5 Ways To Create a More Energy-Efficient Home

When is the last time you’ve done an audit of your home’s energy efficiency? Inefficiencies can show up in a variety of areas, costing you money and even contributing to environmental damage. The good news is that there are many improvements you can make that can have a big impact on your energy consumption and bills. If you’re ready to tackle a few items on your efficiency to-do list, grab your toolbox, construction level, measuring tape, and a step ladder to get started on these five tips:

1. Replace Your Old Windows With Energy-Efficient Ones

Though it certainly isn’t an inexpensive fix, replacing your old windows can save you up to 50% on your energy bills. Look for low-E, argon gas insulated windows if you want to get the most bang for your buck. If you are planning to install the windows yourself, make sure the window openings will fit the new ones without any modification. Use a T-square and construction level to see that they’re level and square and follow a step-by-step installation guide from a reputable source — This Old House, for instance. This is a fairly advanced DIY project, however, so most homeowners choose to call in professional installers for this job.

2. Insulate Your Water Tank

If you have a traditional water heater, you could be losing heat through the tank if it’s not wrapped with insulation. If you can afford it upgrade to a tankless water heater that only heats water on demand and never runs out of hot water when you need it. It is also a pricey solution for energy efficiency, but as with window replacement, it could save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

3. Switch Out Your Lightbulbs

Here’s an easy, relatively inexpensive fix: replace all your incandescent bulbs with ENERGY-STAR© rated LED ones. LEDs use 75% less energy than their incandescent counterparts and last up to 50 times longer. It might not have as noticeable an impact on your electric bill as one of the major replacements, but every little bit helps to bring down your total cost.

4. Change Your Filters

Another quick-and-easy fix is to change the filters in your HVAC system and furnace. Filters should be changed at least every three months — more if anyone in the home has allergies. Clogged filters make your equipment work harder with less output, adding needless costs to your energy bills. If your home uses an oil furnace or window air conditioners, check into the possibility of upgrading to gas or radiant heat, as well as central air or ductless air conditioning. These climate-control systems are considerably more energy-efficient and cost less to run, even if it’s a big investment initially.

5. Install a Ceiling Fan or Two

Not only are ceiling fans effective for cooling in warm weather, but they also help to distribute heat in the colder months. Just make sure you use the directional switch on the side of the fan to pull the air up during winter and down in the spring and summer. To install one yourself, you’ll need a step ladder, cordless screwdriver, construction level, and basic knowledge of how to hardwire. Turn off the power first, and check to see if the existing junction box is fan-rated. If it’s not, you’ll have to install a brace to support the weight of the fan between the ceiling joists. Be sure that the fan is level and attached securely so you won’t have any rocking once you turn it on.

Making your home energy-efficient makes good sense for you, for the environment, and for resale, if you ever put it on the market. Visit Engineer Supply for the tools and equipment you need to get your home in top shape.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Your Next Property At Auction

Buying a property through an auction can be fantastic, yet it does also come with risks. You don’t need to be a cash buyer to purchase through an auction, so it is definitely worth looking into. Here are some of the main pros and cons of buying a property at auction to help you make a measured decision about whether this is the right direction for you. 

Pros

Quicker Than Traditional Sale

When you buy a house through the traditional method, you can be waiting months to actually get into the house. Yet, when you buy at auction, contracts are exchanged on the day and the transaction is usually completed within the month. You also don’t need to worry about the sale falling through as it won’t be in a chain relying on the sale of other properties.

Below Market Value

Due to the fast nature of the sale, sellers are usually willing to accept below market price. They will set a minimum spend limit and after that, they have to accept the highest offer. Often, this can work extremely well in the favor of the buyer. You know exactly who else is bidding and can stop whenever you need to. For people who think they can’t afford a particular area or type of property, looking into auctions could help you to get there.

Less Competition

When you buy a house through an estate agent, often they have many other people viewing the property which puts pressure on you to make a quick decision and make a high offer in order to compete. Yet, with an auction you know exactly where the competition is and how much they are bidding. This means you won’t end up bidding much more than the competitors to secure the property, so you could save money overall. 

You Can View The Property

A misconception about residential property auctions is that you go in blind at the auction and don’t have a chance to view the property. Yet, the properties that will be sold in the auction are revealed in advance, so you have time for multiple viewings and also to have a survey completed (this is highly advisable). 

Cons

You Need The Deposit/Full Payment On The Day

To buy at auction, you don’t need to have the full sum to buy the property. You can still get a mortgage, but you would need to put down the full deposit on the day of the auction. If you do decide to pay in full, that will also need to be done on the day. You won’t have time to mull over the decision or pull out if you overspent, so you are making a big commitment when you are bidding. This is something to bear in mind before deciding to bid at auction.

Limited Scope For Detailed Surveys and Legal Advice

Although you do have the opportunity to have viewings and surveys completed, the window is very short. If you don’t manage to find a surveyor or solicitor quick enough, there’s a high possibility you won’t be able to bid, or would bid without having legal advice or a survey which definitely is not advised.

Potentially Problematic Properties

Continuing from the last point, the short window of opportunity for surveys can be problematic. When someone is selling at auction, they may be trying to get rid of the property quickly due to severe structural problems. If you don’t have a survey, it is unlikely you will know about these problems, which could be a massive issue in the future. Although any house for sale can have issues, the fast nature of auctions means you must be prepared to have detailed surveys completed to protect yourself. 

You Could Get Carried Away

The atmosphere at an auction can be competitive, meaning it is easy to get carried away and bid more than your budget. If you do this, you are not only likely to put yourself in a poor financial position but it is likely that you will be paying more than the property is worth. For this reason, you must go into the auction with an absolute ceiling figure that you will not go above in any circumstance. 

Final Thoughts 

Whilst there are many benefits to buying at auction, the best piece of advice is to be prepared. Have your deposit ready, have a ceiling figure in mind that you won’t bid above, have detailed surveys completed and seek legal advice. This should help to remedy some of the cons, but these issues should be seriously considered before jumping into an auction. 

Guest Post - 10 Things You Didn't Know Make Your Bedroom Look Cluttered (And How to Fix It Immediately)

You may have gone through many arranging and decluttering sessions, but your bedroom would still be a mess if you don't know how to organize things properly. Here are the day-to-day things that you didn't know made your room look more cluttered (and their quick fix!).

1. You don't sweep and clean too often

Dirt accumulates every single day. If you only sweep once a week, dust accumulates slowly, which will add some clutter in your bedroom. Make it a habit to sweep every day and take out the trash as often as possible to minimize your floor's clutter. The more frequent you sweep and clean, the lesser it will take you to declutter and deep clean your room again.

2. There is too much paper

Whether it's a pile of bills or random scratch papers, having a lot of office or school things on top of your desk will always make your room look like a mess. Get a paper organizer and make sure you have a tray for essential bills, notes, and files. Keeping paper things clustered together will ensure that you know where to find them in case you need them again.

3. Wires everywhere

Technology may have taken over your bedroom. And before you know it, your floor or desk has too many dangling or entangled wires all around. Having a wire organizer will keep things tidy.

Place the wire organizer in a strategic place so it won't be an eyesore every day. Allot a charging station for where your gadgets would most likely stay. Lastly, it would be helpful if you make your bed a screen-free zone. This habit will keep phones, tablets, and other gadgets off your bed before you take a shut-eye.

4. Books all over the room

If you love reading, it won't be strange that you would read around your room and randomly place it whenever you are in a rush or an emergency. Have a place for reading and organize your books in place. Keep genres together or color-code your books according to your liking. Having a designated space for reading will declutter your room in an instant. A reading nook will also bring stillness and serenity to your reading time.

5. You don't weed out your clothes

Have you tried ordering clothes online? Before you know it, your dresser and drawers are already full of clothes that you don't even wear too often. The closet is among the biggest clutter culprits in the bedroom. You can leave clothes everywhere, and it won't take long enough to make one piece of the shirt make it look cluttered again.

Regularly weed your clothes to make sure that the ones inside are the ones that you can wear shortly. Have enough extra space for future clothes, and make sure you won't fill it up anytime soon. Buy less and consider having a minimalist wardrobe for less clutter.

6. You keep and take out jewelry often

You can hide real and precious jewelry inside your safe. But, you wear some jewelry more often, that taking them out every day would seem like a hassle. Most of the time, they end up on top of your drawer, dresser, or just on the bed.

It is best to invest in bowls, baskets, or trays for everyday wearables. If you plan on changing a set of jewelry, you can do so in a schedule and keep the unused one again. You can place these trays where it is most accessible for you in the morning before work.

7. You have the wrong bed frame

The bed is among the highlights in a bedroom. Having the wrong bed frame with a cheap mattress for your room can be a disaster that you didn't know was coming. Invest in a bed frame with secret storage options so you can keep your things and maximize your space.

The right mattress will also make a difference because it will make your room look more elegant and kept up. If you don't want to spend on another bed frame, invest in storage boxes that can fit under the bed. You can also organize your mattress and beddings for a more graceful ambiance.

8. You still keep out of date cosmetic products

It is common to have a lot of cosmetic products. But most people miss out on the expiry date and still keep unwanted or, worse, harmful cosmetic products. Label out the product when you opened them and mark your calendars on what month and year they will expire.

This simple habit will save you a lot of space and keep your skin healthy by avoiding expired cosmetics. Group things (skincare, haircare, makeup, nail products) will be a lot easier for you when you use these products. There are a lot of cosmetic organizers that can make your arranging habit more minimalist and neat.

9. You don't have a bedside table

Some consider having a bedside table as something they can live without. That might be true, but without one, a lot of things can accumulate on the bed.

Phones, papers, books, pens, hair ties, and other late-night things can be tucked in under the pillows and sheets because nothing can place them on. Having a bedside table will keep the essentials and extra stuff near you right before you sleep. Having one will encourage you to keep your bed more spacious and result in less cluttered bed space.

10. Light clutter

Light can also have a significant impact on the overall look of your bedroom. Well-lit bedrooms in the daytime will look less cluttered with all your arrangements and cleaning efforts. It tidies things up and makes everything look sophisticated.

Spend a decent amount of money on lights to make your room more pleasing in the eye. At night, keep the lights off or invest in a dimmer to make the ambiance more comfortable. Blackout curtains also add calmness and serenity to your nighttime meditations and thoughts.

There you have the things that make your bedroom look cluttered and ways you can fix them immediately. Follow these tips and make your bedroom cozier and more appealing today!

References

1.   https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/g3745/things-to-throw-out-your-bedroom/

2.   https://www.mintnotion.com/frugal-living/how-to-organize-a-small-bedroom-and-keep-it-clutter-free/

3.   https://restonic.com/blog/clutter-sleep-3595

4. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/declutter-your-home/a575013/bedroom-organisation-advice/

5. .   https://theturquoisehome.com/declutter-an-entire-room-5-simple-steps/

About The Author

Charles is the managing editor of TheSleepMatters.com. He helps people get a better night’s sleep by providing expert insights, reviews,  and guides on mattresses.

Guest Post - Things to Consider While Preparing for A Bathroom Renovation

Renovating a bathroom is both an exciting and rewarding experience. A remodeled bathroom reflects personal style and delivers the desired comfort, maximum functionality, and added value. But to get the outcome you dreamt of requires time and a considerable amount of investment. Lack of focus and proper planning can get it off-track in no time. At times it gets overwhelming and daunting for homeowners as there is a lot of decision-making involved, and the bathroom is an essential everyday space that you can’t keep disorderly for long. 

If you are prepping up for a bathroom renovation, carefully considering a range of factors and a little advanced preparation and foresight can ensure that the project does not upend your life or create needless hassles. For people undertaking a bathroom renovation project for the first time, doing a thorough research and taking expert assistance will be a prudent choice.

Consider the following things before demolishing the bathroom to enjoy a smooth bathroom renovation process from conceptualizing to completion:

Plan it

Planning is the best way to start a bathroom renovation project. Write down your list of priorities, matters with the present bathroom, the expectations, or what you wish to achieve at the end of the project. Setting clear goals and creating a well-defined plan is the key to a successful bathroom renovation. 

Set a budget

There is no defined cost of renovating a bathroom. You can spend as much as you wish, and for this reason, setting a budget is critical. Do your research keeping all the required changes, like adding a new sink, a fresh coat of paint, lighting and plumbing fixtures, and cabinets in mind to get an idea of your ability and willingness to spend on different aspects. Setting a budget and defining the financial limits will make it easier to decide on the layout, design, and other features.

Layout

Keeping the current layout is always cost-effective. But if you have the budget and are not happy with the present bathroom condition, you can redesign it from scratch to suit your needs. Keep in mind that completely changing the layout will also mean plumbing alterations to accommodate the renovations. Don’t only think about the present while planning the layout. Plan it with the future in mind to accommodate all the changes you foresee in the coming times. 

Look for design inspirations

Browse through the internet or hire an architect to know ways to get the best out of the available space. A bathroom design should incorporate both aesthetics and functionality. Include factors like color, shower, bathtub, tiles, faucets, and fixtures while planning the bathroom design. Avoid experimenting too much with the materials and colors and keep things consistent with the rest of the house. While designing, also factor in how it will affect the resale ability of the house.

Keep the space in mind

Having an exceptional bathroom design idea is not enough. There should also be adequate space to execute it properly. Avoid setting unrealistic expectations and try to manage available space optimally.   

Appropriate plumbing fixtures and features

Plumbing faucets, fixtures, and hardware are inseparable elements of a bathroom renovation. They have a considerable impact on the overall appearance. Choose hardware that fits the budget and fulfills the family’s needs. It is surprising how things like drawer pulls or door handles can transform the look of your bathroom. You can also opt for greener alternatives while upgrading the bathroom features. For example, consider a low-flow toilet, energy-efficient water heater, and no-VOC paints.

Plan the storage

Storage is a crucial part of any bathroom. Planning cabinets, shelves, and other solutions can get tricky. The storage space should be functional, easily accessible, must accommodate all your stuff, and look aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

Pick the right materials

Only once you enter the world of bathroom renovation, you realize that there are much more details to look into than you thought. The choice of materials for different bathroom accessories depends on your need and the bathroom style. Do proper research before choosing a durable material for the countertops, floor tiles, cabinets, bathtub, backsplash, and lighting.

Lighting

It is easy to forget about lighting while remodeling a bathroom. Bad lighting can destroy the look of the space. Consider maximizing the natural lighting through a window or skylight, and add attractive lighting fixtures and recessed LEDs to perfectly light it up. 

Adequate ventilation

Bathrooms require excellent ventilation owing to their susceptibility to dampness. Careful planning is essential to finalize the modes of ventilation (window vents, exhaust fans) and their positioning to maximize airflow. 

Hire professionals

Selecting a reliable remodeler is essential to bring your renovation ideas to life. Avoid giving in to the temptation of hiring the one that offers the lowest price. Evaluate them for their skills, expertise, commitment, and reliability.

Taking all the above factors into account while planning a bathroom renovation will save both time and money. All the disturbances and disruptions during the process are temporary, and the final result will surely be worth all the efforts.  

About the author:

Richa has over 10 years of content writing experience with leading home improvement and renovation companies. This article is written by her for SITL Home Renovation and Design - Greenwich, CT renovation experts.