Much like food, water, and shelter, sleep is essential for optimal health and well-being. Usually it’s not until we don’t get enough that we realize just how vital sleep is. From grogginess and irritability, to trouble focusing and feeling physically run down, the consequences of a lack of quality sleep can make even the simplest…
How to Manage a Home Remodeling Project
Home renovation and remodeling projects come in all shapes and sizes. You can remodel your kitchen, for example, with a new faucet, a throw rug in front of the sink, and maybe – for good luck – a new light fixture or recessed lighting. Then again, you can gut your kitchen and start all over…
The Truth About Home Heating Systems
Lightning never strikes in the same place twice. Bats are blind. And we only use 10 percent of our brains. What do these statements have in common? Each one is false. In fact, lightning can strike the same place twice, bats have better vision than humans (they just don’t see color), and we use most…
How to Reduce Dust Inside Your Home
You pride yourself on keeping a tidy home, but try as you might, you just can’t get that pesky dust under control. It seems like a layer of dust appears on your furnishings the minute you’ve finished dusting. Not only is it unsightly, excess dust can make life for allergy and asthma sufferers downright unbearable.…
House Noises You Shouldn’t Ignore
Whether it’s a brand new contemporary style home or a turn of the century ranch, your home will inevitably make some strange noises here and there. Do you know which can be ignored and which could signal trouble? Well, just in case, are five such noises you shouldn’t ignore. Scratching and Scurrying If you have…
The Pros & Cons of Covering Your Outdoor AC Unit
Let’s say you were to ask a friend whether you should cover your outdoor AC unit during the winter or keep it uncovered. Don’t be surprised if the answer is “Yes.” Your response would be something like: “Hey, that wasn’t a yes or no question, let’s try either or.” But your friend, who would just…
Time for a New Heating System?
If your furnace is 10-15 years old, it’s already reached its average lifespan. If it’s even older and still working fine, consider yourself among the fortunate few. But here’s the thing: no matter how new or old it might be, it won’t last forever. So, is now the time to replace it? It could be…
How to Prepare for an Emergency
Being prepared for a weather or other type of emergency often can mean the difference between swift, decisive action and utter chaos. Even knowing that, many people tend to focus on the now, and not the “what if.” Which tends to make them less prepared than those who expect the worst and hope for…
How to Stay Safe During a Thunderstorm
“When thunder rolls, go indoors!” You’ve heard that advice since you were a child. Today, it’s still good advice – but it doesn’t go far enough. Here are a few other precautionary measures well-worth heeding for your own safety: when you hear the first rumblings of thunder: Don’t take a bath, shower, or wash dishes.…
The Value of Ongoing Furnace Maintenance
Here’s a story you can relate to, perhaps even from personal experience. You buy a brand new furnace, and you’re thrilled. The old one just wasn’t cutting it, and you were tired of not knowing when or if it would keep your home warm enough. So, you kicked it to the curb and allowed a…