Central Air Conditioning –

If you already have central heating, or your house has ducts, this is a great choice, especially if you live in a very hot area. Window air conditioners are typically overwhelmed by these conditions and you have to run multiple units instead of just one to keep your whole house cool. A unit may cost a lot at the beginning, but you will be saving more money over time in energy costs and your house will be a lot cooler.

Window Air Conditioning –

If you have a very small space to cool, or you live in an area that is not terribly hot, this is a great solution. In this case, central air may be a bit of overkill, while a simple window unit that you can turn on and off as needed may work a lot better. Just make sure that the unit is properly fitted to your windows for the best energy efficiency.

Swamp Coolers –

These units have been around for awhile, but there were not always as popular in some parts of the country as others. They are a bit more eco-friendly, since they function by sucking in the warm humid air and condensing it into vapor which then cools the house or room. They do not work very well in humid climates, and when compared to central air, they certainly don’t match up. However, if you live in a very dry area and you only occasionally need cooling, this can be a great choice.

Unico System –

This is a fairly new type of air conditioning system that is commonly used in older homes or homes that do not have any duct work. They are pretty expensive, but they are also very effective. Typically, you have the main unit installed in an attic and properly vented. Then, pipes are run through the home and placed in strategic spots around the room. The cold air is filtered through the pipes and cools the house. If you are really wanting to get central air, but you don’t want to have to install duct work throughout, this is a great solution.

Fans –

The old tried and true still works pretty well, especially if you can put a bowl of ice in front of it. If you are trying to save on money, or your area doesn’t get very hot a simple fan may be all that you need. When coupled with the right kind of exhaust system, they can also be placed in windows to suck in cool night air to cool your house down.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-30 19:39:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Gutted! By Lawrence LaRose If you’re thinking about buying an old house to restore, stop right now and buy this book. It is the absolute epitome of what you should not do, and it may even make you change your mind. Anyone interested in home improvement horror stories will love this book, and there......
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Furniture Arrangement

Moving the furniture to create a conversation grouping, especially if you've had furniture lining the walls, will make a big difference. Get the furniture away from the walls and set it on the diagonal in a group. One of the most simple and free ideas for living rooms involves just turning everything around to face the opposite direction. This will instantly change the look of the room, and might make you see some things you didn't before.

Add Mirrors

Mirrors are a decorator's trick to make a room look much bigger than it is. If you've got a spot of blank wall, hang a pretty mirror. Even a small space can made to look roomier. The mirror doesn't have to be huge and hanging over a mantel. The smallest spot of wall can benefit from a mirror. One of the best ideas for living rooms is to arrange a mirror where it reflects the outdoors through a window, the room will feel even more open.

Paint One Wall

If your walls are off-white or any neutral color, pick one wall and go wild. This is one of the most popular ideas for living rooms today. A contrasting color, particularly a bright one, will give the whole room a fresh, new look. Don't leave the wall bare, or it will look like an anomaly. Hang mirrors, artwork or photographs.

Change Your Curtains

If you have dark curtains up, go with light sheers. Go from light sheers to a colorful pattern or a floral. This one change can make a huge difference because it changes the quality of light in a room and makes the windows disappear a little or stand out.

Use Slipcovers

A new couch is expensive. But you can get a "new" couch by using a slipcover for a fraction of the cost. The more different the slipcover is from your actual couch, obviously the bigger the difference in the room will be. Slipcover chairs with complimentary colors and patterns for a coordinated look.

Use Throws and Accent Pillows

Throws and accent pillows in contrasting colors will update the look of your couch and chairs. This works best if you have neutral colored furniture. Choosing bright or contrasting colors, even a few different colors, will make your furniture pop out. It's a little more expensive, but choosing artwork that incorporates the colors in your furniture and/or rug will give the room a pulled-together look. These ideas for living rooms are great inexpensive options when you don't have a large remodeling budget.

Photo Credits: reiner.kraft

Originally posted 2009-09-17 09:46:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Scotch Pines are a great landscaping choice that not only look great, but they are incredibly hardy. They'll be able to withstand hot summers as well as cold winters and they need a minimum amount of water to survive. These trees also grow incredibly quickly and can provide a great wind break or natural fence for your property. They usually reach between 25 and 35 feet in height and are a great addition to any property.

Cedar Trees also work well, but there is a downside. These trees are actually pretty thirsty, but do well in hot conditions. This is due to the fact that suck an amazing amount of water out of the ground. If you've got a lot of plants around your cedar trees, they are going to suffer from this. In addition, grassy areas around cedar trees can get a bit parched due to this trees thirsty ways. If you're going to use cedar trees, make sure that your other plants are far enough away so that they don't suffer too.

There are several varieties of roses that are drought resistant as well as blight resistant. Ask your nursery if they supply any of the known varieties, or you can also purchase them online. These roses usually have the upside of being able to withstand winters without being protected, so they are well worth the extra money.

Perhaps the prettiest drought resistant tree is the Russian Olive. This is a terrific shade tree and can enhance any yard. Surprisingly, despite its size, it is one of the few trees that does not need a large amount of water. It is also not picky about the soil it's in and can thrive just about anywhere. They grow to about 25 feet in height and also attract birds throughout the year.

If all else fails, consider trying a desert garden complete with cacti and rocks. It's a lot cheaper in the long run and it should be able to survive even in the most water deprived areas. After all, if they can make it in Death Valley, they should be able to take the heat in your yard.

If you're still finding it difficult to keep your lawn and trees alive, consider recycling water. You can reuse rain water, or even in extreme cases, your bath water if you do not use a lot of scented soaps. It's a little odd, but if you're facing an extreme water shortage, it is in an option if you don't mind carting water around.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-11 05:52:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Americans might not realize how well they have it with their toilets. The only problem I have with them is that they are always needing maintenance because of heavy use during football season. When my toilet breaks down I have a backup plan that doesn't involve a union plumber with an OSHA 30 hour training certificate. Here are some of the tricks I use when the toilet is taking up too much of my time when I'm trying to watch the game:

Toilet Won't Stop Making Noise

If after several minutes you still hear your toilet water running after flushing, you may have your pull chain getting in the way of your flapper. Simply open up your tank and make sure the chain is out of the way of your flapper. This will allow the bowl to fill up properly and discontinue the distracting noise.

Toilet Doesn't Contain Enough Water

Low flush toilets are all of the rage these days because they save on water, but they make it difficult to clean your bowl out properly. In order to get more water into your bowl after you finish, open up the tank and make sure your refill valve is properly directed into the overflow pipe. This can get knocked out of place sometimes and is easily fixable.

The Lever is Jiggly

If you are struggling to flush your toilet, then your handle has become disconnected from the lift chain. Simply open your tank and reconnect it. If it is still loose , try to tighten the nuts and bolts surrounding the handle with a screwdriver or wrench.

Overflow

This is usually the stage where you start freaking out and panicking about your toilet, your pets, and your house. When your toilet overflows, it feels like you are helpless in staring your ultimate doom right in the face. The most important thing you can do is have a plunger or snake on hand so you can unclog the bowl. If you can't stop your toilet from overflowing, you need to turn the water off immediately because you might cause damage to your home.

Taking preventive measures with your toilet is a smart thing to do. Never flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet because other materials don't degrade as well. Make sure you have plenty of drain unclogging chemicals around the house so you can clear obstructions with relative ease. Last but not least, be glad you are living in a country that honors its citizens with such fantastic plumbing devices.

Photo Credits: Lawrence Whittemore

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Let’s start with the refrigerator. Chances are it could use a top to bottom scrubbing and a defrost if it’s an older model. Completely remove all the food and scrub the entire surface inside and out with a good cleaner that’s safe to use around food. Get into every nook and cranny until it’s sparkling. If you’ve got a common refrigerator, you may be able to find replacement shelves that will make it easier to store your food. Before you shut those doors though, there are two more steps you’re going to need to take.

Grab an old toothbrush and dunk it in your cleaner. Locate the rubber gasket on the inside of the door and get scrubbing. It’s most likely pretty gunky unless you’ve been cleaning it on a regular basis. If your refrigerator is old, you should replace the gasket. This will make your appliance more efficient. These gaskets can be found at any hardware store. Measure the old one or take a section in to help make it easier to find the replacement. Replace both gaskets and shut the door.

Scrub the outside of the doors until they are sparkling clean. Now, you’ve got an option. You can leave it as is, or you can try a technique that will make it look like you’ve spent a couple thousand dollars on a new appliance. Get some stainless steel contact paper – yes, contact paper, and carefully apply it to your door. You’re going to want to make sure that there are no broken or crooked edges. Completely coat the appliance with the contact paper, smoothing out any bubbles as you go. When you’re done, your refrigerator will look fantastic. It’s important to find contact paper that’s meant for this type of use. You can usually find it in most home improvement stores or online.

Now, let’s move onto to the dishwasher. Repeat the same processes above, making sure that it is completely cleaned out. You can also add the same contact paper to this appliance so that you have a uniform look for your appliances. You may need to replace the gasket on the dishwasher if it is old and worn out; typically, with any appliance, a replacement gasket should be put in every now and again. These wear out pretty quickly in a dishwasher since the area inside is so hot and humid. Again, you’ll be saving money on energy costs by taking the time to install a new gasket.

Make sure that you follow the proper care instructions for your newly contact-papered appliances. Most come with special instructions, but you can use a damp cloth with dish soap to clean it. Make sure that the cloth is not too wet.

Your kitchen should now look brand new and you’ve only spent a few hours and a couple dollars!

Photo Credits: 1, 2

Read more tips and advice on home cleaning at Merry Maids.

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Originally posted 2008-12-06 21:01:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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