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If you are a homeowner looking to save money, conserve energy, maximize efficiency, and dramatically improve your home’s overall comfort levels, a dual-zone air conditioner is one of the best investments you can make. This revolutionary type of HVAC technology is particularly excellent if there are rooms in your home that are regularly left unoccupied or if you have noticed that certain areas are vastly warmer or cooler than others.

Dual-zone air conditioners can cool different rooms differently, depending upon your preference. But if a dual-zone system can do the job of multiple air conditioners, does it require multiple units? In this article, we’ll explain the particulars of how this relatively new—and increasingly popular—cooling technology works and what equipment you’ll need to begin taking advantage of it.

What Are Dual-Zone HVAC Systems?

Dual-zone HVAC systems divide your house according to zones. Using multiple thermostats, sensors, and modulating dampers, the system can control the temperature within these different zones. Each zone is controlled by its own thermostat, allowing you to set different temperatures for different areas of the home. Dual-zone systems can be used for your air-conditioning system as well as your heating system. You keep each area of your house set to the ideal temperature, even if that means heating one space while cooling the other simultaneously.

It’s possible your household members have different preferences and the ideal temperature is not the same for each person. Whereas in the past, this may have led to some nasty arguments, with dual-zone cooling, it’s now possible to increase the temperature in one zone and reduce it in another, catering to different temperature goals. Maybe one part of your house gets hotter than the rest as a result of less-than-ideal ventilation. With a dual-zone system, you can keep that room cooler without freezing the rest of the house.

Many people, especially those who work from home, spend the majority of their time in only one or two rooms of the house while the rest of the home remains empty for most of the day. If this is the case, why waste energy (and money) cooling the empty rooms? If you live in a two-story house and are downstairs for the day, turn down the thermostat upstairs. Program the thermostat to switch on when you retire upstairs at the end of the day. With a dual-zone air conditioner, you can personalize the settings to fit your household’s specific needs.

How Does Dual-Zone HVAC Work?

The first step in setting up a dual-zone air conditioner is dividing your house into zones, or areas of the house. You should discuss where, exactly, these zones will be with your HVAC installer. Most homeowners are satisfied by dividing their homes into just two areas: usually either upstairs and downstairs or, otherwise, the front of the house and the back of the house. There is no limit to zoning, however. If you wish, you can opt to have every single room in the home serve as its own HVAC zone.

Each zone will have its own thermostat connecting to a central control panel. Even though there are multiple thermostats, there is no need for multiple units. The HVAC dampers regulate the airflow of both heating and cooling systems, meaning only one unit is necessary. These zoned systems allow for one unit to control heating and cooling in multiple areas or rooms.

How does zoning work with a single unit? The zoning dampers, which are valves or plates, are installed in the ducts within your house. Or, if your system is ductless, they are installed directly at the air outlets. These dampers regulate the airflow by opening and closing. The dampers open, allowing cool or warm air through, then close once the room reaches the desired temperature set by the thermostat. Once the damper closes, it blocks the airflow. Whenever you change the setting of the thermostat, a message is sent to the central control panel signaling the change.

What Are the Benefits of Installing a Dual-Zone HVAC?

There are several key benefits to a dual-zone air conditioner and a dual-zone heater. Zoning enables you to heat or cool one area (or zone) of the house rather than wasting valuable (and expensive) energy on unoccupied spaces. Making the switch to a dual-zone system will improve the overall thermodynamic efficiency of your home. In layman’s terms, this means you’ll start saving on your energy bill almost immediately.

Besides the cost savings, convenience is also a major reason many people choose to switch to zoned HVAC systems. Multiple thermostats offer vastly increased control over the temperature in the home, allowing each occupant to enjoy their own preferred comfort level.

Zoning can also improve air quality by reducing particulate matter and other such impurities from circulating throughout the home. While all HVAC systems filter the air somewhat, dust, pollen, and pet dander will often still be caught up in the cycle and can contribute to asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. Zoned air conditioning reduces the amount of air that needs to circulate, directly contributing to a dramatic reduction in pollutants as well.

Is HVAC Zoning Right for You?

You may want to consider installing a dual-zone HVAC system if you have a multi-level home, high ceilings, or large windows. Any of these features can dramatically affect the temperatures of your home since warm air always rises toward the top of the home and large windows let in more sunlight—and therefore more heat. Multi-level homes and high ceilings can often leave lower levels uncomfortably cold while top floors remain hot and stuffy.

If these situations sound familiar to you, or if you simply are tired of adjusting the thermostat every time you leave one room to enter another, then a dual-zone air conditioner may just be right for you.

If you decide that a dual-zone HVAC system is an appropriate choice, your next step should be to contact a reputable contractor in your area, such as Entek HVAC. Contractors like these can provide expert service and top-quality products to ensure your air conditioning is the best that it can possibly be.

If you’re ready to make the most use of the outdoor space on your property, one great way to help you start getting outside more is to build a deck onto your house. However, getting your home situated with the perfect deck requires a lot of thought, planning, and preparation. So before you get in touch with a company that offers flooring services, here are three things to consider when building a new deck onto your home.

Make Sure Everything Is Legal

Before you get your heart set on building a deck onto your home, the first thing you should do is make sure that you’re able to legally build the deck in the first place.

Depending on the type of home you live in and what your property lines look like, you may need to check with the building codes in your area to see what’s actually possible for your deck. You may need to stay within a certain size and get everything right as far as things like easements, setbacks, and variances. So rather than just jumping head-first into the planning for your deck, make sure you can legally do what you’ve thought of before you spend any money on resources.

Where To Locate Your Deck

Once you know that you can legally put a deck onto your home, the next thing you’ll want to determine is where you want this deck to be.

For many people, building their deck off of an exterior door that already exists makes the most sense. But to make sure you’re putting your deck in truly the most ideal place, you’ll want to think about things like wind patterns, sunlight versus shade, the views around your home, how much privacy you want, and more. Sometimes, this might require putting in a new door or wrapping your deck around so that you can access a door you already have in place.

The Materials You Should Use

Finally, you’ll want to educate yourself about what materials you should use to build your deck.

There are all kinds of materials that can be used when building a deck, and they all have their own pros and cons. Things like pressure-treated wood or a composite material can be great for some places, while materials like PVC, cedar, or tropical hardwoods might work best for others. So before you decide what material you want to use, make sure you learn about all the different types of materials that can be used and determine what will work best for the climate you live in, the type of maintenance you’re interested in, and the overall look and feel that you want from your deck.

If you’re wanting to build a new deck onto your home, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you through this process.

Buying a toupee or wig for men takes time and some men find it embarrassing. However, wearing a wig especially to cover baldness or thinning hair should not be seen as an annoyance, but rather as an empowering way for men to regain their self-confidence.

Buying wigs can be quite confusing, but knowing what you want and need men’s hair pieces manufacturers store will definitely help you buy the right style.

Hair type

One of the most important things to consider when buying wigs is the type of hair used. The wigs come with synthetic hair strands or natural hair. Synthetic hair can be a problem for men who have sensitive skin and they better get one with natural human hair strands.

Synthetic fibers are mainly made from rayon, acrylic or any other synthetic fiber while natural human hair comes from a human person.

To make sure you choose the right one, talk to your dermatologist, especially if you have sensitive skin. They can recommend the right type for you to wear. The toupee is the most popular wig style for men because it usually covers the bald area that usually occurs on the top of the head, which is the most common bald area in men.

How to get the right fit

Once you have decided on the hair type, the next thing to do is ask for the measurement of the wig. Many specialty stores would measure the customer’s head to ensure a proper fit but at bonohair.com you will get your desire size bespoke hair piece.

This includes the measurement around the head, the width of the nape of the neck, the center front, from ear to ear, and from paws to paws. This is an important step because going for the measurement would ensure that the wig will sit comfortably and blend well with your natural hair.

Order your wig

Remember that wigs will lose their shine and style if worn and cleaned regularly. If you’re going to be using it daily, it’s best to order two so you have a spare in case your wig starts to thin and you don’t have time to visit your stylist. Some styles may also use lace which is more comfortable for the wearer but can be worn easily if worn daily.

Some stores also offer discounts if you buy several, which can really save you money, especially if you choose to buy wigs with real human hair, as they are relatively more expensive than those made from synthetic hair.

Are you looking for men’s lace hair system? Visit www.bonohair.com for more information on human hair wigs for men and women.

No matter the time of the year, snuggling into something comfortable and stylish before tucking yourself in at night is something we can all resonate with. Cosy nightwear is also ideal for lazy days on the sofa, watching back-to-back movies with that special someone. But just because something is comfortable, it doesn’t mean it can’t also be stylish. Below, we take a look at some chic and comfy nightwear styles that will help you feel your best as you relax after a long and hard day at work.

Stylish in satin

Sexy and stylish, satin is a winner when it comes to nightwear. You can choose between subtle tones and bold colours to find the perfect satin number for bedtime. Neutral pyjama sets with shorts are perfect for matching with a stylish satin robe, particularly when you’re looking for something sophisticated from your nightwear. No matter the style you’re going for, you can find a satin number to tick your boxes.

Luxurious in lace

Are you hoping to crank things up a notch in the nightwear department? Why not go for a cute lace design that helps you feel your fabulous best? Lace strikes a balance between contemporary charm and tradition and is the ideal nightwear material to settle into after a busy day at work. Some pyjama sets have just a small amount of lace incorporated into the design, which is often enough to achieve the style that you’re going for.

Stunning leopard prints

Take a step into the wild with a gorgeous leopard print pyjama set to spice things up in the bedroom. Although sophisticated, leopard print designs add a dose of personality to your nightwear collection and help to invigorate your style. Chi Chi’s classic leopard print pyjama set is created with smooth satin and would be a perfect addition to your current collection this spring.

Slip into some slippers

While you probably don’t need any excuse to wear some slippers at the end of the day, they’re a great way to add some cuteness to your bedtime look. Faux fur slippers are among the most stylish and comfortable options you can find and round your nighttime look off perfectly before you head to bed. But best of all is that you can keep your toes nice and warm, which is particularly helpful given the strange weather we’ve been having recently!

You can find stunning nightwear to suit your body type, and Chi Chi has a range of gorgeous plus size options for you to choose from this season. So, why not treat yourself to some gorgeous nightwear this spring to help you settle into the evening and feel your best when you slide under the covers.

A fantastic landscape around your home can provide unique comfort and quality of life that is hard to come by in any other way. Building a yard and garden that you can be proud of can provide you with hours of satisfaction and enjoyment. Every step of the process, from planning and the execution of the project through the enjoyment and relaxation phase, provides a unique level of satisfaction that can’t be matched.

 

With these three key tenets of great landscaping, creating the perfect outdoor space for your home is easy and highly effective. Continue reading to discover how you can transform your home today.

1. Train your lawn over the long term.

 

Laying down new sod or seeding the lawn is only the first step to accessing a high-quality lawn and landscape. The grass here needs to be cared for over many months and years in order to provide you and your home with the relaxation and beautification that you are seeking from it. Weeding the lawn on a regular basis is a key feature of great landscaping. If you spend time each weekend removing weeds and other nuisances from the yard, you can count on maintaining a beautiful space that really gives back to you and your loved ones.

 

In addition to the use of professionals who can conduct landscape design in Dallas, a lawn care professional or the tools to do the cutting and trimming yourself is a must. Landscapers of all varieties are a great addition to any home. Caring for the lawn can give you the foundation that you need to continue building out the landscaping to great new heights. Everything from raised garden beds to the introduction of new trees starts with a ground layer that is both beautiful and well cared for. Start in the lawn itself and you’ll enjoy your space more thoroughly.

2. Add in additional plant life for a wonderful facade.

 

The exterior space of your home provides a variety of great benefits to the overall lifestyle that you enjoy. A homeowner is able to truly love their property when they get to come home to a great-looking home every day. This is a simple feature, but it’s perhaps more important than ever as mental health and comfort issues have become an issue that’s front and center as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The spaces that we call home are more important than ever these days, and with the introduction of great plants, you can take pride in all aspects of this space.

 

Container plants and flower bed additions are a great way to increase the beauty of the exterior parts of your property. With great foliage and a plan to plant a variety of different annuals and perennials that will bloom all year in waves, building the perfect garden is easy and can recreate the energy of your home for the better.

3. Consider patio upgrades and other amenities.

 

For a home that doesn’t have a patio, building one is a great option to truly take advantage of all that the outdoor space has to offer. A patio can provide you and your family with hours of entertainment and relaxation in the great outdoors, and with the addition of some of the best patio plants, building the garden to rise up to meet you is a great way to complete the transformation of your home’s exterior from a drab dirt and weed patch to something beautiful and highly relaxing.

 

Consider these three great approaches to the project of landscaping around your home for the best in high-quality comfort and relaxation.

Horse jumping is one of the most popular equestrian sports in the world. Since it is practised in all four corners of the globe, there are countless variants for this sport. This guide will help you to acquaint yourself with some of these variants and their accompanying riding gear, making it easier to understand what’s happening at the races and to make informed betting decisions.

What is Horse Jumping

There are many variations to horse jumping that have been invented over time all around the globe. The two major versions are show jumping and cross-country. Showjumping has a set course, usually consisting of jumps that are no more than 1.2 metres high, 4m wide, or 3m long. For every cleared obstacle, the height decreases by 20cm until it reaches 180cm when there are no obstacles left. A showjumping course measures 2000m to 2500m in length and takes approximately 45 to 50 seconds to complete. Once completed, the rider has to return along the same route (the ‘go-and-jump back’ rule) without knocking down any of the obstacles they passed on their way out.

The History of Horse Jumping

All the way back to the Ancient Olympics, the horse has been considered a symbol of power and nobility. With the rise in popularity during Renaissance Europe, it became customary for royalty to have their own horses.

The history of Horse Jumping starts with Xenophon who was at one time an Olympic competitor for Greece. Xenophon’s writings are what provides us with our first written accounts on how to work with horses, which is where our current training methods originate from.

Different types of jumping obstacles

The types of horse jumping obstacles you can expect to come up against in competitions and games range from poles and brushes to water and ditches. There are four main types:

• Fences: Fences are usually the closest thing to the ground, with the height gradually decreasing until it’s reached its final height of about 180cm. Fences needed for competition may be bamboo or white birch trees, while those used for leisure riding might be stone. You can choose to jump a single fence or multiple ones at once
• Poles: Poles are not allowed in competitive events but often feature in recreational games. They’re typically between 3 and 4 meters high and take up a large amount of legroom when jumped over – roughly 1.2 to 1.5 meters
• Brushes: Brushes are as close as a horse can get to a fence without knocking it down. They’re usually about 100cm high and ideally take up an area of about 1.5m x 1m, so you have to be careful not to knock them over while clearing them
• Ditches: These come in every variety and may be filled with water for extra difficulty. They can also contain sandy ditches which, like the name suggests, makes it very tricky to keep your footing.

Difference Between Showjumping And Cross-country

The main difference between showjumping and cross-country is that show jumps are in a fixed location and cross-country obstacles can be set up anywhere. Competition in showjumping is judged on the speed of the horse and rider, however, cross-country jumps are judged on safety and accuracy instead. This means that you need to keep your focus at all times while riding cross country, even if you’re riding through an unfamiliar course.

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Most people have heard that when you’re expecting a baby, you get to create a baby registry. Generous friends and family will choose what to purchase from the list, taking off some of the financial pressure associated with having a newborn.

However, if you’ve never had a baby before, it can be overwhelming to know what to include on the list.

After all, how can you know what you need if you’ve never done it before? Fear not; we’re here to help take some of the pressure out of this seemingly big job. Take a look at some of the most important must-have items that you should make sure to include on your baby registry list.

A Baby Monitor

At the beginning of your baby’s life, it can be difficult to step away. You might be worried about their sleep positioning or whether they are in danger somehow if you leave the room. A baby monitor makes it possible to help you keep an eye on your baby even if you’re not there. Some monitors have special smartphone apps that allow you to look at your baby anywhere, anytime. Others even have movement detectors that alert you should your baby even flinch a muscle.

A Stroller

A stroller is a definite must-have since your baby won’t be walking anytime soon. Ideally, you should choose one based on your particular family’s needs. If you’re having twins, you should consider a double stroller. Whereas, if you’re a jogger, you might want to look at options specifically targeted towards running. Above all, make sure that it’s collapsible since you’ll want to take it in the back of your car.

Car Seat

From the minute you leave the hospital, you’re going to need a car seat. Make sure that you choose a car seat that means all safety standards and is fairly simple to install. Remember, car seats aren’t something you want to buy second hand. Always purchase them brand new to ensure that your baby is as safe as possible.

Crib

Even though you may choose to co-sleep with your baby or use a bassinet in the beginning, a crib is necessary for the day you choose to move them to their bed at night time. Make sure that you choose a crib that is sturdy and brand new, following all safety measures.

Diapers and Supplies

When it comes to babies, you can never have too many diapers. In the beginning babies can need up to twelve changes a day. Make sure to add diapers to your baby registry so that your friends know that you’ll take all that you can get.

In addition to the actual diapers, you should also include wipes and a diaper bag to carry it all around in. While you’re at it, consider an odor-proof diaper garbage can. They seal off the poopy diaper smell so that your home doesn’t smell like the last thing your baby ate.

This year, more people than ever have been made aware of how fragile life is. And while no one wants to think about someone they love dying, the fact of the matter is that death is a part of life.

Especially if the person who has died is someone close to you, you will likely have some kind of responsibilities to and for them following their death. But amid your grief and shock, it can be hard to know how to navigate this unchartered water. So to help you with this, here are three things to take care of after the death of a loved one.

Plan For Laying Your Loved One To Rest

One of the first things that you’ll have to consider after a loved one dies is how you’ll go about laying them to rest. The options for this vary, so you’ll likely want to look back at what your loved one would have wanted for themselves or speak to other loved ones to get their opinion on the matter.

According to Consumer Reports, a burial or cremation should take place within a few days after the death has taken place. While it can be longer, getting things taken care of quicker is usually advised. Once you pick a mortuary, they can assist you in figuring out the details of everything. And because you can be given a lot of information and requested to make a lot of decisions, it can be helpful to have someone come along with you to help.

Figure Out The Will With Probate Court

After your loved one has been laid to rest in whatever way you decide, you’ll then have to deal with more of the administrative side of having a loved one pass away.

Depending on the type of assets your loved one left behind, the extent of handling their will will vary. According to Leanne Potts, a contributor to AARP, unless you’re the executor of the estate, you will likely be taking a back seat in this process. But if you are the executor, you’ll likely need to contact an attorney, a CPA, and deal with probate court.

Contact All Necessary People Or Entities

As you go about taking care of things for your loved one after they have passed away, you’ll find that you’ll need to make a lot of phone calls and contact a large number of people or entities to inform them of the passing. Some of the people you’ll need to call, according to Angela Morrow, a contributor to Very Well Health, include your loved one employer, the social security office, life insurance companies, creditors, any household utility providers, the IRS, and more. This can take a lot of time and energy, so try to delegate certain tasks if you can.

If you’re going to be handling things after the death of a loved one, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you take care of things.

When you first welcomed your baby into your home, you may have spent days and weeks putting the nursery together until it was just perfect. But if you’re like many parents, you didn’t spend too much time thinking about what you’d do in the room after your baby was no longer a baby and was well on their way to becoming a full-fledged kid.

If you currently find yourself in this situation, or if you’re wanting to get ahead of the game by planning for the future while your little one is still little, here are three tips for changing your child’s room from a nursery to a bedroom.

Get A Transitional Bed

As your baby grows, their bed is going to have to grow with them. While you can get a brand new bed for each stage in life, Parents.com recommends saving yourself some trouble here by simply buying a transitional bed.

With a transitional bed, your child will have a crib while they’re a baby, a toddler bed once they outgrow the need for a fully-enclosed crib, and, in some instances, a day bed for future use as well. With just a few little tweaks, most transitional beds can easily be changed from one form to the other, which means you can have your child’s new bed ready for them as soon as they need it. So if you’re still looking for the right crib for your baby’s nursery, consider getting a transitional bed to save you from any future purchases for a few years.

Think Ahead For Storage

While babies require a lot of stuff despite being so small, the amount of stuff your child has will just grow as they do. Knowing this, it’s wise to think ahead for storage even when setting up their nursery.

According to Amanda Blakley, a contributor to the Huffington Post, you should try to have a lot of different options for storage with the furniture you put in your child’s nursery. This could include things like bookshelves, floor baskets, dressers, closet organizers and more.

Drop The Nursery Theme

Many nurseries have a very present theme when it comes to their design and decor. But while this may be cute when your child is still a little baby, as soon as they get old enough to have their own interests, Kaitlin Stanford, a contributor to WhatToExpect.com, recommends that any strong theme should be dropped.

Regardless of how much your child may like something right now, with the speed at which kids change their minds about things, it’s going to be easier for you to use a much more generic theme for the bigger items in your child’s room rather than having everything fit with a very specific theme.

If you’re wanting to make things easier on yourself as your child grows from needing a nursery to being in their very own room, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned above.

Moving home is a stressful and chaotic time for everyone.  More so if you have a pet and let’s be honest here – pet relocation which you may face won’t be a walk in the park either.  Moving house can have a big impact on your dog. Our lives are based around routines and our animal friends too feed very much off our emotions.  Any disruption to you and your routine can also be a difficult time for your dog.

Special care has to be taken when transporting your furry family member to another home whether across country or across the border. Simple strategies can help make moving house with your dog easier and safer for the both of you.  The preparation period before moving is crucial for the success of the entire relocation. It is even more important to make the right decisions as far as arranging the proper pet transport.

The easiest way to ship a pet across country is  to have the pet with you in your car as you embark on a cross country journey to your new place.  Your presence next to you pet will have a calming effect on your pet’s nerves and this will lessen the stress, anxiety and fear  of the  sudden changes in their life. Your dog will know that you will protect it no matter what happens and that reassurance can contribute to a largely problem-free move for all of you.

However, if this option is not possible, there is no need to panic. You may need to contact specialized pet shipping services such as Shiply to connect you to reliable and reputable pet transportation companies that can transport your dog.

Below are the following questions you have to ask the transport service to help evaluate your options:

The number of stops the vehicle will make for other deliveries

It is unlikely the pet shipping company will provide a direct door-to-door service. If the truck make a number of stops during the journey, it can significantly add to travel time and this could cause a high level of stress for your dog.

Are there other animals travelling at the same time?

Having a variety of pets can be extremely stressful for your dog. It is best to to avoid options where there are a number of pets in a single transport.

Is your pet travelling in a climate-controlled environment?

All shipping companies are required to provide a climate-control shipping compartment when transporting animals but not all options are the same. Remember to ask how the temperature is maintained and the type of ventilation that is present.

The type of crate used?

Be sure to inspect ahead of time the type of crates that the shipper is providing.  Make sure that it is large enough and properly ventilated. If your dog is not used to being in a crate, you may want to consider other options or spend time to get him used to being in one prior to the trip.

Feeding schedule

Check and confirm how, when and what your dog will be fed.  Do ensure that your dog receives his regular diet.

Sleeping arrangements if it is an overnight trip

Ask if the driver will be sleeping in the van with your pet in case special attention is required.

Do weigh in all possible options for shipping your pet safely and choose the safest and easiest transportation method for your four-legged pal.