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Home Guide 2010 FALL

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Fall Home Guide

2010

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2010

Fall Home Guide

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Wyland Interior Design Center’s focus balances creativity with functionality Connie Wyland has a keen eye — and ear — for interior design.

As a veteran of the industry, Wyland brings a nearly bottomless supply of her own unique ideas to every project. She adds to that vast catalogue of creativity by paying sharp attention to what each client desires.

“The designer should listen to the client’s likes and wants,” Wyland said.

“None of my kitchens or spaces look the same, and it’s because I listen to the clients.”

Wyland boasts more than 25 years of experience and has owned Wyland Interior Design Center in Poulsbo for 12 years. She holds her creativity as a point of pride. Her shop on Front Street is piled high with examples of her unique work and samples of the highest-quality cabinetry and other products.

“I go out of my way to find products that are different and unusual,” Wyland said.

Wyland, who already carries popular cabinet brands DeWils and Showplace, recently began selling Hertco cabinets, which use some of the rarest woods on

the market.

“They have just about any exotic wood, or woods you don’t typically see in cabinets,” Wyland said of Hertco.

Just as important as uniqueness is functionality. Wyland makes it a top priority to ensure every piece of every room works the way it’s meant to. She takes into consideration the purpose of each element of design, and the way in which her clients will use them.

“It’s important to design around the architecture of the home as well,” Wyland said. “I like to utilize every inch of space and make it functional.”

Redesigning a space in a home or condo is also a smart investment. With the present-day economy, many owners are reinvesting their dollars into their current property. If they plan to sell after the market rebounds, a newly remodeled kitchen or bath will add to the home or condo’s value and appeal.

Wyland’s personalized design services are free of charge to clients who purchase products from Wyland Interior Design Center, making the cost of a renovation easily affordable. Wyland’s connections

with suppliers also makes working with her more affordable than doing it yourself or hiring someone else.

“My prices, I guarantee will be the best,” Wyland said. “And when you have a budget, it makes me even more creative.”

And it’s not just kitchens and bathrooms that Wyland designs. Those spaces are her specialties, but her experience ranges widely.

“A lot of people think I just do kitchens and baths, but I do far more than that,” she said.

Wyland has designed spaces in movie theaters, schools, restaurants, offices, hotels — virtually any interior imaginable.

With such a broad range of experience and creativity, it’s no surprise Wyland has so many satisfied customers all over the state.

“The only complaint anyone has about

Courtesy Photo

A Wyland Interior Design kitchen remodel in Kingston.

me is sometimes I have too many ideas,” she said. For more on Wyland Interior Design go to www.wylandinteriordesign. com. ~ Brian J. Olson

Wyland Interior Design, Inc. Find Wyland Interior Design, Inc., at 20270 Front Street, Suite 103, Poulsbo. To learn more call (360) 779-4655 or check out our new website! www.wylandinteriordesign.com

Basic home improvements can help lower taxes (ARA) - While small things help, it’s the big steps consumers take to improve their home’s energy efficiency that truly make a difference, according to researchers at Scientific American magazine.

Of the 505 Americans surveyed by the Earth Institute and Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, more than 40 percent said the most effective way to save energy was to turn off lights, drive less or adjust the thermostat. Less than 10 percent identified what researchers say are more effective measures – improving your home’s overall efficiency, like buying energy-saving appliances or replacing old windows with more energy-efficient ones.

“Now is an ideal time to replace drafty windows or doors,” says Annette Bravard, vice president of retail replacement at Pella Corporation. “Installing energy-efficient windows and doors can help lower your utility bills and increase your energy efficiency for years to come, and help you

qualify for 2010 U.S. energy tax credits.

If you’ve been putting off window or door replacement, now’s the time to do it.”

ready for a big remodeling project right now? Consider a multi-year approach that fits your needs.

To meet requirements for up to $1,500 in U.S. energy tax credits, qualifying windows and doors must be installed by Dec. 31, 2010.

• Schedule appointment. Schedule an inhome consultation with a window company expert to discuss your energy-efficiency, installation and timing goals.

Simplify your replacement

• Window/door selection. Your window expert will help you choose energy-efficient windows and doors based on your home’s style, your climate and your budget. They can also arrange for installation.

Sometimes the most daunting aspect of a home improvement project is figuring out how to pay for it. Once homeowners take the first step toward securing financing options, they’re surprised how quickly and easily windows and doors can be replaced, Bravard says.

Whether you want to replace all your windows at once or start with just one door, these steps will help get your replacement project under way.

• Financing≠ Contact your lender or the window company you’re buying from to discuss possible financing options. Not

Replacement projects don’t need to be messy, time-consuming or complicated.

In fact, it’s possible to install new windows without replacing wallpaper or repainting your walls, Bravard says.

Pella Precision Fit replacement windows provide a simplified solution for home renovation. These easy-to-install replacement windows slide into existing window openings helping retain surrounding

interior trim, wallpaper, paint or plaster.

The windows are designed for applications where the exterior frame remains in good condition, but an upgraded sash unit can increase energy efficiency and eye appeal.

Choose from awning, transom and casement windows – whichever meet your needs and the style of your home.

Concerned about costs? Consider vinyl windows and doors that offer low maintenance, durability, distinctive design and energy efficiency.

“With so many energy-efficient options, stylish new replacement windows and doors can help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer while creating a better view,” Bravard says.

If you’re ready to take on this energy-saving project, visit pella.com for a downloadable step-by-step guide to window and door replacement.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fall Home Guide

2010

A guide to getting rid of home clutter (ARA) - You’re feeling like the walls are closing in. You’re not a hoarder, but you just have too much stuff. It’s not that difficult to change your ways. If you want to take control of clutter, get a few boxes, one for each room in your home. Start by organizing one room at a time.

the box and look for items that define your personality, or will be noticed by guests visiting your home. “Ask yourself: when is enough, enough?” says McCleary. “Each piece of furniture in the room can function to complement. Accessories and works of art should contrast.”

Begin this initiative by removing everything on top of your cabinets, tables and in bookcases and place it all in a box, says Keith McCleary, academic director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of York - Pennsylvania. If there are other random accessories in the room, remove them as well.

Keep just the basic furnishings. Now sit with the room in its simplest form for awhile.

When you look at your well-designed room, you should see positive elements, as well as appreciate negative space by removing unnecessary pieces that don’t add to the design composition.

“In room design, make good decisions about what you choose to put in the room and, often more importantly, in what you choose to leave out,” McCleary says. “Simplicity and clean lines make a room feel livable and that’s what it’s really all about: comfortable living.” Think about the kind of focal point you’re trying to create. How should you orchestrate this space and show off your special pieces in terms of size, scale, color and texture?

After a day or two has passed, go back to

Interior design students at The Art Institute of York are taught to help their clients step back and ask themselves: Is it finished now?

You can err when you go shopping and purchase nice pieces for your home, because before long you begin to accumulate too many of those nice things. Much of what you have is stuff you don’t need or want. It might be time to share those boxes, which are full of stuff you haven’t missed in years, with your local Goodwill.

Sometimes, you might think you have to keep memorabilia or outdated gifts from Aunt Ethel in your home all the time. “Not so,” says McCleary. “It’s perfectly acceptable to remove those items when you do your

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In order to have a well-designed room, say interior designers, the occupant needs to reduce what’s in it. box exercise.” If you get a call from auntie who’s planning a visit, head to the attic and put those old Beanie Babies she gave you when you were a fanatical collector decades ago on a shelf in your den, temporarily.

She’ll be happy for the gesture. When she leaves, feel free to replace them in the box of memories until her next visit.

After you complete this exercise in each room in your home, you’ll notice that the

clutter has disappeared. Now you can recognize how attractive the remaining items are in that same space. This initiative takes determination and focus, but when you’ve completed the exercise, your focus can be on the lovely space you’ve recreated. To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

2010

Fall Home Guide

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Creating a kid’s room that can inspire (ARA) - As the cold weather approaches, kids spend less time outdoors burning off all that wonderful energy. The change in weather also means that everyone - including you - spends more time indoors. Don’t worry. There’s an easy and inexpensive way to turn any room into an environment that fosters your child’s learning and creativity.

What’s even better: You are very likely to think, “it’s too quiet in there,” while the kids play intently in their new space.

“Teachers know what the research confirms: Color, space and clutter can have a dramatic effect on a child’s attitudes and behaviors. It can also affect their imagination, creativity and ability to learn,” says PaintIdeas.com blogger Angie Stinner.

“Fortunately, creating a soothing environment that helps kids learn and grow is easy.

It’s also the perfect project to bring parents and children together for a weekend of fun. All you need is a little paint and some inspiration.”

Here are a few tips for creating the perfect area for learning and fun: • Inspire creativity. When turning up the creativity in a child’s room, a good place to start is the walls. Research reveals that

painting a room in the colors of nature - light green or warm teal - can inspire creativity, as well as create a calm learning environment that promotes a positive state of mind. Light blue (the color of academics) or light pink or rose, are good colors too, especially for very active children who need a calming environment to focus. Before painting, apply three thin coats of RustOleum Magnetic Primer. It transforms any wall into a surface that attracts magnets, so kids can hang their favorite photos, artwork or school papers without tape or push pins.

Add a few funky magnets, but not too many. Too much clutter can be distracting and have a negative impact on focus and creativity.

• Let them write on the walls (or doors or dresser drawers). Educators recognize that giving kids a space to express their creativity or just think out loud is an important component of the learning process. Instead of creating paper clutter or buying a chalk or dry erase board, why not paint a wall, door or dresser drawers with Rust-Oleum Chalkboard or Dry Erase Paint. Chalkboard Paint comes in black, green and a tint base where you can choose from fun colors such as Periwinkle or Raspberry.

Both Chalkboard and Dry Erase Paint can be applied over existing paint and instantly turn any surface into a space for math problems, poetry or homework assignments. It’s also great for leaving messages or subtle reminders, like, “time to clean your room.”

• Create a space to work. You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your child the perfect workspace for studying and homework assignments. You can transform a flea market desk Courtesy ARAContent - or repurpose a table Writing on the wall (of chalkboard paint) helps stimulate a child’s creativity. and chair you already own - with a little spray to the room. The possibilities are endless. paint. Try Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X. It’s Need more inspiration? Visit www.painavailable in popular colors and offers twice tideas.com.

It’s the destination for inspiring the coverage of competitive general purpose decorating ideas and creative projects for spray paint. Coordinate by spray painting every room in your home. a bookcase, some picture frames - even the bed’s headboard – to add a little more color Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fall Home Guide

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Poulsbo Heating Company offers ‘knock-out’ products, prices and customer service to Kitsap County Poulsbo Heating Company is an eightyear-old company started by Poulsbo residents Randy Lee and his wife, Brenda.

In 2002, when a major oil company in Bremerton closed its doors to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) service, Randy knew he needed to open a new window, he said. He admits to being called at home by customers wanting him to continue working on furnaces that he had installed and maintained for over 12 years.

With 22 years into the HVAC business, Lee has indeed opened a window or two. He is proud that his company offers a friendly business attitude – one that is difficult to find today. Even on a holiday, he doesn’t mind being called to work in order to help local residents. It’s why he continues to work the way he does, he said.

“This is satisfying work for me, especially when there are people counting on me to get the job done,” Lee said.

More people may be counting on HVAC service providers in the near future as Gov. Gregoire prepares to pass new building

codes, codes which require homes to be more energy efficient. The proposed bill will include new regulations on air ducts, requiring homeowners to have their homes tested for leakage. Air duct leaks can result in approximately 25 percent energy consumption. However, Poulsbo Heating is prepared with certified technicians who have received certification in PTCS (Performance Tested Comfort Systems) and are ready to clean, sanitize, test and seal leaking air ducts.

One major difference in this competitive trade of HVAC that Poulsbo Heating Company offers is all the services they offer and no salesmen working for commissions.

“We take pride knowing our customers by name as well as the systems installed in their homes,” Lee said.

Poulsbo Heating specializes in installation, service and repair of oil, gas and electric furnaces as well as heat pumps, and ductless heat pumps. Another specialty is oil tank decommissioning and installation, along with soil sampling and remediation.

“We are one-stop shopping,” Lee said.

Courtesy photo

Randy Lee and his fleet of service vehicles for Poulsbo Heating Company.

This year, Poulsbo Heating added an oil tanker into its fleet and is now prepared for oil deliveries.

they think of Randy, and I agree, he is pretty special. But some may say I’m partial,” Brenda Lee said.

“I love hearing from customers how much

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Cozy up this fall to some redecorating (ARA) - After months of sunshine, cookouts, beach-going and outdoor entertaining, it can be a little disappointing to realize the cool bite of fall is on its way. But warding off those cold-weather blues can be as simple as redecorating a room (or a few) to create a hideaway that you can enjoy until spring arrives. With a little time and creativity, you can create a fresh space that will outlast the dreary weather of the coming months.

Preparing a home for the coldest months of the year whether you expect to host company for the holidays or to simply spend more time indoors - can seem daunting. But professional designer and television personality Danielle Hirsch says there is no need to fret. Hirsch, featured on Dutch Boy’s new Restore My Decor.com decorating website, says there are many ways to minimize the time and expense you might associate with refreshing your home’s interior.

Here are just a few of her easy and affordable tips that can help bring new life to your decor.

It might sound like a cliche, but a fresh coat of interior paint can truly do wonders to renew a space. Dutch Boy’s Restore My Decor.com website features advice from Hirsch to help you decide what color and design scheme is right

for your room. She also offers tips to help your project run smoothly. Gathering valuable inspirational ideas from the site will ensure your interior turns out right the first time, saving you valuable time and money.

Don’t stop with wall color, though. As the weather turns bleak, heat up your home design by bringing a bit of color inside. Are you conservative when it comes to design? Try accenting a neutral room with a few pieces of the same color family. If you’re more daring, play with a variety of warm, bright colors. “Take cues from Mother Nature and pull colors you see from the foliage around you,” Hirsch says. “Rich oranges, chocolate browns, vibrant reds and ambers - these colors bring energy as the days get darker earlier.”

To create the perfect atmosphere for your cozy escape, appealing to all senses is a must. Give your entire home a warm, inviting aroma with seasonal scented candles. Liven up a dining room with a visually stimulating centerpiece or wall hanging. Or make a casual den more comfortable with overstuffed throw pillows or a faux fur rug. Adding small accents and finishing touches can completely change the ambiance of a room and turn it into an area where you’ll actually enjoy spending time.

You can also take pleasure in the changing of the seasons by incorporating natural outdoor elements into your decor.

“Nothing says fall like a pumpkin, and if you hollow it out, it makes a great vase,” Hirsch says. She also suggests accenting a room with seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers, colorful leaves and pinecones for quick and easy ways to bring the natural beauty of autumn indoors.

“To round out your fall decorating remember that with the days getting shorter, warm lighting is essential,” Hirsch says.

Do a quick audit of the lighting to ensure you’re making the most of your room’s natural and artificial light. Introducing a new light source, whether it’s a standing or table lamp, can transform the overall feel of a room and fight off the dreary gray outside your window.

Hirsch goes onto say, “This fall, don’t be lulled into hibernation. Take the time you have indoors and put it to good use. Tackling interior projects now will leave your home looking beautiful and ready for family and friends for years to come.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fall Home Guide

2010

Go lean and green on renovations (ARA) - When it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment.

that’s becoming increasingly popular for kitchens and baths.”

Part of the reason could be that mid-range kitchen and bathroom remodels now recoup more at sale time than do up-scale projects, according to the National Association of Realtors’ Cost vs. Value Report. “A mid-range kitchen remodel brings an average 72.1 percent return on investment, while an upscale kitchen re-do returns only an average of 63.2 percent of the money invested,” the NAR reports on its website. Mid-range bathroom remodels recoup an average of about 71 percent, while upscale projects return only about 61 percent, the site says.

“Skylight installations can start around $800 each or range up to more than $2,000 each for electric venting models with remote control and blinds. The complexity of the shaft and other application specifics make a difference too, so it is best to get a qualified contractor or skylight specialist to give a detailed quote,” Patrick says. Adding a skylight can help lower energy bills by reducing the need for artificial light in a kitchen or bath, and, when used for ventilation, can help remove humidity, cooking smells and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

“Given the decline in ROI for major remodels, it makes sense to get the most value out of upgrades for the least amount of money,” says Joe Patrick of skylight manufacturer VELUX. “Installing a skylight is one cost-effective, energy-efficient upgrade

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Kitchens and baths are logical candidates for natural lighting and passive ventilation upgrades. Along with laundry rooms, they tend to have higher moisture and humidity levels than other rooms in the home, making them among the most popular locations for venting skylights.

“Venting skylights in a kitchen can release hot air and odors, lessening the need for energy-consuming mechanical ventilation, while providing better light for brighter days and more pleasant cooking and dining,” Patrick points out.

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Another kitchen- and bath-specific issue that skylights help address is the need for privacy. “Light from windows is rarely enough, especially in places where lot sizes are small,” says Jennifer Powers of design firm Scott-Ulmann.

Many modern homes have been built on small lots, in very close proximity to neighboring houses.

Courtesy ARAContent

Venting skylights exhaust heat and humidity while providing privacy and natural light.

“A clear window in your bathroom might fill it with natural light, but it can also give your next-door neighbor a view you don’t want to share,” Patrick says. In fact, 65 percent of homebuyers request skylights in their bathrooms, according to a National Association of Homebuilders survey.

“In bathrooms especially, venting skylights reduce condensation build-up while providing a beautiful view of the sky above, without affording anyone the opportunity to see in,” Patrick says. “You get privacy plus the use of wall space, where a window isn’t necessary, for decorating, storage, or another form of space utilization.”

Modern skylights also eliminate one of the biggest fears of homeowners considering the upgrade - leaks. VELUX markets an Energy Star-qualified “No-Leak Skylight” that is guaranteed for 10 years not to leak when installed according to instructions. Today’s skylights also contribute to energy efficiency with light and heat control as much as with ventilation by offering easily installed ac-

cessories to adjust and control light, as do vertical windows.

“Venetian blinds are available to adjust light, as are roller blinds to diffuse light and blackout blinds to block light,” Patrick says. “And the accessories, as well as the units themselves, can be operated by remote control.” Solar blinds are also available that qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

“From an economic standpoint, venting skylights admit light from above and reduce energy costs. It’s also a way to stretch dollars,” Patrick says, “with a one-time purchase that pays long-term benefits by reducing energy bills.”

For skylight selection or installation information, visit veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

2010

Fall Home Guide

Easy ways to take advantage of solar energy at home (ARA) -The average retail price of electricity for American homeowners has increased nearly 40 percent in the last 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, costing homeowners hundreds of dollars on utility bills.

“With energy costs rising right along with demand for electricity, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to save and are seeking out alternative energy sources like solar energy to help cut utility bills,” says Victor Gonzalez-Maertens, a home cooling expert with Lennox, a leading manufacturer of home heating and cooling products.

While installing a complete residential solar energy system can be cost-prohibitive for many homeowners, recent technology that integrates solar power with individual household appliances is making it easier for homeowners to harness the power of the sun without breaking the bank.

Solar-powered heating and air conditioning One example is the first-of-its-kind SunSource Home Energy System, which was introduced by Lennox this year. It’s a solarpowered central heating and cooling system that reduces overall household electricity consumption without the costs associated with traditional solar installations.

“More than half of a home’s energy costs go toward heating and cooling the home, so if you can use a high-efficiency air conditioner and solar energy to help offset those costs, you can make a substantial dent in your overall utility bill,” says GonzalezMaertens.

The SunSource system is based on a highefficiency air conditioner or heat pump that is solar-ready, which means a homeowner can add solar modules to create a solar energy system, if and when they want one.

Gonzalez-Maertens says the homeowner will be able to reduce the energy demand of their home just with the high-efficiency equipment, but will be able to save even more when they add the solar component.

When the solar component is activated, the system harnesses solar energy from the sun to reduce the electricity consumed by the unit.

It also uses that solar power to operate

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Another Generation Moving Up

other devices in the home that consume electricity, such as lighting and appliances, when the heating and cooling system is not running. In addition, if the SunSource system generates more power than is used by the home, that power will be sent back to the utility company, which may entitle the homeowner to a credit on their utility bill.

Solar water heating Americans also spend more than $13 billion a year on energy for household water heating, which accounts for almost a quarter of the total energy used in a single-family home.

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Solar water heating systems, which feature water storage tanks and solar collectors, offer the biggest potential savings to homeowners, as they can save between 50 and 80 percent on water heating bills.

In addition to solar water heaters for the home, many homeowners are turning to solar swimming pool heaters that can save money, extend the swimming season and give the owner more control over water temperature.

Outdoor solar lighting Another potential area where homeowners can save with solar is on landscape lighting.

Home improvement stores now sell outdoor solar lighting systems that are easy to install and operate at no cost because they essentially provide free electricity.

These systems use solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity is then stored in batteries that power the lights at night. Some solar lighting systems are self-contained units, and only need to be placed in a sunny location. Others have the lights separate from a solar cell panel. In this case, only the panel needs to be placed in a sunny location.

According to Gonzalez-Maertens, these recent advances toward integrating solar energy into household appliances are making it easier than ever for homeowners to take advantage of renewable solar energy in an affordable manner. For more information about new energy-saving technology, visit www.Lennox.com or www.ItPaystoLiveSmart.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fall Home Guide

2010

Make your home more livable and still save money with natural light (ARA) - Wild seasonal temperature changes and the high utility bills extreme temperatures can cause - no wonder a change in season can make many Americans feel down, or even outright depressed. Maybe we all just need to lighten up - literally.

You can use natural light to enhance your home’s livability, not to mention your mood, this winter. Bringing ample natural light into your house can also help trim utility bills by reducing your dependence on electricity to power artificial lighting, and gas or oil to heat your home.

Designers bring daylight into a home through decorating techniques like light-colored, reflective walls and architectural details like skylights. Updating your decor can be costeffective if you don’t have the budget for a remodel. If you are willing and able to spend just a little bit more, installing a traditional skylight or tubular version can yield remarkable results for a relatively small investment.

Here are three areas to focus on when using light to improve your home’s livability this winter: Windows Windows are, of course, the primary source of natural light in any home. South-facing windows will capture the most sunlight during the winter, but don’t overlook the value of windows on other sides of the home, as well. During the day, even on rainy days, be sure to completely open curtains or drapes and raise blinds - don’t just “open” Venetian blinds - to maximize the light entering your home.

If windows are drafty, don’t rely on heavy drapes or curtains to keep the chill out. Properly seal around windows, or consider a kit that adds a further layer of insulation with a clear plastic membrane over the window.

Skylights Skylights are another great way to bring more natural light into your home during the winter. They can be positioned virtually anywhere on the roof, and are a great way to bring light into problematic areas like the bath (where uncovered windows can compromise privacy) or a walk-in closet.

Tubular skylights, such as the Sun Tunnel skylight, can even deliver natural light to lower levels of a home.

Modern skylights are, in many situations, actually easier to add to your home than a new window. And contemporary technology helps eliminate some of the stereotypical worries associated with skylights, such as leaking or too much heat entering the home in summer.

In fact, skylight manufacturer Velux America markets a “No Leak Skylight” that is guaranteed to be leak-free when installed properly. And the company also offers a line of accessories, like remote-controlled blinds, that can help minimize heat transfer during warm months. Log on to www.veluxusa.com to learn more.

Adding a skylight can also help improve the air quality in your home - something that might concern you as your family spends more time indoors, with the windows closed, during cold winter months. Venting skylights provide passive ventilation without the cost associated with mechanical ventilation, such as exhaust fans. Ventilation can help carry fumes, moisture, odors and volatile organic compounds

Courtesy ARAContent

Decorating with venting skylights brings not only style to the home, but also abundant natural light and passive ventilation.

(VOCs) out of the home and venting skylights can utilize sensors to close them in case of rain.

Decor You can also use decor to enhance light’s impact in your home. Replacing heavy drapes with light, sheer curtains will allow more natural light to enter through windows. Painting walls a light color in a semi-gloss paint will also help a room appear brighter in natural light.

Even the arrangement of furniture can impact how natural

light enters your home. In winter, be sure to move heavy pieces away from windows where the furniture might block light. And consider positioning mirrors where they can capture sunlight and reflect it back into the room.

The positive effects of sunlight on people’s moods and emotions are well documented. And the potential energy and cost-savings of bringing more natural light into your home can also lift your spirits as you face colder temperatures and higher utility bills this winter.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Fall Home Guide

2010

Page 11

Hibernate in style & comfort this winter (ARA) -OK, so humans don’t really hibernate, but when those bone-chilling northern winds arrive and snow starts to pile up against the door, we all tend to prefer the climatecontrolled comfort of our own homes. And like all creatures, great and small, who endure the hardships of winter, we must prepare.

While storing nuts or Courtesy ARAContent putting on a little extra winter fat may get some Be safe, warm and comfortable at home this winter by taking time to prepare. through the long days or nights, making a few you extra cash, and the cost of fuel never home improvements can make your “nest” a goes down in the winter. Also, have you little more habitable this winter (extra fat is considered the air quality in a home sealed optional). up tight for the winter? Here are a few things you should consider improving to ensure winteriZing a cleaner, healthier and more comfortable If you consider your home to be a living, home environment: breathing thing, then its heating, ventila• Consider adding a heat pump to your tion and air conditioning (HVAC) system HVAC system. A heat pump does the job is its lungs and the ductwork its arteries. As of an air conditioner and a furnace. But unyou schedule checkups to keep your family like a furnace, it doesn’t burn fuel to create healthy, do the same for your home’s heating heat.

It uses electricity and works with your system. An HVAC professional can perform indoor furnace or air handler to keep your a routine maintenance checkup to ensure all home warm in the winter, cool in the sumcomponents of your HVAC system are opermer, and comfortable all year round.

Ameriating properly and safely, and advise you on can Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s ways to improve energy efficiency. To locate an independent American Standard Heating Heritage(R) 20 Communicating Heat Pump is an economical option for homes with gas & Air Conditioning dealer near you, visit and electricity available. www.americanstandardair.com.

• A whole-home air filtration system may Here are some other suggested household be what the doctor ordered ... literally. A checkups to cross off your list before winter tightened up home can be a haven for dust, arrives: dander, bacteria and the flu. An air filtra• Check the ducts for leaks and inspect the tion system can remove up to 99 percent of fireplace and repair as necessary allergens from a home’s filtered air. It’ll keep you breathing easier and healthier.

• Inspect windows and pipes for leaks • Properly insulate the attic • Remove dirt and clutter from gutters and replace gutters if they are damaged • Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly improVing your home Before cool air SetS in As you winterize your home, it may become more apparent and more realistic to improve and replace rather than service and maintain. That old furnace may be costing

• Add a programmable thermostat - it can help you save time and money.

• Add a dehumidifier. Keeping a good balance between too dry and too moist is difficult in the winter but houses with too much moisture can harbor bacteria and germs, and not to mention damage woodwork like window frames and doors.

So, as your home creaks and settles into its winter routine you should be safe, warm and comfortable having enjoyed your preparations and improvements.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fall Home Guide

Page 12

N O R T H

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