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Think of the top 5 things you want to upgrade about your home. We’re going to guess that “insulation” wasn’t on that list. While it may not be the most appealing area of home improvement, it can certainly make some major differences around your home. However, there are lots of misconceptions and flat out false information out there when it comes to home insulation, so we’re here to clear some things up!   Myth: Insulation Isn’t Worth The Cost Fact: Sure, it’s going to cost you a bit of money up-front, but trust us when we tell you it’s worth it in the long run. With the right insulation, you should start to see monthly energy bills drop right away. When you compare how much you’ll start to save each month to the cost of the insulation, you’ll find, in most cases, that it’s totally worth it! Myth: The More Insulation The Better Fact: Bigger isn’t always better and that’s certainly the case with insulation. There are lots of factors that determine how much you need, but one thing’s for certain, if you don’t have enough it could be costing you a fortune. With that said, it’s vital to understand R-Value

It’s the one appliance in your kitchen that works hard and takes a beating multiple times a week and most of us don’t pay it any mind when it needs to be cleaned. In fact, it’s usually never on the to-do list when it comes time to scrub the kitchen and trust us when we tell you a clean oven can make a world of difference. Take this as a reminder to show it some love this weekend and whatever you do, refrain from using traditional, chemical-filled oven cleaners.   A Safer Way To Clean The Oven While lots of homeowners are tempted to find and purchase a commercial oven cleaning solution at the local supermarket or home improvement store, these types of cleaners can actually do more harm than good. So, what’s another, safer alternative? We suggest using steam! All you need to do is place an oven-safe bowl or pot on the rack inside the oven, set it to 450° and allow it to run for approximately 30-60 minutes. While the oven fills with steam, dirt and grease will begin to loosen up. When the oven cools down and you wipe the inside with a paper towel or

Ever been a victim of a flooded basement or a clogged drain? The former sounds much worse, and it can easily lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of damage, but a clogged drain isn’t too far behind. In either scenario, a clogged main sewer line could be to blame and if the problem isn’t corrected fast it can lead to unsanitary conditions.   So, what’s the best solution for unclogging a main sewer line? No, in this case a plunger won’t do the trick and neither will a wire hanger or a drain snake. You’re better off going the electric cabling route for a fast, efficient solution. What is Electric Cabling and How Does it Work? Electric cabling uses a rotating cutter head attached to a stiff cable to punch a hole directly through blockage in your drain, helping to unclog it. The technician operating the equipment will push the cable through your main sewer line, usually through a clean out in the basement, until a hole is made in the clog where the water can be drained. Then, once some water is flowing through the system, other methods are used to ensure your drain will stay

When it comes to larger appliances in your home, namely your heating and plumbing equipment, it can seem like all hell breaks loose when something is out of whack. With that said, it can seemingly cost a small fortune to make certain repairs or replace certain units entirely. So, does it make more financial sense to do it now or later? We’re shedding some light on the situation, below!   We understand that heating and plumbing equipment is not something you typically replace on a monthly or yearly basis. Sometimes a system can seem like it’s working just fine when in reality, it’s draining your bank account. Other times, things may in fact, be working just fine even though the system might be a few years (or even decades) old. So, how can you tell the difference? Let’s start with a few of the largest energy guzzlers in your home — the furnace, boiler, water heater and refrigerator. In most cases, replacing these pieces of equipment as they near 15 – 20 years of age is a wise decision even if they’re still operating. Why? Older models tend to use much higher amounts of energy in order to operate, while

Sure, you could go out and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on high-tech heating equipment and other supplies that will help you save on heating costs, but why do that when there are ways you can do it that virtually won’t cost you a thing? If you’re tired of spending a fortune on energy bills and have been searching for ways to stay warm without shelling out cash, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled come of the best, and least expensive, ways to start slashing utility bills today!   Conduct an Energy Audit This is one of the most expensive options on the list, but it can certainly help. Having an expert come in to perform a series of tests is probably the best way to find out what you can and should do in order to save the most on heating costs. From making equipment upgrades to adding insulation, an auditor will provide you with a number of tips and tricks and you may even be eligible for certain rebates on the cost of the audit. Use Gaskets to Stop Drafts Did you know that electrical boxes containing outlets or switches are major sources of heat loss in

Whether you’re planning on putting your home up for sale this month, or you plan on staying put for the foreseeable future one thing is certain — we’d all like our homes to look and feel a bit more expensive, right? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually need to buy expensive things and do expensive things to make your home feel more valuable. In fact, there are lots of things you can do that virtually don’t cost a thing. Ready to get to work?   1 – Organize & Declutter You’ve probably heard about the Marie Kondo cleaning methods by now and we’re not saying you have to jump on the bandwagon head first. However, getting rid of clutter and keeping things organized is a great way to make your home feel more spacious and clean and therefore, more expensive. 2 – Clean Up This may sound obvious, but a little bit of cleaning goes a long way. After all, have you ever seen a really expensive house that looked gorgeous, but was all dirty inside? Take a few minutes to clean the grunge off of those tiles in the shower and maybe give the grout on the floor

No matter where you live, what you do for work or how you enjoy spending your free time, we can all agree that it would be nice to stop spending so much on energy bills. After all, it’s difficult enough to afford life’s luxuries and things would be a bit easier if we all had some more money in our bank accounts, right? Well, there are in fact, a few quick and easy things you can do to start down on energy costs right now!   Pay More Attention To Your Thermostat: setting it and forgetting it may not be the best approach when it comes to your thermostat, unless you have a programmable or smart model. Lowering the temperature a few degrees each day while you’re not home can shave lots of money off your energy bill.  Vacuum More Often: believe it or not, dusty vents and coils can make your appliances work much harder. Be sure to vacuum them at least once a month.  Clean or Replace Air Filters: your hvac system won’t work as efficiently if the filter is soiled. We recommend cleaning or changing the filter once every three months at the absolute minimum — once

Furnaces, boilers and water heaters are some of the biggest energy guzzlers in your home and they could be costing you a lot more than they should be. Even if your equipment is functioning just fine, it could make more financial sense to replace them. Sounds a little crazy, right? Well, see below to find out whether you should replace that system now, or do sometime down the road instead.   When To Replace Your Heating System You probably don’t even realize that if you live in a colder climate, you spend nearly ⅔ of your entire energy budget on heating your home. That means, if you can cut down on heating costs, it’s the most effective way to reduce your utility bills. Here are a few things to consider: If your system is 15 years old or older, you will save money by replacing your furnace or boiler. Most older systems have an efficiency rating (AFUE) of 55-65 percent, while all of today’s models have a rating of 80 percent or higher. If your system is 5 years old or newer, it doesn’t make sense to replace it now, unless it’s in need of a serious repair or you

Notice your skin feeling a bit dryer and tighter lately? No, it’s probably not because of your diet and it’s not because of a change in your exercise regimen either. In fact, it could simply be due to your home’s heating system or even your fireplace. What do these two things have in common? They give off heat and heat could be reason the air inside your home feels so dry during the colder months of the year.   Is My Heating System Making My Skin Dry? When temperatures drop outside it causes an adverse effect inside — we typically run over to our thermostats to crank the temperature up a few degrees. And while it may feel cozy and comfortable, having the heat consistently pumping through your home can actually cause the air to dry out. As a result, you may notice that your skin becomes drier, cracked, itchy and more irritated than it normally is and don’t worry, you’re not alone! So, how can you fight back? We recommend turning down the heat whenever possible and be sure to use a moisturizer daily, especially after bathing. Additionally, we recommend a portable humidifier at the bare minimum, if a

The holidays are among us and they weren’t kidding then they said “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Really, is there anything better than spending quality time with friends and family members eating lots of delicious food and sharing gifts with one another? Well, if you’re hosting the holidays this year, here’s what you can do to get your bathroom in tip-top shape. After all, the guests who are spending a few nights with you will certainly appreciate it!   Clean The Shower Do your best to make your guests feel like they’re staying in a five-star hotel. You can start by making sure the shower is spick and span! Be sure to scrub the tile, the grout and most importantly the shower pan or tub. It may require a bit of elbow grease and some help from a homemade cleaning solution, but nobody will feel comfortable showering in a space covered in soap scum and soot. Stock Up On Toiletries If your guests know they will be staying for a few days, chances are they’ll bring their own toiletries, but you can never be too sure. It’s also common for guests to forget a few of the

Whether you prefer to jump in after you wake up to get your day started or you just can’t seem to sleep well without taking a shower to rid yourself of the days dirt and debris, we can probably all agree that hot showers are one of our guilty pleasures. Sure, they’re relaxing, therapeutic or energizing depending on what you want to get out of it, but turning that hot water dial too far can do more harm than good. See below to find out why you may want to think twice about taking long, hot showers:   Why Are Hot Showers Bad? They Cause Dry Skin: similar to the effects of heating your home, hot showers can severely dry out your skin. Hot water mixed with soap strips your skin of its natural oils and hydration mechanisms and can leave you feeling itchy and dry. They Can Worsen Skin Conditions: if you suffer from skin conditions like eczema or other types of rashes, hot water can cause them to spread or make your symptoms worse. They Can Increase Blood Pressure: believe it or not, hot water can cause an increase in blood pressure — especially in those who have

The holiday season is among us and that means you’ll be hosting lots of friends and family members over the next couple of weeks. You’re beginning to plan for the increase in occupancy and you’re wondering how to keep your home comfortable for your guests, right? Well, we’re here to provide you with a few tips and tricks!   Setting The Thermostat The temperature of the house can quickly make guests feel uncomfortable, whether it’s too hot or too cold. Generally speaking, a temperature of 70°F – 73°F should be comfortable for most people, but it also depends on how many guests you’re entertaining. You may want to consider lowering it a few degrees if you’re having lots of people over and if you’ll be using the stove or the oven for a while to prepare the food. Getting Rid of Odors Another thing that can cause your guests to feel uncomfortable is strong odors, whether they’re good smells or bad smells. We suggest equipping your bathroom with a deodorizing spray and it’s always a good idea to leave your kitchen exhaust fan running while cooking. You may even want to crack open a window or door just a hair