With people continuously looking for a place to live, investing in a property and turning it into a rental is always a smart business move.

But there is more to simply purchasing an apartment that you can afford, obtaining the necessary permits and licences, advertising, and waiting for tenants to view the property and sign the tenancy agreements.

If you want to get a rental property that attracts the best tenants and gives you good returns, you have to choose the right apartment or flat to buy first.

Investing in the Best Property to Turn Into a Rental

If you have plans of buying one of the top-notch luxury apartments for sale in Dubai to turn into a rental, ensure you invest in the right one by looking for these features that tenants value:

Ideal Location

Location is one of the top factors people prioritise when they are looking for a place to rent. The main reason behind this is that tenants want to save as much money as they can when they need to go to the grocery store, restaurant, park, and even to their place of work.

When tenants are near these areas, they won’t have to drive or commute, which means they can do away with buying petrol or paying for taxi or bus rides.

Moreover, tenants will experience a higher level of convenience when they are within walking distance to such areas.

Due to these reasons, you will do well to buy an apartment that is located in an area that allows tenants quick access to these key places.

When tenants are close to the place of their employment, supermarkets, malls, restaurants, and other spots they frequent, they will be more willing to pay the rent you set for your apartment. They will likely stay for a long time on your property, too.

Move-In Ready

Most tenants want to move into a new apartment as quickly as possible. Because of this, flats that allow them to do so are always on top of their list of options.

With this in mind, a newly built apartment is the ideal property to turn into a rental. Since it is new, you can let people view it and accept tenants as soon as you have all the papers in order.

You won’t have to wait for the painters to paint the ceiling or the plumbers to do the necessary repairs on the plumbing system.

Even if you waited a bit to allow viewers to see your newly built apartment, if it is neat and tidy, you assure would-be tenants that you have high standards of cleanliness and maintenance. And they will try their best to meet and follow your terms.

Plenty of Storage Space

Storage space always scores high with tenants. When they have plenty of places where they can keep their belongings, you will help them minimise the items they have to throw away, sell, or donate.

Additionally, you save your would-be tenants money and the trouble of hiring a storage unit where they can keep their belongings temporarily or permanently.

If you are still looking for an apartment to buy, try to find one with several closets or cabinets. Make sure you or your real estate agent highlight these features when advertising the flat.

Ready to Use Appliances

People looking for a place to rent also want to save some money whenever and wherever they can. This is because they have to pay a huge amount upfront for the advance rent and security deposits.

For tenants who do not own any appliances yet, they will be drawn to apartments that have them, even if the appliances are only the basic ones.

When you place a working refrigerator, cooking range, washing machine, and microwave oven in the flat, you will make it even more attractive for anyone who views it. You can even draw in potential tenants who already have them since you give them the option to sell their current appliances and use the ones you provided.

If the apartment you want to buy does not have any appliances yet, consider doing it yourself. You don’t have to spend a lot on outfitting it. If you have ones that you are not using and still look good and work well, you can put them in the rental.

However, if you want to buy new ones, don’t hesitate to do so. Most high-quality tenants do not mind paying a little more rent for a property that includes all the essential appliances.

Available Parking Space

For potential tenants who own vehicles, living in an apartment that has a designated parking space is a huge perk they will surely appreciate.

Looking for a place to park is a problem vehicle owners do not want to face daily. If you can provide a permanent parking space, you will help them avoid dealing with this issue and getting a headache every time they come home.

You will make it easier and faster for your tenants to get to their flat as well.

As such, when looking for an apartment for sale in Business Bay to buy, find out if it comes with a designated parking space within the building. If it does not come with one automatically, ask about the process of getting one.

Access to High-End Amenities

A parking space is not the only amenity potential tenants are interested in. There are several others that can attract the best ones to your rental property.

Amenities such as swimming pools, fitness and wellness centres, and spa or sauna areas never fail to impress anyone looking for a new place to live in. With more and more people wanting to get close to nature, you won’t go wrong with buying a flat in an apartment complex that has landscaped gardens and outdoor spaces.

Interested tenants will also find a 24-hour reception and concierge desk and open-air cinema valuable perks of living in your rental.

A play area and a children’s swimming pool are also excellent amenities that impress and draw in families.

Investing in a property to turn into a rental requires a bit more research and study. Fortunately, you can seek the help of property experts and take advantage of tools such as a mortgage loan calculator to help you make wiser choices. You can be sure you are buying a profitable one by checking off these features as you narrow down your options.

 

Is this the first time you’ve heard of solar generators? They’re all the rage nowadays. Even NASA uses solar-powered generators that are as effective on earth as on other planets or space itself.

They’re effective, and they tap into a free source of renewable energy: sunlight. When you’re ready to learn how solar generators do what they do, so you can determine whether solar is right for you, read on.

What Are Solar Generators?

If you’re asking yourself what is a solar generator, anyway? Chances are you’re new to solar energy. Sure, you’ve heard the term thrown around in chatgroups and on news channels, but you can’t define the term.

A solar generator is a device that stores electricity derived from other solar electric technologies, such as photovoltaic panels. In essence, it’s a battery in a box. They don’t generate energy on their own, like gas generators.

Wires pass a current from your other solar devices to your generator. That current is stored in a chemical form inside your battery and ready for use should you need it.

Which Solar Panels Should I Use?

Portable generators rely on small solar panels. They’re small and easy to pack when compared to their larger cousins which you see on the roofs of houses around the nation. Comparatively, solar systems for houses produce a vast amount of energy and require a commensurate amount of hardware.

The portable generators produce enough power to run a tiny refrigerator, heat water, or charge a few portable devices. They store between 0.1 to 2 kWh of electricity. They’re used most often by campers, RV owners, and folks working in areas devoid of power.

The panels attach to the generator with a few easy-to-use wires. People who need more power choose the Best Solar Generator Power Stations which store about 2kWh worth of energy. Those folks usually need electricity for long stretches of time or a big burst all at once.

Can I Use My Generator at Home?

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is creating new thermoelectric materials that directly convert heat to electricity. It’s three times more effective than our modern kinds of solar generators. But even with this kind of technology, you couldn’t rely on a single solar generator to run your home.

The average generator can store up to 2 kWh worth of electricity. The average home consumes approximately 30 kWh each day. You’d need at least 15 of the best types of solar generators on the market to run a house.

What’s Next?

Now that you know a little more about solar generators, you can determine which one is right for you. It’s easiest to start by determining which jobs you’ll need to be done. Then figure out approximately how much energy those jobs will require and work backward.

If you’d like more tips and tricks, zip over and browse our enormous library full of all things home and garden. So long and good luck!

 

Mankind has been using silled windows since the time of the Egyptians.

Most of the time we take our window sills for granted. It’s only when something goes wrong that we fully appreciate them.

If you have interior window sill damage then you have two options: repair or replace.

If you’re planning on going down the repair route, then read on as we look at some practical tips to help you do it right.

1. Protect Your Walls

First things first; you need to make sure that your walls are protected.

The last thing you want to do is repair your window sill, only to find that you’ve damaged your walls in the process. Use tape around any portions of your walls and windows that are next to the sill but not actually part of it. That way they’ll be protected during the repair process.

2. Protect Your Floor

By the same token, you want to make sure that you don’t damage your flooring either.

Put down some newspaper, plastic sheeting, or anything else you have to hand that can keep your floor from harm when you’re making your repairs. If you don’t do so and end up spilling wood filler over your carpets or expensive hardwood floor, you could really regret it.

3. Remove All Paint

If only a small portion of your window sill needs repair, it can be tempting to just work on that one section and leave the rest of the paintwork intact.

This is going to leave you without a smooth finish for your window sill, however. Remove paint from the whole sill, using a paint stripper and sandpaper, so that once your repair work is done, you can repaint to perfect finish.

4. Remove Soft Spots

Test the whole area of the window sill for soft spots, which are signs of rot.

Any that you find should be dug out with a chisel until no soft spots remain at all. You can then fill these with your wood filler of choice.

5. Use Filler in a Timely Fashion

Wood filler will harden quickly. If you leave it too long to apply it to your window sill, then you will find it much harder to use and you may not get the finish you require.

Make sure that you’re ready to use the filler as soon as it is prepared.

6. Know When to Give Up

No window sill will last forever. If your window sill is soft throughout, or there are other issues that make repair unfeasible, then you’ll need to bite the bullet and get a replacement.

The good news is that replacement window cost isn’t sky high and can help your home to be more energy-efficient, saving you money in the long run.

Do You Have Interior Window Sill Damage?

If you have interior window sill damage we hope that these tips will be of some use to you.

Remember that there is only so much repair you can do to a window sill. Eventually, you’re going to need to get a replacement. If the problems are just minor, however, then a repair can keep your window sill in great condition.

For more useful content, be sure to check out the rest of the site.

Nursing homes can be held liable for the deaths of residents who were deprived of necessary treatments. When families place loved ones in nursing homes, the facilities accept legal responsibility for the patients’ wellbeing. Death can result from injuries and illnesses that occur when residents do not receive proper care as promised.

Inadequate Medical Care

There may be grounds for a medical malpractice case against a nursing home if a resident is harmed by substandard medical care. In June 2019, a pharmacy and nursing home paid close to $13 million to the family of a retired judge. The former judge died when staff members of a nursing home failed to administer antibiotics to him.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that in cases involving Medicare patients affected by the treatments received in skilled nursing facilities, at least 59% of the adverse effects could have been avoided with proper medical supervision and care.

Patient deaths more commonly occur at hospitals or in hospital emergency departments after the patients have been transferred from the nursing homes. At this point, the patient’s illnesses or injuries tend to have reached acute levels.

Negligent Supervision

A nursing home can be liable if a resident gets hurt and dies as a result of inadequate supervision. Some of the consequences of negligent supervision include:

Falls

Falls are a common sign of negligence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls account for 20% of deaths in nursing homes. Many of these falls are caused by negligence and are preventable.

Nursing homes are required to perform fall-risk assessments on all admitted residents and provide individualized plans to prevent falls. A negligence lawsuit can be filed if a nursing home’s failure to provide a safe environment results in a personal injury or death.

Choking

Choking is a common cause of patient deaths in nursing homes. When people are admitted to care facilities, assessments are carried out to determine basic needs and daily requirements. Information such as whether a person can feed himself or herself or requires assistance is established.

Serving a resident with the wrong meal or food consistency can cause choking injuries that could lead to sudden death. For example, the family of a Long Island resident was awarded $1 million for his choking death. The nurse fed him a sandwich without checking his chart, which specified pureed food.

Bedsores

Bedsores are also an indicator of nursing home neglect. Studies show stage 4 bedsores to have a considerably high mortality rate. Failure to treat stages 1-3 bedsores quickly could lead to stage 4 bedsores.

Bedsores can exacerbate existing illnesses and cause new ones. Nursing homes can be held liable if sores cause the premature death of a patient.

Nursing homes commonly pass off suspicious deaths as a result of medical conditions, age, or other natural causes. Unfortunately, abuse or neglect may be to blame. Therefore, it is crucial for families to establish who is responsible for the death of loved ones and help effect real change.

How would you like to learn how to clean your carpet like the pros? Yeah, okay, you’re right. It’s not the most exciting topic in the world.

But then, maintenance is never fun, is it? It’s just that monotonous burden we must go through to keep our things from deteriorating.

Still, proper maintenance keeps your carpet looking nice and makes it last much longer. And, better yet, it’s not that difficult. Best of all, we’re going to show you how to do it in this guide.

Here are 7 easy steps on how to keep your carpet clean and well-maintained. For your carpet, your guests, and your own peace of mind, read and follow these 7 steps.

1. Vacuum Your Carpet Frequently

Vacuuming is one of those frustrating activities that seems self-defeating. You vacuum your floors only to see them get dirty all over again. For many reasons, though, it’s better to keep your carpet vacuumed regularly.

First, your carpet clings to dirt and dust that would otherwise keep floating around in your air. But the dirtier the carpet gets, the less effectively it traps these airborne pollutants. When this happens, the extra dust floating around decreases your indoor air quality, fills up your HVAC filter faster, and wears out your HVAC.

Also, when the carpet’s extra dirty, it’s harder for the vacuum to clean it. You’ll have to vacuum for longer and empty the dust trap several times per room to really get it clean.

To prevent these problems, vacuum all carpeted areas once a week. And vacuum high-traffic areas like entryways twice per week.

2. Treat Stains Right

All stains are different. So, each type of stain requires a unique cleaning method to properly remove it.

For example, a wine stain can’t be scrubbed out. But it can be drawn out by pouring dry salt on it and then vacuuming it away. The smell of pet urine will never go away except by using specific cleaners.

Now, there are more types of stains/stain removal methods than we have room for in this article. In fact, each one can be an article by itself.

But here’s a general stain removal tip: never scrub stains. Don’t even push towels down hard on top of them to soak them up. This could push the stain deep into the carpet and make it permanent.

Instead, lightly blot the stain with napkins or towels. And do this as quickly as possible. Then, look up and follow the removal method for that particular stain.

3. Treat Stains Fast

In the same way that scrubbing or pressing hard works the stain in deeper, so does leaving it alone. As it sits there, it has only one place to go: deeper into your carpet. And it will absorb as far as it can into the carpet until you give it something else to absorb into, like a towel.

Also, stains dry out as they sit. Many stains become set when they dry and are then much more difficult or even impossible to remove.

4. Use Mats and Rugs

One ingenious way to keep your carpet clean is to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. Entryway mats will help you do exactly that. As you enter the house, the mat traps a significant amount of dirt that would otherwise end up in your carpet.

Likewise, get area rugs for use in other carpeted areas that get a lot of traffic. For example, hallways, the entrance to the bathroom, and the space in front of the couch always get a lot of foot traffic. Cover these with area rugs to keep them from getting dirty and worn.

5. Use Furniture Sliders

It’s easy to get lazy about vacuuming under the couch and other furniture. It’s not like anyone’s going to see it, right?

Actually, they will eventually. Some day, you’ll buy a new couch or otherwise rearrange your furniture.

Years of under-couch neglect will then be exposed for all to see. And, by that time, the damage might be permanent.

Besides, the collected dust under your couch will spread out from there. And it will attract more filth. Thus, these neglected areas dirty your carpet much faster after each time you vacuum the rest of your floor.

The ridiculously easy solution is using furniture sliders. Slip these under the feet of your couch and then give the couch a gentle push. Then, with very little effort, your couch slides out of the way for easy vacuuming.

6. Keep Your Pets Well-Groomed

Nothing dirties up your floor faster than pet hair. Take your pet in for regular grooming to prevent excess shedding.

Alternatively, brush them yourself. Or, check out vacuum brushes and other easy, DIY tools for deshedding your pets.

7. Have a Professional Clean Your Carpet Annually

None of these steps negate the need to have your carpets professionally cleaned. Pro carpet cleaning should be done every 12-18 months to remove deep dirt buildup that your vacuum leaves behind.

Fortunately, this step is an easy one. First, mark your calendar right now. Then, when that day arrives, look for carpet cleaners in your area, and then schedule a cleaning appointment online.

Keep Your Carpet Clean and Well-Preserved With These Tips

Now that you’re in the know, here are your options. You can clean your carpet according to the tips above for long-lasting carpet that looks clean all year long. Or, you can ignore these tips and have nasty-looking carpet that needs replacing often.

The choice is simple, and so are these tips. Keep this guide and follow these easy steps to clean and preserve your carpet. Also, share these tips with your friends so that they can benefit, too.

What would you like to learn next? We can tell you how a furnace works, the benefits of roller blinds, how to make your home more energy-efficient, and more. Discover all these topics on our Home and Garden Blog.

Ensuring maximum comfort in a home is essential. For some, it’s all about relaxing during a hot, sunny afternoon. Sometimes, relaxing inside a house can be too boring already. People need to go out and feel the breeze at some point. But when the weather is too hot, staying out for too long becomes unsafe.

Hot summer days are the perfect time when Shade Sails would be beneficial. When you have one installed at your residence, you can expect to come across several benefits that can make your day. Make certain to take advantage of these benefits to get the most out of the shade sail you purchase.

Ensure Protection from the Sun

There are times when the sun can be beneficial for people, but other times it may be dangerous. Usually, you can find that the sun is at its hottest from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Some people like to stay outside during these hours and what better way to protect themselves than with Shade Sails. You can enjoy your sunny afternoons in your home backyard without the harsh sun rays damaging your skin. Shade Sails are critical, especially when you have children that often play outside.

Apart from using it as shade during a hot summer day, it’s also an effective way to protect your car from heat when you park it outside for a few days or weeks. Overexposure of sun rays can damage the interior of the car. You may have unknowingly left flammable materials on the dashboard such as lighters or gas fluids. The heat may pass through the windows, causing the temperature to increase and melt these flammable materials. You can also prevent the car seats from getting too hot when you’re about to sit. If the car seats get too hot, you may need to wait for a few minutes for the air conditioner to cool the inside.

Add More Style

Do you have plans on holding a family get-together at your house’s backyard? Instead of putting up plain, standard tents, you can opt for Shade Sails instead. Installing one can make the entire area extra appealing, making guests enjoy their time even more. You have many choices when it comes to styling your Shade Sail. You can choose the colour, material, and measurements to ensure you get the perfect one. Not only can you achieve style, but you’re also ensuring the safety of your guests from the harmful sun rays.

Provide a Sense of Privacy

Some homeowners tend to have nosy neighbours that will always keep an eye out on everything they do. No one likes to have someone staring at them, particularly when they’re at the comfort of their home. Installing a shade sail can provide homeowners with some privacy when they need it. There are specific materials that can completely cover the opposite side of the fabric.

Reduce Energy Consumption

Homeowners who have Shade Sails are more likely to reduce using cooling appliances at home that eat a lot of electricity. During a hot afternoon, they can stay under the shade sail to protect them from the sun while the cool breeze passes through. If you use the shade sail, even more, you can look forward to your energy bills lowering.

 

Roller blinds are hot right now. They are the preferred choice of most homeowners because of their trendy look. They typically come in enticing designs. They can be customized to match other interior decorations and sections of the house, such as kitchens and bathrooms. In some cases, depending on the house’s structure, some interior designers recommend Roller Blinds to be installed instead of curtains. There are several advantages if you opt for roller blinds instead of other types of window treatment.

• Trendy

Roller blinders are trendy, stylish and enhance the look of your house.

• Convenience

They are easy to install and maintain, and cleaning them is a breeze. It is crucial to choose the right design and material for your blinders. For example, if you are installing the Roller Blinds in your kitchen, you need a material that is fire resistant.

• Insulation

Roller blinds can be used as insulators to help control the temperature inside a room and protect from the glare of strong sunlight. It is extremely useful if you have a home clinic. In such cases, you have to choose materials that have antibacterial properties. If you are installing it in a home office with extreme solar ray entry, you should opt for materials that deflect heat and light to protect your PCs and other devices. It should have UV blockers to maintain its colour.

• Low maintenance

Roller blinds are easy to maintain, and they are also easy to install. It is also relatively cheap unless you opted for motorized roll blinders, which can be switched on and off via remote.

• Variety

There are tons of roller blinders available on the market in different designs and colours. You have endless choices.

• Privacy

If you need privacy, roller blinders are the best option. You are protected from intrusions and peeping toms, and you have total freedom to do your thing.

• Reduce energy costs

Solar glare, especially during the height of summer, can be a significant problem for homeowners. Although your home might be air-conditioned, strong sun rays during hours of direct sunlight can increase the heat inside your home considerably.

What about using curtains?

Curtains have certain disadvantages that roller blinds are not susceptible to. In some cases, curtains may not fit the aesthetic and design of a space and the best option would be fitted roller blinds. The room and window size are also factors in your decision whether to use roller blinds or curtains. Curtains make a room feel smaller than it really is. This is due to its big and bulky design. Some homeowners opt for roller blinds even with larger rooms since it creates the illusion of more space.

For people who have kids, long curtains can be an issue. The curtain will be within reach of young children, leading to messes that will require excessive cleaning. It also affects people who own animals, such as cats and dogs. Curtains also have the disadvantage of being more expensive to install, maintain, and clean than roller blinds.

Roller blinds offer optimum functionality as well as aesthetics. They are readily available and can be installed once you purchase them. The installation will only take a day and basic carpentry skills. Opt for roller blinds, especially if you want total privacy and protection from weather elements.

 

Across the globe, Sydney is one of the most livable cities, and is known for its gorgeous tourist spots, iconic beaches, and historical landmarks. Located in the southeastern coast of Australia, it surrounds Port Jackson and is bordered by the vast Pacific Ocean to the east. Sydney extends towards Hawkesbury to the north and Blue Mountains to the west.

The Greater Sydney area is home to more than 5 million inhabitants and approximately 1.5 million dwellings. Residential properties in Sydney are considered among the most beautiful households in Australia because of the window furnishing specialists who install basic fittings like curtains and blinds in Sydney  that enhance their aesthetic appearance. Know some of the significant benefits of window blinds in this article.

Better Indoor Temperature

According to an article by Australia, the city of Sydney enjoys a sunny climate most of the time, with warm summers and mild winters. However, there are times wherein temperatures can reach extreme levels that may cause immense heat, even if you are indoors. Fortunately, window blinds provide a solution to this predicament.

Some window blinds are made from special materials and components that can eliminate the entry of heat brought about by the sun’s rays to your home. By installing window blinds, you can keep the indoor temperature in your household on optimum levels, which prevents discomfort when the weather is scorching hot.

Improved Control of Natural Light

Natural lighting is important for the home because of its advantages and benefits. Light rays entering the home are delightful as it can bring positive aspects to the indoor appearance of your home as well as uplift the mood of household members. However, too much light is not beneficial as it can lead to discomfort, such as eye strain issues brought about by light glares.

You can quickly fix this problem by hiring furnishing specialists who can fix blinds in Sydney to install window blinds in your home. By doing this, you can control the amount of sunlight that enters a particular room in your residential property. You no longer have to worry about discomforts caused by extreme ambient light inside your home.

Protection from Dangers of Ultraviolet Rays

According to an article by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancers that are diagnosed in Sydney annually. Several studies have suggested that frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays is the main cause of this condition. This means it is unhealthy that you expose yourself regularly to sunlight even while indoors.

Having window blinds installed in your Sydney home is one of the best ways to protect your family from the dangers of Ultraviolet (UV) rays. By having full control of how much sunlight goes in your home, you can have ample protection from the harmful effects of UV.

Better Ventilation During Hot Summer Days

Because of its geographical location, Sydney has a subtropical climate that can experience extremely hot days, during summer. During these days, proper ventilation must be maintained to prevent the occurrence of incidences, such as heat stroke. Window blinds provide a solution to this.

By having window blinds, not only the ventilation is improved indoors but your household will become energy-efficient as you no longer need to use cooling appliances, such as fans or air conditioning systems.

From the reasons mentioned above, installing window blinds in your Sydney property is undoubtedly advantageous. Windows blinds are a must-have for households to protect it from the harsh elements brought about by the unpredictable Sydney weather. Check out a trusted and reliable window blinds specialist in Sydney as soon as possible!

Are you trying to stay warm this winter but an extra sweater isn’t helping? When you’re cold and you look at the thermostat only to see it’s dropped really low, you know there must be a problem with the furnace.

Yet it can all sound like techno-babble when the repair technician is explaining the problem to you. If you want to know a little more about how furnaces work, then you’ve come to the right place.

Take a look below for a basic explanation of how a furnace gets the job done. We’ll also address some tips for choosing a new furnace, if you’re in the position of buying a new unit.

Furnace Basics

Inside the combustion chamber, the furnace’s pilot light starts the burner. That heats up the heat exchanger, where it has to reach a certain temperature before it can blow out into your home. The heat exchanger looks like a zig-zag shaped tube; inside it is where the action happens.

After the air is warm enough, it’s forced out through the plenum, the big box that connects the furnace to the ducts. Then it travels through the ductwork and into the rest of the house.

A typical furnace lasts about 20 years. Some last longer, with a few minor repairs, others don’t quite reach 20 years. Often a furnace repair is cheaper than buying a whole new furnace, especially if there’s a problem with the ignitor or thermostat problem.

Once the heat exchanger goes out, then it’s very expensive to fix a furnace. At that point, it’s usually time to buy a new furnace.

Buying a New Furnace

When the furnace goes out in the middle of winter, you’ll probably be more willing to pay for a really good furnace. A list of this year’s best furnaces can help you decide. Yet knowing about the different types of furnaces can also help you make a decision.

Your old furnace was probably a single-stage furnace. That means when it starts to blow hot air, it blows at full-strength. It’s either on or off, without an in-between setting. A new single-stage furnace is about 80% efficient.

More modern furnaces come in other types. For example, a two-stage furnace runs at about 2/3 capacity to heat the house, unless it’s very cold and it can’t keep the house warm at that level. Then it will blow at full-strength, or 100% capacity, to make sure you get to the desired temperature.

Two-stage furnaces are more efficient because they won’t always have to run as hard as they can. They save energy by running at a lower capacity when it makes sense. They are about 90% efficient.

You’ve probably guessed what the last type of furnace is: multi-stage furnaces run at different settings to accommodate all weathers and outside temps. These are between 96% and 98% efficient because they adjust their capacity up or down to suit your needs. The lowest setting is about 35% capacity, and the longer they can run at that level means they save more energy and save you money.

Budgeting for a Furnace

When you’re looking at buying a new furnace, the new furnace cost can give you a bit of sticker shock. Depending on the model and type of furnace you look at, the cost can be anywhere from $3500 to $7000 or more to buy and install the unit. Sometimes HVAC companies will run deals or you can check to see if the manufacturer offers a rebate.

Often the installation company will have different payment plans for their customers. Ask about the different options before you decide on a unit. If the monthly price is one you can fit into your budget, it may be worth it to opt for a more expensive model.

You should also ask about any warranties that come with the furnaces. Some companies include an annual service for the first few years, or the manufacturer offers a warranty on their unit for a number of years.

Be sure to take into account the higher efficiency of a new furnace and how much it will save you every month on heating bills. With multi-stage furnaces, you can expect to notice a big difference in your bill after using a 20-year-old furnace to heat your home.

Each furnace you look at should have an efficiency rating you can look at. Keep in mind the efficiency of the different stages discussed above, and that will help you know what to expect in an efficiency rating.

Commercial Furnaces

Commercial ironworks facilities and smelting workshops use furnaces to heat and melt the iron or tin. Yet these types of furnaces are different than the furnaces that heat your home. In your home, the carbon monoxide that’s a byproduct of the heating process naturally flows out through a flue, or a pipe that vents the gas out of the home.

When a heat exchanger breaks, it’s usually because the zig-zag pipe cracks, which means the carbon monoxide leaks into the home through the air ducts. Residential furnaces that vent the carbon monoxide to the outside are called air furnaces, and we say they are naturally aspirated.

Commercial furnaces, however, use the carbon monoxide in their chemical processes.

The blast furnaces used in a metallurgical workshop allow the carbon monoxide gases to flow up through the furnace. The metal products flow down through the furnace, and the result is a chemical reaction that helps achieve the end results. Blast furnaces blow, or blast, oxygen-rich air into the bottom of the furnace as part of the process, giving them their name.

The carbon monoxide still gets released, just not through a flue. It’s released when it reaches the top of the furnace after it’s had a chance to assist in the molten metal process.

Staying Warm

Knowing how a furnace works can help you make the right decision when yours goes out. Whether it can be repaired for an affordable price or you’re better off replacing it, you’ll know what the repair technician is talking about when they explain the problem.

You’ll also be able to choose the right furnace for your home, now that you understand how they work.

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Do you wish to put an end to those soaring monthly electric bills? Are you searching for ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption?

Speaking of consumption, the average American home uses about 877-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per month. That’s about 10,649 kWh every year, which is over $1,300 for an American home.

The average electric consumption in bigger cities also rose. This is because more people are working at home. More people will be using home appliances frequently.

Hence, the question remains: how can you improve your home energy efficiency?

Continue reading below for seven easy yet effective ways on how to make your home sustainable and energy-efficient.

1. Start With Your Thermostat

One of the first things you need to have if you wish to improve your home energy efficiency is a smart thermostat. Unlike with your conventional thermostats, you can program a smart one. In turn, you can set the climate control systems and adjust according to what you truly need.

Moreover, you can lower the temperature when everyone is asleep. The same thing goes if no one is at home.

Additionally, you can set specific schedules for the thermostat to function. This helps you achieve optimal temperature while reducing your energy consumption.

2. Revisit Your Light Bulbs

When was the last time you checked your light bulbs? Which type of light bulbs do you have at home? If you’re still on incandescent lights, better ditch those for the more energy-efficient alternatives like the LED lights.

Surprisingly, LED lights consume about 75% less energy compared to their incandescent counterparts. Furthermore, they can last up to 25 times longer.

Another good option is compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). They use at least half of what your incandescent lights consume. They can also last up to 10 times longer than their incandescent counterparts.

3. Insulation Is a Must

Whether you have an attic or not, what is important is that you have insulation. By installing insulation, your home can better regulate indoor temperature. This means your home will use less energy in terms of your heating and cooling requirements.

By adding insulation, you can keep the hot air from escaping your attic. In turn, you can reduce your monthly heating expenses.

Aside from your attic, you should consider insulating your basements and crawl spaces. Also, insulate your floors and walls, including the ones in your unheated spaces like your attached garage.

Also, you need to seal key areas in your house. Start by plugging the larger holes where indoor air leakage occurs.

Use expanding foam or caulk to seal the large and small holes. As for the attic, seal the access panel with some weather stripping. Alternatively, you can go DIY on this.

Get a piece of rigid foam board insulation or fiberglass. Cut it in the same size as your attic’s hatch. Thereafter, glue the piece to the back of the access panel.

This will also work even if your attic features an attic door or pull-down stairs.

4. Use a Tankless Water Heater

Are you using a traditional water heater? Consider switching to a tankless one. A tankless water heater can help reduce your energy bills by giving you hot water only when you need it.

Unlike conventional storage water heaters, a tankless water heater will not produce standby energy losses. Furthermore, they can heat water directly even without the need for a storage tank.

A tankless heater uses some key components to deliver the hot water. When you open your water tap, the cold water will travel into the heater through a pipe. Once the water reaches the unit, an electric element or gas burner will heat it.

This process ensures consistency in the supply of hot water.

Also, consider natural gas installation for your home. It is efficient, cost-effective, and safe, making it the best type of energy option for some homeowners.

5. Try Daylighting Installations

Instead of relying on electricity for your lighting needs, consider installing daylighting solutions. Daylighting means using natural light to illuminate portions of your home’s interior.

For starters, install some skylights. But make sure you pick the double-pane type, which is more cost-effective. Also, you need to install proper flashing to avoid any leaks on your skylights.

You may also invest in some clerestory windows. These solutions are perfect during winter, as they allow the winter sunshine to enter. But make sure to set them high on your wall.

You may even get some light shelves to illuminate your living room or home office. These shelves are passive devices that bounce light into your home.

They can illuminate up to 2 and a half times the distance between the top of the window and the floor.

6. Improve Your Cooking Ways

If you love cooking, you can reduce your monthly electric bills by cooking smart. For starters, shift from conventional ovens to convection ovens. The latter use fans that help hot air circulate evenly.

In turn, you can cook your dishes using lower temperatures. Also, you can use more of your microwave ovens. These ovens use 80% less energy compared to your standard ovens.

When cooking, make sure to place the lids on your pots and pans. This will help you cook your food faster. If you have a pressure cooker, use it more often.

Pressure cookers reduce cooking time significantly.

7. Invest in Solar Panels

Last but not least, consider investing in solar panels. With solar panels, you don’t have to rely completely on your electricity provider. Instead, you can harness the sun’s energy and use it to run your home appliances.

The downside with solar panels is that the upfront costs can be expensive. However, you can recoup your investment and save thousands of dollars in the long run.

Go Beyond Achieving Home Energy Efficiency

By incorporating these home energy options, you can improve the way you consume energy. You can lower your monthly energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint. But improving your home energy efficiency is only one of the many improvements you can do with your home.

We invite you to learn more about other home improvement solutions. Check out our other articles for more helpful tips and topics on home improvement.