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Improvement Zone Newsletter - January 2013
Improvement Zone 
Greetings!

Nicholas Neboshynsky, President/CEO

 

Happy New Year!

 

We hope you had a wonderful holiday and were able to visit with friends and family.

 

The articles in this edition of our newsletter will show you how make your home more healthy, warm, and cozy.

 

Thank you everyone who helped Improvement Zone grow last year.We are ready for 2013 and looking forward to making your home the best it can be.

 

Warm wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013, 
Nicholas Neboshynsky
Improvement Zone
(443) 221-4661

 

Keeping out the Cold with Proper Window Insulation 



Insualtion

 

Window insulation is an important thing to consider if you're looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home. By far the most effective form of insulation when it comes to windows is replacing those old single paned windows. If you're replacing your windows anyway, or if you're just fed up with high energy bills, make the smart decision and talk to a window installer about putting in energy efficient models. Doing so will save you bundles of money in the long run, both in the heating and cooling of your home.

 

What to Look for 
There's not any one factor that makes a better, more efficient window when it comes to window insulation. Today's windows utilize a combination of strategies to create the most efficient window possible. Here's a list of things to look for if you're looking to upgrade.

Double Or Triple Pane Windows are a must if you're looking for good insulating properties. Generally double- paned windows are sufficient for all but the most extreme climates, though triple pane windows will provide the highest level of efficiency regardless of where you live.

Frame Material is often overlooked when choosing windows, despite the fact that it is one of the single most important aspects of good window insulation. For optimum insulation, choose wood, wood composites, vinyl or fiberglass frames for your windows. Avoid aluminum, which conducts heat and cold easily and is a major contributor to poor energy efficiency. Also, make sure the spacers between your panes of glass are made of steel, foam, fiberglass or vinyl. Poorly made windows will often use aluminum here as well, with predictable negative results.

 

Gas Filled Windows are the next thing to ask for when you talk to your window installer. By filling the space between your new double or triple pane windows with gas instead of air (usually Argon and Krypton are used), you can further insulate your home against the elements and raise energy efficiency.

 

Low-E Glass Coatings are the final thing to consider when it comes to purchasing new windows. These coatings are applied as a thin film to the glass and keep heat out in the summer and in during the winter. Different grades are available that block various amounts of heat depending on your climate, so talk to your window installer about which type is going to be best for you. These coatings also block harmful rays of the sun from damaging your furnishings and carpet, an added bonus that will further save you money in the long run.

 

When it comes to window insulation there's no better option than replacing your windows with new energy efficient models. Talk to a reputable window retailer or window installer for the widest range of styles to choose from and to get the best advice on which options are best for your home and climate.

 

Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.


 

 


DIY home improvement fixes to create a healthier home

    

  DIY plumbing

 You might not be aware that your home may pose some hidden risks for you and your family. But you don't need a fat budget to give your home a safer and healthier boost. After all, there is nothing more important than keeping your family safe.

 

Hazards may be lurking in your home, and for $100 or less, you can make the home improvement precautions needed to protect your family from common household dangers. Danny Lipford, home improvement expert and host of the nationally syndicated show "Today's Homeowner," recommends these budget-friendly DIY projects for a safer and healthier home:

* Mount smoke detectors: There should be a smoke detector on each floor and in or near every bedroom in the home. Installing them is as simple as mounting them 4 inches from the wall on the ceiling. Smoke rises, so opt to place the detector at the highest point of the ceiling if you have an angled ceiling.

Estimated cost: $30

* Install a water filter: If you're concerned about lead, VOCs, microbial cysts and pharmaceuticals in your tap water, or even if you just don't like the taste or smell of it, install a DIY water filtration system. Filtrete Brand makes a full line of them, such as the High Performance Drinking Water System that comes with a dedicated faucet and will provide your family with cleaner, better tasting water.

Estimated cost: $100

* Secure heavy furniture and appliances: Children are susceptible to bookshelves, televisions or other furniture falling over and causing harm. Use furniture brackets or straps to secure dressers, the stove, audio equipment and more to the wall to ensure passersby are safe from falling and tipping items.

Estimated cost: $10 or more, depending on number needed

* Install carbon monoxide alarms: Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas, is a result of improperly vented or defective home systems such as heaters, furnaces and fireplaces. Carbon monoxide does not rise to the ceiling like smoke, so the alarms can be mounted anywhere, such as plugged into wall outlets or affixed to walls and powered by batteries.

Estimated cost: $50

* Install a bathroom vent fan: Poor ventilation in the bathroom can lead to a buildup of excess moisture, which is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Install a bathroom vent fan to push the moist air outside the home to avoid creating unhealthy conditions in the room, as well as fogged-up windows, steamy mirrors, and eventually ruined walls and ceilings.

Estimated cost: $100

For more information and other tips, visit FiltreteWater.com.

 

 

  

Warm happy family
 

(BPT) - When cold winds blow, it can be tricky to keep different rooms throughout your home at the right temperature - especially if you have old and drafty windows, tight spaces or room additions to work around. It can also be challenging to ensure economical comfort without having to do a major heating system overhaul. Yet there are easy and flexible ways to heat your home in areas where it needs it most and still stay comfortable all winter long.

 

Odd-shaped rooms in older homes, additions such as sunrooms and bonus rooms, and far-flung spaces like remodeled basements and attics can pose a heating challenge. In addition, some homes have no ductwork heating system, making it impractical or expensive to consider installing one to heat such spaces. If this sounds like your house, consider these tips to keep your home warm this winter.

 

Go ductless with room-by-room heating

A ductless heating system can provide comfort where you want it, when you want it. For example, American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers ductless split systems that can be retrofitted to a house that has no ductwork, or if the central heating system is already at capacity. Advantages of these systems include their small size and flexibility for heating and cooling individual rooms.

A ductless system consists of two simple components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and one or more indoor units that deliver heated or cooled air. Since there is no ductwork, the small indoor unit can be mounted on most interior walls. Mini Split Models have one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Multi Split Models can have up to five indoor units connected to one outdoor unit, for heating rooms both efficiently and economically. Each unit is also individually controlled, for room-by-room comfort.

 

Add warmth with a gas stove or fireplace

Another option to consider is an individual heating unit, such as a gas stove. This can be a great solution for a hard-to-heat space, such as a porch converted to a year-round room. These stoves give off all the warmth and glow of a traditional wood burning fireplace or stove, and can keep an entire room comfortable in the coldest months of the year, even if they are the room's only heat source. Simply turn the flame on or off with a button, or set it to ignite only when the room reaches a preset temperature. Another consideration is a gas fireplace insert to efficiently heat your existing fireplace, a good solution in a basement or added family room.

 

Keep hot air in and cold air out

Some simple repairs around the house can also ensure you're not wasting precious heat. For example, older windows can let heated air escape. If you can't replace your windows with more energy-efficient ones, improve the performance of the ones you have. Some ideas from the U.S. Department of Energy include using a heavy duty clear plastic sheet on a frame or taping clear plastic from the inside of the window to reduce drafts; installing tight fitting, insulating window shades; and opening curtains and shades in the daytime to let in warming sunlight. You can also reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent by installing exterior or interior storm windows.

 

There are no excuses for being cold this winter. Use these tips to keep Old Man Winter and his frosty breath at bay.

 

 

About Improvement Zone

Improvement Zone, LLC is a family-owned company catering to the discerning homeowner seeking quality home repair and maintenance work. Our ties to Annapolis reach back over 30 years and we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area. We strive to establish ourselves as the premier home maintenance company in the area through excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service.

 

We have the knowledge, expertise and experience needed to make your home the best it can be. As we work with our customers, we offer that most precious commodity, the gift of time. We understand that superior customer service must be the center of our business and strive to exceed expectations every day.

 

Improvement Zone
(443) 221-4661
[email protected]
www.improvement-zone.com