Archive for Household Tips
Money Saving Tip for Kokomo Winters
Posted by: | CommentsLike it or not, winter is just around the corner. And if you’re like me, you want to save as much money as you can on heating your home. If you have ceiling fans, this tip is for you…
Reverse the direction the fan blades rotate!
During colder months in Kokomo, the blades of a ceiling fan should be set to rotate clockwise. That pushes warm air mear the ceiling to recirculate downward into the “living space.” When the blades are going in the right direction the room can feel warmer by 8-10 degrees. That means you can turn your thermostat down by several degrees.
Sounds simple enough doesn’t it? But if you’re like me, you may not know whether the blades are going in the right direction or wrong direction right now. And trying to decide whether the blades are going clockwise or counter-clockwise makes me dizzy.
To the rescue! This short video shows you how to change the direction the blades are rotating. Even more important (at least to me) is a test using an ordinary tissue to see if you’ve done it properly.
Isn’t that a great tip and a simple way to keep your Kokomo home warmer this winter.
Do you have some money saving tips to share? Please leave your tips in the comments section.
How to Maintain Your Kokomo Lawn This Fall
Posted by: | CommentsLawn care in the Kokomo area needs change with the season. How your cut it, how you water it, and how you feed it depends on the weather and the forecast.
In the short video below, a (slow-talking) gardening expert covers several pointers on how to maintain your lawn this fall so that it is good and healthy next spring. He talks about:
- The importance of raking
- Fall watering
- Mowing in the fall
- Fall feeding/fertilizing
This short video covers some good, simple lawn care tips that are appropriate for Kokomo homeowners. It’s far from comprehensive with respect to lawncare, but it is a great starting point.
With October’s cooler temperatures on the way and leaves already starting to fall in the Kokomo area, it’s time to start your fall lawn care routine.
For more detailed information about caring for your Kokomo lawn this fall, you can do a Google search for +”fall lawn care” +Indiana.
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5 Ways to Save on Kokomo Homeowners Insurance
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When you own a home, you need homeowners insurance. This important insurance policy protects your home and personal belongings if they are damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster, fire or theft. However, you don’t have to pay a fortune for adequate insurance coverage. Here are 5 ways to save on homeowner’s insurance for your Kokomo home – and we all know that now more than ever, we need to save every penny possible.
- Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance company pays for a claim on your Kokomo home. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium. If you can afford to raise your deductible from $500 to $1000, you can save as much as 25%.
- Get your auto and homeowners policies from the same company. Many companies will give you a discount for buying more than one policy. You can save as much as 15% with these combinations, but make sure it really is less than purchasing separate policies from difference companies.
- Make sure you are insuring your home, not the land. When you buy a home you pay for both the house and the land where it is built. The land won’t be destroyed in a disaster, so you don’t need to insure it. When buying insurance, consider what it would cost to rebuild your home, not what you paid for it.
- Reassess the value of your personal property every year. You need insurance to protect you from loss, but you don’t want to pay for more insurance than you need. There’s no reason to insure your 65-inch television for $2,000 if it is now worth only $500.
- Secure your home. An insurance company will usually give you discounts for security features like deadbolts, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and security systems. Some companies also give discounts for storm shutters and reinforced roofs to protect your home from natural disasters. Ask your insurer about steps you can take to improve your home’s security and lower your insurance costs.
It doesn’t take much to save money on your homeowners insurance – so check to make sure you aren’t paying too much.
Remodeling or Flipping a Kokomo Home -
A Word of Caution
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It is my pleasure to have a guest posting today from the fine folks at The Mesothelioma Center. They want to get the word out to Kokomo area remodelers and “flippers” about the hazards of asbestos in homes built prior to 1980.
Tips for Kokomo Home Remodeling and Construction:
Asbestos Prevention Tips
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In the home remodeling and construction world, there are many additional responsibilities home owners have. Highly regarded throughout the 20th century, asbestos is a fibrous mineral that gained popularity due to its flame resistant, highly durable and inexpensive qualities. Commonly found in pipes, insulation, roofing and flooring, asbestos possesses many toxic qualities.
Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 may still contain asbestos materials. Asbestos exposure is easily avoidable by taking simple precautions. Having the assistance of an experienced Kokomo real estate professional can make all the difference during these situations.
Asbestos Tips in the Home
It is not always an easy process to determine whether or not a particular insulation contains asbestos. Anyone who is unsure about the insulation in their home should have the materials in question tested. Home professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home.
If any suspected asbestos is located, leaving it undisturbed is advisable as this will prevent its fibers from becoming airborne. In a home remodeling scenario, your remodelers will have to wear protective equipment and be notified if any hazardous materials are present. A notification is required if asbestos materials are present in roofing, flooring and siding materials.
However, if its fibers become airborne, long term exposure can lead to the development of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare form of asbestos lung cancer. Physician diagnosis has been a difficult task because mesothelioma symptoms are so similar to other, less serious conditions. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease.
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests:
- Asbestos insulation should be left undisturbed in your attic.
- Limit the amount of accessories and items stored.
- Do not allow children’s access.
- It is recommended for homeowners to hire licensed abatement contractors who are trained to remove and handle hazardous materials. If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals to handle asbestos to safely remove the material. Removing asbestos yourself can potentially spread fibers throughout your home and to your family.
Going Green
Currently, many cities in the U.S. have lumberyards where you can purchase recycled building materials that are authentically strong and inexpensive. Conducting a study in 2003, the United States Green Building Council also reported a savings of $50 to $65 for green constructed buildings.
Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. The implementation of green alternatives such as cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent. These new environmentally-sustainable alternatives create healthier and more energy efficient homes in the 21st century.
Note: Be sure to check the links above for more information about safe remodeling of your Kokomo home.
5 Must-Do Home Repairs -
Kokomo Homeowner Tips
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In these uncertain times when finances are tight, you may be thinking about delaying home repairs until finances improve. That’s okay for some things, but there are some repairs that can cost you a lot more money if they aren’t done now. And I’m not talking about price increases, I’m talking about deterioration ofyour home!
The hard part is knowing which fixes can be delayed and which should be done now. This video from The Today Show outlines some must-do repairs and why they are important: Read More→
