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- A 'tween And Teen Guide To Decorating
Because a teenager's room can seem a haven, as a child grows, it's important for parents to encourage their youngsters to express themselves in a space they can call their own.
Developing a decorating plan and budget can help teens identify what's needed for the transformation, while giving parents a chance to veto unrealistic goals. Budgets don't have to break the bank: Old and new items can be included in the makeover. Refinishing, re-covering or adding creative touches to existing items or adding color, lighting, accessories and fabrics can all be simple and effective updates. - Online Resource For Furniture Shoppers
The World Wide Web just got a whole lot cozier, thanks to an enhanced consumer site that makes it easier to shop for new furniture.
Among the site's new features are a Room Planner and an expanded Furniture Finder that helps consumers shop for both indoor and outdoor furniture. The Room Planner allows consumers to enter the dimensions of the room they wish to decorate, then move around icons representing the furnishings they currently own, along with those they wish to purchase. - Sealing Drafts Can Help Reduce Energy Costs
A growing number of homeowners are finding that a modest investment in time and effort can pay real dividends when it comes to reducing energy costs.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air leakage can account for anywhere from 25 percent to 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling a typical home. That's why experts say a $25 investment in four tubes of a home sealant to seal up drafts and leaks in a home could result in hundreds of dollars of energy savings. - A New Angle On Saving Space
A growing number of homeowners looking to save space are seeing their bathroom from a whole new angle...a triangle. That's right, triangle designs are now popular in whirlpool tubs, toilets, even pedestal sinks. Experts report that this innovative approach to the bathroom gives homeowners space-saving options with high performance, luxury and style. Here are some ways triangle designs are saving space:
Triangular Toilets - Cellular Shades Offer New View On Energy Savings
Homeowners who want to reduce their energy costs may have it made in the shade.
Experts say that space heating and cooling is typically the largest electricity expense for a homeowner. Whether it's the hottest month of the summer or the coldest month of the winter, homeowners spend a considerable amount of money each month paying for electricity. - Keep Old Man Winter Out Of Your Home
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating accounts for almost half of the average family's winter energy bill, making it by far the largest energy expense for most homes. So, to keep Old Man Winter's grip from your wallet, the following are a few tips to assist in combating the cost of heating your home:
• Inspect areas around windows and doors, gaps along baseboards, mail chutes, and entry points for power lines, ducts and vents for air infiltration. If a draft is present, use a caulk such as Polyseamseal® All-Purpose Adhesive Caulk and/or weather stripping to seal the areas. This simple effort will alleviate the potential for heat loss and can help reduce heating bills by as much as 10 percent. - Keeping An Eye On The Exterior
A quick walk around your property could help you catch a number of maintenance problems before they have a chance to become expensive repairs. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
Take a look at your landscaping. Prune back any dense plant growth that could restrict air movement-contributing to moisture or insects-or that might thicken and scrape siding. Also, check for hanging tree branches that could damage roofing or windows. - Tips To Help You Save
When temperatures cool down, the cost of heating rises. To help reduce energy costs, the nonprofit groups Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) recommend these tips:
• Insulation. To learn about insulating a home's attic, basement, ducts, water heating and pipes, visit www.simplyinsulate. com. - A Primer On Stain Blocking
Water leaks, grease splatters-even sticky-fingered children-can cause common stains on painted surfaces in and around your home.
Unfortunately, if you try to cover a stain with a fresh coat of paint, the stain will probably bleed through-no matter how many coats of paint you apply. Fortunately, high-quality stain- killing primers are specifically formulated to permanently block stains and prevent them from ruining your new paint job. - Stylish Ways To Save On Heating Costs,
Portable heaters can help homeowners cut their heating bills-and add to the look of their homes. True, style may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about portable heaters, but new attractive models and designs mean homeowners don't have to sacrifice looks for lower heating costs.
Sleek lines and modern design dominate today's home décor. Taking their cue from iPods and flat-screen televisions, designers are staying on trend and creating products that will blend seamlessly into any room of the house. Portable heaters are no exception. Companies that create portable heaters are following suit and presenting consumers with fashion-forward models that not only take the edge off high heating costs, but add a splash of style in the process. - Stylish Ways To Save On Heating Costs
Portable heaters can help homeowners cut their heating bills-and add to the look of their homes. True, style may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about portable heaters, but new attractive models and designs mean homeowners don't have to sacrifice looks for lower heating costs.
Sleek lines and modern design dominate today's home décor. Taking their cue from iPods and flat-screen televisions, designers are staying on trend and creating products that will blend seamlessly into any room of the house. Portable heaters are no exception. Companies that create portable heaters are following suit and presenting consumers with fashion-forward models that not only take the edge off high heating costs, but add a splash of style in the process. - Winterizing Your Deck Made Simple
The summer months can be hard on a deck. Sweltering heat, summer rain and the remnants of backyard barbeques can leave it dirty, mildew stained, gray and weathered. That's why it's important to restore it before the long winter ahead.
By "winterizing" your deck, you'll also protect it from winter's rain, snow and ice to keep it looking great for years. And it's easy if you follow this advice from the deck care experts at Wolman® Wood Care Products. - Warming Up To Cool-weather Entertaining
Increasingly, homeowners are turning their patios and decks into "outdoor living rooms." Now new patio heaters are making it possible to use these spaces for entertaining and relaxing practically year-round.
For example, new developments in patio heating like those from Outdoor Leisure are designed to extend the patio experience by providing body-level warmth in a way ordinary "mushroom-style" patio heaters can't. - Inexpensive Bathroom Makeovers
Before remodeling your bathroom, remember that there are some easy ways to keep from flushing money down the drain, while still getting the look you want.
For instance, simply replacing the knobs and hardware on cabinets and drawers can breathe new life into tired, old-looking fixtures, as can a good scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint. - How Many Lights Does It Take To Change The World?
It can be easier than you think to make a difference in your home and your community.
In fact, it can be as easy as changing a lightbulb. With the coming of shorter days and falling temperatures, we have a tendency to spend more and more of our days inside with the lights on. What types of lightbulbs you use, however, can affect the temperature, ambiance and mood, as well as your household's bottom line. - The Home Doctor Will See You
The Home Doctor offers answers on several building questions.
Q: I am in the process of remodeling my home and I am looking for a nice trim to complement my new vinyl siding. What products are durable enough to match the longevity of my siding? - After The Water Recedes
If your home looks like a river ran through it, you may feel as though you're swimming upstream as you attempt to restore it. That's because, after a flood, carpet, upholstery, hard flooring and structural components may appear to be ruined.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) suggests taking the following initial steps to restore your home: - Secure Your Mailbox Post: Impress Your Mailman
Whether moving into a new home or defining the unique character of your property, most homeowners will eventually need to install or replace a mailbox and mailbox post. Luckily, this is a relatively simple and inexpensive weekend-friendly undertaking.
Solid footing is crucial to successfully installing a mailbox post-providing the long-lasting durability necessary for your mailbox to weather the elements. - Choosing A High-efficiency Furnace
Do you look for the Energy Star® logo when you shop for your major home appliances? You should. Spending money on energy-efficient appliances will end up saving you money throughout the year. The same rings true for your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
When it's time to buy a new furnace, you should begin by choosing the most energy-efficient unit you can afford. Although this decision will cost more at the time of purchase, a high-efficiency furnace will save you money throughout the heating season. - Widen Your Wallet With Energy
Do you look for the Energy Star® logo when you shop for your major home appliances? You should. Spending money on energy-efficient appliances will end up saving you money throughout the year. The same rings true for your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
When it's time to buy a new furnace, you should begin by choosing the most energy-efficient unit you can afford. Although this decision will cost more at the time of purchase, a high-efficiency furnace will save you money throughout the heating season. - Widen Your Wallet With Energy-efficient Windows
Windows provide views, lighting and ventilation, but can also let in heat and cold. Old, drafty windows can have a dramatic impact on heating bills and make air conditioners work two to three times harder. Luckily, new advances in window and glass technology make it possible to capture beautiful views while still maintaining control over heating and cooling costs. As household spending on energy continues to rise, now is the time to reduce energy use in your home. Start by using this energy efficiency checklist for windows to help save money and increase the overall comfort of your home.
• Perform quick and easy tasks to evaluate the energy-savings potential of your windows: Touch the window and feel if it is close to the room's temperature. Hold a lighted candle or lighter in front of the window. If the flame flickers, consider replacement. - Heat Up Your Home's Value In A Cooler Housing Market
If you're ever trying to sell your home in a cooler housing market or simply looking for an affordable, value-enhancing renovation project, adding a fireplace can be a smart bet. Several studies point to the increased value a fireplace brings to a home.
A recent six-year study by the National Association of Realtors and Florida State University suggests each fireplace in a home yields a 12 percent increase in home value. According to the study, only adding an additional full bath or a garage increased the value of a home more. In addition, the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers indicates homeowners without fireplaces can potentially raise the selling prices of their homes by about 6 to 12 percent simply by adding a fireplace. - Certification Makes The Difference
Many people have only the vaguest notion of what certification means. When asked if having a certified technician work on their home comfort system is important, their first reaction is often that certification really isn't that important.
But the truth is, certification makes a difference in the quality of service and really means peace of mind and assurance. When consumers realize that, their reaction and answer change. - Extending The Life Of Your Outdoor Room
According to research from the Propane Education & Research Council, more than half of U.S. homes either currently have an outdoor room or have one in the "plan and design" stage to be built in the next year. It's a room they will use during the spring, summer and fall, and even on some warmer winter days.
Lifestyle factors are driving the demand for outdoor living spaces, with 50 percent of consumers saying they spend more time at home than they did five years ago. Many think of the outdoor room as an extension of the kitchen. With well-placed lighting and a propane patio heater or fire pit, many homeowners are enjoying the outdoors well into the cooler months. - Heat Pump Or Furnace-how To Decide
If a new heating system is in your home's future, chances are you will want to consider the pros and cons of heat pumps and furnaces.
Both heat pumps and furnaces rely on heated air-as opposed to heated water-to distribute heat through a home. But that's where the similarity ends. While a furnace uses electricity or gas to produce heat, a heat pump reduces energy costs by extracting heat from outside air and circulating it through your house. - Get Your Next Vacuum Customized To Your Needs
Are you in the market for a new vacuum? If so, look no further than an independent floor care professional to find the perfect fit for your home. Here are a few helpful facts and some questions to ask:
Remember that one size vacuum doesn't fit all types of homes. Don't buy a vacuum out of a box or off the shelf. Try it out first and ask the salesperson how each attachment works. How well will it handle cleaning conditions in your home? Do you have different types of flooring? What you clean can make a difference in the vacuum you need. - Finding Free Advice For Home Improvements
If you're looking to improve the look of your home, a little free advice may go a long way. An excellent place to begin is with recommendations from friends and family who have completed projects similar to the one you are considering. However, if no one in your circle has ever completed a project like yours, who can you ask?
When considering a major remodeling project, it helps to learn from the advice of people with years of experience. These people will likely know the questions to ask that can help you create your dream room-and avoid the nightmares many people experience when remodeling without the proper preparation. - Give Your Home A Fresh New Look
One way to give your home a fresh new look-without breaking the bank-is to invest a few hours in much-needed home maintenance such as caulking.
Caulk is used by builders and contractors to prevent water from entering a home's seams and causing damage. Recaulking can prevent moisture from getting into walls and/or under tiles and floors where mold and rot can grow. The cost of a tube or two of caulk and a bit of time may end up saving you the cost of major rot repair. - How To Survive A Home Renovation: Tips From A Pro
Tackling a home renovation can be costly and time consuming-but it doesn't have to be a headache. There are ways to minimize the stress.
An 18-month-long renovation was recently completed at the Marriott London Grosvenor Square Hotel. The renovation took place with a minimal amount of disruption and inconvenience, thanks in large part to Ilse Mohr, executive housekeeper. Based on her experience, Mohr offers several suggestions to help your renovation and cleanup go smoothly: - Say Hello To Who's At The Door From Your Kitchen
You no longer have to stir from your kitchen, bedroom or wherever you may be to see and speak to whoever is at your door. The innovation that makes this possible is a video door answering system that monitors both the front and back doors of your home.
There are two systems, both developed by NuTone. One, the Drop-Down system features a seven-inch monitor and comes with one camera, but can support two recessed or surface-mount cameras. Second, the Built-In system features a four-inch color monitor for hands-free door communication with one surface-mount camera for monitoring one door. - Powered By A Central Vacuum System, This Automatic Dustpan Whisks Debris From The Living Area
If you have allergies and pets, you might consider the solution many veterinarians have found to manage dander, pet hair and dust.
For Dave Harriton, DVM, founder of the Animal Hospital of Barrington, N.H., the solution was a central vacuum system. - What You Should Know Before Remodeling Or Building
Every home, whether large or small, condominium or single-family, needs a key-and sometimes the key to getting the most out of a home is a free newsletter full of expert advice.
The free consumer e-newsletter, NAHB HouseKeys, is now being offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The newsletter offers advice to guide consumers through every stage of homeownership and the home-building process. - Go Bright, Go Vivid: A Facelift For Your Vinyl Siding
Since its introduction in the 1960s, vinyl siding has grown in popularity to become the number one choice of exterior cladding across the United States. In fact, according to the Vinyl Siding Institute, U.S. Census figures show twice as many homeowners choose to side their homes with vinyl than any other material.
If you have vinyl siding on your home, you already know some of its benefits: easy maintenance, durability and versatility. But if you want to give your house a colorful facelift, you may think your options for painting over vinyl siding are limited. Not any longer. - Tips On How To Care For Your Deck
Think your deck is impervious to damage because it's new? Think again. Even pressure-treated wood begins to deteriorate in less than a week if left untreated.
Pressure-treated wood is highly resilient to pests and rotting, but it's still vulnerable to the harsh extremes of weather. Decks need year-round protection from rain, ultraviolet rays, molds and mildew. To protect your deck, try these expert tips: - Indoor Plants: How They Help Us At Home And Work
An idea that's being planted in more and more offices, senior centers and homes is one that may surprise many people: namely, the benefits of indoor plants. Simply put, being close to plants reduces stress.
Research has shown that heart rate, blood pressure and skin conductivity all benefit from the presence of plants and that people in planted offices recover from stress more quickly than those in unplanted offices. - Make Homes More Energy Efficient While Remodeling
According to the National Association of Homebuilders, Americans spent approximately $215 billion remodeling their homes in 2005. So if you're planning to renovate, you may want to remember one point: It can pay to make your home more energy efficient while you remodel.
"Homeowners are putting extra emphasis on energy cost savings when remodeling their homes," explains Danny Lipford, homebuilding expert and host of the television show "Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford." "Projects that provide more energy efficiency have proven to help reduce heating and cooling costs, in some cases by up to 15 percent." - Saving Energy With Electronics
According to the buzz, electronics are part of an energy-savings solution. Electronics increase control over home heating, cooling and lighting systems and make it possible to telework and to access information and entertainment from home-saving you money and gas and protecting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What does the industry recommend you do to help save energy for America and maybe some money for yourself? Here are some hints: - How To Maximize Comfort And Lower Your Utility Bills
If you think summers have been getting hotter in recent years, you may be right. In fact, according to the National Climatic Data Center, 2005 was the warmest year since national records began in 1895. Combine those rising temperatures with increasing energy costs to cool your home, and the situation can be downright unbearable.
To help beat the heat, Lennox Industries, a leading provider of customized home comfort systems, provides answers to some common questions about how to increase home comfort and save money during the hottest months of the year, based on the pioneering and knowledge of company founder Dave Lennox. - New "smart" Insulation May
The beauty and state-of-the-art performance associated with the Porsche is now revving up kitchens in the form of range hoods gifted with clean lines of European design.
For years, range hoods have been an afterthought when remodeling a kitchen. Cabinetry, lighting or flooring have traditionally been more important aspects for homeowners to consider. However, the latest range hoods, such as the Best by Broan WM24 range hood designed by F.A. Porsche, may help turbocharge remodeling efforts. - New "smart" Insulation May Help Prevent Mold In Walls
There's good news for homeowners and builders who want to control moisture and in some cases help prevent the growth of mold in the walls of their homes.
A powerful, first-of-its-kind combination of fiber glass insulation faced with a breathable "smart" film has been introduced by CertainTeed. The product, called DryRight™ Fiber Glass Insulation, exhibits excellent thermal and acoustical performance while at the same time helping reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth. It works by allowing excess moisture to escape from wall cavities, which in turn lessens the potential for moisture accumulation. This advanced insulation helps people protect what may be their largest investment-their homes. - Shutters: A Facelift
One of the best ways to add natural light to a room is also one of the most frequently overlooked.
Modern skylights let homeowners add balanced light, beauty and a sense of space to most any room in a home. Yet myths about skylights sometimes prevent homeowners from having them installed. - Shutters: A Facelift For Your Home
There are few do-it-yourself projects that make a statement quite like adding shutters. With a few hours of effort, it's possible to mount beautiful, expertly crafted shutters that add character and can help define a home's look.
Since the nation's founding, shutters have been an essential architectural element, protecting windows from storm damage, providing ventilation and offering charm and privacy. - Energy Issues Spark Unity
There are few issues in America today that can bring together Republicans and Democrats, unions and management, red states and blue states, academia and religion, and young and old. One such issue is our ever-increasing need for energy to power our homes and businesses and keep our economy moving forward.
The U.S. Department of Energy projects that the nation will need 45 percent more electricity by 2030. To meet this increased demand, Americans want energy sources that are clean, reliable and proven. In fact, a recent survey reveals Americans are looking for clean, affordable, domestically produced energy-and the majority are favorable to nuclear energy. - Affordable Ways To Give Your Kitchen A Face-lift
Experts say the kitchen is quickly becoming the most popular room in the home. So it comes as no surprise that nearly 6 million homeowners embarked on a kitchen remodeling project last year. And, according to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost for a mid-range kitchen remodel is $43,804, with an upscale remodel ringing in at $68,962.
With such a large investment on the line, homeowners should be sure that the materials they select go beyond what is "trendy" to what truly meets their needs. Countertops are one area in particular that offers many different options, with great variation in price, style and maintenance. And for homeowners that aren't planning a complete kitchen overhaul, replacing the countertop is one way to give the kitchen an instant face-lift. - Preparing For Power Outages
A recent survey found that a significant number of Americans expect to lose their electricity for 24 hours or more this year. Whether it lasts for several hours or several days, a power outage can damage home appliances, cause food to spoil and even put a family's safety at risk.
That same survey-conducted by the Propane Education & Research Council-found that half of all respondents were concerned that their air-conditioning would shut down during an outage. Respondents were also worried about the loss of home security systems (25 percent) and the inability to use certain medical devices (29 percent). - Air Cleaners: Filtering Through The Hype
It may be time to clear the air about certain air cleaners.
Recent reports have implied that all air cleaners produce unhealthy levels of ozone, but this is not true. In fact, the most popular type of portable room air cleaners, those that use only a fan and high efficiency filter to draw in and trap airborne particulates, emits no more ozone than any typical household electrical device. - Defeating Daylight
Until the invention of the lightbulb, people went to sleep when it got dark and woke up when the sun came up.
But with shifting work schedules and more complex lifestyles in general, blocking out light in the home has taken on greater importance. - Tips To Help You Manage Energy Costs
Anticipating rising energy costs, some homeowners are taking steps to lower their energy bills year-round. In fact, more than 80 percent of homeowners are interested in learning more about different home energy choices, according to a survey from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).
HGTV host Scott Morgan says that homeowners should be more actively involved in making better decisions for their homes. "Americans are not powerless when it comes to their energy," says Morgan. He believes that families building new homes have a huge opportunity to make smart energy choices that will pay off over the long term. - How Nanotechnology Can Protect Your Home
Some new homes may have an uninvited and potentially dangerous guest-mold.
Anywhere there is surface moisture in a home, even moisture caused by humidity, there's the potential for mold growth. According to the nonprofit organization Consumer Reports, up to 15 percent of new homes have mold problems, which have been implicated in a variety of health problems and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to eradicate. Mold-related health problems include nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, sinus infections, coughing and skin irritation. - Prepare Your Home For Winter Weather
Taking a few precautionary steps now can help ensure that you and your family stay warm when the cold weather hits-without spending a fortune on heating bills.
Dan Steward, president of Pillar to Post, North America's largest home-inspection service, offers these tips for winterizing your home. - Inexpensive Makeover Projects That Say "wow"
You say your home is in need of a makeover, but you don't want to take out a loan? Well, join the club.
According to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, homeowner remodeling spending has seen slow growth in 2006. Meanwhile, home equity loans have become more expensive. Many homeowners have seen the monthly payments on those loans double over the past two years-a more dramatic rise than the price of gasoline. - Putting Your Foot Down On Flooring Costs
If you're like many homeowners, you keep a close watch on household costs, especially if you're renovating. However, the number on the price tag may not be the last word. Many home improvements need to be not only installed, but maintained-adding hidden costs that can reach thousands of dollars. In addition, the life span of an improvement is another factor that must be considered when calculating true cost.
A recent study compared various floor-coverage options and ranked them on not just installation costs, but also on the costs of upkeep and durability. The report compares materials including: - Make Home Energy Savings A Family Affair
Today's busy families use technology in nearly every room of the home. Mom and Dad may be watching the flat-screen television in the den, while the kids are instant messaging or playing video games on PCs in their rooms. Meanwhile, microwaves, DVD players and household lights are abuzz in the background.
Unfortunately, this can add up to higher home energy costs, especially during the colder months when family activities move indoors. The average U.S. household spent about $1,900 on home energy bills last year, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes the efficient and clean use of energy. - Getting Creative With Home Improvement
Americans spend more than $230 billion on home improvements each year and that number is expected to grow according to the Home Improvement Research Institute. Why all the fuss? Home improvements, even simple projects such as adding a neighbor-friendly vinyl fence, can improve curb appeal, increase a home's value and generally make home a more enjoyable place to live. When looking for ways to improve your home, get creative and consider some of these home-improving projects:
• Upgrade to vinyl windows. You can lose 30 to 40 percent of heating and cooling costs through older, single-pane windows. Installing Energy Star-rated vinyl windows can help decrease energy bills while improving indoor comfort. New styles are designed to add a dramatic eye-appealing element to the overall appearance of your home-both inside and out. - Don't Provide A Warm Welcome To Pests This Winter
As the weather cools, you and your family may not be the only ones seeking warmth and shelter under your roof. When fall and winter arrive, pests-much like people-look for a cozy place indoors to settle down until spring.
According to the experts at Orkin, Inc., fall is the time homeowners should think about pest-proofing their homes to prevent these unwanted guests from moving in during the cold winter months. - Tips For Selling Or Renting Your Home
Whether the housing bubble is about to burst or boom, there are a few inexpensive ways to help sell your existing home or improve your investment property. Try these tips:
Curb Appeal - Five Easy Steps To A New Countertop
Choosing a countertop doesn't have to be a daunting task.
To begin, you may want to visit a dealer to look at all the options available to you. There may be several types of materials that can give you the look you want at various prices and with different maintenance requirements. Some products, such as granite, tile and ceramic, are more expensive and require more maintenance than others. Products such as laminate come in hundreds of colors and patterns with many edge choices and may be more affordable and easier to maintain. - Protect Your Property From The Elements
According to the Insurance Information Institute, losses from catastrophic winter storms have averaged $1.1 billion annually for the past 20 years, but there are steps you can take to keep your home out of such statistics.
Rough weather brings many threats to a home, so it's vital that homeowners take necessary precautions to protect the outer shell. Well-maintained windows, roofing and siding defend a home against the threats of moisture and winter elements, ensure that the long-term integrity of the structure is not compromised and help keep energy costs in check. - The Best Surprise Is No Surprise
When it comes to your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the best surprise is no surprise. No one wants to wake up to a cold house in the middle of winter, or a hot one in the dog days of summer. Periodic checkups can help to eliminate those surprises and ensure your system is running properly. In the process, preventive maintenance checks extend the life of your system and save you money by detecting small issues before they become major problems.
Most HVAC contractors offer Preventive Maintenance Agreements (PMAs) that bring a technician to your home, usually once before the cooling season and once before the heating season, to test and inspect your system. For an annual fee, they will check system functions and safety controls; inspect electrical components and connections; ensure proper airflow and change dirty air filters; inspect pumps; lubricate and check flow rates where appropriate; and clean and lubricate motors. - Top Tips For Garage Organization
As life progresses, we strive to acquire items of all shapes and sizes. Some are useful and some...not so much.When we've used these items to their fullest potential, they get sent to the last stop before the garbage-the garage. The garage can be an amazing resource for the home, but a messy one will do nothing but frustrate, and it can even be dangerous. Here are a few tips to get you started on the road to having a clean and useful garage:
• Set a time for you and your family to tackle the mess of the garage together. Everyone in the home has some level of attachment to the items in there, so make it a group activity. - A New Home At The Old Address
Accessorize! It's no longer just a clothing statement. Homeowners looking to personalize their homes are doing it, too. The good news is that there are a number of ways they can add those personal touches without undergoing a major renovation.
For example, homeowners with a keen eye for traditional values will discover a variety of screen door styles designed to fit door openings from 32 to 36 inches. The screen doors from Vixen Hill are an inch and a half thick and use teak-pegged mortise-and-tenon joints, which are further reinforced with waterproof glue. The door designs incorporate a variety of architectural inserts to match a home's style. - Don't Let Heating Bills Make You Hot Under The Collar
Yes, you can avoid getting the chills from your energy bills by giving your home a cold-weather button up. It could mean big savings and increased comfort for you anytime of year.
For example, experts say by just reducing the air leaks in a home in colder weather, it's possible to save as much as 10 percent on energy bills. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: - Freshen Up Your Home For The Holidays
Visiting friends and family is said to be the single biggest reason for travel during the holidays. It accounts for 43 percent of all long-distance trips made during this time, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation travel survey. It is also the inspiration for a lot of home remodeling.
Fortunately, experts say there's no need to get stressed out about making the house fit for a king. With a few little touches here and there, you can impress even your most critical visitors. - A Look Beneath The Carpet
Odds are, there's more than just the floor beneath your carpet. Contaminants such as pet dander, dust and soil tend to settle under a carpet's surface-and while they may be less obvious than dirt and carpet stains, they can still be a problem for homeowners.
Whether you're a parent with small children or you just want to know your carpet is as clean as it can be, you can make a difference by simply selecting a vacuum with the very latest cleaning technology. - Increasing Your Home's Coziness Factor
With the Farmers' Almanac calling for temperatures as much as 20 degrees below seasonal norms in some parts of the United States, homeowners need ways to stay warm while conserving extra heat.
To ensure that you are not left out in the cold, make home improvements to add coziness and warmth while conserving energy and money. Consider these suggestions from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC): - Shower Someone With 365 Days Of Exhilaration
Finding a wonderful item for everyone on your holiday gift list can be a challenge--but a delight when accomplished. Fortunately, it's possible to ease both your holiday gift-giving stress and the daily stress of those on your holiday list at the same time--simply by giving them the gift of relaxation and exhilaration 365 days a year.
Shower Power - Increase Comfort And Savings This Winter
Don't let your heating bills leave you cold. While high fuel prices mean heating your home can take a bite out of your budget, you can reduce home heating costs and protect your property by following a few simple money-saving tips:
• Check your roof. Replace loose or missing shingles, and be sure the flashing around the chimney or vent pipe is watertight. - Tips For Selling Or Renting Your Home
Whether the housing bubble is about to burst or boom, there are a few inexpensive ways to help sell your existing home or improve your investment property. Try these tips:
Curb Appeal - Five Easy Steps To A New Countertop
Choosing a countertop doesn't have to be a daunting task.
To begin, you may want to visit a dealer to look at all the options available to you. There may be several types of materials that can give you the look you want at various prices and with different maintenance requirements. Some products, such as granite, tile and ceramic, are more expensive and require more maintenance than others. Products such as laminate come in hundreds of colors and patterns with many edge choices and may be more affordable and easier to maintain. - Reduce Your Home Heating Costs And Protect Your Budget
Don't let cold weather and higher energy bills get you hot under the collar. Energy experts offer these steps to help control your heating costs and protect your budget from unexpected increases in natural gas and electricity rates:
Shop around for your energy provider. Many states allow you to buy natural gas and electricity from an independent marketer. Check to see which companies offer the most desirable plans. - Energy Efficiency Can Save Money On Utility Bills And Save The Planet
Being energy efficient isn't as hard as you think, and by using energy more efficiently you can lower your energy bills by more than 30 percent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Here are some simple ways to accomplish this. - Beat Energy Bills That Give You The Shivers
Heating your house doesn't need to leave you out in the cold.
Portable heaters are a terrific way for households to save money on heating bills, especially in fall and spring when you don't want to heat an entire house. - The Great Indoors: How To Increase Your Comfort At Home
During the cooler months of the year, many of us retreat to the great indoors to find comfort and warmth. Yet, many of us may not find the comfy, cozy environment we're looking for, due to inefficient heating systems or stale, re-circulated air that's filled with all sorts of pollutants.
To help make home, sweet home truly a relaxing retreat, Lennox Industries, a leading provider of customized home comfort systems, provides answers to some common questions about how to increase home comfort this season, based on the pioneering and knowledge of company founder Dave Lennox. | | |
