A few months ago I was really excited... our contractor was putting the finishing touches on our new heat pump unit. We'd selected an advanced model with some pretty cool energy savings features that drew inspiration from the mini-split systems that were common in wall-mounted systems but weren't quite standard yet for systems like ours that were built in. I held my Google Nest thermostat in hand and was excited to have that installed to complete our smart home network. Until the installer shared with me that while Google's tech was great, it was never really designed to offer the full set of features found on our new unit. On the other hand, Sensibo Air PRO was exactly what we needed.

As someone who's always on the go and has a keen interest in the latest technology and gadgets, I understand the importance of having efficient and effective tools that make everyday tasks simpler. Years ago I didn't think I'd get giggly like a school girl while shopping for appliances or home tech to do my chores. But here I am and a couple months ago when Shark asked if we'd like to check out their CarpetXpert Carpet Cleaner I couldn't wait.

Taking cues from nature, such as a bear's winter den preparation, it's possible to imbue your home with a welcoming warmth that doesn't necessitate high thermostat settings. Think of creating a snug retreat that doesn't significantly inflate your energy bills. Natural light usage, effective home insulation, thoughtful furniture placement, and decor with warm colors and tactile appeal can help set a warm, inviting atmosphere. Don't underestimate the power of curtains and rugs in maintaining warmth either. These easy but impactful strategies help keep your home cozy and your heating bill manageable. 

With the increasing consciousness on environmental conservation, incorporating sustainable practices in our daily activities has become pivotal. A relatively small act such as tree planting in your backyard is a significant step towards a green and healthier planet. With a little preparation and knowledge, you can adopt suitable measures to plant trees in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

Like most of you, I'm on a mission to improve my quality of life - that means paying attention to self care and personal health but the environment around you is just as important. Enter the Airthings View Plus. This air quality monitor tracks radon, PM 2.5, CO2, temperature, and VOCs. It's easy to install and syncs with your smart home system and the Airthings app can keep tabs on trends and get tips for healthier indoor air. What I like about it most is that it is by far the most "complete" indoor air quality monitor that we've tested this year.

Pooping and toilet culture in general isn't something normally talked about with men but over the past few years I've noticed that aside from "potty humor" jokes... whenever I'm on a press trip where the hotel rooms feature a bidet - guys talk about it. Until this year though, I didn't realize exactly how affordable and easy to install they could be though - and now I have two different models that I've installed at home and have even gone as far as adding an outlet to our new studio bathroom - just to avoid having to use an extension cord to plug it into an outlet by the sink. 

While these two different models offer slightly different experiences, suffice to say - I'm hooked... and so is my wife and more importantly, the model we've installed at Jim's house is helping my Father-in-law keep clean easier so that he can stay healthy, comfortable, and avoid infections!

While the world is becoming more progressive, gender roles are becoming more fuzzy. There’s nothing wrong with this, but societal norms and expectations are changing to where it’s becoming more challenging to know and understand basic skills that people would know generations ago. 

In the realm of construction, understanding concrete pouring methods is vital. There is a trend on social media right now to show how easy it is to dry pour concrete projects instead of investing in machinery (or even rentals) that are designed to properly blend water with the concrete powder before pouring it in the forms. For some folks dry pouring works as an alternative to wet pouring... but the reality is if you really care about how well your project with turn out and you aren't already an experienced mason or concrete finisher then you should probably leave it to the trained professionals.

As a homeowner, you're probably familiar with the idea of an energy audit. But do you know what to expect from one? A home energy audit is like a checkup for your home's energy efficiency – and it can be an eye-opening experience! As Benjamin Franklin famously said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and this couldn't be more true when it comes to maximizing your home's energy efficiency. An audit will provide invaluable information on how to make improvements that can save you money in the long run. So let's take a look at what homeowners should expect from a home energy audit.

Home decore is something that many guys leave to their wives and partners but it can actually be a very fun step in transforming your house into a home. As we continue to renovate our new condo in Michigan, I've become very engaged in picking out new flooring, paint, and other elements but it's just as important to think about decorating tips as well. For instance, what art will go on my office wall and what lighting will I have to illuminate the space.

Weekends are a perfect time to tackle some home improvement projects. However, while you may
know that you want to improve your home in some way, you’re not entirely sure where to start. Luckily,
there are plenty of simple projects that you can tackle in a single weekend that will leave you feeling
satisfied with your progress once Sunday night arrives. Below are some suggestions to get you started.

It's the time of year when everyone is trying to get their homes smelling fresh and inviting. The holidays are coming up, and we all want our guests to feel comfortable in our homes. But sometimes, no matter how much we clean, our homes just don't smell good. Here are a few tips to help you get your home smelling great in no time!

A blocked outside drain can be unpleasant because it gives off a nasty odor, and it can also stop your drainage system from working as it should. If there are serious issues with your drains, you will need to call in a professional plumber to unblock them or fix any damage, but if it's a simple blockage, you may well be able to fix the problem yourself.

Damp is a common problem in North American as well as UK homes, with approximately 1 in 5 houses being affected. However, it is much more common in areas with older housing stock and sometimes it can be hard to know whether a house really does have damp problems or if it is something else. There are some surefire signs of damp that you can check for and there are steps that you can take to damp proof your home to prevent it from getting damaged. Let's take a look.

Spray painting uPVC windows is the most efficient way to give your house more curb appeal, and it also provides the best finish because there are no brush marks or obvious brush stroke in the finished uPVC window frames once painted.

When we think about creating a more sustainable future, the first things that come to mind are solar panels and electric cars. However, many people don't realize that there are other things you can do in your home to make your life greener and less wasteful. One way to do this is by installing smart thermostats and energy monitoring sensors in the home. This blog post will discuss why these devices are important for a more sustainable future and what parts of your home can be made more efficient by investing in these sensors.

If you are keen to make your home as much of a beautiful and lovely place as possible, one of the things that you will probably want to do is work out how to brighten it in some way or another. As it happens, brightening up the home is perfectly possible at all times, no matter what position you are starting from, so this is something that you should be able to do no matter what.

The backyard is an important part of any home. It's one of the few places in your house where you can breathe fresh air, relax with friends and family, or just enjoy some peace and quiet when you need it. But if your yard doesn't look good, it's not going to be much fun to spend time there! In this blog post we'll share ways that will help upgrade your back yard so that it looks better than ever before!

If you are interested in making the design of your home better, you can consider using a skirting board. Skirting boards are used when you want to remodel your home. Skirting boards have been in use for a very long time. They make homes look expensive, protect the walls from furniture damage, and also create decorations. When you want to design your interior, you should go for the best in the market. Below are some features that you should check before you purchase skirting boards in the market.

There are many great reasons why you might want to renovate an abandoned home. There’s something incredibly satisfying and rewarding about taking a neglected home that’s in disrepair and returning it to its former glory while making it functional again too.