Home Maintenance

Winter is here, and what better way to spend those chilly nights than lounging around your home with a cozy fire burning? Be warned, however, that your chimney can easily become a safety hazard if it’s not properly maintained. Chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and costly repairs are just a few of the many downfalls of an ill-maintained fireplace and chimney. Luckily, we’ve got some tips… Read more...

Studies have shown that bottled water can be bad for your wallet, health and the planet. So what is the best alternative? Here’s a quick overview of the options available for filtering your home’s tap water. Faucet filters and pitchers Faucet-mounted water filters easily install on your kitchen faucet and are a good choice if you want to use filtered water for things other than drinking, su… Read more...

To maintain your home is to retain its value, keeping it in working order not only for convenience and comfort, but also for energy efficiency, aesthetics and to keep it marketable when you sell it. Take a look at the following exterior maintenance tips that will help keep your home in tip-top condition. Gutters Clean and repair them twice annually. Clogged or damaged gutters and downspouts can… Read more...

Insulating your attic is an excellent way to save on energy usage and ease the strain on your pocketbook. It sounds simple enough: Add insulation and the savings roll in. However, an insulation project is much more complex than just blowing some insulation into the attic. Modern homes are elaborate, interactive systems. A large amount of thought and planning should go into an insulation project.… Read more...

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so when you’re making changes to make your home greener, it’s the natural place to start! Get going with these helpful, green kitchen-cleaning tips from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI): • To make cleaning the oven easier, wipe up a spill when it occurs. Use mild soap and water before it builds up. • Use a cookie sheet under… Read more...

The green movement has swept the nation, and like many American homeowners, you’re looking for the most natural and energy-efficient options for your home. Fireplaces are no exception, as fires are the most natural form of heat and require little to no energy. So as you prepare your home for your winter hibernation period, pay close attention to your fireplace. Get it cleaned and inspected, upgr… Read more...

It’s time to move or redecorate and you find yourself amidst a pile of unwanted home furnishings. However, adding it all to the landfill pile is no longer an acceptable solution. According to the EPA, the U.S. national recycling rate is 30 percent, and if this number were raised to 60 percent, 315 million barrels of oil would be saved. Recycling at home is now easier than ever, with numerous hel… Read more...