The DIYer's Blog

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These plans are designed to get the job done quickly, inexpensively and with professional results every time.

Are you born with ten thumbs? No problem - with these step-by-step plans, no experience is necessary. No need to be a certified carpenter or joiner to build woodworking projects.

Have you tried and failed before? Me too – many, many times. I know exactly how frustrating that can be. I know how it goes…you’ve checked everything again and again, but somehow you can’t get it right. This is why, with my easy-to-understand plans, you are sure to never steer off course again. 

Hobbyists, professions and woodworkers alike have benefited greatly from these woodworking plans.

The Woodworking4Home DIY kit has proven itself again and again. With thousands of happy users it’s time for you to get in on the action.

After you order you will get instant access to more than 14,000 woodworking plans. There is no need to wait for shipping and you can get the information you want in seconds from now!  Click here for information on how to obtain these plans.  You will not be disappointed.

• Small Business Can't Afford Exploratory Marketing Research Exploratory marketing research is often used by large companies to stay ahead of consumer thinking, according to Bob Kaden, author of the book Guerrilla Marketing Research. However, this is a luxury small business simply can't afford. Not to mention, most of us need to focus on targeted marketing and educating......
• Broken Trust Ways To Circumvent A Divorce There are many who want to know how to Circumvent a divorce and there are many answers. Not all of them may apply. People get divorced for many reasons. One of the most common has to do with broken trust. If the reason that you are in the situation where......
• Walk 10,000 Steps A Day Using 9 Simple Lifestyle Hacks After much research, I have solved the mystery surrounding why I am out of shape. I don't move enough. Shocking, isn't it? Getting to this simple conclusion took a little help from a basic workout tool, and the recognition of my lazy habits. My new goal is to start walking......
• Info That Will Help You To Deal With Your Home Improvement Projects If you are reading this article, you are probably interested in improving your home. Do it yourself home improvement is a great way to make your home better. In fact, it is a great way of transforming your house into the house of your dreams. Each home improvement should begin......
• Windows Mobile, iPhone, Android - Marketplace Comparison Detailed comparison between Windows Mobile Marketplace, Apple's iPhone AppStore and Android Market from developer point of view. By: Predrag Tomasevic (Click for bigger image) Introduction The article you are about to read is my compilation of thoughts on three currently most popular and talked about mobile platforms, sparked by whole......

A Long Kept Secret For Generating Free Electricity is Finally On The Open, And You’ll Never Have To Pay A Single Dime to the Power Company.

How would you like to create a generator which creates free electric energy? Using an easy-to-follow guide, you will be able create a Magnetic Power Generator which creates absolutely free energy, and doesn’t require any resource like wind or solar energy to function, the magniwork generator creates energy by itself and powers your home for free. 

This method has been researched for a long time, but due to suppression of this idea from the big corporations, the plans for building a free energy generator which could change the world have never been out on the open. We finally succeeded in creating a web site which offers the Do-It-Yourself instructions for building such a device, and it is considered that this device will be able to solve the energy crisis.

Still finding it hard to believe how such a machine could work?  

Click here for more information and to watch a video of a man that has built a similar device.

• Small Turbine Wind Energy: Free Power For The People Small turbine wind energy is the fastest developing of any renewable energy source and technology.  Similar to how a moving car turns its alternator to charge the car battery, with wind energy the moving air spins wind turbines to generate electricity.  As the speed of the wind increases the......
• How to Install a Garage Door Opener Having a garage door opener makes life a lot easier and it can add safety features to an existing door. There are numerous kinds of opener and more kinds of doors, but for the sake of brevity, we're going to cover installing a garage door opener that mounts on the......
• Diesel Electric Hybrid Vehicles: An Evolution in Hybrid Vehicles Diesel power plays a vital role in the development of one of today's most important power train technologies, which is helping to significantly reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions from heavy duty vehicles. Hybrid electric technology is becoming increasingly popular as it offers hybrid-electric vehicles or HEVs that are powered......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......
• Solar Panel Risks They Do Not Wish You To Understand - Generating Electricity At Home Using Magnetic Power Generators Are you alert to a number of the potential dangers concerned with making your own solar panels for home use? I am certain you do. But maybe you're like me, and you were totally clue-less concerning a number of the potential hazards involved. In my journey to avoid wasting money......

The powder room – it’s one of the smallest rooms in the house, but also the room that typically sees the most traffic, especially when you’re entertaining guests.

So, is your powder room “worthy” of guest traffic? Just because it’s the smallest room doesn’t mean it needs to be small in style. Rather, it is the perfect opportunity to take a risk and design a space your guests won’t soon forget.

Getting started

If the floor plan of your space isn’t going to change (plumbing won’t move, walls won’t be knocked down, etc.), updating your powder room can be simple and affordable. To start your room redesign, you’ll need to identify your personal style.

Start by looking at the rest of your house. Determine whether you prefer contemporary or traditional decor and imagine how your new powder room will fit in with the rest of your home. To spark new ideas and keep current on trends, visit a local kitchen and bath showroom, a model home or a show home that features bath and powder rooms. Flipping through magazines or visiting home improvement Web sites can also inspire great ideas. Articles on recent room makeovers and new bath products can help you determine which elements you want to be part of your room.

Selecting the pieces

You’re working with a relatively small space, so every styling detail counts. Some manufacturers are making it even easier for homeowners to coordinate their pieces by designing complete suites.

“Danze recently introduced several suite options that make decor coordination much easier for homeowners,” says Jennifer Lee, Danze director of marketing. “The Orrington, Cirtangular and Ziga Zaga Collections are each meticulously designed to provide room elements that perfectly match each other.”

So what elements comprise that suite? In addition to accessories and a mirror, here are a few of the imperative pieces you’ll need to choose for your room:

Lavatory sink

Many designers and homeowners try to maximize space in their powder room. A pedestal sink might be the best way to do just that. And because storage is less critical in this room, a pedestal sink provides a clean, open look to the area.

If a pedestal sink isn’t your style, explore the wide range of vessel sinks available. These “bowls” sit on top of a vanity cabinet and can bring a unique design expression to the room.

Design tip: Select an interesting material for your vessel bowl like stone, timeless vitreous china, blown glass or hammered metal to create an attention-getting, distinctive look for your sink.

Faucet

The faucet you choose will help pull the decor together and can serve as an extra piece of “jewelry” for the room. There are many different styles of bathroom faucets, but popular powder room versions include vessel fillers (to accommodate vessel sinks), wall-mount faucets and wide-spread faucets. The faucet’s finish and scale is also a critical selection to attain the mood you’re hoping to create.

Design tip: If you’re considering a wall-mount faucet, have your plumbing professional mount it through the glass of your mirror. What a reflection of style!

Toilet

While maybe not the sexiest piece in the powder room, the toilet is arguably one of the most important elements. There’s no doubt that performance should be at the top of your checklist when selecting this piece, but you don’t need to sacrifice style. Some toilets are now designed as part of a collection, matching your sink and the other pieces in your room. In addition to style and performance, look for ergonomic design and water efficiency when making your selection.

Design tip: Choose a toilet lever that matches the style and finish of your faucet and bath accessories. They’re easy to switch out and can be a noticeable design detail. You’ll look like a pro.

“Homeowners appreciate it when it’s easier to coordinate every aspect of their powder room decor,” says Lee. “Matching styles of the sink, toilet, vanity, faucet and accessories brings a noticeable cohesiveness to the entire room.”

For more information on Danze room solutions and its entire line of kitchen/bath faucets, showerheads and accessories, visit www.danze.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

• Great Bathroom Designs to Be Found Online Bathroom designs that can please anyone come in a wide array of colors, themes, scheme and dreams according to your personal needs.... and of course, your budget. From large to small, you can come up with some creative ideas for improving your bathroom. Whether you are considering a full bathroom......
• Best Home Improvement Projects It might just be time for you to treat yourself to some really nice home improvement projects. Some of the best home improvement projects that you can implement are going to involve your bathroom, which should be a comfortable and relaxing space that you can take advantage of. There are......
• Styling Your Beautiful Bedroom Your bedroom should say something about who you are. When decorating your bedroom, you should choose sheets, pillows, curtains, and other items that say something about yourself. When decorating for a client, take some time to try to understand what their style is. If you prefer a more modern style,......
• Bathroom Interior Design Bathrooms are usually not as roomy as a lounge, kitchen or bedroom, but still one of the most important rooms in your house. That's why you have to use every space with a very clever idea. Good interior bathroom should be practical, convenient and give joy to you and others......
• Nice Guide To Choose Home Architect A house is a good investment and it's best to have a house of your own than rent because prices for house rentals are just getting higher and higher. If you have the budget for it, it's best to have your own house. Building a house from scratch is still......

With winter rapidly on its way, the government is asking you to think about cost-effective and environmentally responsible ways to heat your home. In fact, it is encouraging eco- and cost-conscious families to consider efficient wood stoves or inserts by offering a 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500, for the purchase of a 75 percent efficient biomass-burning stove in 2009 and 2010.

With the government behind this national movement from foreign oil to renewable and domestically produced fuel, it’s time to consider the advantages both to the environment and to your wallet of owning a new, efficient wood-burning stove or insert.

“This tax credit comes at the perfect time – when people are trying to make their homes more energy efficient and less reliant on foreign oil, but are having difficulty making the transition due to the economy,” says Bret Watson, president of leading cast iron wood-stove and insert maker, Jotul North America. “This credit essentially gives 30 percent off the purchase price of the stove or insert – up to $1,500 – making them much more approachable to everyone. Not only will taxpayers save money now through the tax credit, but they will save money on their heating bills in the years to come by buying an energy efficient wood stove or insert.”

This tax credit makes it very easy for people to purchase new, efficient woods stoves or inserts. In fact, www.smartmoney.com recently calculated that by using a wood stove to heat a home, a homeowner could recoup the cost of the stove within two to three years with the tax credit.

Once a new wood stove is installed, homeowners will reap the cost-benefits of heating with wood for years to come. To help compare the cost of various home heating fuels, free fuel cost calculators are available online for consumers. Visitors can see how much they would save by using wood instead of oil, gas, coal or electric.

Homeowners save money with new clean burning wood stoves or inserts because of the efficacy of the stoves to heat homes with the least amount of fuel. New wood stoves or inserts have been built to optimize the heat of the wood. Older stoves let gases go up the chimney unburned and leave large amounts of ash. Gases and unburned particles can represent 60 percent of the potential heat of the wood. To avoid this, new, efficient stoves have designs that bring secondary air to the combustion chamber to burn gases and particles that would normally go up the chimney unburned. This is normally called clean burning technology and will increase the efficiency by almost 40 percent.

Cast iron has long been the preferred wood stove material. All the cast iron used by Jotul is recycled. Cast iron is extremely durable and long lasting. Also it is excellent at heat radiating; heat is stored and distributed more evenly and for a considerably longer period than any other material.

Another way wood stoves help lower costs is by directing the heat where it is used most. According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, people regularly use less than 40 percent of their home. If a family uses a wood stove to warm the rooms used most, they can heat more efficiently by turning down their central thermostat, and save money — potentially 20 to 40 percent of their fuel bill.

In addition to the cost savings of wood stoves or inserts, the new efficient models are also much better for the environment. The fuel is renewable and supports American businesses, and the stoves release far fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than ever before.

Many wood stove and insert dealers, such as the more than 300 authorized Jotul dealers across the U.S., will make it easy for taxpayers to receive the 30 percent credit on their new efficient wood stoves. They will provide a certification statement at the time of sale. This statement is all that is needed to receive the tax credit at tax time.

With the government encouraging everyone to make the move, now is the time to consider warming your home and office with energy efficient wood stoves or inserts.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

• Choosing The Right Fireplace For Your Home Fireplaces come in many shapes and sizes. There are also various types of fireplaces, including wood fireplaces, gas fireplaces, electric fireplaces, traditional fireplaces stone fireplaces Wood Fireplaces There used to be a time when the most suitable material for the fireplace and chimney was marble, stone, or just bricks and......
• $15,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit Added to Proposed Stimulus About a week ago we brought you a post describing a proposal by Senators Cardin (D-Maryland) and Ensign (R-Nevada) that would give first-time homebuyers a $20,000 tax credit, replacing the current $7,500 credit. Unfortunately, it appears this proposal has failed to move forward. However, on Wednesday night the Senate unanimously approved......
• Credits, Deductions, Oh My! Summary of Recent Income Tax Changes I was doing research on the recent changes in income taxes for one of the planners at my office, and I came across one of the coolest sites summarizing the changes (that is if you can describe any kind of tax stuff as "cool").   I am only going to highlight those......
• What Type of Heat System Right for You? Even though winter is the farthest thing from many minds right now, this is the perfect time to start thinking about your heating options. As heating oil and propane costs skyrocket, many homeowners are starting to think about different ways that they can save money on their heating costs. Here......
• What is Your Retirement Risk Index? If you want to read some scary stuff this Halloween, check out the latest "retirement risk" data compiled by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.  The National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI) focuses on data indicating how well-prepared American adults are for retirement. Here are some key NRRI findings......

With more Americans downsizing their household budgets, larger-scale renovation projects are out and frugal remodeling is in.  And when it comes to saving money, experts say home improvement projects that increase energy efficiency are among the best investments to deliver paybacks — now and in the future.

The average return on investment for midrange home improvement projects focused on aesthetic appeal, such as kitchen or bathroom remodels, is down since 2007, according to “Remodeling” magazine.

“Energy efficiency upgrades provide homeowners with the rare opportunity to see a return on their investment almost immediately and at resale,” says Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit dedicated to promoting energy efficiency. “We can’t always predict how the market will impact home prices over the long term, but all homeowners can improve their home’s energy efficiency to increase its value.”

Heating and cooling can account for nearly half of a home’s energy bill, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, and with temperatures dropping, it’s the right time for homeowners to focus on ways they can trim costs and energy consumption.

“The reality of the new economy is that homeowners want to save money while maintaining the value and comfort of their homes,” says Mike Lawrence, vice president and general manager of Insulation Systems for Johns Manville, a manufacturer of building products. “There are economical and smart steps homeowners can take that will positively impact their monthly energy bills today and their home’s value tomorrow.”

Homeowners can tackle projects that are low in cost and high in value and return on investment, either as do-it-yourself projects or by hiring a professional contractor.

To get started, homeowners should first estimate the current performance of their home by using an online energy efficiency assessment tool, such as the Home Energy Analysis test available at JMHomeowner.com.  Online assessments help gauge the savings that could be realized by making efficiency upgrades.

“After evaluating their home, most homeowners will find that adding insulation to their attic is a smart and cost-effective first step, since most homes are under-insulated,” Lawrence says.  “When adding insulation, homeowners should also consider weatherizing their attic to help eliminate any holes or gaps that may exist in the floor or walls.  By using caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to close such gaps, homeowners can further decrease wasted energy.”

A programmable thermostat is another cost-effective option that helps boost home energy efficiency.  Programmable thermostats let homeowners regulate the temperature of their home to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.

A triple return on your remodeling investment

Compared to other home improvement projects, energy efficiency upgrades typically come with a considerably smaller price tag, compared to aesthetic-focused renovations like kitchen and bathroom remodels. In addition, there’s a triple return on these remodeling investments over the course of home ownership:

* Save on your energy bill today: According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), with a properly air sealed and insulated home, homeowners can reduce their heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 percent. The average U.S. home needs 19 inches of attic insulation for maximum energy efficiency.

* Save up to $1,500 with a tax credit: Through 2010, insulation purchases qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit for energy-efficiency improvements, which reimburses homeowners up to $1,500 for the cost of materials.  Additional incentives from adding insulation or making other energy efficiency improvements may be available from state and local governments and utilities.

* Save for the long term: Investments made in home energy efficiency pay dividends for the lifetime of a home and improve the home’s resale value. According to the Appraisal Institute, for every dollar saved in annual utility costs, homeowners can expect to add $20 to their home’s market value.

For more information on energy efficient home improvement projects and to take advantage of local incentives, visit www.jmhomeowner.com/insulation/energytaxcredit.asp.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

• Simple Low-Cost Green Improvements For Your Home. Dear EarthTalk: What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener? According to consumer advocate Remar Sutton, there are many ways to save energy and other resources around the home without spending a lot of money. And taking action sooner rather than......
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• How to Fix an Energy-Inefficient House [/caption]With winter here - as well as the heating bills - it's important to understand how a home uses its energy. In particular, it helps to understand how your home uses its energy. Essentially, there are two different ways: efficiently and inefficiently. If your home isn't up to snuff in......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......

Ice dams may not be something the average homeowner has ever heard of, but they occur all too frequently during the winter months, resulting in costly damage. Left unaddressed, water seepage from ice dams can ruin ceilings, walls, attics and roofing.

Ice dams usually form when heat from inside a home causes snow on the roof to melt and trickle to the roof’s edge, where it refreezes on cold eaves, blocking gutters and drains. Since water cannot flow over the built-up ice, it backs up behind the ice, creating pools, and seeps into the home under the shingles.

“A typical U.S. winter will generate more than $500 million in property damage from ice dams,” says Mike Convery, chief claim officer for MetLife Auto & Home. “By taking a few proactive measures in the fall, homeowners can often prevent ice dams and save themselves a lot of time, money and frustration.”

Steps to take in the fall:

* Keep all gutters and downspouts clear. Make certain that leaves, sticks and debris are removed completely from your home’s gutters and downspouts.

* Keep your attic chilly. The most effective way to eliminate ice dams is to stop snowmelt by making the roof colder. This can be achieved by insulating the floor of the attic and under the roof, and by blocking all crevices (known as bypasses) where warm air from the interior can rise into the attic.

* Identify water entry points within the home. You may wish to contact a contractor to locate these entry points and take the appropriate actions to create a waterproof barrier.

* Protect your roof with some extra help. If you’re still getting ice dams after insulating and ventilating, consider installing extra protection along your eaves. An ice belt, a solid, metal flashing, allows snow to easily slide off it while providing a barrier for melted snow. Electrical heat tracing can help if an ice dam starts forming, melting it away with one flip of a switch.

Steps to take in the winter:

* Keep a lookout for giant icicles. One of the first warning signs of possible ice dams – and definitely poor insulation and ventilation – are giant icicles hanging from the eaves.

* If possible, keep snow off the roof with a roof rake. Use a roof rake or push broom to reduce the amount of snow that could melt. Do not climb on the roof to clear the snow as serious injury may result. Also, be cautious of electrical wires.

* To melt the ice, bring new life to an old set of legs. Placing old nylon stockings filled with ice melt – containing magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and/or calcium chloride – on an ice dam is an effective way to melt the dam and create a channel for the water to run off. Be certain to lay the stockings perpendicular to the gutter near the edge of the roof.

In an emergency situation, where water is seeping into the house, the best advice is to notify a professional contractor.

For a free brochure, “Protecting Your Home Against Damage From Freezing Weather,” call (800) 638- 5433 (800-MET-LIFE).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

• Solar Attic Fan: 5 Clear Benefits To Get One NOW Are you currently using an electric attic fan or some sort of electric ventilation system at home? Then have you ever thought of installing a solar attic fan? When most people think of solar products, they immediately think "expensive!", but when we investigated getting a solar attic fan and compared......
• Water Features in a Country Garden There are so many different sizes, styles and types of outdoor fountains that are available these days, you should have absolutely no difficulty finding one that is going to suit your garden, no matter how large or how unique your garden actually is. The sights and the sounds associated with......
• The Necessary Of Using The Moss Cleaning Product For The Roof by Scott Rodgers Those who says that moss does not cause harm to your roof is ignorant of the fact that moss is a living thing and any living beings needs food to grow and hence they need food to eat. The same thing mosses do. The moss can be......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......
• How to Keep Plants Safe This Winter If you have planted perennials in your garden this year, there are a few things that you’ll have to do to make sure that they make it through the winter. Warmer climates usually do not have this problem, but if your nights do get near or below freezing, protecting this......

With the return of colder weather, you may be hesitant to turn on the furnace again – especially if you want to put off winter’s high energy bills. And, as you start shutting the windows to keep out the cold, the quality of your home’s indoor air can make it hard to keep the family healthy, especially when flu season kicks in and allergies act up. But whatever the weather, you have the power to control the world inside your home. Here are some steps you can take to ensure total home comfort and energy efficiency this season.

Make sure your furnace is the right size for your home. Unfortunately many people have heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment that is too large for their homes, which means they’re paying to heat space that isn’t even there. An HAVC professional can accurately calculate whether your current system is the right size for your home.

The age of your furnace can also impact how much it costs to heat your home. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, it may make sense to replace it with a newer, more efficient model. Manufacturers such as Trane offer furnaces that can save as much as 40 percent on energy consumption. For example, the XC95m is one of the most efficient gas furnaces and the first to attain up to a 96.7 percent Annual Fuel Utilization rating, which is nearly 20 percent higher than the government minimum standard.

Clean the air of pollutants and flu virus. With every breath, your family’s health is at stake. Approximately 87 percent of Americans are unaware of indoor air pollution. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Indoor levels of many pollutants may even be higher than outdoor levels. These pollutants include airborne particles that enter your home through the doors, windows and roof from various outside sources including fires, fossil fuel burning in vehicles, power and manufacturing plants and from indoor activities such as smoking and cooking.

Add an extra layer of protection for your family by installing an effective air cleaner. New studies conducted by Environmental Health and Engineering and professors from the Harvard school of Public Health show that installing Trane CleanEffects, a whole house air cleaner, may help reduce the risk of asthma attack, stroke, heart attack, respiratory disease and other serious illnesses as part of an overall prevention plan. The unit can be installed as an attachment to your furnace. In addition to removing up to 99.98 percent of allergens and particles from the filtered air – such as dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, mold spores and smoke, it also removes more than 99 percent of the common flu, or influenza A virus from the filtered air. Since the swine or H1N1 virus is a form of Influenza A, it can also remove more than 99 percent of this form of the virus from a home’s filtered air.

Take a whole-house approach to heating. There are many additional things you can do throughout your home for winter comfort. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to enter during the day, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. In the kitchen and bath, turn off ventilating fans within 20 minutes after you’re finished cooking or bathing to retain heated air. And in every room of your home, make sure that all warm-air registers aren’t blocked by furniture, carpeting and drapes.

By taking these steps, you’ll not only keep your home warm, comfortable and energy efficient this winter, but you’ll also gain another precious commodity – peace of mind.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

• The Benefits of Deprivation: 10 Days Without Air Conditioning and Counting! Plus Tips for Staying Cool When our A/C went out two Sundays ago, my first reaction was panic. We live in the desert where we have been experiencing triple digit temperatures and we have esteemed air conditioning as one of the dire necessities of life. So when our central air went out last weekend,......
• Gas Versus Electric – Which is Best? The age old question of gas appliances versus electric appliances has been revived yet again and whether or not you are considering remodeling your kitchen, replacing your furnace or trying to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, there has never been a better time to really think this issue through.......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......
• Why You Catch the Flu in the Winter and Other Related Info... Here's another piece of information to store in your head: It appears scientists have realized why influenza outbreaks occur primarily in the winter. Influenza viruses survive in the cold, dry air better than in a warmer, more humid environment. That's why the flu is uncommon during the summer or in......
• Ten Tips Toward a More Eco Friendly Home Tip 1 - Turn the lights off any time that they are not needed, even if you are just moving from room to room in the course of your day. According to Energy Star, as much as 20 percent of a home's overall energy use comes from its lighting. Using......

If you’re dreaming about upgrading your kitchen, you have plenty of company. As people spend more time at home, they’re feeling a pent-up desire to change things up, especially in the kitchen.

Only two in 10 consumers say they’re completely happy with their kitchens and 42 percent say they’d like to change a few things, according to the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence.

With trends leaning toward warm colors inside the home, many homeowners long for the look of cherry and other rich woods in everything from furniture to cabinetry, but are hampered by the high price point of such products. The good news is this high-end look can be achieved easily and economically while creating a custom appearance and gaining design flexibility in the process.

Hardwood finishes for firm budgets

If you’re only changing the cabinetry in your home, choose woods, colors and finishes that will work with other changes you may wish to make later. For example, one versatile type of wood that offers the rich look of cherry without the high cost is Alder, combined with a deep, rich finish. This wood type is found in relatively few kitchens, so it offers an exclusive look with added design flexibility.

Diamond Cabinets’ expanded finishes line, which includes delicious new colors such as Chocolate, Cider, Cranberry and Harvest Wheat, is available on the company’s new Alder wood cabinets, as well as on its classic Rustic Alder cabinets. Another idea is to choose a cabinet finish that crosses over into a variety of wood types. A Chocolate finish, for instance can be used on either Alder cabinets or on ever-popular Maple cabinets. All of the finishes are designed to blend easily with a variety of home interiors, including those with classic, contemporary, coastal or cottage-style design themes. Even if you modify your home’s design over time, your cabinetry can transition beautifully. To see what your new kitchen cabinets could look like, without having to step into a showroom, try the visualization tool at DiamondCabinets.com.

Greater design flexibility inside and out

As you look for greater design flexibility on the exterior of your cabinets, think about the interior of your cabinets as well. If you’re only installing a few new things, with a little extra planning you can squeeze every inch out of your existing kitchen footprint by making the most out of every cabinet.

Some cabinets are designed with fashionable exteriors that can be modified with an extra interior drawer of space in an area that usually goes to waste beneath the cabinet. An ingenious cabinet design called a Toekick Drawer can be added to a kitchen base cabinet, bringing valuable extra space to stash hard-to-organize items such as cookie sheets, baking pans or table linens.

For more information and cabinet design ideas, visit DiamondCabinets.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

• Refacing Kitchen Cabinets: New Cabinets on a Budget Replacing kitchen cabinets can cost at least a few thousand dollars, but refacing kitchen cabinets can cost a great deal less. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a great option when you can't or don't want to refinish. If your cabinets aren't wood, you can't simply refinish them. And if the doors......
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Winter’s chill is supposed to take place outdoors, but too often drafty attics, fireplaces, windows and open vents let cold air into your home. This wastes energy and can cost you big money in higher energy bills.

Drafts, such as those around doors, windows and pipes, are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits that caulk and weather-stripping provide to minimize energy loss and drafts.

But what can you do about drafts from the four largest “holes” in your home – the folding attic stair, the whole house fan, the fireplace and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can quickly, easily and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes:

Attic stairs

Installing attic stairs creates a large hole (approximately 10 square feet) in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only a thin, unsealed, sheet of plywood.

Often you can see a gap around the perimeter of the attic door. Try this yourself: at night, turn on the attic light and shut the attic stairway door – do you see any light coming through? If you do, heated and air-conditioned air is leaking out of these large gaps in your home 24-hours a day. This is like leaving a window or skylight open all year ‘round.

An easy solution to this problem is to add an insulated attic stair cover. An attic stair cover seals the stairs, stopping drafts and energy loss. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.

Whole house fans and air conditioning vents

Much like attic stairs above, installing a whole house fan creates a large hole (up to 16 square feet or larger) in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only the drafty ceiling shutter between you and the outdoors.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan shutter seal. Made from white textured flexible insulation, the shutter seal is installed over the ceiling shutter, secured with Velcro, and trimmed to fit. The shutter seal can also be used to seal and insulate air conditioning vents, and is easily removed when desired.

Fireplaces

Sixty-five percent, or over 100 million homes in North America are constructed with wood- or gas-burning fireplaces. Unfortunately one study has shown that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating-energy consumption by 30 percent. Your heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the drafts and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.

Even if the chimney damper is shut, it is not air-tight. Glass doors don’t stop the drafts either. The fireplace is like a giant straw sucking your expensive heated or air-conditioned air right out of your house.

An easy, cost efficient solution to this problem is to add a
Fireplace Plug to your fireplace. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, the Fireplace Plug is an inflatable pillow that seals the fireplace damper, eliminating drafts, odors, and noise. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.

Clothes dryer exhaust ducts

In many homes, the room with the clothes dryer is the coldest room in the house. Your clothes dryer is connected to an exhaust duct that is open to the outdoors. In the winter, cold drafts in through the duct, through your dryer and into your house.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted drafts, and also keeps out pests, bees and rodents. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.

For more information on Battic Door’s energy conservation solutions and products for your home, visit www.batticdoor.com or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 15, Mansfield, MA 02048.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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You scheduled flu shots for the entire family and stocked the cabinets with plenty of vitamin C and chicken soup. But what have you done to ensure the health of your actual home this winter?

You may not realize it, but allergens and toxins camp out in your house during the colder months, just waiting for a chance to give you and your family a case of the sniffles or the flu. Hannah Keeley, host of public television’s “Hannah, Help Me!” offers a few simple tips to guarantee a healthier home.

Schedule a home check-up

You can’t take your house to the doctor, but you can still give it a check-up. Schedule a home assessment with your local American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer before winter strikes to make sure your furnace’s components are clean and working properly.

As an added precaution from unpleasant germs, ask about the American Standard AccuClean(TM) whole home air filtration system, which is proven to remove more than 99 percent of the common flu or influenza A along with influenza B, C, and avian and H1N1 flu from your home’s filtered air.

Clean up your home’s act

Thorough hand washing is key to preventing the flu, but it is equally important to maintain good home hygiene in order to combat the spread of germs. To prevent the spread of the flu virus, it is important to sanitize everything you and your family touch – from your counters and tables to appliances to your children’s toys.

Wash your family’s clothing, bedding and other linens in hot water (at least 130 degrees) to keep dust mites and other germs away. While you’re at it, be sure to transport dirty laundry in a basket or bag to help keep germs away from your body.

Practice good home health habits

Make it a house rule to remove your shoes as soon as you walk into the house, and prevented unwanted outside dirt particles from being tracked into difficult-to-remove carpets and other surfaces. Give family members and guests a comfy alternative by keeping cozy slippers near the front door.

Pick up some allergy-proof covers for your mattresses and pillows. These easy-to-find and use covers are a quick and immediate solution to keep germs and contaminants to a minimum.

Make sure your home is well insulated to minimize heat loss. Inspect all windows and doors for tight seals and seal air leaks to reduce drafts. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation will improve the comfort level and health of your home.

Taking a few easy, preventive measures now will ensure a warm, comfortable, and – most important – healthier home during the winter months. So when that old north wind begins to blow and Jack Frost is paying you a visit, you can rest easy knowing your home and family are happy and healthy.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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