Home Improvement News Bureau

Fall Fixings

Prep Your Home for Winter and the Holidays

MONEY PIT NEWS BUREAU - September 15, 2006: Warmer days are waning and cooler days ahead signal the onset of fall.  “Fall home fix-ups are to fall what spring cleaning is to spring,” says home improvement expert and syndicated radio show host of The Money Pit, Tom Kraeutler.  “It’s a perfect time to check your home for potential problems before the long cold months set in…and before preparing for holiday decorating and festivities.”

Kraeutler, along with co-host Leslie Segrete, offered the following fall fix up suggestions to improvement the energy savings and comfort of your home this winter:

• SEAL GAPS - Topping the fall fix-up list are tasks that help make the home more energy efficient and comfortable in colder weather without costing a fortune.  “According to the US Department of Energy, air leaks are the prime reason for home heat loss – as much as 30 – 50% of the energy used in most homes,” explains Segrete,  “so sealing those leaks is very important.”  Most gaps are found in door frames, windows and around pipes and electrical wires.

One of the best ways to eliminate leaky gaps is GREAT STUFF expanding foam insulation by Dow Chemical Co.  This foam sealant provides an air-tight, permanent water-resistant seal that helps keep cold air, dust and pollutants, and even pests out.  GREAT STUFF is available at home improvement centers and hardware stores.  For more information visit www.greatstuff.dow.com .

• FRESHEN AIR - When sealing up your home remember that you’re also trapping any dust and pet allergens that are already there and they won’t be going out.  “Whenever your home is closed up for a period of time using either central heat or air conditioning, it’s extremely important to pay attention to air quality,” advises Kraeutler.

The Aprilaire Model 5000 is a whole house air cleaner that permanently traps all types of particles, bacteria and viruses in a special filtering system.  With a larger surface area the unit only needs service once a year, a simple change of the media that homeowners can do themselves.  It is the only air cleaner that has such a high efficiency rate on particles smaller than 1 micron.  For more information on the Aprilaire 5000 or other Aprilaire products visit www.aprilaire.com .

• UPGRADE WINDOWS - Windows and window treatments are another important energy saving product that can help keep your energy bills down, suggests Segrete.  One good choice is Andersen Woodwright™ double-hung windows that offer traditional styling with the latest technology. Andersen’s special Low-E4 glass is energy-efficient and low-maintenance.  It reduces water spots, making the exterior of the windows easier to clean and is 41 percent more energy efficient in summer and 35 percent more energy efficient in winter than standard dual-pane glass.  For more information visit www.andersenwindows.com .

Window treatments are a great and often overlooked means to help “winterize” your home.  Levolor®  Window Fashions has a new line of shades that offers light and privacy control, energy efficiency, and safe and easy operation in fashionable designs.  New textures and patterns, day/night shades and top down/bottom up options make the new line a good choice for many different locations and needs.  Buyers can also request fabric swatches to check colors.  Levolor Window Fashions are available through major home center stores, department stores and independent retailers.  For more information visit www.levolor.com .

• PERFECT PAINT - Segrete also suggests taking stock of your décor, too.  “It’s a great idea to finish up your fall fix-it list with a fresh coat of paint in areas that might be showing wear.”  Behr offers a new line of interior paint and bath enamel featuring nanoguard technology.  The Behr paint will help resist moisture, dirt and stains and stay looking clean and crisp longer.  It resists stains and after curing it is easily wiped clean.  For more information and availability visit www.behr.com .

“Tackling home improvement projects now can deliver a tremendous pay-off when winter arrives,” says Kraeutler.  “It’ll save on your home heating bill as well as improve the comfort of your home well before it’s time to prepare for the holidays.”

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