1 - Find a warm pair of socks.

Sounds silly, but feet that are cold will send that feeling all over the body. Making a point to wear socks or slippers around during the cold days. If you are still feeling cold, you can add layers and bundle up.

2 - Make use of the heat that is available.

There are activities that you can do which generate warmth around the house. Cooking a meal or taking a shower are simple ways to get heat. Keeping the door open while taking a shower will allow the steam to escape into the rest of the house, putting some of that excess heat to better use. Just be sure not to turn on the ventilation fan, as it will remove the precious heat you are creating.

3 - Trim the thermostat by two or three degrees.

You will not really notice the change until you get your bill, when you notice that you have shaved up to ten percent off of your heating bill. If you will be leaving the home for several hours, it can also save you money to turn the thermostat down.

4 - Turn down the water heater.

This is another adjustment that can be hard to notice. Turning down the water heater will save as much energy as the thermostat adjustment.

5 - Upgrade the thermostat.

Buy a programmable thermostat, typically costing no more than $100. That money will be made back when the thermostat will only heat the home while you are home, setting the temperature lower for when you are at work or sleeping.

6 - Keep the heat that you have.

Make sure that doors and windows are shut. Leaving them open will let heat out and make the system work much more harder than it has to. If you have a fireplace, make sure to keep the flue closed and that glass doors covering the fireplace are closed. Also make sure that ventilation systems are turned off when they are not needed.

7 - Get a home physical.

Just as you go in for a check up every year, you should call a professional to come in and make sure proper maintenance is performed on your systems. This will ensure that your systems are running efficiently and in a most cost effective manner. You should also make sure that all filters are clean.

8 - Cover your windows when it is dark.

With out the sun working to heat the home from the outside, uncovered windows will let heat out of the home. Conversely, have windows open during the day to let heat into the home.

9. Examine your home from the outside.

Check your heating unit, making sure that anything that is up against it is removed and prevented from blocking air flow. Use a hose to clear off dirt and debris from the unit. If there is excess water, there may be a condensate drainage problem.

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Originally posted 2009-01-30 05:58:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Outlet covers.

The first place to start is your outlets. They are right at infant/toddler level and electrocution is devastating. You can simply cap outlets to prevent children from sticking their fingers inside. There are also plug protectors available that will prevent children from unplugging a device and getting hurt.

2. Installing cabinet locks.

While it may not be feasible to remove all dangerous cleaning products, medicine and other dangerous items from your home, it is easy enough to install cabinet locks. We highly recommend these for any home with children and they can easily divert a disaster.

3. Sharp edges.

If you have tables, counters, or anything with a sharp edge, it is vital to either replace them, or purchase end covers that will provide a softer surface. Kids fall, especially when they are learning to walk, and a sharp edge may cause a head trauma. In a pinch, foam tape on these corners will work wonders.

4. Child safety gates.

These are very important, especially for children that are able to crawl or just starting to walk. They should be placed in doorways to rooms where children should not enter, and at the top and bottom of stairs. We highly recommend adding one to kitchens since this is an area where injuries frequently occur.

5. Securing decks.

Your deck may look safe to you, but imagine if you are only a few feet tall. Could you get your head stuck between the railings, or worse, fall through? Purchase sturdy lattice that can be nailed in or consider adding a steel mesh around these areas to prevent these accidents from occurring.

6. Curtain and Blind cords.

Every year, thousands of children die as a result of improperly secured curtain and blind cords. It is absolutely vital to make sure that they cannot reach these cords. Remove them from reach and secure them so that there is not enough cord for a child to play with.

There are also a few other considerations to think about. One accident that is unfortunately highly common is a problem with countertop fryers. If they are placed to close to an edge, or a cord is hanging down, it is all too easy for a child to pull it down on themselves. By taking steps to avoid a tragedy, you can rest assured that your children are protected.

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Originally posted 2008-09-25 05:32:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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It is a good idea to measure your windows before you purchase the screening material to ensure that you are getting the right size. Most rolls of material are pretty standard in size, but if you have very large windows, you may need to custom order screens. The vast majority of windows can be fixed with this material however, and the rolls are usually inexpensive.

You’ll have a choice between fabric material as well as metal. If you have a problem with cats or other small animals hanging off of your screens, you may want to think about metal screening material. Be advised however that it can rust, and it is more difficult to work with. A good durable fabric can usually withstand most animals and will be much easier to install.

Now that you have all of your materials on hand, you’re ready to get started.

Step One –

Remove the screen from the window. Your screen will be in a small frame that can be lifted out of the whole window. Do this gently to avoid warping the frame. Most can be easily taken out, but if you have an older home, you may need to use a small screwdriver to pry the screen out.

Step Two –

Remove the old screening material. If you look closely at the screen frame, you should see some stripping that is holding the material in place. Find the end and gently pull the stripping out of the frame. If you don’t have new stripping, you’ll need to make sure that you keep the original intact. Once the stripping has been removed, simply pull the screen out and throw it away.

Step Three –

Cut the new material to fit. Take your roll of new screening material and roll it out over the screen frame. Leave a few inches on each side of the frame to ensure that you have enough material to work with and then cut off the material.

Step Four –

Center the material and install the stripping. Center your screening material over the frame, pick a corner and begin the process of putting the stripping back in. Tamp it down in one corner, and then use your screening tool to gently push the stripping back into the frame. Keep pulling the material tight as you do this to ensure a good fit. Once you go around all four corners, cut off any existing stripping and tuck the end in well.

Your screen is now ready to reinstall!

Photo Credit: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-06 05:19:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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First, you will need to decide whether you want to hang the shutters on the inside or outside of the window. Remember, windows are generally not very plumb, and inside installation can be very tricky. It is usually best to err on the side of caution and plan to install the shutters on the outside of the window casing. This is much easier and will make the window look a little bit bigger.

To install your shutters this way, you will need to have a selection of wood strips that are the same height as your windows and thick enough to allow you to attach the shutters and close them properly. The strips of wood will be attached next to the window casing, completely flush with the window. You will only need to worry about putting them alongside the windows and not on the top or bottom.

These strips can be drilled in, but before you start, it is vital to make sure that you will not be hitting an wiring before you drill. If necessary, consult an electrician to determine the location of any wiring. If you have outlets underneath your windows, you will need to be even more cautious. Regardless of where your outlets are placed, it may be a good idea to turn off the electricity before you start your installation.

Once your wood strips have been installed, you can then add the hinges for your shutters. Attach each shutter and make sure it is plumb and level. Add the second shutter and repeat the process. Make sure you can easily shut and open them before moving on to the next window. If you haven’t already finished painting them, or if they need touching up after installation, paint or stain them and you’ll be all done.

Interior shutters come in a variety of finishes and designs that will add value to your home. While louvered shutters are popular, do keep in mind that they can be very hard to clean as well as paint. If you’re looking for a simple solution, a flat shutter or one with a raised design may be best. However, for air flow louvered shutters are still the best, since you can keep them shut and still benefit from a breeze.

If you’re looking for an easy way to change the look of a room or you are simply tired of drapes and having to clean them, interior shutters may be the perfect answer.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-09-01 05:30:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If you want to replace your windows, the easiest way to go about it would be to get the model of the windows you currently have installed. If you can, also be write down the measurements of the window and get them to be as accurate as possible. Any home window installation place or home improvement store will have information about your window and can help you find another window that will fit in the same space. If for any reason they don’t have your window model in their registry, the measurements you took will be able to help them find the right window for you. To install brand new windows, you might find it easier to buy the window you are interested in first and then measure out what you are cutting based on the measurements of the window.

Either way, you’ll need moisture seal to place around the edges of where you will be mounting the new window. Make sure the seal goes all the way around the edges and goes right up against the inside edge near the opening. You’ll then want to install shims at the base of where the window will go. They must be level and cut to be even with the opening. If there are already shims in place, you should examine how they look before removing them so you know what yours should look like. Even if there are already window seals and shims in place, you will want to replace them with new ones each time you do a home window installation.

Once you’ve got your foundations laid out, it’s time to put in the window. Place the window in the certain of the opening. Make sure it is as even as possible on all sides and use a nail in one corner of the trim to help keep it in place. When you have the nail in, you can take the time to see if the window is level. Your home window installation should be as accurate as possible so you don’t need to redo it later on.

When the window is level, you can continue nailing the trim. You will want to use caulk around the edges to fill in any holes or cracks that might be left between the siding and the window. Every window is slightly different and there may be special instructions for your window and how to properly caulk it. After the caulk is dry, go back through one more time to ensure that there is no air getting through the window when it is closed. If there isn’t you can remove any protective coverings your window might have had because you have successfully installed your window.

Photo Credits: takomabibelot

Originally posted 2009-09-14 06:40:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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