Cash for Caulkers – $12K per Home?
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
On 6:24 pm EST, Tuesday December 8, 2009
President Obama proposed a new program Tuesday that would reimburse homeowners for energy-efficient appliances and insulation, part of a broader plan to stimulate the economy.
The administration didn’t provide immediate details, but said it would work with Congress on crafting legislation. Steve Nadel, director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, who’s helping write the bill, said a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates.
The proposal is part of the President’s larger spending plan, which also includes money for small businesses, renewable energy manufacturing, and infrastructure.
CPSC Holiday Decoration Safety Tips
Dateline: The Holiday Season
Before crawling up on the roof to string the Christmas lights, you need to know that every year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
In addition, warns CPSC, candles start about 11,600 each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage.
“Sometimes people are having such a nice time during the holidays that they forget to extinguish candles,” said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “Always put out lit candles before leaving a room or going to bed. Always keep burning candles within sight. Also, make sure your holiday lights bear the mark of a recognized testing lab to show they meet safety standards.”
Since CPSC started monitoring holiday lights and decorations sold at stores nationwide, inspectors have prevented the import of 116,500 units of holiday lights that did not meet safety standards.
CPSC tips to make your holiday a safe one: Read the rest of this entry »
Moisture & Mold Control – EPA
Simply put; Moisture control is the key to mold control. Below are a few things you should know to help you control both:
* When water leaks or spills occur indoors – ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
* Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
* Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
* Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
* Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a small, inexpensive instrument available at many hardware stores.
* If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
**Photo to the above and to the right shows mold on the back of a headboard indicating there is too much moisture in the room.
Choosing Property Management on Kiawah
When you bought your home, there were certain reasons you chose one home over another. Maybe you wanted a kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Or maybe you wanted to live near The Ocean Course. Whatever the case may be, you thought about the decision carefully and selected a home that would best suit your needs. The same care should be taken when choosing someone to manage your property.
Here are five crucial things to consider when choosing the property management company right for you.
Four Common Home Repairs on Seabrook
As a company who has served this area for more than 20 years, we have watched this region grow and thrive. We have also observed several common property management-related issues, and worked with homeowners to resolve them again and again. Here are a few things to consider when maintaining, building or remodeling your home on Seabrook or Kiawah Islands.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Interior Painting
Painting—some people love it, some people hate it. No matter which side of the fence you fall on, you will probably agree that painting is a skill that requires practice. And time. To help with both, we have compiled a few do’s and don’ts about painting the inside of your home.
Get More Mileage Out of Your Kiawah Home
Do you know that little sticker in the top-left corner of your windshield? It’s there for a reason: to remind you that your oil, if not changed routinely, turns thick and nasty and can do real damage to your car. So what does changing your oil have to do with your home? More than you might think.
Just like your car, your home needs to be cared for on a routine basis. The claim that every home needs preventative maintenance isn’t a scare tactic—it’s a practical way to save you time and money. One area of your home that needs special attention is your heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This system requires extra care for the same reason your engine does: it’s running almost all of the time.
