Recycle CFL bulbs to reduce your eco footprint
(NC)-Switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs is an easy way for Canadians to reduce energy use at home and lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. But what becomes of a CFL bulb when it expires? Because CFL bulbs should not be disposed with regular household waste, you can now take your expired CFL Bulbs to any The Home Depot store, and be assured that each bulb will be recycled safely. With national participation from its customers, The Home Depot Canada expects to recycle 1.5 million CFL bulbs by 2011. "It's a bold but achievable goal because we're making it easy for Canadians to make environmentally conscious decisions from purchase to disposal," said Annette Verschuren, president of The Home Depot Canada & Asia. At each The Home Depot store, you will find a CFL bulb recycling unit located at the entrance by the special services desk. Simply bring in your expired CFL bulbs, place them in one of the plastic bags provided and deposit it into the display. Each store monitors the unit and once full, sends the expired CFL bulbs to be responsibly recycled. The recycled components will be used in creating a host of new products, including glass bottles and jars, baseball bats and products for the lighting industry. "The Home Depot's commitment to CFL bulbs is making it easier for Canadians to reduce energy use at home, prevent greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and now, properly recycle CFL bulbs at the end of their lifecycle - all of which makes a tremendous and positive impact on the environment," said Ersilia Serafini of Clean Air Foundation. More information is available at homedepot.ca/ecooptions. Using your RRSP to buy your first home sooner(NC)-For many first-time homebuyers, the question of how to come up with a downpayment can be worrisome. But many could actually be saving for this amount without even realizing it. The Canada Revenue Agency has a program to help potential homeowners with a downpayment. The Home Buyers Plan (HBP) allows participants to withdraw up to $20,000 in a calendar year from their registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) to buy or build a qualifying home. The advantage of such a program is that it allows first-time homebuyers to build a down payment without the trouble or stress of borrowing the amount. Participants of this program have up to 15 years to repay the RRSP balance without a penalty. "The Home Buyers Plan is a great way to leverage your retirement money today, and still grow your RRSP tax-free. It's a double win," said Tim Shwed, a CIBC Mortgage Specialist. Along with the HBP, first-time homebuyers can take advantage of mortgage options that can help make monthly bills more manageable. Financial institutions such as CIBC are now offering extended amortization periods and minimal down payment programs to help increase the affordability of home ownership. This provides a great opportunity for first-time buyers to purchase their first home sooner. For more information on CIBC mortgages, visit your nearest CIBC branch, call 1 800 465-CIBC (2422) or visit www.cibc.com/mortgages. Is your home over 25 years old?
(NC)-If so, you are not alone. A 2006 survey conducted by Owens Corning showed that nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of Canadians are living in homes more than twenty years old. If this applies to you, you may be interested to know that Natural Resources Canada suggests homes more than 25 years old have the potential to save an average of 35 per cent of their energy use through energy efficient measures. The following tips can help you reduce energy consumption and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. . Help improve a homes energy savings and prevent heat loss by checking for drafts. You can reduce drafts by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around windows and door frames. . Replace old windows and doors to help reduce the transfer of cold air into the home and help to decrease energy costs for homeowners. . Upgrade your home's insulation using PINK Fiberglas batt insulation to help prevent heat loss and save you money in energy costs. An insulated home helps protect the environment by using less energy, which in turn helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Owens Corning PINK insulation is versatile and can be used to insulate many rooms and spaces in a home from top to bottom. It is also manufactured in Canada using 60 per cent recycled content and is GREENGUARD certified to meet stringent indoor air quality standards. For more information on how you can help reduce your energy costs, visit www.owenscorning.ca. Canadians spend first, ask questions later
Photo courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com (NC)-Overspending is a problem for a surprising number of Canadians, especially those under 50 years of age, according to a recent test commissioned by Mackenzie Investments. The test, which asked a series of ten questions to gauge spending behavior found that 56 per cent of people under 50 years of age overspend, or demonstrate troubling tendencies to do so. Some of the test questions showed that 54 per cent of Canadians have gone shopping for the sole purpose of making themselves feel better. And half admit they regularly buy things on the spur of the moment - behaviour that can lead to more spending and less saving. "Younger Canadians tend to spend first and ask questions later," says Dr. Sunghwan Yi, a University of Guelph researcher and expert in spending behavior, who helped develop the test. "It's a problem across all age groups, but younger generations are more likely to be in denial." Overuse of credit is another problem, with nearly half of all Canadians (46 per cent) reporting that they use high-interest credit cards to buy things when they don't have enough money. "Sometimes the simplest tips are the best ways to curb overspending and improve your ability to save for the future," says Yi. "I recommend developing a list of the items you're actually shopping for - and walking away, at least for 24 hours, when you feel the impulse to buy something else." The survey of 1,169 Canadians 18 years of age and older was conducted from December 17 to 19, 2007. To take the spending test yourself, visit www.burnrate.ca. The site also features articles, budgeting tips and online calculators. |
How to make a new home even better
(NC)-Buying a new home can be a stressful time. There are so many things to consider from the safety of the neighbourhood, to the size of the backyard to the number of bathrooms in your home. One other important thing you need to consider is whether there is room to upgrade or even finish any rooms such as the basement. The basement has huge potential. Before you turn your new space into a family room, game room, bedroom or creative workshop, you need to first assess the room's insulation needs. And don't forget, the best time to transform your basement into a living area is when your new home is being built. It's less disruptive and more cost-effective to insulate prior to moving in. You can then plan and create a space that suits your needs perfectly. Whether your basement is a do-it yourself project or if you're working with a builder, the project begins with insulation. Here are four easy steps to completing your basement renovation: . MOISTURE BARRIER - Place a moisture barrier against the inside of the concrete wall from the floor to finished grade level . STUD WALL - Build a standard wall frame wall using 2x6 wood studs and place it in front of the concrete wall . INSULATE - Install R-20 PINK Fiberglas batt insulation between the studs and ensure the inner surface of the batts are flush with the inside surfaces of the studs and are up tight against the concrete foundation wall, creating a solid thermal barrier between studs which can conserve energy to help reduce heating costs . VAPOUR RETARDER - Staple the polyethylene sheet (an insulating plastic) over the entire wall on the warm in winter side of the wall After you're finished framing and insulating, you may finish the wall to suit your tastes - whether its drywall or wood paneling. No matter if the basement is used to play, work or relax, this additional living space can accommodate any growing family. For more information on basement insulation, visit www.owenscorning.ca. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a bright idea
What is a CFL bulb? Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are the most energy-efficient bulbs available on the market today. They use fluorescent technology to produce high-quality, energy-efficient light that lasts far longer than typical incandescent bulbs, saving consumers money and the environment from excess waste. Why are CFL bulbs better? On average, a CFL bulb uses up to 75 per cent less electricity than an incandescent light bulb but gives off the same amount of light. This reduction in energy translates to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. CFL bulbs also last 5-10 times longer, sometimes up to 10,000 hours, while most incandescent light bulbs last 1,000-2,000 hours. Because CFL bulbs last so long, this means fewer materials in the making of bulbs, less transportation of bulbs and less packaging waste. Although the initial cost to purchase a CFL bulb is slightly higher, the energy savings experienced and the longer life span can more than recover the cost. Switching all of your incandescent bulbs to CFL bulbs can help you to save up to 75 per cent savings on your energy costs for lighting. Can I use them anywhere in the home? There are a wide variety CFL bulbs available that can be used almost anywhere in the home where incandescent bulbs are used. In addition to the common mini-twister bulbs for general household use, other options include standard A-line, reflectors, dimmers, tri-lights, globes, chandeliers and outdoor bulbs. How do I dispose of expired CFL bulbs? Because CFL bulbs should not be disposed of with regular household waste, you can now bring in expired CFL bulbs to any The Home Depot store, and be assured that each bulb will be recycled safely. Customers can find a CFL bulb recycling unit located at the entrance by the special services desk and can simply place their expired CFL bulbs in one of the plastic bags provided and deposit it into the display. Each store monitors the unit and once full, sends the expired CFL bulbs to be responsibly recycled. More information is available online at www.homedepot.ca/ecooptions Tips for meeting the RRSP deadline(NC)-Canadians contributed $32.4-billion to their RRSPs in 2006, the highest number ever recorded and a 5.8-per cent increase over 2005. As good as that sounds, the picture isn't all rosy. According to Statistics Canada, as of March 31, 2007, Canadians have left a cumulative total of more than $437-billion in unused contribution room on the table to date. "That's a surprising number," says John Dale, Executive Vice-President, Mackenzie Financial. "Canadians need to save for retirement and many are missing out on a tax-savings opportunity." Mackenzie Investments offers the following last-minute RRSP tips:
|
Get fresh with your home after the Holiday Season(NC)-Some of us can't wait for the guests to leave to make our homes tidy and fresh after the festive holiday season. "It's the perfect time to re-establish home cleaning habits," says Vivian Mah, Arm & Hammer marketing manager. "Even the littlest things can make a big difference." Try using baking soda. Not only do you likely have a box in your house already, but it's environmentally sensible, economical and it tackles everything from that stain on the shirt you wore at the office holiday party to freshening your rug. Use baking soda to: Absorb odours from leftovers in the fridge and freezer with some baking soda. Arm & Hammer Fridge Fresh Air Filter saves space by gripping to fridge areas where you need odour control and tells you when to replace it. Get rid of odours (including Uncle Jim's cigar) in fabrics and rugs by sprinkling baking soda on and letting sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming. Try Arm & Hammer Carpet and Room Odour Eliminator to eliminate odours at their source and leave behind a fresh scent. Clean the dirt, stains and greasy residue off of sinks, stoves, cook tops, microwaves, et cetera in your kitchen after those feasts by sprinkling some baking soda onto a clean damp sponge or cloth and wipe clean. Rinse thoroughly, then dry. Get rid of dishwasher odours between loads by tossing a handful in. Clean and deodorize baby toys safely and effectively using four tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in one quart of warm water. Wash toys with a clean damp sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Remove dirt and grime from a bathroom tile or no-wax floor quickly and easily. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water, mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. Adjustable beds are not just for seniors
(NC)- Mention the word adjustable bed and images of senior citizens come to mind, right? Wrong. More and more baby boomers are considering adjustable beds whether they have an illness, sleep disorder such as snoring, insomnia, or just want to rest and relax more comfortably. One of the leading Canadian retailers of adjustable beds, Ultramatic Sleep, has noticed an increase in the number of people 50 and over interested in buying adjustable beds. These baby boomers, says CEO Martin Philp, want a break from the stress of raising teenagers, caring for aging parents or their own age-related health issues. "The stereotype that adjustable beds are just for seniors is really starting to disappear," says Philp, who recently took over the company. "We're seeing a whole new generation of consumers who want to reduce their stress and increase their overall health by whatever means possible, and getting a better night's sleep with new technology is exactly the way to do that. "Our beds have one-thousand-and-one positions to choose from and a wavelike massage to relax muscles and increase circulation," Philp explains. "And the split-base design means couples can adjust their side of the bed to their liking without disturbing their partner." According to thousands of customer testimonials Ultramatic has received, adjustable beds can bring temporary relief from things like snoring, acid reflux, swelling in the joints and limbs and poor circulation, to name a few. Many doctors recommend adjustable beds for conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, asthma and chronic back and neck pain. And we all know those conditions are not just restricted to seniors. More information on this topic is online at www.ultramaticsleep.com
Attic renovation resources for the do-it-yourselfer
(NC)-We all dream about it - having that gorgeous home with grand cathedral ceilings, immaculate hardwood floors and that natural stone fireplace to match. But few of us start with a home that's perfect. In the meantime, it's very likely you'll be painting some rooms or swinging a hammer as you build your dream. Not to worry - if you don't have the time or money for those major renovations, you can still improve your home with small do-it-yourself projects that are quick and inexpensive. Consider a basic attic insulation upgrade. It's one of the most simple and cost-effective home renovation projects. Not only is it easy to do, it's easy on your wallet. If you want to take on an inexpensive project that can help reduce your home's heating costs and help improve its energy efficiency - this is the right renovation for you. The first step to upgrading your attic insulation is knowing exactly how much insulation you already have installed. Most attics are under-insulated so top-up on your existing insulation by adding enough to total at least 15 inches. When shopping for insulation, look for PINK Fiberglas batts, which can be found at any local home renovation or hardware store. They provide optimal thermal resistance without compromising the quality of your home's indoor environment. It's also important to allow for proper attic ventilation. To prevent batt insulation from obstructing soffit vents, install ready-to-use raft-R-mate vents between roof rafters. They provide an unrestricted path for fresh air flow through a home's soffits into the attic space, helping to reduce the risk of condensation and ice damming at the eaves. If you're interested in upgrading your attic insulation, but are hesitant to begin the project on your own, have no fear. Here are two valuable resources that provide further information and instructions for do-it-yourselfers just like you: Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) The CMHC website offers plenty of information on various home renovations, including attics. Visit their 'Assessing the Renovation Project' page that asks questions about your attic and provides important considerations before starting an attic renovation. Also, check out their comprehensive guide on attic-related problems such as water entry, ice dams and condensation. Visit www.cmhc.ca for details. PINK Saves Energy This resource provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to install attic insulation and helps you calculate how much insulation you need based on the size of your attic. Visit www.pinksavesenergy.ca for more information. |
