A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE FROM FIRST AMERICAN

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News on the HouseNovember, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

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Green ways to make autumn sun work for you

When autumn sun shines brightly on golden leaves and warms the crisp air, it’s easy to forget the winter doldrums that approach. Winter snow and dreary days seem far away.

All that sun can work in your favor. From powering your hot water heater or fresh air skylight to saving money by running your clothes dryer less, here are a few ways you can put the sun to work for you.

Solar water heatingReplacing an old water heater proactively is a good idea for a number of reasons. First, if it’s older, it’s probably not as energy efficient as newer models. And, when hot water heaters die, they can do so spectacularly, flooding the room where they’re housed and leaving your family without the water they need to shower and keep clothes and dishes clean.

Consider replacing your current water heater with a solar water heating system. While such systems may cost more to purchase and install than a conventional one, various federal and state tax credits and other green product incentives mitigate those costs. Plus, solar hot water systems reduce energy costs in the long run.

“The cost of a solar water heating system will vary depending on the size of the home and the volume of water you need to heat,” says Ross Vandermark of Velux America, marketers of solar-powered fresh air skylights and solar water heating systems. “On average, however, they can cut your water heating bills by 50 to 80 percent, which is pretty impressive when you consider that the U.S. Department of Energy says water heating can account for up to 25 percent of a home’s energy consumption.”

Solar-powered fresh air skylightYou can also save money and improve your indoor air quality by opting for a solar- powered fresh air skylight. Energy efficient solar powered skylights and accessories like solar powered skylight blinds, which can increase energy efficiency by another

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News on the HouseNovember, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

45 percent, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit, as is the installation cost. Velux offers a tax calculator on its website to help you estimate your savings with the tax credit.

Energy Star-qualified, no leak solar-powered fresh-air skylights, like those made by Velux America, improve indoor air quality by allowing excess moisture and unhealthy air to escape your home. They also passively vent hot air that rises to your ceiling in summer, reducing the load on your mechanical cooling systems while reducing your power bill. In rooms where a fresh air skylight isn’t an option, tubular skylights like Sun Tunnel products allow light inside, reducing the need for artificial light and brightening areas like hallways, closets, and other interior spaces both large and small.

Clothes dryingHumans have been using solar power to dry clothes for about as long as we’ve been wearing fabric. Hanging clothes to dry in the sun allows you to trim your electric or gas use (depending on how you power your clothes dryer) as much as $85 a year, plus it reduces the wear clothes experience tumbling in a dryer, the website The Daily Green points out.

The California Energy Commission says on average, it costs 30 to 40 cents per load to dry clothes in an electric machine, and 15 to 20 cents if your dryer runs on gas. By comparison, line drying requires an initial outlay to cover the cost of the line device, and then the sunshine and fresh air are free.

CookingEven in autumn, the sun can make it too hot to grill outdoors. Why not use the sun’s power to cook food without the need to hover over and watch it? Solar cookers are the answer.

One popular type, box cookers can accommodate multiple dishes at once and are used in countries around the world where the sun is the most reliable source of energy. They cook at moderate to high temperatures and require less supervision than your gas grill.You can buy one online or build your own - a great family project that can help teach kids about solar power and greener living.

Finally, if you’re not ready to learn a whole new way of cooking, why not simply borrow a page from great-grandma’s recipe book and use sunlight to brew tea? Just place a few bags of your favorite tea in a glass jar with water (make sure to keep the tags and strings hanging over the rim of the jar), cap the jar and place it in the sun until the tea steeps to your desire flavor level.

Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent. Reprinted with permission.

Fall lawn tips that keep your yard looking great year-round

Falling temperatures and shorter days don’t mean you can retire from lawn care for the year. In fact, the fall season is a critical time to nourish lawns and care for plants so they can survive winter and emerge even more vibrant when next spring arrives.

Before you store your lawn and garden supplies, consider these fall lawn tips that keep your yard looking great year-round:

FertilizeYour lawn may not look like it’s doing much above ground during cool months, but below ground root systems continue to grow. That’s why most lawn care professionals recommend fertilizing once or twice in the fall - grass will store and use the extra boost of nutrients throughout winter. Fertilizers high in nitrogen are ideal for fall feedings.

SweepLeaves and other foliage left on the ground can rot and deprive grass and other plants of moisture and sunlight. If you dread raking, a blower/vac is the ideal tool. Go eco-friendly with a rechargeable battery-powered option from Greenworks. With no cords and an easy push start, the innovative 40V Brushless Blower/ Vacuum blows up to 185 mph, plus it can vacuum four bags of leaves on a single charge.

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News on the HouseNovember, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

WaterWatering during fall is important to foster root growth and give plants a healthy drink before winter arrives. If you’re not experiencing at least 1 inch of rainfall a week, supplement with a sprinkler. Continue the same eco-friendly watering strategies you used throughout summer, such as watering in the mornings to reduce evaporation.

SeedHave a few sparse areas in your yard? Fall is a great season for grass seed to germinate due to the cool, moist weather. Plus, because most seasonal birds have left, the seed is less vulnerable to being eaten. Over-seeding now not only fills in open areas, but it increases grass density to help prevent weeds next year. Loosen and prepare the soil, choose a high quality grass seed and water the area plenty so seeds reach maturity before winter.

TrimFall is a good time to trim trees and shrubbery before the harsh weather of winter hits. Save money with the DIY approach. Don’t be intimidated by chainsaws - because the easy-to-use GreenWorks 40V Brushless Chain Saw uses a rechargeable battery, there’s no gas or oil to mix. No gas means no excessive heat or vibration - the saw runs up to 65 percent cooler and vibrates up to 70 percent less than comparable gas saws. In addition, the innovative brushless motor provides this saw with enough power to cut a cord of wood on a single battery charge.

AerateAerating your lawn in the fall helps to open compacted soil and break down thatch that built up over the summer. The small soil plugs removed by the aerator loosen the ground so oxygen and water can better reach the grass roots. Aerators are available for rent at most rental stores and the job can typically be done in a few hours, depending on yard size.

MowAs the weather cools, grass slowly goes dormant. Before winter hits, continue to mow as needed. When your lawn seems to have almost completely slowed its growth rate, mow one final time for the year, but set your mower at a higher height. This helps keep grass healthy until warm weather returns. Recommended mower heights for a final mow are 2 to 2.5 inches.

Rather than retreating from the crisp fall air, use the time to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature while helping keep your yard looking its best. A few simple steps now will help your lawn look great today and into next year.

Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent. Reprinted with permission.

New ways to enjoy fall’s bounty

Fall is a great time to try new recipes. Why? Because the markets are bursting with bounty of the harvest season. -Included in that bounty is the fall harvest of grapes, which are in fine fresh supply through January. Besides their long season, grapes are amazingly versatile as an ingredient.

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News on the HouseNovember, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

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Here’s a sophisticated plate to serve while friends and family are watching the game at home, or for any gathering that calls for some creative gourmet cooking. The spicy grape chutney is a natural with roast beef.

Roast Beef Party Platter with Grape Chutney Grape

Chutney ingredients:1/2 cup chopped red onion1/2 cup tawny port1/2 cup red wine vinegar1/4 cup raisins1/4 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger1 teaspoon mustard seeds1 cinnamon stick2 cups seedless red California grapes, halved Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:Preheat the oven to 450 F. In a medium saucepan, combine the onion, port, vinegar, raisins, sugar, ginger, mustard seeds and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and simmer until reduced to 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of liquid, about 15-17 minutes. At the same time, spread the grapes on a baking sheet and roast until soft and juicy, about 10 minutes. Add to the chutney, season with salt and pepper and let cool. Can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Makes 2 cups.

Party Platter ingredients:2 pounds thinly sliced roast beef1 pound thinly sliced sharp or mild provoloneRed, green and black seedless California grape clustersA variety of rolls

Directions:Arrange roast beef and provolone on a large platter along with the grapes. Place rolls in a basket and serve with the chutney. Serves 8.

Here’s a refreshing way to use grapes and apples to balance the strong flavor of cabbage with tart sweetness. Plus, the bold red and green colors make for a striking salad that is also easy to make. This versatile slaw pairs well with roasted chicken, hamburgers, pork chops and many other family favorites.

Grape and Red Cabbage Slaw ingredients:1/2 small head red cabbage (about 1 pound), finely shredded2 cups halved green seedless California grapes1 Granny Smith apple, julienned 1/4 cup cider vinegar1 tablespoon honey1 tablespoon Dijon mustard2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, grapes and apple. In a small jar, combine the vinegar, honey, mustard and olive oil. Shake well and pour over the cabbage mixture. Season generously with both salt and pepper and let stand 30 minutes at room temperature. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Serves 8.

Grape and flower centerpieceInstead of using glass or plastic marbles to secure autumn flowers in a vase, consider filling your vase with grapes instead. Green, red and black grapes can easily complement your flower colors as well as securely holding the blooms and greens in place.

Directions: Fill a tall vase with grapes until about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Fill with water and arrange the flowers. Grapes can be placed in single color layers or mixed together like a mosaic.

For more grape ideas, go to grapesfromcalifornia.com or facebook.com/grapesfromcalifornia.

Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent. Reprinted with permission.

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