Energy Saving Tips
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From Hardware Association Ireland |
Energy Saving
There are lots of ways to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable in the lead up to Christmas. Try some of our tips to save energy and you'll reduce your energy consumption and bill:
Heating
Turn the thermostat for your living areas down to 20°C. The temperature in hallways and bedrooms should be cooler, ideally between 15-18°C. You can reduce your heating bill by 10% by lowering your room temperature by just one degree.
Radiators
Use the radiator valve to turn the temperature down or off in rooms that you do not use a lot.
Hot water
Set your hot water thermostat to between 60-65°C, to make sure that you do not overheat your water.
Heating timers
Set the times that your heating comes on and off so that it fits with your daily routine. Radiators will continue to heat your home for some time after the heating is turned off. So try this, turn on your heating 30 minutes before you need it and turn it off 30 minutes before you don’t need it anymore.
Curtains
Close curtains to keep heat in, but open them in the morning to let the heat of the sun in.
Switch to LEDs this Winter
Switching a single 42-watt halogen lightbulb to an energy efficient 9-watt LED will save about €7.00 per year. LEDs are often only a little more expensive than their halogen counterpart, but can save you money in the long-term. LED bulbs are now available for almost any purpose including Christmas lights. Newer LED bulbs are branded as "soft white" or "warm white" that glow just like an old-fashioned incandescent. Unlike CFLs, LEDs are mercury free which is better for the environment.
Appliances
Most of the energy used by a dishwasher and washing machine is for water heating. Run them on a lower temperature setting and wash full loads to save on your energy costs. Wash clothes at 30°C if they aren’t particularly dirty.
Showers
A shower typically uses 20% of the energy compared to a full bath, so keep the bath as a treat and take short showers to save on energy costs.
More details on energy saving tips can be found HERE
You can also find out more about energy in the home at the SEAI Energy Academy HERE
Declutering your home
By Suzy Kell from Gentle Decluttering
3 Ways Your Brain Stops Your Decluttering
INTERIOR DESIGN
By Nicola Pollard from Pollard Design
Its that time of year again, and now more than ever as we approach Autumn Winter we look for sanctuary and comfort in our homes. A little refresh of colours and textures can transform our spaces into havens where we can cosy up for the cooler months ahead.
This season the trends and styles are a fusion of natural elements , natural woods , sustainable materials , darker hues and rich tones inspired by the beauty of nature. Incorporating materials like natural wood and rattan will not only add character to your house but also help bring the beauty of the outdoors in.
Earthy tones in paint like the new Preference red and Deep Reddish Brown from Farrow and Ball, immediately adds a warmer touch to any interior and creates a homely and inviting atmosphere to relax and unwind in. These colours also add depth to a room and set off with lighter accent pieces in cane furniture,natural wood and textured cloths, they bring a harmony and connection into your home.
Elements like soft accent lighting, woolly rugs, cosy cushions and throws are easy to change to transform your space into a winter hideaway . A mixture of soft linens, wool cashmere hessian, all the natural fibres in warm colours like cinnamon caramel terracotta are ideal for introducing new colour and texture into your space and wont cost the earth!
Don’t forget our neutrals , it’s a palette that never really goes out of style . This year we have seen paint trends in soft whites , creams like the strong white from Farrow and Ball for walls and furniture. The step back from the greys to the white palette appeals to our need for calm and restfulness in the home. Furniture trends are thrown back to the classic shapes with lots of cane ,natural wood and rattan complimenting the softer white shades . The neutral background is also ideal to bring in our warm cosy colours into cushions rugs and accessories for our winter months. Green foliage is a great way to bring life into your home and planting like kentia palms or ferns are ideal for indoor spaces with very little maintenance.
This time of year is also a great opportunity to do some furniture up-cycling , creating your own focal pieces , be it , painting a picture , a piece of furniture , being creative with what you have in your home , pieces that just need new life or a coat of paint!
Get the paint brushes out and the colour palettes , spending time in your home preparing for autumn winter will while away the days and have you set up in your cosy den for the long winter nights to come.
This season the trends and styles are a fusion of natural elements , natural woods , sustainable materials , darker hues and rich tones inspired by the beauty of nature. Incorporating materials like natural wood and rattan will not only add character to your house but also help bring the beauty of the outdoors in.
Earthy tones in paint like the new Preference red and Deep Reddish Brown from Farrow and Ball, immediately adds a warmer touch to any interior and creates a homely and inviting atmosphere to relax and unwind in. These colours also add depth to a room and set off with lighter accent pieces in cane furniture,natural wood and textured cloths, they bring a harmony and connection into your home.
Elements like soft accent lighting, woolly rugs, cosy cushions and throws are easy to change to transform your space into a winter hideaway . A mixture of soft linens, wool cashmere hessian, all the natural fibres in warm colours like cinnamon caramel terracotta are ideal for introducing new colour and texture into your space and wont cost the earth!
Don’t forget our neutrals , it’s a palette that never really goes out of style . This year we have seen paint trends in soft whites , creams like the strong white from Farrow and Ball for walls and furniture. The step back from the greys to the white palette appeals to our need for calm and restfulness in the home. Furniture trends are thrown back to the classic shapes with lots of cane ,natural wood and rattan complimenting the softer white shades . The neutral background is also ideal to bring in our warm cosy colours into cushions rugs and accessories for our winter months. Green foliage is a great way to bring life into your home and planting like kentia palms or ferns are ideal for indoor spaces with very little maintenance.
This time of year is also a great opportunity to do some furniture up-cycling , creating your own focal pieces , be it , painting a picture , a piece of furniture , being creative with what you have in your home , pieces that just need new life or a coat of paint!
Get the paint brushes out and the colour palettes , spending time in your home preparing for autumn winter will while away the days and have you set up in your cosy den for the long winter nights to come.
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