4 Ways to Make Your Air Conditioning More Efficient This Year

As the summer heat rises, your air conditioner will have an additional strain, and its efficiency can reduce drastically. Furthermore, your power bills will skyrocket as you attempt to keep your house cool and comfortable. Below are ways to ease the burden on your air conditioning system and enable it to operate more efficiently and cut costs on your power bill.

Schedule AC Inspection

One of the most effective ways of increasing your system's efficiency is scheduling an AC tune-up by an HVAC expert. A checkup will reveal any underlying performance problems that could be impeding the system's proper operation. Furthermore, routine maintenance will prolong your air conditioning unit's lifespan and save you money in the long run.

Clean Around the Outside Units

To run at peak performance, your AC's outside units need clear and free air circulation. If your outdoor unit is obstructed by vegetation or debris, it would work even harder than if the place is kept clean. Rake all leaf piles and trim any tall grass, weeds, or shrubs that have sprung up around your unit. Keeping the area clean will improve the system's efficiency (and enhance your home's appearance too).

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

An excellent way to reduce your energy bill is to turn off your unit while not using it. You will manually adjust the thermostat by raising the temperature before leaving your house in the morning and lowering it at night. However, replacing the old thermostat with a new smart thermostat is a better way to make the thermostat functional for you.

Smart thermostats will automatically change the temperature based on a programmed schedule and also lower or increase the temperature when it senses the presence or absence of people in the home. If you link your smart thermostat to your Wireless connection, you can also control the temperature from your smartphone.

Insulate the Ductwork

Do you notice any exposed ductwork in your utility room, basement, or garage? If you do, any cold air in the ducts would warm up before it reaches your space. Your unit would be more efficient if you install insulation to these exposed ducts. This will save you a lot of money on your summer heating costs.

Use the above tips this summer to see how they play on you. Small improvements, when combined, may have a significant impact on the amount of energy used for cooling. Not only can you save cash, but you will make your home more comfortable.

Guest Post - Design Tips: 7 Creative Ideas to Create a Better Foyer

If you're the type of person who invites guests often, then you should consider how your foyer looks. But even without it, your quality of living can improve by creating a better entryway in your house.

With that said, here are seven creative ideas to create a better foyer for your house.

Add a rug or carpet

Adding a rug or carpet in your foyer is an element that will add a bit of visual texture to the floor of your entry.

If you have the space for it, a carpet is an excellent addition aside from your welcome mat by the door. It will instantly elevate the atmosphere of your foyer simply through the carpet's presence.

The carpet or rug is already a welcoming presence when you come in, which is why you should have one. You should place a rug in the foyer if you have no space for a carpet.

Place a console table

When you enter the house into the foyer, a console table is something that you would want to have out of convenience.

You can leave things such as your keys or spare change that you want to put on it. Plus, it helps break up your foyer's monotony without taking up too much space.

It also adds more room for you to work with when you're planning on decorating your foyer.

Light it up

Your foyer is the first welcome that your guests will get upon entry to your home, so you want to make it feel warm and inviting.

Well, you know what's not warm and inviting?

A dark foyer that's poorly lit. If you have a poorly lit foyer, it can make your house look gloomy and cold. Therefore, lighting up your entryway is always a good idea.

Plus, if you want to make your small space look bigger, lighting it up is a simple and effective way to do that. It will be especially great to find a way for natural light to go in your foyer to help keep a refreshing feeling to your entryway.

Pull up a chair

Although the foyer is not a space for hanging around, it would still be helpful if you find a way to incorporate a chair or even a bench right there. You'll find that it's more valuable than you'd think.

When you're removing your shoes or a guest is waiting for you to welcome them, they can sit on the chair. It's a simple addition, but you'll find that it's a lot more convenient, and you'll use it more often than you'd think at first.

Add storage solutions

You're going to need storage solutions in the foyer. You and even your guests will need to store things such as coats, umbrellas, hats, shoes, and so on upon entry to your house.

Therefore, creative storage solutions are something that you'd want.

You need to be creative with this so that they don't look messy and clutter your foyer. If your entry is too crowded, it can make your house look smaller.

Create an accent wall

Creating an accent wall by the foyer is a fun idea if you have a little nook somewhere. It can even be a great spot to take photos in when you have guests over.

It's going to add a splash of something that will make your foyer more interesting to look at. Plus, you won't have to repaint the entirety of your foyer because the accent wall is meant to stand out.

Hang a mirror

A mirror is a beneficial thing to have right by the foyer. Your guests can use it to freshen up, and you can use it to check yourself before heading out the door.

However, it's also valuable for making the foyer look bigger and brighter as the mirror can reflect light around the area.

A well-thought foyer allows you to exude warmth to your returning loved ones and guests. If this interests you, try out the creative foyer decoration ideas listed above and get yourself a foyer that makes you want to stay home.

Author Bio: Robert Helms is a freelance writer based in a NYC. When not writing for clients, he spends most of his time on DIY projects that can make his 800 sqft. apartment a home. 

8 Smart Tips to Maintain a Healthy Home Environment

Home is where we feel safe and rested. However, it takes an effort and commitment to create a home that’s comfortable and clean. A healthy home environment means a healthy space for everyone living in the house. 

A safe and comfortable home is necessary for your physical, mental, and emotional health. To create that space, you need to consider several factors that can influence how the home feels. Creating a healthy home is challenging because we are constantly exposed to chemicals or toxins everywhere. 

Nonetheless, there are things you can do to maintain a healthy home environment for the family. It is crucial, especially when you have children at home. 

Avoid toxic products

You may not avoid all toxic products, but there are things you can do to reduce their use and exposure. Opt for non-toxic cleaners. Substitute this with eco-friendly cleaners, which are safe for the environment and humans. You can find many options for non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaners in the market, or you can make your own using natural ingredients such as baking soda. It is affordable and can be an all-around cleaner.

Another way to reduce the use of toxic cleaners is to use microfiber cloths when cleaning since it attracts and absorbs dirt more. Aside from cleaners, pesticides and repellents can contain toxic chemicals. 

Open the windows

Poor indoor air quality is caused by poor ventilation. It will also promote mold growth, which can irritate the nose and lungs and trigger an allergic reaction in some people. 

The easiest way to improve ventilation is to open the windows around the house. It will promote air circulation and prevent stagnant air. The clean air outside can help flush out pollutants inside the home. If you have air conditioning or a heater, make sure to clean the system regularly. 

Aside from improved air ventilation, opening the window allows the sunlight to come in. The UV rays can kill bacteria and help significantly in improving your mood. 

Add some plants

Adding plants indoors can improve your health because they breathe in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Plants can absorb harmful toxins and improve the overall air condition indoors. 

Plus, greenery has therapeutic effects on the mind, body, and soul. Popular indoor plants are Snake Plant, Aloe Vera, and Spider Plant. The presence of plants can freshen and calm our surroundings.

House cleaning

Keeping a regular schedule for cleaning is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy home. To avoid feeling overwhelmed with cleaning, you can do it by space by space. For deep cleaning, set a dedicated day because it will usually take more time. 

When cleaning your kitchen, pay specific attention to the countertop, cutting board, and sponges because this is where cross-contamination can happen. Have separate boards for raw meat and vegetables. For the countertop, make sure to sanitize after every use and eliminate the presence of bacteria in sponges; put it in a microwave for two minutes and air dry it after. 

Dust is also another concern in the house because it can trigger various health issues such as asthma and allergies. Using a vacuum and keeping the house well ventilated can help reduce dust. 

Check for unsafe condition

Doing maintenance checks is part of keeping the home environment safe and healthy. Examples of unsafe conditions are water leaks or structural damage. Check your attic for any water leaks, as this may compromise your ventilation and cause further damage. For older homes, have an asbestos inspection or lead paint testing to prevent serious health problems. 

Eliminate Pests

Keep pests out of the house because it carries various diseases, especially when you have kids. Some opt to use pesticides, but it exposes you to harmful chemicals. The best way to deal with pesticides is to prevent them from coming. Store food properly, and avoid leaving leftovers on the table or countertop. If you have pets, keep them clean using medicated soap. There is also plenty of natural pest repellent you can use that is much safer when you have kids. 

Be careful with toxic gas

Carbon monoxide poisoning and radon are some of the common gas poisonings that can happen in your home. Radon is a radioactive gas from uranium when it breaks down in the soil. It is colorless and odorless and can only be detected using a test kit, which you can find in stores. 

Carbon monoxide is also odorless gas that can easily cause intoxication and death. This gas is caused by incomplete burning of fuel such as kerosene and propane. Make sure your heating system and other fuel-burning equipment are functioning correctly. Installing a carbon monoxide detector can help detect early poisoning.

Wash your sheets regularly

The bedroom is our intimate space, but it is often overlooked. Humans shed millions of cells daily, along with other dirt such as dander and sweat. Washing the sheets regularly minimizes the risk of carrying all the bacteria and dirt while we are sleeping. It also reduces the risk of molds in the room.

Conclusion

From regular cleaning routines to reducing the presence of toxic substances at home and making sure the overall structures of the house are safe and secured, maintaining a healthy home is hard work. You can ensure a safe environment to live in with these smart steps taken.

The Perfect Balance Between Home Life and the Environment with Double Glazing Windows

In UK, 80% of the energy is produced by burning fossil fuels which are likely to generate around 86 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This poses a great threat to the environment but there are plenty of practical steps that can be taken to reduce our carbon footprints. One of the most beneficial ways to reduce our carbon footprint is by making our homes energy-efficient through double-glazing. It is estimated that using double-glazing can help reduce carbon emissions up to 700kgs per home. And that’s not all, double-glazing has a huge number of other advantages as well which will be described later in this blog. 

In recent years, double glazed windows have gained wide popularity in UK and have become the most preferred choice for homes, buildings, and office spaces. So, what is a double-glazed window? Before proceeding further, let us define that.

A double-glazed window comprises two glass sheets with air entrapped in between them. This entrapped air acts as an insulation barrier against heat loss and noise, helping you maintain a warmer, quieter home.

Installing energy-efficient double-glazed windows help reduce energy bills significantly. During summer months the double-glazed windows help to keep the extreme heat outside effectively while in winters, it reduces heat loss from the house. Thus, you do not need to use the air conditioner or heating system very often and enjoy cooler summers and warmer winters. On a standard house, it is expected that double glazing can help save up to £200-£250 per year.

How is double-glazing better for the environment?

We know that the excessive use of air conditioners is hazardous for the environment especially the ozone layer which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun. The chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is a major air pollutant that is released from the use of air-conditioners and causes significant depletion of the ozone layer resulting in global warming and climate change and has far reaching impacts on the ecosystem.

Installation of environment-friendly double-glazed windows and doors not only helps in decreasing energy bills but also alleviates the burden on our environment. This can be a small but significant step towards improving the thermal efficiency of the houses and making them more sustainable and thus help fight climate change. 

Double Glazing: Unique outlook for your home

Double glazed windows have become fairly prevalent in recent years because of their ease of use, availability in an array of styles, better insulation and security, and the modern outlook that they render. 

Whether your home has a modern outlook, or it is a bit classical, double glazing can tremendously improve your house aesthetics while providing other added benefits. The windows come in different styles such as the casement, sash, tilt and turn, and bay windows suitable for different kinds of properties. As for the doors, double-glazing is also well-suited for French doors, patio doors, bi-fold doors, and more. Various frame materials such as uPVC, timber, and aluminium are employed with double glazing which enhances its visual appeal and thermal properties. 

Noise Insulation

Over the last decade, noise pollution is on the rise instigating a considerable impact on human health. Scientists claim that a peaceful home and office environment lay a positive impact on mood, health, and productivity. Double glazing helps create a calm and quiet environment inside the house or office spaces away from the outside hustle-bustle. You can also comfortably enjoy music inside without disturbing the neighbours. 

Increased Security

The double-glazed windows are more secure as the toughened glass is hard to break. It is also very difficult to push open the window from outside so you can stay at peace that no one can break into your house. There are plenty of glass choices for double-glazed windows as well including tempered, laminated, fire protection, and heat-reflective glasses which can further increase its efficiency. 

Enhance property value

The double-glazed windows and doors are a great investment for all the reasons mentioned above but also in the long run if you want to sell your house, it will attract more potential buyers with better deals than you would have with single glazing. 

Therefore, with the use of double-glazing, you are most likely to have a positive impact on the environment along with keeping the inside ambience well suited for everyone.