June 30th, 2010 | Published in outdoor
Finally getting a super, top of the line bbq to make the most of prime summer time? Check out Lowe’s BBQ Guide. Get it now – fast & free: Download the PDF.
For more Lowe’s articles, visit Home Renovation Guide’s special Lowe’s How-to’s and Buying Guides section!
June 18th, 2010 | Published in DIY, remodeling, renovating, repair, safety, tools
by Guest
With summer shortly upon us, and Father’s Day just around the corner it’s a great time to be reminded about home-reno safety. It’s the time of year when many fathers are on the cusp of getting (or getting out) tons of tools, renovation gear and outdoor products and ready to tackle home projects after being cooped up all winter. These home-reno dads (and divas too) may likely have toddlers and small children around them watching what mom and dad are doing. It’s the perfect time to set a safety precedent while they are doing their home repairs!
DIY’er are most likely making their “to do” lists – and checking it twice – ready to tackle the home and yard projects that have been put off all winter. Itching to get out the circular saw, nail gun or drill, what most DIY’ers often forget to grab is the important safety gear that should be top of mind before flicking the “on” switch or getting started on the project.
For years it’s been “drilled” into our minds to wear seat belts in the car or a helmet when on a bike ride, yet when it comes to wearing protective eye gear or ear muffs when using dangerous and loud equipment like a saw or running a compressor, weekend warriors have an invincibility attitude when it comes to home repairs.
Too many times even the simplest home project go awry, most of which could have been easily prevented with some sort of safety gear. What DIYers fail to remember is that no project is too small – it can be the smallest piece of wood that can puncture an eye, a loud sound that could damage hearing or miniscule dust particles that could affect a respiratory system.
Wh’Eye Not?
Do you like to watch the beautiful sunset? See your kids play at the park? Well, something as simple as throwing on a pair of safety glasses* can ensure a lifetime of sunsets and smiles from loved ones. From mowing the lawn to cutting baseboards your eyes are valuable – why not protect them?
Say What?
The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association says one in 10 people in Canada have some degree of hearing loss, and for people over 50, the number increases to one in five. Why increase your chances of early hearing loss simply because you didn’t want to throw in a pair of plugs or wear sound muffs*? Toss on a pair of so you can drown out the lawnmower or table saw in style!
Lung-evity
Often home projects involve some use of toxic fumes like paint, adhesives, sawdust and other nasty particles that will weave their way into your system as you work – it’s as simple as throwing on a mask to prevent this from happening – not to mention looking super cool while you work! Become a home-renovation fashionista in your multi-purpose respirator*– ok you might look more like Darth Vader but your kids will think you are the best!
Other tips to consider when home safety is involved:
· Before you start a project prepare – know what you are going to need in terms of tools and make sure you have the appropriate safety gear on hand to compliment the project
· Remember to set an example – your kids are little sponges – show them that you care for them by caring for yourself and make it a standard to be safe
· Remember that you aren’t just a handyman doing some work around the house –you are also a sibling, friend, spouse, parent, or supervisor and those “someone’s” are counting on your safety
· Learn about the materials you are going to be using for your project, and the best way to work with them
· Make sure you concentrate and stay focused when working with tools or machinery – even a moment’s distraction could lead to harm
· Don’t get in “over your head” – if the project is too large or too complicated for your skill level, either take a course to upgrade your skills, or trust in the experts
· Don’t take your health and safety for granted; all it takes is a simple slip or error
Interested in winning some great safety gear from 3M? The first person to comment on this post will receive 3M’s Rivet Safety Eye Wear and Professional Ear Muffs (a total prize pack of $60)!
–
*For more information on 3M safety products such as: 3M’s AO Safety Sunglasses (a division of 3M) ($29.99), 3M’s AO Professional Ear Muffs ($31.99), MP3 Muffs ($59.99), and the 3M Household Multi-purpose Respirator – $41.99, visit http://www.3m.com/intl/ca.
About the Company
Established in 1951, 3M Canada Company was one of the first international subsidiaries opened by 3M and remains one of the largest. 3M Canada’s head office and original manufacturing site is in London, Ontario where approximately 1,000 of the company’s 1,950 employees work. Other Ontario plants are located in Toronto, Brockville, and Perth with one in Morden, Manitoba. Sales offices are located in major cities nationwide and a national service network supports customers.
June 9th, 2010 | Published in DIY, air quality, heating and cooling
by Guest
With the mercury rising each day as we approach the hot summer months, air conditioning maintenance becomes an essential yet often overlooked part of home ownership. Performing simple routine maintenance can dramatically improve an air conditioning system’s efficiency, save on utility costs, help to avoid potential breakdowns, and extend the overall life of the system.
To help consumers add years to the life of their air conditioning system, Bill Cunningham, a home cooling and energy efficiency expert with Lennox – a leading manufacturer of heating and cooling products – suggests the following tips for keeping your cool this summer:
1. Change the Filter – Dirty air filters are the No. 1 preventable cause of a system breakdown. When the air filter becomes clogged by dirt and other particles, the unit can’t produce enough airflow, which results in a lower volume of air and the system having to work harder. According to Cunningham, clean filters allow the system to run more effectively and can help save energy by reducing operating costs.
2. Call for an Annual Check-up – To help ensure proper and efficient operation, the system should be serviced by a qualified service technician at the beginning of each cooling season. While this service generally includes a check of all major system components and equipment operation, it also allows the technician to identify and eliminate any concerns, should they exist, thereby helping to prevent more costly repairs if those concerns are left uncorrected.
3. Keep the Unit Clean and Clear – Another important thing a homeowner can do for the health of a unit is keep the outside air conditioning unit clear of debris. Make a habit out of keeping the condensing unit clear of weeds and plants. Allow proper clearance around all sides of the unit including the top to make sure it can breathe properly.
4. Set it and Forget It – Programmable thermostats help ensure the air conditioner operates only when necessary to maintain a steady, even temperature, which prevents it from running constantly and helps conserve energy. Many new thermostats also have service reminders that alert the homeowner when routine maintenance is required. In the long run, these state-of-the-art features can help prolong the life of a system.
5. Replace a System That’s Past its Prime – While a routine annual maintenance check-up by a licensed professional can extend the life of an air conditioner and help save on major repairs and energy costs, if the system is already 12 to 15 years old, Cunningham says it’s time to consider replacing the system. Maintenance and repairs on older systems can be more expensive and they don’t operate as efficiently, whereas a new system will be much more energy efficient and will save hundreds of dollars on energy bills.
Lennox Industries is a leading provider of customized home heating, cooling and indoor air quality products that are designed to deliver customized comfort, efficiency and functionality, with the most innovative and reliable features available. For more information about Lennox home comfort products, visit www.Lennox.com or call 1-800-9-LENNOX.
June 7th, 2010 | Published in DIY, basement, finances, green, heating and cooling
by Robert Wright
You may be aware of the eco-audit or energy savings programs run by the province and the federal governments. You may have heard that the federal government has cut these programs for budget reasons.
I think that was short sighted.
New homes built today are much more energy efficient than even homes built 10 years ago. This is one of the reasons the Canadian Housing industry was able to meet Kyoto targets – one of the very few industries to do so. With most of our housing stock – up to 50% – built between the 1960’s and 1980’s; there are a lot of homes requiring energy updates. Many things in a home require replacement over the years. Why not encourage these replacements to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly?
The eco audit program requires that you have a pre renovation or repair inspection and then followed by a post renovation inspection. You could also “double dip” in the programs until you receive maximum rebate value. That means you could spread the work over time as your budget allows.
Many homeowners believe the most cost effective eco updates are the windows and HVAC equipment. They are not — it is usually the insulation and the air sealing updates. A handy home owner can complete some of these updates themselves with a caulking gun and some spray foam. Recently, I have been surprised at the number of 1960’s and 70’s basements that I’ve seen that are unfinished and uninsulated. I have finished basements in these types of homes in the past, and the home owner has seen the heating bills drop by 25% to 30%. It is amazing the heat loss that happens through the basement.
I have also done exterior renovations where the client could tell where the work was done – without leaving the home. They could feel the comfort level increase in adjoining rooms as we did the work! In addition, they went from two smaller a/c units running on high to one unit on low to cool the home.
You can still receive the provincial rebates. However, the cut off date for the federal rebates has passed – they did not give very much warning. I understand that if you have a file number and unused rebates, you may still be able to claim additional federal rebates to top up your rebates. You can call NRC at 1-877-953-5454 to confirm if you can extend your federal rebates.
So while the rebates may not be as lucrative as before, there are still savings to be had, which will only get better as time goes on. It still pays you to be green
Rob Wright has grown up around construction and in the mid 1990’s, Rob joined and took over Citadel Renovations in Ottawa. Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects and is a contributor to the Home Renovation Guide. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and previously served as the Renovation Council Chair. For more information, visit CitadelRenovations.com.
Looking for a local contractor? Visit the Home Renovation Guide’s Complete Directory or Get a Free Quote.
June 4th, 2010 | Published in real estate
Planning to Buy a house soon? It’s a big investment so it’s important to get it right. Go through this checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared and you have all the info you need to get the house of your dreams.
Click on the image (below) for a larger view.
