HALLOWEEN SAFETY REMINDER

Protect Yourself AND Your Trick-or-Treaters Around Your Home ~

Keep candles and jack o' lanterns away from landings and doorsteps, where costumes could brush against the flame. Make sure candles are away from curtains, decorations and other items that could ignite. Do not leave burning candles unattended.

Or as an option, put little tea lights in the luminaries so there is no worry about the trick or treaters catching their costumes on fire as they walk up the steps. You can buy some of those little battery-operated flameless tealights at the Home Depot or Walmart.

If you use a real candle, practice extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside Jack-o-lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.


Many people enjoy transforming their homes into eerie scenes. Be sure to keep the path leading up to your door free of obstacles for the little ones, especially those with masks who might have trouble seeing in dim light. This reminder from House Smart Home Improvements. 

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

How to draft proof your home:

Posted by: Sound Marketing
via the House Smart Home Improvements Website

• It’s good to start at the bottom of the house and work your way up.
• Remove any old, damaged caulk or weatherstripping before you begin.
• Caulk around baseboards, sump pump lids, openings in the attic and between an uninsulated attic or basement and the living areas of the house. Seal the top of foundations for added efficiency.
• Use a smoking incense stick to find leaks or run your hand over windowsills, doors and walls to feel for cold drafts.
• Doors get warped by use and weather, leaving gaps between the door and frame. If your exterior doors are drafty, caulk between the door frame and the wall and add weatherstripping along the top and edge of the door. For added protection, you can also put weatherstripping along the vertical doorstop to press against the face of the door when closed.
• Install a door sweep on the bottom edge of your door, or attach weatherstripping along the bottom of the door or on the threshold. Weatherstripping attached to the door itself needs to be extra durable.
• Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal around windows.
• Joints shift over time and with changes in moisture and temperature, leaving gaps and cracks. Use caulking to seal the spaces between interior joints, around non-opening windows and spaces around water pipes and vents. Choose a caulking that is appropriate to the task. Refer to the Buyer’s Guide for information on selecting a product.
• You can purchase gaskets that fit behind the cover plates of electrical outlets and lighting fixtures to reduce leakage. Caulk the edges of these gaskets.
• Child safety plugs fitted into infrequently used electrical outlets can help reduce heat loss into exterior walls.
• Hang interior window coverings to help regulate temperature. See our Shade Your Windows tip to learn more.
• Cover single-paned or inefficient windows with plastic in the winter.
• It is possible to over seal your house, leaving it prone to mold or carbon monoxide issues. While it is unlikely to do so with weather stripping and a caulking gun, keep in mind that controlled air circulation is essential for a healthy and comfortable home. Have an electrician install a dehumidistat in your bathroom. These devices can be set to automatically turn on the fan when moisture levels get high. See our Upgrade Your Ventilation tip for more information.
• If you are ready to upgrade your heating further, look to Tune-up Your Existing Heating System and Adding and Upgrading Insulation.
• Call House Smart Home Improvements today about having one of our professionals draft-proof your home for you!

Call for Free Home Estimate:
House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 581 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Preparing Your Home for Fall / Winter - House Smart Home Improvements Vancouver BC

Posted by Sound Marketing on behalf of House Smart Home Improvements

Tackle the Outdoors to Save Energy

Cleaning Your Gutters

Clean: Taking a plastic bucket with you, climb a ladder and use gloves to remove debris so it doesn’t freeze and damage the gutter. (If you have someone to help, you can use a rope to raise and lower the bucket.) Consider getting gutter guards to use year-round to block out most gunk. We like mesh covers that allow water and some debris to pass through, rather than models that promise no debris, which tend to feature tiny holes that get plugged up. Try Amerimax Home Products White Vinyl Snap In Gutter Guard ($1.49; The Home Depot). 

Check for moss: While you’re up there, glance around the gutters and roof for moss and algae. It grows at a glacial pace, but can do a lot of damage by keeping the roof below permanently wet and causing rot. If you see any, make a mixture of 5 parts water, 1 part bleach and a heaping tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (from a home improvement store), and spray it on the moss to kill it.

Chimneys

Seal: To prevent costly, damaging leaks to your brick, block or cement chimney, seal it every five years. A pro charges around $75 per hour, but if you’re comfortable on a ladder, apply clear acrylic water seal to all outside surfaces of the chimney, just like you’re painting. One to try: Thompson’s WaterSeal Multi-Surface Waterproofer.

 

Tackle the Indoors to Save Energy

Thermostats

Program thermostats: Set the thermostat to click on every time the daytime temperature drops below, say, 68°F (it’s cheaper to maintain a temperature than to turn a thermostat up and down). If your thermostats aren’t programmable, replace them: They’re easy to install and cost anywhere from $35 to $250—which you’ll make back in a month or two. By turning it up only when you’re home, you’ll save as much as 30 percent on your heating bill; setting the temperature at 68°F instead of 72°F can save 20 percent.

Replace filters: Change the filters in your furnace and, if you have one, forced-air system. (If you’re not sure where filters are or how to replace them, ask at your next heating inspection.) Dirty filters force the system to chug, wasting energy and costing you anywhere from 10 to 30 percent more.

Clear the path: Make sure that no furniture or objects are within 3 feet of space heaters or radiators. Even if that chair looks perfect near the heater, move it—it’s blocking the heat, and it’s a fire hazard besides.

Insulate: If you have a forced-air heating system, look for ducts running through unheated parts of the house, like the garage and attic. Measure those ducts and head to the store for precut insulation, which wraps right around them, keeping the hot air in the ducts (and in your home) toasty warm. About $1 per foot at The Home Depot can save you 10 percent on your bill.

Weatherization

Face it: You’re blowing hundreds of dollars on heat that immediately escapes to the outdoors. A mere $20 can eliminate most of that waste.

Caulk: And foam. Light a candle and move it around windows and doors; where it flickers, you’ve got a draft. (You can also test by dampening your hand.) Seal the gap with latex window caulk or foam sealant. You’ll still be able to open the window, and in the spring you can remove the caulk with a razor blade.
If you won’t be opening the window, caulk the sash (where both parts of the window meet in the middle). And don’t forget the attic! Plug door bottoms with stick-on weatherstripping from a hardware store ($5 to $10). Winter heating bill savings: $100 to $300.

Insulate water pipes: Starting at your hot water heater, look for uninsulated hot water pipes running along the walls or ceilings. (If they’re not labeled, you can usually place a hand near them and feel the heat.) Polystyrene insulation, which has a slit in the middle, slips right over the pipe. And once you insulate, the heat stays in the pipes longer, so the hot water heater doesn’t need to work as hard. 25¢ per foot at The Home Depot. Savings: $50.

Insulate the water heater: Your heater should have a “blanket”—they look like giant versions of the little insulator bags for travel coffee mugs. If it doesn’t, take a snapshot of your water heater, measure the length and diameter, and head to the store (blankets are $20 to $40). Exceedingly smart investment, since the blanket will keep heat in and your hot water heater won’t have to turn on as frequently. Winter heating bill savings: $100.

Block dormant fireplaces: Not using the fireplace? Block it off so warm air can’t escape. Though home stores sell expensive seals, you can simply take cardboard, purchase an expanding foam at any hardware store and seal it. Put a pretty fireplace screen in front of it and no one will see. Check that the foam sealant (usually $6 to $9 per canister) can be used with the material your fireplace is made of. When warm weather comes, follow the removal instructions to take off the sealant, leaving no marks. Try Dap Kwik Foam (12 oz, $6; at any hardware store).

Is it Time to Replace Your Windows?

There are probably sexier ways to spend your home improvement money -- on a shiny new bathroom or a glamorous kitchen remodel with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, for example. But there are few things as rewarding as replacing your windows and front door, which can yield a variety of benefits, from lowered utility bills to better soundproofing and greater curb appeal.

There are obvious reasons to replace windows: the wooden frames are rotting or the glass is broken or fogged, transforming your charming historic home into an eyesore that sets neighbors’ tongues wagging. But there are other reasons for replacement that might not be as readily apparent -- or as galling to the neighbors.

For instance, single-pane glass windows, which are present in most homes built before the mid-1990s, are hugely energy inefficient and allow heating and cooling dollars to fly out the window and noise to cascade in. At House Smart Home Improvements serving Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, the majority of customers are switching from single pane to double pane glass to gain more energy efficiency in their homes.

House Smart Home Improvements provides ENERGY STAR® labelled windows. Energy Star windows can reduce condensation and outside noise, reduce heating costs, and increase comfort by regulating temperature in hot and cold seasons

Thanks to advances in technology, today’s ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights offer greater savings than ever before. Replacing old windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows lowers household energy bills by 7-15 percent. Lower energy consumption also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and shrinks a house’s carbon footprint.

ENERGY STAR® windows can reduce condensation and outside noise, reduce heating costs, protect from sun damage and fading, and increase comfort by regulating temperature in hot and cold seasons.

They are an excellent long-term investment in comfort and value for your family and your home. Call House Smart Home Improvements today to find out more. We offer free in-home consultations. 604-585-2020.

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

Increased Fireplace Rebate to $300

Posted by Sound Marketing on behalf of House Smart Home Improvements

This information from the www.fortisbc.com website.

Purchase an EnerChoice fireplace between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 and you may qualify for a $300 rebate from FortisBC.

What is an EnerChoice fireplace?

All fireplaces sold in Canada have an EnerGuide™ label that tells you how energy efficient it is. There is no ENERGY STAR® rating for fireplaces, so in BC, manufacturers developed the EnerChoice designation to identify the most efficient models.
When shopping for a new fireplace, look for this logo. It means that the model is among the top 25 percentile of efficiency.
To qualify for EnerChoice status hearths must have minimum efficiency ratings of:

• 62.4% or higher for fireplaces
• 61% or higher for inserts
• 66% or higher for free-standing stoves

How to apply for a rebate

1. Review the terms & conditions.
2. Purchase an eligible EnerChoice fireplace and have it installed by a gas contractor registered with the BC Safety Authority (BCSA). You can find a list of retailers at enerchoice.org.
3. Complete the application form and include copies of the invoice showing details of all worked performed, including the date of installation, make and model.
4. Send us the completed application and invoice to:

   EnerChoice Fireplace Program
   FortisBC
   P.O. Box 9090
   Surrey, BC, V3T 5W4

5. If you qualify, we'll mail you a cheque for $300. Please allow a minimum of 90 days to process.

Deadlines

• Fireplaces must be purchased between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.
• Applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2014.

Questions?

Call us toll-free at 1-800-663-8400 or email us at rebates@fortisbc.com

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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

List of Rebates Now Available:

BC homeowners can choose from a huge list of renovation rebates from the Government of BC including:

Insulation

• Attic insulation up to $600 (LiveSmart BC)
• Exterior Wall insulation up to $1200 (LiveSmart BC)
• Basement insulation up to $1000 (LiveSmart BC)
• Crawl Space up to $800 (LiveSmart BC)

Water Heating

• Up to $500 to replace your aging water heater with a qualifying natural gas ENERGY STAR model
      – (qualify by December 31, 2013) up to $500 (Fortis BC)

Air Sealing (Draft Proofing) & Ventilation

• air sealing and ventilation of the home up to $400 (LiveSmart BC)
• Replace or install ENERGY STAR bathroom fan $25 (LiveSmart BC)

 

 One of the experienced professionals at House Smart Home Improvements can help you decide what renovations would best upgrade your home while staying inside your budget, during your Free In-Home Consultation. He / She will also put you in touch with a Certified Energy Advisor in a timely manner.
Call us today at 604-585-2020.

Water-Saving Tips Around the Home

Posted by: Sound Marketing on behalf of House Smart Home Improvements.

Our Fresh Water is a Precious Resource that Needs to be Reserved

Canada has 20% of the world’s fresh water, a huge global endowment and an abundance that has led to a false sense of security.
That is because globally, freshwater species populations have fallen by at least 35% in the past 40 years. Nature needs fresh water to flourish and communities need healthy rivers and watersheds to prosper.
Every action we take to reduce our water footprint, both big and small, helps to improve the overall well being of our rivers and lakes, and the waters that sustain all life on earth.

With fresh water sustainability in mind, along with saving money on our water consumption; what can we do to preserve it around the home? Here are two important things to consider:

Buy a Low-Flow Showerhead

A ten minute shower can use up to 190 litlres of hot water with a conventional showerhead. But a low-flow showerhead can cut this by half and still maintain water pressure - conventional ones use 15 - 19 litres per minute while low-flow ones use about 8 - 9 litres.

Other water saving tips would include taking short showers in place of baths, and avoiding running the water in the bathroom while you're shaving or brushing your teeth.

 

Save Water as You Care for Your Lawn

• Can you stand the thought of not having as green a grass as your neighbours? Then why not let your lawn go brown during the summer months. A sprinkler uses up to 1,300 litres of drinking water per hour. If you must water, make sure not to over water your lawn. This wastes water and damages the grass. Mature lawns only need about 2.5 cm of water per week to survive. Place an empty tuna can where you are sprinkling. When it fills up, stop watering. In B.C., relying on natural rainfall is often all you need to maintain your lawn during most seasons.
• Let your grass grow a little longer. This allows the roots to be more shaded so that they hold water better. Set your mower blades to 5-8 cm.
• Leave lawn clippings on the lawn to reduce moisture loss.
• Use compost. Spreading compost on the lawn will provide natural nutrients and increase its moisture retention ability.
• Reduce the amount of lawn you have, opting instead for patios and vegetable gardens.
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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

Ground Source / Air Source Heat Pump Rebate or Loan

Posted by: Sound Marketing on behalf of House Smart Home Improvements. 

This pilot program is currently only available to South Okanagan customers who receive their electricity bills directly from FortisBC. Contact FortisBC PowerSense to apply. View terms and conditions.

Ground source heat pump rebate or loan

A ground source heat pump can save you up to 65% on your home’s heating and cooling costs, and provide you with heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.
Solar energy stored in the ground is captured in a solution circulating through underground pipes and carried back to a heat pump installed inside your home.
The heat pump distributes heat indoors during cold weather, displacing conventional heating systems and collects it during hot weather, acting as an air conditioner.

Rebate & loan details

Rebate is calculated at $0.05 per kWh in savings, with an average rebate on a 4000 sq. ft. home being approximately $900. You can also apply for a loan of up to $5000 OAC financed over 10 years at 4.9%.
Apply for the rebate and loan through the Home Improvement Program.
Call for details at House Smart Home Improvements! 604-585-2020. We offer Free In-Home Consultations.

Air source heat pump rebate or loan

Living in BC has its advantages. But did you know that our climate in the Southern Interior is ideally suited to using a heat pump and could save you up to 40 per cent on your home’s heating and cooling costs?
Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outdoor air in winter and removes heat from inside during the summer to create a comfortable space all year round resulting in comfortable, evenly distributed heat in the winter and cooler air circulating in the summer. Heat pumps are an efficient and renewable way to heat and cool your home.

Rebate & loan details

Take advantage of one of a number of incentives to help save money on the installation of an air source heat pump from FortisBC.

FortisBC Rebates

• Air source heat pump: $200 per ton (or per 12,000 BTU’s) about $600 for an average home
• Ductless heat pump: $300 per ton (or per 12,000 BTU’s) about $450 for an average home

To qualify for rebates or loans, the back-up heating system must be electric.

FortisBC  financing program

For more information visit: http://www.fortisbc.com/Electricity/PowerSense/Pages/default.aspx

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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