How to Keep Your Home Warm All Winter Long

How to Keep Your Home Warm All Winter Long

Your home should be a comfortable place that serves as a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. Even when it’s cold or wet outside, your living space should be a welcoming retreat that allows you to escape the elements.

If you are someone who often finds yourself struggling to stay cosy indoors, you’re in luck. The team from Connect Electric have created a list of things you can do to help maintain ideal indoor temperatures all winter long.

  • Welcome Natural Sunlight into Your Home

Open all curtains that face the sun during the daytime. Even if it is cold outside, the sun’s rays produce heat that will pour into your home. This is also a very simple way to help your furnace keep up without increasing your utility bills.

  • Close the Curtains After Dark to Trap Heat

Once the sun sets, make sure you close all those curtains that you opened during the day. This will add a barrier to help trap heat inside your home during the dark hours. Temperatures tend to cool down at night, so it is essential to keep as much warmth in your home as possible during this time.

  • Add a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is an effective solution that’s also very convenient. Newer models come with additional features to help manage heat in your home. You can use timers to keep your utility bills from skyrocketing.

Set the timer so that the furnace kicks on about 20 to 30 minutes before you wake up in the morning. That way, you can pay less to heat your house at night while you’re under the blankets but won’t have to wake up to a cold home.

  • Make Sure Your Radiator Isn’t Blocked

You may be tempted to move a recliner or couch next to the radiator for maximum heat while you relax, but don’t. Furniture blocks warmth coming from the appliance. You need that heat to circulate through your living space evenly. The same goes for vents.

  • Install a Glass Front on Your Fireplace

Fireplaces are beautiful and add atmosphere to a room. Wood-burning fireplaces must have a path to the outside to allow smoke to escape. That means there’s a direct route from the interior of your house to the cold outside. Consider installing a glass front on your fireplace to stop warm air from leaving through the chimney.

  • Use the Winter Setting on Ceiling Fans

Did you know that most ceiling fans have a winter setting that often goes unused? This function reverses the direction the blades move air. Heat rises, so you can use your fans to push warmth away from the ceiling and back down to the area that you and your family occupy.

  • Seal All Gaps Throughout Your Home

Inspect your home and look for gaps that could be allowing warm air to escape. A stack effect can occur that causes warm air to leave and pull in cold outdoor air. Check all windows and doors to see if you feel a breeze. You can also hold a lit candle or match to see if it flickers, indicating air movement.

  • Install a Passive Solar Heating System

A passive solar heating system traps radiation through glass areas that are exposed to the sun. The captured heat is absorbed by materials with a high thermal mass like masonry. Then it is re-released into your home after dark to offset heat loss. Everyone deserves to have a comfortable home, even during winter. Try these methods or contact Connect Electric to learn more about using solar to manage indoor temperatures.

https://www.connectelectric.com.au/adelaide.php

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4 Mind-Changing Features Of Electric Cars You Didn’t Know’

4 Mind-Changing Features Of Electric Cars You Didn’t Know’

Pixabay – CC0 Licence

If you’re a petrolhead, the idea of an electric car won’t appeal. There isn’t enough romanticism like there is with a traditional combustion engine. You might not be a car-enthusiast either, yet you still won’t buy one because the price tag is pretty steep. Anyway, you’ve heard bad things about electric cars that put you off investing in one.

Let’s face it – nobody wants to stop ten times on a short trip to recharge the battery. It’s ludicrous! However, as they’re starting to make their way into the market, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of electric vehicles before dismissing. After all, you might find that what you believe to be weaknesses are strengths, or that they were myths all along.

With that in mind, check out the features of electric cars that you didn’t know below. Any of the following might change your mind and revolutionize your lifestyle.

You Shouldn’t Worry About Charging The Battery

Probably the biggest problem you think you’ll have is charging the battery regularly. The idea of stopping off every thirty minutes isn’t a good one, and it’s tempting to believe the hype. However, it’s nothing more than a myth, and the stats back this up pretty convincingly.

For starters, a standard electric car battery can go over 200 miles before it needs plugging in. And, that’s not at the top end of the scale. Some models, such as the Model 3 Tesla, average out at 300-plus miles. In comparison, your daily mileage is likely to be fewer than 50 miles. So, you can theoretically go all week (almost) without having to recharge the battery.

Mileage does differ depending on the vehicle, so be sure to double-check before you drive it off the lot.

But If You Are, You Can Plan Accordingly

The rebuttal to the mileage argument is that everything changes when you go on long journeys, and the last thing you want is to run out of juice in the middle of nowhere. If there isn’t a charge point, which could be the case if you’re not in a liberal state, there’s not much you can do to rectify the situation.

Thankfully, there’s no reason to take any risks with a Tesla route planner. All you have to do is to input your trip into the system and let it show you where the best chargers are along the way. As long as you don’t take any detours, you’ll know exactly where and when to stop in case of an emergency. You might think it’s more effort than a typical car, yet the same thing can happen if you’re not prepared.

EVs encourage you to be more organized and efficient, and those aren’t bad things!

Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Maintenance Costs Should Be Lower

One thing all motorists hate is the expense of running a car. It’s the reason why some drivers turn to motorbikes! If paying a couple of grand up front wasn’t enough, you can also expect to shell out thousands more during the length of your ownership. Sadly, traditional vehicles tend to breakdown, and you need to repair yours if you want it back on the roads.

What’s fantastic about EVs is that they are more energy-efficient. This is because they use regenerative braking to funnel power back to the battery. A side-effect of this is that braking is a lot more gentle, and, therefore, the brakes won’t suffer from wear and tear as much. Usually, these factors aren’t covered by warranties, so you have to pay for the repairs out of your pocket. 

With an electric car, the fact that the brakes are less worn means there’s no need to worry about expensive maintenance bills.

Speed Isn’t An Issue

Going fast isn’t common because roads are lined with cars and limits prevent motorists from driving dangerously. Still, you might like the idea of putting your foot down and racing away into the night. With an electric vehicle, you can do it as you would normally. 

If anything, some EVs are quicker than standard cars. Tesla’s ‘Insane’ and ‘Ludicrous’ modes let it hit 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. The reason it’s worth mentioning is down to weight. You might be aware that electric cars are heavier as they involve more complicated and bulky materials. Regardless, it has no bearing on speed whatsoever, and you’ll still be able to put the pedal to the metal if you feel that way inclined.

Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Electric cars are new, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to take away from your experience. Wouldn’t you want a vehicle that is fast, efficient, and affordable to run?

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

How You Can Make Like Greta And Campaign For Change

How You Can Make Like Greta And Campaign For Change

Greta Thunberg is only 17, but she is making waves for climate change and campaigning like never before. This is a girl that wants to make real change, not only by using her voice but by taking action. She has also come under fire from many big names and media outlets, and handled it so well. 

In comparison, it can seem like we’re not doing enough to help climate change – the ideas below will help you to make like Greta and effectively campaign for change. 

Donate

Donating is simple, but it works. There are many charities out there who badly want change and to prevent climate change. By donating even a little bit of money regularly, you could make an impact. 

Become A Friend Of The Earth

Make changes in the things you do to become more eco friendly. Demonstrate to others what we should all be doing to make a big change in the world. One person really can make a difference. 

Share Issues On Your Social Pages

Don’t be afraid to share issues and what you truly believe matters on your social pages. Your voice is more powerful than you think – you just need to ignore the naysayers. Anybody that doesn’t want you to share your voice is projecting their own fears and insecurities onto you. 

The infographic below could be an interesting thing to share with your audience. What makes a successful public policy and how does it relate to climate change? 


check out this infographic

 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Keeping An Even Keel During A Divorce

Keeping An Even Keel During A Divorce

The end of a marriage is an emotionally turbulent time, to say the very least. It can feel like your life is getting turned upside down and it can be hard to keep hold of yourself without stress tearing you in a bunch of different directions. However, it’s not impossible to get through it in one piece.

Pic Source – Pixabay License

Don’t sacrifice long-term happiness for short-term goals

If you’re feeling hurt during a divorce, it’s easy to want to hurt your ex-partner back. Sometimes, the ways that you hurt them might also hurt people close to you, such as your friends or children. You may force people to pick sides and end up jeopardizing your own relationships. Try to manage your priorities and think about where you’re going to be after the divorce, not just in the immediate future. The urge to seek revenge or some sort of compensation can be very strong, indeed, but you shouldn’t put it above your needs for a healthy and happy life past the divorce.

If you can, keep things civil

Emotions might be running high, but unless one partner is fully at fault for the divorce, such as in the result on infidelity, you should try to keep those emotions out of the actual legal process. For instance, instance of taking them to court, you could look for divorce mediation in your area. The urge to make things combative and to get yours might be strong, but you should take the time to think about what you want not just for yourself after the divorce, but what you really want for your ex-partner. Is hurting them more important than protecting everyone involved?

Handle your children with care

Arguing over the kids as a couple is going to strain everyone’s familial relationships. Unless your ex-partner is genuinely a threat to your children, you should hope that everyone has a better relationship after the divorce. As such, let a lawyer for child custody take care of the legal battle surrounding the children. Most importantly, try to explain to your children what is happening without trying to win them over to your side. Weaponizing your kids during a divorce is literally the worst thing you can do for your relationship and their emotional health.

Anticipate the worst

You’re going to be dealing with some ugly emotions and you might not only hate your ex-partner at times, you might find some self-hatred in there. Managing your divorce as best as possible can help you move on from those feelings, but you should also expect anger from your ex.If you’re not prepared for their own negative reactions, you can find yourself getting caught off guard and being dragged into an unhealthy back and forth. Knowing what to expect can help you simply abide it and keep working for a healthier conclusion.

It’s important to make sure you get legal help where you need, emotional support when you need, and to not mix up the divorce with your relationships with children and friends. Think not just about the divorce, but about what comes after, as well.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
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Creating A More Versatile, Valuable Home

Creating A More Versatile, Valuable Home

Today, our homes represent much more than a roof over our heads. Many of us love nothing more than spending time at home, and we have grand designs to create a nest that not only looks great, but also caters for the demands and requirements of modern living. If you’re looking to make your home more versatile at the same time as adding value, here are some steps you can take. 

Adding an extension

Are you struggling for space at home? If so, you might wish to explore the possibility of adding an extension. Perhaps you’ve welcomed new additions to your family, or you’ve decided to start working from home or to create a space that caters for hobbies or interests. An extension can provide you with the space you need and add substantial value to your property. Depending on how much space you have available on your plot and your budget, you could add a single or a double-story extension. If you’re thinking of extending your home, it’s wise to think about how you’re going to use the space. You could design a studio or an office, add an extra reception room or even create a master suite. Before you make any decisions, get a selection of quotes, discuss ideas and set a budget for the work. 

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/apartment-interior-dining-room-home-1256663/

Making the most of your basement

If you’re lucky enough to have a basement, which is currently vacant, there are all kinds of possibilities on the table. Basements are perfect for large, spacious family kitchens and they also make great games rooms, playrooms for kids and indoor gyms. Before you get carried away looking for treadmills, pool tables or arcade machines for sale, figure out how much you can afford to spend and invite some local building firms to take a look and give you a quote. You want to be able to enhance your home and increase its value at the same time. 

Converting your attic

If you have an attic, which is currently empty or used to store stuff like Christmas decorations or old photo albums, you could increase the usable space in your home and boost the property’s value with a loft conversion project. Providing there is sufficient space and headroom, you should be able to create a new room without spending a fortune. Loft rooms are ideally suited to offices, dens for teenagers and bedrooms. Once you’ve decided what you want to use the space for and got some quotes, you can start planning the decor and work on bringing your vision to light. 

Cleaning out storage areas to convert into new living spaces can sometimes be a treasure hunt. Finding old heirlooms can be surprisingly valuable in some cases, but it doesn’t always mean it’s your cup of tea to use the item to decorate your new space. You can try selling the item outright online somewhere or consign with an antique shop. Either way you choose, it can add more money into your decor budget. That way, you can go to places like www.AntiquesBoutique.com and get antiques that more suit your decor style.

Picture from https://www.pexels.com/photo/stairs-home-loft-lifestyle-2459/

Many of us work from home, we like to work out at home, we enjoy entertaining and we want to be able to spend time with our families while cooking dinner or watching TV. If you’re hoping to make your home more versatile to cater for your lifestyle, why not consider taking these steps? Adding an extension or converting a basement or an attic can increase your living space, provide areas for different activities and increase the value of your home. 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

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