Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
Moving a son or daughter off to college is an emotional milestone, especially during their freshman year. Here is a checklist to make the big day distraction-free. Questions before move-in Who will your child’s roommate(s) be? If your student is living in a dorm, the housing department should provide the roommate’s name and contact info… Read more »
August is a terrific month to savor those last days of summer while at the same time prepping for the fall season. Then, finally, it’s back-to-school time, and cooler weather is just around the corner. So here’s a handy must-do list to get you and your home ready. Go through your closets with an eye… Read more »
Home appliances offer great convenience … until they don’t. So what should you do when that sleek new appliance has a defect? Doing homework pays off You can head off most post-purchase dissatisfaction with some online research before you buy. First, look for articles on “best” or “most reliable” brands. You may find reporting on… Read more »
Summer is in full swing, and the heat is on. Keep your cool by tackling this set of (mostly) indoor chores to keep your home in shape and your family life running smoothly. Then, reward yourself with an outdoor barbecue with neighbors. If you haven’t already, now is the time to schedule an annual maintenance… Read more »
Poison ivy is not just a hazard for kids at summer camp. This toxic plant can show up in your landscape and, when touched, cause people and even pets a nasty, blistering rash. Let’s identify this landscape nemesis and dispose of it safely. Leaves of three, let it be Poison ivy’s appearance can vary by… Read more »
If you have never lived in a neighborhood that the residents privately own, you may be confused as to who is responsible for maintaining the neighborhood’s streets, lights, amenities, and common areas. Let’s break down who is responsible for what in public and private neighborhoods. Public versus private A neighborhood’s streets, streetlights and road signs… Read more »
Every year, major storms wreak destruction in different parts of the nation. Whether you are most at risk from hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms or polar vortexes, what can you do to protect your home from nature’s wrath? Water, water everywhere Water sustains life on earth, but water in the wrong place in your home is a… Read more »
It seems to make sense. Shutting the heating and air conditioning vents to unused rooms should save on energy costs, right? After all, why heat a room that is rarely used? The reality is quite different. Cutting off airflow to rooms could cost you money. Here’s why. Your system’s design HVAC professionals design their systems… Read more »
It’s June, which means it’s time to relax and enjoy the kick-off of summer, but before the fun can begin, be sure to tackle this handy home and garden to-do list. Change the filters in your air conditioning vents to help your unit operate at optimum capacity. If you haven’t already, schedule an annual maintenance… Read more »
It happens to the best of us: We accumulate stuff over a lifetime which becomes annoying clutter throughout the house. Your disorganization and clutter drive you crazy, but you may have failed at repeated attempts to conquer it. Taking a look at what causes the clutter in the first place may help you eliminate it…. Read more »
Solar energy offers you the chance to save money on your electric bill and be less dependent on “the grid.” But solar power scammers take advantage of consumers with schemes to take their money for little or nothing in return. Let’s power up your knowledge to protect your wallet. How home solar power works You’ve… Read more »
You may not have considered attending your town council meetings until a project or problem near you affected your life in the community. Suddenly you’re on a crash course to learn how decisions are made that affect your quality of life, your taxes, or both. Here’s what you should know about city or town council… Read more »
Most homeowners deal with their homes’ electrical circuit breakers only when a breaker “trips” and lights or electrically powered devices stop working. But the circuit breaker box is a vital safety system and one of the most important components in any building. Let’s cover the basics of circuit breakers and how to manage them when… Read more »
Before shifting gears into summer, here’s a handy list of chores for the busy homeowner. See if you can beat that Memorial Day deadline. Before the heat becomes unbearable, tackle all that clutter hiding in the attic. Pass along unused items to family and friends or donate to a worthy charity in your area. Recycle… Read more »
Fueled in part by an alarming decrease in the honey bee population in 2015, beekeeping has rapidly caught the attention of hobbyists and new bee farmers across the U.S. Is beekeeping for you? The importance of bees Bees are pollinators. As they flit from bloom to bloom, they carry pollen that perpetuates plant life. According… Read more »
Temperatures can vary widely in spring, potentially exposing your newly planted tender garden plants to freezing temperatures overnight. The same is true in the fall. How can you keep your plants safe from Mother Nature’s whims? Cold frames could be just the answer for protecting your vulnerable plants and extending their growing season. What are… Read more »
A sound roof is crucial to your home’s most essential function: shelter. Good maintenance of your roof protects you from exposure to the element, not to mention expensive repairs. Regular DIY inspections are key to detecting issues before they become major problems. Know your roof You should inspect your roof twice a year. Before you… Read more »
There’s a component of healthy living that often gets overlooked. We know about healthy eating and exercise, but regular healthy sleep is essential, too. You spend about a third of your life in bed, so here are some tips for getting a restful night’s sleep. How’s your mattress? Did you know that your preferred sleep… Read more »
As you and your family snooze soundly at night, your appliances, electronics and home systems still silently draw energy. This idle load can be responsible for as much as a third of your electric bill. Read on for steps you can take to reduce idle load and save money. What is idle load and what… Read more »
Many household items need replacing periodically to maintain your home and your personal care. Keeping track of them all can be overwhelming, so here’s a reminder list of seven household items it’s important to replace on a regular basis. HVAC filters Neglected, dirty return air filters cause your heating and air conditioning system to labor… Read more »
