Solutions for home organization problems
(NC)-Organizing your home is a great way to de-clutter your space and your mind. While it can sometimes seem overwhelming, the storage options available today make getting organized easy, affordable and even stylish. To help you get started, the storage and organization team at Canadian Tire has the following solutions for common challenges: Problem - Where to store out-of season clothing Solution - Look for an under-the-bed organizer. They provide great storage space for bulky items, such as out of season clothing and blankets and can be easily tucked away. As a reminder, a good rule of thumb is to go through your clothing every year and any items that haven't been worn the previous year can be given away to a local charity. Problem - Clutter in the living room such as newspapers, magazines and electronic items Solution - Look for furniture with built in storage which will help you to maximize space. The Debbie Travis ottoman has side pockets, perfect for the remote control and television guide, while the leather and suede chairs have seats that lift up providing extra storage space for magazines and toys. Problem - Not handy and concerned a storage organization system will require construction and tools Solution - Look for organizational systems that do not require tools, like the extend-it closet system available at Canadian Tire. It has easy-to-use tension systems that can be installed without tools. This innovative system is also flexible and versatile so you move it from room-to-room. Problem - Comprising your decorative style for storage solutions Solution - Storage items don't need to be hidden away in boxes or basements. Recent trends towards wicker baskets, patterned boxes and other such items allow you to store items such as books, magazines and newspapers out in the open where they are easily accessible. Problem - Finding a storage solution for holiday gift wrap and ribbons Solution - Look for vertical storage containers made especially for this purpose that can accommodate the length of a standard roll of wrapping paper. Many of these units also have an accessory compartment to store ribbon, bows and any other small wrapping accessories.
Beware the doorknocker selling natural gas contracts
Photo Courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com (NC)-Not surprisingly, complaints about door-to-door companies are high among those made to the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. In the case of natural gas, high-pressure sales tactics are often used to get consumers to sign contracts on the spot. This is a risky practice and often turns into a costly mistake. Arming yourself with the right information can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. The following are a few important tips to help consumers better protect themselves: Don't sign a contract at the door - A contract is a binding, long-term agreement so no matter what you choose to buy, always do some research before you sign. Natural Gas University at www.riterate.ca offers homeowners access to simplified natural gas industry rules and information for making an informed decision. Get the best rate - As a consumer, you always have choice. Know where to look for comparable prices. All natural gas supplier rates are available on www.energyshop.com, an independent source of natural gas information. Consider your budget, evaluate prices and then decide which company is best for you. Confirming or cancelling a contract - Regardless of the company you decide to sign with, remember that consumer protection laws allow for a 10-day "cooling off" period after a new contract is signed. If you change your mind within those 10 days, you may cancel the contract without penalty. If you signed a contract at your front door, the supplier must also call to verify your commitment between 11 and 60 days after signing. Read your renewal package - Your current supplier is required by law to mail a renewal package between 60 and 120 days before the end of your contract term. This package will include new contract options and details on what to do if you choose not to renew. Be sure to cancel in writing, because failure to do so can result in an automatic one-year contract renewal and these renewals are almost always at a higher rate. Also cancel by fax or email, so that you create a date-stamped record of cancellation for yourself. Don't be afraid to switch - Switching suppliers when your contract is over takes about 8-12 weeks to process but should never cost consumers money. However, switching prior to the end of your contract will typically require you to pay an early termination fee. If you feel that you've been misled, it's important to discuss the matter with your current supplier or contact the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) at 1-877-632-2727. The OEB is responsible for licensing natural gas suppliers and resolving consumer disputes.
Get an adjustable bed to sleep better
New Year Resolutions
(NC)- Are you losing sleep over the money you spent this Christmas? It may not be about your budget at all. It could be your bed. The bed you sleep on, combined with your own unique health and lifestyle, can make all the difference in the quality of your sleep. One way to start sleeping better is to consider an adjustable bed, for your health, your comfort and your life. Once the domain of seniors, adjustable beds are becoming more appealing as the bed of choice for boomers and other consumers - young enough to work hard and play hard yet mature enough to be facing health and comfort issues associated with aging. Here are some benefits of adjustable beds from the experts at ultramaticsleep.com: Sleeping on your stomach can place sleep-robbing stress on your body, putting pressure on your spine, constricting breathing and straining limbs and joints. An adjustable bed puts you in a perfect sleeping position, retaining and supporting the natural curve of your spine and relieving stress on limbs, joints and internal organs. Beds with a split-base design mean couples can adjust the bed to their own liking without disturbing their partner. The best bed companies offer choice plus scores of different positions and features. Ask about beds that offer a soothing, wavelike massage to bring temporary relief to aches and pains and produce deep muscle relaxation. Beds that have lifetime welded frames and heavy-duty locking casters to ensure they are solid and durable, yet easy to move for cleaning and linen changing, are the ones to look for. Watch for heavy-duty motors inside, sealed and oiled for life to run smoothly and effortlessly through years of daily use. More information on this topic is available online at ultramaticsleep.com or by calling 1-800-263-6632.
Perform a home audit to ward away drafts
(NC)-A cold draft in your home can send shivers up your spine and some believe it's a sign you have a ghost. Before you get spooked, understand that what you may have are badly sealed windows and doors or a poorly insulated attic. In order to get rid of a draft you can perform a séance or try some of these helpful tips: . Seal Drafts Cold air can enter through the exterior of your house. So it's important to caulk, seal and weather-strip around all seams, cracks and openings. You can also reduce drafts from the inside by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around windows and door frames, and near electrical boxes and plumbing penetrations. . Replace Old Doors and Windows Newer doors and windows are designed and insulated to reduce the transfer of cold air into the home, helping to decrease energy costs for homeowners. . Upgrade Insulation You can help prevent heat loss through your attic by installing insulation in between the joists of the attic floor and ceiling. Once the cavities are filled, add another layer of insulation running perpendicular, or across, the floor joists to obtain a minimum thermal resistance measure of R-40. This is an easy do-it-yourself option that can be done using PINK Fiberglas batt insulation, found at your local home renovation or building supply store. Eliminating drafts in your home can be a simple do-it-yourself project, making your home more comfortable and more energy efficient. For more information on reducing drafts in the home, visit www.owenscorning.ca .The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning" |
Heat your home with the help of Mother Nature
Photo Courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com (NC)-If you are considering heating and cooling options for your home or are looking for ways to reduce your energy bills, you could consider a heat pump. Despite its name, heat pumps are unique equipment that can provide both heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Heat pumps are not new; the first unit came off the production line more than three decade ago. In size and appearance, a heat pump looks like a central air conditioner. A heat pump takes the place of both furnace (with a supplementary heating system) and central air conditioning equipment with a single heating-cooling system. This appliance can pump heat into the home in the winter and pump heat out in the summer. Heat pumps are typically operated electrically; however, a limited number of gas-fired heat pumps are available in Canada. Some types can also provide supplementary hot water heating. Heat pumps transfer heat from natural heat sources in the surroundings, such as the air, ground or water to the home. In cooling, a heat pump transfers heat in the opposite direction, from the home to the surrounding air, ground or water. There are two main types of heat pumps: air-source and ground-source (also referred to as an earth-energy system). The only difference between the two types is the place or "source" to where heat is either taken from or moved to (air or ground) in the heat pump operation. It is most important that the heat pump for your home is the proper size to provide enough heat on the coldest winter night and enough cooling on the hottest summer day. Because the performance of some types of heat pumps decreases during the coldest portion of Canadian winters (less natural heat from the heat pump to source), most heat pump installations have a supplementary or auxiliary heating system in the form of a gas or oil furnace or an electric heater. To determine your home's proper sizing, your installing contractor should perform a "heat loss/heat gain" calculation. To locate a qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor consult members of the Heating, Refrigeration and Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC) who carry relevant trade, fuel safety and municipal licences. You can locate a residential heat pump specialist in your area online at www.hrac.ca or toll-free at 1-877-411-HRAC (4722). Heat pumps benefit the environment by using the heat in the surrounding air, water and ground to warm your home. The sun continually replenishes these heat sources; therefore, the extracted heat is renewable energy as compared to heat that must be produced from fuels or electricity. Employ what Mother Nature has to offer to heat and cool your home comfortably, efficiently and economically.
"Smart-size" your golden years
(NC)-You've worked hard throughout your life, enjoyed a satisfying career, raised a beautiful family, and now you're ready to enjoy your retirement to its fullest. What's more, you've found the ideal retirement condominium community that offers an active lifestyle and the comfort of knowing you can age-in-place. But, can you get through the challenge of what to take with you as you down-size to a smaller home? "For many seniors looking to move to a retirement community, the thought of sorting through all their belongings is very emotional and can be overwhelming," says Joanna Marowits, president of Body + Soul Design. "They fear having to give up too much in order to move into a smaller space, but the truth is, with organization, time and careful planning, you can make your new home work beautifully and still keep your most cherished items." Marowits is a rare professional with training in both interior design and environmental gerontology and has been helping developers create progressive retirement lifestyle communities for nearly two decades. She advocates for seniors based on a deep understanding of both the emotional and physical needs of an aging lifestyle. "At our Evergreen community in Mississauga, Joanna's unique perspective has been leveraged in the project's design and layout" says Neil Prashad, president and CEO of Origin Retirement Communities. "She is also passionate about helping seniors make successful transitions from their own homes to our Evergreen community and has a wealth of knowledge to share with purchasers to help them smart-size their new homes." Marowits provides the following tips on smart-sizing: 1. Prioritize. Write a list of your most valuable and high-quality items that you can't live without to identify what to keep and what to let go of. 2. Get a second opinion. Have someone else provide an objective opinion to help make the final decision on items you may or may not need. 3. Sell or donate. Work with auction houses, dealers and consignment shops to identify what can be sold, and donate other items to charities. 4. Speak with family. You may have items that are of value to your family that can be passed down to future generations. 5. Plan your space ahead of time. Use rooms of similar size in your existing home or a floorplan to visualize how your pieces will fit into your new space. 6. Find new uses for favoured items. For pieces you just can't part with, see if you can find a new or additional way to use it in your new home. 7. Give yourself lots of time. The more time you have to organize and edit before you move, the less overwhelming the process will be. Two smart-sized model suites are available for viewing at Origin Evergreen in Mississauga - and more information about retirement lifestyle communities is available online at www.origin.ca.
Energy-saving tips for homeowners
(NC)-The cost of a home is an expensive proposition and when you factor in taxes, insurance and monthly maintenance, the financial weight may seem unbearable. Nevertheless, resale and new home purchases in Ontario are forecasted to reach record levels in 2008. One way to make home ownership more affordable is to reduce your ongoing expenses by focussing on areas with the greatest payback - with energy being a good place to start. Install a programmable thermostat - Heating and cooling your home accounts for 40 percent of your energy bill, which means big opportunities to save money. A programmable thermostat raises and lowers the temperature in your home automatically at night or during times when you're not home. Lowering the temperature of your home by just a few degrees can make a very big difference in your heating bill. In fact, just a couple of degrees lower at night can mean up to ten percent savings. Fix your rate - In addition to controlling the amount of energy you consume, you can also control the amount you pay per unit of consumption. With energy prices projected to rise over the long term, locking in a price today might be a good option. Energyshop.com offers independent information and comparisons of fixed natural gas and electricity rates. Natural gas supplier RiteRate.ca has consistently offered fixed rate contracts at much lower prices than larger competitors. At www.riterate.ca they also provide consumers with accurate and easy to understand information on how to choose the right natural gas contract option. Get an energy audit - Hiring an expert to conduct a professional, room-by-room audit or energy use assessment can mean big savings over the long-term. Depending on their findings and the types of improvements you make, an energy advisor will pinpoint the issues that could reduce energy bills significantly. By using a certified energy advisor, Ontarians may even be eligible for a 50 percent rebate off the cost of the audit. Know your energy tax credits - Did you know you are eligible for cash back on your home energy improvements? Governments and utilities offer many grants, rebates and other incentives for home retrofits. For example, installing new storm windows and insulation can not only keep your house warmer, a grant can help foot the bill for the upgrade. Here are some of the renovation grants you may be eligible for. You can learn more at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoenergy. $30 - for each replacement window & door Up to $500 - for installing an energy efficient natural gas furnace Up to $600 - for roof and attic insulation Up to $1,500 - for exterior wall insulation Up to $1,000 - for basement insulation. |
What's hot in home heating?
Photo Courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com (NC)-Renovations and home improvements are a growing trend among Canadian homeowners. One project that may not be on the top of your list, but is definitely worth considering, is installing hydronic (water) radiant floor heating. Radiant floor heating is a method of heating your home by applying heat underneath or within the floor. Comparable to warming yourself in the sun, this type of heating warms objects as opposed to raising the temperature of the air. A typical radiant floor heating system consists of a series of tubes set in a bed of lightweight concrete or other similar material, then covered by any standard floor covering. Hot water is circulated through the tubing, which warms the bedding material and radiates heat up from the floor to warm the entire house. The cost of an installing a hydronic radiant floor heating system will be depend on your specific heating and energy efficiency requirements and in addition to the heating system, a mechanical ventilation system is required in the house. Homeowners should consult with a qualified heating contractor who will explain your options. You can locate a qualified contractor specializing in hydronic heating online at www.hrac.ca or toll-free at 1-877-411-HRAC (4722). There are a lot of advantages to radiant floor heating besides the warmth under your feet. There are no heat registers in the floor or heaters in the wall to restrict the placement of furniture and window coverings. Since there is no airflow forcing the heat into the rooms, there are no drafts or unpleasant air currents, and wall and ceiling surfaces stay cleaner. Radiant floor heat is silent, and there are no filters to clean. On the down side, this is a heat-only system - if you want central air conditioning you'll still have to install a duct system. And since room air does not circulate through the system as it does with a forced air system, you can't add optional, whole-house accessories such as an electronic air cleaner or a humidifier.
Incorporate fitness into your day, everyday
(NC)-Now that the holidays are over, many of us are feeling the post-holiday gain from festive meals and decadent desserts. Incorporating fitness into your daily routine will help you get back on track so you'll feel healthy, fit and energized for the year ahead. To help you get started, the fitness team at Canadian Tire has put together some simple and easy ways for exercise to be a part of your day, everyday. Exit the bus one or two stops earlier: Take an everyday activity such as your commute to work. Get off of the bus 2 or 3 stops earlier and briskly walk the rest of the distance. An alternative to the office chair: Consider substituting the conventional office chair with a fitness ball chair. This will not only improve posture but will also build core and back strength - all while you work. Lunchtime Fitness: Use your lunch hour as a time to get outdoors for a walk or if a fitness facility is close by, check out their schedule of lunchtime classes. Pack your bag the night before and block off the time off in your calendar so nothing stands in your way. Take the stairs: Whenever you have the choice, choose the stairs instead of the elevator. This is a quick and easy way to fit in some additional daily exercise. Start small, take a few flights at the beginning and work your way up. Fitness at home: For minimal investment, you can build your own home gym. Start with basics such as a fitness ball, mat, weights and depending on your budget, a treadmill. For those with small workout spaces, choose items such as the Evolve treadmill that can easily fold down flat to slide under the bed for easy and convenient storage once you have finished your workout. Add music: Whether you are working out at home, in the gym or going for a walk, a good selection of music will help make the time pass quickly. Most importantly, choose activities that you enjoy so you will be more inclined to stay committed and remember to always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.
A healthy lifestyle is key to successful retirement living
(NC)-Does a retirement home make you think of a sterile, tranquil place where seniors live two to a room in what feels like a hospital? Well think again, because today's retirement communities are dynamic neighbourhoods where older adults live an active lifestyle in an exciting and fun environment. Canadians are living longer, healthier and more active lives and with ever-increasing life expectancies, the demand for seniors' supportive living facilities is fuelling a major building boom. The idea that seniors want to stop being active is being challenged and a revolution is underway in the retirement industry. One of the companies leading this revolution is Origin Retirement Communities, a privately-owned Canadian company that develops and operates facilities across the country. "We know that a healthy lifestyle pays large dividends when it comes to aging in comfort," says Neil Prashad, Origin's president and CEO. "That's why we have over 42,000 square feet of health, wellness, dining, and recreational space in our latest community called Origin Evergreen, now under construction in Mississauga, Ontario." Today's retirement communities cater to active, diverse lifestyles and provide a wide range of amenities such as fitness and workout rooms with special strength training equipment specially designed for older adults. But communities like Evergreen go much further, offering a full spa amenity with a salt-water aqua therapy pool, a movement studio, treatment rooms for massage and other therapies, as well as a wellness clinic where residents can seek the advice of experts on diet, fitness and overall health. The revolution is also affecting dining and food services in retirement communities, with clear demand for nutritious meals made with fresh ingredients in restaurant-like settings. At Evergreen, residents can dine in as many as six different areas thereby maximizing choice and eliminating much of the boredom that is often associated with traditional retirement home meals. Of course it's not just physical activity and food that makes for comfortable aging. Having access to engaging social activities is also important for mental acuity, and complexes such as Evergreen offer a wide variety of daily activities that encourage new friendships and foster shared passions with like-minded residents. A greenhouse, an arts and crafts studio, even a bowling alley and movie theatre can now be found in today's retirement communities. According to Prashad, listening to their residents is key to successful social programming. "We switch things up regularly based on what our residents tell us they want to do," adds Prashad. "If there is demand for a poker night, a shopping excursion or a bus trip to a winery, our staff will work with residents to make it happen. We don't have a cookie-cutter approach to the programs we offer." It is easy to see why demand for this style of retirement community is growing in popularity. Seniors and their families are comforted in the assurance that today's retirement communities are founded on dedicated services and extensive amenities which promote wellness and maximize lifestyle. More information on retirement lifestyle communities is available online at www.origin.ca.
The EnerGuide rating system for energy-efficient homes
(NC)-The R-2000 building standard and regional initiatives for energy-efficient homes such as Built GreenT, Power Smart New Homes, ENERGY STAR for New Homes, Yukon Green Home and Novoclimat use the federal government's EnerGuide rating system as the quality assurance tool for the energy efficiency of the home. The rating system determines the home's level of energy efficiency on a scale from 1-100. To calculate the energy efficiency rating of a house, a certified energy advisor conducts a thorough evaluation of the home's energy use and runs a blower-door test to determine the air leakage rate of the home. The higher the EnerGuide rating, the less energy a home will use. The average newly built home rates at approximately 72 on the EnerGuide scale. Highly energy-efficient homes rate 80 or more. Homes that use no purchased energy at all have a rating of 100. Source: Natural Resources Canada - www.newhomes.gc.ca.
Why build or buy an energy-efficient home?
(NC)-Energy-efficient homes are less expensive to operate, more comfortable to live in and environmentally friendly. Natural Resources Canada has the reasons why at www.newhomes.gc.ca |
