Heating Tips
1 - Heating is the single biggest energy use in homes. A well-maintained heating system will hold down fuel costs and provide reliable comfort. Check the filters in your warm air heating system monthly and replace or clean them when they become dirty. Have your heating system checked periodically by a licensed professional.
2 - Proper insulation in walls, ceilings and floors also significantly reduces the loss of heat to the outdoors. Insulation will pay for itself in fuel cost savings and home comfort.
3 - Storm windows and doors are big energy and money savers. They can reduce heating costs by as much as 15% by preventing warm air from escaping to the outside. Double glazed and thermopane windows or even clear plastic across windows can minimize heat escape.
4 - The many small openings in a home can add up to big heat losses. Caulking and weatherstripping cracks in walls and floors, windows and doors will save fuel and money. Keeping the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use will also result in heating cost savings.
5 - Letting sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds and shades over windows facing the sun helps keep your home warm and reduces heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keeping drapes and curtains closed will help keep the warmth indoors.
6 - Dry air makes you feel colder than moist air at the same temperature. Maintaining home humidity will produce personal comfort at a lower thermostat setting and save money. Shallow pans of water near radiator tops or near warm air vents, or a room humidifier, will help raise humidity levels.
7 - Keeping your heating thermostat at the lowest temperature comfortable for you will save on heating costs.
8 - Insulate heating hot air ducts and hot water pipes that provide heat to the rooms in your home. This will reduce heat loss in areas that are not insulated and will help your heating system work more efficiently.
2 - Proper insulation in walls, ceilings and floors also significantly reduces the loss of heat to the outdoors. Insulation will pay for itself in fuel cost savings and home comfort.
3 - Storm windows and doors are big energy and money savers. They can reduce heating costs by as much as 15% by preventing warm air from escaping to the outside. Double glazed and thermopane windows or even clear plastic across windows can minimize heat escape.
4 - The many small openings in a home can add up to big heat losses. Caulking and weatherstripping cracks in walls and floors, windows and doors will save fuel and money. Keeping the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use will also result in heating cost savings.
5 - Letting sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds and shades over windows facing the sun helps keep your home warm and reduces heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keeping drapes and curtains closed will help keep the warmth indoors.
6 - Dry air makes you feel colder than moist air at the same temperature. Maintaining home humidity will produce personal comfort at a lower thermostat setting and save money. Shallow pans of water near radiator tops or near warm air vents, or a room humidifier, will help raise humidity levels.
7 - Keeping your heating thermostat at the lowest temperature comfortable for you will save on heating costs.
8 - Insulate heating hot air ducts and hot water pipes that provide heat to the rooms in your home. This will reduce heat loss in areas that are not insulated and will help your heating system work more efficiently.
posted by Barbara Gaines at 11:03 AM
1 Comments:
Buying International Real Estate
Andrew C. Weitnauer
1-2-2008
Have you ever thought about buying a second home in a foreign country? Most of us have spent a few minutes online drooling over some of these properties. However, most of us quickly let the dream fade away when we realize how complicated and risky this venture can be.
The hardest part about buying property abroad is that every country, state, and city has different rules and conventions. So to be smart about it we usually start by researching foreign ownership restrictions, tax ramifications, currency issues, etc. This can be very time consuming, costly, and may even lead to out dated and incorrect answers. Along with this, doubt usually sets in; what if the property is over priced and I’m the only idiot in the world who doesn’t know it?
The best way to purchase real estate in foreign places is to contact a trustworthy, local, real estate professional. A local real estate agent will be familiar with the market value of properties in the area you are searching, and they understand the local laws. Your next question is probably; how do I find a trustworthy local real estate agent?
There is a website called UniFersal.com, http://www.unifersal.com/index.php . You can find properties, look at property pictures, and even chat, call, or message a pre-screened, local real estate professional who speaks your language and specializes in the particular city you are searching in.
UniFersal.com does a background check on all of the real estate professionals that would love to help you buy real estate in their city. They confirm the professional’s real estate expertise in that city, and even ask for references.
If you are serious about buying a property in a foreign country, don’t try to do it alone. Use the internet to drool over properties, then get serious and contact a local professional.
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