Tips

Are you thinking of doing a DIY Solar Installation?

Not only is solar good for the environment, but it can also be good for your wallet. You can get a federal tax credit for installing solar on your residence.

Whether you do the installation on your own or have someone else do it, you still get the tax credit, so what are the pros and cons of doing it yourself? Continue reading this article to find out.

Pros of Going DIY

If you’re a DIY lover, it might be hard to think about going with a professional company. There are pros to going DIY, and here are the top pros.

Less Expensive

Solar panel installation isn’t inexpensive, and using a DIY solar kit can help you cut costs.

When you buy a solar kit, you only have to take care of the expense of the kit. There’s no labor to take care of, and you’ll only be putting your time in on the project, so if you’re tight on cash, this might be your best option.

Quick Installation

If you’re excited to get your solar in place, all you have to do is run to the store and grab a kit to get started.

On the other hand, if you’re using a professional installation company, you’re going to have to wait until they have time in their schedule to come to take care of the installation.

Depending on how busy the company is, they may not be able to get around to your project for weeks or even months in some areas.

Cons of Going DIY

Now that we’ve looked at some of the pros above let’s get into the cons. If you’re not a DIY pro, these cons can be a big problem.

Difficult to Get Set Up

While you can YouTube just about anything to see how to DIY your solar installation project, the setup process is still difficult.

If you aren’t familiar with electrical work and construction, you could run into some serious and dangerous problems.

You need to know how much solar you need even before you’re able to start on the installation. Once you do have your system and you’ve figured out if it is the right amount of solar for you, you need to know how to connect the panels and inverter as well as knowing how to route the wiring properly.

If you don’t know how to work with electricity, you may even up starting a fire or experience an electric shock.

Possible Limitations

When you’re installing solar panels on your home, you’ll find that most of the kits you can buy at the store are meant to be used off-grid. Before you try to connect your solar panel to the grid, you need to get any permits and a professional sign-off.

If you still want to access electricity from your local utility company, you’re going to have some problems until you get the permits and the sign-off took care of.

DIY Solar Installation – Yay or Nay?

Now that you know more about DIY solar installation, you can make an informed decision on whether or not doing a solar installation on your own is a good idea or not.

While some people might be handy, that isn’t the case with everyone. Knowing where you fall in the DIY or not to DIY category will make this project much easier.

Do you want to learn more about solar and other interesting topics?

Browse our site for more great articles on solar, home design, and more, drop a bookmark and come back soon to read more.

Propane is the heating fuel of choice for many homeowners in the United States, especially those who live in rural areas. In fact, about 83 percent of propane-heated homes are located in rural parts of the country.

Are you thinking about switching to a propane heating system? If so, keeping reading. Everything you need to know about propane heating systems is explained below.

Why Use Propane Heating Systems?

Propane often doesn’t get a lot of credit for being a great fuel source. It’s a good option for many homeowners, though, and provides the following benefits:

• It’s more affordable than heating homes with electricity
• It generates heat in a more efficient way than electricity
• Propane heating systems last longer than electric heating systems
• Propane is more dependable and is easy to store
• Propane is a clean, non-toxic fuel source that produces limited emissions

Propane is also safe to use. In fact, it will only ignite when it’s combined with air and when the ignition source reaches a temperature of 940 degrees Fahrenheit.

Choosing the Right Propane Heating System

Clearly, there are lots of reasons why you might want to switch to a propane heating system. If you’re not sure which system to choose, though, here are some guidelines to remember:

Tank Size

One of the first things to consider is the size of the tank for the heating system.

There’s quite a range when it comes to the amount of fuel a tank can hold (it can range from 120 gallons to more than 1,000 gallons). Take the size into account so you know how often you’ll have to purchase additional propane for it.

Tank Storage

You can store propane tanks above or below the ground.

If you choose an above-ground tank, it’ll be easier to access. However, below-ground tanks are more aesthetically pleasing, and you won’t have to worry about them taking up valuable space in your yard.

Efficiency Rating

When choosing a system, be sure to consider its annual fuel-utilization-efficiency rating (or AFUE rating).

The higher the number on a particular system, the more heat it’ll produce from each therm of gas it uses. This is also an indicator that it’ll produce fewer emissions and is more environmentally friendly.

Features

Finally, you’ll want to find out more about the specific features the system offers.

This includes things like variable-speed blowers and variable heat output, both of which allow for increased energy efficiency. Air filtration is helpful, too, to minimize the amount of dust that gets blown through the system.

Heat Your House with Propane Today

Now that you know more about the benefits of propane heating systems, are you ready to start using one to heat your home?

If so, keep the tips outlined above in mind. They’ll help you choose the perfect one that meets your needs and fits your price range.

Don’t forget to check out the other home improvement articles on our site today, too. They’ll give you more insight into how you can make your home a more comfortable place without breaking the bank.

The world is full of rubbish. It’s everywhere. In fact, you can’t go anywhere without seeing it.

Dealing with rubbish can be a headache. Especially when you collect a lot each week and then have to worry about how to get rid of it. You might have bags and bags that end up spilling over in your garage or on the lawn.

So, what’s the solution? Glad you asked!

Sounds like you’re in need of a rubbish dump service. This article takes a look at the reason why you should pay for rubbish removal rather than dealing with it yourself.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of having your rubbish hauled away.

1. Convenience

When comes to effectively removing rubbish from your home and making sure that your recyclables are properly dealt with, there’s no denying the convenience of a professional removal service.

The key is to place all waste into the designated bin so that the items can be properly separated and processed once they’ve reached the waste management facility.

2. Less Waste

Using a removal service will also ensure that nothing is wasted. Many people simply pitch their rubbish in random bins on the street or at landfills, where it will likely remain until the end of the earth. This is such a sad, as well as bad for the environment.

A removal service will fully process everything you toss out to make each item can be processed and the material reused again and again.

3. Ease

All you have to do is place your rubbish been at the curb to be picked up each week. What could be easier than that?

4. Time Savings

You no longer have to spend time sorting your rubbish to determine which items belong in a specific been. The waste processing facility will take care of this for you. Just leave your bin at the curb each week and let them take care of the rest.

5. Less Traffic in Your Neighborhood

Neighborhood streets can be busy places, often making them unsafe for kids to play or for families to spend time together.

Choosing a rubbish service used by the rest of the neighborhood helps reduce the number of big trucks passing through each week.

6. Saves Energy

Selecting a rubbish company that’s devoted to the principles of living in a green world is crucial to sustaining the planet. When rubbish removals save energy but reducing the number of resources being consumed to produce new products.

Keep in mind that recycling previously used materials is not only a wise decision, it’s also healthy for the environment, and is the right thing to do.

7. Provides Peace of Mind

And finally, recycling with a company like Dirt Cheap Rubbish Removal will provide peace of mind knowing that you’re doing your part to make things better. That fact alone should certainly help you sleep a little better at night.

The Top Benefits of a Rubbish Dump Service

Getting rid of your rubbish doesn’t have to be complicated for expensive. A rubbish dump service actually makes the process simple and affordable.

Keep scrolling to see more useful home improvement tips and advice.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can have a range of negative health effects.

Immediate problems include headaches and fatigue. Long-term problems include respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer.

The causes of poor air quality range from toxic chemicals to mold to dust. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the number of contaminants in your home to keep you safe.

Find out how to improve indoor air quality in this article.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality: Assess Your Space

First, you should order an air quality test kit. Some of them are relatively cheap and test for hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs, airborne chemicals) and molds.

The results will tell you what contaminants you’re dealing with so you have an idea of what level of air purification you need.

Regardless, keep in mind that some of these solutions for improving air quality apply to one room, while others apply to the whole house.

What works best for you depends on your contaminants as well as the size of your space.

Additionally, if you have certain health concerns you should look into specific resources for your condition. Unhumid offers great information for air purification for people with asthma.

Get an Air Purifier

Air purifiers usually have HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters.

These force air through a fine mesh to trap harmful pollutants and allergens.

You want one in the room you spend your most time in (including when you sleep). You can have multiple in your home if you want, but regardless, make sure to get a machine that can filter the space of the room.

Limit Humidity

You want the humidity in your home to stay between 30-50% to prevent mold growth.

This may require running a dehumidifier in some seasons and an air conditioner in others.

To aid these machines, you can use exhaust fans and vents. Also, it’s wise to pay attention to anything water-related in your home. This means refraining from overwatering your plants and fixing leaks as soon as they happen.

Stay Current With Your Filters

You should change your air filters regularly.

You may also want to upgrade to an activated charcoal filter.

These filters work so well because charcoal is incredibly porous. When air is pushed through them, harmful particles adsorb (stick) to the activated carbon.

Still, you must change the filter regularly for it to be effective.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Most homes are built to allow for natural ventilation through joints and cracks in the structure, yet some aren’t.

You can do your part by opening doors and windows when the weather is good. Use a fan for spot ventilation by moving the air around.

Allowing proper ventilation lets stale air circulate out and fresh, healthy air circulate in.

Keep Your Home Clean

Maintaining a clean home is a big part of air cleanliness.

Clean your floors often with a strong-suctioned vacuum that has a HEPA filter. If you can, consider switching any carpet to wood, tile, or vinyl.

Use a microfiber mop and dust cloths to keep all surfaces clean.

Also, when tidying up your space, refrain from synthetic smells and chemicals. These put harmful chemicals in the air and often linger longer than you’d think.

On the note of doing things naturally, consider adding house plants to your decor.

Research suggests they provide cleaner air, lower your chances of getting sick, and boosts your mood.

Your Health Is Worth the Effort

Now that you know how to improve indoor air quality, you can make your home as healthy and clean as possible.

If it seems like a lot, start one step at a time, beginning with an air filter. Over time, you can work up to completing the full list.

Keep reading our blog for more life tips.

Your fridge is making strange sounds, cooling things at uneven temperatures, and you’ve noticed that it seriously smells.

In short?

You know you’re in desperate need of fridge repair — but you think you can tackle the problem on your own.

But is trying to DIY refrigeration repair really better than going with a professional?

Read on to find out why it always pays to hire a service.

1. Cost Savings

Let’s face it: the number one reason why most people attempt to handle fridge repair on their own is because of the cost.

But when you try and fail to DIY, the truth is that you often end up losing much more money than you would have spent if you’d just gone with a professional from the start.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can easily render your fridge completely unusable when it could have been repaired.

2. Correct Diagnosis of the Issue

You may think you know what’s going on with your fridge, but without the proper training, you’ll likely misdiagnose the issue.

This means that not only will you fail to fix the original issue, but also that you’ll cause further damage to your fridge.

This wastes time, money, and causes serious frustration.

Let a fridge repair technician take care of things instead.

3. It’s A Health Issue

Here’s the thing: spoiled food doesn’t just waste money.

It can also make you seriously sick, as your fridge isn’t storing food at the proper temperatures.

Do you really want to eat meat that’s prematurely expired because of high fridge temperatures? Want to store your food in a fridge that’s covered in mold?

We didn’t think so.

Call a refrigerator repair service to avoid any unpleasant health issues.

4. A Warranty

One final reason why you should always hire a fridge repair service instead of going the DIY route?

Because the former’s work comes with a warranty. If your DIY patch job fails in a week, you’ll be financially responsible for fixing it and buying all the equipment you need on your own.

A local refrigerator repair business will offer you a warranty on their work. Usually, they’ll also be able to connect with your fridge manufacturer to ensure you get the warranty the company you bought it from provided, as well.

Ready to Book Your Fridge Repair Service Appointment?

Now that we’ve (hopefully!) convinced you that going with a professional fridge repair technician is always better than trying to fix it on your own, it’s time to book your service appointment.

Make sure your tech is licensed and insured above all else. Additionally, ask what kind of experience they have in working with your specific fridge model, and always read online reviews.

Looking for more advice on how to repair appliances in your home? Need decorating tips that won’t break the bank?

Our blog is the place to get all that information and more.

Bookmark our page today so you don’t miss out on all the latest tips and tricks for your home.

Investing in real estate properties can be one of the most lucrative business ventures that you can take advantage of.

But, you often won’t make much money flipping houses if you don’t put some work into the property. A more modern look and extra utility can go a long way in increasing resell value.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about home renovation ideas to fix up your home.

Switch Up The Lighting

It’s amazing how much of an effect that simple changes to a room’s lighting can have.

If you plan on selling your home, buyers won’t be too impressed with bright, generic bulbs that make them feel like they’re at a department store.

Instead, you can install softer bulbs in ceiling recesses that create a calm, welcoming atmosphere. This is especially attractive in bedrooms, studies, and other areas where peace and quiet may be a priority.

Additionally, you can wire these lights to a dimmer switch, allowing the residents to control the amount of ambiance in a room.

Modernize the Bathroom

Bathrooms (especially showers) are one of the places that buyers look into the most. This is due to the fact that this area will see significant daily use from bathing, getting ready for work, preparing for bed, etc.

A poor-quality, outdated bathroom feels more like a functional box than it does an area in your home.

So, new tile, large mirrors, and a brand-new shower will be an investment that is sure to pay off on the market. If your budget allows for it, you can also add heated floors if you live in the colder regions of the country.

Don’t just focus on the master bathroom, though. All the bathrooms in the home should be equal in terms of quality, although the smaller rooms don’t need as many amenities.

Renovate the Kitchen

If there’s one thing that parents look for when buying a home, it’s a quality kitchen.

Kids will often be doing homework in this room after school and having most of their meals at the table or countertop. The kitchen is also a socializing area for guests and a place where certain meals can take hours to prepare.

Put simply, your whole family will spend a lot of time in this room.

A modern kitchen will add a hefty amount of value to your home, especially if you modernize the entire room and not just the appliances. Things like a new stove, new cabinets, and marble countertops will leave your buyers in awe during a showing.

If this is out of your budget, it’s not the end of the world. It’s better to slightly upgrade everything, though, than to install a brand new smart oven right next to a worn pantry.

Upgrade the Front Door

Your home’s front door is something that buyers (quite literally) can’t avoid looking at. So, an attractive one can significantly boost your house’s curb appeal.

High-quality wood and attractive glass panes are often all you need to worry about here. It wouldn’t hurt, though, to install a smart lock that allows residents to lock or unlock their home with a mobile app or code.

It’s also not a bad idea to take a risk with the door’s color. A deep red mahogany front door on a beige or white home is particularly eye-catching.

All-New Flooring

Carpet isn’t always the best flooring option for a home. While it’s great for young children due to its softness (it’s particularly good at cushioning slips and falls), carpet is easily stained and can require significant maintenance to keep it looking pristine.

Tile or false wood, on the other hand, are cost-effective options to boost your home’s aesthetic appeal.

This doesn’t mean that having carpet is always bad, though. Carpet suits bedrooms more than other types of flooring, especially during the colder months.

When working on your home’s flooring, you may encounter issues with the house’s foundation. This article has plenty of useful info.

Transform A Spare Room

A guest bedroom doesn’t have to remain a guest bedroom. Buyers who aren’t likely to have people over often won’t benefit much from a guest room and may overlook your home as an option.

What you can do, though, is turn this extra room into something more attractive.

A game room, study, or office space are all potential options that can give something to your home that stands out among buyers.

For example, an in-wall bookcase or installed bar set will already give this room utility when buyers move in. Similarly, a room fitted with mirrors and mounts can turn an otherwise empty space into a fitting room.

The possibilities here are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative if this is the path you choose to go down.

Throw Some Paint Around

Brand new paint can turn an average-looking home into something pretty. It can turn a great-looking home into something spectacular.

In general, it’s best to play it safe when it comes to color. This means grays, whites, and other relaxing tones should take priority over colors that can be mentally fatiguing over time, such as yellow or red.

Wrapping Up Home Renovation Ideas

With the above information about home renovation ideas in mind, you’ll be well on your way to getting the most return out of your investment.

From here, you can use this extra cash to repeat the process with even more properties, allowing you to exponentially increase your income over time.

You may have heard of termite infestations, but do you know the full extent of the damage termites can do to your home?

Termites damage more than 600,000 homes each year, causing billions of dollars in pest control and house repairs. When it comes to termites, early prevention can save you a lot of money in the long run. Read on to find out the answer to the question, “What do termites eat?”

Cellulose: Plant Matter

Termites are notorious for their ability to destroy the woodwork of any house given enough time. That’s because termites have evolved to eat cellulose, which is the most abundant organic compound in nature.

Cellulose is everywhere. Wood is mainly cellulose and every other plant-based material is rich in cellulose as well. For example, hempen ropes, wallpaper, and furniture are all great sources of cellulose, as well as several types of insulation.

All the above are a good meal for termites. Since no house is cellulose free, termites will probably cause some damage sooner or later.

Termite treatment cost can vary widely, depending on the extent of the damage. Foam and dust treatments are relatively inexpensive but limited in use. On the other hand, barriers and baits offer a more permanent and powerful solution at a higher cost.

Some Types of Plastic

Thanks to powerful bacteria in their guts, termites are able to break down all sorts of materials that are indigestible by most other creatures. While termites won’t eat plastic as-is, they will often use their powerful serrated mandibles to cut through plastic in order to get to your structural wood, hardwood floors, and furniture.

Cedar Wood and Redwood

Termites dislike cedar wood and redwood but given no choice, they will eventually eat them. Cedar wood and redwood have certain chemical substances that initially repel termites. However, as these types of wood break down, the resinous by-products of cedar attract termites.

Plywood that is Not Pressure-Treated

Termites cannot eat pressure-treated lumber, but they will readily devour any other type of plywood, especially conventional plywood and any type of MDF boards.

Particle Boards

Finally, particle boards are made of saw dust and waste material, which makes them ideal food for termites. Termites are particularly attracted to wet particle boards, and they can chew through them with remarkable speed and efficiency!

What do Termites Eat? Now You Know!

We’ve answered the question “what do termites eat”. So, now you now the kind of damage they can do in your house.

Whether you design a house from scratch, or upgrading your existing home to improve your lifestyle, we can help. In our blog, you will find a ton of useful advice, articles, and how-tos on a range of topics.

We are passionate about home, décor, DIY, design, travel, and a better lifestyle with a reasonable budget. So, come on in and get ready to upgrade your lifestyle today!

According to the EPA, 9.8 million tons of furniture waste ends up in landfills annually.

The waste problem in the United States is staggering, and everyone should step up and do their part in reducing waste. But what happens when you have old furniture taking up room in your house?

Instead of throwing it out to the curb, here’s how to get rid of old furniture the correct way.

Offer It for Sale or for Free

Before you throw your old furniture into the trash, try to get some money off of it by selling it to someone else. Odds are, there’s someone moving into their first home and willing to pay a discounted price for your furniture.

Start by cleaning up the furniture so that it is in decent condition. Clean of any debris, scrub out any stains, and vacuum any cloth upholstery. Then, take photos of the piece of furniture from different angles in good lighting.

List your furniture for sale online through websites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Remember that you’re selling your old furniture so make sure to price it favorably.

You can also consider giving it away to someone for free if they’re willing to come to pick it up.

Donate Your Furniture to a Good Cause

Another way to get rid of your furniture is by donating it to a good cause.

Consider the local non-profits that accept donations. Look for domestic violence organizations that help rehome women and children from a toxic environment. Or consider a non-profit like Habitat For Humanity that sells donated items to help find their efforts.

If you can’t find a non-profit that accepts donations, there’s always Goodwill. They accept donated furniture in any condition to sell in their stores.

Use a Junk Removal Service

If your furniture is in such bad shape that you can’t sell it and would be embarrassed to donate it, consider a junk removal service.

They’ll come to your home and get rid of anything from an old couch to used appliances. For a small cost, they’ll remove the furniture from your house and haul it away. In some cases, they can even come the very same day your request their services!

This website talks further about the services they offer.

Know How to Get Rid of Old Furniture Easily

Now you know how to get rid of old furniture easily.

Your first step should be to try selling it online to see if you can earn some money in the process, or offer it to free to someone in need. Then, consider donating your furniture to a local non-profit. Last but not least, you can use a junk removal service to get rid of any lingering furniture you can’t sell or donate.

When you’re ready to fill your home with new furniture, browse the rest of this site for home decor inspiration.

According to one report, 90% of homeowners are planning to renovate their homes in the near future.

You might be ready to join this 90%, but you may have some questions in terms of how you should approach the task. How do you plan a renovation project? How can you keep costs as low as possible?

Below you’ll find a whole house renovation checklist that’ll help you get the ball rolling on your renovation project. If you don’t like the way your home looks, these tips will help you bring about change.

Let’s begin!

1. Don’t Rush In

Before you renovate your home, it’s a good idea to put some time aside so that you can create a plan.

This plan should detail your renovation goals for each room and what you need to do to hit these goals.

So, suppose that one of your goals is to renovate your bathroom.

Your plan should detail all the individual tasks associated with renovating your bathroom. This might include purchasing tiles, buying paint, or even hiring a plumber.

2. Map out a Budget

You need to spend some time calculating the costs associated with your renovation project.

If you fail to do this, you may end up in a situation where you run out of money halfway through the project.

Budgeting costs ahead of time will also make it easier for you to identify opportunities to save money. For instance, if you know that you need to buy some tiles, you can dedicate a little bit of time each week, looking for deals associated with tiles.

3. How Will You Deal with Waste?

One of the biggest challenges associated with a renovation project is dealing with the resultant waste.

Such waste generally includes all the stuff you’re left with when you’ve gutted out a room so that it can be updated. If you don’t have a proper method for dealing with this waste, you put yourself and other people in danger.

Fortunately, you can deal with this waste by renting out a roll-off container.

There’s even the option of hiring a company that specializes in waste removal. If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to work with such a company, you can read more here.

Will This Whole House Renovation Checklist Help You?

This post has provided you with a whole house renovation checklist that you can use for future remodeling projects.

Renovating an entire house is a complicated task, and there’s a good chance you’ll come across some unexpected problems. This is something you can’t avoid, and the best thing you can do is to put money aside so that you’re able to deal with these surprises.

Managing a renovation project is probably one of the most stressful things you can do. But if you’re willing to go through this process, there’s no doubt you’ll end up with a beautiful home at the end of it all.

Did you like this post? If you did, make sure you read some of the other content right here on our site!

The lighting in your home is a key part of your interior design. Good lighting can expand a room and highlight other design choices, while poor lighting can leave your home looking gloomy and small.

Choosing the best light bulbs for each room can help you tie together the design of your entire home. Read on for more information about some of the best types of light bulbs currently on the market.

LEDs Are Some of the Best Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs use very little energy when compared to other types of light bulbs on the market. LEDs come in multiple shades and colors, which can help you customize your interior design.

LEDs even come in different designs. These styles combine the classic retro style of filament bulbs with the practical benefits of LED lights.

Depending on the brand, they can last between 20,000 to 50,000 hours before they burn out. This can save you money in the long run, because in addition to using less energy you’ll have to replace your light bulbs less often.

However, because of their long lifespan and energy efficiency, LEDs tend to be one of the more expensive types of light bulbs you can buy. This means that while they may be a good choice for changing a single outlet or room at a time, outfitting your entire home with LEDs can be cost-prohibitive.

Smart Light Bulbs

The newest addition in the home lighting sector, smart light bulbs hook up to a virtual assistant like Google Home. They can connect to wifi, be placed on a schedule, and can be controlled from your smartphone.

Some smart light bulbs can even connect to your smart TV so that they sync up with the movie or show you are watching. Forget surround sound – think surround lighting!

Of course, smart light bulbs are also quite expensive, usually more than LEDs when you factor in the fact that you’ll need a virtual assistant to make them work.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

Also known as CFLs, these types of light bulbs are the midway point between LEDs and old-school incandescent lights. CFLs are much more affordable than LEDs and use about 70 percent less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs.

CFLs are most efficient when you leave them on for at least three minutes because it takes a while for the electricity to flow through the gas in the bulb. This means that CFLs will take a while to reach their full brightness.

In a related note, this means that most CFLs are not dimmable. While some models are available, they are harder to find and come at a higher price point.

Choose the Bulb That Fits Your Home Best

Now that you know the major differences between some of the best light bulbs, you can make an informed decision about which would be the best fit for your home. All three of the above variants fit different niches, and it’s entirely possible to have all three installed in different parts of your home.

For more information about lighting and interior design, check out the Lifestyle section of our blog!