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Home Care

Eco-friendly ways to keep your home cool

If you’re looking for ways to cool your home during even the hottest days, consider these ideas.

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When it’s hot outside, heat can seep into your home and make it unbearable. However, there are sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to maximize comfort and cooling when the thermometer creeps upward without racking up an outrageous electric bill or large carbon footprint.

While some options for keeping your home cool involve an upfront investment, over time they’ll save money, and the environment, for years to come. If you’re looking for ways to cool your home during even the hottest days, consider these ideas.

Adjust Ceiling Fans
Installing ceiling fans in your home can help keep temperatures moderate and cut down on your cooling bill. For best results, those ceiling fans should be adjusted seasonally. During warm weather months, fans should rotate counterclockwise at a higher speed to push air downward instead of up toward the ceiling, which can lead to a more comfortable temperature in your home.

Upgrade Your Air Conditioner
If your home’s climate control is lacking, it may be time to invest in a new HVAC system – particularly if your current one is more than 15 years old.

Reduce Incoming Sunlight During the Day
Direct sunlight coming into your home through windows, doors or skylights can increase the temperature. To help reduce unwanted heat as the sun rises higher during the day, consider closing your blinds or installing light-colored blinds that reflect rather than absorb the sun’s heat. Other options such as blackout curtains or reflective window panels can have the same effect, helping reduce warmth trapped inside.

If closing all your blinds or covering every window isn’t an option or makes you feel claustrophobic, focus on any south- or west-facing rooms in your home, as these are typically the trickiest to keep cool during the warmest hours of the day – usually from late morning until early evening. Exterior window shades and awnings can also be useful options if you’re looking to reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, but still want to take advantage of the natural light.

Change Your Light Bulbs
Since warmer weather also equates to more sunshine, turning off the incandescent lights in your house when possible can cut down on extra heat and save on your energy bill. Though the soft yellow glow of incandescent light bulbs can create a nice ambiance, it also gives off a lot of heat. Swapping out those old light bulbs for more efficient, LED bulbs can cut down on the amount of heat your light fixtures emit. If you can’t replace them, minimizing their usage – particularly when having a light on in a room is unnecessary – can make a difference.

Strategically Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting trees or shrubs near sunlight-facing windows can make a big difference when it comes to the temperature inside your home by shielding the sun’s rays. While planting trees strategically around your home is more of a long-term plan, the benefits can also last for many years to come in terms of shade, added curb appeal and overall betterment of the earth.

Start by focusing on west-facing walls, where the sun is typically the strongest. Choosing trees native to your area can decrease maintenance, and those that bloom in spring and drop leaves in the fall offer year-round benefits by providing both shade and heat in accordance with the season. Vines and other tall shrubs are options for quicker results, but they may also require more long-term maintenance.

Reduce Appliance Usage
To help minimize running appliances and equipment that generate a lot of heat, like stoves and ovens, choose to cook outdoors or opt for quicker meals you can prepare using the microwave, which doesn’t heat the house to the same extent. While grilling and eating outside more frequently may require an awning or gazebo to stay cooler, it can beat the alternative of warming up your oven, and ultimately your home, for an extended period of time.

Reducing your usage of other heat-producing appliances such as computers, dishwashers, clothes dryers, curling irons and hair dryers can also help keep interior temperatures comfortable and energy use low. Try using these appliances earlier in the day to minimize the extra load placed on your air conditioner.

Keeping cool during warm weather months doesn’t have to be complicated. Take advantage of these measures to reduce your home’s heat load and energy bill.

Find more tips for cooling your home at mitsubishicomfort.com.

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Home Care

Safety tips to help families prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and fires

Consumers need to be especially careful when storms knock out electrical power. CO poisoning from gasoline-powered portable generators can kill in minutes.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to take steps to protect themselves from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fires. 

Loss of Power—Using a Generator Safely
Consumers need to be especially careful when storms knock out electrical power. CO poisoning from gasoline-powered portable generators can kill in minutes. CO is called the invisible killer because it is colorless and odorless. CO poisoning from portable generators can happen so quickly that exposed persons may become unconscious before recognizing the symptoms of nausea, dizziness or weakness. 

An average of about 100 consumers die in the U.S. each year from CO poisoning from portable generators, according to CPSC’s latest report on Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products

In case of a power outage, follow these important life-saving tips:

  • NEVER operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or other enclosed spaces. Opening doors or windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal levels of CO. 
  • Operate portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet away from the house. Don’t operate a generator on a porch or in a carport. It may be convenient, but it’s too close to the home and puts your family at risk of CO poisoning. Direct the generator’s exhaust away from your home and other buildings where someone can enter. Close windows and seal off vent openings that are near the generator or in the path of its exhaust.
  • Follow portable generator instructions about electrical shock hazards in inclement weather, which may include use of an NFPA-rated non-combustible generator tent or may state to wait until rain passes.
  • Regularly check and maintain your portable generator to ensure it will work properly when needed. Read and follow all labels, instructions and warnings on the generator and in the owner’s manual.
  • Look for portable generators that have a CO shut-off safety feature. This safety feature automatically shuts off the generator when high levels of CO are present around the generator.  Models that are certified to the latest PGMA G300-2018 and UL 2201 safety standards are estimated to reduce deaths from CO poisoning by 87% and 100%, respectively
  •  UL 2201 certified models have reduced CO emissions in addition to the CO shut-off feature.

Check CO and Smoke Alarms

  • Working smoke and CO alarms save lives! Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on each level and outside separate sleeping areas at home. Interconnected CO alarms are best; when one sounds, they all sound. 
  • Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every level and inside each bedroom at home. 
  • Test CO and smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working properly, and replace batteries, if needed. Never ignore an alarm when it sounds. Get outside immediately. Then call 911.
  • Clear snow away from the outside vents for fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces so that dangerous carbon monoxide does not build up in the house.

Dangers with Portable Heaters 

  • Keep all sides of the portable heater at least 3 feet from beds, clothes, curtains, papers, sofas and other items that can catch fire.
  • Place the heater on a stable, level surface, located where it will not be knocked over. 
  • NEVER leave a portable heater running unattended in a confined space to reduce hyperthermia hazards.
  • When using electric portable heaters, ALWAYS use a wall outlet; NEVER a power strip and NEVER run the heater’s cord under rugs or carpeting. 
  • Be mindful of children and pets around portable heaters.

Dangers with Charcoal and Candles

  • Never use charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal in an enclosed space can produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Do not cook on a charcoal grill in a garage, even with the garage door open.
  • Use caution when burning candles. Use flashlights or battery-operated candles instead. If using candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles when leaving the room and before sleeping.

Dangers with Gas Leaks: 

  • If you smell or hear gas leaking, leave your home immediately and contact local gas authorities from outside the home. Do not operate any electronics, such as lights or phone, before leaving.

If Your Home Floods—Dangers with Wet Appliances

  • Look for signs that your appliances have gotten wet. Do not touch wet appliances that are still plugged into an electrical source. 
  • Before using your appliances, have a professional or your gas or electric company evaluate your home and replace all gas control valves, electrical wiring, circuit breakers, and fuses that have been under water.
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Home Care

A first-timer’s guide to kitchen remodeling

Take into account these five tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet to help first-time kitchen remodelers achieve the kitchens of their dreams.

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Kitchen upgrades are among the most common renovation projects homeowners tackle. Even so, it’s a big project for a first-time renovation, and the final results are sure to be stronger with some detailed planning from the start.

Take into account these five tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet to help first-time kitchen remodelers achieve the kitchens of their dreams:

1. Plan Your Budget

Establish a clear and realistic budget. Factor in costs for materials, labor and some extra for unexpected expenses. Sticking to your budget can help ensure you enjoy the outcome of the project while avoiding financial stress. Your contractor can help you strike a balance between your vision and financial resources. You may also find it helpful to consult with a real estate professional who can ensure your plans are in line with the overall value of your home and neighborhood.

2. Prioritize Functionality

Design with practicality in mind. Ensure there’s enough counter space and storage to create an efficient workflow. Consider the kitchen work triangle; that is, be conscious of the travel pattern among the sink, stove and refrigerator.

Additionally, look for opportunities to incorporate functional storage in unexpected places. One example is the exposed end of a cabinet run or side of the refrigerator, where there is often wasted space. One example is a shallow cleaning utility cabinet from Wellborn Cabinet that fits a broom, dustpan and everyday cleaning supplies neatly, giving you practical access to frequently used supplies. A variation on this cabinet offers a spice rack designed for easy access to cooking essentials. Other options in the line include an over-fridge cabinet with a combination of shelves, sheet pan or cutting board storage and a trash can-cutting board combination.

3. Choose Quality Materials

Consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements and compatibility with your design aesthetic when selecting materials for your kitchen. You may be tempted to cut corners and stretch your money further, but quality materials are a critical element of successful renovations. Prioritize high-quality materials that stand the test of time. Durable countertops, solid cabinetry and reliable appliances typically save money in the long run, and they’ll enhance the overall look and value of your kitchen.

4. Hire Professionals

Work with experienced contractors and designers. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your remodel meets all safety and building codes. What’s more, these professionals have likely encountered and overcome all kinds of challenges, which means they’ll be well-prepared to help you navigate unexpected obstacles and provide a wealth of knowledge from previous clients to help make recommendations for the perfect finished space.

5. Stay Flexible

Be prepared for unexpected challenges and delays. Stay adaptable and open to changes and remember patience is key to achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Materials go on backorder and paperwork gets misplaced all the time. Set a realistic timeline for your project that allows for some hiccups and try to avoid becoming too rigidly attached to any single element of the design, so if you have to make a modification, it doesn’t feel like a monumental sacrifice.

Look for more ideas and inspiration for your kitchen remodel at Wellborn.com.

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Home Care

Autumn-inspired household items to brighten up your home on darker days

It’s a good time to think about some new homewares to brighten up your living space, without breaking the bank.

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As autumn approaches, the days get shorter, the evenings darker and the weather colder.  As we retreat indoors, reluctantly, at first, it’s a good time to look around your home. It is time to enjoy snuggling up under a blanket with the fire going and eating soups and strews, while reading a great book or bingeing Netflix. It’s also a good time to think about some new homewares to brighten up your living space, without breaking the bank.

Driftwood Designs has some wonderful designs, with a truly autumnal feel, that are guaranteed to brighten up those darker days. This publisher, design house and retailer incorporates the work of Welsh artist and illustrator Lizzie Spikes whose passion is creating illustrations that can be translated to homewares, cards, prints and so much more. This means her art can be incorporated into people’s everyday lives in the form of oven gloves, lamp shades, coasters, aprons and even clocks.

Here are a few ideas to get your own creative juices flowing:

Sunset and Starlings – Synonymous with autumn is the gathering of starlings and their enchanting murmurations. Driftwood’s Sunset and Starlings design depicts a murmuration over the sea against a warm and colourful sunset, reflecting off the water. The muted blues are broken by warm shades of yellow, orange and red to add a pop of colour to even the darkest room. The design is available as oven gloves to warm your kitchen as you cook or as a lampshade to, quite literally, light up the room.

Mushrooms – Another autumn stalwart is the mushroom, most species of which are gathered during this season. Driftwood has a fun and informative infographic design illustrating no less than 27 different types of mushroom, toadstool and other fungi, plus coding and names of each one. The colourful variety of the species shown make this a jolly design. Perfect for the kitchen, the illustration can be purchased in the form of tea towels, chopping boards, mugs and even a tin sign for the wall. Choose your favourite or go for a matching set.

Autumn Winter Coaster – Perfect to give any coffee table a new lease of life, the Autumn Winter Coaster is a stunning rural design, depicting fields and woodlands as the warm autumn colours merge into the bright whites and blues of winter. With Lizzie’s familiar animals, in the form of fox owl and squirrel, a set of these affordable coasters will definitely brighten up coffee (or wine) time.

Woodland Seasons – If you love the changing of the seasons but don’t want to limit yourself tojust Autumn, the Woodland Seasons design transitions through all four seasons. When wearing the Woodland Season oven gloves, the left hand it filled with spring and the design goes through summer and autumn until your right hand sports winter. With badgers, foxes and deer beautifully incorporated in this design, it will never get boring. It is also available as a lampshade, which you could choose to rotate regularly to fit the season – or simply your mood!

With so many designs available in the Driftwood range, you are spoilt for choice. Whether you are looking for autumn-themed designs or just love to add bright colours and artworks to your home,  there is sure to be something beautiful and affordable to brighten up your living space.

For the full Driftwood Designs range go to https://driftwooddesigns.co.uk/.

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