Natural Heat Sources for Your Home

In the last decade, more homeowners have become interested in heating their homes using something other than coal or fossil fuel as the source of power.  They do not want their homes to contribute to the depletion of the environment.

Thanks to technology that includes harvesting solar power, water, and geothermal heating Ottawa utility companies can now offer natural utility sources to people in the area.  You can decide if this technology is right for you by learning the benefits that may come from choosing this heating option.

Learning How Geothermal Energy Works

The premise of geothermal energy involves utilizing energy and heat generated by the earth.  As its name implies, the heat from the earth can be harvested and directed into your home, thus eliminating the need for coal, gasoline, propane, and other natural resources.

This way of heating your house calls for the technology to work with the earth rather than against it so that you get cleaner energy and a safer and warmer home.  You do not have to worry about paying for expensive monthly propane shipments, paying costly bills to the local coal-based energy company, or worrying that you are using more than your fair share of natural resources.

As appealing as this may sound to you, you might wonder if you can really afford to invest in it for your home.  How does it compare to coal-based power and does it heat better than gas or propane?

You can get answers to all of these questions and any others you think of when you visit the Porter's Refrigeration website (linked above).  They explain how the process works from drawing the heat from the earth to incorporating it into the system that heats your house.  There is plenty of information to help you decide whether geothermal heating is for you.

You can also get a free estimate from the company using the online form.  They can tell you what it will cost to invest in the system now and how soon it may pay itself off with cheaper utility bills and cleaner energy.  You can also find out if some or all of the costs may be covered by your homeowners' insurance policy. (wouldn't that be great? Or perhaps there are tax credits?)

Homeowners want to minimize the environmental impact that their homes have on the earth.  Once you've learned a bit about geothermal heating, what it is and what benefits it can offer, it may just be something you'd like to install in your house.

Keeping Water Out Of The Basement

We don't have a basement in this house, which makes me a bit nervous during tornado season. There was that one time in Wisconsin when a tornado went through our town...

While we don't have anywhere safe (besides our downstairs bathroom) to go in the event of a tornado, at least we don't have to worry about water in the basement. Some of the people in our neighborhood have some serious puddles in their yards when it rains, so I can just imagine what a basement might look like.

If you have a basement, you may find the following information useful.

If you walk downstairs and notice standing water in the basement, then you know that you have a problem. There are a few reasons as to why you would have water in the basement. If it's rained recently, then water could seep into the room under a door that doesn't meet the floor all the way. There could be a leak from the ceiling. You need to find the source of how the water is entering the basement as soon as possible and repair it before waterproofing the room. If there is any mold or mildew or any structural damage, you need to get these issues fixed before you begin waterproofing.

A basement waterproofing Erie PA company has the tools and supplies needed to keep water out of your basement if you don't want to worry about the work. There are a few things that you can do on your own if you want to tackle the job with the assistance of a waterproofing company. The first thing that you need to do is look around the basement to find any holes or cracks. These need to be filled in with cement so that there isn't a way for water to get into the basement.

Once the source of how water is getting inside is fixed, you need to apply a thin coat of masonry cement to the walls. Make sure it's waterproof cement so that it helps to keep water from getting inside the room. Examine the outside of the home. Attach gutters or extensions at the basement so that water has somewhere to go away from the home instead of settling around the base or getting inside the house. Another option would be to dig a trench around the basement. Put a plastic pipe that's about four inches round in the trench. This will also help to direct water away from the basement and other areas of the home so that there isn't as much of a risk for flooding. Examine the ceiling of the basement, applying a layer of masonry cement to this area as well. Fix any leaks that are present in the ceiling before the cement is applied.

We never had issues with water in our basement in Wisconsin, except for the occasional wet spot on one wall after a rain. We had our contractor come and do some kind of waterproofing, and we never had a problem after that. Oh, and there was the time they were removing the old siding from the house after the tornado and pulled the outside faucet loose - causing water to pour into the basement. Yeah, that was fun. Thankfully it was all clean water, and after some shop vacs, fans, and dehumidifiers, everything was as good as new.

Newspaper Delivery Options

As I mentioned, we recently went to Florida with our family. As always, when planning to be away from home for any length of time, I had our mail and newspaper held. Mail is easy - have it held at the Post Office, and then have it all delivered when we come home. But, when I go to have the newspaper held, I have a few options:

Looks logical, right? The only problem is that there is absolutely no reason for that first choice. When I missed a paper or went on vacation in Wisconsin, the amount for those papers we did not receive was deducted from our monthly charge. Simple, right? We did not get the papers; we did not have to pay for them.

Here it does not work that way. I was talking to one of the customer service representatives a while back and asked about the fact that my monthly charge never varied - even though I'd had some missed papers or vacation holds. She told me that once we built up an entire month's worth of credit, we wouldn't be charged for a month.

Well, that monthly charge just keeps coming.


We only get the paper Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - though we'd rather just get the Sunday paper and leave it at that, but that's not an option. For a few weeks in a row recently, our Friday paper was not being delivered, so I reported it online and asked that our account be credited. Eventually, I got a call from the newspaper telling me that they couldn't credit anymore that month - we apparently missed a lot of newspapers, not sure what was going on. It's a bit confusing, but when a paper is missed, they just extend the month a bit and charge the credit card on a later date than it would have been - or something like that. I'm honestly not sure if that's true or not because my credit card is charged automatically, and I haven't figured out exactly when the charge comes through. I probably should look at the history, but let's give them that...

Then, since I was already on the phone with someone from the newspaper, I asked about my vacation credits - because I've been choosing that first option every time we go away for a weekend, and now that we've lived here for 4 years, we should have built up at least enough credit for a free month. Right?

Nope!

Apparently, if you go on vacation here and choose that first option, you just forfeit your newspapers, even though you've paid for them. No credit.  That just seems wrong on so many levels, but it's really frustrating that they even list that first option. Just leave it off and be clear and upfront about the fact that I can either donate my newspapers to a classroom (which I did this year and would have done in the past) or I can get them all delivered when I get home - but under no circumstances is that going to affect my subscription or the amount I will pay for the month.

Finding a Reputable Electrician

Are you having some electrical difficulties in your home or apartment? If this is the case, it is essential that you are able to locate a reputable electrician in your area who will do a great job for you. Hiring an electrician can be very stressful if you are not familiar with any of the companies in your area. You should never simply hire an electrician at random. You need to be certain the company you call employs technicians who know what they are doing. This is the only way that you will be able to ensure you get high-quality work for the money you are spending. Patience is the key.

The following tips will be very useful when you are looking for an electrician in your city.

1. Get references from people you trust.
   Talk to a lot of people you trust before hiring anyone. Get in touch with friends and family members via social media. Ask these people if they have hired an electrician in the past couple of years. If so, find out as much as you can about their experience. Basically, you need to ask them if the electrician was good or bad. Get the name of the electrician if they give him a positive recommendation. Find out how much they paid.
2. Does the electrician have a good safety record?
   Working closely with electricity is very dangerous. It is even more dangerous if the proper safety regulations are not followed. This is why you need to take a look into the background of the electricians you are considering. Have they ever caused any serious accidents? How good is their safety record? Keep looking until you find someone with a flawless safety record.
3. Look for an electrician who offers a 24-hour emergency service.
   You never know when something is going to go wrong with your electricity. You never really think about how important electricity is until you do not have it. You can't watch TV, use your desktop computer or cook a meal in your microwave without electricity. Therefore, it is critical that the problem gets fixed as soon as possible. You might lose your power in the middle of the night. You then need to find a Ponte Vedra electrician who is willing to come to your home in the wee hours of the morning. 

Enjoy the Near Maintenance-Free Value of a Chain Link Fence

A couple years after we had our first house built, Jeffrey (with a little help from Beth) fenced in our backyard with a chain link fence. If you've got small children or pets, which we did at the time, you'll know how nice it is to have a fenced in yard. I could let the dog and the children run without worrying about them too much. It was especially convenient to be able to keep an eye on them through my kitchen window while I made dinner or washed dishes.

While there are always home improvement projects to be done, installing a chain link fence is one project that is easy on the budget, lasts a long time and needs very little in the way of repairs and maintenance.  We didn't really consider other options, but reading through the following list, I see it was a good choice.

Some of the best reasons to consider chain link for your next fence purchase

• Easy Cleaning
  There is very little work involved to keeping aq chain link fence clean. A garden hose is typically all that is needed unless you are in an area that allows for a build-up of mud and dirt. A small scrub brush will loosen dirt that can then be rinsed away. Your fence with stay looking new for a long time to come.
• Corrosion Resistance
  The material that quality chain link is constructed of is both durable and resists corrosion from weather elements. This means your investment will last for decades. Wood has a tendency to weather rough and vinyl products get brittle with temperature changes over a short period of time. 
• Simple Repair Process
  The repairs on a chain link fence are simpler than with many other types of fencing. Sagging and creases can happen over time, along with small areas of damage from accidental contact with vehicles and other heavy objects. Fixing these areas can be one of the more affordable things on your home to-do list.
• Quick Gate Repairs
  Gates designed for chain link fences are attached with hardware that makes replacement easy and inexpensive. You can change styles or replace used and worn gates. There are a single panel or double-panel designs that can match the construction design of your home perfectly.
• Affordable Damage Replacement
  There may come a point in which portions of the chain link fence need to be replaced. The great news is that replacement sections for this type of fencing are some of the more affordable on the market. It is an overall property securing investment you can feel confident about.

Contact experts in chain link fence Tampa like Family Fence and schedule an appointment for an estimate today!

Just out of curiosity, I looked our first house up on Google Maps. That chain link fence is still there - at least I'm going to assume it's the same one. Also, that tree is so tall. Did we even have that tree when we lived there? Of course, we did move out of that house more than 20 years ago (how has it even been that long?), so the trees have had some time to grow.

So That's What I've Been Doing Wrong

I recently mentioned how far behind I am in my reading goals this year. I've made slight progress since then, and I'm only 7 books behind schedule, instead of 8. It's just a small victory, but I guess I'll take it.

Anyway, I finally figured out what I'm doing wrong when it comes to reading. My friend Ruth posted this handy list filled with tips for How to Read More Books, and I can confidently say that I am letting all kinds of reading opportunities pass me by. I have no kids in the house because they're all grown up and live on their own now. I do listen to audiobooks when I walk every morning, and I occasionally prop a book up (or read from my Kindle) while I'm washing dishes or otherwise working in the kitchen, but I'm pretty much ignoring all the other items on the list. I mean, who really needs sleep anyway?

My reading list just keeps getting longer -

• I've got my friend Ruth's new book Collapsible to read. Yes, she's the one who posted the handy list of tips - possibly so we'd all find make time to read her book. Word is there are more coming!
• I just started When Did Everybody Else Get So Old? by Jennifer Grant, and I need to get that one finished in the next few days because I agreed to post some reviews. So far I'm really enjoying it. But...
• I'm reading Stephen King's Dark Tower series over again, and I just really want to sit and read that all the day, never mind all the other books. I'm currently about halfway through Wizard and Glass. If you haven't read these books, do yourself a favor and read them. All of them. Again I ask - who needs sleep?
• Cory bought a copy of John Green's new book Turtles All the Way Down while we were in Florida. He's already read it so he left it here for me to read. Now if I can just get to it. Have you read John Green's books? So good. Also, I wish I could read as fast as Cory does.

• And, I just got an advance copy of Catherine McKenzie's The Good Liar. I've loved all her books so far, so I'm super excited to read this one. 

Of course, this list doesn't include the 4 or 5 or 6 (or more, who's counting?) books on my Currently Reading list on GoodReads - all good books, and books I really want to finish, but it seems I'm easily distracted when the next shiny book comes along.

What does your reading list look like? And what's your excuse for not reading nearly as many books as you'd like?

Note: links to books on Amazon are affiliate links.

The Beauty Of Vinyl Siding

Every house needs siding, and while there are some out there who will always prefer brick for the exterior of their home, there are a lot of exciting developments in vinyl siding that make it worth taking a look at. Before selecting the material for your home's exterior, it's a good idea to look at all the pros and cons of each.

Ace Home Improvements LLC, a siding company Bowie MD can depend on, has compiled the following list of reasons vinyl siding is one of their most popular products.

1. Vinyl siding is, first off, incredibly affordable. Many people choose vinyl siding simply because it is what they can afford. However, those choosing vinyl siding just because it's economical will be pleased to know that there are many other perks to choosing it over other exteriors. Continue reading for just a few of the reasons that you can be happy with your selection of vinyl siding for your home. 
2. Vinyl siding never needs to be painted. Love saving time? You're going to love the fact that your siding will never need to be painted over in order to keep it looking its best. Just install vinyl siding and it will continue looking great for years to come, provided you maintain it properly.
3. Vinyl siding isn't completely maintenance free, but it is one of the exterior types that will be easiest to maintain. The bottom line is: vinyl siding can save you a lot of time if you're a busy person. You'll always need to do some routine maintenance but for the most part, you can let vinyl siding go a bit more than other exteriors. Just refer back to point #2 for a big time saver.
4. Easier to install. Vinyl projects aren't going to take as long to install as other types of exteriors, so this can really cut down on labor expenses if you're not going to be doing it yourself. If you ARE doing it yourself, it's still a massive project but not nearly as much as other forms of siding.

If you're excited about the prospect of installing vinyl siding, join the club! This type of siding continues to win over the hearts of homeowners year after year with its low cost and low maintenance properties.  32% of homeowners opt for vinyl siding for these particular reasons.

Watching Some Dancing

Our local ABC station decided we'd rather watch football last night than watch Dancing with the Stars. They were wrong. I don't mind attending the occasional Colts game, but when it comes to my Monday night television viewing, I really want to see DWTS. (and seriously, I saw on the news that the Colts stopped playing before the game was over and lost. Again. So we would have all been better off watching Disney night on Dancing with the Stars.)

Anyway, we're watching it now and I just fell in love with Lindsey and Mark's dance. It was just so good - and even earned that "10 from Len" - and in my opinion should have gotten all 10s.


So far Lindsey is definitely my favorite. I'm also really liking Drew from Property Brothers. I wasn't so sure at first, but he's really improved and really seems to be having a great time out there.

Who's your favorite this season? Have you started voting yet? I often don't start until later in the season, waiting to see how everyone will do - and obviously I could not have (knowledgeably) voted last night since I wasn't even able to watch. </pout>

Keep Your Fridge Running Smoothly

You might think that appliance repair has gone out of style since there are so many cheap economical options for appliances, but you would be wrong. When given the choice, the majority of Americans would still rather buy very expensive appliances that function perfectly and last decades instead of near disposable models that can be replaced at the drop of a hat. Considering that the average refrigerator can run over $3000 even in residential home stores, it's no wonder that refrigerator repair services still exist and thrive in today's world.

When someone has invested thousands of dollars in a refrigerator, it's common sense that they need a place like Sub Zero repair Ft Lauderdale based. Sub Zero is an old pro at taking care of appliances both before and after they break down. Believe it or not, there's more routine maintenance on a fridge than you might think. Having it inspected once in awhile to see what kind of parts or products it needs to run smoothly is still a common thing when people buy more expensive appliances. These services work on a host of common refrigerator issues.

Here are but a few of today's most common issues with a fridge:

• The fridge stops cooling and the food begins to warm (spoil)
• Ice maker doesn't produce ice or it's not as cold as it should be
• Defrost drain becomes clogged
• Freezer is still working but the fridge begins to warm
• Noise issues (It might rattle or run too loud)

These are just a few of the things that can go wrong with today's refrigerator. If you've invested a lot of money in your fridge, you don't want to go out and replace it every time something doesn't work. Instead, hire one of today's certified technicians to come inside your home and inspect your refrigerator. Nine times out of ten, they'll be able to get your fridge up and running again for a lot less than the price of a new refrigerator.

Repair services like Sub Zero are capable of performing both maintenance and repair on today's most popular brands of refrigerators. Routine maintenance, as well as periodic inspections, can help you avoid unexpected and costly repairs.

I've Been a Bit Buried

Well, actually it was Jason who was a bit buried:

Me, I've just been a bit busy. We just got back from Florida where we enjoyed spending time with our kids and grandson and spending time on the beach. We even survived Nate - though the storm pretty much missed us where we were. Still the waves and the wind were pretty amazing to experience.

Now that we're back, I've got quite a bit of catching up to do, IF there's such a thing as ever actually getting caught up. It seems like a lot of things fell by the wayside before we left because I was concentrating on packing to go - and now I've got to get everything unpacked and put away. Thankfully all that laundry is done, and tomorrow I can move on to the next project(s).

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