Author: Jarret

(BPT) – The words home improvement usually conjure up images of major undertakings like tiling your bathroom or kitchen or tearing down a wall, taking hours or even days to complete. The fact is there are some meaningful home improvements you can finish in under two hours.

1) Need More Daylight?

Have you ever wished your home had more daylight? Maybe you want to bring light to a small place like a closet or laundry room. Or maybe you have a room with a window but still not enough light. One solution is a daylighting system from Solatube. This product can be installed in under two hours and floods the interior with natural light.

2) Concerned About Security?

Installing a video doorbell takes just a few minutes and you can monitor visitors at your front door on your smartphone through an app. This is a way to add some security to your home. You can be anywhere with your phone but answer your front door and see who’s there. They have no idea where you are, home or otherwise.

3) Dealing With Poor Indoor Air Quality?

The upstairs can often be hotter than the downstairs. Air can be humid and wet. House odors from cooking, pets, etc., can hang around. A Whole House Fan is quiet (with a light white noise) and can be installed without reframing. When you open the windows with the whole house fan on, it strips out the heat from the home as well as the unwelcome smells. In summer months it keeps the house cooler and it eliminates stale air in the winter.

4) Considering a New Bathroom Fan?

Another product that installs quickly is an upgraded bathroom fan. It comes with a variety of options such as heaters and lights. An upgraded bathroom fan can dramatically reduce bathroom humidity and odors and run more quietly.

5) Still Using Outdated Light Bulbs?

An easy home improvement project is to swap out light bulbs for LEDs. Even CFL bulbs can’t hold a candle to LED bulbs, which, while more expensive, last up to 20 years or more.

This gives you an idea of some ways to spruce up your home in under two hours. But the changes will be long-lasting!

For more easy home improvement ideas, visit www.solatube.com/residential.

(BPT) – Whether it’s transforming a fixer-upper into your dream home or just giving a makeover to your kitchen or bathroom, home improvement projects are on the minds of many new homeowners across the country.

While many things about renovating your home are flexible, your budget might not be. In general, not a single floor board is laid, or a new countertop installed without money, which is why every home renovation project should begin with careful financial planning.

To help homeowners with their renovation projects, Marcus by Goldman Sachs(R) is sharing budget-friendly home renovation tips.

There are several ways to finance larger projects and it’s important to explore your options to find the one that’s right for you. Below are five important tips to keep in mind when deciding how to fund your next home project.

1. Shop Around

The better you plan, the better chance you’ll save money. Before anything gets torn out or installed, you should spend time consulting with contractors and getting estimates. Look at the work they’ve done to see if they would be a good fit. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions to make sure you’re working with the right people and paying the right price.

2. Consider Financing Options

There are several options when financing a home improvement project and it is important to choose the right fit for you. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC) require you to borrow against the value of your home, with home equity loans offering a lump sum while home equity lines of credit provide you with a credit line you can borrow against. An unsecured home improvement loan can be used based on your creditworthiness and ability to pay, not tied to a piece of collateral.

3. Create a Budget

Because of the nature of remodels, things often end up costing more than you might think. No matter how big or how small the project, you need to have a solid sense of what your “all in” budget number is. This should not only account for hard and soft costs for things like labor, materials and designers, it should also account for contingency costs. Experts typically recommend budgeting an additional 15 to 20 percent for unexpected scenarios that might arise. A thoughtful budget will help keep your priorities in front of you and prevent you from spending more than you want.

4. Remember, This Is an Investment!

Not all home renovations will pay off in the long term. It’s important to consider cost vs. value before you start making changes, especially for homeowners looking to sell in the near future. If you plan on putting your house on the market sooner rather than later, be sure to keep track of the top home features to get the best return on your investment.

5. Work With a Designer

This might sound like a luxury or an added expense, but in many cases, a designer could actually help save money by finding deals or providing suggestions for less expensive alternatives, such as using quartz or white concrete instead of marble. Above all, their expertise can help avoid costly mistakes that can often arise when people try to cut corners on their own.

With these tips, you should be better prepared to finance your home improvement project. When you’re ready to start, you shouldn’t have to wait weeks for a home appraisal to get your renovation project underway. You could see your home improvement loan options from Marcus by Goldman Sachs in as little as five minutes and once approved, most people see the funds in their bank accounts in as little as four days. With Marcus you could be one step closer to your dream home.

(BPT) – It’s summertime, and you’ll want to spend many sun-drenched hours in the great outdoors. But while nature is flourishing, it feels like you’re wasting too many precious summer afternoons and evenings doing chores in the yard and garden.

Give some of these labor-saving tips a try so you have more time for your favorite summer activities.

1. Get Organized

Nothing wastes time like having to search around for misplaced trowels, seed packets and garden rakes. It’s worth the time and effort to create a zone in your garage or shed that’s just for gardening and yard care tools. Use organizing tools like pegboards and re purposed containers to keep like items grouped together. A dollar-store photo album is perfect for keeping seed packets and plant care sticks organized for future use.

2. Harness Perennial Power

Instead of planting a new set of annual flowers and plants in the ground each spring, opt for more perennials. These hardy plants will leap back to life without needing much attention. Talk to the university extension office in your area or a local nursery to discover the beautiful blooms that thrive and renew in your region.

3. Lighten Your Container Pots

Larger container pots add color and dimension to any yard or patio. Trouble is, they can get heavy and hard to move. Before planting, fill the bottom half of the empty container with packing peanuts. Then, fit a piece of landscaping fabric on top. This lets the water drain through, but still barricades soil. Fill the rest of the container with soil, add the plants, and, voila! Your containers are now several pounds lighter and much easier to move.

4. Automate Your Watering

Watering your lawn and garden is not only physically taxing, it’s easy to forget. Between over-watering and under-watering, it can also be tough to get just right. Luckily, there’s a new generation of irrigation tools that let you customize and automate your watering schedule for the entire yard with a smartphone app.

The Gro 7-Zone Controller is an easy-to-install smart irrigation system that uses real-time weather data to tailor watering schedules to your lawn’s needs. Add Gro Water Sensors to container pots and gardens to measure the moisture content in your soil; when plants get thirsty, you get a smartphone alert. Finally, Gro precision watering kits feature one-time, easy installation for hands-free watering while delivering water precisely where and when plants need it most. Even if you’re on vacation or getting through a hot dry spell, these tools will greatly streamline your watering routine while keeping your turf lush and blooms beautiful.

5. Use “Instant” Lawn Fertilizer

Emptying the grass catcher wastes precious time when mowing the lawn. Save yourself some labor and simply let grass clippings fall right onto the turf. They break down relatively quickly, providing the perfect food for your lawn.

6. Win the War On Weeds

If unwanted weeds start surfacing in garden beds, try this easy, chemical-free fix. Start by placing newspaper and cardboard on top of the soil, leaving a little space around the stems of the garden plants. Then, cover the entire surface with a layer of mulch. This barrier blocks weeds from emerging at the surface and lets you cross that chore off your list for the rest of the season.

The summer season is all too brief. But with these tips, you can spend less time on chores and more time enjoying yourself outside!

(BPT) – If you’re planning to create an outdoor living space, advanced decking enables you to show off your creativity. For years, complex deck designs have been difficult to achieve with traditional lumber. But, with advances in today’s decking materials, you have the flexibility to create virtually any design to reflect your style. The possibilities of creating a bold deck design are only limited by your imagination. For example, did you love hopscotch while growing up? Build a hopscotch board into your deck. Maybe you are an avid musician; why not design your deck in a giant guitar shape?

Let your imagination run wild with these four features of composite decking that will help your bold designs come to life.

1. Durable Above Ground

When you are considering a bold backyard design, an important factor is the durability of your building materials. If you are going to create a design that you enjoy, you will want it to last a long time. Think about the use a deck gets in the course of the year; from weather exposure to food stains, traditional decks lose their luster in areas of high traffic or exposure. The maintenance time investment of keeping your deck in tiptop shape could be spent enjoying your creation rather than working on it. Composite decking is manufactured for durability against the elements and frequent use so you have less work in the long term.

2. Bend It Like Beckham…

Chances are, a quick look at social media, TV or even a magazine will flood your vision with vivid images of beautiful outdoor living spaces anchored by large, curved decking. No, these decks are not Hollywood magic or an optical illusion. Such decks are possible due to a building technique called “deck bending.” Composite boards, like MoistureShield composite decking, are made, in part, with recycled plastic, which makes them flexible when heated properly. This flexibility makes your wildest design ideas possible for a truly bold and personalized look.

3. Installation On the Ground

For those who enjoy the natural serenity of your backyard, consider the benefits of composite boardwalks in your backyard oasis. Installing low-lying composite boardwalks on the ground in order to tie in naturally with your yard’s landscaping is an increasingly popular option for homeowners seeking a backyard escape from the hustle of the day. With the use of advanced decking in your boardwalk, you can take a relaxing stroll through your backyard without the worry of rotten boards and splinters, and you can create a path to the garden without tracking mud back to the house.

4. Underwater Installation

This may sound like a feature only Aquaman would use for his deck, but it is still relevant to those of us who live above the sea floor. Docks and marinas are frequently bombarded by weather, water and foot traffic that take their toll on the surface. Often, this weathering makes the surface an eyesore that doesn’t complement the beautiful scenery. “Dock surfaces tend to rot, warp and splinter after extended exposure to the sun, water, and elements, whereas high-performance composite boards will resist common issues found with traditional materials; even if they are fully submerged,” said Josh Landis, senior manager at MoistureShield. High-performance composite decking can be installed over water as a durable dock surface or even underwater as a boat launch or water access ramp for your lake house or oceanfront home.

With the availability and features of advanced composite decking materials today, your design can be as unique and personalized as you want it to be. Whether you are considering building a new deck or renovating an existing one, you can create a design that is a reflection of your personality. Take a chance, build boldly.

(BPT) – Hard water, which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, can be found in nearly 90 percent of American homes. These minerals cause scaling, a buildup that clogs waterlines and plumbing forcing appliances to work harder and operate less efficiently. The scale may also harbor bacteria. The only way to truly remove the hard and soft scale from household water systems is with salt-based water softeners.

The benefits of salt-based water softening are significant. Hard water scaling can cause your showerhead to lose up to 75 percent of its flow rate in 18 months. Hard water also interacts negatively with soap, reducing its cleaning power. Soft water is up to 12 times more effective at cleaning dishes than increasing the amount of detergent used.

According to the Water Quality Research Foundation for washing machines, the most important factor in removing stains from clothing was water softness. Reduction of water hardness was up to 100 times more effective at stain removal than increasing the detergent dose or washing with hotter water. In fact, soft water can reduce soap use by as much as half. Hard water can also reduce the efficiency of water heaters and increase electricity costs by as much as 48 percent, according to the Battelle Memorial Institute.

Hard water scaling can also affect your health. The piping used in home plumbing, whether copper or PVC, has very smooth interior surfaces that don’t permit bacteria to settle and grow. However, hard water results in scale formation on the interior surfaces of those pipes, providing a perfect home for bacteria.

Researchers at the School of Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University found bacteria may grow in pipes filled with hard scale and soft scale at the same rate. This is important because some forms of water conditioning produce this soft scale. The solution is to remove hard and soft scale in the pipes with a salt-based water softener.

Hard water you use to wash your fresh fruits and vegetables may contain more bacteria, and the problem isn’t only in the kitchen. When you take a hot shower, the steam you are inhaling can also contain the same microbial contamination that is in the rest of your plumbing, exposing you to bacteria such as Legionella, which can cause Legionnaire’s disease.

A salt-based water softener is the most functional and cost-effective means of removing hardness minerals. It is a tool to improve health and lower maintenance costs for home appliances like dishwashers and washing machine. It also reduces the need for detergents and high-water temperatures, leading to a smaller household carbon footprint.

(BPT) – For millions of Americans, the devastation of the 2017 storm season is still fresh in their minds. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the cumulative cost of the weather events in the U.S. was $306.2 billion. Whether you were directly affected by one of those storm systems, or saw images of flooded neighborhoods, there’s probably one question that you’re now asking yourself.

What can I do to prepare for the next storm season?

It’s an important question to ask. And considering the hurricane season officially begins each year on June 1st, now is the time to start planning.

Be Prepared

Whether you live in a coastal area that might be affected by a hurricane or anywhere else in the country, there are common-sense steps you can take to prepare you and your family. A basic emergency kit should include a supply of flashlights and lanterns, medication, food, water, cash and so forth. Being prepared in this way is important because even if you’re not directly in the path of a storm, you may still be affected by a power outage. Losing power means more than losing light. It means losing hundreds of dollars of food and medications in the refrigerator, losing connection to the outside world, watching basements flood as sump pumps fail, facing uncertainty and dealing with the stress that comes with this.

A steady source of power is something many of us take for granted. You really don’t know how dependent you are on electricity until it’s gone.

Power Up

There is a cost-effective measure every family can take to avoid the cost – and the stress – of a power outage. The solution is to invest in an automatic standby generator. Some people think power generators are pieces of equipment for either people with cabins or survivalists. But, this has changed. Generator manufacturers today produce a variety of standby generators – as well as portable and industrial options – to meet a diverse array of needs.

Similar to a central air conditioning unit, an automatic standby generator is permanently installed outside of a home. It connects to a home’s electrical system and runs on either natural gas or propane from the home. In the case of an outage, some models, such as the ones produced by Kohler, automatically turn on within 10 seconds of losing power. Depending on the size of the generator, they can power everything in the home, from lights, HVAC, refrigerators, sump pumps, computers, TVs, home security systems and more, while smaller units can power a few key circuits.

Not all units are the same. To ensure you invest in an automatic standby generator that is truly ready for the storm season, look to the models from Kohler. These feature an automatic start, so whether you’re at home or away, it will automatically turn on; a durable enclosure that can withstand storm-force winds; a commercial-grade engine that can handle heavy loads; remote monitoring from a smartphone or laptop; quiet, neighborhood-friendly operation and a five-year warranty.

Additionally, standby generators from Kohler deliver high-quality power that won’t harm your electronics and run on your home’s natural or LP gas, keeping your crucial systems powered at all times – even when you’re not present.

No matter where you live, the potential for experiencing a power outage is real. Having an automatic standby generator can help you get through some of the worst weather nature will throw at us this season.

(BPT) – When the seasons change, the energy needs in your home change right along with them. And yet, whether you need to heat or cool your home, there’s one thing that never shifts: You want to do so as efficiently as possible.

An energy-efficient home is more than just good for the environment. It’s good for your pocketbook as well. By eliminating any unnecessary energy expenses you ensure you have more money to spend enjoying all the season has to offer.

You can start making your home more energy-efficient today, and it begins with these four tips.

Get Proactive About Your Insulation.

Your home’s insulation is often treated with an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality, yet improvements here could dramatically support your home’s energy-efficiency. While insulation is commonly seen as a benefit to keep your home warm in the winter, it also works to keep cool, air-conditioned air inside as well. Your insulation needs depend, in part, on where you live, but it’s worth your time to research this opportunity. Check to see that you have sufficient insulation and make additions or replacements as necessary.

Have Your HVAC System Serviced.

A well-functioning HVAC system can have a dramatic impact on your home’s energy-efficiency and now is the perfect time of year to have your unit serviced. During their visit your HVAC contractor will monitor refrigerant levels, clean the evaporator, the condenser and the coils as well as adjust the blower components. This should improve your unit’s output, however, if your cleaned unit still cannot keep the house comfortable at a reasonable rate, you can replace it with a more energy-friendly model. LG HVAC units, for example, are highly efficient and several have been recognized as “Energy Star 2018 Most Efficient” winners, meaning they represent the highest energy-efficiency in the category. From indoor units like the ultra-quiet, sleek wall-mounted Art Cool Gallery to outdoor units like the Multi F ductless option, there’s an HVAC unit to match your needs.

Bring Your Windows Into Focus.

The role your windows have in dictating the temperature in your home can be considerable. Older windows allow cool air to escape outside and that makes your air conditioner work harder to control the interior temperature. Replacing them eliminates this problem and sets you up to more easily retain heat during the winter. And if new windows simply aren’t possible right now, you can also make a smaller, more immediate impact on your energy-efficiency by closing the curtains during peak sunlight hours. This helps keep the temperature of your home cooler and reduces stress on your HVAC unit.

Consider Alternative Energy Sources.

Instead of simply focusing on what you can do with your current energy situation, expand your options to alternative energy sources as well. Installing home solar panels can drastically cut or even eliminate your electricity bills and even increase your home’s resale value. Newer systems like the LG NeOn R maximize sunlight absorption and generate the maximum possible output – as much as 26 percent more than other comparably sized solar panels. This higher efficiency means that your solar panels can work in any climate or season to deliver for you.

Start improving your energy-efficiency today.

Improving your home’s energy-efficiency benefits you not only during the summer but all year long, so what are you waiting for? Start applying the tips above today and you’ll see the benefits on each and every single energy bill going forward.

(BPT) – Tis the season … for home improvement. Longer days, warmer weather and more flexible schedules (hello, summer break!) have a way of

inspiring home improvement projects. It’s as if appliances in and around the house emerge from the shadows of winter, calling out for attention. Suddenly, the dishwasher rack has rusted, the washing machine agitator has ceased to work, the A/C unit is making a strange clicking noise and the lawnmower blade is broken. Now is the perfect time to repair these assets around the home, and doing it yourself has never been easier or more affordable.

Consider the many benefits of DIY appliance repair, aside from the personal satisfaction it offers. The cost to repair an appliance is typically a fraction of the cost of replacing it altogether. The money saved could be applied toward larger home improvement projects, such as new flooring or an upgraded bathroom.

New appliances may be different sizes and feature dissimilar finishes than their predecessors. This could make it difficult for homeowners to replace an older appliance with a new one that fits in the same space and matches the look of other nearby appliances. Repairing appliances, rather than replacing them, enables homeowners to keep the original appliances they selected and are accustomed to using, knowing they complement their home design and decorating style. DIY repair also means avoiding the hassle of scheduling a service call, having to take a vacation day from work to wait for a repair person at home and experiencing the frustration of a technician failing to show or bringing the wrong replacement part.

The proliferation of how-to articles and DIY videos online has made it possible for homeowners to tackle appliance repair projects on their own, saving both time and money. The key to their success is finding the correct replacement parts. Most home improvement stores sell aftermarket parts for appliances, but these parts can undermine the best repair work and even damage appliances. For example, they may be lower quality than the parts they are replacing, may not fit or function as well as the original and may not carry the same warranty protection.

Sites like RepairClinic.com sell only original replacement parts, so homeowners can be confident the products they purchase are approved for use and guaranteed to work in their appliances. With over 7 million appliance parts and maintenance products for over 200 appliances, including lawn equipment, outdoor power equipment and heating and cooling equipment brands, Repair Clinic has helped more than 20 million people save over $2.5 billion in repair costs. Repair Clinic also offers same-day shipping, thousands of expertly produced video tutorials, a 365-day return policy and live customer service support.

This season, commit to repairing the appliances in and around the house that are calling out for help. You’ll save time and money, and enjoy the satisfaction of doing it yourself!

(BPT) – Home improvement projects aren’t constrained to a single season, but during these warmer months, your focus is no longer simply on your home’s indoors. Now there’s outdoor yard work to do as well, and if you’re looking to recreate your outdoor space, your outside projects may include some landscaping. If you have landscaping as part of your to-do list this season, the right strategy can ensure that you get the most benefit from your landscaping goals with the least amount of headache.

To that end, here are five tips to simplify your landscaping projects this year.

Plan For the Entire Year.

Landscaping projects can be hard work, and because of that, you deserve to enjoy them for as long as possible. That’s why it’s important to plan your landscaping layout with the entire year in mind. Research your plant and flower options based on bloom periods and plant a variety so your yard is always being introduced to new pops of color. You should also add evergreen shrubs and other such plant life to your overall plan to give you a spot of color in the winter and preserve your landscaping look.

Be Mindful of Other Tools Outside Your Home.

When developing your landscaping strategy, you need to be aware not only of your home but the other vital components outside as well. Many homeowners are not mindful of their home’s HVAC units and may place landscaping solutions too close to the unit, which makes it difficult for techs to service the unit and exposes your system to the harmful effects of debris. Instead, plan to keep all landscaping at least two feet away from your HVAC system. This allows units like the Champion Momentum Variable Capacity Residential System to operate at peak efficiency and allows service techs to utilize its built-in advanced monitoring system to provide accurate readouts for faster annual service, maximized service life and improved comfort in your home.

Touch Every Corner Of Your Yard.

Your home is naturally the focal point of your yard, but it doesn’t have to be the only one. Creating a berm – a mound-type space that you can fill with rocks, wood chips or a flower garden – can add a pop of color and visual appeal to an otherwise plain area. These visual attractions can be placed anywhere, but adding one to an otherwise deserted corner of your yard is a great way to tie the entire space together and make the most of an unused area.

Add Plants That Fit Your Lifestyle.

When planning your landscaping project, it’s important to remember this isn’t just a one-time solution. Your landscaping will need continual work, and as such, your landscaping plan should be based partly on the time you have to dedicate to the project. For example, if you’re a person who appreciates beautifully colorful flowers but doesn’t want to replant them every year, you should start your project by planting perennials instead of annuals. Your time commitment in year one will be roughly the same, but you’ll ease your time requirements in the years ahead.

Monitor Your Budget.

Like many things, a lavish landscaping project can get away from you very quickly in the financial department. Veteran landscapers know that it becomes very easy to get swept up in the project and before you know it, you’ve added a slightly larger tree or another bush or two. Then you suddenly have unexpected costs heading your way. Instead of ending your exciting project on a bad note with a higher bill, plan out your budget ahead of time. Try to get as specific as possible with where you plan to spend every dollar. The more you can hold to each line item in your budget, the better you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary expenses throughout the process.

Making landscaping improvements to your yard can be a fun and rewarding project provided you follow a strategy that makes the best use of your time and money. Apply the tips above and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully landscaped yard that you can enjoy every day of the year. To learn more about the Champion Momentum Variable Capacity Residential System, visit championhomecomfort.com.

(BPT) – It’s National Wildfire Awareness Week. So, if you live in a wildfire-prone area, make sure you’re taking the right steps to stave off potential damage long before flames rage toward your doorstep.

And one of the best ways to do that is to take a look at the home itself.

“It’s a combination of the house materials, the house design and then everything around it within 100 feet that makes the difference between a safer home and one that has a greater risk of damage from wildfire,” says Michele Steinberg, manager of the Wildfire Operations Division for the National Fire Protection Association.

“All of our recommendations are really for well before the fire ever starts.”

Steinberg recommends paying special attention to these five spots around your house:

The Roof

Ensure yours is rated Class A, which means the covering and underlayment provide the most effective resistance to fire. It’s a big-ticket item for homeowners, but the most critical design item when it comes time to replace an aging roof.

The Gutters

Keep them free of debris such as leaves and pine needles, which can be ignited by swirling embers. “A wildfire doesn’t even need to be close to your house to cause a problem,” Steinberg says. “A blizzard of embers can pile up on roofs, porches and in gutters.”

The Foundation

It’s best that decks, porches and fences be made of non-flammable materials. Keeping their surface areas clear also is critical. Screening porches and decks with fine, metal mesh can help prevent embers from sweeping in to ignite leaves and other debris.

The Windows and Vents

Double-paned or tempered glass better withstands approaching heat. “I’ve seen cases where the outside window breaks but the inside pane stays intact, so you have that extra level of protection,” Steinberg said. And, if possible, build in under-eave and side-roof vents to make it more difficult for the wind to blow in embers.

The Landscaping

Keep organic flammable materials such as trees, shrubbery and even mulch from contact with your house. They can lead fire right to the siding. Store firewood at least 30 feet from the house because of the intense heat and large flames it creates when ignited.

Find out more about how the Wildfire Response Program can provide you with extra wildfire protection when you need it.