Spring Into The Season
Warmer weather is upon us, and spring is a great time to freshen up your home with those projects you have been putting off all winter. Sure, you will clean out your closets, organize your junk drawer, cycle out heavy winter sweaters and snow boots for swimsuits and sandals, and revive your home’s landscaping. But these simple, affordable tips can give your home a brighter, lighter feel as we head into spring and summer.
Accessorize
No, we are not talking about updating your wardrobe. Knick-knacks, photo frames, throw pillows, window treatments and other décor items give your home personality; swapping them out to welcome in a new season is a great way to breathe new life into a tired winter house. Even if you don’t go all out and purchase new accessories, consider moving things you already have into new areas of your home or bringing out pieces you’ve been keeping in storage. Another great way to re-accessorize is to get
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Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home’s Cooling System
During the warm summer months it pays to do as much as you can to improve the energy efficiency of your home’s cooling system. Whether you have invested in money-saving technology such as an HVAC unit or just want to take simple steps to ease the burden on your air-conditioner, you will definitely see the difference on your next utility bill.
When it comes to turning up the heat in your home, some of the biggest culprits are the appliances you use every day in your kitchen. From the oven to the stovetop to the dishwasher, kitchen appliances use heat to do their jobs and this is usually transferred into the room. Your air-conditioner is forced to work overtime to compensate for the higher temperature.
Here are five easy ways to get a cooler kitchen:
1. Get Smart About Cooking
You have to cook, but there is no kitchen law that says you always have to use the oven or stovetop to
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Pull the Plug and Reduce Energy Consumption
The average household in the United States has a large selection of electronic gadgets, devices, and appliances on the premises and the majority of these are normally left plugged into a wall socket most of the time. This is usually the case even when the device in question is only used infrequently.
What many people don’t appreciate is that even when they are not switched on, many items that remain plugged into a wall socket are still consuming a significant amount of electricity and are therefore costing their owner money.
Implement Simple Energy Efficiency Measures
The average US household spends in excess of $2,000 each year just for electricity, and one easy way to help keep this number as low as possible is to implement simple energy efficiency measures in the home. By some estimates devices and appliances that are left plugged in all day and night even when they are turned off account for between
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Are There Distinct Advantages To Using Infrared Space Heaters?
Infrared space heaters are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional heaters and it is claimed that there are some distinct advantages to using them. EdenPURE infrared heaters are admittedly quite versatile and cost-effective domestic heating but when deciding between one of these and a new but more traditional heating system, it is worth looking at the relative benefits of each.
Make Proper Use of Ceiling Fans
Infrared heaters are advertised as being ‘healthier’ than traditional heating systems, because they work by giving out ‘negative ion heat’ rather than by simply blowing dry heat into the room. The warmth from an infrared heater initially goes straight to the floor before ascending the walls and reaching the ceiling. This is said to be why they are so effective at warming up an entire room rather than just isolated spaces, such as the areas directly in front or
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Avoid Space Heater Accidents
Space heaters can be portable or fixed units, and are used for heating individual rooms to supplement or replace the heat generated by more traditional means, such as a furnace or boiler. Space heaters can be powered by wood, propane, electricity, or several other fuels, and there are a number of general safety rules that need to be kept in mind if they are to be used in a responsible and effective manner.
Toddlers and Seniors Are At Risk
The age groups at the greatest risk of injury caused by space heater accidents are toddlers under age five and seniors over the age of 70. Men between the ages of 30 and 69 are also at an increased risk of injury; this may be due to the fact that men in this age group have a greater tendency to tackle appliance repairs on their own. Most space heater accidents occur in the living room of a house or apartment, and one possible reason for this is that smoke detectors are often not installed in
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Get Educated to Prevent Potential Home Disaster
There are a number of things that you have in your home that could potentially explode. Whilst most of the time they don’t of course, it is always sensible to know what they are so that you can prevent this sort of disaster.
Gas Grills
Every year 6,000 gas grills explode. These explosions can cause severe injuries and even death. Before using a gas grill you should read the safety instructions carefully. Always get the grill inspected and maintained regularly and have any damaged parts replaced immediately. Check that propane tanks are not dented or damaged and are not stored near any heat sources.
Gas Leaks
Gas leaks causing an explosion are fortunately very rare but when they do happen the results can be deadly. The first indication of danger is the smell of the leaking gas. Any such smell should be reported immediately. Gas appliances should be serviced and inspected regularly
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The Best and Worst Flooring for the Bathroom
Residential flooring has certainly come a long way from the days of avocado green shag pile carpet and faux brick linoleum. However, with so many options available it can be hard to decide on the right flooring for your space, particularly in the bathroom. You want something that will complement your décor and hold up under the unique demands of a wet and humid atmosphere, aggravated by the high level of heating usually found in the room.
Here we have rated some of the most common types of residential flooring, starting with the worst and building up to the best for bathrooms and other damp spaces.
10. Carpet
Not only is a carpet in the bathroom virtually impossible to keep clean. Even worse, it will collect condensation and moisture down to the padding. Thanks to a combination of moisture and heating, mold and mildew will thrive, making your floor constantly damp and giving the whole
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Control Insects Naturally
Nobody wants insects and other pests in their home, but for many of us it is inevitable; bugs will somehow find their way into your house. Whether it is wasps in the attic, ants in the kitchen, or earwigs in the furnace room, controlling these pests can be a real pain. Chemical bug sprays and baits often contain noxious fumes and harmful synthetic ingredients and can be expensive. Natural pest control is cheaper, safer, and often more effective than chemical pesticides.
Before you spend another dime on chemical poisons, try our tips for safe, all-natural insect control:
Prevention
The best way to control insects and other pests is to keep them out of your home in the first place. Most common household bugs are attracted to food and water, so keep your kitchen clean, take out the trash regularly, and store food and drink in airtight containers to deter insects, rodents and other pests. Fix leaky plumbing, do not leave food
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All Toilets Are Not Created Equal!
You probably don’t realize it, but your toilet uses more water than any other appliance in your house. The average toilet in the US is responsible for about 30 percent of a household’s total water consumption each year. A high efficiency toilet is a great way to cut down on water consumption, using less water per flush and chopping your home’s water use in half.
Water Consumption Has Increased
Over the last five decades, American water consumption has increased a whopping 209 percent, and the average American uses more than 100 gallons of water every day. That’s the equivalent of 584,000 glasses of water per person each year! When you consider that toilets comprise at least 30 percent of that annual usage, it makes sense to look for alternatives like high efficiency toilets to help reduce consumption.
Toilet History
In order to understand how high efficiency toilets can make a difference, it
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