LED, or light-emitting diode, lights have become standard in homes and workplaces for good reasons: they save money by lasting longer and being more energy efficient. Additionally, they can output an array of different colors of light, making them very adaptable for different settings. If you need further convincing, read below for more details about the benefits of LED lights over old fashioned fluorescent and incandescent halogen lights.

LED Lights Shine Brighter Using Less Energy

Since LED lights are better at turning electricity into light than standard bulbs, they can emit more light while consuming less energy. Whereas a standard fluorescent bulb outputs about 60 lumen per watt of energy consumed, LED bulbs can produce over 90 lumen per watt of energy consumed. This difference translates into lower energy bills and helps the environment by reducing landfill waste.

LED Lights Can Produce Many Colors

Unlike incandescent lamps, LED lights can produce different colors depending on the semiconductor material used, which offers a lot of versatility. For example, warm white is similar to the glow of classic incandescent bulbs and is ideal for intimate settings like restaurants. Cool white, on the other hand, provides high contrast and is ideal for showcase rooms at museums and art galleries.

LED Lights are Reliable Yet Cheaper Long Term

LED lamps rarely need maintenance and can run for about 40,000 hours before they need to be replaced. Business that have to keep the lights on throughout the night can expect to make their money from the initial investment back through lower maintenance and energy bills within 18 months.

They Are Easy to Replace

Due to the simple design of their bulbs, switching out old bulbs for LED lights is simple. While slight alterations must be made in some cases, such as when replacing fluorescent T8 lamps with LED T8 tubes, any experienced electrician will appreciate the ease of the job.

If you’re still using florescent or incandescent lighting, it’s time to finally get with the 21st century. Some countries like the U.S. are considering legislation to phase out the sell old incandescent bulbs for good, so now is the perfect time to jump on the LED bandwagon.

Many urban dwellers who are stuck inside all day at their jobs don’t even bother to leave their office during breaks because the outdoors looks just as industrial as the inside of a building. What better way to make your employees really feel like they’re on break than providing them with a garden to relax in? You don’t need a yard and picket fence; rooftop gardens are all the rage now and are perfect for adding some actual foliage to urban jungles.

The first step is taking measurements and developing a plan. Consider how much money you want to spend, and try to envision what you want the space to look like. Make sure to pick out seating that compliments any ornaments and the colors of your plants. Read below for some ideas to help get your garden off the ground.

• Start out with perennial plants that stay green all year. You can incorporate seasonal flowers, but making perennials the standard bearer ensures that your garden continues to look alive throughout the seasons.
• Sculptures can provide a good centerpiece to balance the area, and creative lighting can enhance the mood; for example, placing an up-light underneath a sculpture or wall draws attention it and can provide a good focal point.
• Add sand or white rocks to the soil for heightened contrast against your plants to better accentuate their colors.
• Check with your building manager to see if you can install a small fountain. The sight and sound of running water is a proven stress reducer.
• If you’re up for the challenge, try growing some simple herbs and vegetables. Giving employees something to take home every now and then will boost morale, and you can create your own salads for group lunches.
• Make gardening a group project! Cooperating on a creative project builds teamwork and gives employees a sense of ownership over the space.
• If you don’t have the time, energy or the green thumb necessary to take care of plants, you can always settle on a rock garden. They require no watering yet still add a touch of nature to modern workplace environments.

Fireplaces and chimneys are great to have during the cold winter months, but they require a little bit of upkeep every year to keep you warm. Aside from the obvious wear and tear from all the smoke, snow and ice buildup can also damage your chimney rendering it ineffective and potentially dangerous. As water seeps into the mortar and goes through a freezing and thawing cycle, the mortar expands and can leave cracks. These problems get worse if not addressed right away, which is why February is an ideal time have your chimney inspected. If any repairs need to be made, you’ll soon have warm weather to work in and you’ll be prepared for anything the next winter brings.

Chimney inspection is serious and hard business, so unless you thoroughly understand how they are constructed and what problems to watch out for, it’s a job best left to professionals. Below is a checklist of things people look for when inspecting a chimney.

• Check for cracks, which can leak dangerous gasses, by performing a smoke test
• Probe the outside mortar joints to make sure water isn’t seeping into the flue
• Evaluate the inside mortar joints. If the inside is eroded, the chimney may need to be relined by a professional.
• Check where the chimney meets the roof for open caulking or deteriorating flashing
• Check the attic for stains or leaks in the rafters and ceiling
• Check to make sure the cricket is in proper condition
• Close up any open joint with a strong sealant
• Examine the cap for weathering and heat cracking
• Evaluate the flue liner’s condition and replace it if necessary
• Replace any missing or worn cotter pins
• Ensure the damper is working properly
• Check the anchoring mortar and base plate for any cracks
• Empty the ash pit
• Clear creosote and soot buildup from the flue
• Examine the stovepipe thimbles
• Remove soot and debris from the smoke shelf

Lots of people are putting remodelling time and money into their homes today because of the increasing cost of heating and cooling and also because they’re spending more time at home. One of the key values in home remodelling projects is the concept of ‘green’ remodelling.
Green remodelling simply means that as much recycled material as possible are used and that the functioning of the home is made as energy efficient as possible especially as related to energy efficiency. Construction waste is one of the most common materials found in landfills and every pound of construction material that is eliminated by ‘going green’ is one less pound that damages the environment through the slow process of landfill degradation and decomposition.

Here are some simple ideas that people are using when they decide to ‘go green in their home renovation projects:

Idea Number One: Rather than buying completely new countertops and have the burden of disposing of the old countertops, smart home remodelers have learned how to resurface those old countertops and cabinets with a whole host of environmentally friendly coatings that come in a variety of colors, can be applied very quickly and are very durable.

This type of resurfacing/refacing product is a water based material that sprays on, has no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) or harmful fumes and negates the necessity of old materials being dumped in a landfill.

Idea Number Two: Give it away rather than throw it away. Remodelers have discovered that most discarded home furnishings and equipment can be reconditioned and used by somebody else.

Idea Number Three: Reconfigure your laundry room to do more pre-soaking thus reducing the water necessary to wash your clothes. Also you can do more drying of your clothes in the sun. Also you can use less hot water (thereby saving electricity).

Idea Number Four: Install skylights to let in more natural sunlight, heat and thereby reduce lighting and heating bills proportionately.

Idea Number Five: Many of the newest appliances are even more energy-efficient than the latest Federal standards. For example, one new refrigerator by Whirlpool uses only about as much energy as a 60 watt light bulb. That’s not very much!

Idea Number Six: Sound pollution is another factor of the ‘green’ concept and most of the newest appliances are amazingly quiet.

Idea Number Seven: Some of the new kitchen ranges use electromagnetic energy to disperse heat more evenly through pots and pans and throughout the food. Sort of like a stovetop microwave and it’s much more efficient that old-style heating coils or gas, both of which lose a lot of heat into the air.

Idea Number Eight: Install a tankless water heater. They not only take up less space but they use drastically less energy and have been documented to lower a home’s energy bill by as much as 50%.

These are just a few ideas. Every home presents a different set of circumstances within which one can work but there’s no doubt that modern technology has done wonders toward making our homes (and offices) increasingly ‘green’ thus making now a perfect time to go green in your home renovation project.

If you’ve ever owned a home, then you know the feeling of accomplishment, pride and joy that comes along with it. There are almost always some inevitable obstacles that you must overcome as a homeowner too, however and you have to take those into consideration when buying your first home. Setting yourself up for failure is the obvious thing to avoid here, so let’s talk about your goals. Not your short term goals about when you’re going to deal with the scratch marks on your car door, but about your long-term homeowners goals. Buying a home is a big responsibility and a whole lot of work and you have to be ready for the unexpected.

If you’ve been renting, you may feel like you’ve been throwing money away on a place that will never be your own and you may be correct, but you need to know your boundaries. Especially the financial ones. First, you have to consider how much of your income is going to your rent currently. We’ll say you are paying $1200 to rent your condo per month. Your other bills may push your total “home” expenses up around $1600 per month. You look at a nice little house just outside the city and find that your mortgage will only be $1000 per month, with utility bills around the same. So you could potentially be saving a few hundred dollars per month, while building equity in your very own home. Now here’s the thing that most first-time home buyers don’t think about. Do you remember all of those “problems” that you could just call your landlord about? Dish-washer died, AC Unit stopped working, leaking shower is draining into downstairs wall, etc… All of those repair problems, are now yours. You need to have a smart budget and have money set aside for said emergencies.

That leads us to knowing your limits. You need to set a price range for your dream home and stick to it, no matter the circumstance. You want to be completely independent and own your own home and you can do it, but you must be smart about it. When you go to talk to your bank about how much money they will loan you, you have to remember these important factors.

• What kind and size of home do I really need?
• How much can I truly afford? Other debt, property taxes, neighborhood fees, utilities
• What features do I want / need in my home?
• What is my cut-off price for the home I’m bidding on?
• Who is going to help me with all of the ins and outs of my purchase? Your Realtor is going to be a huge part of your ultimate decision. Don’t forget them.

After you have worked out what you can afford, there are going to be some very important things that you have to consider and be prepared for. It is indeed a rare occasion that everything goes according to plan, so here are some pointers to help smooth out the bumps of your first home buying experience.

• Search areas / neighborhoods that you like, check the listings, both online and on paper. Make sure your realtor has a vivid description of what you want and it’s always a good idea to let your connections know that you are looking as well (family, friends, co-workers, church, etc).
• Make sure that you can afford the down-payment on any home you are interested in. It is always a good idea to try and get the closing costs taken care of in the initial bargaining too. That alone can save you a truckload of money and time.
• Be ready for the ping-pong game of offer vs. counter-offer. We stated this earlier, but mak

e sure you know your limits. Have a price plateau and stick with it. You may be able to talk the

• evious homeowners down, but stick with your plan and stay within your budget.
  4) If you reach an agreement on the price of the home, there will be an Escrow period, when you will have usually a month to get the house inspected and finalize the offer. If everything is good and both parties have reached a final agreement, then you can close.
• The last few responsibilities that you will have will probably include checking the title to ensure that no other person(s) have a claim to the home and then having the house appraised.

There are a million other things to do after you move in, but that will be for another time! Congratulations on your new home and taking such a huge step in this amazing thing that we call life!