Author: John Conde

How Air Leakage Testing Could Help You Save On Energy Bills

Posted on by John Conde

Last year, just before one of the coldest and longest winters that we have seen for a long time, energy providers all over the country decided to raise their prices leaving a lot of us facing increased costs just to heat our homes. This in turn has prompted a lot of homeowners to look for new ways of reducing these costs in an attempt to keep energy consumption down and money in the bank up.

There are many ways of doing this including insulating your home and living more sustainably but something that you maybe haven’t yet thought about is air leakage testing. Here’s how it could save you a lot of money in the long run.

What Is Air Leakage Testing –

Ever since 2006 in England and 2010 in Scotland, building regulations have stipulated that every new dwelling built should have to pass an air leakage test. This is in line with the government’s attempt to reduce CO2 emissions across the whole country by 60% by the year 2050 and also applies to any substantial extensions made to existing dwellings.

When any building is built there are natural gaps left between the fabric of the structure. These are only small but are there so that we don’t suffocate in our own homes when the doors and windows are closed. Air leakage testing is carried out to ensure that these gaps are not too big or too small. Too big and they could allow valuable heat energy to escape and if they’re too small there won’t be enough airflow through the building.

Obviously, all new buildings will have passed this test but if your home was built before the regulation came in then you may benefit from having it done.

How Is It Tested? –

There are a few ways to carry out air leakage testing all of which are non-invasive and easy to do. Some companies will use a thermal imaging camera to spot where the heat is being lost and others will carry smoke pens around the building to find the different areas where there is a draft. Once the areas of leakage have been discovered steps can be made to decrease this and make the building more energy-efficient.

Benefits To Carrying Out An Air Leakage Test –

An airtight dwelling has plenty of benefits not least the fact that your home will be in accordance to legal requirements. An airtight home will save you money on your energy bills every month which is sure to add up to a lot over time and you will have the added bonus of knowing that you have reduced your CO2 emissions which is great for the environment.

Your home will also be more comfortable after your air leakage test as there won’t be any more annoying drafts that can make rooms so cold during the winter months. Lastly, reducing the amount of air leakage will also decrease the noise you hear from things such as traffic and planes outside as well the noise that travels through party walls.

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Choosing The Right Lighting For Your Home

Posted on by John Conde

Choosing The Right Home Lighting
Home lighting is one of those things that, when everything is working and the lighting scheme has been well designed, you rarely even notice. However, when a fault occurs, or if the lighting solution for your home has not been designed sensibly and sensitively, that is when you begin to understand how important your home lighting is. To avoid the distracting and unpleasant experience of a badly thought out or implemented lighting scheme, it is vital that you do all you can to ensure that you have your home lighting system perfectly designed. Remember that lighting is not just for the primary goal of lighting your home but is also fundamental to creating ambience and driving the overall aesthetics. Here are a few things to bear in mind when you are choosing your home’s lighting system.

Understand Your Needs

It may seem obvious but the most important thing to consider when designing your home lighting scheme is this: what are your lighting needs? Getting the right lighting to suit the way you live and work is essential. So, for example, direct or task light ought to be directed on the spot from where you are performing your tasks. Indirect light, on the other hand, is not meant for lighting a particular sport but is best suited to lighting a large or small space for sheer aesthetics. Once you have chosen the goal for your lighting, you will be easily able to choose the kind of lighting to install. Since every room in your house is meant for particular purposes, the kind of lighting you use should be specifically tailored to meet its particular utility.

LED Lights – A Lighting Revolution!

Nowadays, LED lights are becoming as popular as old-style filament bulbs and are much more energy-efficient and cost-effective.  LED lights are available in a range of colours and intensities now and can achieve a really soft light rather than the harsh bluish light with which they used to be associated. If it’s been a while since you bought lighting for your home it is worth doing some research into the significant transformations LED lights have made to the home lighting scene.

The Great Outdoors

Once your house is well lit, it is imperative to recall that the outside lights for both security and safety are equally important. The perimeter of your house, the sidewalks and the driveway always ought to be well lit. Whether you use LED lights or fluorescent lights, your home compound needs to be illuminated. Lighting some areas because you are going to be working in them while neglecting others is going to compromise your security. You should remember that using security and safety lights that are too bright is a needless waste of money. You should also bear in mind that using lights that are excessively bright on the outside may well disturb your neighbours. You should therefore carefully light every area around your home without incurring unnecessary expenses and without annoying your neighbours.

Since need to be one of your main concerns when designing your lighting scheme, it is worth paying the same attention to the visual appeal of your outdoor light sources. Remember that the lighting outside of your home should not only be in place for utilitarian purposes. Directional and attractive sconces will enhance the architectural design of your home and emphasize any decorations and plantings you may have within your compound.

Get It Right

For the inside lighting, you should ensure that you make use of multiple sources to light particular spots in your house. For rooms such as the kitchen, bedroom, sitting room, bathroom etc, use multiple sources of light to achieve different effects. For example, a floor lamp might be the most appropriate source for some intimate, ambient lighting in the sitting room. In the kitchen, making use of under-counter lighting and directional LED spotlights will help provide adequate light for preparing food just where you need it.

Lighting the home is as important in terms of creating ambience and aesthetics as any other element of home decor. But lighting also needs to be functional. Take some time to think about what will work best in your life and then explore the latest trends in lighting. You may start to see your home in a whole new light!

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Awesome Alternate Seating Ideas For Your Kitchen.

Posted on by John Conde

Home is where the heart is. So surely it must be full of all those things that make you squeal with excitement? Even if that does mean a living room full of china cat ornaments! After a long day at work you want to come home to a place that makes you feel relaxed; brimming with personality and charm.

Particularly for those of you who like to entertain, your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Food, booze and funky appliances all in one room; It’s of no surprise that guests seem to automatically congregate there!

Although, there is nothing worse than having your beautiful kitchen downplayed by those ancient hand-me-down chairs from your Aunt Muriel. Time for an update. Here are some awesome seating ideas for those of you looking to jazz up those dull seats or splurge out on new ones!

Upholstered Seating.

After spending the majority of your childhood on hard-bottomed chairs throughout school, why would you choose to have them in your kitchen? Padding is the way forward. Treat your bum! You and your guests will be able to gossip away for hours, without the need to fidget and squirm. What’s more, upholstered seating comes in a huge variety of colours and interesting patterns. Whether you’re going for a luxurious feel or something a little more quirky, you can customise seating to your exact taste.

Banquette.

Small kitchen owners – this is the one for you. These seats can give you the space you need, but can easily be built to merge with the walls of your kitchen. Providing a more informal feel, these bench-like seats can be upholstered or accessorised with your favourite pillows and throws. These make an excellent alternate seating area; complimenting the mojo of your kitchen perfectly.

Are you someone who always seems to be surrounded by kitchen clutter? Get a banquette with in-built storage space! No one need ever know.

Mix and Match.

Who said kitchen seating had to be coordinated? Are you and your partner always bickering between that love seat he wants and those vintage dining chairs you’ve had your eye on? Relationships are about compromise, but not with kitchen seating. Buy both! Alter the fabric of the love seat to compliment the colour of your chairs and – voila! You can relax on the love seat in the afternoon curled up with your book, but carry out a formal meal in the evening with the use of your vintage seats. The best of both worlds!

DIY Breakfast Bar.

These are great as an addition to kitchen islands. Adjust your bar height for the kids – or the big kids! A breakfast bar can be a great way to create a social atmosphere in the kitchen. Whilst you cook dinner, your friends or partner can sit at the bar and watch you work your magic in the kitchen. No more worrying about being a poor host, you can chat and cook at the same time. Or better yet, rope in some of your audience to give you a hand with the washing up!

Life is made exciting by variety. It would truly be a dull place if every person was the same, and this also goes for kitchen seating. Make your kitchen work with you and your personality.

If you’re an outgoing and vibrant person – why should your kitchen be any different? Teamed with a bright kitchen backsplash and a vibrantly coloured oilcloth tablecloth, your seating can make a real statement in the kitchen. And, it need not be expensive. If you have lots of scrap material lying around – why not make a patchwork seating cover? Get creative!

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Five Features To Consider While Building A Beach House

Posted on by John Conde

With real estate prices being cheaper than ever, many people are buying properties near the beach and building their dream home using exclusive wood, staircase parts, roofing shingles, and more. From balconies overlooking the ocean to wrap-around porches ideal for lounging in the sun, building a shore house is all about getting creative and considering some fun extra features you’ve always wanted. Beach homes are all about getaways where you can enjoy the outdoors, so you’ll want to consider different aspects that will allow you to enjoy the smell of the sea and the wind in your hair.

Below are five features to consider when building your shore house:

A Wrap-Around Deck
Wrap-around porches hold that southern charm that makes them a popular choice for anyone building a beach home. They also come with an added bonus for anyone with large families you know will want to take beach trips with you all summer long:  these decks are great for entertaining large groups of people at the new home, and are perfect for having a calm, relaxing moment alone while enjoying your new space.

Outdoor Shower
What beach home is complete without an outdoor shower? An outdoor shower is essential for homes located close to the beach. Having a shower outside will help avoid sand being tracked onto the beautiful carpets, or scuffing up any hardwood floor. Even if your home is not located extremely close to the beach, this is still a great addition. The outdoor shower gives another shower option for large groups when there are only so many showers inside. It’s also nice to cool down.

Sunroom
Sunrooms are a versatile feature, as they can be transformed to withstand any season. They are a big hit with shore homes due to a large amount of light they let in, ideal for lounging or entertaining friends, along with the beautiful view of sunny gorgeous skies they can add into a room. You can even set up a living room or dining room in a sunroom. Plus, being able to see the sky can even make a room seem larger.

Balcony
What better way to lay out in the sun than a balcony? There are many different styles of balconies available, from colonial to Roman-style and including staircase parts to access from down below. Balconies are the perfect location to enjoy your morning coffee and socialize with guests. Whether you attach it to a bedroom or a living room, balcony doors also provide a large amount of light to a room – ideal for a beach home.

Pool/Hot Tub
A pool and hot tub is the finishing touch on your shore home. Your dream home should feature all the luxuries, particularly if you’re using your home as a getaway. Relax and soak in the hot tub after a long day or go for a swim during the day to escape the heat of the sun. Plus, they add a level of luxury that most do not have in their beach home. You’ll have a great place to relax, and something to impress your friends.

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5 Great Ways To Get Rid Of Unwanted Items Before A Move

Posted on by John Conde

Although moving can be a stressful time for many people, it also provides a great opportunity for you to purge your life of items that you no longer want or need. Your moving costs will also be less expensive if you have fewer household items, and you will be able to start a clutter-free life in your new home. Fortunately, several ways exist for those who are moving to get rid of items that they would prefer not to take with them. Following are five options for you to consider when deciding how to dispose of certain household items.

1. Consignment Shops

If you have clothing or accessories that are of good quality and show minimal wear and tear, you may be able to sell them through a consignment shop. Consignment shops will keep a certain amount of the sale price and send you the rest after the items are purchased. Although consignment shops frequently only deal in fine clothing, jewelry, handbags and other accessories, some carry items such as furniture and household decorations.

2. Good Old-Fashioned Thrift Shops

While consignment stores are usually somewhat selective about items that they will accept, thrift stores will generally take anything as long as it is clean, in good repair and usable. Many thrift stores will also pick up items from your home, saving you the hassle of loading things into your car and driving to the store locations. Keep in mind those items given to thrift stores are donations that you will not be paid for. If the value of your donations is of considerable worth, however, you may be able to obtain a tax credit.

3. Have a Garage Sale

Having a garage sale is a good way to quickly get rid of things you don’t need anymore. Be sure to advertise your garage sale in your local paper as well as put up signs around your neighborhood. Some people offer leftover items for free after their sale is over.

4. Craigslist

If you have household or personal items that you would like to sell but don’t want to organize a garage sale, consider putting an ad on Craigslist or another free advertising site. You will be able to show the items to interested parties at your own convenience, and it’s possible that you will be able to make a significant sum of money on your unwanted personal items and household goods. Another option is having an online garage sale through an auction site, but you may not be able to dispose of things as quickly as you like if you go this route. You will also have to package items and ship them if the buyers do not live in your geographical area.

5. Give Things Away to Family and Friends

If you have household things that you won’t be needing in your new home, take a look among your family and friends to see if anyone needs anything that you would like to discard. For instance, if you are moving to a smaller place because you are downsizing or retiring, that large dining room table may be perfect for the young family in your circle.

Most people find that getting rid of superfluous items allows them to feel as if they are starting fresh in their new environment.

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