Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings
Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet? Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance. Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often. Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition. Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner. Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging. Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can. Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)
Adding Some Flair to a Blank Wall
Depending on the layout of your home, you might find yourself dealing with a blank wall and unsure what to do with it. Try making it a focal point with some of these decorating ideas: Turn it into a gallery wall. Think of it as a great space to display your precious photos or art collection. A gallery wall can be as classic or as eclectic as you like. Cover it in print or textured wallpaper. Sure you could paint your wall, but why not take it one step farther? Peel’n’stick wallpaper can be easily found online or at home supply stores these days, and often comes in a variety of fun prints. You can also find wallpaper that mimics the look of stone, tile or exposed brick, which makes for a unique loft-like feel. Frame a piece of textile you love. Don’t think that only paper-based art can be hung on your wall. A striking piece of cloth or even a patterned rug can also act as an accent. This is a particularly good way to deal with a larger wall space that requires a large-scale art piece. Hang open shelving. Short on storage space? Make your unused wall do double duty with some floating shelves. These are equally useful for storing day-to-day items as they are for showcasing art or personal vignettes. Use moulding to create structure. Hate the idea of a blank wall, but want something subtler than an art display? Create texture with some artfully-placed moulding, which can create a grid, crosshatch or linear pattern. You can easily find moulding at most home building outlets. Hang plants. Love the leafy, botanical feel? Wall-mounted plant holders are easy to find and are a beautiful and unique way to display small household plants. You can also use hanging planters that mount from either the top of the wall or the ceiling.
Can Smart Products Increase Your Home's Value?
“Alexa, sell my house for me.” If only it were that easy! But seriously, smart devices are increasing in popularity with homeowners, even outpacing the popularity of tablets. As the trend continues to grow, it’s likely that more potential buyers will look for some of these features when house hunting. The trick? Integrating smart appliances that make life easier, without compromising security. Here’s what buyers are looking for: ThermostatsNot only is this a convenient feature, but it can save occupants money. Being able to control heating and cooling from afar is a great thing to consider adding to your roster of smart features. LightsLeaving the lights on all day is a huge Hydro suck. Having lights that can be controlled from a phone or smart device makes it easy to customize your lighting needs, saving you money at the same time. Want the front entrance light on when you get home? Forget to turn off the dining room lamp before you left the house? Just tap your phone! Pre-WiringIf you’re not ready to invest in installing actual smart devices, consider having your home pre-wired as part of your next renovation. This will give buyers the option of customizing their own home automation, without having to undergo a complete re-wiring. The bottom line: Not every buyer will be sold on home automation features, but a few additions that help make life easier will set your home apart.
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