First-Time Homeowner? HVAC Maintenance You Shouldn't Ignore

Did you know that your heating and air conditioning system is one of the most important features in your home? It not only provides comfort for you but also keeps your home at a comfortable temperature. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance when there are so many other things on our plate as homeowners. If you're new to owning a home or this is the first time you've had to think about HVAC maintenance, then this post will give you some helpful tips.

Inspect Filters Monthly

Inspecting your filters on a monthly basis is a great way to ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. These filters should be replaced every month but if you have pets or allergies, then it's recommended that they are changed more frequently. When replacing them, make sure the new filter matches the old one in size and type for best results.

Check for Mold

HVAC systems are susceptible to mold growth so it's important to check for this on a monthly basis. If you see any, then remove the source of the moisture as soon as possible before removing all visible signs of mold. You can use bleach or another type of cleaning product that won't damage your HVAC system in order to get rid of any spores left behind. Mold can cause respiratory problems, so it’s important to have professional remediation if you spot it in your home. 

Address Leaks and Cracks

Leaks and cracks in your HVAC system can affect its overall performance, which is another reason why they should be addressed as soon as possible. An inefficient system will end up costing you money on your utility bills and be less effective overall. Addressing any leaks early will also prevent mold from growing inside of the unit because moisture won't be able to escape through any leaks or holes.

Air conditioning repair can be expensive if you do not stay on top of your units. If you find leaks or cracks in your HVAC system, then contact a professional to come fix them as soon as possible. This will ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible and that it's keeping you nice and comfortable at home.

Replace Air Conditioning and Heating Coils

The air conditioning and heating coils in your unit can wear down over time, so it's a good idea to have them replaced every five years. This is an important part of HVAC maintenance that should not be ignored because you never know when they'll stop working properly or fail altogether, which could end up costing you more money than they're worth. Be sure to keep a record of when tasks like this are being performed so that you can get them done on time.

HVAC maintenance is important for all homeowners, but it's especially crucial if you're a first-time homebuyer. It can be difficult to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance when there are so many other things on our plate as homeowners. But these tips should help make the process easier and more manageable. If your heating or air conditioning unit isn't functioning properly, then don't hesitate to contact an expert who will come out immediately to repair any leaks or cracks you have found in your system.

How to Build Your Lifestyle into Your Custom Home

At the very least, your home should reflect your lifestyle. You will feel comfortable having a space that is able to handle all your needs. It also feels nice to come back to a home that you don’t have to conform to. Designing your custom home allows you the opportunity to build the home around your needs. It is like a blank canvas where you get to create spaces and add features that facilitate your way of life and the things that you love most in life.

That being said, here are some of the ways you can make your custom home complement your lifestyle for a life of fulfillment. 

1.      Spacious kitchen for the avid cook

If you love cooking and spending time in the kitchen, having a spacious kitchen that can handle all your needs should be your focus. Think of having extra counter space and/or an island to facilitate food preparation and serving. A walk-in pantry can also come in handy since you might need ample space to store your grocery supplies. Moreover, if you love your kitchen, odds are you might want it to double as a social spot or a space where your family takes their meals. If this is the case, designing a sitting area in the kitchen becomes a necessity. 

2.      A cozy bathroom for people who love relaxing at the end of the day

Your home is the place that you run to at the end of the day for relaxation and unwinding the day’s stresses. If you are one of those people who love sitting in the tub with a nice read or a glass of wine, then it is only right that your bathroom accommodates that. You can design your bathroom to have a shower and a tub or a Jacuzzi. Privacy is also important, so having your bedroom all en suite is a good choice. Additionally, chances are that you want the same lifestyle for the rest in the household. Decide whether you want all the bathrooms to be full baths or just your bathroom and an extra one.

3.      Open plan for the entertainer

Love entertaining and having guests over, then having an open plan home where there is a good flow of spaces should be in your custom home design. Think of cozy seating areas and ample space for people to walk around comfortably. Design a home that is warm and inviting with décor that sparks conversations in all corners. Keep in mind that guests are different. For this reason, design different seating areas to accommodate different personalities. For instance, you can have cozy nooks for the introverts and comfortable seating areas on the balcony, porch, and garden for the outgoing people. 

4.      Secure environment for home with kids/seniors

If you have kids and/or elderly relatives living with you, you need to incorporate their needs into the design as well. Think of having a children’s room with colorful furniture and ample storage space for the toys. You also need to rethink your furniture choice to ensure that there are no sharp edges that can cause accidents. For the elderly, think of widening the door and having enough space in case they use a wheelchair or a walker. The bathroom should also be secure, complete with non-slip flooring and grab bars to avoid falling. 

5.      Pet-friendly areas for the furry friends

While you might have a lot of love for your pet, the last thing you want is damaged upholstery or having to clean the mess from carpets and rugs. Design a space that accommodates the needs of your pet to save you the trouble. A dedicated play area for your pet is a good idea to keep them away from your furniture. If that is not an option, go for furniture with quality upholstery that can withstand the claws and resist pet hair. You might also need to do without expensive rugs and carpets. 

6.      Ask the expert 

Designing a home that takes care of all your needs is no mean feat. You need to honestly evaluate your lifestyle if you are to be successful. If you find it overwhelming, it is always good to seek the help of a professional. You can contact a custom home builder to help you build your lifestyle into your custom home. Such experts have the necessary experience to ensure that no stone is left unturned. 

Conclusion

Having a home that complements your lifestyle makes you happy and satisfied. It is very important that you don’t compromise on any of your needs regardless of the importance unless you have no other choice. Of course, there is a lot that you can do to reflect your lifestyle into your custom home. Hopefully, the above ideas got you thinking.

Tidy home, tidy mind: why a clean space is important for your mental health

Whilst it can be difficult to get out of bed or have any energy when you’re struggling with a mental illness, cleaning can be a good way of gaining control over your environment. It allows you to see a visible improvement in your space, as well as offering a task that can be done in bursts, rather than all at once. 

Here, we take a look at exactly how cleaning can be beneficial to maintaining good mental health.

Clutter

For a lot of people, clutter can lead to a lack of concentration, as they get distracted by the environment around them. A study by researchers at Princeton University found that people with objects around them which were irrelevant to the task had an overload in their visual cortex, leading to a lack of concentration.

Being unable to focus when needed can then lead to feelings of irritability and stress. It can also induce a sense of a lack of control, both of which are unhelpful for those already struggling with spiralling thoughts.

However, it is important to remember that you should take care to avoid cleaning becoming a compulsion: whilst cleaning can be satisfying and will help you take control of your environment, creating a dependency on it is harmful. If you’re struggling to relax unless your surroundings are perfect, it might be time to consider if using cleaning as a method of destressing is still working for you. 

If you are worried about compulsivity but still want a clean space, it could be worth considering hiring a cleaner. You shouldn’t have to sign a contract with them, so you can book a one-off clean and assess if you need them the following week, or go back to doing it yourself.

Physical and mental health

If you’ve ever felt your arms ache after holding up a duster, or from pushing the hoover around, you’ll know that cleaning is definitely a physical exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in your body that trigger feelings of happiness. They also work with your pain receptors to dim your perception of pain.

Regular exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, as well as being beneficial for anxiety management. No matter what size your home is, there are places to clean. As well as dusting, try squatting when you put items away, lunging when you hoover or wash the floor, and using circular motions to wash plates for longer than you usually would. Adding music to your cleaning routine can be a great way of getting you moving.

Cleaning and the bedroom

Creating a tidy environment in your bedroom may also help you sleep better. As well as creating a visually calming environment, you should ensure that you air out the room so that it smells clean, and not musty. In addition to just smelling nicer, fresh air has been shown to be beneficial, because it contains more oxygen than stale air that has been trapped in the room. By doing this, you make sure that if you are spending time in bed, you’re helping your brain at the same time.

To sum up

Whilst cleaning might be the last thing you think of when it comes to mental health, they are actually closely linked. Creating a clean, safe space around you so that you can rest, whilst also getting your endorphins up through gentle exercise, can be a helpful way to support yourself at a challenging time.

5 Types Of Pests And How To Get Rid Of Them

Whether it's inside or outside, various types of bugs and other creatures or wildlife can become pests in a hurry. Unfortunately, once pests such as these decide to start hanging around your home or business, getting rid of them can be quite a challenge. If you are suffering a pest problem and want to send your unwanted guests packing, here are five common pests and how to get rid of them.

Termites

Termed the "silent destroyers" due to the damage they can do to your home without you ever realizing there is a problem, termites are pests that need to be removed immediately. To do so, you probably need to contact a professional pest exterminator who specializes in termite control. Also, you can use building materials that are already infused with pesticides, since these won't taste very good to termites.

Bed Bugs

When you go to sleep at night, trying not to let the bed bugs bite can be almost impossible if your home has an infestation of these pests. Commonly picked up by people when they are on vacation, you can bring these pests home in your suitcase or on almost anything else. Once you do, you'll likely need expert bed bug exterminators who use state-of-the-art heat treatments in various parts of your home to rid it of these pests. Afterward, you'll need to regularly wash and dry your bed linens in extremely hot temperatures, since bed bugs can't take the heat.

Mosquitos

Since mosquitos are equipped to detect the chemicals they love when you are outside sweating, you can soon have a major problem on your hands. Since they carry diseases, get rid of them by using citronella candles, using mosquito repellent, or calling on professional exterminators.

Rodents

Whether you've got rats, mice, or both, rodents need to be removed immediately. Carriers of many diseases, rodents can also damage your home by chewing on wood and electrical cords. To get rid of them, set up traps inside and outside your home, get rid of clutter, and call a professional pest control specialist.

Geese

While Geese are a striking sight when in flight, they can become nuisances when they take up residence in your yard or elsewhere. As for how to get rid of them, calling on professionals such as Goose Masters can make quite a difference. Using specially-trained Border Collies that are guided by experienced handlers, you can have a goose-free home or business in no time.

By being proactive and knowing what to do in your war against pests, you can prevail much faster than you imagined.