Although this new "Full House" dynamic could forge family bonds, it will also cause energy use and utility bills to skyrocket with all home technologies, appliances and systems running overtime at unprecedented levels - making optimal, energy-efficient home climate control a critical part of both keeping everyone comfortable AND minimizing utility bills due to significantly more time spent at home.

The good news is that families can successfully prevent a utility bill blitz this winter by following a few simple steps. With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.

* Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University's Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25 percent on your energy bill.

Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.

* Get "Smart" About Climate Control: When it comes to smart home-temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create "smart" systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.

* Voice Your Preference: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.

* Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don't spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you're not only needing less cooling, but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.

* Try Low-tech Fixes: Simple changes can have a big impact. Take advantage of the sun's energy to heat your home by opening your south-facing curtains at sunrise to make best use of "passive solar gain." Force down warm air. Denser, cooler air stays closer to the ground, and warmer air rises. So, force it downwards with a low-speed fan. Insulate and fill the gaps. Warmed air leaking out around poorly sealed window frames, power sockets, recessed light fittings, and other gaps is a big source of heat loss in homes. Thick curtains help to insulate glass at windows.

Achieving a sense of peaceful co-existence in your increasingly crowded, multi-functional home does not need to make your family members hot under the collar. If a new system is right for you, many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government. To learn more or find a contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com.

 

However, all fire-suppression devices are not created equal, and portability, safety, and ease of use are key when selecting the right fire protection product for your home, business or wherever.

BlazzOut Inc has developed a lightweight and user-friendly fire-extinguishing device that offers several advantages for home, business, and vehicle use as well as other settings where simple, environmentally-friendly firefighting is needed, such as schools, libraries, and farms.

The signature BlazzOut product is a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-handle grenade-style extinguisher known as BlazzKiller. The device is designed to be thrown into a fire from a safe distance that contains a non-toxic water-based formula, which is economical and effective. The container is made of an easily breakable resin plastic that will release the fire-suppression liquid when thrown into a fire.

The BlazzKiller proprietary formula is engineered to smother flames quickly and also initiates an endothermic process of taking energy from the fire itself to cool the surrounding area. This chemical reaction also releases nitrogen and carbon dioxide into the immediate flame area, which prevents oxygen from reaching and feeding the fire in order to prevent the fire from restarting, thus providing peace of mind.

BlazzOut products were designed by a chemical engineer to provide safe, simple, fire protection that can be used by almost anyone, including older adults and children approximately 7 years of age and older. The BlazzKiller fire-extinguishing grenades can be safely stored anywhere and has no need for maintenance.

BlazzOut also offers the BlazzTrap, an automatic fire-extinguishing device that features the same BlazzKiller technology and is designed to be placed where it will snuff out fires in up to 250 sq ft, such as in the kitchen, garage, attic or basement when the glass ampule reaches a predetermine temperature.

In addition the BlazzTrap device can be placed in a boat, camper, car, truck, or RV as well.

Other benefits of BlazzOut products include easy cleanup and no property damage, compared with the damage often caused by conventional fire extinguishers, as well as a shelf life of approximately five years.

Visit www.tiny.cc/blazzout for more information.

If you're able to use a whole room as a workspace, it can be outfitted fully with custom built-ins and decorated in appropriate style. Lisa Michael Interiors juxtaposes crisp white-painted hardwood cabinetry with navy-blue nautically inspired wallpaper and accessories in this shipshape Boca Raton home office. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about putting American hardwoods to work in your home.

1. FRESH & MINIMAL

Photograph: Rebecca McAlpin

In a Philadelphia house, designer Mel McDaniel uses three beech desktops, purchased at a local big-box store, to turn an alcove into a simple but effective workspace for two people. Vintage chairs, painted white, and a pair of residential table lamps complete the homey yet professional look. 

2. OFFICE IN A CLOSET

Photograph: Alan Tansey

For many homeowners, finding sufficient space for a dedicated office is a problem. One solution, even in a small apartment, is to transform a closet with hardwood built-ins. Michael K Chen Architecture shows how it’s done with this admirably compact yet surprisingly roomy example in a New York loft.

3. WORKING UNDER STAIRS

Photograph: Paul Barnaby

If you live in a multistory house, you may have a dark space under the stairs that could be made to look and function better. In Los Angeles, Hamilton Architects transform one such triangle into a bright home office with a built-in hardwood desk and a strategically placed window. 

4. THE ATTIC OFFICE

 

Photograph: Eric Roth

As Hutker Architects and designer Kathleen Walsh demonstrate in this farmhouse on Martha’s Vineyard, the height-challenged space under the eaves in an attic can be the ideal spot for a substantial work surface. Dormer windows bathe the custom oak-and-steel desking with daylight while also providing a view.  

5. THE FULLY FITTED OFFICE

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Photograph: Jessica Glynn Photography @jessglynnphoto

If you’re able to use a whole room as a workspace, it can be outfitted fully with custom built-ins and decorated in appropriate style. Lisa Michael Interiors juxtaposes crisp white-painted hardwood cabinetry with navy-blue nautically inspired wallpaper and accessories in this shipshape Boca Raton home office. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about putting American hardwoods to work in your home. 

For those just getting started, an Arizona-based real estate rewards and referral network company, RBN (Real Buyer Network), offers homebuyers added value to their purchase through its relationship with American Express.

Here's how it works: Homebuyers use an RBN participating agent for their home purchase and they can earn American Express Membership Rewards® points up to the purchase price of the home.

Larry and Myra of North Carolina recently earned more than 500,000 reward points with RBN. "We enrolled with RBN and were put in touch with Thomas Wohl, Broker, Realtor and it's probably the best decision we ever made. Thomas was not just interested in us buying a house, but rather we bought the RIGHT house for us." The home purchase itself follows the traditional real estate process of cash or mortgage financing.

Founder Kipp Lassetter says, before prospective homebuyers get started, before touring any homes, before interviewing any other agents or doing anything in the home buying process, they need to visit RBN's site.

"Choose from the most qualified participating agents, buy their home through the traditional real estate process and earn rewards. Using an RBN participating agent is a no-brainer."

Lassetter was inspired to found RBN after his own home buying experience, in which he struggled to find a real estate agent with expertise in local neighborhoods and a willingness to go the extra mile on service and support.

RBN fills this niche by partnering with the best local agents and rewarding homebuyers for selecting these agents.

"Each participating agent endures a rigorous vetting process that includes a one-on-one interview and review of sales performance," Lassetter says.

Home purchasers have already earned millions of rewards points using RBN participating real estate agents. If you don't have an existing American Express account, don't worry. The RBN virtual wallet tracks and maintains your points until you connect to an eligible account.

Visit joinrbn.com for more information and to connect with an RBN participating real estate agent in your area.

Whether you are spending more time at home or have returned part-time to in-person work or school, smart, effective cleaning strategies can help keep your home and family safe and healthy.

Safe and simple are key criteria for choosing from among the wide variety of today's home cleaning products. However, consumers also want cleaners that are tough and effective, that don't just eliminate stains and spots, but also kill germs, viruses, and bacteria.

To that point, many people want to make cleaning easier, and that includes one-stop shopping.

One such product, all-n-all, tackles cleaning, stain removal and deodorizing in one single step.

The multipurpose cleanser contains ingredients derived from renewable resources, natural products including hydrogen peroxide and plant derived essential oils. It is designed to deliver a tough cleaning punch throughout the home, and the formula kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria, and viruses on hard, porous/non-porous surfaces when used correctly.

"Added surfactants help to break down those stubborn stains, giving you a one-step cleaning solution for your whole home," says Jason Bailey, president of all-n-all.

To that end, all-n-all is engineered to clean the entire house:

• Kitchen: all-n-all can help keep countertops and floors germ-free while tackling kitchen appliance cleaning from the sink, refrigerator, to tough stove top grease and grime.
• Living room: Stain-removal properties can take on challenges such as wine, coffee and pet stains from carpet, clean light switches, remotes, and tables.
• Bathroom: Remove iron deposits, hard water and calcium deposits from faucets and shower fixtures, clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops in one simple step.
• Nursery: It's safe and gentle enough to use on children's highchairs, furniture, toys, and game controllers.

All-n-all contains no dyes, phosphates, bleach, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and is manufactured in the USA, with no harsh or abrasive chemicals.

Visit Lowes.com for more information and to purchase all-n-all natural cleaner.

If you own your home and have a mortgage, a cash-out refinancing option may be an easy way to have the money to tackle your home improvement project. Since interest rates are still quite low now may be a good time to tap into your home's equity. Many homeowners may not realize that cash-out refinancing can help fund these projects. A cash-out refinance is not a second mortgage. It is borrowing against the equity in your home or money you have already paid towards your mortgage. A cash-out refinance will require that you refinance your home most likely at a lower rate. The new loan amount will be slightly more than the remaining balance of your home because it will include the amount of cash you take out for you or your family.

Cash-out refinancing is beneficial because it can increase monthly cash flow and allow you to make good use of the funds you take out, according to Freedom Mortgage, one of the nation's full-service mortgage lending company and a leader in FHA and VA loans according to Inside Mortgage Finance, 2020.

The benefits of cash-out refinancing aren't limited to home improvements. Funds from a cash-out refinancing also can be used to pay for a college education or to consolidate high-interest debts at a lower interest rate. Homeowners can typically borrow up to 80% of the value of their homes without paying the private mortgage insurance (PMI) required by some lending situations. That means if you have more than 20% equity in your home, you can use that equity to get cash now.

To help homeowners explore their options and determine how much cash they can obtain, Freedom Mortgage offers a free cash-out refinancing calculator that enables the user to determine what makes sense and the amount of their new monthly payment.

For more information, visit https://www.freedommortgage.com/cash-out-refinance.

 

Farmhouse-style interiors have been popular for the last few years and the look remains as sought after as ever. There are enough iterations of the style (modern, industrial, French, rustic, and more) to suit most tastes. Signature elements include open shelving, shiplap, apron sinks, and a preference for natural, honest materials-stone, metal, and above all wood, new and reclaimed. "When it comes to farm-style decor, most of us think of the kitchen first," says Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. "But it can work equally well in bedrooms, living areas, even bathrooms. Incorporating natural hardwood into the design is a great way to achieve the look without going overboard into kitsch." Here are six inspiring uses of the perennial style.

1. A warm contemporary farmhouse kitchen

Photograph by Caitlin Murray

A large apron sink in cream-color cast concrete sets up a warm and sophisticated country tone in this Portland, Oregon kitchen by Emerick Architects. The island's black-walnut-slab top is complemented by open shelving and undercounter cabinetry in honey-stained maple, gray quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances, and a handmade ceramic-tile backsplash.

2. Corral-inspired stair railings and balustrades

Photograph by Spacecrafting

Rift-sawn white oak with a custom whitewash stain forms the handrails and posts of the main staircase in a Stillwater, Minnesota house by Home Design by Annie. An elegant reinterpretation of the traditional wooden-rail fences found throughout rural America, the stair gets a high-tech twist in the form of stainless-steel guard wires.

3. A characterful rustic kitchen

Photograph by Scott DW Smith

Charming rusticity is the name of the game in this Hesperus, Colorado kitchen remodel by Veritas Fine Homes. Existing beams and columns and a new oak floor-all in a dark finish-are joined by knotty-alder cabinetry and floating shelves stained a similar color to the island's honey-tone maple butcher-block top.

4. A cool western ranch-style bedroom

Photograph by Rikki Snyder

As this bedroom in Sag Harbor, New York designed by Timothy Godbold shows, the classic look of Southwestern ranches-pared down and sun scorched-adapts well to a modern interior. The aesthetic is evoked with minimalist means: simple bone-white accessories set against an expanse of white-oak boards that clad the walls like barn siding. 

5. The industrial-farmhouse look in a loft

Photograph by Manolo Langis

Reclaimed hardwood is a beautiful, sustainable material that can be used in a farmhouse-style kitchen to create a sense of warmth, age, and texture. In this Santa Monica, California loft conversion, SUBU Design Architecture juxtaposes recycled wood with plumbing pipes and similar machine-age elements that nod to the building's industrial heritage.

6. Open-shelf wet bar with a rural-art vibe

Photograph by Rikki Snyder

Timothy Godbold conjures another variant of that farmhouse staple, open shelving, with this wet bar cunningly tucked under the open stairs in a North Haven, New York residence. Stocked neatly with interesting glassware and bottles, the floating slabs of white oak and the gray honed-granite countertop become an art installation in their own right. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about farmhouse style with American hardwoods.

 

(NewsUSA) - Today’s Millennial and Gen Z apartment hunters are tech-savvy, smart and safety-conscious. That means they are seeking the best in high-tech features that make their lives easier, safer and more fun, and they are willing to pay more for it. Parks Associates’ research on multifamily property owners shows that a third of residents are willing to pay an additional 15% per month in rent for smart amenities.

Here are five of the top tech amenities renters want:

Keyless Entry

Smart locks are among the most-desired apartment amenities, and with good reason. Smart locks allow for keyless entry, and renters never have to fear being locked out because they have lost or forgotten a key. Many renters also prefer smart locks on shared amenity spaces for added security.

 

Renters want to know who is at the door, and they can benefit from the more secure, convenient and seamless access experience provided by a smart video intercom access system. Using an app like the myQ® Community app, residents can have access to one-way video calling, two-way video voice communication and a “press to unlock” feature that allows residents to easily unlock entrances with their smartphones.

Access from Afar

More people are returning to work, and many renters seek a high-tech, safe, option to allow approved visitors remote access to their space when they are away. Users of the myQ® community app can provide access for guests or other trusted visitors, such as cleaners, repair people and dog walkers.

Package Protection Prowess

As more people than ever shop online, renters want 24/7 access to package pick-up, and a smartphone access management app allows residents to see who’s at the entrance. With the ability to send a time-limited, virtual entry pass, residents can manage deliveries from work or anywhere. An automated notification system alerts residents to a package, and a secure package room ensures that couriers can access the property and complete deliveries without risk of theft by “porch pirates.”

Hands-Free Homecoming

Renters today want less contact with frequently touched surfaces. Smart access control systems that work with voice control allow residents to open doors hands-free. Users of the myQ® Community app can use Siri Voice Control, a feature that is compatible with all LiftMaster Smart Video Intercoms. Residents can ask Siri to unlock doors, from elevators to parking garages, reducing contact with high-touch areas with touch- less entry.

Visit myq.com for more information about the myQ® Community app and other top high-tech amenities that renters want.

 

(NewsUSA) -  

Back to school season is a flurry of activity for college students and their families. From gathering and packing school supplies and dorm essentials to seeing friends and family one last time before heading to campus, it can be a hectic time. For many students, the last thing on their radar is learning what might be a new, and as you’ll see, a critical responsibility – cleaning.
As any college student and parent of a college student knows, germs can spread quickly across campus. However, proper cleaning and hygiene plays a critical role in protecting and maintaining the health and wellness. While data from a recent survey by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) found nearly all college students recognize having a clean room helps them feel their best, both mentally and physically, nearly 3 in 4 were less than completely prepared to clean on their own once they got to school.

Don’t wait for “Parent’s Weekend” for some instruction on the cleaning front. Here is some important guidance from ACI’s Class of Clean program, which provides concise, step-by-step information and guidance to help college students stay clean, remove that WTF stain and maybe even land a date.

Packing 101: Grab Those Cleaning Essentials

You’ve got your bedding, new notebooks, and chargers, but what about those cleaning supplies? For some students, heading off to college marks the first time they are responsible for chores like cleaning and laundry. For 1 in 5 students, a lack of cleaning supplies and cleaning knowledge prevents them from keeping tidy. Parents – as your child gears up to leave the nest, make sure they have what they need to give their space a clean start, like an all-purpose cleaner and vacuum. Check out the “Move-In checklist” for more tips on cleaning once you’ve arrived on campus.

Avoid an Avalanche of Chores by Cleaning Regularly

Trying to tackle all cleaning tasks at one time, like before a big date, can be time-consuming, exhausting, and stressful. According to ACI’s survey, when it comes to student dating, lack of cleaning and hygiene is like school on Saturday...NO CLASS! In fact, nearly half of college students would be very or somewhat likely to walk out if they saw their date’s room was a mess. Divide your cleaning chores into daily and weekly tasks to make cleaning manageable. Daily tasks could include cleaning up visible messes, vacuuming the floor of your bedroom, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs and light switches.

Don’t Let Cleaning Be a Source of Tension with Roommates

Everyone wants to get along with their roommate, but a messy room can lead to problems. In fact, 71% of respondents with roommates say they argue over cleaning. When you arrive on campus, establish cleaning responsibilities and decide which chores need to be completed on a daily or weekly basis. Because germs can spread quickly in shared living spaces, if you or your roommate feel ill, increase your cleaning practices to keep germs from spreading. Read ACI’s “Good Roommate Checklist” and “Sick Roommate Guide” to help avoid conflict and keep each other healthy throughout the school year.

Tell Your Stains Who’s Boss

Don’t show up to a party with a stain on your shirt because you didn’t know how to wash it properly. If this will be your first time tackling the laundry since moving away from home, have no fear! Pay close attention to the fabric care instructions on your clothing labels and following a simple wash schedule to ensure you know when to wash different types of clothes.

This fall, make sure you are prepared with the cleaning products and resources you need to have a successful and healthy school year. For more information and on- campus cleaning tips, visit https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/classofclean

 

(NewsUSA) - It’s outdoor living season and there’s nothing better than kicking back and enjoying some fun in the sun with family and friends. And whether you’re looking to build an open-air space to relax, or the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, natural materials like cypress canI make a bold design statement and withstand the elements.

“A recent report by Wakefield Research says homeowners are spending an average of seven hours per week outside—and they’re spending that time entertaining and grilling,” says Cassie Lewis of the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association. “That’s why homeowners—especially Millennials—are investing in warm and welcoming outdoor spaces that are extensions of their indoor rooms. And for homeowners who value the look and feel of Real American Hardwood™ woodwork, cypress is the natural choice because it performs well in hot and humid climates, and is resistant to decay and insects.”

Custom home builder Brett Flanagan, president of Flanagan Development, LLC, based in Sea Island, Georgia, agrees and adds that durability and aesthetics are the two most important factors to consider when selecting building materials for the outdoors.

“Just because a product is durable doesn’t mean it looks pleasing, and just because it’s attractive doesn’t meant it will hold up well outside,” he explains. “And in my experience, cypress is a great choice for outdoor projects because it pairs natural durability with undeniable beauty.”

Flanagan says his team loves to use cypress in structural applications—like beams and columns for porches and pavilions—as well as for more functional projects—such as outdoor kitchens.

“We recently completed an outdoor kitchen for a homeowner who has a lot of cypress throughout their home’s interior,” he said. “The homeowner wanted to add a full outdoor kitchen and had several appliances to incorporate. We were able to blur the lines between indoors and out by designing the space with custom cabinetry wrapped in river-recovered cypress. And because the wood is so good-looking, we finished it with a clear sealer. That’s by far our favorite finish to apply because it protects and preserves the wood, while maintaining its inherent beauty.”

And when it comes to maintenance, Flanagan says real wood like cypress is easier to care for than you may think. “We recommend thoroughly cleaning cypress woodwork once a quarter, and applying a new coat of stain or sealer every other year,” he adds. “If properly maintained, cypress can truly provide a lifetime of service.”

If creating or renovating an outdoor space is part of your summer plans, get inspired at www.cypressinfo.org.

Cypress beams add form and function to outdoor structures, such as pool pavilions and pergolas. Photo courtesy of Flanagan Development, LLC.

Today’s outdoor kitchens are more than just a space to grill. Homeowners are outfitting them with a full set of appliances and custom cabinetry made with durable wood like cypress. Photo courtesy of Flanagan Development, LLC.