by Milcarsky's Staff | Dec 24, 2022 | Appliances, How To's
Conserving energy is important for many reasons. Wise use of resources is important for preserving and protecting our environment. It’s also important for protecting your pocketbook from skyrocketing utility bills. Thankfully, a few wise choices and small changes in your daily routine can significantly lower your energy bill.
Energy Efficient Bulbs
If you replace the light bulbs in your home with energy-efficient light bulbs, you can dramatically lower your electricity costs without any noticeable change in your lifestyle. In addition to lower utility bills, these light bulbs need to be replaced far less often than conventional ones.
In addition, some energy-efficient light bulbs are brighter than conventional bulbs. This means you can use only one bulb in a light fixture that usually requires multiple bulbs.
Turn off Appliances When Not in Use.
Develop a habit of turning off the light when you leave a room. Often, a large part of wasted utility costs is keeping all the lights in your home on at all times. Teach children and other family members to turn off the lights also.
If you’re in the habit of keeping your television on for background noise, try turning it off when it’s not in use. You may find that you enjoy the peace and quiet, and your pocketbook will definitely thank you for it!
Do you leave your computer on all the time? Even a small change like turning your computer off overnight can positively affect your energy bill next month. Small changes can add to significant savings without affecting your lifestyle.
One or the Other
Do you like to surf the web while watching television? To save money on your energy bill, try an experiment. When you’re watching television, turn the computer off. When you’re surfing the web, turn the tv off. When trying to do both simultaneously, your focus is limited. Plus, you’re wasting energy by trying to do both at the same time.
Also, consider watching your favorite television shows online. Many of today’s most popular sitcoms and reality shows are broadcast in their entirety online one or two days after they air on television. This will keep you from splitting your focus and save on electricity if you remember to turn the TV off while you watch your favorite program online.
Regulate the Thermostat
During the hot summer months, it’s tempting to crank up the air conditioner so that you can cool off. The cooler temperature in your home is refreshing but also expensive. To lower your monthly electricity bill, keep the thermostat temperature closer to the outside temperature.
In the summer, keep it a few degrees warmer than usual. In the winter, keep it a few degrees cooler. This puts less stress on the air conditioner and furnace and requires less power.
Many modern appliances are designed to use less energy than older models. It can be more expensive to buy energy-efficient appliances upfront, but the monthly savings may be worth it. Eventually, your new appliances will pay for themselves with the money you save on your utility bills.
If you’re willing to make a few small changes, you can save money on your electric bills. All it takes is a willingness to do something different and a desire for more cash in your pocket! Thankfully, you can begin to experience the benefits of your efforts on your next month’s bill.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Sep 28, 2022 | Appliances
When it comes to the appliances in your kitchen, you don’t want to cut corners. You need the best of the best if you want your home cooking experience to be a good one. That’s why you should consider investing in some modern kitchen appliances. These are a few of the benefits of having modern appliances in your home and why you should make the switch today.
Use Less Energy
You may not realize it, but your kitchen appliances have a big impact on your energy usage. Older appliances are often less energy-efficient than newer models, which means they use more power and cost more money to operate. In contrast, modern kitchen appliances are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. This means that they use less power, saving you money on your utility bills. Additionally, energy-efficient appliances also help to reduce your overall impact on the environment. By using less energy, you’ll generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions and help to preserve our planet for future generations. So, if you’re looking for ways to save money and be more eco-friendly, investing in modern kitchen appliances is a great place to start.
Make Your Home Look Newer
One of the most important reasons to update your kitchen appliances is to help keep your home looking newer. That’s right – by investing in new kitchen appliances, you can actually help to extend the life of your home and prevent it from showing its age. Of course, new appliances also come with a host of other benefits, like improved efficiency and increased safety. But when it comes to making your home look its best, nothing does the job quite like a brand new set of appliances. So if you’re looking for a way to breathe new life into your home, start with your kitchen. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. With the right appliances, it can look amazing for years to come.
Cook Better
When you hear the word “appliance,” your mind might immediately jump to your fridge or your oven. But in the modern kitchen, appliances can refer to all sorts of devices, from immersion blenders to food processors. And while each appliance has its own unique function, they all share one common goal: to make your life easier. If you’re someone who loves to cook, then a few well-chosen appliances can make all the difference in your kitchen. With the help of a blender, you can create smooth soups and sauces with ease. A food processor can chop vegetables and fruits in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it by hand. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook a delicious meal, an oven or stovetop is an essential appliance. In short, whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned pro, modern kitchen appliances can help you create better meals at home.
There are many reasons to invest in modern kitchen appliances. They are more energy-efficient, can help to extend the life of your home, and can make cooking easier. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your home, start with your kitchen. With the right appliances, you can make your home look amazing and cook better than ever.
Check out this article on solving clutter in the kitchen!
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.
Read this next: Home Issues That Only Worsen if You Don’t Fix Them
by Milcarsky's Staff | May 12, 2021 | Appliances
Having a washer and dryer in your apartment is highly unorthodox. Most of the time, people have their own laundry room to wash, dry, and fold their clothes. But this is not realistic for many people renting small apartments. Learning to cope with this situation can help you feel good about your home.
Hide Them Away in a Closet
The first way you can give your laundry its own spot is by hiding it away in the kitchen pantry or closet. According to DigsDigs, this can keep laundry smells away from the kitchen, keeping the two regions apart. It can also seem a little more professional if you are worried about the appliances looking “trashy” in the kitchen.
It can also keep your laundry detergents and other things in a spot close to the washer and dryer. You can set your stuff on shelves nearby, allowing for easy storage within the closet. You truly get the best of both worlds by having a nearby hiding place for these essential appliances.
Stack Them Up
One way you can minimize the amount of space the washer and dryer take up is by stacking them on top of each other. Homeowners tend to forget to use the vertical space in their homes. According to Pierce Design + Build, stacking your set can fit the needs of a smaller kitchen.
This works especially well if you have a tight closet that can’t be used for much else. This can give that specific closet a purpose while also hiding your washer and dryer in your kitchen. This is becoming incredibly popular as a DIY project, so if you are interested in hardware and need to move your appliances, this can be a great way to try your skill.
Set Them Under the Counter
Another way you can conceal your washer and dryer is by building them underneath a counter. This is a great way to make your home look professional while maintaining its ease of use. While you shouldn’t place it underneath your kitchen island, it can go great underneath a counter you won’t be cooking on frequently.
If you don’t have a lot of free counter space, this likely isn’t the solution for you. It works in more flexible layouts. The appliances may also vibrate the counter, which would be kind of loud and annoying in some circumstances. According to The Organized Home, it’s important to keep this in mind before you select this option.
Nobody wants to have a washer and dryer in their kitchen, but sometimes it’s necessary. A washer and dryer in the kitchen can be workable, but it is usually a niche circumstance. If you do need to make it work, these are some great options that you can use.
Need new appliances? Check out our inventory!
