Get Your House Ready for Summer

(Family Features) - The dog days of summer can really put the heat on electricity bills and put even the best air conditioning systems to the test. "The Department of Energy says that almost 45 percent of a homeowner's utility costs come from heating and cooling the house. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help lower those costs, keep your system working as it should, and beat the summer heat," says Dave Quandt, Senior VP of Field Services for American Home Shield, one of the nation's leading providers of home warranty services.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when summer temperatures start to sizzle:

• An air conditioner set at 70°F can cost twice as much to operate as one set at 78°F. Raise the thermostat by 2 degrees above its normal setting. You'll still be comfortable, and your pocketbook will thank you.
  
   
• Set the thermostat to 80°F when you'll be out of the house for several hours and lower it when you return. But don't shut the air conditioner off; it's less efficient to cool the house back down than to leave it set at a higher temperature.
  
   
• A ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a 100-watt bulb, but it can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler. In summer, blades should turn counterclockwise, pushing air downward to create a cool breeze.
  
   
• Keeping windows closed and curtains drawn during the day can reduce cooling costs by 30 percent.
  
   
• Lights, computers and televisions all generate heat. Turn them off when they're not in use.

Quandt believes your best protection, however, lies in preventative maintenance. 

"It's important to have your air conditioning system professionally inspected and cleaned a least a month before you'll need to start using it," he says. "At a minimum, turn it on and make sure it's still running like it should.

"Last summer, we responded to more than 550,000 requests for air conditioning repairs during the record-breaking heat wave. You don't want to find out that your air conditioner needs repair or replacing just when you need it most. Now's the time to be sure everything's in good working order."

Find out the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance on your type of unit. You can usually find it online and in your owner's manual. In addition:

• Create shade for the unit, but keep the area around the exterior condensing unit clear of leaves, bushes and other obstructions to ensure adequate airflow.
  
   
• Clean or replace the air filter. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter monthly. Clogged, dirty filters block air flow and make a unit work much harder. A clean filter can save up to 10 percent on your bill.

If your air conditioning system and/or components break down, a home warranty can help protect you from unexpected repair costs. "A home warranty," said Quandt, "is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most common home system breakdowns. It also covers appliances not usually covered by homeowner's insurance." Quandt says that American Home Shield offers home warranty coverage regardless of the age of the home, and it can be purchased at any time, not just when a home is bought or sold.

To get more summer home care tips, and to learn more about home warranties, visit www.ahs.com.

SOURCE:
American Home Shield
 

Gearing Up for Summer Fun

(Family Features) Summer is the perfect time of year for outdoor entertaining. But before you start planning the menus and guest lists, make sure your house and yard are ready to take on the fun.

"Your grill, outdoor power equipment and appliances play a big part in your summer routines," said Jamie Breneman, contributor to TheSavvyShopperBlog.com. "So you want to make sure everything is in good working order to avoid any unnecessary hassles that may get in the way of your fun-packed summer. A few simple steps can guarantee that your entertaining space is a welcoming place for guests."

Before You Fire Up the Grill

• If you have a gas grill, check for leaks. Mix a small amount of dishwashing liquid and water in a spray bottle. Spray the hose and all connections then, with the hose connected to the propane tank, open the gas. If bubbles appear, you have a leak and need to replace the hose or fix a loose connection.
• Also, check the flame on gas grills - it should be blue. A yellow flame means there are either clogged air jets or burners that need adjustment.
• Clean the grill, inside and out. Scrub burners and grates with a wire brush, then cut the grease build-up with a vinegar and water solution. Rinse clean and let dry thoroughly. A good, all-purpose cleaner can take care of the outside of the grill.

Keep Your Cool
 

"Food safety is vital," said Breneman. "Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are in tip-top shape so they can keep prepped ingredients and leftovers at the right temperatures."

• Make sure the interior cooling vents are not blocked. The air needs to circulate to ensure safe food preservation.
• Keep the refrigerator temperature at 36ºF to 38ºF and the freezer at no colder than 0ºF to 5ºF. You can buy inexpensive refrigerator and freezer thermometers to help you maintain the right temperature.
• Keep gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer doors clean with mild detergent and water, not bleach. This will ensure a good seal and prevent wasted energy.

Tidy Up Outside

• Check the deck and stairways for any loose boards or railings. Now's a good time to get out the power tools and make the yard safer as well as neater.
• If you haven't done so already, give your lawn mower a check-up. Make sure it's functioning at its best so that you can mow efficiently and safely.
• After mowing the lawn, break out the trimmer and edger to give your yard a neat-as-a-pin appearance.

To help you keep your appliances and power tools in good working order, Breneman recommends looking into protecting them with extended service plans. "Anything mechanical can break down or have parts that just wear out," she said. "And manufacturers' warranties don't cover as much or for as long as you might think."

Breneman adds that service plans bring something else to homeowners - peace of mind. "You spend a lot of money on things like refrigerators or riding mowers, and it can be frustrating trying to find someone reputable to fix them. To know that you can get support at any time from prescreened professionals makes it a whole lot easier to relax and enjoy all the fun that comes with summer."

For more tips on getting ready for summer fun, visit www.thesavvyshopperblog.com.
 

SOURCE:
N.E.W. Customer Service Companies
 

Keep Summer Fresh and Fun

(Family Features) 'Tis the season...for embracing the great outdoors and a whole host of invigorating activities. But without proper care, the sweet smells of summer can turn into the stench of sweaty clothes and sports equipment, and the go-to gear and toys can get layered up with gunk.

Whether you are hosting an outdoor barbeque or hitting the beach for some sun, take note of how one, simple kitchen staple -Baking Soda - can not only eliminate odors, but keep your home and belongings fresh and much more.

Wash and Deodorize Workout Apparel - Fight sweat odors that linger on clothes, sweatbands and towels. Add one cup of Baking Soda to laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. This balances the pH in the wash to get clothes cleaner, fresher and brighter.

Go Camping - On a campout, Baking Soda may prove as useful as a Swiss Army knife. A box or shaker of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda is easy to transport and can be used as a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, toothpaste and more.

No More Smelly Sneakers - Keep shoe odors from spreading by adding Baking Soda to sneakers when not in use, then shake out before wearing. Or, fill an old (hole-free) sock with one cup of Baking Soda and secure with a rubber band. Trim extra material and place inside sneakers overnight for fresh shoes in the morning.

Soothe Bug Bites - Baking Soda temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to insect bites. Dissolve one to two cupfuls in a tub of warm water and soak for 10 to 30 minutes. Pat dry (do not rub) to keep a thin layer on the skin. Or, add enough water to the Baking Soda to form a paste, apply to the affected area of skin as needed. Complete directions and warning statements are on the side of the Baking Soda box. Please read before use. Use on adults and children two years and older. 

Clarify Your Pool and Spruce Up Lawn Furniture - Keep your pool sparkling with Baking Soda - it's all about the pH.  You can even give patio furniture a thorough cleaning with Baking Soda. Keep outdoor furniture fresh in the off-season too; just sprinkle Baking Soda underneath cushions or inside the storage bag.

Wash and Freshen Sports Gear - Use four tablespoons of Baking Soda in one quart of warm water to clean and deodorize sports equipment like rubber free weights and water bottles. Sprinkle Baking Soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize. Use three parts Baking Soda to one part water for a scratch-free paste to clean golf clubs.

Clean Grills - Grill grime is no picnic, so get ready for your next barbecue by sprinkling dry Baking Soda on a damp brush, scrub and rinse clean. For tough, greasy stains, scrub with a wire brush and Baking Soda paste (three parts Baking Soda to one part warm water).

Use Natural Deodorant - Beat the heat the natural way. When working up a sweat, dust baking soda under your arms as needed. The Baking Soda absorbs odors instead of just covering them up.

For additional tips and directions for using Baking Soda in unexpected ways this summer, visit www.armandhammer.com.

SOURCE:
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
 

Watering Wisely

Tips to Properly Maintain Your Garden

(Family Features) - As you're prepping for your gardens this spring and gathering your much needed supplies and tools, keep in mind that 40 percent of water used during the spring and summer is actually used outdoors.

In fact, as we enter into the summer months, the increase in water use comes during a time of year when there is actually less water available naturally due to increased temperatures and plant demand. For this reason, it's important to ensure that all gardeners - expert or novice - have an understanding of garden watering best practices.

Whether you're gardening plants that are rooted in the ground, in a garden bed, or scattered throughout your back porch or patio in decorative planters, it's essential to tend to your plants with just the right amount of water without going under or over their needs. Watering just the right amount will help your garden flourish, while conserving as much water as possible.

As you care for your plants this gardening season, here are a few tips to consider from Ames True Temper:

Tip #1: Follow plant instructions. Read and follow the care instructions and needs of each plant you purchase closely.

Tip #2: Weather is a factor. Check the weather in your area on a regular basis and take note when it's going to rain or if the temperature rises dramatically, and remember to water your plants accordingly.

Tip #3: Remain consistent. Incorporate watering into your daily routine so that you're watering the garden on a regular basis.  If you miss a day, don't overwater the next to compensate, as this will simply flood the roots.

Tip #4: Steer clear of midday watering. The best time to water is in the early morning or evening - not the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest.

Tip #5: Water deep. Make sure you're watering enough so that the excess runs down into the roots and does not just sit on the surface. Dig deeper into the soil and feel with your hand to check if the water is reaching the roots.

Tip #6: Water gently. To protect the integrity of more delicate plants, be sure to water with a gentler stream as opposed to a targeted force.

Tip #7:  Make watering easy. It's best to have watering tools that are versatile enough to water your different types of plants and garden beds. For example, the Ames Water Genie, the Bottomless Watering Can, includes a gentle watering option and works for potted and hanging plants alike. Plus, this easy watering solution fully integrates the hose, hose reel and spray nozzle into a simple all-in-one watering can design.

Once you're equipped with the right tools and watering know-how, you'll be able to create and maintain a beautiful garden, lawn or patio from spring through summer, and well into the fall while conserving water.

For more information on the Water Genie or other Ames True Temper outdoor products and accessories, visit www.AmesTrueTemper.com.

SOURCE:
Ames True Temper