Home Improvement for Women

Even though gas prices are declining right now home heating costs can still hurt, especially if you took a gamble over the summer and locked in your gas or oil rate then, anticipating that prices would still keep going up through the winter. The penalties for breaking such a contract can be more than $1000, depending on your agreement. Aside from that, we still want to conserve energy any way we can, even in the winter. The good news is you don’t have to freeze in your own home – there are lots of ways to cut your heating bill and still stay toasty warm!

1. Clean the Furnace: The cleaner your furnace, the more efficiently it runs. Call your service professional to check it, make sure it’s in working order, and no grime or dust is preventing its full operation.  

2. Change the Air Filter: For a few dollars, and certainly no more than $20, a new air filter will allow proper airflow from your furnace. A dirty, old filter, on the other hand, can force your system to work harder and less efficiently.  

3. Turn on the Ceiling Fan: That’s right! Get those fans going – or install one I you do not already have one. I know this sounds weird, but as long as you turn the fan in to run in reverse (most fans have the ability to switch direction with a toggle or switch), it will push hot air down, helping to spread warm air throughout your room. Home stores still have loads of ceiling fans in stock – Home Depot’s Hampton Bay 68 inch Altura Fan is modern yes classic – for $199 it’s a powerhouse fan that’s also sleek and, dare I say, sexy. 

4. Go Fully Loaded: When you do laundry or dishes, makes sure these appliances are filled to capacity. And, try doing laundry in cold water, and use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher. If you are investing in new appliances, look for the energy start label. LG front-loading washers in fashion colors – like ruby and navy – make chores more colorful if not fun. They’re available at P.C. Richards. 

5. Replace Standard Bulbs with Fluorescents: Compact fluorescent light bulbs with standard bases use less than half of the energy of incandescent light bulbs, and they last a lot longer too. The light they give off it bright and similar to natural sunlight, which can life your spirits in the dreary winter. According to the government, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an energy star qualified bulb, and we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs. But bulbs in money saving multiples at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and True Value stores. 

6. Open Up: Even urban dwellers can take advantage of the natural light of daytime. Rather than use light bulbs during the day, pull up your blinds and open your drapes to let the sun shine in.  

7. Then Close ‘em Up: In the evening, draw your curtains to hold the heat from the daytime in. Consider installing double or even triple lined drapes for extra warmth. This is an old-fashioned Victorian era solution that has a lot of practicality today. Velvet or wool drapes were line with satin and wool felt – not only do they give you great “black out” capability, which is great for sleeping in, they do really keep your room warmer. 

8. Get a Coat for Your Water Heater: If your water heater is more than ten years old, invest in specially made insulation wrap for it – available at hardware stores and home centers. This coat for your heater helps the heater retain heat and that can reduce your energy bill by about $20 per year. When you are ready to replace the water heater, look for an energy efficient model, or a tankless water heater – which are popular in Europe.  

9. Install a Programmable Thermostat: You’ve heard me say this before – but if you have not done it yet, do it this weekend! You can program the thermostat to reduce the temperature in your home when you’re at work, or at night, when you are sleeping – turning it down just a few degrees to 68 can save you three figures on your heating bill every year.  

10. Seal Leaks: Cracks and crevises can let cold air come in and hot air escape – so seal up any drafty spots in your home with caulk and weather stripping. Doing so can cut your bills by between 30 and 40 percent, depending on the extent of your drafty house. Storm windows, plastic sheeting over drafty windows, and weather stripping around doors can really cut the amount of warm air that literally goes right out the window. It shouldn’t take you more than an hour or so to seal your house up tight.

If I can do it, so can you!

Perhaps you feel as I do – the uncertain economy has you thinking that this may not be the best time to undertake a major kitchen remodel. Nor does treating your friends to a fancy dinner out sound like the kind of holiday entertaining that’s in your budget. The good news is there are so many easy, inexpensive ways (and helpful products) to give professional polish to your kitchen that you’ll be making up reasons to throw dinner and cocktail parties in your own pad. And, these five affordable enhancements add intrinsic and practical value to your kitchen – a wise investment indeed.

 1. Bunn BTX Thermal Coffee Brewer, BlackCoffee is the quintessential drink for entertaining – a good cup is reason enough to take a break and spend some time relaxing with friends. Why not make coffee like the pros in your kitchen instead of paying a premium at the local café? BUNN home machines are designed to do exactly what their commercial brewers do: produce consistently great tasting coffee very easily. The Bunn BTX makes 10 cups and keeps them warm for hours. An accurate brewing system thermostat means your cuppa will be piping hot. Available online at www.chefstools.com, S149.95.

2. Wine Enthusiast Cocktail Shaker and Fred brand Frozen Smiles Ice Cube Yray This stainless steel cocktail shaker features double wall construction and 18/8 stainless steel construction to insulate the liquid inside and prevent condensation. A built in strainer keeps ice and flavor enhancements like herbs and lemon peel at bay when pouring. Adnd the 23 ounce capacaity? Well, that means your friends can have seconds. Just make sure they take a taxi home. For serving drinks on the rocks, check out Fred brand frozen smile ice cube trays. That’s for when your mother-in-law pops over for a visit! Shaker available at Linens n Things and online at www.lnt.com $24.99;

ice cube trays available in gift shops and on www.amazon.com $6.00.

 3. GE Countertop Convection Microwave Oven

This 1.2 cubic foot capacity 1000-watt combination convection microwave oven combines microwave power with traditional radiant heat (top and bottom) to bake and roast with accuracy and speed. It gives food like chicken and cupcakes the taste and appearance of having been cooked in a conventional oven too. But microwave technology is efficient and saves energy. Great for those of you who truly want to whip up a meal in minutes while your friends are enjoying a few cocktails. The child lock feature enables you to lock the keypad to prevent the oven from being accidentally started. Available at the Home Depot, model # JES1290SK, $259.00.

4. Stainless Steel Top Work Island

Having an island built in to your kitchen can cost thousands of dollars. Add a readymade rolling cart with a built in look to give your kitchen great functionality and value (or, take it with you when you move on). Great for both prep and extra serving space, this stainless steel top work island from Home Decorators is perfect for party planning. There are plenty of drawers and shelves for storage, built in paper towel holder, and wine storage for 12 bottles. Casters mean you can roll it wherever you need it, including out of the way. Cherry finish, 34.25″H x 54.75″W x 21″D. Available at homedecorators.com, along with other great deals on other kitchen islands. This one is $469.00, plus $40.00 shipping.

5. Green and More Touchless Recycling Bin

Once the party is over, you have to clean up. With Green and More’s hands free recycling bin you can do it cleanly and neatly. This bin has two 8-gallon separated compartments, which can both be used for recyclables or as a recycling/ trash combo bin. The bins use sensor technology to open and close the container lids so you don’t even have to touch them. Available at www.greenandmore.com, $129.99.

If I can do it so can you!