I was attended the Solar Energy Conference in Melbourne last week.
It’s interesting to see the rate that things are moving along in the solar field.
Batteries
Even though I didn’t see a Tesla Powerwall there I did see several other battery suppliers exhibiting.
Some batteries are already available on the Australian Market with others announced to be available in the next few months.
The suppliers included Enphase, OSW, LG Chem, SunGrow, BYD, and GCL.
Many suppliers are also providing a range of battery sizes starting at 1.2kwhrs with a couple providing modular upgrades.
Hopefully it won’t be long before suppliers can hit my ‘Sweet Spot‘ of around 3 kw hrs for less than $2,500 installed.
Solar Hot Water
Last year besides the now mainstream solar hot water systems I only saw one stand that was heating hot water using Photo Voltaic(PV) Panels.
This year there was a range of options including:
Using DC current from dedicated panels.
Diversion systems sending excess power to the hot water after the inverter.
Smart systems that combine, usage patterns, solar output data and weather forecasting to plan how and when to heat the hot water.
Micro Grid Products
A coming trend looks to be having smart solar panel and battery combinations which are connected to an aggregator company that manages how your excess power is sold back to the grid to maximise the credits you receive.
Overall it is exciting to see how this industry, that was once seen as Alternative, is now becoming ‘Main Stream’ and continues to rapidly develop.
5 Stylishly Sensible Tips For Reinventing Your Abode
When it comes to spending money on home decor, you want to know that your investment will be worth it.
Instead of splurging on the latest trendy throw pillows, try spending the bulk of your budget on items that serve a practical purpose while also making an impact on refreshing your space.
Investing in one or two sensible household items will add something new and different to your home that will be worth the price because you will reap the benefits of your choice for years to come.
An outdoor space for all seasons
When you take the time to create your own little outdoor oasis, you want to be able to make the most of it.
Outdoor spaces are great for entertaining, and the fun doesn’t have to stop just because summer’s over.
Installing subtle and stylish electric outdoor heaters allows you to use your outdoor space all year long.
Enjoy a crisp winter day reading on your deck or throw an outdoor dinner party without cool nighttime temperatures making you shiver.
Having an outdoor heater opens up all kinds of options for you, because you aren’t restricted by the temperature or the seasons.
Designing a perfect outdoor space is an investment, but adding an outdoor heater only makes that investment more worth it.
Future friendly microwave
Have you ever noticed that most people keep their microwaves at eye or chest level so when you pull out your hot food it’s headed straight for your face?
If you install your microwave under the countertop instead, you are pulling the food up, minimising the risk of a dangerous splash of hot soup coming at you.
Microwaves are also bulky items that either take up too much space on your countertop or get installed level with your cabinets, disrupting whatever style tone you’re trying to set.
With an under the counter microwave, you remove it from your line of sight and hide it away like the dishwasher.
Timeless flooring
Wood floors are hands down the most practical choice for any home.
They have so many benefits from improved air quality to just being easy to clean.
They are also a great investment because they last a long time and are always pretty universally appealing should you one day sell your home.
There are many choices for wood flooring so you can still make it fit your individual needs or tastes.
There are all different color stains to choose from and there are even types of wood flooring that purify the air for you to get rid of chemicals and smells.
Indoor air circulation
Ceiling fans are a great example of practical style.
Many ceiling fans include both a fan and a light, giving them even more practical purpose. Like light fixtures, ceiling fans come in all types of styles so there are infinite possibilities to suit any room.
The cool breeze is a welcome relief in the summer time, making a ceiling fan the perfect choice to update any room in your house.
Ceiling fans can also be used in winter to circulate warm air.
A breath of fresh air
Indoor plants are such a simple yet impactful way bring new life into any room in your home.
They’re low maintenance, inexpensive and, on top of looking amazing, they’re good for you too!
With all shapes and sizes to choose from, you can fit plants in pretty much anywhere whether it’s a large potted plant in a corner or an elegantly draped vine on top of a shelf.
When updating your home, the practical purchases are going to be the ones that have a positive impact on your day to day life.
Even when these practical purchases feel like a splurge, they’re worth what you spend on them because they will never go out of style.
If you look at the photograph (from Google Maps) you would probably think there are 2 storey town houses on the right and 4 storey town houses on the left.
Well you would be wrong.
These are ‘Top and Bottom Houses’ in Edwards Street, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, and are a unique solution to building on a steep site.
The houses on the right are the ‘Top’ Houses of a 4 story building with the lower two stories opening out to the next street which is around 8m lower.
The first two stories of the building on the left are ‘Bottom Houses’ with the top two stories being top houses opening to the next street which is about 8m higher.
For more Unusual House Photos, Wins, and Fails, have a look at: What the………………….?
Only one thing causes a toilet to block, and that is too much material has been flushed down.
Sometimes it can be all at once, or it can accumulate if there are a series of incomplete flushes that don’t clear the drain each time.
Let’s take a closer look at what might be happening.
Toilet Paper
This is the usual culprit.
While there is no hard or fast rule about how much paper should be used each time, trying to flush a huge wadded handful can lead to clogging problems.
Be more conscious of your paper use, and if you feel the need for a second handful, you should flush the first paper down before adding any more.
Other Hygiene Products
At least toilet paper is supposed to go down the toilet.
Sometimes people forget that a variety of other paper products used in the bathroom are not meant to go down the drain in the same way.
Baby wipes, feminine products, napkins and paper towels should all be thrown away in the trash, not flushed down the toilet.
Even Kleenex should stay out of the toilet, especially if you are using the extra thick and soft variety. Even if some products seem “the same as” toilet paper, don’t flush it.
Toys and Junk
Here is where kid’s notoriously come into the situation.
Small toys (and not so small toys) can end up mysteriously down the toilet, and quite often you never know what’s happened until you fish an action figure out of the drain after it clogs up.
Be very clear with your kids about toys in the bathroom.
Not all the blame is with kids though.
Even adults will sometimes drop things accidentally (keys, toothbrush etc.) down the toilet.
It happens. . . Just try to get them out before they actually go down the pipe.
How to Clear a Block
Regardless of what has gone down the toilet, the main technique for getting things running again is the plunger.
A proper toilet plunger is the one with a central tube portion.
A plain sink plunger is just a bowl of rubber without the tube in the middle.
Firmly place the plunger head in the bottom of the toilet bowl so the tube is in the drain hole.
Position it so the rim of the plunger is against the porcelain of the toilet all the way around, and give it a good solid plunge.
If the block is cleared, the water in the bowl will start to drain. If not, give it another couple pushes.
If you can’t clear it with a plunger, you can try an extendable toilet snake for a more forceful approach.
You can damage the porcelain of your fixtures though, so don’t go with this unless you are familiar with using a snake.
At this point, consider calling in a professional.
The first time I became aware of mirrored splash backs was while watching ‘The Block’ a couple of years ago.
I’ve seen a few examples since then. . . . but would you have one?
When the question was asked on Houzz around 2/3 of the respondants said they love the idea.
Yes to a mirror
Mirrors do make spaces bigger and the reflection does give better light onto your stove and counters.
They also allow you to see someone behind you while you are cooking, good for keeping track of the kids, or just chatting with a friend.
No to a Mirror
The trouble with mirrors is they really show every speck of dirt or grease. . . I get into trouble from my wife when I am cooking and we have a tiled splash back with a mirror I would always be cleaning.
It’s not just the mirror itself, everything on the bench is reflected.
That means you see the dirt and crumbs behind the coffee machines, mixers, etc so your going to be moving everything to clean the counter more often as well.
Overall I would be happy with a glass splash back but don’t think a mirror is for me . . . . How about you?
Currently around one in twelve new houses are built as an investment property.
Whether you reside on your property or you have it rented out, it is important to ensure the house is safe for occupation.
After all, the primary function of a house is to provide shelter and safety.
As such, it should protect the residents from both external and internal risks.
When you create a safe home, not only will you be a great landlord to your tenants, but you will also keep them and your assets protected.
The following are practical tips on how to improve your home’s safety.
8 Tips for Improving the Safety of Your Home
Carefully screen your tenants
The simplest way of making your property safe is to put in place stringent tenant screening procedures, which will ensure that only suitable candidates move into your property.
Through such selection, you will find out whether a candidate has any criminal records or court hearings.
Besides, it will also help you to learn the behavior, occupation, and lifestyle of the applicant, as well as the company that he or she keeps.
In contrast, if you fail to conduct such vetting, you might end up with a problematic tenant, who either engages in criminal activities or does things that put other residents at risk.
Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
A common hazard in residential properties is accidents caused by fire and carbon monoxide.
It is, therefore, important for you to install good-quality carbon monoxide and smoke sensors, which will alert the residents of impending danger.
Nonetheless, it is not just sufficient to install these life-saving devices.
You must also inspect and service them regularly to guarantee that they are in perfect working condition.
Some of the maintenance tasks will include ensuring that the batteries have a full charge and that the sensors can indeed detect smoke or carbon monoxide presence.
Install and Service the Heating and Cooling Systems
Gone are the days when installing an HVAC system was just for the well off in the society.
These days, thanks to global warming and the desire for healthy living, most homes have these units.
As a caring landlord, you should make sure that these air conditioners are working efficiently to ensure the well-being and safety of your residents.
For instance, they should effectively keep the house cool during the hot weather and warm when it is freezing.
Moreover, the AC should not release dust, allergens, or harmful particles into the property.
Make the property burglar proof
It is not unusual to hear of people breaking into a property and getting away with the valuables.
At times, the incidents do not involve actual break-ins.
It could be a situation where a person deceives the occupants and steals from them.
Prevent such an occurrence by using burglar-proofing solutions such as installing security cameras, burglar alarms, or even contracting a security company.
Such efforts will not only deter unwanted visitors but also result in a safe home.
Make sure all Electrical circuits are protected by Safety Switches
Safety switches used to be called Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) but are now known as Residual Current Devices (RCD)
Electricity plays a pivotal role in powering most appliances in the home. These include water heaters, alarms, sensors, lighting, washing machines, dishwashers, mobile phones, computers, and much more.
Even though electricity offers convenience, there is always a danger lurking behind it.
A fact supported by the many electrocutions that take place.
Fortunately, nearly all electrocutions are preventable.
You just need to be proactive.
Fumigate the property
One of the hurdles of owning a home is that you will have to deal with annoying pests and insects. While most of these are only annoying, others like the mosquitoes, rats, lice, fleas, and bedbugs can transmit deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, plague and the Zika virus.
Besides, some like the termites can cause significant structural damage to the property and your tenant’s belongings.
Be a great landlord by contacting a professional pest removal firm or an exterminator to keep your property safe and pest free.
Fix or remove all likely causes of slips and falls
A common accident in homes results from slips and trips.
Besides causing serious bodily harm to a person, such accidents can result in you facing a slip and fall negligence claim in a court of law.
Make life easy for you and your tenants by fixing all possible causes for trips and falls.
For instance, you could repair the uneven flooring, replace broken floor tiles, install non-slip floor tiles and fill up the gaps or holes in the pathway or driveway.
Furthermore, you should install adequate lighting on the property, and install grab bars or handrails along the stairs.
If possible, erect warning signs such as a slippery, uneven or steep floor, to alert the users of the potential dangers.
Change the locks
Now and then, you should replace the locks to your doors to ensure total control over the keys.
Some of the instances where you must change the locks include when a tenant moves out, a key gets lost, a partner moves out, or when you suspect someone might have a duplicate key.
By changing the locks, you will end up with a safe home and a peaceful mind since no one will be able to gain unauthorized access into your home.
