Home & Yard Handbook

When selecting a digital TV converter box, look for a converter that offers features like access to closed captioning right on the remote control

(NAPS)—With only a short time left before TV channels go all digital, many people are wondering if it’s better to upgrade an old TV or replace it with a newer model. 

Consumers who receive their local broadcast stations through a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV are already prepared for the DTV transition. Those who rely on free, over-the-air television programming by using rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” on their sets can either purchase a digital television or purchase a digital-to-analog converter box so they can continue to receive free, over-the-air programming.

The federal government is offering $40 discount coupons for consumer purchase of Digital TV converter boxes. Coupons can be requested at www.DTV2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009. 

Consumers who rely on closed-captioning services have expressed concern about how the digital-to-analog converter boxes will work and whether consumers will continue to receive that service.

A reliable digital-to-analog converter box can also generate and display digital closed captions that offer choices for size and color of the on-screen type. One of the better models, according to many product reviewers, is the Zenith DTT901 converter box.

“One of our biggest concerns during the transition to all-digital TV broadcasting is how manufacturers of converter boxes would accommodate people with disabilities,” said Jenifer Simpson, senior director of telecommunications & technology policy for the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Setting up the converter involves connecting an antenna, putting the included battery in the remote control and connecting the box to the TV’s antenna input. A channel scan can be accomplished in seconds. 

To learn more, visit www.Zenith.com/dtv.

Saving water in your garden may be as simple as following a few tips from landscape architects

(NAPS)—Designing your garden to conserve water can help weed out one cause of high utility bills. 

Advance planning can save homeowners hundreds and even thousands of gallons of water during the growing season. Here are a few tips for a water-saving garden makeover from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

• Start early. Plan ahead so that all new plantings take place in the spring. Plants require much less water to get situated when they are planted during the cooler months.
• Go native. When deciding what to install in your yard, consider native and drought-resistant plants. They typically require less maintenance and little watering once established (sometimes none at all).
• Must mulch. Use compost when planting and cover the area with mulch afterwards. Compost helps keep the water by the plant’s roots and mulch prevents evaporation. Make sure to leave some space around the base of each plant and resist creating mulch mounds around plants and trees.
• Less lawn. The average American uses 200 gallons per day watering the lawn. Consider replacing some of that grass with an attractive ground cover that is drought resistant, covers a large area and requires no mowing.
• Supersoak. Up to a third of all water from sprinklers can evaporate during the heat of the day. Instead, give your plants fewer, heavy soakings. If you use sprinklers, only use them in the morning.
• Gray is good. Recapturing gray water or rainwater can provide a free source of garden irrigation. These systems can be easily installed and even incorporated into irrigation systems.
• Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip irrigation systems water plants right at the root and serve as an efficient alternative to sprinkler systems. For maximum effectiveness, be sure to get a timer.

To learn more about reducing utility bills through landscape design or to find a landscape architect, visit www.asla.org.

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Theme for GardenScape ’09: ‘Gardens of Eden…an Oasis for the Soul’

The Garden of Eden is revered as an oasis of remarkable beauty – a wonder that defies one’s imagination.   

Next March 12-15, the Rochester area’s most creative landscapers will take up the challenge as they interpret the theme for GardenScape 2009:  “Gardens of Eden…an Oasis for the Soul.

Visitors to the Dome Center in Henrietta, just outside downtown Rochester, will be treated to some 20 artistically landscaped gardens that combine color, beauty and an almost mystical aura in this 18th annual flower and garden show produced by the GardenScape Professionals Association.

In addition to the garden displays, more than 100 vendors will be on hand, and daily seminars will feature local and national horticultural experts.  The show offers a new and improved interactive Children’s Garden, sponsored by Home Comfort Heating, special early bird tours, an evening masquerade ball with live music by Nik and the Nice Guys, and daily entertainment by local musicians and actors.  

Again this year, a special preview party entitled “A Taste of Spring” will be held on Wednesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation.  Tickets are $50 (available in advance only) and may be purchased online at www.epilepsy-uny.org.

New this year, GardenScape will offer one couple the exclusive opportunity to tie the knot in a romantic, private reception.  The Wedding at GardenScape, sponsored by Bath Fitter, presents a truly one of a kind setting available only once per year and perfect for new beginnings.

Early Bird Tours Offer Excellent Way to See GardenScape 2009

Looking for a great way to see GardenScape 2009 – the annual Rochester Flower and Garden Show —  at a leisurely pace with master gardeners available to guide you?

Try one of the popular Early Bird Breakfast Tours, offered before regular show hours on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, and enjoy breakfast, too.

“Gardens of Eden…an Oasis for the Soul” is the theme of GardenScape 2009, to be held at the Monroe County Fair and Expo Center, March 12-15.   Regular show hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Early Bird ticket holders will be admitted at 7:00 a.m. on Friday or Saturday, where they will be treated to a hot breakfast catered by the event sponsor, D & R Depot Restaurant of LeRoy.  Guests may then stroll through the landscaped gardens on their own or join one of the small tour groups headed by a master gardener.

The Early Bird Tours end at 9:00 a.m., but ticket holders are welcome to stay for the entire day.  Tickets for the Early Bird are $25 and may be purchased at any Wegmans “That’s the Ticket” locations, online at www.rochesterflowershow.com, or at participating Rochester-area florists.  Reservations are strongly recommended.

“The Early Bird tours are a great way to enjoy excellent food, have ample access to the gardens, and to chat with master gardeners,” said event chairperson Katie Houseknecht.  “People who attended last year’s Early Bird tours raved about the D&R Depot offerings, and we’re glad to have them back again as sponsors.

In addition to the garden displays, more than 80 vendors will display their wares in the adjacent Minett Hall.  As in the past, daily seminars will be held featuring local and national horticultural experts. 

GardenScape is a not-for-profit organization whose proceeds from the show help support public and educational projects such as the Epilepsy Foundation, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Ronald McDonald House. For more information on the show, including ticket pricing, go to www.rochesterflowershow.com or call 585-265-9018.  

The calm of the winter months allow us to dream about Spring. We dream about planting the garden, we dream about the warm breeze blowing through the open windows, and we dream about what can we do to improve our homes. It could be a new kitchen for you, new bath cabinets, re-landscaping the yard , or just as simple as a fresh new coat of paint.

A good and simple change could be new carpet. Old carpets harbor aliens and dust. A new wall to wall broadloom will add value to your home and health. Carpet is looped, cut, or a combination of both. If you have animals, always install a cut product. Dog’s nails can get caught in the loops of carpet, and once pulled it is difficult to repair. If you are tired of carpet, rip it out and install hardwood floors or tile. This will add value to your home, and give you a personal boost.

Want to make a bigger investment in your home? New windows offer energy efficiency– you will save dollars in the long term. Any insulating done to your home is always smart, whether it be new windows, doors, or simply caulking your existing ones. Remember this at tax time, there is credit for energy improvements.

Want to update your home’s exterior? New siding is the perfect choice when you want to recoup dollars spent on improvements. You will gain that money back when it is time to sell your property. New siding will also make your home easier to maintain, while adding beauty to your home’s exterior. Popular color choices of vinyl siding are clay, light cream, sand, and always white. Top the house off with a new roof, and ahhhhhhhhh, sit back and relax for 30 years.

If you have yearned for a new kitchen, now is the time to plan it. Cabinets in painted finishes are very popular. Cherry, oak, and maple woods are also a great choice. If budget is a concern, consider refacing your cabinets, a good choice at about 1/5 the cost of a new cabinet.  After selecting the wood species and door style, a new counter surface is the next choice. 

Laminates such as Formica or Wilsonart are popular and the most inexpensive . So many colors and patterns are available now. There are some that are textured and look like granite. After laminate on the price scale, are acrylic products.

They tend to scratch, but scratches are easily smoothed out. Next would be a composite product, made mostly of quartz, they are Zodiaq, or Cambria. These products are a great choice, stain and mildew resistant, and zero porosity. 

The most expensive and very beautiful is natural granite. Installing granite in your kitchen will add many more dollars to the value of your home. While making your countertop selection, a new sink and faucet selection is necessary. If using  a quartz or granite top, an undermount sink is a clean, functional choice. Consider a faucet with a pull down sprayer, making only one hole in your counter.

Wish for a new garden or sidewalk? Rip out your walk and add pavers. They look so neat and tidy and will add so much curb appeal to your home. Easily installed, this is a project for do it yourselfers. Want to create a new outdoor space? A new deck is your answer. New products are easily maintained and will last for many years.

Any dollars spent on your home are always well spent dollars. A project can be big, but any small project will also give you a lift.

When looking for contractors, remodel professionals, and products, use your Home and Yard Handbook as a reference guide, And listen to Len and Bren on Home and Yard radio. We are here for you. Here’s to a new look and a new Spring! 

Lana Torre is the owner of Evergreen Interiors and recipient of multiple Interior Design Awards including several Best of Show for Homearama.  Contact Lana at 223-8776 or email her lana@homeandyardhandbook.com

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Follow these tips to prevent rust, mildew, mold and odors caused by high humidity levels in your home.

High humidity levels in the home encourage rust, mildew, mold and odors; and the moisture can damage cameras, computers and furniture. The problem is easy to solve with a dehumidifier, which is rated by how many pints of water it can take out of the air every 24 hours. A 25 pint unit will serve bedrooms and living areas, but basements and areas with a laundry room or barthroom, consider a 35-40 or even 50 pint unit. These devices cost $175 to $250. Keep the following operation and maintenance tips in mind:

• Be sure the dehumidifier outlet is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) Avoid using extension cords; spilled water presents a shoch hazard.
• Place the unit at least 6 in. from any wall so air flows freely; shut all nearby windows and doors.
• For the first few days of use, turn the humidi-stat to the extra dry setting, which will remove moisture from room furnishings.
• Run the unit only when the room temperature is above 70% F. Frost can form on the coils when it’s below 65% F.
• Look for a unit with an indicator light that signals when the pan or bucket is full.
• To reduce the chance of shock, unplug the device before emptying the water bucket.
• Each month, dust or vacuum off the grilles or louvers, and scrub the bucket with a mild bleach solution to discourage mold, mildew and bacteria.
• Once every three months remove dust from the coils with a soft brush.
• Be sure to NOT locate the dehumidifier close to a sump crock, as it will encourage the dehumidifier to constantly run. If you empty the unit by way of a drain hose into the crock make sure the unit is at least 10-12 ft. away!
• For larger extra damp or wet basements go online to find larger dehumidifiers than are normally not sold at home centers. Some can run as high as $1,500 but are well the investment. 

As the single largest housing expense after a mortgage payment, your utility costs can have a direct impact on how large a mortgage you can afford. You can save money on the cost of utilities by purchasing new  energy-efficient heating and cooling systems or by making home improvements, such as weatherizing and insulating older homes, and these investments can end up saving you money through lower utility bills. As a new homebuyer or current homeowner, you may be able to use an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) to finance the cost of these improvements. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Energy Efficient Mortgages Program allows you to finance the purchase of a home—or refinance your current mortgage—and include the cost of the energy-saving, cost-efficient improvements through a single mortgage. EEMs are mortgage loans that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is a part of HUD. 

FHA’s EEM program recognizes the monthly utility cost savings when homebuyers make energy-efficient improve¬ments. Homebuyers, or homeowners when refinancing, may use the EEM program to finance the cost of energy-efficient improvements into their new mortgages, without the need to qualify for additional financing, because cost-effective energy improvements result in lower utility bills making more funds available for their mortgage payments. 

How the Loan Works

You can take out an EEM loan as a 15- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgage or as an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) from an FHA-approved lender. FHA requires that you make at least a 3-percent downpayment on the proper¬ty, which is based on the sale price. Any upfront mortgage insurance premium may be financed as part of the mort¬gage. 

The total amount of your mortgage is based on the value of your home plus the projected cost of energy-effi¬cient improvements. When determining how large a mort¬gage you can afford, the lender can consider the estimated energy savings that are expected once you make energy-efficient improvements to the home that meet energy-con¬serving standards. Because your home will be energy effi¬cient, you will save on utility costs and, therefore, be able to devote more income to the monthly mortgage payment. 

Your final loan amount can exceed the maximum FHA mortgage limit by the amount of the energy-efficient improvements. To find FHA mortgage limits in your area, visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov. A Home Energy Rating System provider or energy consultant determines the estimated cost of the energy improvements and esti¬mated energy savings and provides a home energy rating report to you and your lender. You may finance up to $200 of the cost of the energy inspection report as part of the mortgage. 

A portion of your loan is used to pay for the purchase of the home, or in the case of a refinance, to pay off any existing debt. The remainder is placed in an interest-bear¬ing account on your behalf and released to you after an inspection verifies that the improvements are installed and the energy savings will be achieved. You can begin making energy improvements after the loan’s closing. You are responsible for hiring contractors and getting bids for the work to be done on your home. The work must be com¬pleted within 90 days after closing. 

Eligibility

Almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured EEM loan. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level required. 

The following types of properties are eligible under the EEM program, including new construction or exist ing one- to four-unit single family residences:

• Detached houses
• Townhouses
• Condominiums. Cooperative units are not eligible. 

The Cost and Types of Improvements 

 You may finance into your mortgage the cost of the energy-efficient improvements determined to be “cost effec¬tive,” which means that the total cost of the improvements, including any maintenance costs, is less than the total pres¬ent value of the energy saved over the useful life of the energy improvement. The maximum cost of improvements that you can add to the mortgage is either 5 percent of the property’s value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000, whichev¬er is greater based on the value of your property. For exam¬ple, if your property’s value is $75,000, the maximum cost of improvements allowed is $4,000 because this is greater than 5 percent of the property value. If your property’s value is $100,000, the maximum amount of improvements allowed is $5,000 because this is 5 percent of the property’s value, greater than $4,000 but less than $8,000. Finally, if your property’s value is $160,000, the maximum cost of improve¬ments allowed is $8,000, which is 5 percent of the property value and the maximum allowed overall. 

Examples of improvements that are made under an EEM loan: 

• Replacing a furnace/cooling system 
• Fixing or replacing a chimney
• Insulating an attic, crawl space, and/or pipes and air ducts 
• Replacing doors or windows 
• Installing active and passive solar technologies 

If you can demonstrate an ability to complete the work yourself in a satisfactory manner, you may complete the labor. Materials that you furnish may be applied to your downpayment to the extent of the estimated cost of the materials. 

Applying for an EEM

You may apply with any participating HUD-approved lender, such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage company. You can find a searchable list of HUD-approved lenders online at www.hud.gov. 

Information Resources

Internet: www.hud.gov or espanol.hud.gov

More details about the Energy Efficient Mortgages Program are on the HUD website, including a list of HUD-approved lenders.

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency Locator

HUD supports a network of approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling services across the nation. For a complete list of HUD-approved agencies in your area, call the HUD housing counseling referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov.

‘Going Green’ is certainly en vogue.  I haven’t shopped, watched television, read a newspaper or listened to the radio in the last year without learning something about or of some way companies and consumers are making ‘green’ choices.

Everyone is talking about reducing their carbon footprint.  Have you ever wondered what that means exactly?  Well I did, so I looked it up.  Here’s how Wikipedia defines it:  A Carbon Footprint is a “measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measures in units of carbon dioxide”.  Here’s what that means to me:  the common thought, although some scientists dispute this, is that we are loading up the atmosphere with too much carbon dioxide or CO2, which is causing global warming.  Long story short, we are upsetting the balance of nature.  No one knows exactly what the effects of this will be, but rising oceans resulting in crop damage and food shortages, tropical diseases and all sorts of calamities have been predicted.

Since 1751 roughly 315 billion tons of carbon have been released to the atmosphere from the consumption of fossil fuels and cement production alone.  Half of these emissions have occurred since the mid 1970’s.  So, it looks like we’re escalating at a pretty rapid pace.  

The science is clear: global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. When we turn on our lights, cook our food, wash and dry our clothes, or heat or cool our homes, we are using energy sources such as coal and oil.  These energy sources emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the earth’s atmosphere.  Over time, the build up of these gasses causes global warming. Global warming destabilizes the delicate eco balance that makes life on this planet possible.  Just a few degrees in temperature can completely change the world as we know it and threaten the lives of millions of people around the world.

Dr. James Hansen, of NASA, the United States’ space agency, has been researching global warming longer than just about anyone else. He was the first to publicly testify before the U.S. Congress, in June of 1988, that global warming was real. He and his colleagues have used both real-world observation, computer simulation, and mountains of data about ancient climates to calculate what constitutes dangerous quantities of carbon in the atmosphere.   These studies have revealed that the planet is in its danger zone because we’ve poured too much carbon into the atmosphere, and we’re starting to see signs of real trouble like melting ice caps and rapidly spreading drought. 

As of the year 2008, carbon in the atmosphere was measured at about 387 parts per million (PPM).  At that time, researchers and climatologists we calling to reduce that number to 340 PPM, saying that we need to scramble back as quickly as we can to safety.  In mid-December, giving the climactic speech at the Poznan global warming conference, Al Gore set a new bottom line for the climate debate: 350 PPM. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide–measured in “Parts Per Million” in our atmosphere. 350 PPM–it’s the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.

This is certainly a global movement.  In order to slow the warming of our planet, every person on the globe needs to reduce their carbon footprint.  It can be done.  If every American household switched just one light bulb to an Energy Star Bulb, every year our country would save $600 million in energy costs.  That’s enough to light 3 million homes and avoid the green house gases equal to 800,00 cars.

So you see, green matters.  And every time you make green choices you are personally contributing to the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere.�

Q: Coming up this spring we know that we are going to have to replace our front porch flooring.  We live in the city in the Park Avenue area and the floor is most likely the original wood flooring. We were told by one contractor that it is probably Fir and that we can replace it with the same product. We are wondering if there are any other options or is this the way we should go?

A: First of all your contractor is probably right. Most porch floors were made of Fir (Douglas Fir ), which is a very stable wood. It is still readily available and depending on your finish preference is a sure bet for lasting a long time. Fir is the best suited for painting so if that is your preference then make it your choice. 

Another choice would be Mahogany, which is also a very stable wood for flooring as it is very dense and resists dents and scratching very well. There are many varieties of Mahogany and thus prices can differ. Mahogany, due to it’s inherent  density is not a wood that accepts paint well and should be stained instead. 

Over the past couple of years many manufacturers have come out with PVC porch flooring in tongue and groove profiles. For low maintenance this is your best option. 

Since you said you are in the Park Ave area you may first want to make sure there are no historical preservation rules regarding using a PVC product  on your porch. 

Be sure and take the time while the porch floor is removed to inspect and reinforce the framing structure as needed.  I would also recommend inspecting any columns and bases as they tend to be a home for carpenter ant infestation.

Don’t miss this year’s premier show at the Dome Center in Henrietta 

It is a great opportunity to come see hundreds of Rochester’s best contractors and businesses all in one location. This year the BCB is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the Home Fair Expo, with 290 exhibitors and 175 professionals loaded with the information and new products you have been looking for. The three days are also packed with free informative seminars, such as How to Choose a Contractor, Planning a Room Addition, and How to Save Energy with Energy Smart. There will be door prizes, raffle tickets and a silent auction to benefit this year’s charity, CP Rochester, an organization dedicated to Connecting People with Physical Disabilities to the Community (Learn more, at: www.cprochester.org). 

How is The BCB Home Fair Expo Different from Other Home Shows?    

One thing that sets this home show apart from others is that the BCB has strict guidelines for exhibitors. Each participant must be a BCB member, which means they have to have been in business for a minimum of one year, show proof of proper insurance, and adhere to all NY State regulations. This guarantees that all of the participating vendors you will meet at the show follow a strict code of ethics as a BCB member.

You can feel confident that the BCB is looking out for you, the consumer. The bureau averages about 1,000 calls a year, investigates, and settles over 90% of them. The BCB works very closely with the Attorney General’s office and the Consumer Protection Board. 

Carmen Santora, the founder and Executive Director of the BCB says, “I take pride in the fact that I have provided the public a home show every year for the past 25 years. The Home Fair Expo is a place where people in Rochester and the surrounding communities can come to find reliable home improvement contractors and businesses. It is an unusual service that we offer, and thousands of consumers come to the show every year because they know they can trust the companies and expert information they find here. People feel good about that.”

If you are starting to think about home improvement projects or just want to check out some of the coolest and latest home products, mark the dates on your calendar and be sure to stop into the Dome Center for the Home Fair Expo February 27th through March 1st.  

For more information call Carmen Santora at 338-3600, or visit www.the-bcb.net.

This issue is dedicated to the BCB Home Fair Expo that is the weekend of February 27, 28 and March 1.  We have had a very cold winter and the past couple of months been stuck in our houses trying to stay warm.  If everyone is like myself, you have been looking around the inside of your house trying to target your next project or remodeling job to do.  Or maybe this Spring you are finally going to re-do your kitchen or bathroom.  It is hard to decide what business or contractor to call when you need to hire one.  By attending the BCB Home Fair Expo the end of this month, you can do all your research under one roof.  There will be over 200 contractors and businesses that you can stop and see, look at samples, and find answers to all of your questions.  There is also a weekend of FREE seminars that could help you out with your remodeling projects. 

In this issue we have put together a collective group of remodeling articles.  There is also great information on applying for a mortagage that can help you save money.  And Ralph Honda Pontiac is Doing it Right again, by providing us with a great green tip for our vehicles.  I think from the information in the tip it is safe for me to say that I have won the disagreement between my husband and myself over how long is it necessary to warm up your vehicle before driving in the cold weather.  (I knew I was right!)  Please stop by and see us at the BCB show, myself, Len and Brenna the Fixie Chick will be at our booth #257.

We hope you enjoy this issue and take the time to get out of the house and support your local contractors and economy by attending this year’s B.C.B. Home Fair Expo at the Dome Center. We are very fortunate to have such an organization in our area and the fact that they have been providing Rochester with such a wonderful show for 25 years is amazing in itself.

Deanna