Indoor air quality isn’t something we usually think about but this year I’ve been living in my father-in-law’s house and working to get it healthier for his ultimate return from spending several months in the hospital due to pneumonia and associated breathing issues from COPD. Unfortunately his house is older and windows have been painted shut over the years. While we can install air filters to remove particulate matter, one challenge we had was simply understanding the actual air quality in his house - and specifically CO₂, that we were facing. With the INKBIRD IAM-T1 Smart Indoor Air Quality Monitor, we’ve been able to discover some surprising things about the house that we didn’t expect.

For the past decade while living in California, I knew my indoor air quality was bad since we never closed our windows and that meant dust and soot came in... but was never going to leave. We used everything from duct taping filters to window fans to professional air purifiers to try to pull stuff out of the air where we could. That worked somewhat but I have really no idea how bad the situation actually was or what the ultimate impact of our efforts was... aside from being "better" based on the particles we collected.

Now that I'm living in a house with a central AC system though I'm actually more concerned since large particles (easily collected by the intake filter on our AC system) are taken care of - but smaller ones that you don't notice are almost certainly in the air. That's why I was excited to test out the Sensibo Elements Indoor Air Quality Monitor that the company sent over.

Keeping a home and yard well-managed can feel like a full-time job for many men. This is espectially true for those of us who lead busy lives, travel constantly, and when they get home just want to relax. Smart home gadgets are an obsession of mine and a secret weapon to effortless maintain my house and reduce yard maintenance time. Plus, to be completely honest... smart home gadgets are cool. Even when they don't work 100% as promised, this is quite litterally like living in a future world like we marveled at 30 years ago while traveling through exhibits at EPCOT center thinking those were more fantasy than reality. Well, today is that future and smart gadgets, sensors, and other connected items have become affordable. So, let's take a look at some of my favorite smart home items. This blog post is packed with helpful information about innovative devices designed specifically to simplify household tasks, save time, and increase the efficiency of your daily routine.

Think it's hot outside? It could be even hotter inside if your air conditioner is set to break down. That's exactly what happened to me last week and my wife wasn't happy. She came home and instead of facing are refreshing respite from the humid summer heat... it was nearly 80 degrees inside the house. Thankfully, we were able to fix the immediate problem but as a delved deeper into the system and lack of regular maintenance that my Father in Law had invested - it became clear exactly how little I actually understood about how an AC system like this actually works.

Are you looking for ways to enhance your backyard and create your dream yard? Well, you're in luck. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, over 80% of Americans are renovating their outdoor space to create their dream yard. With the right addons, you can create a backyard oasis that is perfect for entertaining and relaxing. In this article, we'll explore five ultimate backyard addons that will bring your dream yard to life. From lasers, lights, and water jets to outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, and a mini-golf style putting green, these addons will transform your backyard into a luxurious retreat.

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.

Whether you own your home or rent it, you must always take care of it. As you can appreciate, a well-maintained home is one where you won't have to spend lots of money fixing expensive problems that you could have avoided with preventative maintenance.

BLUETTI announced the first home ESS (Energy Storage System) - EP600 & B500 at the end of 2022. Now, this standout successful launch has made its way into thousands of European families. Specifically tailored to the US market, EP900 & B500 will be made available in the middle of May, which is believed to bring home backup power to a new height.

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.

As temperatures warm and we begin shedding winter coats, now is an opportune moment for house inspection and preparation for summertime activities. Just as one would prepare their car before traveling on an important road trip, making sure your house meets today's standards will ensure an enjoyable summer ahead. Here are a few suggestions to get ready for this year's outdoor adventures.

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.

The holidays are fast approaching. Your home may be a place where your family will gather. Everything seems to be going well.

It’s never a bad time to host a backyard barbeque.

What is a mansion? That's one of those subjects of late night debates way after you're supposed to have left a party but just aren't ready to go home. For some guys it is as simple as it being just a really big house, while others look at it as something particularly luxurious. What makes a big house a mansion, though? Could a really big doublewide be a mansion? There are both quantifiable and non-quantifiable standards for what defines this beacon of success. Let's take a look and try to answer this question.

Here in California we're getting close to fire season again and that means our power company will be quite literally turning out the lights to help prevent forest fires. Other parts of the country are beginning to prepare for winter and the possibility of broken powerlines  due to ice and snow. With all this going on, the price of gas is going up and that makes those classic generators we've relied on for years that much less of a great idea - not to mention the noise, smell, and frankly the effort of lugging a dirty machine out of the garage and hoping it still works.

Not too long ago, everyone wanted bar height counters in their kitchens. They were the height of interior design fashion! But they're becoming less and less popular, particularly as open-plan designs continue to gain popularity.

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.

So you've just bought a home at auction and now you're faced with the daunting task of fixing it up quickly so it can be rented out as an investment property. Don't worry, we're here to help! In this blog post, we will examine some tips that will help you get your new home ready for tenants in no time. Keep reading to learn more!