Most of us know the benefits of using compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of traditional, less-efficient incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescents last up to 10 times as long as incandescent bulbs and use far less energy, making them the right choice for the earth and your pocketbook.

Compact fluorescents work by passing a current through a tube filled with a trace amount of mercury and argon gas, an inert, colourless, odourless and nontoxic gas. If you’ve ever purchased windows, you know the benefits of argon gas: reduced heat loss in winter and decreased heat gain in summer.

When I was a kid I thought argon gas was some sort of Superman-strength fume that protected against, I don’t even know, aliens? Turns out I was partly right; the gas does have superhero strength, as in light force.

Luxim, a company that specializes in developing high-efficiency lighting, recently revealed its newest project: a Tic-Tac-sized bulb that gives off as much light as a street lamp but is ultra-efficient thanks to, you guessed it, argon gas, as well as a component called a “puck.” When electrical energy is delivered to the puck, the puck acts like an electrical lens, heating up the argon to a temperature of 6000 degrees Kelvin, and turning the gas into a plasma that gives off light.

Conventional light bulbs and high-end LEDs get around 15 and 70 lumens per watt, respectively. By comparison, the plasma bulb uses 250 watts, and achieves around 140 lumens per watt, making it incredibly bright and highly efficient in its light distribution.

So while you might not need such bright lighting in your home, this tiny bulb offers a brilliant glimpse into the future.

Have you noticed that people are obsessed with windows? They want more of them and they want them wider, taller (two-storey perhaps?), and shapelier (round tops, elliptical, oblique). The problem arrives when you decide to dress this sea of glass. What to do?

Don’t despair. Firstly, determine your budget. Quality window treatments are not inexpensive but if chosen properly they will serve you well for many years to come. Secondly, decide how much light filtering and privacy you need for each room. Next, determine the style of window coverings that will best suit the design of the room and home. Here are some options to consider.

Great View
Do your windows have a beautiful view? If so, you won’t want to cover this feature. Instead flank the view with side panels only, leaving the window portion untreated, particularly for windows that are north facing. The panels should coordinate in colour and pattern with the other elements in the room.

Light Filtering
If the windows face any direction other than north, consider a shade/blind mounted on the inside of the window that can be positioned to filter the light, or pulled up/down entirely. A layered treatment with sheers for light control and fabric panels on either side is another option.

Alternatively, professionally installed window films can filter UV rays while offering a clear view outside. Couple this with a fabric treatment that dresses the window such as a roman or box pleat valance and side panels.

Security
Some films allow you to look out while passers-by are unable to look in due to the mirroring effect that occurs from the outside. This is a great option for rooms where security is of the utmost importance, such as home offices and family rooms.

Undesirable View
If your window faces your neighbour’s brick wall/window consider cellular or pleated shades with different opacities that allow the light to come through while obscuring or blocking the view entirely.

Privacy
Bedrooms necessitate the most privacy so do make sure the treatment has complete light control. Use shutters, blinds or shades that specify complete light control for privacy. In addition, have a fabric treatment that flanks the window with perhaps a valance above it.

Finally, if you’re still unclear as to which treatments you should be entertaining for your home contact Margarida Oliveira, designer and owner of Chic Décor, for a consultation.You may reach her at: 905-337-8463, or visit her website at: www.chicdecordesign.com

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

A familiar story with older homes is that the original windows let in drafts and allow a large transfer of air. This problem will cost you some money in both the summer and winter, where you will spend that extra money on keeping your house cool and warm because of the air transfer. When it rains, do you find that your windows leak? If so, this can be more then just an annoying problem, the water can seep into your walls creating and structure. The trapped moisture could lead to molds and air pollutants.

You might think it is time for new windows, but that is not necessarily the case. Storm windows have been around for years and you might even have them in your basement. These can easily slide into place, covering your beautiful old stained glass or lead windows without having to replace them and damage your home’s curb appeal. Storm windows will cut all your air transfers and leaks at the same time. All this at a fraction of the cost of having your windows replaced! It is keeping your money in your pocket.

The usual aluminum triple track, which gets its name because it holds two glass sashes and the screen which slides up and down on two separate tracks, will not win any beauty contests. However, it will play a preservation role which will protect valued windows from the elements.

One of the common mistakes people make is caulking a storm window’s bottom edge and along the windowsill. This tends to trap water, which leaks in or pools on the inside area between your windows. You will want to give that water an opportunity to escape before it damage can occur.

Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Painting Like the Pros: Interior

If you proceed logically through the steps below, soon you will be painting like the pros. Be sure to read the instructions on the paint can label for information specific to the product you are using. Your retailer also has a product manual with complete specifications.

Start out the easy way
Always start with the ceiling. Follow with the walls, then the windows, trim and doors.

Begin brushing
Dip bristles one third of their length into the paint and tap gently against the inside edge of can or pail to release excess. Try not to drag the brush across edge of can. Holding the brush near the ferrule, use light strokes with slight pressure from your fingertips. This helps eliminate lap marks. Always use a quality brush designed for the type of paint you are using.

Rolling
Work paint into the roller by moving it back and forth in the deep end of the tray. Make sure it is distributed evenly and remove excess by rolling lightly across ridges at shallow end of tray. Work the roller in slow, smooth strokes to prevent bubbles or spattering.

Ceiling
Begin by brushing a hand-wide strip around the perimeter of the room where the walls meet the ceiling. Then roll paint in one-metre strips across the shortest width of the ceiling. Avoid lapping by maintaining a wet edge. Here is how: when reapplying a loaded roller to a surface, first place it on an unpainted area of the strip. Then work backwards into the strip of wet paint. This will eliminate the risk of seeing lines where one strip ends and the next begins.

Wall to wall
Work in approximately one metre segments from the top down. When using a roller, lay initial paint on in a broad M pattern starting at the bottom of the letter. Then even out by rolling lightly with horizontal strokes followed by vertical strokes.

Windows
Open slightly at top and bottom and paint inner sash. Finish with frame and sill.

Doors
Paint frame first, then top and side edges. On panelled doors, paint mouldings and panels starting at the top and working across and down sequentially. Finish by painting areas surrounding panels from the top down. Treat flush doors the same as walls.

Trim
Gloss and semi-gloss paints require less brush pressure than flat paints. Complete small areas at a time, brush with even strokes. Never try to touch up a spot that has begun to set. A plastic shield for the floor or wall is handy when painting trim. Remember, if you are not sure how to paint a particular area, your Benjamin Moore Retailer would be more than happy to answer your questions.

**Courtesy of Benjamin Moore Paints - www.benjaminmoore.ca

Open House Tips
Conducting an open house is a terrific way to expose your property to many people in a short amount of time. While your real estate professional will advertise and manage the event, it is up to you to make sure that your home is seen in the best light possible. Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression, so approach the open house as your opportunity to showcase your property. Here are some things you can do to make sure that your home is prepared on the inside and out.

Start with the outside. Do a visual check of the front of the house from across the street. Does it have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a trimmed lawn and flowerbed and a freshly painted front door. Polish door handles and knockers and replace worn items such as a rusty doorbell. Consider adding a new doormat and flowering plants at the entrance. Do the windows need cleaning? Are there oil stains in the driveway that need removing? While outside, don’t forget to check the side and back yards. Add some flowering plants to the back as well. Rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away gardening tools. Tidy around the grill area.

Now focus on the inside of the home where cleanliness, space, smell and lighting are key. First, get your house in tip-top condition by cleaning and clearing away clutter. Steam clean and vacuum the carpet. Make sure your floors are waxed and shiny. Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine. Your kitchen and bathrooms should pass the white glove test. Be conscious of any lingering odors such as smoke, pets or strong-smelling foods. You may need to air out your home prior to the open house. Consider grinding fresh lemons in the garbage disposal. And don’t forget to empty out all the trash. Look at your countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and the tops of your bureaus. Do they seem cluttered? Clear away and store as much as possible. You want your home to seem spacious.

Next, set the mood. You want buyers to be able to picture your home as their own. You may want to rearrange the furniture so that rooms look more spacious. Add accessories from rooms with too many furnishings to those that are bare. Lighting is also integral to creating an atmosphere. Bright lights provide a cheerful environment and make a small space appear larger. Pull back all the drapes and open the blinds. Turn on all the lights. Make sure all the light sockets have working bulbs and install the maximum-wattage bulb that is safe for that fixture. For rooms where you want to portray a warm, cozy feeling, use softer lights.

Don’t forget little touches such as fresh flowers, lit candles in the bathrooms, new logs in the fireplace, or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter. You may even want to set your dining room table with color-coordinated table settings.

Buying a home appeals to the emotions. Sellers shouldn’t rely on buyers to use their imagination; they need to capture it. Remember that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day. The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest, the most spacious and the most cheerful.

*Article Courtesy of Prudential Properties Plus - Buying or selling? Get the Prudential Properties Plus team behind you for the best in Toronto real estate services. We provide you with unparalleled expertise in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario real estate market.

Chris Paulsen

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

I have these old windows in my house and they need to be updated. Of course, cosmetics are the number one reason, but they also let out quite a bit of heat from my house in the winter. This is a real problem with older homes. The loss of heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer will cost you more $$$. The energy transfer (loss) is about 7% in my house which affects both my gas and electrical annual bills. This costs people money without them even knowing it - literally money being thrown out the window. Weather stripping can help, along with plastic film that is used to surround the window area and keep out the cold drafts.

Another source of heat loss that I found was my front door. I recently gutted my entire main floor with a few things left unfinished, and one of them was the front door. So, on an extremely cold night, I decided to find out if the door and frame was drafty. An old trick is to hold a lit lighter or match around the area, as any flicker in the flame or even blowing it out indicates some air getting through. But since I didn’t have a match or a lighter, I used a piece of Kleenex, which also does the trick. I found areas around my door that need to be chalked and filled in. While I cut down the draft, I didn’t eliminate it. So I am going to get a new door installed, along with all of the windows in my house this spring. Be sure to check out Sears Home Central .

Chris Paulsen cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com