Four Steps toward Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane

Have You Thought About an Outdoor Kitchen?

By Jean Patteson

RISMEDIA, July 8, 2010--(MCT)--The outdoor kitchen is rapidly becoming the social hub of the home, much as the indoor kitchen is the favorite gathering place for family and friends. The trend is especially strong in areas where the climate favors outdoor living almost year-round.

"It's a hot item," said Scott Redmon, owner of Alfresco Living in Maitland, Fla. "And the outdoor kitchen is becoming a lot more than a grill and a sink in the corner of the porch. It's a whole entertainment system. People have a higher expectation for their exterior spaces since HGTV came around."

Outdoor kitchens are popular because they are fun to live with, said Russ Faulk, vice-president of product development at Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet in Kalamazoo, Mich. "They add to the quality of life for the homeowner. Preparing a meal outdoors is not a chore, it's an occasion, a reason to have friends over and enjoy the process."

In addition, an outdoor kitchen expands a home's living space and adds to its value, he said. "The return on your investment is comparable to an indoor kitchen redo."

Since the economic downturn, "People have been unable to sell their homes, so they are starting to upgrade with better landscaping and outdoor kitchens, spending more time at home," said Sue Fern, manager of the Florida chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

The built-in grill was the start of the outdoor-kitchen trend, said Faulk. "Then came the sink, the refrigerator, a counter for food prep, cabinets for storage — pretty much what you'd have in an indoor kitchen."

As more equipment is added, outdoor "rooms" are becoming larger and more covered, he said. Seating areas are added, along with outdoor TV sets, fire pits and water features.

The grill — fired by gas, wood or charcoal — is still the heart of the outdoor kitchen. Especially popular are hybrid grills, which can be switched from gas to wood or charcoal, depending on what is being cooked, said Faulk. "There's nothing like grilling fish over an oak fire."

Pizza ovens are starting to threaten the grill's reign as king of the outdoor kitchen. Oven designs range from large, wood-fired brick and clay ovens that take several hours to heat up, to compact countertop models fired by gas that are ready for baking pizzas in 20 minutes.

Also gaining popularity in outdoor kitchens are keg-tappers, wine chillers, ice makers and warming cabinets.

When designing an outdoor kitchen, be sure to look for low-maintenance equipment, said Faulk, "or you defeat the purpose of carefree outdoor cooking."

Also, make sure any cabinetry is designed to keep the contents clean and dry in inclement weather; install good task and ambient lighting; and choose counter-top material that is stain- and grease-resistant and stays cool in direct sunlight.

"Get counter-top samples, leave them in the sun and see how hot they get," advised Faulk. "Heat-retention is not always related to color. Some light colors get hotter than some dark colors."

He also offers these cost-cutting tips. "Design the outdoor kitchen against the house to reduce the cost of getting utilities to the space. And buy the best grill you can afford."

When designing an outdoor kitchen, "Consider how the space will be used: as a personal refuge or a place to entertain and be social; as a place to cook and eat, or to drink and socialize," said Eduardo Xol, exterior designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and celebrity designer for hayneedle.com.

And remember, he said, "Indoor-outdoor living helps balance the soul. It keeps you connected with nature and helps you become more aware of living green."

(c) 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Simple Tools to Do a Home-Energy Audit, and Save

By Liana B. Baker

RISMEDIA, June 26, 2010--(MCT)--For many homeowners, electricity use is highest during the summer — that means steeper energy bills are just around the corner.

But a lot of the energy you're paying for is squandered through air leaks around doors and windows, or through cable boxes and appliances that sap energy when no one is around. Before you shell out the cash for a professional home-energy audit, however, here are some do-it-yourself ways to measure — and then curb — your energy use.

MEASURE IT
The average household will spend about $2,140 on residential energy consumption in 2010, according to the Washington-based Alliance to Save Energy. What's running up that bill? A home power monitor is one way to find out, said Tom Simchak, a research associate at the Alliance to Save Energy.

Simchak said he purchased one — The Energy Detective, or TED (see the site at TheEnergyDetective.com) — for about $200. It's connected to his circuit-breaker box and to his Internet router. The monitor records and calculates the cost of his electricity use and sends that information (current and projected consumption, plus cost, among other things) to a small box with an LCD display that he keeps in his living room.

The monitor also sends the information to his laptop, where TED's proprietary software lets Simchak assess his energy-use history and projected use in greater detail. In addition, the monitor uploads the data to Google PowerMeter, a free online home-energy monitoring tool.

While the power monitor won't tell you how much energy each separate device is consuming, Simchak said the real-time data makes it easy to figure out. "When you hear the air conditioner click on," he said, "power consumption goes up by seven or eight times."

A cheaper alternative that does give you information on specific devices' energy consumption is a kilowatt meter, which measures the energy use of any device plugged into it. You plug the meter into a wall socket and then plug the device into the meter.

The kilowatt meter can't measure an overhead light or other devices hardwired into your home, but "it's still a useful tool," said Reuven Walder, a professional energy auditor in Rockville, Md. He sells a kilowatt meter for about $30 at his store, Ecobeco (see the site at Ecobeco.com). Walder said it might surprise you, for instance, just how many kilowatts your cable box uses — it can add up to $30 to $50 a year.

CURB IT — AND SAVE
Whether or not you decide to shell out for energy measurement devices, you can save money on your utility bill with some simple steps to reduce your home's energy use.

A smart strip, for instance, eliminates vampire energy — the energy devices consume when they're switched off. Smart strips, which retail for about $30, plug into the wall and also work as surge protectors. The strip's sensor cuts the power to devices plugged into it when they're switched off.

Next, check doors and windows for gaps around the frames. "Insulation is important any time of year, but in the summer you don't want to waste all that energy on AC that's just going to escape through your door," Simchak said.

Walder suggests looking at windows and doors every season. Many of the air gaps you find can be sealed with caulk or spray foam.

Black and Decker sells a thermal leak detector that shines a red light on walls; the color of the light will change to blue to indicate a hot or cold spot. But Walder said the $50 device has its limits: It can only cover a few inches of wall at a time so you may not always get a reading of exactly where the air is coming from.

Covering pipes and water heaters with special wrapping is another cheap way to save on energy this summer. Water heaters usually are in basements that remain cool even during summer, so they must consume energy to maintain their high temperatures. Putting a thermal barrier around a heater helps it work less, and that can save you money.

Soon after buying a house earlier this year, Simchak said he spent about $10 buying foam to wrap exposed pipes. "I was able to get at about half of the hot-water pipes in my house," he said.

Walder and Simchak highly recommend buying a programmable thermostat to better regulate your use of your air conditioner, and the heating system in winter.

You can save around 10 percent a year on energy bills simply by lowering your thermostat by 10 percent to 15 percent for a minimum of eight hours, Walder said.

LITTLE THINGS HELP
Some other low-cost or free energy-saving moves:

• Put thicker curtains around windows in summer (including in an unfinished attic) to keep out the sun.
• Regularly dust off the coils under your refrigerator so it doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool.
• Install low-flow faucets (with an aerator so the water doesn't just trickle out).
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with more-efficient fluorescent or LED ones.
• Consider checking out Microsoft-Hohm.com. The website details the average energy use of homes nationwide.

Simchak said these energy-saving steps don't require technical know-how. "I haven't done anything a normal person can't do," he said. "It takes a little time and effort. But with all these products available, regular folks can do them just fine."

(c) 2010, MarketWatch.com Inc.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Tricks to Keep Your House Cool this Summer

By Paige Tepping

Reprinted from Rismedia, 6/17/2010

RISMEDIA, June 17, 2010--As the temperatures continue to rise this summer, so does the cost of keeping your home cool. While homeowners across the country come to depend on air conditioners to keep the temperature down during the warm summer months, there are other options that will keep you cool while keeping your energy bill low.

Fans and ceiling fans
-If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, a ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This one appliance can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs. Fans don’t use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler. Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well.

-You should remember that even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Also, make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer – you should feel the air blown downward.

Shades, drapes or blinds
-Install white window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon) to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. Always remember that the best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out.

Internal Heat
-The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices and lighting. Be aware of devices in your home that are generating heat and if you have air conditioning, use it wisely.

Don’t put lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer. The heat they produce will make the thermostat think your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.

-Unless you absolutely need them, turn off incandescent lights and heat-generating appliances. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; they produce the same light but use a fifth the energy and heat.

-You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities such as cooking on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will use less energy to cool it.

Plants
-Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses less electricity. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter.

Roof and Walls
-Paint your roof white – If you’ve got a flat roof, paint it with a specially formulated reflective paint or just paint it white. The reflective effect will help to keep the rooms under the flat roof much cooler.

Other things to remember
-Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering and cooking. When you must do these things, turn on ventilating fans to help extract warm, moist air.

-Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.

-If the attic isn’t already insulated or is under-insulated, insulate it now. Upgrading from 3 inches to 12 inches can cut cooling costs by 10%.

Re-published from RISMEDIA, April 14, 2010—

The busy spring home buying and selling season is underway and the experts at Pulte Homes are offering staging tips to get your home ready for sale. A quicker home sale can be reached by keeping in mind the needs of the home’s most likely buyer and creating a fresh inspiring look just for them, according to Pulte Homes expert Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising.

“Everyone understands the value of de-cluttering, cleaning and refreshing a home in today’s competitive market,” Jones said. “The difference between a ‘For Sale’ and a ‘Sold’ sign often boils down to effectively staging a home to appeal to young singles, families or empty nesters—the three largest customer segments that are likely to buy your home. Home sellers should have a good idea of the type of buyer who will make an offer and, since everyone likes an updated home, some simple refreshes can achieve an updated look and feel.”

Jones recommends conducting a technology overhaul prior to staging your home. “Old technology will date your home and you seldom have a second chance to make a positive first impression,” she said. “Flat screen TVs, lap top computers, iPods with docking stations and wireless technology have eliminated the need for large bulky entertainment centers or massive desks designed to hide wiring. Once you’ve rid your home of bulky, dated stereos and TVs, it’s time to hone in on attracting prospects.”

For singles, Jones recommends emphasizing sleeping spaces and the living room, which are critical to this group. “Singles will spend a lot of time in the living room and the bedroom, which are their sanctuaries from the outside world. As a result, there is no need to set the dining room table with place settings,” Jones said. “Instead, focus on a simple TV stand with clean lines, a flat screen TV and candles in the bedroom and bathroom.”

Young families tend to revolve around children. Items that help this demographic envision themselves living in the space include age-appropriate bedding, linens and towels, a bright rug near play areas, and strategically placed toy chests with open tops. Since kids often play or watch TV on the floor, eliminate the coffee table to create a living room that appears larger and more inviting. Jones notes to remember about the garage when staging for families. “Organize children’s toys and sports equipment to showcase the garage’s storage capacity without compromising functionality,” she said.

Empty nesters tend to seek an upgrade in quality features. Upgrading bath accessories like towel bars and toilet paper holders or decorative hanging lights to a better quality and newer style will make an impact. If the budget allows, upgrading the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher can draw in a buyer. Lighting is also a key feature for this group. Jones advises ensuring living spaces maximize natural light. If lighting is less than ideal, add lamps or a ceiling fan with light fixtures. It’s important to open heavy blinds or window coverings when showing the home.

An absolute “must” for home stagers regardless of which demographic being targeted is color. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life.

Homeowners can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.

When choosing colors, Jones cautions homeowners to be aware of their sensory impact:

- Red is stimulating and encourages self confidence

- Orange promotes happiness and celebration

- Yellow is uplifting and light-hearted

- Blue is calming in softer tones and promotes clarity in deeper tones

- Green is the color of nature—it feels fresh and rejuvenating

- Aqua is restful while pink is gentle and sweet—making a great pair

- Purple tones bring out a sense of compassion

“The key is to experiment and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective home buyer,” Jones said. “It may be helpful to ask a friend or relative for a brutally honest opinion before and after you start staging. You may be surprised how little changes—with a little budget—can make a huge difference to a prospective buyer.”