3 tips to boost your home design with energy-efficient LED bulbs

If you dream about transforming your home on a budget, chances are you’ve considered new paint, area rugs, or window treatments. While these updates can refresh rooms without breaking the bank, there’s a crucial and often overlooked design element that can truly transform a room – lighting.

The good news is, improving lighting doesn’t necessarily require all new fixtures. Simply swapping from standard to LED lightbulbs can upgrade the ambience of your home with stylish features and energy-saving benefits that can have a dramatic impact on your energy bill – and the look and feel of your overall space.

Lighting can alter the appearance of paint, furnishings, and decor, becoming even more important as seasons change. As the days get shorter and darker, brighten up your home with an elevated, energy-efficient home basic: LED lightbulbs.

Here are a few bright ideas to revamp rooms using the power of the humble lightbulb:

  1. Go LED For Cost Savings

Select LED bulbs reduce household energy costs over the course of their lifetime. An EcoSmart lightbulb saves $0.55-$2.65 on average per bulb over its 25,000-hour lifetime. New LED lightbulbs offer the latest innovation in lighting technology and are available in a wide assortment of wattage outputs, colors, base options, and shapes.

  1. Consider Function

 

LEDs are directional light sources, enabling them to cast light and use energy more efficiently. When choosing your ideal lightbulb style, consider the room’s purpose. A kitchen needs to be bright to aid food preparation, but

your bedroom should be a restful, cozy oasis. For a living room, you may want to switch from a game-and-puzzle center with focused lighting to a darkened home theater for movie night.

  • Kitchens need light to perform cooking tasks, as well as for entertaining. EcoSmart LED recessed and track lighting (BR) offer strong overhead illumination in enclosed fixtures.
  • Bathrooms need effective lighting, plus decorative style. Globe-shaped LED lightbulbs emit light in every direction, making them ideal for mirror and pendant lights.
  • Dining areas are a great place to show off decorative fixtures with candle bulbs. New, improved decorative bulbs feature a thinner, longer filament design – with options like fine bendy or horizontal – that combine authentic styles and 360-degree light output with low glare for high-quality lighting that doesn’t sacrifice style.
  • Bedrooms or living areas where ambience is paramount offer endless creative possibilities. Vintage is a look that never truly goes out of style and EcoSmart “Edison” bulbs give a more “true vintage look,” along with the benefits of LED technology. EcoSmart offers a dimmable option for these bulbs too, so you can choose exactly how much light you want.
  • Outdoor living spaces benefit from security lighting. Turn any fixture into a state-of-the-art security fixture with features like motion sensors, high output, and dusk-to-dawn. Look for lightbulbs compatible with floodlights, security, and landscape lighting (PAR).
  1. Choose “Color Temperature” To Change The Mood

Today’s LED bulbs offer a wide variety of color temperatures, empowering you to make the room feel warmer and cozier, or cooler and crisper.

Contrary to what you may think, the hotter the light source (measured in Kelvins), the cooler the “color temperature,” so lights with temperatures at 5,000 or more Kelvins look brighter, crisper and more bluish. However, light temperatures around 2,500-3,000 Kelvins emit an amber, yellowish or orange tinge which makes rooms feel warmer and cozier.

“Like choosing paint in cool or warm colors, picking the right color temperature for lighting can really transform a space,” said Sarah Fishburne, Director of Trend and Design for The Home Depot. “You can emphasize warm tones like yellows, reds and oranges using ‘warm’ colored lighting, or you can make a room feel lighter, brighter, and airier by choosing ‘cool’ temperature lighting.”

Experiment with different bulbs and settings to see what works best with your room. For the ultimate color selection, try an EcoSmart lightbulb with 5 CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) that lets you customize the color of light using an integrated switch. Bulbs equipped with DuoBright technology empower you to adjust the color temperature and brightness with your existing dimmer switch to meet your preferences at any time – emitting 5,000 Kelvins (Daylight) at full brightness and slowly transitioning to 2,000 Kelvins (Sunset Glow) when dimmed.

Change Your Lightbulbs, Change The World

The other good news about swapping out lightbulbs? You’re helping the environment, too. On average, an enhanced EcoSmart LED bulb uses 85% less energy than a traditional incandescent lightbulb.

Learn more about EcoSmart lightbulbs available exclusively in-store at The Home Depot or online at HomeDepot.

When we find good articles that can help around the home, we like to share them with our clients. We hope you enjoyed this article on LED bulbs.

— Please remember us when you or someone you know is in need of a home inspection. A referral from you would be our greatest compliment.
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Enjoy home improvements without spending too much

Remodeling magazine reports the real test when investing in home improvements is choosing the right project. You will want to make sure your home improvement adds value to your home and nets the best return for your money. For instance, a major kitchen or bath remodel typically will not give you the return on investment as would new siding. A recent study reports that new siding recoups more than 92.8 percent of its cost.

 

Home improvements are essential, especially when you are attempting to maintain and increase your property’s value for resale purposes. However, rather than taking out a second mortgage or line of credit against your current mortgage, here are some tips for saving money when investing in improvements.

 

Choose to remodel things that will deliver the best return. Some projects are better choices than others. For instance, updating or replacing the garage door, investing in a manufactured stone veneer, adding a deck, or taking on a minor kitchen remodel are all better choices than some larger, more expensive projects such as a major kitchen remodel.

 

One top (and common) home update that pays off, is the minor bathroom remodel. Here are some tips to accomplish one for less. Get to know a handyman or re-caulk your tub yourself. If you can pipe icing on a cake, you’re qualified to caulk your tub– be sure to fill the tub afterward to make sure the caulk is stretched as it dries. Reglaze your old tub if it is too costly to replace it and take care of old wallpaper removing it, and damaged walls by adding a fresh coat of paint or spray-on texture. You can remove the doors of dated shower stalls or remove them to give the illusion of more space.

 

Consider your curb appeal. Landscaping adds a splash of color while adding to your home’s curb appeal. A unique focal point like a fountain or a walkway will also add major value to your property. Don’t overwhelm your door or front yard with greenery, but use mixed heights and colors of flowering

 

plants to add drama to your yard. For maximum effect, use a single color and keep the varying heights.

 

When your kitchen needs a minor cosmetic update versus a major floor plan change, by all means, do the minor remodel yourself, or hire a well-respected handyman to do the job. Some kitchen project ideas include: installing recessed lighting, resurfacing cabinets, and replacing the countertops. Your floors can be covered with vinyl over concrete floors and add decorator details like drapes and window molding.

 

Exterior improvements, including vinyl siding, updated front entry, or paint, will bring an average return at resale of 95.5 percent. Investing in projects like removing the old awnings from windows and doors will give your home an updated look. If you add a pergola and columns, you will be amazed at the dramatic makeover effect.

 

Staging and real estate brokers are great resources when you’re looking to enjoy home improvements for less. Small changes and updates can make a world of difference in this pursuit. For instance, you might want to change the outlet and light plate covers or paint your kitchen cabinets.

 

Have fun and enjoy your home updates even if you aren’t planning to sell!

3 Emerging design trends for today’s lifestyles

Events from the past year have all of us reconsidering what we want and need out of our homes. From work and play to wellness, our homes have become the epicenter of, well, everything – leading to an emergence of design trends focused on adapting to a new normal. The design experts at Wilsonart, a world-leading provider of engineered surfaces, have identified three new lifestyle trends that are affecting lasting design changes.

 

  1. Back to Nature

 

It’s no secret that nature has the power to inspire, invigorate, restore and refresh. Research has shown that interacting with nature can offer mental health benefits, including decreasing stress and relieving anxiety. Likewise, incorporating elements of nature into the home has been proven to improve happiness and well-being.

 

Whether as a room’s canvas or a pop of color on an accent wall, paint is an easy and affordable way to bring nature’s beauty into the home with colors that evoke a sense of calm and serenity. “Dark blue hues reminiscent of water and the sky are trending, along with lush greens that infuse spaces with the fresh essence of grass and foliage,” says designer Gwen Petter. “Earthy neutrals, such as tans and beiges, are also in high demand for their ability to ground us and surround us with soothing natural tones.”

 

Beyond color, 40% of people report that they want a connection to nature, particularly in their kitchens, according to a survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Homeowners are choosing nature-inspired materials for focal areas like countertops, cabinets, and islands. Wilsonart® Home offers beautiful, on-trend options for virtually every surface in the home with performance features and price points to suit any lifestyle and

 

budget. The expertly curated collection includes environmentally sustainable materials such as high-pressure laminates and performance veneers that deliver the authentic looks of exotic woods, stone-inspired solid surface options, and non-porous engineered quartz.

 

  1. “Resi-mercial” and Rustic

 

Fueled by the drastic decline in domestic and international travel during the pandemic, homeowner interest in replicating the sophisticated style and comforts of an upscale hotel or luxury resort in their home has continued to grow. From plush towels and perfectly plump pillows to spa-worthy bathrooms and chef-quality kitchens, commercially inspired designs are increasingly crossing over into the residential arena.

 

Carrara marble continues to be one of the most sought-after surfaces to achieve this clean, sophisticated, “resi-mercial” look, but not everyone desires the cost and maintenance that comes with the natural stone. The Wilsonart® Solid Surface Crafted Collection combines nature’s beauty with cutting-edge design innovation to deliver the look of authentic marble in an ultra-durable acrylic solid surface. This series of movement designs capture the beauty and drama of marble typically only seen in natural materials like quartz and stone with virtually limitless design applications for the kitchen, bath, and beyond.

 

Scandi Noir is another “resi-mercial” design approach that is gaining traction, particularly in kitchens. This style features looser rules and is characterized by the use of dark cabinets combined with dark countertops or contrasting dark and light surfaces. “Kitchen cabinets are still predominantly white, but more homeowners are adding a pop of color with contrasting island cabinets. In fact, searches for black and navy kitchens are up significantly,” notes Petter.

 

  1. Sustainable Style

 

As our lives become increasingly home-centric, our homes need to perform on a level they may never have before, and this includes incorporating materials that work as hard as we do. “Today’s homeowners are seeking surfaces that will live up to the rigors of everyday life,” explains Petter. “There also is growing interest in sustainable alternatives to natural

 

products, which can contribute to deforestation and degraded air quality from sourcing and mining operations. Human-made composite materials offer appealing options that often outperform natural materials, delivering greater durability, less ongoing maintenance, and fewer harmful environmental impacts.”

 

Alternative materials like laminate, solid surface, and quartz mimic the best of Mother Nature without impacting the environment, offering appealing options for eco-conscious consumers. Many of these engineered surfaces are UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified to meet low chemical emissions limits for better air quality. Additionally, many laminate products are made with a combination of fibers from FSC-certified, fast-growing, sustainably managed woods and post-consumer recycled content (PCRC). For more information and inspiration, visit Wilsonart.com. (BPT)

 

 

— Please remember us when you or someone you know is in need of a home inspection. A referral from you would be a great compliment.

AC Water Drain

Why should I check air conditioner water drain? – By City Home Inspectors

Why cleaning air duct is important?

Air Duct Cleaning

Why should I clean the air duct?

Leaving moisture, dust, pollen, etc., in your ductwork can create a breeding ground for molds and spores,which affects your home. Cleaning the ductwork removes these contaminants and also increases the airflow efficiency of your ductwork which can save energy.

How do I clean the air duct?

A professional service company typically uses specialized tools to dislodge dirt and debris in the ducts and then removes it with a high-powered vacuum cleaner. In addition, the service provider may also have treatments for killing microbiological contaminants.

What are the benefits of cleaning the air ducts?

The benefits of this task are the modest amount of increased energy efficiency that you can see. But if you have people in your home with respiratory issues, then the benefits of this task can be significant.

What is the cost of getting the air duct clean?

The cost of this task is moderately high, as you will need to hire a professional firm to do this task.