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Save Green: 4 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bill

November 25, 2015adminEnergy Efficiency, Green Living, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, energy efficient, green living, winterLeave a comment

Reducing your energy bill doesn’t have to require you to make significant sacrifices in the way that you live your life. Making simple changes and investing in new technologies to help you better manage your home can help you save substantially on your utility bills. Take advantage of new smart home technology and soon you’ll find that your power bill more than makes up for itself over the course of a year.

Smart Home Technology

You don’t need a complete smart home solution to benefit from smart home technology. Instead, you can just purchase a few appliances or outlets that you use most to help reduce your output. There are wall adapters that you can plug your devices into, and then you can control those devices using a mobile app. This is also helpful for when you go on vacation, and you want to create the impression that someone is still home.

Programmable Thermostat

If you would like something a little more low-key and automated, consider getting a weekly programmable thermostat. A thermostat that is digital and that you can set manually can help you automatically save money, and you can even save on the startup costs with a Discountrue coupon for AliExpress. Set the thermostat to automatically rise or fall a few degrees before you come home, and make sure it’s just the right temperature when you return.

Stock Your Refrigerator

Aim to keep your refrigerator at least 75 percent stocked to keep costs down. When you keep items in your refrigerator, they cool to the desired temperature. While the refrigerator has to work harder initially, once you cool down the items in the refrigerator, it won’t have to work as hard to maintain temperature. The same is true of your freezer. Keep ice bags or ice blocks inside your freezer to keep it full.

Use Candles in the Winter

During the winter, make use of candles to help heat up your house before you sleep at night. Surprisingly, candles are an affordable way to produce a noticeable bit of heat. There are even candle wreaths you can purchase to greatly increase the heat production. The amount of heat produced by a set of candles can offset some of the cost associated with running your heater.

Try to keep your thermostat at about 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. These settings can help you get the most out of your cooling and heating system while saving you money. It’s estimated that you can shave six to eight percent off your energy bill in the summer for each degree higher than 78 you set your thermostat to.

Guest Post By:

Anica Oaks

Freelance writer and web enthusiast
Read some of my published work on my Google+ page.

Are You Prepared For The Mini Ice Age (Infographic)

September 26, 2015adminEnergy Efficiency, Green Living, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, energy efficient, green living, home improvement, summer, winterLeave a comment

Recent research suggests that by 2030 the UK and the USA could be entering a new “mini ice age”. This isn’t an ice age at all, but does mean that winters could be harsher and summers colder. This infographic guides you through the steps you need to take to make your life mini ice age proof!

Preparing For The Mini Ice Age by Cast Iron Radiators 4u.

Energy Efficient Wall Ideas for Green Home-owners

September 4, 2015adminEnergy Efficiency, Green Living, Home Improvement Tipsenergy efficient, green living, home improvement, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

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Staying green by trying to save up on energy is not as difficult as it may sound. There are plenty ways of staying green while cutting costs and much hope exists when it comes to saving our planet in the near future, bit by bit. Walls are, as you know, the outer casing of a home. Protecting it from various weather conditions is not the only benefit the walls can provide.

Insulation

A prime step towards being energy efficient, that which your walls are lined with, is the first thing to keep in mind. Depending on where your insulation will be placed and what type you’ve opted for, you can save up quite an amount of money. Sealing air leaks not only keeps you warmer, but prevents the constant need to get up and fiddle with your thermometer, thus making sure you remain green and keeping your pockets turned the right side in. Unfortunately, an often neglected factor, the Insulation is a key factor towards achieving and maintaining energy efficiency.

Siding and Wall Cladding

If walls are the outer shell of a building, siding is definitively the walls’ answer to human skin. The first line of defense from wind, rain and sun, how it’s applied has a direct influence on your house’s outer layer durability. Cladding systems that are energy efficient have a higher heat resistance, thus resulting in less energy spending. When it comes to protecting your walls (and on that note, your home), stone makes for an extremely durable type of exterior wall cladding. Requiring less energy to maintain the indoors temperature, siding and wall cladding are a great way to support energy efficiency. Therefore, it is of huge importance that you keep quality cladding in mind and reinforce your home’s first line of defense.

Image Source

Green Walls

Not only will green walls make people turn their heads in interest, but are a fantastic way of staying energy efficient. Consisting of a frame, panels that are waterproof, irrigation systems and plants, this kind of your home’s outer shell is a great way to save up money, as well as energy. The frame is placed along the walls, making sure there’s air between them to avoid having to deal with moisture. Then, the panels are set up, as a means of holding the whole thing together. Green walls have a great deal to brag about. If you’ve covered your walls in green, you’ve chosen sustainability and durability. In addition to providing quality thermal and acoustic isolation, they work as natural air cleaners, even more so if you cover your home’s interior with them.

While staying green by keeping energy efficiency in mind may not come as a breeze after all, a bit more dedication and motivation are a low price to pay for all the benefits provided. Not only will your energy bill be kinder to you in the long term, but it’s a great and progressive
way to nurture a green consciousness in your mind. If you want to help raise global awareness and be that person that supports the trend of saving the Earth, one wall at the time, Think about keeping the last couple of paragraphs in mind.

Greenovating Your Home: Solar Solutions

August 12, 2015adminEnergy Efficiency, Green Living, Home Improvement Tipsenergy efficient, green living, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

The Sun emits billions of gigawatts of energy into space and we successfully fail to capture more of it to spare our home planet. The carbon footprint of every living person is constantly increasing, due to our dependence on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, those who are thinking about renovating their home can contribute to the world-saving process – go for solar solutions.

More Natural Light – Reduced Bills

When we say solar solutions, we refer to the energy coming from the sun in all its forms. For instance, if you add a window or two to your home, you could get more natural light and that way reduce the amount of electric energy you spend on a daily basis. Increasing the quantity of sunrays that enter your home will contribute to the level of positive energy in your home and make you behave in a green way.

Rooftop Sundrops

If you want to improve your manners in terms of ecology, you could take a bigger bite and install a skylight. Let’s face it – it is a demanding procedure, but it changes the whole perspective of your home. By letting the sunlight directly into your home from the rooftop, you can get a substantial amount of heat from there, even on winter days, thanks to the warm nature of sunrays. It could lead to reduced heating bills, as well.

Electric Window Openers

Although not a direct solar device, electric mechanisms for windows and shades can increase the quality of life. For instance, you can open them with a remote control from the comfort of your bed as soon as the sun pops up on the horizon. Then you can continue sleeping and the sunlight will start filling your room. In addition, installing a motor for opening/closing the already discussed skylight, controlled with a remote control, would be a real treat for every home owner. You will have more air and more money left in your pocket, thanks to the energy of the sun that you let into your home.

Thin Panels

We have all seen those thick, bulky panels that are usually placed on roofs. Thanks to innovations in this field, however, today thin panels, adaptable to many different areas are overtaking the market. Thanks to their light nature, they can be easily lifted and installed on roofs, but also on many other surfaces, like mobile homes, tents, even boats and grid-connected devices.

Future Craze

The market of alternative sources of energy is a pretty restless area. Innovations are being introduced at quite a fast pace and new products are even more focused on reducing the use of fossil fuels. In accordance with such an ecological policy, people will be able to use solar energy containers as their living spaces. It will be a win-win option – the carbon footprint will be reduced and old containers will be reused instead of being thrown away. What is more, those homes will be available in different sizes, depending on the number of containers.

Check Your Solar Potential

While it is true that solar power is one of the greenest forms of energy, it is not appropriate for every single climate and geographical area. The point of this kind of energy is spending less energy altogether. If you install solar panels or large windows and you don’t get enough energy from the Sun, the whole investment will be a failure. Go and check on this site launched by the US government the solar potential of your area.

As you can see, the environment is craving for a change. By using the existing forms of the natural powers, rather than producing energy, we can save the day and return this planet to its former state.

Synergy of architecture and gardening – living walls and roofs

May 19, 2015adminArchitecture, Green Living, Roofingarchitecture, design, garden, green living, health, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

Houses whose walls are covered in green, with only windows sticking out, are definite eye turners wherever they exist. The same goes for those establishments whose roofs resemble a green garden and make you wonder what lies beneath. Are those merely aesthetical contributions or is there something else that inspired their owners to have them? Here is what this is all about.

Green walls are in fact sets of plant panels vertically growing on free-standing or structures attached to the walls. They are sustainable and very durable. Apart for aesthetic contribution, green walls are a great way to improve the quality of living. They provide great thermal and acoustic isolation and represent a very successful air cleaner, especially the interior ones, and pollution barrier. Everything stated applies to green roofs as well. Now, important facts about their installment.

Green walls

There is much more to green wall systems behind the design. The most durable ones consist of a frame, waterproof panels, automatic irrigation system and optional extras, such as lights for example and plants, of course. The frame is attached to the walls on several secured points, without damaging the structure and leaving air between them to reinforce the insulation and prevent moisture. This is additionally secured by using waterproof panels, which hold the entire structure together. The most successful green walls are soilless, which makes them easier to maintain, more efficient and economic when it comes to irrigation and lighter, thus easier and safer to install. The choice of plants that can be used is practically infinite and this makes them highly customizable and allows creation of unique designs and patterns.

Green roofs

So, you put a lot of soil canisters on top of your house, plant different greenery in it, and let the rain and the Sun take care of everything else? Of course not. Installing a green roof, that is a successful one, is a complex task. If you think you will not be able to rise to the challenge, the best way to go is to let the professionals do it and here is why. First of all, the roof needs to be prepared and to have a pitch of at least one quarter of an inch for every foot it runs. This is something that flat roof homeowners should pay special attention to. Next, you need to be sure that your roof will be able to support the load, which can amount to 30 pounds of extra load per square foot. If it needs strengthening, do not do anything else before you finish this. The next step is to isolate the roof surface, usually with rubber or some other waterproof material. Now you are ready for positioning of one by two foot planted trays and arranging them to cover the whole roof area. The trays are placed in rows starting from the bottom all the way to the top. They are connected to each other for stability and irrigation and raised above the roof surface, to allow runoffs. Finally, exterior grade screws are used to reinforce the whole and it is watered to allow the soil to settle down. Unless there is a four week period of draught, you will not need to water it ever again.

Obviously, this synergy of architecture and gardening will not only make your house aesthetically appealing, but you will have a healthier and more pleasant living environment and a bigger home budget. A win-win situation.

The window you choose makes a big difference [Infographic]

May 29, 2014adminEnergy Efficiency, Green Livingenergy efficient, green living, home improvement, home trends, window replacementLeave a comment

It’s Time To Replace Your Windows

Window are so much more than just the eyes of your home, they also play a major role in your home’s energy savings. Read on to learn how the type of windows you choose can save you money and energy season after season.

Ready to start saving money and help the environment? Contact us today to have your old windows replaced!

Water Heater Energy Saving Tips

May 25, 2014adminDIY Projects, Green Living, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, energy efficient, green livingLeave a comment

Did you know that your water heater is the second biggest energy hog in your home? It accounts for at least 14 to 18 percent of the total energy cost!

Fortunately, apart from the introduction of the highly efficient and economical gas hot water systems, there are several proven ways you can dramatically reduce your water heater energy consumption.

Listed below are some practical energy-saving tips to get you off to a good start.

Reduce hot water usage.

If there are 4 of you in the family and you shower for at least 5 minutes daily, you will end up consuming approximately 700 gallons of water per week. If you do the math, that’s already a 3-year supply of drinking water for one individual! Fortunately, there are other ways to reduce your water consumption apart from not staying in the shower for too long. For starters, you can look into installing faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads to help reduce your consumption by as much as 25 to 60 percent. As an added bonus, you can end up saving on your water bill, too! Furthermore, the simple installation of the aforementioned basic fixtures can help save up to 14,000 gallons of water annually.

Ensure exposed hot-water pipes are insulated.

When you insulate your hot water pipes, it will mean water will be 2 to 4 degrees warmer when it gets to the faucet. This spares you from having to wait for too long for it to heat up. On the brighter side, you will also end up saving water, energy and money. While oftentimes seen as a cost-effective DIY job, slipping self-sealing sleeves over your pipes can be time-consuming. However, it is deemed by many as a highly effective way to dramatically cut down your water heater energy consumption.

Keep your tanks sediment-free.

Build-up of sediment in the tank is one of the common reasons known to reduce water heater efficiency. That being said, it makes saving on energy difficult, if not impossible. Fortunately, keeping the tank free from sediment is straightforward and easy. Start by turning off the water and setting the burner to ‘pilot’. Then proceed by connecting a garden hose to the spigot located at the tank’s base. Start the water flowing by lifting the pressure-relief valve and turning off the spigot of the tank. Also, it is reassuring to know draining does not have to be done often. Once or twice annually will do the trick.

Reduce your tank’s thermostat

While it’s not common knowledge, you will end up saving at least 3 to 5 percent on your energy bill every time you turn your tank’s thermostat 10 degrees down. In most instances, water heaters have a preset setting of 140 degrees. Ideally, however, the recommended setting for most households is just 120 degrees. If you happen to own a water heater that does not come with a numbered gauge, the midway between the ‘low’ and ‘medium’ marks is often considered the ideal setting.

Undoubtedly, waging a war against water heater energy consumption can be tough. Fortunately, if you apply any or all of the abovementioned practical tips, then you have a higher chance of winning the battle.

Top outdoor living trends for 2014

March 18, 2014adminDecks & Patios, DIY Projects, Green Livingdeck, green living, home improvement, home trends, landscaping, patio, spring8 Comments

From genteel porches in the East to sleek, seaside balconies in the West, the popularity of outdoor living spaces is poised for significant growth from coast to coast with industry analysts predicting it will be a $5.7 billion market by 2016. Reinforcing these projections, 63 percent of architects cite an outdoor living space as the most popular “special function room” in housing construction, according to the American Institute of Architects. What’s more, the-Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association reports that homebuilders list decks among the top three features most requested with new home buys.

“Decks and porches are now considered true extensions of a home’s living space,” says Adam Zambanini, vice president of marketing for Trex Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing. “People are showing increased interest in maximizing the function, comfort and personalization of their outdoor spaces and are realizing that it’s far more economical to expand their living space outside than to enlarge or renovate their home’s interior.”

As planning and preparation for the 2014 outdoor living season begins, the experts at Trex offer a glimpse into the national trends that will be emerging outside homes across America in 2014.

Size matters

The biggest trend in decks right now is the increase in square footage. Gone are the days of the 20-by-10-foot rectangle with just enough room for a grill and some patio furniture. Today’s decks are expanding both horizontally and vertically. Demand for decks with multiple tiers is increasing, as are requests to finish the space below an elevated deck.

Thinking outside the box

When it comes to deck designs, today’s homeowners also are thinking way outside the box and customizing nearly every aspect of their outdoor living spaces. Remodelers and architects report increased interest in pergolas and walls to define different functional areas and create privacy, as well as integrated features like built-in benches, planter boxes and storage. Similarly, consumer interest in accessories such as deck lighting, ornamental post caps and decorative balusters also is on the rise.

“We are seeing a lot more mixing of materials,” reports Zambanini. “Contractors and consumers alike are creating highly customized deck designs combining two or more decking shades and also mixing materials such as composite railings in white with contrasting black aluminum balusters. Our product offering allows for more than 1,200 different design combinations so there truly is something for every taste and lifestyle.”

High-performance, low maintenance

In addition to design aesthetics, homeowners across the country are increasingly concerned with performance. Specifically, they want materials that allow them to spend more time enjoying their outdoor living space rather than maintaining it. This motivation has contributed to the continued innovation and popularity of composite decking and railing. Unlike wood or even traditional composites, high-performance wood alternatives like Trex Transcend resist fading, staining, scratching and mold – and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. Upkeep is hassle-free and requires no sanding, staining or painting. Food and drink spills wash off easily with just soap and water.

Sustainability

Composite decking also responds to another growing trend among U.S. homeowners – interest in sustainable, eco-friendly building materials.

“High-performance decking provides the look and feel of real wood, but without the environmental impact, making it an ideal choice for today’s eco-conscious consumers,” notes Zambanini.

The entire high-performance Trex decking portfolio is manufactured from more than 95 percent recycled content, including reclaimed wood and sawdust, as well as plastic from many common household items. The company salvages and keeps more than 400 million pounds of plastic and wood scrap out of landfills each year.

To see examples of these and other top outdoor living trends, visit the Trex Inspiration Gallery. Image Source: Trex.com.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you transform your outdoor living space!

Top Flooring Trends for 2014

January 29, 2014adminDIY Projects, Green Living, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, flooring, green living, home trendsLeave a comment

Happy New Year Home Improvers!

After the holidays, most of us home improvement enthusiasts will be busily planning our property to do list for the coming year. But for homeowners that want to keep up with and introduce the latest trends to the home before their neighbours, what does the near future have in store for our flooring?

We have compiled the hottest flooring trends for 2014 so get creative this year and craft a stylish and striking home in the process.

Reclaimed Barrels and Wood

When it comes to flooring 2014, it is all about sustainability and nothing says eco-friendly like using reclaimed and reconditioned barrels as your floor covering. Each barrel has been fully recycled with the markings of old wine names and distant vineyards creating a bespoke vintage finale to your newly decorated living space or kitchen area.

Reclaimed wood is also a beautiful hardwood trend to take advantage of and, this trend in particular, is certain to last from this season to the next.

Non-Toxic Cork

Eclectic Kitchen by Fremont Kitchen & Bath Designers Project Partners Design

Another highly sustainable option is the non-toxic cork, in spite of many of us thinking of cork as a material reserved for pinboards and traditional bottle stoppers. This type of flooring is derived directly from the cork oak tree, which cultivates easily and can be harvested continually without damaging the environment or yield.

The cork is treated using eco-conscious materials and methods and, despite not being homeowners’ first choice for flooring in previous years, cork flooring has some excellent qualities that are certain to put this green material in high demand during the next year. Cork is a great insulator and even has a level of soundproofing that many flooring products lack. In addition to this, cork flooring is truly beautiful and is great for homes where individuals suffer from allergies due to its hypoallergenic nature.

Bamboo

Contemporary Kitchen by Pittsburgh General Contractors frankovitchjm

Looking for a wooden floor covering with a difference? Then bamboo flooring may just be the trend for you! Bamboo is available in a horizontal, vertical or strand woven application, which provides a hardened finish for high traffic areas. The highly engineered stand woven flooring is actually twice as durable as traditional bamboo flooring. In addition to this, bamboo flooring is available in a range of stunning finishes, from natural blonde tones to black and chocolate colours. Avoid installing bamboo in moisture-prone rooms, this type of wood is particularly porous and will expand in the face of high humidity.

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete has been a firm favourite on the interior design scene for the past few years and 2014 sees this firm and fashionable favourite return. Polished concrete flooring offers the perfect cocktail of durability and style to transform any room in your home. Concrete is also an extremely versatile material and polished flooring is available in a number of decorative finishes.

Due to its popularity in recent years, polished concrete has become quite expensive, installation is also costly as it requires specially skilled tradespeople to achieve the seamless look this type of flooring is renowned for.

This post was written by Brittany Thorley from Readymix Concrete. She is an avid home improvement blogger and actively shares her expertise on flooring and other home improvement topics.

Eco Inspired Home Improvements

January 13, 2014adminDIY Projects, Green LivingDIY projects, green living, home improvementLeave a comment

For the past several years, many people have decided to use eco products in their effort to preserve the environment and their health. They recycle and use natural cleaners for their households, solar panels to heat the water, and even hybrid cars. But many don’t just stop here. There are people that turn their homes into entirely eco-friendly and natural places, made of materials that are not harmful to the environment.

Going green seems to be not only healthy but also less expensive. For this reason, now more people think of eco-friendly methods that can be applied in their everyday activities and habits. Here we will show you a few interesting and innovative eco home improvements that you can use for your home if being kind to nature is what you desire the most.

The number of improvements you can do is practically endless but in this article we will show you a couple of examples that have been carried into practice. We will talk about what things you can do to change the interior of your house and some of the products you use.

Avoid using plastic stuff

You may find this ridiculous but, if you turn around, you will notice that you have too many plastic bags in the household. When you shop, carry jute or cloth bags. You can find bio-friendly bags in stores.

Every time you have to make a choice about materials in your household, always decide against plastic. For example, pick up wooden chairs instead of plastic ones; glass bottles instead of plastic ones, glass mugs instead of plastic ones, etc. When you think about it, you will see to what extent plastic has pervaded your life.

Avoid using papers

Magazines and newspapers that can be found on the internet can be easily accessed in the digital world. Instead of buying an actual copy, go for its online alternative. This will save you money and help preserve trees.

In addition, if you have a smartphone, use it to take pictures of receipts, bills, tickets, boarding passes and anything that you need to print out. Physical books can only take up space at home that you can use for other purposes. At first, it may be difficult to get used to e-reading, but you will see how easy it gets in time.

Eco-friendly furniture

Thinking of refreshing the interior a bit? Why don’t you purchase eco-friendly sofas? Use natural wooden frames that are non-toxic or carcinogenic compared to some of the other materials that sofas are made of. Cushions made of jute, cotton, linen, latex or wool will also work.

Don’t forget to apply this rule if you are planning to buy beds, chairs and other items. Not to mention, the market offers furniture made of organic and recycled material. When you consider purchasing anything like that, it is a great idea to do some research before you head for the furniture store.

These are just a couple of eco-friendly ideas that you can use to make your home safe for you and the environment. Every small step towards eco lifestyle will bring you closer to nature.

Guest Post By: July Minor consults http://www.cleantoperfection.co.uk/deep-cleaning-w7-hanwell/ for using eco friendly cleaning solutions and methods for the services they offer.

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