Orange County Home Improvement Specialists: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Orange County Solar Power: Is a Do-It-Yourself Solar Water Heater Right for You?

Heating the water in your home can run up several of the bills you pay every month, and depending on how much hot water your household can go through, bills can skyrocket. It can be a fiscally sound decision to heat your water with Orange County solar power instead of electricity or gas. But how does solar water heating work?

With solar water heating, collectors are used to harvest the sun’s energy and the heat created safely warms the water in your home. The photovoltaic panels turn on water pumps that transfer the water from the tank to the collector and back. The amount of energy that this takes varies depending on the time of day and the speed of the pump that your system uses. At the end of the day the water that has been cycled through the tank and collector will be heated, ready to use, and a valve maintains the heat in the water when there’s not a lot of sun.

A do-it-yourself solar water heater has the benefits of solar power with additional savings. Do-it-yourself projects are typically more affordable than having systems installed for you and it can be more cost efficient to order the components and instructions than to have it built. This allows you to not only save on the cost of electricity and gas but also on the solar water heater itself.
There is no doubt that putting in your own solar water heater is time consuming and will take a lot of research but at the cost of a weekend you can start yourself down the path of energy-efficient living and saving quite a bit of money. It also helps make the world a more eco-friendly place, reducing your carbon footprint with methods that don’t pollute the environment or use up limited resources. Solar energy is completely safe and just as effective as traditional methods.

While you can save a lot of money by installing your solar water heater yourself, talking to an Orange County solar power professional to make sure that you have everything you need and that your home is ready for it can be an important part of the process. Once everything is ready to go, you’ll be glad that you made the switch.

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Monday, May 30, 2011

Orange County Home Improvement: How An Air Conditioner Works

Many people use air conditioners at home or in their office but not very many people understand how they work. On a practical level an air conditioner is a lot like a refrigerator but while a refrigerator only has to cool a few cubic feet of space an air conditioner needs to cool a much larger area.

The standard type of air conditioner used in America works on a simple principle, it uses the same chemicals that a refrigerator uses to remove the heat from the air, replacing hot air with cool air. The boiling point of these chemicals can change depending on how much pressure they’re under. If the chemicals are under high pressure, the boiling point goes higher. If the pressure is low the boiling point likewise goes down. When the refrigerating chemicals boil they draw in the surrounding heat. If the surrounding environment is cooler then the chemicals condense and become liquid, rapidly losing heat.

The way that air conditioners use these simple principles is that they pressurize the refrigeration chemicals causing it to heat up into a pressurized gas. The gas is forced through coils to disperse the heat in the air and the chemicals condense into a cold liquid. The liquid is forced through an evaporator coil next where it gets converted into a cold vapor. This absorbs the heat from the air and the cool air is then blown by a fan into the area that you want to cool down.

This process is repeated over and over again, converting the heated air in your home or office into cooler air and keeping you, your friends, family, and coworkers cool even when the temperatures outside soar. Of course, even the most efficient air conditioner can have problems if the air ducts that lead to and from the unit are blocked which is why it’s best to make sure these are checked out by Orange County air duct cleaning professionals in the weeks leading up to summer to make sure that everything is ready.

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Orange County Home Improvement Tips: Finding an Inexpensive Dining Room Set

There are a lot of reasons why someone might need to find inexpensive furniture and with the condition of the economy these days a lot of people are tightening their belts. After their basic living expenses are taken care of, a lot of people are reluctant to spend money on things that seem less necessary like an expensive dining room set. But there are good deals to be found, and following some simple tips can help you stretch your dollar quite far.

Just because furniture is of an inexpensive nature it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s low quality. There is a wide range of inexpensive dining room furniture out there and if you take the time to shop at your local Orange County furniture stores you’ll find that you can find bargains even on the smallest budget. Once you know the size of your dining area and how much you have to work with for placing your furniture, you might decide that you can be more flexible with the style and color of the sets you find. This can help you shop more aggressively for sales and bargains.

You can also save money by looking into alternate materials. A solid oak dining room set can set you back quite a bit financially. If you’re willing to consider furniture made with other materials like wood from a rubber tree plant you can get a similar solid-wood look without paying the same kinds of prices or sacrificing quality.

Another inexpensive option is to consider furniture that has a wood veneer. At a distance it’s hard to tell the difference between solid wood dining room sets and pieces covered in melamine. They also have a finish that’s easy to keep clean and resists damage.

Even if you end up having to compromise on the look of the dining room of your dreams, you can replace one part of the set at a time as the money becomes available. This is when hunting down bargains at Orange County furniture stores really comes in handy since you have more time to find what you want and can wait for items to go on sale. In the end, whether it’s through aggressive bargain hunting or by considering alternate materials, it’s possible to have the furniture you want even on a limited budget.

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Orange County Home Remodeling Tips: A Guide to Insulating Your Home

Picking the right exterior siding with the proper amount and type of insulation is critical to any home renovation project, especially in older homes. Selecting the best Orange County building materials combined with the right type of insulation can make a big difference in protecting a home from the elements and might add to the lifetime of the siding by leaps and bounds. Finding the right combination of siding and insulation is critical to keeping the foundation of your home strong and the interior protected from changes in the weather.

There are many types of siding available to protect the walls of your home. The biggest concern when it comes to insulation is that it protects the wall and the structure of your home from moisture. Additionally the ideal insulation will also be cost effective as well as weatherproof. It shouldn’t let heat escape during the winter or keep it trapped during the summer. Insulation used in conjunction with the appropriate exterior siding will last for a long time, and even if the siding itself can’t be replaced it’s a good idea to upgrade to the latest insulated padding anyway.

It’s important to look at the area you live in and the types of weather that your home experiences regularly to get the right R-value insulation. The R-value is the amount of heat and cold insulation can withstand and different regions will require different R-value rated insulation. Insulation should also be flame resistant. Although a wide variety of materials are used in insulated padding the goal is the same, to resist moisture getting trapped inside the padding which can cause mold and other damage to your walls. Efficient padding shouldn’t let any moisture through at all.

Insulation that runs through all the exterior walls is the most common method of installation, this is called blanket insulation. It comes in a variety of thicknesses and can be made of natural or artificial fibers. Boarded insulation made of polystyrene is also available. This type of insulation fits into the siding panels of your home. It’s a strong insulation that lasts a long time, and can be obtained in thicker varieties that will better protect your home.

As always, the best way to find out the kind of insulation that would work best in your home is to get recommendations from Orange County building material experts. They can give you advice on type, thickness, style, and help ensure that you get the insulation that's best for your home. Moreover they can also let you know if the siding should be replaced as well. Working together, you can pick out the least expensive option that will still protect your home for years to come.

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Orange County Lighting: Switching to LED Track Lighting

The newest advance in lighting technology is the recent widespread availability and affordability of LED lighting. LED track lights have started to replace conventional lights in many fixtures and in the design of many new homes to the benefit of homeowners and their energy bills.

LED lighting is highly efficient and cost effective, and with the rise in popularity of LED lighting options they’re available in an increasingly wide array of styles. They can be installed in almost any area and in a variety of tones from warm to cool while the latest designs can also cast light that looks very much like natural light.

There are a wide variety of track lights available, even ones that don’t come on a track at all! As a result of the latest innovations in Orange County lighting the choices for the consumer are wider than ever. Whether you want to brighten your kitchen or your workspace, LED lighting can do it all. Track lighting can handle almost any space and situation.

The bulbs are far more advanced than traditional vacuum bulbs that use a lot of energy and burn out quickly, or even fluorescent lights that have a distinctive coloring and can buzz and stutter. LED bulbs use a minimal amount of energy for a much brighter glow, and by arranging the lights together this effect can be multiplied.

Due to their small size you can install these lights almost anywhere which is also a big benefit over traditional lights. Most light fixtures are hung from the ceiling or stand in corners and this can leave shadows where the light isn’t directed. LED track lighting is much more flexible and thus can be installed almost anywhere you need light. You can even use special light-dispersion lenses that make that light scatter even farther.

Switching to LED lights in your home can take a little time and effort to plan out, but consulting an Orange County lighting specialist can help you make the most out of the process of converting your home from old fashioned and inefficient lighting methods to LED. In the end the energy savings and the flexibility are worth it, though, and in the long run the investment will pay for itself many times over.

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Friday, May 27, 2011

A Beach Chair Umbrella: The Ultimate Outdoor Protection on a Budget

A lot of people go to the beach and/or pool just for the purposes of getting a little sun, but even if sunbathing isn't your aim having an umbrella can be critical to your enjoyment of the outdoors. Everything from harmful UV radiation to concerns about getting overheated when you’re taking a few minutes out of the water to eat or relax are things many individuals worry about. As such, an umbrella can help you relax and enjoy the outdoors a great deal more by offering protection from these things. A good umbrella can be found in almost any store that carries Orange County swimming pool supplies and with the protection one can offer, it's not hard to see why they should be considered a necessity for those who spend time outdoors.

Umbrellas often come in the freestanding variety, but these can be unwieldy, heavy and require you to dig them into the ground or the sand, which isn’t always an option if you’re taking it to the pool. One economical and convenient option is finding an umbrella that attaches to your beach chair, another necessity for the outdoors. Most types of beach chair umbrellas can be angled or moved as the sun travels through the sky and shifts the position of the shade you’re in. And with the extra portability of a beach chair umbrella you can use it on the back patio, at a sporting event or anywhere that you might need a little shade.

With lightweight construction usually made up of aluminum tubes that can be folded and inclined, umbrella's can provide you with shade and relaxation in almost any area. Pick out an umbrella made of sturdy weatherproof materials that can stand up to the sand, sun, and water since you never know what the circumstances of your outdoors adventure is going to be. Outdoor umbrellas are made in a wide variety of designs and colors and whether you want a bright eye-catching print or muted solid colors it's likely that you'll find one that fits your sense of style perfectly if you simply take the time to shop around.

Since most brands of beach chair umbrellas are highly economical, cost isn’t a big factor the way it often is with a collapsible outdoor awning or shelter. No matter how often you go out to the beach or the pool, having one on hand is a necessity for your time spent there. It’s a good idea to spend some time looking over the available selection at your local Orange County swimming pool supplier and maybe ask for some recommendations from the staff to make sure you find the one that suits your needs best.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

There are a lot of factors that go into pricing a greenhouse installation for your home. Not only is it a matter of design and structure, but you have to keep labor costs, the cost of materials and even stocking with the right soil in mind.
The first thing that you should do when planning your greenhouse is to find out what the relevant zoning laws are in your area. Specialists and contractors should be able to help you with this, giving you a good idea of what size structure you can have and what the space you have will support. The last thing you want to do is invest in a structure that you have to take down again due to it going against existing construction and zoning laws.

Proper irrigation can be another expensive sticking point, laying piping on top of existing pipes can seem like it would save time, but working with existing piping instead of going over it may prove to be a better, lower-cost decision in the long run. Planning out where the greenhouse will fit into your Orange County landscaping can also be a critical decision, despite it having a practical use you still want it to add to your yard’s overall look and design.

A solid base is critical, but this is another area where people typically try and save money. Make sure that you’re using high quality concrete over a level base, or the entire structure can be compromised by gradual degradation. Digging in and laying a proper foundation will keep your greenhouse stable and secure, and while it will cost more money it’s a reasonable investment.

Another important feature that can get overlooked is the glazing on your greenhouse. The glazing is exposed to the elements year-round and if it starts to crack or degrade it can cause costly repairs. It may seem like going with a lower quality glaze will save you money, but in the end the structural damage will be much more expensive.

Most of all, it’s important to work with a professional high-quality contractor for your greenhouse project. A good Orange County landscaping contractor will be there for you every step of the way to give you the best advice and point you in the right direction as far as the overall costs versus the benefits of the different aspects of building your greenhouse.

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Monday, May 9, 2011

Orange County Home Improvement Tips: Outdoor Kitchen & Barbecue Countertops

As far as standard Orange County kitchens go, countertops are usually 24 inches deep where as their outdoor countertops usually run 30 inches deep as to accommodate additional features like grills and other things. Aside from this the biggest difference between indoor and outdoor countertops is that a homeowner wants an outdoor countertop to be accessible from all sides rather than just the front. There are however many other things an individual must consider if they're considering putting together or remodeling an outdoor kitchen complete with new countertops.

Weaker countertop materials will require the entire countertop to have a more supportive subsurface while stronger materials won't require any additional support. A good example of this is concrete and stone. These two materials when used for countertops can be supported solely by the counters walls. Most outdoor countertops however require substrates that extends from the wall by at least 3 inches. Popular materials for substrates are concrete and steel as their strengths are well-known and documented.

When it comes to choosing a material for an outdoor countertop an individual or homeowner needs to keep in mind that they should select a material that is not only easy to clean but one that's easy to work and eat off if necessary. Luckily there are several materials homeowners can use to get everything they need out an outdoor countertop.

Stone Tile
Stone tiles coated with an acrylic sealant are usually suitable as an outdoor countertop material. A homeowner must be cautious however as some stone tiles aren't as strong and/or stain resistant as others.

Granite
Granite is often recognized for its beauty and its wide variety of shades and colors. Granite will provide homeowners with a very strong outdoor countertop and furthermore require no subsurface. It's very heavy weight however will require a homeowner to hire professional for its installation.

Glazed Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is a favorite among homeowners looking to put together an outdoor countertop. This is because it's easy to clean and highly resistant to stains. It also offers the greatest variety of sizes and colors.

Stone Slab
Again, stone slabs need no substrate and can be supported by a counters walls. Stone slabs for countertops are generally cut 3 inches thick and are molded to fit the contours of each individual outdoor kitchen. Two prominent favorites among homeowners have arisen in stone slabs, those being bluestone and limestone.

Concrete
Concrete used to be used solely for things like driveways and walkways but in recent times has been rediscovered by homeowners as a material that has a decorative surface and can be colored & textured in a myriad of different ways. The only drawback to using concrete for outdoor countertop is the fact that due to its weight among other things it will need to be installed professionally.

Brick & Flagstone
It used to be that brick and flagstone were used primarily for things like walk ways or walls but brick and flagstone also present homeowners with a unique look and opportunity when they're looking to build or refurbish outdoor countertops. Brick and flagstone can be coated with an acrylic sealer to address the problems their porous surfaces can cause. After the sealant is set and dried brick can be painted, decorated, or colored with many different types of materials. Homeowners can also use brick and Flagstone as is when they want an old-fashioned or rustic look added to their Orange County kitchen.

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