preventative home maintenance: Power-Assisted Roof Vents: Lose the Heat and Save the Money
- 01/07/16 08:42 AM
Soffit and roof exhaust vents protect your house from the buildup of excessive heat in your attic, but sometimes passive air ventilation is not enough. A power-assisted roof vent uses a motorized fan to suck hot air out of your attic, keeping your house cooler and drier while reducing potential problems such as rot, mold, and ice dams.
Power up your attic ventilation
Power-assisted roof vents work even in still air and ensure vigorous ventilation. They relieve heat buildup in the attic, where temperatures can reach 150 degrees or more in summer. Reducing attic heat buildup prevents trapped, hot air from warming ceilings … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Ceiling Fans: Know the Spin Before You Install
- 01/06/16 08:51 AM
Installing a ceiling fan is fairly simple, especially if there is an existing light fixture. Once you’ve figured out where to put the fan, make sure you’ve got the right electrical requirements.
The right height and position for a ceiling fan
For greatest efficiency, place your fan:
In the middle of your room. 8 to 9 feet above the floor (and, for safety, no less than 7 feet above the floor). So that the ends of the blades are no closer than 18 inches from walls. The lowdown on downrods
A standard downrod (the shaft that connects the motor to the blades) for an … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Passive Roof Vents: Helping Your House Breathe Easy
- 01/05/16 08:31 AM
Passive roof vents encourage natural air flow and work without the aid of motorized fans. Roof vents enhance the overall comfort of the house by providing escape hatches for hot, stale, moist air, which can reach temperatures of 150 degrees in summer.
In winter, you need to dump that hot air before it condenses, which can lead to rot and mold. Warm air trapped in the attic during winter also may cause rapid melting of snow, which then refreezes as ice dams--mini glaciers that can push up shingles and peel off gutters and soffits.
How much roof ventilation?
The rule of thumb for proper … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Ductless Mini-Split HVAC Systems: Ideal for Retrofits
- 01/04/16 08:42 AM
The main advantages of a ductless mini-split HVAC system are its small size, quiet operation, and the flexibility it has for heating and cooling individual areas within your home. It’s a good choice if:
You have an older house that lacks ductwork. You’re building an addition that will be difficult to tie into your central air-conditioning system. You want to supplement your existing heating and cooling without resizing your existing HVAC system. What does mini-split mean?
There are two main components: an outdoor condensing unit (smaller than standard air-source heat pumps and easy to conceal behind landscaping), and the indoor evaporator (fan … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Second Dishwashers Fast-Track Kitchen Cleanup
- 12/23/15 08:48 AM
A second dishwasher in your kitchen, or even a dishwasher drawer, can carve hours off cleanup chores. You’ll probably have to sacrifice a base cabinet. But you’ll gain a real kitchen helper that adds value and appeal to the most important room in your house.
Second Dishwasher Location
Large kitchens have stations for cooking, food prep, and dishwashing. The main dishwasher sits to the left or right of the main sink, beneath cabinets for plates and glasses.
Place a second dishwasher strategically to accomplish your dish flow objectives.
If the second’s main job is cleaning glassware, locate it near stemware storage, perhaps in a … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: No Sweat: Programmable Thermostats Reduce Your Energy Costs
- 12/15/15 09:57 AM
It’s no secret that heating and cooling account for the bulk of a home’s energy usage — an average of over $1,000 annually. Switching from a manual to a programmable thermostat is one simple way to save as much as $180 a year.
The most basic programmable thermostat can be self-installed in an hour, and comes with preset temperature settings for different times of the day.
Some of the latest models offer greater control, easy programming, sophisticated displays, and even communication with you via the Internet. Here is a look at some of these smart units.
High-def, high-tech settings
You wouldn’t think of spending much … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Adding a Fireplace to an Existing Home
- 11/12/15 08:31 AM
With costs ranging up to $30,000 for a traditional brick hearth and mantel, adding a fireplace can be a considerable investment. If you’re wondering if you’ll get a return on that investment, the answer is: maybe.
While intangibles such as crackling flames and romantic ambience may make a fireplace worth the cost, consumer attitudes toward fireplaces have been in flux over the past decade. Here are the facts:
Fireplaces are Trending Up as Desirable Features
The National Association of REALTORS® 2013 survey of homebuyers’ preferences listed fireplaces as one of the most-preferred home features. Almost 40% of homebuyers said they would pay extra (a … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Leak? This is the Week to Plug It
- 11/04/15 08:50 AM
Dripping faucets and running toilets don’t just keep you up at night. In a year, those leaks could fill up a backyard pool. Then there’s the money you’re sending down the drain after all that wasted water. In honor of WaterSense’s Fix a Leak Week, we’ve got six tips to help you find (some leaks are sneaky!) and plug your leaks.
1. Check your water meter at the beginning and end of a two-hour window where no water is being used in your home. If the meter doesn’t read the same, you have a leak.
2. Don’t cram your vanities and sink cabinets with stuff. … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Skylight Installation and Costs — Plus Tips to Get the Job Done Right
- 10/28/15 10:57 AM
Skylights are a popular option for bringing natural light into a home. Even a single skylight can transform a room, adding 30% more light than a window and bathing interiors with balanced, energy-saving light.
At first glance they seem inexpensive: A quality 2-by-4-foot skylight and flashing kit costs $150 to $500. However, installation adds another $500 to $3,000 to the project cost -- good reason to carefully evaluate whether a skylight is right for you.
Until recently, roof slope was a determining factor for skylight installations. Roofs that were too flat or too steep required special installation techniques. Most modern skylights, however, include … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Window Privacy: Solutions that Don’t Block Natural Light
- 10/20/15 11:38 AM
If your neighbors are so close you feel the need to duck down every time you walk past one of your windows, a little home privacy may be in order. Low-cost privacy treatments for window glass offer good-looking, permanent solutions that you can apply yourself.
Spray-on window frosting
Available in aerosol cans at hardware stores and home improvement centers, spray-on frosted finishes ($4 to $10 for a 12-ounce can) coat window glass with a translucent or opaque frosting that blocks views but allows light in.
One can of spray coats about 35 sq. ft. of glass — enough to coat 2 average-size windows. White … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: The 5 Coolest Space Heaters on the Planet
- 10/07/15 10:57 AM
If you’d like to selectively warm up just one area in your house — a home office, hobby room, guest bedroom, or man cave — a space heater is the way to go. By turning down the thermostat and heating just the living space where you are, you’ll be saving energy, trimming up to 30% off your annual heating costs.
Fortunately, some manufacturers of these little household helpmates have caught on to the fact that space heaters can be flat-out ugly and downright inefficient. But with smart new technologies and better designs, the lowly space heater has finally entered the 21st century.
Check … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Do You Really Need to Clean Your Air Ducts?
- 09/02/15 10:45 AM
Five to seven times a day, the air in your home circulates through the air ducts of your HVAC heating and cooling system, carrying with it the dust and debris of everyday living.
Your furnace filter catches much of the stuff, but neglect, remodeling projects, or shoddy duct installation can lead to a buildup of gunk inside your ductwork that threatens the efficiency of your system.
Are Dirty Ducts Hazardous to Your Health?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts no studies have proven that duct cleaning prevents health problems. Also, there isn’t proof that dirty ductwork increases dust levels inside homes.
But some people are more sensitive … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
- 08/26/15 11:09 AM
Your insulated window coverings, such as blinds and drapes, may be eligible for a $500 tax credit, but take a deep breath before you go out and celebrate. Although the IRS has a pretty wide definition of “insulation,” it doesn’t specifically mention window coverings.
But it doesn’t exclude them, either. Some companies, such as Hunter Douglas, say certain coverings they make are eligible and back up their claims by issuing a manufacturer’scertification statement saying so. Some tax experts believe that because these coverings don’t provide insulation as their main purpose, the IRS will eventually strike down these certifications.
Do your energy-efficient window coverings qualify?
If … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: 4 Ways to Avoid Foundation Problems
- 08/03/15 10:46 AM
When cracks and leaks show up, you’ve already created or ignored problems that damage foundations, says Stan Gatland, manager of CertainTeed’s building science technology department.
Here are mistakes that can cause foundation woes and, if unresolved, can make matters worse.
1. Grading gaffes
Poor soil excavation can direct water toward the base of your house and through foundation walls. Make sure your yard is graded at least 6 inches in 10 feet so soil slopes away from your house.
How do you check the slope? Use a level. Put one end where the ground meets your foundation wall, and level the tool. Measure the space … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: How to Unclog a Gutter
- 07/28/15 02:28 PM
Clean your rain gutters at least twice a year. Otherwise, debris like leaves and twigs can clog up your gutter system, causing potential harm to your house and landscaping -- not to mention the gutters themselves. Here's how to identify and fix a clogged gutter.
Is My Gutter Clogged?
When it rains, here are the telltale signs of a clogged gutter:
Water spills over the edges of a gutter. Water sprays like a fountain from gutter seams and elbow joints. Water doesn’t flow out the bottom of downspout extensions. If it’s not raining, look for these telltale signs:
Eroded earth directly below a … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Insulation Types and Tips
- 07/02/15 11:36 AM
We know that insulating your home isn’t the sexiest home project. But if you’re planning a remodel that includes opening up walls, ceilings, and floors, it’s a great time to upgrade your insulation to get energy savings of up to $300 per year.
However, it you’re not remodeling, think long and hard about replacing or adding wall insulation. Retrofitting wall insulation has a long payback period that should make you think twice before committing to it.
But adding on? Finishing your basement? Redoing your kitchen? Or your attic insulation needs an upgrade? Read on to learn about the different insulation types, costs, uses, … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Inspecting Your Roof to Get Ahead of Problems
- 06/18/15 11:25 AM
A roof inspection is one of those preventative maintenance jobs that's easy to overlook. Don't. Add a once-a-year reminder on your calendar to go out on a warm day and fix any problems you find.
If you're squeamish about heights, don't worry. You can do a thorough inspection from the ground using a pair of binoculars.
Or, you can get up close and personal with your roof using a ladder. However, there's no need to get up on your roof just yet. The less you walk around up there, the better for your roofing -- and the safer for you. Work your way … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: How to Clean and Care for Your Home’s Siding
- 06/17/15 10:59 AM
With a bit of preventative maintenance, your home's siding could be trouble-free for 50 years or more. And that means you won't have to replace siding as often.
Cleaning siding removes the dirt and mildew that shortens the life of siding. A clean house protects your investment, too. Some real estate appraisers say good curb appeal can add 5%-10% to the value of your house.
Cleaning All Types of SidingAll types of siding benefit from an annual cleaning to remove grit, grime, and mildew. Cleaning an average-sized house may take you and a friend every bit of a weekend. Here's how to do … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: Is an Appliance Extended Warranty Worth It?
- 06/09/15 11:54 AM
Whenever an eager salesperson tries to sell me an extended warranty on a major appliance, I wonder, “Why is this person trying to save me money?”
Short answer: They’re not.
Extended warranties are cash cows for retailers who typically pocket 50% of the warranty cost, which is much more than the margins they make on the goods themselves, says "Consumer Reports." That’s why retailers put the hard squeeze on customers just before they make the final sale, and 15% of us succumb, typically paying $75 for the add-on.
And even though we can’t say buying an extended warranty is throwing money down the drain … (0 comments)
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preventative home maintenance: When to Repair or Replace Your Appliance
- 06/03/15 11:47 AM
When an appliance is old and isn’t working efficiently, it’s easy to decide to replace rather than repair the machine -- may it rest in peace.
But appliances often break before their time, making the repair-or-replace decision harder.
If money is tight, you may have to repair the appliance and hope for the best. But if you’ve got some coin, then replacing with a new, energy-efficient model often is the better way to go.
That’s a lot of ifs, and the repair-or-replace dilemma often is hard to resolve. Here are some guidelines that will help you decide.
Is It Really Broken?
When appliances stop working, we … (0 comments)
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Soffit and roof exhaust vents protect your house from the buildup of excessive heat in your attic, but sometimes passive air ventilation is not enough. A power-assisted roof vent uses a motorized fan to suck hot air out of your attic, keeping your house cooler and drier while reducing potential problems such as rot, mold, and ice dams.
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