How To Lower Your Air Conditioning Costs

Whether you live in the deep south or the northeast, you probably have to blast your air conditioning system all summer long to keep cool in your indoor space. Having a properly running AC is essential to staying cool and comfortable throughout the hottest months of summertime. Even if you have a top of the line, brand new efficient system, you energy costs can still be high. However, there are several simple steps that you can take right now to lower the cost of cooling your house.

In order to keep your energy costs down, efficiency is a key component of the process. The more inefficient your HVAC system is, the more money you are going to spend on your monthly bills. One of best ways to maintain an efficient air conditioning system is to regularly replace the filters. Dirty filters will decrease the airflow necessary to cool your home, causing your system to be far less efficient than necessary. Filters are inexpensive, and they should be checked monthly and changed at least once every few months.

Replacing your thermostats with programmable options is a great way to cut down your energy costs while keeping your home perfectly comfortable. While manual thermostats allow you to control the exact temperature in your space, automatic ones give you total control over your system. You can save by programming the thermostat to turn off the air conditioning when you won’t be home, and you can set it to turn back on an hour before you arrive.

If you have the opportunity to get a new system installed, look into energy efficient air conditioning systems. There are a variety of models on the market systems that are designed to use much less energy than other options. If you are outfitting your home with a new system, or you already have an inefficient system installed in your home, consider using a window unit. If your system seems to cool some rooms efficiently while leaving other parts of your house stuffy and hot, a window air conditioning unit can help to cool single rooms at a time. This way, you can conserve energy by not needlessly cooling rooms you are not occupying.

Whether you are building a new home, or you are already a homeowner, there are a variety of steps you can take to make your home cooler and more efficient in the summer. By following these simple tips, you will be amazed at how much money you will be able to save every month.

When Building a New Home

Building a home according to your will is a dream of a lifetime while both stressful and a daunting task. To ensure the success of your new home construction requires someone with a lot of experience in the field and also sufficient resources to get the construction of your dream home completed on time. In the UK the property market has enjoyed a rebound this year from the deepest economic crisis it has seen in decades.

The most important thing when you plan to build a new home is to keep track of your finances. Price out all the stuff your home needs. Make a list of everything in your house, such as appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, heat pumps, countertops and anything you want in your new house. You should ensure that you find a company who will be right for you, someone who has experience, but is affordable and who can complete your project on time. Apart from the architect and the owner, one of the most important constituents is the builder in construction, renovation or structuring a new home project. The best home builders take care of the inside of your home as well as the outside and will be glad to give you the names and addresses of satisfied homeowners, for you to check previous work.

You should stay involved in the building process and familiarize yourself with home construction terms. You will want to always be up to date on how construction is proceeding and know about fees and any extra costs that are associated with the home building. At certain stages of home building, you would be required to hire a home inspector, an architect or engineer to meet structural and safety codes and approve different home systems. Framing is the skeleton, basic structure of your home. A special engineer must be hired to draw the plans for the framing of your house. SearchMe4 is a local information and business directory that can help you find completely legal and professional builders, building engineers, consultants and contractors and various building control services.

other-Reversionary Property Investment

When it comes to building a diversified property portfolio, many investors consider a reversionary property investment. Especially beneficial for the medium and long-term, a reversionary property is a good option as it offers a host of advantages. The fact that its unheard of for property prices to decline 50% below their current value makes investing in a reversionary property worth considering.

What is a reversionary property investment?

A reversionary property offers potentially high returns. Reversionary property investing refers to the process where an investor purchases the reversionary interest in another persons property, typically their home. This means they are purchasing the rights to own the property upon the death of the owner or when he vacates. In short, the property reverts to the buyer.

Types of reversionary properties

There are two types of reversionary properties: tenanted and untenanted. Tenanted is when the homeowner stays in the premises while untenanted is when the seller isnt residing in the house. In the second type, the buyer can choose to rent out the property.

How do you obtain a reversionary property?

In a reversionary property investment, you simply buy a residential property from a homeowner at a significantly discounted price usually around 50% of its value, depending on the sellers age and the propertys location and features. Payment can either be made through cash lump sum or in monthly instalments or a combination of both. When payment has been handed over, the homeowner continues to reside in the property as a rent-free tenant with full legal rights to stay in the house.

As long as he continues to stay in the house, he will be responsible for the general maintenance of the property, the utility bills, building insurance premiums and capital tax. Basically, reversion investments are a bet on the life expectancy of the homeowner. Meanwhile, the buyer of the property pays the monthly reversionary annuities until the death of the homeowner. When the homeowner dies or when he decides to leave, the propertys ownership reverts to the buyer.

Who benefits from a reversionary property investment?

Both the homeowner and the buyer benefit from a reversionary property. The homeowner-seller receives additional income in the form of a cash lump sum or monthly payments which could significantly supplement his pension. The setup will also provide him a lease that will endure until he passes away and he is freed from the responsibility of shelling out big payments such as land tax. In addition, he doesnt have to put up with the usual anxiety associated with selling his own property or moving out, allowing him a stable and secure state of mind.

For the buyer, the reversionary property presents an excellent opportunity for him to acquire a property at a huge discount. Most of these reversionary properties are apartments, studio flats, villas and commercial buildings situated in prime spots thus making them well-suited for buy to lets.

A reversionary property investment is certainly one of the least bothersome ways for any property investor to invest.

A Guide To Building A Pergola Attached To The House

A pergola is a graceful addition to a house; it creates an outdoor living space to enhance enjoyment of your property. Pergolas are often free standing structures supported by posts that are joined by beams then topped with rafters to provide shade. Building a Pergola Attached To The House is not overly difficult; this approach eliminates a set of posts but otherwise the construction techniques are the same as for free standing pergolas.

Start by obtaining a good set of plans and checking with the building codes administrator in your town or city. The first step in construction is accurate placement of the posts; pergolas longer than 8 feet may require additional support. A short cut to accurate placement involves using a frame built of 2×10 boards; verify the squareness of the frame by measuring the diagonals from one corner to another; if the measurements are the same, the frame is squared and true. Place the frame against the foundation to locate the post holes, make appropriate marks where the holes will be dug, remove the frame and dig the post holes. Code requirements vary but generally the holes should be a bit deeper than the frost line.

Use a motorized auger or a post hole digger to make your hole. Line the bottom of the hole with about 4″ of gravel. Dip the end of the posts in roofing tar as a preservative measure. Replace the frame. Set the posts vertically, check carefully that they are plumb; use the inside of the frame as a boundary marker to guarantee proper location. Brace the posts with 2″x4″ material, mix concrete according to directions and pour it into the hole; cone shape the concrete above ground level to enhance water runoff.

Attach an appropriately sized, usually 2×10, ledger board to the side of the house. It should be lag bolted to vertical members of the house framing; this may require removal of siding and should be planned for in advance.
The bottom of the ledger board should accord with the height of the beams that will be attached to the posts. Be sure to flash and seal the ledger board properly.

The beams that join the posts together run parallel to the side of the house. Two beams, typically 2×16, are attached to the top portion of the posts, one on each side; this forms a kind of sandwich, the beams being the bread. They should be attached with properly sized, weatherproof carriage bolts or lag screws. The rafters will attach to the ledger board on one end and rest atop the beams on the other end.

The rafters are attached to the ledger board using joist hangers; they are usually spaced 16″ apart. The other end is stabilized atop the beams using a part commonly called a hurricane tie bracket which is screwed to the beams and has flanges between which the rafter sits; the rafters are screwed to the brackets. Additional rafters may added atop the first level to provide more shade.

6″x6″ posts provide the best support but do not detract from the graceful appearance. Cedar is a popular choice for material, although pressure treated lumber is often used for posts. Decorative notches are most easily cut into the beam and rafters on the ground. You may want to use posts that are a bit longer than required then trim them to the proper height after the concrete has cured to make sure they are equal. Building a Pergola Attached To the House requires good planning and follow through but will add enjoyment, comfort and value. It will typically require several days of carefully done work.

Ideas On Building A Detached Garage

When building a detached garage for your home there are a few simple guidelines you need to follow. The first is to have a solid plan. That is the most important part of any garage construction project. Start by having an idea of what your goals for building a detached garage are. Is your garage going to be for personal use? Are you just going to use it for storage, or are you going to be doing actual mechanical work? Are you building a garage apartment? Once you have these questions answered you can truly dive into what it is going to take in building a detached garage.

Planning Your Garage
The first thing you need to figure out is how much space you want for your garage. Is it going to be big enough for three or more cars, or do you just need it for one? Will you be needing addition storage space on top of the room for the cars? How tall and how much storage do you want in the upper section? These important questions will dictate the majority of your construction project. Take each one in turn and think about it then decide what direction you want to take your project in.

After you have a rough idea of what the size of your garage will be you can begin planning the inside. The first place to start here is with the garage door. This important piece must fit the opening nearly exactly if you expect to do anything in the winter or have a structure that is at all secure.

Be sure to plan for enough room for the door. This will include both sides, directly above the door and on the ceiling as the door is pulled in. Depending on what rails you get and what automatic door system you put in, you will need different amounts of space for all of these sections. You should have enough of a basic layout that building a detached garage is only a couple short steps aways.

The door is by far the trickiest part to design for. Once you have that in place you can start planning out the different pieces inside your garage. You will need ample room for all of your things, so plan accordingly so that you are not left with a storage shortage. There are many different kinds of storage to choose from starting with simple wood cabinets all the way to complex metal workbenches capable of holding your tools and doing all your work.

Again it is up to you how much you are going to need. Hopefully this article has given you some ideas into what building a detached garage requires.

How To Build A Deck Box

If you have a pool at home or a big garden where lots of group events happen, you definitely need a deck box to help keep it clean. You can learn how to build a deck box on your own and it’s not necessary for you to buy one just to be able to have a deck box. There are many reasons why it is important to have it around. For one, it keeps everything in order. It can also contain cold drinks and food for a long period of time. There are just a lot of things that you can do with it, so you better take the time to know how to build a deck box.

It’s pretty simple actually. All you have to do is follow these simple steps on how to build a deck box right from scratch:

Know where to place your deck box – Before anything else, it is important that when you start to learn how to build a deck box you also have a definite idea where you would place it. This will help you consider other important things like the actual size, the materials to be used, how its insides would look like, and how it should be designed. If this is also your first time to create a deck box, you might want to build two at the minimum especially if you often host parties and events at your place.

Allot a specific budget for the materials – When you start to learn how to build a deck box, you will also consider the difference between it and the usual storage space. Deck boxes can be used for housing tools but it can also be a useful tool where food and beverages can be placed. When you host a party in your back yard or by the pool side, expect people to come by with drinks and food in hand. Of course you would not want too many people padding back and forth from the kitchen so with a deck box in place, you can easily provide a solution for this. You can also have cookouts with the use of a deck box. As you start with how to build a deck box, you might need to allot a budget for insulation inside the box should you also want it to function as an edibles’ container.

Have a design and execution plan – An important thing too when it comes to learning how to build a deck box is creating a design and execution plan. This makes things more organized as you delve deeper on learning how to build a deck box. With a plan in place you can really make sure that all sides of the box will fit and perfectly coincide with each other. This also minimizes having to redo everything and going back and forth with the building process.

The Insider Secrets to Building the Perfect New Home

Building a home all by yourself; inputting ideas and your own thoughts from the very foundation to the ceiling is a wonderful experience. For most people living in a brand new home completely built according to their requirements is a dream come true. The joy of seeing your dream slowly taking shape brick by brick is tremendous. However there are many constraints that pull people from venturing into building a custom home. For some it can be lack of adequate funds; for others limitations in the architectural design process that hold them back. An expert home builder with a proven track record can help you sort out many of the issues. That’s why, when looking for New Home Builders in Charlotte or your local geography keep in mind to search for industry leaders who offer the finest services in terms of architectural design, building, and after sale service.

There are a few key points to bear in mind when you decide to give shape to your dream. Listed below are 5 important points that should be considered while constructing your home.

Set your goals clearly: Consider spending time with your builder and clearly convey what you have in mind. They can provide professional guidance regarding all aspects of the home building process, which can eliminate many of your fears and help you set realistic goals. A trip to a good home builder in Charlotte is worth the time invested. They can point out to you whether your expectations are achievable and if required they will give a rough cost estimation for your home.

Choose the Home Builder: Hire expert home builders even before you decide on the location.. The right home builder can help you determine if your demands are feasible. It is a good idea if your builder sees the location and creates a blueprint that is best suited to it. This survey when combined with your ideas can make for a perfect sketch of your new home. It is always better to select the location with the help of a home builder as they can clearly point out the flaws and strengths of a location. There are numerous new home builders in Charlotte who can provide great service from selecting a location to fabricating your home but make sure that you choose well as there are always a few bad apples in the bunch.

An ideal home builder is the one who can get you closer to your dream and at the same time takes into consideration the elevation, location and topographical features of the lot when sketching out a practical design.

Decide on the Budget: Lets face it building the perfect home costs money, so make sure your ideas fit your budget. The right home builder will create a plan within the limits of your budget without altering the actual design you want. Arrive at a clear cost estimation and adhere to it till the end. It is always better to foresee hidden expenses and working out a realistic budget. It is also good to avoid major alterations in the design as this will create a lot of unwanted expenses.

Plan the interiors and exteriors Apart from the skeletal frame work of your home, it is the interior plan and external appearance that adds beauty. Make a detailed plan of your interior that includes the number and size of the rooms, floor plan, the flooring materials, the color scheme, storage space, master bedroom details, study, bath and kitchen. Sketch out the exterior landscaping and features you want that will make the grounds attractive, and also include details for fencing and gates. Choose materials that will last and that offer protection from rain and sun. Include ample windows, ventilation, and moisture control systems. Get referrals from friends and builder associations for New home builders in Charlotte who have a reputation for constructing marvelous masterpieces and can create wonders for your home.

Play an active role during construction phase: Don’t be a passive onlooker, regularly venture out and explore how your home is taking shape. Make sure the workers are working as per standards and they are paying attention to the details. Also make sure that the materials used are of top quality.

Five Tips For Building An Enviable Cigar Collection

Ask any cigar smoker why they do it and they will pontificate for as long as you will let them about the sublime and meditative act of enjoying a good cigar. They will go on and on about their personal cigar-smoking experience, never once admitting to the fact that they take great pride in their knowledge of cigars and in the collection they have accumulated.

The fact is that every serious cigar smoker wants a collection that will be the envy of his friends. Even though most cigar aficionados would never admit it, there is a social and almost club-like bond between cigar smokers.

Sure, there is the image of a man sitting in his study quietly enjoying a smoke and a great novel. Solitary enjoyment is a big part of cigar smoking. But half the fun of smoking cigars is talking with your friends about the brands you have experienced and the ones that you would like to try.

Building an enviable cigar collection requires tact, variety, and daring choices. Here are a few tips toward making your collection the talk of the town.

1. Proper Storage

First off, any serious collection of cigars is going to be stored in a proper humidor. If you dont have one, it is time to get one. Beyond just keeping your cigars at the proper temperature and humidity, a humidor will add that subtle cedar flavor that is otherwise unobtainable.

The Neo Classic I Humidor is small (it only holds about 25 cigars), but it is a great starter humidor and what it lacks in size it makes up in style. It has a black lacquer finish and the corners are accented with Greek-style columns. Piano hinges support the lid and it even comes with a lock and key to keep the kids out.

On the opposite end of the size spectrum is the Montegue End Table Humidor. Yes, it is a humidor so large that it actually functions as an end table. Behind two doors and in one drawer you can store a whopping 1,500 cigars. With a humidor this size it becomes less like collecting cigars and more like stockpiling them.

Dont worry though; there are plenty of humidors of every size in between so it should be easy enough to find one that will house your collection without going too overboard.

2. Variety

The first step towards building a respectable collection is variety. This doesnt mean you have to have every obscure shape, style, and brand of cigar, but you should at least make an attempt to try and have a decent mix on hand. This isnt just for presentations sake, but it will also grow your own tastes and experience.

A nice corona is always at home in any collection and the Cruz Real Corono Sumatra is a terrific example. The Connecticut wrapper version has a great medium-bodied smoke that will make these a staple of your collection.

If you are looking to throw something a little off the beaten path into the mix then you should try the Villiger Original Krumme 4/6. They are mild Swiss made culebra style cigars. A culebra is actually 3 small cigars twirled together.

Variety is important, but you should also be careful not to get too carried away. Dont buy cigars you dont think you will actually enjoy just for the sake of mixing up your collection.

3. The Holy Grails

Every cigar collection should have a few premium cigars. Price doesnt always determine quality, but having a few expensive cigars will add a sense of exclusivity to your collection.
The CAO America Anthem is a great all-American presidente-style cigar. It is made from two Connecticut wrapper leaves that encircle longfiller tobaccos from Nicaragua, Italy, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. It is a great showpiece cigar and would make a fine centerpiece to any collection.

4. The Liquid Collection

A cigar collection should be like the menu of your favorite restaurant. There are the old standbys that made you fall in love with the cooking in the first place, but you keep coming back to see what new specials they might have.

Collecting cigars works the same way. You can amass the greatest collection of cigars that the world has ever seen, but unless you keep adding and trying new brands and styles then it will get boring in a hurry.

Dont be afraid to get out there and try something new every once in a while. This applies not just to cigars, but to your whole life. The strong and almost spicy aroma of the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso might initially turn off someone who is used to a more mild smoke. Give it a whirl though and its blend of rare tobaccos might change your tune.

5. The Shared Collection

There isnt much point in collecting cigars if you are just going to just let them sit there. And there is no fun in showing off your collection if you arent willing to share it. You might amass a variety of cigars that would turn the most experienced aficionado into a jealous maniac, but unless you are willing to offer him a cigar from your collection he will deny your tastes until his dying day.

There is a sense of devilish delight that can be obtained from building a collection of cigars that will make your friends jealous. But the real joy in collecting cigars comes from the enjoyment you get in having a cigar with a good friend. It is fun to try new cigars and discussing your hobby with others is a great way to increase your cigar knowledge.

However, it is the other discussions that you have over a cigar that matter the most. It is the talks you and your friends have about your families. About your troubles and your dreams. About your place in the universe and in each others lives. A collection of cigars is really just material. It is how you enjoy them with the people that matter to you that is truly something enviable.

Fishing Boat Design – A Must In Building A Home Made Boat

If you are an individual who likes fishing very much and also has a skillful grasp of working with wood, I say you have what it takes to construct a boat of your own using fishing boat plans.

I understand that there’s a typical idea that fishing boats are expensive. I should know, I used to believe that too. And it is true, fishing boats can cost you quite a bit. Still, if you build your own fishing boat, that’s a different matter altogether. With you having to remove the labor expense of a self-made fishing boat, not to point out having full control of material alternatives, you can quickly keep the price of the boat straight down. Way more economical than if you procure a boat kit or buy a boat.

However, for the construction process to go as without problems as possible, there are some issues that you need to plan and think of. Some of these are:

Type of Boat

There are many types of boat that you can take into consideration. The most generally used fishing boats are dories or jon boat. Personally, I think dories are good for rookie builder. But if you want a somewhat bigger boat, you should go for a jon boat. Jon boat can be pretty quiet thus making it ideal as a fishing boat since it doesn’t drive away fishes. On top of that, jon boat allows for more capacity so you can bring some fishing buddy for the ride.

Materials Used

There are many options for you when it comes to materials used in building a boat. Most commonly used perhaps are wood, aluminum and fiberglass. Using any of those materials has its own advantages and drawbacks.

For example, a wooden boat is one of the easiest boat you can construct. It would just require a solid grasp of basic woodworking skills to complete the boat. Doesn’t require the use of power tools either. However, the main drawback of a wooden boat is that it has to be thoroughly protected from constant exposure to water as it is prone to rotting. That is why varnish or paint has to be thoroughly applied both for aesthetic as well as maintenance purposes.

Boat Building Techniques

There are two boat building techniques which I strongly suggest. Personally, I use either of these methods depending which serves me best on a given project. The first one is the simplest method of boat building. It’s called stitch and glue method. As its name implies, the whole process only involves the cutting of the different parts accurately, stitching it together and afterward, gluing it together. You will also save a lot from material cost using this process.

A different method is the ply over frame method. I use this method if I want to achieve a higher level of durability and sturdiness in my boat. Comparatively speaking, it is more time demanding than the first system as it necessitates you to assemble a boat frame first before to setting up the plywood over the frame.

Fishing Boat Plans

If you wish to make the whole boat building experience without the headaches that could surprisingly crop up, you need to get a good fishing boat plan. Believe me, it will be a lot more affordable in the long run to invest a high quality boat blueprint. At the end of the day, the level of quality of the plan could spell the distinction between the success or failure of the endeavor.