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Yes, this is where we’re at now – even cleaning a roof has its own environmental pitfalls. This might not mean much if, like most people, you’ve never even considered cleaning your roof. However, once you’ve learned a little about why roof cleaning is important, and how eco-friendly roof cleaning is even better, it might become something you do as part of your regular property maintenance regime.

Why clean a roof in the first place?

Well, first of all – it looks good. A sparkling roof means greater curb appeal for your property… not that this alone is reason enough to start cleaning your roof (unless you’re selling the place, that is). Secondly, and getting into the important stuff, cleaning a roof removes mold and algae that can start to eat away at your timber, if allowed the opportunity.

Plus, if this occurs, the scent of damp wood alone actually attracts pests. Remember that myth from school about hair lice only being attracted to clean hair? Well, now you know that woodlice can actually be deterred by the scent of a freshly cleaned roof.

And finally, getting on to the eco-friendly, in addition to the home-friendly benefits of regularly cleaning your roof, a dirty roof is actually less energy efficient than a clean one. A filthy roof, covered in debris, isn’t actually reflecting energy from the sun away from its surface as effectively.

Instead, your property is absorbing more heat, so in the summer months you may find it harder to regulate temperature inside the property – and your loft space could become more prone to holding moisture. And conversely, during winter, you may find that having the heating on leads to an awkward distribution of warmth on different levels of the home.

The eco-friendly cleaning option

More than this though, the method of cleaning itself plays a big part in the impact you have on your local environment. The quickest method of cleaning a roof is a power wash, and chemical spray, which covers every inch of the roof’s surface. However, even if you leave your kids and pets inside while this takes place, the chemical run off ends up in your garden, all over your windows, and any local fauna unlucky enough to be nearby.

Products like detergents and bleach solutions can prove to be particularly damaging for plants, and the tiny beasties that live nearby, which are often food for birds and squirrels (if they aren’t killed by the chemicals first!). So, even though you’ll have a wonderfully clean roof, a simple consumer decision on the products used to clean the roof could help you to not only protect your roof – but keep your garden in top nick too.

So, when you’re looking for specialist roof cleaners, or roofing companies that offer a full range of services, like Findley roofing contractors in Darlington, ask them about what they’d use to clean a roof. There are plenty of excellent, environmentally-friendly products available, so there’s no reason a reputable company should be saving a few pennies by continuing to use harmful, chemical cleaners.

Finally, if you decide to clean your roof yourself, shop around for most environmentally friendly cleaners available, and give both your home and your garden some TLC in the process.

 

 

In Summer your air conditioning system works it’s hardest to keep you cool inside. If your system isn’t running at its best you may find your electricity bills increase and the system doesn’t work properly. Here are ways to lower electricity bills, save energy, increase comfort and maximize effectiveness when your air conditioning system needs the most help to keep you cool in the heat of Summer.

1. Call an Air Conditioning Expert

Every air conditioning system should be serviced annually which includes –

• Cleaning the RA Filter
• Inspect and clean condenser coils if required.
• Check zone system operation
• Check operation of heating/cooling
• Check indoor and outdoor fan operation
• Test air on/off reading to confirm correct refrigerant levels
• Check Duct and unit conditions
• Inspect electrical connections for unsafe hot joints
• Quote for any additional repairs

Servicing your air conditioning system in Spring is our recommendation for air conditioning clients in Mandurah and surrounding areas. Services should normally cost between $130 – $180 depending on the system type and access. Make sure that your air conditioning Mandurah expert can handle it all.

2. Check your filters

The most important thing to do with your refrigerated air conditioning system is to check your filters every 1 – 3 months. This is ultra important during the heat of summer when dust and pollutants are airborne. If the filter becomes dirty it could become clogged which means your system will have to work harder to supply the same amount of cool air. We have seen at times air conditioning filters so clogged that the performance of the system is running at only 10% of it’s capacity.

Replacing the filters is one of the easiest and most effective methods of ensuring your refrigerated air conditioning system is running efficiently. It is also critical for ensuring the long term health of your air con system.

3. Keep your A/C in the shade

Refrigerated air conditioning systems have an outdoor unit. These systems can be installed in the sun and will still operate however with proper shading can run more efficiently. Usually we install these systems under eaves or on the south side of the home for our residential clients. Air in a shaded space is cooler in Summer than the surrounding air which will allow your air conditioning unit to have an easier time cooling the air.

4. Don’t let your thermostat take the heat

This is a simple tip but one that most people don’t think about when operating their air conditioning system. Don’t place lamps, TV sets, or other heat-producing appliances near your thermostat. The thermostat is located either on the wall controller, remote or inside the return air filter. The thermostat senses the heat causing the air conditioning system to run harder and longer than necessary. If you have a ducted refrigerated air conditioning system we recommend not allowing any outside heat to be sucked in through the return air grille.

5. Do touch that dial to save some money

Remember that each degree you dial below 23 increases your energy consumption by about 8-10 percent. If your bi-monthly electric bill to run your air conditioning system is about $300, you’ll save $25 per bill with EACH degree you can stand above 23. While it is tempting to run your air conditioning system at 18 degrees during a hot 40 degree day, this is going to make the compressor scream and in-turn give you scary operation costs.

6. Consider a programmed response

Most of our air conditioning systems have timers and programs which will allow the client to set the unit to come on at specific times at a specific temperature. Ideally if you have a decent solar power system installed (which we also specialise in) and you work 9-5 we recommend setting the air con system to come on at around 2:30pm to get your house cool before you get home. This way the first hour of running the system which is often the most ink-efficient will be offset by your free solar power electricity.

7. Is it time to replace your old air con system?

You may find your old air conditioner is not working like it used to. Consider replacing your air conditioning system with a new R32 inverter energy-efficient model. Pricing on new systems are highly competitive and because they use less energy, you save in the long run, too.

When replacing your A/C, make sure you get a correctly sized unit. If you install an air conditioning system that has too much capacity, it will cycle on and off — reducing the efficiency of the system. In-turn, if you install a system that is too small it will be running at maximum operation capacity more often.

8. Make sure the home is closed up

You want your cold air to stay inside and hot air to stay out of the house (or room) you are cooling. Some basic steps can prevent air loss when you need cool air the most include simply making sure all the doors and windows are closed, Seal air leaks with caulking and weather-stripping.

9. Look out for debris

With refrigerated air conditioning systems, keep plants, shrubs, and other landscaping about 1 meter away from your outdoor unit to ensure adequate airflow. If the outdoor unit has no room to circulate air properly it will work harder to cool the gases and liquid which will cost you more to run your air con system.

10. Feel the breeze from your fans

If your home has ceiling fans, switch your ceiling fan to run counter-clockwise in the summer. This way they will push the cool air down by pulling the hot air up. You can run a ceiling fan half the day for about $3 a month which is a fraction of the cost of air conditioning if you don’t have solar panels to offset the running costs.

11. Install window film to save energy

A great home improvement idea is to install home window tint to the insides of your windows. This is particularly important on the North and West facing windows as they tend to cop the heat of the day. Not only can it help keep your house cooler in the summer, but also warmer in the winter.

If you are interested in getting air conditioning installed in Mandurah and surrounding areas contact iBreeze for a competitive quote and obligation free honest advice!

 

Things have been extravagantly easy with the introduction of online shopping platforms. One can buy absolutely anything from trusted shopping platforms, plants, and seeds are no exception. There are way too many platforms online that will help you buy flowering plants.

Also, let’s not ignore the fact that physical nurseries have pretty limited stock. So, if you want something unusual, you might get home disappointed. Well, this is not the case with digital platforms, everything, including low-selling and high-selling plants, are available all the time.

But before you go crazy online and fill your cart with almost anything, read this. Here are some of the tips that you must consider if you are just starting out as a gardener. This will help you get through with everything with the utmost smoothness. So, to get the best gardening experience, make sure you keep all these points in your mind while you buy plants online.

Without any further ado, let’s dig right into the article.

Consider Your Space

When you buy flowering plants online, the first thing that must be kept in mind is the gardening space. If you buy anything that does not fit your gardening space or seems like it does not belong there, it will be a total waste of money and effort both. Also, overloading your garden will not be pleasing to the eyes as well. So, if you have small gardening space, try being a minimalist. Buy plants that look beautiful and complement your space.

Try And Test First

If you are new to online shopping, relying on something you haven’t physically analyzed can leave you doubtful. So, the best way to ensure the quality of any product is by buying small portions of the product. Altogether, you can continue to buy plants online if the end quality of the products you receive are acceptable. Practicing such things will help you save money in case the product does not stand on the quality standards.

Read The Details Carefully

Details of the product play a very vital role when you buy flowering plants online. All sellers are required to put valid information and descriptions of the product over the website. This is practiced for the benefit of the buyer; reading these descriptions will help you make a sensible decision. Generally, the description contains information about the size of the plant and other important information.

Read The Seller’s Terms

The pictures on the website are generally for reference purposes. They mostly show you how your plant will look when flowers bloom or when they grow completely. So, there are good chances that your plant might come in a very basic form. The seller’s terms of sale will help you understand the structure of your parcel. It states whether you will receive just roots or seeds. Also, this will prevent all further confusion and hassles as well. So, make sure you are going through the seller’s information before you buy any flowering plants.

Consumer’s Feedback

None of us would like to make online purchases if the website does not have a good reputation. Any website’s reputation is assessed by the consumer feedback it receives. So, before clicking the ‘Buy Now’ option, make sure you are checking customer reviews. You need not go through all the reviews, just a couple of them will help too. Once that’s done, and you feel satisfied with the reviews, you can proceed further with your purchase.

Summing it up, these are some basic points that you must keep in mind, also it helps you while deciding to buy plants online.

 

When it comes to the kitchen, it can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time to plan for a much needed renovation. The thrill of looking at kitchen design inspirations and putting together ideas for your future kitchen can be amazing, but if you are quite lost on the execution part of the renovation, it is a great idea to consult with a kitchen designer to make your dream kitchen into a reality. But what is a kitchen designer and why is it a good idea to hire one?

What a Kitchen Designer Does

Kitchen improvement is a big project, especially considering how significant it is to the home. Entrusting your kitchen to an expert not only ensures that your cooking area will be designed to your specifications, it also ensures that ease of use, functionality, and style will be combined in a cohesive manner by a design expert. This means that the end product will not only look well-made and striking, but will also complement your needs as you move around in your newly renovated kitchen.

Why Hire a Kitchen Designer?

Kitchen designers are trained to translate client ideas and specifications into reality, whilst keeping in mind logistics and style. If you are struggling to decide on how you want your kitchen to turn out, not only would they be able to provide you with helpful suggestions to level up your cooking area, but they will also be able to work with your existing kitchen to improve it without sacrificing key aspects of the cooking space that you have grown to love. Not only that, but things that may miss your attention, like safety features such as ventilation, electrical wiring and plumbing lines, will also be included in a kitchen designer’s consideration of your cooking space.

Aside from this, a professional kitchen designer should also be able to present to you some of their existing designs as they have been brought to life. From their portfolio of renovated kitchens, you should be able to deduce that not only do they have experience in kitchen improvement, but that their execution is better, as they will come with an entire team of experts that will be skilled in their respective positions, therefore bringing together a carefully constructed and well-made cooking space as a result that can only come from a group of skilled individuals coming together to work on your vision.

And because you’ll have a team of talented people working on your kitchen, not only will the job be done in a reasonable timeframe, but you won’t have to worry about having to fix unforeseen issues as they will have the expertise to both address concerns as well as prevent problems from occurring during your renovations.

Where Can I Find Good Kitchen Designers?

Good kitchen designers may feel like a rarity, but they are definitely around if you take the time to sift through your options. Look through home improvement magazines, ask for recommendations from friends and others in your community, do a simple search online and you’ll find a myriad of kitchen design companies available in your area. As with all major home improvement projects, it really pays to take your time and do your research. Give yourself time to look through their websites, where there should be examples of their best work thus far. Think about the vibe that you want for your cooking area, and whether or not the design company you are looking at has previous work that aligns with the aesthetic that you wish to achieve.

Aside from this, look at their reviews. Do they have happy clients at the end of their projects? Have their designs been recognised by professional bodies and been awarded for excellent execution? These things may seem trivial, but the mark of a good designing company can arguably be that their designs have been recognised by other designers to be high standard and timeless. And great designing companies not only create beautiful kitchens, but they prioritise the client’s vision and work with them towards a cooking space that will fully satisfy the client’s requirements and specifications.

Don’t be afraid to set up appointments to consult with a number of kitchen designers. It is understandable to want to hire someone that not only knows their stuff, but also understands your personal perspective and shows a dedication to translating your ideas into beautiful design. Consulting with possible kitchen designers of Perth not only gives you an idea of which companies are best in terms of design execution, but you will also be able to gauge whether the designer will be a good match and great to work with towards the renovation of a highly personal part of your home. Bring examples of kitchens that you feel really emulates the look that you are going for, to aid you in this process, and help the designer to fully understand what you want to see in your kitchen. Being upfront about what you wish to see also helps the designer to give you a possible timeframe for the project, as well as its possible costs, which you can then compare to your budget.

And when you finally decide upon the kitchen design company that you feel best suits you and your needs, you need to be open to collaborating with your kitchen designer so that they can address the nitty gritty details- what needs to be changed, what needs to stay the same, how your family uses the kitchen, even what types of hardware need to be changed! Kitchen designers need to be thorough in order to provide you with a kitchen end result that you will be happy with, and because kitchen renovations are sometimes a costly endeavour, being fully transparent will not only help your designer narrow down your dream kitchen, you’ll also play a big role in its conception. Remember, the more involved you are in the selection process, the more likely you’ll be satisfied with the end result!

 

Rising home prices, more people than ever are renting their homes rather than buying. While many question the consequences of this trend, for property owners, that means there is a lot of opportunity to be had.

Preparing your home or property for renting has changed along with technology and other social evolutions. Gone are the days where you could rely on websites like Craigslist for reliable tenants. Conversely, there are now great software tools to help you calculate home loan repayments to keep you financially on track.

When you’re preparing a home, it’s important to keep these three things in mind to maximize your property’s investment.

A striking first impression isn’t only on the curb appeal

A prospective tenant should be swept off their feet the moment they step into the property, right? Wrong. You’ve got to start making an impression the moment you list it.

Software like TurboTenant allow landlords to post pictures and details of a rental property and post it across the web in all reputable platforms, minus the effort part. Since it saves time by letting you share your listings in multiple sites at once, it will be more effective if you spend time perfecting the images you use with your listing.

If you have a chance to make them professional, do it. Not only for the sake of image quality, but also to get the most inviting angles and lighting. Use blurry and shadowy images and you’ll notice you won’t fill your vacancy fast, or that might not even happen.

Small details aren’t invisible, nor are they inoffensive

While paint chips and dents on the floorboards aren’t always a reason for concern, they shouldn’t be overlooked, especially before a showing. If you’re renting to students who generally look for convenience rather than appearance, cosmetic damage wouldn’t be that much of an issue. But still, the high chances of initial cosmetic damage growing into exorbitantly priced problems should make you triple-check for even the smallest of leaks. Keep in mind that unrepaired damage might warrant a deduction from a tenant’s original rent price.

Even after a tenant is settled in, shrugging off “insignificant” problems may result in inconveniences and complaints later, so addressing them right away would be ideal. Major repairs might be costly, but keep delaying them and your bills will only get heavier.

They don’t live there yet, but it should feel like they do

Isn’t coming home to a clean, aired out and softly scented house one of the best feelings? Your prospects think so, too.

There’s a list of things you must check hours before your potential tenants step inside. Is there any clutter in sight? Get rid of it. How’s the temperature inside the house? Is it comfortable? A great tip is to open the windows to air out the property and let as much natural light in as possible. However, if it’s too cold outside, adjusting the thermostat to a pleasant temperature is ideal, but still keeping the blinds/curtains open for brightness.

Have a professional cleaner thoroughly clean the house a day or several hours before a showing. Avoid strong fragrances: a classic, fresh scent is all you need to give potential tenants a homely sensation that’s hard to ignore.

The key is to prep your rental property as you’d like your own home to be, yet avoiding too many personal touches. Showing a habitable, comfortable, and neutrally eye-catching property is what should be at the top of your mind. How your tenants wish to customize it later, it’s up to them.