Monday, December 21, 2020

7 Ways To Make Your Own DIY Homemade Paint Remover

For more information, please visit our delivery information page below. He had worked as a painter for more than a decade to serve the customers in areas such as Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Beaufort, Georgetown, SC . Today in his free time, he likes to read and write about the newer techniques that are being implemented in his profession. You may read more about him here or get in touch with him here. Jack Luis is a semi-retired painter who loved painting his clients’ ideas on their walls.

The product is effective at removing both fresh and dried paint. Before the softened paint can cool, use a scraper or putty knife to remove the loosened paint from the substrate, allowing the scrapings to fall on a drop cloth. These solidify quickly and therefore won’t create the noxious mess that liquid paint removers do. Citrus-based strippers like CitriStrip are more environmentally friendly than their traditional counterparts. These strippers are generally good for up to four layers of paint at a time, and are ideal for flat surfaces and some furniture. Protect the floor around the object you're stripping with 6-mil plastic sheeting.

Solvent free, safer products for the professional

For fast-acting strippers like methylene chloride, work in small areas if you're removing paint from a large surface, otherwise the stripping agent will dry. Apply the stripping agent to a small surface, let it dwell, scrape off the paint, and then move on to a new area. By following the instructions on the natural paint stripper and taking basic safety precautions, you can remove the paint from surfaces quickly and with the utmost safety. Similar to heat guns, infrared paint remover is also a revolutionary way to strip the paint and varnish from wood.

home strip paint & varnish remover

Many of the projects requiring paint removal occur within your home—like getting rid of the paint on a banister or around a fireplace. When working inside, there’s a limit to how well open windows and running fans can ventilate the area. That’s why for indoor projects, we recommend using this paint remover from Dumond Chemicals, which is odor-free and doesn't contain methylene chloride. Read on for the best paint strippers to help you with your project. Get a sharpener or a whetstone to keep that scraper sharpened up. Though scraping is hard work, it tends to be the best choice for many general exterior paint stripping chores.

Goof Off Graffiti Remover

Orders placed after 9pm on Thursday, and up to 5pm on Sunday, will be available for collection on Monday. For larger items over 30kg, please allow two business days. Once you have placed your order online, we’ll have it ready for you at the store you have selected in as little as 5 minutes. We will hold your order for 14 days, after which we will automatically generate a refund to the payment type you used to place the order.

It’s not as nasty as some paint strippers out there, but does smell a bit. Low-VOC paint strippers can be rinsed off with water, and they need to be applied in 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch layers. Leave the paint stripper for three to 24 hours before attempting to scrape away the paint. Caustic strippers require a thicker layer of application from about 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch. Make sure the stripper stays on the surface for at least 30 minutes before removing the paint with a scraper, then neutralize the caustic stripper with a vinegar-and-water solution. If your home or business has been hit by taggers, you'll probably want to get rid of the graffiti as quickly as possible.

Best for Masonry

After the time indicated by the manufacturer's directions has passed, scrape the paint and paint stripper off the surface. If you're working with a caustic paint stripper, neutralize it with a water-and-vinegar mixture. If you're using a solvent, biochemical, or low-VOC paint stripper, simply wash it off with water. For nearly all paint-stripping jobs, we recommend Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel. Used for both inside and outside projects, it lacks the noxious odors of other paint strippers, yet is still highly effective.

home strip paint & varnish remover

But if you've got an old house with a great exterior, such as real clapboard, you may not want to hide its beauty. Removing paint is messy business, and if the object you're stripping is small enough, move it to an outdoor or semi-outdoor location before starting. This could be a patio, driveway, outdoor work area, or even an open shed or garage.Moving the item is ideal for small furniture, doors, fixtures, and other portable items. Safer alternative to more traditional paint & varnish removers. Inspect the surface for any remaining paint and be sure that all the old paint stripper has been neutralized. Let the area dry for a couple of days to ensure that no paint stripper is left.

Orbital or belt sanders are a good option for stripping exterior paint. However, if you lay into the sander too hard, you risk gouging the wood. The blowtorch has been a perennial favorite of homeowners for many years because it is cheap and relatively fast.

home strip paint & varnish remover

Ideal for metal, this product also works on masonry and wood without damaging the surface or lifting wood grain. After just 15 minutes, it can remove multiple layers of paint or other products—but in some cases, you’ll need to let the product sit on the surface for longer. For especially old or thick paint, you might need to do a few rounds of application. Some soy- or citrus-based paint strippers do a good job of softening the paint for later manual removal. If you are planning on working inside, consider investing in a biochemical or low-VOC paint stripper that won't be as harmful as a solvent or caustic stripper. The method for application differs slightly among the various paint stripper types.

Rust-Oleum Aircraft Remover

Paint strippers need to be disposed of at a hazardous waste collection facility. Before working with the paint, have it tested to make sure that it is not lead-based paint. Home testing kits are available or you can call in a local testing company. Stripping paint is hard, dirty, and, in the case of lead-based paint, dangerous. After the minimum time, you can begin testing a small patch to see if the paint will scrape off.

These strippers do not work on epoxy or polyurethane, though they are suitable for both water- and oil-based paints on masonry, metal, and wood surfaces. Despite being gentler than solvents and caustic paint strippers, biochemical strippers are still powerful and can cause adverse effects to your respiratory and reproductive systems. Make sure to use appropriate safety equipment when working with any paint stripper.

Solvent free paint strippers, coatings removers and cleaners

It’s similar to bleach but far less toxic and risky to use. You just have to put about half a cup of vinegar in a container and microwave it until it’s hot, but doesn’t boil. DIY stands for do-it-yourself and can be just as effective, and far less harmful, than those alternatives you can purchase. Painting a wall in a different color or perhaps even refreshing an old and deteriorated paint can bring new life to any room. Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience.

It’s better known as sandblasting, and if you have or rent the proper machinery to use this technique, it can help you get rid of unwanted paint in no time. They are crafted from abrasive fibers and avoid using harmful chemicals inside your home. The pads can easily remove paint and wallpaper from any wall, without leaving behind any scratches or unpleasant marks.

Spray it onto a cloth and then wipe the offending paint away. If this doesn't work, then spray the Goof Off directly onto the graffiti, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then wipe it away. Note that this isn't suited for use on plastic or vinyl surfaces and must be kept away from intense heat sources or open flames. While this product contains volatile organic compounds , it's almost half the regulated VOC limit, per the manufacturer. This brand works very well at removing paint without causing any damage to the surface below.

It did react slightly with the plastic but not detrimental to the function of the roof. Because Home Strip does not give off any fumes, there is no need to work out of doors or ventilate the area by opening doors and windows as you would with solvent strippers. It's ideal for use in sensitive and occupied premises such as homes, hospitals and schools. Times may vary for items being delivered directly from the supplier.

How to Strip Paint: 12 Steps with Pictures

Scrapping and sanding away old paint is inefficient and can damage the underlying surface, which is why often your best option is stripping the paint with a chemical paint stripper. If the surface you’re stripping has paint layers that date back to before 1978, they may contain lead paint. This stuff is no joke, and the heat gun may vaporize the lead, allowing it to be inhaled. If you’re scraping and sanding, lead-laden bits of old paint can scatter on the floor or get on your fingers, only to be ingested later without your realizing it. For protection, wear gloves, a dust mask, and ensure adequate ventilation of your work. Launder clothing after work sessions as an added precaution.

In this case, my recommended plan of attack involves a heat gun and a quality set of paint scrapers. Rinse the cloth often if you're working with a large surface. Vacuum the area to remove any leftover dust.Once you’ve finished, you can paint or refinish the surface you just stripped. Use a damp rag or lint-free cloth to wipe down the entire surface that you’ve sanded. If you're stripping walls, cover the entire floor area with the sheeting and tape the plastic to the baseboards.

Safer for the customer

These strippers do not work on epoxy or polyurethane, though they are suitable for both water- and oil-based paints on masonry, metal, and wood surfaces. Despite being gentler than solvents and caustic paint strippers, biochemical strippers are still powerful and can cause adverse effects to your respiratory and reproductive systems. Make sure to use appropriate safety equipment when working with any paint stripper.

Everything that the sander takes off is immediately converted into dust. Check with your locality if it's even legal to use these types of sanders with lead-based paint. The heat gun-and-scraper combination can also be used when stripping paint from furniture and interior trim. Indoors, household implements can also be useful, particularly when digging softened paint out of narrow crevices. Sanding will remove dust, dirt, and any paint or chemical stripper that’s been left behind.

home strip brochure

Krud Kutter’s spray bottle makes it convenient to use—just spray on the paint, let it sit for several moments, and then wipe it off, following up with soap and water. You’ll find that Krud Kutter is both easy to use and effective. While there is an odor to it, the manufacturer notes that the product is both biodegradable and low in VOCs. Home Strip is a new, safer and extremely effective water-based, vapour free paint, varnish and coatings remover based on dibasic esters. This means avoiding such products as latex or nitrile gloves.

home strip paint & varnish remover

In most cases, you can neutralize the stripper by using mineral spirits mixed with water which takes away the active elements. You just need to simply blast the sand at the area where you need to remove the paint. You can use this mixture if you accidentally spilled paint on your doorknobs. In order to clean it up, though, you’ll have to remove the knob momentarily.

Safety Tips and Precautions for Using A Paint Stripper

Sometimes it’s not possible to move the object you're painting, either because the item is too large or not portable, or because the weather won’t allow it. When you can't move the item outside, open windows, open vents, and turn on fans to provide plenty of fresh air in your workspace. I did find it left watermarks on the plywood I was stripping. I've sanded these out but not ideal as the ply is already a little thin in places. Brushed it on wall and started scraping about ½ hour later. If an item is eligible for Next Business Day Collection in store, the order must be placed by 9pm Monday to Thursday for collection the next day.

home strip paint & varnish remover

The paper covering is important because some paint strippers will actually eat through some plastics. Whichever chemical paint remover product you use, care that it’s Methylene Chloride-free. Then, all you have to do is use a scraper to remove the paint completely off the surface. Although homemade paint strippers are great money-savers, there are many available on the market at a very low cost.

Many of the projects requiring paint removal occur within your home—like getting rid of the paint on a banister or around a fireplace. When working inside, there’s a limit to how well open windows and running fans can ventilate the area. That’s why for indoor projects, we recommend using this paint remover from Dumond Chemicals, which is odor-free and doesn't contain methylene chloride. Read on for the best paint strippers to help you with your project. Get a sharpener or a whetstone to keep that scraper sharpened up. Though scraping is hard work, it tends to be the best choice for many general exterior paint stripping chores.

home strip paint & varnish remover

Orders placed after 9pm on Thursday, and up to 5pm on Sunday, will be available for collection on Monday. For larger items over 30kg, please allow two business days. Once you have placed your order online, we’ll have it ready for you at the store you have selected in as little as 5 minutes. We will hold your order for 14 days, after which we will automatically generate a refund to the payment type you used to place the order.

It’s not as nasty as some paint strippers out there, but does smell a bit. Low-VOC paint strippers can be rinsed off with water, and they need to be applied in 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch layers. Leave the paint stripper for three to 24 hours before attempting to scrape away the paint. Caustic strippers require a thicker layer of application from about 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch. Make sure the stripper stays on the surface for at least 30 minutes before removing the paint with a scraper, then neutralize the caustic stripper with a vinegar-and-water solution. If your home or business has been hit by taggers, you'll probably want to get rid of the graffiti as quickly as possible.

Do not forget to dispose of the chemicals or left-out paint flakes or residues. Read the instructions on the stripper to see if there is a recommended way to get rid of it from the surface. Plus, you can also use lacquer thinner to get rid of the remaining paint that is proving to be difficult to remove. In addition to the scraper, have a few toothpicks or small, disposable brushes handy to get rid of paint that is stuck in tight places.

For fast-acting strippers like methylene chloride, work in small areas if you're removing paint from a large surface, otherwise the stripping agent will dry. Apply the stripping agent to a small surface, let it dwell, scrape off the paint, and then move on to a new area. By following the instructions on the natural paint stripper and taking basic safety precautions, you can remove the paint from surfaces quickly and with the utmost safety. Similar to heat guns, infrared paint remover is also a revolutionary way to strip the paint and varnish from wood.

Usually, you’ll have to repeat the process several times in order to completely finish the job. To finish stripping the paint, utilize a ball of steel wool and rub it against the area, washing it off with hot water. This is yet another perfect solution to scrape paint off larger areas, such as floors and walls.

Rust-Oleum Aircraft Remover

Items over 30kg can only be delivered from Monday to Friday. If ordered before 6pm, please allow up to two business days for delivery. Orders placed after 6pm Thursday will be delivered after the weekend. In the end, whichever paint remover formula you prefer , make sure that you use them carefully.

home strip paint & varnish remover

Sunday, December 20, 2020

The 4 Best Smart Thermostats of 2022 Reviews by Wirecutter

Pay careful attention to your existing wiring, since this determines how well a smart thermostat works with your system. If your current thermostat’s wiring does not include a C wire , you will need to choose your smart thermostat carefully. Due to the limitations of our test home, we weren’t able to test the Mysa thermostat on a functioning baseboard heater, but we did rig it up to a dummy rig that allowed us to test its responsiveness, features, and app control. Installation is simpler than for a Nest or Ecobee model, since the Mysa has fewer wires. But you’re dealing with much higher voltage levels, so it’s imperative that you shut off the power before installing.

So because we love to investigate stuff – and we’re all about offering quality service and advice here at BestHeating – we thought we’d put together a comprehensive guide to SMART heating controls so you have everything you need to get started. We offer a variety of services that can help improve the air quality in your home or office, and we have a team of experienced professionals who are ready to help. It was later discovered that the furnace was overheating and near cracking, which could have cost thousands to repair and potentially leaked deadly carbon monoxide into the house. “We’ve shown we have the science to make systematic improvements in the house as we go forward,” Patel says. Patel came to the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2012 specifically to develop and commercialize smart vents.

Runner up: Google Nest Learning Thermostat

We pack and finish film and insulating materials for use in various industrial fields. Together with our customers, we develop tailored solutions and offer the very best quality. Polifibra is your reliable partner when it comes to film, laminates, caps or sleeves for industrial applications.

We also like that the display shows the temperature, the weather outside, the time, and air quality (though the latter isn’t actionable unless you have a smart air filter that is able to be triggered). When indoor air quality drops, the Ecobee sends an alert that advises you to open a window, which is impractical in cold or severe weather. For all the people who like to be precise with their home’s temperature conditions in accordance with the temperatures outside, the smart weather station is a must! Be it your everyday routine or just the temperature settings of your AC, disturbed weather conditions might become a problem.

Tell us about your SMART heating experience

Geofencing tracks your location if you enable it, but again, that information isn’t shared with anyone. Our top picks are broadly similar, offering two-factor authentication , data encryption, and a choice of whether to share data from your device with third parties. New solutions are aimed at saving you money, working smarter not harder, and to enjoy your HVAC investment longer. Technology is moving faster and faster these days and the HVAC industry is right on track with Smart Home Heating and Cooling features.

smart home heating and cooling

Allowing you, or whoever it is in your home that wants to control the heating, to control the temperature from virtually anywhere that you want. In fact, provided you have access to the internet, you could be at the top of a mountain in the Himalayas and raise or lower the temperature of your heating from one of the highest peaks in the world. Use our calculator to discover how an efficient HVAC system may help you save money on your monthly power bill.

Heating

Longtime MIT professor of neuroscience led research behind 200 patents, laying the groundwork for numerous medical products.

Similarly, the Cool to Dry and Airwave features focus on reducing humidity and using your HVAC’s fan to eke out every last bit of cool in your system when the AC turns off, once again helping to save energy and money. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium consistently kept my home more comfortable than any of the other thermostats I tested, and it even saved more energy in the process (on average, bills were at least 7% lower than in the same period the prior year). This device can be controlled directly from its touchscreen, remotely using a smartphone or tablet, or by voice command via a built-in Alexa speaker . An included remote SmartSensor detects your presence and your temperature, and it can be placed in an area that’s too cold or warm so the Ecobee can better balance temps around your home. (The unit comes with one sensor, and you can add up to 32.) There’s a bit of a learning curve involved in getting the most out of all the Ecobee thermostat’s settings, but this pays off in the end.

From AC Replacement & Furnace Repair to Insulation & Air Sealing

A smart thermostat automatically adjusts your heating and cooling systems to keep you comfortable and save you money. The best model for someone who hopes to eke out every last BTU of efficiency and cost savings will be very different from a thermostat for someone who just wants everything to be as simple as possible. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium—our pick for the best smart thermostat—falls into the first category. In addition to offering a wide array of settings to refine your home’s climate control, it has a built-in Alexa smart speaker to receive voice commands without the need for other devices.

smart home heating and cooling

At Smart Home Air and Heating, we offer affordable services for our customers. We strive to provide service to you in a professional and friendly manner and we guarantee all of our work. Then, contact Smart Home Air and Heating to schedule your service with our heating air conditioning repair technicians.

If you have other Nest devices, such as cameras or smoke alarms, the app consolidates them all into a single view, which is convenient. An HVAC monitoring feature detects and notifies you of any problem with your system, such as a furnace shutdown or extended heating or cooling times. We had some experience with this feature in our testing of the more basic Nest Thermostat .

smart home heating and cooling

When it senses you are home or coming home, based on your habits and the location of your smartphone, it returns to its normal schedule. You can access your thermostat settings directly from your iPhone’s Control Center with a quick swipe, and you can control the Ecobee by voice with Siri. And you can add it to HomeKit’s Scenes, which are presets you configure between one or more devices and trigger by button or voice (a “Good Morning” Scene, for instance, could turn up the thermostat, turn on the lights, and start the news).

Smart St, Flushing, NY 11355

You can drill down into the month, week, and day, as well as by the whole system, zone, or individual unit. Once you’ve installed the thermostat, you use the Mysa app to set it up, connecting it directly to your home’s Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz only). The only setting you can adjust directly on the Mysa is temperature, so to tweak other settings you have to use the app. The display shows the ambient temperature by default, and when you press the up or down arrow, it changes the heat settings accordingly and shows the adjusted temperature.

smart home heating and cooling

Home Smart Color Thermostat Smart Home Heating and Cooling Thermostat Household

Google has confirmed that the Nest Thermostat will work with Matter, an emerging new smart-home standard intended to make smart-home gadgets universally compatible. This should mean you can control your Nest thermostat from any participating ecosystem’s app—including the Alexa app and the Apple HomeKit app. Many of our readers are concerned about how the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend impact the world we all live in. Wirecutter takes that seriously too, which is why we’ve asked the manufacturers of all our picks to answer some basic questions about the materials they use, the lifecycle of their products, and related issues that affect their overall sustainability.

smart home heating and cooling

Geofencing tracks your location if you enable it, but again, that information isn’t shared with anyone. Our top picks are broadly similar, offering two-factor authentication , data encryption, and a choice of whether to share data from your device with third parties. New solutions are aimed at saving you money, working smarter not harder, and to enjoy your HVAC investment longer. Technology is moving faster and faster these days and the HVAC industry is right on track with Smart Home Heating and Cooling features.

Award-Winning, Trusted Experts in St. Louis Home Comfort

Instead, it simply sets your thermostat back 3 degrees when you exit a 3-mile radius. A common wire, or C wire, supplies AC current from your furnace to the thermostat to power its display and electronics, and some homes, especially older ones, may not have that wire (if your current thermostat has just two wires, you don’t have a C wire). Some thermostats, including Nest models, can work in the absence of a C wire by stealing power from other wires, but newer furnaces and boilers may potentially be damaged or malfunction, so we don’t recommend this if possible.

smart home heating and cooling

When it senses you are home or coming home, based on your habits and the location of your smartphone, it returns to its normal schedule. You can access your thermostat settings directly from your iPhone’s Control Center with a quick swipe, and you can control the Ecobee by voice with Siri. And you can add it to HomeKit’s Scenes, which are presets you configure between one or more devices and trigger by button or voice (a “Good Morning” Scene, for instance, could turn up the thermostat, turn on the lights, and start the news).

Heating Services

Nest gets energy savings with setbacks, letting your home get a bit colder overnight in the winter and warmer in the summer, while you sleep or are away. A Department of Energy publication estimates you get 10% savings annually by turning a thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day. For instance, depending on the heat source, it may require a system to run nonstop all day and never reach a desired temperature before it’s set back again, “thereby canceling out any savings achieved,” per the DOE report cited above. We won’t say it’s overpriced, since its hardware is exceptionally good, but $250 is a lot for a thermostat that doesn’t come with any remote sensors or a smart speaker, as the similarly priced Ecobee does. This uses a combination of presence sensing and geofencing to determine when the house is empty and then tells the thermostat to keep temperatures within an energy-saving range.

Indeed, a study carried out by some heating boffins at British Gas actually discovered that the energy savings you achieve with their Hive system would be considerably smaller if you only had your heating on for part of the day. People who love tech – smartphone lovers, computer users, people who are comfortable and adept at using apps. As we sell a range of SMART Thermostats, SMART radiator valves and other SMART heating controls, you could probably forgive us for stating that everyone should upgrade their central heating to feature some form of a SMART heating appliance or another. Many of us who are without a SMART thermostat or some other type of SMART linked heating controls won’t be surprised to learn that we are wasting money heating an empty home. Programmable thermostats are a pretty common feature of most homes nowadays, but a programmable or connected device isn’t necessarily a ‘smart’ device. That may sound a bit far-fetched (though if I ever get the chance I’ll be trying it) but it does give you an idea of what can be achieved with a smart heating device.

Proscenic 808C Humidifier, Warm and Cool Mist

We have an export share of over 70% and conduct business in German, English and French. We will be glad to take on your challenges and look forward to hearing from you. We have partnered with these manufacturers to provide the best products and services for our residential and commercial clients. Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is based on the buyer's proximity to the item location, the shipping service selected, the seller's shipping history, and other factors. And to help you understand which data the companies you’re bringing into your home may be taking out with them, we’ve compiled this table to answer some of the most common questions people have regarding privacy and security. We reached out to the companies that produce our top picks and asked them to respond to an extensive questionnaire, to confirm their positions on issues that should be of primary concern for any potential buyer.

smart home heating and cooling

He’d come up with the idea after trying to save money in his New Jersey home by shutting off some air vents. When his mother visited, he once forgot to open the vents again, and she froze all night without sleep. But Ecovent’s system factors in all variables that impact temperatures even minutely, in fractions of a second, and adjusts accordingly. The sensors can detect, for instance, heat from sun shining into rooms, or from cooking.

MIT News

But, having said that a SMART Thermostat will save you money, research does suggest that you might not always benefit, so it’s important to understand what kind of person you are and whether they will make a difference to you, or not. There are some other clever bits to consider (that we’ll cover in detail later), but the basic outline and function of SMART heating controls are that they will make life easier and mean that heating your home is simpler and more affordable. But to be honest, when it comes to just having control over your heating, the process of how it works is pretty simple. You’ve heard of smart cars, are likely to be more than used to using smartphones and you’re probably familiar with all of the stuff that the ‘internet of things’ has to offer. In one, he says, the system measured the temperature coming out of one duct as being dangerously high — close to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. We are a medium-sized company specialising in supplying thin metal foils with tight thickness tolerances.

This lets you set warmer temperatures for the family member who is always chilly, while keeping things cooler in other regions of your home. Control from your smart device can also be done from anywhere, so changing your settings is more accessible than with almost any other SMART thermostatic controller. According to the Tech Advisor boffins that tested the Evohome in May 2016, it is the best SMART heating system that is currently on the market – but they do warn that it’s not perfect and can be expensive. But, if you want to save money in the short term, they reckon that this is your best option. This type of control features a sensor on the north side of your home that works with another sensor mounted to your boiler, to control the temperature.

Voice Control

As we’ve seen above, SMART heating controls offer a wide range of different features and functions and deciding which ones are more important to you – and better suited to your lifestyle – is key to selecting the right thermostat for your home. People who don’t love a smartphone or aren’t too familiar with computers and smart devices – although you could opt for a learning thermostat that will remember a routine for you, meaning you don’t need to really use any electronic devices. However, with SMART heating systems, you can set the temperature well in advance and your system will work out when it needs to turn back on again – just in time to get your house up to the required temperature for when you come home. By the end of StartIAP, Rose and Patel had designed four small vents, controlled by a basic Web app, that opened or closed to maintain temperatures in each room of a four-room dollhouse. This prototype later earned Patel and Kelman a $1,000 prize from the 2013 $100K Pitch Contest.

smart home heating and cooling

Now MIT spinout Ecovent is further refining this technology with an automated system of vents and sensors that allows temperature control of individual rooms through an app — and which has surprising connections to missile-defense technology. You might open a few windows and turn on your ceiling fans, but that will only do so much to cool you during the summer. Maintaining a cool, comfortable indoor environment is your air conditioning system’s number one job.

Heating the house vs heating the room: Best practice for lower energy bills

A wide range of accessories, such as mechanical oscillation and lifting devices, cleaning agents tailored to your application, automatic transport systems and more, complete the program. Although we may not always need air conditioning with our British summers, an air conditioning installation specialist will be able to install climate control systems in your home that can adjust your whole house’s temperature with a few pushes of a button. So even if we do have a midsummer heat wave, you’ll be able to keep your home refreshingly cool with Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany air conditioning services.

smart home heating and cooling

Saturday, December 19, 2020

The Best Retirement Gift Ideas: Funny or Thoughtful

In any case, the right retirement gift serves to acknowledge a person’s work and send them off on a positive note. But, gifting your boss a set of clubs upon retirement is an incredible and thoughtful gift for golfing types. This gift shows the team cares about the retiree’s interest and thinks a great deal of them. If your team pools funds together, then you can get a pretty nice set of clubs. Then, plan a golfing trip to help your boss break in retirement and their new equipment. If not wine, then wine glasses are something that they would undoubtedly enjoy.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

The rough, grainy, and knotted wood has been treated with an eco-friendly dark walnut coat, and the center dividers can be removed. Even the wood is given a specific treatment to ensure that it is not smooth, resulting in a Beer Caddy that can only be found in your local bar. A Custom Pen Set Is Great Boss Retirement GiftsPens may seem like an uninteresting retirement gift, but they’re actually rather useful! Because they can be customized and your boss enjoys writing with them, having good pens is a great perk for your office. Retiring Floral TributeTo show your gratitude to your boss, give her the retirement flower box.

Happiness Is a Good Book Bookmark, Gift for Her, Encouraging Gift, Meaningful Gift, Yoga Teacher Gift, Yoga Gift, Mindful Gift

It will transport them on a trip to California’s sun-drenched coastlines and beautiful vineyards, thanks to these thoughtful personalized retirement gifts. The 8-bottle wine box flight is ideal for people who are new to wine and want to discover new varietals, as well as wine enthusiasts who want to try some of California’s best. Discover Top 17 Meaningful Retirement Gifts For Your MomIt’s time for your mom to spend her free time doing the things she enjoys after her working days are over.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

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What are the best gifts to give retirees?

This foot-long stained wooden box can be customized with a statement of your choosing. This personalized rustic planter is a wonderful way to show your boss how much you care and how much she will be missed when she leaves the workforce. It’s the perfect centerpiece for their dinners thanks to the Retirement Flower Box, which includes damaged jars and ribbon.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

Since we're amid a global pandemic, wellness-related gifts are highly beneficial. But before we get to the ideas, let's have a look at some tips to keep in mind while choosing the perfect retirement gift. This gift will transport them to a tour of the sun-drenched coasts and golden vineyards of California.

Let's celebrate your mom's momentous achievement with a special retirement gift!

Note that gifts that are too inexpensive or too lavish could put coworkers in an awkward position. Ask your coworkers to contribute their favorite photographs of their colleagues and their achievements to be included in a professionally printed book or a detailed scrapbook. A simple Google search can offer cooking, dancing, golfing lessons near you. You can also consider gifting a subscription to Babbel or MasterClass so your retiree can learn something new from anywhere. This is a nice way to pay tribute to your loved one’s time at a company, positions they held, and things they accomplished. Practical gifts are tried and true — but no doubt graciously accepted.

Stick to this list if you don’t want to spend more than a few dollars on a gift. Weekly Retirement Schedule Mug For Retirement Gift For BossIf you’re looking for a way to lighten the mood, this mug will do the trick. You can also use it for those people who want to start their day by sipping coffee or tea. Custom Bamboo Water BottlesA good rule of thumb is to drink water out of reusable water bottles whenever possible. It’s better for the environment and better for your health to drink from reusable water bottles rather than plastic ones.

Funny Retirement Checklist Cup

When it comes to retirement gift for boss, you can’t go wrong with canvas prints. Your boss will be moved to tears by the heartfelt statement “May you be proud of the work you have done”. This present is a way to show your boss how much you appreciate and love her. Like the message in this picture, your affections for that person will never alter, no matter what happens.

Give Him A Set Of GolfGolfing is a well-known retirement symbol. Likewise, if your boss hasn’t started playing golf yet but intends to do it after he retires. When you give your boss a new or upgraded golf set, he’ll be blown away.

Luggage Tags Made of Genuine Leather

And it comes with a removable tray with two cupholders, a phone holder, and a tablet holder, so she won’t have to get up. Find out how to shape a culture that attracts, engages, and retains your top employees. Create a nice slideshow or a photo book to reminisce about their best moments. After decades of hard work and dedication, they’d like to be cherished.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

To make the gift even more unique, fill the vases with flowers before gifting the box. When a team member decides to stop working, they have hours of each day to pass. Any gift that fills that time with something meaningful is a great gift. For example, if your coworker likes to read, then get them a blind date with a book in this mystery book box.

Good Christmas Gifts Teachers Actually Want This Year

Custom embroidery is also available through our Centricity Signature shop. It might sound silly, but adult coloring books have become pretty popular. Beach towels and sunglasses can get your retiree excited for what’s to come.

47 Best Retirement Gift Ideas For 2023 Unique & Fun!

Take it fishing, on a family outing, on the golf course, or even use it at home during a gathering to keep your food and drinks ice cold. Basecamp’s 20L rugged cooler is constructed with twice the insulation compared to traditional coolers, with a watertight design and convenient drain port at the bottom. Hit the links with this hybrid golf bag from Titleist, a crossover between a cart and stand bag that’s designed with comfort and style in mind. It comes in a variety of classic and bright colors and features expandable pockets convenient for long afternoons on the golf course. Sophisticated and comfortable, this insulated vest fits right into your retiree’s wardrobe throughout the fall, winter, and spring. It comes in a grey smoke or olive green color and is warm, waterproof, and features a plaid lining with engraved metal snaps on the exterior.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

In retirement, many women find ample time to dedicate to this pastime. Gifting a retiree a complete set of gardening tools and some seeds that grow well in your area is a great way to thank them for years of work. Check out this set, which contains all the tools a gardener needs along with a kneeling pad. If you know that the retiree loves to wear watches, then go with this traditional retirement gift. You can even get it engraved to personalize it or give it an upgrade with a smartwatch or a fitness tracker. Books or subscriptions to magazines are the best gifts for avid readers.

Champagne and Personalized Flutes

Plus, a master mixologist will host your group as you learn how to make some of the most delicious cocktails out there. Finish off with some fun trivia and a Q&A session, and you will find your group smiling from this virtual retirement gift. To others, it’s all about vacationing or moving to warmer weather.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

There are many ways for companies to say thank you to employees winding down their careers, though nothing says farewell quite like a meaningful gift. For companies looking for impactful and scalable retirement gift solutions, Centricity can create a meaningful and affordable retirement program for your organization. With an extra 40 hours in the week, what will the soon to be retiree do with all of their newfound free time? As you plan your company’s next retirement celebration, consider these personalized and unique gift ideas for the guest of honor. Did your coworker mention anything about binge-watching their favorite shows, or enjoying that perfect cup of coffee each morning?

A Box of Men’s Retirement Gifts

It is also environmentally helpful because these already-read books are not thrown away in the trash. Officemates who love hosting parties and barbeques will find the most use out of this personalized barbeque set. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to continue seeing office friends, even after retiring. Help any retiring teacher to relax and unwind with this simple but thoughtful gift idea, in which a double-walled cup is filled with tea bags and labelled with the free printable tag.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

These colleagues become irreplaceable as part of your work family. One of our personal favorite retirement gifts for men is the Grill Masters Gift Box. This retirement gift box of grilling and BBQ goods and supplies comes with a delicious blend of spice blends. This kit additionally comes with a grill master t-shirt, grill master koozie for his cold drink, 4 Alderwood grilling planks, and a corny dad joke! Give your favorite retiree this gift to enjoy with his family and create new fun grilling memories.

Meaningful Retirement Gifts

Be sure to check out our selection of custom hats and bags for the perfect outdoor gift ideas. An alternative BBQ retirement gift option is a personalized spatula that will really make them grin. Customize a spatula with a fun quote or text on both blade and handle for a really unique retirement gift. Be sure to check out our other custom kitchen utensils for even more kitchen and food-related retirement gifts. Gifts are made even more special when you invest personal time to make them yourself.

“I’m done” ForkPut a fork in them, because, well, you know what I mean. If you’re looking for a unique way to say farewell to a former employee, this utensil is a great option. Funny Business CardsYou may be wondering whether or not your employer is looking forward to retirement. If that’s the case, then this amusing retirement present is likely to be a hit. Retired is inscribed on the stainless steel case that contains 15 old business cards. Retirement parties are a great opportunity to give them out to their guests.

Perfect Ideas For Retirement Gifts

“I’m Outta Here” Coffee Mug – a gift for retiring colleague.Give this personalized coffee cup to all of your female colleagues who are preparing to retire as a source of motivation for them. Personalizing this present with your name and a loving farewell message will help to make it more intimate for the recipient. Personalized Travel JournalThe Personalized Travel Journal is a handcrafted and fully customizable journal that contains nearly 200 pages for you to record your travels and experiences.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

The more personalized your gifts are, the happier the receiver will be. Keep it simple and practical, or add more sentimental value to it. But don't include any promotional content or turn the gift into a marketing piece. Well, the Legend Has Retired T-Shirt is a kind yet hilarious way of letting them know that you think the utmost of them and they’ll be missed. The Most Valuable Pour is the ultimate gift for baseball lovers. To a true fan of the sport, a baseball park is a consecrated ground where legends are made.

How To Give A Meaningful Retirement Gift To A Coworker

This set is perfect for the coworker who loves hosting those BBQ parties during the summer. They will have everything they need with this set for the perfect event. The carrying case can be engraved so everyone knows who the set belongs to.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

The journals are spiral bound with double wire and come with a custom background color with the cover art at request. In Good Taste Wines has found eight gems and bottled them by the glass, highlighting the low-key, bold, and glamorous tastes of the Golden State. Membership also includes access to weekly beer tasting live streams with exclusive interviews with regional brewers, so your former coworker can learn more about the beer they are drinking.

You can save team members from boredom with this creative and idea-filled book. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. The Leather Catchall Tray is a wonderfulgift for CEOs, managers, and board members moving into full-time retirement or for their last Boss’ Day. This corporate gift idea is made of premium, genuine leather and can be engraved with a company logo and the recipient’s name.

One thing many folks look forward to in retirement is ditching the alarm clock and being able to sleep late. In that vein, a high-end comforter and set of sheets is an amazing retirement gift. There is much debate on the best set of sheets, but many folks agree bamboo or linen are must-haves.

Movie theatre gift cards are a fun way to get your retiree out of the house to do something they may not have done in years. The couch is the only place most people watch movies these days. But it can be nice to get out and experience the theatre every once in a while. Offer subscriptions that bring information about insurance, taxes, health, entertainment, and everything in between to your door. All you need is a name and address to gift a subscription to a retiree. Years of answering to the boss at a nine-to-five job might not mean jumping right into something else at the start of retirement.

meaningful retirement gift ideas

No matter how old your mom is, every day is an excellent day to start going to the gym. A gym membership will push your mother to go out and interact with other people, in addition to staying healthy and in shape. Find an Airbnb experience, and check out this list of the best Airbnb online experiences. As the world becomes more digital, tech gifts have become a big favorite and are sure to get the retiree excited. Even for virtual occasions, there are services that can deliver these gifts.

Friday, December 18, 2020

14 Best Arlington Remodeling Contractors

We’ve communicated with several customers in the past few years, and this connection has educated us regarding various things. One imperative one that brings smiles to our faces is the excitement in customers’ tones when wanting to go for a kitchen remodeler Arlington VA. It offers all the features you need to enjoy the cooking process.

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If the problems keep getting frequent with every passing day, it’s better to remodel your bathroom at once rather than spending money every week. Remodeling your bathroom will help increase the market value of your home. When you put the house on the market, people will be willing to pay more for the tub or jacuzzi you installed.

Kitchen & Bath Factory

You can accomplish this by adding interesting light fixtures to the bathroom, especially above the sink and the mirror. I understand that my consent here is not a condition of purchase of any goods or services. They can quickly identify limitations, create a detailed plan for your home remodeling project, then lead you to the fulfillment of a shared vision of what your old house could be. So let us do the heavy lifting while you can relax knowing that you will have that dream Home or renovation done write the first time. With over 10 years of experience, we are dedicated to improving our customer’s lifestyles. Maybe you plan to get a kitchen remodelers Arlington VA, but you’re tight on budget and cannot think of going for one right now.

Remodeling and Restoration Services LLC provides general contracting and home remodeling services for residential and commercial clients throughout Arlington, VA and the surrounding communities. Home improvement businesses use a number of methods to determine their Arlington home renovation expenses. Some companies offer them the conventional square foot cost per square foot method while others choose a kitchen and bathroom judge. Other companies will provide free estimates on a case-by-case basis. A remodeling expert will look at the materials, the dimensions of the room or rooms, and the amount of work required to be able to give you an accurate quote. While these remodeling costs may appear high, Arlington homeowners do have some choices to reduce their costs.

Business Description

It renovates bathrooms and kitchens to improve the living spaces in residential properties, including condominiums and single-family homes. It also installs drywall, floorings, and tiles to enhance or transform home appearances. The company is also available for painting and basement finishing services. Monova is a family-owned and family-operated business and an EPA-certified lead-safe firm.

So undoubtedly, you’ll make your kitchen more energy efficient by utilizing these services. Kitchen Remodelers Arlington VA, a customer-focused company, has been in operation for a decade now. Whether you want to redesign or remodel your kitchen, you’ll be happy to learn our team is committed to bringing perfection into their work.

Bath Remodeling Arlington Frequently Asked Questions

Whatever you want to do with the shower space, we can do it with ease. You can choose the color of the tiles according to your aesthetic or the cabinet color in the bathroom. While choosing the tiles, also make a decision about the grout. The tiles in your bedroom won’t be suitable for the bathroom since you need something that’s not overly slippery. Some decent materials to choose from are natural stone, glass, porcelain, cement, and subway tiles. We have seen many instances where homeowners have initially been excited about the bathtub but later regretted their decision.

home remodeling arlington va

We believe in teamwork, connectedness, oneness, and equality that help us serve the customers right and lift the spirits of our artisans. This is followed by our experts tirelessly working while keeping your ideas at the forefront. Yes, we offer services considering your pocket, but that doesn’t make us compromise quality. In fact, we use the highest quality resources within your budgetary limits. As a homeowner, you must have a vision for the way you want your home to look. Often, you cannot convert this vision to reality due to the exorbitant prices some Arlington bathroom remodelers charge and the lack of professionalism.

Our extensive portfolio includes a variety of projects, from specialized home restorations. Oftentimes, individuals have an idea in their head, but they find it challenging to convey. If you’re in the same boat, talking to a professional will give way to your thoughts, and they’ll quickly determine your needs. This will help you craft an appropriate kitchen design plan, and you won’t regret going for one – which you may without professional help.

You’ve had severe weather damage to your home from hail, a tree has fallen on your house, ice has knocked down your gutter system or destroyed your roof… WHAT TO DO? Here’s a real life scenario on what to expect when you contact Colonial Remodeling LLC. Our customer-oriented process and attention to detail is what sets Paradigm Homes apart from other Design/Build firms. You are our number-one priority all the way from our first meeting to handing over the keys to your new custom home. A well planned renovation can give your tired old house a new start while preserving all that is good about the original home. We provide Electrical, Plumbing, Handyman, Remodeling and HVAC services in your area.

Project Management, LLC

Knowledgeable and experienced kitchen remodeling companies have mastered the art of the latest and trendiest kitchen designs. They know what modern techniques they need to execute to make your kitchen flawless. There is no reason to delay or procrastinate when it comes to renovating your home or in-home renovations. A skilled Arlington VA area contractor can help you pick the right materials and locate fixtures to compliment your Houston renovation plans. Renovations like bathroom remodels, kitchen renovations, and room additions are a few of the most popular kinds of projects.

home remodeling arlington va

L & R Contractors, LLC offers a wide range of interior and exterior renovations throughout Arlington, VA, and surrounding areas. We help to create spaces that suit your style, functionality, and budget without ever sacrificing quality. With over two decades of industry experience and expertise, we are able to deliver the perfect home renovation no matter how big or small the project is. Kitchen design techniques and kitchen product lines change so much each year that, if your kitchen is fifteen years old or more, kitchen remodeling will be well worth the investment. A successful kitchen remodeling project depends on their design expertise and knowledge of the renovation process.

Home Remodeling Arlington, VA

Do not go for a kitchen design merely because you saw it on an Instagram page. It might not serve your needs, and your money might go down the drain. Make sure you access your properties and pick a design model accordingly. Customers often know they want to remodel their kitchen but have no idea HOW they want it to look. Does your kitchen has cabinets that cover up a lot of space, or do you have tons of space you believe could have been utilized for cabinets? Remodeling gives you an opportunity to alter your kitchen per your preferences and make cooking more fun and efficient.

We can also handle all the electrical or plumbing work on any project that we are performing, this way you can eliminate additional costs. Each bath remodeling project stays on time and within budget. So, it only makes sense for the bathrooms to exude a certain style.

Custom Home Remodeling For Arlington, Virginia

Showers and bathtubs are the most relaxing places in the bathroom. When you come home after a long and tiring day at work, you just want to soak in a bathtub filled with Epsom salts or take a hot shower and slip under the sheets. However, when you choose us for vanity installation, you get the best workmanship at the most reasonable prices. Yes, we are licensed for remodeling by the relevant authorities. Thus, you do not need to worry about any legal implications or disappointment from our end.

If everything else in your bathroom is monotonous and you want to brighten up your bathroom, choose patterned tiles. While most tiles have black and white patterns, it’s not hard to find colored options. But will this wiring be useful for the new light fixtures and outlets? If not, your overall cost will increase as you’ll also have to account for new wiring.

Home Additions in Arlington

But you can’t help but think of those lavish-looking counter shelves and sleek cabinets. Although sconces should be your first choice if you’re planning to add a light fixture to illuminate the vanity, pendant lights act as impressive alternatives. They provide ambient light and may even act like accent lights.

home remodeling arlington va

Would you prefer the stylish appeal of limestone or the darker tones exuded by slate? Likewise, vinyl and ceramic tile floors are also popular among homeowners. Apart from installing a new bathtub in your bathroom, we can also replace your existing one. For instance, you may want to bring a smaller tub to free some space for furniture or other elements in the bathroom. Therefore, it’s vital for the bathtub and showers to be as peaceful as any place of relaxation should be. If you have any special requests or designs in mind, let us know, and we’ll let you know how we can accommodate you.

SM Construction LLC

Choosing the right bathroom tiles can be difficult, especially if you’re torn between different materials and color schemes. As for installation, you don’t have to worry about that since we are familiar with all tile materials. Flooring is possibly the most integral component of your bathroom since it brings the whole look together. Therefore, it’s important to choose the flooring after considerable thought. We have installed floors for homeowners all over Arlington and have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our clients.

Get at least three in-person house renovation quotes to compare. Research contractors and get at least three in-person estimates.

Is style your prime focus, or is improving functionality your mission? You need to determine yours before choosing a company for redesigning your kitchen. The sole purpose of kitchen remodeling isn’t to create something merely to please the eyes. The luxury-looking countertops will not make sense if you clutter your grocery on them – merely because you didn’t build enough cabinets. Quality is what we offer at Kitchen Remodeler Arlington VA. We believe your kitchen isn’t an ordinary place.

"When I look at the kitchen, now months after completion, I am still amazed that Rob and his talented crew were able to create my vision." Similarly, you might want to opt for hexagonal tiles on the floor. When you get in touch with us for a quote, our representatives will break down the cost for you, making it easier for you to understand where every cent of your budget will be spent. Upgrading your home has substantial benefits to your home’s value. If you ever decide you want to move out and sell your home, remodeling your home can earn you some extra equity along the way. You should take advantage of remodeling your home once you move in so you can reap the benefits of the upgrades yourself.

It renovates bathrooms and kitchens to improve the living spaces in residential properties, including condominiums and single-family homes. It also installs drywall, floorings, and tiles to enhance or transform home appearances. The company is also available for painting and basement finishing services. Monova is a family-owned and family-operated business and an EPA-certified lead-safe firm.

home remodeling arlington va

Alternating the size of the tiles in your bathroom can help create an interesting pattern. For instance, you can have smaller tiles on the shower walls and larger square tiles on the floor for a contrasting effect. A clawfoot tub brings a vintage vibe to your bathroom and gives it an old-school appeal. Do note that such tubs need more space, so they may not be suitable for smaller bathrooms.

A kitchen remodel costs $10,000 to $50,000, while a bathroom remodel costs $5,000 to $25,000. We want our construction and remodeling work to enhance your life. Master suites that still elicit an “ahhh” 10 years after your work is complete. That provides reliable, quality services for home improvement. A clear and streamlined renovation process from design creation to construction and finishing phases ensures transparency and accountability for all.

home remodeling arlington va

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