SkyFive Properties Blog

Swimming pools are a pretty popular fixture for Florida homeowners — there are more than 392,000 pools throughout the state! In fact, the only state with more swimming pools that Florida is California.

Are you considering installing a pool in your backyard? If so, you may have a lot of questions about the installation process.

If you’re confused about what you need to do for a successful pool installation, we’re here to help.

Read on to learn more about the best time of year to install a pool. You’ll also learn some other tips for installing pools in Florida.

The Best Time to Install Pools in Florida

You can technically install a pool at any time of the year in Florida. Some times are better than others, though, depending on your goals and priorities.

Fall/Winter Installations

If you install a pool during the fall or winter, you get to enjoy lower prices than if you had it installed during the spring or summer.

The cost of goods tends to spike at the beginning of each year. Because of this, installing your pool during the fall or winter will allow you to take advantage of lower supply costs.

A fall or winter installation can be better for your landscaping, too. Some damage to the yard will always occur during the installation process.

If you have the pool installed in the fall or winter, though, you’ll have more time to repair the damage and allow the grass to regrow before spring and summer rolls around. This way, your backyard will be more pool party-ready.

Often, the interest spent financing the pool can actually be a tax write-off, too. Who doesn’t want that?

Spring/Summer Installations

There are plenty of benefits that come with a fall or winter installation. For most people, this is the best time to install a pool.

There are benefits to waiting for the spring and summer, too, though.

Sometimes, pool installation companies will run specials during these seasons, so you can still find a good deal if you look carefully. This is especially true if you’re shopping during the early spring.

You also don’t have to spend months staring longingly at the pool before you can use it.

Winters in Florida are nowhere near as cold as they are in the rest of the country. You still might not be feeling up to an outdoor swim in the middle of December, though.

If you want to be able to splash in your pool from day one, waiting till spring or summer will allow you to do that.

Bonus Tips for Installing Pools

In addition to choosing the right time to install your pool, there are lots of other things you need to think about before you invest in one. Here are some bonus tips that will help you choose the best pool and ensure the installation goes as smoothly as possible:

Choose the Right Contractor

As with any home improvement project, the right contractor can make the job much easier.

Do plenty of research to ensure you’re working with an experienced, reliable contractor. Talk to friends or family members who have recently installed pools, or do some online research to find out which contractors in your area have the best reputation.

Remember, the more work you do up front to find the right contractor, the less work you’ll have to do later on.

Choose the Right Style

Look at lots of different pool styles before you choose one for your backyard.

From tile options and colors to shapes and depths, there’s a lot to consider when you’re investing in a pool.

Think carefully about all these factors to ensure you get a pool that you love and will enjoy floating in regularly.

Think About the Location

Use extra care when thinking about the location of your pool. It’s going to be there for a long time, so it ought to be in a place that you love, and that makes sense for your yard.

Think about the areas in your backyard where digging will be easiest. Consider the pool’s proximity to other fixtures, too.

For example, will you have trees that hang overhead? If so, you’ll have to do more cleaning to get rid of leaves. Do you want your pool in the shade, or will that impede your sunbathing plans?

Expect Increased Power Consumption

There’s no getting around it. When you install a pool in your backyard, your power consumption will increase. It takes a lot of extra power to heat and filter that pool.

Plan for increased power bills and make sure there’s room in your budget to pay those bills before you invest in a pool.

Plan for Maintenance Costs

Remember, there’s more money involved in having a pool than just the initial installation cost.

You’ll have to pay for maintenance, too. This includes chemicals, cleaning products, and repairs if it breaks down.

Keep these costs in mind and budget for them, so you don’t get an unpleasant surprise if something goes wrong with your pool.

Invest in a Fence and Cover

Every homeowner who has a pool ought to invest in a cover and fence for it, too. The cover will help to keep your pool clean and minimize maintenance costs.

The fence will keep children away from your pool and save you from the potential of having a tragic accident on your hands.

Update Your Insurance Policy

Be sure to update your homeowners’ insurance policy, too. Pools can be a liability, and it’s a good idea to invest in extra coverage to protect yourself if an accident occurs in the future.

Install Your Pool in Florida Today

As you can see, there’s a lot to take into account when it comes to installing pools in Florida.

If you remember these tips, though, it’ll be much easier for you to get your pool installed and have the backyard of your dreams.

Are you looking for more home renovation advice? Whether you want to update your house for yourself or make it more appealing to future buyers or renters, we’ve got tips for you.

Check out some of our other home renovation blog posts today to learn more.

If you want to add value to your property, but don’t have a massive budget, then fear not. There are some simple things you can do yourself that won’t cost the earth, but could offer a good return on investment should you decide to sell.

Give your garden a makeover

Your garden is the first thing that people see when they approach your house. Whether you have a small yard or a flower-bordered patch of grass, how it looks matters. You don’t even have to be particularly green-fingered. The following points are great starters for ten:

• Mow your lawn
• Trim back any bushes
• Pull up weeds and apply weed killer
• Pressure wash your path, decking or any paving stones
• Fix any broken fence panels
• Repaint any fence panels
• Clear any rubbish

Give your home some Curb appeal

Your garden/outside area is important, but it’s only one part of increasing your property’s curb appeal. You also need to think of the exterior of your actual property. Some things you might want to address are:

• Re-painting your front door
• Repainting window frames
• Repointing brickwork
• Replacing cracked or broken cladding
• Repairing a broken or damaged garage door

Let the light in

Letting natural light into your home is really important. Not only will it make you feel less claustrophobic, it will create the illusion of space. Making sure that your windows are clean sounds like an obvious suggestion. However, lots of people don’t realise how dirty their windows are until they actually come to clean them. You can do this yourself for free or you can hire a professional to come on a regular basis to do it for you. Ask neighbours if they can recommend anyone or look online for companies with good reviews.

Install bright energy efficient lights for the winter months as these are the closest thing to natural light when the nights become darker earlier.

If you have any friends who are builders then you could ask them to install either a skylight or sliding doors for a relatively cheap price. These will add that all-important feeling of space and will enable more natural light to filter into your property.

Odd jobs

We all have jobs around the house that we have put off doing til another day. Make that day now by tackling the following:

• Replace any missing or broken door handles
• Re-paint walls, skirting boards and doors/door frames
• Replace any missing tiles in the bathroom or kitchen
• Re-grout tiles
• Plaster over any surface cracks
• Fix leaking taps

If you have carpets then it might be worth hiring a carpet cleaner to freshen them up slightly especially if you have pets. Alternatively, if you have wooden floors then it might be time to give them a fresh lick of varnish to bring them back to life. If there are any nails poking out or loose bits of carpet then tack these down so they are neater and safer.

Lofty heights

You can buy rolls of loft insulation from most larger DIY stores and install it yourself easily enough. Although getting a professional to do the job for you can be a longer-term solution for insulating your property effectively, this racks the cost up significantly. Some home owners are eligible for grants that enable you to make your home more energy efficient without it costing you a lot. The Energy Saving Trust will let you know if you’re eligible and what you need to do to apply. Energy efficient properties will not only have reduced energy bills, but will be much more appealing if you decide to sell your property.

Space saving

A lack of storage space can make your home seem more cluttered. As well as de-cluttering on a regular basis, try to make use of the space you have and incorporate clever storage solutions to keep things tidy. You can build shelving units, add under-bed storage or fit doors to create cupboards. There are all sorts of clever ideas these days. Now is the time to get inventive and look for the following:

• Cellar space – this can be a really useful storage area for items you don’t use very often. If there are any damp issues then make sure that the items you’re storing are protected
• Under the stairs – this is ideal for storing hoovers, linens or even incorporating coat hooks and shoe racks
• Chimney breast dead space – these are great for incorporating fitted wardrobes or dressers as they are out of the way

Looking carefully at the layout of your home will throw up some great storage solution ideas. Once you start looking, you’ll be surprised.

By starting with little to no budget, you’ll soon realise how capable you are of making some big changes to your home that will add value. If you decide to sell your house quickly then a cash buyer like The Property Buying Company could help. They’ll factor in any work you’ve done to your property in order to offer you a fair price.

Some people move home when they grow tired of a house, but that isn’t always an option. Perhaps you don’t have the money to move right now, or perhaps you’re simply not ready to give up on your humble abode. Whatever the case, it’s always worth trying to spark life back into a tired old home if you can. Often, the problems with a household aren’t as major as they might seem. Let’s talk about the changes that could massively rejuvenate your home.

A conversion project

A conversion project is a change that could massively rejuvenate your home. Essentially, the goal is to repurpose existing space in your household. You might be wasting a room that could be turned into something so much more. For instance, your attic or your garage might be used as storage space for your belongings, but these rooms could be converted into guest bedrooms or perhaps even family rooms for games and other activities. You might even want to seek help from an architect to turn them into something exciting. With the right design, your household could be converted into something brand new and vibrant.

Some personal touches

If your home feels a little bare then it might just be missing some personal touches. No matter how stylish a house might be, it’ll feel devoid of any character or personality if it doesn’t reflect the preferences of you and your family. It should be decorated in a way that accurately portrays your characteristics.

You might want to start by adding some artwork. This is a great way to add some life to bare walls in your home, but you could even create the art yourselves to really make the decor feel personal. You and your family don’t have to be seasoned artists to do this; the point is that it’ll be something you’ve created yourselves. That’ll make it feel special to you and your loved ones. It’ll make the design of your humble abode feel unique.

An updated exterior design

Another change that could massively rejuvenate your home is an updated exterior design. Remember that your outdoor area is as much a part of your home as your indoor area. There’s no point in redecorating your household’s interior if you’re going to neglect its exterior.

First impressions are everything, and you’ll still feel as if you’re approaching the same old house if you do nothing to improve the front of your property. Start off by repainting your front door; a fresh coat of paint will make it bright and appealing, but it’ll also protect your door from the elements. Planting some flowers in your front yard could also help to lift the appearance of this outdoor area. Don’t forget your back garden either.

You might want to create a hidden patio area so that you have a cozy little retreat from the world. A patio should feel like an outdoor living room. Get some cushioned seats and perhaps even an awning for shelter.

Home theaters are truly awesome because you can enjoy your favorite movies from the comfort of your home and get a theater–quality experience. Now, with that being said, not everybody has a massive house or even a full spare room to dedicate to a home theater.  

You might have a small space that you are working with, and yes, this might cause some problems for you when it comes to setting up your home theater and fitting all of the equipment in there. The guys at Ultimate Home Centre definitely have some good tips when it comes to this kind of thing. For now, let’s go over 6 tips for building an awesome home theater is a small space. The space might not be huge, but making the most of it is what you need to go for.  

1. Always Measure First

The first and maybe the most important tip here is to always measure out the room you are planning to use before you get started. Measure the length, width, and even the height of the walls to get an accurate reading. You want to know how much space you have to work with, and this goes for seating arrangements as well as setting up all of the equipment.  

There is nothing worse than buying all of your home theater gear, only to come back home and realize that you don’t have enough room to fit everything comfortably in there.  

2. Go With a Projector

If you are tight on space, getting a massive HD television might not be the best way to go. Sure, technology has come a long way and televisions are definitely smaller than they used to be, but they do still take up a fair amount of space. A good tip here is to go with a projector, and more so, go with a ceiling–mounted projector. This way, the projector is not in the way and you don’t have a television taking up space.  

A projector can be a space–saving and cost–effective option if you don’t have much room to work with, not to mention that the image you get can be very large still, plus of a good quality too.  

3. Get a Sound Bar or Bookshelf Speakers

Now, you might be considering getting a massive surround–sound setup for your new home theater, but this might just not be very realistic. You might be looking at a dozen separate speakers, and some can be quite large, and that’s going to take up some serious space.  

Some bookshelf speakers or a simple sound bar might not provide you with quite the same audio quality as a big–time surround sound system, but there are still good options out there, ones with good sound quality for a decent price, ones that won’t eat up a ton of space.  

4. Pay Attention to Lighting

Also, when you are working with a small room, chances are that you might not actually have a room dedicated solely for the home theater setup. You might be using a small home office or just your living room, and this means that you do want to plan things out.  

You definitely do not want to have the TV facing toward or away from a window, because that is going to cause glare and lighting issues. However, you might just have to deal with windows in a small space, in which case getting some decent blackout curtains might be the best way to go.  

5. Don’t Crowd the Space

Perhaps one of the most important tips for creating a home theater in a small space is to not overcrowd the room. Sure, 4 seats might be better than 2, but if everything is going to be cramped, there is simply no point. 

6. Map it All Out First

You absolutely want to map everything out before you get to purchasing the home theater equipment and setting it up. You might want to create a floorplan or a blueprint, so you can get organized before you have all of the gear in the room. It’s a lot easier to be able to place all of the items in the right place right away, instead of having to shuffle stuff around with everything else in the way.  

Conclusion  

There you have it folks, 6 vital tips for building the best home theater you can manage in a small space. Be sure to measure twice and map everything out, don’t overcrowd the room, and buy equipment that is space–friendly. Sure, you might want a huge home theater setup, but sometimes the space you have to work with is limited, so your only option is to simply make the best of it.  

If you are a woodworker of any kind, whether you are making cabinets, doors, shelves, instruments, toys, decoy ducks, or anything in between, having the right tools and knowledge in your arsenal is super important.  

One aspect of every woodworking project is sanding. No, nobody wants a project that has rough edges and looks unfinished, which means that you have to sand it down, something that also goes for fine and intricate detail work. The point here is that sanding is actually one of the most difficult and time-consuming aspects of woodworking projects, so saving time is a big deal.  

Something that is very important to note here is that the right type of sander is critical for good quality work. Let’s go over 3 big time sanding hacks that will save you a lot of time, both in the long run and the short run. 

1. Using Some Kind Of Anti Skid Base

One of the biggest hacks we can give you here to help save you a lot of time when sanding your woodworking projects is to make sure your work pieces cannot slip around on the table. Sanding is already hard enough to do accurately as it is, and if your woodworking piece is slipping and sliding around the table, it is just going to make things a heck of a lot harder. You have to constantly adjust the positioning and placement of your projects.  

Having it slide around the surface beneath is also bad because it can cause some major damage, both to the project itself and the table underneath. Therefore, you might want to consider getting yourself an anti–skid base of sorts, like an anti–skid router base.  

It’s pretty much just a textured rubber matt that goes in between the surface and your project, thus stopping it from moving around. This will help save a lot of time because you won’t constantly have to turn your sander off to readjust the workpiece, plus it will help protect your final project from damage caused by movement. 

2. An Easy Flat Surface Sander

Now, while it is true that regular sanders, orbital sanders, and miniature detail sanders to work well for a lot of specific jobs, using machines is not always the best. Machines can move too quickly and remove too much material from your project at once, therefore resulting in a less than stellar final piece.  

Folks, using machines for sanding is not always better. With that being said, you might have seen some people glue sandpaper to a piece of wood, and then use that to do some fine sanding where precision and smoothness is required.  

It’s not always about being the fastest to completion, because with this kind of thing, quality and speed are often not going to happen at the same time. However, using a block of wood with sandpaper glued to it is not exactly ideal all of the time either. Therefore, a good sanding hack for you to keep in mind is to make yourself an easy DIY flat surface sander.  

In other words, this is more or less a small plank of wood or piece of plywood where you have glued a piece of sandpaper too. Now, if you have small workpieces that need sanding, you can take the piece of the flat surface sander, something which helps increase accuracy and can save you time too. 

3. Removing The Sanding Dust

The other sanding hack to save you time that you need to know all about has to do with the wood dust you create when sanding anything and everything. There is a reason why many machines, woodworking machines, come with dust ports and blowers to get rid of the dust. This is because the dust gets in the way. It hinders you from having the level of accuracy that you need, it can actually scrape and scratch your projects, and at the very least, having a bunch of particles in the way makes it really hard to see what you are doing.  

Therefore, to help save you time when sanding, making sure to always remove the dust is important. This is especially important when you move from coarse to finer sanding.  

Simply put, sanding, if you do not remove the dust, is more or less like sanding that very same dust. You just end up pushing dust around while not being able to see what you are doing. Getting some compressed air to regularly blast the dust away is a big-time hack that will help make life a heck of a lot easier no doubt. 

Conclusion 

No, these hacks are nothing too fancy or ground-breaking, but at the end of the day, they will help make your sanding jobs much easier, faster, and more efficient too.  

When your roof needs a little or a lot of fixing and you’re not a licensed roof contractor, it’s best to leave the task to the professionals. The roof over your head protects your entire home and everyone who lives in it. You can’t risk endangering the lives of your loved ones just because you don’t want to spend money on a roofing service.

If you do plan to hire a roofing service, here are some tips to guide you:

Look For Licenses and Permits

Roofing service companies should have all the necessary licenses and permits for operating such a business. Roofing contractors need to have the proper set of skills for doing roofing services. There are standards that they need to meet and they must possess sufficient knowledge in order to perform a great roofing service.

Roofing service companies should also have permits in order to operate. The requirements for those permits differ from state to state, and the companies need to meet those to be able to run their business. You can also check your local authority so you can know which companies you should consider.

Do Your Research

It’s vital that you choose the right roofing service company, which is why you need to do your research first. With easy access to the Internet, you can gather information about roofing services all over Algonquin, Illinois.

You have to be specific on the keywords you type in because they’re crucial. Narrow it down to your particular location so you can find the ones nearest to your home. See if you can find forums or threads that talk about the service of the company you plan to choose.

Cross-Check Business Information

Most businesses build websites to make them visible to more potential clients. That is why, during your research, it’s highly likely that you’ll find the websites of the roofing service companies within your area.

There will be lots of information on that website about the company. You’ll find what kinds of services they offer, and many more aspects of promoting their business. Sometimes, you’ll even find testimonials from some of their satisfied clients.

However, don’t fall for it too quickly. It’s essential that you cross-check all the information you find. You may only see the good reviews on their site, but if you dig deeper, you might find some less positive reviews on different threads and forum sites.

Cross-checking is crucial, especially for the licenses and permits. Licenses and permits need to be legit, so you don’t endanger anyone’s lives due to inadequate skills and knowledge.

Ask For Referrals

If you’re doubtful about your research, you should ask for referrals from people you trust. These can be your friends or family members. Maybe they know reputable roofing service companies around Algonquin that they can recommend to you for your roofing needs.

You can also ask your neighbors. At least one of them already hired a roofing service at some point before. If their roofs seem to be doing fine after repairs, then the company they hired must have done an excellent job.

Ask For Price Quotes

When you have your list of options, it’s time to contact them. You can visit their offices, but thanks to technology, you can also call or chat with them online. Ask for estimated price quotes.

Check out algonquinroofingservice.com if you need a service that’s near you. You can call or email them for your inquiries, and they have reasonable prices for a high quality of work.

You should know how much it may cost you for the service you need from different companies. Knowing the estimated price will help your decision-making.

Don’t Settle For Cheap

When you know how much it’ll cost you from different companies, it’s tempting to choose the cheapest one. It’s not always the best option to settle for the most affordable service. If it’s cheap, and the quality of work only amounts to how much you’re willing to pay for, then you may end up paying more than you originally planned.

Think about planning to sell your house. If you want to sell it at a high price, you need to make it the best it can be. You have to fix factors that may lower the price of your house. You need to make some home improvements, such as fixing the roof, landscaping, and many others.

When you’re considering the lowest prices, also think about the quality of work and materials. The referrals and reviews should give you an idea about the quality of work. Then you can make a decision on what aspects you’re willing to compromise to get the best service for your budget.

Don’t Do Business With People Who Knock On Your Door

Some people might knock on your door and ask you to sign a contract for them to check your roof and fix whatever it is that needs fixing. If someone does this to you, don’t fall for it. There’s a high chance that those people are trying to take advantage of you.

If you sign the contract, they might be binding you to something that you don’t know about, which could be a problem later. Besides, good roofing service companies don’t need to go door-to-door, and sales talk people into hiring them.

Reputable companies do business the right way. They entertain their potential customers and inform them about what kind of services they can provide, give estimated costs, and maybe even a free consultation.

Make Sure That They Have Insurance

Doing roofing services can be a dangerous profession. A little slip can cause someone to get hurt or worse, die. If the employee gets into an accident while working on your rook, it may not just be traumatic, but it can also be costly if they don’t have any work insurance.

When you inquire on the roofing service companies in Illinois, make sure to ask whether or not, the people who might work on your roof have insurance.

Final Thoughts

There are many roofing service companies out there. Even if you focus your search in Algonquin, Illinois, there are still plenty of options for you. Hopefully, this guide can help you make an informed decision so that you can choose the best service for your needs, and of course, your budget.

Did you know that a bed bug can go for 18 months without feeding?

Bed bugs are resilient pests that can pose a real problem in the household. These bugs thrive in the dark, semi-warm areas of the home and typically hide in hard-to-reach-places like narrow cracks and crevices.

While a bed bug’s bite doesn’t trigger an infection, it is quite painful and could lead to welts and swelling.

Since bed bugs can invade any home, it is essential that you learn how to keep bed bugs away when you’re in and out of the house. Read on for some practical tips on beating back these critters.

Inspect Your Hotel Room

You must be careful whenever you are traveling.

A wise thing to do is to always make it a point to inspect each room you use. Remember that the cleaning staff may not uphold similar standards of hygiene to yours.

Once you get your room, make it a point of checking for any signs of bed bug infestation. Your inspection should focus on the mattress, curtains, and any upholstered furniture.

Search for any small, rust-colored spots as they are the typical sign indicating the presence of bed bugs.

When you are inspecting the bed, ensure you raise it and check under the mattress, bed frame and headboard.

While bed bugs come out at night to feed, they are known to keep to a short radius around the bed during the daytime.

If the bed is clear, remove any bedding and check the corners and folds of the mattress. These are some of the most popular hiding places for bed bugs.

While you are carrying out your inspection of the room, make sure to keep your luggage outside.

Bed bugs have the ability to live in luggage for almost a week. If you suspect that your clothes might be infected, put them in a sealed plastic bag.

Once you get back home, set the sealed clothes in the washer, and turn on the highest heat setting possible.

Regardless of where you have been staying, make it a habit to inspect your luggage before getting it inside your home. It is always good to vacuum and handwash the bag with hot, soapy, water.

Inspect Second Hand Furniture

Purchasing second-hand furniture is an affordable way to furnish your house. But while it can be great on your wallet, it can potentially expose you to bed bugs.

Don’t take the seller’s word for it; you should inspect the furniture before buying it.

Check the seams of the upholstery for bed bugs or the residue they leave. As a general principle, never buy any second-hand mattresses.

If the furniture you intend to purchase looks like it has a clean bill of health you will still need to clean it for good measure. Place it in your garage or a shed while you clean it. Vacuum the upholstery and any fabric thoroughly.

Use hot, soapy water to clean the furniture after vacuuming with extra care taken on drawers and other crevices.

Seal Laundromat Clothes

A laundromat can be one place where you pick up bed bugs that ultimately end up in your home.

When you arrive at a laundromat, inspect any seat before you use it to avoid getting them on your clothes.

Pack any clothes you want to take to the laundromat in sealed plastic. An open clothes basket exposes your clothes to the pests, unlike plastic which keep them covered.

If you prefer to use laundry bags, it is advisable that you wash them on every trip along with your clothes.

When you’re cleaning your clothes use the hottest temperature the fabric will allow. The same goes for when you are drying them.

If you prefer to use a laundry basket, then do not place it on the floor or near any seats. You should also inspect the basket before you use it.

Once your load is done, check the table you want to use for folding them for bed bugs. Alternatively, bag your clothes and fold them when you get home.

How to Keep Bed Bugs Away: Bring in the Professionals

Professional bed bug control teams usually come in once people have an infestation. But they can also help you in preventing bed bugs from taking over your home.

A bed bug company can carry out an assessment of your home to identify areas in which you need to change things to prevent infestation.

When you hire professional, be sure to request them to use Integrated Pest Management methods to help you deal with any that might already be present.

Inspect Your Bedding

Regularly checking your bedding is an essential part of keeping bed bugs at bay in your home.

You don’t have to do an inspection every night. Rather, the best time to do it is when you are washing them. Once you remove your bedding, take a look at the bed for any signs of bed bugs or bed bug residue.

Take your bedding and place it in the washer while using the highest possible heat setting that the fabric will allow.

The combination of heat and water will finish off any bed bugs that might have been hiding in your bedding.

While your bed linen is being cleaned, you can take out your mattress and brush it. Using a scrub brush, hit the seams and other areas of the mattress to get any bugs or their eggs out.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Bed bugs are resilient and can go for more than one year without feeding. If you do not take the proper measures to keep them out of your home, they can hide for long and still manage to attack you.

Prevention is better than cure, and you need to know how to keep bed bugs away as it is much easier than killing them once they infest your house.

Passionate about improving your home? We have a host of articles on home improvement. Keep reading!

When those summer heat waves hit, your energy bills go through the roof. Unbearable heat equals more A/C use, which equals cutting your vacation budget just so you can pay your electricity bill. It’s a mathematical fact, isn’t it?

Actually, it doesn’t have to be. It’s true that there’s no way around temperature-controlling your house to prevent heat strokes in the blazing summer sun. But there are plenty of ways to save money while doing so.

We’ve collected the best of these cost-effective air conditioning tips in the guide below. Use these AC tips to stay cool while spending less.

1. Replace Old Air Conditioners.

AC units usually last around 10-15 years. If you’re still using a 15-year-old air conditioner, the best tip we can give you is, “Get it replaced.”

Getting a new, ENERGYSTAR-certified air conditioning system that’s the right size for your home will pay for itself before you know it. And it’s a much better scenario than waiting until your current system breaks down.

2. Don’t Cool an Empty House

Unless you enjoy wasting money, the worst thing you can do with your thermostat is the “set it and forget it” method. That’s where you pick a temperature you like and just keep it there, forever. Of all the inefficient ways one can use their thermostat, none will rack up your energy bill faster than this.

Think about it logically. When the lowest temperature of the day outside is 80 degrees, and you keep your thermostat at 74, it’s going to run pretty much all the time.

More importantly, you probably aren’t even home all the time. Then you’re paying to cool down an empty house. Who benefits from that?

Of course, you don’t want to come home to a 90-degree house, either. The sensible solution is to set the thermostat for 80 degrees any time you step out of the house.

If your time out of the house is very consistent, like if you have a set, 9-5 work schedule, program the thermostat for 80 during these hours. Then, you actually can set it and forget it.

3. Stop Cooling Empty Rooms

Furthermore, this same principle applies to uninhabited rooms. For example, are you paying to cool a guest bedroom with no guests in it? Because that’s kind of a weird thing to do, right?

If you have rooms that don’t normally have people in them, cut them off from the AC. Keep the AC vents in those rooms shut.

And shut the doors that connect them to the rooms you do need cooled. You might even consider weather stripping these doors or at least stuffing a towel under them to block air flow. This prevents energy-wasting air leaks between cooled and non-cooled rooms.

All-in-all, this method basically makes your house smaller as far as your AC is concerned. And that makes it faster and easier for your AC unit to cool the house.

4. Conserve in the Night

Most of us wouldn’t even notice if the temperature went up a few degrees at night. So you can program your thermostat to do just that.

When you go to bed, program your thermostat to go up a few degrees in an hour. Some thermostats have a “sleep mode” to help with this.

That way, the temperature goes up and you won’t even notice. Then, the air conditioner runs less and you save money while you sleep.

Unfortunately, this method isn’t for everyone. Those of us who are light sleepers do notice. The warmer temperature wakes us up and we have trouble getting back to sleep.

Still, it’s worth a try. Find out if it works for you.

5. Block Out Direct Sunlight

While sunlight saves you money on lighting, it costs you extra on cooling. So the best thing to do is to block the direct sunlight with the right shades or curtains. Then, you should still have enough indirect sunlight left over to light your house without overheating it.

6. DIY Air Conditioning Maintenance

You may not think there’s much you can do to make your AC unit more efficient. But the truth is quite the opposite.

DIY air conditioning maintenance takes very little effort but makes a huge difference in the performance of your HVAC system. Use these two simple steps to dramatically increase your AC’s efficiency.

Change the Filter

First, change your air filters as needed.

These filters catch dust and other particles out of your air when the system runs. When the filter becomes full, it really just sit in the duct, blocking the air flow. That means your AC system is working harder and accomplishing less, which racks up your energy bill.

Filters should be replaced every 3 months or sooner. This depends on both the specific instructions on the filter’s packaging and on usage. Heavier usage or dirtier air will cause the filter to fill up faster.

Clean the Return Vents

The return vents are usually located on the ceiling or high on the wall. These vents take in the air from the room and return it to the AC unit. Then the conditioned air is blown back into the room through the supply vents.

Because the return vents are taking in unfiltered air, they occasionally fill up with dust and become clogged. Try to make a habit of looking up once and a while to see how they’re doing. Whenever you dust or vacuum your home, dust or vacuum your return vents as well.

7. Have Your Air Conditioner Professionally Maintenanced

When was the last time you had your AC checked out by a professional heating and cooling technician? Regular professional HVAC maintenance keeps your system running efficiently and extends the life of your unit. It should be done just before each heating or cooling season.

Many companies, like this trusted company, offer yearly maintenance plans to make it easy and affordable to get the maintenance you need.

Save Money With These Air Conditioning Tips

Staying cool shouldn’t mean breaking the bank. With these easy to follow steps, you’ll conserve energy, save money, and be comfortable all summer long.

Stay cool the smart way with these money-saving air conditioning tips.

A few decades ago, buying a grill was a straightforward task. The only dilemma was getting the best quality of grill under your budget. However, these days, there are numerous varieties and brands.

If you are looking for a versatile grill that is easy to use, then your choice narrows down to a pellet grill vs. gas grill.

Still, there is a huge difference between these two, which can affect your judgment. Do you want a grill that will leave great sear marks on your steak? Do you prefer one that excels at smoking low and slow?

Pellet Grill vs. Gas Grill

Read this comprehensive account of the pellet grill vs. gas grill. This will help you get a guide to help you in choose the right grill. Consider the following tips.

1. Initial Cost

The gas grill is cheaper, and you can get a good deal from most big box stores all around the globe for the best models. Alternatively, you can buy a used one at a meager cost from your neighborhood classified.
Pellet grills are, however, very expensive.

Even the cheaper grill you buy from the big box can be over $500 but will be small and less reliable.

2. Run Time

The runtime refers to the operating time of the cooker before you have to refuel it. Few variables affect the runtime of these grill types. With a pellet grill, the runtime hugely depends on the set temperature.

It can use as little as half a pound per hour when smoking meat and as much as 2 pounds an hour if you are doing the high-heat sear. The good news is that 20-pound bags can serve you for a long time
With a gas grill, the amount of propane burnt in an hour depends on the cooker’s number of BTU, the temperature you are using, and the number of burners.

A 20-pound tank can get you 20 hours cook-time.

To confirm your fuel level, pour warm water over the tank, the cold areas signify the propane level. It should help you know whether to get more gas or continue with your cooking.

3. Operating Cost

A pellet grill will need only electricity and wood pellet for it to operate. The number of pellets you require greatly depends on your cooker’s size and the temperature used. The larger your grill is, the more pellets used per hour.

With a gas grill, you will need propane to operate. How much can a single tank grill? That will also, depend on your set temperature and the size of your cooker.

4. Temperature Range and Control

Lighting the burners and turning the knob are the methods of controlling the gas grill’s temperature. The temperature of the grill can go as high as 500⁰F that will help you prepare a grill grate.

Pellet grill can be easily programmed to cook at low temperatures of 225⁰F, but like the gas pellet, it can be programmed to reach 500⁰F, which you can use to direct grill meat. Discover more here. Also, the grill utilizes electricity to control and ensure a steady and stable temperature.

5. Effect on Flavor

Cooking on a pellet grill means that you are using the pellets made from compressed sawdust. You are using 100% wood; your food will have a unique smoky flavor.

With the gas grill, the food cooked does not benefit from any added flavors. The only added flavor to the food cooked by gas will come from your seasoning.

6. Ease of Use

Both cookers are similar when it comes to their startup and fire management methods. Cooking with the pellet grill starts with the button switch while the gas grill starts with the lighting of propane. You can then regulate the temperature of the pellet grill by changing the setting and adjusting the burners.

A pellet grill has some barriers between the cooking grate and the fire pot. To avoid dirt, you can wrap them with an aluminum foil which you can easily replace after a couple of cooks. With a gas grill, the flavor bars accumulate dripping fats and food.

The lifesaver hack applied here is to turn the heat up at the end of your cooking session. It will burn the fat and food until they turn to carbon which can be easily washed off.

7. Versatility

It is important that you note the smoker versus grill characteristic of the pellet and the gas grill. Smoking on a pellet smoker and grilling on a gas grill can prove to be a lot easier. Although the result will not be perfect, a gas grill can be adjusted to work on smoking meat by adding wood chips and adjusting the temperature knobs.

Likewise, pellet grill can reach temperatures of above 500⁰F but don’t expect the best sear.

8. Available Extras

Most grill manufacturers have aftermarket facilities, which boost your barbecuing experience. Many pellet grills have an available option that will give you a chance to cold smoke at temperatures as low as 100⁰F. It hence displays pellet grill versus smoker characteristic.

It allows users to cook at very high temperatures and when desired, cook at low temperatures. If yours has a large cooking chamber, you can add shelving to increase your cooking capacity.

The gas grill offers some traditional toys like the cleaning brushes, pizza stone and rib rack, which can be a bonus to your cooking and cleaning experience.

9. Fancy Features

Pellet grills manufacturers have been quick to incorporate features such as LCD screens, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility, and integrated meat probes. Some can even be set to maintain the meat’s temperature at a certain range after cooking.

Similarly, gas grills offer some bonus features such as side burners, illuminated knob, rotisseries, and interior lights. Both the gas and pellet grill offers fancy bells, but this comes at a higher price range.

Grill That Is Most Suited to Your Needs

When determining when to get a pellet grill vs. gas grill, some differences will determine which one will come out on top. Consider these functions as you make the decision.

Read more about how to expand your commercial and residential real estate portfolio in our blog.

Image provide by Carnivore Style.

Paris has long been considered the city of romance. Because of this, there have been clichés that have derived, such as proposing on the Eiffel Tower. Ironically, because of the popularity of these sorts of proposals, individuals are looking for different types of romantic vacations and vacation rental/investment properties because they want to stray away from the norm.

Nevertheless, Paris offers so much more in the terms of romance than you may expect. Of course, the Eiffel Tower is utterly fantastic and well worth a visit, but read on to discover why vacation rentals in Paris offer a beautiful vacation for those that are in love.

The city is showered in everything that is glamorous, royal, and romantic

Without pointing to specific landmarks, the city itself is extremely glamorous and lavish, making it deal for a vacation home. You will feel like you have stepped onto the set of a film. Everything has a nostalgic romance flowing through it and this is consistent throughout the entire city. Everywhere you go has a touch of magic.

From beautiful crystal chandeliers to quaint little restaurants, from the antique adornments to the exquisite paintings; this is the city to dream. Not only will your eyes witness sheer luxury, but you will get to indulge in the most gorgeous champagne and taste the most divine dishes.

Indulge in seductive good and drink you will never forget

Not only will your eyes witness sheer luxury whilst in Paris, but you will get to indulge in the most gorgeous champagne and taste the most divine dishes. The passion and the romance of Paris are evident within the food on offer. You can tell that all of the meals have been made with the love they deserve.

You should definitely embrace the local culture and try some of the fantastic French dishes on offer. After all, there is nothing more romantic than enjoying a nice meal with the one you love, especially when in such a remarkable setting as Paris.

Vacation rentals in Paris are ideal for couples who want to embrace art

Art is considered a very romantic concept. Beautiful paintings stem from the creativity of geniuses and a lot of their work comes from life experiences. It goes without saying that love is something that fuels a lot of art masterpieces.

Paris’ museums are not given the credit they deserve. The buildings themselves are a work of art. Everything is displayed in an extravagant, opulent and luxurious manner. And the artwork on display is simply beautiful. This is a great way for you and your other half to spend a day whilst in the city of love.

Everything about Paris is self-indulgence, treating yourself, and pleasure

vacation rentals in Paris present you and your partner with the opportunity to truly enjoy yourselves, treat yourselves, and spend some quality time together. This is why investment properties for sale here thrive. Nothing is done half-heartedly in this city. You can spend a day shopping in all of the fantastic and exciting designer stores.

But ladies, if your man hates shopping (which is usually the case), then make sure you make this exciting for him too. A trip to several underwear stores won’t help. Another activity you should enjoy together is a lovely spa day. The massages in Paris are extremely relaxing and will help you to truly unwind and feel at peace for the rest of your vacation.

If you are looking for a romantic vacation or you are looking for a place for investment overseas so you can make a return on your money, then don’t disregard vacation rentals in Paris. The city has achieved the reputation as the ‘city of love’ for a reason. Of course, you have the phenomenal Eiffel Tower, yet there is a lot more to Paris than this.

The city itself is laced in everything that is lavish, opulent, and glamorous. The food is exquisite and the drink is divine. The museums are romantic and dreamlike. And there is a lot for couples to do; with shopping and spa days being highly recommended. So if you are looking for somewhere to celebrate your love, Paris provide the perfect setting for your fairy tale.