Posts

Is Solar Worth It?

January 31, 2022

Solar panels have started to gain popularity not just for big businesses, but also for individual homeowners. Almost 4 percent of all U.S. homes and 3 percent in Canada are powered or will be powered by solar panels in 2022. The benefits of a lower energy bill and reducing your carbon footprint has made the switch to solar an easy decision. If you’ve thought about changing your energy supply, there are some things you should consider. How does solar power work? Believe it or not, solar power has existed since the 1950s. But its high price point kept most people from purchasing it for personal use. Thanks to scientific advancements the cost has dropped substantially and they’re higher quality as well. Photovoltaic panels are designed specifically for residential use. The cells in the panel collect the sun’s photons, creating an electric field and eventually flowing to the appliances you’re using. How many panels will you need? How much energy a panel can put out is measured in Watts and called the “theoretical output.” While a panel may be rated for a certain wattage, they don’t use all of the energy they collect. The actual output or “capacity factor” is typically

Choosing a Driveway? Here’s What You Should Know

January 24, 2022

A driveway is a key piece to increasing your home’s curb appeal. Especially if you’re thinking about selling in the near future, you want it to look as perfect as possible. But you want to make sure that you choose the right style for your home. A driveway is a major investment, so here’s what you need to know before you make your decision. Picking Your Material Driveways have expanded past the original concrete styles over time. Now, there’s a wide variety of materials you can choose to pave with. Behind concrete, asphalt has become highly popular with homeowners. Brick is another long-time favorite that tends to hold up well. Gravel is a simple look that can still add attractiveness to your house. Lastly, paving stone driveways allow you to mix and match styles for a more unique look. ConcreteThe top choice for homeowners, concrete driveways have a long list of positives. First of all, the cost of most concrete installations is fairly inexpensive. This is a big selling point for first-time homeowners looking to save money where they can. Concrete also tends to be very durable and lasts for a long time in any climate. If you want something

How to Protect Your Hardwood Floors from the Cold

January 17, 2022

Wood floors provide a classic look to your home that really makes it stand out. However, they require special care in order to maintain their uniqueness. As the cold rolls on, it can be the toughest time of the year for your hardwood floors. The good news is with some diligence, your floors will stay looking like new through wintertime. Changing Temperatures As the weather starts to cool off, it can cause your floors to change as well. Major differences in temperature make the wooden planks shrink and create gaps. Then when they warm back up, they can crack. If you like to crank the heat inside your home, consider dropping it back a few degrees. That way the difference in temperature won’t be as extreme. It also helps to use a humidifier to keep some moisture in the air that can be absorbed by your floor. Tracking Things Inside There’s a whole assortment of debris that you track in your home during winter. Sand, salt, and snow all make a mess of your floors and cause lasting damage. The tiny pieces caught in your boots can scratch up the surface, and if you don’t clean the water and de-icer

Downsizing Tips For Seniors: Moving Safely And Comfortably

January 10, 2022

By Harry Cline of the blog NewCaregiver.org Downsizing is often a relief for seniors who find that their current living situation just isn’t sustainable anymore, either due to their financial situation or because their health is failing. However, it comes with many considerations, and it’s important to know what to expect before you make any decisions. The cost of the move itself is one thing to think about. There’s also the actual downsizing — figuring out which items you will take with you to the new house and which ones will need to go — as well as packing and preparing to live in a new neighborhood. It can be overwhelming, but with a solid plan, you can ensure that it all goes smoothly. Find the Right Place Before anything else, you’ll need to find the right place for your needs — as well as decide what to do with the place you already have. For the latter, you might want to begin by scheduling an inspection. A real estate agent is a great advocate in the home search process, and even more so when you work with someone who specializes in senior moves. Interview at least a couple of

Controlling Radon in Your Home During Winter

January 3, 2022

Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States and Canada. The odorless, colorless gas can go undetected in a home for years and only get noticed when it’s too late. During the winter, radon levels can spike indoors and pose even more of a threat to you. With January being Radon Action Month, it’s a great opportunity to lower your radon risk during the colder months. Radon and the Cold As the temperature begins to drop outside, radon levels can start to rise in your home. Winter is almost equal to summertime in terms of radon spikes. Although everyone has minimal exposure to radon at all times, certain factors can contribute to you being exposed to unsafe levels. A few of the causes of higher radon during cold months are: Stuck Inside Winter brings with it chilly temperatures that usually keep us inside. However, being stuck inside for several months can be dangerous. If your home already has above-safe levels of radon, you’re increasing the chances of severe health risks by staying shut in. Especially if you have a below-ground level that you like to spend time in, you’re putting yourself even closer to

10 Easy Ways to Create a Festive Home

December 13, 2021

We all love decorating our homes for the holiday season. Achieving that Hallmark movie look gets us into the spirit and ready to celebrate. However, it can be easy to go overboard and get overwhelmed with your holiday decor. Here are some easy tips you can use to get a festive feel and avoid getting stressed out. Don’t Overload Your Tree Decking out your tree with tinsel and ornaments can really make it pop, but too much can make it look like a whirlwind of trimmings. This year, remember to keep your arrangement simple. Only use your favorite ornaments instead of jampacking every single one onto the branches. You can also create some handmade pieces by tying sticks of cinnamon together with ribbon. It’s something different and it’ll give off a great smelling holiday aroma! Play Some Background Music The right music will really bring that holiday magic to life. As you go about getting your home ready, turn on your favorite festive playlist. If you’re hosting guests, having a little background music will eliminate awkward silences. You can also ask for suggestions and play musical games like “Guess That Song” or karaoke! Display Your Holiday Cards Getting greeting cards

What to Do with Your Pets for the Holidays

December 6, 2021

The holiday season can be stressful for both yourself and your furry friends. While you’re mired in the whirlwind of throwing the perfect celebration, all those guests in the house, loud noises, and new smells can put animals on edge. Here’s what you can do to keep your pets calm and happy during your holiday festivities. Create a safe retreat for your pets. All the hustle and bustle that comes with preparing for a holiday party puts unnecessary stress and anxiety on your animals. Especially as your home fills up with people, it can throw them into overdrive. The best thing you can do is make a private, calm space for your pet. Whether it’s your bedroom or a room on a different floor, try to make it as relaxing as possible. Place their bed and some toys along with their bowls in the room to give some semblance of normalcy. It can also help to let your guests know not to enter the room where your pets are staying. If guests want to visit with your animals, it’s best to have a family member present and to only allow one or two additional people into the room at once.

Prevent Your Pond From Freezing

November 29, 2021

A man-made pond can transform your yard into your own personal oasis. They offer a place for you to relax after a long day and make the perfect spot to entertain guests. As the temperature starts to drop, you might not use your pond as often. To ensure it’s ready come springtime, here’s what you should do. Should You Turn Your Pond Off? A frozen pond can look just as beautiful as one in full effect. Especially if you have a large waterfall feature, icicles and snow make the perfect wintery backdrop. However, they can also take a toll on your pond. Ice build-ups make it harder for water to flow through the system and can crack the piping. A pond de-icer or pond heater can help break up these ice dams, but generally it’s better for your pond overall to shut it off for the season if you live where the temperature can hit zero. If you experience more mild winters (50 degrees or above), you’ll likely be fine leaving your pond running. Clean and Keep Leaves Out Leaves can turn your beautiful pond into a puddle of muck. In addition, they can also ruin your pond’s pump system

Caring for Your Home When You’re Away

November 22, 2021

Do you leave your home for long periods of time? Whether you’re spending winters in warm weather, travelling for work, or visiting distant friends and family on the regular, it’s easy for your home maintenance to start lagging behind if you’re often away. Here’s what you can do to keep your home safe and looking its best while you’re travelling. Conduct your regular maintenance ahead of time. If you know ahead of time when you’ll be leaving and for how long, there are things you can do ahead of time to prepare your home for your departure. Inside your home you should take out the trash, turn off lights, replace batteries in your detectors, and tidy up each room. Outside, clean your gutters, clean your exhaust vents, trim any plants back from your home, and look for signs of animal intrusion. Check that your locks work properly. Even if you think all of your locks are in working order, it doesn’t hurt to give them a once-over. Check that your doors and windows close properly and stay locked in place. Any locks that stick or seem loose should be replaced. Pay attention to the forecast. It can be difficult to

Mount Your TV in Less Than 10 Steps

November 15, 2021

Getting a brand new flatscreen can really upgrade your home theater. But if you don’t like having it sit low on a bulky entertainment center, the better option might be to hang it on the wall. Here’s what you need to do to install your new TV without having it come crashing down. Tools for the Job Before you get started, there are a few items you’ll need: Depending on the size of your TV, you might need the help of one other person. As you move your TV around, be extra cautious. Too much pressure or flexing in the wrong spot can damage your display. Always remember to take your time and place your TV in a safe spot until it’s time to hang it up. Finding the Correct Mount There are several different styles of mounts that you can typically choose from. The most popular is a stationary mount that holds your TV flush against the wall. If you’re installing in a smaller room, this style can make things feel less cramped. A swivel or tilt mount lets you move your TV side to side or up and down to get the best viewing angle possible. Along with