Category: How to

Here’s How to Make Your Appliances More Eco-Friendly

Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

The effects of our impact on the environment have never been as clear as now — plastics churning in the ocean, extreme weather changes, and toxic air quality meaning more yearly air pollution. Now more than ever, the public and businesses are acutely aware of their responsibility to protect the planet for now and future generations.

Photo By: Christine Kimberlee Designs

For homeowners and businesses, it can seem like a lot of extra work to be energy efficient and eco-aware. But as well as keeping you compliant, maintaining a level of environmental awareness can help you save money on utility bills in the long run. You don’t need to spend a lot of money straight away to start being eco-friendlier either. This article will take you through some of the ways you can make your existing appliances and practices greener!

1. No overnight standby 

If, like many homes in this day and age, you have a fair number of computers, monitors, television screens or the like, make sure you shut down these devices before leaving your home. Equipment left on standby can use around 50% of the electricity they would use when in operation. If it’s not going to be used for a while, the equipment should be switched off entirely. Neon signs that are popular now as decorative wall art, should be switched off before you go home for the day. This simple tip will save you money on bills, as well as taking a step towards being more environmentally friendly.

2. A matter of degrees

Generally speaking, boilers have a lifespan of around 15 years. If your boiler isn’t quite that old yet, however, there are still steps you can take to making it more energy efficient. If you’re not already in the habit of having the heating turned off when leaving your home, do so. You can always set a timer for the heating to come on an hour or so before you return, so you aren’t walking into a freezing home. Also, try knocking the thermostat down just a degree or two. It’s unlikely to make a huge difference to the comfort of your home, but even just one degree lower can save you money and energy.

3. The office canteen

It’s easy to forget the appliances we have at home need care and maintenance. Just as your car need’s yearly check-ups and oil changes, so does your fridge! A fridge should last for around 10 to 20 years before it needs replacing, but if you reckon your fridge is past its best, be sure to opt for an eco-friendly model; there’s loads of energy-efficient models on the market right now. For now, we’ll focus on your current fridge. When was the last time the coils were cleaned? It’s likely been a while, but according to Architectural Digest, cleaning a fridge’s coils can make for a more energy-efficient machine.

The cleaning process is fairly simple:

  • Turn off the fridge
  • Put on gloves to protect your hands
  • Locate the appliance’s coils (usually, they are at the back, top, or bottom of the fridge)
  • Remove the base grill if the coils are on the top or bottom or pull the fridge out carefully to access the coils if they are located at the back
  • Take a refrigerator coil brush and clean out the dirt and debris that has accumulated on the coils
  • Clean the floor around the appliance before putting it back in place

Also, you have a dishwasher at home? It’s good practice to wait for a full load before setting the dishwasher off, so encourage your family members to stack it to a full load rather than washing in bursts. For the last load of the day, you could leave the door of the dishwasher open to let the dishes air dry overnight instead of using the energy-hungry drying cycling.

4. Office air-con

The air conditioning unit is no doubt a much-loved addition to your home, as it keeps your family living and working at a comfortable temperature. After all, living in a too-warm or too-cold environment can have an effect on your overall mood and progress if you work from home. So, don’t neglect the hard-working appliance — give it a check over every so often to make sure it is running to the best of its ability. Your best bet is to get a professional to inspect your home’s air conditioning units to be sure that everything is running efficiently, as well as confirming that it is still effective. One of the most obvious key signs that it’s time for a check over is if the unit is making strange noises.

Of course, newer models tend to be more energy efficient, but as you can see, your home’s current appliances can still work greener with the proper care and attention. When replacement becomes unavoidable though, take some time to look at the energy-efficiency of models and view it as an investment to saving money and energy in the long run!

Rejoice A Memorable Day of Love with Fantastic Valentine’s Gifts

Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

If you have a loved one, then make this Valentine’s day memorable for her by giving some joyous moments of the day!

Here we have some fantastic Valentine’s gifts to rejoice a lover’s day with your beloved partner!

Chocolates Bouquet for Her

When it is a day of lovers, then you should plan some unique gifts for your loving girlfriend. The best option is to give some sweet moments with her favorite chocolates and candies. You can also make a beautiful presentation of chocolates to impress her. A chocolate bouquet will be one of the best Valentine gifts for her to show your romantic feelings. Her favorite chocolates will make her mood refreshed and some pleasuring moments of the day. You can also add a love note to show your gratitude for being with you in life.

Valentine’s Flowers Basket

If you want to deliver your heartfelt message of love, then you should go with a basket of Valentine’s flowers for her. You can order a beautiful bouquet of red roses online to make your basket more adorable. Add other bright blooms to give some unforgettable moments of the day. You can even complement with a love letter to convey your undying feelings on this Valentine’s day. It will be a fantastic idea to win her heart with such blooming flowers. She will feel awesome getting such basket of love and affection from your side.

Personalized Teddy with Love Band

A teddy is one of the all-time favorite toys of girls. If she loves soft teddies, then surprise her by dedicating a personalized teddy on this Valentine’s day. You can send her a cute plush teddy personalized with her memorable photo. Try to choose a big sized teddy that will always remain in her living room. You can also make a love band especially engraved with your name initials to mark this lover’s day. It will give a great feeling of your endearment that will last forever.

Prepare a Designer Cake

If you want to win her heart with some delightful moments, then surprise her with a designer cake on this Valentine’s day. The first step is to choose a beautiful design and flavors according to her particular taste to decorate the cake. You can even order a tasty Valentine’s day cake online to celebrate the bond of love with her. An attractive cake will be helpful to strengthen your deep relationship with your lady love. You can also take snaps of the cake cutting ceremony to rejoice the memorable day of togetherness.

Gifts for Her Beauty

Most of the girls expect something special from their beloved ones. You can also plan out of the box gifts for your girlfriend. Take a basket in which you can add all the beauty products that she regularly uses at home. It can be the best idea to please her with such a valuable gift. If you are not able to buy all these beauty products, then you can even purchase spa vouchers to make her feel pampered. Try to give her favorite salon or spa vouchers that she can quickly use in future.

All of these fantastic gifts will be perfect to rejoice another memorable Valentine’s day with your loving partner.

Looking for a House Loan? Here are some Personal Loan Features and Benefits

Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

A loan requirement is not restricted to the middle-income group. The high-income bracket also requires frequent loans. People that don’t earn a lot have a higher loan requirement, but find it difficult to obtain a loan due to their credit scores.

Though difficult, it is not impossible for them to get a loan. They can choose other means for a low salary personal loan. Such loans are different from personal loans in terms of their eligibility criteria, the tenure of payment and the rate of interest charged. If you are property planning and looking to invest, loans are a smart move to look into. The features of these loans are discussed below:

No Income Related Criteria

When your income levels are low, you are forced to look at other sources of obtaining a loan. Within a bank, you can get a loan against your fixed deposits and gold. The gold loan can also be availed from NBFCs, which would be willing to accept other valuables as collateral against a loan. These loans do not consider your income as a deciding factor for loan disbursal. In desperate times, when a loan is absolutely necessary turning to low-value loans is the safest option.

Requirement of Collateral

As mentioned in the previous point, collateral is required in order to process these loans. Either in the form of an FD, gold, property papers, or documents for some other assets that you might possess, the presence of collateral becomes vital. The amount you can receive as a loan is in proportion to the value of the collateral. This is required to provide security to the lending agencies from defaulters. If a situation arises that the borrower is unable to pay the money, the agency is secure against a loss and will take over the collateral.

Higher Rates of Interest

The rate of interest varies depending on the collateral selected. If an FD is chosen as the collateral, the rate charged is only a little higher than what a bank would provide you with. In the case of gold, the interest generally ranges between 10-14% depending on the amount of money being borrowed. When a loan is being availed from NBFCs, you should be prepared to pay a hefty interest amount (about 14-20%), but this is completely dependent on the organization.

Choice of Tenure

You can choose to pay the loan quickly or you can decide to opt for a longer tenure depending on your capability. Though there is an upper limit to the length of the tenure, you can close the loan as soon as you wish without being subjected to any penalties. Consider a scenario when an expected payment is delayed and you have a pressing requirement for the day. You can take a loan and close it as soon as that expected payment comes in. This way you have effectively used a loan without over-paying.

It is possible to get a collateral free low salary personal loan from fintech organizations such as MoneyTap, which offer you low-value loans with interest charged only on the amount that you actually withdraw from the fund. The process of application is easy to understand and seamless, making it a pleasurable experience for you.

The 5 Most Common Boiler Problems

Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

Is your boiler not working as it should? From unusual noises to low pressure, there are several problems that frequently affect residential boilers!

While many of these problems can be fixed by making a few minor adjustments to your boiler’s settings, others can require more complex boiler repairs. Below, we’ve listed five common boiler problems that affect UK homeowners, as well as the most effective ways to fix them.

Unusual noises from your boiler

The hot water inside your boiler can interact with the materials used in the boiler’s construction over the course of months or years, leading to the buildup of limescale. This can result in your boiler making loud, noticeable banging, bubbling and “kettling” noises.

In order to six this problem, you’ll need to have your boiler’s contents flushed out. This helps to remove the built-up limescale, giving your boiler a cleaner interior that’s less likely to produce any unwanted noise.

Cold areas in your radiators

Over time, it’s far from uncommon for cold areas to develop in your radiators. This is usually the result of air and sludge building up inside the radiator, which can prevent hot water from flowing into certain parts of the radiator.

Most of the time, this can be fixed by bleeding your radiator, removing any trapped sludge and air that could be affecting circulation.

Switched off pilot light

Every boiler contains a pilot light — a small, blue flame that stays lit underneath your boiler at all times, even when the boiler isn’t in use. If your home’s gas supply switches off, or a wind blows through the area in which your boiler is installed, it’s possible for this pilot light to switch off.

Luckily, this is a quick and easy repair. If you’re comfortable doing so, you can use your boiler’s instruction manual to relight the pilot light by yourself. If you prefer not to do it yourself, you can also call in a Gas Safe engineer to relight the pilot light and get your boiler working again.

Drips, leaks and water damage

Over time, it’s possible for your boiler to develop one or several leaks, creating the possibility of water damage to your home. Leaks rarely occur in the tank itself — instead, they typically develop in the pipes that run to and from your boiler. Even a small leak can cause significant damage over time as water penetrates into your home’s walls, flooring and other building materials.

The best way to eliminate leaks is to regularly check the area around your boiler for moisture. If you spot any dampness that could indicate a leak, call in the experts as soon as possible to get it checked and, if necessary, repaired.

Low temperatures and lukewarm water

If your home never seems to reach the same temperature as your boiler’s thermostat, or your hot water is lukewarm at best even after running your boiler for hours, it could be an indicator that the thermostat isn’t totally accurate.

Just like the problems listed above, this is usually an easy fix. If your thermostat is adjustable, you can try adjusting it to better record your home’s temperature. If not, try replacing it with a newer, more accurate thermostat for better heating and hot water.

HVAC Installation Mistakes Hurting Your Home

Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

Do you have continuous problems with your HVAC system? Here are some common mistakes that occur during installation and some easy ways to fix them!

Ideally, you never think about your heating and cooling systems; they should be there when you need them. However, too many homeowners continue to battle with their HVAC systems — they run too much or too little, they make too much noise, they continuously break down and more. If you have always suffered under HVAC struggles, your problem might be the result of improper installation. Read on to find out the most common installation mistakes that cost you money — and how to fix them fast.

Leaky Ducts

By area, ductwork is by far the largest component of your HVAC system. That means there is a lot of space for something to go wrong. The most common problem in ductwork is leaks — and this also happens to be the most common cause of wasted energy. That’s because your HVAC system has to work harder to push air of the right temperature into the corners of your home. Worse, leaks are difficult to detect, and the symptoms are different depending on where in the system the leak occurs.

Leaks on the supply side, or the side that pushes conditioned air into your home, are perhaps the easiest to understand. This leakage results in heated or cooled air blowing into spaces that don’t need it, like your attic, your basement or your yard. Not only are you paying extra to condition air going into spaces you don’t use, but your system must work even harder to bring your home to the correct temperature.

Meanwhile, leaks on the return side, or the side that sucks air into the HVAC, mean it’s time for heating repair and your HVAC is pulling more air from the attic than it is from your home. This doesn’t just impact the temperature of the air; it also builds up positive pressure, which pushes your conditioned air outside through gaps in windows and doors.

Fortunately, leaks are relatively easy to fix once they are discovered. If you rely on your HVAC year round, like residents of Washington D.C., you might want HVAC contractors to inspect your ductwork regularly to be certain you don’t have costly leaks.

Wrong Size

Obviously, if an HVAC system is too small for a home, it will need to work extra long and hard to maintain the right temperature, Whenever you add square footage to your home, you should ask an expert whether or not you need to upgrade your HVAC to accommodate the addition.

However, what many homeowners fail to realize is that HVACs can be too large, too. Most often, this happens when builders are rushing to finish a construction process and guess or improperly measure the home, but some contractors choose to install larger-than-necessary HVAC units or ducts to squeeze extra money out of homeowners or to attract homebuyers who don’t understand the difference. The larger an HVAC system, the more energy it will pull, meaning you will be paying more for heating and cooling than you need to. It is possible to downsize to a smaller system, especially if your HVAC is brand-new.

Poor Flow

Energy Star, the program that measures the efficiency of buildings, systems and appliances, states that without the perfect amount of airflow, no HVAC system will function effectively. Unfortunately, as with the size of an HVAC system, the ideal amount of airflow depends on the size and layout of your house. The main symptom of poor airflow are rooms of noticeably differing temperatures, especially when doors and dampers are wide-open and window coverings are shut. However, you can also purchase an air flow meter to better understand how air is moving around your home.

The best solution is, once again, to hire a professional, who will balance your air flow by calculating how much air each room needs and modifying your HVAC system appropriately. However, you can make small adjustments to air flow by adjusting dampers in rooms with too much air flow and using branch dampers inside your ductwork. However, going into your ducts does introduce the possibility of creating leaks, so professional service is strongly advised.

Improper Charge

No, you don’t need to charge your HVAC the way you charge your phone — but you do need to charge the refrigerant inside your air conditioner. Charge is used to describe the type and mass of refrigerant; over time, your HVAC will likely lose some amount of its charge, and in doing so, it loses efficiency in operation. However, it’s possible that when your A/C unit was installed, it was never properly charged Again, the right charge for your system depends on many factors, so it’s best to speak to an expert about what type of refrigerant your HVAC uses, what the charge should be and how to check it.

Since it is such a significant part of your home, you should spare few expenses to keep your HVAC up and running properly. To reduce inefficiency and enjoy the right interior temperature at all times, call an HVAC professional today.