Home Additions That Are Worth It

home additions

If you feel your home has become bland, you’re the perfect person for home additions. Home additions can be a great way to expand your living space and make your house feel like home. But are all home additions worth it?

Some home additions are not worth investing in, but others can create that wow factor. Here are some examples of home additions given by home addition companies that can add value to your home and help you enjoy your space more.

High-tech security systems

While many people don’t consider their homes to be anything more than a place to sleep and store their belongings, criminals do. They look for easy targets and will target houses with weak security systems.

An alarm system is one of the best ways to deter criminals from breaking into your home.

If you have a large enough budget, you can install a camera system that records activity inside and outside your home. You can also add motion detectors that alert you when someone enters or leaves a room in your house while you’re away, especially if it’s being used as an Airbnb or short-term rental.

Energy-efficient appliances

If you replace older appliances with newer models, you’ll see a big difference in how much energy they use. Energy-efficient appliances use 20% less electricity than older models, so if you upgrade all of them at once, the savings will add up quickly over time.

Moreover, newer models tend to last longer than older ones and may come with warranties that last for years or even decades. This means you can avoid having to replace them again in the future, which would also save money in the long run.

Custom showers

Custom showers are one of the most popular home additions. These showers are designed to fit your needs and dreams. They can be made from any material you choose and in any style.

They come in all sizes and shapes, from small to large, and simple to elaborate. You can even get them with waterfalls and jets if you want an experience that feels like a spa treatment at home.

These showers can be installed inside or outside your home, depending on whether you want the shower to blend in with the rest of your bathroom or stand out as its unique feature.

Lighting upgrades

Lighting is an area that’s often overlooked in home improvement. But it’s one of the easiest ways to update your space and make it feel like new again. This is mainly because the lighting is the first thing you see when you walk into a room, setting the tone for the entire space.

If your budget allows, go for unique light fixtures that match your style. If not, consider replacing light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. You might also consider installing dimmers in your existing sockets so you can control the mood of a room by adjusting the amount of light it gets.

Outdoor Kitchen

If you love to entertain, building an outdoor kitchen can add value to your home by increasing its appeal to potential buyers. A well-designed space offers a place to cook and entertain guests, even on extreme weather days when it’s too hot or cold.

The trend started with elaborate structures like pizza ovens and grills — but today’s outdoors are all about simple elegance. An outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as simple as a grill, sink, and storage cabinet that fits your style.

Bottom Line

Home additions are a great way to expand your living space and add value to your home. But there are tons of options out there, and some of them are better than others. 

It’s up to you to gauge the ones that make sense to you and those that don’t. To have an easy time making the decision, get the input of experienced home remodeling architects DC that know what they are doing.

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How Do I Keep My Kitchen Appliances Shiny?

appliance repair

If you are enthusiastic about your kitchen, you want the appliances to look their best. Whether it’s a new microwave, refrigerator, or dishwasher, you want them to stay shiny and new.

However, kitchen appliances are more susceptible to hard water spots and stains than other appliances because they are used more frequently and are exposed to more moisture.

To keep your kitchen appliances looking great, there are several steps you can take. Here are these steps as given by commercial appliance repair professionals. 

Wash your stovetop with soapy water

You probably already know that cleaning your stovetop regularly is vital for safety reasons. But did you know that it’s also essential for aesthetic reasons? Greasy splatters, burnt-on food, and other stains can become permanent if left untreated.

As such, you must ensure you wash your stovetop regularly with warm water and soap. This will help prevent stains from forming in the first place and keep them from becoming too severe when they occur.

Use lemon juice or rubbing alcohol on glass-top stoves

Hard water stains are common on glass-top stoves. Minerals cause these stains in the water left behind after cleaning the stove. To remove them, you can try lemon juice or rubbing alcohol.

Mix 1/4 cup of lemon juice with 1 gallon of water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the hard water stains, let it sit for five minutes and then wipe dry with a soft cloth.

If that doesn’t work, mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle and spray onto the hard water stains. Let it sit for five minutes before cleaning it with a soft cloth.

Clean your refrigerator exterior with olive oil

The surface of your refrigerator is one of the most difficult areas to keep clean. Over time, greasy fingerprints and smudges from cooking can accumulate on the surface. This can make it look dull and dirty.

Wipe the surface with a cloth dipped in olive oil to clean it. The oil will help remove any dirt or stains on the refrigerator’s exterior surface. It also leaves behind a protective layer so that fingerprints and smudges are less likely to accumulate in the future.

Use aluminum foil for oven racks.

Another idea is to clean your oven racks with aluminum foil. Just fold some foil into small rectangles and stick them into the grooves on each rack. Then put them in the oven for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 205 degrees Celsius.

Once they’re warm, take them out and wipe them down with soap and water. They’ll be clean as new.

Clean inside your oven regularly with baking soda or lemon juice

Baking soda is a natural cleaner used to scrub away grime and stains. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl and fill it with enough water to make a paste. Using a sponge, apply the solution to the inside of your oven, let it sit for five minutes, then rinse with warm water. This method is best used on glass and metal surfaces, so if you have an enameled oven, you’ll need to use something else.

Lemon juice also works as a natural cleaner. To use it, squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl and add enough water to make a paste. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar for additional cleaning power.

Apply this paste to your oven’s interior surface and let it sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing away with a sponge or cloth soaked in warm water.

Bottom Line

Kitchen appliances are an investment but also a big help in the kitchen. If you want to keep them looking new, you must be careful how you treat them. Thankfully, these tips from commercial kitchen appliance repair Springfield will help you maintain your appliances and keep them looking as good as new.

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What Adds the Most Value to a Home Renovation?

A home renovation makes your home more appealing to buyers. However, when planning one, there are many details to consider, including paint color, flooring, lighting, cabinet style, and more.

It can feel overwhelming to narrow down the details that add the most value to your home.

If you need help figuring out what to include in your project, here are several things that add the most value when you renovate.

Adding extra bedrooms or bathrooms

According to bathroom remodeling experts, adding extra bedrooms or bathrooms is one of the best ways to add value. A bathroom is one of the most expensive things to put in a house, but it’s something everyone wants.

Having more than one bathroom makes it easier for guests and family members who need privacy while they use the restroom.

Another way to add value is by adding an extra bedroom or two. This allows you to rent out a room if you need extra income.

A guest room with a bathroom also makes a great place for your older children or grandchildren when they visit for a few days each month or over the summer break from school.

Upgrading your kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in any home, so it needs to be functional and comfortable for everyone who lives there. This can mean updating appliances or cabinets and adding features like an island or breakfast bar.

A remodeled kitchen will make you feel like you’re cooking in a brand-new space, even if it’s just been repainted.

Adding an outdoor space

Got a backyard? Then adding an outdoor space can add value to your home without costing much money at all. If you don’t have much land, try building a patio or porch instead of adding grassy space outside your home.

This will give you a place to entertain guests while still keeping things casual and low-key.

Installing new flooring

When it comes to flooring options, you have plenty of choices, from wood to vinyl and laminate floors. You can even find recycled rubber flooring that looks like hardwood but feels like carpet.

And in addition to adding value to your home, new flooring can improve its durability, comfort level, and energy efficiency.

Renovating the basement

The basement is usually one of the last areas of a house to be renovated, but it is also one of the most important parts of any home.

A basement can be used for many things, including a playroom for kids, a home office, or even a cozy family room where you can relax with your family and friends.

Making energy-efficient improvements

Energy-efficient improvements are the most valuable improvement you can make to your home.

Whether you’re building a new house or upgrading your current one, making energy-efficient improvements will save you money on utility bills and help you avoid environmental impacts such as air and water pollution.

When choosing energy-efficient improvements, look for those with the highest return on investment (ROI). 

For example, if you spend $5,000 on a solar panel system for your home and save thousands of dollars per year in electricity costs, your ROI is 200%.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering renovating your home, you may wonder what will add the most value to your project. The answer depends on several factors, including what you want from your home and how much money you’re willing to spend.

Regardless of the project, you are undertaking, ensure that an expert handles it. For example, if you are undertaking kitchen remodeling, ensure that the work is done by an experienced kitchen remodeler Bowie.

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Ways to Get Safe Drinking Water

You might not be aware of this, but the water you drink is not as safe as it should be. The fact is that most of the water in the world contains traces of harmful chemicals and pathogens that can cause serious health problems.

The good news is that there are many ways to get safe drinking water. Here are several ways to do it.

Install a whole-house filter

If you’re on a municipal supply or have a private well that’s tested regularly, then a water filtration system may be all you need.

These filters are installed in line with the main water line before entering your house and remove many contaminants such as lead, chlorine, and fluoride. They also reduce sediments and improve the taste.

Purify with bleach or iodine tablets

If you’re on the go and worried about drinking tap water, you can purify it with bleach or iodine tablets.

Bleach will kill most bacteria and viruses, but won’t remove chemicals like chlorine. Therefore, you may want to go the extra mile and use iodine tablets as they will better purify your water.

That said, you may want to avoid using bleach if you have iodine allergies, kidney disease, or liver disease, because it could be dangerous. If you’re pregnant or nursing, avoid using both bleach and iodine.

Get an under-sink filter.

Under-sink filters are easier to install than whole-house filters because they fit directly under your sink without disrupting any plumbing lines.

They usually come with adapters that allow for installation at any angle so that they fit anywhere in a cabinet below the sink, even if there isn’t enough space for an elbow fitting on either end of the tubing.

Use a charcoal filter system.

This is an excellent way to get clean drinking water if you have well water. These systems are often installed under the sink in the kitchen or bathroom of your home and filter out dirt, sediment, and other contaminants from your well water before they enter your home.

They also remove odors and bad taste from your drinking water so that it tastes better when you pour yourself a glass of H2O.

Use a UV light purifier.

A UV light purifier uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses in your drinking water. It works by destroying the DNA of any microorganisms in your water so they cannot reproduce or cause illness.

However, you must use filtered water with this method because the contaminants will not be removed from your tap water, only made safer for consumption by killing microbes.

Use reverse osmosis systems.

A reverse osmosis system, also known as an RO filter, removes more than 90% of all contaminants from your drinking water before it reaches your faucet. This method also removes dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, which may affect the taste of your water.

An RO filter pushes contaminated water through a semi-permeable membrane that only allows clean, pure H2O molecules to pass through to the other side while trapping contaminants on its surface.

Boil water before drinking it

The easiest way to get clean drinking water is to boil it. All you have to do is bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute, then let it cool before using.

As you can tell, this is cheaper as you don’t have to install a water softener system Warren or any other expensive system. All you need to do is fire to boil the water, and you are good to go. 

Bottom Line

When you think of drinking water, you probably think of the glass or bottle you fill from the tap. But what about all the water you use for bathing and showering? Or cooking? Or washing dishes?

Water is used in just about every part of your daily life, so it’s important to ensure it’s safe no matter where it comes from.

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How Do I Prep For Granite?

 

So, you’re finally putting up granite in your kitchen, right? Don’t worry, there’s no need to go into panic mode. There’s planning and then there’s over-planning. 

Maintaining your countertop should be easy enough, so long as you prep it correctly to prevent any stains or other damage. The best method for this is preparing your counter for granite, followed by caution and routine maintenance. So how do I prep for granite?

Marble and granite countertops are a great choice for those who are looking for stylish and durable surfaces to be installed in their kitchen or bathroom. This checklist has the most important things you need to do before the installers arrive.

Keep exact measurements

Granite is a strong and durable material that is ideal for kitchen and bathroom countertops. However, it must be properly prepared before it is installed to ensure a long-lasting finish. You can prep your granite countertops yourself or hire a professional to do the work for you.

The first thing you should do when preparing for granite countertops is to make sure that the cabinets are in good shape and have the correct dimensions. This will make the job of measuring and cutting much easier. 

The granite must be placed on a flat surface in order to work properly. You may need to add some extra supports under the granite in order for it to sit level. Be sure to look at the layout of your kitchen and get an idea of what kind of space you have available for granite.

Remove existing countertops

You can do this yourself or hire a contractor depending on the needs of your home. If you have tight access to the cabinets, you may want to hire a contractor to help you remove them.

Before you do, be sure to use a soft cloth or towel and wipe down the area around the countertop so that any grease or dust is removed. This will make it easier to clean up after removing the old countertop. You’ll need to secure the cabinets while working on the countertop.

Removing these items will help make sure there is smooth access for installation and that there are no major cracks or damage to the cabinets themselves. Removing old countertops is best done with a heat gun and pry bar. 

To remove stubborn pieces, you can use a chisel as well. Once they are removed, clean up any dust and debris left behind using a vacuum cleaner and wipe them down with a damp cloth if necessary.

Switch off your water

In order to install a granite countertop, you need to first remove or turn off any plumbing that lies under the countertop. If you have an older home, chances are there is going to be some plumbing that needs to be removed in order for the new countertop to fit properly. 

Plumbing can cost thousands of dollars if damaged during installation, so it is best to turn the water off and have the plumber remove it prior to installation. You also want to make sure that any appliances you have under the countertop are in good condition as they may get covered up by the new material. 

Bottom Line

While many of us would love to have granite countertops in our kitchens, the high cost can be a bit prohibitive. However, if you are ready to take the plunge, there are certain measures you can take to ensure that your granite becomes one of the long-lasting aspects of your kitchen remodel.

By taking the time to prepare your kitchen for granite, you’ll be able to ensure that your countertop project goes as smoothly as possible. 

And don’t work with any contractor–work with experienced granite countertop installers Rockville that know what they are doing.

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What Is A Sewer Lateral Inspection?

drain cleaning

Enjoying peace and tranquility in your home is often taken for granted until you have horrible smells that cannot be traced where they are from.

Any homeowner has wastewater that needs to pass through the right channels for treatment and avoid any disease-related risks. With a sewer line, you will need drain cleaning companies to undertake sewer lateral inspection regularly to ensure there are no problems.

So, what is a sewer lateral inspection? It is the process of identifying any issues with the sewer line. The sewer lateral is the underground pipe that connects the house to the city’s main sewage line. 

Do I need a sewer lateral inspection?

The main sewage line travels underground to the treatment facility. It is important to ensure that there are no leaks in this pipe as it can attract roots and cause problems. 

A professional inspection will help you understand the current condition of sewer lateral lines. It will also help you find out whether there are any leaks and cracks present. If any such defects are found, they need to be repaired immediately.

How do I conduct a sewer lateral inspection?

There are several ways of checking for defects in the pipe, including inspection by a professional, use of cable tools to clear blockages, and inspection by a video camera or dye tracer.

A common way of carrying out a sewer lateral inspection is by using a cable-like instrument to push through the line. This checks for blockages and clears them in the process. 

However, this method does not pinpoint the presence of leaks and cracks. Video and camera inspections are used here to understand defects better and plan repairs accordingly. 

A video camera is placed at the tip of the cable. While pushing it, the video camera captures images of the interior surface of the pipe in real-time. 

This helps identify cracks or leaks in it. If any defects are found, then immediate steps can be taken to repair them before they get worse and cause problems for your home’s plumbing system.

Get professional help

Whereas a sewer lateral inspection is important, not everyone can do it. In addition, it may not be easy to conduct the inspection if you don’t know what to look for.

The best way to find out whether you’ve got lateral problems is by getting expert help. A company experienced with sewer lateral repairs will be able to tell you what kind of damage there has been and whether future repairs can be done without digging up all of your yard.

Sewer line and lateral inspections are a common practice in the water utility industry. The companies are well-equipped with the necessary tools that use a combination of sewer camera inspection and video inspection tools to identify any potential problems.

A pre-inspection survey is typically performed first to identify the location and approximate depth of the inspection point. The exact location is determined when the inspector is at ground level and can be verified using GPS on a tablet or smartphone. 

The inspection process is non-invasive and can typically be completed in less than an hour. All identification of potential issues is documented in a report.

Bottom Line

Inspecting your sewer lateral can help you understand the integrity of your pipeline and determine whether or not it needs repairs. Thankfully, today you can get clear images and videos of the current situation with advanced technology.

Do not hesitate to get expert help from drain cleaning services Harrison because conducting the inspection on your own, especially if you lack the technical know-how because you risk causing more damage while exposing yourself to risk.

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What Should You Not Do When Remodeling A Kitchen?

kitchen remodeling

It is often said the kitchen is the heart of every home. However, you may get bored over time and want to refresh your kitchen to create new experiences. Kitchen remodeling requires a significant amount of resources.

A lot of people are bursting with ideas and have an idea of what to do. But, have you ever thought of what should you not do when remodeling a kitchen? 

Many people are quick to do a kitchen remodel without considering the key areas to focus on. So what are the common kitchen remodel pitfalls? Stay put as we share what not to do when remodeling a kitchen.

Operating without a budget

When doing any remodel, your finances will determine the scope of work you can carry out. A lot of people are quick to make purchases without listing the materials they will need.

Do not proceed without putting a budget in place. Set aside the finances to carry out the remodel, then work around your set budget. The last thing you want is to end up with an unfinished kitchen because you did not have enough funds for the countertops.

Wasting space

When remodeling a kitchen, you want to ensure you are maximizing space while maintaining functionality. A lot of activities take place in the kitchen, so you don’t want to put the kitchen cabinets too far from the counters.

Too many people go for aesthetics forgetting the kitchen is a workstation that requires a lot of functional space.

Doing too much

Granted, not all kitchens are the same size, making it impossible for all remodeling plans to follow the same scripts. Some people get kitchen inspiration from other sources and want to implement everything.

Avoid doing everything as your inspiration is not a one-size-fits-all. Find what works for you to avoid overwhelming your kitchen.

Not involving professionals 

Although DIY has gained popularity from the wide range of tutorials available on the internet, you should be honest with yourself on the scope of work you can do confidently and what should be left to the professionals.

Sure, you can paint the walls but replacing the electrical connections should be left to an electrician. Too many people are venturing into DIY remodels and end up causing a mess and attracting more costs than what they would have initially paid for.

Acting on impulse

Remodeling your kitchen is an exciting feeling, and it is normal to be bursting with hundreds of ideas. However, avoid acting on impulses and purchasing items before you sit with your contractor or even before you come up with a budget.

Impulse decisions can end up being costly and still not fit in with your plans. Avoid acting on an impulse to leave room for testing samples and find what works for your kitchen.

Making changes midway

Another common mistake people make when remodeling a kitchen is to change plans midway. Any midway changes will attract additional costs and may affect the entire cost of the projects.

To avoid such changes, ensure you have explored all designs and alternatives, then settle on the one you like.

Going for cheap materials

To save on costs or increase the scope of renovation, some people tend to go for cheap materials. Cheap materials will only serve you for a while, but you will have to do another remodel after some time.

You can do your kitchen in phases if funds are a bit tight but avoid going for cheap materials as you risk ruining your entire kitchen.

Bottom Line

Remodeling your kitchen should not be a hassle if you can avoid the common pitfalls most homeowners make. Remember to have your budget in place, involve a professional kitchen remodeling contractor Silver Spring, and avoid impulse purchases.

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What Can I Do With a Small Backyard Patio?

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A patio is an extension of your indoor living room. When the weather is great outside, it is like having another room outside where you relax and unwind with family and friends, especially in summer; you get to host barbecue parties and enjoy great company. 

But what if your patio is the mini version? You keep wondering, what can I do with a small backyard patio to make it more lively? 

Here are tricks to go about it as given by patio builders

Create Levels

Adding levels to small space creates an illusion of a bigger space. It adds depth. 

We mean by levels to create slightly elevated or sunken patches to make the area look like multiple outdoor rooms. You can mix materials like decking, stone works, and grass to give each level a unique feel.  You can also include a few raised planters. 

Avoid Artificial Privacy Fencing

If you have a small patio, avoid using any artificial privacy fencing. It makes the space look smaller and congested. 

If you must have a privacy cover, consider using all-natural elements. Us the opportunity to grow a nice lavish garden of plants, trees, and flowers. This will make a more natural privacy fencing and allow your patio to merge visually with the rest of your backyard. 

In addition, you will have a more lush appeal on your patio and have something to lay your eyes on as you relax on your patio. 

Use a Focal Point

Even in fashion, people use a single piece of clothing or accessory as the focal point that brings the whole attire together. Why not use this same idea for your small patio? 

Creating a strong focal point is a great way to trick the mind into thinking that the space is bigger than it is in real life. Use a grande sculpture or a fountain to anchor your patio design and give the eye a place to gravitate and settle-making a space that could otherwise feel cluttered look more majestic. 

Utilize the Spaces Above

Adding a vertical dimension to small spaces creates an illusion of a bigger space. For example, consider adding a nice wall plant, like trumpet vines, on your vertical wall to create a nice floral illusion on your small patio.

This will not only look good on the patio, but it will also create a nice focal point for the small space. 

Use Minimalistic Furniture Sets

Instead of grand couches and luxurious outdoor furniture, consider using minimalistic furniture that is unobtrusive. This will make the space look and feel a lot bigger.

Nice slim-profile metal pieces or long benches without backs will be great choices. Also, minimize the number of throw pillows and fabrics so as not to make the space look too busy. 

Match the Overall Design of the Patio

Most times, we do not pay much attention to the overall design of the patio. We just throw in anything that we find interesting. 

But on a small patio, it helps to match the design with the overall design of the indoors. If you have a modern look indoors, carry this look even to the outdoors. For example, ensure that you have nice modern landscape lighting as this will work best when the sun goes down. 

Get Rid of all Storage

Most people use the patio and the backyard to store garden machines and other things when not in use. This will overcrowd the space and make it look even smaller. 

If you must, ensure that you use the space wisely. You can use corner units or deep storage units that can also be used as patio furniture.  Also, work with experienced backyard patio builders Long Island that know what they are doing. 

Conclusion

Even in school, we are taught how to make do. So, even with a small patio, it is important to learn how to work around it to enjoy your summer just as usual. 

So it is now your turn. How do you think you can make your small patio look bigger than it is in reality? 

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What Is the Most Efficient Way to Run a Heat Pump?

heat pumps repair

The cost of living is going up every day. As such, everyone is actively looking for ways to increase their cumulative income to live sustainably. In addition, anything that helps save a few bucks is always much welcome. 

One of the bills that weigh heavily on many homeowners’ minds is the heating bill – winters can be cruel sometimes. So what is the most efficient way to run a heat pump in winter without digging a hole in your pocket? 

Here are a few proven ideas given by heat pump repair professionals that will not only help you keep your electricity bill in check but also allow you to contribute to environmental conservation positively. 

Best Tips to Optimize the Efficiency of Your Heat Pump

These tips are divided into three major categories;

Maintenance and care

Generally, heat pumps are low maintenance. That means that they do not require a lot of regular repairs and replacements. However, following a manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is vital to ensure that your machine remains in top shape. 

Scheduling a professional heat pump servicing at least once a year will ensure that issues are dealt with as soon as they arise.

Also, ensure to clean both the indoor and outdoor units regularly. If the grates and coils on the outdoor unit are dirty, the appliance struggles to maintain optimal airflow, which causes it to consume much more energy and speed up general wear and tear. 

This is the same case with the indoor unit; dirty filters make the machine work harder to provide the same quality of service, therefore consuming more energy. Ensure to replace and clean the filters as recommended by the manufacturer on the instruction manual.

Operation & settings

An efficient heat pump is one that is working gradually to regulate the temperature in the room. This means that a room will not cool down faster by turning the thermostat all that way to the lowest. 

A heat pump is designed to slowly but steadily regulate and maintain your desired temperature. Therefore, try to avoid adjusting the thermostat every time the temperature fluctuates. This ends up consuming a lot more energy than anticipated.  

Also, consider the ‘Heat’ or ‘Cool mode of the thermostat instead of the ‘Auto’ mode to avoid random switchovers. This is much more efficient and helps save more energy.

The machines placement

Is your heat pump the right size for the area it is heating? Is it strategically placed to ensure efficiency? Is the room sufficiently insulated to prevent heat from escaping? 

These questions will help you maximize the efficiency of your heat pump. For example,  if the heat pump is too small for the area it is working on, it will need to work harder to produce the desired results. This will not only consume more energy it will also significantly reduce the lifespan of your machine. 

Also, the placement of the heat pump significantly contributes to its efficiency. For example, if the heat pump is placed in the hallway or close to an open window, the heat produced will escape outside instead of staying in the room to regulate the temperature – therefore, the pump works harder to produce more heat. 

Conclusion

Sometimes it is not clear what you might be doing wrong. You might check all the boxes above and still get an electricity bill higher than the previous month. 

Therefore, although you can check and ensure that you are following all the above suggestions, it is also advisable to work with qualified heat pump repair services Chantilly to help you figure out if everything is up to standards. 

A professional will evaluate your situation and let you know the best solution to help you save more energy, and while at it, save a few bucks. 

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What Not to Put in Garbage Disposal

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It is in human nature to always want to take the easiest way out. So it is not surprising to want to have every trash go down the garbage disposer. But if you need a healthy, clean disposal system, this is not a good idea. 

It is the garbage disposer’s work to make your work easier. It allows you to turn a switch and get rid of food scraps and waste that would have otherwise made your house look a little miserable.

This might make you think that the disposal is indestructible and can handle anything. But this is not the case. Here is a list of what not to put in a garbage disposal as given by appliance repair professionals. 

  1. Bones

This is the most obvious, but many people do not know. Animal bones are the hardest natural substances in the world. Although some garbage disposal systems can crush and grind them up, they will wear the machine and gradually shorten its lifespan. 

A garbage disposal can handle small fish and chicken bones but refrain from dropping everything on the plate down the drain. 

  1. Egg Shells

There is a popular misconception that eggshells help sharpen the disposer blades. But this is very far from the truth, and in fact, garbage disposal does not have blades. Instead, they have impellers that grind up waste instead of chopping it. Therefore, they do not need to be sharpened. 

In reality, eggshells have a film membrane that can potentially rap around the machine parts and disrupt their function. This can significantly slow down your disposer or even cause serious damage. 

  1. Coffee Grounds

Believe it or not, coffee grounds are also a no-no! They might not necessarily be bad for the disposal machine, but they are terrible for your plumbing. 

They might look finely ground and dissolved, but after a few days of shoving them down the disposal, you will end up will a giant pile of gel-like paste clogging up your drain. 

  1. Nuts and Shells

Most nuts and shells are hard to crush (e.g. seafood shells). Although most garbage disposal can handle them, they tire out the machine a lot quicker and end up causing slow but systematic damage. 

Grinding and sending nuts down the drain is also not suitable for your plumbing. For example, Ground peanuts make what? Peanut butter. This thick paste can potentially cause a clog big enough to get your whole house flooded. 

  1. Grease, Oil, and Fat

Do not let their liquid nature fool you. It will not be long before your liquid-looking greasy fats solidify and thicken and cause a significant clog down your drain. Keep anything oily away from your garbage disposal, and your plumbing will thank you for it. 

  1. Onion Layers

Onion peels are another unbelievable thing that should be kept away from your disposer. Like eggshells, onions have a film-like membrane that does not go very well with the disposal machine. If they wrap around the moving parts, they can potentially cause serious damage to the garbage disposal. 

  1. Non-Food Stuff

The garbage disposal is not your trash can. So although the name might be misleading, do not bring out all and sundry and throw them in. For example, paper towels and plastic wrappers should go to the garbage can instead. 

Flushing them down your garbage disposal will affect the machine and cause serious plumbing problems. Also, if these materials are not biodegradable, they are likely to be a massive problem to the whole area’s drainage system. 

Conclusion

This list only summarises the most detrimental items that can affect the disposal system and the plumbing system connected to it if put into the garbage disposal. But it is in no way exhaustive. 

The point is to let you know that not everything goes into the garbage disposal, and your garbage can is there for a reason. To avoid having to hire a commercial appliance repair Northern VA professional now and then,  make use of it. 

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