If you want to know your Home Heating Index, nhsaves.com offers a simple calculator. You’ll need to know the square footage of your home and have twelve months of your heating bills or a twelve month summary of your heating usage. Click on nhsaves.com and find out your Home Heating Index; your home may qualify for weatherization services or other money saving solutions.
Archive for the 'Advice for Sellers' Category
Although the commercial real estate market has been relatively flat this year, a more positive trend is expected for the future. Read more. . .
Mistake 1: Putting the home on the market before it’s ready. Usually, this happens because a seller gets impatient or procrastinates. Presentation is everything — so get the work done before marketing the property.
Mistake 2: Over-improving the home for the neighborhood. Often, the over-improved home will stand out to the point of discouraging buyers’ interest.
Mistake 3: Pricing the home based on what the seller wants to net. This pricing strategy always ends in failure. Sellers can control the “asking” price, but they don’t control the “sales” price. The market does. It doesn’t matter what the seller wants, the price is determined by the black-and-white, matter-of-fact reality of the market.
Mistake 4: Hiring an agent based on non-business factors. Make sure you’re hiring a professional with a proven track record. It might be nice to hand over your largest asset to your nephew who just got his license — but make sure he has a mentor to keep your deal from going south.
Mistake 5: Getting emotionally involved in the sale of the home. This is one of the biggest challenges home sellers face when putting their house on the market. Once you decide to sell your house, it’s no longer a home, but a commodity. It needs to be prepared as a commodity, marketed as a commodity, and priced as a commodity. People are going to come in to kick the tires, so to speak, and you can’t get emotional about how they may or may not appreciate the nuances of your home of many years.
Mistake 6: Trying to cover up problems, or not disclosing them. Most states have a property disclosure/disclaimer form — use it wisely. Just because you disclaim doesn’t mean you cannot be sued later for the leaky basement, or dilapidated heating/air system that’s discovered 30 days after settlement.
Mistake 7: Not getting your ducks lined up before trying to sell. This would involve financing, reading the fine print on your current mortgage to ensure no pre-payment penalties, not listening to the particulars of your local market, etc. If your local market is dictating lower home prices, then lower it early, not later — it will cost you more. If the local market dictates selling your home first, then buying second, do it in that order, or vice versa.
Avoiding these mistakes is not that difficult. There are plenty of resources and professionals, who are there to help you step over the pitfalls. Do the research early, and listen to your professional agent.
Article By: Les Shu
Advanced programmable thermostats give you precise control over your heating and cooling, helping to reduce wasted energy.
High-def, high-tech settings
You wouldn’t think of spending much time in front of your thermostat, but the newest advanced models–with their colorful touchscreen displays–are an engaging, interactive experience. They offer separate programs for each day of the week, and can even alert you if service is required.
With its high-definition screen display, Honeywell’s Prestige Comfort System resembles a mini-computer more than a traditional thermostat.
In addition to indoor temperature, the Prestige’s graphical user interface can display outdoor conditions and humidity with an add-on sensor. An onscreen wizard interviews you about your usage based on simple questions, and then sets a program accordingly. A portable controller lets you adjust settings from any room in the house.
The Prestige is priced from $250 and up.
If you can live without a fancy display, an advanced programmable thermostat from HAI costs around $300 to $400, while a simpler seven-day programmable model from Hunter costs $99.
Control from afar
What if you’re on your way to a long vacation, and you suddenly realized you’d forgotten to turn down your home’s thermostat?
If your home is equipped with the Smart Thermostat from ecobee, you can tap into the system through a personalized web portal anywhere there’s Internet access. Log in to check on your HVAC’s performance and make adjustments on the fly. The unit sells for $469.
Manage your home’s HVAC via a home automation app from Control 4. The sophisticated system allows you to change thermostat settings from your smartphone, pad, and PC. In addition, you can control the lighting, music, window treatment motors, and a wide range of Control 4 devices.
Know the price before you turn it on
Pilot programs for installing smart thermostats that display “time of use” pricing information are underway in regions like Florida and California. These thermostats receive a wireless signal from the utility company, and adjust the temperature according to the price of electricity during different times of the day.
With costs for air conditioning at about 70 cents to $1.20 per hour, reducing AC usage only an hour per day would yield a savings of $65 to $110 over the course of a summer.
Check with your utility company to find out if such a program is available in your area.
A writer covering the latest technologies and trends for a variety of national publications, Les Shu is currently automating his home with the newest doodads to make it smarter than he is.
Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
During the week of March 14-20, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is promoting conservation of household water throughout the state as part of the national Fix a Leak Week campaign.
Did you know that an American home may waste, on the average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? That is enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. Statewide, more than 5 billion gallons of water leak from New Hampshire homes each year, enough water to supply the City of Manchester for an entire year. This is why DES is teaming up with the WaterSense program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to remind citizens to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year during Fix a Leak Week.
One method to check if your home has leaks is to check your water meter. Do not use any water in the home for about two hours. Read your water meter at the beginning and end of this period. If the meter readings are not exactly the same, then you probably have a leak.
The next step is to find any leaks. Walk through your house, listen closely for running toilets and look for drips at shower heads and faucets, including any outside spigots and hoses. Hoses attached to open spigots may have leaks along them or at their ends. Often leaks in toilets may not be audible. A good way to find this type of leak is to put food coloring in the reservoir tank and checking about 15 minutes later to see if any color appears in the bowl.
Most leaks can be fixed easily and inexpensively. Fixing a leaking faucet, spigot, or hose connection is usually just a matter of replacing a washer or gasket. Shower-head leaks can easily be stopped using pipe tape and/or tightening the screw-on connection. Running toilets are usually the result of a worn or poorly fitting flapper valve or a faulty valve assembly. As a do-it-yourself project, most of these leaks can be easily repaired with inexpensive stock replacement parts available at home improvement and hardware stores. Be sure to bring old parts to the dealer so that the replacement parts can be properly matched.
Remember, most leaks are slow, but over time the volume of wasted water can be appreciable. It is estimated that 10 percent of homes have water leaks that waste 90 or more gallons per day.
Finding and repairing leaks will save considerably on water bills. Additionally, if your home is on a municipal sewage line, it is likely that the billing amount for sewage is proportionally tied to water use and thereby your total bill will be even more impacted by any leaks.
Posted 3/14/11 by the NH Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH http://www.des.nh.gov
For additional information about household water conservation in New Hampshire, please contact Ernst H. Kastning at (603) 271-0659 or via email at ernst.kastning@des.nh.gov.
Information for homeowners, as well as resource materials for teachers and students are available at http://m1e.net/c?82384231-wTZE.eMs4vfvQ%406266861-yo7WIwsVqYnFM
Soon Spring cleaning will be on your list of things to do. Avoid those harmful chemicals and clean green this year!
Vinegar
Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don’t worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house.
1. Kitchen & Bathroom – Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops and floor. Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
2. Laundry Room – Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
Lemons & Lemon Juice
Lemons & Lemon Juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home.
1. Kitchen & Bathroom – Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture. Put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.
2. Laundry Room – Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent. Put lemon juice onto white linens and clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. Stains will be bleached away.
Baking soda
Baking Soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.
1. Kitchen – Mix a quarter cup of baking soda with a few cups of warm water and wash down the outside of white appliances. Allow it to stand for 15 minutes before rinsing clean and it will help remove yellowing of the appliances and restore the whiteness.
2. Laundry Room – Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash when you add your regular liquid detergent. The baking soda has been known to give you whiter whites, brighter brights, and odor free clothing. Instead of using fabric softener, try adding a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle. It acts as a natural softener and is gentler for those with chemical sensitivity.
Heating water can account for up to 25% of your household energy costs, but there are some inexpensive things you can do to help increase efficiency and your bills. 
Wrap your heater in a blanket
Your water heater needs help to stay warm, especially if it’s in an unheated space. A fiberglass insulating blanket can cut heat loss by 25% to 40% and save 4% to 9% on an average water-heating bill. Insulating blankets are cheap, usually less than $30 at the home center, and it’s easy to install one yourself. Follow the included directions, and take care not to block the thermostat on an electric water heater or the air inlet, exhaust, or top of the tank on a gas unit.
Note: If your water heater is fairly new, check the manufacturer’s recommendations first. Many newer units already have insulating foam built in; on these models, an after-market jacket could block a critical component.
Install low-flow fixtures
One of the surest ways to cut hot water costs is to use less of it. By installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, which cost as little as $10 to $20 each, you can cut hot water consumption by 25% to 60%.
Turn down the temperature
Many water heaters come from the factory with the temperature set needlessly high. For every 10 degrees you turn it down, you’ll save another 3% to 5% on your bill.
If the thermostat on your water heater doesn’t have a numbered gauge, put it midway between the “low” and “medium” marks. Wait a day, then measure the temperature at the tap with a standard cooking thermometer. Keep adjusting this way until you hit your target temperature.
Drain the sediment
Tanks naturally build up sediment, which reduces the unit’s efficiency and makes it more expensive to operate Draining the tank is relatively easy. Turn off the water and power to the unit (set the burner on a gas unit to “pilot”). Then connect a garden hose to the spigot at the base of the tank. With the other end of the hose at a lower spot outside the house where discharging hot water poses no danger, carefully lift the pressure-relief valve at the top of the tank and turn on the spigot; water should begin to flow. While most manufacturers recommend draining the tank once or twice a year, you don’t have to drain it completely; in fact, the Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov) recommends draining less water more often-just a quart every three months.
Insulate exposed hot-water pipes
Wrapping hot-water pipes with insulation reduces standby losses. Water arrives at the tap 2 to 4 degrees warmer, which means you won’t have to stand around as long waiting for it to heat up, thus saving water, energy, and money. While this isn’t an expensive job to do yourself-six-foot-long, self-sealing sleeves easily slip over pipes and cost about $2.50 each-it could take some effort, depending on where your hot water pipes are. Exposed pipes in the basement are an easy target, but if pipes are in a hard-to-reach crawl space or inside walls, it might not be worth the trouble.
Based on an article by Joe Bousquin, from HouseLogic.com originally published: August 28, 2009. Visit HouseLogic.com for many more helpful articles.
10 Ways to Prevent and Stop Roof Leaks
Today’s issue posted by RISMEDIA featured an article posted by the Vice President of Pillar to Post Home Inspections. Here are the highlights:
Stopping potential leaking problems at the source can help prolong the life of your roof and keep repair costs at a minimum. If you’re not handy, call on a professional to inspect the situation and advise if repairs are needed. Being proactive in this way will save money in the long run.
1. Incorrect shingle installation. Improper joint locations and a lack of underlay are two issues that are particularly hard to see, but can be extremely problematic.
2. Structural sagging. A sagging roof structure is often the result of moisture retention, and nearly always foreshadows, or coincides with, a leak issue.
3. Water “ponding.” Clogged roof drains and indented areas on flat roofs can cause water pooling—which is basically a leak waiting to happen.
4. Damaged nails. Even on shingles that have been expertly installed, nails are the first thing to show wear. Corroding nails leave microscopic holes that invite water in.
5. Improperly hung gutters. Gutter placement is critical, and if you’re in an area with strong wind, just a tiny shift can tamper with the gutter system and divert rain—meant for the gutter—onto the roof.
6. Moss. You might think it’s just an aesthetic problem, but as moss gathers, it retains more and more moisture that you might not be able to see—until it starts dripping into the attic.
7. Insufficient insulation. The roof might look great on the outside, but if it’s not properly insulated underneath, you’re in trouble. Pre-1980s homes, in particular, may not have an adequate vapor barrier; if they don’t, a replacement is warranted—surface patching and minor repairs will just amount to wasted money.
8. A deteriorating chimney. Whether it’s cracks, eroded joints or a decaying cap, the chimney has plenty of inroads for moisture and water. Don’t discount the chimney; sometimes it might need all the repairs, when the roof might be just fine.
9. Evidence of badly-done past repairs. From improper plastering to inadequately plugged-up holes, any past repairs that look like they’re DIY are probably not up to code, and are just a stopgap measure. Don’t look to them to provide any leak protection in the future. Have a professional inspector evaluate these half-hearted fixes, and suggest ways to re-do them properly, to prolong the roof’s life.
10. Don’t forget the attic. Leaks into the attic aren’t just a problem; but so are leaks originating in the attic. One of the most important precautions: Don’t terminate any vent or exhaust pipes in the attic.
December 14, 2010. RisMedia. The author of the original article is Charles Furlough is Vice President, Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspections.
For more information, visit www.pillartopost.com.
Gimme a break! Act Fast and You Can Get a Tax Break Just For Cutting Energy Costs!
Want to cut your taxes, save money and help the environment? By making an energy-saving improvement to your home, the IRS may allow you to take a tax credit for it. But you have to act fast—some of those credits are expiring in just a few weeks on December 31.
Homeowners can get a tax credit for installing certain wood or pellet stoves; energy-efficient furnaces, water heaters and air-conditioning systems; insulated roofs, windows and doors; and wall and ceiling insulation. The tax credit covers 30 percent of the purchase costs, up to $1,500. Installation costs for heating and air-conditioning systems, water heaters and biomass stoves are also covered. However, installation costs for new windows, doors, roofs and insulation are not included in the tax credit.
With the deadline quickly approaching for making these tax credit-qualifying improvements, some may wonder if it’s all worth the effort. The answer is, YES! The project with the greatest “bang for the buck” is upgrading your heating and cooling systems, which can be as much as 50 percent of the average home’s energy bill. Not only will you qualify for a larger tax credit, you will have a new, efficient and less costly heating system as we head into winter. If your furnace or boiler is more than 10 years old, this may be the ideal time to replace it.
Energy efficient improvements do not have to be costly to be eligible. Adding insulation just to the area where your family spends most of its waking hours, for instance, is a relatively low cost way to improve your home, save on heating, and make your family much more comfortable. Also, insulation is often a do-it-yourself project, so you save on labor costs.
Energy efficient appliances do not qualify for tax credits, but appliances carrying the Energy Star seal will help reduce your energy bill. Check the Energy Star website at www.energystar.gov for a list of appliances carrying the Energy Star label. Also, many states and local utilities are offering direct rebates—no need to wait for tax returns—on some appliances. Check www.energysavers.gov or www.nhsaves.com to see details of programs in New Hampshire.
A few other details to keep in mind: All improvements must be in place and equipment in service by December 31 to qualify for the tax credits. Be sure to keep your receipts and the manufacturer’s certificate that states the equipment or service is eligible under the program. If not available with the product, the certificates can also be found on the websites of the manufacturers.
Lastly, there are several valuable resources on the Web and in your area. In addition to listing efficient appliances, the Energy Star website gives guidelines on what qualifies for the tax credit at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.
For a list of state and local energy efficiency assistance available, see the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, a project funded by the US Department of Energy, at www.dsireusa.org . Check out the free “Button Up, New Hampshire” workshops being held this winter around the state on the basics of home energy budgets and the value of home weatherization; see http://m1e.net/c?82384231-gPvlWx.Rup3kU%405979590-OM5F9JzgYh6YM for details.
So act now before the clock runs out on the energy efficiency tax credit on December 31.
This message comes from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302, (603) 271-3710
The following information was released November 9, 2010, by the Department of Environmental Services (DES), Concord, NH –
The NH Carbon Monoxide Work Group announced November, 2010, as the state’s first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, as proclaimed by Governor John Lynch.
Carbon monoxide is a serious public safety concern, and poses the greatest risk to people in their homes. Nationally, CO is one of the leading causes of accidental poisoning deaths, and accounts for more than 50,000 emergency department visits each year in the US.
Carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a greater risk as we enter the heating season as people spend more time indoors. Protect your home and family by following these simple do’s and don’ts:
DO have your fuel-burning appliances – including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves – inspected by a trained professional, and make certain that flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked.
DO read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel- burning device. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device. Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning.
DO install at least one CO detector in the living areas of your home, preferably one on each floor.
DO know the symptoms of CO poisoning, which even at moderate levels, includes severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea or faintness.
If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. Call 9-1-1 or get to an emergency room immediately.
DON’T idle the car in a garage — even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
DON’T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time, and DON’T ever use a charcoal grill indoors – even in a fireplace.
DON’T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
DON’T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces, including the garage.
DON’T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.
For a comprehensive source of information on carbon monoxide safety tips, emergency generator usage, health risks, and more, please see www.nh.gov/co.
The New Hampshire Carbon Monoxide Work Group is an interagency task force dedicated to keeping the public informed of the many safety and health issues related to carbon monoxide. The group includes representatives from the state’s departments of Environmental Services, Health and Human Services, and Safety, the Poison Center, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the City of Concord, Concord Regional Health Care, and Powers Generator Service.
