Compact fluorescent light bulbs should be a part of the total strategy for energy efficiency in your home.

One of the biggest trends in the last 20 years is how to save energy through lower power consumption. And of course, lighting is one of those critical energy wasters for many homes, regardless of their size. It takes a certain amount of electrical energy to light an average person’s home and great reductions can be made. By now, most people know this is a reality with compact fluorescent light bulbs, where energy reduction can be as much a 75% with a corresponding reduction on your electric bill. But there is often some sacrifice that still has to be made when it comes to lighting with compact fluorescent light bulbs. There may be a couple of ways to better incorporate this technology into energy savings in your home in concert with other efficient lighting.

In people’s homes, lighting serves many different purposes, from reading to kitchen tasks to lighting general areas such as bathrooms or a family room. Because there are so many different activities that go on in the home, it’s important not to take the approach of one-size-fits-all when it comes to lighting. But that’s the way many people approach energy efficiency in their home, outfitting the entire home with compact fluorescent without thinking about what they might be doing in those individual spaces. It can be a tricky balancing act between what looks good aesthetically and what is a true energy-saving opportunity. Another aspect that comes into play many times is that people need to do some kind of dimming or other kinds of lighting control, which doesn’t always work well with energy-saving compact fluorescent lights. So it’s good to come up with an integrated strategy that might work best to accomplish energy efficiency in a home.

Probably the biggest thing to keep in mind when it comes to compact fluorescent lighting is that the standard off-the-shelf compact fluorescent is not a dimmable product. If you have a system that does dimming in your house, it can be difficult to incorporate compact fluorescent so that it will look as good as standard incandescent lighting. If you’ve gone to all the expense to have a dimming system with scenes and total lighting control, then almost no compact fluorescent is really going to be the ultimate solution. In cases like that, it makes sense to use that lighting control system and keep lights shut off when they’re not being used. Many times, you can incorporate occupancy sensors that will shut off the lights when nobody’s in the room and that can be used in a complete lighting control system.

If you just have a few dimmers on the wall, you can use some dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs that will dim down to lower light levels, making it acceptable in many situations. There are some that go down to 20% of full light output, and then there are others to go all the way down to about 1 or 2%. These can be used in standard incandescent dimmers that you might have on the wall in your home. That can take care of some of the dimming that you need, while other on-off circuits can be handled by standard compact fluorescent for maximum energy savings.

It might also be a good time to think about what you are using for track lighting, or recessed lighting. If you have standard incandescent lamps, they could be replaced with halogen bulbs at a lower wattage. In many cases, this is a better way to handle energy efficiency while still getting the correct lighting effect through dimming or display. Halogen technology has improved much over the past 10 years and it’s a good solution to reduce energy, even though it won’t save as much energy as a fluorescent light bulb. Most people like the way halogen illumination looks, with its white, crisp light that really does a good job for many types of track lighting.

To put it simply, you should look for areas where you can use compact fluorescent lights without hurting the aesthetic aspects of your home. In places where you still need to have a dimming capability or greater lighting control, you may want to incorporate halogen as a part of your total strategy. You may also be able to incorporate some new LED lighting that has a very low wattage and still provides a fair amount of light for many different kinds of tasks. It may not be able to replace the higher wattage of either halogen or fluorescent, but it will provide light for an area and can be used as part of that total scheme for reducing energy. Take a look at how you use lighting in your home and think about what you want to accomplish with light, because that’s still the ultimate goal, to have your home lit in a pleasing manner. Apart from energy savings, that’s still the main purpose of light and if you miss that, no amount of energy savings is ever going to make you feel better about a lit space that isn’t quite right.

John Bolduan is President of BuyLightFixtures.com and has over 20 years in the lighting field. For lighting help, contact 866-637-1530 or via email at john@buylightfixtures.com. Also visit their web site at: www.buylightfixtures.com to learn more about color in all types of lighting.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit program is open to all Canadian homeowners renovating to be more energy efficient.

Things to know about the program:

• Homeowners can receive a rebate of up to $5,000 for improving their home.
• You have to pay $295 to have someone come into your home to assess it before you renovate, and an additional $150 to have them come back after the renovations are complete.
• Some provinces will send you an instant rebate of up to $150 after the first assessment to subsidize some of the cost.
• The average homeowner receives $1600 in rebates
• By following the recommendations of the advisor, you can help lower your house’s emissions by up to one-half. Homes are one of the major producers of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
• All advisers must be impartial — be careful of those that come into your home and try to up-sell you.
• Homeowners can choose what to upgrade based on their adviser’s recommendations, their budgets, and what has the most payback.

posted by Nikki Rollins
nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

Flooring Hints:

* The most important part of a flooring project is its proper installation. A poor installation can reduce the floor’s life span significantly. Choose a reputable local dealer.

* Take samples of fabrics, wallpaper and paint swatches to the flooring showroom. Take a cabinet drawer for kitchen projects.

* Often customers bring the room sizes to the showroom in order to help the salesperson ballpark the total investment based on different selection options. A room’s dimensions are simple: 1 linear foot equals 1 block.

What’s Your Mental Picture?

Ask yourself the questions below before you visit the flooring showroom. It will help the sales consultant understand your mental picture during your showroom visit. Finding you the right product is the priority. Knowing your mental picture helps the dealer.

* What is the room used for? How much traffic? Children or pets?
* Do kids play on the floor? Is comfort important?
* Is the room the center of activity for family OR is it used for entertainment?
* Is there direct access (soiling) from outside?
* Is there anything I liked/disliked about the existing floor that I am replacing
* What is my color scheme?
* How much natural sunlight does the room get?
* How long do I plan on staying in the house? Is resale important to me?
* Have I ever had a negative experience with a flooring project in the past?
* What needs to happen to avoid that problem again?

*Courtesy of Molyneaux - Carpet and Flooring in Pittsburgh, VA.

It is the big day — moving day. For weeks you’ve planned, worried and worked to make sure all of your belongings make their way to the new destination without a hitch.If you have planned well, this day will be stress-free and an exciting adventure. If you planned poorly, however, moving day will be full of problems, headaches and, in some cases, disasters. So how do you avoid a bad situation? For starters, plan ahead, do not leave too much up to chance and keep a sense of humour (if you can).

Below are other tips:
* Ask to have your moving company give you a guaranteed cost. This will help you avoid an unexpected bill in the future.

* Make arrangements with your mover as far in advance as possible. Last-minute calls during the busy season may mean spending extra money or not finding a mover at all.

* If you are moving into an apartment, reserve the elevator.

* If you are moving into a house, arrange for street parking if needed. In the winter, make sure that the driveway is cleared of snow.

* Moving in the winter can throw you challenges you never thought of. Do not put objects that cannot be frozen in the truck. Keep them with you.

* Keep your valuables with you. That means jewellery, money and important documents. Movers will not accept responsibility for these items.

* Leave clothing and bedding in dresser drawers. Remove breakables and do not overload.

* Leave furniture in its original place. Do not move it all to one room.

* Keep any luggage you will need on the trip separate.

* Take your telephone book with you if you’re moving towns. There will probably be a few times when you will need to contact someone from your former place of residence. A telephone book means you will not have to pay the long-distance bill for that area’s telephone information service.

* Take down any pictures, fixtures or photos hanging from the wall before the movers arrive.

* If you will be packing yourself, start well in advance of moving day. Discard any unwanted items.

* Defrost your freezer before moving day. Pack food in boxes, laundry baskets or clear plastic bags. Try to use up as much food as possible in the weeks before the move.

* Mark the sides and the top of cartons for easy identification. You will want to write a quick summary of contents, as well as the room (kitchen, main bedroom) in which they’re required.

* Be careful not to overpack a carton. Heavy items (such as hardcover books) should be packed in smaller containers.

* If you have pets, be sure you have carrying cages.

* Hire a babysitter for the day if you have children.

* Walk through your house or apartment with the mover, indicating special-care items or giving specific instructions. Always be sure there is someone to do this with the mover. This step might help you avoid heartache when your belongings arrive at the new house.

* Verify the delivery address with the mover and provide information about how you can be contacted at the new dwelling.

* Try to be at the new home before the movers start unloading. Know where you want your belongings placed.

Some specialized tips:
* Books: pack in small cartons.

* Canned Goods: pack upright with no more than 24 to 30 cans per box. Wrap glass containers.

* Plants: you may want to keep plants with you.

* China and glassware: clearly mark boxes FRAGILE. Stuff glassware and china with tissue (if you use newspaper, be prepared to clean all glassware upon arrival at the new destination). Pack plates, platters and saucers on edges, not flat, and pad in layers as well as along the top and bottom of the box.

* Clocks: remove or secure pendulums in large clocks. An expert should prepare grandfather clocks.

* Clothes: pack in clean cartons.

* Drapes and curtains: remove curtains from rods. Fold and pack in cartons or dresser drawers.

* Flammables and combustibles: these items must not be packed as temperature changes can cause them to leak or explode. Your mover will not be held responsible.

* Lamps and lampshades: remove bulbs, harps and shades. Roll up cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately, and place upright in lined cartons. Wrap shades in tissue rather than newspaper. Place upright in lined carton.

* Medicines: seal caps with masking tape, wrap and place in small cartons. Keep those you need with you.

* Mirrors, paintings and pictures: tell your mover about special-care items. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings and frames, and place upright at edge of cartons. Large items should also be left upright in larger, sturdier containers. Place tape diagonally across mirrors for protection. Do not use newspaper to protect paintings.

* Computers and video equipment: pack in original boxes if possible. Otherwise, use strong corrugated cartons and protective pads. Place additional padding between cartons and equipment. Wrap cords separately and label.

* Microwave ovens: remove and wrap all loose articles from inside the oven. Tape the door shut with an X pattern over the door and glass. Use the original manufacturer box if possible. Label box.

* Records, CDs and stereos: CDs and records should be placed upright in cartons. Wrap the stereo in an old blanket and place in a carton.

* Silverware: wrap each piece in cloth or low-sulphur-content paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad as wrapping to prevent scratching the silverware chest.

* Appliances and utensils: wrap and place small appliances and utensils in cartons. Place heavier items on the bottom. Have an authorized service person prepare all large appliances for moving. Call for this service well in advance.

* Tools: discharge the batteries in tools. Pack in strong, small cartons. Wrap separately if valuable.

**Provided by the Canadian Association of Movers - CAM
1-866-860-0065

Recently we heard from a new homeowner who thought they knew exactly what they were buying after having the house fully inspected by a home inspector. To their surprise, when they called in a contractor to do some renovations, the contractor found numerous errors and mistakes made by the home inspector.

Sadly, the house is going to be much expensive to renovate than was initially budgeted for.

In this blog entry, we try to give you some things to think about during a home inspection.

1. Seasonality of Inspection - When you have a home inspected prior to purchase, consider the season that the home inspector is working in . For example, if it is winter and the roof is covered in snow, how can the inspector properly judge the quality of the roof ? If this is the case, try and get documentation from the homeowner on the condition of the roof, the warranty, and the last time the roof was worked on.

2. Knob and Tube Wiring - It is very difficult for a home inspector to determine the extent of knob-and-tube wiring in a house. Often, you will get an estimate percentage from the inspector. Since the inspector can’t rip out the walls and actually see the knob and tube, their determination is made based on the plugs and switches.

3. Hiding the house’s faults - As a home inspector’s visit to your house is brief, often they can miss things that have been hidden from the inspection. A common example of this is when homeowners paint their foundation walls to hide mold and leaking.

4. Home inspection liability limitations - Remember that the inspector is not liable for missed items during an inspection. They are only liable for the amount of the actual cost of the inspection, so before you agree to the results of their inspection, make sure there isn’t anything you think they’ve missed .

5. Insulation in the Attic - This is one area often missed in an inspection. Due to the difficulty of getting into the attic, the volume, type and quality of the attic insulation is often not included on an inspection.

So what is the end result? Home inspection services are very useful and can give the homeowner peace of mind when making a decision on buying a home. However, given the nature of the job, it is important to choose a home inspector with experience, not just the cheapest one. There are some really great home inspection companies out there to choose from. Please try to keep in mind some of these lessons during an inspection.

For more information on home improvement visit The Home Renovation Guide - http://www.homerenovationguide.com - The complete guide to home renovation.

There are many beautiful stone products available to the homeowner today. How the stone looks, the design aesthetic, is arguably the most important factor in choosing which of these you will use. However, a number of other factors also should be considered. Among these are the purpose of the area being resurfaced, the colour, age, and architecture of your home, your project budget, and the level of maintenance that is acceptable to you.

Local limestone, such as Owen Sound or Credit Valley, either in dimensional or flagstone, is the most popular choice, but, by no means the only one. Granite, either native or imported, is very effective, used in cobbles for a more established old country look, or in flamed slabs for a more polished finish, perhaps for a French garden.

Porphyry is a natural stone we very much like for its unique warm reds, browns and greys. Porphyry is imported from Mexico, but is also available from Italy and Brazil in slightly different colouration. Porphyry has some very ancient and famous applications, including the floor of Solomon’s temple. For more contemporary gardens, the concrete-like appearance of Indiana Limestone is very effective, while New England Fieldstone and New York Bluestone provide a more rugged and colourful appearance suitable to country estates.
Many sandstones are also available. Sandstone is generally solid coloured and is a softer stone, less workable but highly satisfactory in many applications, at a slightly lower cost.

If cost is an issue, there are numerous very good quality engineered stone products. Many of these provide a very attractive finish, particularly in combination with natural stone. For driveway and other heavy-wear applications, these often are more suitable than natural stone.

Whatever stone you choose, a quality installer is crucial to a beautiful and durable finished project. Choose a landscape firm or mason who can show you a great portfolio and a list of happy clients!

Article Provided By Dayspring Fine Gardens

www.dayspringfinegardens.com

info@dayspringfinegardens.com

Posted by Nikki Rollins nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

Reduce Energy Costs

As your heating and cooling system ages, it can lose its ability to cool or heat your home. If your current heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, or your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, it may be time to replace it with a more efficient system. Inadequate insulation or equipment installation may be the cause of temperature changes from room to room.

Your new system can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter while saving you money on energy bills. Let the professionals at Sears help you determine if your current system needs replacing.

Replacing your current equipment with an ENERGY STAR rated heating and cooling systems can help reduce high energy costs as much as 10-30%.*

Accept No Substitutes!

* Full line of exclusive Kenmore and Carrier heating and cooling systems

* ENERGY STAR qualified systems that can help save up to 25% of your annual heating/cooling costs*

* Sears Heating & Cooling specialist can work with you to determine the right system for your home

* Prevent minor problems from becoming big headaches

* You’re paying for quality

* Cost of utilities is rising, get the most out of your heating and cooling dollars

* A manufacturer’s limited product warranty of up to 10 years*

* A full one year limited warranty on installation*

* Free in-home consultation on a new system

*Article is courtesy of Sears Home Central - for a free estimate, click here
Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

With summer around the corner, many homeowners are getting ready to enjoy the season. We have included a few pictures below of a recent swimming pool and patio install to inspire homeowners who have questions about adding a pool to your backyard.

You can find many inspirational photos at The Home Renovation Guide’s PhotoShare.

Check out this nice swimming pool and patio install below

Patio Install

Patio Steps

Ready for the summer!

With the City of Toronto beginning its public consultations on potential new taxes, Toronto realtors are hoping that Mayor Miller and City Council will heed their advice: do not impose a home-buying tax.

Public meetings are an opportunity for Toronto residents and businesses to tell the City what they think of various new taxes that are being considered. These proposals were announced less than two months ago, and the City’s Executive Committee could make decisions on them next month.

Possibly the biggest tax that could be levied by the City would be a second land transfer tax, paid by homebuyers on top of the existing provincial land transfer tax. A second land transfer tax of as little as 0.5 per cent would mean that average Toronto homebuyers would have to come up with close to $2,000 extra when buying a home, a 45 per cent increase in the land transfer taxes that they already pay.

‘We appreciate any opportunity to inform the City about how misguided a Toronto home-buying tax is, but this issue is too serious to wait for the City’s formal public meetings to start. As soon as realtors found out about the proposed home buying tax, they started contacting the Mayor and City Councillors directly to tell them to shelve this crazy idea. Hundreds of realtors, that we are aware of, have already sent emails to the Mayor and City Councillors,’ said Dorothy Mason, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB).

‘Not just realtors have been speaking out against this tax. As soon as their clients, the general public, found out about this they are shocked that the City would even think about this. Many of them are letting TREB know about their concerns at the same time that they send them to the City, and from what we have seen, it’s clear that the public is very concerned about a Toronto homebuying tax,’ said Mason.

The concerns that realtors and the public have been expressing are numerous. Specifically, they have told the City that a homebuying tax would hurt homebuyers, home sellers, businesses, the economy, and the environment (Excerpts from realtor and public correspondence provided below).

‘A home-buying tax would hurt those who can least afford it the most. Many homebuyers already have to heavily finance their home purchase to be able to live in Toronto. If they have to find another $2,000, or more, for this tax, they will end up having less money for a down payment, which will mean a bigger mortgage, over $1,700 in extra mortgage interest, and possibly more mortgage insurance costs. For a homebuyer of an average Toronto property that could only afford a five per cent down payment, the Toronto home-buying tax could ultimately end up costing them over $11,000 in added costs when mortgage insurance and interest are considered,’ said Mason.

‘The unfortunate thing is that, at the end of the day, a Toronto home buying tax could mean less, not more, revenue for the City because less demand for Toronto housing will mean less property assessment growth, which would mean less property tax revenue for the City,’ added Mason.

Until recently, the City has only been allowed to levy property taxes.

‘These are unprecedented decisions that the Mayor and City Council are making, so the last thing they should be doing is rushing, but that is exactly what they are doing. The City needs to make sure that it takes the time to fully understand the ramifications of a homebuying tax,’ said Mason

*Courtesy of the Toronto Real Estate Board - Make the Right Move - Consult a Toronto Real Estate Board REALTOR

Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Homeowners should have insurance, it’s as simple as that. Protecting your largest asset can prevent it from becoming a liability in unpredictable situations. How much coverage, which company, and the other small details will impact the price of your home insurance, so here are some things to take into consideration when looking.

1. Know the value of your home in today’s market. Every year, the value of your home will vary a bit. If it’s a significant increase, be sure to get added coverage for the air market value. Just because you purchased your home 10 years ago does not mean that it has the same value today. Ask yourself whether if you had to rebuild, or purchase a new home, would you be able to do so with the money that your current insurance policy offers?

2. Shop around. You do this for car insurance and should also for home insurance. Different companies offer better rates based on their criteria, so you may save big from just one phone call.

3. Ask for discounts. There are some brokers and agents that offer substantial discounts for having more than one insurance policy with them. For example, car, life and home equates to large savings in your premiums. Don’t waste your money by not asking, it could save you hundreds of dollars.

4. If you have a company that you have been with for a long time, let them know that you are shopping. As a great client, they don’t want to see you go, and may compete for your business.

5. Know how much risk you pose in the insurance company’s eyes. For example if you are in an area known for weather damage, you are higher risk. Other risks are: gender, age, marital status, area of town you live in, etc. - all of these factors equate to risk.

Being an informed consumer can make a big difference in your policy premiums.

posted by Nikki Rollins
nrollins@homerenovationguide.com