HOME IMPROVEMENT
Homes & Design October 2021 ~ Published by Rock Valley Publishing LLC
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HOMES & DESIGN
OCT. 2021
Is your HVAC system ready for cool weather?
As you enjoy mild autumn weather, take time to ensure your home is equipped to handle the chilly months ahead. Following these steps will mean a more comfortable, energy-efficient winter: • Clean your air filters monthly. Dirty filters make HVAC equipment work harder and cause more wear and tear on your system. They also increase your energy bill and reduce indoor air quality. • Compare the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of your heating system with newer models. If it’s below 13, you may want to consider a new, more efficient system. Remember, the higher the rating, the less wasted energy for a reduced carbon footprint. Be sure to choose equipment bearing the ENERGY STAR logo. Highefficiency systems reduce your impact on the environment and can also save you money. You may also be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit if you select a qualifying model. • Use a humidifier during colder months. It not only adds moisture to your home, it can actually make it feel warmer. In turn, you’ll be more apt to lower your thermostat, saving money and consuming less energy. • Check and maintain your insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces drain away heat and can also lead to moisture imbalance. Adding weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors can also go a long way to improving your home’s insulation. • Turn down your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat five degrees cooler can lower your heating bills without affecting your home’s comfort. Install a programmable thermostat to regulate temperatures. • Clean the furnace area. Don’t keep chemicals or cleaning products near your heater, and don’t store anything next to it that could impede ventilation. Keep vents and returns free of obstructions. Don’t lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air. • Have a technician give your HVAC system a preseason tune-up so that everything is running efficiently before temperatures plummet. Even the most efficient
With a few simple considerations in fall, you can reduce your home energy bill and improve your home’s comfort all winter. STATEPONT PHOTO Homes & Design
system can suffer if it’s not properly maintained. Just be sure your HVAC equipment is installed and serviced by a North American Technician Excellence (NATE)certified HVAC technician, as they have demonstrated their knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems by passing a nationally recognized test developed and supported by all segments
of the industry. Working with a NATE-certified technician translates to a longer life for your HVAC equipment, increased energy efficiency and fewer callbacks and warranty returns. To find a NATE-certified contractor in your area and for more HVAC tips and insights, visit https://www.natex.org.
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OCT. 2021
HOMES & DESIGN
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Is it finally time to replace the toilet?
If a toilet is giving you trouble, it’s probably time to replace it. The key is knowing when to replace a toilet and when to repair it instead. There are a few instances where replacing your old toilet with a new one is a good idea, especially if any of the following conditions exist.
Needs repairs often
Energy savings and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. This fall, consider home upgrades that prioritize both. STATEPOINT PHOTO Homes & Design
Reduce your energy bills this fall with these tips The updates you make in fall can prepare your home for the long winter months ahead, helping you stay more comfortable all season while reducing your energy bills and other expenditures. Here are some home improvements to consider, as well as tips and insights for making the most of these upgrades: • Select insulated siding: Did you know that most wall insulation is placed only between the studs? Since wall studs represent up to 25% of the wall surface of an average home, that’s like having one side of your home with no insulation at all! Check out siding that provides continuous insulation, such as CedarMAX insulated vinyl siding from ProVia, which is not only one of the most energy-efficient exterior claddings on the market, but offers enhanced curb appeal and durability. • Improve windows and sliding glass doors: New windows can make a substantial impact on your overall energy efficiency, if you select wisely. To identify the most energy-efficient windows for your home, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate zone
HOMES & DESIGN Home Improvement October 2021 Published by Rock Valley Publishing LLC 1102 Ann St. Delavan, WI 53115 262-728-3411
map, which divides the country into four regions. For each region, the agency provides recommended values for the two major characteristics that affect the energy efficiency of vinyl windows: the U-Factor (which measures the window’s insulating value) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (which represents the amount of heat from the sun that passes through the glass). Learn the specs of any windows you’re interested in before making a purchase to ensure they’re a good fit for your region. Wherever you live, make sure the windows and sliding patio doors have been independently tested to meet strict EPA energy efficiency standards, and check to see that the windows are ENERGY STAR Certified. The ecoLite, Aspect, Endure and Aeris lines from ProVia all offer comfort and energy efficiency, as well as optional upgrades that can help make an additional dent in your energy bill or add aesthetic appeal. Some lines come standard with ComforTech Warm Edge Glazing, a high-tech glass package that measurably improves thermal performance for less heat loss, warmer glass temperatures and
reduced interior condensation. Finally, be sure any new products are delivering their full value with a proper installation that eliminates drafts. • Seek further savings: Did you know that by installing energy efficient products, you may be eligible to receive an energy tax credit? When purchasing products for your home, consider shopping with companies that are clear about the status of their products, as well as provide needed documentation certifying your eligibility. • Pass it on: Environmental stewardship is a valuable lesson to impart to the next generation. While you make energy-saving updates to your home, consider checking out free resources that can help your children understand why this matters. For example, the “Sammy the Star” ENERGY STAR Educational Program, found at provia.com/energy-star, teaches children about the importance of saving energy. Energy savings and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. This fall, consider home upgrades that prioritize both.
Homes & Design Fall Home Improvement
Rebuilding a toilet can include quite a few items in the tank, like its handle, the flapper, and the fill valve. Some of these repairs can be easily done, but it will cost you money and requires time. Weighing these repair costs versus a new toilet is a smart practice, especially if your toilet suffers from any of the other problems listed below. If you’re planning on replacing your toilet anytime soon, then save the money on the repair and replace the toilet instead. This will save you money in the long run, even though it will be a bigger expense up front.
Clogs frequently Is your toilet a nuisance because it requires plunging more than once a week? Many of the older low-flush toilets require more than one flush most of the time. They are also often plagued with random stoppages. It’s not pleasant to have to plunge the toilet on a regular basis. Maybe it’s time to replace your toilet, and you don’t even have to give up the water savings since low flush toilets have come a long way and the new line of water savers work much better.
Porcelain cracks There are times when hairline cracks develop in the tank or bowl of a toilet. These small cracks can turn into a flood of water at the worst possible time. Porcelain cracks can also be the source of an active leak. Inspect your tank and bowl for any cracks occasionally when you clean the toilet. If you spot a crack, it is always a good idea to replace the toilet before it breaks completely. If the crack is located in the toilet bowl, it is not as urgent to replace the toilet but keep an eye out for leaking water when you flush. An unnoticed leak can lead to a ruined floor.
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OCT. 2021
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By fusing nature with art, you can elevate your houseplant collection and create truly beautiful living spaces in your home. STATEPOINT PHOTO Homes & Design
Three ways to fuse art, nature in your home
Thinking of remodeling?
Beyond sprucing up your work and living environs, there’s certainly much to love about houseplants, whether it’s the simple act of taking care of something or the fact that some varietals can even improve the air quality in your home (peace lilies, we’re looking at you). However, if you’re like many people who have done virtually everything from home this past year, your living room has turned into a veritable plant nursery. Rather than add more plants to your living spaces haphazardly, consider these easy tips from LiveTrends, a company that creates and designs over 500 original living art product collections each year: • Befriend color. When it comes to pots for your greenery, succulent and shrubs, you may think neutral is the way to go. Think again. Right now, it’s all about attention-grabbing colors, such as the mustard, navy and wine, which are featured in the Harvest Votive and Agatha styles from LiveTrends’ fall 2021 collection. When you fuse nature with bold hues, you can easily elevate a houseplant into art status. Bonus: You don’t have to shell out serious dough like you would for framed
wall art or a sculpture. • Add joy. The pandemic accelerated the plant parent trend and many found themselves deeply embracing “biophilia,” or the innate desire to connect with nature -- from the great indoors that is. To give you a moment of joy during your day or even perk up your Zoom background, look for whimsical and fun plant designs. • Make holiday swaps. Add vitality to your holiday home decorating game by swapping in festive plants for elements in your regular lineup. During Halloween for example, LiveTrends offers designs like the delightfully ghoulish yogi skeleton mini plants, a collection of skeleton figures seated in Sukhasana pose. During the winter holiday season, their “Snomann” plants make a cute and festive addition to your mantel or tablescape. For more design inspiration and tips or to view the latest collections, visit instagram. com/livetrendsdesign. By fusing nature with art, you can elevate your houseplant collection and create truly beautiful living spaces in your home.
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OCT. 2021
HOMES & DESIGN
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Tips for a budget-friendly DIY home upgrade As a homeowner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by necessary renovations and all the things you’d like to accomplish around your property. If your list of updates is long, but your time and budget are strapped, remember, even small changes can make a big impact. Here are simple, affordable ways — inspired by FrogTape brand painter’s tape’s annual Paintover Challenge Room Makeover Contest — to make your space feel like new.
Use bright and bold colors It’s common to keep interiors neutral with trendy grays and off-whites, occasionally adding in pops of color with accessories or accent walls. If you’re looking to take a unique approach to rejuvenating a room, consider adding bright and bold hues to your walls. Take inspiration from the outdoors, fruity drinks or blue skies to evoke emotions of joy with vivid greens, pinks or blues. Each year, celebrity designer Taniya Nayak teams up with FrogTape brand to share design trends. In 2021, Nayak suggests using the bright and bold colors of the “play hard” design trend, which is all about designating a place for fun and happy activities. Embrace Patterns in Unexpected Places. You may think of patterns for playrooms or children’s bedrooms, but have you ever considered using them to create a focal point in your kitchen, dining room or even your patio? With just a few tools, including paint, brushes and tape, you can add striped or checkered designs to walls, tables and floors. Creating a pattern doesn’t have to mean splurging on a variety of paint colors. You can create subtle variety by alternating high gloss and matte finish paints, or by adding varying amounts of white paint to create multiple shades of the same base color. However you create the pattern, having the right tape will be critical to avoid paint bleed from stripe to stripe. FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape is made with PaintBlock Technology, which forms a barrier that seals the edges of the tape, to ensure sharp paint lines and professionallooking results every time.
Create calming spaces While old homes have unique character, outdated features can make the task of modernizing interiors feel like a major undertaking. For bathrooms, it’s simple and affordable to sand down what you have and refresh it with a coat of paint. Consider giving boring, outdated square tiles a contemporary look with different tones of gray. You can take it a step further by updating the vanity with deep green paint and gold accents. When you’re finished, you’ll have a sanctuary from your daily stresses created efficiently and affordably.
With creativity and the right tools, making impactful interior updates can be simple and affordable. STATEPOINT PHOTO Homes & Design
energy, encourage productivity and make everyday tasks feel less like chores. Dedicate Areas for Happy Moments. Do you have that one spot that you’re not sure what to do with? It could be a nook or the basement. Use these areas as places to live well and embrace the calming, happy moments in life, like relaxing with family, reading a good book or playing a board game. Add comfy, cozy textures of knit throw blankets, worn leather sofas or knobby rugs. Consider comforting, familiar shades like navy, light blues and grays, and cognac. These colors and textures work well on fireplaces, bookshelves or walls. To see more of Taniya Nayak’s 2021 Design Trends for FrogTape brand and check out the 2021 Paintover Challenge projects for inspiration, visit https://www. frogtape.com/paintoverchallenge.
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HOMES & DESIGN
OCT. 2021
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Tile/stone Made from natural earth materials, stone or tile flooring varies in cost, performance, and look. Ceramic, porcelain, glass and natural are the most common types of flooring under this category. There are endless style and material options that have distinct characteristics that make them unique to their kind.
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Laminate & vinyl Easy to install over any preexisting flooring, vinyl or laminate is perfect for those on a budget but still want a variety of options. Made out of synthetic materials, these options are for the do-it-yourselfer. Durable and highly resistant to water and stains, easy to clean and maintain. Comes in sheets, tiles, or planks. Comfortable and slip resistant.
Carpet Comprised of woven fibers such as nylon and polyester, carpet is one of the most common types of flooring for the following reasons: Affordable and cost-effective. Treated materials making it easy to clean and maintain.
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OCT. 2021
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New report shows solar energy rapidly expands, creating economic opportunities The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the Solar Futures Study detailing the significant role solar will play in decarbonizing the nation’s power grid. The study shows that by 2035, solar energy has the potential to power 40 percent of the nation’s electricity, drive deep decarbonization of the grid, and employ as much as 1.5 million people—without raising electricity prices. The study’s findings call for massive and equitable deployment of clean energy sources, underscoring the Biden Administration’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis and rapidly increase access to renewable power throughout the country. “The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in the U.S. by 2035 and employ as many as 1.5 million people in the process,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization polices – exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.” In 2020, the U.S. installed a record amount of solar—15 gigawatts (GWac)— to total 76 GW, representing 3 percent of the current electricity supply. The Solar Futures Study, prepared by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, shows that, by 2035, the United States would need to quadruple its yearly solar capacity additions and provide 1,000 GW of power to a renewable-dominant grid. By 2050, solar energy could provide 1,600 GW on a zero-carbon grid—producing more electricity than consumed in all residential and commercial buildings in the country today. Decarbonizing the entire energy system could result in as much as 3,000 GW of solar by 2050 due to increased electrification in the transportation, buildings, and industrial sectors. The study lays out the blueprint for achieving this milestone, which requires strong decarbonization polices coupled with a massive deployment of renewable energy sources, large-scale electrification, and grid modernization. The study’s key findings include:
Solar energy has the potential to power 40 percent of the nation’s electricity, drive deep decarbonization of the grid, and employ as much as 1.5 million people—without raising electricity prices. SUBMITTED PHOTO Homes & Design
A clean grid requires massive, equitable deployment of diverse, sustainable energy sources — The U.S. must install an average of 30 GW of solar capacity per year between now and 2025 and 60 GW per year from 2025-2030. The study’s modeling further shows the remainder of a carbon-free grid largely supplied by wind (36 percent), nuclear (11-13 percent), hydroelectric (5-6 percent) and biopower/ geothermal (1 percent). A decarbonized power sector will create millions of cross-sector jobs – The study modeling shows that solar will employ 500,000 to 1.5 million people across the country by 2035. And overall, the clean energy transition will generate around 3 million jobs across technologies. New tools that increase grid flexibility,
like storage and advanced inverters, as well as transmission expansion, will help to move solar energy to all pockets of America – Wind and solar combined will provide 75 percent of electricity by 2035 and 90% by 2050, transforming the electricity system. The deployment of storage enables more flexibility and resilience, growing from 30 GW to nearly 400 GW in 2035 and 1,700 GW in 2050. Advanced tools like grid-forming inverters, forecasting, and microgrids will play a role in maintaining the reliability and performance a renewable-dominant grid. A renewable-based grid will create significant health and cost savings – Reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality result in savings
of $1.1 trillion to $1.7 trillion, far outweighing the additional costs incurred from transitioning to clean energy. The projected price of electricity for consumers does not rise by 2035, because the costs are fully offset by savings from technological improvements. Supportive decarbonization policies and advanced technologies are needed to further reduce the cost of solar energy —Without some combination of limits on carbon emissions and mechanisms to incentivize clean energy, the U.S. cannot fully decarbonize the grid—models show that grid emissions fall only 60 percent without policy. Continued technological advances that lower the cost of solar energy are also necessary to enable widespread solar deployment.
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