Category: General

How To Find A Deal For Best Bamboo Benchtops

General, Home Improvement

Are you looking for a stylish new set of bamboo benchtops for your kitchen space? There are a lot of different providers out there, and it can be hard to try and narrow down your choice to just one of them.

However, this does not need to be a difficult process for you. If you are sure that you want to buy a set of bamboo benchtops, then all you need to do is engage a simple process of elimination in order to find the best provider who will give you the best deal.

The following will take a look at a simple process you can follow when you are trying to get the best deal on bamboo benchtops.

1.    Use Google

First off, use a search browser (most likely Google Chrome or Safari if you have an iPhone) and do a search for the best bamboo benchtops. You will get many search results for different stores that are providing this type of product, and from here, you need to take a look at the top results to see what they are offering.

Just because a result appears at the top does not mean it will be the best, since the top result you see is usually paid for via search page advertising. It is the organic results that you want to pay attention to (you can tell which links are organic as they won’t have a ‘sponsored’ tag next to them).

Try to visit at least 3 or 5 different websites that appear organically and inspect each of their offers for bamboo benchtops. Each website should be easy for you to navigate through and find what you are looking for (the mark of good web design).

A low-quality website does not mean they won’t have a good deal on the product you are looking for, but it tends to be a red flag. A business that understands the needs of its customers and is doing well would have a good looking and highly functional website.

2.    Consider the product quality

When you are buying bamboo benchtops, you want to do your absolute best to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product. The material itself, while strong and durable, can have manufacturing faults in it if you are not careful about who you spend your money with.

You want to know that the firm you are buying from has a good reputation and can stand by the quality of the work it does. It’s a good idea to try and find past reviews from their customers to see how the quality of their bamboo benchtops holds up against the test of time.

The last thing you want to end up doing is to spend a lot of money on a product that is not durable and wears down easily. Since this is a significant purchase for your kitchen, you really can’t be too careful when it comes to the amount of checking you do before making a final purchase decision.

3.    Speak with them

If you have any queries about the bamboo benchtops you are thinking about buying, you should be able to speak with the provider to get their insight. They should be eager to take your phone call and reassure you as to the quality of their product and be eager to answer any questions you have that are reasonable.

As you can see, there are a few important things to consider when you are thinking about buying a new set of bamboo benchtops for your kitchen space.…

Electric vs. Gas Hot Water

General, Home Appliance

Trying to decide between electric and gas hot water? There are a lot of things to consider when deciding between the choices. Factors such as the space you have available, cost, and your household needs will impact on whether or not you should opt for electric or gas hot water. So here are a few things you should keep in mind.

 

What’s the difference between the two?

The main difference between electric and gas hot water is that in an electric system heating is done with an electric heat element, whilst in a gas hot water system a burner is used. Electric systems use more energy and are less efficient, so if you’re looking to save on emissions they’re not the best choice. If you’re opting for a storage system they tend to be larger and they can be pricey to run depending on your electric tariffs. The other option is often much more efficient and can be installed in most homes. If you’re not sure which works best for your home it’s worth thinking about your budget and household needs.

 

The cost of electric vs. gas hot water

It’s estimated that electric systems can use up around 25% of your home’s total power, contributing a substantial amount to your electric bill – has hot water can therefore save you a lot of money. Whilst an electric system will have a lower upfront cost you’ll definitely find that it costs you more in the long run. Gas hot water has a much lower running cost and is much more efficient but will likely cost you a bit more to purchase and install in the beginning. You’ll likely find that electric systems will be far less economical over the course of their life. Heat pump systems which work by extracting heat from its surroundings are costly than both other systems and have higher running costs, but they are the most efficient.

 

Health and safety considerations

gas hot water cylinder system inside a home

There are a few health and safety factors that you should consider when comparing electric and gas hot water systems. If you’re considering purchasing a storage tank heater than you should be aware that bacteria could potentially grow in the tank if it is not properly maintained. It is recommended that you should heat to a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius to avoid the breeding of dangerous bacteria which can cause conditions like Legionnaires. It’s suggested that even 60 degrees Celsius is not quite hot enough as cooler water can settle on the bottom of the tank. Tankless systems do not have the same issue.

 

Size and shape

Another thing to consider when comparing systems is how they look aesthetically. Storage gas hot water systems tend to be smaller and less bulky than electric systems so might be a better choice if space is at a premium. Storage models can take up a significant amount of room and are often installed outdoors but their bulky size and shape can get in the way and ruin the look of a space so if you’d prefer a cleaner look than you might want to consider a tankless option. Tankless heaters are much smaller and can be installed to sit flush against your wall making them much more aesthetically pleasing and much easier to hide. In fact, they take up so little space many people are able to conceal them easily within a cupboard. It’s worth noting that the size of your unit, whether you opt for storage or tankless design, will vary based on your needs. You’ll get different unit size based on your capacity and flow rate requirements.

 

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How To Properly Take Care Of Handmade Jade Jewellery

General, Jewellery

Personal ornaments, such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets, bring a certain level of class and affluence that can’t be matched by other attire. Because it contains precious metals, handmade jade jewellery is often some of the most expensive available in the market. It is for this reason, however, that owners of these items should be aware of how to take care of their necklaces and bracelets appropriately. The following guide will list critical tips you should use when buying a jade necklace in New Zealand that is hand-crafted just for you, along with essential reminders on how to care for your precious item properly. Read on to find out more!

 

Intense colours work

When it comes to handmade jade jewellery, intense colourings generally work the best. Colours like lilac, white, black and green are common, with the latter being the most popular. You’ll generally find that the most expensive stones are light green.

 

Translucent stones are indicative of high-quality

Premium gems are translucent in appearance. However, this isn’t always the case. If the stone is translucent, then it means that the rock has not be subjected to artificial interference and has been left in its natural state, which bodes well for its longevity and quality.

 

Please don’t buy a stone based on its colour

Much like judging a book by its cover, purchasing handmade jade jewellery based solely off its colour is dangerous. There are millions of cheap knockoffs out there, which use colour enriching dyes to create the illusion that it is a superior option. You’ll know in a few years if you’ve been swindled since the colour of the stone will dissipate very quickly.

As the colour wanes, so too will the stone’ value and opulence. This is because handmade jade jewellery that has been treated and manipulated will ultimately compromise the structure of the stone over time. It may even break, depending on how low the quality is.

 

Price usually reflects the quality

You should be mindful of the price for two reasons – one, you don’t want to overspend, and two, the price often echoes the overall quality of handmade jade jewellery. If you’re somewhat unsure about relative pricing points of a jade necklace in New Zealand, ask the salesperson in-store to assist. Likewise, if you are dubious as to the quality of a “premium” product listed, ask the salesperson about the specifics of the product in question and see if the “story” lines up.

 

How do I take care of handmade jade jewellery?

There are many ways you can easily take care of your bracelets, rings, necklaces and the like, without having to spend a constant amount of time maintaining its quality.

 

Mild soap and warm water

If you notice that your new gem is dirty or less sparkly, consider using a gentle soap brand and warm water to wash out any marks on its surface. Don’t aggressively buff or dry the gem afterwards; instead, use gentle strokes and a soft towel.

 

Avoid chemical cleaners

We strongly recommend against using chemical cleaners on your precious stones and ornaments. Some chemicals have been known to erode the gemstones and affect their shine over time. Chlorine is one such example, so make sure you don’t wear your rings or bracelets when swimming in a chlorinated pool or spa bath.

 

Soft brushes can help with cleaning

Furthermore, we recommend using a soft-bristled brush to manage those small crevices between the stone and the frame on your handmade jade jewellery. It also works very well for cleaning carved pieces.

 

Be cautious of professional cleaners

If you take your bracelet or necklace to a professional cleaner, make sure they won’t be using a steam cleaner or an ultrasonic machine, since this might damage the ornament.

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