How to Utilize Your Garage as an Organized Storage Solution

For most people their cars are an expensive investment that needs to be taken care of well, therefore a well-built garage is a must-have for almost everyone. The garage can be used for a lot more than just housing your car, with proper technique and organization you can use your garage as an organized storage solution. There are a few steps that can help you organize and plan your garage; the first step is setting aside a day for the cleaning and repair of the garage. Set aside three zones on the day of your cleaning. The pile to be kept, the sell or donate pile, and then get rid of piles that should also contain all expired chemicals that require special disposal and broken beyond repair household items and toys.

Draw a Floor Plan for Your Garage

The second stage is to draw a plan for your garage; take down measurements of your garage, pay attention to switches, space your car takes, windows and doors. Then the plan should follow the criteria; heavy items put on the corner to avoid people tripping on them. Things used together should also be stored together for ease of access. Everyday items like bikes should always be closer to exits, this is to make it easy to access them and finally seasonal items should be kept at the furthest points as they are rarely required.

Garage Storage Solutions

You should then research garage storage solutions, things that will help you organize your space. You can also customize your garage storage equipment; this would make it feel like part of the house and also help organize your space by fitting into tight spaces. It is also important to consult a professional to help you plan and organize the garage. Get storage bins that can be stacked on top of each other to conserve space, also lockable storage to store chemicals safely. Add open shelves and vertical storage to help with organization.

Store the Sorted Piles

The final stage after the planning and installation of the shelves is the packaging of the items from the keep pile. The packaging should be orderly and according to usage, with items used for the same purpose packaged together. The packaging bins should be stacked together to conserve space.

The garage is a space when properly organized can help you store a lot of the extra stuff you have laying around that you don't want to lose.

Safety Updates to Make When Moving Into a New Home

When settling into a new living place, you want to not only feel safe there but actually be safe. There is danger from intruders and fires in every home, and there are other dangers that a person should protect against, as well. If you are moving into a new home, you should take steps to stay safe. The following are a few precautions to take. 

Invest in Security Features

Most people have been told that it is important for them to change out the locks when they move into a new home, but it can be all the smarter to invest in security doors and have those installed in a home. Special doors can keep a family safe while they are inside their home. A person should also invest in other security features, such as cameras and video doorbells. The more security features that one sets up, the more relaxed they are going to feel both when they are inside their home and when they are away from the place. While you are changing the doors of your new home, consider having special locks installed. Something with a keypad feature will make it even more secure. 

Invest in Monitors and Alarms

There are things that can get into the air in a home that can make things turn dangerous quickly. Carbon monoxide monitors can help a person be alerted if the air in their home is no longer safe for breathing. There are smart monitors available today that make it easy for a person to keep an eye on the air in their home. You should invest in new fire alarms for your new home, as well as smart carbon monoxide monitors.

Invest in an Air Purification System

Even when there is not carbon monoxide in the air, breathing certain pollutants in a home can be dangerous to a person's lungs and body. In order to make a home as safe as possible, one should purchase an air purification system and have that installed. This will take care of the dust, smoke, and germs that are in the air. This will also help with the smell of the air, and it will help you feel comfortable in your new home. An air purification system can be set up to clean the air in the entire home.

When a person makes certain safety updates to the home that they are moving into, they can make that home feel safe and comfortable. Some of a person's stress will go away when they focus on making their home safe.

Looking to Sell? What Your Flooring Says About the Rest of Your Property

If you are selling your home, your flooring is going to be one of the first things that potential buyers will notice. It can be the making or breaking point for that final sell. If you want to give off a good first impression, quality flooring is going to be an important choice.

Flooring Shows that Your Property is Cared for

While having dingy, scratched, and worn flooring can give off a bad impression, flooring that looks new and welcoming can do the opposite. When you want to show potential buyers that your home is well cared for, your flooring should look its best.

Your Flooring Reflects Your Home's Style

If you want your buyers to think your home is luxurious and inviting, it is important to start with the flooring. No one is going to think your home is stylish if your flooring looks bad. You can choose a material like vinyl plank flooring to give your home a luxurious upgrade. This kind of flooring is water-resistant which may attract buyers who have children. Installing some flooring that will remain undamaged by spills will surely improve your chances of selling it quickly.

Your Flooring Shows the Value of Your Home

If your flooring is drab and stained, it will reflect the overall value of your home. You have to consider that your flooring is the largest surface in your home. Everyone who enters your residence will notice if your floors are in good shape or not. If you want to raise the value of your home, it is imperative to have quality flooring.

Good Flooring Helps Your Property Look Clean

Everyone enjoys a clean and fresh home. Dingy floors will never look as clean as they should. If you want to showcase a home that looks its best, it is going to be a good idea to have flooring that can be cleaned well. Quality flooring should be simple to clean and should instantly give your home a fresh appearance.

Your Floors Are One of the First Things People Will Notice

If you want to sell your home fast, make sure that your flooring is going to impress people. Since it will be one of the first things people notice about your home, you want to make certain that your flooring looks good. Invest in a durable material that will give your home the look that you want it to have. Potential buyers will always notice your flooring, so it is important to have a surface that you can be proud to show off.

7 Air Conditioning Mistakes to Avoid this Summer

Air conditioning systems are essential for escaping the unbearable heat of the summer. These devices not only circulate cool air throughout a home or office but can also improve the air quality by removing allergens and harmful bacteria. While it’s common practice to have your AC unit working in overdrive during hot weather, this isn’t the best approach for maintaining a reliable system. 

A broken-down air conditioner can create a very uncomfortable living and working environment. What’s more, repairs and replacement parts can be costly. Unfortunately, even the best ductless air conditioner is prone to breakdown if it isn’t maintained correctly. 

Every summer, people revert to bad habits relating to their AC systems. To keep yours in top condition this summer, here are some common mistakes to avoid. 

1. Using the Wrong Size Conditioning Unit

One of the golden rules of air conditioning is that bigger isn’t always better. A large AC unit might be capable of providing cool air throughout your space. However, an oversized unit may lack efficiency and encounter problems that can cost you in the long term. 

The main issue with a large unit is short cycling. This occurs because the overpowered system disperses cool air very quickly, reducing the temperature beyond the desired point. To compensate for the cold room temperature, the system switches itself off. This cycle repeats itself to maintain the temperature, causing the unit to work harder and less efficiently.

If the AC unit is undersized, it will have to work extra hard to cool the room. Despite running excessively, your home may never reach the desired temperature, meaning your high utility bills don’t necessarily mean a cooler home.

The best way to find a conditioning unit of an appropriate size is to have a load test carried out. This helps determine the cooling capacity and energy needs of your space. You can also estimate the BTUs required to cool your space by calculating the square footage and ceiling height and inputting the measurements into a BTU calculator. 

2. Setting the Temperature Too Low

A common tactic for air conditioner owners is to drop the thermostat settings way down to reduce the temperature quickly. While this can be tempting when your home is overwhelmingly hot, it doesn’t cool the space any faster; it puts unnecessary strain on the unit and causes energy waste. 

Whether you set the AC temperature to 65°F or 80°F, it cools and disperses air at the same rate. However, setting a lower temperature causes the system to continue working after the room reaches the ideal temperature. The result is a cold house, increased waste, and a higher utility bill. 

To prevent your home from getting too hot, invest in a smart single zone mini split system. This allows you to program your device for a time of your choosing. Some systems even allow for remote access and control using a mobile app.

3. Poor Placement of the Outdoor Unit and Thermostat

The location of the outdoor unit and the thermostat has a major effect on efficiency. Neither component should be placed close to any source of heat or cold, including direct sunlight, a radiator, a window, or an appliance. 

For the outdoor unit, a shaded area is optimal. This placement allows it to operate efficiently without absorbing additional heat from the sun. However, the device also needs space for ventilation. Remove leaves, shrubs, or other obstructions from around it. 

If the thermostat is placed near a heat source or heat-emitting appliance, it may cause inaccurate readings. This throws off the AC system, leading to a poorly temperature-controlled home. 

4. Ignoring Maintenance 

Air conditioners require regular maintenance to operate efficiently and to minimize the effects of wear and tear. Air filters need to be changed frequently to maintain efficiency and air quality. Filters are relatively cheap and easy to replace. They can also be cleaned to increase longevity.

Read the owner's manual of your unit to determine what maintenance is required. Some units need filter changes monthly, while others need filter replacements once every six months. 

As a general rule, you should have your air conditioning system professionally serviced once per year. A qualified HVAC technician can perform routine maintenance and advise you on ways to run your unit more efficiently.

5. Running Your Air Conditioner Inefficiently 

Running your system incorrectly reduces its efficiency and negatively impacts the condition of the unit. Many air conditioner owners leave their device running at a set temperature for extended periods to maintain a desirable home temperature, including when they are away. Although this may keep your home cool, it wastes energy and increases utility bills. 

The most efficient way to run your AC system is to turn your thermostat up when you’re away from home. Although the building will heat up during this period, it reduces waste and keeps your system in better condition for longer. 

Many modern systems are programmable, allowing you to time your temperature adjustments for when you are occupying the house. Smart appliances can be controlled remotely using an app so you can lower the temperature just before you arrive home.

6. Opening Windows

Some of the main reasons behind poorly functioning AC systems are ventilation-related. Open windows and exhaust fans are sources of air loss, which influences the temperature of a space. Air conditioners work on the basis that a room is properly sealed. 

Ensure your windows are closed and exhaust fans are switched off when running your air conditioner. For maximum efficiency, get an energy audit to determine if certain windows or doors are problematic. 

7. Not Using Fans

If your conditioner is struggling to circulate cool air effectively, it may be damaged, worn, or undersized. The best thing to do in this scenario is to have your unit inspected by a professional HVAC technician. However, repairs, replacement parts, or full system replacements can be expensive. If you require a temporary solution, fans can be useful.

Portable or ceiling fans are useful for dispersing air evenly around a space. This creates a more comfortable environment and takes pressure off the AC system.

Don’t Ignore Air Conditioning Problems

There are plenty of ways to maintain an efficient HVAC system. Routine checks, maintenance, and servicing help keep air quality high and energy waste low. No matter how diligent you are with maintenance, however, certain issues are unavoidable. If you detect an issue with your system, don’t ignore it. 

Minor problems are often cheap and easy to solve, but they can lead to more invasive and expensive solutions when left unsolved. Take care of your appliance and avoid common mistakes with your unit this summer.