So, the mini web-series "Re-Energized by Design" by Puget Sound Energy is a few episodes in already and the Ballard family, the Mendes, are kicking butt. To put it bluntly.
Aside from a few freebies, contestants are relying on deals and rebates that any PSE customer can take advantage of to make their homes more efficient, beautiful and comfortable. PSE offers discounts on efficient CFL and LED lighting that can save hundreds of dollars over the life of the bulb, as well as rebates on the latest sleek and efficient ENERGY STAR appliances, water heaters, energy-efficient windows and more.
The Mendes pair made it to the final three and will be competing tomorrow to make it into the final, mono-a-mono competition. You can watch it, and previous episodes, at the web-series website at http://reenergizedbydesign.com/. At around seven-eight minutes long, the episodes aren't too time consuming, and you'll probably learn a bit about energy efficiency while you're at it.
If nothing else, the before-and-after photos might offer you motivation to get off your couch and finally makeover your own home like you've been meaning to all these years.
Cheer our Ballardites on!
Here's a recap of the Mendes' redesigns:
Bathroom Makeover
- Updated the wall color from flat silver-grey to light mauve with a semi-gloss finish that compliments the maroon tile and reflects more light to brighten the space.
- Repainted chrome knobs, towel rods, sconces, pulls, hooks and tissue holder with oil rubbed bronze spray paint.
- Added a wood frame to the mirror.
- Created a new roman shade from scratch.
- Bought new accents including a shower curtain, toothbrush holder, tumbler, soap dispenser, rug and decorative towels.
- Installed a faucet aerator and new WaterSense toilet and showerhead.
- Replaced 40w incandescent bulbs in sconces with CFL bulbs.
- Vacuumed the ceiling fan to clear out dust and improve efficiency.
Total spent: $496.25
Tips for your own makeover
- A fresh coat of paint can really open up a small bathroom and make it feel bigger than it actually is.
- Bathrooms require a lot of light. By moving light fixtures to the sides of the vanity you can minimize shadows created by overhead fixtures. Check out more bathroom lighting tips in this Re-Energized by Design Efficient Ideas blog post.
- Decorative CFL or LED A-line bulbs can give your vanity a dressing room effect to make shaving, tweezing and makeup application quick and easy. You’ll also get serious savings – you can save up to $50 a year by replacing 15 incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient CFLs or LEDs.
Before
After
Before
After
Garage Makeover
- Primed and painted the garage with white paint to increase reflected light, repainted cabinets and tool table and painted a center circle and hockey goals at either end of the garage.
- Replaced four incandescent light bulbs with two CFLs and 10 LEDs. The new bulbs improve lighting and cut energy use in half.
- Purchased new storage bins to improve organization and recycled cardboard, Styrofoam, and old batteries from the garage.
- Installed pegboard, hooks and racks to hang and organize tools.
- Installed new plates on outlets to improve safety.
- Added polystyrene insulation board over the heat duct to improve heating efficiency.
- Sprayed foam insulation on the garage door, windows and cracks.
- Weather-stripped doors and tightened bolts on the garage door so that it would sit more flush with the new insulation.
Total spent: $497.95
Tips for your own makeover:
- Home offices often do double duty as a guest room or another household function. Consider turning the closet into desk space to make the most of limited space.
- Garages tend to be a place where we store more than just our cars. Installing shelving and labeled crates make for fewer headaches when it comes time to store and locate seasonal items.
- While working on your garage, check to make sure your emergency kit is up to date and ready to keep your family safe and comfortable during a major power outage or natural disaster. Take a look at this checklist to get started.
- In rooms like your home office where you have lots of electronics, install a “smart” power strip. Smart power strips save energy by preventing electronics from drawing power when turned off.
- If your office or garage has become a home for your old electronics, reclaim your space by recycling them through the Take it Back Network.
Living Room Makeover
Before
After
Before
After
Living Room
- Repainted the walls blue-grey.
- Hung new curtains panels and put new knobs on the existing dresser.
- Rearranged furniture, bought a used coffee table and made new pillow covers.
- Bought a new lamp and installed a 13 watt CFL bulb and replaced six 50w incandescent bulbs with 7w LED bulbs.
- Added furniture and décor from around the house including shelving, a mirror, a painting, and driftwood collected on a kayaking trip.
- Concealed all of the wires from the TV and updated the TV’s energy-saving settings.
- Replaced the solid door with a glass door that was in the kitchen.
- Reused baskets from the office to organize DVDs, video game consoles, etc.
- Installed a “smart” power strip that prevents electronics from drawing power when turned off.
- Installed new glass fireplace doors to prevent drafts and insulated all the outlets in the room.
Total spent: $496.78
Before
After
Before
After
Zachariah Bryan can be reached at zachb@robinsonnews.com
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