XNLV258772 LOT PRICES REDUCED BY 30%! Canal Walk Spring Fever Is Here! PICK OUT YOUR NEW DREAM HOME SITE TODAY. $50,000 LOT REDUCED TO $35,000 For More Info Call: Gene Minton 252-532-9999 or John Rightmyer 252-536-8049 Go to www.rrcanalwalk.com for details. Planting a garden can add aesthetic appeal and functionality to a property. Vegetable gardens can transform landscapes while putting healthy and homegrown food on the table. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, homeowners have total control over what foods can be har- vested, and they can ensure sustainable, safe practices are used to care for the plants. Vegetable gardens can be compact or expan- sive, depending on how much space is available to cultivate. However, first-time gardeners may want to begin small so they can hone their skills and experiment to see which plants are most likely to thrive in their gardens. Expansion is always a possibility down the road. Choose a location Spend some time examining your landscape. Vegetables generally need ample warmth and sunlight to thrive, so find an area of the yard that gets several hours of direct sunlight per day. A sunny spot is good, but you also want a location with adequate drainage so your garden does not succumb to flooding or fungus during and after heavy downpours. Don’t place the gar- den too close to rain gutters or near a pool, where splash-out may occur. Select a location that is isolated from pets so the plants are not trampled and cats and dogs do not relieve themselves nearby. Decide what to plant When deciding what to plant, consider what you eat and how much produce the household consumes, then choose vegetables that fit with your diet. Some vegetables, like peppers, toma- toes, eggplant, and squash, produce throughout the season. Others, such as carrots and corn, produce one crop and then expire. Plan accord- ingly when you purchase plants or seeds, as you want enough food but not so much that it will go to waste. Choose three to four different vegetables and plant them in the garden. Select varieties that require similar soil conditions, so that you can adjust the pH and mix of the soil accordingly. This will serve as good practice, particularly the first year of your garden. After you have mastered the basics, you can branch out into other produce. Know when to plant Many of the foods grown in vegetable gardens, including tomatoes and peppers, are summer vegetables, which means they reach peak ripe- ness after the height of the summer season. Pumpkins, brussel sprouts and peas are planted to be harvested later on. These plants may be put in the ground a little later than others. It is less expensive to start seedlings indoors and then transplant them to a garden when the time comes. Seeds can be started three to four weeks before they would be put outdoors. Many vegetables are planted outside in April or May, but definitely after frost conditions have waned. Read seed packets to know exactly when to plant or consult with the nursery where you purchased established seedlings. You also can visit The Garden Helper at www.thegardenhelper.com/veg- tips to find out when to plant, seed depth and how long it takes plants to reach maturity. Vegetable gardens can become central components of outdoor home landscapes. Not only do gardens add aesthetic appeal, but also they produce fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy throughout the season. Improve your home and diet with a vegetable garden n Preparing cooling systems for warm weather n How to create extra space for guests n Get started now on Spring Cleaning n How to approach buying a pool or spa n Plan ahead for eco-friendly landscapes
Transcript
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8772
LOT PRICES REDUCED BY 30%!Canal Walk Spring Fever Is Here!
PICK OUT YOUR NEWDREAM HOME SITE TODAY.
$50,000 LOT REDUCED TO $35,000
For More Info Call: Gene Minton 252-532-9999 or John Rightmyer 252-536-8049Go to www.rrcanalwalk.com for details.
Planting a garden can add aesthetic appeal and functionality to a property. Vegetable gardens can transform landscapes while putting healthy and homegrown food on the table. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, homeowners have total control over what foods can be har-vested, and they can ensure sustainable, safe practices are used to care for the plants.
Vegetable gardens can be compact or expan-sive, depending on how much space is available to cultivate. However, first-time gardeners may want to begin small so they can hone their skills and experiment to see which plants are most likely to thrive in their gardens. Expansion is always a possibility down the road.
Choose a locationSpend some time examining your landscape.
Vegetables generally need ample warmth and sunlight to thrive, so find an area of the yard that gets several hours of direct sunlight per day.
A sunny spot is good, but you also want a location with adequate drainage so your garden does not succumb to flooding or fungus during and after heavy downpours. Don’t place the gar-
den too close to rain gutters or near a pool, where splash-out may occur. Select a location that is isolated from pets so the plants are not trampled and cats and dogs do not relieve themselves nearby.
Decide what to plantWhen deciding what to plant, consider what
you eat and how much produce the household consumes, then choose vegetables that fit with your diet. Some vegetables, like peppers, toma-toes, eggplant, and squash, produce throughout the season. Others, such as carrots and corn, produce one crop and then expire. Plan accord-ingly when you purchase plants or seeds, as you want enough food but not so much that it will go to waste.
Choose three to four different vegetables and plant them in the garden. Select varieties that require similar soil conditions, so that you can adjust the pH and mix of the soil accordingly. This will serve as good practice, particularly the first year of your garden. After you have mastered the basics, you can branch out into other produce.
Know when to plant
Many of the foods grown in vegetable gardens, including tomatoes and peppers, are summer vegetables, which means they reach peak ripe-ness after the height of the summer season. Pumpkins, brussel sprouts and peas are planted to be harvested later on. These plants may be put in the ground a little later than others.
It is less expensive to start seedlings indoors and then transplant them to a garden when the time comes. Seeds can be started three to four weeks before they would be put outdoors. Many vegetables are planted outside in April or May, but definitely after frost conditions have waned. Read seed packets to know exactly when to plant or consult with the nursery where you purchased established seedlings. You also can visit The Garden Helper at www.thegardenhelper.com/veg-tips to find out when to plant, seed depth and how long it takes plants to reach maturity.
Vegetable gardens can become central components of outdoor home landscapes. Not only do gardens add aesthetic appeal, but also they produce fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy throughout the season.
Improve your home and diet with a vegetable garden
n Preparing cooling systems for warm weather
n How to create extra space for guests
n Get started now on Spring Cleaning
n How to approach buying a pool or spa
n Plan ahead for eco-friendly landscapes
C2 THE DAILY HERALD SPRING HOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
Patios IN Bloom
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 SPRING HOME & GARDEN THE DAILY HERALD C3
Kelli Ellis is an interior designer for all sea-sons. But when spring rolls around each year, she is truly in her element.
An award-winning celebrity interior designer, tex-tile designer and design psychology expert, Ellis’s work is everywhere, from television (as a featured designer on TLC’s “Clean Sweep,” HGTV’s “Take-over My Makeover,” and Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Orange County” as well as guest spots on NBC, CBS and ABC) and the Web (as eHow.com’s inte-rior design expert) to print media (as the monthly design advice columnist for the Orange County Gazette). Known for her love of flowers and floral design, Ellis also serves as a spokesperson for the Society of American Florists.
For Ellis, spring offers endless opportunities to update and refresh interior spaces with touches of color. While she always recommends starting with a neutral foundation that includes walls and major pieces of furniture in shades of white, beige or brown, Ellis loves to add seasonal flourishes by changing up accents and accessories.
“With a neutral foundation,” explains Ellis, “you don’t have to invest a lot of time or money to re-fresh. Once you have the basics -- those pieces of furniture that you absolutely love and will stand the test of time -- the sky’s the limit in terms of chang-ing accents such as valances, pillows, rugs, candle holders -- even the matting on a picture. A neutral foundation opens the door to a new look with mini-mal changes.”
According to Ellis, one of the best -- and easiest -- ways to add seasonal color and refresh a living space is with fresh flowers displayed in a variety of containers. Fresh flowers not only enliven a room and bring in the sights and scents of the outdoors, they are perfect for playing up color and color combinations.
“A lot of people are afraid of color in their decor, so a less scary way of introducing color is with flowers and vases,” Ellis notes. “Fresh flowers can go with any type of decor and generally last as long as your mood, so there are endless opportunities to experiment without making a long-term commit-ment.”
Decorating with flowers begins with choosing a container that is in sync with the season and the style of your home, counsels Ellis.
“There are so many container options for every type of decor,” Ellis says. “If your home leans to-ward country, think about using old decanters, tins or even wooden boxes. For contemporary homes, glass vases with clean lines work best. And for traditional homes, go with urns or ornate vases.”
The same principal applies to the flowers them-
selves. Mixed flowers tend to be more traditional; bunches of local flowers lend a homey, just-picked quality to a casual or country home; and mono-chromatic arrangements ooze modern. The key, notes Ellis, is to pair flowers with both their contain-ers and the indoor environment in which they will be seen.
Next comes color. While Ellis leans toward monochromatic arrangements of white flowers -- stargazers, lilies, roses and orchids are among her personal favorites -- she nevertheless appreciates the “pop” of color that can be achieved with bolder blossoms.
When choosing flowers for a particular spot or room, Ellis advises looking at complementary colors -- those that are on the opposite side of the color wheel. For example, if the walls are a warm shade of yellow or gold, a container filled with blue flowers, such as hydrangeas, delphiniums or sapphire orchids, makes a bold statement. And in the green room? Try flowers in shades of purple and violet.
“I think the greatest thing in the world is to bring your own vase or container to the florist and ask for something special that works with it,” she reveals. “Not every florist has a vase that suits your taste or will work in a particular spot, so I take in my containers and say, ‘I want something blue.’ Then I’m both surprised with the result and certain that it will work with the decor.”
To learn more about Ellis and her latest projects, visit her online at kelliellis.com.
Celebrity designer celebrates the sights and scents of spring
Kelli Ellis
C4 THE DAILY HERALD SPRING HOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
Factors that might hurt a home’s valueNowadays, homeowners looking to
sell their homes know it’s not as easy to do so as it might have been
a few years ago. A struggling economy has made it difficult for many homeowners to sell their homes for a price they’re comfort-able with.
But the sagging economy is not the only thing can make it difficult to sell a home. In fact, a host of other things, some obvious but some not so obvious, can hurt a home’s value as well.
* Location: A home’s location is arguably its best or worst selling point. A home in a great location won’t be as difficult to sell as a home in a bad neighborhood. But location goes beyond a neighborhood’s reputation, especially in recent years. Homeowners who live in a neighborhood or development with many foreclosures might find those foreclosed properties are hurting their own home’s value. Lots of foreclosures could negatively affect a neighborhood’s reputa-tion, which might make a home within that neighborhood less attractive to prospective buyers.
* Appearance: A home’s appearance is another obvious variable that might affect its resale value. Homeowners might want their home to reflect their own individuality, but that’s not going to help when the time comes to sell the home. If the exterior paint is out of the ordinary, then it might be wise to choose a more traditional or conserva-tive color before erecting the “For Sale” sign out front. The same goes for a home’s interior. If the interior design is especially unique, a more traditional interior decor might help the home sell faster.
* Size and style: Another thing to consider when selling a home is its size and style. A home that stands out on the block might be
an attention-grabber, but that’s not always attractive to prospective buyers. For in-stance, a colonial sitting in the middle of a street filled with contemporary homes will stand out, but likely for all the wrong rea-sons. It will likely appear dated and out of place, which is something buyers might not want. In addition, if the home is consider-ably larger or smaller than the surrounding homes, then this could hurt its value.
* Non-conformity: In many ways, con-formity is not considered an admirable trait. But when selling a home, conformity could make the difference between a home selling quickly or remaining on the market for months if not years. When shopping for a home, buyers often shop in certain neighborhoods and towns and might see many different homes within a given ZIP code. Homeowners with homes that don’t conform to others in the area might find it difficult to sell their homes. For instance, homeowners trying to sell a two bedroom home in a neighborhood filled with three bedroom homes might notice their home’s value is not as high as that of surrounding homes, regardless of the neighborhood or how similar the home’s exterior is to sur-rounding homes.
* Age: Older homes might have character and a sense of nostalgia, but appraisers take age into consideration when determin-ing a home’s value. And buyers tend to lean toward newer homes for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the feel-ing that newer homes have far more mod-ern amenities than older homes.
When it comes to a home’s value, there are a host of things that could ultimately increase or decrease that value in the eyes of prospective buyers.
Many people are familiar with the idea that a strong first impression can go a long way. While that idea is most
often referenced in regard to personal interac-tions, it’s also applicable to real estate.
When selling a home, homeowners who emphasize curb appeal may find it far easier to sell their homes. Curb appeal refers to the impression a home’s exterior makes on people seeing the home for the first time. In 2014, the online real estate database Zillow® surveyed real estate agents and found that curb appeal was one of the five most important factors when selling a home.
Projects that improve curb appeal can be vast undertakings or simpler projects, and the following are a handful of projects to improve a home’s curb appeal that run the gamut from simple to complex.
• Clean up the yard. Cleaning up the yard is among the simpler yet most effective projects to improve a home’s curb appeal. When selling their homes, homeowners should clear the yard of any clutter, including kids’ toys, grass clip-pings or items that might be scattered through-out the yard. A cluttered yard suggests home-owners do not care much about their home’s appearance, and that may lead buyers to think that indifference extended to maintaining the home’s interior as well. Many buyers will ignore properties without any external aesthetic ap-peal, but cleaning up the yard does not require much effort or expense on the part of sellers.
• Make the main entryway more inviting. Creating a more inviting entryway won’t be as simple as cleaning up the yard, but it can help create a strong first impression without break-ing the bank. To begin, remove plants and furniture from the front porch or area surround-ing the doorway, as such items can create a cluttered feel. If the front door is old, replace it. Custom doors may be expensive, but they might add the wow factor buyers are looking for. If a new door is beyond your means or just unnecessary, repaint the door, ideally in a color that complements the color of your home and the surrounding landscape.
• Address pavement problems. Paving prob-lems are not necessarily an expensive fix, but the cost of repairing driveways and walkways can add up if it’s been awhile since these areas were refurbished. Still, one of the first things buyers will notice when getting out of their cars is the ground they’re walking on, so patch and repair or even replace driveways and walkways that have fallen into disrepair.
• Add or upgrade outdoor living spaces. Out-door living spaces also can set a property apart from others on the market. A recent study from the National Association of Realtors found that buyers would not hesitate to pay asking price for homes with outdoor living spaces. When adding or upgrading outdoor living spaces, try to depersonalize the spaces as much as pos-sible, as buyers want to picture themselves, and not the sellers, enjoying these areas. Include some comfortable furniture, adequate lighting and a dining area in your outdoor living space as well.
Curb appeal can add a lot to a home, while lack of such appeal can make a home difficult to sell. Homeowners who want to sell their properties for asking price or more should ad-dress curb appeal before putting their homes on the market.
Add curb appeal to your property
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 SPRING HOME & GARDEN THE DAILY HERALD C5
Plan ahead for eco-friendly landscapes
Eco-friendly landscapes can protect the environment and help home-owners save money. While it’s possible to alter landscapes during summer, it’s easier and more cost-effective to plan ahead for eco-
friendly landscapes.Planning ahead can ensure homeowners that their lawns and gardens
conserve water throughout the spring and summer. Such planning can save homeowners substantial amounts of money when summer temperatures rise and put a strain on lawns, plants and gardens that need more water than usual. Homeowners who want their landscapes to thrive while benefitting the environment can take the following steps as lawn and garden season ap-proaches.
• Research native plants. Native plants typically require considerably less water than exotic plants that do not naturally grow in particular areas. In addi-tion, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that native plants have adapted to local soil conditions, making them less likely to need fertilizer and more resistant to pests and diseases than non-native plants. That resistance saves homeowners from having to use potentially harmful pesticides.
• Design smart. When designing your landscape layout, group plants ac-cording to how much or how little water they need. This prevents overwatering
plants that do not need much water, which can harm the plant and lead to un-necessary water waste, and ensures plants that do need substantial amounts of water have those needs met.
• Consider the elements. When planting, consider how much natural sun-light each area of the yard gets before planting. Plants planted in areas that are especially exposed to the sun may require extra waterering, as the hot summer sun can cause water to evaporate, depriving plants of the water they need to thrive. In addition to the sun, wind can divert water meant for plants and grass, so plant appropriately in areas that are exposed to sun and wind.
• Work with a professional. Professional landscapers and landscape archi-tects can be invaluable resources for homeowners who want their properties to be as eco-friendly as possible. The desire for eco-friendly landscapes has risen in recent years, and many professional landscapers and architects are familiar with various ways to make lawns and gardens more environmentally friendly.
Eco-friendly landscaping is a wise investment for homeowners who want to help the planet and save money at the same time. Planning to make such an investment in advance of spring and summer is a great way to produce a beautiful and eco-friendly landscape.
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Lawns and gardens can often benefit from the laying of mulch. Mulch serves various purposes in lawns and gardens, and many experienced lawn and garden enthusiasts lay mulch to ensure their properties make it through spring, summer and fall unscathed.
First-time homeowners with little or no landscaping experience may not understand the benefits of mulch, which can be used to strengthen soil and protect properties from the elements.
What is mulch?Mulch refers to a material spread around
or over a plant to enrich and/or insulate its soil. Many homeowners prefer mulch made of wood chips, which is both effective and read-ily available. The U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency notes that organic mulches, which include leaves, wood chips, compost or grass clippings, can be used by homeowners who
want to develop eco-friendly landscapes.
Why mulch?Mulching can benefit plants around a prop-
erty in various ways. Many people lay mulch because the mulch helps soil retain moisture in the summer, when temperatures tend to be at their hottest. This can help plants survive sum-mer heat waves.
Mulch also can be used to suppress weeds. Weeds, which steal moisture plants need to build strong roots and survive summer, need light to grow. When laid correctly, mulch de-prives weeds of the light they need to grow. Organic mulches can even provide homes for crickets and a type of beetle that feed on weed seeds.
Mulch also can deter harmful pests depend-ing on the type of mulch homeowners choose. When purchasing mulch, homeowners will have to choose between the aforementioned organic
mulch or man-made mulches, which may be made of plastic or rubber. While man-made mulches may repel pests, they also can have adverse effects. Plastic, for example, can heat up in the summer and cause plants to burn. Certain organic mulches can repel insects that can threaten plants. That’s because the major-ity of organic mulches increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the soil, and they also increase the presence of helpful insects that do not pose a threat to plant life. Those help-ful insects help keep harmful insects at bay. Compost is a type of organic mulch that may attract harmful insects. While that does not mean homeowners should shy away from using compost as mulch, they should know that they may need to employ organic insecticides to combat their unwanted guests.
Mulch is a potentially valuable tool homeown-ers can use to improve the look and health of their properties.
Make the most of mulching
C6 THE DAILY HERALD SPRING HOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
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How to approach buying a pool or spa
Many homeowners feel pools or spas are must-have features as they
attempt to turn their homes in their own personal oases. The decision to get a pool or a hot tub is not one to take lightly. Significant purchases, pools and/or spas can affect the value of a home and also require various safety modifications. Taking a thoughtful approach when consid-ering adding pools and/or spas to their homes can help homeowners rest easy knowing they made the right decision.
• Do your research first. When making any decision, it’s best to be well-informed. Read reviews on products and find out the base prices of certain pool models so you’ll have a system of comparison. Choose the type and size of pool you want. Other factors, such as the material used in the pool (i.e., con-crete, metal, fiberglass, or vinyl) and filtration methods, also can affect the price, so consider each of these factors carefully before making your decision.
• Determine why you want a pool or spa. The type of pool or spa you ultimately choose should depend on how you plan to use the pool. If you want a pool mainly for family entertainment, then you may want to add mood lighting or special landscaping features. If you simply want something in which you can cool off, a basic model may be most practical. If your spa is intended for therapeutic purposes, look for ones with multipositional water jets or other specialized features. Don’t fall into the trap that a large pool with a deep diving area is best. Young children and many adults do not fre-quently use the deep end, and you may end up with wasted pool space.
• Find a good time to buy. Fall and winter are some of the best times to get deals on pool and spa equip-ment because it’s no longer prime swimming season. However, there are deals to be had come early spring as well. Retailers may deeply discount last year’s models to make room for new inventory. You always can negotiate if the price is just a bit beyond your reach. Retailers may be motivated to make sales in the offseason, so try to use that motiva-tion to your advantage.
• Recognize there will be extra costs. Some retailers sell pools and spas but do not arrange for installa-tion. Realize that an inground pool will require excavation, and your yard may need to be regraded to al-low for rain run-off. Electricians and landscapers are some additional costs to factor in. Make sure you understand the bigger picture and account for the total cost of modify-ing the yard.
• Inquire about insurance. Speak with the pool installer about any li-ability and compensation insurance they may carry to protect you in the event of an accident during the installation of the pool. Reputable builders should be fully insured.
• Learn about zoning laws and other ordinances. Rules regarding pool placement and size will vary depending on local laws. Always consult with the town’s municipal office and get the proper permits. Otherwise, you may face fines and be forced to spend more to fix prob-lems that need to be addressed.
Pools can be entertaining addi-tions to a home. When considering the addition of a pool to their proper-ties, homeowners should take their time and make sure it’s the right decision for them.
Lighting sets the stage for outdoor funTis the season for making
changes in and around the home. The arrival of warmer
weather renews homeowners’ vigor for various home improvement proj-ects, and many have grand plans for interior and exterior renovations as they prep their living spaces for com-fort, beauty and entertaining oppor-tunities. While there are many worthy projects to pursue, adding outdoor lighting to a home can help increase its value and make the home safer and more attractive in the evening hours.
According to the American Light-ing Association, with a few updates to outside lighting, families can make even better use of their homes at night. Adding outdoor lighting is easier and less expensive than many homeowners may know, allowing them to transform an existing patio, deck or pool area into an enjoy-able nighttime retreat. Pool parties, dinners on the patio or barbecues with neighbors become even more memorable when outdoor lighting is added or improved. But homeowners who want to install or upgrade their outdoor lighting should consider the following tips, courtesy of ALA.
* Improve navigation. Lighting is typically layered into a room or out-door space in three ways: overhead, task and ambient. Even outdoors, where there are no typical boundaries and borders, those three layers are necessary. Outdoor overhead light-ing should improve visibility on steps, paths and walking surfaces, espe-cially where there’s a bend or an in-tersection. Task lighting can be used around cooking or gardening areas. Ambient light will cast a comforting glow around any outdoor space.
* Enhance security. To improve vis-ibility and security, combine a motion detector with a sconce to illuminate dark corners or entryways. Be sure to aim lights away from the door to improve visibility. Lanterns on either side of the door can give a home a warm, welcoming appearance and
improve the safety of entryways.* Create outdoor rooms. Outdoor
lighting at the borders of a space is a great way to create barriers, both vertically and horizontally. Lights in a tree create something akin to a chan-delier hung in the middle of the sky, and even accent lights in the general area of the edge of a patio, deck or porch will shine across the space and provide enough of a comfort level for people to understand where things are.
* Reduce glare. Outdoor lighting that casts a glare can be blinding, as can light that’s too bright. Lighting along paths should be cast down-ward, with fixtures that are hooded. A variety of lighting options will create layers, allowing you to add or sub-tract as necessary. Exterior-safe dim-mers also can provide flexible control over the level of light, as can movable fixtures added to a patio or porch.
* Add decorative elements. Just as arbors, pergolas, patios and other outdoor elements help to enhance the style of an outdoor space, so, too, can lighting contribute to a well-designed landscape. Lighting should play up decorative features of a yard and add the ambience that homeown-ers desire. Step lights make passage safe while also highlighting molding or trim details. An outdoor chande-lier can make for a wonderful accent during dinnertime on the deck or under a pergola. Patio lights provide atmosphere as well as illumination for cooking outside.
* Enhance views from inside. Out-door lighting can make the view from inside pleasant and enjoyable. Use a variety of lights, including spotlights on trees, lights dotted along path-ways and accent lights on unique landscape features, to create an idyllic landscape visible from inside the home.
Outdoor lighting enhances function-ality of yards and landscapes while making such areas safer for home-owners and their guests once the sun has gone down.
Many homeowners enjoy the convenience and rec-reational value of having
a pool in their backyards. Pools can be a great spot to gather on warm days, often serving as the center-piece of summer recreation.
Pools require substantial upkeep to function properly and be safe for swimming. The right combination of factors are needed to maintain a proper water balance to prevent skin and eye irritation as well as to ensure the water is clean. Sanitiz-ers play a significant role in ensur-ing that safety.
Various sanitizers are on the market, although people are most familiar with chlorine-based sani-tizers. The goal of a sanitizer is to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae in pool water. Sanitizers also will inhibit the growth of viruses and other organic contaminants.
First-time homeowners who have never had a pool may find it chal-lenging to choose a sanitizer that will work for them. Each sanitizer has its share of pros and cons, but
many homeowners hope to find one that is both cost-effective and convenient. The following are some of the sanitizers to consider.
• Liquid chlorine: Sodium hypo-chlorite, also known as bleach, is a common pool sanitizer.
• Cal-hypo: Calcium hypochlorite is another sanitizing option for pools
• Dichlor and trichlor: Dichloro-s-triazinetrione and trichloro-s-triazi-netrione are two different stabilized chlorine sources.
• Salt: Salt-cell pools use a process of electrolysis to extract chlorine from the salt added to the specialized equipment, thus sanitiz-ing the pool automatically
• Bromine: Bromine is similar to chlorine. Bromine can be more ex-pensive than chlorine, which might deter homeowners looking for the most cost-effective pool sanitizer.
Pool water chemistry can be a complex process. But homeowners have many options at their disposal when it comes time to choose the right sanitizer.
Get the scoop on pool sanitizers
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 SPRING HOME & GARDEN THE DAILY HERALD C7
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Warmer temperatures and longer hours of sunlight can recharge energy levels. Upon
the arrival of spring, homeowners dust off their to-do lists and charge ahead with renewed vigor.
But before homeowners can get started on renovation projects, many must tame the existing mess that may have built up over the
winter. Spring is a great time to dive into spring cleaning projects and ready a home for a season of renovation and remodeling.
Establishing a plan and setting reachable goals can make spring cleaning a lot less daunting.
• Set aside several days for spring cleaning. A long weekend is a great time to do some spring cleaning, as having consecutive days to clean will reduce the chances you grow distracted.
• Make a list and purchase all of the supplies you will need. Again, this will help you stay on course, rather than going out to the store to pick up cleaners or organizational systems.
• Try to set reasonable goals. Even if you hope to clean the entire house, stick to the one or two rooms that are most desperate for your attention. Divide each task into a series of steps so when you complete
each step you will feel proud that you’re making progress. • Create your musical playlist. A playlist full of your favorite songs can provide some
inspiration and energy to push you through the spring cleaning when your enthusiasm starts to wane.
• Start from the top and work downward. Begin by dusting away cobwebs and lighting fixtures. Clean light switches and walls. Empty closets and then restock
them in a more organized fashion. Leave the furniture and flooring for last, as dirt and dust may accumulate on furniture and flooring as you clean other
areas of the home.• Be prepared to bid adieu to some of your stuff. Have a few trash
bags at the ready. Reorganize items you won’t be keeping into separate piles, with one pile for items you plan to donate
and another for those items you will discard. Donate what you can and promptly put the remainder of the
items at the curb for pickup.• Stay fed and hydrated. Take breaks
to fuel up on food and always have a refreshing beverage close by.
on spring cleaning
As winter wears on, it’s not uncommon for people living in cold weather cli-mates to experience some cabin fever.
Winter weather confines many people to their homes, making many antsy to get out once the first signs of spring begin to appear.
In addition to contributing to cabin fever, win-ter weather can have a negative impact on in-door air quality. While air pollution is something most often associated with densely populated cities, the air inside homes is not immune to pollution, especially during long winters when windows are often closed for months at a time. Though open windows in spring and summer can vastly improve indoor air quality, there are ways to ensure that air stays fresh and healthy regardless of which season it happens to be.
1. Clean the floors. Dirty floors are one of the chief contributors
to poor indoor air quality. Dust, dirt, pollen, and pet dander can accumulate on floors, leading to poor air quality and potentially aggravating respiratory conditions such as asthma. When vacuuming, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which is a uniquely designed mechanical air filter that traps harmful particles such as pol-len, pet dander and dust mites. When you finish vacuuming, mop floors to gather any dust or allergens that escaped the vacuum.
2. Control indoor air moisture. Moist air is great for dust mites and mold,
both of which are very bad for humans, so do everything you can to maintain healthy levels of indoor air moisture. Dehumidifiers can reduce indoor air moisture and control allergens, but
it’s important to take additional steps as well. When bathing, try to keep a bath-room window open on a slight crack to prevent mold growth. When pre-paring meals in the kitchen, make use of your exhaust fan. In addition, don’t overwater house-plants, as they can become breeding grounds for mold.
3. Resist syn-thetic fragrances.
A home that smells good tends to feel more pleasant, especially during winter months when windows are closed. But synthetic fragrances, such as those found in detergents and air fresh-eners, may be providing that welcoming scent at a heavy cost to a home’s inhabitants. Such fragrances may be emitting various chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air, affecting indoor air quality and pos-sibly even human health. When buying laundry products, look for those that are fragrance-free, also choosing home cleaning products that do not include any artificial fragrances.
Indoor air quality tends to suffer in colder months, when windows are closed and doors are open only briefly. But homeowners can take a handful of simple yet effective steps to ensure the air in their homes is healthy all year long.
3 ways to improve indoor air quality all year long
C8 THE DAILY HERALD SPRING HOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
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One springtime task on homeowners’ to-do lists is checking cooling systems
to ensure they are ready for summer. Proper maintenance of cooling sys-tems is essential to saving energy and keeping utility costs down. Fortunately, homeowners need not be certified HVAC technicians to maintain their cooling units.
• Clean filters. Whether a home is kept cool by a whole-house central air conditioning system or window units, clean filters are necessary to keep the units working efficiently. Routinely replacing or cleaning filters is one of the most important maintenance tasks to improve airflow and increase efficiency. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy says replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower an air condition-er’s energy consumption by anywhere from 5 to 15 percent.
• Know the square footage. When replacing a cooling system, have an understanding of the size of your home (or room if installing an win-dow unit). Determine the area of the home so you buy a unit that suits your needs. Air conditioners use BTUs (British Thermal Units) to define cooling power. The more BTUs, the larger the space that can be cooled. However, homeowners do not want to exceed the necessary cooling power. This leads to energy waste. EnergyS-tar.gov can help homeowners find the right cooling system for their needs.
• Inspect system coils. The evapora-tor and condenser coils on air con-ditioners can collect dirt, even when
filters are maintained. Dirty coils are less efficient at absorbing heat, so periodically remove the dirt. Outdoor coils can be kept cleaner by cutting back foliage from the unit to allow bet-ter air flow.
• Inspect condensate drains. En-ergy.gov also suggests making sure condensate drains, which take mois-ture pulled from the air away, are functioning properly. If they’re clogged, they may not be effective at reduc-ing humidity in a home, and they may even leak.
• Clear debris. Remove fallen leaves or other plant material from condenser units and fan blades. Obstructed components can cause the system to retain heat, compromising its ability to work effectively. Some homeowners prefer to cover their condensers at the end of the cooling season to keep leaves and dirt out of the unit.
• Check window unit seals. When installing window units, make sure all seals around the air conditioner are in place to prevent cool-air loss.
• Hire a technician. Air conditioner technicians can be very helpful and will know how to prepare a system for hot weather. Technicians typically con-duct multipoint inspections and mea-sure such things as refrigerant levels and duct leakage. Airflow through the evaporator coil also may be checked. If a homeowner suspects the thermo-stat is not working properly, a techni-cian can verify if that is true and even install a new one if necessary.
As summer approaches, homeown-ers should prepare their air condition-ing units for the busy months ahead.
Prepare cooling systems for warm weather
The home improvement market, which includes both improvements and maintenance, has rebounded consid-erably from its most recent low point in 2011. The Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard Universi-ty indicated in early 2015 that the upcoming year would surpass the $324 billion spent on improvements during the peak of the housing boom a decade ago. Even though homebuilding and the home industry in general is still not at complete recovery, trends within the home improve-ment industry do suggest that homeowners have once again become comfortable investing in their homes.
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Homeowners who enjoy entertaining fre-quently sometimes host overnight guests. While many hosts and hostesses have
spare bedrooms for overnight or long-term guests, many others do not. But those among the latter group willing to get a little creative can find more places for overnight guests to rest their heads.
• Sofa: Living room or den sofas can double as bedding for overnight guests. As a short-term solu-tion, a night or two on the couch can be comfort-able enough. Be sure to cover the sofa with freshly laundered sheets and provide those amenities one would expect in a guest space. Access to a televi-sion, a reading lamp, a fan for some white noise and a table on which to place a phone or alarm clock are helpful to have. Such items will make guests more comfortable. If your living room or family room has a door that can be closed, this will help create more privacy for guests.
• Convertible bed: Marketed frequently under the brand name Murphy Bed, convertible beds can incorporate sleeping options into rooms with limited space. This furniture essentially is a bed that folds vertically or horizontally into a frame. When closed, the bed can look like a decorative storage closet or armoire. Some convertible beds come with book-case accessories to expand storage space and also make the piece look like a more cohesive unit. Designers also have experimented with these beds, and some transform from a desk or even from a low-lying bookshelf or bench into a bed.
• Sofa bed or chair: Sofa beds and chairs have a fold-out bed nestled beneath their cushions. Depending on the size of the couch, a twin, full or queen-sized bed may be housed within. Sofa beds vary in regard to their comfort levels, so prospective hosts should investigate their options to ensure guests have the most comfortable sleeping situations pos-sible. A bed in a couch can turn an office or living space into a guest sanctuary in a matter of minutes. In addition, some sofa beds also have extra space built within for storing blankets and pillows. Many popular furniture retailers offer couch brands that can be equipped with a bed. And if space is especially tight,
consider a convertible chair that has a twin-sized bed tucked away.• Bunk beds: Bunk beds may seem like child’s play, but they make great
use of vertical space. Share a kid’s room with your son or daughter and let the guest take your own bedroom. Otherwise, equip a home office with bunk beds and have two more sleeping spaces available.
Accommodating guests when you don’t have a guest bedroom can take some creativity, but those willing to think outside the box can find options that don’t compromise guests’ comfort.
How to create extra space for guests
Rising energy costs and a grow-ing desire to live more eco-friendly lifestyles has spurred
interest in solar panels to power our homes. Although solar panels have been around for quite some time, only recently have homes cloaked in panels aimed at capturing the rays of the sun-solar panels begun to be so visible.
The World Meteorological Organiza-tion reported that the solar industry saw a robust expansion of 41 percent in 2013, and that popularity continues to grow. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association®, in 2015 the solar industry grew an 34 percent more than 2013 figures. Through the first half of the year, the solar industry supplied 40 percent of all new 2015 electric generating capacity — more than any other energy technology. Solar energy now has the cumulative electric capacity to power more than 4.6 million average American homes.
According to Green Tech Media, American solar companies are now installing one solar system every four minutes. If the market continues to grow at this pace, through 2016 there will be a system installed every 20 seconds. These gains in the solar industry may have been spurred on by the Solar Investment Tax Credit, which the SEIA says has helped to lower the cost of solar energy by more than 73 percent.
How does solar energy work?Solar energy is turned into electric
power through the photovoltaic (PV) cells located in the solar panels. The PV cells transform sunlight into direct electric current. An inverter built into the system converts the DC electricity into the alternating current (AC) that powers homes. The AC is sent to the home’s electrical panel and used to power lights and other devices.
What happens at night?Unless a home is self-contained and
off the grid, the average homeowner will not have to worry about night usage or batteries to store energy. He or she will continue to use energy off of the traditional electrical system at night. Many electrical costs will be offset by the amount of extra solar energy put back into the grid. There are a variety of programs, and some homeowners may even reverse bills further based on how much electricity is generated.
Solar panel needsAlthough it is ideal to have a south-
facing location for panels, this is not an absolute necessity. According to Solar-Energy.net, positioning solar panels to face west or south will work, and even southeast-, east- and north-northwest-facing panels can produce adequate energy savings.
The type of roof may affect costs. So-lar panels will not harm the roof when in-stalled correctly, but ornate Spanish tiles or other roofing material may increase solar panel installation costs. Many homeowners find that the solar panels protect the roof from extreme weather, heat and cold, providing an extra bonus to solar energy.
Solar panel costsThe “soft costs” associated with solar
energy can be substantial. Such costs include permits, installation and labor. Energy Informative indicates that the solar panels themselves are relatively affordable, at an average cost of $6,500. However, the entire process of install-ing residental solar systems can end up costing anywhere between $15,000 and $40,000. Homeowners may be able to lease solar panel systems to make solar energy a more affordable option.
Solar energy continues to be a hot topic and a growing trend in home en-ergy solutions.
Going solar is on the rise
C10 THE DAILY HERALD SPRING HOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
How to cool your home without breaking the bankMother Nature is consistently
inconsistent these days, when 30-degree Mondays
might be followed by 60-degree Tues-days. Fickle weather is often accompa-nied by large fluctuations in temperature, strong storms and unseasonable conditions, making it difficult for homeowners to maintain comfort levels in their homes.
As a result of fluctuating temperatures, home heating and cooling systems have been heavily taxed. Growing reliance on HVAC systems has also driven up energy bills, as moderate weather synonymous with spring has given way to more days of extreme heat or extreme cold. As summer ap-proaches once again, reducing cooling costs is a priority for many homeowners. The following are a few ways to cool your home’s interior without causing a spike in your energy bill.
• Reduce sun exposure. Much of the hot air inside of a home can be attributed to sunlight exposure throughout the day. Walls and windows on the south and west sides of a home will bear the brunt of the sun’s rays, so close shades and drapes on this side of the house to maximize cool-ness. Shades and curtains can save you up to 7 percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 de-grees. Homeowners also may want to think about install-ing a retractable awning on areas of the house that get a lot of sun. Planting shade trees is another way to naturally cool down hot sides of the house.
• Draw more air into the attic. Hot air rises, and in the summertime hot air can get trapped beneath the roof in the attic and eaves of a home. While an attic should have vents, homeowners can speed up the exchange of hot air with a simple trick. Open up a window on a shady side of the home, and then open the attic door or take out the access panel and place a box fan inside to blow air up into the attic. This will dis-perse the hot air and help force it out through the vents.
• Use fans productively. Using box fans to suck cool night air in from east- and north-facing windows and to push out hot air from west- and south-facing windows is another way to increase circulation through a home. Running fans may be less costly than turning on air conditioners. Also, set ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. This will pull cooler air up from the floor and create a wind-chill effect.
• Switch to LED or CFL bulbs. Ninety percent of the energy used for incandescent bulbs is emitted as heat. This not only wastes electricity but also can make conditions hotter inside a home. Switch to cooler, more ef-ficient light bulbs.
• Reduce humidity levels. Humidity makes hot temperatures feel even hotter. Clean laundry, take showers and run the dishwasher at night or early in the morning before the day heats up. Don’t forget to vent bath-rooms and kitchens by turning on exhaust fans when water is in use.
• Rely on a programmable thermostat. Setting a thermostat to adjust the air conditioning system automatically means homeowners can keep the temperature raised when they’re not home and then have it lowered shortly before they arrive home. The thermostat also can adjust tempera-tures for day and night use.
• Keep doors closed. Do not cool rooms that are unused. Maximize the cool air in lived-in spaces by blocking off rooms that do not need to be
cooler.• Invest in more insulation. Insulation does not just keep homes warmer
in the cold weather. Insulation also prevents hot air from infiltrating living spaces while keeping cooler air where it’s needed. Sealant around win-dows and doors also will prevent unnecessary air exchange.
252-209-2236 • www.roanokeelectric.comwww.Facebook.com/Roanoke Electric
GET READY FOR THE BIG FOUR!
Let there be solar! After receiving several inquiries from members on embracing renewal energy. We have decided to bring a community shared solar farm to your community.
The solar farm will be located on ½ acre next to the co-ops headquarters in Aulander and will host 320 panels available for purchase by REC members. Panels are available to customers on the � rst come � rst serve basis.
This is a project set to improve systems that relate to the amount of outages you experience and improve our outage response time.
Through this program your cooperative will be able to make investments that cut waste, reduce costs, support our local economy, and improve the quality and comfort of your homes and businesses.
We’re making your outdoor lighting experience more energy ef� cient. Last Fall we launched our Bright $avings Program and begin to deploy more energy ef� cient outdoor
lights to your home and businesses. We are installing Light Emitting Diode(LED) lights at the homes of all of our members to reduce both corporate and individual expenses leaving more money in your pocket!
As we continue responding to your call to serve, we’d like to keep you updated every step of the way. To learn more about the Big Four and all of our other efforts visit www.roanokeelectric.com/The Call 2018.
Women make up a fast-growing segment of the home improvement market. According to research by Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Investor’s Business Daily, 53 percent of married women are responsible for basic household main-tenance and repair. Women also comprise 50 percent of all residential buyers at major home improvement stores and generally spend more than men when shopping. Women also make 85 percent of all remodeling decisions around the home. As a result, more retailers cater to female shoppers in their home improvement promotions.
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C12 THE DAILY HERALD SPRING HOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
