5 Sensible Adjustments to Save on Utilities
- Adjust the heat and AC. Adjusting the thermostat is one of the most significant ways you can see savings on your utility bills all year
round. For colder months, try setting the thermostat a bit lower. For example, if you normally set it at 72, try 68 during the day and even lower (perhaps 65) overnight. Also remember to turn down your thermostat when you are at work for the day. In the summer, set your thermostat higher, perhaps in the high 70s. This will still be quite comfortable compared to outside. While at first these adjustments may feel a bit extreme, your body will adjust and you will notice savings. - Stop pre-rinsing. Pre-rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher is no longer necessary. Most newer model dishwashers are designed to handle the stuck-on food to leave your dishes clean and sparkling.
- Air dry . To save some money, experiment with air drying – from your dishes to your clothes to your hair.
- Check for water leaks. The cause of wasted water and increased water bills is often found in hidden leaks. A good way detect hidden leaks is to check your water meter before you go to bed and again first thing in the morning. If the number has changed, you may have a leak somewhere in your house.
- Check for air leaks. Drafty windows and doors can be a huge source of energy loss, in both the winter and summer months. If you notice a small draft, purchase a winterization kit at your local hardware store, and/or buy heavy insulated curtains. For a short-term solution, place blankets or towels at the base of a door to minimize the draftiness until you are able to install new weather stripping. If the draftiness is too severe, consider calling a professional to diagnose the problem and provide solutions.
Home Maintenance Checklist – February 2016
- Clean behind the refrigerator. This is an often overlooked task, and by cleaning off the dust from the coils, it will increase the fridge’s lifespan. Safety Tip: Make sure you unplug the fridge before doing anything.
- Clean the dryer lint trap and exhaust. Most dryers have a removable lint trap, and for the most part, cleaning the lint off the trap after every load does remove much of the lint. However, the exhaust behind the dryer gets overlooked most often, and heat from the dryer could set the lint on fire inside that tube. Take time this month to vacuum out the lint hose. Not only will it reduce the fire hazard, but it will also reduce the energy you need to dry a load of clothes.
- Clean or change the HVAC air filters. This is something you should do every month because replacing the filter(s) will allow cleaner air to circulate throughout your home, reduce allergens and increase overall indoor air quality.
- Deep clean your kitchen appliances. During the holidays and/or Super Bowl you may have done a bit more cooking than usual. Take the time to do some deep cleaning to increase their efficiency and longer lifespan.
- Test your fire and CO alarms. With an increase of using heat, lights and candles poses a higher risk of having a fire and carbon monoxide. Take a moment and consider replacing batteries.
4 Types of De-Icing Salt for Your Home
With another bought of snow approaching next week it’s the best time to decide which de-icing salt will be best for your home.
There are four de-icing salts available, but each have different qualities and characteristics about them.
If the temperatures are below freezing and you are seeking excellent traction for your walkways and driveways, then Safe -T-Salt is the brand. Thinking of making ice cream? Safe-T-Salt is safe to use.
Calcium Chloride Pellets/Flakes gives off heat while dissolving, which speeds up the melting process. Calcium Chloride works quickly because it attracts moisture from the surrounding area and quickly turns into a solution. It continues to be effective even when the temperatures drop below -25 °Fahrenheit.
Searching for a pet friendly product? Blizzard Wizard is pet friendly and continues to provide an ‘ice-shield’ for upcoming storms. It is 30% to 40% less corrosive than rock salt and delivers aggressive melting power to -20 °F.
Our last suggestion is Snow Glo. This de-icing ‘salt’ is green-tinted, high performance that contains sodium chloride, calcium and magnesium chloride, Potassium Chloride, Urea, and CMA for faster, colder temperature melting than regular rock salt. The purpose for the green-tint is for people to see coverage on ice and packed snow. Minimal to no staining will occur once melted.
Country Lots Available
LOT 1: Rare 1 Acre Country Lot in L-S!
Location: Georgetown Road, Strasburg Township
School District: Lampeter – Strasburg
Subdivision / Development: N/A
Lot Size: 1 Acre
Sewer & Water: Public
Features: This unique flag lot boasts beautiful farmland views! A country lot this size in L-S school district is truly a rare find!
LOT 2: One of Few Remaining Lots in Beautiful Community in Gap
Location: Northpoint Road, Salisbury Township
School District: Pequea Valley
Subdivision / Development: Lime Quarry Subdivision
Lot Size: 0.69 Acre
Sewer & Water: Private Water (Well) & Public Sewer
Features: Beautiful farm views on a cul-de-sac of a quiet, rural community in Gap
To talk about building your dream home on one of these lots, call us at (717) 687-6302.
The Basics for Picking Out Your Kitchen Sink
If you are planning a kitchen remodel (or building your custom home), one of the items you’ll consider is what type of kitchen sink you want. Believe it or not, the kitchen sink will speak volumes to the look and feel that you are trying to create and play a significant role in the overall functionality of the room.
Here are some kitchen sink basics you need to know when making this selection.
Sink Materials
Sinks are made from different materials: stainless steel, cast iron, fireclay and composite. Let’s take a look at each one.
Most of the sinks that you will find in stores are going to be made of stainless steel. When considering a stainless steel sink, remember the lower the gauge (16 gauge is thicker than 20 gauge), the more resistant it will be to heat and dents.
Cast iron sinks are extremely durable and are not prone to staining; however, you will find that these kitchen sinks will be more expensive to purchase and install (because they are so heavy).
For those who want to create a classic kitchen look, a fireclay sink may be a top contender. It is created when clay and glaze are fused together after being fired at an extremely high temperature. The result is a very hard and extremely durable material. It resists chips, heat, acid and discoloration, so it will withstand heavy use over time.
Another possibility is a composite sink. These come in a variety of colors so you can match your sink to the other elements of your kitchen. These sinks are durable and easy to take care of.
Selecting Your Sink Style
Before you select your kitchen sink based on looks, consider what you will be doing with the sink first. This should greatly help you determine which style is the best for you.
The single-bowl sink is a wonderful option if you do not have a lot of space. It can also be a great choice if you have large pots and pans to clean. For those who love to cook, the double-bowl sink may be the right style because it affords you different bowls for multi-tasking, and you can select the size and depth of each bowl.
If you want a sink that makes a statement, take a look at a farmhouse sink – where the sink front actually replaces part of the countertop. It is a great look for cottage- or country-style homes, like those here in Lancaster, but because of its unique look, it is often found in modern-style kitchens, too.
There are two ways that sinks can be mounted – under or top. An under-mounted sink gives that area of your kitchen a cleaner and finished look, but it is a bit more expensive than a top-mount, or self-rimming, that sets into the countertop from above.
As you can see, there are a few factors to take into consideration when selecting a kitchen sink, but if you take your time and think through how you cook, how durable you need your sink to be and what look you want for your kitchen, you’ll be prepared to make a selection that you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Home Maintenance Checklist – November 2015
Winter will be here soon, so now is the time to check around your house to make sure it is ready for cold and blustery weather when it arrives.
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Gutters. Do one final check of your gutters to make sure it is free of leaves and other debris, as it can cause water to dam up and freeze. Keep in mind that if you are unable to safely check them yourself, hire a professional who can take care of it for you.
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Shrubs and Tree Limbs. When the wind is blowing, the trees and shrubs close to your home can scrape against the exterior of your home. Besides keeping you awake at night, they can also cause damage. Trim them back so that they aren’t hitting your house.
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Furnace. Your furnace is what keeps your home and family comfortable all winter long, so make sure you keep it in good working order. If you haven’t already done so, have your HVAC professional do a furnace check-up where he can clean it and detect any potential issues.
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Outside Items. If you still have patio furniture, flower pots or garden hoses outside, move them back inside. Also, make sure that your outside spigots are drained and turned off from the inside. This will prevent potential pipe bursts from happening in below-freezing temperatures.
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Kitchen Sink. Before holiday cooking and baking get in full swing, clean your garbage disposal and also your faucet aerator.
Family-Focused Holiday Projects
As we enter into the holiday season, here are a few fun ideas to keep this time of year festive and family-focused.
Thanksgiving Decorating Idea: A Gratitude Tree
As you reflect on your blessings this Thanksgiving season, consider this fun activity for the whole family – making a “Gratitude Tree.”
Making a gratitude tree is quite easy. First, gather some small sticks and place them in a decorative vase. Then you and your family simply list some things you are thankful for – each on a separate piece of paper – and hang them on your “tree.” With a little creativity you can make a nice piece of thanksgiving décor to brighten up your home.
We found dozens of neat ideas on Pinterest (follow this link) or if you want a free printable Gratitude Tree, we found one on SomewhatSimple.com.
Advent Calendars
A favorite holiday tradition is an Advent calendar. “An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas. Many take the form of a large rectangular card with ‘windows’ of which there are usually 24: one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. The calendar windows open to reveal an image, poem, a portion of a story (such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus) or a small gift, such as a toy or a chocolate item. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content.” (Source: Wikipedia)
Here are two creative Advent calendar ideas for you and your family to consider:
- Kindness Focused – A random act of kindness can be revealed each day. Some ideas include bringing a hot beverage to an outside worker, feeding a parking meter or giving food gift cards to the homeless.
- Family Fun Focused – Make the “gift” be the gift of family time. Some ideas include watching a movie, playing a game or going to a tree-lighting event in your town.
Project Spotlight: Custom within a Community
Moving to the area and in search of a quality builder, Kevin and Sue found a community that Metzler Home Builders was building in, The Hamlet at Bird-in-Hand. Their previous experience building a home had left them with some reservations and low expectations before their initial meeting with Metzler Home Builders. However, they quickly generated a feeling of trust and comfort when meeting with Dan and Janet Metzler to start their design / build process.
Kevin and Sue had developed their own plans for their new home and brought them to the initial meeting to review with the Metzler team. They were surprised at the level of interest and excitement that the Metzler’s displayed when reviewing the plans. They also enjoyed the process of Dan Metzler making suggestions and options for enhancing their design.
As the construction process played out, they were delighted with how everything came together and were thrilled with the finished product. They were extremely pleased that their search for a quality custom builder led them to Metzler Home Builders. Ultimately, Kevin and Sue were excited to be able to have a positive home building experience in a quaint community setting, and feel they received exceptional value for their dollars spent.
Halloween Safety Tips To Keep Your Family Safe
Halloween is such a fun holiday for the entire family. Both kids and adults love going into the costume section of stores and giggle at the wide-variety of fun, cute and spooky holiday accessories. But the Halloween season can be a bit dangerous, too. Here are a few tips to keep your family – and visiting trick-or-treaters- safe.
- Be mindful of candle and light bulb placement. This time of year, many of us like to burn candles to make our homes feel more comfortable and welcoming, but loose clothing, especially the arms of costumes, can easily catch fire. Additionally, the fall decorations we use inside the house – straw, dried flowers and crepe paper – are all highly flammable. Same goes for light bulbs because they are hot when they are on, and any of the above-mentioned decorations can also heat up to the point they catch on fire.
- Keep entrance to your home clutter-free. Young and anxious trick-or-treaters often trip over their own feet – particularly when their slight is limited with masks. On trick or treat night, If your walkway or porch are cluttered with fall decorations, think about widening the path to your door, so trick-or-treaters are less likely to hurt themselves.
- Remove tripping hazards. Because of the extra excitement (and sugar rush), kids often don’t take the logical path from house to house and race through your yard instead. Put away anything they could trip over, such as garden hoses, tools and bikes.
- Outdoor lighting. Strobe lights and other scary lights are fun, but make sure that any electrical devices you put outside are safe for outdoor use.
- Use reflective tape on costumes, shoes and loot bags to keep your trick-or-treaters highly visible.
- Look both ways. If your kids are walking door-to-door, remind them to look both ways before crossing the street, and if you are driving your kids from house to house, be extra careful when you pull out from the curb. Kids are everywhere!
The team at Metzler Home Builders wishes you an enjoyable Halloween season!
Home Tip: Sump Pump Testing, Smoke Alarm
Sump Pump Testing & Maintenance – With fall just around the corner and the potential of heavy rains and snow melt, take the time to test your sump pump and make sure it is working properly.
To test your sump pump, start by filling a 5 gallon bucket of water and dumping it into the sump pit where the pump is located. If this activates the pump and the water pumps out, then you know everything is operating correctly.
It is also very important to make sure the outlet pipe in your yard is free and clear of debris.This will keep the water from being trapped in the pipes and potentially backing up into your basement. Additionally, make sure that the discharge happens far enough away that it drains away from the foundation. If it is too close, it simply seeps back into your basement.
Smoke Alarm Maintenance – It is very important for you and your family’s safety to make sure your smoke alarms are working proper. Checking the batteries is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure the alarms are working properly. A great way to remember to check the batteries is to do it in the fall when you change your clocks back from daylight savings time. Be sure to also vacuum dust and dirt off your smoke alarms to keep them from malfunctioning – they can be set off from dust building up around the housing of the alarm.