Antonio Piromalli Home and Art

Solar power is the latest in saving the planet and conserving our energy. Solar power is energy produced from the sun and has great results when you use both energy and conservation. With solar power becoming more popular there is also the need for solar power products. People are now building solar power houses to live in more efficiently. They also want appliances, lighting, heating, water pumps and water heaters to be solar power efficient as well. That is why we now have a way of purchasing solar power appliances to use in the kitchen. Appliances are usually the most costly appliance in a home as they usually run almost continuously and get used often.

Appliances Available

Now you don’t have to go through the time and effort of making your home solar power but using regular standard appliances. With solar power appliances it is easy to become solar power all the way.

Refrigerators: The one great thing about solar power refrigerators is that they offer the convenience of a refrigerator and freezer in one at a minimal amount of cost. They are thermostat controlled which allows you to set the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer. There is minimal noise as it runs because the power to it is a natural constant flow. They also come in a variety of sizes as well as colors in order to fit into any solar power kitchen.

Appliances that are Efficient: Not all appliances can be solar powered and for that reason appliances that are efficient are the next best thing. They conserve the energy that it takes to run that appliance and provide you with the service that you expect out of that appliance. Chest freezers, dishwashers, stoves, microwaves, washers and dryers are all appliances that can be purchased with efficiency to save on energy and money. When you use appliances that are efficient they usually cost more up front but in the long run they are worth the effort and can last you a lifetime with proper maintenance.

Today most of the products and appliances that we buy are energy efficient and guaranteed to run on minimal energy which saves you money when you purchase it. Although you won’t be able to see the cost decrease all at once you may notice it over time. There are several other ways that you can reduce the cost of appliances such as drying clothes on a clothes line indoors or outdoors to keep from running a clothes dryer.

Washing the dishes by hand instead of in a dishwasher or using one or two days per week to wash clothing instead of one or two loads everyday is a great way to cut down expenses. Over time these helpful tips will decrease your bill and allow you to see a noticeable difference. When you save energy it benefits everyone. Once we can all use solar power to provide energy we will all see a difference in the cost of energy. Using energy efficient appliances is a great investment that will last for years.

One truism in real estate holds: the resale value of one of the most important rooms in a home, is that of the bathroom. A bathroom can be a deal breaker for many sales. These days, with the housing market on rocky grounds, and with home sellers reluctant to dish out thousands into up-scale, expensive renovations, there’s a fresh eye looking to the cheaper and less time consuming option of refurbishment.

Refurbishing involves making use of what you already have in a bathroom. Beginning first with the walls. A great way to spruce up and liven up any space, including the bathroom, is with a fresh coast of paint. You’ll want to choose a color that ties in the new look and feel of your bathroom- something that’ll keep the space light and bright and welcoming.

If you have older bathroom cupboards that are looking somewhat down trodden you might consider re-surfacing them. If they are wood, you might also re-stain them. Another consideration is to paint over the existing surface. In this case, you’ll want to make sure you use the appropriate base of paint, and that you’ve properly treated, or sanded the cupboards before hand. You can then add new hardware to your re-surfaced cupboards. This punctuation will help update the look and feel of your bathroom.

Replacing the existing counter-top can be a great way to modernize your bathroom, and usually as there’s little counter space in a bathroom this will not set you back that much. Granite, or granite looking countertops are universally popular, appealing and are easy to fit into many different decorating schemes.

If you can’t seem to fit your existing lavender sink, bathtub and toilet ( circa 1965) into your modern refurbishment, you might want to consider replacing these fixtures. Otherwise, you can try to work around these retro elements and tie everything else back into them. The later, will of course be the cheaper way to go, although it may present more of a design challenge. But, set a budget and see how creative you can be with your financial limitations.

Some other important details to attend to are the vanity, the lighting fixtures and the floor. You might consider re-placing all of these, or if you’re on a tighter budget think about re-vitalizing them.

Accessorizing once you’ve re-established the bones of your bathroom, can be great fun. Here, you can really tie everything into your “new” bathroom. Think about adding some color coordinated plush towels and designer soaps. You might also find some nice photographs to have framed and then carefully hang them. Also new window treatments and a shower curtain can work wonders to pull everything together.

There’s truly so much possible with any space, and within any budget. So don’t hesitate to put your creative energies into a bathroom refurbishment that’ll surely boost the resale value of your home.

There are an abundance of options as far as building materials and designs available in new garage doors, wood and steel being the most commonly installed. Each type of garage door will have options available for the exterior style/color, decorative windows, hardware, insulation, etc. Every garage door manufacturer will tell you theirs is best, and give you tons of reasons why you should agree. Just like any other product or service. That being said, you should keep in mind that the new garage door you are thinking of purchasing is going to be around for a long time. Garage doors usually last anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on usage and maintenance, and can possibly last longer.

Steel garage doors are the most commonly installed types. Their lower costs, maintenance, and a variety of available designs make them the obvious choice for most homeowners. No painting is required, although the doors can be painted, and most manufacturers offer different finish warranties on their garage doors. Styles include, but are not limited to, raised panel designs, flush panels, and various carriage house designs. Most have insulation options, as well. Considering the fact that most garages share an interior wall with the home, insulation inside your garage door can help conserve on heating and cooling costs.

While their not as common as they once were, wooden garage doors are still readily available in most places. They are available in the same standard styles as steel doors, and can be built to suit. Their costs are generally slightly higher than steel doors, and they will need to be painted or stained to prevent water damage. There are still benefits to having a wooden garage door. A standard model wood door can provide a better R-value than a basic non-insulated steel door. Wooden garage doors can also take a little bit more punishment than the steel types-something to consider if you have kids that play near the doors, or work in or around the garage yourself. Wood doors also have insulation options available. The versatility of wooden garage doors is probably their best point. Homeowners wanting custom garage doors for their home typically go with wooden garage doors.

Vinyl garage doors are beginning to make a larger impression on the market. These doors won’t rust, and are more resistant to dings and scratches than the steel doors. Prepare to pay substantially more for these types of garage doors. Many dealers don’t carry any in stock, so a lead time of 2-4 weeks can be expected. They usually look like a steel door as far as exterior styles are concerned. Vinyl garage doors also have similar insulation options as steel garage doors.

Composite garage doors are becoming more mainstream as consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products grows. These garage doors are typically made from recycled wood. They are insulated in most cases. Again, opting for insulation on a garage door can provide a higher R-value. Composite doors can be painted, or even stained.

Our website has links to many of the large garage door manufacturer sites. Some of these sites will have a “door designer” available where you can view different color and style options for their doors. You can usually find other information on warranties or other garage door specs. When you have your new garage door installed be sure to remember to keep the invoice/receipt in a safe place, and make sure you complete any required registrations in order to have a valid warranty.