2011 fall home improvement tab

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  • 8/4/2019 2011 Fall Home Improvement Tab

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    Supplement to The Delphos Herald September 2011

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    2 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement September 2011

    We do Kitchens

    and Baths

    419-238-565010098 LINCOLN HWY., VAN WERT, OHIO

    www.AlexanderBebout.com/Kitchens

    KITCHENS - BATHS - APPLIANCES

    StatePoint While most people cantolerate some clutter and dust in theirhome, a grungy bathroom is anotherstory. Ironically, the room devoted topersonal cleanliness is often rife withbacteria, mold and mildew even if itlooks spotless.

    Bacteria and mold not only affect theair you breathe, but the structural integrityof your home, say experts. There are sev-eral things you can do yourself, as wellas efficient home upgrades, to make yourbathroom healthier.

    Clean your shower. Not just once aweek, but daily. Use a squeegee to wipedown walls, or spray an eco-friendlywhite vinegar solution after each use.If you use a shower curtain, wash orchange it regularly (depending on howhard your water is, but usually everyone to three months). Cooler, drierair will also reduce mildew in groutbetween tiles. Unclog showerheads.If a showerhead becomes clogged withmineral deposits, fill a plastic bag withundiluted white vinegar and place itover the head and seal tie it off with arubber band. Soak overnight and then

    scrub it with a toothbrush. Circulate clean air. That musty smell

    is a sign your bathroom isnt properlyventilated and is ripe with mildew andother airborne mold spores. To controlit, try a ventilation fan with a motionand humidity sensor, which turns onwhen someone enters the bathroomand automatically shuts off 20 minuteslater. When you shower, a humiditysensor overrides the timer and con-tinues extracting moisture until thehumidity is back to a pre-set level. This

    will help eliminate that musty smelland prevent excess moisture from ruin-ing expensive fixtures and cabinetry.

    Keep toothbrushes apart. Germs canspread from person to person when theheads of toothbrushes touch. Also, makesure you put down the lid whenever youflush the toilet. Bacteria-filled mist cantravel several feet, landing on poroussurfaces like toothbrush bristles.

    Dont let paint blister. Paint blisters arecaused by moisture that helps moldgrow. A typical shower adds half apint of water to the air. Scrape and re-paint blisters. To avoid future growth,

    replace moist air with dry air by venti-lating properly.The most important thing you can

    do to keep mold, bacteria and mildewout of your bathroom, is to properlyventilate it, says Anita So, an executivewith the Panasonic Home & EnvironmentCompany. Indoor pollutants are virtuallyimpossible to eliminate completely byjust opening a window, creating the need

    for a second step to improve air quality. Avent fan can remove stale, moist, pollutedair and replace it with fresh air.

    Its important to make sure bath-room ventilation systems are properlyinstalled.

    By practicing safe bathroom practices,youll breathe cleaner air and preventstructural problems that can decrease thevalue of your home.

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    Tips for a healthier bathroom

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    September 2011 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement 3

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    StatePoint As the weathercools, many homeowners takemeasures to seal leaky windowsand doors in order to conserveenergy and guard against envi-ronmental pollutants.

    But according to theEnvironmental ProtectionAgency (EPA), indoor air can beup to five times more pollutedthan outdoor air, and containseverything from smog and aller-gens to mold spores and viruses.

    While it might sound simpleto get some fresh air, the realityis that its virtually non-existentin our homes and workplaces,says Chris Gibson, Directorof Air Quality Products forHumanscale. Most of us assumethat the indoor air we breathe isclean, but the truth is were sim-ply not aware of the pollutants inour air and the associated threatsto our health.

    And in fact, the EPA esti-mates that most people spend

    upwards of 80 percent of theirtime indoors either at homeor at work.

    Oftentimes people get head-aches or sinus issues and attri-bute these symptoms to thingssuch as stress or a change in theweather, when it actually maybe the result of what they arebreathing in.

    Here are several air qualityhazards to keep in mind, alongwith some easy remedies: Cleaning Supplies: Harsh

    chemicals and toxins can befound in most household clean-ers. So read the labels beforeyou start scrubbing away.All-natural cleaning suppliesor ones meant for home use(not industrial use) are best.Stronger chemicals, such aspaints, solvents and industri-al-strength cleaning supplies,should be stored in a garage or

    shed. Germs: Between your co-work-

    er sneezing and bacteria lin-gering on a commonly useditem, germs during cold andflu season are just waiting tobe caught. Be sure to washhands frequently and to coughor sneeze into the nook ofyour elbow to help reduce thespread of these germs.

    Allergens: Regardless of thetime of year, dust, pollen andother allergens are ever pres-ent in the air we breathe, oftensticking to our clothes and fur-niture. Air purifiers can helpalleviate the symptoms causedby allergies.Consider using a targeted air

    purifier that delivers clean airright where you breathe atthe head of your bed, near yourcomputer at work, or by yourfavorite reading chair. This newapproach to air purification canbe far more efficient and effec-

    tive than traditional room airpurifiers, and even less costly.

    And remember, the next timeyoure not feeling the best, it might just be the result of whatyouve been breathing in.

    Improve your homes air quality

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    4 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement September 2011

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    ARA Snow, ice, freezing tempera-tures and other elements of winter are notfar off. Youve enjoyed your backyardall summer long, but now its time to geteverything prepped to handle the upcomingcold weather.

    Preparing your lawn, shrubbery and gar-dens for the winter months can help ensureyoull be able to enjoy your landscaping assoon as the temperatures warm next spring.By renting the right equipment to success-fully handle those jobs, youll save time andfree up space for all of your home beautifi-cation projects.

    Tree trimming and planting Thefall months offer the perfect opportunityto plant and trim trees. If youre planting,make sure to give the new trees plenty ofwater in the weeks leading up to the firsthard frost. Also, make sure your establishedtrees receive a good supply of water, espe-cially if the end-of-summer weather hasbeen hot and dry.

    Tree trimming allows you to removedead branches and limbs, as well as growththat may be blocking your patio, sidewalkand driveway, or hanging over the roof ofyour house. If the tree is quite large in size,consider renting a tree trimmer to reach the

    high branches. When youre done, rent awood chipper to make mulch for next yearsgarden with the branches and limbs youvetrimmed. A brush cutter can help clearaway ground clutter.

    Give your lawn some life with lawnaeration and dethatching. If your lawn isshowing signs of runoff and thinning, it canmean the dirt is very compacted, and needsaeration to allow water and nutrients in.Aerator rental is an option to perforate yourlawn with small holes, giving the grass achance to refresh and thicken prior to thewinter freeze. This will help give your lawna beautiful green look next season.

    Dethatching is another lawn care optionto help your lawn grow thick and lush comespring. Roots, dead stems and clippingsoften get trapped between the soil and thegreen vegetation, blocking the soil fromreceiving water and nutrients. Stop at yourlocal rental store for a thatcher, which willslice through the dead materials, liftingthem up and out of the way.

    Prep your gardens both floral andvegetable to help minimize the workyoull have to do in the spring. Remove allthe dead plants, and turn over the soil usinga rototiller from your local rental store, add-

    ing a layer of natural fertilizer like leaf clip-pings, grass clippings or compost. Dontmake the layer too thick. These materialswill help provide some additional nutrientsto the soil as they break down over the win-ter months.

    Fall is a great time to plant bulbs forearly spring flower decorations. Cultivatethe soil by churning it up and adding a bit

    of compost or other fertilizer. Plant thebulb, water it and mark it so you dont acci-

    dentally dig it up early in the spring whilepreparing your garden for another seasonof growing.

    Renting lawn and garden equipmentwashes away the worry of having to main-tain and store it, leaving more room inyour basement, garage and garden shed,and affording you more time to enjoy yourbackyard and peruse gardening catalogs and

    magazines as winter arrives and you dreamfor the first sign of spring.

    Prepare your yard and garden for winter

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    Give us a call for Fall Maintenance on your furnace.

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    September 2011 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement 5

    ARA Who wouldnt like to savemoney on utility bills this winter? Buthave you ever considered some of themore common energy-efficient homeimprovements - like insulating yourhot water heater or replacing incan-descent bulbs with compact fluores-cents and thought dullsville?

    Sometimes the act of saving money just isnt fun enough on its own.Fortunately, you can make homeimprovements that will trim your util-

    ity bills and boost your homes appealat the same time. Here are four funhome improvements that are surpris-ingly energy efficient as well:

    1. Buy a new dishwasherOr clothes washer. Older appli-

    ances were not only built to be lessenergy efficient, they can lose whatlittle efficiency they had as they age.If your appliances are more than 10years old, they likely use more energyand water than newer models, espe-cially new models that are Energy Star

    qualified.Dishwashers purchased before1994 use an additional 10 gallons ormore of water per cycle than a newEnergy Star qualified model, accord-ing to EnergyStar.gov. And if youdont have a dishwasher at all, dontthink of buying one as just a luxury.Energy Star says youll save 5,000gallons of water and knock $40 peryear off your utility bills if you giveup washing dishes by hand - not tomention 230 hours of your time.

    2. Beautify your bathroomKitchens and baths sell homes,but theyre also the rooms where the

    most water gets used and wasted. Oldfixtures and faucets are among thetop water-wasting culprits in a home.You can conserve water by turningoff the tap when you brush your teeth,but that water savings goes down thedrain if the toilet runs constantly whenyou leave the room.

    Replacing leaky fixtures can reapsignificant water savings. Energy Starsays a leaky faucet can waste gallonsof water. Just one drip per second can

    waste up to 1,661 gallons of waterin a year, according to EnergyStar.gov. You can also conserve waterby installing a low-flow showerhead,which can save you as much as 5gallons of water during a 10-min-ute shower. Many manufacturers nowoffer stylish, water-efficient faucetsand showerheads.

    3. Let the sun shine inA venting skylight is a fun way to

    fill your home with nourishing naturallight and passive ventilation, but did

    you know its also energy efficient?Installing a venting skylight can helpyou lower your electric bill by reduc-ing your dependency on artificial lightand electric fans. Natural light hasbeen tied to a host of health benefits,including improving mood. A skylightnot only enhances the energy efficien-cy of your home, it adds decoratingflair and could make you feel betterabout living there.

    Theyre also relatively low-costwhen it comes to luxury home

    improvements. You can get an EnergyStar qualified No Leak Skylightfrom Velux for about $1,000 per unit

    for a remote-controlled electric vent-ing model that closes automaticallyshould it rain. Log on to www.velux-usa.com to find a local installer for acustomized cost estimate.

    4. Install a fireplaceZone heating the areas of your

    home where you spend the mosttime can reduce your home heatingbill by 20 to 40 percent, accordingto the Hearth, Patio and BarbecueAssociation. Installing an energy-effi-

    cient fireplace or a stove is a great,appealing way to zone heat the roomsyou use the most.

    Whats more, this type of heatingcan be greener, if you use renew-able fuels like cord wood, pellets orother plant-derived materials in yourhigh-efficiency stove or fireplace. Asfor the fun quotient, its hard to top afireplace for a home improvement thatadds warmth and appeal to a room.

    Saving money can be doubly excit-ing, when you opt for energy-efficient

    home improvements that also enhanceenjoyment of your home.

    Fun, surprising cost-savinghome improvements

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    A venting skylight in the bath not only provides naturallight and passive ventilation but affords privacy.

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    6 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement September 2011

    MOELLER DOOR & WINDOWBusiness Hours: M-F 7:30-4:30; Sat. 9-12

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    Sales and Service on YORK and TRANE heating& cooling equipment. We service all brands.

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    ARA Kids are heading back toschool, tomato harvests have begun to

    dwindle and the leaves are starting tochange color once again. Another hot sum-mer is drawing to a close. This does nothave to mean though, that thriving gardensmust to fade into blissful memories. Evenas temperatures start to drop, cold-weathercrops can extend the harvest well into thefall months.

    A delicious fresh spinach salad wouldblend beautifully with a hearty squash orpumpkin soup after a cool fall day spentraking leaves or hiking through the woods.Plant crops to use in creative recipes,

    and feed your family from the garden allautumn long. Plants with shorter and cooler grow-

    ing seasons thrive in the fall months.Consider setting aside a weekend forthe entire family to get outside and plantsome beans, peas and salad greens likelettuce, kale and spinach. Check out theregions average date for a hard frost, andcalculate back the weeks needed to suc-cessfully grow a full late-season crop.

    Rotate plant location. For example, ifpeas were planted in the spring in one

    section of the garden, dont plant themin the same location for the fall grow-

    ing season. Instead, consider using thatarea of the garden for spinach this time

    around. Rotating crops like this will helpthe gardens soil to replace and retainvaluable nutrients naturally.

    Enhance the growth of plants withMiracle-Gro expand n GRO soil thatcontains plant food, allowing plants tothrive in both containers and gardens.When combined with water, soil per-manently expands up to three times itsoriginal size to hold up to 50 percentmore water than basic potting soils. Andas a soil amendment, expand n GROradically improves native soil conditions,

    whether sand or clay. For a great organicoption, try using Miracle-Gro OrganicChoice Potting Mix or Garden Soil tohelp keep plants strong and healthy allthroughout the growing season.

    The garden needs food to thrive. Feededibles, whether in an in-ground gar-den or in container pots, with Miracle-Gro Shake n Feed Tomato, Fruits &Vegetables Plant Food Plus Calcium.One application will feed plants for upto three months - which is plenty of timefor the fall garden to produce a harvest of

    delicious vegetables - and contains cal-cium to help plants grow better quality,

    longer-lasting fruits and vegetables. Keep an eye on plants as they grow,

    being certain to water daily and protectfrom the dangers of a hard frost. Monitorweather reports. If a hard frost is predict-ed in the area earlier than expected, coverthe crops with blankets or plastic for thenight, and uncover in the morning, oncethe threat of freezing has passed.

    Harvest plants as they reach maturity.Sometimes a chilly night with a slightfrost can enhance the flavor if vegetablesare picked during or immediately afterthe temperature drops.

    Enjoy the bountiful harvest. Miracle-Gro

    and Americas Test Kitchen have recipesat www.miracle-gro.com/GroYourOwnto explore. Try them all using your ownfreshly grown produce and see whichrecipes the family likes best.

    Assign a family member to record theentire growing season through the winterfrost, keeping track of what was planted,the date it was planted, the flavor of thevegetables harvested and even whichrecipes the family made and enjoyedwith the produce. Use this informationnext year to better plan the fall garden

    and increase the amount of produce har-vested.

    Fall gardening tips to extend the harvest

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    September 2011 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement 7

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    ARA Did you ever wonder what wouldhappen to your family if a fire started in thehouse? Would everyone be able to get out intime? Would they know what to do and where

    to go as soon as they smelled smoke?The reality is that when a fire strikes, everyminute counts. Thats why the United StatesFire Administration recommends that every-one have a comprehensive fire protectionplan that includes smoke alarms, residentialsprinkler systems and a well-planned homefire escape plan.

    Given the proven effectiveness of todaysfire sprinkler technologies, its little won-der that residential fire sprinkler systemshave grown significantly in popularity and,in some states, are mandated when a house is

    built or remodeled, says Matthew Kuwatch,global business director for BlazeMaster FireSprinkler Systems. Unlike smoke detectors,which simply alert you when a fire has started,fire sprinkler systems provide a proven meansfor delaying the spread of a household fire oreven extinguishing it, thus giving residents theextra time they often need to exit safely.

    Such precautions, in addition to increasededucational efforts, are paying off in the form

    of fewer fire-related deaths in the UnitedStates. The fire death rate in the UnitedStates has declined by 66 percent since 1979,according to a July 2011 report issued by

    the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Thats good news, but not good enough whenyou consider that the United States still hasone of the highest fire death rates in the indus-trialized world. According to the National FireProtection Association, there were roughly480,000 structure fires in the United Statesin 2009 that resulted in nearly 2,700 civiliandeaths, nearly 15,000 related injuries and$10.8 billion in property damage.

    The best time to start protecting your fam-ily is when youre building a new home orremodeling an existing one, as residential fire

    sprinkler piping runs behind the walls andbetween the floors, exposing only the sprin-kler heads through the ceiling or wall. Just asimportant as planning your home fire escapeplan is researching the right fire sprinklersystem, as not all of them perform the same.Piping materials and overall design of the sys-tem can be very different with some offeringsignificant cost and performance advantages.

    As a result of corrosion problems and

    escalating material costs, metallic systems areno longer being installed as frequently but arebeing replaced with newer, high-performance,more cost-effective technologies. BlazeMaster

    Fire Sprinkler Systems, for example, which aremade from a revolutionary, high-temperaturespecialty material that has been effectivelyused in life safety applications for nearly 30years, have become the most specified non-metallic fire sprinkler system in the world.Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy toinstall, they offer significant cost savings oversteel systems in the form of reduced materialand labor costs. They also provide a superiorsafety performance over other plastic systemsbecause they do not support combustion andwill not continue to burn after the ignition

    source has been extinguished.From a design standpoint, a fire sprin-kler system can operate independently as astand-alone system or in combination withthe plumbing system (often referred to as amultipurpose system). Due to reliability con-cerns, however, these combination systemsare not approved for use in many regions ofthe country.

    Regardless of the piping material or sys-

    tem design, fire sprinkler systems are a wiseinvestment. Not only do they increase thesurvival odds if a fire should strike, but theycan also result in reduced insurance premiumsbecause of their ability to limit property dam-age. Unlike the myths and movies that portray

    multiple sprinkler heads going off simultane-ously to discharge a large amount of water,

    the reality is that automatic fire sprinklersare individually heat-activated to spray wateronly in the immediate area of the fire. Inmany cases, only one sprinkler head operatesto extinguish a fire. The amount of water dis-charged from a sprinkler head is roughly 1/8the amount of water typically disbursed if thelocal fire department is called in.

    Is your family as safe as it could be from a household fire?

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    8 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement September 2011

    Outside or in, detecting a natural gas leak is easy. A leaking pipeline mightmake a hissing sound you can HEAR. Or, you might SEE blowing dirt,bubbling water or an unusual area of dead vegetation. The familiar rotten-egg-like odor you associate with natural gas is added to help you SMELLa leak from a gas line or appliance.

    Natural gas is clean, efficient and safe. Remember not to dig on yourproperty without first calling Ohio Utilities Protection Service at1-800-362-2764. And if you ever suspect a leak - walk away, right away.Once clear of the area, call your natural gas company or 9-1-1.

    To learn more about natural gas, including

    how to contact your gas company, visit

    This safety awareness message is brought to you by the natural gas member companies of the Ohio Gas Association

    Suspect a natural gas leak?First, move your feet!

    Call once youre well down the street!

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    ARA You may not want to thinkabout it, but winter will be here again beforeyou know it. Of course, winter means its

    time to turn the heat back on, which can bea strain on your home energy budget.

    Older windows are a common culprit ofair leakage in the home, but todays replace-ment options have insulating values that aremoving closer and closer to the insulatingvalue of a wall, says Chris Pickering, vicepresident of marketing, Ply Gem Windows.If your home has original windows, hav-ing new energy efficient ones installed canmake a significant difference in comfort,while also saving energy.

    For instance, installing highly insulatingR-5 windows in a replacement project pre-viously would have been cost prohibitive tomost consumers. With new glass technolo-gies now available, windows that achieveR-5 performance (U-value of 0.22 or lower)have become much more affordable.

    Air leakage through holes, gaps, andcracks is another one of the biggest causes ofhome heating and cooling loss, says MikeKontranowski, strategic marketing man-ager, Dow Building Solutions. It accountsfor a significant amount of the energy usedin most homes, with older homes beingespecially vulnerable to air leaks.

    According to the U.S. Department ofEnergy (DOE), random air infiltrationthrough gaps and cracks accounts for 25 to

    40 percent of the energy loss in most resi-dential structures.

    Wouldnt it be great to save on energyand improve comfort in your home, notonly this winter, but for many to come? Infact, you can save energy while the weatheris still warm because most of the samethings you do to seal your home and saveheat in winter can also help keep your airconditioning inside during the hot months.

    To help control air leakage through gapsand cracks larger than two inches, such aswhere the wall sets on the subfloor, wherepipes and wires go through wall plates, andholes that lead into attics and crawlspaces,Kontranowski recommends that you askyour contractor for products like foaminsulation.

    In addition to sealing your homescracks, gaps and window openings, thereare many other projects to consider for win-terizing your home. Pickering offers someadditional tips to prepare your home for thecold weather and beyond. Add insulation to your attic to reduce heat

    loss and drafts. Install glass doors on fireplaces to reduce

    drafts and make sure your damper isworking properly.

    Clean vents, air ducts and replace filters

    to promote air flow and ease the strain onyour heating and cooling system.

    Clean out gutters, and if needed, haveprofessional gutter protection installed toreduce the possibilities of ice damming.If melting ice is unable to drain due todebris buildup, it could seep into the wallsand ceilings of your home.

    Drain a few gallons from your water heat-er to remove sediment and help it operatemore efficiently.

    Upgrade to low-maintenance insulatedvinyl siding to efficiently minimize airleakage, especially between wall studs.

    Wrap your hot water pipes in insulationpre-formed for that purpose to reduceheat loss and lessen the workload on yourwater heater.Because each home differs in the prod-

    ucts that will work best to maximize itsenergy efficiency in the winter and yearround, Pickering recommends having anenergy audit to decide which winterizingprojects are best for your home. Speakwith representatives from your local utilitycompany to set up an audit appointmentfor your house, or look for home energy

    performance contractors who can providespecific recommendations and perform any

    recommended improvements.

    Winterize your home for long-term payback

    If your home has original windows,having new, energy-efficient onesinstalled can make a significant dif-ference in comfort, while also savingenergy.

    WILL CONSTRUCTIONMichael Will, owner

    419-286-2868

    YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR THE BEST WINDOWSELECTION, SERVICE AND PRICE

    20 different windows with hundreds of options:wood grain all colors double & triple pane

    Krypton or low E gas tinted windows horizontal re-enforcement more

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    September 2011 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement 9

    33 Yearsof reliable

    local service

    WEVE GOT YOU

    COVERED!

    Bebout and HougRoofing and Siding, Inc.

    If youre not getting our price, you may be paying too much!

    37

    Your Local Home

    Improvement Specialist

    Serving the Community for

    over 37 years!

    FREE ESTIMATES

    FINANCING AVAILABLE

    For Roofng, Siding,Windows, Doors, Spouting,

    Awnings,Patio Enclosures & More.

    116 N. Walnut, Van Wert

    419-238-4100

    Trevor Bebout - Gary Houg - Tom Bebout

    PITSENBARGER AUTO SUPPLY BELL AUTO SUPPLY234 N. Canal St.

    DELPHOS

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    Making home improvements doesnt

    have to mean compromising environmen-tal ideals in the process. There are numer-

    ous jobs that a person can do that fit with agreen lifestyle. While these improvementshelp protect the planet, theyll also helpkeep a few extra dollars in your wallet.

    1. Conserve waterTurn off the tap between brushing teeth

    or rinsing off dishes. Better yet, installlow-flow faucets, showerheads and toiletsthat reduce the consumption of water inthe household.

    2. Motion detection: Motion-detectorlights can be installed in different roomsof the home and outdoors. Lights willautomatically turn on and off dependingon the activity in the area, reducing thechances of a light being left on inadver-tently and wasting money and energy.

    3. Solar panelsYou may have been toying with the

    idea of solar panels for years. They canbe installed on the roof or in the yard topower various components of the house-

    hold, like lights during a traditional power

    outage or the swimming pool filter. Todayit is possible to buy used solar panels,many of which still have a lot of life leftto them and are considerably cheaper thannew ones.

    4. Aluminum-clad storm doorInsulate the entryway of your home

    with a storm door that will buffer againstharsh weather conditions. While yourecreating a more air-tight space, caulkaround windows and doors.

    5. Replace air filters

    Your HVAC system likely has filtersinside that trap dirt and contaminants.Replacing the filters leads to cleanerindoor air and helps the unit run moreefficiently.

    6. Power stripsStock up on power strips and plug all of

    your peripherals and computer equipmentinto these strips. This way when you wantto power down everything completely,you simply turn off the power buttonon the strip. This ensures no devices are

    drawing power even in the off position,

    which many do.7. Install fansFans arent just useful in the summer.

    In the winter, the blades can be set torotate in the opposite direction and helpdraw warm air into the room, heatingmore efficiently.

    8. Rainwater barrelsSet up rainwater barrels at the down-

    spouts of your homes gutter system.These barrels collect water that can beused to water indoor and outdoor plants,

    or even wash the car. Some feature aspigot to which you can directly connecta garden hose.

    9. Plant treesTrees are good for the environment in

    many ways, producing necessary oxygenfor life and offering food and living areasfor wildlife. Trees can also shade a homeduring the warm weather, helping reduceenergy consumption.

    10. Glass fireplace doorsInstall glass fireplace doors, which are

    safer than fireplace screens. Theyll also

    help protect against heat loss up the chim-ney when there isnt a fire lit.

    11. Buy a solar coverWarm up your spa all season long with

    a solar cover, which helps keep debrisout of the water, too. Solar covers reducethe need to fire up the heater to warm thewater.

    12. Dog waste composterCreate a method to safely dispose

    of dog waste without having to toss itin plastic bags in the trash. There aredevices that can be buried into the groundto serve as a dog waste receptacle. Or youcan make one of your own by placing acontainer with a lid that seals on top buthas an open bottom. Sprinkle a naturalbacteria septic tank product, such as Rid-X(R), down the hole routinely and it willbreak down the waste and turn it into soilfertilizer.

    There are a variety of ways to go greenwith home improvements, whether exten-sive projects or small fixes.

    12 green home improvements

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    10 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement September 2011

    419-695-3160Quality Worksmanship

    Prompt Service We do it all!Sewer & Water Lines

    Basement Repair - Swimming PoolsMoving Building - DemolitionDozing - Trucking - Snow Removal -

    Waterproofing Basements

    Dave Klaus, Owner

    KLAUS & SONSCONSTRUCTIONTRENCHING, BACKHOE & CEMENT WORK

    Secure yourhome against thechilly season

    ARA With fall approaching,the leaves drop to the ground andthe temperature begins to plum-met, but your heating bills movein the opposite direction - tis

    the season of high heating costs.According to early reports, heatand oil prices will continue to rise,which can cut a large chunk out

    of your home heating budget thiswinter, if youre not careful.

    Its not too late to do somethingin the battle against rising heatingcosts. You can start by winterizing

    your home, plugging up the leaksand drafts that deplete energy -and your family budget.

    Heres your money-saving

    strategy: Start earlyWhen the weather is still

    balmy, take care of the places out-side your home where the uncom-fortable chill of new seasons cancreep indoors. Then, move insideto ensure there are no holes inthe house where the chilly draftsof winter can hide.

    Be preparedRounding up products in the

    fall that will ensure comfort and

    warmth is a DIY task that iseasier than you think. With theaffordable, easy-to-use tools onthe market, the job is doable in aweekend. Try these products fora sure victory in the heating costbattle:

    For interior and exterior doors,theres Duck brand Double DraftSeal. Engineered to hug the bot-205 West Second St.

    Delphos, OH 45833

    www.reliablePandH.com

    Reliable Plumbing & Heating. Our name says it all.

    OH Lic #24196Offer expires 12/2/2011. *Rebate offer is valid only with the purchase of qualifying Lennox products.**See dealer for details and visit www.energystar.gov for more information. ***See dealer for detailsor visit Lennox.com. 2011 Lennox Industries Inc. See your participating Lennox dealer for details.Lennox dealers include independently owned and operated businesses.

    Receive up to $1,850 in Rebates*with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox Home Comfort System

    AND up to $500 in Federal Tax Credits**

    Special Financing Available***

    OR

    Fight the battle of rising heating costs

    See HEATING, page 11

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    September 2011 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement 11

    Room Additions Garages Roofing

    All types of concrete work Backhoe & Dump Truck Service

    FREE ESTIMATES

    FULLY INSURED

    Dont Worry!I know just who to call...

    Call

    419-339-9084Cell: 419-233-9460

    POHLMAN BUILDERS

    Elite NaturescapesGarden Center & Landscape Services

    10740 Elida Road Clint Gable, Owner

    Delphos, OH 45833 www.elitenaturescapes.com 419-692-2525

    Come in for our Weekly Sale!

    Offering savings on different items everyweek. Check out our Sale Wagon

    FALL is a great time for planting!Still scheduling Fall Landscaping projects,

    and fall maintenance and trimming projects.

    Heating(Continued from page 10)

    tom of a door or window from both sides,the seal offers two layers of protection from

    drafts. It has exclusive adjustable straps tokeep the seal from sliding and getting stuckin the door. The seal is designed to workon a variety of floor types and featuresabrasion-resistant, washable fabric. It workswell on windows as well. The window canbe closed onto the flat middle section for asnug, double sided seal.

    Stop drafts through windows by usingDuck brand Roll-On Window Kits, whichprovide an airtight seal against the energy-sucking winds of winter. These kits arepractically invisible, come in a variety of

    sizes, are easy to install, fit snugly to yourwindow frame and can be easily removedcome spring. You might also consider dress-ing your windows for the winter. Thermaldrapes, blinds or other window clothing canprotect not only your windows and yourfamilys comfort, but your finances as well.If you are able to make a more costly invest-ment in window replacement, double glazedwindows provide the best protection againstwind and ice.

    For outdoor faucets that freeze fromfrustrating cold winds, consider covers that

    insulate and protect. Faucet covers can help

    prevent pipes from freezing and save onexpensive repair work. Duck brand offerstwo kinds of faucet covers: a rigid foamversion and a flexible, insulated version.

    These faucet covers work on a variety offaucet types.

    Layer upAs the winds of November cause you

    to wear extra layers, its time to thinkabout insulation for your home too. TheEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)estimates that homeowners can typicallysave up to 20 percent of heating andcooling costs (or up to 10 percent of totalenergy costs) by air sealing their homesand adding insulation in attics, floors overcrawl spaces, and accessible basement rim

    joists. Discover the best products avail-

    able, such as foam or eco-friendly ways todo it yourself. Insulation does not requiremaintenance, upkeep or adjustment, soits a reliable member of the team thatwill secure your home from the frigidweather.

    Protect the warmthMake sure your furnace is well main-

    tained, which means cleaning filters month-ly to maximize their efficiency (and savemoney). At a minimum, change the filterevery three months. A dirty filter will slow

    down air flow and make the system work

    harder to keep you warm or cool - wast-ing energy. A programmable thermostat isideal for people who are away from homeduring set periods of time throughout the

    week. According to EnergyStar, a properlyprogramed thermostat can save about $180every year in energy costs.

    Plug the holes through wallsSelect Duck brand Socket Sealers to

    combat the cold air that invades your homefrom indoor and outdoor electrical out-lets and switch plates. They are easy toinstall and made from flame retardant foam.Rubber, foam or silicone weatherstrip seals

    can also be used to insulate around doorsand windows and keep your home comfort-able and cozy.

    Make yourself a promise this fall - you

    will close the door on heat loss, slam thewindows on energy drain and reward your-self with ample savings throughout thewinter. Improving your households energybudget will help keep your family warmand comfortable, so start early. Rest assuredthe tools to be victorious over energy lossare better than ever, the steps are simplerthan imagined and the results are almostimmediate.

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    shawfloors.com

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    12 The Delphos Herald Fall Home Improvement September 2011

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