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New Brunswick couple used energy-efficient home to help finance their retirement
Photo Courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com (NC)-Blueprints for building energy-efficient homes played as big a role in the retirement plans of Doug and Linda Walker as did their pension plans. The Quispamsis, N.B. couple built two rental properties-along with a new house of their own-all full of features that will lower their utility and fuel costs for years to come. The couple uses their pensions, supplemented by rental income and tiny energy bills, to give them the comfortable lifestyle they've been waiting for. "The long-term savings in utility bills are crucial to the feasibility of a project like ours," says Walker. "When we began to conceive of this plan, we saw right away that success would depend on several things. We needed enough rental income to pay the mortgage, maintenance and utility costs, and have some left over for ourselves. We had to build top-quality rental units and we had to create something the town would support and be proud of." The Walkers succeeded on all counts. Today, their new retirement home stands near two fourplexes, each with 1,350 square feet (approximately 125 square metres) of living space. All were built using Natural Resources Canada's (NRCAN) EnerGuide rating system. Similar to the system that Canadians have long used to compare the performance of different models of household appliances and vehicles, EnerGuide provides ratings that correlate directly to the amount of energy new homes will consume. In essence, the higher the rating, the less energy a new home will use. Energy-efficient homes score 75 (out of 100) or more on the EnerGuide scale, while upgraded, older houses typically achieve 65 or less. The Walker properties all scored at least 80. "We're tickled pink to accomplish our goal," says Walker. "We've got ourselves and eight other families living in comfortable, affordable, high-quality homes that are also easy on the environment." NRCAN's website, www.newhomes.gc.ca is full of helpful information on energy-efficient homes. It's worth the visit or call 1-800-O-Canada if you have any specific questions Get glowing this holiday season with smart candle safety tips
Candles are a great way to add ambiance and even fragrance to your holiday festivities, but they can be dangerous, too. According to Fire Prevention Canada, candle fires are more common during the Christmas period. From December 15-30, candle-related fires go up approximately 140 per cent! Here are some tips to keep in mind to enjoy a safe holiday season: . Keep candles away from decorations - It takes just seconds for a candle to light something on fire, so be careful not to place them near window drapes, presents or hanging holiday ornaments. Be sure candles are set on a sturdy surface in proper holders that have a secure grip. Choose holiday decorations that are flame-retardant, too, and never use candles on Christmas trees. . Consider flameless candles - Flameless candles are battery operated and mimic the flicker and glow of a real candle. They are excellent to use around children and pets and don't pose a fire risk like open flame candles. S. C. Johnson has even come out with the first-ever flameless candle/air freshener with the new Glade Wisp Flameless Candle, so you can have the benefits of a candle with long lasting fragrance, too. There are a variety of scents to choose from and it comes in an attractive frosted glass holder. For more information visit www.glade.ca . . Ensure adult supervision - Teenagers especially love to have candles burning in their bedrooms - but it's easy to forget about them, and candles that are left unattended can quickly become a hazard. In fact, bedrooms are a common location for fires to start. Let your teen use flameless candles instead if they really want to have the look, feel and scent of a candle in their rooms. Women's accessory of the month: Tool belt
However, a number of initiatives are underway to change this. The government of Ontario has launched a program promoting women's participation in skilled trades. In March 2007, the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, Sandra Pupatello, announced more than $1.2 million to help low-income women develop new skills, find employment and help achieve economic independence. Government programs like this one also aim to break the common stereotype that women do not have the physical strength to perform skilled trades. In reality, physical work does not solely imply strength; skilled trades require dexterity, stamina and good hand-eye coordination - all attributes that women equally possess. Construction specifically is largely underrepresented by women. According to Statistics Canada, only six per cent of all construction workers (trades workers, equipment operators and labourers) in the province are female. "We see the quality work skilled trades people do every day and we support the initiative to encourage more young people, especially women, to choose a career in skilled trades," says Lorne Blatt, Insulation Expert, Owens Corning. "Women interested in exploring the field can hone their skills working on renovations and simple do-it-yourself projects at home. Installing insulation is one home renovation that can be practical and easy for women to undertake." Women should not be intimidated by the industry. There are over 200 skilled trades to choose from including: carpentry, plumbing, tool and die, machinery, welding and construction. There is atrade for every interest and aptitude and a career in skilled trades promises to be challenging and rewarding. For more information on skilled trades visit www.careerintrades.ca and for more information on home improvements, visit www.owenscorning.ca . Style in any direction
(NC)-Top-Down / Bottom-Up, any which way you put it, Vignette Modern Roman Shades from Hunter Douglas give you style in any direction. A dramatically improved innovation over the traditional Roman shade, Vignette Modern Roman Shades now offer the Top-Down / Bottom-Up design option. This feature allows you to lower the shade from the top-down or bottom-up for privacy, plus light control and superb views. With so many lowering options, the look of your room will be complete, from top to bottom. More information is available toll-free at 1-800-265-1363 or online at www.hunterdouglas.ca . |
Kitchen renovation tips: New elegant countertops provide inexpensive facelift
The answer depends on your budget. The bad news is that a total renovation project can be very costly. The good news is that you can replace your countertops and feel as though you have a brand new kitchen. That's because your countertop is the most visible source of colour in the kitchen. If your cabinets are white or wood, then what immediately catches your eye is the surface you use the most - your countertop. Kitchen countertops are the most important work surface and key element in the design and luxury of your home. Today's latest designs in countertops can take a moderate looking kitchen and turn it to a kitchen out of a décor magazine or remodeling show. If you look at what's available you will be amazed at the selection not only of colours but textures and finishes as well. The primary goal is to find a durable, stain-resistant and easy to clean surface that will also bring style, elegance and beauty to your kitchen. The two most popular countertop materials which meet this current demand for both practicality and elegance are the new solid and quartz surfaces. "We offer the two hottest products in the market today but taste has a lot to do with the one that is right for you," said Mark Hanna, President of Leeza Distribution Inc., distributor of Samsung's Staron Solid Surfaces and HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces. "If you have an affinity for stone, which typically provides greater visual impact and more dominance in a kitchen, then HanStone is for you. Whereas if you don't want all the attention to be on your countertop and true functionality is your goal, then Staron would be the ideal choice." Both surface materials meet the highest standards for hygiene and cleanliness in the industry (certified NSF 51) thanks to their nonporous properties. Samsung Staron is recognized as one of the top lines of acrylic solid surfaces in the market today because of its unlimited flexibility in design and advanced colour technology. "Unlike stone, which is very hard and cannot be molded, advanced solid surfaces can be thermoformed - this facilitates designs to be more creative, intricate and ergonomic, thereby providing a very ideal surface that truly blends into the kitchen" added Hanna. With countertops it's still all about colour and with Staron's over 70 colour choices you can find the perfect colour to complement your kitchen decor. Meanwhile, Quartz countertops, such as the industry's top rated HanStone surfaces, offer a sophisticated elegance and timeless beauty in virtually any surfacing application. As the fastest growing category of premium countertops, quartz surfaces are stronger than granite and because they're nonporous, they require no sealing, are highly resistant to scratches, stains, and bacteria growth and come in a wide range of dramatic colours and patterns. More information on solid and quartz surfaces is available at www.leezadistribution.com . Brighten up the season with the perfect holiday party
Make your list and check it twice - It's difficult to catch up with loved ones if you're stuck in the kitchen! To ensure you get to mix and mingle, plan ahead and keep it simple. Serve finger foods that can be prepared ahead of time, and take advantage of the many pre-made options available at the grocery store. Stock your shelves with ample supplies to avoid having to run to the store multiple times. Finally, why not treat yourself and let someone else do the dishes - renting china and silverware is a great option that lets you step away from the kitchen sink and put your feet up at the end of the night! Ambiance is everything! - The right lighting can make all the difference in creating an inviting ambiance for your party. Candles are a great way to create a soft glow that really warms a room, but open flames need to be watched closely. To create that same feeling of comfort, try a flameless candle instead. The Glade Wisp Flameless Candle is a battery-operated version that combines the flickering light of a candle with the continuous fragrance of an air freshener beneath a frosted glass dome. Plus, it comes in a variety of scents that can be adjusted depending on how much fragrance you like. The Apple Cinnamon version is a delicious way to evoke memories of holiday apple pies. Try a unique theme - Put a twist on the usual seasonal set up and try something a little different this year. For example, transport your guests to the sunny south with a holiday beach theme, complete with tropical cocktails and even a CD of carols with a Caribbean-inspired beat! You can even get your guests involved by asking them to bring a dish that reflects warm-weather fare. Arm yourself against your home's brew of irritants Central vacuum cleaner key to healthy environment
That's because as we walk through our homes, the air turbulence created by our moving bodies stirs up this combination of dust and debris that can be very irritating to the lungs. The most irritating are dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on dust-especially flakes of skin. If you are allergic to any of the debris from this potpourri of bacteria, you can easily start sneezing, coughing, wheezing, or even have a full blown asthma attack. Children can be more quickly affected simply because they are shorter, and their noses are closer to the floor. Most believe the solution is simply to vacuum away this collection of debris with their traditional vacuum cleaner to ensure a clean healthy environment. The fact is, conventional upright and tank-type vacuum cleaners have such poor filters that these very small particles pass through the filter and are blown around the room. As a result, while you're vacuuming your ordinary vacuum cleaner is exhausting the very dust you've collected back into the air redistributing it around your home and aggravating your allergies or asthma. Effective Solution Fortunately there is an effective solution according to Brenda Rennox, Product Manager for Broan-NuTone, the country's leader in indoor air quality solutions. "All house dust and their allergens vacuumed up with a central vacuum system can be removed from the living areas.for good," she said. In fact, a recent study conducted by the University of California at Davis School of Medicine's Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology found that study subjects reported a significant improvement in their symptoms of rhinitis and house-dust sensitivity during a three-month use of a central vacuum system compared to a three-month use of their portable vacuums. The latest technology in the marketplace, the NuTone central vacuum system provides you with a solution that will effectively eliminate particles down to 0.3 microns in size -- the real problem for allergy and asthma sufferers. Special Filtration The new NuTone central vacuum system differs from your regular home vacuum cleaner because of its special filtration capabilities. An ordinary vacuum cleaner only removes particles 35 microns or larger in size. The NuTone central vacuum system features bags and filters with HEPA filter media able to capture and eliminate up to 99.97% of all particles down to and including 0.3 microns -- the size of some bacteria. This means the dust you pick up is trapped in the vacuum, not blown through the exhaust. It also features Teflon anti-stick coating to reduce the sticking of dirt to filtration media and Microban antimicrobial product protection to inhibit the potential growth of odor causing microbes. More information on central vacuums is available at www.nutone.ca . |
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(NC)-The
protection of your house against break-ins and home invasion needs to be
carefully thought out to offer the right level of security. Window
protection is one of the first steps you can take to protect your
property, because windows are a weak point and therefore a natural
target for intruders or smash-and-grab thieves. 
(NC)-Even
though the holidays are a time to relax and have fun,
it's important to keep safety in mind as you plan your
decorations and dinner parties. 
(NC)-In
the industry of skilled trades, it seems it is still a
man's world. Canada is currently faced with a shortage
of skilled trades people and demand will only increase
due to a booming economy, aging population and declining
birth rates. Despite the abundance of jobs in skilled
trades, the industry continues to be a "boys club" that
women rarely join. 
(NC)-Outdated
cabinets, faded countertops, tired appliances, stained flooring and
tiles. Does this remind you of your kitchen? If you have not
remodeled your kitchen in years, then the answer is probably a
disheartened yes. But is it time for a complete kitchen makeover, or
just a facelift? 
(NC)-Human
skin particles, pollen, dirt and chemicals. Our home environments
are filled with this bothersome brew of irritants that can be
hazardous to our health. Studies show that many times indoor
pollution can take more of a toll on our health than outdoor
pollution.