Home Improvement

Security

The growing crime rates across cities reflect the bad reality. Many people overlook, ignore, and play down the need of taking proper home security steps. Burglary or theft can lead to devastating outcomes, both emotionally and cash wise.  While the money loss may be recovered, the emotional trauma for your family and you can last for a long time. An important but often overlooked part of home improvement is home security. When you look at your family and your home, you want them to be safe and always out of harm’s way. You hope that when you leave for work, you will come back to a smiling family. You always hope that your home is safe and secure. But as Motivational Speaker Les Brown said, “hope is not a strategy”.

Household Upgrades That Significantly Improve Energy Efficiency to Help Save Money

 

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When talking about Home Improvement, saving on energy is a good place to start. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most homes and commercial buildings consume up to 40% of energy, causing bills to unnecessarily increase each year. The average American household wastes between $200-$400 through air leaks, outdated heating or cooling systems, and drafts.

11 Household Upgrades That Instantly Save You Money

There are several household upgrades that can instantly save you money by reducing your energy and water consumption, as well as by increasing the efficiency of your home. Here are some of the upgrades that tend to provide significant savings instantly:

1. LED Lighting: Replacing incandescent or older fluorescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs can lead to immediate savings on your electricity bill. LED bulbs are more energy-efficient, have a longer lifespan, and produce less heat, reducing cooling costs.

2. Programmable Thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to set your heating and cooling systems to operate more efficiently. You can program them to lower the temperature when you’re not at home or when you’re sleeping, reducing energy consumption.

3. Sealing and Insulation: Properly sealing gaps and adding insulation in your home can significantly improve its energy efficiency. This helps keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing your heating and cooling costs.

4. Low-Flow Fixtures: Installing low-flow faucets and showerheads can reduce water usage, leading to lower water bills. These fixtures maintain water pressure while using less water.

5. Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, such as ENERGY STAR-rated models, can reduce your electricity and water usage. Appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers with better energy ratings consume less power.

6. Solar Panels: While the upfront cost can be high, installing solar panels can provide significant long-term savings on your electricity bill. In many cases, you can also benefit from incentives and tax credits that offset the initial investment.

7. Smart Home Technology: Investing in smart home technology can help you optimize your energy usage. Smart thermostats, lighting, and energy monitoring systems can be controlled remotely and programmed for energy efficiency.

8. Sealing and Insulating Ducts: If you have a forced-air heating and cooling system, sealing and insulating ducts can prevent air leaks and improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.

9. Window Upgrades: Installing energy-efficient windows, such as double-glazed or low-emissivity (low-E) windows, can improve insulation and reduce heating and cooling costs.

10. Rainwater Harvesting: If you live in an area with frequent rainfall, consider installing a rainwater harvesting system. This can save you money on your water bill by using collected rainwater for irrigation or other non-potable uses.

11. Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Choosing drought-resistant plants and landscaping designs that require less water and maintenance can reduce water and landscaping costs over time.

The specific savings you can achieve with these upgrades will vary depending on your location, the condition of your home, and your current energy and water usage. Before making any upgrades, it’s a good idea to conduct an energy audit or consult with professionals to determine the most cost-effective improvements for your situation. Additionally, be sure to consider the upfront costs and payback periods when evaluating the potential savings from these upgrades. Looking for something specific? Check the search bar below.

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Robovacs

 

While “home improvement” often means building projects that change the property of an existing home, it can also include improvements to how you clean your home. Robot vacuums or robovacs use a number of different sensors to navigate around your home. Notably, Bumper Sensors tell them when it’s running into something and to head off in a different direction. Not only that, but infrared cliff sensors on the edges alert robovacs when they are about to fall off a step.

Equally important, most robovacs have a bin size of around 0.6 liters. This is good enough for the average size amount of dust and dirt found in household carpets. In conclusion, the basic function of a robovac is the same as any other. It has an electric motor that creates suction, and this is used to collect dirt and deposit into a dust cup. The obvious difference with a robot vacuum cleaner is that it can function on its own – without human input.