What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of San Francisco? The Golden Gate Bridge, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” by Tony Bennett or those oddly appealing cable cars? Any which way you think about it, San Francisco is a fun place to visit. If you like a great mix of activities it’s an ideal destination spot for your next vacation. Book a flight or hop in the car because you don’t wanna miss these fun attractions that San Francisco has to offer. 

The Shopping

When it comes to shopping, the San Fran area has you covered with multiple stops where you can spend some money. For those looking for a nice blend of trendy within a local atmosphere, be sure to visit the Mission District. You’ll be able to peruse shops with art, antiques and clothing to boot. 

Another intriguing area to browse gift items and grab a coffee would be on Fillmore Street. It includes a wide variety of shops where you can get a makeover, update your home decor and or enjoy a delicious meal. If you are looking to shop on a grander scale with a plethora of different stores under one roof, Westfield San Francisco Centre has you covered. It’s packed with over 180 shops to tickle your fancy. Here you can buy with confidence as each vendor is PCI ASV Scan compliant, thus ensuring your vital credit card information will be kept secure with each and every transaction. With this type of security in place, both small and large business merchants prevent cybercriminals from accessing your information.

In turn, you can have a joyous shopping experience from start to finish. And when you’re done itching that urge to shop, head outdoors because there are great places to enjoy that San Francisco weather.

Outdoor Stuff

If you have never been to San Francisco, there’s plenty of fun outdoor activities to do. Visitors and locals have the opportunity to enjoy beaches, hiking trails and gorgeous parks, including Yosemite National Park. If you have the time and want to really soak in what San Fran has to showcase, be sure to venture to Golden Gate Park. There are a variety of gardens to view and playgrounds for the children to enjoy. 

Beyond the great park options, there are several beaches in the area that provide scenic views you can take in while lounging in the sun. Being able to enjoy the sound of the waves and warmth of the sun on Baker Beach is something to behold. Or, you can visit China Beach which has similar views in a little more low-key location. Then, when you have perfected your tan for the day, head inside for some fantastic art. 

Enjoying Some Culture

The art lover will surely enjoy the San Francisco area, as it is full of options when it comes to museums. There are several must-see locations for everyone in the family. They include a Children’s Creativity Museum with interactive exhibits, an Aquarium on the Bay with beautiful marine life and the California Academy of Sciences to provide some awe-inspiring moments. 

For the Disney fans in the audience, you can find the Walt Disney Family Museum which includes artwork and history on everyone’s favorite mouse. Then in regards to art, you can visit the Asian art museum, de Young Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to name a few. 

If you are planning on visiting the great bay area, rest assured that you will have a lot of things to fill your time. Go forth and enjoy everything that San Francisco has to offer. 

Packing for a business trip is a lot different than any other vacation. You somehow have to keep company guidelines in mind while figuring out how to dress for the climate. You can’t pack a swimsuit and a pair of flip-flops with a few short-shorts and some tank tops. As an employee (or business owner), it is your responsibility to represent the company no matter how tropical the destination might be. 

So, what should you pack for your summer business trip? Here are a few items to keep in mind:

Printed Short-Sleeve or Tank Tops

Whether the dress code is business casual or corporate, you can’t go wrong with a few printed short-sleeve shirts and tank tops. The materials are light enough that you won’t burn up at your corporate event, but the style is still classic and professional. They can easily be thrown under a cover-up to cover your arms, shoulders, and back if necessary. Instead of going with solid colors, however, look for bright summery prints that you like. This gives you a pop of color and style. 

Solid Bottoms

You don’t want to overdo it on the bold prints and vibrant patterns, so when it comes to packing bottoms, it is best to keep it basic. For guys, it is ideal to pack a few pairs of slacks in basic colors like black, navy, and tan. Ladies can take the same route or they can opt to wear skirts instead that coordinate with their printed tops. If you’ll have time after your event is over to enjoy yourself, then, of course, you can pack a pair of short-shorts, cargo shorts, or leggings for your trip as well. 

Comfy Underwear

You don’t want to be pulling up your bra strap, digging at the underwire, or grabbing your undies out your bottom all day. Not only is this uncomfortable but really unprofessional. So, leave all the sexy undies at home and opt for comfortable underwear. Cotton bras with maximum support and matching panties should do the trick. For guys, boxers, briefs, and undershirts are advised. When choosing your underwear keep colors in mind. If you have on a white shirt, you don’t want to have a bright pink bra showing underneath. 

Comfortable Dress Shoes

Though it would be nice if you could throw on some flip-flops or sneakers to get through the day, chances are it isn’t allowed in the corporate environment. So, it would be wise for you to invest in one or two pairs of comfortable dress shoes. A nice leather ballet flat for ladies is appropriate while a simple loafer might work well for the gentlemen. If it’s a bit more upscale, steer clear of shoes with too high of a heel or it could backfire – literally. Make sure you’ve worn them in a bit before your trip so you’re not limping around halfway through the day. Keep shoe styles and colors simplistic so as not to overdo it. 

Summer Dress and Suit

Most corporate events have at least one upscale event such as a dinner for clients. If this is the case, you can’t waltz in with your swimsuit and coverup on. You’ll need to have the appropriate attire. Ladies, you have the advantage here with plenty of summer dress styles to choose from. Be sure that it is not too low-cut, see-through, or revealing. If you need to cover your arms or shoulders, a nice shawl or summer fashion scarf would work without making you too hot. As for the guys, you’ll need to pack a suit. There are summer suits made from more breathable fabrics to keep you cool. 

Accessories

Accessories help to make the outfit. Since you’re trying to impress, you want to make sure you’ve packed a few items. Some studs and a necklace for women and a nice watch and cufflinks for the guys is an option. Just make sure that they’re not too bold but just enough to give your business attire an extra pop. You may also need to pack hair ties or pins, neckties, a purse or wallet, and a pair of sunglasses for sun protection. 

It can get tricky when you’re packing for business travel. You don’t want to violate any of your company’s dress codes but you also don’t want to burn up and pass out in the middle of an event. Fortunately, there are solutions for each of these issues. Simply use the guide above to select items that should be fit for the boardroom, conference center, restaurant, or wherever else you should find yourself during your business venture.

Do you wish you could save more money?

The answer to that question is usually a resounding “yes.” However, while most people want to save money, they also have a hard time figuring out how they’re going to find the extra cash that they want to put aside for the future. After all, there are a lot of bills that people need to pay these days, and your income might not cover everything easily.

Fortunately, even if you have a tight budget, you can still tap into some excellent saving strategies to help you save more cash. We’ve put together this list of mini methods to help you with your saving efforts in the months to come.

1. Make Savings Automatic

With so many expenses to think about these days, from the cost of paying back your cash loans, to the expense associated with your utilities and home rentals, it’s easy to push saving to the back of your mind. However, this often mean that people who intend to save end up spending all of their money before they’ve set any cash aside for the future.

A great way to avoid this issue is to make savings automatic. Look at your budget and figure out how much you can afford to save every month. Once you’re ready, set up an automatic transfer with your bank to move that amount of cash over into a separate account whenever you get paid. You may end up forgetting about your savings entirely, which means you’re less likely to spend them too.

2. Follow a Meal Plan

Food is another thing that people spend a lot of money on each month – often more than they need to. Ask yourself how often you throw items away because you didn’t have chance to use them before they hit their best before date. Maybe you even end up buying doubles of items because you can’t remember what you’ve got in the freezer when you’re at the grocery store. A meal plan will help you to prep each week with a list of items you need when you go to the store. You’ll be able to make the most of bulk ingredients this way, and even prepare certain meals in advance so that you’re ready to cook them quickly at last second.

3. Drink more Water

Speaking of food, remember that what you drink can also have an impact on your budget too. Staying hydrated isn’t just good for your health; it will also stop you from over-eating at mealtimes because you’re thirsty and feel like you need extra sustenance to make up for it.

Drinking more water also means that you’re less likely to over-spend on expensive fizzy sodas and juices when you go grocery shopping. You can even invest in a filtered water jug to give you a better quality of water each day. If you find the taste bland, consider infusing your water with fruit using a special jug or bottle for an extra kick of flavor.

4. Plan How You’re Going to Pay off Debt

Debts are one of those things that most people will have to deal with during their lives. Whether you’re paying off a student loan, a house loan, or you have a loan for a recent car purchase; you’ll need

a plan for paying off your debt. The longer it takes for you to get rid of your loan, the more you’ll end up paying in fees and interest rates over several months or years. With that in mind, focus on getting rid of your debts before you look into any other financial goals. This will save you a fortune in the long-term.

The quicker you pay off your debt, the faster your credit rating will improve too. This means that when you apply for loans in the future, you may get a better deal.

5. Challenge All Expenses

Finally, remember that it’s important to challenge the expenses that you deal with each month as regularly as you can. There’s no need to pay for cable if you’re not using it for instance. There’s also no point in paying for a gym membership just because you keep telling yourself that you’re going to go one day. You could even get rid of the gym membership if you do know you’re going to use it, because there are plenty of ways to work out at home for cheaper.

Look at your bank statements and ask yourself if each payment is really necessary. If something you’re paying for isn’t essential, ask yourself if it’s worth whatever you’re paying, or whether you’d rather be spending your money elsewhere.

When you are expecting a new baby, you need to make sure that you are ready for its arrival. Do you have somewhere for it to sleep? Has your home been babyproofed? These are all things that you need to consider when you are preparing your home for a new baby.

Here, we are going to give you some of our top tips to help you through this very stressful, but exciting time. Keep reading to find out more.

Babyproofing

One of the most important steps for preparing for a new baby lies in making sure that your home is safe for the baby to move around in. There are many things that you need to consider when babyproofing including making sure that you have a stair gate, sharp objects are removed and much more. You can find some tips for babyproofing your home online.

Setting Up The Nursery

If you are planning on bringing a new baby home, you need to make sure that you have a nursery set up. A young baby will need a suitable place to sleep and blankets to keep them warm. You might also want to invest in a mobile that they can watch to fall asleep. Try to set up the nursery in a quiet part of the home but make sure that it is near to where you will be sleeping.

Buying A Family Car

Getting around with a baby can be tricky if you need to use public transport all of the time. This is why you should prepare for a new baby by investing in an affordable family car. Your family is growing and so you will need to find one that is large enough to carry everyone and everything that the baby needs. Ensuring your baby’s safety should be the number one priority when driving with them in the car. Whether that is a long or short distance. Nuna, Premium Car Seats, Pushchairs, and Baby Gear AU (or a brand near you) are a reputable company that specialize in just that, ensuring your baby has a comfortable, and safe journey.

Baby Classes

One of the next important steps in preparing for a new baby is to take some baby classes. These classes can not only teach you how to keep your new baby safe, but they can also teach you how to bathe them and feed them. There are many classes across the country that offer the guidance that you need, and we highly recommend that you attend one of these.

Living On A Budget

The final thing that you need to consider when preparing for a new baby is your budget. Babies can be very expensive and so you need to make sure that you are going to be able to afford to give them everything that they need. To do this, you should consider setting up and sticking to a budget. Of course, there will be unexpected expenses, but it is always good to stick to your budget as much as you can.

If you have a new baby on the way, make sure to follow our advice and these steps to make sure that you are prepared.

Check out baby goss for more items you need.

Decluttering when moving is the first step you must make before hiring moving assistance. Alt text: many different things stuffed in one room.

Finally, you found your perfect home and you could not be any happier. Already in your head, you are envisioning yourself in your new residence. What a remarkable feeling! However, the spell will start to wear off as soon as you start thinking about your move that awaits you. At that point, you will start to feel overwhelmed and concerned. Especially when you look around and realize how much stuff you need to take care of. Take a deep breath and calm down. There is no need to panic. You will get everything done with just a little research and a lot of organization. For starters, decluttering before moving should be your first order of business.

Why should you declutter when moving?

There are many good reasons to declutter. You do not want to pay for packing and shipping of things that you do not need and that you do not use. That is a waste of money. Plus, it is also a waste of time to pack and unpack things that you do not really need. Most importantly, your physical clutter can influence your mental state. Therefore, it is always a great idea to get rid of things that provoke negative emotions inside of you. Free you mind and your personal space. Decluttering is one of the great tips to improve your home this summer.

Decluttering when moving takes time, so start ASAP

Getting rid of personal items can cause anxiety and anxiousness in many of us. Therefore, it is not a good idea to declutter your entire home one day before moving day. That is a very bad idea and poor planning. In order to keep your sanity, you should declutter every day for a few hours. Do not overdo it, decluttering for two or three hours is really enough. This way you will be more relaxed and less tense. Remember, it is about the pace, not the race.

Once you eliminate all of the clutter, you will free liberated and happier. Alt text: two persons jumping out of joy during a sunset.

How to decide what should be tossed and what should be kept?

Well, this is a very difficult but necessary question during decluttering when moving. First and foremost, you must be honest with yourself. You cannot make silly excuses why something should be kept when in reality you haven’t used it in the past two years. Try to think about decluttering from a positive perspective. When you toss something, you will have space to buy something new that you will like and use even more.

Positivity is key during this process. Positivity and honesty! So, before you go on movingkings.com to book your moving professionals get rid of unneeded things. After all, how can they give you a reliable quote when you do not know how many boxes will you need to transport to your new home in Miami.

Moving to Miami has great benefits. Amazing weather is only one of them. Alt text: Bird’s eye view of Miami.

Take you pick – toss, sell or donate

Believe it or not, this part of decluttering can be fun if you have a positive attitude towards it. Have you ever watched Sex and the City the movie? There is a scene where three friends help the main character declutter her closet. They are drinking champagne and listening to music while they were at it. Well, you might want to drink coffee instead of alcohol just to get more done. So, what are you waiting for? Get your friends together and start having some fun. Do not forget that post-it sticky papers are your friend. Label, label, label! Here are your options when decluttering.

Toss your clutter

Everything that is broken or ripped should be tossed. There is really no need to overthink this one. Make a pile for tossing and start adding things to it. So, all kitchen appliances that are hanging on by a thread should be in this pile. Also, your stained and ripped shirts should be in it

as well. Those aren’t good even for wearing around the house. Once the pile is done toss it out. Also, do not forget to recycle in case something can be.

Donate your clutter

Donating is my favorite way to declutter when moving. Not only are you doing something productive for yourself, but you are also helping others that are in need. The Salvation Army and Goodwill will be happy to take in everything that you can offer them. So, everything from old blankets, clothing items, groceries, cosmetics, and many other things can be donated. Truly, there are minimal restrictions on what can be donated. There are benefits of relocating your household to Miami, so make charity one of the benefits.

Sell your clutter

Moving is expensive. Packing materials, moving professionals and many other things cost a lot of money. Selling your clutter is a great way to give your moving budget a little boost. There are many different ways to sell used things. For example, you can sell stuff on Facebook, eBay, Amazon or any other online platform. Also, you can have a garage sale. Maybe even better, a yard sale. This can be a fun idea for a garden party that can pop. Get your friends together, party and sell your unneeded stuff. If you ask me, making money and partying are a great combination for fun.

You can have a lot of nick-knacks is your home if you organize wisely. However, be careful, because you can easily overdo it. Alt text: a beautiful light living room with many details.

Start small so you can achieve your goal

You might be reluctant to start this process because you feel overwhelmed. Put your iPad away and stop reading mysimplysweethome.com. It is my favorite too, but it will have to wait until you resolve your decluttering problem. To be successful in this process, you must start small. Don’t even choose a room, choose a drawer or cabinet and start from there. When you end a small task like that successfully you will be more motivated to carry on and start working on the next section that needs to be decluttered.

This will not be an easy project for you. However, it will certainly worth it. It will take a lot of your time and energy to declutter when moving. Nevertheless, when the moving day comes and

once you start unpacking you will feel liberated and much more at ease. So, keep that in mind when you feel like quitting. Once everything is done, enjoy yourself and take a break.

Pests are problematic for everyone. It is a hard problem to fight if you have unfortunately come across this. It is even more challenging if you are living in a rental property. It becomes a conflict between the landlord and tenants about who is liable for responsible pest control. A rental properties’ maintenance responsibility is divided between those two parties. When pest control issues are still not resolved, most people do not know about who should deal with this.

Pests that can annoy you include cockroaches, ants, fleas, spiders, bees, rats, termites and snakes.

Who is responsible?

It is concluded that this is the responsibility of both parties to control the pests and maintaining the premises for avoiding pests includes repairing, cleaning and safety. It usually needs a pest control spray after a specific period of time. Such cases have been in tribunal where the discussions have been carried and found that tenants should clean the property regularly.

Tenants’ responsibility

They should also avoid habits that invite pests like leaving dirty clothes and dishes unwashed, leaving garbage in the house for more than a day and among other things. There more of a chance that pests like rats, cockroaches, ants and spiders come due to lack of cleanliness.

Landlords’ responsibility

On the other hand, landlords should arrange anti-pest sprays over time. There should be a spray after every month in the area that invites pests. The areas with more greenery like plants, grass, and trees invite more pests as natural environments is home for them.

Generally speaking, the owner of the property is the responsible person for the pests, especially termites. This is something the two parties should not argue over, rather the owner should take a step to remove the pests. It is because such pests ultimately damage the property. If there is any such event just lead, discover, and take measures to remove it.

General Guide

If pests are already present in a house before the tenant moves in, it is clearly the responsibility of landlord. If they attack during the tenancy, it might be due to the negligence of the tenant or it might be not. Both should negotiate and take responsibility equally. Serious pests should never be ignored by any of the party.

If you are a tenant and the landlord is unresponsive, you should make an appointment with a pest control yourself. Keep the record of the expense and negotiate later with the documented facts.

If you are a landlord and tenants are not paying attention to the pests you should take action yourself, give them a notice for keeping the house clean and cooperate until a resolution has been made.

If you’re tired of the way your home looks, then it might be time to do something to spruce it up. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to move or completely remodel your home in order to achieve a different look. 

From putting a few new accent chests and cabinets in different rooms to hanging curtains that mimic the season, there are plenty of ways budget-friendly ways to give your space a makeover.

Start With the Outside 

You can start by sprucing up your outdoor space. Whether you have a patio, a garden, or a cozy outdoor nook where you sit to enjoy the sunset, you can pretty it up using things like candles and outdoor pillows without spending a ton of money to get the job done. Make sure that the things you choose are weatherproof and capable of standing the cold and heat of the area you live in. 

Switch Out Your Curtains

Changing your curtains is one of the easiest ways to update the look and feel of a room. Whether you choose an option that’s light and breezy for the summer months or panels that are thick and insulating to keep out the winter chill, curtains can make quite a difference in your decor. Change them out with the different seasons and even for the holidays for some festive cheer. You’ll be glad that you did. 

Declutter Your Home

One of the least expensive ways to spruce up a home is by getting rid of the clutter that has accumulated over the years. Clutter can gather throughout the house and cause mental and physical stress. There are many decluttering buster tips out there for you to follow, so it doesn’t take weeks to get rid of the clutter in your house. After the decluttering is done, you’ll be surprised at the room you have and you’ll be less stressed as well.

Open the Windows to Freshen Up Your House

After a long winter of being closed up indoors, or anytime really, a home needs to be aired out and made to smell fresh and sweet again. Choose a day when the sun is shining brightly, and a breeze is blowing, then open the windows and doors to let the fresh air in. This will not only air out your house, but the fresh air will be good for you, and possibly kick you into decluttering mode as well. 

Paint a Room a New Color

Painting a room can change not only the look but the feel and atmosphere of the room as well. There are professional tips out there to help you choose the right color for your rooms or professionals that will do the job for you if you aren’t up to the task of painting the rooms yourself. Either way, a new coat of paint in a room will brighten it and give it a whole new appearance. 

Cover Your Floor With New Rugs

No matter what time of the year it is, scattering throw rugs strategically throughout your home will change the appearance and spruce up those areas as well. Make sure to put them in areas that will open up the room and give an illusion of space for the best results. 

These are just a few of the best ways to spruce up your home, no matter what season of the year it is. From accent cabinets and new rugs to painting the walls a fresh new color and decluttering, these tips will help you spruce up your home, with no remodel or relocation needed.

If you’ve always wanted to have new custom homes built to your specifications instead of purchasing a pre-made house, you might be wondering what steps you can take to ensure that the building process and the home itself won’t create any additional burdens on our already overwhelmed environment. Of course, with so many alternative building materials and environmentally friendly design methods to choose from, nowadays there’s really no excuse for building a home that isn’t completely carbon neutral.

In fact, there are even some features that can be added to your home to ensure that not only is it not harming the environment but it’s also helping it by acting as an ideal place for recycling, gardening, composting, and other eco-friendly activities and hobbies. With that said, here are 15 tips you can use to make your custom home more eco-friendly:

1. Install a Renewable Energy Source Like Solar Panels

First and foremost, since your home’s source of electricity will usually be its largest impact on the environment, it’s best to start by planning for the installation of a solar panel system that will sufficiently meet your basic energy needs. As an added benefit, you could tie your system into the grid and receive a check from the local utility company that pays you for the excess power your system produces but doesn’t use.

The most recent “Shining Cities” report from the Environment California Research & Policy Center, states that there are more new solar installations in San Diego than in any other American city. According to reps from Semper Solaris, one of the best solar companies in San Diego in terms of reputation and service selection, the state’s mandatory requirement for solar systems in all newly built homes means that any custom home built in the region MUST be equipped with solar panels. Case in point, similar regulations are likely to be introduced around the nation, so you might as well stay ahead of the curve and prepare to have solar panels installed.

2. Have a Designated Compost Area

Recycling is great for the environment and it’s even better when you’re able to let natural decomposition do the job in your backyard. If you think about it, this is the cleanest form of recycling because it doesn’t require any machine-driven waste transportation or processing. Of course, it also provides the benefit of giving you a potent compost mixture that can be used to fertilize your garden plants for optimal plant nutrition and harvest results.

Thus, every eco-friendly home should have a designated compost area that is strategically located to allow for the simplified sorting and dumping of biodegradable materials. If you’re not familiar with the art of composting and you call yourself eco-friendly, now is the time to learn about it.

3. Use Eco-Friendly Building Materials

One crucial aspect of an eco-friendly building that you shouldn’t forget to overlook is the kind of building materials used in the construction of your custom home. There is an abundance of options

that are more eco-friendly than the conventional materials used in residential construction, and some of them are even more cost-effective.

Perhaps the most environmentally conscious way to build a custom home is to construct it using rammed earth or adobe that is made using resources found on the same land where the home is being built. Using on-site materials is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your custom home-building project by reducing the need to transport materials to the site.

4. Avoid Conventional Woodstoves and Fireplaces

While old-fashioned woodstoves and fireplaces certainly set a rustic and natural mood, they’re not exactly great for the environment. Burning wood produces unhealthy smoke that contributes to global carbon emissions and is also bad for your health when inhaled.

Plus, every year a percentage of forest fires are caused by fireplaces and woodstoves, so you’d be contributing to the risk of one of the most damaging natural disasters. Instead of using primitive fuel sources like wood or gas to start a fire, consider using only electric heating systems that are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines.

5. Build a Rocket Mass Heater

If you absolutely insist on having the ability to burn wood or other combustible fuel sources for heat, building a rocket mass heater would be your best bet. In fact, having this kind of heat source on standby is a good backup option to have in the event of an emergency power outage or solar panel system problems.

A rocket mass heater is the cleanest and most efficient way to generate heat from fire because it wastes the least amount of heat, and the smoke is filtered through a series of vents to the point where only steam comes out of the chimney. Since rocket mass heaters don’t generate smoke trails, this is also a fun DIY project that will teach you a survival method for building your own stealth heat source during an emergency.

6. Optimize Insulation for Energy Efficiency

When it comes to optimizing a home’s energy efficiency, few factors are more important than insulation because it directly affects the structure’s ability to maintain a stable indoor temperature. In terms of choosing the right insulation material and installation procedure, the two factors you want to consider are the eco-friendliness of the material itself and the overall efficacy of its insulative properties.

Some eco-friendly insulation options to consider include wool, cellulose insulation, and cotton. If you’re looking for on-site materials that you can use to build a small temporary structure, you might want to consider using rammed earth and grass to make your own primitive insulation. However, for a long-term home or larger structure, it’s best to go with official sources of insulation that are made from recycled materials.

7. Build a Garden or Greenhouse

What could be more eco-friendly than growing your own food? Depending on the global agricultural and grocery industry is obviously not the environmentally friend thing to do, because you’re contributing to a system that consumes an absurd amount fuel, water, and other limited resources to produce, package, transport, and sell food items.

By building a greenhouse or garden on your property, you give yourself a solid foundation for leading a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. That way, you’re not just another simpleton creating an extra burden on the ecosystem. Plus, eating highly nutritious, organic, home-grown foods can improve your quality of life and strengthen your resistance to disease, so you’ll be one less person burdening your country’s healthcare system.

8. Use Sunlight to Reduce Artificial Lighting Usage

One of the best ways to reduce your custom home’s energy consumption is to use strategically placed windows and skylights to let in maximum sunlight. That way, you can essentially eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day in most areas of the home. You may even want to look into automated curtain actuators or smart glass windows to gain better control over how much light you’re letting in. Electrochromic glass panels let you adjust the level of tint instantly using a remote control. This functionality is particularly useful because it gives you the ability to use sunlight much like a dimmable bulb, freely increasing or decreasing brightness as needed. Plus, the glass can block harmful UV rays, letting you get more direct sunlight without the potential risks of over-exposure.

9. Opt for EnergyStar Certified Appliances and Windows

Ideally, your entire home should operate on EnergyStar certified technology. You’ve probably seen this label on products before, especially household appliances. This certification simply means that the product has been extensively tested and has proven itself as one of the most energy efficient models in its category.

You may also want to opt for EnergyStar certified doors and windows and have the installations performed by an accredited installer. Studies have shown that improperly sealed doors and windows are one of the leading causes of poor home insulation, which leads to a substantial loss of energy efficiency.

10. Make Sure the Duct System is Well-Sealed

Once you’ve gotten your EnergyStar certified doors and windows installed and sealed properly, it’s time to make sure your duct system is also airtight. This is a commonly overlooked concern that’s definitely worth consideration because more than 20% of homes have duct leaks.

Many construction workers tend to zoom through the duct installation and don’t do extensive testing to make sure the system is fully enclosed. Many contractors will only measure air resistance and force on the exhaust to ensure that adequate airflow is being pushed through the ducts. Be sure to hire a professional to inspect your ducting system and detect/repair any air leaks.

11. Install Water-Efficient Faucets

Limiting your home’s water usage is another way to ensure eco-friendliness. The easiest way to do this is to install efficient faucets that only release water while you’re suing the sink. You’ve probably seen these at restaurants before – you wave your hands in front of a motion sensor that activates the faucet. Despite their technological complexity, these faucets are quite easy to install and have become relatively affordable in recent years.

12. Go with Dual-Flush Toilets

A dual-flush toilet gives you two option for flushing – one for flushing liquid waste only (which uses less water) and one for flushing solid waste (which uses more water). With these toilets you can reduce your home’s water usage significantly on an annual basis by reducing the amount of water your toilet uses by up to 80%. If you’re building a custom home in today’s day and age, it doesn’t really make sense to install a conventional toilet because dual-flush systems will most likely become the norm in the next 5-10 years anyway.

13. Have an Organized Recycling Area

Every eco-friendly home should have a designated area and system in place that simplifies and streamlines the sorting and disposal of recyclable waste. Generally speaking, ideal spots for this could be in your garage, driveway, side yard, or backyard – anywhere that’s in close proximity to the living area yet somewhat out of sight. In essence, you want your home to make recycling an easy and enjoyable process.

14. Use Plant-Based Finishes

If you’ve covered all the bases except for which kind of paints and finishes you’re going to use, be aware that there are a number of organic and all-natural finishes that are much better for the environment than standard house coatings. It’s also worth mentioning that these products are generally safer for your health as well. Milk paint and earth pigments are prime examples. Check out this list of eco-friendly paint types for more examples of non-toxic paints and finishes.

15.Make Your Yard Eco-Friendly

While it can be difficult to imagine a beautiful yard without a lush green lawn, as a truly environmentally conscious individual, it would only make sense to opt for recyclable artificial turf instead. While this issue is often overlooked, the amount of water, fuel, and resources consumed every year from lawncare activities alone has a significant negative impact on the environment. By opting for native plants or artificial turf, you’re helping the environment while also greatly reducing the need for ongoing lawn maintenance.

Eco-Friendly Homes are the Future of Residential Architecture

As the world population continues to increase rapidly in the face of climate change concerns, we really can’t afford to keep building inefficient structures that drain resources unnecessarily. Instead, most industries are moving towards more sustainable approaches. The residential housing sector seems to

be particularly in tune with the needs of consumers since homes are often built around the preferences of the homeowner.

As the upcoming generation of millennials and first-time homebuyers tend to lean towards the eco-conscious side of the spectrum, it makes sense that homes will continue to become cleaner and more efficient as time passes. Plus, all environmental issues aside, logic tends to prevail in most industries, so building more efficient homes is the next sensible step in the evolution of the modern construction industry.