Smart Technology for your Home

There are so many ways to update your home with “smart” technology to program and control everything from lighting to home theaters to security and HVAC – everything that makes your home comfortable for you. You can program your blinds to open in the morning, and the coffee to brew while your favorite music starts up. The newest technology goes a step further by allowing you to control your home wirelessly from remote locations, which certainly adds peace of mind when you are away from home.

Schlage (the lock company) has developed technology to control and monitor locks, cameras, indoor and outdoor lighting and your home’s thermostat, all from computer or web-enabled cell phone. The company has partnered with Trane and allows users to adjust the temperature of their home remotely using the Trane ComfortLink Remote Thermostat. The programmable thermostat can save up to 15% on energy consumption compared to a non-programmable thermostat. You can also program lights and appliances to be off when not in use, saving more on your energy use.

Schlage’s applications allow you to open doors in your home remotely, change or add user codes, and receive text or email notifications when your locks are opened. You can start with just one wireless lock and add more to your system as you need, so your wireless smart technology is totally customized.

Big Savings with Little Changes to Appliances

This summer, concentrate on making some simple changes that relate to your household appliances, and see how much you can save on your energy costs. Start by keeping your fridge and oven doors closed. Don’t cool off in front of an open fridge door, and even though the kids are home, try to avoid opening and closing the fridge door frequently. Letting the cool out will cause your fridge to work harder to stay at the proper temperature. Of course, heating up your oven and opening that oven door will heat up your kitchen, requiring your air conditioning to work harder. Use your microwave or enjoy the outdoor barbeque instead of cooking in the oven.

Remember that “It’s a Dry heat in Arizona” so why not put it to use? Don’t run your dishwasher’s dry cycle – let your dishes dry naturally. Let clothes line-dry instead of running your dryer this summer – you’ll keep the house cooler and save on dryer energy costs.

If you are heading out of town to escape the heat, you can set your fridge and freezer a little bit higher since they won’t be opened up at all. APS recommends 42 degrees for the refrigerator and 5 degrees for the freezer. If you’ll be gone long-term you can clean it out and turn it off altogether. You can turn your hot water heater off while you’re away, or use the “vacation” setting if your heater has one. Before you leave on vacation, be sure to turn off electrical items such as computers, printers and unplug small appliances. Use only lighting needed for security, and set it up on timers. Paying attention to the little things can make a big difference in your energy bills this summer.

Made in the Shade - Keep Summer Energy Costs Down

Many of us are working within tighter budgets this summer, and as things start to heat up there are a few ways you can add value to your home, while saving on energy costs. Simply adding more shade to your home can provide valuable energy savings in the summer.

Stop summer heat coming in through your windows by using shades, sun screens, awnings and patio covers to block the sun. If your sun screens are old, they may not be shading effectively and you may want to have the screening replaced. Here is an example from APS showing how much you could save by simply concentrating on your windows:

Shading Method or                   Annual Energy
Window Treatment                          Cost*
Awnings or overhangs                          $775
Tinted windows                                        $740
Shade screens                                           $650
No window treatment                           $950
(regular windows)
                        
*The figures above are based on energy calculations by APS using the APS Standard Plan. Your actual energy costs may vary.

Another way to shade your home and keep it cooler is to plant trees or shrubs that will not only improve the look of your property, but will block the sun. Even groundcovers and low shrubs and reduce heat reflected from the ground to your walls and windows. Deciduous trees can provide shade in the summer, and after losing their leaves in winter will allow the sun to warm your home. Shade trees can also cool down your attic in summer. So block out the summer sun and enjoy some energy savings this season, and look for more energy saving tips next week.

Caulking Tiled Surfaces Couldn’t be Easier

When installing new tile or looking to refresh an existing tiled area, you may wonder whether to use grout or tile.  In general, most joints between tiles will be grouted, but in transition or expansion areas, grout would be the preferred material to use.  In kitchen and bath projects, using a caulk specifically designed for high moisture areas is recommended.  Kitchen and bath caulk comes in a variety of colors to blend in with grout and effectively seals tubs, showers, toilets and sinks.

Grout is not flexible, but caulk is – allowing it to “give” with any possible structural movement that occurs between surfaces.  Joints between surfaces – like wall and floor – or anywhere that settling might occur, should be caulked.  Use caulk between wall tile and tub or shower, between countertop and backsplash, and in corners where two walls come together.  Grout is also a porous surface, which allows moisture to penetrate.  Caulk is effective for creating a waterproof seal in areas such as around plumbing valves, sinks and faucets.

Caulk is easy to apply, by just following manufacturer’s recommendations.  You’ll need a caulking gun, a damp rag or a caulk smoothing tool.  Load the caulk tube into the gun and use a sharp blade to make an angled cut across the tip of the tube, then poke a hole into the tube with a nail or the metal tool that comes on some caulking guns.  Move your caulking gun smoothly across the seam and then smooth the joint with a damp rag, moistened fingertip or caulk smoothing tool.  Be sure to note whether your caulking gun stops dispensing when you release the trigger, some need to be stopped manually or caulk will keep flowing!

Allow your caulk to dry thoroughly per manufacturer’s instructions, and your tiled surface will be ready to use and sealed to perfection.

May is National Pool Safety Month

May 2011 is National Water Safety Month, sponsored by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), World Waterpark Association (WWA), and the American Red Cross.  Here are some reminders from APSP and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

The top pool safety tool is for families to supervise pool use and establish firm rules.  Never leave children unsupervised in or near the pool - A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone or run to get the sunscreen.  Remember to ensure that babysitters understand the pool rules and the need for constant supervision.  Don’t use flotation devices or life preservers as a substitution for constant supervision. 

Children should be taught water safety and swimming skills as early as possible, but this is also not a substitution for supervision. 

When it comes to your home and property, there are a number of tools and safety barriers families can use to help keep children safe.  Doors that open to the pool area can be equipped with alarms, automatic sliding glass door closers and safety latches installed out of children’s reach so that a child cannot open the door unassisted.

Local pool safety codes vary, and some require permanent, galvanized steel pool fencing.  Gates on your pool fencing should close and latch automatically, and should never be left propped open.  Patio furniture or other large objects should be far enough away from the fencing so that children cannot climb over the fence and gain access to the pool area.

For those who don’t have children in the house on a regular basis, removable mesh pool fencing is an option. Mesh fencing’s transparent look allows a clear view of the pool area at all times.  When not needed, the fencing can be rolled up and stored out of sight.  Pool nets are another safety feature that can be used in this situation or as an additional barrier within permanent pool fencing.  These nets are held securely in place over the surface of the pool with pulleys and clips, and are easily removed.

Please take the time to review pool safety, establish clear rules and upgrade your pool safety equipment this year.  Here’s to a safe and enjoyable pool season!

Refinishing Gives Wood Cabinets New Luster

If you like the layout of your kitchen but just want a new look, refinishing your kitchen cabinets can be a great solution. Refinishing differs from refacing – we are talking about using the whole cabinet but stripping down the old finish and creating a new finish. Cabinets can be stained a different color – changing from a dark, dated finish to a clean, rich new look. They can even be painted if that is the look you are going for.

Cabinet refinishing makes the most sense when you’ve got quality wood cabinets. Some older cabinets are very well constructed and more solid than some of the pre-built modular cabinets you find today, so it pays to hang on to them and just give them a new look. Cabinets are generally one of the biggest investments in a kitchen remodel, so when thinking about remodeling you’ll want to consider cost, time needed for the project and the return on investment. You also want to consider your own enjoyment of your new kitchen look, and what you would most enjoy.

Having professionals come in and handle the refinishing can produce amazing transformations in old cabinets. Sometimes do-it-yourself attempts at removing old finishes and applying new ones are not as successful. Pros know how to thoroughly remove finishes, and can show you various colors of stains and glazes to choose the look you want. Keep those solid old cabinets and give them new life with refinishing.

Easy Care for a Healthy Summer Lawn

Maintaining a green lawn isn’t difficult to do, even in the summer heat. On an established grass area, set your irrigation timer to water once every three days to a depth of 8 inches. You can test the water penetration by inserting a long screwdriver into the grass. It should go in easily to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This deep water penetration allows roots to grow deeper into the ground, creating a more water-efficient and drought tolerant lawn. Set your irrigation timer to water your grass early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

Smart irrigation timers are available if you are concerned about water conservation. A smart irrigation timer, once properly programmed, will adjust the controller on an on-going basis. The controller is programmed to water the lawn and your other landscape plantings to the proper depth, and the smart controller will change the number of days between waterings based on evaporation, plant use and other environmental conditions.

Your lawn needs food as well as water, so you will want to fertilize it monthly with a compete fertilizer. When mowing, sharp mower blades will keep the tips of the grass blades from browning. Keep your grass cut to about 1 ½ inches by cutting only the top one-third of the length at any time. Cutting your grass too short will hinder the photosynthesis process and even cause the deeper roots to die.

Simply providing water, food and the proper cut for your grassy areas will ensure a lush, green space for your family to enjoy all summer.