Decorative wall art

When it comes to decorating your home there is a likelihood that the colour, theme and style that you select will be one that you are happy to have in place for a number of years. However, with children’s rooms this doesn’t always seem to be the case.

In fact, decorating a child’s bedroom can cause one of the biggest headaches in interior design; not because of the initial choices but because they are incredibly likely to change. Whilst your little toddler loves nothing more than Peppa Pig, your 8 year old may take offence to having a room decked out in this precious little piggy.

So what is the answer? 

Rather than facing the prospect of starting all over again with their room you might find it easier to look into the wonder of wall vinyl and stickers.

Vinyl wall prints and stickers mean that all you need to transform your child’s room is to unpeel their current choice and re-stick the new flavour of the month instead  

But what makes wall stickers such a great idea?

They mean that you can have one simple base colour from which to extend the overall theme of the room; Green, blue, yellow even magnolia will all work with a variety of different wall sticker designs creating a really great looking space.

Wall stickers are also an entirely temporary solution which is ideal for those who live in rented properties, as they are made from vinyl they can be re-positioned and removed without any damage being left to the wall or any marks to show that they were there.

They also come in a range of really great designs, meaning that even those of us who lack in creative skills can you have a wall mural that Picasso would be proud of. They vary in their intricacy which means that you can go all out when it comes to picking one for your children’s room or of course keep it nice and simple.

This variety of choice is one of the best bits of using wall stickers over paint. They really do come in a whole host of different characters, colours, designs and themes. Plenty of today’s children’s fictional characters (TV especially) will have their very own set of wall stickers ready to go on your walls. They also can be mixed and matched as you need. Ideal for rooms where two children are sharing (you can divide their space using stickers they have chosen) or simply for your little one who cannot decide whether they want to be a football player or a super hero!

One other thing that really makes wall stickers a great idea is that they can be personalised, many different retailers will put particular words or perhaps even names within their sticker designs and some DIY sets will come with stickers that you can use to spell out names too. This really gives a special touch to the decoration of the room. 

Any glass/windows in your home can also be utilised. Window Film Graphics which are available from www.arcwindowfilms.com are an ideal way to improve the appearance of your glass.

So what are you waiting for, you can create a whole new world in just one small room with a fantastic range of wall stickers. Why not let your imagination run wild and chuck out that paintbrush and stencil kit!

Energy Alternatives: Solar power

In the modern world most of us are aware of the importance of investigating different types of energy in order to cut down on the use of fossil fuels. But what do we know about these alternative energy sources?

At Arc Window Films we make it our mission to learn more about alternative sources of energy, especially since our window films are a method to not only protect your household items from light rays that beam through the window; but they also keep heat trapped inside your home and cut down on your use of central heating.

This week we are going to take a look at how we can take power from something that cannot be used up; the power that comes from the sun.

Solar energy; the basics

It seems that over recent years solar energy has grown in popularity and can be seen used on houses up and down the country. Simply put, solar energy uses the sun in order to create power, something that is readily available throughout the year (although during the winter it may seem that the sun is scarce).

How does it work?

The black solar panels that you see on the roofs of houses convert the sunlight into a usable energy source; solar thermal panels are able to heat water using sunlight whilst the solar photovoltaic panels cover sunlight that they capture into electricity.

Are there any disadvantages?

The one downside that we have in the UK when it comes to solar energy is something that we noted down earlier on in the blog; there isn’t much sunshine for us to take advantage of. That doesn’t mean however that we cannot have small scale solar panels; as you will see on plenty of houses and businesses, however the UK's climate is not an appropriate base for larger scale solar energy placement. 

But what about the good points?

Whilst we have already seen that the UK is never going to become an entirely solar powered country; there are some really great plus points that relate to the use of solar energy.

As the use of solar energy becomes more popular the affordability of it as a long term option is becoming more of a plus point. Also the carbon footprint that solar energy leaves is lowering as the production of the panels advances and improves.

So why are we not all using it?

Solar power is a great option in the search for clean energy and something that we feel would make an impact if used more in the UK. However the fact remains that not everyone can afford the initial costs and they may not appeal to everyone’s tastes.

At Arc Windows we are embracing these new, clean, green methods of fuelling the world and think that everyone else should take a step towards alternative energy too! For more information about the Arc Window Films please visit www.arcwindowfilms.com.

Good news for draughty rented homes

Today we saw an article in the Guardian that interested us at Arc Window Films, especially as our services and vision are dedicated to providing a warmer and more ecologically friendly way to insulate your home or commercial property.

The article in question is around the issue of a draughty home and more specifically the world of rented properties. Surprisingly we learn that those who live within a rented property may be paying around £1,000 per year more than those who own their home in energy bills due to the house itself being poorly insulated.

This is a rather shocking statistic, especially in the day and age when insulating your home is not always an expensive or difficult thing to put in place.

However this article is showing that for those who are currently living in the breeze there is a warming light at the end of their tunnel. It comes in the form of a new regulation that will mean landlords of properties that fall within the lower energy efficiency bandings of F and G will be responsible for improving these bandings to E by April 2018.

This may not seem that big a deal, but when you look at the statistics it is though that around 10% of properties that are currently being privately rented are falling below the E rating and will need to improve their own efficiency.

On some of our previous blogs we have explored different ways that you can insulate your home and trap some of the warmth within it and it is likely that landlords who are affected by this particular ruling will be looking for the best (and of course most cost effective way) or making these changes to their properties.

This will more than likely be a welcome improvement to those who are struggling with the decisions between living in a colder home and paying out a higher energy bill during those winter months.

With this in mind, whether you are a landlord who is looking to make these changes before 2018 or a tenant who knows that a change could be on the horizon then perhaps it is a good idea to take the time and understand the options open to you.

Perhaps one avenue that you could discover more about is window films. This simple yet incredibly effective tools, just like the films we offer here at Arc Window Films are not only known to improve your energy efficiency but can also protect your belongings against sun damage and limit the amount of harmful UV rays that penetrate through your windows.

Why not get in touch with us at sales@arcwf.com or by visiting www.arcwindowfilms.com and learn more about what we can offer you to help warm your home and also save you some money in the long run! 

Keeping warm the eco way!

It’s the month of January and that can of course only mean one thing when it comes to the weather. Taking a look outside your window you will see that the sky has a certain grey and dull quality about it and of course if you do decide to brave the outside world then you will also see that it is a bit on the cold side.

In fact, who are we kidding, the past few weeks have been absolutely freezing!

When the weather is cold outside you may find that you are tempted to crank up the thermostat and wait it out in the warm confines of your home and whilst this is a fantastic way to keep warm, you might find that ecologically you are not having much benefit on your pocket and of course the planet too.

At Arc Window Films we are dedicated to providing you with cost effective options when it comes to insulating your home; our films are designed to keep heat within the home meaning that you won’t have to face a gigantic energy bill come the end of the winter.

As well as this great idea we also have a few other tricks up our sleeves that give you ideas for eco warming tips that are not only easy to put in place but also ensure that you are toasty warm throughout the big freeze!

Buy a draught excluder

Seems like a simple idea? You would be surprised by the amount of difference these basic home accessories can make to the temperature in your home just by simply blocking that bracing breeze.

Dress for the occasion

By adding an extra layer to your clothes you will certainly feel a bit warmer. You could even take this one step further and opt for those ultimate in fashion wear, the onesie or even go the whole hog and purchase a slanket for when you are cuddled up on the sofa.

Embrace the winter sun

By opening up the curtains and blinds on those rare sunny days you will allow for the natural heat from the sun to beam into your home and really warm it up!

Winter warmers

By having a nice warming drink your body temperature will be raised and therefore make you feel much warmer. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or even mulled wine; whatever is your preference make sure that you click on the kettle.

Rugged insulation 

Whilst wooden floors look amazing they can sometimes be a little on the cold side. By adding a rug to the floor you are not only creating a bit of texture and colour but you will also feel the warming benefits of this small addition! 

So there you have it, some top tips to help you beat the cold during those winter weeks and if all else fails you could always grab the fleece blanket, a hot water bottle and a cup of hot chocolate before you snuggle up, hidden away from the weather outside. Let’s just hope that you don’t forget the milk and marshmallows otherwise you might be heading outside!

Understanding your energy bill

In these money and eco aware times it is becoming increasingly important to save both money and energy in a variety of aspects of your life. Your home, and in turn your energy bills are a great place to cut some of the cost and also the size of your carbon footprint.

Unfortunately, whilst these bills contain an absolute wealth of information about not only your usage but also your energy rates they are not always the easiest to understand.

Of course, not all electricity bills will look exactly the same and you may have to know where your energy provider of choice places each section however ultimately just by understanding the basics of each section you will be on your way to being able to interpret the information that you are sent.

Billing Period

Here you will find what dates your utility company has taken readings on your meter. You will find that that these dates will around the same time each month, although at times there may be some slight variations.

Amount owed

This is probably the first thing you are likely to look at when you receive your bill. After all it shows exactly what you need to pay. This charge is calculated using the two dates that you will find detailed in your billing period. The difference between these two amounts is multiplied by your energy rate and this creates your charge.

Average Usage

This section is probably one of the most useful when it comes to understanding your energy usage at home. They may be presented to you in a daily average or perhaps a monthly average but both will show your peak points. Of course during winter months energy usage is often higher than during the summer but you might also find out other factors that attribute to the amount of energy that you use.

Energy Rates

Here you will see your current applied energy rates. This may be split into peak and non-peak hours with the non-peak hours generally being cheaper than the peak hours. The reason behind this is because the grid that provides the energy is not used as much during the non-peak hours meaning that a lesser rate can be charged (encouraging people to use more energy at these times).

Knowing whether or not you are being charged dependant on the time you use the energy can lead you to making some cuts and saving money. Examples of this can be to only use tumble dryers during the night rather than when you get home.

So there you have it, a brief, yet informative guide to understanding your energy bill. Why not take some time to see what you can understand from your next one. You might be surprised by the money that you can save.

Of course, making changes to your energy use can come from a variety of different directions. One great way is with window films, just like the ones that you can get from www.arcwindowfilms.co.uk.

So make sure that you take the time to look into the different ways that you can make a difference to your energy bill and save yourself some money!

Too chilled out in the office?

 

How temperature can affect performance and productivity

With the weather taking a turn for the cooler it is natural to feel a slight dip in the temperature not only at home but in the office too. At home, a lower temperature that comes with winter and late autumn is not too much of a problem; you can either decide to pop another jumper on or turn up the thermostat and give the heating a boost.

The same can’t be said for those at work. In fact if you are feeling chilly, you  will find that you don’t have quite so much freedom when it comes to getting yourself warmed up. If you are an employer then you may say that there are plenty of other things that you need to think about when you are running a business and perhaps  temperature may not be top of the list. However, if you knew how much of an impact on the productivity of your staff temperature has then the likelihood is that you might make be more inclined to make an effort to ensure that the office is at the ideal temperature.

So what effect does temperature have on your staff?

Whilst no-one particularly enjoys being cold, let alone in the office, you may not think it would have that much of an impact on how you complete your work. However, the truth is much more surprising in fact the following statistics are quite telling in how a cold office can have a detrimental effect on those who work there.

A recent study found that when an office temperature was low, around the 20 degrees Celsius mark, the people who worked there made 44% more mistakes than those who worked at room temperature (25 degrees Celsius). Whilst 5 degrees does not seem like a huge difference in temperature, the truth is that it can have a real negative impact on your employees.

But why is this? One theory that explains the dip in performance and how it relates to the temperature is a simple one. Whilst you may think the dip comes from feeling uncomfortable, it is just as likely to be because your mind and body has become distracted, by trying to keep warm rather than concentrating on the task in hand. As well as improving your concentration levels, being warm makes us feel happier and happier employees are more likely to focus, create and drive towards not only achieving their goals but going that bit further too; a big boost to any business.

One way to keep the temperature up, whether in the office or at home, is to install window films throughout. Trapping the heat that is generated by the sun, window films, just like the ones supplied by us at Arc are a cost effective way to make sure that everyone is comfortable.

For more information on Arc Window Films visit www.arcwindowfilms.com

Make the change - Top tips for an energy efficient home

As winter draws in you may find yourself cranking up that heating and bringing out the electric heaters for those really cold days. You may not think about it, but alongside this you should also look at how efficiently your house is using the energy that you are pumping into it. After all, an energy efficient home will not only keep you warmer but will also ultimately save you money too.

For many of us, whilst we understand the concept of being energy efficient it might not be something we are entirely sure of how to best approach it and make those changes that can improve your home.

How do you heat?

When it comes to energy efficiency the best place to start is with how you heat your home. Gas heating is not only cheaper but is also energy efficient than electric, you should also take the time to completely familiarise yourself with the controls for your heating as being able to fully control the thermostat and which rooms you heat at given times will be a big help in the long run.

What’s up top?

Over recent years there has been plenty of talk about insulation and primarily the loft space that you have. The thickness of the loft insulation that you use will have an impact on the energy efficiency that you see with 270mm the optimum depth to aim for if you want to see a saving on your yearly energy bills.

Wall it in

As well as being able to place insulation in the loft space of your home, you can further maximise that trapped hot air by choosing to have cavity wall insulation too. In fact, a third of the heat that is lost in an un-insulated home escapes through the walls so by placing insulation in this empty space you can really see an improvement in your energy bills.

The window to some energy savings

Your windows also can have an impact on your energy efficiency. There are three main things to think about when it comes to making improvements in this area of your home; double glazing, curtains and window films. Double glazing has a huge benefit in keeping heat within your home when compared to single glazing and if you use heavy lined curtains instead of thin alternative this will also help.

Window films are another consideration, these are low cost micro-thin layers of polyester sheeting that are bonded to the surface of the glass, just like the ones that www.arcwindowfilms.com provide. Heat lost through your glazing can lead to increased heating costs. By installing energy saving window film you can reduce this heat loss by as much as 40%.

These can not only improve aspects of energy efficiency but also improve glare and provide UV protection too.

Anything else?

Of course there are plenty of other things that you can look out for at home to make an improvement to your energy bills, the age and condition of your boiler, draughts throughout the home, water meters and even energy saving lightbulbs are all items to check off your energy saving plan. It may seem that these things take some time to assess, however in the long run the money that you save should tempt you into making the effort.

Share your ideas on ways of making your home energy efficient by commenting below.

For more information on Arc Window Films visit www.arcwindowfilms.com