Show Notes: Heat and Homeowners Insurance

Heat, hot water and homeowners insurance, all the basics of homeownership. Morris and James have insurance updates you can’t afford not to know.

Thank you to our guests:

Cesar Chavez: Interior Designer, DIY Expert – designbycesarchavez.com

Clayton Wells: Tesarra (Pools and Synthetic Turf) – tesseraourdoors.com

Alex Thomas: Argent Solar – argentsolar.com

Bill Bellamy: California Pools – http://californiapools.com

 

Window Film Generates Electricity From Glass

Architects and engineers will often tell you that building homes with large panes of glass will dramatically effect your energy efficiency. Windows are poorly insulated and often leak energy from the home. But what if windows could actually create energy?

American firm New Energy Technologies has developed a product called SolarWindow in which photovoltaics are applied to the window via a thin, transparent coating. The film, available in various color tints, captures only UV rays. Unlike rooftop solar arrays, the technology is engineered to work in sunlight, shaded conditions, and even artificial light.

According to DesignBoom, the firm has filed 42 patents for the product, and researchers are tracking ways to advance SolarWindow to full-scale production.

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/newsletter/window-film-generates-electricity-from-glas

Let’s Get Into Hot Water:

Gas Condensing Water Heaters

Less familiar to consumers are condensing gas water heaters but under the new energy regulations, they have become an option for homes that need a water heater with a capacity of 55 gallons or more and that heat with gas. Condensing gas water heaters capture much of the heat that normally goes up the flue by cooling exhaust gases well below 140 degrees F, the temperature at which water vapor condenses into water.

Gas condensing water heaters work much like regular gas water heaters: a large, insulated tank of water is heated by a gas burner. But an enhancement significantly increases efficiency and performance.

Here’s how:

Instead of venting the combustion gases directly outside, those gases are captured and utilized to heat the water even more.

A standard gas storage water heater is like a water tank sitting atop of a gas fireplace with the chimney running straight up through the middle, exiting at the top. A gas condensing water heater has its “chimney” or flue designed with greater surface area. The heat and combustion gases have much farther to travel before they exit the water tank, so more heat is transferred to the water in the tank.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=gas_cond.pr_how_it_works

Get Ready For Spring Now

Now that it’s fall, you’re probably not thinking about planning next spring’s garden, but it’s actually the ideal time for planting flower bulbs. Spring flowers need a long period of time underground during the winter months so they can bloom beautifully when it’s warm again. So, plant bulbs during autumn for the best results!

Choose healthy bulbs to plant. Avoid bulbs that are dry and withered or spongy and moldy. The best bulbs are firm and plump. As a rule of thumb, larger bulbs tend to produce more flowers.

Before picking your bulbs, consider the color scheme you’d like to create. If you want a natural and varied look, choose bulbs that produce contrasting colors and a range of heights. For a more uniform garden, choose flower bulbs that will bloom in shades of the same color. Check the plant’s height on the package and plant low-growing bulbs in front of taller ones.

https://www.truevalueprojects.com/lawn_and_garden/gardening/plant_bulbs_for_spring.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Planting%20Bulbs%20for%20Spring&utm_term=%2Bplant%20%2Bspring%20%2Bbulbs

6 Things Home Insurance Won’t Cover

When disaster strikes your home, home insurance is supposed to be there to help you pick up the pieces. Most of the time, it does. But the coverage does have limits.

Following are six hazards a standard home insurance policy may not cover.

Despite the threat, a standard homeowners insurance policy generally either limits coverage for mold damage or outright excludes it

When a sewer backs up into a home, it can damage floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover sewer backups. If you are worried about being unprotected,

Consider extra insurance that may be available as endorsements to your policy for risks such as sewer backups.

Most home insurance policies will not cover damage associated with “earth movement,” such as an earthquake or sinkhole.

“Florida is the only state in which insurers are required to provide coverage for sinkhole damage,

The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause $5 billion in damage in the U.S. each year.

Homeowners policies do not pay for termite damage

Nucluar Plant Accidents

The Insurance Information Institute says terrorist attacks using nuclear, biological, chemical or radioactive weapons are considered “acts of war” that are fundamentally uninsurable. Standard home insurance policies do not specifically reference terror attacks. However, the policy does cover the homeowner for damage due to explosion, fire and smoke, these are the most likely types of damage a home would suffer in a terrorist incident.

Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/things-home-insurance-wont-cover-1.aspx#ixzz3mmSmtNe2

Fall’s The Time To Clean And Store Lawn Furniture

Use white vinegar and a Magic Eraser to clean up your plastic garden furniture. Cover with large plastic drop cloths in the garage during the winter. You’ll start spring out with clean, garden ready furniture with a little fall elbow grease.

Family Handyman: Storing Gasoline Safely

If you have to store gasoline for an emergency generator, your lawn mower or for other purposes, it’s important to follow simple safety rules. Fire codes typically restrict gas storage to no more than 25 gallons.

Store the gas in containers of 5 gallons or less that have been approved for gasoline. Approved containers will include a label or wording directly on the container that says it meets specifications for portable containers for petroleum products

Never store gas in unapproved or glass containers. Fill the containers no more than 95 percent full to allow for expansion. And keep the cap tight on the container.

Store the container:

At least 50 ft. away from pilot lights and ignition sources such as the heat, sparks and flames from a water heater, space heater or furnace.
On the floor in a place where children can’t reach it.
In a garage or shed rather than in the house, out of direct sunlight.
On concrete, place a piece of plywood under the container.
When you buy gasoline to store for your generator, always add a fuel stabilizer right away. Stabilizers contain antioxidants and biocides to prevent compounds and microbial growth from forming on the gas.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/smart-homeowner/home-safety-tips/how-to-store-gasoline/view-all#step1

Save Your Doors

Do you have a pet that scratchs on the door damaging the finish and the door?

How about a Door Scratch Shield

Protects doors from pet scratch damage
Shatterproof, flexible crystal-clear, latex-free, non-toxic plastic
Easy to install with included adhesive; trim to size with scissors
Fits standard sized doors: wood, metal, or glass doors
Made in the USA – Measures 33-Inch by 35-Inch

http://www.amazon.com/The-Door-Shield-Scratch-Protector/dp/B0012RWDDC/ref=pd_sim_199_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z5SF8Z7RNT233D3H95C&dpID=51%2B0XBOE39L&dpSrc=sims&preST=AC_UL160_SR116%2C160

 

 

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