Archive for the 'Home Maintenance' Category
Insuring the Contents of Your Home
“Does the house have ample closet space? Is there additional storage room in the garage or basement?” I get this question all the time because, well, most of us have a lot of stuff.
But do you know how much your “stuff” is worth? What would happen if there was a fire and everything was destroyed? Would you have adequate replacement coverage with your insurance policy?
The New York Times recently published an article that has some good ideas to help you catalog your belongings so that you can ensure proper coverage in case of a disaster. All I know is that I have a lot of pictures to take…
Free Residential Energy Audits
Last year I paid $3500 to heat my home for the entire year. Due to the fact that my house was built in 1910 and has no real insulation in the walls and 45 original windows, I know that my house doesn’t stand a chance at being energy efficient. You, on the the other hand, may be able to improve the energy efficiency of your home, and here’s a free way to find out…
If you heat your home by electric or gas, and are a Connecticut Light & Power customer, you are entitled to a free energy checkup for your house. Complete this application form and mail it to:
CL&P
Attn: Home Energy Solutions Program
66 Curtis St.
New Britain, CT 06052
You can also call for more information at 1-877-947-3873.
If you’re not a CL&P customer, you’re somewhat out of luck. However, the FTC offers some tips to save money and stay warm…
Thanks to the Hartford Courant for originally reporting on this…
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire…
The warm weather is SO over. It’s about time to turn the heat on. Some of you may use your fireplace for ambiance, some of you may use it for warmth. Whatever its purpose, please make sure your chimney is inspected on a yearly basis if you plan on using your fireplace. The chimney professional will tell you if it needs to be cleaned or if more extensive corrective work needs to be done. The last thing you want is a chimney fire that can spread to the rest of your home. Additionally, keep a fire extinguisher in the room if you choose to use your fireplace.
If you’re looking for a local source of firewood, I have a recommendation for you that also supports a good cause. The Open Hearth is an organization that conducts a comprehensive continuum of care service model in a traditional emergency shelter that accommodates 25 adult men and an 84-bed Transitional Living Program. The Open Hearth Wood Products facility offers firewood for your needs, while providing an opportunity for men-in-transition to get some experience and give back. Sales revenue from the program offsets other costs for The Open Hearth. You can order half and full cords of seasoned hardwood for burning. Delivery is free to Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Newington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor, and for a small fee is deliverable within a 20-mile radius of the the city of Hartford.
We have ordered wood from The Open Hearth the past two years and have had nothing but a good experience. You can order online or over the phone and arrange a delivery time. The drop off at our house was quick and easy. The quality of the wood was superb compared to what we ordered in previous years from other sources. Thank you Open Hearth!