Smart Ways to Save Around the Home this Fall

posted by Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

 

Get Fall Deals

 Wait to replace your grill, lawn mower, or patio furniture until the fall, when stores mark down their inventory to make room for holiday decorations and snow blower. You can save yourself $150 or more per item. Retailers—especially online ones,—often provide free shipping on leftover warm-weather gear.

Sleep Not Doze

 Set your computer to sleep—not just the monitor, but the hard drive, too—so that it automatically dims after 10 minutes of non use. It may doze off when you don't want it to and you'll have to punch a key to wake it up. But you can save up to $75 per year off your electric bills. Like people, screens and hard drives age more gracefully with plenty of rest.

Recharge the Batteries

 Buy a deluxe battery recharging station and stop using disposables. A combo unit keeps a supply of AA, AAA, C, and D batteries at the ready.
Save As much as $100 per year on disposables for dozens of tools and gadgets.
Never again will you have to raid your kid's battery-operated toys to power up the TV remote.

Go Low-Flow 

Reduce hot-water consumption (and energy needs), federal legislation mandated improved showerhead efficiency for models made after 1994. Replace older models with ones that spray no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. Potential annual savings: $145, plus 370 pounds of emissions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjust Your Water Heater

Lower your water heater's thermostat to 120 degrees to restrict heat loss. The exception: dishwashers. Check if yours has a "booster heater" for sanitizing 140-degree rinsing. Your potential annual savings: $450 and 215 pounds of emissions.

 

Replace Your Aging Water Heater and be Eligible for a Rebate up to $1000

This great Fortis BC Rebate Program has now been extended through 2014!! Replace your aging water heater with a qualifying natural gas ENERGY STAR model and you could save on energy costs, plus you’ll be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000.

Not sure which water heater is right for you?

House Smart Home Improvements offers FREE In-Home Consultations!

Call House Smart Home Improvements Today at 604-585-2020

 

with excerpts from http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement 

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

Fall Home Maintenance - Four Tips

posted by Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements
with excerpts from http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement 

Fireplace Tune-Up

Proper inspection of a fireplace is vital to ensuring its safe operation -- even if it is rarely used. An experienced chimney sweep will check wood for flammable buildup (known as creosote) and chimney blockages such as bird nests. A chimney or fireplace professional should also check for these red flags: improperly functioning dampers, damaged brickwork and masonry, and missing or damaged flue caps (the screen covering the top of the chimney).

Touch Up Paint

No time for a full-blown exterior painting project? Hit the trouble spots, such as the cut ends of all boards, especially fascia boards, where paint peels first. If you have a little more time, apply a coat of fresh paint to all trim pieces.

Clean Your Carpets

If your wall-to-wall carpeting
harbors dirt and musty odors, here is a homemade environment-friendly solution you can make to clean them: 

Non-toxic Carpet Cleaning Solution Recipe (my second favorite carpet cleaning recipe)
1/2 part Vinegar 1/2 part Water 5-6 drops essential oils, or more as desired (optional)

Add to your carpet cleaner machine and shampoo. It will smell like vinegar pretty strongly while you shampoo them. But after it dries you will be left with a nice clean smelling house.
Throw open the windows to let it dry before the weather gets too cold. Also consider renting a steam cleaner to get out ground-in stains and odors for as little as $25 per day.

Manage Drainage 

If you live in an area that gets more rain than snow during the winter, dig a French drain to prevent a downspout-fed lake from forming in your yard. A hole that's 4 feet deep and 4 feet wide should do the trick. Dig it under your downspout, line it with heavy plastic sheeting (or whatever your local building code requires), and fill it with gravel.
You can add plants on top of the French drain, but cover the gravel with landscape fabric before adding dirt. Another option is a trench-type French drain, which will move water away from your house rather than directing it deep into the ground. 

 Click To LIKE Us on Facebook for Green Tips, Home Improvement Tips and Heads Up for Government Grants!

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

Styles of Home Windows from House Smart Home Improvements

posted by Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Casement

• Have a crank out hardware mechanism to open and close the windows
• One key feature to look for is a multi-point lock that will lock your window in multiple locations, ensuring a tight seal.

 

 

 

 

 

 Awning

• Similar to casement, these windows have crank out hardware, but are hinged at the top
• Often used in places where it’s difficult to push or pull open a window, for example, above a kitchen sink

 

 

 

 

 Bay

• Come with a seat or walk-in option (you walk into the bay area)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bay/ Bow

• Bow windows are similar to bay, but have softer angles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bow

• These windows have sliders that are either vertically or horizontally placed
• Two formats; single and double hung
• Single hung:has a fixed sash on one side and an operating sash on the other
• Double hung: two operating sashes
• Often these windows lift out or tilt out for easy cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

Picture/Fixed Windows

• Don’t open or operate
• They come in many different formats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At House Smart Home Improvements, We Use Energy Star Windows! Energy Star Windows come in all styles, are of the highest quality, offering you the greatest comfort with less energy used.

ENERGY STAR® windows offer these benefits:

• Double glazing with a sealed insulating glass unit, not only reducing energy costs, but also increasing comfort.
• Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, which are like insulation and sunscreen on windows. This thin layer of transparent protection, applied in the gap between window glass panes, improves your family’s comfort by reducing the quantity of heat passing through the windows.
• Inert gas, such as argon or krypton, sealed between windowpanes results in reduced heat transfer and minimized condensation, increasing the windows’ insulation U-value and energy efficiency.
• Low conductivity spacer bars that prevent heat loss and minimize drafts.
• Lower overall heat loss ratings (U-values), meaning greater comfort with less energy used. 
• Heat transfer between the inside and outside of a home is slowed.
• Heat reflection that keeps the sun out during summertime and keeps rooms from feeling drafty
  during the winter. 
• Reduced fading of fabrics and wall coverings.

 Click To LIKE Us on Facebook for Green Tips, Home Improvement Tips and Heads Up for Government Grants!

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

Organizing Tips for Your Home!

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

WALLS OF STORAGE:

Turn an open wall into storage central. In this kitchen, custom built-ins along a wall in the breakfast area store kitchen items that aren't used every day, such as special cookware and cookbooks. A buffet in the center functions as a bar or serving station. If built-ins aren't in your budget, but you still have a blank wall to fill, consider freestanding options that will achieve the same function.

 IN THE LIVING ROOM:

Unlike a kitchen or mudroom, living rooms -- designated for relaxing and conversing -- often encompass more form than function. But even these livable spaces are required to have a little storage. Utilize large baskets or decorative bins to conceal blankets, toys, or media. If your front door opens directly into the living room, set up a console table with baskets tucked beneath for storing outerwear accessories, umbrellas, dog leashes, and more.




 CONTROL THE EXTRAS:

Keep only movies, games, music, and books that you use and that realistically fit on your shelves. Labeled photo boxes are stylish and the perfect size for stashing on shelves in an entertainment center.

SIMPLE TOY STORAGE IDEA:

Pockets on over-the-door shoe organizers are just the right size for storing small toys. Label each pocket for specific dolls or action figures and for accessories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN THE KITCHEN:

Group items in your kitchen by their function. In this kitchen, a stand mixer tucks in the corner by the refrigerator and shelves above house mixing bowls and baking necessities. On the opposite side of the refrigerator, a breakfast prep zone has all morning must-haves: shelves with bowls and glasses, coffee mugs, and canisters of cereal.




This information from: http://www.bhg.com

 Click To LIKE Us on Facebook for Green Tips, Home Improvement Tips and Heads Up for Government Grants!

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

5 More Ways to Save Money at Home

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

1) Use your laptop. It runs on batteries, which use 80 percent less electricity than a desktop computer.
Cost: Being vigilant about unplugging the battery charger once your computer is juiced so it doesn't sap unnecessary energy.
Savings: $30 per year off your electric bill.
Bonus: You can relax on the sofa while perusing coupon sites.

2) Get your chimney swept in the summer for an off-season price.
Cost: Just a little forethought.
Savings: $50 per flue.
Bonus: Get the job done at your convenience because sweeps' schedules are wide open.

3) Replace central-air-conditioning filters every month during the summer to keep air flowing freely through the ducts and reduce strain on the blower motor.
Cost: About $11 for three filters.
Savings: $40 or more on cooling costs.
Bonus: New filters keep dust and mold from collecting on condenser coils, extending the equipment's life. 




4) Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. It's probably set at 140 degrees F to shorten the wait time for a steamy shower. But 120 or even 110 degrees is plenty hot.
Cost: A few minutes with a screwdriver in the utility room.
Savings: $30 or more per year on gas, oil, electricity, or propane.
Bonus: Your kids are less likely to scald themselves if the max water temperature is 120.

5) Insulate hot-water lines. Preformed foam tubes fit right around the pipes, thanks to a slit along their length.
Cost: 29 cents to 35 cents per foot of insulation, depending on pipe dimensions, at Energy Federation.
Savings: $50 per year on energy.
Bonus: Halving the wait for hot water to reach upstairs faucets.

 Click To LIKE Us on Facebook for Green Tips, Home Improvement Tips and Heads Up for Government Grants!

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

How Do I Know if I Need New Windows?

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Six Signs You Need New Windows:

1. Condensation between panes of glass
2. Wood windows have rotten frames
3. Drafts coming in through windows
4. Bugs coming in through frames
5. Windows that are broken or not functioning
6. Leaking or moldy windows

 

 

Here are Some Different Styles of Windows

 

Casement

• Have a crank out hardware mechanism to open and close the windows
• One key feature to look for is a multi-point lock that will lock your window in multiple locations, ensuring a tight seal.

 

 

 

 

 

 Awning

• Similar to casement, these windows have crank out hardware, but are hinged at the top
• Often used in places where it’s difficult to push or pull open a window, for example, above a kitchen sink

 

 

 

 

 Bay

• Come with a seat or walk-in option (you walk into the bay area)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bay/ Bow

• Bow windows are similar to bay, but have softer angles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bow

• These windows have sliders that are either vertically or horizontally placed
• Two formats; single and double hung
• Single hung:has a fixed sash on one side and an operating sash on the other
• Double hung: two operating sashes
• Often these windows lift out or tilt out for easy cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

Picture/Fixed Windows

• Don’t open or operate
• They come in many different formats

 

 

 

 

 

At House Smart Home Improvements, We Use Energy Star Windows! Energy Star Windows come in all styles, are of the highest quality, offering you the greatest comfort with less energy used.

ENERGY STAR® windows offer these benefits:

• Double glazing with a sealed insulating glass unit, not only reducing energy costs, but also increasing comfort.
• Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, which are like insulation and sunscreen on windows. This thin layer of transparent protection, applied in the gap between window glass panes, improves your family’s comfort by reducing the quantity of heat passing through the windows.
• Inert gas, such as argon or krypton, sealed between windowpanes results in reduced heat transfer and minimized condensation, increasing the windows’ insulation U-value and energy efficiency.
• Low conductivity spacer bars that prevent heat loss and minimize drafts.
• Lower overall heat loss ratings (U-values), meaning greater comfort with less energy used. 
• Heat transfer between the inside and outside of a home is slowed.
• Heat reflection that keeps the sun out during summertime and keeps rooms from feeling drafty
  during the winter. 
• Reduced fading of fabrics and wall coverings.

 Click To LIKE Us on Facebook for Green Tips, Home Improvement Tips and Heads Up for Government Grants!

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 945 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #4 120 Glacier St, Coquitlam BC V3K 5Z6 
604-945-1904 (office hours)  - 604-585-2020 (24-Hour)

Tips to Exterior Home Maintenance for Summer

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Roof

The roof should be checked regularly; especially if the roof is older than five years and if the area has had a significant dose of adverse weather within recent years.

• Keep track of the recommended time for which the roof tiles are rated. This can be done by checking the warranty. Usually a roof will need to be replaced once the warranty wears out.
• If the roof needs to be replaced, consider an upgrade especially if it needs to be replaced sooner than expected.
• Research roof tiles and recommended amounts of insulation that can be placed underneath if planning a full replacement.
• Always check for loose or damaged shingles that can be replaced one by one without replacing the entire roof.

Garage

There are many projects that can be done to the garage from cleaning to organizing to finding new uses.

• Begin the season by going through and cleaning the garage.
• Apply a fresh coat of sealant to the flooring if needed.
• Think about whether the walls or floor could be painted or freshened with a new coat.
• There are many inventive ways to add shelving and other types of organizations systems to garages.
• If the homeowners anticipate converting the home to a universal design, a handicap ramp accessible from the inside of the garage may be a unique way to access the first floor from street level.
• Bike tires will last longer if the bike is hung on a rack or hook.
• Rather than thinking about eliminating storage from the garage, think about it as a creative storage area.
• An extra freezer or other appliances can fit nicely into a garage, especially if shelving accompanies the unit.
   
  
  

Power Washer Details

 There are so many useful ways that a power washer comes in handy for the home.

• It is recommended that the driveway is cleaned yearly with a power washer prior to fixing cracks and to providing a fresh coat of sealant.
• The garage floor is another surface that can greatly benefit from a through cleansing.
• The sidewalks surrounding the home would also need to be cleaned prior to fixing cracks.
• Concrete porches can accumulate more stains and dirt than one might think. Use a power washer to clean the surface.

Siding

Different types of siding need different maintenance schedules.

• Regardless of the type, all siding needs to be cleaned yearly. Most types can be cleaned with a power washer, but thin vinyl would need a garden hose with an attachment and a cleaning solution designed for vinyl.
• If there has been some damage to the siding during the year, repair each piece. Hopefully your home came with extra pieces of siding. If not, when new pieces are purchased, plan ahead for the next set of repairs.
• If the siding is a natural wood or a painted wood, consider restaining and repainting respectively.
• There are many new types of siding on the market today. If your siding is in disrepair or if it has been high maintenance for the past several years, explore options and plan to replace it. Trim, house colors, and other decorative ideas could be updated at the same time. 

Fences

Privacy and decorative fences are beautiful assets to the landscaping and are always on the radar for home maintenance project lists.

• Begin to inspect the fence by making a judgement about the
  
  solidity of the post structures. If it needs to be secured, dig around the base down three and a half feet and fill with concrete.
• Inspect the gate latches and make sure they work seamlessly. If the posts have moved, make an adjustment to the latch. If a repair is not possible or if the latch is too old, replace it.
• Check to see if the gates open and close smoothly. The gate, along with the latching system, may need to be replaced.
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

 

Doors and Windows

Windows and doors must stand up to the weather and to a lot of wear and tear.

• The summer is the most ideal time to repaint wooden windows & trims. Begin by scraping, applying a primer, and then painting the units.
• Consider replacing the doors and windows with energy efficient alternatives that can save the environment, the budget, and taxes.

 

 

 

 

 

Air Conditioners

As the season begins to warm, make sure the air conditioner is working properly well in advance.

• Have the unit inspected at the beginning of the season yearly.
  
  Many homeowners experience the air conditioning going out in the summer months when it is the hottest season and the maintenance repairmen are few and far between.
• Maintain the shrubbery from around the outdoor unit. Remove shrubs and foliage from within two feet around the unit.
• Make sure to clean and replace filters when it is recommended by the manufacturer.

 

 

 

 

Lawn Equipment

During the growing season, lawn equipment is at the height of its usage and need.

• Regularly sharpen the mower blades; mid-season if needed.
• If the lawn mower is older than 5 years, make sure it has been serviced before the grass needs regular cutting.
• Like every other tool and appliance today, consider purchasing a high efficiency mower.

 

 

 

Repair Cracks!

Begin to inspect cracks in the foundation by walking around the perimeter of your home.

• Repair the cracks with a recommended grout.
• Inspect and repair cracks within the basement walls.

Prolong the lifespan of the driveway by with yearly maintenance.

• Begin with the first steps by fixing the cracks with the type of filler recommended for concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers.
• If years of cracks have been repaired and the driveway is outdated, resurface the driveway with tar / asphalt.
• Consider redesigning the driveway to complement your home and landscape design. Stone and concrete imprinted design are two trends.

 

Garage Doors

If the automatic garage door has shown unusual habits of opening and closing only halfway, opening again after it has been closed, or making loud screeching noises, it can be both maintained and repaired.

• Yearly, the garage door can be oiled. This job can be done easily by the homeowner.
• For doors that are not closing and opening as they should regularly, consider having it inspected and repaired.
• The springs could be close to the end of their lifespan and will need to be replaced. Do not ever attempt to service the springs; always hire a professional.

 

 

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House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 581 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #110 15387-104 Ave Surrey BC V3R 1N5