Top Condo Climate Control Tips for Year-Round Comfort

When you live in a rented condo unit, you often have limited control over central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This can lead to inconsistent temperature regulation and airflow throughout the building. Additionally, variations in outdoor weather conditions, such as extreme heat or humidity, can impact indoor comfort levels and make it difficult for tenants to maintain a stable environment. Factors like shared walls with the neighboring units, inadequate insulation, air leaks, and poor ventilation can likewise exacerbate temperature fluctuations and humidity imbalances within individual condo units. As a result, condo dwellers can face challenges in achieving optimal comfort and may need to implement various strategies to address temperature and humidity concerns effectively. If you experience the same issues in your living space and you’re keen on controlling the climate in your condo year-round, check out the tips below. Optimise Air Conditioning Usage Heat can be a significant issue in many places in the summer months. You can buy window-type aircon units for one or multiple rooms in your condo to keep things cool and comfortable despite the sweltering season. To maximize the use of this appliance, set the thermostat to a moderate temperature that keeps you cool without overworking the system. Consider using programmable thermostats, too, to schedule cooling periods based on your daily routine. This way, your condo remains comfortable when you're at home and conserves energy when you're away. To keep your cooling unit in top condition, regularly clean or replace its air filters, condenser coils, and other crucial components. If you’re concerned about the cost of keeping your air conditioner running for long hours, consider investing in energy-efficient models to reduce your electricity consumption and lower utility bills. Utilise Fans for Air Circulation Ceiling fans and portable fans are simple yet effective tools for improving air circulation and enhancing comfort in your condo year-round. If you have a ceiling fan at home, run it counterclockwise during the summer months to create a cooling breeze that helps lower felt temperatures. Meanwhile, portable fans can be strategically placed in rooms to improve air circulation and supplement the cooling efforts of your other appliances. During the cooler months, reverse the direction of ceiling fans to run clockwise. This will gently redistribute warm air trapped near the ceiling back into the living space. Additionally, consider investing in fans with variable speed settings and energy-efficient features so you can tweak the settings and only use up as much energy as you need while still staying comfortable. Maximise Natural Ventilation When the weather permits, take advantage of natural ventilation to improve air quality and regulate indoor temperatures in your condo. Opening windows and doors, in particular, allows fresh air to flow through your living space. This helps reduce stuffiness in the space and provides natural cooling during warmer months. Cross-ventilation, which is achieved by opening windows on opposite sides of your condo, facilitates airflow and helps dissipate heat more effectively. If you’re concerned about security when opening your windows, consider installing window screens or security grilles, so you can still maximize cross-ventilation without compromising your safety. Invest in Thermal Curtains or Blinds Window treatments such as thermal curtains and blinds act as insulators, blocking out heat during hot summer months and retaining warmth during colder seasons. When shopping for window treatments, opt for curtains or blinds made from thick, insulating materials such as thermal-lined fabrics or cellular shades. Install them on the south- or west-facing windows that receive the most sun exposure to minimize heat gain during the day. Also, draw the curtains or lower the blinds during the hottest parts of the day to keep your condo cooler and more comfortable at night. Lastly, consider using blackout curtains in bedrooms to block out light and improve sleep quality. Seal Drafts and Air Leaks Addressing drafts and air leaks in your condo is essential for maintaining consistent indoor temperatures and enhancing energy efficiency. Start this process by inspecting windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other potential areas where air may escape or enter your living space. Next, use weatherstripping, caulking, or foam sealants to seal gaps and cracks. These materials will help prevent hot or cold drafts from the outside from getting inside your condo. Focus on sealing gaps around window and door frames, as well as areas where pipes or wires penetrate walls. If you can, install draft excluders or door sweeps to prevent air leakage under doors. Find Space for Humidifiers or Dehumidifiers Maintaining optimal humidity levels in your condo is crucial for your indoor comfort, especially in areas prone to excessive dryness or humidity. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and help prevent dryness that can lead to respiratory discomfort, dry skin, and static electricity buildup. Place humidifiers strategically in bedrooms or living areas to maintain a comfortable humidity level of around 30-50%. Conversely, dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, which can help prevent issues such as mold growth, musty odors, and moisture-related damage to furniture and belongings. Use dehumidifiers in damp or humid areas such as basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms to improve air quality and overall comfort. Embrace Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances Replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs is a simple yet effective way to reduce electricity consumption and heat emissions in your condo. LED and CFL bulbs use significantly less energy and produce less heat compared to incandescent bulbs. While it may seem like a small thing, the collective switch in every room can help keep indoor temperatures cooler. Perhaps even better, even a slight temperature reduction can minimize the strain on your air conditioning systems. Additionally, consider upgrading your appliances to more energy-efficient models because these tend to consume less electricity and also generate less heat. Maintaining a comfortable climate in your condo year-round is achievable with the right strategies and practices in place. By implementing these tips, you can create a more enjoyable living environment in your condo while reducing energy consumption and utility costs.

Generators - is it necessary for small homes or family homes

Last December 16, 2021, Visayas and Mindanao experienced extreme weather disturbance that totally change the map and the lives of the people in both Visayas and Mindanao. Typhoon Odette is also known as TS Rai was expected to be a strong typhoon but the aftereffect was something no one ever imagined. It wiped out cities and provinces, changing the total landscape of the islands and wiping out tourist destinations and landmarks. Having experienced Typhoon Yolanda, which took almost the same route, the preparations for TS Odette false short unexpectedly. The Islands were wiped out destroying all the electricity lines that couldn't be fixed in a day or even a week. It has been almost 2 months now and some provinces and cities still don't have electricity and water supply. There was a shortage in water supply in almost all provinces that unaffected provinces voluntarily donated drinking water to them. Generators were used to power commercial spaces and offices. Water refilling stations could not function thus they were forced to power with Generators too. Then the demand for Gasoline started to pick up but the supply was low. A lot of people in the affected areas began to invest in Generators for their own use. Is it really wise to invest in Generators? Here are a pros and cons of owning a Generator; Pros If you are on a budget, portable generators are more affordable than standby generators. They’re user friendly—no complex installation required. They can be moved around, which is especially ideal if you have a camp, or simply want the convenience of being able to store it away. Cons Most are only capable of powering essential appliances in your home, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for a generator that can power your whole home. Unlike a standby generator, portable generators do not kick on automatically when the power goes out. They require a manual start. They do require maintenance, and because most portable generators require gas to run, they will need to be refilled periodically. We got the chance to talk to homeowners who bought generators and the very reason they have one is because of their past experience with typhoons specifically Yolanda. Their province experienced no power for more than a month, that's why after recovering from that Typhoon they already made sure to own a generator. The recent typhoon badly hit Mindanao and Visayas that even til now some of the provinces still don't have a power supply. A generator is definitely of great help, but the cost of gasoline to power the generator may be a challenge to some households. Solar power is a great alternative most especially for lighting purposes. There are a lot of affordable sola powered lighting systems available today, that each household can definitely afford to have.

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Tips for Negotiating Your Household Costs

When it comes to expenses on amenities and utilities for your home, you might feel like spending is unavoidable, but there are a ton of ways to save cash and put money back into your pocket. Simple negotiation tactics and strategies can help you save money when it comes to home expenses, so use these tips to try negotiating your way to better savings.  How can I negotiate? Negotiating is a very important skill, especially when you need to speak up about your financial affairs. Although negotiating with a friend, colleague, or even a stranger might seem intimidating, it can lead to beneficial changes in your life. Whether you are negotiating your cable bill or your new salary , you can improve your financial situation and be equipped for future bargaining situations with a few of these techniques. The Foot-In-The-Door Technique: To increase the chances of someone complying with a large request, you can start by making a small one. For example, if you are looking to buy a secondhand lamp for $20, you might negotiate the price down to $15. You could then follow up by asking if you could purchase two lamps for $30. This allows you to leverage the small, initial discount to get an even better discount. Door-In-The-Face Tactic: This technique uses the opposite approach to the Foot-In-The-Door tactic. Initially, you make an unreasonable request to get turned down. After your first request is shot down, you follow up with a smaller request. This will make the person you are negotiating with feel obligated to agree to a more reasonable ask. Take It or Leave it Method: This tactic is a hard bargaining method. You may list a price for an item you are interested in and instead of negotiating the price, you respond by explaining that the price you offered is the only price you are willing to pay or you will walk away. This puts pressure on the seller or vendor to make a quick decision.  Try negotiating your rent Whether you are looking to settle down in an apartment or your landlord is raising the price, you may not have known that you can negotiate your rent. Here are a few possible strategies that may work for you. Politely ask your landlord if the rent price is open to discussion Express your track history as a good tenant Inquire about a possible lease extension Compare their rent ask with market prices and negotiate based on data Lower your utility bills We all know how expensive utilities can be because they add up over time. If you’re paying for cable, lawn services, cell phone bills, electricity, trash pickup, and many other costs, these tactics could be super helpful to cut down on your monthly bills. Assume that your regular costs can be negotiable by researching discounts Avoid contracts that may impose costly fees Shop around and compare utility prices for different vendors Call to inquire about quotes and ask a company to match a lower rate you found somewhere else Negotiating is a great way to cut down on your expenses and funnel your money back into your bank account. For more great negotiation inspiration, check out the infographic below from Mint for conversation starters and additional tips. 

When Do You Need SPA or Special Power of Attorney?

Selling a home is a meticulous task. But it does not have to be tough even if you're not around to supervise it and to see into the legalities of the paperworks of the sale. The Philippine law, with certain conditions, allows sale of property even if you are in a different city or country from the property you want to sell. Take in the case of Ms. Property Owner , she is looking into selling her property in the province with plans to migrate to Canada. However, she does not have enough time for the sale to take place since she is leaving in two weeks. What should Ms. Property Owner do to dispose of the property even though she is out of the country already? What is Special Power of Attorne y? A Special Power of Attorney or SPA is giving legal authority to an agent to  represent and act in your behalf within the boundaries of the law. The law provides that a special power of attorney is necessary to enable an agent to enter into any contract by which the ownership of an immovable is transmitted or acquired either gratuitously or for a valuable consideration. Articles 1874, 1877 and 1878 of the Civil Code addresses this situation: Article 1874. When a sale of a piece of land or any interest therein is through an agent, the authority of the latter shall be in writing; otherwise, the sale shall be void. Article 1877.  An agency couched in general terms comprises only acts of administration, even if the principal should state that he withholds no power or that the agent may execute such acts as he may consider appropriate, or even though the agency should authorize a general and unlimited management. Article 1878. Special powers of attorney (SPA) are necessary when the sale of a piece of land or any interest thereon is through an agent, the authority of the latter shall be in writing; otherwise, the sale shall be void.  Thus, the authority of an agent to execute a contract for the sale of real estate must be conferred in writing and must give him specific authority, either to conduct the general business of the principal or to execute a binding contract containing terms and conditions which are in the contract he did execute. Article 1879 also states that a special power to sell does not include the power to mortgage ; and a special power to mortgage does not include the power to sell . This gives the property owner an assurance that the agent can only act within the scope of his authority. Thus Ms. Property Owner should seek someone to act on her behalf. Executing a special power of attorney will give the agent the authority to sell the property. Otherwise, the sale will be void.

7 Filipino Youtube Channels to learn Home Design and Renovating Tricks

If you enjoy watching home design Youtube videos, budget home makeovers, DIY decors, or anything related to home renovations , then these Filipino YouTubers are definitely the perfect people to follow!  In today’s digital era, online video platforms such as Youtube have become home to the world’s up-and-coming influencers and vloggers. As easy as one-two-three, you only need to type out whatever question you have in mind, and voila! You have a myriad of answers and recommendations.  So it’s no wonder why almost 5 billion videos are watched on YouTube every single day --where YouTube gets over 30 million visitors per day. Insane right? If you’re interested to know about home redecorations and makeovers , then hit the subscribe button of these awesome Filipino Youtubers and make sure to have your notepad with you.  #1 Elle Uy Décor Elle Uy is probably one of the most followed Pinoy home stylists on Youtube now. Elle is an Interior Designer Decorator based in Manila. She does home furnishing, budget room makeover, redecorating, DIYs and the results are always amazing! Check the video below how she redecorated Baninay Bautista’s condo unit. https://youtu.be/Jxx9CjfV-iw #2 Karlo Marko This former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Singapore found his other passion which is motivational speaking and content creation. Arch. Karlo Marko Aboganda is an architecture professional who has a strong passion and appreciation in architecture, the details and aesthetics.  https://youtu.be/NMnPj6sO-w4 #3 Gila Salvador Gila, an entrepreneur, beauty queen, interior designer, and vlogger is definitely one to check out for. Did you know this young entrepreneur earned her first million at 18 and established an interior design company employing engineers and architects at 20 ? Just wow! Know more about how she handles business, life and everything in between on her channel. https://youtu.be/bn6XP9I5u3g #4 Cara Fajardo Interiors Cara Fajardo is also a licensed interior designer based in the Philippines. Although she’s fairly new to YouTube, her videos on home makeovers and interior designs are a reflection of her talent and all of it are super lit. EXTREME MAKEOVER! Coastal Chic | THE HOUSE RENO: Ep 3 + Tips On How To Style Shelves #5 Slater Young The builder of the ever-famous Skypod , Engr. Slater Young. This former PBB Big Winner is now back on Youtube after a long hiatus. Thanks to his very beautiful and supportive wife Kryz (who is also a famous Youtuber) for convincing him to create his own channel. Right now, Slater has over 200k subscribers where he posts videos of him inspiring viewers to appreciate engineering even more. https://youtu.be/F8MEdIfQxc4 #6 Tidily Ever After by Mica Canto If you’re into minimalism, zero-waste home organization and design, then better check out Mommy Mica Canto’s channel. Watch her videos on how to simplify life, live purposely, and find your own Tidily Ever After . Tidily Transformation - Maximizing a Studio Unit #7 Oliver Austria And last but not the least, the famous “Big Brain” Pinoy architect Lyann Oliver Austria whose reaction videos, house-building wisdom and mildly amusing humor have attracted netizens. Although he is not new on Youtube, it was only this year that he got a major spotlight and reached over a million subs. So, if you want good vibes at the same time so much learning, you may check his channel and join the Mah Dudes Army . https://youtu.be/CwAjKLJM0mc Have any of these YouTubers inspired you to start your own YouTube channel? If you want to become an influencer or give your design business a boost online, it’s time for some DIY. Develop your online presence and build a content marketing system to showcase your skills and products.

7 Kitchen Makeover Ideas on a Budget

Having spent much more time preparing your meals at home during the quarantine season, you might have considered updating your kitchen. You don't really need a deep pocket to give your space a fresher look. In this blog post, we have compiled 7 ways to upgrade the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank: 1. Paint your kitchen cabinets If your kitchen cabinets are still in relatively excellent condition, a fresh coat of paint can be all you need to transform your kitchen. Here's a great before-and-after example of how paint can change your kitchen from dark and outdated to bright, airy, and modern. 2. Replace your cabinet door handles Replacing your kitchen cabinet door handles can help transform your kitchen. High-quality handles can make your cabinets look expensive. 3. Install open shelves If your cabinet doors are in bad shape, consider removing the doors and keep your open shelving. It's trendy and a great way to display your favorite pieces. READ: 5 Ways to Create Open Pantry Space in your Home 4. Update your taps Updating your old taps with new options can easily give your sink area a facelift. 5. Improve your lighting Lighting can make a huge difference to a kitchen makeover. Make sure you have ample lighting. Placing pendant lights over a bench can add extra interest to your room. 6. Refresh the splashback Your splashback is a relatively small area where you can go all out on your makeover project without spending too much. There are several ways that could be done at low cost, but with significant impact. You can either replace with new tiles if you have the budget, or you can just use tile paint and paint over your existing tiles. Tips on painting your splashback here: How to Paint Your Tile Backsplash in 5 Simple Steps 7. Update chipped floor tiles If you have chipped floor tiles and you have the budget to upgrade, replacing the tiles can be a great idea. If there's hardwood beneath the old tiles, removing the tiles altogether and refinishing the wood can be a great option.