Energy Savings Tips for Your Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry

Want to save money on your energy and water bill this year? There's plenty of ways to do that around the house such as with new vinyl windows, but what about your appliances and installations? Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries contain some of our biggest appliances, and are also where we can waste a lot of water if we’re not careful.  Following are some ways you can make your kitchen, bathroom and laundry more energy-efficient.

• Save water by fixing leaky faucets and using faucet aerators.

• Look out for the ENERGY STAR brand when buying or replacing major appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and washing machines. You’ll use between 20 and 40 percent less energy, which makes for big savings on your energy bill over the life of the appliance.

• Pack your dishwasher efficiently, and aim to only wash with a full load. Also get familiar with the energy-saving options on your dishwasher - such as rinse only, economy cycle and cold water – and use them where appropriate. Dishwashers can produce considerable heat and humidity, so during summer try to use them in the evening and cooler parts of the day.

• When shopping for a new washing machine, choose a front loader, as it is more energy efficient than a top loader.  Also, make sure it suits your household size and needs, and allows you to change the amount of time and water you use in a wash cycle.

• Aim to wash only full loads of clothes and use the right temperature and water setting – switching from hot to warm water can reduce your energy use by half.
• Use your microwave oven instead of your conventional stove when possible, as it uses between a half and one-third of the energy.
• In summer, use the exhaust fan to blow hot cooking air out of your kitchen. You’ll save far more in cooling costs than you’ll spend on the fan’s electricity.

• When cooking on the stovetop, use the burner that best matches the size of the pot you are using.  Also place lids on pots and pans so you can cook at lower settings without heat escaping.

• Cut down how often you open the fridge, as well as the oven door while the oven is in-use.

• If possible, place your fridge and freezer away from heat sources such as direct sunlight, stovetops and heating equipment.
• Keep your fridge compartment between 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer compartment between zero to five degrees Fahrenheit.
• Regularly defrost and clean your fridge, including the coils and condenser area at the back.

• Make sure the seal on your oven, fridge and freezer are fitted properly – they should hold a piece of paper in place when the appliance doors are closed. Repair any faulty seals to prevent the loss of hot or cold air.

• Reduce heat loss by insulating your hot water pipes and tanks with heat tapes or insulation blankets.

• Install an energy efficient showerhead to save around $250 on your water bill over three years.
• Take showers instead of baths – they use five to ten gallons less water.

Home Security Tips

Security is a top priority for any homeowner. Here are some simple security measures to help protect your home from break-ins.

1. Lock, stock and barrel Police suggest many opportunistic burglars break in to homes via unlocked doors or window. So lock up all your doors and windows, even if you are going out for a short time. Locksmiths can advise on the best door and window locks, and even key all the windows to a single key.
2. Blow the cover Discourage thieves from targeting your house by getting rid of trees and shrubbery that obscure the view of your door from the street. Keep your porch and exterior well-lit, with internal switches than a burglar can’t reach. You could also consider installing infrared sensor lights. Street lights are a deterrent for your neighborhood, so report broken lights straight away.
3. Secure windows and doors Fortifying your doors and windows is one of the best ways to protect against a home invasion. If your door has glass panels (which is easy for a thief to smash) replace it with burglar-resistant glass. Replace rotted door frames with new, solid wood and install deadbolt locks on all your exterior doors. (Of course, I shouldn't have to tell you how important new windows can be either!) A peephole or lockable security screen will also enhance your security. Your windows should have one or more good locks, and you could also consider grilles and shutters. If your door has too much space between its frame, reinforce the a panel of 3/4-inch plywood or piece of sheet metal. If there are door hinges on the outside of your house, take down the door and reset the hinges inside.
4. Guard the garage Garages and sheds are often targets for burglars, who can then use your tools or ladders to break into the main house. Fit a sensor light in your shed or garage and install keyed locks.
5. Be careful with your keys…and who you let into your home Keys are easily copied so be scrupulous when lending your keys to cleaners, tradespeople and acquaintances. Check all references, including the reputability of the firm, before handing your house key over to a professional house cleaner or tradesperson. If you lose your keys, change the locks immediately. Professional burglars may pose as salespeople to check out homes, so ask for salespeople to push their ID under the door. If someone comes to your door asking to use the phone to call a mechanic or the police, keep the door locked and make the call yourself.
6. Get an alarm or a dog An alarm system is the next layer of defense. For the most effective alarm system, conceal all wiring, and repair faulty alarms that go off too often. Dogs are good deterrents- even a small, dog with a loud bark. Failing that, even a "Beware of the dog" sign will make burglars think twice before targeting your home.

         7. Be smart when you travel A burglar can spot the signs of an unoccupied house, so ask friends or neighbors to collect your mail when you head away. Also ask if a neighbor can park in your driveway, as this will help make your house look occupied. Use timers to switch  lights and radios on and off and organize for someone to mow your lawn.

Finding a Good Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House

Is selling your home on the agenda for next year? Or are you hoping to make a quick sale before Christmas? Finding the right real estate agent is crucial to securing the best price for your house, and to ensuring the whole sale process goes smoothly. Following are some important questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent to act on your behalf. 1. Are they experienced? Your agent may have a natural flair for real estate, but there is some knowledge that only comes with experience.  Look for an agent who has been working in the industry for at least a year full-time, or the equivalent in part time experience. Strong professional networks are also a good indicator of experience, so look into whether your potential agent has good relationships with other real estate agents in the area.

2. What are their selling credentials? Specifically, you want to know how many houses your prospective realtor has sold. Their recent figures will reflect the wider market trends, but still provide a useful tool for comparing different agents.

3. Do they know what they are talking about? Ask your potential agent as many questions as you can. If they seem unsure or bluff on a lot of questions, then they don’t have the expertise you need.

4. Are they a member of the National Association of Realtors?  You can weed out dubious operators by confirming they are a member of this organization, which sets down certain standards as a condition of membership.

5. Are they a member of the National Association of Realtors?  You can weed out dubious operators by confirming they are a member of this organization, which sets down certain standards as a condition of membership.

6. Will they look out for you? You want an agent who will truly represent your best interest at every stage of the selling process. Make sure the person you are considering will guide and advise you through housing inspections, closing a sale and contract negotiation. They should be committed to protecting you from any liability and to negotiating to get the best possible price for your house.

7. Do they know your area?  Your agent should have an intimate knowledge of your neighborhood –its better and less known selling points, the local market conditions and value of other homes to start.

8. Do you like their communication style? Would you prefer weekly phone calls or daily email updates? Ask the agent how they normally liaise with their clients and let them know your own preferences.

Or maybe if you wind up keeping your house and just doing some work on it, we'd be more than happy to help out. One way or another, we hope you keep these tips in mind!

Budget Decorating Ideas

Want to spruce up your home but don’t have the cash to spare? Here are some easy, effective and low-cost decorating ideas.

• Add elegance and drama by hanging a mirror in a living area or entrance way. Mirrors will also make small, dark areas seem larger when hung opposite windows and doors.
• Add a few wooden shelves above the toilet for valuable extra storage.

• Create a statement table runner by sewing together your favorite place mats.

• Plant herbs in terracotta pots (paint them for extra craft satisfaction) and line them up along a kitchen window ledge.

• Add color and interest by re-tiling your kitchen backsplash – use patterned tiles or break up plain porcelain tiles with hand-painted tiles.

• Create funky mobile storage boxes by painting wood crates, then screwing colorful casters to the bottom corners. Or make plain old cardboard boxes more appealing by covering them with wallpaper or recycled wrapping paper.

• Look in the bargain bins of your local carpet store for offcuts of top-quality carpet, which you can turn into a sumptuous rug. Ask a sales assistant if they can bind the edges for you. Otherwise you can hand sew and use carpet binding tape.

• Add a character-filled accent to doorjambs, window sills, baseboards and around fireplaces by painting the trim in a contrasting colour.

• You don’t need expensive art works to liven up your walls. Instead, you can fill empty spaces by hanging rugs, tapestries, scarves or blankets with interesting textures and colors. As well as being visually appealing, it will help to soundproof your home.

• Frame your family photos in coordinating or contrasting frames, and hang them together to create a feature gallery wall. Stairwells and entranceways are ideal spaces to convert. Plan out your gallery on the floor first to get the composition right.

• Even your ceiling fan can be spruced up – just clean and repaint the blades.

• You can reinvent a space simply by rearranging your existing furniture. Ask for a friend for their advice on how you could move things around to get more out of a room.

• Don’t forget about your garage and basement. Donate and recycle things you don’t need (including electrical equipment). Then paint the walls, soak up musty smells with odor sponges or volcano rocks, and create extra space with smart storage.