Here are some simple, inexpensive tips to make your home more eco-friendly. Creating a green home and lifestyle starts with making eco home improvements. Many are affordable, basic, and definitely good for the environment. 

1)  Barbeques- Propane barbeques are best for the environment. If you prefer to use charcoal, there are some brands that burn greener than others. Look for green burning charcoal when you shop.  

2)  Composting- Traditional outdoor composting is great if you have the room. If you’re tight on space, try Bokashi Composting. This simple indoor composting method is cleaner and best of all odorless. Either way you won’t waste a thing and your garden will appreciate it.

3)  Use Green Power- Check to see if your state has green power alternatives available. Call your state or local government office or check it out on the web.

4)  Shopping Bags- Instead of choosing paper or plastic, bring your own bag instead. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. You can buy them online or even at some local stores. Most are made of recycled materials and save trees as well as prevent plastic from ending up in landfills.

5)  The Local Paper- If you take the paper at your home, be sure to recycle it. Another green option is to cancel the paper all together. Read it online instead for free!

6)  Change Your Light Bulbs- Whether you change them one at a time or all at once, CFL light bulbs are the way to go. They last 1000 times longer than regular bulbs and use much less energy which saves you money.  

7)  Candles- Many people don’t realize that some candles can actually pollute the air in your home. Clean burning candles, such as soy candles, are a little pricier, but can make a difference when it comes to indoor air quality. You can tell t he difference because these candles will burn from edge to edge right down to the bottom with no black soot. They burn longer, so in the end they are more economical.  

8)  Save Water- Replace old faucets and showerheads with newer low flow versions. Today these products are much improved to not only save water but to give you the water pressure you are looking for.  

9)  Fighting Household Pests- Fight pests like ants and roaches by spraying them with soapy water. It kills them effectively without using the regular toxic, smelly bug spray. It’s also much better for the environment and not poisonous to your kids or pets.

10) Green Cleaners- Replace your old toxic cleaners with ones that are better for the environment. You can find them in most local stores. Non toxic cleaners are also safer to have around small children.

11) Look For Energy Star Appliances- These appliances are much more energy efficient and some even come with a tax break. When you’re looking for new appliances, look for Energy Star brands for the best savings for you and the environment.

12)  Green Yards and Gardens- Remember to use organic plant foods and eco-friendly lawn fertilizers. Turn to Mother Nature for pest control. Remember birds and good bugs eat the bad ones in your flower beds and gardens. Get you whole family involved when it comes to planting your garden. Let everyone participate in what you plant and the taking care and maintenance of the garden. In the end, reap and enjoy your organic fruits and veggies together. A sweet reward for everyone’s hard work!

13)  Change Your Thermostat- Install a programmable thermostat in your home to prevent wasting energy. Set it to only be on when you are at home and to turn itself off when you are away.

14)  Recycle, Recycle, Recycle- Check with your local garbage service to see what programs they have available, or simply do it yourself. Turning in recyclables at your local recycling center can turn into extra cash for you or your kids.

15)  Water Heaters- Make sure that your water heater is set at 120 degrees or below. Studies have shown that for every 10 degrees lower that you set your water heater, the savings on your energy bill will be between three and five percent.

It really does make a difference to the environment when each of us make small changes. Some projects are bigger than others, so if you need help with these or any other home improvement jobs, Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. is ready to help.

The options are endless when it comes to outdoor building projects. You may be interested in adding a front or back porch or maybe a sun porch to enjoy with family and friends. Maybe you have a pool and you are interested in building a pool deck. A backyard deck is always nice when enjoying those backyard family barbeques, a drink at the end of a long day while enjoying the last remnants of sun or soaking up the moonlight, or simply relaxing in the summer sunshine. Perhaps you may want to add a roof deck onto your home or an outside deck onto your master bedroom.

If you have small children a play structure is a great form of exercise and fun. Again varieties and styles are endless. Jungle gyms, tree house s, forts and fortresses are all wonderful options. Add whatever accessories and play items you like. Go wild and don’t forget to get your kids in on the planning as well.

One word of caution after you decide which outdoor project is for you. The building material you choose can make a big difference for you and your family. Pressure treated lumber contains a form of cyanide that acts as an insecticide against pests. Children playing on such surfaces have been shown to develop rashes and skin infections. Cedar wood resists pests naturally and is a much better choice. Though it is more expensive, it is a healthier choice for your family and is strong and sturdy, holding up well over the long haul.

All of these projects will add value and function to your home as well as hours of enjoyment for you and your family. Whatever your home improvement needs may be Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. is there to help.

How to Control Something When the Economy is Totally Out of Control!!

Green Ideas For Home Improvement

Now more than ever, many of us are concerned with making choices that are not only good for us, but for the environment as well.  Eco-friendly home improvement options are readily available these days.  These products provide good quality and savings by lowering your water and energy bills.  The savings to you over the lifetime of these products allows them to pay for themselves.

Save water in the bathroom by replacing your old toilet with either a low flow or dual flush model.  Also replace your regular shower head and faucet with affordable low flow versions.

Painting either the inside or outside of your home can make a big difference in the appearance of your home.  When you go to select your paints, look for ones that are either recycled or non-VOC brands.  Non-VOC means non volatile organic chemicals.  There are also brands which contain low or reduced levels of VOC.  Just ask for eco-friendly paints at your local home improvement or paint store.

When replacing the flooring in your home there are many eco friendly options.  One to look into is cork flooring.  It holds up well, is comfortable to walk on and comes in many colors and designs.  The adhesive used is also non toxic so it won't harm the environment.

Another option for flooring is to simply refurbish the floors you have.  You may have older hard wood floors that are either visible or covered up with carpet or other flooring.  Once refinished, these floors can shine like brand new.

If you're looking at carpet, consider carpet tiles instead.  The problem with more traditional carpet is that it has a tendency to harbor nasty things such as dust mites, mildew, and pet dander.  Unfortunately these are hard to get out even with steam cleaning.  Carpet tiles are usually made from recycled materials, easy to install and easy to keep clean.  They also come in outdoor carpet styles if you would like to spruce up outdoors as well.

If you do decide to go with carpeting, try to skip the carpet padding.  The extra material, chemicals and labor involved is often unnecessary.  The padding also makes it much harder to keep your carpet clean without having to use harsh chemicals.

When you are shopping for bedding, remember to look for organic brands.  Other companies often add formaldehyde as a softneing agent.  This toxic chemical is not only bad for your, but also bad for the environment.  Mattresses can also be eco-friendly.  Many companies now carry them.  They are generally made from a material called natural latex rubber which is not harmful to the environment.

Solar options are great to consider as well.  They will reduce your energy usage as well as your energy bill.  If you're replacing your water heater, try a solar powered model.  Also consider solar panels.  They may be expensive to buy, but many companies now rent them as well.  This makes them very affordable and accessible to almost anyone.

ENERGY EFFICIENT WATER HEATERS

There has been a lot of talk recently about how we all need to do our part to make our world a greener place to live in. A great way to start pitching in is by simply making a few changes right in your own home. Changing out your old hot water heater for a newer more efficient version is both simple, eco-friendly, and goes a long way towards helping our environment. 

Older electric water heaters consume larger amounts of energy than either their natural gas or oil fired counterparts. More energy usage creates a higher demand on our local power plants. Studies show that a typical family of four using a traditional electric water heater over the course of one year, uses enough energy to cause a typical power plant to emit about eight tons of carbon dioxide into our air. This is almost double the carbon dioxide fumes emitted by a typical family automobile. A family of four using a natural gas or oil fired water heater over the same period of time will only contribute around two tons of carbon dioxide into the air. By switching from your old electric water heater you can save energy, utility costs, and the air we breathe.

Solar water heaters are also a good choice. Several homes have sufficient access to sunlight to have a solar water heater installed with no problems. They can also work in all climates.

Solar water heaters also offer some financial benefits. Although the initial cost is more, between $1500.00 and $3500.00 for a solar water heater versus $150.00 and $450.00 for an electric or gas water heater, you will immediately see the savings in your electric or natural gas bills. The amount you will save in energy bills will pay for the new solar water heater on average in four to eight years.

Solar water heaters last just as long as more conventional water heaters, on average 15-40 years. After the initial time it takes for your solar system to pay for itself, paying zero in energy costs virtually means free hot water for you and your family. More savings can be found by checking with your tax consultant. Starting in 2005 the government began offering homeowners up to 30% tax credit off the cost of installing their new solar powered water heater. Restrictions do apply, so be sure to check with you tax professional for details.

If you decide that installing a solar water heater is right for you and your family, be sure to hire a qualified professional to help you with this project. Certified installers will be familiar with any zoning and building codes in your area as well as if you will need a building permit for installation.

I was awoken last night by the sound of drip……drip……drip…. While my mind became fully alert my body did not. After a long sugar high weekend induced by costumes, trick or treating and of course candy my body gave out. While my brain recognized the need to get up and find the source of that awful dripping my body just did not want to cooperate. So instead I lay in bed and anticipated the next drip.

When I finally was able to function sometime in the a.m. hours I discovered the source of the problem that had kept me up most of the night. Now we all have things around the house that we are good at and that we totally despise. Anything to do with plumbing goes on the despise list for me. I think it was because I once had a leaky kitchen sink that it seemed as if no plumber could fix. Finally after a lot of money and time wasted I found a plumber who identified the source of the problem and was able to fix it. Since we were in the process of selling our house at the time this happened it felt like there was a lot at stake. I did not want to waste any more money on a home I was no longer going to be living in and I really did not have the extra time to hang around the plumber when there were a million things that needed to be done.

I am now in a really fortunate position to be surrounded by trustworthy contractors. So this morning instead of going through the Yellow Pages trying to decide which plumber to call, or phoning up my friends asking them if they knew anyone I simply called a plumber on my referral list. It was quick, it was easy and best of all my drip… drip… drip is once again quiet.

Tips For Living Greener At Home

If you are concerned about the environment and interested in creating a more eco-friendly  home, here are some tips to point you in that direction. These tips are not only good for the environment, but can also save you money.

1)  Use Power Strips- Plug your stereo, television, computer and other home appliances in each room of your home into one power strip. Do the same with your kitchen appliances. When it comes time to go to sleep, simply flip the switch on the power strip to off. You can also do this if you are going to be out of the house for several hours. If certain appliances must stay plugged in for whatever reason, don’t forget to turn off the rest. Also unplug items such as cell phone chargers when not in use. Studies have shown that appliances left plugged in while not in use account for approximately 10% of your energy usage.

2)  Use Ceiling Fans To Help Keep Air Circulating- In the summer time try setting your air conditioning somewhere in the upper 70’s and use your ceiling fan to help circulate the air in the room. The circulating air will help keep you cool. Blades should rotate in a counter clockwise direction in the summer and in the reverse direction in the winter. Ceiling fans can be a great addition to any home. They can help save you money on your cooling and heating bills and look great as well. One thing to remember is the ceiling fans only circulate the air, not actually cool or heat a room, so don’t forget to turn them off when you’re out of the room.

3)  Cutting Back Energy Costs in the Kitchen- A couple of days a week try not to use all your major appliances. Cook your dinner in the microwave, toaster oven, or even eat meals you don’t have to cook. A salad is refreshing on a hot summer day topped with last nights left over chicken or steak. Salad, fresh fruit, and frozen yogurt or ice cream for dessert make a great light summer meal.

4)  More Kitchen Savings- Use cloth napkins and towels versus paper napkins and paper towels. They can be washed and reused over and over again. This will save you money at the grocery store and save trees as well. Wash your dishes by hand and as an added bonus the leftover soapy water can be used to water your plants. Soapy water kills common household plant pests and waters your plants at the same time.

5)  Save Water in the Bathroom- Simply turning of the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving can save a significant amount of water. The average faucet has been shown to put out around three gallons of water per minute. The amount of savings can really add up both for your pocketbook and for the environment.

6)  Save Gas Whenever Possible- Try combining errands when you go out, carpool to work or when driving the kids to school, and try to map out the shortest route to get to your destination. The air and your gas bill will thank you.

7)  Don’t Forget the Bag and the Bottle- Invest in a cloth bag or two as well as a reusable water bottle. You can use your cloth bag not only at the grocery store, but anywhere you shop. Carry them in the car so that you always have them with you. A home water filtration system and some reusable water bottles ensure that you’ll never need to buy and lug heavy water bottles again. Keep some of your pre-filled bottles in the refrigerator to grab and go when you’re on the run.

Rooms To Escape To

Whether you call them man caves, woman caves, no kids allowed rooms, or family relaxation areas, everyone needs a place to escape to once in a while. We’ve all had those moments when we need a moment alone or to escape somewhere for a while. A place to gather with our girlfriends to “dish” or a place where the guys can congregate and be themselves. Or maybe you’re dreaming of a room that the whole family can gather to relax in or a place to entertain friends and family. Any and all combinations of these rooms are possible with a little imagination.

Creating this space can be as simple as utilizing a basement, spare room, or garage area that is not currently being used to it’s best potential. If you have the room, it is also possible to add on an extra room, conservatory, or even build a separate detached room somewhere on your property like a hacienda or mother-in-law suite. Consult with a local contractor or architect to see what your best options are.

Once you’ve decided where to put such a room, the next step is to decide what to put in it. If you had a room to escape to, what would it be? The options are limitless. Here are a few suggestions to get your mind warmed up and thinking.

Perhaps a comb ination gym and lounge area is what you had in mind. Put in your weights and desired gym equipment, a comfy couch and maybe a plasma television and stereo system, and you’ve got a great room.

If this is not what you had in mind, what about a game room with a pool table and a built in bar. Some high top tables, barstools, hanging television, stereo, and perhaps a pinball machine or slot machine for everyone to enjoy. This room would be enjoyable for family, friends, and even just some alone time. Another option for a game room could include putting in a card table for poker nights. 

Maybe you have a hobby that’s become overgrown and you need a bigger space for it. You could create a hobby room for whatever your hobby may be. Whether it’s for a slot car track, a train set, scrap booking, or a place to store your collections, it could offer a respite to escape to and become totally engrossed in whatever you enjoy most.

If you enjoy the arts, maybe an art studio or combination dark room and photo studio would be more to your liking. You could add whatever art supplies, furnishings and equipment that you may need and spend your moments of quiet time relaxing enjoying something you love to do.

If you need a spare room as well as an escape, this is possible as well. You could make this space like a small apartment. Add a bathroom, a sleeper sofa, some comfy chairs and cozy furnishings. This may be a room where you can not only house guests but also escape to for some quiet television watching, reading, music, or just to gather with friends. It might also be a quite comfortable “dog house” for that occasional spat with your spouse.

Whatever you decide to do with your space is up to you. Feel free to let your imagination soar. It doesn’t have to be an expensive project if you utilize the space and things that you already have. Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself. You deserve it!

New & Improved Housing Rehabilitation Program

House owners may now recieve up to $30,000 for home improvement items and mobile home owners may recieve up to $15,000.  Residents may qualify for the zero percent (0%) deferred loan or the three percent (3%) loan for home repairs depending on income and other qualifications. 

Eligible repairs include roofing, windows, exterior and interior painting, plumbing, electrical, energy/weatherization items, garage doors, and other common home repairs.  Income limits and other qualifications apply.

If you have questions regarding Housing Rehabilitation Loans, or would like to request an application, please call Theresa Dobbs at 949-461-3473 or Elaine Nagano 949-461-3471. 

An Old Leaking Roof Needs a Roofing Contractor

Is your roof still in a good condition? Well, if your roof is starting to leak and is 15 years old or older, maybe you need to contact an expert roofing contractor in your place. Don’t wait for even more roof damages to occur.

How will you know if you need a new roof? It is simple. You only have to consider the age of your roof. If your roof is less than 15 years old and only needs for regular roof maintenance, then you don’t need a new home roofing installation. Small replacements, repairs, and regular maintenance are enough for it to last to experience more season change. But if your roof is a lot older (15 years of age or more) and fragile unlike before when it was first installed, you will be forced to hire a roofing contractor to ensure your house’s excellent condition.

Before hiring a professional roofer, make sure to keep in mind these helpful tips. It is not a good idea to just hire somebody right away. First, hire not just a roofer but a professional roofer – a licensed roofing contractor. You have to verify that he is licensed and you also have to check the status of his license. From this, you can be sure that a professional will be handling important tasks for you. You can ask help from a roofers association in your area. They can show you a list of licensed roofers who may help you. Or, you may have relatives and friends who may know a few excellent residential roofing contractors. You can ask for recommendations and tips from them.

When you come face to face with a roofing contractor, you may request to see his work. Get at least three references and personally check his past projects. Talk to him about the project you would want him to accomplish. Details of the roofing work, payment and other legal details can be discussed with the contractor. For example, if you are sure that he’s the one you are going to trust with your roofing needs, talk about the contract. The contract must be in writing; everything must be in writing including the changes to the contract. It’s important that you don’t sign until you fully understand the terms of the contract. If it is your first time getting into an agreement, you may ask somebody who is knowledgeable in those matters.

When your roofing installation is currently ongoing, you should always ask for updates or if there are any problems taking place with the installation. Through this you can monitor the progress of the roof project. If you and the contractor have concerns, you should an open communication line to avoid misunderstandings. If you do not supervise the installation yourself, most likely you will have problems when the installation is at the finishing stage.

When the roofing construction is done, make sure that you are satisfied with the roofing contractor’s job. If there are minor changes, talk it over with the contractor. Don’t give the full payment unless you’re completely satisfied with the project. And after that, maintenance and repair is all you will need.

What To Expect When You Hire a Landscaper

Landscaping your home can be a big endeavor. There are several options including plants, hardscapes, softscapes, fountains, ground cover, etc. Hiring a landscape professional to help you through the process can be extremely helpful. Here is a brief rundown of the process from beginning to end.

A Base Map is drafted: After measurements and photos are taken, a base map, showing the existing property conditions is drafted to scale.

A Site Analysis Diagram: The first stage will consist of a tracing paper overlay on the base map of the property, showing circulation and weather patterns, orientation of the house to the site, and identifying the placement of functional areas within the site, and their relationship to one another. Problem areas are identified, screening and views are shown.

 A Concept Sketch: The second stage will be a conceptual layout of the property, further refining circulation with specific pathways, patios or decking drawn in more detail. The shapes of planting areas and hardscape elements are defined to reflect the various possibilities.

A Final Planting Plan: After a meeting with you, a final plan is drafted, identifying the specifics of all the planting and hardscape elements. A planting list should be provided including specifications and perspective or elevation sketches to aid you in visualizing the plan view, Discuss implementation of the installation, phasing, and maintenance of your landscape with your landscaping professional.

After your planting plan is finalized, the landscaper starts to work implementing what you have discussed. Sit back, relax, and soon you will be enjoying your new yard, garden, or backyard retreat.

Carpeting For Your Home

Carpet can offer more versatility, comfort, ease of maintenance and health benefits than other flooring options. It is also more "budget-friendly" than most other choices and there are styles to coordinate with every décor.

Here are some general terms for understanding how carpet is made and how to judge carpet quality and durability. Judging how durable your new carpeting will be determines how long your carpet will look and feel good. Ideally, carpet will retain its original texture and appearance for years to come. Durability depends on finding the right balance of three important factors defined below:

Fiber
During carpet manufacturing, natural or synthetic fiber is converted to yarn and tufted, or locked into a backing to form the pile or surface that you walk on. There are five major types of carpet fiber - nylon 6,6, nylon 6, polypropylene (olefin), polyester, and wool; the most popular being nylon.

Ideal for carpeting, nylon 6,6 is a man-made fiber that is wear-resistant (soil and stain resistant). Its natural properties allow for a very wide range of colors and color blends and the newest fibers offer the look and feel of wool, but with much less maintenance and expense.

Twist
The twist of the fiber is the way the fiber filaments are spun into yarn, and how the yarn is in turn twisted upon itself. Twist is usually locked into the fiber with a steam or heat-setting. The tighter the twist, the more the carpet will resist changes in appearance and texture.

 Density
Density describes the amount of pile in the carpet and how close the tufts are to one another. In general, the more dense the carpet the better the quality. Check density by pressing your fingers on the carpet and trying to reach the backing. It will be difficult to reach the backing of a very dense carpet. With the tufts facing outward, bend the carpet into a U shape to see how much of the carpet backing shows. The less backing you see, the more dense the carpet.

Now if clothes make the man (or woman), then we'd like to propose that carpet makes the home. Virtually every season new designer colors and patterns, along with improvements in fibers, are introduced, making it easy to update your décor with a look and feel that captures your personal style.

Color theory studies have proven that the palettes we select for our walls and floors do more than provide a pretty backdrop for our home furnishings. They impact our mood, our energy level - even our appetite. The wall and floor covering colors you choose should be "non-offending" in order to ensure the highest resale value of your home. Most carpet lines feature a range of beiges, off-whites, taupes and soft sisal-like naturals. Selecting a neutral allows for maximum compatibility with prospective buyers' existing furnishings. This way they won't have to move in and redo the walls and floors or their furnishings right away, unless they want to.

10 Reasons Your Fireplace Doesn't Work

 Why fireplaces work, and how best to build them, has been a topic of hot debate literally for centuries. From the first stone rings stacked around the campfire, to the modern factory built fireplaces with carefully engineered dimensions, there has been a steady evolution of design parameters to make sure they draw well and cast as much heat as possible. Most of this evolution has been by trial and error, and some designs work much better than others.

Simply put, fireplaces work mainly because hot air rises. When you start a fire, the air inside the chimney becomes warmer and less dense than the air outside the chimney, and consequently it starts to rise. As the warm air rises, cooler air from the room flows into the firebox, fanning the fire, creating more heat in an ongoing cycle. There are also some pressure differentials produced as wind moves across the top of your chimney.

A true understanding of fireplaces requires extensive knowledge of air flow patterns, pressure differentials, and actual fireplace construction techniques. If the information provided here does not help you solve the problem with your fireplace, consider hiring an experienced, certified chimney sweep. Often the problem is obvious to someone with enough experience once they can actually look over the entire situation.

1) Is your damper fully open? Everybody eventually forgets to open the damper. Many dampers also cease to fully open because of water damage or soot buildup behind them on the smoke shelf. A good professional cleaning can usually solve this problem.

2) Is your firewood green or wet from rain? Remember the main reason your fireplace works at all is the heat inside the chimney. If your wood is not dry and well seasoned it makes more smoke than heat and there simply may not be enough heat for the chimney to work properly.

3) Is your chimney dirty? The gradual accumulation of soot can seriously affect the way your chimney performs. Thick layers of soot of course can physically restrict the flue so there is no longer enough free area to vent the fireplace properly, (see problem 5) but as little as a 1/4" to 1/2" inch buildup can make more difference than you might think. Consider that a 1/2" buildup will restrict the air flow by 17% for a typical masonry fireplace chimney, and by a whopping 30% for the average prefab. Birds and small animals also think your chimney looks like a hollow tree in which to set up housekeeping. Sweeps often find chimneys literally packed full of leaves, twigs and baby animals. The solution of course is a good cleaning and a chimney cap.

4) Is your chimney tall enough? To function properly, the chimney should be at least 10 or 12 feet in overall height. Where it projects above the roof, the chimney should be at least 3 feet tall, and at least 2 feet higher than anything within 10 feet of it-including other buildings, trees, etc. If your fireplace smokes because your chimney is too short, the problem is usually worse when the wind blows.

5) Is your flue large enough for the fireplace opening? There are many variables that can affect this including; overall chimney height, how warm the flue stays, throat configuration, etc., but the basic rule of thumb here is that the area of the fireplace opening can be no more than 10 times the area of the flue (12 times for round flues). An undersized flue simply can't handle the volume of smoke produced, and some of it will spill back into the room. Since there is no practical way to make the flue size larger, the solution may be to make the room opening smaller with metal smoke guards or some creative masonry work. In fact there are now some pre-manufactured refractory firebox retrofits that work well with a 15 to 1 ratio and deliver twice the heat of conventional fireboxes.

6) Is your chimney on the outside of the house? Remember that warm rising air is the basic engine involved here. If you have a large masonry chimney on the outside of the house, and it's cold outside, the air inside of the chimney will also be very cold, and it will want to fall down the chimney instead of rising. This can even happen a day or two after it's warmed up outside. These chimneys may be hard to start and they may smoke as the fire burns low. To help get the fire started many people light some rolled up newspaper and hold it up near the damper to get that cold plug moving upwards. Keeping a moderate sized but bright, actively flaming fire can also help this situation. Remember that as the fire dies down, it will revert back to the original direction of flow.

7) Is your home too tight? Fireplaces require large volumes of air to burn. Visualize a 12" x 12" column of air rising up your chimney and exiting the top the entire time your fireplace is working (but don't visualize your heat bill!). This air comes from inside the living area and must somehow be replaced. With modern energy efficiency concerns most houses have been carefully insulated and weather-stripped to keep out the cold drafts, but an undesirable side effect is that there is often nowhere for all that air leaving the chimney to get back in. This can lead to fireplaces that burn sluggishly and smoke. A temporary solution is to open a window to let in a little make up air, preferably on the windward side of the house. It can also lead to very dangerous carbon monoxide buildup if your fireplace and furnace must compete for combustion air, and a permanent solution should be found at once.

8) Your house can also be too loose. A house that leaks too much air to the outside, especially a multistory house that leaks air in the upper levels, can actually set up its own draft or chimney effect strong enough to overpower your fireplace chimney, particularly if the fireplace is located in the basement on a cold exterior wall. Be sure the attic access door is in place and that all upstairs windows are tightly closed.
9) Is there a return air grill in the same room as the fireplace. As the fireplace consumes air and cold air moves into the house to replace it, the furnace is likely to come on. When the furnace comes on, air is drawn into the return competing directly with the needs of the fireplace.

Looking for a new, fresh look for your kitchen but you don't need a total remodel? If your cabinets have enough space but don't quite create the look you want - refacing your cabinets can transform your kitchen from merely functional to fabulous. It's a quick kitchen makeover that can deliver stunning results while adding value to your home, as well as enjoyment.

  As you start your cabinet refacing project you will be faced with many decisions. The endless choices in color, style and components can be overwhelming! Don't panic. We are here to help you with insightful articles and practical advice.

Warm chestnut. Thick maple. Gleaming oak. It seems as though the classic connection between wood and cabinet just can't be denied. If you have some money to spend, redoing your kitchen with wood cabinets is an attractive choice

Chestnut. Chestnut wood is fairly soft, and cabinets are characterized by a straight, coarse-textured grain and light to medium-red color.

Maple. Also used to create musical instruments, maple is hard, usually fine-grained, and attractively colored. Maple wood cabinets are popular because of their beauty and durability.

Oak. Oak is sturdy wood used in traditional furniture. Oak wood cabinets are generally straight grained with a coarse texture. Oak offers classic good looks at a reasonable price.

 If you're looking for ways to personalize your wood cabinets you have several options to choose from. Custom wood cabinets let you design your kitchen based on your personality and attitude.

 Custom Wood Cabinets 

Painted. Continue a kitchen theme with professionally painted cabinets.            

Carved. Wood carvers can transform your cabinets with looks from ethnic to rococo.

Treated. Choose from glazed stain, glazed paint, or other unique treatments.

In cabinet refacing, our handpicked professional installers remove your old cabinet doors and drawer fronts and install new ones. There's no need to reconfigure cabinets or modify plumbing or wiring because the cabinet's basic box, or case, stays intact, saving you time, trouble and money. Get great ideas at Five Star where you can begin to imagine how to transform your cabinets into your dream kitchen.

Summer is a great time to dig in and start fixing things up around your home. Investing in replacement windows can add value to your home, added beauty, and can also help save you money in energy costs. Double paned windows are three times as efficient as single paned windows. There are many great varieties to choose from and selections for every budget and décor.

Generally people think of windows as being square, can include grids, and come in either wood or vinyl. So picking out windows for your home should be a piece of cake, right? Well it can be with the right information and research, but the choices are a little more varied than most people think. Do your research ahead of time to make the most well informed choice as to what windows will be right for your project.

Window types include fixed, single, hung, double hung, casement, slider, and awning. There are also single paned, double paned, and tempered windows. Tempered windows are made of glass that resists shattering. These type of windows can be required in areas where a person might accidentally fall through the glass such as in a bathtub, along stairs, a window seat, or where a door opens towards a window. Research for yourself the different types of windows available by visiting websites of well known manufacturers. They will have photo galleries, technical information, and resources for finding local dealers.

Next you will have to decide between wood or vinyl windows. Questions to ask yourself might be, will wood hold up in this climate or need constant maintenance, what is the difference in the cost between wood and vinyl windows, and will a contractor charge extra for installing wood or vinyl windows.

If you are seeking energy efficiency, double paned or double glazed glass windows are the way to go. Like a storm window they create insulation by adding an extra pane of glass to create an air pocket. Glass alone is not an insulator, but an air pocket is. Unlike storm windows there is no loss of heat along the frame which makes double paned windows more energy efficient. The air pocket in these types of windows often has a drying agent to absorb moisture and often comes with a reflective coating to increase the insulation. The down side of these windows is that if they become cracked, perhaps by a stray baseball, it is necessary to have them replaced.

Prices can vary greatly between quality vinyl or wood windows. Factors that will effect your cost include size, the larger the window the more expensive, if the windows you choose have window grids which increase the price of the package, whether you go with standard white windows or choose a color that would increase the price, or if you get mulled windows. Mulled windows are two windows that are built together to create a larger window. These type of windows usually come with an extra charge. Also if you choose to have a transom window installed, which is a window either fixed or operable which is placed above a larger window, it can be a bit more expensive. These types of windows are generally used for decorative purposes.

As a rule, picking out windows that come in standard sizes, colors, and options can significantly decrease the price of your window package. When you choose your windows you are not only choosing the style that you like, but also choosing a specific design and function. Picking a professional installer is the final step in completing your vision for your home. Choose someone knowledgeable who you can trust to help you through the process. Make sure that your window installer is licensed and bonded and comes with good references.
If you are looking for a window installer, Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. is a free service to homeowners. We can put you in touch with a licensed contractor that is both bonded and insured. While homeowners are ultimately responsible for who they choose to work on their home, Five Star Consumer Referrals prescreens its contractors through the California Contractors State License Board and checks their references.

For more information please contact Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. at
(949) 305-5900.

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Shannon Shimizu
Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc.
Orange County Contractor Referral Service

Most homeowners have a laundry list of small home improvement jobs that need to be taken care of. Fixing the leak in the bathroom sink, the chip in the tile, or refinishing the deck are chores that we often put off simply because of lack of time. This is where a handyman can help. You can save yourself a lot of money by finding one competent handyman who can do several different projects instead of hiring a different person or company for each individual job.

When choosing your handyman it is a good idea to ask how long they have been in business, how long they have been doing repairs of a particular type, and how many jobs they have done. Make sure your handyman has experience doing the type of jobs that you need done. Also get a written quote for the project and ask about a guarantee of performance.

Keep the lines of communication open between you and your handyman. Make sure that your handyman has a clear and concise understanding of the project that you want done before they start. Check to see if they will come back at no extra charge to fix any problems that may occur with the work after the job is completed. Also check to see if they offer a guarantee on completed work.

Checking references is also a good idea. One of the best ways to check on a handyman’s prior performance is to ask previous customers what they thought. Questions to ask may include did they show up on time or call before hand if they were going to be late, did they clean up after themselves, and were they respectful to you, your family, and to your property.

If you are looking for a handyman, please check our website for competent services. We prescreen all of our contractors to make sure that they are licensed, insured, bonded, and carry workman’s comp if applicable. We also check their references. Our goal is to make your home improvement experience an easy and pleasant process by referring competent individuals and companies that provide excellent customer service.

We here at Five Star Consumer Referrals feel that it is important for consumers to have a place to call and talk to a friendly voice about their home improvement needs and receive up to three qualified bids from pre-screened contractors. We have a centralized database of pre-screened, qualified contractors. We carefully listen to our customers needs in order to match them to the best contractor possible to meet their list of expectations.

All contractors on our service are pre-screened to make sure that they are licensed, bonded, insured, and carry workman’s comp if applicable. We also check their references. Contractors are also required to sign a code of ethics stating that they will follow up with homeowners, take responsibility for their work, provide quality service, and strive to adhere to the philosophy of Five Star Consumer Referrals which is “Raising the Standards in Home Improvement.”

Although homeowners are ultimately responsible for who they choose to work on their home, Five Star Consumer Referrals does the best job it can to pre-screen its contractors through the California Contractors State License Board. We feel confident that our contractors are reputable and do good work. For the consumer this means that they only need to remember one number to be referred to a excellent contractor. This is a big step up from just calling one of the many contractors listed in the yellow pages.

Five Star Consumer Referrals is a FREE service to consumers. We invite you to check us out on our website. We have a growing list of contractors to meet almost all of your home improvement needs. We feel confident that you will find our friendly customer service to be unique in every way.

There are a large variety of options available when it comes to home security. Options can range from impressive alarm systems that protect your whole house and require professional installation to small do-it-yourself kits that are easy to install and provide limited security at a reasonable price.

A basic security system that is installed by a professional will consist of both perimeter and space protection. Perimeter protection secures vulnerable access points such as windows and doors. Space protection will monitor the open spaces in your home by using devices such as motion detectors. You can choose from different levels of security based upon the number of protective devices that you have installed and the sophistication of the system you choose.

A reputable company should perform an on site inspection and discuss in detail with you your individual requirements. Any system that you choose should be tailored to your individual needs. They should also provide you with information as to what else you can do to protect your home such as installing proper locks, putting in additional lighting, and clearing shrubbery.

When shopping for an alarm company do your research. Asking questions such as is the company local, do they have a state license, do they offer 24 hour service, will they work with your insurance agency for reduced rates, is there a warranty and service contract, and checking to see if the system is monitored by a central station with a live person on the other end can weigh heavily on your decision regarding which company and alarm system you choose.

If you choose to go with a do-it-yourself system installing motion sensors, sound detectors, or individual window alarms are all easy and inexpensive options. Whatever system you decide to go with, either professionally installed or something you can easily install yourself, having some kind of system in place can bring you that extra added sense of security and protection that you are looking for.