The quality of your indoor air is very important for your wellness. For instance, you can avoid air-based problems such as allergic reactions and other negative health impacts by doing things that improve the air quality in your home. Here are five methods that you can use for better indoor air.

Keep Pollutants Out

Preventing pollutants from entering your home is the best way to improve your home’s air, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). So you should use source control to prevent bringing products with a high level of chemical emissions into your dwelling. To start keeping pollutants out, you can use an online tool to check whether the products that you use or plan to use are safe for you and your family.

Use Charcoal

Activated charcoal, which is charcoal that has been reheated, can improve your home’s air quality by attracting pollutants from the air to its surface. To use this technique effectively, you need to buy charcoal that does not have any additives, so using your barbeque charcoal, which has a lot of additives, is not a good idea!

You can use bamboo charcoal products or some additive-free pieces of activated charcoal and leave them in your rooms to clean your indoor air. Rule of thumb: As your charcoal products will become less effective over time, put them outside once each month for a few hours to reactivate.

Ventilate Your Home

 

Increasing the quantity of outdoor air in your home is another way to improve your indoor air. If you live in a rural area where there is a lower level of air pollution, you can ventilate your home by simply leaving the windows open for a while each day. Using this method is more complicated if you live in an urbanized area in which the outdoor air is polluted, but you can still leave your windows open early in the morning to air out your home.

Maintain Your HVAC Unit

Maintaining your HVAC unit can help you to enjoy good indoor air. One way of doing this is to have a maintenance plan for your system. Your unit needs its air ducts and its air filter cleaned regularly. You also need an HVAC service to check for leaks and damaged components and handle any necessary repair or installation. Hiring professionals to maintain your unit can help you to avoid expensive repairs in the future and extend your unit’s lifetime in addition to improving the air in your dwelling.

Grow Plants Indoors

Having indoor plants can be an enjoyable method of purifying indoor air. A NASA study found that certain plants are very effective in ridding the air of pollutants. Peace Lily, English Ivy, and Boston Fern are some of the plants that you can use to improve your indoor air quality.

There are many ways in which you can improve the air quality in your home. Using these tips can also make your dwelling more comfortable. So start improving your home’s air quality today!

 

Thermostats are essentially the gatekeepers to indoor comfort. They decide if the furnace is warming things up, the air conditioner is cooling things off, or nothing is running at all. Old-fashioned thermostats require constant checking and changing to maximize their usefulness. These days, programmable thermostats allow you to easily set the temperature to your comfort, the time of day, or even the season. Here are four reasons programmable thermostats can be a huge benefit to your home.

Lower Energy Bills

Besides a mortgage, energy bills are often the largest recurring family expense. Homeowners can save up to 30% on their energy bills by using a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can help lower your energy bills by using a schedule to adjust the temperature of your home throughout the day. In the winter, you can set the home temperature cooler when you are work, allowing the furnace to run less. In the summer, give the AC a break by setting the home temperature a bit higher while you are away from the home. Your programmable thermostat can restore your home to your preferred temperature right before you arrive, allowing you to save money without sacrificing comfort.

Optimal HVAC Performance

HVAC systems can run more efficiently when paired with a programmable thermostat. When it is set on a schedule, your HVAC won’t run all day long, reducing wear and tear on major components. This means a programmable thermostat can even help your older HVAC last longer.

Consistent Comfortable Indoor Temperature

Have you ever gotten stuck sitting in a hot, stuffy room in the summer or a freezing room in the winter? Old-fashioned thermostats often leave homeowners waiting for the HVAC to catch up to temperature changes. This results in inconsistent indoor temperatures and an uncomfortable home. With a programmable thermostat, your HVAC will run consistently throughout the day, maintaining the temperature you set in the schedule. Should the weather be different than expected, many thermostats allow you to adjust your thermostat using your smartphone.

Spend Less Time with your Thermostat

With an old-fashioned thermostat, you need to change the temperature when you leave the house for the day. When you get home you need to adjust the temperature again. On the way to bed, you will need to stop yet again and adjust the thermostat. Smart programmable thermostats allow you to avoid the need for constant thermostat checking. Thermostats controlled by a smartphone or your voice make it easier and faster to maintain a comfortable home. This allows you to spend more time enjoying the comfort of your home and less time in front of your thermostat.

We all want our homes to be as comfortable as possible without breaking the bank. Programmable thermostats allow you to have the best of both worlds. With their ease of scheduling and the ability to maximize HVAC efficiency, programmable thermostats are a beneficial addition to any home.

 

Many people today opt to downsize into tiny homes, which typically measure between 300 and 500 square feet. They are easier to maintain and less expensive to live in than traditional homes. There are tiny home DIY kits that allow homeowners to build their own homes without much building experience. However, if you do choose to build your own tiny home, it is best to use a professional HVAC contractor for your heating and cooling systems.

HVAC professionals will take into account that there are special considerations when installing heating and cooling systems into tiny houses. Tiny home HVAC systems can differ from what a traditional home needs.

Determining the Best System

There are different HVAC systems for use in tiny homes. These include a furnace with duct work, mini split systems, wall-mounted electric heaters, and air conditioning units. There are pros and cons to each system and an HVAC professional can work with you to determine which is the best based on your location. For example, needs in Arizona are different than in Pennsylvania. The size of the tiny home and your budget also make a difference. If you choose a traditional furnace, you may still need to investigate air conditioning options.

Traditional Furnace and Ductwork

If you choose a traditional heating system, you’ll need to have ducts installed. This can be tricky because ductwork is bulky and can take up valuable space. Besides considerations for the ductwork, furnaces require indoor space for the furnace itself plus clearances around the unit. A professional HVAC technician can provide the optimal layout of the ducts as well as offer suggestions on the type of furnace that would best heat the space without overheating it.

Installation of Ductwork

Proper duct design and installation is critical to your system working properly according to the US Department of Energy. Ducts that aren’t sealed can cost you hundreds of dollars per year on wasted energy and may result in uneven heating. An added concern in tiny homes is the location of ductwork. When not properly planned, ductwork can severely affect storage space.

Ductless Systems

You might find a ductless system, or mini-split, the best option. Mini splits are mounted on the wall or ceiling with an outdoor heat pump and provide heating and cooling. They take up less space and are energy efficient, without requiring ducts. Mini splits must be installed by a professional, certified HVAC technician who has a refrigerant license. These are only available for tiny homes that are stationary.

No matter which heating and air conditioning system you decide is best for your situation, a professional HVAC technician who is familiar with tiny homes is a must. Tiny homes have extra considerations, such as location, size, budgeting considerations, and personal preferences.

Whether your tiny home is stationary or on a trailer that can be moved also impacts the type of system you can use. An HVAC technician can help you select the right system, plan where the system should be installed, install ductwork that doesn’t interfere with valuable space, and maximize your comfort all year.

 

The average homeowner spends around $2,000 a year on optional maintenance. For the most part, professional pest control is considered optional maintenance. In reality, investing in pest control services should be something you view as a priority.

Without the help of professionals, you run the risk of allowing harmful pests into your home. Allowing a company to perform a thorough pest inspection can provide you with peace of mind. Before hiring a company to do this work, be sure to consider the experience they have and get a feel for what they charge.

Here are some of the benefits that come with hiring a pest control company.

1. The Experience Needed to Perform Pest Inspections

Some homeowners think that running down to their local hardware store and picking up tons of pest control chemicals is the only way to treat an infestation. In reality, these chemicals can be extremely dangerous if used improperly.

The only way to truly get rid of pests is by hiring professionals to find out where they are gaining access. Sealing off these access points is the only to keep the pests from returning.

A homeowner will not have the tools or the experience needed to get this information on their own. Rather than making mistakes during this process, you need to work with a professional pest control technician.

2. Professional Pest Control Saves You Money

The main reason most homeowners cite when asked why they handle their own pest control is cost. Some people think that DIY pest control can save them money, but this is far from the truth.

The pest control chemicals you find at your local hardware store are not only expensive, but they are also ineffective. This means that you will spend a lot of money without seeing the results you are after.

Paying professionals to handle this work is the only way to avoid these issues. Before hiring a company to perform these services, schedule a few onsite estimates. These estimates will provide you with all of the information needed to hire the best pest control company.

3. Consistency Is Important

Keeping pests away is only possible if the treatments are consistent. Simply spraying for bugs, ants or rodents once will not produce the results you are after.

Most pest control companies provide their clients with very affordable monthly services. By keeping the pest control treatments consistent, you won’t have to worry about bugs or rodents returning.

Don’t Rush Through the Pest Control Company Selection Process

Getting pest inspection and extermination services will require you to find the best professionals. Getting impatient and rushing through this hiring process may lead to mistakes being made. This is why you need to weigh all of your options before hiring professionals for this job.

Are you looking for more articles related to owning and maintaining a home? If so, check out the rest of the content right here on our website.

Creating a space for you to work in your own house or apartment is not an easy task. Study spaces are needed whether you are a student, a family head, a father, a mother, a designer, an accountant, etc., it doesn’t matter, you’ll always need a place in your home that is yours and only yours to work in, think, develop and everything else.

Concentrating on a place that doesn’t have the space you need can be pretty difficult. One of the first things you have to consider is looking at another place to live in if yours isn’t comfortable enough. You can take a look at some Emaar Beachfront apartments and new projects by Meraas. Dubai Creek Harbour projects can also be a good choice.

But if you’re planning to stay right where you are because you’re comfortable and happy, there’s also the option of creating your own workplace or ‘study nook’ that encourages working, developing and learning.

1. DISCOVER YOUR PREFERRED STUDY ENVIRONMENT

You’ll need to decide whether you like a private, personal space where you’ll be left alone with your stuff or if you won’t have any kind of problem working on a messier environment. You’ll need to figure out what works best for you. Some people would study in their bedrooms while others would prefer the living room.

2. CREATE COMFORT… BUT NOT TOO MUCH

Do not trust and rely on your bed or the kitchen table as your main preferred workplace because things simply won’t work in such places. Your bed equals sleeping and relaxing while the kitchen is associated with eating and socializing. You have to be smart when choosing this new workplace.

3. DON’T IGNORE CORNERS, NOOKS AND CRANNIES

If you start thinking outside the box, you can turn that empty wall or that blank corner into an amazing study space that fits all of your needs and, best of all, it’ll be in the comfort of your own apartment. Look for places where you can easily fit stuff like a small desk and a chair. You can always take some inspiration from Pinterest or any décor magazine or website.

4. FOCUS ON LIGHTING

One of the qualities that are essential for this new workplace in your apartment is proper lighting. If you can get straight or indirect sunlight you’ll be all set up, but desk lamps and LED lights can also do a good job for you.

Don’t forget to be creative and don’t make this process something stressful for you, have fun!

 

 

Most people who have experienced moving to a new home will likely tell you that it was an arduous process, but well worth the effort. While it is true that stress almost seems unavoidable when it comes to moving from one home to another, there are still plenty of ways to ensure that things go smoothly. After all, the main reason why it can feel like such a hassle is due to the thought that you might have missed something during the process.

Fortunately, you do not have to tackle such a big responsibility alone. Here are just a few tips that can help you prepare for the big move without any of the hassles that often come with the moving process.

If you have the budget to hire help, do so

Even if you feel like everything is under control, there is no escaping stress when you have to take care of every single problem yourself. It might not be immediately apparent, but stress and anxiety can kick in when you least expect it. Instead of risking high stress levels, why not hire professionals to get the job done for you? For example, companies like Removals Cheltenham are well known for helping their clients move with little to no hassle.

While some might argue that you might as well do it yourself if you can, moving to a brand new home can involve plenty of factors that will require your constant attention. Getting the help of a removal company can alleviate much of the burden, making it much easier for you to do your part.

The earlier you prepare, the easier it will be

Without a doubt, the best way to help prepare for the big move without any hassle is to plan the preparation over a much longer period. Even if the move is still some time away, it gives you a chance to make plenty of preparation beforehand. It will help you develop an extensive checklist, and it ensures that you have every base covered as you take care of the little things as the weeks go by. It will help eliminate the stress of moving altogether and will aid you in keeping things more organised.

Do a little spring cleaning before the move

Another one of the reasons why stress plays such a huge factor during a big move is the sheer number of possessions in a home that need to be transported to your new home. Moving to a brand new abode means starting things anew, which is usually an excellent time to take stock of what you have, and perhaps get rid of a few unnecessary items. Who knows? Maybe the money you make from selling a few unwanted items will be enough to cover the removal company!

By not being afraid to hire professionals to get the job done and prioritising preparation over everything else, you are making things easier not just for yourself but for the rest of your family as well. Getting rid of unnecessary items via a garage sale is also a great idea.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

 

Every bedroom in the house should be given the right amount of attention. Most people consider their bedroom as their comfort zone where they can rest after spending a long and tiring day at work. Some people even make an effort to make it look attractive by investing in pulaski bedroom furniture and adding a few personal touches, to make the room look cozier. If you want to do a makeover for your bedroom, here are some essential tips to keep in mind.

Do not go overboard with your styling

A lovely looking bedroom should look appealing and cozy without having too much design. Avoid overcrowding your bedroom by putting too much furniture inside. Also, it is best to leave some space between each item so that you can easily move inside the bedroom.

The basic furniture that every bedroom need is a comfortable bed, a nightstand, a dresser, and a mirror. You can choose to add more stuff if you have a large bedroom. However, if you only have enough space, then it is best to stick with the essentials for now.

Decluttering is important

If you have too much stuff inside your bedroom like old books, stuffed toys and old clothes then it is time to let go of some of your things. A cluttered bedroom can become an eyesore, especially if you have friends coming over. Slowly get rid of stuff that you have not used for the past twelve months. Either put it in storage or donate it to charity.

Give life to your ceiling

Most bedrooms have bare looking ceilings which lack character. If you want to make a difference or impress your family members, then the best thing to do is to add some design to your ceiling. Consider it as a blank canvas and paint it using subtle colors that are easy on the eyes. Having a beautiful looking ceiling can help relax your eyes after working.

Transform your bedroom into a relaxing space

If your bedroom is your sanctuary, then you need to let go of all the things that can cause distraction and sleep deprivation. Have the discipline and will power not to use any form of gadget or technology inside the bedroom. You should not have a TV, laptop, or tablet inside your room because it can prevent you from sleeping correctly. Remember that you need to be well-rested every day for you to function well at the office.

Try to do something with the lighting

Most bedrooms have LED lights that are bright and energy friendly. However, you can still do some tweaking with your indoor lights by adding some ambient lighting on your nightstand or study table. The ambient lighting helps tone down some of the bright colours of the walls.

Your bedroom should be your best getaway space inside the house where you are free to sleep all day and do anything that you want.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

One of the Feng Shui favourites, lucky bamboo is one of the must-haves when it comes to planting greens in house. Famous for its quality of minimal caring and positive effects on the ambience, you don’t have to toil to lay your hands on one. You can easily find it in your local nursery or always opt to order it online if you wish to save some bucks and enjoy a mess-free delivery of the plant at your doorstep. It is quite charming indoor plants that possess multiple qualities in different realms of characteristics of plants. Here are a few facts about the Lucky Bamboo that you should know before keeping it in your house or work space.

Nomenclature

Named after a renowned German-English gardner, Henry Frederick Conrad Sander, it goes by the scientific name Dracaena Sanderiana. The other common and popular names for Lucky Bamboo are Curly Bamboo, Chinese Water Bamboo, Friendship Bamboo, Goddess of Mercy plant, Belgian Evergreen, and Ribbon Plant.

Origin

Despite being called lucky bamboo, this plant is not a bamboo at all. It belongs to the same family as a Lilly. It is native to the tropical rainforests of Africa and parts of Southeast Asia.

Feng Shui Symbolizations

It is one of those few plants that represent the five elements of Feng Shui. The stalk of the bamboo plant represents wood and the pebbles in the containers say earth. The container itself represents metal while the water is the growing medium for this plant. The red ribbon tied around the stalks presents the fire element of Feng Shui.

Number of Stalks

A popular plant to gift, the number of stalks in a lucky bamboo plant represents different meaning:

• Two Stalks: Love or Double Luck
• Three Stalks: Happiness, Long Life and Wealth
• Four Stalks: Should never be gifted. Presents negativity.
• Five Stalks: Over all health
• Six Stalks: Prosperity
• Seven Stalks: Good Physical Health
• Eight Stalks: Fertility
• Nine Stalks: Great Luck
• Ten Stalks: Contentment In Life
• Twenty-One Stalk: Very Auspicious

Potting Technique

Lucky bamboo can survive well without soil. To put it in a pot with water, fill it with some pebbles, enough to hold it upright. Pour water in the container to cover the roots of the plant. Change the water in the container on a weekly basis.

Placement of Lucky Bamboo in The House

Here are a few tips to place the bamboo in your house to get this plant exudes maximum effect:

• Try to place the plant on a round table instead of square or rectangle one. Shapes with edges tend to cut positive chi energy.
• If you wish to place the plant in the home office or the work station at your office, try to do so in the east or south-east direction.
• To get fame luck, the south direction will be best for the Lucky bamboo plant.
• In the kitchen, the plant can be placed on the top of the refrigerator.
• Three or five stalks in the Lucky Bamboo plant is favourable in the kitchen.

Medicinal Uses

It is used in the treatment in some infections and also to accelerate the healing process from wounds.

Air Purifying

It absorbs more carbon dioxide than other plants hence maintaining fresh air flow in the space it sits in. It helps in reducing greenhouse effects.

 

 

Nowadays, everyone is talking about getting a memory foam, latex, hybrid, or polyfoam mattress, but what about the innerspring mattress? Some years back the innerspring mattress was the only mattress available, and it was great. Fast forward to today, this mattress has been refined and perfected with numerous benefits and it still remains a great old school mattress for your bed. Its design provides your entire body with consistent support and comfort and it responds very well when you want to change sleeping positions at night.

An innerspring mattress is made up of thousands of springs and coils that have different strengths and thickness. Your mattress will be firmer if the coils are stronger and the more coils in your mattress the greater the support for your body’s individual contours. While in the olden days the innerspring mattress would wear out quickly and sag because of weak coils, the innerspring mattress of today is made with titanium or steel coils that are individually wrapped for durability.

However, before purchasing an innerspring mattress you need to look for one that is highly durable, sleeps cool, and available at a good price. You also need to understand its features so that you can make the best choice.

Features

Comfort Layers

The comfort layers are important because they will determine how well you’ll enjoy your mattress. While innerspring mattresses aren’t the most comfortable to put in the comfort layer, the microcoils are specifically designed for the comfort layer. They’re made from thinner and flexible wires and have a coil count of at least 800. Most of the products will have a thin foam layer on top of the microcoil layer to prevent you from feeling the individually wrapped coils. Microcoils are more comfortable and offer pressure relief than other innerspring, cheaper than foam and latex, durable, and very elastic.

Quality of foam encasement

Your spring mattress can have several layers of foam on all sides which are mostly low density and high-density foam layers. High-density foam helps to support your back and makes your mattress feel solid and firm. The low-density foam gives you a comfortable and plush feeling.

Easy to clean

Cleaning your mattress is a healthy practice that preserves health and helps you sleep soundly. Pocket coil mattresses don’t have hypoallergenic properties, but they can be constructed in a way that helps you in cleaning. A washable removable mattress cover should help and you can vacuum your mattress with the upholstery fixture.

Quality of the types of support coils

The Bonnell coil has an hourglass shape with a thinner middle that compresses with soft pressure. Bonnell coil products are least expensive and least durable and because they can be made from different wire gauges they have different firmness levels to choose from. They’re good for small children and guest innerspring beds.

The continuous coil is a simple and inexpensive option made using a continuous wire made into rows and attached with helicals. It provides support in the middle of the mattress which is great for people suffering from lower back problems.

The offset coils are of higher quality and use a hinged and shaped wire at the top which has a hinging effect when soft pressure is applied. When more pressure is applied the main body of the coil is engaged.

The pocketed coils are wrapped individually and work more or less independently of each other for more support and motion isolation.

Benefits of innerspring mattresses

Provide targeted pressure relief

Innerspring mattresses that have a combination of springs and comfort foam layers are the most versatile beds. They provide targeted pressure point relief and a well-balanced support structure for your spine while still keeping the coils in place.

Eliminates motion transfer

The pocketed coils are wrapped individually in their own pocket of fabric that allows each spring to provide isolated support to every part of your body without interfering with any other spring around it. This is the excellent mattress for couples because it eliminates motion transfer so that you and your partner can sleep uninterrupted throughout the night.

Different firmness options

Innerspring mattresses come with different firmness options ranging from soft to firm which is perfect for all types of sleepers. For light-weight body types, the soft comfort level provides your body with a body-hugging feel which is ideal for side sleepers to provide relief on your shoulders, waist, and thighs. The luxury firmness level is the medium firmness that is neither too soft nor too firm which is an ideal comfort level for medium back sleepers to relieve their back pains. The extra firm level is excellent for heavier body types or stomach sleepers to make sure your spine is well supported and provide even pressure on your neck and stomach.

Great airflow

Compared to foam and latex beds, innerspring mattresses have better air circulation and tend to retain less of your body heat which leaves you cooler throughout the night. Air is able to circulate between the coils leaving you cool and comfortable making it an ideal mattress for sleepers who aren’t a fan of memory foam mattresses because they retain heat causing you to sleep hot.

Excellent edge support

A traditional innerspring mattress like the saatva mattress doesn’t adjust or feel different according to your body temperature. The top layer mostly has a comfort foam made of an inch of base foam to keep the coils in place and a 5-inch layer of foam around the bed to provide edge support. Innerspring mattresses have a coil-based support core which provides adequate support around the edges to prevent sinkage when you sit on the edge. The Bonnell coils support the core to help maintain a flat and even bed surface and reinforce the edges to minimize sinkage when you sit on the edges.

Final thoughts

Innerspring mattresses come in different types with different comfort layers. You can take advantage of the budget-friendly options available and the innerspring technology that provides you with superior comfort and added features that make you sleep better. This will boost your productivity and make you feel energized during the day.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.