by Milcarsky's Staff | Nov 4, 2021 | Appliances
Everyone uses energy every day to power their homes and to make their lives run more smoothly. And many people are considering the possibility of using more sustainable energy options to keep things going. But if you change the energy source you use, will it impact the way you use the appliances you have in your home? That is a question that deserves to be answered carefully and with the thought and care it takes to make sure it is answered correctly.
Different Kinds of Energy
The first thing you should know is that there are many different kinds of sustainable energy available. And that means that those different energy sources can impact your use of energy in various ways. Many people are familiar with solar energy for home use and it is a great sustainable energy source, especially if you are in a sunny climate. One great thing is that if your area experiences varied seasons, you can remain on the grid with solar energy so you can use solar energy when you have easy access to it and you can use traditional energy sources when you can’t get enough solar power.
Wind energy is another energy source that people tend to be familiar with and it is highly sustainable, though it sometimes works best in conjunction with other sustainable power options, especially in residential settings where a huge turbine is impractical. Propane is another more sustainable option that you should look into. Propane tanks allow you more freedom to shop around and choose different companies
One Energy Source
Some appliances tend to be powered by multiple energy sources if you have electric and gas like many traditional homes do. Depending on the sustainable energy source you use though, you will likely only need one energy source to power those appliances. This is nice because it is easier to track your energy use and to know how efficiently your appliances are working. Switching between gas and electric can also cause energy to be lost in the transition, which is not good for your overall efficiency. This means that converting to a single sustainable energy source will do a lot of good for your overall efficiency. And having less energy sources to worry about can make your life as a homeowner much simpler and more manageable.
Upfront Costs
The costs that you spend switching to sustainable energy up front can be a worry for some homeowners. And it is true that these costs can be expensive, especially if you haven’t prepared for them in advance. However, you have some options at your disposal that can help you to mitigate the upfront costs of installing sustainable energy options. One thing you should definitely keep in mind is that you can actually get tax breaks for your sustainable energy that can help to cut those costs down. There are federal breaks available for sustainable energy, but many states also offer tax breaks on top of the federal offers. That means that together these two breaks can greatly decrease your upfront costs. You can also apply for grants to help cover some or all of the upfront fees.
Decreasing Your Costs
One benefit is that sustainable energy will actually be able to help you decrease your costs over time. This means that if you are worried about the upfront costs of installing sustainable energy for your home, there is some good news for you. The savings you will have on your energy bill over time can be an incredible asset. If you are able to produce enough energy on your own that you are no longer required to rely on the grid at all you can essentially remove your energy bill all together. Some homeowners are also able to sell energy back to the grid so that they can actually make money off of their sustainable energy source. This is a huge advantage that can help you to make up for the upfront costs very quickly.
Pairing with Efficient Appliances
The appliances you choose will have a lot to do with how effectively you are able to use the sustainable power you choose. Different appliances have different levels of efficiency that can cause issues for your overall sustainability. But if you upgrade to new efficient appliances you can conserve energy and require less to do all the things you do.
While you are working on decreasing your energy consumption, you may as well decrease water waste as well. You want to choose low-flow fixtures so that you can use as little water as possible to keep your home running smoothly.
Improving the Overall Efficiency of Your Home
You shouldn’t simply choose sustainable energy and then leave the rest of your home as it is. Instead, you should work to make sure that your home has the energy efficiency it needs to make the most of sustainable energy. This means investing in things like insulation and modern windows and doors so that energy isn’t able to escape that way. It also means changing some of your habits to be more sustainable. Food waste and general trash is a huge issue for sustainability and working to decrease that waste and recycle whenever possible can help you to live more sustainably. Making sustainable choices every single day will help you to take full advantage of the sustainable energy sources you are using for your home.
Most people want their homes to be as sustainable and efficient as possible. Some people are more concerned about the environment while others are focused on keeping bills low. Whichever type of person you are, it’s important to make smart choices that move you towards a more sustainable life. And with more sustainable homes with more sustainable appliances you can save money and the environment all at the same time. This will put you in an ideal position to live your life more sustainably and fully, no matter how you like to spend your time and your budget.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Sep 8, 2021 | How To's
Having issues with your pipes and plumbing can be very expensive. It’s in your best interest to maintain them well so you can avoid any problems. There are many things you can actively do to help keep your pipes in working order.
Watch for Leaks
Leaks in your home can lead to water damage. If not detected early on, water damage can be very expensive to repair and it can even cause structural damage to your home. In order to prevent this kind of damage, you should be on the lookout for leaks in your home. Often, leaks can be found if you hear a dripping noise or if water is collecting where it shouldn’t. It can be helpful to monitor common areas for water leaks. Such areas include shower heads, the kitchen sink, and the toilet. If you notice any leaks, you should call a plumber as soon as possible to take a look.
Clean Out Your Drain
Your drains will collect many things over time. In the kitchen, there could be food waste and oil building up in pipes. Your bathroom drains will most likely have hair and assorted grooming products that have been rinsed down the drain. Over time, all of these can cause clogs in your pipes. Cleaning out your drains every once in a while can help remove all this build up so you don’t have any serious plumbing problems. Drain cleaners can break down the oil that causes damage to your plumbing. These cleaners are helpful for tough clogs. You can also routinely clean out pipes naturally with baking soda and vinegar or flushing them with hot water.
Check Your Water Pressure
The water pressure in your home should be regulated, but it’s still a good idea to check it regularly. High water pressure can be damaging to your pipes. It can work plumbing too hard and even lead to leaks and flooding in your home. Low water pressure, while not a major issue, will be an inconvenience to you. It can take too long to shower, wash dishes, etc. When you check your water pressure, it can indicate if there is a problem with your regulator.
There is a lot you can do to maintain your plumbing and prevent issues with your pipes. The more you do to take action, the fewer problems you are likely to see. It is worthwhile to stay on top of the maintenance of your pipes.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Aug 18, 2021 | How To's
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by home issues, especially if recovering physically and financially after a pandemic. There are some things which seem like they should be able to wait a while. You might put off re-landscaping, or pressure washing this year, perhaps. But there are some things which cannot be delayed. What are home issues which will worsen if you don’t fix them?
Termite Damage
Termite bonds can seem terribly expensive, unless you’ve seen firsthand the irrevocable damage they can cause to a home. If you have seen tunnels, “sawdust” deposits in closets or on windowsills, or similar issues, you need to have repairs done right away. This includes getting those in who can kill the bugs and prevent more, before they eat your fiscal investment in your home! If you see any of the winged termites, or if you have any which show up in your home, are good warning signs of invasion.
Water Leaks
If there are any leaks in your home, you are in danger of deterioration and mold damage, both of which are difficult to repair and costly. Mold can be caused by excess water due to plumbing issues. Even a slight leak in a pipe, or because of a few missing shingles, can cause ongoing odor, unsightly mold, and, worse, an unhealthy atmosphere. There are many molds which can be dangerous to humans as well, so make sure to take care of any leaks quickly!
Sump Pump
If your home has a basement, making sure your sump pump is working properly is critical to make sure your home is running properly! The time to discover that winter runoff has overwhelmed your home, or when you discover a basement pipe has given way, is not the best time to also realize your sump pump is not working.
Overall, if it has to do with insect or rodent infestation, if it will damage your house permanently, or if neglect of it, like the sump pump could cause ongoing future damage to your home, these are the things which cannot wait. Even if a home has been remodeled, or repainted, if it has foundational issues, it loses in equity. It’s much better to prevent all of the problems you can in advance, which can save you both a great deal of money, time, and frustration in the long run.
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by Milcarsky's Staff | Jun 16, 2021 | Design
There are many things that might be on your mind as you design your kitchen layout. You might be thinking about the overall look and appeal. However, it is important to also consider safety while designing your layout.
Enough Lighting
When working in your kitchen, you want there to be plenty of light. Low lighting can impair your vision and lead to more accidents while in the kitchen. Additionally, low lighting can strain your eyes. There are three main types of lighting to consider for your kitchen. The first is ambient lighting which is meant to cast as much light as possible throughout the room and it is your main light source. The next is task lighting which illuminates specific areas. For example, you might have lights attached beneath cabinets so you can see your counters better. Last, you have accent lighting. This lighting isn’t essential to safety, but it is used as a part of your design to highlight certain features.
Heat Protection
When creating your layout, you need to be mindful of the placement of your stove and oven. Poor placement can lead to fires or serious injuries. Burn injuries have a high incidence rate, so making sure you are safe in the kitchen is incredibly important. Avoid putting your stove/oven near windows or open doors. Curtains around windows could catch fire or a breeze could blow out the flame but leave the gas running. If you have your stove located in a high traffic area, like on the end of a kitchen island, you’re more likely to knock hot pots and pans off the stove. Make sure you place your stove and oven in a safe area.
Good Flooring
The kitchen is a common place for slips and falls. You want to make sure you account for that when picking the flooring for your kitchen. When picking your flooring, there are many factors to consider. These include maintenance, durability, and aesthetic. In addition to these, pick a flooring option that is more water resistant and less slick. You also want an option that won’t lift or crack and lead to people tripping. Tile floors are common in kitchens as well as hardwood and vinyl floors.
As you design your kitchen, you want to create a space that is both stylish and functional. Emphasizing the functionality of your kitchen will help you to be more mindful of safety. The more thought you put into how to make a safe kitchen, the less you’ll have to worry about when using it.
Ready to redesign your kitchen? Check out our appliance inventory!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Jun 11, 2021 | Uncategorized
Improving the style and functionality of your kitchen is something every homeowner should keep in mind. While you may be content with your current home, thinking about potential improvements can prevent your outlook from becoming stale. Even more importantly, it causes your attention to be focused more on the maintenance of your home.
Because your kitchen is central to your daily and nightly activities, it can be a great place to start your renovative process. Each recommended change can be done at your discretion—in some cases, it might not be necessary to swap out everything. If you like something about your kitchen already—keep it how it is, or find a way to make it even better.
Granite or Quartz Countertops
One thing that you can change in your home that will make your visitors peer with awe is a new granite or quartz countertop. These additions can be incredibly expensive, but they will last you a lifetime. Granite and quartz are hard minerals that are easy to work on. They can revolutionize the way you think about prepping food in your home.
Talk with a contractor to see what their rates are right away. There are benefits to granite and benefits to quartz, so research what material you think will work in your home. If it works out, you will have a pristine kitchen counter to show off to others.
New Cabinets
Investing in new cabinets can be another great way to make your kitchen look more unique. It can also give you additional storage space if you are running out. Completely replacing old cabinets is not only practical and worthwhile, but it can also be health conscious. Many aged kinds of wood attract termites and molds—two things you don’t want to deal with at home.
Adding extra cabinet shelves can also be a manageable substitute for a pantry. Before you know it, you will have more space than you know what to do with, all while sticking to the design and style of your current kitchen.
Replace Your Appliances
Have you noticed that your electricity bill has risen higher than the Empire State Building? If this is the case, you may have some energy usage problems. When it comes to energy waste, there is often no bigger culprit than outdated appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers.
These old-timers not only suck the money right out of your pocket, but they also don’t usually even work very well. It may be time you ditch the clunkers and buy some new products. This can be a hefty investment, but if you save up your cash and make gradual payments, you can have a new fridge in no time!
An Outdoor Kitchen
Don’t want to always cook inside? Then you should instead take your kitchen outside! Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular as people want to have the luxury of cooking wherever they want. They are great for entertaining in the summer with friends and family.
A deck is a great place to install an outdoor kitchen, where you can also add a grill, a brick oven, and more. You’ll need to add some cover to protect your outdoor kitchen’s integrity. Add some outdoor lights and a speaker system and you can have a great night with your family. Don’t knock it until you try it!
Better Storage Options
As a matter of practicality, storage should be one of the highest priorities when renovating parts of your kitchen. As you live in your home for long periods and your family continues to grow, you will naturally have more limited space. This means you’ll probably have to get more creative.
Whenever you are cluttered and confused about storage, don’t forget to think vertically. Some people like to hang their pots and pans above the stove for easy access. Spice racks can be sorted out when you need something in a pinch. Some redesigns can offer more space underneath countertops and your kitchen island.
New Design
However, what if you are exclusively focused on aesthetics? In that case, you should start by researching some of the different design options online. While websites like Pinterest can give you some cute ideas, you can also find exceptional designs on local interior design websites.
During your research, you may see something that is an absolute ‘must’ for you. When this happens, you should build other parts of your kitchen around this identity or color scheme. You must remove anything that could potentially clash. Redo your backsplash, repaint the walls, and swap out some of the cupboard designs. You’ll come out with something unique and beautiful.
Replace the Flooring
The most popular change people make to their kitchen at least once is a change in flooring. You may have beautiful appliances, well-designed cupboards, and a great color scheme, but an old, gross, and unfashionable floor can clash heavily with the higher-end changes you have made.
Change it to a design that you appreciate. Wooden floors, while very practical and relatively cheap, have a lot of risks when it comes to water damage and termite infestations. Laminate and vinyl floors can be a great alternative if you want your floor to look like wood without actually being wood.
Streamlined Layout
This last point is a matter of preference, but it can make a huge difference in the way you feel about your kitchen. When you are cooking a feast-worthy meal, you may feel that you have to run across your kitchen constantly looking for the right ingredients and the right tool. This can make an already complicated meal even more frustrating.
Streamlining your kitchen experience is something that is totally within your control. Depending on your current layout, you may need to renovate to add in new shelves or drawers to make it work. This streamlining process might be your favorite change to your kitchen if you want something more effective and long-lasting than a design.
Kitchen renovations can make your family’s life so much easier. Not only does it remove common DIY threats and kitchen challenges, but it makes you feel better about the home you have created.
Ready to replace your appliances? Check out our inventory!
by Milcarsky's Staff | May 25, 2021 | Uncategorized
As summer approaches, you may be considering some outdoor projects. This year, you can take the chance to get more creative with your backyard. You can create a space that you’ll love spending time in.
Build a Patio
If you’re looking to entertain in the future, then adding a patio is an excellent way to do so. A patio allows you to conveniently enjoy the outdoors because it is an extension of your living space. You can easily add outdoor furniture or a standing grill to fit it to your needs. Patios also add value to your home, and they are low maintenance as well. When building your patio, you have a lot of options. There are a variety of materials to choose from, but you should be conscious of the time and labor that will go into it. For example, a brick patio allows you to incorporate intricate designs, but there are lots of pieces to lay. Concrete slabs or large pavers are a smarter choice. As you plan out your patio, take direction from the architecture of your home so you can have consistency in the design.
Create a Walkway
Adding a walkway to your backyard can present many opportunities. For example, it allows people to easily access any landscaping you have done. It can also be a convenient way to tour your backyard even if there’s recently been inclement weather. You can also get creative with how you build your walkway. One option is to make a gravel path through your yard. However, you can also make a path out of stepping stones. One of the sturdier options is putting in a concrete path. You can add accent stones to your concrete for a unique look.
Add a Water Feature
While this may seem like an ambitious project, a water feature can add a sense of beauty and tranquility to your backyard. The best part is water features are quite diverse and you’ll have plenty of options to consider. One of the most basic would be a fountain. These features will have water flowing out of the top of a vase, rock, and then pooling in a reservoir where it will then be pumped back up to the top. Fountains are more economical, and they also allow you to have the sound of running water. Another common option is adding a pond to your backyard. These again come with a lot of potential design choices and they require less maintenance than you’d think.
Add a little fun to your annual outdoor projects and find some new ways to spice up your backyard. Doing so can allow you to create a more lively space that you can enjoy throughout the summer and, in some cases, all year long.
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