Saving Money Wherever You Can Tip#2

If average American consumes about 23 gallons of bottled water every year, think about what happens to all those plastic bottles and the energy and costs used to make, ship, and then recycle. If you go the bottle route you really aren't solving your problem of good clean water to not only drink but also for cooking and cleaning!

Think about cutting back on your buying bottled water or cut it out all together, save your money — the environment — and feel as if you are cooking with great water by the purchase of a water filter for your kitchen or whole house.

A freestanding pitcher with a built-in filter will cost you about $12 to $15; one that attaches directly to your kitchen faucet will run you about $20 to $30. If you’re feeling more ambitious, a whole-house water filter will clean all the water in your home, including the water for the shower and laundry.

Saving Money where ever we can

Were appliances were purchased before 1990? Then you’re spending a lot more on energy than you need to, and it might be a good time to think about replacing them.
>p>A new Energy Star refrigerator consumes 75% less energy than one from the 1970s, saving you more than $100 a year. Because you’re getting a new one anyway, locate the refrigerator away from direct sunlight and the oven. In the winter, turn up the refrigerator temperature and save yourself even more money.
Remember: While you’re shopping, keep in mind that bigger is not better — at least where refrigerators are concerned. Size your new refrigerator for what you actually need. A model with an upper or lower freezer uses 10% to 15% less energy than a side-by-side model.

Energy Star dishwashers are designed to use less water than hand washing. To take full advantage of this feature, only run your new Energy Star dishwasher when it’s full.

An Energy Star washing machine uses half the energy of a model made before 1990, saving you about $110 a year. Also, front-loading washers use less water than top-loaders.

Tip: Some states and local utility companies offer rebates for buying new Energy Star appliances.You can save hundreds of the purchase of that new appliance!Find your local rebates at the Energy Star website.

2. Buy a Water Filter3. Use Water-Saving Devices4. Use a Clothesline5. Insulate Forgotten Places6. Convert your Fireplace7. Weatherize Windows and Doors8. Choose Better Heating and Cooling9. Switch to CFLs10. Taken from an article By Eric Corey Freed

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Replace your furnace filter

Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter

Check your electrical system

Look for burn marks at the main electrical panel; they can be a sign of arcing inside the panel, which can easily lead to a fire. Loose connections or damaged insulation can cause the arcing. Note: Only a qualified electrician should remove the front panel cover. Trip and reset the circuit breakers regularly.

Remove any combustible materials such as paper boxes or flammable liquids from the area near the main electrical panel. Sparks caused by arcing inside the panel can ignite material stored nearby.

Check all electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs they are an indication of a worn out receptacle. Worn receptacles should be replaced as they cause overheating and fires. Also check electrical outlets and switches to be sure they work properly. If any switches, outlets or receptacles do not work, have a qualified electrician determine the problem and fix it to avoid fires inside the walls of your home.

Install safety covers to help protect children from electrical shock. Any appliance or tool that gives even the slightest shock should be unplugged and checked by an electrician or repair shop.

Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges to make sure they are charged and ready to use.

Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage

The light fixture manufacturer recommends the correct wattage. If too high a wattage bulb is used in a light fixture, heat produced inside the fixture can lead to fire inside the fixture, ceiling or wall.

Review your fire escape plan with your family

Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home

Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning

Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer

Check for damage to your roof
Signs include missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles. Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.

Run through a severe-weather drill with your family

Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface

Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses

Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration

Check your water heater

If you have a gas-fired water heater, check to make sure it is venting properly. Light a match next to the vent and wave it out (don't blow it out). See if the smoke is pulled up into the vent. If it isn't, have a professional inspect and repair it. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other combustibles can build up in the home.

Check around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. If your water heater is over 5 years old, it should be checked monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced.

Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function.

Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer

Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged

Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm

Trends in 2010

Trends in 2010 encompass a lot of things but in this post I will start with the one that has a great interest to me: Out Door Living Spaces. I've put a link to an interesting sight I thought you might enjoy.
In Ohio we have a little issue with out door living spaces. It's called Ohio Weather.
It's a fickle thing, the weather. It can be nice one minute and literally, a mess the next. So, how does one even think about outdoor living? Well, here is my approach:
1. consider options for good weather- casual weather proof furniture.
2. tents and canopies, awnings and arbors to keep us 'under cover' when necessary.
3. propane heaters for cooler evenings.
4. outdoor carpeting for those 'under cover' places.
5. portable fire pits
6. portable or fixed water features.

All great items and great options. Do you have some you have tried and like? Let me know.

Home Warranty- a Buyers and Sellers friend.

Once thought of as a luxury to be provided by the Home Owner for the Home Buyer, the Home Warranty on a home purchased in todays market is an expectation of every Buyer.
It hasn't always been that way and home Sellers are usually happy to provide it. Because they really don't want the possibility of things going wrong for the Buyer in the house they have called home and loved, Home Sellers have stepped up to the plate and provided it with the closing. Home Warranties can also be added to the house while it's on the market so if things go wrong during the listing...there's a name and number to call to get it fixed.
The warranty usually lasts for 1 year and can be renewed by the new home owner at the end of that year. It's important for the new Home Owner to see what is and is not included. It could cover the replacement or money towards a new hot water tank, new furnace, plumbing problems, and so many more things. It also will NOT cover a new roof if you have wind damage (that's is what your home owners insurance should cover); it won't cover carpeting or code violations...but if that air conditioning goes out in the summer and it's sweltering out side, it's nice to know there is a number to call and get it fixed. (yes, there can be and usually is a deductible- so know your facts AND know the number to call when things go wrong!