Did you know the average American household spends about $2,000 annually for utilities? What’s more, $200 to $400 is money wasted due to drafts, air leakage, and outdated HVAC systems. That’s a lot of money, right? You can save that money by making energy efficient upgrades to your home.
Let’s take a look at these money-saving upgrades, shall we?
1. Insulation
A very cost effective way to save on energy is by adding more insulation in the attic, or switching out the typical blanket insulation for either cellulose loose-fill insulation or spray foam insulation. The spray foam insulation is the most effective type of insulation for energy efficiency.
With that in mind, installing spray foam insulation requires professional installation and it can range anywhere from $1 to $1.50 per square foot.
2. Energy efficient appliances and HVAC system
Older appliances tend to use a of energy and are nowhere near as energy efficient as newer models. Look for appliances and electronics that are ENERGY STAR approved products. By replacing the refrigerator, washer and dryer and even the ranges, you can save 15% on how much energy your home uses.
The same with heating and cooling. When you upgrade your HVAC system, you can save up to 20% to 50% on your energy bills – providing you make some of the other upgrades on this list.
3. Programmable thermostat
It seems like everything is a smart device doesn’t it? Smart thermostats are an excellent way to reduce the amount of heating and cooling is used, especially when you’re not home. In the winter, you can decrease the temperature when you’re not at home and increase it to a comfortable temperature about 30 minutes before you get home, and vice versa.
If you don’t want to go the smart thermostat route, there are programmable thermostats where you can change the settings so the temperature is where it’s set to at the desired time.
4. Eliminating air leaks
One of the biggest culprits of wasted energy is air leakages. A whopping 40% of a home’s heating or cooling is lost due to drafty doors and windows and ill-fitted air ducts. You can prevent this by upgrading your doors and windows to high energy options. Not only are the new doors and windows themselves energy efficient, but the new seals will prevent air leakage.
If you cannot afford new windows or doors, you can always use exterior-grade caulking and new weatherstripping to seal up cracks or gaps you may find.
5. Install ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are a great way to add a bit of style to a room, but they can also help circulate the air, regardless of the season. Most fans have a switch that allows you to change the direction the fan moves. In the summer, it should rotate counterclockwise to push the cooler air down, therefore making the air feel cooler than it actually is. In the winter, it should rotate clockwise to pull the cool air upward and push the warm air downward.
Keeping your home’s energy costs as low as possible isn’t just smart as a homeowner, it’s also a good way to increase the value of your home. And, according to HomeLight’s Q2 2020 survey, we are in a seller’s market! 60% of agents who participated in the survey said there were 60% more bidding wars in June 2020 and the market doesn’t seem to be slowing.
That means if you’re looking to sell, these energy efficient upgrades are a great way to pique a buyer’s interest – maybe even more than one!
Homeowners are always wary of extreme weather conditions such as flooding, severe rain, excess heat, and extreme coastal surges. Extreme weather can either damage the exteriors of a home or your garage flooring Minneapolis or make the indoor temperatures. That leads to expensive repairs or high costs and energy saving is at the forefront of every homeowner’s mind. To protect a home from extreme weather, the best thing to do is build using water-resistant materials and to elevate your house in a way that surging floods don’t sweep your house away.
If you have resolved to build a new home in 2022, here are some of the most weather-tolerant materials to consider:
1. Concrete
Concrete is one of the strongest building materials out there, particularly when it comes to withstanding pressure and stress. This material can be pre-casted to become water-resistant, it doesn’t expand or contract in extreme weather, and when reinforced with rebar and pre-stressed, it can be extremely durable.
What’s more, concrete is readily available all over the world at very affordable prices. You can use it to build your basement walls or a slab foundation for your home or rental property by hiring services of specialized companies.
2. Wood
Wood is one of the oldest building materials. I mean, it was used to build shelters in the mid-stone age. You can use wood as a primary siding material or reinforce it with concrete or metal to make it stronger and more durable. Wood is also a bad conductor of heat, making it an ideal material to use in areas that experience extremely hot or extremely cold seasons.
However, wood has one key disadvantage: It can decay when exposed to excess water for a prolonged period. It can withstand moderate moisture for a decade or two especially when there is an occasional sun to dry it up, but it will eventually decay. The positive thing is that wood can be painted and treated to prevent it against moisture damages.
3. Vinyl
Vinyl is a great siding installation due to its ability to shed rainwater away. It is not 100% water-resistant, but it has superior water resistance than wood. In most cases, vinyl is installed in a standard interlocking horizontal wall, so it does not retain much dampness or snow after a rainy season. Modern vinyl panels are made with “weep holes” that aid in channeling away excess water in order to keep the siding wall dry at all times, consequently increasing its durability.
You can also reinforce it with an insulation board so as to keep away any stubborn moisture that refuses to dry away through the weep holes. A house wrap is also a great secondary reinforcement- it ensures that moisture doesn’t penetrate the sidings, consequently keeping your interiors warmer than the exteriors.
4. Metal roofing
For the homeowners who live in hailstone-prone areas, metallic hail-resistant roofing shingles are your best bet. Such roofing will withstand storm damage and remain intact even when high winds blow through your region. If you want a hail-resistant roofing option that is also stylish and contemporary, you can try the stone-coated metal roofing tiles.
5. Fire-resistant materials
There are areas that are more prone to fire outbreaks than storm damages. California, for example, experience lots of wildfires during summer months than they experience storms during winter. If you live in such an area, then you need to use building materials that make your home as fire-resistant as possible. Sometimes it is hard to avoid these acts of nature, but your contractor can help you mitigate their effects.
You can, for example, install fire-rated roofing that resists ignition even when exposed to extremely high temperatures. There are also windows that don’t shatter in heat. Even if these materials won’t be salvaged after the fire, they will at least prevent your interiors from the fire. You will only need to do minor rehabilitations to your home’s exteriors once the fire subsides.
6. Stone
Most ancient buildings world over are made of stone. This material is durable and can withstand almost every extreme weather condition you can think of. It is also classy and readily available.
Conclusion
There are many weather-resistant materials to check out in 2022. More new materials will be invented going forward, and the existing ones will continue being reinforced in order to increase their durability and strength. The six materials discussed above will get the job done. If you need more, make sure you research widely and talk to as many homeowners in your area before settling for a material.
Homeowners have a variety of energy sources to choose from to power their homes. Each kind offers its own set of benefits and disadvantages. When you are wanting to be more eco-friendly with your energy consumption, there are many benefits of considering natural gas as your go-to energy source.
Uses Of Natural Gas
Natural gas is non-toxic, colorless, odorless and the lowest-carbon hydrocarbon. It can be used for heating and cooking purposes in both residential and commercial settings. It can also be used to fuel power stations to create electricity for use in businesses and homes.
Natural gas can also be found in many industrial processes to create goods and materials from clothing to glass. Plastics and paints are some important products that have natural gas as a crucial ingredient. The uses of natural gas are many and diverse.
In most areas, natural gas is much more affordable than electricity for heating your house and your water. For the same heating tasks, natural gas can cost almost half as much as oil or coal when used as the energy source. Natural gas is a deregulated utility. This means that consumers have fewer restrictions and are able to have control over how much they pay for the gas. Affordable natural gas prices mean a lot of savings throughout the year for homeowners.
2. Eco-Friendly
Natural gas is not as eco-friendly as renewable energy sources like wind and solar. However, it is the cleanest form of fossil fuel available. When compared to coal, natural gas releases almost a third less carbon dioxide and half as less than oil when it is burned. Compared to other fuels, it also lets off little to no sulfur.
3. Dependability
Using natural gas as your energy source is more reliable and dependable for your energy needs. When a big storm hits your area and the power goes out, you will not be able to depend on any appliance that runs off of electricity. For some homeowners, this means no lights, air conditioning, heating or hot water until the power is restored. When you run your appliances using natural gas, you can still operate them when your power is out.
When you have water heaters and other important home appliances operating using natural gas, the gas is often fed to your home in underground pipelines. This allows your energy source to be safe and well-protected from extreme weather conditions such as heavy storms. If you lose electricity, you will not lose all of your comforts while waiting for the power company to fix the issues.
4. Domestic Energy Source
Much emphasis is put on finding energy sources locally instead of having to depend on foreign oils. In addition to being more abundant and economical, relying more on local energy sources is great for the economy and creates more jobs and revenue.
Learn More About Using Natural Gas In Your Area
If you are looking to turn your home into an eco-friendly environment, turning to natural gas can be a great place to start. Natural gas providers offer plans and pricing options that can be suitable for all homeowners and budgets. Allowing most or all of your appliances to receive energy derived from natural gas can bring you many rewards as a homeowner and someone who cares about their impact on the environment.
This alternative energy source over oil and coal will be good for the global community for generations to come. The use of natural gas is on the rise and will become more competitive as consumers and energy providers look to reduce the impact on air pollution and the environment.
Having a natural ambiance around your house and workplace is not only aesthetically pleasing but has also proven to increase productivity and positively impact mood and behavior. No doubt that indoor plants trigger a feeling of happiness from inside. Setting up foliage in your environment reduces anxiety and stress since interaction with nature improves self-being.
Many studies and researches have proved promising impacts of having greenery in your surroundings. Here are but a few of the benefits of indoor plants:
1. Increased healing period
People are arranging more and more planters in hospitals, workplaces, and homes. Be it outdoor or indoor plants, they all contribute to making the environment a better place to breathe and survive. Furthermore, being surrounded by plants and flowers has proven to be an effective method of lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, improving sleep cycles, boosting immunity, and uplifting mood.
2. Enhanced energy and performance
Happiness leads to success and great performance in overall life. Giving a natural touch to your environment energizes and soothes the soul inside out. Incorporate a wide range of planters indoors and outdoors to naturally stimulate an active and refreshed mood.
3. Plants absorb noise
Did you know that big trees absorb the noise in highly populated and activated areas? Yes, plants, trees, foliage, and vegetation all act in part as sound absorbers. This is why in areas with generally a lot of greenery (such as suburbs) you are likely to hear a lot less noise. The same principle applies to indoor plants. They soak up sound making for a quiet, relaxed, and serene indoor atmosphere.
4. Greenery relaxes you
Connecting with nature is always an effective way to relax and unwind. No matter if it is sitting by the beach watching the waves crashing into the rocks, or feeling the fresh morning air blowing across your hair, being close to nature is just calming. This biophilic interaction relaxes the soul, body, and mind.
5. Improves focus leading to better memory
Isn’t it amazing to know that plants enable enhanced focus, concentration, and memory retention? Studies show that the arrangement of flowers and plants indoors has significantly improved the productivity of tasks at home and workplaces. Having a close connection with nature not only helps concentrate on the task but also improves the quality of the work. It is highly beneficial to include plants in your surroundings for improved cognitive skills and performance.
How to Take Care of Indoor Plants?
Taking care of plants is easier said than done. It is not enough to simply water them and provide them with sunlight. The right combination of the two is essential in order for a plant to grow and too much or too little of either water or sunlight can quickly see a plant wither and die.
Growing plants indoors requires an immense amount of love and sincere hard work. But what if you don’t have the time and energy to take care of indoor plants. Maybe you have a busy schedule or just don’t have much experience with gardening. What do you do then?
Well, luckily for you, there are many tools available that allow one to grow plants indoors in a manner that is easy, convenient, and effective.
Here a few tips and tricks to make sure your indoor plants flourish and thrive.
Pick the right type of plant that best suits the location and environment. Humidity, temperature, and other external factors such as air quality, etc. can all impact the growth of indoor plants.
Make sure you water the plants regularly but never too much at once. Excess water is just as harmful as no water as if the soil gets too wet the plant is unable to get the oxygen it needs from the roots in order to grow and will wither and die. To make sure your plants get the right amount of water at the right time use a self-watering planter. See the best self watering planters here and choose one that best fits your indoor or outdoor gardening needs. This tool will help make your gardening tasks a lot easier and a lot less time-consuming.
Fertile soil is extremely essential. Add in compost and fertilizers to provide the plant with the nutrient it needs in order to grow.
Take care of cleanliness. Prune leaves and branches to give the plant shape.
Keep away pesticides and insecticides and allow benefiting insects to make the soil fertile.
Planning a flooring remodel in Concord while saving on costs can be challenging. However, that doesn’t mean that people on a tight budget cannot replace or repair the floors in their homes. There are some tips that can help homeowners save money and ensure a smooth process while revamping their living space.
In this guide, we will go over some money-saving tips that you can follow during your floor remodeling project in Concord. Keep reading until the end, as we will go over how much the home improvement job can set you back.
Let’s get started!
Top Tips for a Cost-efficient Flooring Remodel in Concord
Here are a few tips for planning a cost-efficient flooring remodel in Concord:
Set a Realistic Budget for Your New Flooring
Whether it’s a simple installation service or a complete kitchen remodeling, setting a realistic budget for your home improvement project is important. It should align with your goals and financial situation.
A great way to help you determine a budget is to do some research. Start by considering the scope of the remodel or construction project, the materials needed, and any additional services required.
By setting financial parameters, you can track the expenses of the project and make informed decisions.
Prioritize Parts of the Home Remodeling Project
Whether it’s a flooring remodel for your bathroom, kitchen, or any other room in your house, you must prioritize your remodeling goals. Does your living space require immediate attention? Is your bedroom in need of a new floor?
By identifying the areas that require floor renovation or remodeling, you can prioritize spaces for home improvement to enhance functionality, comfort, and aesthetics.
You can also avoid extra expenses if you only focus on spaces that need revamping instead of remodeling the floors across the entire house.
Consider DIY Repairs Over Construction Work
While a home remodeling project is a job for an experienced professional, you can save money by doing parts of the home improvement project yourself.
If the flooring in your home requires minor repairs, a quick DIY tutorial and a visit to your local hardware store can get the job done. It might take a bit longer than if a professional were to do it, but you’ll be able to save quite a bit of money.
However, for much larger projects, such as complete bathroom remodeling or replacing all of the flooring, you must call an experienced home remodeling company in Concord.
A key thing to remember is that while it may seem cost-efficient to do everything yourself, some home improvement or remodeling projects require skills and expertise to execute.
By reaching out to a professional, you’ll save a lot of money on upgrading your kitchen, bathroom, or home flooring, as DIY solutions in some situations may lead to costly mistakes.
Compare Quotes and Negotiate
When searching for a company to provide remodeling services in Concord, you must always ask them for a quotation after explaining the scope of the project. By having a price estimate for the flooring job, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Whether it’s a plumbing job or a home remodeling service, a quotation can help you determine which company is the right fit for you. If a business in your area is charging extremely low, that’s a red flag, and you should stay away.
Another thing to remember is that a higher quotation doesn’t necessarily mean premium workmanship. Sometimes, it may be a company waiting to scam you and take your money for a shoddy project.
Make sure you always consider reputation, customer services, expertise, client testimonials, and licenses/insurance alongside a quotation before choosing a contractor. Also, don’t shy away from negotiating a fair price.
Choose Cost-effective Materials for the New Floor Construction
While premium materials can look great, they can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many cost-effective, high-quality products that you can consider.
Laminate flooring instead of hardwood, for example, can save money while looking fantastic in your kitchen, bathroom, or any other room that requires a flooring upgrade.
If you want a natural stone look in a room, you can always consider vinyl or ceramic tiles, as they are a cheaper alternative.
Make sure you research the different flooring materials available, the benefits and drawbacks, and the suppliers in your area to help you choose one that best suits your needs and budget.
Repurpose and Salvage
Before you spend money on a floor remodeling project, you should think about the existing flooring and its condition. Sometimes, a quick polishing job can bring new life into old floors. It can help save money while adding character to the living space.
Time Your Renovation
During peak seasons, professional flooring installers in Concord, CA can charge a lot of money for floor remodeling or installation services. This can lead to a costly home improvement project. Fortunately, you can avoid all of this.
If you’re on a budget and do not have any time constraints, you can always find contractors during slower seasons. Due to the lack of projects, professionals may charge a lower price for the same flooring installation. Take advantage of these reduced labor costs.
Besides reduced labor costs during offseason, you can also take advantage of the discounts and deals in your area. Research and locate the materials you need during a promotional or sales period. It’ll help you source what you require at a fraction of the cost.
Minimize Structural Changes
Structural changes are not only time-consuming but can also cost a lot of money. Changing the plumbing, for example, can be more expensive than cosmetic changes, such as fitting light fixtures and replacing windows.
Do you want to restore an old floor or install new flooring with an addition of an underlayment in Concord? Work with an experienced contractor who can identify potential issues during inspection and provide an expert opinion.
Use Recycled Materials
If you don’t have a budget for floor installation services, you may want to consider using reclaimed tiles or salvaged wood for the flooring. These cost-effective and environmentally friendly flooring options will bring a unique design element to your living space.
How Much Is Remodeling Flooring for a Home in Concord?
Whether it’s a kitchen or bathroom remodel project, the cost of remodeling flooring for a home in Concord depends on many factors, including the experience of the company you’re working with, the materials you choose, and your house’s location, among other factors.
Hardwood, for example, can cost between $8 and $10 per square foot, while on the other hand, mid-grade laminate flooring may set you back up to $7 per square foot.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a kitchen remodel or any other home remodeling project in Concord, it’s important to get pricing from different companies so that you can compare the costs and services offered before making an informed decision.
Always consider other factors besides the quotation, such as reputation, expertise, and licenses/insurances, before working with a contractor!
You’ve most likely set personal goals for the new year, but have you considered how your personal space can impact your progress? A clean, healthy, and peaceful home base is necessary for incubating new habits or commitments.
Read on for some ideas on how to spruce up your home and give yourself a better chance of meeting your goals this month.
1. Reset with a Deep Clean
Deep cleaning is traditionally reserved for the spring, but a professional cleaning will keep you and your family safe and healthy all winter long. So before you settle into your home, search for a “Deep Cleaning Service Near Me” and find a company that will protect everyone in your home.
Disinfecting surfaces is an effective method of disinfecting indoor spaces. However, cleaning companies are experts in finding the often overlooked parts of your home that could use the disinfecting power of a professional.
Not only will this help to improve the appearance of your home, but it will also get rid of all the extra dirt and dust hiding in your home’s crevices, as well as the germs that make you susceptible to illness.
2. Bring in Plant Life
Gardening and having plants in your home don’t just have to be for aesthetics. Gardening is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air while enjoying nature’s benefits.
Working with plants can be therapeutic, and studies have shown that it can also help with concentration. If you work from home, you may notice that having plants near your desk increases productivity and creativity. This may be due to how calm we feel when in the presence of nature — even nature that is brought into our homes.
Plants help improve indoor air quality by emitting oxygen and absorbing harmful toxins. They can also attract beneficial insects that prey on common pests like mosquitoes. Overall, it makes your home a healthier place.
If you already have plants in your home, you’re ahead of the game! If not, try introducing some plant life to help refresh your home and support your goals for the new year.
3. Update your Lightbulbs
How often have you struggled to find the perfect lighting in your house? Whether it’s for Zoom calls or a relaxing meal, getting the proper lighting can instantly improve your living experience and even your mood. It can also help reduce your electricity bills and your carbon footprint.
There are plenty of great options for finding ways to improve your home’s lighting, including smart light bulbs and LED lights.
With multicolored Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs, smart lightbulbs can easily change hues and mood. You can even have customized lighting on a timer! These smart LED bulbs are also voice-activated and can be controlled via an app, making it easy to ensure that the lights are turned off when you leave the house.
Regular LEDs will do just the trick if you aren’t ready to convert to WiFi light bulbs. They not only last longer than standard lightbulbs and help you save money on your electricity bill, but they also benefit the environment. You will use less electricity as a result of their efficiency. You’ll also be lowering your carbon footprint because replacing bulbs less frequently means less waste and fewer light bulbs used over time.
When something as simple as changing your lightbulbs helps not only you but the environment as well, it makes it quite a no-brainer.
Take on the New Year
Keeping your home clean, healthy, and peaceful is essential in accomplishing your goals in the new year. Whether it’s a professional deep cleaning, introducing plant life, or replacing old light bulbs, give yourself every opportunity to have your best year yet.
What role does your living room play for you? It is usually the heart of the whole house. It is the place where you socialize when you have visitors or the place where you relax with your loved ones at night. Therefore, it is natural that there are a lot of things to consider when choosing tiles for your living room. Follow this guide to find the right tile that suits your lifestyle.
1. Ensure a Suitable Atmosphere
Getting a space that has a homely feel is an essential factor to consider when choosing tiles for the living room. After all, this is the room where your loved ones and guests spend the most time. So how do you choose the tiles for your living room?
To make it a comfortable space for everyone, choosing the right colors is essential. It is well documented that the colors of an environment can affect the human subconscious. Therefore, the color scheme in your living room should favor soft colors and avoid extremes. Some of the favorite colors used in living rooms are brown, beige, gray, and amber colors.
Consistency in how you choose the tiles for your living room between the flooring and the furniture design is also crucial in getting the perfect space.
2. Choose Wood Look Tile, if You Like the Aesthetics of Hardwood
Hardwood floors look excellent in the living room, but they scratch easily and can be challenging to maintain. If you like aesthetics of hardwood but want the hassle, go for ceramic wood look tile. It is really durable and resistant to both moisture and scratches, which means your floors will look great for a long time.
You can buy ceramic lumber that mimics the look of almost any type of tree. Keep in mind that real wood floors are softer and warmer than ceramic wood, which can be hard and cold. However, ceramic wood look floors are easier to clean than real hardwood floors. This type of flooring can be expensive to install, however. Car title loans can be the perfect way to cover those costs, and have your living room looking stunning!
3. Pick Ceramic or Porcelain Tile for a Solid and Dense Flooring
Ceramic and porcelain look-alike, but porcelain is slightly denser and slightly less porous than ceramic. If you have children and pets, this can be a good option as it can handle a bit more action (and is less likely to get stained).
Porcelain generally costs a bit more than ceramic, but it usually lasts a bit longer. Porcelain tiles come in many different designs and colors, so you’ll have plenty of options!
4. Install Mosaic Tile for a Patterned and Textured Flooring
Mosaic tile may look strange for a living room, but it can really add a lot of color, texture, and artistry to your space. It works well if you want the rest of the room to be simple, and at the same time, you want an explosion of color or design in the room.
Mosaic tile is ideal if you want to create a design yourself, it lasts a long time and is easy to clean.
5. Consider Durability and Maintenance
When choosing tiles for your living room, durability is an essential factor to consider. Not only does your living room floor get a lot of human traffic, but it’s also exposed to falling and spills objects that can cause damage.
For durability, porcelain tile is always the top priority. Porcelain tile is harder than old-style ceramic tile and most natural stone tiles. Regardless of the finish, the hard body ensures that they will retain their original appearance for a long time.
Most porcelain tiles are stain-resistant, which means they are virtually maintenance-free. This is because most porcelain tiles are pre-glazed or sealed, so surface porosity is kept to a minimum.
6. Choose Flooring that Suits Your Daily Lifestyle
Don’t buy fancy flooring for entertainment purposes. If your floors are regularly subjected to heavy traffic, you shouldn’t add glazed or slippery tiles to your rooms, particularly when you have children or pets in the house.
Having a tile floor makes you vulnerable to slips and minor accidents. Therefore, consider the daily needs of your family members when choosing a tile for your living room.
Parquet wood floors are back in vogue
7. Make a Small Room Looks Bigger by Choosing Lighter Colored Tiles
Ceramic and porcelain are decent options for small living rooms, as are all other tiles in white, beige, or cream. Light colors give the room a more open look.
Ultimately, you need your tiles to be a color that you don’t mind looking at every day. VIP Realty suggests you take home samples of different colors and styles to see what works best for your living room before making a final decision.
8. Choose Large Tiles to Make Your Living Room Appear Spacious
The larger the tiles, the bigger your room will appear. Look for tiles that are 13 x13 inches (33 x33 cm) or larger. There will be fewer grout lines in your living room, simplifying the space.
That also means you have to clean fewer grout lines. Larger tile looks more modern than smaller ones. However, remember that small tiles are more slip-resistant than large tiles.
9. Select a Matching Grout to Create a More Cohesive Room
If you don’t want your floor to get a lot of attention, choose a grout that matches the tile of your choice. Similar colors will make the tiles appear to flow together, making the living room perfect.
An off-white or gray grout will bond light tiles and draw less attention to the floor. Select a grout that matches the color of the tiles for the perfect look.
10. Take Pictures of Your Furniture and Paints to See How Things Blend Together.
Take some photos of your living room before going to the store. Think about the decorations, doors, curtains, furniture, and artwork that you have in the living room. It will always be tough to say precisely how things will look together. Still, having the photos should help you narrow down your options.
If you have fabric or paint samples from when you painted or bought new furniture, take those with you too. Be sure to bring photos of the room with you when you buy tiles.
Your home is the only sanctuary that will stand strong even through challenges and struggles. Making space for personal fitness and health can be an essential tool for improving your quality of life. You can do this and save a huge amount of money on gym membership fees. But why do you have to spend your time and money on the gym when you can be fit at your home? With this, you will never have to deal with bad gym music again.
Having exercise gear will help you stay consistent with your routine. This is true whether you have the latest gym equipment or just a yoga mat. With this, you can turn your home bodyweight circuit into a full-fledged body conditioning plans.
Now, you can cancel your expensive gym membership and grab this gear so you will never have to leave your home. Here are some of the things you can’t miss for your personal space:
Battle Ropes
Challenge yourself to let your cardio workout be better with the use of these battle ropes. Do the waves, slams, and other exercises. However, you must have plenty of space at your home and have a stronger anchor. Grab this from home gym equipment Australia
Gym Rings
If you are thinking about old-school workouts, then you can take these gym rings. Hang on it the entire day and build your body. If you are thinking about adding a twist on nail kips or pull-ups, this can be a great addition.
Heavy Bags
If doing the cardio is not your thing, this heavy bag is a nice alternative for getting rid of those body fats. This can aid you to build your power and speed. With the wraps and gloves included, you will find yourself ready to rumble.
Kettlebells
If you are planning for an all-around activity, you must have one kettlebell. You can perform various exercises even with limited space with the use of a kettlebell.
Power Cage
If you have enough space at your home, then you must get a power cage. You can achieve lots of exercises with the classic power cage. With this, the execution of various conditioning and strength workouts are achievable. For example, barbell squat, bench press, deadlift, and a lot more exercise.
Power Tower
Meanwhile, if you don’t have enough space for full power equipment, you can try some compact options like the power tower. This can help you pull off chin-ups, pull-ups, dips, and a lot more exercises.
Small Barbell
If you don’t have enough space for the Olympic-sized barbell, you can have this smaller option instead. It weighs around 15 kg and it is 6 feet long. This will not consume much room, unlike the standard barbell size. However, the small barbell can hold 700 lbs of weight. Rest assured that your workout won’t be limited because of its stature. Have this small barbell from home gym equipment Australia.
Yoga Mat
You don’t need to perform the vinyasa to make the yoga mat useful at your home. You can use the yoga mat for basic stretching or abs exercises. Thus, try one today!
Tap water that we use for in our daily purpose contains minerals like calcium, lime, chalk, and magnesium. The increased levels of these minerals in water make it hard. Hard water is unhealthy for consumption and for domestic use. Although many people use mineral water for drinking, excessive use of mineral water can result in health and domestic hazards. It’s essential to remove excess levels of minerals from water to make it suitable for drinking as well as for domestic use like bathing, washing, cleaning, etc. Water softeners are filters that convert hard water into softer water by filtering out the minerals.
Below are few important reasons why you should install a water softener in your home:
1. Easier Cleaning
When you wash dishes and clothes in hard water, they may end up with white spots, streaks, and soapy residue. Soft water helps to rinse off the soap residue more thoroughly, leaving your dishes and clothes cleaner. Moreover, water softening also reduce the amount you use for detergent or soap you need for cleaning, which helps to save your expenses for these products.
You will notice that house water softeners prevent the detergent curd and soap film buildup in bathtubs, showers, sinks, and other cleaning devices, and they stay cleaner and efficient.
2. Keep Your Skin Smooth and Well-Nourished
The calcium and magnesium present in hard water mix with anions in soaps resulting in soap scum on your body or sticky skin. This film does not dissolve even with rinsing and stays on your skin causing clogged pores, skin irritation, and dry or itchy skin.
Moreover, using dry water on the skin can also lead to acne. Therefore, install water softener in your home because bathing with soft water is better for your skin.
3. Extended Water Appliance Life
Minerals of hard water can buildup in washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers and other water appliances. This can result in clogging of minerals within these devices which can cause them to burn out. It’s better to invest in a water softener that will prevent the minerals from building up within these appliances.
Therefore, use of soft water helps to extend the life of water appliances. You will end up saving money because these devices will last longer, and you will be replacing them less frequently.
4. Faster Heating of Water
Your water heaters can quickly heat soft water, while heating hard water requires comparatively more time. It is estimated that water softeners can improve the efficiency of electric water heaters by 22 percent and that of gas water heaters by 29 percent. If you are using a walk in tub, it will help in faster heating of water for bathing.
Hard water can also cause mineral buildup in the water heaters, decreasing their efficiency to heat water. Water softeners improve the efficiency of water heaters resulting in lower utility bills.
Moreover, hard water can also clog your showerheads and valves. Water softeners eliminate the mineral buildup in your plumbing system, extending its life and helping your fixtures to operate effectively.
Pool ownership has responsibilities. Obviously pools need cleaning and maintaining. But, they also impact the environment. With thoughtful changes, pool owners can reduce their carbon footprint easily. By doing so, pool owners can enjoy cutting costs too while still enjoying refreshing swims.
Why Green Swimming Pools?
Going green makes sense beyond just being eco-friendly. Greener pools promote sustainability through efficient water and energy use. This saves money and preserves environmental resources. Beyond that, sustainable pools also filter water more effectively, creating healthier swimming conditions. So green pools are better for both the planet and the people swimming in them.
Determinants of Pool Efficiency
A pool’s efficiency depends on several interconnecting factors. Construction materials used can increase or reduce efficiency over time. Pool owners will get more value from durable, high-end materials than cheaper alternatives which require frequent replacement. Filtration systems also play a major role. Sand filters cannot match the energy-efficiency of cartridge or DE filters. Overall, upgrades in equipment and materials pay off through greater efficiency and longevity.
DIY Pools And Spas – Eco Solutions
As concerns grow over environmental sustainability and energy prices, services such as DIYPoolsAndSpas.com stands ready to provide homeowners complete solutions towards eco-friendly swimming pools. From cutting-edge natural sanitizers to intelligent pump controllers, the extensive catalogs offer options to achieve both maximum enjoyment and eco-consciousness for home pool owners.
These companies have experienced teams that thoroughly consult with clients to identify ideal upgrades and savings specific to their pool size, usage patterns and peak operational difficulties. Often, this leads users to recommend variable speed pumps, energy-miser covers and solar heat exchangers to cut back water and power usage dramatically based on the client’s needs and lifestyle.
These sustainable systems then integrate with occasional doses of mineral-based algaecides for natural water purification instead of burning excessive chlorine chemicals as the sole treatment method. Together, their sustainability-focused equipment and expertise on application guides pool owners towards refreshing, crystalline waters produced through environmentally-gentle means.
Energy-Efficient Pool Pumps
Out of all equipment involved with running a pool, pumps typically consume the greatest share of electricity by constantly circulating water through filtration and heating systems. Even while performing lighter tasks like skimming small debris or distributing low levels of sanitizers, older pumps run at maximum speed 24/7 resulting in sky-high energy bills and emissions.
Thankfully, modern variable speed pumps provide a simple route to drastic efficiency gains. Instead of operating at 100% speed at all times, these advanced pumps automatically adjust speed and flow based on factors like temperature differentials and filter pressure. For lighter tasks like mixing in chemicals or preserving heat overnight, pumps minimize speed and energy usage while still keeping water gently moving to avoid stagnation. During periodic heavier backwash filter cleaning cycles requiring maximum flow, variable speed pumps instantly ramp up to full capacity then return to slower speeds afterwards.
Benefits of Variable Speed Upgrades
In real terms, variable speed upgrades often chop 60-80% from pump energy usage compared to inflexible single-speed models while still meeting pool circulation needs. Reduced runtime also equates to less noise and wear. These substantial savings from converting to variable speed pumps rewards pool owners through lower monthly bills and resource consumption, often repaying the pump investment via electricity savings in just a few seasons of use. Plus, most utility companies offer hefty rebates to homeowners switching to energy-efficient pool pumps which improves cost savings even further.
For the ultimate in eco-friendly pumping efficiency, choosing variable speed pumps sporting proprietary “smart pump” features optimizes energy usage even more by self-regulating speeds continuously based on usage factors. BUILT-IN intelligence prevents wasteful over-pumping and maintains perfectly ideal flows for cleaning and heating with no owner effort required. When combined with multi-speed or flow-based pool cleaners and chemical dispensers, these brainy, high-efficiency pumps become the heart of a self-managing pool maximizing enjoyment while minimizing resource waste.
Solar Pool Heaters
Traditional heaters guzzle electricity and emit greenhouse gasses. Solar heaters utilize nature’s free renewable energy instead – the sun. By efficiently harnessing solar power, these systems maintain comfortable water temperatures with zero emissions or energy costs.
LED Pool Lights Solutions
Swapping older bulb lighting for LEDs greatly shrinks electricity use and carbon footprint. While less efficient bulbs require frequent replacing, LED lights consume far less energy while illuminating pools beautifully at night. Their long-lasting performance and ability to create multi-colored effects makes LED lighting a win-win choice.
Pool Cover Importance
It may not seem exciting, but a pool cover is crucial for efficiency. Much water and heat are lost through evaporation without one. A cover forms a barrier minimizing evaporation, trapping heat, and reducing water replenishment costs. This simple addition cuts resource waste substantially.
Optimized Water Filtration
Clean and healthy water relies on effective filtration. However traditional systems can tax resources through excessive energy and water use. Advanced solutions like high-efficiency cartridge or DE filters improve results while using fewer resources. Their greater filtration effectiveness allows for sparkling clear water while emitting less environmental impact.
Salt Water Chlorine Generators
Conventional chlorine adds hazards through chemical storage and over-chlorination risks. Salt chlorine generators provide an eco-friendly alternative by converting salt into chlorine through electrolysis to sanitize pools. This process cuts down on chemicals while saving energy due to its self-regulating nature.
Natural Pool Cleaning Methods
Pool owners can enhance sustainability through natural cleaning approaches instead of solely relying on chemicals. This includes eco-friendly tools as well as mineral and enzyme products better suited for pools. Plants and bio filters also purify water naturally. Such methods promote water quality while protecting the surrounding environment.
Eco-Friendly Pool Building Materials
Sustainability starts with infrastructure. Opting for recycled, local and durable construction materials greatly lessens environmental impact while saving money long-term. Pavers, waterproof liners and other elements made in an earth-friendly manner conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions from the beginning.
Smart Controllers for Pools
Smart technology increases efficiency through automated regulation of equipment like pumps and heaters. Features like remote access, scheduling and weather prediction optimize energy use even when owners are away. Smart controllers grant convenience and sustainability via precision control.
Reuse Pool Backwash Water
An innovative way to conserve water is reusing backwash from filtration cycles. With proper treatment, this water can be repurposed for irrigation or even toilet flushing. Simple reuse mitigates wastage of thousands of gallons each year for free.
Using solar to power filters and pumps means this is a perfect way to reuse water with renewable energy, making your pool even greener.
Water Conservation Hacks
Beyond backwash reuse, owners can integrate other water-saving strategies. Reducing backwashing frequency, checking for leaks, topping off instead of completely refilling, and shortening showers preserves water in and around the pool. Mindfulness of consumption protects resources for the future.
Alternative Sanitizing Systems
Chlorine isn’t the only option for crystal clear and healthy pool water. Supplemental systems like mineral and ozone generators boost sanitation with less chemicals. Ozone uses oxygen to clean organically and mineral ions inhibit bacterial growth. When combined with some chlorine, such systems achieve the same results while decreasing environmental impact.
Going All Solar Power
For the ultimate sustainability, pool owners can utilize solar power instead of traditional electricity. Solar panels reliably generate clean energy to run equipment. This eliminates emissions from fossil fuel electricity while saving money on your pool long-term. Some regions even subsidize solar installation costs, providing greater incentive to make the switch.
Bottom Line
Eco-friendly pools not only benefit the planet through responsible water and energy use. They also create a healthier and more enjoyable swimming experience at a lower cost for owners. With sustainable upgrades, pool owners can reduce their environmental footprint while preserving the backyard oasis they know and love.
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