Burn Calories With A Fence

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When you make that old resolution to lose weight beginning on Jan. 1, you are probably setting yourself up for failure. You will go all out to begin with, but after a few weeks you will burn out and you won’t feel like working out anymore. The rest of the year will go by and again on Jan. 1, you will try the resolution again. It won’t always work out, so what can you do to lose weight and not give up?

The solution comes in the form of doing home maintenance, which is excellent exercise for the body. When you do home maintenance, you are able to get fit through the simple action of improving your home and your yard. You can burn as much as 576 calories an hour just shoveling snow, or 400 calories an hour mowing the lawn. Raking leaves takes up 384 calories as well.

Did you know though, that with the help of a fence, you can burn thousands of calories? Here is how.

First, building a fence will burn 340 calories per hour. It will probably take at least 10 hours to build a fence, and that means burning 3,400 calories total over the course of a week. That is a huge amount to burn, especially if you supplement it with eating healthy. In addition, you can wash a fence and burn 238 calories per hour. If you are painting a fence, another task that can take 10 hours, you can burn 2,380 calories over that course of time.

Something as simple as a fence can help you burn a lot of calories, help you get in shape and help you feel healthy and better about yourself. Oh, and you improve the market value of your home. No gym can do that. 

Top 10 Best Valued Home Improvements

Since the real estate market is looking up you may be thinking about selling your home and buying a home you have been dreaming about for a while. If so than its time to focus on some home improvements or repairs you might have been putting off. Here are the top 10 home improvements that will bring you the most bang for your buck, according to the 2014 Cost vs Value report. This report is organized by region, unfortunately it is not specific to Savannah. So this list and estimated amount recouped is an average in the South Atlantic and I added their estimates for Charleston SC as a comparison since it is a coastal city.

Project	South Atlantic	Charleston SC
1.      Entry Door Replacement (steel)	101%.	148%
2.      Garage Door Replacement	89%	110%
3.      Deck Addition (wood)	89%	112.2%
4.      Attic Bedroom	88%	94.2%
5.      Window Replacement (wood)	84%	92%
6.      Minor Kitchen Remodel	83%	107.2%
7.      Basement Remodel	83%	97%
8.      Window Replacement (vinyl)	81%	92.8%
9.      Siding Replacement (vinyl)	80%	109.5%
10.  Bathroom Remodel	77%	100%

You may not even notice your front door anymore, but a new door makes a great impression on buyers and yields the highest return on your investment. If your front door doesn't need replacing or you'd rather spend less money, you can paint it and replace the hardware for a similar impact. The same goes for your garage door, there is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to improve the unique features of your home.

Buyers are looking to expand their living space, and going out back where there is a new deck is a great solution, especially here in Savannah. If you already have a deck, you might consider enhancing the outdoor living space with a water feature, an outdoor fireplace, or a built in grill. That are lots of sites on the internet that can offer some economical ideas to create affordable outdoor living space. House logic is a website we like that offers some great home improvement ideas. Here are some ideas for decks http://www.houselogic.com/outdoors/decks/. Another way to add living space is going up and turning your attic into a bonus room.

Improving the living space you already have is another upgrade you might consider. A minor remodeling of your kitchen such as, new lighting, new cabinet doors with new hardware and adding a tiled backsplash will bring a fresh look to the area. Also new lighting can really transform a room. A little bigger investment is to replace windows, but as you can see the return here is really pretty good. Check out This Old House website that has loads of low cost kitchen/bath upgrades: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20210747,00.html

If you are considering doing most of your improvements or repairs yourself here are a few websites we have come across that we like. Many of them have videos that show you how to.

The Family Handyman - http://www.familyhandyman.com/

This Old House - http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh

Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford - http://www.todayshomeowner.com/

BrightNest - https://brightnest.com/

End of the Year Closet Organizing

Clutter – that’s what I have more of as the year draws to a close. I realize I have collected more stuff this year, and it looks like our house is busting at the seams with it. With a few days off during the holidays it’s time to once again organize. In case any of you out there are in the same boat I am going to share some of my tips, and organizational tools.

The best, and often the hardest tip in getting organized is that a purge is required. No matter how many shelves, boxes and clever little nooks I create, the best technique is to simply get rid of some things!  If I have received some great new sweaters for Christmas then I take out the ones at the bottom of the shelf that I haven’t worn in a long while, and donate tehm to my favorite charity. Some people have hard and fast rules for this – not worn in a year? Out it goes. For me, I know what I am really not going to wear again and what I probably will, even if I didn’t this past year.

Ok so once I have purged I organize. I think about what organizational techniques I incorporated last year that worked, and what hasn’t. Some people like to put their belts on a hanger, I prefer a few hooks inside the closet wall. Different things work for different people, incorporate what is easiest for you. Here are a few ideas:

• Use shelf dividers to maximize the space and keep sweaters neat.
• Shoes belong on a shoe rack.
• Hang belts, umbrellas and purses on attractive belt racks and stagger them on the wall.
•  Move off season items to under-the-bed storage boxes or the highest closet shelves.
•  Keep infrequently worn items towards the back of your closet, with frequently worn items near the front.
•  Place smaller items that float around on your dresser in a decorative box.
•  Create storage space under the bed.
•   An ottoman with storage is a great place for seasonal blankets.
•   Use boxes with labels or baskets to store similar items.

Best tip of all: tackle only one closet at a time! 

Saving Money On Your Utility Bills This Winter

Baby its cold outside!  If you are considering a home in Savannah’s historic district you might be looking for ways to keep your charmer nice and toasty this season.  It’s no secret that homes in the historic district offer unrivaled physical beauty and old century charms but how do you take advantage of that while keeping your heating bill low?

The first step is to figure out what you’re working with.  The previous owners may have already taken measures to lower the energy costs.  You can simply ask them what they've done but you can also ask them to take a look at the previous year’s energy bill for the home.  Yes, the cost may be higher than a new home but don’t let that turn you away.  There are certainly things you can do to lower that bill. 

1. Many companies like Georgia Power offer free in-home energy audits.  These audits will show you ways to save up to 30% on your annual energy bill. 
2.  Insulating your attic and sealing off any attic entry areas is especially important.  I’m not an insulation expert but I know there are a few options for making this happen.  You can pay someone to help or you can try on your own.  In my own home I used a spray foam that expanded which I purchased at Lowes.  I used this to seal up the entry to the attic to keep air from leaking.  I also used it in areas around the parameter of my home where I found air leaking. 
3. While you are insulating you should take a look at other areas where air might escape like door frames, window frames, electrical outlets, cable lines, dryer vent pass through areas, outdoor faucets, and holes in the garage.
4. If within your budget, replace old windows and doors and choose energy efficient options.
   
   Keep in mind that windows and doors embody the original architecture of the home and the historical feeling should be preserved.  In fact some areas require the historical look to be preserved.  If this added expense isn't in the cards for you at this time there are other things you can do to lower your heating cost.  One option is adding storm shutters to windows or you can add window stripping.  You can also buy a door snake.  It sounds scary but it’s not and it will help keep air from leaking under your entry ways.
5. Home automation systems are a wise addition to historical homes.  They can help you save money by conserving electricity and optimizing your heating system.  The list of what can be done via home automation is pretty impressive but you can make a big impact by using your system to adjust the temperature of your home automatically.  Allow it to turn the heat off while you are at work, make the house cooler before you go to bed, and warm it back up before you rise in the morning.  Some 56% of the energy used in a typical home goes to heating and cooling so automation alone can make a large impact.

We wish you luck in your home search and a toasty winter season!

Article written by Security Gem: About SecurityGem.com

SecurityGem.com is a resource for home security information and home security reviews. 

Sources: www.securitygem.com, epa.gov

BRRRR Here a Few Tips To Save Some Energy

Suddenly winter here is here and I find myself standing in front of my thermostat disbelieving the temperature reading of the room, and wondering should I push the heat setting up. We all want to be budget conscious where our utility bills are concerned, but we also want to be comfortable in our home. Here are a few affordable things that can be done to winterize our homes.

•       Block Air Leaks. To find these leaks use an incense stick and walk around the house holding it in front of suspect areas such as windows, door frames, recessed lighting, and electrical outlets. Use door sweeps to close the space at the bottom of doors, and apply caulk to doors and windows where needed. Use outlet gaskets to the electrical outlets
•       Add More Insulation. The rule of thumb is a home needs a minimum of 12 inches of insulating in your attic. If you can see the ceiling joists you know you don’t have enough because a joist is at most 10 or 11 inches. When laying atop of existing insulation don’t use the insulation with the paper backing as the paper acts as a vapor barrier which can cause moisture problems.
•       Check the Furnace. Schedule a maintenance check for your furnace/HVAC unit. Also you should be changing the filter on your furnace on a regular basis. (monthly)
•       Clean and Check The Duct-work. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if duct-work is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces. Make sure all the connections to the vents are snug, and that none of the duct-work is pinched reducing airflow. If the duct-work has not been cleaned in several years, then it’s time to schedule this. All the gunk that floats down the vents into the duct-work can reduce airflow in addition to causing respiratory problems.
•       Fix Leaky Windows. If you have storm windows, definitely put them in. If you don’t you can purchase a window insulator kit. The kit is a sheet of plastic that you ‘shrink wrap’ to the interior of your window using a hair dryer to tighten the seal. This can be removed in the spring. Replace old caulking with a fresh bead along the exterior of the windows. Watch this
  
  1 minute video on window caulking from the Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford website.
•       Reverse Your Ceiling Fan. This is one of the easiest things that can be done. Don’t waste the heat, push it back down by simply switching the direction of your ceiling fan.
•       Wrap the Pipes. Check for pipes that pass through unheated spaces that are not insulated and wrap them with either fiberglass insulation or rubber sleeves.

Four Areas That Can Affect A Home's Curb Appeal

The housing market is making its recovery and there's a buzz of activity in our real estate office. Now may be the time to make the long awaited housing move. Whether you are buying, selling or updating a home here are some things to consider regarding a home's curb appeal.

A home's front entry is the focal point of curb appeal. In addition to making a statement a front door should reflect the home's interior. The entryway should have some style, updated light fixtures, a handsome entry door lockset, a wall mounted mailbox are elements that create a style.

Outdoor lighting can make a huge impact in the appeal of a home in addition to providing safety and security. Lighting can be used to illuminate a path, accent trees or landscaping.

Now is a good time to do some gardening, so create a new planting bed that will blossom in spring with lots of color and contrast. Fall is the time to plant bulbs they are e A seasonal

container garden adds a great deal of charm and warmth to a home. Create a garden around your mailbox for an inviting and cheerful look.  A tidy landscape is an indication of a homeowner cares for their home. So sellers, tidy up your yards by trimming hedges, edge around walkways and curbs, and add some annuals and fresh mulch to gardens. A flower box under a window or hanging off a porch railing can really be a welcoming feature.

One way to infuse a home with rich historical flavor lay in the details, such as molding, wainscoting, crown molding. Frame a window with molding or shutters then paint them with a contrasting color for emphasis. These details are a small investment and well worth the payoff.

How to Stop Condensation in the Crawl Space Under Your Home

If after all the rain we have had this summer you have developed some mold or condensation problem in the crawlspace under your home. Here are a few suggestions to help solve this problem.

Watch a one minute video from Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford plus a here a few more tips:

• Assess Damage: To get an idea of what you are going to have to do you need to check out the amount, and extent, of the mold problem. If you decide not to remove the wood completely these are your next steps. If you are concerned about having found some mold here is a video , from the National Mold Resource Center, that talks about physical symptoms of having been exposed to black mold.
•  Prepare For Mold Removal: It's important for you to wear a toxic chemical protective suit, and mask.
• Apply Mold Removal Chemicals: This is generally for a small mold outbreak. It will kill the mold, but you will still have to remove it from the surface with a scraper.
  
• Blast Mold: If the mold has been able to grow for some period of time before you noticed it then you will need to use a surface blaster.

If you want to stay away from all these problems, then have a mold inspection before buying a home. If you are a homeowner already then you should either inspect the home yourself or have a professional do it every few years. This will help you to eradicate an infestation at an early stage.

Prevention: Once you have gotten rid of the mold you have here are some steps towards prevention.

• Not Enough Vent Space: You may need more ventilation in the crawl space. The rule of thumb is to have at least one square foot of vent area for every 150 square feet of crawl space.
• Inadequate Cross Ventilation: You also need to have adequate cross ventilation with vents on all sides of your house, not just two.
• No Plastic Ground Cover: The plastic sheeting should be covering the ground of the crawl space, to keep moisture from coming up through the soil, not stapled beneath the insulation.
• Leaky or Un-insulated Ductwork: If you have ductwork for your HVAC system under your house, have it inspected for any air leaks, and to make sure it has enough insulation to prevent condensation on the outside of the ducts when the air conditioner is running during the summer.
• Add Fan Venting: If you’re still having problems, have a small fan installed on one of the vents with a humidistat set to turn the fan on at 70% relative humidity to remove excess moisture from your crawl space. Be careful that you have no mold in your crawlspace before installing fans. Other wise the fans will simply blow the mold spores onto other surfaces.

Time For Your Home Inspection

So you’re on your way to buying a new home. You've reached a written purchase agreement with the home seller, so what is next? Your purchase agreement is most likely contingent on a home inspection, which is for your own protection. The purpose of the home inspection is to identify items of concern and safety issues. It is also to give buyers and sellers a better understanding of the home’s condition. An inspection will run about $400.00, however if it turns up an issue you may want to start another round of negotiations for the home. Or perhaps it changes your mind about the property, either way it could be the best $400.00 you ever spend.

The inspection will be performed by a trained professional. If you do not have one in mind your real estate agent will be able to recommend one for you. An inspector will look for issues in the home that may not have been visible when you viewed the home.  The general home inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions. The home inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.

An inspection includes:

1.  A thorough visual inspection of the structure inside and out, from foundation, crawl space, to roof.
   
2.  An examination of all major systems both mechanical and electrical. Everything from garage doors to fuse boxes.
3.  Evaluation of hundreds of components.
4. A printed report explaining all significant findings and recommendations.

The home inspection can take 2 to 3 hours. You are not required to be there, but you can if chose to do so. It may be to your advantage to be there so you can ask questions as the inspector reviews any issues they might find. It can also be educational to find out how the inspector determines what to look for. Once you have this knowledge as a home owner you will be able to identify any issues that may develop after you own the home. Do not be alarmed if the inspector finds some issues. No home is in perfect condition. If you are there with the inspector you can ask how serious an issue may be.

Below are some of the components a home inspection includes:

•   Roof
•   Gutters
•  Windows
  
•  Doors
•  Siding
• Trim
•  Grading
•  Driveway & Walkways
•  Decks & Patios
• Fireplaces Ceilings & Walls
• All Plumbing Elements
• All Electrical Elements
•  Foundation
• Framing
• Crawlspace
• Attic
• Hot Water Heater
•  HVAC

Twelve Tips to Making a Home Energy Efficient

Making your home more energy efficient can help to reduce high energy bills, improve comfort and help to protect the environment. Here are twelve tips to become more energy efficient and save money.

•  Invest in a cool gadget like a programmable thermostat. Set thermostats at 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter. A programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
• Install Low-flow shower heads: Simply by installing low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators ($10 to $20 each), you’ll cut your hot water consumption by 25% to 60%. 
• Insulate Your Hot Water Tank: If you have an older tank, and especially if it’s located in an unheated space, wrapping it with an insulating blanket is a cheap and easy way to reduce costs.
• Insulate Exposed Hot-Water Pipes and By insulating your hot water pipes and heater, water will arrive at the faucet 2 to 4 degrees warmer, which means you won’t have to wait as long for it to heat up, thus saving energy, water, and money.
•  Use LED's in your recessed ceiling lights, stairwell lights and inconvenient fixtures. It’s an 80% energy
  
  savings over incandescent bulbs, the LED bulb life is up to 50,000 hours longer than CFL's.

According to Georgia Power, residential heating and cooling systems account for as much as 52 percent of your home’s energy use.  This means a poorly maintained heating and air system can increase your energy bill dramatically.

• Change your air filter regularly.
• At a minimum change the filter every 3 months, but during heavy use months (summer & winter) check your filter every month to see if it is dirty enough to change.
• Have heating and cooling systems professionally serviced once a year to keep them running as efficiently as possible.
•  Seal your heating and cooling ducts. Gaps in joints and at plenums can cause your heating and cooling bills to increase by as much as 30% and can allow air contaminants to enter the home.
• Make sure all air registers or floor vents are clear of furniture so that the air can circulate freely. If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and walls. In the winter, this will help heat the room instead of the wall.
•  Install a properly sized ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fan in the bathroom to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe, as well as control mold and mildew growth. Run your fan for 15 minutes after showering.
•   Install insulation in your attic. This is a fairly easy DIY project that will really make a difference in your energy and comfort of your home.

Improving energy efficiency is an important first step for homeowners interested in green remodeling. To find out more on home to becoming a more energy efficient home, and qualify for energy tax rebates go to the Energy Star website.

Add Appeal To Your Home With Shutters

What people remember about homes are the charming details that give it away as a house that was built 50, 60, 70 years ago. Shutters are one of these often overlooked details that help make up that first impression of a home. Well done shutters will add interest and texture to a house.  Cheap shutters, which are so common that many people don’t even question the look, can give a flat, pasted-on appearance; authentic ones can make all the difference.

Shutter Basics

So if you are looking to add some extra curb appeal to your home and you want to add or change shutters to your home what should you look for? Well there are some basics on shutters that you should know when shopping around. For starters the size of the shutter in relation to your window is important. Every shutter on the home doesn't have to be the same size as the others; all that matters is that each shutter properly fits its adjacent window. Each shutter should be exactly one-half the width of the window; this is the first cardinal rule to follow, regardless of how wide the window is. The whole idea is that you must give the believable appearance that they could actually be closed over to protect against sun, storms, or cold; therefore they should always be mounted on the side window trim rather than against the outside edges of it. The length of the shutter needs to be exactly that of its particular window, this is the second cardinal rule. So when shopping for your shutters make sure you know the size of the windows they will be placed adjacent to.

Shutter Styles

So now that you know the size, style is the next decision to be made. There are as many styles as one can imagine, however there are some more popular, main stream styles that may match the style of your home. Here are a few of the more popular styles.

1. The most commonly used shutter style is the Louvered.  Louvered window shutters offer a tasteful signature styling and a timeless accent to homes. Look for well-made versions of wood or a high-quality synthetic material. Not the cheapest on sale at the mega-hardware store. It will cheapen the look of your home. 
2. Raised Panel shutters add that traditional colonial look. With a traditional 2 panel to custom 3 panel shutters, imagine the graceful yet enduring beauty that these exterior shutters can bring to your home. 
3. The Combination shutter which originated in the New Orleans area has a unique combination of both louver and raised panel. It offers the beauty of both styles, and provides a second glance appeal to traditional styles. You can mix and match your styles with a variety of louver and raised panel combinations to make your own unique look.
4. In its simplest form the Board-n-Batten shutters has been rumored to be the first style of shutter invented. The vertical members are referred to as the boards and the horizontal members are referred to as the battens. This classic style is perfect for ranch style homes or homes that want to reflect historical significance and simplicity.
5. Flat Panel shutters are inspired after the Shaker design where clean lines and simplicity define style. These shutters are perfect for Arts & Crafts or Craftsman style homes. 
6. The combination of both Board-n-Batten and Flat Panel shutters, the Framed Board-n-Batten shutters add a unique look. Commonly used on traditional style homes, the Framed Board-n-Batten shutter has been growing in popularity against the traditional louver, raised panel, and board-n-batten shutter style.
7. Rustic, Rough Sawn window shutters can be seen throughout times past. Rough sawn lumber is lumber that is left in a rough, non-finished state. These shutters have a rich, rustic look to them, complete with the gouges and scrapes associated with traditional rough sawn lumber. The grain of the rough sawn shutters is also exaggerated to intensify the traditional rough sawn look. 

Material & Color

To make the best of your curb appeal using shutters make sure to choose a quality material the shutters are made from. There are several different long lasting materials on the market these days.

• Vinyl
• Wood
• Composite Wood
• Premium PVC & aluminum 
• Fiberglass Premium Composite

Color is also an important choice for shutters. Will you want to paint or stain your new shutters? Which one will best represent the look you want to create with your home? Although most people choose a color the beauty of stained-wood shutters is hard to beat.  Choose neutral colors if you want your home to blend in with the surroundings. For a house that stands out, opt for a bold color palette. When making this choice you might want to take into consideration the color of your landscape. Once they are up stand back and take a good look, you've just increased the appeal of your home!

Remodeling Trends Include Open Spaces & Accessibility

A new AIA Home Design Trends survey says showy and large upgrades are out and functionality is in with today’s remodeling home owners. Reflecting the desire to keep homes affordable in the current weak housing market, home layouts have generally been simpler and floor plans more flexible.

“There have been some pretty significant changes over the past six years and housing preferences may have changed permanently,” says Baker. “The day of the grandiose master bath may have passed us by, and the trend of integrating the kitchen into the family space accelerated during the downturn, along with multi-use spaces and informality.” says Kermit Baker, the chief economist for the American Institute of Architects. Here are some highlights of what the survey shows with trends in  remodeling homes.

Special Purpose Rooms

Today's trends in special function rooms are toward simplicity. Optional special function rooms are limited to just a few key uses. One third of homeowners surveyed noted that the home office is the most popular special function room. Two other special function rooms that are popular are mud rooms, and outdoor living areas.  

Green and Sustainable Projects

The survey showed homeowner remodeling has two key pragmatic objectives: energy efficiency, and making homes more accessible for an aging population. More homeowners are upgrading their homes towards becoming greener. Insulation in the attic, HVAC upgrades and sealing air leaks are items that appear to be on the rise when people make home improvements. With home offices on the rise wireless telecommunications and data systems are growing in popularity as energy management systems. Other energy upgrades also include solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and water reclamation systems however they are not mainstream in most markets.

Accessibility

As homeowners prefer to age in their current home, accessibility has become a growing concern. As a result, in-home accessibility was observed to be increasing in popularity by 58 percent of residential architect respondents. As we plan to stay in our homes longer, remodeling updates include changes like first-floor master bedrooms, ramps/elevators (including adding a shaft for a future elevator), easy-to-use features for handles and faucets, and non-slip floor surfaces. Increasing in popularity are open space layouts in the home with flexible floor plans. Informal space is another lifestyle preference that remains popular.

More Outdoor Lesuiure Time

A 2012 survey showed interest in outdoor living space increasing. People may be spending more time outside, but in a leisurely fashion as there has been an increase in low-maintenance, low-irrigation landscaping. More people are going for lawn alternatives that promotes sustainability and a savings on the water bill. Rainwater catchment systems and gray water reuse are other popular outdoor features. 

Refinish Your Tub & Brighten Up Your Bathroom

I have been looking at my yucky tub for a while now, and have finally decided that's it! I have got to do something. some of the finish has been permanently worn off and so some permanent stains developed there.  I 'm working with a tight budget so I did some DIY research on how to proceed with this project. After some searching I found a few great ideas I have come up with that are worth sharing.

1. Purchase a tub refinishing kit; you’ll find them at hardware stores and home improvement centers from about $30 - $80.00. The Rust-Oleom Tub & Tile refinishing kit has good reviews and is only $30.00

2. There is a bit of extensive tub preparation before applying the the tub enamel. First you will need to remove the drain, and trip lever. You will need pliers, a screwdriver and a bit of muscle.

3. Then clean the tub using an abrasive pad and a cleaning product that contains a bleaching agent. Clean twice, thoroughly rinsing after each cleaning. You can use a razor for some scraping if needed. wipe up the razor scrapings and rinse.

* Tip: If there are some rather big nicks you can fill them with automotive body filler. Let it dry then sand to shape.

4. Next sand using 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper. Rinse, dry with towels, then let dry completely for several more hours. Now your ready to refinish the tub.

5. First however you will want to mask off the area of the tub such as the tile and floor next to the tub that will not be refinished. Use blue masking tape and newspaper for this.

6. Finally apply the tub and tile enamel with a sponge brush and roller.  Cut in using the brush, then place it in a plastic bag to keep it from getting dry as you may need this for a 2nd coat. Then use the roller to apply the enamel to the rest of the tub. Once finished throw the roller away. Apply the enamel rather quickly watching for drips. Do not let the roller dry out, as it is not reusable. Once finished applying the enamel allow the tub to cure for 3 days, make sure to wait at least 48 hrs before removing the tape and paper. FYI, this stuff is pretty toxic, so you’ll need to wear a mask and open up the windows.

Although this project takes some effort and time it is a great money saving DIY project that can change the look of your bathroom from dingy to bright and shiny.

Buying an Energy Efficient Home

When you are buying a new or previously owned home, you should consider not only the price of the home, but also the operating costs of owning the home. Energy consumption comprises a large portion of home operating costs. Heating and cooling usually comprises 45% of these costs.

Consider looking for a home that was built to Energy Star standards. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more energy-efficient than homes that were built according to the 1993 national Model Energy Code. (ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.) Here are some of the differences you will find in an ENERGY STAR qualified home:

·         building envelope upgrades

·         high performance windows

·         controlled air infiltration

·         upgraded heating and air conditioning systems

·         tight duct systems

·         upgraded water-heating equipment

 If the Home is not Energy Star qualified there are still things that you can do to investigate the energy efficiency of a home. Determining the energy efficiency of a home can be difficult, but it is possible. Here are some tips for consideration:

1.      Ask the seller for copies of the monthly utility bills, low utility costs could represent an energy efficient home. However they could also reflect an infrequent use of the heating cooling system.

2.      You could also gather information on the furnace and air conditioner for any house that you may purchase. For air conditioning you will want to know the seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) and for gas furnaces you are interested in the Annual Fuel Utilization Ratio (AFUE). The rating for a SEER ranges from 10-17, the higher number using the least amount of energy. The AFUE ratings are more straight forward ranging from 75% to 97%, again the higher number being the most efficient.

3.       Ask your agent or the seller the age of the HVAC. If the equipment is 10-15 years old with a SEER of 8 or less, the time may be approaching to replace the system. Inspect the insulation in the attic. Insulation coverage should be continuous and thick enough to cover all the studs.

4.      Check the water heater to see if it has an ENERGY STAR label.  According to the Buildings Energy Data Book, heating water accounts for 17% of on-site residential energy consumption. The five water heating technologies that are eligible to use the ENERGY STAR label offer energy savings from 7% to 55%, depending on the technology used. 

For more information go to www.energystar.gov.

 

Home Spring Cleaning

Home Spring Cleaning is a tradition that lets out the stale winter air and brings in the fresh spring

smell. Cleaning and organizing our home lifts our spirits, and opens us up for fresh new ideas and activities. However the thought of such a task can feel overwhelming. There are some things you can do to get the job done, and help it take place smoothly and quickly.

Action Plan

The first thing you need to do is create an action plan. Set aside a full day for this, get others involved, assign tasks to specific family members. To help make the day more palatable to resistant family members, break the chores down into 15 minute cleanups. About.com has a list of 15 minute cleanups on their site to print out and delegate to family. Play some upbeat music to get everyone going, and create a celebration reward when the job is done. Maybe taking the family out for a treat, or to dinner.

Tip: Get everyone to agree to turn their phones off until their chores are completed. Also you can take turns playing family members favorite music

 

Make a List

Ok so you have a day picked out, and family members has agreed to participate, what exactly should you include in your cleaning? Normal spring cleaning includes tasks such as storing winter clothing, washing windows, vacuuming; outdoor chores include things like cleaning grills, and patios. If you are unsure of what all to include on your cleanup day you can download some checklists a the ScJohnson consumer website.

However it’s important to remember items such as:

·         Clean dryer vents

·         Change return air vent filters

·         Schedule inspection of cooling systems

·         Drain sediment from hot water heaters

·         Refrigerator: Check the Drip Pan and Vacuum the Refrigerator Coils

Tip: As always, read the labels of any product you use so you fully understand all directions and precautions. Consider, too, whether you’ll need special equipment, like safety goggles or rubber gloves, to protect your eyes and skin.

Garage Cleanup

Garages can really collect an array of stuff, so it’s best to separate the garage cleaning from the

family spring cleanup day. Again get family members to pitch and create rewards for the completing of this task. Start by creating a plan of attack, otherwise it can easily feel overwhelming. To help make the day a bit easier have a cooler with favorite drinks available and remember to have on hand those popular snacks.  Purchase some containers ahead of time for sorting purposes. As you asses your task, you may want to think about having a garage sale or simply create a giveaway pile for your local charity.

It’s good to do some reminiscing and joking so that the day goes by more quickly and becomes filled with welcome memories. However try not to get too distracted while sorting through the pile of items you may not have seen for a long time.

Maintaining a home is a big job, keeping the clutter down and belongings organized can really help.

Tip: Setup and organize the supplies before you get started. Trying to run around and find the sharpie for marking containers will cut into your time.

The Don Callahan Real Estate Group

Keller Williams Realty

o: 912-232-8580 | f: 866-832-5321

www.DonCallahan.com