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Home Maintenance Tip - Keep Cool this Summer with Preventative Maintenance
Help your clients keep cool by reminding them to conduct annual maintenance on their air conditioning units before the heat hits this summer!
Here are a few things that most homeowners can do themselves to help maintain their air conditioner:
The best advice you can give your clients is to have an annual maintenance inspection performed by a professional HVAC Technician. Your home warranty company is an excellent resource for qualified referrals. When interviewing Technicians, ensure the following items are included in their service:
With proper maintenance, the air conditioner should run smoothly for years. However, should a covered unit fail due to normal wear and usage, your client's Old Republic Home Protection Plan will repair or replace the covered parts and components!
Home Maintenance Tip - Keep Chemicals Out of Water and More Money in Your Pocket
When most people think about water pollution, images of leaking oil tankers, factories spilling toxic wastes into waterways, or garbage strewn along the beach come to mind. The fact is the problem is a lot closer to home. In fact, it's in your home.
One of the major sources of water pollution is area residents, not industries. Commonly used products like paint, motor oil, pesticides, and many cleansers contain toxic chemicals which, when poured down drains, pass through wastewater treatment plants and end up in local creeks, lakes and the ocean, harming fish and wildlife. Wastewater treatment plants are designed to treat biological wastes and cannot remove all the metals, solvents, and chemicals contained in many household products.
Use these tips to help keep pollutants out of our water. Many of these tips will also save you money because they are less expensive than commercial cleaning products:
- Use baking soda mixed with water as an inexpensive, effective, all-purpose cleaner instead of using harsh commercial products.
- Use lemon juice or vinegar mixed with water to cut grease, clean glass, and clean vinyl and linoleum floors.
- Use toothpaste to remove scuffmarks from floors and watermarks from wood furniture.
- Use vinegar around faucets to remove hard water mineral deposits. Cover the deposits with vinegar-soaked strips of paper towels for about an hour, then wipe clean.
- Use club soda to clean carpet and upholstery stains.
- Use olive oil or linseed oil to revitalize old furniture.
- Use a plunger instead of chemicals to clear clogged toilets and drains.
- Use digital fever thermometers instead of ones that contain mercury.
- Use latex instead of oil-based paints. Use water-based paint removers.
- Use boric acid to control cockroaches and ants instead of toxic pesticides.
- Use traps instead of poisons to control mice.
Dispose of unwanted paint, pesticides, solvents, cleansers and potentially hazardous household products at your local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - never down the drain or in the trash.
Home Maintenance Tip - Keeping Your Water Heater Fit
Most people don't give much thought to their water heater - they just turn on the faucet and expect hot water to come out. Water heaters are relatively maintenance free, and you can keep your water heater in peak operating condition just by performing two simple maintenance tasks every six months: test the pressure valve and then flush the tank.
If the pressure release valve is not operating properly, the tank can potentially over pressurize and explode. Flushing the tank prevents sediment build up, which can reduce your water heater's energy efficiency and clog your water lines. Consult your owner's manual or other maintenance guide for instructions on how to safely perform these maintenance tasks.
Home Maintenance Tip - HEALTH & SAFETY: Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating
The holiday season is here...and with the holidays comes decorating! The following tips and suggestions will help ensure safety as you get in the holiday spirit.
- Decorate only with lights that have a NOEL or U/L testing agency label. Check wires, plugs and sockets for signs of wear or defects. Remember: If in doubt - throw them out.
- Do not overload outlets and extension cords. Never tie together more than three extension cords.
- Be sure decorative lights used outside are approved for outdoor use.
- When decorating outdoors, be aware of all power lines. Don't work near overhead power lines or anywhere there is a possibility of contacting an overhead power line, either directly or indirectly, with a ladder or other piece of equipment.
- Place Christmas trees away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets, and other sources of heat that may prematurely dry out the tree and make it more susceptible to fire. Make sure the tree has a sufficient amount of water at all times.
- Don't burn wrapping paper or boxes in the fireplace. These types of materials ignite quickly and may burn uncontrollably.
HOUSEHOLD TIP: Calculating Holiday Energy Costs
It's that time of year when houses shine a bit brighter. Ever wonder how much the decorative holiday lights add to a monthly electric bill? Here's an easy way to help calculate energy costs this holiday season.
- Count the bulbs on all of your decorative indoor and outdoor lights.
- Check the wattage per bulb.
- Multiply watts per bulb by number of bulbs. (1 watt per bulb x 1,000 bulbs = 1,000 watts).
- Convert watts to kilowatts - 1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt (kw).
- Estimate the hours per month the lights are on. (5 hours per day x 30 days = 150 hours)
- Multiply the total kilowatts by the total number of hours the lights will be on to get the total kilowatt-hours (kwh). For example, 1 kw x 150 hours = 150 kwh.
- Multiply the total kilowatt-hours by the total cost of electricity per kwh. (150 kwh x $0.14 per kwh = $21) In this example, the cost of holiday lighting would be an additional $21 per month.
Home Maintenance Tip - Seal Up Cracks and Gaps and Save on Your Energy Bill If you were to measure the total space of the cracks, gaps and holes around the perimeter of an average home, you would find a hole that is roughly three feet square. Imagine how much heat can escape, or moisture can enter, through a space that large. To prevent these problems, inspect the perimeter of your home and apply caulking or weather-stripping wherever necessary. Both caulking and weather stripping can reduce the flow of cold air in, warm air out, and ultimately cut energy costs.
How to Caulk: Clean surface by removing dirt, loose paint and old caulk, and thoroughly dry the surface. Determine which caulk to use based on the size of the crack or gap and the surrounding material. Cut the tip off of a tube of caulking at a 45° angle and load it into a caulking gun. The nozzle is tapered, so the amount you cut off determines whether you have a thin, medium or heavy bead of caulk. Cut near the narrow end for a narrow bead or further up for a wider bead. Use a long nail to break the inner seal and to plug the nozzle when finished. Apply caulk by laying a uniform bead of caulk that overlaps both sides, and completely fills, the crack. Remove excess caulking and allow it to dry.
Weather-stripping: Apply weather-stripping at joints where two surfaces meet, such as around windows and doors, to provide an airtight seal. There are a few different types of weather stripping and each has its benefits and drawbacks. Once you choose the appropriate weather stripping, follow the instructions for proper application.
- Tape - lasts only one year and should only be used on windows or doors that will not be opened. Tends to dry and loosen within one season
- Felt - lasts one or two years and should be used on the top and/or sides of doors or window frames for sealing gaps of uniformly narrow width
- Foam - This is known as “backer rod” and looks like a foam tube in a roll. It comes in different diameters and lasts one or two years. Use on the bottom of window sashes or around the frames of warped or loose-fitting doors and windows
Stay warm and healthy, keep heating bills down
With the return of colder weather, you may be hesitant to turn on the furnace again – especially if you want to put off winter’s high energy bills. And, as you start shutting the windows to keep out the cold, the quality of your home’s indoor air can make it hard to keep the family healthy, especially when flu season kicks in and allergies act up. But whatever the weather, you have the power to control the world inside your home. Here are some steps you can take to ensure total home comfort and energy efficiency this season.
Make sure your furnace is the right size for your home. Unfortunately many people have heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment that is too large for their homes, which means they’re paying to heat space that isn’t even there. An HAVC professional can accurately calculate whether your current system is the right size for your home.
The age of your furnace can also impact how much it costs to heat your home. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, it may make sense to replace it with a newer, more efficient model. Manufacturers such as Trane offer furnaces that can save as much as 40 percent on energy consumption. For example, the XC95m is one of the most efficient gas furnaces and the first to attain up to a 96.7 percent Annual Fuel Utilization rating, which is nearly 20 percent higher than the government minimum standard.
Clean the air of pollutants and flu virus. With every breath, your family’s health is at stake. Approximately 87 percent of Americans are unaware of indoor air pollution. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Indoor levels of many pollutants may even be higher than outdoor levels. These pollutants include airborne particles that enter your home through the doors, windows and roof from various outside sources including fires, fossil fuel burning in vehicles, power and manufacturing plants and from indoor activities such as smoking and cooking.
Add an extra layer of protection for your family by installing an effective air cleaner. New studies conducted by Environmental Health and Engineering and professors from the Harvard school of Public Health show that installing Trane CleanEffects, a whole house air cleaner, may help reduce the risk of asthma attack, stroke, heart attack, respiratory disease and other serious illnesses as part of an overall prevention plan. The unit can be installed as an attachment to your furnace. In addition to removing up to 99.98 percent of allergens and particles from the filtered air – such as dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, mold spores and smoke, it also removes more than 99 percent of the common flu, or influenza A virus from the filtered air. Since the swine or H1N1 virus is a form of Influenza A, it can also remove more than 99 percent of this form of the virus from a home’s filtered air.
Take a whole-house approach to heating. There are many additional things you can do throughout your home for winter comfort. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to enter during the day, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. In the kitchen and bath, turn off ventilating fans within 20 minutes after you’re finished cooking or bathing to retain heated air. And in every room of your home, make sure that all warm-air registers aren’t blocked by furniture, carpeting and drapes.
By taking these steps, you’ll not only keep your home warm, comfortable and energy efficient this winter, but you’ll also gain another precious commodity – peace of mind.
Home Maintenance Tip -It's Fall: Time to Prepare Your Home for Winter
Fall maintenance is important because it helps make homes more energy efficient during the winter months, and will safeguard homes against potential seasonal 'disasters' such as leaking roofs or home fires caused by neglected chimneys. Here are ten tips to a safer, warmer winter.TIP #1 -- Check the heating system. Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year. Have the specialist inspecting your unit show you how to change the filter and then you should change it at least once every 2 months. Clean ducts in the heating system. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants. Ducts should be professionally cleaned about every three years.
TIP #2 -- Have the chimney inspected by a qualified chimney professional. Chimneys should be checked and cleaned, if necessary, on an annual basis. If you are using a wood stove this season, be sure that the stovepipe was installed correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed. If you have a chimney that will not be used, consider having it sealed shut.
TIP #3 -- Test fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and vacuum out the dust. Batteries should be checked every six months to ensure that they're working.
TIP #4 -- Remove excess leaves and damaged branches from trees surrounding the house. Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs, decks, or vehicles and the possibly causing injuries to people.
TIP #5 -- Maintain gutters. Remove all debris that can slow or impede the ability of water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof as well. Make sure gutter water drains away from your home.
TIP #6 -- Inspect the roof. Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney.
TIP #7 -- Inspect exterior walls, doors and windows. Check walls and window sills for damage such as cracks, gaps, loose or crumbling mortar, along with splitting and decaying wood. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which helps keep the home weather tight and lower heating bills. Check windows and doors to make sure locks work properly and that they are in good condition. Clean tracks and lubricate hinges. Repair or replace any cracked windows.
TIP #8 -- Maintain steps and handrails. Repair broken steps and secure loose banisters and handrails. Broken steps can cause a dangerous fall. Similarly, a person slipping will grab a handrail for support.
TIP #9 -- Inspect the attic and basement or crawlspace. Insulate voids in the attic - the entire attic floor above a living space should be insulated with at least six inches of insulation, except around electrical fixtures such as recessed lights that aren't rated for contact with insulation. Damp basements and crawl spaces can become mold and mildew problems. Watch for leaks from your water heater, plumbing system and seeping rain water from the roof. Locate and maintain a clear access to your main water shut off valve. If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate it.
TIP #10 -- Shut down sprinkler systems and outside faucets. Homeowners can shut down outside faucets, however weatherizing the underground sprinkler system is best performed by industry professionals who will flush the system before the cold sets in, preventing cracked pipes.
Staging Your Home For Sale - Is It Worth The Investment?
For the past three months the average selling price of a staged home was 19% above the listing price while the unstaged home was only 15%. The 4% difference more than paid the staging cost.
Here are the ten secrets for selling from Marelen Wharmby, a successful home stager:
- Freshen up the home by painting walls a light, neutral color, such as antique white. Lighter colors appeal to a wider range of buyers and make each room look larger.
- Take a close look at the floor coverings in each room. If you have hardwood floors under the carpet, you will always make money by removing it, even if the floor is not in perfect condition.
- Allow as much light as possible to enter the room. Open up or remove all draperies, blinds, shades or other window coverings.
- Removing the clutterof everyday life - all utilitarian items, stacks of paperworks, toiletries, kitchen utensils, electronic equipment and television sets.
- Remove furniture from each room that does not go with the decor, such as items that stand out too much and items that are worn or of an unappealing color.
- Place the remaining room furnishings in a way that makes best use of the character of the space. A room should be balanced so that people do not focus on one particular piece of furniture.
- Now that you've removed the clutter from your home, adding some nice but inexpensive accessories will greatly elevate the perceived value of the home.
- Clean, clean, clean. Every crevasse within the home should be spotless and gleaming. Even your normal weekly cleaning can not come close to the quality of clean you need.
- You can'tover spend on fresh plants and orchids, elaborate floral arrangements and landscape plants. All these provide a strong addition to the ambience you want to create.
- Go on vacation! The houses that sell for much higher prices are homes that do not have the slightly disheveled look which comes with showering in the morning and cooking dinner in the evening. Being gone also will lower your level of stress and make the house easier to sell. Think of it this way: Your vacation will actually make you money.
HOW TO MAKE SURE THE YOUR HOME SELLS AT THE RIGHT PRICE!
Establishing a reasonable and profitable listing price for a home is perhaps the biggest challenge for every home seller. Before coming to a final figure, many sellers ask themselves: “That home down the block went for a lot; can I just price my home in the same ballpark?” “Can I jack the price up in a hot market?” These and many other factors must be considered before settling on a listing price. The professional, Kathy DeCoursey, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Service 1st Realty recommends taking the following steps before setting an asking figure.
Choose the Right Sales Associate: While many people use a friend or relative's referral to select a sales associate, it is smart to interview many prospective agents. Invite several sales associates to show their listings presentations. Pay attention to how they plan to market the home, and find out the reach of their company's Web site. Also, make certain they plan to list the home on the multiple listing service (MLS) and inquire about how broad their real estate contact network is.
Do The Homework. Ask a real estate sales associate for a written comparative market analysis (CMA). This will provide a list of recent sales prices of similar homes in the area (with comparable numbers of bedrooms, baths, square footage and lot size), the asking prices of homes currently for sale nearby and other important information. Then a sales associate will provide a professional estimation of a legitimate selling price.
Take the Emotion Out of It. While the seller likely has great affection for the home, the sales associate will not set the price based on the seller’s emotion. Instead, he or she will evaluate the location, condition and size of the home. A house in a secluded, exclusive area may appeal to some, while others will want to be closer to schools, shopping and health care facilities. What is the physical condition of the home? Is it a fixer-upper? Does it make a good first impression (the ever important curb appeal)? Will it appeal to a growing family, or is it better suited to empty nesters?
Determine If It Is a Buyers/Sellers Market. Home inventory, mortgage interest rates and the economy play a role in determining whether the buyer or seller has a negotiating advantage. Interest rates remain at historically low levels even as the economy shows signs of improving, putting buyers in a good position to shoulder “good” debt of homeownership.
Do the Math. Do not forget to figure in closing costs, legal fees and other selling expenses when determining the selling price. The sales associate should be able to provide cost estimates, and negotiate with a potential buyer to ensure a good sale price.
Give It the Once Over. There is one more step to ensure that the house sells for your price, or more. Do as much as possible to improve the home’s appearance: touch up the paint, fix leaks, seal any cracks, clean up the clutter, and eliminate pet odors. The house has only one chance to make a first impression.
Let me help you put a SOLD sign in your yard!
Tips to Prevent Pests This Winter Season
Mice are a common winter nuisance and only need a space the size of a nickel to enter a home. Once inside, mice and other rodents can cause considerable damage and pose serious health risks to people and pets. Homeowners need to inspect for rodent droppings in undisturbed areas, especially since droppings can trigger allergies and spread disease such as Hantavirus.
During the winter months, spiders and cockroaches take advantage of damaged or missing screens on doors and chimneys to access the home. Once inside, cockroaches can easily contaminate unattended food and water sources. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers a few important measures to prevent pests this winter season:
- Seal any cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
- Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
- Replace loose mortar and weather-stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- If you suspect a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.
Brought to you by The National Pest Management Association.
Home Maintenance Tips!
There are some simple and effective home maintenance tips to consider at this time of year. Bringing your home up to weather efficiency will save both energy and money.
- In warmer climates, reduce watering times on your irrigation controller and be prepared to turn the irrigation controller “off” during prolonged rainy periods. Reducing your water usage is conservation of a limited resource - and it also reduces your water bill.
- Check all your yard drains and swales. Make sure they are functioning properly and taking runoff away from your house. Water intrusion to the home may be caused by runoff pooling against or under your foundation. Direct runoff water away from your home and into a local storm drain. The same goes for rain gutters - make sure the gutter is clear of debris and that the drain leads the runoff away from your home.
- Check the weather-stripping on all exterior doors. Does it form a tight and unbroken seal? If not, replace the weather stripping. Inefficient weather stripping allows that nice warm air from your heater to escape outside - increasing your energy bill.
- Speaking of your furnace, when was the last time you checked the air return filter? A dirty filter makes your heater work harder and spreads dust throughout your house. A clean filter allows your heater to work more efficiently, saving you money.
- Check your windows. Are the tracks clean? Dirt and dust in window tracks can cause damage to your windows and/or create paths for the warm air inside to leak outside.
- And, while you are checking your windows, look at the caulking around the window frame. Broken or missing caulking can let water in to your home or warm air out. A tube of caulking is relatively inexpensive compared to the damage water can cause or the cost to heat your home.
- If you have a wood burning fireplace, make sure the damper is open before you light the fire. And, always close the glass doors to keep embers from escaping the fireplace box. Burn only manufacturer-approved materials and wood types in your fireplace. Trash, gift-wrappings and compressed logs should never be burned in your fireplace.
COOL TIPS FOR THE FRIDGE!
You want to keep your refrigerator running smoothly, so that during the heat of the summer you have plenty of cool drinks ready to enjoy!
- Is your refrigerator door shutting tightly? To test it, close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill at various places along the door, and pull lightly. If you can pull the bill out, you may need to adjust your door or replace the gasket. Doing so will save energy, reduce your utility bill, and lengthen the life of the compressor.
- To keep your refrigerator operating efficiently and cooling properly, it is very important to clean the condenser coils at least twice a year. The purpose of these coils, which are generally located at the bottom of the refrigerator (behind the kick plate), is to disperse heat from inside the refrigerator out into the room with the aid of a fan.
To clean the coils, first unplug the refrigerator or turn off it's circuit breaker. Next, remove the cover panel beneath the door to reveal the coils. With a long, narrow nozzle on your vacuum, clean out all of the dust and debris. You can also buy a special long-handled brush that looks somewhat like a bottlebrush for this job. The last step is to replace the cover, and restore the electricity. Remember, cleaning the condenser coils at least twice a year is the best way to lengthen the life of your refrigerator.
TIPS For Daily Life!
Never flush paper towels down the toilet - they present a high risk of clogging!
Avoid splitting wood with a large nail by rubbing the nail with soap or paraffin wax first.
Remove car rust by rubbing the area with a piece of aluminum foil.
Rub a saw's cutting edge with soap, or sides with petroleum jelly, to cut more smoothly.
To free a tight screw, drip vinegar or hydrogen peroxide onto the screw to loosen the threads.
Place a magnet with your small screws in a toolbox to help keep them together.
To carry a large door or object, wrap it in rope & sling a loop of the rope over your shoulder.
For scratch-free drilling of ceramic tiles, tape masking tape on the tile & drill through it.
Periodically pour ½ cup of bleach down your sink drains to help sanitize them.
Buy levels with screws to manually adjust the vials, in case adjustments are necessary.
Remove stubborn wall plugs by drilling a tight screw into the plug & pulling it out with pliers.
Avoid drill overheating when drilling a hole in concrete-remove the drill bit every few seconds.
In high traffic areas, enamel paints are the best to use on walls, cabinets & woodwork.
Vacuum your air & ventilation system filters once a month to make them last longer.
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage cans to fight odors and retard fire.
Avoid rusting tools by placing mothballs or silica packets in the toolbox to absorb moisture.
To cover a hole in a linoleum floor, melt a color-matched crayon in the microwave & fill it in.
For faster-drying plaster, use warm water (not hot) when mixing, to quicken water evaporation.
When unclogging double-sinks, block one drain with a towel or rag to prevent backsplash.
Apply baby powder to your skin before installing fiberglass to reduce itching.
To remove grease from driveways and garage floors, use a mix of 1 gallon hot water + ½ cup TSP.
Secure socks onto the feet of a ladder to keep it from sliding out from under you.
For a sticky drawer, rub soap or a candle on the runners & edges to make it slide easier.
Clean a shower head every 3-4 months to keep it flowing normally.
High quality tools are usually worth the extra money - they last longer & perform better.
High quality tools are usually worth the extra money - they last longer & perform better.
Avoid cracking plaster with nails by heating them up before hammering them in.
When nailing long wood pieces, stagger nails along different lines of grain to avoid splitting.
To create a temporary rubber mallet, hole a tennis ball & put it on a regular hammer's head.
Vaseline oils door hinges effectively, without the potential mess of dripping oil.
When cutting plywood, avoid splintered edges by taping masking tape over your cut line.
Never screw in a light bulb with wet hands - moisture on a bulb will make it crack when lit.
For light bulbs broken in the socket, push a potato onto the broken glass to unscrew it.
After installing fiberglass, clean off your skin by spraying only - do not rub while washing.
For loose furniture joints, apply baking soda then superglue into the joint to fill & cement it.
Stray ends of nylon rope can be joined by melting the strands together into one rope end.
As substitutes for sandpaper, use a pumice stone, emery cloth, or fine steel wool.
Store razor blades with the edges in pieces of cardboard to keep them safe & secure.
Rub soap or candle wax on the threads of a screw to make it drill in easier.
To keep a water pipe from freezing, let the faucet drip water slightly to maintain water flow.
Stray ends of ordinary rope can be joined by dipping the rope end into resin or shellac.
To thaw frozen water pipes, use hot water bottles, never heating devices or torches.
To keep a picture centered as it hangs, wrap masking tape on the middle of the hanging wire.
Keep baking soda near your work area to use as an emergency fire extinguisher.
Secure moving wooden bed slats by placing large rubber bands over the slat ends.
A piece of inner tube around a nut head helps an oversized wrench to grip and loosen the nut.
For tough household cleaning jobs, a mix of 1 gallon water + 1/8 cup of TSP works well.
For new non-textured drywall, apply a layer of latex primer before any finish paint or paper.
Use Boric Acid to kill cockroaches, silverfish, ants, fleas, termites & other household pests.
Wrap athletic tape around handles of hammers & other tools to provide a better grip.
To clean a dirty grill, use regular cooking oil with paper towels or a wire grill brush.
If a wood glue nozzle is clogged, remove it and soak it in warm water to clear it.
Home Maintenance Tip
Your washer and dryer are designed to be simple to maintain, and there are a few things you can do that will prolong the life of the machines and reduce service calls.
- Avoid overloading the washer - an overloaded washer strains the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.
- Once a month, remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine, and check water-supply hoses for splits, cracks, or bulges.
- Once a year, disconnect your dryer from the vent hose and wall, and thoroughly vacuum and clean the lint pipe to improve your drying efficiency and remove potentially flammable lint buildup.
- Once a year disconnect the washer and dryer to clean underneath and check for any small leaks or hidden maintenance problems.
Home Maintenance Tip
Has your energy bill got you hot under the collar? The best way to reduce your air conditioning bills this summer is to reduce heat in your home.
- Reserve heat-generating activities such as cooking, washing or drying clothes, and running the dishwasher until late evening or early morning, when it is cooler outside.
- Install mini-blinds or solar film on your windows to cut down on the heat from the sun.
- Switch over to compact fluorescent light bulbs - not only do they use less energy, but they produce very little heat.
- Set the thermostat a few degrees higher - most people can be comfortable with a setting of 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit; plus, you'll save 7 to 10 percent of your cooling costs for each degree above 78!
- Try using a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler and only costs pennies per hour to operate.
5 tips to keep your home safe in an emergency
Over the years, Americans have endured many different types of tragedies and crises -- from Hurricane Katrina and Sept. 11 to countless tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. During these hardships, we have learned to expect the unexpected and to be ready for anything.
With this in mind, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has declared September National Preparedness Month in an effort to educate people about natural and national disaster preparedness and to motivate families to plan ahead. In support of this year’s "Ready Campaign," First Alert and The Lehigh Group, makers of home safety and security products, offer some simple tips for preparing your home and family to face unexpected emergencies.
"You never know when disaster may strike, so having a safety plan in place is the best way to prepare your family to face crises with confidence," says Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for First Alert and The Lehigh Group. "A few minutes of planning today can save valuable time and the lives of loved ones down the road."
1. Create a preparedness kit
When preparing for an emergency or potential disaster, basic survival items like fresh water and non-perishable foods are often at the top of the list. Just as important are necessities like blankets, a first aid kit, transistor radio, flashlights, batteries, cell phone with charger, prescription medications, cash or traveler’s checks and even a can opener.
Extra items such as tools, matches and a compact, easy-to-use fire extinguisher should also be included in your safety kit. The new Tundra fire extinguishing spray offers a familiar aerosol design and operation with no pin to pull or lever to squeeze -- making it less intimidating to operate than a standard fire extinguisher. These items should be kept in a convenient, secure and dry location in the basement or another area of the home with no outside windows.
2. Set alarms
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning incidents escalate during hurricane season and heavy wind storms due to more frequent power outages when homeowners turn to fuel-burning generators or other fuel sources to cook, light, cool or heat their homes. To protect your family from this "silent killer," CO alarms should be installed throughout the home, including one on each level and outside every sleeping area.
3. Store valuables in a "safe" place
Even if you live in the safest town in America, having a safe at home can prove a wise investment when it comes to natural disasters. Through fire or flood, a safe can help protect important documents, family photos and sentimental keepsakes, as well as jewelry and other valuables. For the ultimate protection, look for a safe that is both fire resistant and waterproof, not just water resistant. Be sure to keep the combination in a secure place and share the location only with trusted family members and friends. Some safes offer fingerprint technology that recognize up to 10 different prints -- allowing for quick and easy access during an emergency.
4. Keep security front and center
Doors and windows are particularly vulnerable spots in a home during a major storm or national disaster. Proper storm doors can protect exposed areas of the home from wind, precipitation and debris. For homes and businesses, vertical window guards like those offered by Leslie Locke help to keep flying debris from breaking glass and exposing a home’s interior to outside elements. Security screen doors and window guards also can help keep homes safe from unwanted intrusion.
5. Secure outdoor items
High winds can take a toll on the outside of a home. At the first sign of danger, secure outdoor items using rope or other cordage products to tie down outdoor furniture, plants, decorative items and more. A new rope innovation called Cordzilla offers bungee-style stretch with vinyl-coated hooks that help securely tie down items without scratching their surfaces.
For a complete home safety kit checklist or more information on National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov, www.homesafetycouncil.org or www.firstalert.com.
Understanding Real Estate Appreciation
Real estate appreciation refers to an increase in value of your home and the property. When your property "appreciates" you have greater equity against which to borrow, and you realize a greater profit when you sell. Property values fluctuate regularly for many different reasons, so how do you know the home you’re buying is going to appreciate over the years?
By and large, the economy is the driving factor of real estate appreciation in theU.S. That includes interest rates as well as the current employment rate, business growth in the area, housing supply and demand and affordability.
Regional economic and social factors also affect real estate appreciation. Many homebuyers choose to live in areas with the best and most convenient features for households to thrive, such as a close proximity to schools, jobs and commerce.
A good school district can also be an indicator of good home appreciation. It is believed that good schools help foster lifestyles associated with high levels of attainment at the individual, household and community level.
Demographics also play a role in real estate appreciation. For example, during the 1980s, much of the baby boomer generation (People born between 1946 - 1964) was buying real estate, causing homes to appreciate at a faster rate than inflation and made real estate a profitable investment. The group referred to as Generation Y – born roughly between 1980 and now – is the biggest generation since the baby boomers. Their contribution to real estate is expected to be far greater than their older siblings of Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979).
There are some aspects that significantly contribute to real estate appreciation, which you may want to ask your agent about when shopping for a home:
Recent sales. Ask your agent or retrieve public records on real estate sales in the neighborhood you wish to live in. How many home sales have there been in the past year? What are the asking prices? Do the final sales exceed the asking prices?
Appreciation history. Have home prices risen or declined over the past 5 to 10 years? Is the neighborhood considered desirable because of its location, amenities or affordability?
Local business economy. Is there a good mixture of business or does the area rely on one industry? Have any new industries moved into or out of the area? Is there a lot of new development nearby?Economic changes such as a large factory going out of business can dramatically affect demand for housing in a particular area.
It is important to note that while appreciation is nice to have, it should not be the reason you decide to buy a home in a particular area. Even if you buy a house in a rapidly appreciating area, there is no guarantee that its value will rise by the time you want to sell it. That’s why it’s best to pick a neighborhood – and a home – in an area that suits your own needs.
Home Maintenance Tip -
Conserve Water and Reduce Pocketbook Pressure!
You may love the forceful flow of water at your faucets, showerheads and toilets, but did you know that installing low-flow aerators could cut your annual water consumption by more than half? You can also conserve water and save money on your water bill just by adopting a few new habits:
- While waiting for water to warm up, catch excess water in a bowl or bucket and use for houseplants or pets
- Only run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded
- Instead of using the in-sink garbage disposal, compost your food scraps
- Simply cutting your shower by 2 minutes will save 1,000 gallons a year!
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, shave, and while you lather up when washing your hands.
