Tips to Save Energy at Home

As people consume energy and resources on a daily basis, a lot of it is wasted due to inefficient use. If you are keen on saving the environment, the best place to start with is your own home. Making your home energy efficient will allow you to save energy that can be utilized elsewhere, in turn reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and decreasing the amount of air pollution due to the emission of harmful gases.

Adopt the following energy saving tips within your home to help save the planet with a cleaner and greener environment:

Reducing Your Consumption of Energy

A lesser level of energy consumption can actually prevent a lot of it from being wasted. There are number of methods to lower your energy consumption levels:

• Lower the thermostat of your central heating system. Even lowering it by a single degree can reduce nearly 5% of energy consumption. You can also switch off the heating when your rooms are not in use.

• Keep your hot water at a normal temperature. Usually, keeping it at 60 degrees will keep it warm enough to use without being mixed with cold water.

• Wash your clothes at full load. Make sure to use your washing machine at a full load and dry your clothes on a clothing line if possible to avoid using a dryer.

• Take shorter showers. Rather than filling a bath, opt for a shower and use less water and time to save precious resources.

• Reuse rather than wasting water. When you open a tap for hot water, collect the flowing cold water while you wait and use that water elsewhere.

Preventing Loss of Energy

If you wish to use less energy, you need to avoid its loss. Opt for the following solutions:

• Seal your home effectively. Drafts can make your home lose up to 50% of its heat. Keep your doors and windows closed and fill in cracks and crevices from where cold air can enter your home to reduce heat consumption.

• Switch off appliances and lights when not in use. Putting your electronic appliances of sleep mode still consumes energy. Turn them off complete to avoid excessive wastage and remember to turn off the lights when you are leaving a room.

• Insulate your home. Prevent the heat from escaping your home by insulating it and keeping it warm and cozy.

Using Energy Efficient Technologies

There are a number of ways to become energy efficient through the use of modern technology. Two of the most common and adoptable means are:

• Adopt energy efficient lighting and appliances. Installation of energy saving light bulbs and appliances can save a great deal of energy from being wasted.

• Choose renewable means of energy. Many companies are now providing energy produced with the help of renewable resources to reduce carbon emission into our environment.

 

Conserving energy around the house will also allow you to reduce your utility bills, enabling you to save your monetary resources to be utilized elsewhere. Hence, practice these small measures of saving energy and benefit your pocket as well the environment.

Romantic Bedroom Décor on a Budget

The bedroom. It could be the most romantic room in a home, yet it is often among the most overlooked. After all, guests rarely are invited to see it and most of our time there is spent sleeping.

You do not need to spend a lot of money to transform your bedroom into an inviting oasis for romance and relaxation. If the room is a beautiful color, clean and organized with decorative touches, soft lighting and pleasing scents, you and your loved one will want to spend more time there. Together.

 

 Here are some creative, yet inexpensive ideas to get you started:

1.      De-clutter your space. Remove excess items, hide the laundry baskets and get rid of the kids’ toys, paperwork and odd pieces of furniture. Keep surfaces clear of clutter by storing your hair brushes in a lovely hat box. It is hard to get “in the mood” if you’re surrounded by things that just remind you of how hectic your life is. 

2.      Choose sensual colors. Paint or choose accent pieces in warm, neutral tones such as tan, blue or peach. Feeling bold? Don’t be afraid of red. In feng shui, red means “fire” – either energetic or aggravating. Depending on your relationship, be careful with this color.

3.      Dim the lights. Bright, overhead lights are for the workplace. Flip the switch and use lamps, instead – no more than 60-watt bulbs. Try “soft white” or even pink. Think about installing dimmers.

4.      Dress your windows with soft, thick curtains that block out the light.

5.      Accessorize with style. Think lace, possibly the most romantic fabric of all.  Pair your heavy curtains with lacy sheers, add lace scarves to your dresser and scatter two or three lace-trimmed pillows on your bed or chair. Not too many; you don’t want your space to seem fussy and complicated. A vase of silk flowers adds vitality to a room, as well as touch or romance. Finally, add scented candles, perhaps on mirror tiles or arranged on a decorative plate.

6.      Add music and move the TV to another room. Use your iPod or a small CD player to play songs that set a mood.

When it comes to creating a romantic space, less is more. A room free of bills and dirty socks with beautiful wall or accent colors and lovely accessories will invite romance, not repel it.