The environment is at a breaking point; every person must do what they can to reduce the amount of energy used on a daily basis. Transport is an area which uses a significant amount of energy. In this article, we take a look at some tips to help you become more energy efficient when travelling, no matter where you’re going.

Check your home before you leave

One way to reduce the amount of energy you use is to turn off things in your home that use gas and electricity. When you’re away from home, you should check that everything in your home is turned off; this includes all of your plugs, oven and even your alarm clock. If you’re travelling in the summer, you can also turn off your heating to save energy and money. In the winter, you may need to keep your heating on a timer to stop the pipes from freezing, but the amount of time you need to have your heating on will be significantly reduced. You can control this by turning your thermostat down or putting your heating on a reduced timer setting. 

Holiday activities

If you want to help reduce your carbon footprint when on holiday, choose environmentally friendly activities. Walking, cycling and swimming are all great activities to do when you’re on holiday, and they don’t require any fossil fuels. Avoid spending money on taxis when you can take a leisurely stroll to the local beach or attraction of your choice. If you want to do lots of activities during your holiday, choose to stay close enough so you can walk to them, this will help to keep your travel when you’re on holiday environmentally friendly.

Travel by train

One of the best ways to travel to reduce your carbon footprint is by train. Rail is the most energy-efficient form of passenger transport, and you can travel to many different locations quickly. Train travel can also be a great way to experience new countries and as well as a method of transportation. You can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you travel to your destination. If your journey requires you to change trains, you can spend some time in the location where you stop along the way. When you’re ready to continue your journey, you can hop back on the train and listen to the sound of the train whistle as you make your way to your next destination. 

Electric vehicles

If you need to drive as part of your travel plans, then the most energy-efficient way to do this is to use an electric car. There are no harmful emissions associated with driving an electric car, so you can travel without worrying about harming the environment. If it’s not possible to buy or rent an electric car, make sure you choose a vehicle that has low carbon emissions and, where possible, use one vehicle over several. Travelling together with another family in a fuel-efficient car will improve your energy efficiency compared to travelling alone in a car that emits high levels of carbon dioxide.

Save energy in your accommodation

Make sure you always turn off the lights and any appliances when you leave your accommodation. Leaving things on will waste energy that could have been saved. When searching for accommodation, look for options that prioritise energy consumption. They will use eco-friendly appliances, have facilities for recycling and will use renewable energy forms that are good for the environment. By supporting these businesses, you’re helping them to do more good for the planet. 

In conclusion, being energy-efficient when travelling is good for the environment and your wallet. You can significantly reduce your carbon footprint by implementing simple practices like turning off appliances and lights when leaving your accommodation, choosing eco-friendly activities, and travelling by train or electric vehicles. Supporting businesses that prioritise energy consumption and recycling can also contribute to a more sustainable future. Every individual’s effort counts in creating a greener planet, and by adopting these practices, we can all play a part in preserving the earth for future generations. So, let’s make a conscious effort to be more energy-efficient when travelling and positively impact the world.

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When buying new furniture for your home or business, there are many options to choose from, which can make things harder. Oak furniture is a great choice for homes and in businesses. In this article, we take a look at the reasons why you should choose oak furniture.

Classic and versatile style 

Oak furniture has been around for many years; it has a classic style that never goes out of fashion. Not only is oak furniture classic, but it’s also incredibly versatile in terms of style; you can put oak furniture in almost any home, and it will go with the current decoration. There are so many different shades, styles and options to choose from; almost everyone will find a piece of oak furniture they love and would like to add to their home.

Strength

Oak is a hardwood that’s known for its strength; this makes it perfect for furniture that sees a lot of wear and needs to be able to withstand heavy use. For example, an oak dining table won’t have any issues holding heavy shopping or a computer, and it will even support the weight of children that love to climb. Oak furniture won’t have any problem in terms of strength; you can rely on it to withstand heavy loads.

It lasts for many years 

All furniture can be costly to purchase; therefore, you’ll want to ensure the items you buy will last for many years. Oak furniture will do just that; it can even be transported and taken with you when you move home so that you can use it in your new property. The same can’t be said for cheaper furniture that uses chipboard; when you try to take this furniture to a new location, it’s much more likely to chip or mark, especially if you need to disassemble it before transporting. Oak furniture might be slightly more expensive, but you’ll be able to keep and use it for many more years. 

Higher resale value 

Oak furniture’s strength, versatility and the fact that it lasts for many years means it has a much higher resale value than other types of furniture. People are often looking for oak furniture on the secondhand market as they know the pieces will be of good quality. This is great if you ever need to sell your furniture in the future. You can make some money back to put towards new pieces.

Customisation

Oak furniture can be customised to suit your own preferences easily with a bit of DIY knowledge or by getting into contact with a professional. People often choose to use stencils and paint to add patterns to their oak furniture. Another popular way to customise an item with drawers is to change the handles to suit the colour scheme and the design of the space. New handles and stencils can give items of oak furniture a new lease of life. If you can’t find furniture that suits your style, you could look to add customisation to make the furniture more suitable. 

Easy maintenance 

Oak furniture is easy to maintain and keep in good condition; most of the time, it will simply need a quick dust to keep it clean. Wax can also be used to add a protective layer to the furniture, preventing stains from setting into the wood. By doing these two things, you can keep your oak furniture items looking great.

Where to buy oak furniture?

There are plenty of places where you can purchase oak furniture online and in physical stores. When buying any furniture, always make sure you take accurate measurements of your space to avoid any issues with the item being too small or too large. In addition, you should shop around to find a good deal. Many stores have sales throughout the year, which you can take advantage of in order to get a bargain. If you’re buying furniture online, always read the reviews and take the time to study the delivery policy. You may need to check the furniture is undamaged and that you’re happy with the item before you sign for the delivery. It’s vital you know this in advance to avoid being refused a refund if there are any marks or issues with the furniture.

Find Out More:

• Pros and Cons of Extending Dining Tables
• Blanket Boxes
• Removing and Preventing Rings on Furniture

If you have poor circulation, you might find your feet get cold quickly. Having cold feet all the time can be frustrating and unpleasant, but there are ways you can prevent this and keep your feet nice and warm. Here are some tips for keeping your feet warm and cosy. 

Avoid bare feet on all floors

One of the best ways to keep your feet warm is to avoid walking around with bare feet. Lots of floors, such as tiles, wood and other hard floors, are cold, which will make your feet cold if you don’t protect them. Ensure you always wear socks and slippers at home to prevent your feet from becoming cold.

Heated slippers

For some people, standard slippers won’t be good enough for keeping feet warm in cold weather. To help warm up your feet, you can purchase heated slippers. These are slippers that can be heated in several different ways. You can purchase heated slippers that you can plug in to keep your feet warm and others that you place in the microwave to warm them up. Both varieties of heated slippers can be used multiple times to keep your feet warm. When using these slippers, you may need to wear socks if they get too hot for your feet. 

Keep shoes in a warm location

If you keep your shoes outside, in your car or on a porch, you will find that when you go to put them on, they are very cold. This will cause your feet to become cold and uncomfortable. To prevent this, keep your shoes inside your home in a warm location and always ensure they’re dry before you wear them again. Your feet will soon become cold if you’re wearing wet shoes. 

Soak your feet in warm water

If you have circulation issues, you might find that no matter how many pairs of socks you wear, your feet never feel warm. If this is the case, you can heat them up by soaking them in warm water; this could be in a foot spa, a bowl or in the bath. The water will help warm up your feet and stop them from getting cold again quickly. 

Wear quality socks 

The socks you choose to wear on your feet will impact how long they stay warm. Materials like polyester won’t keep your feet as warm as natural materials such as wool and cashmere. Cashmere bed socks are great for keeping your feet warm and comfortable. In addition, they’re not too thick, which means you can wear them with a variety of shoes, unlike other thick socks, which might be uncomfortable when worn with certain shoes. Always choose socks that are made from a material that has thermal properties, such as cashmere. When your socks become thin and worn, it’s important to replace them or fix them to keep your feet warm.

Keep moving 

Your feet are most likely to get cold when you’re sitting around and not moving. Regular exercise and movement can keep your feet warm and comfortable. Exercise can also help with circulation issues as it gets the blood pumping around your body. Walking is a great exercise that can improve circulation and doesn’t need any particular skill or equipment. If you’re working at a desk during the day, make sure you take regular breaks to get up and move around, this will help your body pump the blood around and stop your extremities from becoming cold. 

Put your feet up

When your feet are on the floor, they’re likely to be in the coldest part of your home unless you have underfloor heating. Hot air rises, so by elevating your feet, you’re moving them to a warmer environment which can help prevent them from getting too cold. If you have the money, you can also invest in underfloor heating; this will ensure your floors are warm, which will help keep your feet from getting too cold. 

Hot water bottle

You don’t need to invest in heated slippers or underfloor heating to keep your feet warm when relaxing; a hot water bottle can do the same thing. Place it under your feet when you’re sitting to keep them warm. Always make sure the lid is on tightly to prevent burns. 

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• Tips for Choosing Maternity Clothing

The arrival of spring has enthusiastic gardeners everywhere eager to begin turning soil and sowing seeds. As enjoyable and beneficial as gardening can be, it involves a great deal of trial and error. There is often a level of uncertainty that comes with growing your own fruit and veg, particularly when you consider the fickle nature of the British climate. While your annual yields may be at the mercy of unpredictable weather conditions, there are plenty of tricks, tips and growing methods you can use to promote the health of your crops.

Boost The Quality Of Your Soil

Soil management is crucial for growing strong, healthy plants and increasing your yields to the best of your ability. There are multiple methods and steps to boosting your soil quality, including turning it for aeration and adding organic compost or manure to add vital nutrients. You could also invest in a soil test to measure its health, nutrient content and pH value. Depending on the results, you can amend any issues impacting crop growth. For instance, you can neutralise excessively acidic soil by adding organic matter such as bone meal, wood ash and dolomite lime. 

Pick Your Growing Spots Wisely

The best spots for your crops will have the most light exposure and the best soil quality. While some varieties fare better than others in partial shade, most plants require a minimum of eight hours of sunshine daily to thrive and provide you with sufficient yields. That said, sparse surrounding trees and shrubbery may protect your crops against harsh weather conditions such as strong winds and flooding. This also provides your garden with the biodiversity it needs for a thriving ecosystem, generating natural pest control. 

Vertical Gardening

Maximising space and planting upwards is the best way to generate higher yields in your vegetable garden. Vertical gardening is an excellent way for gardeners with smaller plots to grow as much as possible using every inch of space available. Vertical gardens provide better airflow to crops and help them receive the maximum amount of sunlight, even in shady gardens. You can purchase vertical gardening planters from nurseries and garden retailers or make your own by fastening plant pots to a ladder or trellis.

Choose Appropriate Crops

Crops that are better suited to your climate will naturally be more successful. For example, warm climate fruits and vegetables like okra and sweet potatoes are tricky to cultivate in the unpredictable, often bitter UK conditions. Instead, opt for crops renowned for thriving in mild climates, of which there are many. Furthermore, consider your garden’s light exposure. For instance, leafy greens, swiss chard and carrots all thrive relatively well in shaded areas, whereas sun lovers like cucumbers, aubergine and tomatoes need all the light they can get. 

Indoor Gardening

If you’re adamant about growing crops that require specific conditions, it may be worth exploring some alternative growing methods – i.e. indoor gardening. Grow tents are portable closed frames, enabling the grower to cultivate a range of plants by micromanaging the climate within. You can easily source grow tent kits, including heaters, humidity controls, and led grow lights in UK stores without spending an extensive amount of money. While getting to grips with grow tent management may take a little practice, you can expect significantly increased yields once you have the hang of things. 

Natural Pest Control

Garden pests, including aphids, caterpillars and slugs, can be detrimental to the health of your crops. Even mice, voles and squirrels are notorious for nibbling on shoots and freshly sowed seeds. Natural, organic pest control is the best way to boost the health of your crops and increase yields without damaging your garden’s delicate ecosystem. Consider spraying your crops with neem oil and diluted dish soap, which is effective against hundreds of pests. Mice despise peppermint, which irritates their nasal cavities, so plant some in nearby containers to keep them away. 

Consider Containers

Speaking of containers, they can be tremendously advantageous in your vegetable garden. Some plants, such as various types of mint, have a tendency to spread rapidly, and due to their hardy resilience, they can be remarkably difficult to get rid of. Keep your mint in a container to prevent it from choking your other plants. Other plants that grow well in containers include chillies, tomatoes, spring onions, potatoes and broad beans. Here are some more advantages of container gardening. 

Further Links:

• Gardening Complications And How To Tackle Them
• Heat resistant tape

There are hundreds of options out there for people with specific computing needs because no two people will use their machines in exactly the same way. Some people only need something small and portable like a smartphone or tablet to get their daily tasks done, others have more intensive needs for work or school, and others still will need a machine that also doubles as an entertainment device as well as a work tool. 

Every kind of machine has its benefits and there is no one correct answer as to which will be best; it’s entirely down to how the machine will be used and what you need to achieve with it. For example, if you absolutely need a computer that you can take out and about with you then you will obviously need to choose a laptop or a suitably powerful tablet.

If, however, you need a machine that is powerful, versatile, looks good and is simple to upgrade and repair then you’ll want to choose a gaming PC. Don’t let the name fool you; gaming PCs are absolutely not just for gamers. They are highly versatile machines that can be used for a huge variety of tasks such as photo and video editing, coding, streaming, and gaming to name a few. 

For those looking for a machine that can handle pretty much anything, a gaming PC is usually the best choice. One of the best things about them is the fact that you can either choose one off the shelf, have one configured to your liking, or can build one entirely from scratch. Choosing to build one from scratch can feel like a daunting task, but with the right preparation it is simple enough for a beginner to tackle. 

Do your research

You may be raring to go, but you need to make sure you know what you’re doing before you start! The most important first step is to do lots of research into what you’ll need to make your PC work in the way you need it to. You can research components for gaming PCs online which will give you a good idea of what you’ll need. 

Set your budget

Once you know what you want, you’ll need to decide how much your new gaming PC will cost. It isn’t enough to pick a number out of the air so you’ll need to do some additional research in order to decide on a ballpark figure. Chips are expensive at the moment due to supply issues so you’ll need to think about this and keep some alternatives in mind as you go. Once you have a budget in mind you will then be able to look for the components you need and compare their prices and features or specifications across the different brands. 

Order your components

After you have done all your research and you’re confident that you know what you need, you can go ahead and start shopping around for the best deals on your gaming PC parts. Retailers will often have sales so you can save yourself some money that way, or you can look into buying bundles that provide what you need at a reduced price as long as you buy them as part of a package. Alternatively, you can try sourcing your components second hand online or ask a friend who is into PC building if they can help you out. 

Prepare your work space

Putting together a gaming PC is not exactly rocket science, but it does take some careful planning and preparation. You’ll need to keep all your parts in their original packaging until you’re ready to start your build in order to protect them from dust and moisture. If possible, try to choose a dedicated place to start your build such as a spare room, office, or dining table that will not be used for anything else until you’re finished. 

Make sure the environment is as clean and free of dust and dirt as possible. You will need some basic supplies such as isopropyl alcohol wipes, lint free cloths, anti-static gloves, and appropriately sized screwdrivers. Additionally, you may need a soldering iron, so be sure to check your tool requirements before you get stuck in with your build. 

Further Reading:

• A Brief History Of Gaming
• Useful New Skills You Can Learn With Your Gaming PC
• Gaming Keyboard – Common Ground Research Networks
• Tips for Beginner PC Builders – Game.Blog