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Choosing the right kind of flooring for your apartment is an important choice. You have to think of not only aesthetics but also the utility and durability of the type of flooring you choose. Few builders and developers give you a choice of flooring and some have a standard template. Most of the times, when you are buying an apartment, you will be able to strike a deal with the builders regarding the kind of customization you are looking for as far as flooring is concerned.
Tiled Flooring: Tiles are one of the most popular flooring solutions used today. Present day tiles are definitely an improvement over the mosaic tiles of the past that was harder to clean and maintain. Ceramic tiles are one option you have and the advantage of this type of tiles is its easy maintenance, availability in different colors and shapes, and of course, good looks. These tiles must however, be fixed and sealed well. When you are buying a house, the last thing you want is unprofessionally done flooring that could compromise its durability. Vitrified tiles that are made in higher temperatures absorb less moisture when compared to ceramic tiles and are more rigid and scratch resistant. However, vitrified tiles tend to be slippery. There are anti-skid varieties of tiles currently in the market that can be used for kitchen, bathrooms and utility areas.
Marble Flooring: Marble flooring is more premium, than tiled flooring and of course is better aesthetically. However, they might need regular polishing and can crack easily if you are not careful. There are several varieties of marbles to choose from.
Granite Flooring: Granite flooring is more expensive than marble and is often used only for kitchen slabs and the like and less for flooring. They are extremely durable and easy to maintain.
Hardwood & wooden laminates: Hardwood floors are made from a mixture of special and domestic wood. They make your apartment very attractive but at the same time, it retains moisture and would attract termites. Wooden laminates on the other hand, are easy to fix, resists moisture and are easy to clean. They can even be fixed over your existing flooring.
Vinyl Flooring: Less popular in India, vinyl flooring is an inexpensive option but also wouldn’t last very long. The other side is that you could change whenever you desire a change. They are easy to clean and fix.
While buying an apartment, you have to consider your budget for flooring, the durability of the options available, color, and above it all, the comfort and ease of use it would provide. Also bear in mind that the ideal flooring might not be one single type of flooring in all your rooms. Think of different combinations that are more suited for specific areas and rooms of your apartments. Talk to the builders and developers about the options they can provide and at what price. Top builders and developers usually have more options to choose from. The correct flooring will make your home the perfect place to live.
Bangalore has grown exponentially in recent years. What was once considered outskirts are now busy streets, IT Parks and high-rise apartments. As the city expands, this is the right time to consider buying an apartment. It would be an investment you would never regret. Even if you are not planning to live in the apartment, renting it out is a great option. Investing in the right location is the key to gain more appreciation and rental income.
In recent years, north Bangalore has witnessed more growth in real estate thanks to the new airport in Devanahalli and bigger projects lined up in places like Jalahalli, Yelahanka etc. Localities such as such as Jalahalli offer many advantages. It is comparatively closer to the airport, Yeshwanthpur railway station, and Peenya Industrial estate. A host of malls and hotels are coming up in this high-growth potential area, which will be connected by the Metro Rail project and KSRTC Satellite Bus Terminal. With the outer ring road close by, getting to Hebbal and IT parks such as Manyata Embassy Business Park is easy. Accessibility to the international airport, railway stations, bus stations, IT parks, schools and shopping malls are the major factors that one should look for when buying a house in Bangalore.
Many builders and developers in Bangalore now give away many amenities to their customers. It ranges from the basics such as car parking to swimming pools, gyms, clubhouses and tennis courts. One can safely say that the real estate landscape is being redefined. The Karnataka Chapter of the Consortium of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) estimates that the real estate industry in Bangalore will grow at 25 percent in the coming year. Real estate business is getting all the more professional and transparent with each day and more developers are entering the market with never heard before investment plans thus expanding the customer’s options. Bangalore also has the reputation among some analysts as the safest place for real estate investments in the world as prices are more or less stable and do not undergo much fluctuations.
Another important development that makes a huge difference in the real estate sector in Bangalore is the ambitious Namma Metro project. Once complete, it will link the length and breadth of the big city and travelling from one end of the city to the other will not be a matter of concern anymore.
If you are considering investing in a flat with an intention of renting it out, you have reason to rejoice too. Rent rates in the city have increased in 2011 substantially compared to 2010. So, you can be sure to earn a good monthly income from your investment in case you don’t plan to stay in your apartment at present.
Demand for office spaces in Bangalore is also on the rise. Bangalore topped the market for commercial space in the country in 2011 and more than 80 percent came from the IT/ITES sector. With this growth, you can be rest assured that your decision to invest in a house in Bangalore is a wise one.
Buying an apartment is an important decision in your life. It’s very natural that you feel a bit stressed and confused about it. Start by understanding what you need, and what you want. List the things that are most important to you in terms of space, ambiance, location, amenities etc. When you have this clear, you can begin looking at options and shortlisting them. Here are a few heads of items you can consider as you make your list.
Accessibility
- Should your apartment be close to major highways?
- Should your apartment be close to bus stops and railway stations? How far is acceptable?
- Amount of traffic that you can tolerate around the place
- Should the apartment be near places of worship?
- Distance from your place of work/kid’s schools etc.
Your Apartment
- Which floor is acceptable to you?
- Should your apartment be near/far from parking lots?
- Near/far from common areas and lifts
Size
- How big should your apartment be in size? (Square footage)
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Balconies
- Storage Space
- Size of each room to your preference
Amenities
What kind of amenities are you looking for in your apartment/building? Some common amenities provided include
- Children Play area
- Swimming Pool
- Gym
- Library
- Tennis Court
- Power backup
- Rainwater harvesting
- Clubhouse
- Joggers track
- Store; etc.
Security
- Onsite security
- Security call options
- Alarm systems
Rentability
- Are you planning to rent out the apartment?
- If yes, how much rent do you expect to earn. Do this analysis considering the size of apartment and the locality you have chosen.
Once you know what your preferences are, you can start looking at options and visiting sites. Ask as many questions as you can and keep notes as you visit different apartments. You will also need to make an assessment of your budget and financing requirements. Most builders now partner with leading banks to offer hassle free financing solutions. You should have made a plan as to how much finance you would need and how much you are prepared to shell out monthly towards the mortgage. Another thing you would have to keep in mind is the after –possession expenses you would incur on you apartment such as woodwork, furniture, kitchen work etc.
Another often overlooked aspect is to do a bit of research about the builders you are considering. Look for reviews on the net, and if possible visit completed projects and talk to current owners of apartments to have a clear idea of how reliable and trustworthy the builder is. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a unreliable builder when you are spending a fortune on your dream home.
The key is not to jump into a decision. Take your time and gather more understanding about the subtler things in the deal. Have a qualified lawyer check the documents. Going in a step wise manner will give you enough data points to freeze in on the best option. Your final decision should be right mix of logic and intuition.
When people start looking out to buy apartments, they are often not sure about how big a house they need. They would have only a vague idea about the minimum requirements. There are certain things you will have to consider to you have a clear idea of what size you will need.
How big is your family is one of the first questions to ask. Do you get a lot of guests often? Do you have a lot of stuff already that would limit your options of getting a smaller apartment? Do you need more spaces in your living room vs. your bedrooms? Once you start thinking of every room in your dream home, you will have an idea of what is the right size for you. Of course you would start with a bigger size but mostly your budget will start limiting how bigger it can get. But soon, you will arrive at a safe range (of square footage) within which you can target you search. Depending upon your budget, you might have to move away from central areas of the city if you need a bigger apartment.
Many builders and developers offer different types and varieties of floor plans that will suit your needs. Look at as many floor plans as possible and shortlist those in which the dimensions of each room are acceptable to your needs and taste. Good imagination will help you to visualize your home when looking at a floor plan. Few developers build a model flat in case the actual construction is not complete. Do not compare floor plans just by counting the number of rooms and balconies. Check out the dimensions to see which one is better than the other. In order to do this, you will have to understand how the square footage of an apartment is calculated.
Understanding Square footage:
When you start looking at apartments to buy, you will be comparing apartments according to their square footage. Square footage as you would already know, is length multiplied by breadth of a room. So if the living room is 12 feet wide and 15 feet long, you have a living room of 180 square feet. But the sum of all the square footage of rooms in an apartment might not add up to the total square footage that the builder/developer is quoting. If an apartment is of 1200 sq.ft, you might not get all of that inside your house. Depending on how the builder did the calculations, the mentioned sq.ft might also include common areas such as foyers lobbies and common garden areas, shafts through which electrical and plumbing lines pass through (for the apartment) and walls. Since the actual area in your apartment will vary from 70 to 80 percent of the quoted figure, Understanding this will save you from making wrong comparisons. This has to be kept in mind especially when you are looking at a floor plan that is yet to be constructed. You should clearly understand the way the square footage has been calculated.
Summer is an amazing time of the year when you can go out and have lots of fun. But if you aren’t careful enough, spending too much time in the scorching heat of the summer sun can be seriously bad for your body and health. We have to be aware of the dangers, including potentially fatal sunstrokes.
Here are some suggestions to have as much fun as possible in the sun while avoiding the risks associated with sun exposure.
- It’s best to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hot parts of the day. If you do have to spend time outdoors exposed to direct sunlight make sure you drink plenty of fluids and take lots of breaks in shaded areas. It’s advisable to add a pinch of salt to your drinks (lemon juice, for example) as it helps the body retain more water.
- It’s strongly advised to make a conscious effort to drink more fluids in order to minimize the risk of dehydration generally during summer. Monitor the colour of your urine to see if your body’s getting enough water. A dark yellow colour means you aren’t getting enough water and you should be drinking more. A light yellow colour is normal as it indicates that the body is absorbing water well.
- Also it’s important to watch what you drink. Drinking too much coffee, caffeinated drinks or drinks with lots of sugar is not advisable for rehydration. The best method is to drink natural drinks like water, lemon juice or fruit juices. In fact it is all right if caffeinated drinks are used in moderation, but it should be remembered that they have a diuretic effect which may cause increased loss of body fluid which becomes significant when large quantities of caffeine are ingested.
- If you’re working outside and if you happen to have access to a pool, it’s a good idea to take a dip to let your body cool down. It’s a good idea to make your clothes wet or dampen them a bit to let your body cool.
Heat stroke and Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are two of the common negative outcomes that can result from exposure to extreme heat. Both of these are dangerous as they can be fatal, so it’s important to be aware of their symptoms.
- You fall under the risk of heat exhaustion when your body loses large amounts of water and salt through excessive sweating. This could be caused due to hard labour or extended periods of exposure to the summer sun.
- A heat stroke happens when the body’s thermoregulation mechanism fails and the body temperature rises too high because of environmental heat exposure. Symptoms of heat stroke include dry skin, rapid pulse and dizziness. It could also result in seizures, reddened skin and vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Heat exposure can also result in muscle pains and spasms that are known as heat cramps.
Somebody who has been a victim of heat exhaustion or stroke should immediately be taken into a shaded area to be administered steps necessary to bring the body temperature down. The clothes should be removed and cold compresses can be given to the torso, neck and groin.
It’s best to take precautions so you can have fun in the sun and keep your body in good health as well. These tips will help you take the sting out of the summer and enjoy the warmth or liveliness of it.
It’s only March, but it already feels like it’s summer. Those cold nights of winter are gone and hot days are here. It will be wise to make some precautions to deal with the summer so the heat doesn’t take a nasty toll on us. With a few changes you can make sure you’re well-prepared to deal with increasing temperatures. Making the most of the equipment you have at home like AC or fans which are intended to keep you comfortable in the heat of summer is very important. There are a lot of things you can do to avoid your apartment becoming uncomfortable or unbearable when it gets hot outside.
These suggestions will help keep your apartment cool and most of them require little time or effort and don’t cost a paisa. In fact they might even help you save money by reducing the amount of your electricity bill every month!
1. Close/Open Doors and windows
To maximize the potential of your air conditioner, you may need to close or open doors to let the cool air circulate to as much areas as need in the apartment. On the other hand, if you have a house that’s too large with many rooms, it will be pointless to expect a small AC system to cool all of that space.
In a small one-bedroom apartment, for example, you may be able to rely on just one air-conditioning unit in your bedroom to keep the adjacent areas cool as well. Keep your bedroom door open to allow cool air from the bedroom AC to spread throughout your home. Also make sure the airflow is not blocked by furniture near the door or other openings.
But if your priority is to make sure the bedroom stays at a very comfortable temperature for you to sleep well at night and you aren’t bothered about the rest of the flat, then you should make sure the door to the bedroom remain closed as much as possible. This holds more relevance especially if you have a large house with a small AC unit.
Whenever you’re running an air-conditioner, keep all the windows closed. Open windows reduce the efficiency of the unit by letting the cool air escape and it also makes your AC unit work harder adding extra costs to your electricity bills. On the other hand whenever you sense that the outside temperatures are comfortable, for example, on a breezy evening, it’s a great idea to keep your windows open and shut down your AC. There’s nothing as enjoyable as a cool breeze in a scorching summer. And it’s a great way to get rid of the stale air in your house and get some fresh air naturally.
2. Dealing with sunlight
Keep your windows, blinds and curtains closed on hot, sunny days to keep your house from heating up. If you have transparent glass windows, make sure they’re draped well to let the lease amount of sunlight and heat in. Or design the windows and drapes in such a way to allow light to come in, but block as much heat as possible. If you use air-conditioning units, remember that they will have to work a lot harder to lower the temperature if you allow the sun to heat up your house.
3. Positioning of AC units
Make sure your AC units are placed ideally so they can cool the room optimally. Also make sure the flow of the cool air is not blocked by big pieces of furniture or other structures. Also keep all electronic equipment which emit heat away from the AC.
4. Use your fan along with your AC
If you’re in the room for a short period, it’s better to use the ceiling fan than to depend on your AC. Just because you have invested in an AC doesn’t mean you should throw away your ceiling fan. AC consumes a whole lot more electricity and it’s better to save it for the harsher times of summer and to run it for longer spells.
 Uninvited guests seldom make you happy. Especially when they have more legs than you do, go after your food and are able to spread diseases nobody wants them in our houses. Yes, we’re talking about pests – ants, rats, spiders, houseflies and other insects, including the most dreaded of them all, the cockroach. Of course you could wait till they almost take over your home before you decide to call an exterminator or resort to using a powerful chemical pesticide to recover your living space.
There’s a couple of reasons why this is not the best strategy. One is that the stuff that kills pests is usually harmful to humans too. Two, it’s better to take care of the problem at the root than deal with the symptoms. If you just keep treating the symptoms the disease keeps coming back to haunt you. Therefore the best strategy is to prevent pests from making your home their home in the first place.
1. Keep Your House Clean and Dry
- Pests need food and water to survive. If you starve them out by managing to keep food and water out of their reach, they will leave for better pastures and stop bothering you.
- Make sure you take care of spills immediately with soap and water.
- Do not keep open food or ripe fruit outside. Keep it in the fridge.
- Sweep and vacuum the floors of your house/apartment regularly.
- Take out trash every day and make sure garbage cans are clean of food remnants.
- Clean dirty dishes immediately. Or at least make sure they’re in soapy water where pests can’t get to them.
- Keep all the food and beverage outside the refrigerator in tightly sealed containers. Lids with rubber seals or tight snap-on lids protect contents better than screw-top jars.
- Make sure all the rooms and other indoor areas remain dry as possible, especially bathroom and kitchen. Fix faulty taps with leakage so standing water doesn’t accumulate.
2. Make Your House an Impenetrable Fortress for Pests
- You can deny access to pests by making sure all possible entry points are sealed off.
- Make sure any cracks and gaps in mouldings, cupboards, pipes, ducts, sinks, toilets and electrical outlets sealed and closed.
- If you have vents for heating or cooling, make sure pests can’t enter by placing screens on them. Even a coin-sized hole could be enough to let a mouse enter your house.
- If you have stacked wood or any such material, try to keep it away from the walls of your house so pests can’t climb up and in.
3. How to Deal with Pests If They Still Get in
If you manage to do the things listed under the first two lists, you shouldn’t have any problem with pets. But in case they’re already in there are many ways you can deal with pests without resorting to toxic chemical pesticides. Always employ products and techniques that involve less health risks to members of your household.
- Use your vacuum cleaner to clean out bugs and nests (bugs usually suffocate in the bag).
- Set traps (flytraps, jar traps, pheromone traps, light traps, etc.)
If you have to use pesticides/insecticides:
- Choose an insecticide that is less likely to be harmful to humans.
- Boric acid, for example, is a mild insecticide which poisons insects’ stomachs. It is comparatively less toxic to mammals.
- When using any pesticide, take all precautions to limit the exposure of everyone in the house.
- Follow all precautions listed on the pesticide label, whether wearing gloves, masks or washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
- Make sure children and pets stay away from traps, baits and pesticide residues.
- Do not get rid of leftover pesticides by dumping them carelessly in the garbage or on the lawn. It could lead to contamination of the environment and drinking water. Follow the methods for disposing hazardous waste.
This database offers relevant information on least-toxic and nontoxic alternatives.
Posted in Article
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Tagged hygiene, pests
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Washing machines are fast becoming an inevitable part of every household. As the prices slide to sub-Rs. 10,000 levels, more and more people are realizing that it is a convenience that they can afford. And as the time constraints that accompany the modern lifestyle are beginning to affect more of us, a washing machine is considered no longer a luxury, but more of a necessity.
Fully automatic and Semi-automatic
If you are considering a purchasing a new washing machine, primarily there are two options- fully automatic and semi-automatic. Semi-automatic machines, as the name suggests, require more human supervision and are less expensive. You can get a decent semi-automatic washing machine in the range of Rs. 5,000-10,000. They come with two tubs, one for the washing cycle and the second for drying. You have to take the clothes once the washing cycle is completed and put it in the drying tub. However, semi-automatic machines also have a few advantages. They consume considerably less water and electricity. Therefore if you a have a house where washing is done once a week or less, it may be a good idea to go for this and save money instead of spending too much on a fully-automatic machine.
Top-loading and Front-loading
If you think you need a high quality of washing and you intend to use it more often, you should consider going for a better machine, probably front-loading, which may be slightly more expensive. Front-loading machines are more water efficient and offer better quality of washing compared to top-loading machines.
Top-loading machines, although they have the disadvantage that they tend to be rougher on clothes, are less expensive. An advantage is that they tend to offer a faster wash cycle.
Other Features
Tubs
If you intend to use your washing machine as a workhorse then a machine with a stainless steel drum is a good idea. Even though they are more expensive, they tend to be more durable.
If you don’t intend to use the machine that much opting for a machine with high-grade plastic tubs can save you some money. Some machines come with several wash programmes like soak, mild, delicate, wool, etc which could be helpful if you intend to wash a lot of different kinds of clothes.
Price
Semi-automatic models in the market today range from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 18,000.
Among the fully automatic machines, you can find top-loading models from Rs. 9,000 and front-loading models from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 80,000.
Wash Load
The capacity of washing machine measured in the weight of clothes it can handle is referred to as the wash load of the machine.
You can find washing machines with varying wash loads from 3 Kg to 10 Kg. For a family of two, a 3 Kg machine could be sufficient. Bigger families, especially with children, might require machines with bigger wash loads.
Auto restart
This is a very useful feature that helps the machine resume the washing from the point where it was interrupted by, say, a power failure. If you area suffers from frequent power cuts, this could be a very relevant feature for you. This is a particularly useful feature for areas facing frequent power cuts.
Hot Water Wash
Some washing machines have a hot wash option enabling clothes to be washed in steaming hot water. This could be handy if you have children who bring home dirty clothes every day. This is a feature very usually found in fully automatic washing machines.
Wash Load Sensor
Some of the higher-end models have a sensor which will recognize an overload in the machine. They ensure a smoother wash cycles without the clothes getting entangled or damaged.
Over time, refrigerators have grown to be much more than the chilled cabinets with iceboxes they used to be one time. Today’s fridges, with sophisticated technologies like Frost-free, have also become decorative accessories to well-designed kitchens. Nowadays consumers want more convenience and performance features when they’re looking for a refrigerator. To fulfil these demands manufacturers have come up with stylish-looking refrigerators, flexible food storage options and different types of fridges primarily differentiated by their door styles.
Rising energy costs coupled with increasing awareness of environmental concerns also mean that energy-efficiency has become a key factor for many consumers who know that it will help them reduce their monthly electricity bill.
It is important to determine what kind of a refrigerator would be most suitable for you before you set about the task of finding one in a shop. The key factors to keep in mind aside from the budget are the size and door configuration.You should make sure you’ve gone over a few questions. Where do I keep the fridge? How much space do I have? What are the things I am going to keep the refrigerator for?
Size and style
If you’re considering buying a large fridge, see if you have enough space to accommodate it. Make sure there’s enough room for you to stand in front and open the doors. If you are short of room, but still want a large refrigerator, a side-by-side might be a good option as it splits the width of the door into two. If you have a very small kitchen, there are really small models available in the market ranging from 50 litres upwards for you.
Choose an exterior colour that goes along with the already existing ambience of the kitchen. A stainless steel finish could be very elegant and extremely durable even though it might require extra upkeep and maintenance to keep it glowing.
Door Configuration
Side-by-sides are usually large refrigerators from 600 litres onward. If you have a big family or if you need huge storage space, you should consider it. Aside from its sheer utility people also prefer it for its non-traditional look and elegance.
Top-freezer is the popular style of refrigerators in India today. It has a freezer at the top with a separate door, with the refrigeration compartment below and the vegetable cabinet at the bottom.
Bottom-freezer fridges place the freezer at the bottom. The advantage is that you have most of the stuff you want at eye level and you don’t have to bend down to get your food and vegetables.
Features
Shelves
A good refrigerator will allow you to arrange the shelving inside in many different ways as to make optimum use of the space for you to store your food items. Both wired and glass shelves are common. The glass shelves have the advantage that they’re easier to clean and look great while the wired shelves are stronger.
Quick freeze
This feature is very useful if you need to cool something real quick or make some ice urgently.
Noise
Most fridges have a constant buzzing noise when they operate. Ideally you should check it at the store to make sure that it isn’t too loud for you.
Coil-free
The earlier fridges used to have condenser coils at the back which are now found at the bottom in most of the models except the most budget-friendly ones.
Deodorizer
This feature keeps the food odour-free and keeps it fresher longer.
Energy efficiency
Fridges consume considerable amounts of electricity and considering that it is usually run all throughout the day, energy efficiency is extremely important and can save you a fortune in the long run. You can gauge the energy efficiency by checking the star ratings of BEE which indicate the energy efficiency ratio (EER) of home appliances.
Ultimately be aware of your requirements. If your family consists just of two people and you eat out very often, a small fridge to store a bottle of wine and some Coke/Pepsi might be more than enough for your house/apartment. A large fridge is likely to consume more electricity than a small one aside from taking up more space and emitting more heat and noise.
 Source: BEE web site If you are somebody bothered by high electricity bills and the damage to the environment because of rising energy consumption, then you will be extremely happy to know that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has a come up with a wonderful system to help you choose which products to buy. The Bureau of energy Efficiency (BEE) is an agency functioning under the Ministry of Power set up by the Government of India in March 2002 under the provisions of the 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The agency’s objective is to promote awareness of the need for energy conservation and encourage adoption of products that are highly energy efficient.
In order to make it easy for the public and consumers to identify energy efficient products in the market, the BEE has introduced the Energy Efficiency Star labelling system which simplifies and standardizes ratings for energy efficiency for different electrical home appliances. Under this system, manufacturers can affix a label with a BEE logo on their products to indicate their energy efficiency. A label with five stars would mean that the product is among the most energy efficient products in the market and a label with just one star would mean it’s among (or next to)the least energy efficient.
This rating system is currently invoked for most kinds of common household equipment. Here’s a list of items that are covered under the Standard and Labeling Program of electrical home appliances from the BEE website.
- Refrigerators
- Tubular Fluorescent Lamps
- Room Air Conditioners
- Direct Cool Refrigerators
- Distribution Transformers
- Induction Motors
- Pump Sets
- Ceiling Fans
- LPG
- Electric Geysers and
- Televisions.
What this means is that every time you buy one of these products, you can choose to buy a product that is extremely energy efficient and thereby save a lot on your electricity expenditure.
A high energy efficiency ratio for a product you regularly use means less consumption of energy which translates into lower electricity bills and higher savings for you. Even though affixing the BEE star rating label is voluntary for most products currently, it has been made mandatory for room ACs from January 2010. This is understandable considering that an AC consumes a huge quantity of electricity and high energy efficiency ratio (EER) can make a big difference over a long time. The likely savings from reduced electricity consumption for an air-conditioner can be as high as Rs. 2000 over a year. So just imagine how much electricity can be saved in a particular flat or house if you replace all electric appliances with energy efficient variants. The average apartment in an Indian city could save thousands of rupees every year with such a move.
For more information on BEE star labelling system, visit http://cribb.in/save-electricity-by-checking-bee-labels.htm
The basic function of an Air Conditioning units or an AC is to regulate temperature and humidity so we can be comfortable in summer staying indoors. Air Conditioners were considered a luxury up until recently. But as a result of falling prices they have become much more affordable to the common man now. And with summer temperatures getting hotter every year, ACs have become common household appliance even in a city like Bangalore which enjoys relatively mild climatic conditions throughout the year.
How to choose an AC for your house or apartment
Cooling Capacity
The most important aspect of an AC is its cooling capacity, typically measured in Tons. What kind of tonnage you should be looking for is principally determined by the area of the room (more specifically, volume) that you want to be cooled. Normally for a 12×12 ft room a 1 ton AC should be enough. If you want ensure even better cooling, a general rule of thumb is to divide the square root of the room area by 10 to get the tonnage. That way for the above-mentioned 12×12 room, you could go with 1.2 ton AC. There are many other factors that are crucial to this calculation, the number of people in the room, heat emitting electrical units like light bulbs and television sets in the room, the local climate and the outdoor temperature near the AC unit. (It helps if the unit is in a cool area covered by natural shade, like a tree) Make sure all these are taken into consideration before you decide on the tonnage.
Installing a large unit unnecessarily should be avoided, as even though it may cool the room more quickly it could lead to poor humidity removal due to excessive on-off cycling. A small unit running for an extended period is usually more efficient and more effective than a large unit that cycles on and off frequently.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is extremely important as more energy efficient units – even if they are more expensive, can save you a lot of money in the long run. Less energy-efficient systems not only consume more electricity and lead to massive electricity bill but are also more damaging to the environment. Government of India has set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which has come up with a 5-star rating system to help consumers identify more energy-efficient products. An AC with a 5-star rating from BEE can be trusted to give you the maximum cooling per kilowatt of electricity consumed.
Different Types of AC
Two types of air conditioners typically available in the market.
Window AC: This is normally used for cooling just one room. It’s convenient to install as it can be installed on a window. This, along with the fact that it tends to be less expensive, makes it very popular. The key difference from split AC is that all the components are in a single casing.
Split AC: A split air conditioning system consists of an outdoor unit with the condenser, condenser fan and compressor along with an indoor cabinet that contains the evaporator and the air-handler. Split ACs can be more powerful and can be used to cool multiple rooms supported by a single outdoor unit. They also have the advantage that they’re usually less noisy.
In addition to this, there are many other kinds of systems like cassette type AC’s and even portable ACs to meet your needs if your don’t think either of two mentioned above is suited for you.
Reverse-cycle AC
This type of ACs have the added advantage that it can double up as a heating system and heat your household when it gets too cold during winter.
Tips to Save Energy and Save on Your Electricity Bill
One thing you must know, even before you buy an AC, is that it consumes a whole lot of electricity. In familiar terms, the running cost of an AC in terms of electricity could be the equivalent of running 25 ceiling fans. So it is very important that you use the AC wisely, sparingly and efficiently. Here are some tips to help you do that.
- Install the AC in the centre of the room, rather than in a corner.
- Make sure there are no obstacles of any kind immediately in front of the unit. If the free flow of air is blocked from the unit, its efficiency will be seriously affected.
- Set the AC’s temperature setting as high as comfortably possible. The lower the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be the electricity consumption.
- Do not place electric appliances near the AC unit.
- Clean the AC filter regularly and clean the outdoor coils as they gather dust. Make sure you learn how to do it properly from the sales personnel when they install the unit.
To find more related information, visit http://indiahometips.com/ac-home.html.
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Tagged AC, home appliance
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 A chimney is a structure designed for venting hot gases and smoke safely from a kitchen to the outside atmosphere. A good chimney protects your eyes and nose from the smoke and fumes produced from the stove and also protects the ceiling above the stove and the kitchen environment from getting stained with the oily fumes from cooking. Exhaust fans can also be used for more or less same purposes, but there are many electric chimneys available in the market today which do the job much more efficiently.
It’s a good idea to consider installing a good chimney in your kitchen if any of these problems concern you:
- If you don’t want the stove to stain your kitchen ceiling and walls
- If you are concerned about the ill-effects of the fumes and smoke on your health
- If your eyes are oversensitive to smoke
- If you like to keep the kitchen odour-free
Electric chimneys are categorized according to their air suction capacity which is measured in cubic metres per hour. For normal cooking, you could get electric chimneys starting from Rs. 4000 in the market. If your cooking involves a lot of oil and deep frying, you might need to go for a chimney with a high (more than 750 m3 /hour) air suction capacity, which might cost you anywhere from Rs 15,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.
You can choose for a traditional chimney if all you want the chimney to do is ensure that the smoke and fumes from the stove do not damage your health and do not make the kitchen dirty. But you could also use the chimney to enhance the appearance of your kitchen. Special designer chimneys not only do their job of dealing with the smoke and fumes, but also serve as a kitchen decor accessory lending an air of elegance to your kitchen.
Types of chimney filters
Baffle filter
Baffle filter chimneys are considered an improvement on aluminium mesh filters. They’re supposed to be considerably more effective. They are quite useful for Indian kitchens and cleaning them is also easy. Baffle filters are available in both stainless steel and aluminium versions.
Charcoal filter
This filter is mainly used for odour absorption and is usually installed at an extra cost. The absorption and purification capacity of these filters depends upon the thickness of these filters and the charcoal granules used. As this filter is not washable, it needs to be replaced every 3-6 months depending upon the cooking habits of the user.
Ducting
This is a one-time installation alternative to charcoal filters which need periodic replacement. Ducting requires PVC pipes. Since this is a permanent fixture, it might require some carpentry work.
There are also chimneys available with aluminium mesh filters, but these may not be suitable for Indian style of cooking with lots of oil and masalas, as the small holes in them may get clogged by oily and greasy particles.
Number of blowers
The blowers run simultaneously with the motors to ensure effective exhaustion of unwanted smells and oil vapours at different speeds, thus providing optimum operation at lower noise levels. Higher numbers of blowers results more effective removal of unwanted smells and grease. If your cooking involves a lot of deep-frying, then the number of blowers is critical.
Size
Electric Chimneys are usually available in two sizes – 60 cm and 90 cm.
Maintenance
It is very important to remember that fireplaces and chimneys should be examined and swept periodically to ensure safety and proper functioning.
There many auto clean chimneys in the market today. These are suitable for Indian cooking using a lot of oil. Autoclean chimneys require very little maintenance.
Depending on your requirements and preferences you can choose the right chimney for your kitchen to enjoy smoke free cooking and to keep your kitchen beautiful and elegant.
For a list of electric chimneys in the market, see http://www.naaptol.com/buy/home_-_kitchen_appliances/cooking/electric_chimneys.html
 Designing and decorating the interior of your house can indeed demand a lot of creativity and expertise. A preferred option is to seek the help of a professional who specializes in it. But it’s still important to make sure that the style and décor match your taste and reflect your personality. There are many prevailing trends that you can take inspiration from when you go about decorating your flat irrespective of whether you hire professional help or not. This is a short overview of common apartment decorating styles to be used as a guide.
Modern
A modern or contemporary look would have sleek lines, minimal frills and neutral colours with a few vibrant accents. Open spaces are characteristic of this style, as well as furniture made of very light and very dark wood. The contemporary look is all about contrast and a clean, airy feeling. Clear contours and well-defined shapes and patterns are typical of this look.
Cottage
If you like to lend a cozy, holiday feel to your flat, then the cottage style could be ideal for you. It’s a very warm and personal decorating style that draws inspiration from seaside beach cottages and quaint ancestral homes in villages. Cottage style is a welcoming, lived-in look that reminds you of your grandpa’s house. Traditional cottage colours are brown, blue, yellow and white. Vintage quilts, simple furniture and great flea market finds would go along best with this style.
Traditional
If hot and sunny isn’t your thing and you’d prefer a more traditional look pulled from classic French and English styles, you could opt for the Traditional style which is quite romantic with gentle tones, floral and patterned fabrics, and intricate architectural details. It is often a very formal and balanced décor, filled with elegant antiques that mirror the look of an old England manor house.
Rustic
Naturist apartment dwellers will love the rustic decorating style. It centres on bringing nature into your home by incorporating elements of the outdoors. This décor uses natural woods, stone and tones of the earth. You could turn your apartment into a virtual log cabin in the woods with this style. Some of the homestays in the hills are modelled on this style.
Retro
The retro style could be very nostalgic, but also extremely playful at the same time. Pick a favourite era and fill up your apartment with decorative items from that period. When a certain period style gets hot, home decoration companies start to create a lot of new items in that style. This makes it very easy to find items for the retro trend that’s riding high at the current time. You could always go to the flea market and do some specialized shopping if you want something specific.
Mediterranean
Transport yourself to exotic, sultry European atmospheres with a classic Mediterranean décor. This style is based on traditional Spanish and Italian decorating. The colour palette features orange, red and yellow tones. You could add texture with ironwork, terra cotta pottery and mosaics. Imagine the antique, Old World feel of a courtyard in Florence.
What do you think you would like your apartment to look like best? You could easily get a preview of what these styles would look like by looking at photos of homes decorated in each of these styles on the Internet. That will definitely help you figure out what exactly you want better and motivate you to design your apartment with style.
It is extremely important to find out whether a prospective place can be deemed to be suitable for your stay. Moving with all the things you’ve accumulated over time to a new place is not an easy thing to do usually and it’s bound to be a rigorous, demanding and stressful activity. The legal technicalities of renting and leasing, that most people do not really enjoy busying themselves with, also take up a lot of time and patience when you move to a new place that you have bought/rented/leased. All of this I think underscore the importance of finding a place that is most likely to satisfy your needs and meet your preferences.
Once you sign the lease or rental agreement you are legally bound to the apartment even if you later find it isn’t really what you want. Asking the landlord or builder questions ahead of time can save you a great deal of money and grief. Before you go to look at an apartment, it is a good idea to think what you need to ask the landlord beforehand and prepare a list if you think it would be useful.
- Look at the lease and find out how much the rent is. Along with the monthly rent, you need to find out which day of the month the rent is due, the length of the term covered and under what circumstances you are allowed to break the agreement. Rental agreements are often made for a period of 11 months, with a provision of an increase in the rent of 5%-15% when it’s renewed. Some landlords might allow tenants to break a lease if they can prove they’ve been transferred to another location for their job or have purchased a house.
- Figure out your expenses. What is the deposit? It’s common to pay a deposit that equals 5-10 months’ rent for most regions in Bangalore. Do you need to pay the deposit when you sign the lease or when you move in? Are there fees the renter automatically takes out of your deposit, such as charges for painting or repair?
- Ask about the utilities. What utilities are you responsible for? What is the average cost of utilities for the size of the unit you are planning to rent? The utilities can make a huge difference in the cost of the apartment, so it is very important to get as much information about the utilities as possible.
- Check if you can have your preferred satellite/cable TV provider in the building. Also try to find out if you can have your favourite telecom/Internet connection there as well.
- Look into your lease/rental options for the flat/house. Make sure you and the landlord are on the same page about how much freedom you have to use the premises that you’re paying the rent for. Are you allowed to take in a roommate? How much can you use the areas that seem common? Are you allowed to sub-let the apartment? These questions are all important in case you reach a point where you can’t really afford the apartment, or if you have a friend or relative that you want to move in together with you. Especially try to look ahead at least for the next two-three years and see what kind of things you might need.
Tips:
- It helps to sit down first, think of your concerns and write down the questions you have. Obviously when you see the actual place you will have more questions that you can add to your list.
- Never take the broker’s word for a solid assurance without checking with the owner and confirming. If you are told something like a special exception can be made for you which is not normally allowed, try to get it in the agreement so they can’t renege on it later.
For more tips on questions to ask before you rent an apartment, please check our previous article here.
For a more exhaustive list of useful questions, please visit http://www.degraeve.com/reference/questions-to-ask-before-renting.php
When you’re considering renting a house, there are some very important things to keep in mind so you can make sure you’ll know exactly what you’re getting and you can get what’s closest to what you want. The points here are even more relevant when you’re renting (or even buying) an apartment as you will be part of community where you’ll have to verify that the guidelines for the tenants are suitable for you and your family and enhance your life rather than constrict it.
Asking the right questions to the relevant people (owner/apartment association representatives) is very important. Ask these questions during your apartment search to ensure that you have a clear picture of what it will be like to live in your new home.
What is the condition of the unit?
Before you sign a lease or a rental agreement, if possible, always have the renter/leaser show you the exact unit you’ll live in. Even if they show you another unit claiming it to be the exact copy, insist on seeing the space that you’re going to be occupying before you sign the papers and pay the cash. Take your time and do a thorough inspection, checking out the condition of appliances, windows, and walls.
How’s the noise level?
Check with the neighbours and the security guards. If there’s an apartment manager who has the general responsibility to ensure everything runs smoothly, he might be the best person to check about it. If peace and quiet are important to you, ask when noise levels are highest in the building.
What’s the parking situation?
Are you going to have your own designated parking spot in your apartment community? If not, make sure the parking rules are clearly explained. Make sure that there will be room for your car in the community’s lot. And if you plan on having a regular guest visit your apartment, make sure there’s someplace where they can park, too.
Are there grocery shops nearby?
Getting to know an apartment community’s neighbourhood is an important part of your apartment search. Get to know where the most convenient places are to shop for groceries, go for laundry, and where the nearest hospitals and clinics are. Access to the goods and services you use most will be important to you once you settle in.
How much can I alter/ decorate the place?
Some leases place restrictions on what kind of decorating a tenant can do. For example, some apartment communities don’t allow residents to paint or make holes in the walls. If setting your own decor is important to you, make sure you know exactly what’s allowed.
How are maintenance issues handled?
Ask about the procedures for handling maintenance issues and repair requests: Should you put them in writing or is verbal notice appropriate? Is there an on-site maintenance crew? Should you pay them after the repair or are they paid separately?
Are there any monthly fees?
You know you have to pay rent every month. But there might be other monthly fees associated with renting an apartment, often called a ‘maintenance fee’. You may also be responsible for paying some or all of the utilities. Make sure you understand — and can afford — the actual cost of renting an apartment.
Do not hesitate to pose all the questions you have and get them answered during your house/flat search. This will prepare you for a smooth move into your new apartment community or your new house.
For more tips on questions to ask before you rent an apartment, check our next article here.
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