Energy Saving Tips for the Home

Energy Saving Tips for the Home

(ARA) - Looking for ways to save money? According to The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), a good place to start is in the kitchen. Replacing older, inefficient appliances with more modern appliances is a leading way for consumers to reap tremendous energy savings.

That’s great advice considering the fact that the amount of energy consumed by home appliances has dropped sharply since 2000. Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers combined account for a 43 percent decrease in energy consumption since 2000, and decreasing energy consumption in turn drops cost.

Replacing an 8- year-old refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer with new appliances of average efficiency will save consumers about $95 per year in energy bills. Replacing an 8- year-old clothes washer will save more than $60 in electricity costs and nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year.

Consumers can attain additional savings by purchasing Energy Star designated appliances. Here are some more energy savings tips:

* If you are replacing your refrigerator, do not use the old refrigerator as a second refrigerator. This will not yield energy savings. Properly recycle the appliance. To find recycling options in your area, call (800) YES-1-CAN.

* Allow hot foods to cool before placing them in the refrigerator; and always cover foods that may release moisture in the refrigerator.

* Limit opening the refrigerator and freezer doors. Label foods or use clear food storage bags to easily identify foods.

* Scrape, but do not pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Dishwashers do a great job of cleaning soiled dishes.

* Take advantage of your dishwasher’s “eco” option that reduces water use, or use a no-heat air dry feature.

* Use load size settings on your washing machine. If you are washing a small load of clothing, be sure to change the load setting; and use cold water settings whenever possible.

* Don’t over-dry clothes. This causes shrinkage, generates static electricity, and shortens fabric life. If your dryer has a setting for auto-dry, use it instead of a timer to avoid wasting energy.

* Always clean the lint filter on the clothes dryer after each use. A clogged filter will reduce dryer performance.

For more information on energy savings and to purchase AHAM’s historical Energy Efficiency and Consumption Trends, log on to http://www.aham.org.

Before & Afters, First Buyer Bought It!

Everyone clamors for pictures, and since staging has alot to do with how homes are visually presented I have started working on some before and after shows. Here is the first one, this home sold to the first buyer who viewed it.

The take away is that simple changes can have a huge impact. We edited personal items, repositioned the furniture and I brought a van full of accessories and small things to make the space memorable. The end result was an updated looked that felt as good as it looked.

The listing agent brought me in as part of the marketing team, something he does on most of his listings.

How to Remove Stubborn Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors

How to Remove Stubborn Scum from Glass Shower Doors

(ARA) - Vicki Lewis of Cottonwood, Calif., lived in her new home for less than three weeks when she first noticed it. Regardless of how hard she scrubbed her new glass shower doors, she could not get them as clean as they were when she had first moved in.

Stubborn soap scum and hard water stains on glass shower doors are a very common problem for homeowners. In communities where hard water is an issue, the build-up of mineral residue can begin clouding glass almost immediately. Simple, routine maintenance is the key to keeping shower glass sparkling. A light coating of wax or sealant every two or three weeks will prevent soap scum and hard water from staining your shower doors.

To determine if your shower build-up is soap scum or mineral deposits, mix one cup of liquid fabric softener with one quart of warm water. With a soft cloth, gently rub the mixture onto the glass in a small circular pattern. Most soap scum will disintegrate and rinse off using this technique. If the build-up fails to respond, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 1 part mineral oil to 4 parts water. Spray the mixture onto the scum, let it soak for a minute, and then wipe with a clean sponge.

Scum that fails to respond to fabric softener or mineral oil is most likely caused by a build-up of minerals that are dissolved in your water. When the water evaporates the minerals are left behind leaving what cleaning experts refer to as "hard water" stains.

Before applying a treatment to prevent build-up of soap scum and minerals in hard water, you must remove any existing stains. A sponge dipped in vinegar will often work to dissolve lighter mineral deposits. Stubborn deposits will sometimes yield to a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 gallon hot water. Wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when using solutions containing vinegar or ammonia, and be prepared to use some elbow grease. Never use harsh chemicals or heavy abrasives on shower glass.

Lewis determined that the build-up on her shower doors was caused by high mineral content in her water. Sensitive skin led her to develop her own safe and simple home remedy to remove hard water stains. She found that a combination of powerful detergents, mild jewelers-grade abrasive and oxygen bleach provided the best results without the need for caustic chemicals, harsh odors or hard scrubbing. Friends and neighbors found that Lewis' formula was effective and Bring-It-ON Cleaner (www.BringItOnCleaner.com) was introduced to the public in 2007.

After cleaning your glass, seal the surface to prevent soap scum and mineral deposits. Lemon or orange oil will provide a temporary coating and a pleasant aroma. For a longer-term seal you can use an automotive or furniture paste wax. Lewis found that a silicone-based spray worked best in her shower. All of these treatments prevent the soap and minerals from clinging to glass. To extend the effectiveness of the sealant, squeegee the glass after each use. Installing a water softener to reduce mineral content in the water can also help.

For more information about Bring-It-ON Cleaner visit www.BringItOnCleaner.com or call (800) 867-2643.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The Perfect Summer Place

I can't speak for the rest of the world but I am enjoying the blooming hedgerow intensely, it makes me feel like a kid again, playing out in the yard with nothing to do but enjoy the sweet scent and warm breezes. It's an incredible feeling.

This is the time of the year to make your outdoor spaces live like indoor spaces, creating outdoor living rooms and kitchens. I know I keep talking about this but in staging it is particularly important to accent all your spaces. An empty deck is just an empty deck until you dress it, then buyers will be able to envision enjoying the lifestyle. Just in case you've missed that message, the lifestyle is what buyers are seeking and you are selling.


I also want to bring a little of the outside in as well. Not so much as to be "themey" but just enough to evoke that "summer feeling". It helps us and our buyers connect to the slower pace of summer and easy living. Here are some ideas from Pottery Barn that may inspire you to get in touch with summer too.

Candles and firelight

Comfortable lounging

Hanging gardens

Entertainment

Casual living is what the summer is all about, make sure your home connects with buyers on this level and lets them see that your home can be their perfect summer place. Next post we will address bring the outside in.

Newsletter Archieve

If you want to read past issues of the "Snap, Crackle, Sold" newsletter you can find a link to them on my website at http://www.roomsbylaurag.com/newsletter.html

Click on the turquoise button.

Sold First Time Shown- Yeha!

I can't help but to get excited when I see multiple homes we staged in the last month sell to the first buyers that viewed them. So don't give up, even if your home has been on the market for a year as one of these properties had been. Once they close I will post before and afters as well as speak to the whats and whys, what we choose to showcase as well as problems that needed diffusing, and why. So stay tuned...