If you are a user of ducted air conditioning, then you will be aware that this comes with a cost. But hey! Did you notice a surge in energy bills in the recent past? If yes, then there are some of the top tips that you can try out to benefit in the long term. As you take note of these basic things, you will realize that even the small changes have a huge impact in your energy bills. Here are some of the most basic things that you can do at home to save your money on ducted air conditioning.

Ducted Air Conditioning

Keep the system clean

It goes without saying that you need to keep your ducted air conditioning clean. If the filters are clogged up with dirt and dust, then this will cut the efficiency by almost 15%. This will also add to the increased noise, reduce air conditioner life, and increase the operational cost as well. This happens because the air conditioning must then work hard to achieve the necessary air flow. Cleaning the filters is easy and will provide you numerous energy and health benefits.

Make sure to cool not chill

Most people forget the difference between a cool and a chill house. However, if you really want to save money on your energy bills then you should know this difference and always ensure that your home is cool and not chill. Make sure that you do not just put on lowest temperature in summers but only go for the setting that is comfortable and cool at the same time. Be reasonable in this aspect because you need to realize that the air conditioning systems do not really work efficiently at maximum capacity, and so for that reason setting low temperatures will only cost you more.

Good insulation is important

Insulation is also an important aspect that you need to look at if you really want to benefit in the long run. Good insulation will help in reducing the overall air conditioning cost in summer and it will also keep your home cozy during the winters. If you are not aware about what is best, it is recommended hiring local insulation specialist to help you get the best results in this regard. The insulation product will differ from building material and construction as well, and so it is best to take help from a specialist in this regard.

Air Conditioning

Reduce the hot air coming in

At times, the hot air coming in through doors and windows will also have a negative impact on your overall energy efficiency goals. Well, it is great to know how much different some fabrics can do. Use curtains, shutters or blinds during the day time so that you can reduce the direct sunlight coming into your home. So, to minimize the heat transfer in your home, you just need to follow these basic steps in your home.

The above mentioned tips do not need much investment. All that you need to invest is time in these aspects. The time that you spend in this regard will help you gain a lot of benefits in the long term. All that you need to do is to plan well and get professional help as and when you notice changes in the system, cooling effects, and so on. If you consider these points your ducted air conditioning will not only help you save your energy bill but it will also help you have a comfortable time in your home regardless of the weather conditions outside.

Thus, with the above mentioned tips, you can be sure of having a cool summer ahead. Please visit here for further information.

When a guest comes to your house the outer appearance happens to enlighten their minds and later the inner. It is not an easy task to keep our house walls well maintained.

Various kinds of texture coatings available in the market:

Here are the several types of texture coatings that are listed below which will help know what suits your wall texture better.

Texture Paint

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1. Premixed textured paint

This paint is used for common walls. The paint is already mixed and made ready for use. All you need to do is buy them from a store and utilize them. One negative point that this paint has is it does not give a very clear texture on your wall. You can use it to cover your ceilings or your compound walls as the texture will not be very visible from a distance.

2. Paint by self-mixing the ingredients

Normally everyone prefers using such paint. It works out reasonable. You can buy all the texture ingredients you require and mix the medium. While making use of such paint you can prepare the required amount painting solutions according to your needs. But only professional texture coating labors can mix these membranes and they can easily use the accurate paint on your walls. So, before you buy the raw materials for your texture coatings, you must consult with the professionals and they will assist you to choose the best quality texture coatings materials.

3. Smooth texture medium

This paint does not create any rough textures when you apply it on the walls. The paint does not peel off soon as this quality is thick and heavy. You will require using a trowel or a putty knife because a normal paint brush or roller will not let you do the work diligently.

4. Masonry Paint

This paint is available at the store for a reasonable price. It constitutes a composition like an emulsion. The paint is created in a way to last for an average period of two years. Although, this paint will not keep your walls protected and will not assure you any sort of protection for the dampness. It is advisable not to use it to paint the exterior walls. You can use some oil-based texture coatings on your exterior walls because they are rust proof and they will not get affected by rainwater.

Texture Coating

5. Pebbledash texture paint

This texture is used to add weatherproofing and cover the poor-quality bricks of the houses. If the houses are built with pebbledash materials these paints can be used to cover the rough surfaces and add beauty to the house.

6. Weatherproof wall coatings 

While designing your house you must have done it according to your budget allowance. Remember that paints do not give you the guarantee to protect your walls from seasonal changes like rain, snow, wind, hail, and pollution. While giving a finishing to your walls give it some weatherproof finishing.

7. Lace textures 

These textures are commonly used because it hides many imperfections in residential or commercial areas. It can be used on acrylic textures or can be sprayed on flat surfaces. You just need to apply two coats to make it look presentable. The texture is always fine, medium and has a coarse pattern.

8. Santa Barbara 

This texture helps you attain a smooth finish, but it utilizes many sand particles to attain the perfect look. It is created to resemble the vintage home styles. 

So now you can search these texture coating designs online and choose the best for your home improvement. 

While we choose the various kinds of texture coatings to re-polish our walls and these coatings can increase the aesthetic value of our home. Make a good investment on texture coatings once and you do not have to worry about the next 5-10 years.

Do you find yourself asking whether or not a quartz worktop is the right surface material to install in your home? If so, you’re probably not alone. A lot of homeowners wonder if they will somehow regret opting for an engineered surface instead of an inexpensive laminate or conventional natural stone surfaces. However, there is no need to worry because we're certain that you’ll love your quartz worktop for many years to come.

Then again, before anything else, you first have to consider both the price and the style in any bathroom or kitchen renovation. As far as expense, a good-quality quartz worktop will range from around $40 to $100 per square foot. While this is unquestionably more costly than laminate, you could definitely save up to a few thousand when weighing the value of quartz to an expensive marble.

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But wait, there's more! Below are some of the reasons why a lot of homeowners are now converting to quartz worktops, so read on to discover more about this wonderful material and why it may just be the right choice for your home improvement.

The design aesthetics

When you walk into a model home, you will find that a lot of home designers are now featuring quartz worktop in their bathrooms and kitchens—and for good reason. Quartz is instantly becoming the surface of choice for interior designers and homeowners alike. Its low maintenance, high durability, and resistance to bacteria are just some of its high selling points. This material appeals to both traditional and modern design aesthetics.

Get that authentic look

One of the biggest appeals of this engineered material is that you can get quartz that looks just like natural marble but minus all the bustle that comes with high-maintenance natural stones surface.

The colours and pattern selection of quartz will also stay vibrant and sharp, which means your worktop will not produce a patina over time (unlike marble). This classic quartz looks exactly like Calacatta Marble, with its clean white background and genuine-looking veining. Additionally, the surface will retain its fresh, new look even after years of usage.

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Colour consistency

The issue with most natural stone is that there’s a chance that you might like a small sample piece, only to be surprised that the actual full slab seems quite different from what you expected. With quartz, however, you can be rest assured in your pick knowing that it will be consistent in colour, pattern, and design all throughout the surface.

For example, this concrete quartz in a gorgeous deep grey has dark grey specks and lighter grey veining. What you see in the showroom is what you'll exactly get in your home—a stunning worktop that will complement any design scheme, may it be modern or traditional.

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Blends well with other surfaces

Quartz comes in a wide variety of colours and designs that harmonize elegantly with other surface materials, as well as with any existing decor. This quartz worktop is classic in colour, yet it offers a modernized look to the cooking space, together with the hood range and ornate cabinetry. Also, the calming beige colour that introduces dark specks and light highlights pairs well with the neutral stone backsplash.

Distinct looks

With quartz, you can choose a surface with a flawlessly natural look that mimics natural stone materials. Its a slab with a contemporary look that's perfect for those people who wants to add a bit of modern vibe in their homes. This quartz design features a chic aesthetic with its white background and subtle brown and gold veining. It also adds elegance and charm to this bathroom.

If practicality, affordability, and style are what you're looking for—then definitely consider quartz worktops for your next home revamp!

About the author: The Marble Store specializes in designing and manufacturing the finest quality worktops for their UK consumers. Over 16 years of experience in responding to the unique needs of the stone industry made them one of the grand producers of granite worktops in the country. Now, with the trust of most consumers, they are now able to produce different edge details and finishes that will make most homeowners fall in love with their creations.

Granite surfaces have been around for decades since it has a timeless look that most homeowners love to incorporate into their designs. However, it is not just meant for kitchen and bathroom areas—it's also the perfect material for designer fireplaces surround.

It is now time to reconsider your conventional thoughts regarding granite designs. With today's advancing technology, you can seamlessly combine a granite surface with your modern fireplace. With these fresh and updated surround styles, furnishing your home with a contemporary upgrade has never been easier. Here are some ideas on how you can integrate Granite into your designer fireplace and make it the centre point of your home.

Fireplaces

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Sophisticated black

Nothing screams more sophisticated than a black granite surface. However, this look is so simple so it does not overpower the overall design of this chic living area. This black granite veers away from any stereotypes with its dramatic charcoal veining design on a deep, black background. The contrast and depth of this dark granite slab present the ultimate stylish take on black granite.

Flawless white

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the colour spectrum (but with a comparable classic allure), white granite is a classic choice that is both chic and glamorous. This impeccable designer fireplace with white granite surround has an elegant and modern look that is anything but basic. With a white and grey swirling vein pattern, and flecks of chocolate and rich burgundy, this granite makes an excellent fireplace surround, as seen in this striking image.

Opt for ivory

For another modernized version of the classic white granite, feast your eyes on this Ivory granite surface, exclusively imported from India. This granite surface is cream-toned that features a light veining with subtle dark speckles, that achieves a look that is both exotic and sleek. This elegant granite is sure to jazz up even the most minimalist of a contemporary home interior.

Brilliant greys

This Brazilian stunner is absolutely on trend for the current season—and for much more to come—with its striking pattern and muted grey palette. Though the price of granite can be daunting to some people, the impact of this grey fireplace surround is definitely well worth the splurge and has an enduring impression on your property's worth and value.

Designer Fireplace

Wide range of colours

Granite surfaces really work well to soften up even the clean lines and hard edges of modern designs. With a colour palette varying from white, beige, grey, to black—this dynamic material is full of texture, depth, and layers that emphasizes the incomparable beauty of natural stone surfaces.

As you can see, granite stones can take ordinary looking designer fireplaces and transform them into a work of contemporary art.

About the author: Modus Fireplaces has been in the industry of producing bespoke fireplaces and providing luxury designer fireplaces for homes and hotels in the UK. Together with Europe’s top manufacturers, we are able to provide clients great and unsurpassed collection of unique fireplaces. We know that most of their clients have different needs, which is why we will work on site and directly with them to achieve in creating that impressible fireplace.

Even the smallest of kitchen spaces need to go big when combining style, design, and function. Remember that no matter how awkwardly shaped your matt kitchens may be, there is always be a solution and plenty of design hacks you could utilise to make the most of its potential.

Big Design Ideas for Small Kitchens

Borrow some of these creative kitchen design ideas and make miracles happen out of your minuscule kitchen.

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Store them up high

One smart way of adding more storage space to any small room is to install some cabinets high up on the walls. To give your kitchen a bit of a contemporary vibe, paint the cabinets with a striking colour that also complements the design theme.

Opt for something lean

A thin, rectangular kitchen island could also be used as your dining table, like the one in the photo. Aside from that, you could double it as a work surface when cutting ingredients and preparing your meal. Opting for a narrow unit ensures that there’s still plenty of space to walk around the kitchen without having to sacrifice function. Also, it’s both stylish and functional, so it's definitely worth the try.

Clever storage solution

A well-designed cabinet pullout is more than capable of storing away some of your kitchen must-haves. It can also be used to tuck away almost everything; from ingredients to kitchen equipment and even your tableware. It's a multi-purpose storage room that is perfect for small kitchens, as it keeps everything organized and neatly stowed away.

Small Kitchens Designs

Open storage display

Include some built-in open shelves on your kitchen wall for an added storage unit, as well as design. You could place some of your most-used kitchenware for easy access, together with some kitchen accessories to enhance the look of your tiny kitchen.

Go for an industrial look

Kitchens with constricted spaces can still look edgy and stylish at the same time. The perfect way to go if you want to improve your kitchen aesthetic is to combine industrial elements into the room. Simply incorporate woods, steels, and dark colours to achieve the theme.

Kitchens Designs

A table for two

Working with a kitchen layout that’s only wide enough to squeeze in the kitchen essentials can be a bit tough for some homeowners. Nevertheless, with careful planning and creative design, you can still place a small dining table in the room.

Consider the table size that can ideally fit the space without blocking any alleyway and cupboard doors. Also, it would be wise to place a couple of lightweight chairs that are easy to move around so you can re-arrange them whenever you want. This allows you to have adequate space for dining, without having to occupy too much space.

Matt kitchen design

A dash of matt pastel colours is the best choice when you want to add character to your matt kitchens. Matte shades can really stand out against a white backdrop, but if you can't decide on one colour, simply mix and match the shades that can highlight the design features of your kitchen area.

Combine various colours, textures, and elements to your small kitchen and create a stunning design that no one else could do!

About the author: Designer Kitchens has been in the kitchen industry for twenty five years and has shown expertise in creating the perfect kitchen for all of its clients. Together with their team of experts, they can guarantee their client’s ambition fulfilled through their creation. Their attention to detail and their offerings of the latest luxury kitchen products are the two great assets that will help them in creating the perfect kitchen.