HOM

E

A PUBLICATION OF THRIFTY NICKEL WANT ADS

2013

Improv

ement

Guide

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Advice OnEnergyEfficiency

(NAPSI)—For yourown comfort now andyour profit when the timecomes to sell, it pays to getthoroughly acquaintedwith all the ins and outs oftaking care of your newhome.

What To DoThese tips can help you

maximize the safety andefficiency of the place asyou make it your own:

• Check filters. Inspectfilters in the furnace, airconditioner and rangehood and clean or replaceas necessary. If the previ-ous owners didn’t leaveproduct manuals behind,search for them online tofind the manufacturers’maintenance recommen-dations.

• Change lightbulbs.Consider swapping exist-ing lightbulbs for more en-ergy-efficient models orsimply wait for the oldones to burn out and makethe change as you go.Longer-lasting LED light-ing offers energy efficien-cies.

• Check the waterheater. Experts recom-mend setting the waterheater at 120° F, which iscomfortable for most usesand minimizes energy use.To save even more energy,insulate the water heaterwith an insulating blanket,which can be found atmost hardware stores.

• Upgrade the thermo-stat. Installing a program-mable thermostat can saveup to 10 percent a year onheating and cooling whenyou program it to fall back7 to 10 degrees whileyou’re away at work.Prices start around $20 forbasic models that mosthomeowners can installthemselves. With many,you can set the program soyour house is alreadycomfortable when you re-turn home.

• Consider windowfilm. Installing windowfilm for sun control canhelp reduce energy useand protect furnishingsfrom fading. For example,3M Sun Control WindowFilms can reduce coolingcosts by up to 25 percentby rejecting solar heat.They also help block up to99 percent of harmful UVrays to minimize fadingand are available in vari-eties that do not changethe appearance of the win-dow. This can be a goodsolution for rooms that getlots of sun exposure orrooms with a patio dooraccess. Window films canalso reduce glare on TV orcomputer screens.

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More Power To Your Deck(NAPS)—Americans, it seems, have more leisure time than ever, and more of

that time is spent on their decks: Almost 85 percent of U.S. homes have sometype of deck.

Decked Out For Delight: Now, many families are finding they want to maketheir deck do more. For example, they’re adding an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit ora fireplace with seating. Some set up outdoor speakers or decorative lights andfountains.

The Problem: While cooking and eating on your deck are easy, other activities,such as reading at night, listening to music or enjoying that fountain, require anearby power receptacle. Installing an outdoor electrical outlet usually meanscalling an electrician. And running extension cords over the deck can be unsightlyand unsafe.

An Answer: There is, however, an easy-to-install solution to put power exactlywhere you need it on your raised deck: the Red•Dot Deck Grommet, a ruggedpolymer housing, constructed to withstand outdoor conditions, that you installin the deck surface. It securely holds an outdoor extension cord that runsunderneath the deck and seals out moisture and debris while in use.

Perhaps best of all, it’s easy to install:How to Install It: Trace the bottom end of the flange on the deck surface.

Cut out the hole and install the flange into the opening. Secure with the twoscrews provided.

Install the female end of an outdoor extension cord into the lid. Snap the lidinto the flange in the deck. Plug the opposite end of the extension cord into aGFCI outlet. Open the Red•Dot Deck Grommet by pulling up the lid andpivoting it open.

Close the lid, with the cord of the device being powered coming out of theslot, so it’s flush with the deck surface, making a neat and attractive installation.

Where To Find It: You can find the device at home centers and electricalwholesalers.

Now there’s an easy and inexpensive way to power lights, fountains or small appliances on outdoor raised decks. The Deck Grommetsecurely holds an outdoor extension cord that runs underneath the deck, and seals out moisture and debris while in use.

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