style in indoor and outdoor home design. Mixed materials and warm colors such as beige and sepia
are re-emerging, which lend themselves to a more traditional aesthetic. With modular options from Belgard, a mix of different materials with multiple textures and sizes can create limitless possibilities while keeping with a classic design aesthetic. Because they’re available in many styles, shapes, and sizes designed to work together, a variety of paver patterns can be combined seamlessly to achieve any desired overall look.
| Convenience in design | As outdoor spaces are now a must-have for homeowners, they must be convenient to access and offer the same amenities as the home’s indoor spaces. Homeowners are looking for their outdoor space to transition easily from the house to the built environment while offering the same modern conveniences of lighting, eating, Wi-Fi, quality furnishing and accessories.
| Health and wellness | Using outdoor spaces to improve your well-being is a top focus for many people today. Americans are looking to be more balanced and in harmony with their environment, favoring the use of native plants and sustainable materials like permeable pavers, which promote better water drainage and reduce environmental impact. Gardening is also a popular hobby that helps improve people’s feeling of well-being, so enthusiasts can opt for raised garden beds or planters to pursue their growing goals in their outdoor spaces. For example, Belgard offers options to create built-in planters as part of your overall hardscape design with its Belgard Artforms modular outdoor panel system. You can use the panels, which are sized in modular shapes, to
quickly and efficiently construct planters, seating, outdoor kitchens, fire features and more. By designing outdoor environments that support their health and wellness, individuals can cultivate spaces that provide a retreat in their own backyard to improve their quality of life. Woman practicing yoga on her back yard patio, in front of her pool, living wall and outdoor kitchen area.
| Value-added features | In every metro area, property sizes are smaller than ever. With this shift plus budget considerations, homeowners want to maximize small spaces through modular components that serve multiple purposes, like built-in seat walls, fire features, water features and planters that seamlessly blend into a living space offering both functionality and visual appeal. Homeowners can get creative with outdoor spaces with the right hardscape materials. For example, a small space can be transformed into a lush oasis by adding a vertical garden, or underutilized spaces like side or front yards can become cozy sitting areas. Even a small patio can serve as an al fresco dining space, and it doesn’t take a lot to add an outdoor workstation with the right tools and tech. Patio pavers and wall units help define spaces, making them serve more than one purpose for any household. These strategic investments not only increase the functionality and enjoyment of outdoor areas but also significantly boost curb appeal and the home’s property value, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to maximize their limited spaces. Textured paver patio with sitting wall, beautiful potted plants, and a patio table with umbrella. Belgard.com.
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