5 Ways to Make Your Home More ‘Green’ and Save Money

The crazy weather and horrid hurricanes and storms plaguing the entire planet are more than enough proof of the climate change. Scientists have yet to determine whether we are past the point of no return. However, one thing is perfectly clear now and it’s that reducing the carbon footprint of your home is essential. It’s the contribution everyone can make into the fight for preserving our planet’s health. It’s also a wise way of saving a bit of money, as making your house more energy-efficient will cut down your bills. To make your home more ‘green’ you’ll need to replace some appliances with a solar installation companies and do some minor but effective changes to the décor.

5 Steps to an Energy-Efficient Home Everyone Can Afford

Forget about your clothes dryer

There are energy-efficient variations of all important house appliances. You can check the Energy Star website to choose the best devices for your home. You’ll be able to find clothes driers there. However, the truth is that this particular appliance is never worth the energy it uses. Regardless of how little of it the device consumes.

A washing machine with a high RPM (rotation per minute) rate can ensure your clothes come out nearly dry. Therefore, unless you are living in a place where air-drying is a complete impossibility, using a dryer is always a waste of money as well as a major addition to the carbon footprint of your home. Note that it’s also not good for the majority of fabrics.

Reduce your use of an AC unit

Fans are over a dozen times more energy-efficient than air conditioning systems. The Huffington Post also brings to light some important research on how AC units can be a cause of sickness. Therefore, the best way to keep your room cool in the summer is to get a high quality stand fan. This particular type of device allows you to cool a specific area and offers you something an AC cannot, meaning a pleasant breeze.

Ceiling fans are also more efficient than air conditioning and require less maintenance. They can make an entire room cooler, but overall, their ‘effect’ is less pronounced than that of a pedestal fan.

Make your house ‘leak-proof’

The most ‘leaks’ your house has, the more energy you are wasting when cooling or warming it. If you can’t afford to renovate and add another layer of insulation or replace your windows, you can look up DIY options. There are affordable kits that will allow you to reduce the waste of heat through the windows and doors. You can find many cheap insulation materials and cut the costs further by looking for discounts. Also, don’t forget about simple things, like sealing off your chimney when it’s not in use or finding some thick curtains.

Reorganize your home (if necessary)

Sometimes, to make your home more energy-efficient you only need to move the furniture. Make sure none of the vents are obstructed by anything. Lift the curtains up or away from the radiators. Place big pieces of furniture near the walls so they don’t obstruct the air circulation.

You also need to make sure that your fridge isn’t located anywhere near the stove. Even if your kitchen is very small, try to have at least one cupboard between them.

Get a dishwasher

Even when you are on a tight budget, you should consider buying a dishwasher as soon as you are able. Studying your water bills should inspire you to do this as using this appliance. Think that washing a load of dishes by hand might use up 27 gallons of water.

An Energy Star approved dishwasher will need about 3 gallons per one load. This difference easily makes up for the bit of electricity used by the appliance and still allows you to save money in the long run.

Qualities to Look for in the Best electrician

There is a lot to think about when you need to hire an electrician. You need to think about your budget, the work that needs done, whether you need to the work done now or whether you want to wait, and so on. Added to this is the extra burden that not everybody who labels themselves as an electrician is qualified to do so, which can leave you in a worse position than you started out from. These people take the money and word-of-mouth recommendations which should by rights go to an actual electrician.

Certification

A qualified electrician will be able to show his certification if you ask for it. Aside from being able to ask him or her to specifically show you certificates which say that they are proficient in the skills you need, they are usually legally required to show such certification on their websites or promotional material. The certificates show that governing bodies have seen fit to say that the person you have engaged for your electricity work is actually capable of the job.

Price

The old adage that you get what you pay for is still very true when it comes to industries that involve electricians. If someone is asking an amount of money in payment for their work which seems too good to be true, assume that it is. Prices vary within the electricians – this is why you should get quotes from at least three different people before making a decision on what to do – but in general the prices should be reasonable for the work you actually need done. This can mean that it is a bit higher than you might otherwise have thought.

Recommendations

This can mean word-of-mouth recommendations, but this is also how fake electricians get their work, so tread carefully. Reviews and recommendations are now available in various places online – so long as the electrician has an online presence, you should be able to find some reviews about them online. These reviews can lead you towards or away from certain electricians, depending on how good the service was.

Another way to use recommendations is to ask the electrician themselves to give you letters of recommendation from previous customers.

It can be difficult to see how anybody could tell the difference between an actual electrician and one who is just running a scam, especially since anybody can set up an online presence these days. But there are ways to ensure that you get a properly qualified electrician, and while this article is only the start of how to go about that, it is definitely a good place to start, and a good place to get some ideas for how to proceed in finding more information. Finding a good electrician can take a lot of work, but it is something that is entirely worth the effort, as good electrical work can last a lifetime, while bad work can be something which leads to your entire house being put in danger.

Reduce Stress and Relax this with The AiroSpa™ Pillow

If you or someone you know has a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep, you will love the relaxation and stress relief that comes with the AiroSpa™ Pillow, www.airospapillow.com.  My intended has a hard time sleeping, and has been battling insomnia for as long as I’ve known him, and he has really enjoyed the AiroSpa Pillow- we tend to use it before bed, as a massage pillow. It’s nice to lay on and makes it easy to reach all your back and neck, without having to turn this way or that, or getting a stiff neck in the process, and it also gives the extra relaxation benefit of the aromatherapy. He really likes the shape of it, but feels that the fan doesn’t put out enough scent- it’s so subtle that he can’t really smell it, and I agree. Maybe after many uses, it will start to produce more smell. The best part of the pillow is the back rub use- it really is perfect for that purpose.

It’s no secret that stress and its physical and emotional impact may be the nation’s #1 hidden health issue. A recent CBS News study found that more Americans than ever before are stressed and depressed. The study found a full 8.3 million or 3.4% of the entire population suffer from serious psychological distress. The AiroSpa™ Pillow is one of the simplest and most affordable solutions to the stress challenge, and it’s easy to use as well.

 The AiroSpa™ Pillow is a unique, simple to use, affordable, multi-purpose stress reliever and aromatherapy pillow that can be enjoyed at home and while traveling anywhere. With its built-in and patented fan, airflow vents and face-down angled construction, the AiroSpa™ Pillow can be used as a home/office/travel massage experience enhancer with a partner or all on its own for a calming and relaxing experience.

The AiroSpa™ Pillow and its patented fan disperses a relaxing aroma from each of the inclusive pure-essential oils that produces advantages ranging from calming stress relief to a reduction in neck and shoulder pain to improved posture. Other benefits include a reduction or resolution to snoring, and enhanced breathing. It also makes for a fantastic massage and aromatherapy experience.

“The face-down positioning of the AiroSpa™ Pillow definitely helps relieve neck and shoulder pressure. Combined with its relaxing aromas produced from the essential oils and dispersed by a clever internal fan system, that position helps keep the sinuses and breathing passageways clear. Overall, this produces a truly positive and relaxing feeling,” said Julie Danaher, Licensed Massage Therapist, West Palm Beach, FL. “It’s compact, portable and easy to use so it’s beneficial as a personal massage tool or simply for relaxation.”

The AiroSpa™ Pillow comes complete with a simple to inflate, padded, face-down pillow, a patented insertable fan to provide air flow and to disperse the pure-essential oils that all comes neatly packaged.

The entire set retails for $29.95 plus shipping and handling and includes three pure essential oils (Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium). For a limited time, the AiroSpa™ Pillow will come with three additional pure essential oils (Jasmine, Rose, Ylang-Ylang), normally a $30 value, at no extra charge.

What Attracts Flies To A Home

It is believed that the humble fly originated in Asia, but now it doesn’t matter; they are everywhere where humans live. Perhaps they are your new best friend!

The problem with flies is not just that they are a nuisance; they seem to have an amazing ability to buzz repeatedly just millimeters from your face. But this is only part of the issue. The real concern is what the flies carry when they land on your work surfaces and food.

Flies sample anything they land on with their feet to decide if it is edible or not. If it is they will vomit onto the surface. The vomit is acidic and turns the substance into liquid which the fly can then suck up; they have no teeth.

The problem is that anything which lives on a liquid diet will be virtually constantly going to the toilet. This means the waste is coming out as they are sucking up new food. Their waste products and their feet can carry bacteria which can make you very ill and even cause death.

You might want to check out Vectothor to make sure you have all the right tools for preventing flies from landing on your food and work surfaces.

What attracts the Flies

Different flies are attracted to different things although there is a consistent pattern of decay. The common housefly is attracted to rotting meat or any substance which is decaying. Unfortunately their sensors are much better than your eyes. They will find minute crumbs unless you make sure you have cleaned the surfaces properly.

Fruit flies unsurprisingly are attracted to the scent of fruit. However, in common with the housefly they prefer it if they are starting to decay, overripe fruit is their favorite. They will also sample anything which is full of sugar, including sugary drinks and even alcohol.

You may also come across the drain fly which is attracted to drains and moist climates.

It is important to know your enemy. This will help you to locate where they are most likely to target and then clean these areas thoroughly. In most cases the name of the fly will give away which foods it prefers to target but all flies will target decaying food and feces. This is how they pick up bacteria and spread them to you and your home.

It is worth noting that flies are attracted to flies and even the fly specks which are left behind by flies, cleaning away all traces of their presence is important.

Dealing with an Infestation

If you are struggling to control the flies in your home and they seem to be multiplying quicker than you can cope with then you will need to call in some professional assistance.  

Before you do this it is worth using antibacterial spray to clean all the areas where flies might land or you prepare food. You should also make sure that rubbish is removed from your home and not kept within 5 feet of your walls. Ideally you should keep it in sealed bins to make sure it is more difficult for the flies to get to.

Benefits of Adding A Fence

Whether you’ve just purchased your property, are thinking of getting one or have owned it for years, it is never too soon or too late to add a fence.

You will probably think it’s essential if you have a dog or other pet. But there are a variety of other benefits to adding a fence to your property.

However, before you start installing posts it is worth checking out a residential land surveyor, they will be able to determine the exact location of your boundary. This will ensure that there are no arguments or need to pull the fence down in the future.

Security

A fence offers security for your pets and your children. It means you will be able to play in the garden with your children and allow them to play by themselves without you having to worry about them. In addition the fence will prevent people from being able to just walk onto your property.

In fact a fence is a great line of defense against opportunist burglars.

Value

A fence will not always add value to your property but it can! The defining factor will be how the fence is made and whether other houses in your area have fences. If they do then having a fence is a plus as it will define your yard and ensure that a buyer does not need to factor in the cost of a fence.

However, if the other properties in your area do not have fences then adding one can make your house stand out for the wrong reasons, be careful!

It is also important that the fence is made from quality materials, this will ensure it looks good; curb appeal is important in attracting the right buyer; if you are planning on selling!

Privacy

A fence can provide you with privacy. This might be so that you can enjoy the garden without having to make conversation with your neighbors. Alternatively you may wish to sunbathe or simply enjoy the garden without feeling like you are being watched.

Although a fence will not provide complete privacy it will allow enough private spots to ensure you feel comfortable in your own garden.

Aesthetic

You already know that a fence adds curb appeal but it also improves your view. Providing it is well designed you will find it is more pleasurable to look at your fence than it is to watch your neighbor’s garden or the traffic passing on the street.

The style of fence will need to be designed to match the style of your neighborhood. The options include wire fences, iron and wood. You will also need to choose between picket, split rail, lattice or shadow box. There are many designs and even bespoke options.

A well designed fence can actually transform the look and feel of your property, taking it from being another one on the block to the best one. Even if you are not thinking of selling you’ll feel good every time you arrive home.

 

Let the Night Shine with LightBoxArts

For those that find it hard to decorate, LightBoxArts makes it easy and affordable!! LightBoxArts is a 6×6 backlit cubes that allow you to easily swap out the artwork — choose from one of their adorable designs or custom make your own with your Instagram feed or Photo Stream library. Best of all, it’s only $24.99 for cube and artwork, and $12 for any additional artwork.

We all want a little more sparkle when December 31st rolls around. Ring in the New Year with LightBoxArts! Innovative, creative designs with the ability to insert and change out artwork to fit any season, LightBoxArts will make your New Year’s Eve party will shine. Show off your favorite Instagram photo, choose your favorite artwork, or perk yourself up with a happy message with these sturdy, MDF LED back-lit cubes!

The best is yet to come – make the season brighter with LightBoxArts.

  • Create custom artwork inserts with friendly user interface or choose from one of their own designs—over 200 in all!
  • Can connect to Photo Stream or Instagram library to make any image into a lightbox
  • Box size: 6 x 6
  • Easily interchange artwork for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter or any event
  • Available in an array of photos and lettering
  • Sturdy MDF LED back-lit cube
  • Affordable price of $24.99, or only $12 to just purchase artwork

Give your home a fresh start with the unique, customized decor from LightBoxArts! LightBoxArts is available at https://lightboxarts.com as well as over 600 gift stores.

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Why is it Important to Protect Your Home from Pests of All Kinds?

Whether it’s rats, snakes, spiders, or other types of creepy crawlies, there is nothing funny about finding these pests on the inside of your home, or on the outside either as a matter of fact. Because not only do these pests destroy your home, they can make your family sick as well. There are different types of pests that invade homes and the effects they have on the home and family are different. With that in mind, read on below for a few of those pests and what they do to be revealed, so you know why it’s so important to protect your home from pests of all kind.

Home: Termites

Termites can do serious damage to your home if they are left unattended for long enough. It is estimated that termites cause over $5 billion worth of damage in American homes every year. One important thing to note is that termite damage is not covered by your home insurance and it is not something an amateur should be trying to do. Instead, have Moxie Pest Control services come in and take care of the problem for you, along with all of your other pest control needs.

Health: Roaches

There are different kinds of roaches that can invade a home. If you see one scurrying across the counter, then you can be sure there are a dozen or more where that one came from. They are not only nasty and leave feces and other droppings behind, they carry diseases such as salmonella, something that can make your family very sick.

Home and Health: Rodents

Just the idea of hearing a rodent scampering around in the attic or the walls of our homes is enough to give anyone the willies. Not only can rodents destroy your home by chewing on wiring and other items in your house, putting you in danger of an electrical fire, they are some of the nastiest creatures on the planet. It is estimated that the cutest little mouse, and some of them are cute, drops up to 3,000 microdroplets of urine in your house a day. That gets on your food, your counters, and even your hands if you touch it. They will make you and your family very ill if not taken care of right away.

Health and Home: Fire Ants

If too many fire ants get on you and sting you, it can result in a trip to the hospital. Not only are they bad for your family’s health, they are so extremely prevalent in the southern part of the United States, that they are in the yards of almost every home. These fire ants cannot only mess up the recreational aspect of your home, they can also get into power boxes and air conditioner units and destroy the wiring, putting you in danger of fire in your home. Luckily, they are not that hard to control with the right pest control treatment.

These are just a few of the pests that are dangerous to your family and your home. It is extremely important to have reputable and reliable pest control to ensure that these pests don’t invade and take over your home. 

 

Laguna Beach Textile Company Review

High Quality Towels with Style.

Laguna Beach Textile Company is the perfect example of a young entrepreneur taking personal experience to create an amazing product. Lets face it, not all towels are created equal. Softness, durability, absorbency, all play a role. These factors make the experience of our daily towel use what it is, or in the case of Laguna Beach Textile Company what it can be.

I was most interested in their signature product, beach towels. I know this is not traditionally the season for it, but when you want to give luxury and quality in a product that will get a lot of use any opportunity to gift is ideal. So I picked out their Midnight Blue and Seafoam Cabana Beach Towel. The company’s owner was himself a cabana boy working at a resort in Laguna Beach so I expected to be impressed and I was! These towels are thick, beautifully made, and ultra absorbent. There are a few design options, all of which make a stylish addition to any home.

For those that are looking for something more daily use they also have bath towels or a new line of Turkish Towels. The bath towels are made from Aegean Turkish cotton and fun new fact, there is a special measurement to gage towel thickness, GMI. Most towels rate 600 GMI, but Laguna Beach Textile Company Towels are 800 GMI, 33% thicker than average towels. Colors are limited, they come in White, Midnight Blue, and Pewter Gray. Any of these is a great mainstay for your regular use towels and you can always throw in an accent towel if you want to tie in your bathroom decor.

I am also in love with the Turkish Towel. One side is smooth cotton while the other is looped terry cotton. You get the absorbency of a cabana towel on one side and the sleek look of a Turkish Towel on the other. The fringe also adds a nice touch to the appearance. A plus to this towel is that it gets softer with every wash so very user friendly.

For all of you picnickers and beach goers there is one more item to consider. The Newport Picnic & Outdoor Blanket, which is a combination of fleece with a waterproof fabric backing that will keep you dry no matter where you set down your picnic basket. If you enjoy going to parks, outdoor events, or yes, the beach, this is a must have item. It comes with its own carry case and adjustable strap so transport is easy and hands free.  The waterproof backing is the feature that puts this over the top for me, plus when at the beach by having both this and your beach towels you can keep the towels sand free and sit on the blanket.

Take this opportunity to upgrade your home with comfort and quality from Laguna Beach Textile Company or improve your picnic basket and beach gear.  You can find out more about the company on their website – Lagunabeachtextileco.com

Or check out Laguna Beach Textile Company on Social Media – FacebookTwitter Instagram