Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Be wary about shutting off air conditioning in sunspot vacation home
QUESTION -- I have a house in Phoenix, Ariz. During the summer when no one is living there, is it better to leave the air conditioning set at 85 F, or should I turn it off completely? The daytime temperature can reach 110 F, but I'd like to save on electricity.
ANSWER -- Commonly, it's best to leave the air conditioning on in Arizona homes. They are very different from Minnesota homes in materials and systems, and the climate conditions are almost the opposite. But you may be able to turn it off, if you do so carefully.
Take these extra steps to protect yourself and your home:
Many household items are vulnerable to extreme heat and the results can be surprising: Candles may melt into puddles of wax; aerosol cans may burst, spreading contents over a wide area. Go room by room to identify any items that would be damaged by heat and store them in an air-conditioned space while you're gone. Check labels carefully.
Appliances such as refrigerators and freezers would be stressed operating in high temperatures. Empty and clean them before unplugging, and fix doors in an open position.
Household grain-based foodstuffs such as flour may spoil over an extended period and attract insects. Dispose of them or store them elsewhere.
Shut off water and drain the water system in your home, including the water heater. If a small leak were to occur, it would feed the growth of mould.
Water will easily evaporate from traps serving sinks, baths and toilets, permitting the entry of sewer gases as well as insects and other pests. Use an RV antifreeze in plumbing traps to prevent that from happening.
Dryer vents, usually close to ground level, may become entry points for pests. Clean the vent of accumulated lint, then use steel wool to plug the vent. (Place a "WARNING" reminder to remove the blockage before using the dryer.)
Gasoline stored in hot conditions will aggressively evaporate from cans and motor fuel tanks. When gasoline evaporates, it leaves a heavy varnish-like deposit on surfaces. Decant gas from tanks, run the motor until tanks are dry or give the fuel to someone else. Check with local utilities for recommendations on shutting up a home over the summer.
Many developer-built communities of single-family homes in Arizona have services provided by homeowner associations. If your home is in one of these communities, check to see if a "snowbird" service is available.
Don't forget to make a list of all the actions you've taken so that when you return, you can reverse the process.
Source: Phil Smith, Minnesota Office of Energy Security
--McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Renovation & Design
Consider these handy tips for home gym
Getting into shape is on the minds of many individuals these days. For those interested in creating a home gym and making working out as convenient as can be, the following tips provide ideas on how to make the dream of a home gym reality.1. Before creating a home gym, plan your workout space. What are your health goals are and what exercise plan will best help you meet those goals. An ideal exercise plan balances conditioning, strength training and flexibility. Fitness and health magazines can be a great resource, or you may wish to set up a consultation with a personal trainer to discuss your options.
2. What you need is a space at least three by four metres or more to give you enough room for the equipment and a stretch. Good ventilation is the key factor when choosing the room. This may be a case of leaving a window or a door ajar. In warm rooms with no windows, you may need a wall or ceiling fan.
3. Prioritize your purchases. You're better off buying the best of a less expensive piece of equipment (like resistance bands) then buying a lower-end version of a pricey piece of equipment (like a multi-gym).
4. Every gym needs two components, a cardio machine such as a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical trainer that can give your heart and lungs a good aerobic workout. Secondly, a weight-training device to help build muscle and bone density.
5. When testing equipment in a store, stay on the machine for at least 15 minutes to make sure that the equipment does not creak or become difficult to use. For example; use the treadmill in the same way that you'll be using it at home, try a variety of incline settings. When purchasing a weight system, attempt several exercises not just one or two. Avoid impulse buying. Research products before making a purchase and get only what you need.
6. Snip examples and explanation of various exercises out of fitness magazines. Glue articles onto colourful cardboard and pin onto walls. Also hang large mirrors in the room so that you can check your form while exercising.
7. Other important home gym factors include ceiling height, solid floors and whether you live in an upstairs apartment. Ask yourself if jumping around and exercising will affect neighbours. Tip: Purchase soft carpet that will comfort and cushion your body during floor exercises.
8. Many people enjoy watching TV while working out, particularly when doing longer cardiovascular exercises. Ceiling mount kits are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. Tip: If you're a music lover, you may want to save space for a small stereo system.
9. Purchase a few pieces of equipment for your home gym including D-Bells which are available in a variety of weight denominations. Determine your goals before choosing the best set to meet your needs, include weights ranging from 3 to 20 pounds.
10. For basic gym equipment choose a flat bench as opposed to the incline or decline bench. This choice allows the Richard Simmons want-to-be to carry out all exercises in a standard work out program.
11. Therapy balls are available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Choose a ball that allows your torso to be perpendicular to the floor with shoulders and head on the ball and knees bent with feet on the floor.
12. A treadmill is excellent for improving your cardiovascular fitness, the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) says, "Make sure you have the space for a treadmill, including space to walk around it. The treadmill belt should be long enough to fit your stride".
13. The stationary cycle is a good machine for people who are overweight or who have low back pain, because the workout is low impact. To burn extra calories, look for a cycle that exercises legs and arms at the same time.
14. You can install a water cooler for relatively little expense, or reserve an area for a mini fridge stocked with water and/or sports drinks.
15. Honey I shrunk My Waist Thirst Quencher Recipe: In a pitcher combine 1-cup (250 mL) orange juice, one- quarter cup (50 mL) lemon juice, one-quarter cup (50 mL) honey and one-quarter cup (50 mL) crushed ice. Mix well, enjoy!
Solutions, is compiled from various sources; stjohn.org, articlesbase.com, dawsontimes.comchannel4.com, canadianbusiness.com, fitness.suite101.com, ca.askmen.com, handycanadian.com. Thanks to all who contributed! Similar information may be found elsewhere. Solutions sleuth Reena Nerbas is a home economist and speaks professionally on the topic of household challenges; she is also the author of two national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions and Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets. She can be heard on radio and television programs across Canada.
Renovation & Design
Sometimes the cheapest energy savers are best
QUESTION -- Like most people, I'd really like to reduce our monthly energy bills. I just worry about the gimmicks and easy-fixes that I often hear about, and some of the claims of energy savings from companies can't possibly be true. How can I decide what to do and feel confident that they're the right things?ANSWER -- Gee, I'll bet you also read some of those ads for engine additives or minor car modifications that can increase your gas mileage by 500 per cent or so and don't believe them either!
Good for you. The choices available to homeowners to save energy are indeed often difficult to fully understand and they can be very hard to compare with other options. You can save energy by buying a $4 can of spray sealant and fixing the holes and cracks in your walls to stop unwanted airflow, but you can also buy a high-efficiency air conditioner for a few thousand dollars that will also save you money every month. Both can be good choices and terrific investments, but you need to decide which ones are best for you at this particular time.
I think if you asked anyone in the energy field about ways to make the right energy purchases, most would agree that you start by figuring out what you have now. Your local utility company probably offers free or very low-cost audits, and there are many professionals in all parts of the country who can be hired to do a very detailed analysis of your home to identify problem areas and opportunities for big improvements. Many homeowners even conduct basic home energy audits themselves, putting down on paper such information as the age and condition of kitchen appliances, the level of insulation in the attic, how well windows seal and how tightly doors shut, and many other features of the home.
Your budget is obviously the main factor in determining what you do now and what you put off until later. Spending the money now to buy energy-efficient appliances means you'll start saving energy now, helping pay back the purchase price of the products sooner. But because so much of energy efficiency is home comfort as well as dollar savings, you've got to also consider factors of your home that need to be fixed now. If you've got a beautiful family room that can't be used in cold weather because it never warms up in there, a large sunroom that overheats terribly in warm weather, or even carpets or furniture that are fading in color because the sun beats down on them every day, then these problems need to be considered as priorities.
I hear often from readers who tell me that their energy bills are sky-high but their old freezer still works OK or they just don't use the heater that often to justify a new one or they'd like to put in energy-efficient light bulbs but they just can't spend so much money on them. When you think about how much time you spend in your home, then it makes a lot of sense to me to keep that home comfortable, enjoyable, and affordable to operate and maintain.
Some of your problems can be fixed a lot more cheaply than you might realize. Maybe your windows are leaking and let in lots of outdoor air. Storm windows can reduce or eliminate this problem without having to buy new windows. A poorly operating heating system can often be improved simply by changing a dirty filter. Furniture that blocks air vents can be moved to improve the flow of cooled or heated air throughout your home. Cleaning the coils on the back of your refrigerator once or twice a year can help it operate more efficiently.
--McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Renovation & Design
15 unexpected ways to use cornstarch
What is cornstarch? Cornstarch, sometimes called corn flour, is the starch of corn. It is ground from the endosperm, or white heart, of the corn kernel. Cornstarch is great for thickening gravy but that isn't all it's good for!1. Carpet Freshener Recipe: Combine three quarter cups baking soda, 2 tbsp. cornstarch, and one quarter cup perfumed talcum powder. Sprinkle on dry carpet, let stand 5 to 15 minutes, vacuum.
2. Extra shiny windows: Clean windows as normal, then put cornstarch in a pail with water, (enough to soak a cloth) wipe the windows, dry with a clean cloth. It really works, I've tried it myself. Submitted by: Tina from Corner brook, Nfld.
3. Shine your car. When buffing your car, sprinkle 1 tbsp. cornstarch onto a damp rag and buff.
4. Cockroach Poison: Mix equal parts cornstarch and plaster of Paris. Sprinkle the mixture into cracks and crevices. Cockroaches will eat the mixture and won't survive.
5. Prevent or kill mildew in damp books: Sprinkle cornstarch throughout books to absorb the moisture from damp pages, wait several hours and brush clean. If pages are mildewed, brush the cornstarch off outdoors to keep mildew spores out of the house.
6. Cure athlete's foot: Sprinkle cornstarch on feet and in your shoes to absorb moisture, deodorize and reduce friction.
7. Water free dog bath: Sprinkle cornstarch onto fur and rub vigorously. Brush your dog. The cornstarch will absorb dirt and oils from your dog's fur. This works on human hair as well but hopefully no one in your family refuses to get into the tub.
8. Fresh grease spot on fabric. Sprinkle cornstarch onto fabric and leave for a few hours. Wash with heavy-duty detergent and water. Make sure grease spot is gone before transferring fabric to the dryer.
9. Make your own glue. Mix 3 tsp. cornstarch for every 4 tsp. cold water. Stir until a paste consistency is reached. Apply with fingers, a wooden tongue depressor or Popsicle stick.
10. Fantastic face-paint that works as well as the type that clowns use. Mix two parts cornstarch with one part white vegetable shortening to make a non-toxic grease paint. Add a few drops of food colouring to create an assortment of colours.
11. Never fail finger paint. Combine one quarter cup of cornstarch with two cups of water. Boil the cornstarch mixture on the stove until it reaches the consistency of paint. Remove the cornstarch mixture from the stove and pour into separate dishes. Create different colours by adding a few drops of food colouring to each dish, mix well until the desired colour is achieved. Finger paint made with cornstarch is non-toxic and edible.
12. Inexpensive Body Powder Recipe: Put 2 drops perfume into a sealable bag with 2-cups cornstarch. Shake and apply to face or body.
13. Little Bobby just learned how to tie his shoes and the knots are impossible to undo. Stay calm and sprinkle a little cornstarch onto the laces to help work out the knots.
14. When making gravy there are advantages of using cornstarch rather than flour. Corn starch has twice the "thickening power" of flour, (you only need to use half as much). If a recipe calls for quarter cup of flour, you can use just 2 tbsp. cornstarch. Cornstarch thickens with a satiny smoothness and glossy appearance. It adds no taste to mask the flavour of foods. Use 1 tbsp. cornstarch to thicken every 2 cups of liquid to a medium consistency. Cornstarch mixed with a little cold liquid, is stirred into hot food during the final stage of cooking, and must be cooked to 203¬ F (95¬ C) before thickening begins. At that point, it will quickly thicken and the sauce turns from opaque to transparent, (sauces will thin if cooked too long, boiled or vigorously stirred). Tip: If problems occur when using cornstarch, the best remedy is to add more liquid instead of additional cornstarch. In many cases, there may not be enough liquid to begin with, which does not allow the starch granules to enlarge to full capacity.
15. Pour a small amount of cornstarch into a bag of stuck-together marshmallows and shake the bag so that the cornstarch coats the marshmallows. Gently pull apart marshmallows, once coated they will no longer be sticky. Tip: Icing sugar can be used in the same way.
Solutions, is compiled from various sources; missvickie.com, essortment.com, associatedcontent.com, helium.com, .rd.comblessingsforlife.com, /food.aol.combigoven.com, wackyuses.com. Thanks to all who contributed! Similar information may be found elsewhere.
Solutions sleuth Reena Nerbas is a home economist and speaks professionally on the topic of household challenges; she is also the author of two national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions and Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets. She can be heard on radio and television programs across Canada.