Save Money with Heating in Winter

During winter, we tend to spend a little more – on gifts, food, decorations, and most importantly, heating. Oftentimes, we even spend so much money on heaters that we compromise our spending.

However, keeping your home warm and toasty during winter shouldn’t cause your bills to skyrocket. Here are some simple tips and tricks that can help you lower your heating bills during the winter season:

●       Open your curtains for natural heat

In winter, it is not only difficult to keep warm, it is also difficult to get up for work every morning. Getting up and opening the curtains for the sunlight to peak through is not only great at energizing your mornings, it’s also good for adding free and natural warmth into your home.

●       Dress for the winter and always have a hot beverage

Keep yourself snug at home by wearing clothes that trap the heat from your body like a sweater, a hat, and socks. Dress in layers for added comfort and keep hot beverages with you like tea or hot chocolate. These things are sure to keep you warm while reading a book, watching a show, or spending quality time with family at home.

●       Always maintain your furnace or heaters

One of the most common problems that people have is not having their furnaces operate at its peak. Maintenance is needed not only during winter but for all year round. Have your heaters checked by a professional heating company once a year. Clean or change your filters regularly. These things help your heater perform better when you need it the most.

●       Check the condition of your home

This may not sound like much, but checking the condition of your home is essential to ensure that no heat is escaping. Look for drafts, holes, or other places where the heat or cold air can sneak in or out like doors, windows, exterior walls, and the like. Plug them up and you’ll be sure you won’t need to crank up the heater. If you think it is not enough, you can always install insulation in your house.

●       Keep your vents clean and unblocked

Your furniture and other fixtures could have been placed in spaces where the vents are. It would be difficult to keep the hot air from flowing out if there is not enough space for it to go to. Make sure your vents are not only clean but free from obstruction.

●       Use the heater in the rooms you are going to use

There are plenty of spaces for heat to go to at home when you are heating the entire space. This would mean you would need to keep the temperature higher if you want to keep warm. So, seal off some of the vents in rooms you don’t usually use to trap the heat in the space you do use.

●       Turn down the thermostat when you’re away or about to sleep

You don’t need to keep your house warm while you are away at work so crank the thermostat down and turn on the heater for later. Learn turn the thermostat down when you’re about to sleep. Cooler temperatures can make the bed more comfortable haven to lay on, and studies also show that the cooler you are, the easier it is to fall asleep and fell well-rested.

There you have it! These are a few tips that you can use at home to help you save money, while still keeping you warm and cozy for the winter.

Written by APM Construction Services, a construction and home maintenance company that is the best choice for heating and cooling in Columbia, MO.

Tips on How to Speed Up Your Spring Cleaning

The spring season gets a lot of people stoked for better weather and blooming flowers. However, some of us dread the annual general cleaning that the turn of the season requires.  If you are like us who prefer to get the cleaning done instead of putting the task aside, then you should take a look at the tips we’ve prepared below. Spring cleaning does not necessarily have to be complicated as long as you follow some hacks that will speed up the process.

Faster and Easier Way to Clean Window Blinds

Cleaning each slat of your window blinds will get dirt and dust everywhere. So, it would be better to take down the blinds and soak them in a vinegar and water solution. Once you see that the dirt and dust have dissolved into the solution, give your blinds a good rinse and then leave them under the sun to dry. Mount them back onto your window and you now have clean blinds without the fuss!

Working from the Ceiling Down

Cleaning your ceilings and walls can be a complicated and huge task to undertake. The best way to do this is by working on your ceiling first. Clean your ceilings first by using a vacuum with a brush attachment. Make sure you use lint-free cleaning cloths when drying the walls to avoid streaking. It would also be easier if you use mops with telescopic handles so you can easily reach your ceilings. Also, remember to wipe your light switches and outlet covers clean.

If you have a ceiling fan, you might need to remove the dust that has collected over the winter. However, cleaning a ceiling fan can be tricky as the dust can escape and fall on your couches or beds. So, make sure that you cover your fabric surfaces with pillowcases or thin blankets before you clean your ceiling fan. Once you’re done, you can simply toss your pillowcases and blankets in your washer.

Outdoor Cleaning Using a Pressure Washer

The common way to clean your outdoor space is by sweeping away the webs, leaves and winter stains. You can also scrub your pavement to make sure that it’s clean. However, you can save time and effort by using a power washer. You wouldn’t have to break a sweat when using this piece of equipment. If you do not have one, borrow from a friend. You can also find home improvement shops that offer pressure washers for rent.

Less Complicated Way of Cleaning your Burners

It can be quite difficult to remove calcified grim and grease off your burners. This might even be the hardest thing to clean in your home. On the other hand, there is an easier way to make your burners sparkling clean again. All you have to do is seal every burner in a plastic bag with ammonia. Leave them overnight and when you wake up in the morning, the grime would come off. All you need to do now is wipe your burners and they will look sparkling clean again.

Use Microfiber Cloths When Removing Dust

When you use a feather duster, you are only pushing the dust around instead of catching it. It would be better if you use microfiber cloths when cleaning off dust as they are more efficient. You can also lightly mist the area you’re cleaning before wiping it with a microfiber cloth to get the best results.

Self-Cleaning Microwave

You have to deal with a lot of things inside the kitchen so you should find ways to lessen the load. You can eliminate the need to scrub your microwave by following our simple method. The best thing about this tip is that all the items you need can be found in your pantry. It’s so easy that you would only need about 15 minutes and virtually zero effort to complete the task.

1.   Mix equal parts vinegar and water together in a bowl.

2.   Place the bowl with the solution inside your microwave and heat it for five minutes.

3.   Let the solution sit inside the microwave for an additional five to ten minutes and let the vapours work their cleaning magic.

4.   Dip a clean cloth into the solution and use it to wipe down the microwave.

It’s perfectly normal to have a pickle-smelling kitchen while you’re doing this process. However, once the vinegar dries, the smell will dissipate.

 

Hire a Skip Bin for Removing Clutter and Waste

As you progress with your spring cleaning activities, you will find that you’ve collected a lot of waste and clutter from your home. You can opt to get rid of them with the help of your local garbage collector. However, you wouldn’t be able to do so in one go, especially when the amount of waste you’re getting rid of does not fit inside your wheelie bins.

So, if you are planning to do some major spring cleaning activities, it would be best to hire a skip bin. Most skip bin hire companies allow their clients to keep the skip on their property for four to seven days. In this way, you will have enough time to gather your waste inside the bin. Skip bins also come in different sizes so you can get rid of your entire rubbish load in one go. The skip bin company will pick up your waste on your scheduled date for your convenience.

Some Mistakes to Avoid

While we have our own ways to make spring cleaning easier, there are also some mistakes we commit that make the process tedious and time-consuming. Make sure you avoid the following mistakes when dealing with household dirt and grime.

Not Cleaning your Cleaners

If you do not clean your mops, cloths or vacuum cleaner bags, you are only making your space dirtier. You won’t get the right results and would only be working even harder. So, make sure you clean or replace your cleaning tools when necessary.

Wearing Shoes inside the House

The dirt you bring inside your house can build up over time. So, it would be better if everyone who enters your home will remove their shoes at the door. If guests feel uncomfortable going shoeless indoors, then have pairs of slippers ready for them by your door.

Cleaning your Windows on a Sunny Day

The warm sun can easily dry your cleaning solution even before you wipe it away. This will leave unsightly streaks that would require you to start over. So, it would be best to clean your windows on a cloudy day.

Immediately Wiping your Tiles after Pouring the Solution

Grime and stains can be removed more easily when you let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes. With the dirt softening, you would not have to scrub the surface too much. Doing so saves you energy and scrubbing effort.

We all know how complicated and difficult spring cleaning is. However, by following the aforementioned hacks and avoiding the mistakes above, you can make the process faster and easier.

Read this also : Frugal spring cleaning checklist.

Fastest Growing PWD Roofing & Construction Builders Company in Oxfordshire

Some important information about Oxford loft conversions, nowadays, several property owners choose to carry out home expansion or adjustment solutions to provide their improving close relatives specifications. Though there are several options available to property owners, an Oxford loft conversions is primarily considered the best way to have more area without having to spend much from the wallet. A loft area can be preferably become a potential efficient area - regardless of your need and budget. Based on the reason, accessibility to area and framework of development, customers can easily turn your loft into a kid's game room, enjoyment space, bedroom, livable area, oasis or any other useful area.

Different kinds of Oxford loft Conversions and expansion techniques are available to complement regards to your developing or residence. Among them, Velux Oxford loft conversions are a wise decision for those who do not want to improve the roofline. Other popular conversion kinds provided by companies include dormer, hip end, delivered dormer / bungalow dormer hip to gable, ceiling raise and mansard alterations.

A loft or basement conversion definitely helps you to enjoy several benefits. The key advantages are that it increases the value of your home with lowest investment. Research has shown that more than 20% the home's value is improved through a quality conversion strategy. In comparison to other remodeling works, the development cost and time is less. An average loft expansion or conversion procedure, if done by a professional, takes around 6 to 8 weeks to complete. As only affordable development perform is needed, a preparing authorization is not required in most cases.

How to know the relevance of Oxford loft conversions?

Prior to the task, you should be aware about the practicality of an Oxford loft conversions in your residence or developing. For this, it is important to get the support of a basement conversion professional. Often, such experts recommend the most appropriate type of basement conversion method by examining your site. They also organize for necessary documentation suitable to gain legitimate authorization from appropriate regional regulators.

Considering Oxford loft conversions will definitely provide you with several benefits and some are as follows:

· Allows you to improve your home

New develops allows you to use every area of your home effectively. It does not only transforming your vacant areas into some attractive space but it also confident that this will be efficient for yourself you members. This can also allow you to use the modified areas into a successful space. As for example is when you apply Oxford loft conversions in your basement, it can be leased and can have money for your investing.

· It can improve the industry value of your home

Loft alterations can also improve the industry value of your home up to 40%. This could be advantages for you since the way individuals stay these days, especially in urban places is undoubtedly expensive. Due to this fact, individuals might rent area to stay thus, if you can effectively set up loft alterations at home, it is also can also improve the value of every area leased.

All the way through the whole procedure, you should be able to get in touch with the company, as consistently and consistently as you wish, to make certain that each aspect is ongoing accordingly. Some kinds of loft expansion and alterations require preparing authorization and all have to comply with developing rules. The quote you obtain from your service agency may take account of the planning and distribution of plans to the regional power.

Do not make these mistakes while buying window blinds

If you want to move away from the norm, which is curtains and drapes, do consider blinds and shades. They work just as well in maintaining privacy, giving style to a window and offering you light. Blinds come in any number of shapes and sizes and here are a few things you should watch out for when you buy them.

1.   Bargaining on price- first off, window blinds are less expensive than fancy curtains. Secondly, even if you’re living in a rented space, the look of your house will always be important. And windows are in every room. These are highly visible spaces and people can see them at first glance. All the more reason to invest in good quality, good-looking blinds. When of high quality, blinds can last close to a decade! Buying cheap may seem like a thrill at first but when your blinds give way because of use, you might end up regretting the decision.  If you feel you’re being ripped off, by all means bargain. But if it’s a decent price, don’t try for way lower. You might be given inferior stuff.

2.   Forgetting function for style- yes, window blinds are lovely looking, but that’s not the purpose of blinds! They should also be functional and be able to handle repeated raising and lowering, and sometimes rough use as well. So the blinds need to be strong and able to withstand a lot. Style may not be sturdy. You pick up flimsy looking, stylish blinds that give up in a short period of time and you’ll have to make the buying trip all over again.

3.   Buying without thinking- thinking about your home, that is. Blinds work as insulation. If you live in warm climes, it may be a heat trap. Also, awnings and other window treatments may work as well as blinds. Take your home and its inhabitants into consideration before you buy blinds.

4.   Trying to make it fit everywhere- while blinds are great everywhere, there is such a thing as type of blind in specific rooms. Fabric works well in most windows. But what of the kitchen and the bathrooms? Fabric or wood will be a bad idea- fabric is unsafe in the kitchen, unhygienic in the bathroom, and wood warps and bloats in heat and humidity, damp and moistness. You can do way better with aluminum and PVC blinds. So, you shouldn’t think of going to the store and picking up stuff en masse for the whole house. Consider each room, its purpose and then decide on blinds.

5.   Buying without exploring- blinds come in all shapes and forms- roman blinds that take on a pretty fan shape when pulled up; roller blinds which roll into a tube of stuff material, venetian blinds, faux wood blinds- there’s a lot to choose from. Many blinds come with remote controls, making them perfect for the skylight and the high window. Others have other things that make them unique. Check all options before you make a final decision.

Whether you go to the store to buy brand new blinds or because you want to replace your existing ones, you need to think about various factors and then decide on what works for you.