by Arpi’s

Are you in need of some effective energy-saving tips? To stay comfortable through a Southern Alberta winter, with its harsh winds and frigid temperatures, homeowners have to use their heating systems a lot. And while higher energy bills are a reality for homeowners in our region, you can control heating costs, at least to some degree, by incorporating the energy-saving measures below throughout your home.

§ Set your home temperature lower. According to the government of Alberta, each degree you setback your thermostat will translate into a 2 percent savings on your utility bills. Over the long winter, saving 2 percent (or more) on your energy bills will add up to significant savings.

§ Ensure that your heating system operates efficiently. This action involves two steps. First, you should change your system’s air filters regularly. A clean filter improves airflow, and adequate airflow is the key to efficient operations. Second, scheduling fall maintenance (or scheduling maintenance now if you missed it) keeps your system clean, and experts agree that regular service is the primary factor that will guarantee efficiency.

§ Avoid unnecessary energy consumption by dialing back your water heater’s temperature. Most manufacturers preset water heaters higher than necessary. Forty-nine degrees is an energy-saving setting, and you won’t notice a difference in the temperature when you use hot water to shower. However, some home appliances, like dishwashers, require a higher temperature setting, so consult your user guide or talk with an HVAC expert to explore your options.

§ Seal air leaks throughout the home. A tight home that doesn’t allow outside air in, or inside air out, is a low-cost measure that greatly enhances home efficiency.

§ Upgrade equipment. While high-efficiency heating equipment is a significant investment, it translates into bigger energy savings, and that’s savings you’ll reap over the life of the equipment.

Need more energy-saving tips? Arpi‘s Industries leads the way in saving Calgary-area homeowners money, reducing their energy bills while maintaining comfort. So call the best in the business: Our experience is backed up by more 48 years in the HVAC industry.

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Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

by Lights On

by Asha Stuttard

photo from http://ikea.com

Need some more living space at home? With so many people working from home these days, for many families their home has morphed into being an office as well as a place to relax and rest your head. If you do work from home, it can be really useful to dedicate a space to work – especially if you can somehow separate it from the rest of the home.

One way of doing this is by putting an all-singing, all-dancing shed in the garden. A shed with power, heating and a phone line! If that’s too much to ask, or your garden’s not big enough, the next best thing is to transform the spare room or maybe even the dining room into an office.

A lot of today’s houses have dining rooms that are so small you can barely fit a dining table and chairs in them, let alone anything else. It feels more like a box than a room to entertain in. If you have somewhere else that you can sit down to eat, like a dining kitchen, or a conservatory that is part of the house rather than feeling externalised, the ‘dining room’ often becomes a bit of a box room – used for storage but nothing else.

In that case, take a couple of days to go and choose some furniture suitable to work at – a desk or a table that you can put the pc on, and run a phone line point into the room too. While you’re at it, look at a sofa bed sale and see if you can find a two-seater sofa bed that will fit neatly into the same room. That way, you create a guest room and office at the same time. Cheap furniture today is so easily available, and the quality is reasonable, too, as long as you don’t go for bargain basement cheap!

by Clements Interiors

Follow this fail-safe plan before you start.

Unlike the homes in the magazines, most of us will never own a Schonbek crystal chandelier to tower over a twelve-seater dining table.  In fact, these days we’re lucky if there’s enough floor space in our homes for a dining room at all! Multi-functional, small scale and affordable is the way many of us live. And as more people move into and vie for premium spaces in the cities, large spaces will continue to be an expensive option.

We all want our homes to look good. But money, time and resources often limit what we can accomplish in our homes.

Consider the routine “Clearance Sale” sign hanging in store windows the same time each year.  We are repeatedly tempted and set adrift in the often confusing sea of home décor when we see something on sale.  Often eager to cash in on a good deal even though “it doesn’t go with anything else in the house.” But then we think, “But it’s on sale. And it’s such a great price.”  While shopping the ‘sale’ sections keep these 4 words in mind:  STICK TO THE PLAN.

Here are some Golden Rules for designing your plan and a home you’ll love over time while keeping your budgetary reality in mind:

• Hire a Professional

What’s your plan for your home?  Don’t have one?  Consider hiring a  professional, even if only for a few hours, to help you establish a long term plan and develop a list of priorities and “to do’s”.

• Tailor Your Timelines

Tailor your timelines to meet your budget requirements.  Does your budget allow you to purchase all the items for your home at once?  If not, take your time (which for many means months/years) and do it properly.  Do it once: do it right.

• Dress Your Home with Classics

Is your budget driving your timelines?  Could your long term schedule cause your finished rooms to be out of style a year from now?  Would you buy a shirt for $1000.00 that’s trendy today but you KNOW will be dated tomorrow?  Not likely if your budget is a concern.

Dress your house like you dress yourself.  Dress your home with classics.  That’s where to spend your money.  Consider buying furniture in the same way you would buy a great pair of black pants, or a little black dress or that pair of jeans you’ve worn day in and day out for 3 years.  Spend more on classics and get good quality that will last for years to come.

• Break the Bank (When Necessary)

Splurge (if you can) when needed.  Is that classic sofa taking up more of your budget than you anticipated?  You may need to compromise and spend more on  those classic pieces that will last forever.  Just remember: Do it right the first time and do it only once.

Don’t sweat the details of your budget.  If you planned on only spending $1000.00 on a sofa, and end up spending $2000.00 because you’re buying a great classic, adjust your budget accordingly and plan on spending less on all those great accessories (which by the way are also chuck-able because they were so affordable!).  Your bottom line can stay in tact while all the other numbers flex.

• Buy Smaller Trendy Items

If you must buy trends but are on a budget, don’t break the bank on these items.  When it comes time for you to get rid of it because the trend has passed, you won’t flush your money down the drain.

Make trendy purchases small, disposable ones: Things you won’t be afraid to get rid of like lamp shades, make-shift draperies and throw pillows.

• Buy Colours You Like

Buy colours you like, not what the colour trend is for that year.  If you like it today and you liked it 10 years ago, chances are you’ll like it 10 years from now too.

Trends are called trends for a reason: Here today, gone tomorrow.  If you must have some of this year’s hottest colours, put them on smaller items – toss cushions, throws and other accessories.  A good rule of thumb:  put classic neutrals on your larger, more costly items and change the smaller ones to follow trends or even to reflect seasonal changes.

• Keep the Big Picture in Mind

Eclecticism is an art.  If you’re not sure about mixing styles and patterns, and you’re making a major purchase, err on the side of caution and go back to your master plan.  Stick with neutrals and classic lines.  That bright orange leather slipper chair with the brushed metal legs on sale for $50.00…does it fit in with your French Country boudoir?  Not likely, right?  Don’t buy it (unless it’s for your modern home-away-from-home).

• Shop!

And if you can, shop a lot.  Just to clarify, “Shop” does not mean ‘Buy’.  Just shop (like when Mom used to take you into the city to “window shop” for all those amazing things we couldn’t afford).  Shopping will help you recognize what a good deal is and avoid impulse buys.  And it will help you be available when the good deals are available.  Always check out the clearance items.  Sometimes they’re junk, sometimes they’re goldmines.

• Spread the Word

If you can’t shop a lot, find someone who can or tell all your friends what it is you’re looking for.  Ten sets of eyes are better than one!  Use the Internet whenever possible to source new items before you spend precious hours scouring stores.

• Test Drive

Never buy an upholstered item without sitting on it first! Big mistakes can be made shopping on line for items that need to be comfortable.

• Read the Small Print.

Find out return policies before you buy.  Most custom pieces and window treatments can’t be returned.

• Follow a Floor Plan

Never (and I mean NEVER) buy anything without a first having a floor plan drawn up.  If you’re handy, tackle the plans yourself.  If not, a few hours of a professionals time is relatively inexpensive when compared to the alternative:  buying a sofa and loveseat that don’t fit in a room.

Ask yourself:

a) Do I know for a fact that I have enough space for this, and if so, will anything else fit in the room?!

b) Will this fit through my doorways?

c) Will this fit up my stairwell?

• Remember the Government.

Oh, that nasty word: taxes.  They often kill a budget that’s not built properly.

• Reuse and Recycle

Take a look around your house and find the hidden gems. What can be  painted, reupholstered or refinished?  What would a piece look like with new hardware or new legs?

Put your thoughts and plans on paper ahead of time. If your budget won’t let you to hire someone to do it for you, consider hiring a professional for a few hours just as a consultant.

A good decorator or designer can be your ‘sober second thought’. They’ll ask the questions you might not have considered during your planning. Best of all, they’ll help you develop a good strategy in your quest for a new and improved space!

Happy shopping!

Important Safety Resolutions to Start Your New Year Off Right

photo by Centennialplumbing.com

New year, new opportunities indicates weekly trips to the gym, carrots instead of candy and an opportunity to break bad habits. How about a resolution that goes beyond 2012 and keeps your children and home safe for years to come? This year, make it a priority to childproof your kitchen and clean beyond the countertops to keep your family happy and healthy all year long.

“Your kitchen never gets a day off,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance Corp. “Between hot appliances and sharp cooking utensils, kids can often be in danger of hurting themselves. Fortunately, homeowners can prevent most accidents by making a few simple adjustments and educating their children about kitchen safety.”

Follow these resolution tips from Mr. Appliance to keep your kitchen clean and your kids safe:

Refrigerator

• Keep items not safe for kids on higher shelves. Place juice boxes, apple slices and cheese sticks on the lower shelves for a healthy snack within your child’s reach.
• Soak refrigerator removable parts in the sink with warm, soapy water to remove stains from food spills to keep new produce as fresh as possible.
• Position refrigerator shelves to make it difficult for children to climb inside and close the door leaving your kitchen with a dangerous hide-and-seek spot.

Stove and Oven

• Turn pot and pan handles in and away from the edge of the stove so curious hands can’t pull them down.

• Remove oven racks and wash them by hand with warm water and soap to remove caked on food that can burn in your oven.

• Establish a “safety zone” marked by a small rug or area of the kitchen to keep kids several feet away from the oven while it’s hot.

Microwave Oven

• Wipe interior microwave surfaces with a mixture of two tablespoons baking soda and one quart water to remove food stains and keep your microwave clean for future use.
• Encourage children to use an oven mitt when removing a hot plate or bowl.
• Heat a microwave-safe bowl of vanilla extract for three minutes to give your kitchen a fresh scent.

Dishwasher

• Keep the dishwasher closed when you’re not loading or unloading. Sharp utensils inside can be dangerous to children.
• Create a “safety zone” when opening the door to a steam-heavy dishwasher to avoid burns from the hot steam. Teach children to wait for dishes to cool down before unloading.
• Give your dishwasher a fresh start to thoroughly clean your dishes. Remove food residue by running an empty dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar.

Most of these resolution tips can be accomplished in a matter of minutes and keep your home safe and energy efficient, too!  If you find a problem that you can’t handle, contact an appliance repair professional to help.

For recipes, appliance and energy tips, follow us on Twitter at @MrApplianceCorp and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MrApplianceCorp.

by Arpi’s

Most of the time, your home will sail through the seasons without as much as a hiccup. It’s helpful to know, however, when a situation requires an HVAC contractor and who to call. If you see evidence of any of the problems below, you should call an expert as soon as possible:

Attic problems

Having the right insulation levels and efficiency is critical in your attic. Without it, you not only lose valuable heated air through the attic, but the potential for ice damming increases. Since it’s common to experience Chinooks in Calgary, those warm days can melt the snow on your roof, which leaks down to your eaves and gutters, and freezes when the temperatures dip again. The best defense against ice damming is to have effective attic insulation.

Additionally, if your home exhaust systems are directed into the attic space, it’s more likely to experience problems, as excess moisture can lead to wood rot and wet, ineffective insulation.

Furnace problems

A dirty furnace filter can lead to an inefficient furnace. It’s important that you change the filter regularly to ensure proper airflow for the furnace, as well as to keep pollutants out of your home’s air. Leaks in the ductwork can contribute to energy losses. If you haven’t had the ductwork evaluated recently, it’s important to do so now to ensure that they don’t waste energy all winter long.

Crawl space problems

The main contributors to problems in the crawl space are moisture and a lack of insulation. If the space is musty, you most likely have moisture problems. If it’s not insulated, you’re likely to lose a lot of heat over the winter.

While problematic situations in your home can often cause financial stress and discomfort, using a highly reputable and knowledgeable HVAC contractor can offer peace of mind.

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About the Contributor

Arpi’s Industries has served the Calgary area since 1963, and we know how to solve home problems unique to Alberta’s climate, while saving homeowners money in the process and creating more energy-efficient homes. Call Arpi’s Industrieswhen you want the best of the best.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

by Arpi’s

by Sarah Oxley

Roman blinds are currently gaining popularity again, as they can give any room a unique and classy look. The variety of these window treatments is becoming so vast, that it is often difficult to know which to choose and how to implement them. They have a great advantage over other window treatments, as they are both functional and beautiful at the same time. Installing roman blinds is what puts a lot of people off, as at first glance it seems to be a lot of hassle. However, it is actually rather easy and even easier if you follow this brief guide.

The first thing you need to decide is whether the blinds need to be installed outside or inside the window. This determines the size of the blinds, and therefore saves a lot of time and helps along the next few steps.

To work out the size of your blind, you’ll need to measure the window at the bottom, middle and top. The thinnest width of the blinds needs to be measured to determine whether to install it inside the frame of the window. This ensures that the blinds don’t stick together when they are raised or lowered. If you want to utilize the outside mount you will have to consider where you want the blinds to begin as well as if you want them to extend past the window.

Buying the blinds themselves is the easiest bit, as all you need to do is pick your favourite design and style. Roman blinds should come with an installing kit, so all you need to do is specify what kind of mount you want, so you get the right installing kit.  When installing an inside mount, you should ensure that the blinds don’t touch the top of the window frame or catch anything when they are lowered or raised. Before the brackets are installed, you will have to make sure the mount brackets are perfectly placed within the frame of the window. The important thing is to make sure they are level with each other on each side. This will enable them to move freely between the brackets.

Outside mounted window blinds should not make contact with the frame of the window when raised or lowered. This means it will function smoothly every time it is used. You also need to make sure any obstructions are moved prior to the brackets being installed. It’s recommended to have a surplus of one eighth of an inch in-between each of the brackets so the rotation is as smooth as possible.

Always be sure to test that the blinds runs smoothly. If it is working properly then you have nothing to worry about. If however it is not, making an adjustment should be relatively simple. If you have bought them from a reputable shop, you will find the installation manual will be included. This will, of course, make your life that much easier.

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Written by Sarah Oxley. Interior Design and DIY Enthusiast.

by MeCC Interiors

If you’re a trend watcher and can’t wait to know what’s on the design horizon for 2012, here are a few of the evolving shifts occurring within Canada and the US pertaining to home design, which are making our living spaces more practical than aspirational.  These trends apply not only to new homes, but more extensive renovation projects.

Open Concept Living and Family space (photo by homeaway.com)

Then: Formal Living Room.  Now: Open Family Room.

The first is nothing new and will certainly come as no surprise: formal living rooms are a thing of the past, with a preference towards open rooms that encourage family gathering.  Interior walls continue to be torn down or opened up to expand views and make interiors feel more spacious and connected.  Just be sure you’re not tearing down a load bearing wall if you’re removing anything.

Then: Second Staircase.  Now: An Elevator.

RAM residential elevator

Rather than making room for that second staircase, keep an area reserved for that future elevator!  With aging populations, this luxury will become more commonplace as multiple floors become more difficult to manoeuver.  Though definitely more expensive than your standard kitchen or bathroom renovation, sizes and interior finishes vary considerably, making them available in a wide price range.

Then: Soaker Tubs.  Now: Steam Showers.

Showpiece bathrooms almost always feature a standalone tub, though a shocking number of homeowners say they never use the tubs to soak in.  For those with more limited space, tubs are being replaced with steam showers, which are fabulous year round and not as drying to the skin as saunas.  In homes with more space, many feature full steam rooms, often in the basement near the gym.

Then: Dad’s Office.  Now: Lifestyle Centres.

The panelled office that doubled as dad’s retreat are disappearing in favour of “lifestyle centres.”  Most homes feature wireless computing, so a fulltime desk is not even necessarily part of the equation.  They tend to allow for flexibility and togetherness and may act as home office, homework centre, craft station, or something else entirely, but they are included within the main, open space and keep users connected with others in the house, rather than segregated.

Outdoor Firepit and Conversation area by insideoutpatio.ca

Then: Breakfast Nook.  Now: Outdoor Spaces.

Kitchen sizes have changed substantially over the years, with many now being the hub of the home and opening onto the family room.  (Many also contain the home’s “lifestyle centre.”)  Instead of breakfast nooks, they feature a bar area and stools.  During the same time, outdoor kitchens have seen a dramatic rise and many would prefer to spend time outdoors when the weather is nice, and so the outdoor room continues to trend upwards.  It includes more than just a dining table and a few chairs, though.  Separate seating areas with a fire pit, for example, will grow in popularity as they help extend the outdoor season.

Then: Grand Foyer.  Now: “Drop Zones.”

The double story entrance foyer is seen by many as a waste of space and is often terribly energy-inefficient. “Drop zones,” however, are functional spaces that help keep everyone organize.  Most feature a place to store coats and footwear, as well as backpacks or briefcases, whether on hooks or cubbies or within a closet.  They also provide a place to drop and sort the mail, set the house keys, and other things of that nature.  Larger zones also store sports equipment or feature a place to store Fido’s leash and accessories.  Depending on the layout of the home, it may be at the front door, or off a more commonly used side or back entrance.

Bayou Cottage Laundry / Craft / Drop Zone