Category Archives: Home improvement

How to avoid locksmith scams?

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In the past, many of you might have been locked out of your house/apartment or car. In that unfortunate situation, you need to find a reliable locksmith in a hurry. However, some dishonest locksmiths can frustrate you more with other headaches. The following is a list of tips to avoid locksmith scams.

  1. Be aware of bait and switch tactics. Several signs of these tactics include: unusually low price. They usually advertise a “$19.95 or $29.95 and up” service call. The “and up” has been added in small print to get away from being charged with bait and switch laws. Another sign is “15 minute” response. After they tell you that your car is very difficult to get into, they raise their price as much as $200 or $300. If it is a house, they claim that the lock is a high security lock and then add the trip charge and other extra charges for drilling the old lock off and removing the old lock. Typically, added charges could be $400 or $500.
  2. Ask if the locksmith is actually local and certified (a Certified Master Locksmith). Many of the scammers are using the phone banks. So, if they ask for your area code or zip code, you should suspect their identities. The safe bet is to check their address on Google maps.
  3. Before they start the work, ask for a written estimate. In some states such as Ohio, you should not be charged more than 10% above the written estimate without authorization.
  4. Check and see if the locksmith to be hired by you belongs to the Associated Locksmiths of America (check the site http://findalocksmith.com/).
  5. Check the locksmith reviews (http://www.locksmith.reviews/).

 

How to reduce your energy bill?

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According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, In 2016, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,766 kilowatthours (kWh), an average of 897 kWh per month.  The average residential monthly electric bill was $110.21 in 2013. The electricity price went up by 3% in 2014 and 1.7% in 2015, respectively. In particular, the harsh winter weather in 2017 significantly increased our burden for electricity bills.The good news is that the average residential household can save approximately $460 annually on electricity bills by choosing energy efficiency options, according to the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

So, it is wise for use to think about ways to better control our energy bill. The following is a list of tips for reducing your energy bills.

  1. Consider replacing the old thermostat with a “smart” thermostat – Wi-Fi enabled devices controlled by the smart phone or PCs. The smart thermostat will allow you to adjust temperature while you are traveling, at work, or in bed. According to a report by Energy Saver, the smart thermostat helps you save up to 10% each year on heating and cooling bills by turning back the thermostat 7 to 10 F. (See  https://www.google.com/search?q=best+smart+thermostat&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS754US754&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-saaO0drZAhXPuVMKHe84B2oQsxgIKA&biw=1280&bih=590   for the best thermostat)
  2. Use the Advanced Power Strips (APS) and smart plugs that can save you $200 a year, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. These devices can reduce stand by power (aka vampire load) which consumes electricity when TVs, PCs, and their peripherals are switched off.  (See  https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/choose-right-advanced-power-strip-you   for finding the best APS).
  3. Replace the traditional bulbs with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) bulbs which can slash half the energy use. According to MoneyTalkNews (2013), the LED bulb uses only 25 cents’ worth and thus saves $1.23 per year.(See https://www.bestreviews.guide/led-light-bulbs?origin=google&google_params[matchtype]=e&google_params[network]=g&google_params[device]=c&google_params[creative]=248080124559&google_params[keyword]=best%20led%20light%20bulbs&google_params[adposition]=1t2&google_params[adgroupid]=40336765637&google_params[campaignid]=769102229&bs=cg4xHaLIuRXXmT4yEZMnoBDOiv9BbwQOI0CzL2a-5VvuhqQVYMoPZv2mm_36uwzhrbvDTFrK8i0=&google_params[feeditemid]=&google_params[targetid]=kwd-4917267992&google_params[loc_interest_ms]=&google_params[loc_physical_ms]=9022897&google_params[devicemodel]=&google_params[target]=&dest=0&sys_id=0|254&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIguuu1M3a2QIVlDuBCh0aPgtEEAAYAiAAEgKBzfD_BwE  for the best LEDs)
  4. Use low-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads which can save more than 20,000 gallons of water and $50 reduction in electric bills for an average family of four. According to the Conservation Warehouse, the low-flow Shower Head will save 40% of the showering cost with the 1.5 gpm model.
  5. Consider a home energy audit which may save you 5 to 30% on your annual energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (See https://www.homeadvisor.com/category.Home-Energy-Efficiency.-13029.html/?m=cammgsemha&iv_=__iv_p_1_a_92153082_g_4032469242_w_kwd-11700303_h_9022897_ii__d_c_v__n_g_c_181421957265_k_home%20energy%20audit_m_b_l__t__e_90620562_r_1t1_vi__&entry_point_id=18390184&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpd379s_a2QIVECOBCh3OXAicEAAYASABEgIlFvD_BwE  for a list of the home energy audit contractors).

How to Avoid Home Improvement/Repair Scam?

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Once spring time comes, many home owners think about making their home look better. But, if you have someone whom you are not familiar with as the potential contractor, you can be duped by him/her for home improvement/repair services.

The following is a list of signs that a scammer may try to fool you.

  • A unknown contractor knocks on your door unsolicited and she/he can improve home with an arranged loan to be financed by a lender she/he knows.
  • Offer his/her services at an extremely low, too-good-to-be-true discount/price quote, without explaining exactly what to cover or not to cover.
  • Pressure you to act on the deal immediately or within a short time window to take advantage of a special discount or deal.
  • Never confirm his/her verbal offer with a written quote.
  • Ask you to pay for his/her services fully or partially (but substantially) upfront or in cash.
  • It is difficult for a customer to find the company information online or the company was not on the list of the better business bureau. Even if it is on the list,  its rating is unfavorable with some customer complaints.
  • Ask you to get the required building permits by yourself.
  • Rush you to sign the contracts or do the paperwork without reading them.
  • Ask you to pay more money for his/her services after she/he claims that the work is completed. Otherwise, she/he threatens to put lien on your property or threatens to file a lawsuit against you.
  • Offer you a great deal (charge only for labor and the bare minimum cost) by claiming that she/he has some leftover materials after completing the job for your neighbor down the street.

If you get the sense that something is not right or sounds shady, you may check with consumer offices http://usa.gov/state-consumer or https://www.facebook.com/FightBack4Justiceor http://www.complaints.com/.

Tips for keeping batteries for a long time

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For all kinds of gadgets (e.g., AA batteries for toys, electronic devices, clocks; AAA batteries for portable devices), we often need batteries to power them. But, old batteries that are not usable can frustrate us. The following are simple tips for saving the unused batteries for a long time.

  • Do not need to keep the batteries in the refrigerator or freezer, although storing batteries in the refrigerator (or anywhere between 34–60ºF / 1–15ºC) causes minor improvements in charge capacity.
  • Keep the batteries in a dry place at normal room temperature, because prolonged exposure to extreme heat or cold (below 50ºF or 10ºC) can reduce the battery life and power.
  • Store the batteries in their original packaging, if possible. If batteries are loose and then create inadvertent touches with each other can drain their power since the positive and negative ends may end up touching each other.
  • Separate batteries by make and age. Batteries of different types or from different manufacturers can react with each other, causing leakage or other damage.
  • Check the charge levels of rechargeable batteries and then fully charge them (esp. lead acid, lithium ion) before storing them. Many rechargeable batteries will permanently damage themselves if kept in a discharged state.

Tips for right hammer skills

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Spring is just around the corner. Then you will find many parts of your home that need to be tightened and refurbished. Often a hammer is a tool that you will likely use more than other tools. The following tips will be helpful for novices who would like to hone their nail pounding skills, while protecting you from potential injuries.

  • Wear safety glasses and earplugs while hammering (if possible).
  • Roughen the hammer’s striking face with sandpaper—it’ll help prevent glancing blows that bend nails and often find your thumb.
  • Drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the diameter of your nail before using the hammer to prevent the wood from splitting.  In some cases, blunting the point of a nail may help reduce the chance of wood splitting.
  • Initially grip the hammer firmly in the middle of the handle and then move your grip back toward the end of the handle for more power once you have set the nail.
  • Use small, controlled taps when setting a nail. You may also use needle-nose pliers or a notched piece of cardboard to hold the nail in place.
  • Keep your wrist straight while hammering. Make sure that the hammer face is parallel to the wood surface.
  • Do not hit the nail too much (too many times). The fewer the hits on a nail, the stronger the hold.

For more details, you may visit the websites: http://montpelierconstruction.com or

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a1666/4217164/