Spring 2008 © Hudson, Ink Corp. Inside This Issue: • Let There Be Light • What Goes Up... • Tips for Handling Stress Smart and simple ways to enrich your home living HOMEXPERT Innovations MyWord Any Truth To The “Air Scare?” ou turn on TV and they’re Y yelling at you about it. The newspaper warns you about it. And here I am, yet another voice of dire predictions about the next breath you take. However, we read about IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) from the technical side. Our industry holds seminars, measuring dozens of data categories about IAQ, and what – if anything – needs to be done about it. And unlike the 30-minute infomercial on the topic, I don’t have a storeroom of machines to “sell you, or else”. But I do have this… The problem is real. With IAQ problems, you and your family are breathing them while in the home, just like a lit cigarette (but not as smoky!). The dangers can include a continual parade of allergens, carcinogens, pet dander, roach droppings, and worse… if you can imagine. (We’ve seen things HomeSense is published for friends of from new construction sites that aren’t fit for print!) Many times, you don’t know you have the problems other than higher than normal ‘sick days’, being overly allergy prone, or general tiredness and other symptoms that seem, well, “normal”. You can find out exactly what is in your home and how to control its effects on your family. How? Get an IAQ Analysis – We can check your home’s return air. Technology has now given us smaller devices to actually “measure” IAQ if there’s a problem. Just give us a call and let us know. Whether the solution to your indoor air quality woes is better ventilation or total home air filtration, you have options. Let us know how we can help keep your home the haven your family deserves. Your Quik Call Comfort Hotline: (631)567-4600 1-877-VARSITY Foul & Fair Weather Friend By Robert J. Bellini, President Dear Friends, Well, here we are again. The temperatures are a little warmer, and signs of spring are starting to find their way into the neighborhoods. If you’re like me, you enjoy the start of a new season. The change of scenery does us all good. We have a chance to catch our breath as winter gray fades into a cool breeze across a budding landscape. But not for long… because then it’s back to work for you! Yes, we’re more than just the “foul weather” friend you call on in the heat and cold. We’re here for fair weather too! We want to make sure we get our top customers ready for the days ahead, and the milder months are a good time for tending to matters that most people put on the back burner during the year. So, while your furnace is starting to get some rest, and your air conditioner hasn’t yet been put to the test, let us give your system a preseason check. Just think of it as a little “spring cleaning.” Also, if you’re overdue for a new system, this is a great time for a continued on page 4 HomeWise Let There Be Light W hen Thomas Edison invented the incandescent bulb over 125 years ago, he probably didn’t foresee a frenzy to outlaw his invention – especially in the 21st century. But it appears that the bulbs are facing a forced retirement as Congress rallies to ban them in the face of rising energy costs. So what’s the big deal? Well, about 90% of the energy these bulbs create is wasted as heat. And when energy is wasted, your energy dollars are being wasted. That’s why Congress is proposing a ban on incandescent bulbs by 2012. New light sources will be required to maintain at least a 70% efficiency standard, and so far the frontrunner for a replacement is none other than the readily-available compact fluorescent bulb. By changing just one incandescent bulb to fluorescent, homeowners can save up to $50 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. The estimated savings for the United States is $40 billion from 2012 to 2030. Plus, the switch can also cut carbon emissions by 51 million tons annually – a significant step in slowing global warming. Australia, Ireland, Canada, and the European Union are in the process of instituting similar energy standards, making the possible implications of higher efficiency even greater. See? Even the small things that we do add up to huge impacts for our planet. So do your part and let us help. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to review your options for energy efficient lighting, plus share even more ways to help you save energy. HomeFront What Goes Up Must Come Down I t’s a law of physics – and economics – that not even the strongest markets can defy. We saw it when the “dot com” bubble burst in the face of too much growth, too quickly. Now it’s the mortgage bubble that’s burst and it’s affecting the entire nation. One of the sectors hardest hit by the subprime mortgage crisis is the new construction and commercial sectors of the building industry. Banks are increasingly leery of extending mortgage loans which means new home and development construction is grinding to a halt. But the contractors operating those businesses still have to work, just like the rest of us. So what does this have to do with you specifically? Well, many of those contractors are quietly slipping into the residential service business. While that in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, it does pose serious issues for you as a homeowner. That’s why there are certain guidelines you should always use before allowing anyone to service your plumbing, heating or cooling system: We care. We print on recycled paper. Credentials – Be sure to check references and inquire about timeliness, job performance, and overall satisfaction of results. The best question you can usually ask is, “Would you hire them again?” Technical Skill – You’ll learn more about a company by asking specific questions about training policies and experience requirements for hiring than by almost anything else they say. Guarantees – Most companies “say” they guarantee their work but sadly, the words often get conveniently forgotten if a problem arises. And that’s the only time you’ll know… or care. Without a guarantee on parts and labor, you may have another system breakdown and be expected to pay the same price to have it fixed again. Remember, you are calling a contractor because you either have a problem, or you want to prevent one. It’s our job to solve those problems – not add to them. So give us a call and we’ll be happy to save you time, money, and quite possibly a few gray hairs. SeasonalShift How Necessary Is Spring Cleaning, Anyway? pring cleaning has become a S ritual of transforming the home to match the changing outdoors. The urge to bring that same sense of refreshing inside grows stronger. And while cleaning may not be high on your hobby list, this small investment in home maintenance can help maintain your property value as well as keep things running smoothly year round. ing and waxing bare floors not only extends the life of your flooring, it impacts your health. Thorough cleaning can remove many allergens and pollutants that can affect An organized approach can make the process both more productive and enjoyable. So here’s your quick list of Spring cleaning “musts”: Sort Through “Stuff” There are always those things you can’t bear to part with: clothes, books, old bicycles. The two year rule is a good measure for whether you need to keep it or toss it. That means if you haven’t used it in the past two years, it’s just taking up space. Take a deep breath, then let it go. Literally. You’ll be making better use of your space as well as clearing the clutter. Give your home comfort system a little affection That means replacing filters in furnaces or air conditioners, and vacuuming and cleaning grates, coils and condensers. A Spring tune-up can also help prevent future breakdowns and repairs. Clean rugs, carpets, and floors Shampooing wall-to-wall carpet- your home’s indoor air quality. Check Your Safety Devices Replace your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and emergency flashlight batteries. This should be done every six months since batteries lose energy even when they are not in use. Test fire extinguishers to be sure they are functioning properly too. Clean Windows, Shades, and Curtains Remove and wash window treatments. Clean blinds to remove dust. White vinegar or ammonia solutions should be used to wash windows. If you also replace storm windows with screens, be sure to make any needed repairs before storing. Spring gives us the chance to start fresh and take control of our lives, homes, and the year ahead. Make the most of the opportunity. It is, after all, an investment in yourself. GoingGreen • Since almost 50% of the energy used in homes is for heating and cooling, by moving your thermostat down 2o in winter and up 2o in summer, you could save almost 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. • Planting a tree can absorb a ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over the life of the tree, as well as reducing energy costs with its shade. • Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by more than 3%, keeping 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere for every gallon of gas saved. • It takes 10 times more energy to produce frozen food than it does fresh food. • Display clocks and memory chips account for 5% of domestic energy consumption and release 18 million tons of carbon emissions annually. We care. We print on recycled paper. Robert J. Bellini Robert J. Bellini, President P.S. Check out the special offers on this page for some super discounts. We hope you’ll be able to use them, but if you aren’t, please feel free to pass them on to your friends. We’d love to help them out too! Could it be? A cooling system that can actually pay you back for all the extra dollars you’ve spent on repairs and energy overpayment! No repair bills for 5 years. Energy efficient savings every month, plus this… With your new home comfort system from us, w e ’ l l w r i t e y o u a c h e c k f o r $ 1 0 0 0 f o r y o u r o l d o n e ! No matter the age or brand – or if it even runs! Cash in and cool down. Give us a call today. Varsity Home Service ©2008 at 1 - 8 7 7 - V A R S I T Y GOOD FOR NOTHING That’s what many things you get in the mail are worth, but not this… Just present this ad with your next repair bill, and we’ll give you $50 dollars off. Why? Because when you have a repair on your heating and air conditioning system, you’re already not having a good day. We understand and would like to make things a little easier on your wallet. Of course, the best benefit is that our repair professionals can get your system up and running as soon as possible. And that’s good for a lot. Varsity Home Service 1-877-VARSITY $50 (We recommend cutting this out and putting it on your refrigerator. Just a thought!) ©2008 HOMEXPERT Sincerely, But you count on your system to take care of it. And since dirt is the #1 cause of comfort system failures, a little cleaning goes a long way toward keeping you cozy. That’s why Varsity Home Service recommends a Tune-Up before each season of high use. Your system will run more smoothly, use less energy, and keep you comfortable year round. So call Varsity Home Service at 1-877-VARSITY today to schedule your Tune-Up. You’ll save your system and your wallet. ©2008 Varsity Home Service 1610 Ocean Avenue Bohemia, NY 11716 (631) 567-4600 or 1-877 VARSITY great deal. Give us a call. We’ll evaluate your home’s needs and give you our best recommendations on the best equipment around. We can HomePoints also help with a thorYou can reduce ough inspecyour utility bills by up tion of your to $145 a year by using a low-flow plumbing showerhead. system. The warmer months see lots more water use – whether it’s nurturing your lawn, maintaining the pool or keeping the kids clean! Looking forward to visiting you soon. How to Turn Your Cooling System into an Automatic Cash Machine If your mailing address is not correct, please call us! MyWord Home Comfort Is A Dirty Job…