(NAPSA)-Cooler weather can mean more days spent indoors and signal the need to spruce up your home for seasonal get-togethers. When getting ready for the cozy days ahead, don’t forget to clean your home’s air duct system.

Air ducts and ventilation systems can become clogged with dust, pet hair and other contaminants, making them a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

When firing up the furnace this winter, you may notice a burning smell coming from your air ducts. This is an indication of dust buildup in your home’s ventilation system.

An easy way to tell if your system should be cleaned is to remove the vent with a screwdriver. If you see a collection of dust or mold, consider calling a professional heating and cooling system cleaning contractor.

Check that the company is a certified member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), an organization that tests the knowledge of contractors for safe and effective heating and cooling cleaning. For more information and to find a certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist near you, visit www.nadca.com.

(ARA) – Have government or manufacturer rebate programs enticed you to purchase a new home appliance, like a clothes washer or refrigerator? Or are you simply in the market to upgrade? Before purchasing any major appliance, it’s important to consider all your options before you make a final decision.

According to an October 2009 survey commissioned by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety testing organization, one in five homeowners who are involved in purchasing decisions independently reported they are likely to buy a large household appliance in the new year. That number increased to one in four upon hearing that states may offer cash back for purchasing an energy-efficient appliance during 2010.

“As today’s appliance technology continues to advance, it is now, more than ever, critical to consider safety when purchasing these items,” says Ms. Simin Zhou, vice president and general manager, UL’s Appliances, HVAC/R and Components business unit. “Energy efficiency is an important attribute, but family safety also needs to be part of the decision-making process.”

A 2009 National Fire Protection Association report states that in 2006, U.S. consumers reported approximately 17,700 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines, resulting in 15 deaths, 360 injuries and $194 million in property damage.

Five tips can be used to help assess whether your current appliances are safe for continued use and help you to make smart decisions when purchasing new appliances:
1. Read the owners’ manual or users’ guide: These resources provide essential information to keep you safe.
2. Only use as intended: Using appliances for activities other than what they are designed for can pose serious risks. The clothes dryer should only be used for fabrics and an oven should not be used to heat the home.
3. Trust your instincts: If an appliance smells, sounds or functions strangely – be suspicious. This is a likely indicator to replace the problem appliance or at least have it inspected by a licensed technician.
4. Follow preventative maintenance measures: Lack of preventative maintenance is a contributing factor to some appliance malfunctions and fires. Simple ways to keep your appliances in peak performance include never overloading the clothes washer; periodically removing debris from the dishwasher filter; and immediately unplugging the vacuum cleaner and dislodging items that should not have been picked up.
5. Look for safety certification: Safety certifications, such as the UL Mark, confirm a product has been tested and certified to meet the highest standard in safety.

If you’re ready to buy a new home appliance, you should start by researching available government and manufacturer rebate programs in your area. Programs usually vary by state so qualified appliances and rebate amounts will differ.

To learn more about 2010 state rebate programs, and to find more tips on appliance safety, visit www.UL.com/appliancesafety.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

NFPA urges caution as peak time for heating fires continues

Quincy, Mass. – While only 32 percent of home heating fires involve space heaters, they are involved in 79 percent of home heating fire deaths, according to the new report Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment released today by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Heating equipment continues to be the second leading cause of home fires behind cooking and the second leading cause of home fire deaths behind smoking.

NFPA is urging caution and asking the public to practice safe heating behaviors as the peak time for home heating fires continues; half of all home-heating fires occurred in December, January and February in 2003-2007.

“Half of fatal home space heater fires started because something was too close to the heater and ignited. Keep heaters and things that can burn at least three feet apart,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “Heating fires and the deaths they cause can usually be prevented with awareness and a few simple actions.”

The leading factor contributing to space heater fires in general was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.  Other leading factors contributing to home space heater fires were failure to clean, which is principally related to creosote build-up in chimneys, and leaving an operating space heater unattended.

“Whether your chimney supports a wood or coal stove or just a fireplace, be sure to have it cleaned and inspected at least once a year to reduce your risk of having a fire,” added Carli. “And always turn off a portable space heater when you go to sleep or leave the room.”

In 2007, U.S. fire departments responded to 66,400 home structure fires that involved heating equipment. These fires killed 580 people, injured another 1,850, and were responsible for $608 million in direct property damage.

NFPA offers the following safety tips:

* Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
* Supervise children when a fireplace, fire pit, or other space heater is being used. Use a sturdy, metal screen to prevent contact burns, which are even more common than flame burns.
* All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
* Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
* Never use your oven for heating.
* Install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment, according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. Have a qualified professional install the equipment, and make sure all fuel-burning vented equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is created when fuels burn incompletely. CO poisoning can cause illness and even death. Make sure the venting for exhaust is kept clear and unobstructed. This includes removal of snow and ice around the outlet to the outside.
* Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

(ARA) – Each year about 70 percent of Americans make a New Year’s resolution and most soon forget they ever made one. Time for a change? Why not resolve to give your old house a new look in the New Year? Start the new decade with a new attitude about your home’s makeover.

Ring in the New Year with a new attitude on how to refresh your home inside and out. Once the home improvements are complete, invite guests over to help relieve cabin fever and celebrate your home’s new look. Cheers to your home.

* Here’s one you can stick to. Many home improvement projects can pay dividends and save energy. For example, in 2010, U.S. tax credits abound for energy-efficient upgrades like windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, roofing and certain appliances.

* Paint a room to renew it. Apply new interior paint to brighten up your home and brush away the winter blues. Hot colors for 2010 include bright or warm yellows, lavender for bedrooms and slate or charcoal grays to replace tan and beige tones as popular neutrals.

* Home built decades ago? American homes built before 1978 may include paint containing lead. Lead poisoning can pose a health threat, especially to young children. Contact your local health department for advice on lead paint removal or visit www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm.

* Front and center. While you’re painting, remember the front door. A fresh coat of paint or polyurethane on a fiberglass or wood entry door can refresh the new look and luster. Consider whether the door still closes properly or if you can feel air leaks around it. If so, it’s time to replace the weather stripping or the door itself. Choose factory-built entry door systems like those from Pella for added reliability. Adding a storm door can also boost to your entryway’s energy efficiency by helping keep cold air out.

* Make it easy with prefinished options. Many home improvements, like woodwork, windows and doors can be factory prefinished, saving you time and the hassle of finishing. Pella Windows and Doors offers prefinished products in a variety of prefinished tones. That way you can match your window and door finishes to cabinets, flooring or furniture and enjoy your windows and doors from the moment they’re installed.

* Add an element of surprise. A touch of the unexpected makes each home unique. So include colors or decor that reflects your personal style. Incorporate color and texture and add privacy with window and patio door treatments between panes of glass. Pella Designer Series windows and patio doors feature optional removable blinds or shades in vibrant colors like garnet, marine, Bordeaux, tomato, charcoal and pewter along with popular neutral tones.

Practicality trumps all, especially when it comes to energy-savings. Select the products that fit your renovation style and budget. Choose energy-efficient wood, vinyl or fiberglass windows or doors like Energy Star-qualified options from Pella. For more information, visit www.pella.com or call (888) 847-3552.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – With winter’s grip firmly around us, it’s important that your house can stand up to snow, wind, ice, freezing rain and all the other potential bad weather that can cause damage to your property.

Putting off maintenance and preventive measures for your home is risky, particularly in winter. One night with no heat or frozen water pipes can wreak havoc. Last year’s ice and wind storms in the Northeast and across the Midwest left families without power for many days. Here is a checklist of items to help you make sure you’re ready for winter:

* Outdoor plumbing – Though you drained them in the fall, you should leave all the faucets in the “on” position and remove any plastic components. If you suspect that the pipes might not be completely drained of liquid, compressed air can be used to purge water from the lines.

* Gutters – Make sure that your gutter downspout extensions are a minimum of four feet from the house for the winter months. This keeps the melting winter snow and ice away from the foundation.

* Roof – Take a good look at the shingles. Make sure none are missing or curled up. Also check for signs of leaks – i.e., stains, cracks, damp spots – and make sure you seal the cracks. If you have an ice dam problem, install heated coils along the edge of the roof. They’re easy to install – just hook them to the shingles with a few clips and plug the coil into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlet. If you don’t have a GCFI outlet, a qualified electrician can install one for you.

* Driveways and sidewalks – Get out and seal any cracks on your driveways or sidewalks because the freezing and thawing temperatures will only make them bigger during the winter months. Use crack filler or hydraulic cement to prevent the cracks from growing.

* Install a standby generator – When ice and wind storms hit your home, you don’t want to be without power for very long. Winter is not a time to try and rough it with freezing temperatures. Plus, when the inside temperatures drop, you’ll have to worry about freezing water pipes. And frozen pipes lead to expensive plumbing repair work.
A Kohler standby generator runs on propane or natural gas and is connected to your home’s existing gas lines. A transfer switch monitors electrical activity coming into the home, and when that activity stops due to a power failure, the transfer switch kicks in – in as little as 10 seconds – and the generator has your power up and running again.

“I tell people to get a generator that fits your lifestyle,” says home improvement expert Ed Del Grande. “Any homeowner will want to make sure the heat stays on at all times for the safety of their families. Standby generators are a must-have for emergency situations such as storms.”

By maintaining your house during the winter season, you’ll be able to rest easy, without worrying about water damage or cold temperatures.

Courtesy of ARAcontent