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5 tips to prep your home for cold, wet conditions Americans should brace for a potentially cold and wet winter, according to NOAA and this year's Farmer's Almanac Winter Outlook. That means now is a perfect opportunity to think about preparing your family and home for the colder months ahead. From heating homes with a high-performing furnace or fireplace to keeping children warm and comfortable on school buses, propane can help keep families cozy this winter. Relying on a diverse energy mix - including propane, solar and wind - can help ensure you're prepared for whatever winter brings and reduce the strain on the fragile electric grid. Plus, propane is a stable energy source that is stored on-site and can keep homes operating during severe weather or utility power interruptions. Using propane also produces 43% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the grid. Get winter-ready with these tips from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council: Have Your Furnace Serviced. Proactively think about ways you can reduce the demand on your heating system. In addition to scheduling routine maintenance by a trained professional, there are a few things homeowners can do. First, open all air vents and make sure they are uncovered as blocked airflow forces the furnace to work harder. Check the thermostat to ensure it's working properly by increasing the temperature by 5 F and waiting to hear the furnace turn on. Consider setting the thermostat a couple degrees cooler than what might feel comfortable as doing so not only saves money but lessens the load from your furnace. Keep thermostats at 65 F during the day and 55 F at night, closing off rooms that don't need to be heated. Using a programmable thermostat can save homeowners as much as 10% per year on heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It's also a good idea to replace air filters every 1-3 months to help keep your furnace working efficiently and effectively. Upgrade Your Furnace. If it's time to upgrade your home's climate control system, it's a smart idea to do your homework and explore your options. There are several state and federal incentive programs to help homeowners upgrade their current systems to a clean energy option like propane. Propane is an affordable, comfortable, reliable and efficient energy source. It's also a clean, low-carbon option. What's more, propane-powered furnaces last 50% longer than electric heat pumps, which means a lower lifetime investment. Propane furnaces also provide warmer air than other heat sources (115-125 F), are less impacted by outdoor temperatures and produce 50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than electric furnaces and 12% less than fuel oil furnaces. Rethink Your Boiler System. For a home that runs on a boiler system, you can make upgrades that improve performance while providing space savings and the versatility to provide heating, hot water and even snow melt. High-efficiency propane boilers can last up to 30 years and have significantly lower emissions than those fueled by heating oil. Take Advantage of Your Fireplace. The warm glow of a fire isn't only comforting; it can be a practical and effective way to increase the heat inside your home. Not only do propane fireplaces offer 5-6 times the heating capacity of electric fireplaces, they're also more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, convenient to use and easier to install than woodburning models. They also emit less soot and other emissions. Be Efficient with Water Heating. Water heating can be a large expense, accounting for 14-18% of home utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Set your water heater no higher than 120 F and install low-flow shower heads or temperature-sensitive shower valves to reduce energy consumption. High-performance propane tankless water heaters can reduce a home's energy consumption because it only heats the water when you need it, ultimately saving you money. Find more tips to prepare your home for winter weather at Propane.com. Preparing for Winter Storms Before, during and after a storm, consider these key factors to help keep your family and home as safe as possible. Have an Adequate Propane Supply Discuss the possibility of scheduling regular winter visits with your propane supplier so you always have an adequate supply of propane in your tank. This can reduce your chances of running empty in times of heavy snowfall when roads may be inaccessible for delivery. Create an Emergency Plan Work with your family to create a plan in the event of a winter storm. Gather contact information for emergency services and utility companies, including your local propane supplier, along with instructions for turning off your propane, electricity and water. If you turn off your propane, contact a service technician to inspect your system before turning it back on. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors Because carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is highly poisonous, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) on every level of your home, including the basement. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding installation, location and maintenance. Plan for Communications Keep a battery-powered radio handy, so you always have a way to receive updates on weather conditions. As storms approach, it's also smart to charge your smartphone to use as an additional tool for communication through a power outage. Purchasing a propane generator is another option to ensure you always have reliable power, even during blackouts. Inspect Damage Cautiously If a storm causes harm to your property, be careful when assessing damage. Downed power lines, damaged gas lines and dislodged propane tanks can lead to dangerous situations. In the dark, use a flashlight instead of candles to avoid combustion if there is a leak. Call the Experts in Dangerous Situations Your utility company, fire department and propane supplier have expert training to handle your home's systems in potentially dangerous situations. Additionally, if a storm damages your property, it's a good idea to have a qualified service technician perform a complete inspection of your propane system to look for damage. Photo courtesy of Getty Images (House) #16403 Source: Propane Education & Research Council #16403 Source: Propane Education & Research Council
Have you ever found yourself in the undesirable position of owning two homes when you only wanted one? Undoubtedly you considered the prospect of renting your home to someone else. Renting is a common practice. Most of the time, it occurs with a minimal amount of fuss, but there can be challenges and potential pitfalls.
Keep these tips in mind:
Taking care of these 8 items will go a long way towards making the rental process as painless as possible. Get the help and advice you need to ensure you have a successful experience.
Finding a home that fits your dream list can be difficult. Add in a child (or two), and the criteria can get even tighter.
Take the McGinnis family, which was on the hunt for a more spacious home that could accommodate two home offices in the Dallas area.
“Working with Opendoor, my wife and I were able to buy a new home, sell our current house and skip the hassle of preparing for open houses with two small kids,” Billy McGinnis said. “The entire process was quick and easy, and allowed us to stay in our preferred location and school district for our kids.”
With schools across the country in session, the experts at Opendoor are helping parents and guardians find their perfect homes with this list of top cities and towns for families based on family-friendly features, including parks, picnic sites, swimming pools and proximity to schools.
The top 15 family-friendly cities and towns:
Other key criteria for family-friendly places to live include:
Academic Excellence According to a real estate trends report, among the most common reasons homeowners cite for selling their homes is to seek a better school district.
The Great Outdoors Research from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services shows children who play outdoors have lower stress levels, develop stronger immune systems and play more creatively. If you’re looking to maximize outdoor experiences, you can feel right at home in Denver, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; or Ann Arbor, Michigan. Each of these areas offers wide open spaces where children can learn and explore.
Small-Town Feel If you’re seeking a small-town feel with big city amenities nearby, look no further than Arlington, Virginia or Avondale Estates, Georgia. Both locations offer areas for outdoor play, neighborhoods with strong community feel and a wide selection of restaurants and coffee shops the entire family can enjoy.
“Deciding where to settle down and buy a home is a difficult decision, especially for families with children,” Opendoor’s Consumer Trend Expert Beatrice de Jong said. “We found that most family-friendly cities on our list have quite a few common features – whether that’s a small-town feel or plenty of outdoor spaces to explore. With Opendoor, families can buy, sell and move at the tap of a button. Buyers can take advantage of virtual tours to view properties without leaving home, and sellers can receive preliminary offers in minutes while skipping the hassle of stagings and open houses.”
Whether you are buying or selling your home, visit opendoor.com for a streamlined experience.
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If you're like most people, you probably don't get enough sleep. And if you don't get enough sleep, you're not alone. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than one-third of Americans do not get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. There are a number of reasons why people don't get enough sleep. Some people have trouble falling asleep, others have trouble staying asleep, and some people have both problems. But whatever the reason, there are things you can do to get better sleep. Here are some tips: 1.) Create a bedtime routine: A bedtime routine can help signal to your body that it's time to wind down and go to sleep. Start by choosing a bedtime and sticking to it as much as possible. Then, create a pre-bed routine that includes relaxing activities such as reading, taking a bath or shower, or doing light stretching. Doing the same thing every night will help train your body to know when it's time to sleep. 2.) Avoid caffeine before bed: Caffeine is a stimulant, so it's not surprising that it can make it harder to fall asleep. If you're trying to get better sleep, avoid caffeine in the evening and try to limit your intake earlier in the day. 3.) Cut down on alcohol before bed: Alcohol may make you feel sleepy at first, but it can actually disrupt your sleep later in the night. If you're trying to get better sleep, limit your alcohol intake in the evening and try to avoid drinking close to bedtime. 4.) Get some exercise: Exercise can help improve your sleep by reducing stress and anxiety and increasing the release of endorphins, which can make you feel good and help you relax. But avoid exercising too close to bedtime, as this can actually make it harder to fall asleep. 5.) Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet: A dark and quiet bedroom is more conducive to sleep than a bright and noisy one. If you're having trouble sleeping, try using blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out light, and use earplugs or white noise to reduce noise. 6.) Make sure your bedroom is cool: A cooler temperature can actually help you sleep better. If you're having trouble sleeping, try turning down the thermostat to create a more comfortable environment for sleep. 7.) Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and promote sleep. If you're struggling to get enough sleep, don't despair. There are things you can do to improve your sleep habits and get the rest you need. Try some of these tips and see what works for you.