HouseTalk In Words

Make Pool Safety a Priority This Year

2012-02-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

It’s never too early in the season to think about pool safety. In Arizona, local building codes include very specific requirements for pool safety in terms of fencing, gates, and door alarms in an attempt eliminate drowning incidents. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in Arizona, and is the second-leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children

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Find Out Where your Energy Dollars are Going - Home Energy Audits

2012-01-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone’s talking about energy efficiency these days – how to save on energy costs while preserving the environment. But do you really know why you spend what you do on energy? One way to find out is to have a home energy audit performed. A home energy audit is a great way to gather and analyze information to determine where you can save money on your energy costs. A home energy audit is

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Benefits of Water Conditioning Systems

2012-01-17T20:33:00.001-08:00

Living in the desert presents some unique challenges when it comes to our water supply. Water in Arizona contains large amounts hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium, resulting in water that is two to three times harder than water in other parts of the country. Hard water is a problem for a number of reasons, but mostly because it is “hard” on appliances, systems, our bodies and our

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Futuristic Home Heating and Cooling Technology – Nest Thermostat

2012-01-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

According to the EPA, using a programmable thermostat can save homeowners and residents 5% - 15% a year on your heating and cooling bill. They recommend setting your thermostat at 68°F when you are awake and at home, and programming a 10° to 15° setback for at least 8 hours. The same strategy would apply for cooling your home in the summer, by keeping the thermostat at 78° when you are home and

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Retractable Screens - Convenience and Beauty

2012-01-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

Arizona sun is a force to be reckoned with – not only does it cause glare, but it can raise energy costs and fade carpets and furnishings. A great solution for homeowners, especially those who don’t want to sacrifice views, is retractable shades. They can block up to 98% of solar heat rays, cut energy costs by up to 30% and provide glare-free shade that can be controlled with the touch of a

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Bathroom Painting - What You Need to Know

2011-12-28T09:10:00.000-08:00

Painting a bathroom is a little different from painting other rooms in your home. Bathrooms are subject to moisture, as well as residue on the walls from soap and products like deodorant, hair spray or perfumes. Because of the high levels of moisture, specially formulated bathroom paint should be used, but before you get to applying the paint, it’s important to clean the walls to remove any

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Home Office Tips from Gale Steves

2011-12-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

The New Year may bring changes in career or the option of telecommuting, since more and more of us are working from home these days. Or, if you are already working from home, you may want to reorganize and improve your home office space. Gale Steves offers the following things to think about as you plan your new space. You’ll want to give consideration to storage space – Do you need to keep

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What is the NFRC?

2011-12-14T11:41:00.000-08:00

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) was formed in 1989 as an independent agency that rates fenestration energy performance. So what exactly is fenestration? NFRC defines it as “products that fill openings in a building envelope, including windows, doors, skylights and curtain walls designed to permit the passage of air, light, vehicles or people.” The agency allows consumers to

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Hot Water Recirculation Pumps Save Water and Time

2011-12-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

Did you know that just waiting for hot water to reach your tap results in gallons of wasted water each day? In the 60 seconds it takes for hot water to actually come out of the faucet, unused water in the supply line is evacuated and wasted. In order to save water and save time is a hot water recirculation pump. New homes can be constructed with a dedicated return line that is installed

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Take a Look at Your Landscape Needs Now

2011-11-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

In today’s housing market selling your home may not be an option, so it might be a great time to take stock of your property and make some improvements that will pay off in the future. Winter is a great time to evaluate your landscape and plan for anything from some refreshed plantings to masonry, rock installation, a new water feature or an improved irrigation system. Not only will an improved

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Oven Cleaning Tips for Holiday Cooks

2011-11-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

The holidays are fast approaching and most ovens are going to get a lot of use cooking turkeys, roasts, pies and cookies. You’ll want to keep your oven clean and in its best working condition in the coming months, so here are some safety tips for cleaning your oven. If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, you’ll need to use a cleaning product specially designed for ovens. Be sure to have

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Support Warren & Tim on Super Saturday - November 19th

2011-11-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

Warren & Tim are supporting the St. Mary's Food Bank Super Saturday Turkey Drive on November 19th. The HouseTalk Show will match the listener donated turkeys! You can drop off either a turkey or cash donation. When you drop off your donation, please make sure you register for the US Air tickets and let them know that The HouseTalk Show sent you. Click here for additional details on...

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Enjoy Your Outdoor Space - Patio Heater Safety Tips

2011-11-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's finally time to enjoy outdoor living spaces in Arizona, and a patio heater can help homeowners get themost use out of patio areas throughout the winter. Propane-fueled patio heaters can make your outdoor space cozy on even the chilliest night, and are great for entertaining. When setting up your heater, you’ll want to position it on a level surface and ensure that it is fully and properly

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St. Mary's Food Bank Super Saturday Turkey Drive on November 19th

2011-11-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

Warren & Tim are supporting the St. Mary's Food Bank Super Saturday Turkey Drive on November 19th. You can drop off either a turkey or cash donation. When you drop off your donation, please make sure you register for the US Air tickets and let them know that The HouseTalk Show sent you. The HouseTalk Show will match the listener donated turkeys! Click here for drop off locations and

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Pest Control Basics - Cockroaches

2011-11-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

Regular pest control treatments in your home can prevent a population explosion of cockroaches. Whilecockroaches in the colder parts of the country go through a dormant period in the winter, here in the Valley of the Sun, we can find these creepy critters in our homes year-round. Cockroaches can aggravate allergies, and where there is one roach there can quickly be many, many more. Roaches can

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Solar Water Heaters Shine

2011-11-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Most of us don't think too much about the cost of heating water in our home. Electric water hears are inexpensive to purchase, and when a hot water heater goes out homeowners often choose the cheapest replacement. However, an electric water heater accounts for 25% of the energy costs in the average household. In a study conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center, solar water heaters were

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Keeping Spa Water Clean and Safe

2011-10-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Although the pool may get less use throughout the winter, in ground or above ground spas use can increase as the weather cools down. Because of the warmer temperature of the spa, it’s important to follow some simple maintenance and cleaning guidelines to keep bacteria to a minimum and maintain the proper chemical balance. You will need to use a spa sanitizer regularly to keep the water clean.

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When to Consider Upgrading your HVAC

2011-10-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

When having your fall HVAC maintenance check, you may be faced with big questions as to whether or not to replace your system. Here are some guidelines from www.energystar.gov on when it’s time to consider replacing your system If your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you could benefit from up to 20% savings in your energy costs if you choose an energy efficient new

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The Benefits of Carpet in your Home

2011-10-13T14:14:00.001-07:00

Installing new carpet is a great alternative to tile flooring. Here are the top five benefits of carpet and rugs, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute: Warmth & Comfort: We all know carpet is more comfy than a hard surface for sitting, playing, or lounging. Carpet provides insulation in colder temperatures, which can save energy. Beauty & Style: You can personalize your home...

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Yes, You can Grow Vegetables in the Desert

2011-10-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

Many people move to Arizona and think there is no way they can maintain a successful vegetable garden and enjoy fresh produce. The conditions are tough for growing, from the scorching sun to the hard, rocky red soil. However, there is a gardening method that works well in any climate, takes up very little space and produces a steady stream of seasonal produce to enjoy. Square foot gardening

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My House Needs to Be Painted…Again

2011-09-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

There are several reasons why your home may need to be repainted sooner than you thought. Of course, maintaining a quality painted finish on your house is not only aesthetically pleasing – no one wants to look at peeling, cracked or discolored paint – but also good for the life of your home. So when you start to see problems with your exterior paint finish, it’s a good time to act. Even a

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Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

2011-09-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to enjoy the fall and winter in beautiful Arizona? Time to relax with family and friends, get outdoors, whether you’re golfing, hiking or attending the many festivals or art events in the area. But, before you can play it’s a good idea to get your home maintenance list squared away. September is a great time to handle routine maintenance items around the house as it begins to

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September Landscape and Garden Tips from the Desert Botanical Garden

2011-09-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

September brings the hope of fall temperatures in the Valley, even though we’re not quite there yet. Here are some landscape maintenance tips for homeowners from the Desert Botanical Garden for this transitional month. Because we are still in Monsoon season and can be experiencing high humidity and rain storms, you should be careful about watering cacti in your yard. Once things dry out for at

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It’s a Buyers’ Market – Invest in a Home Inspection

2011-09-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Home prices and mortgage interest rates are staying low, and it's a great time for home buyers to invest in a home. An important part of the home purchase process is having your potential new home inspected. Sometimes even the current homeowner isn’t aware of issues that could be a problem for you when you move into the home. Having a home inspection brings any potential problems to your

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Outdoor Lighting Boosts Your Home’s Security

2011-08-31T09:06:00.001-07:00

If you have an older home or haven't given much thought to your outdoor or security lighting, you may want to consider updating your exterior with lighting that is functional, beautiful and enhances your home’s safety. Outdoor lighting is a deterrent to intruders, as it leaves them exposed with nowhere to hide. It also provides safely illuminated areas for you and your family as you come and go

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