7 Green Home Renovations that will Save you Money

Tired of watching the majority of your household budget disappear into utility costs every month? 

Fortunately, today's homeowners have many available resources that can help them keep heating and cooling costs down as well as save water. 

Following are seven green home renovations that will save you money. 

Energy-Efficient Windows

Whether you decide to renovate existing windows by adding weather-stripping and caulking or replace old, drafty windows with new ones, you'll save money on both heating and cooling costs. 

Newer and more energy efficient windows do a better job at keeping warm or cool air in (depending on the time of year) which allows your furnace or air conditioner to not work as hard. You can also look at investing into various window treatments such as blinds, shutters, or even window film to boost your windows to maximum energy efficiency. 

Solar Panels

Besides being an eco-friendly energy option that will significantly reduce your carbon footprint on the planet, solar panels will save you substantial sums on your electric bill. 

Today's solar panels are much more sophisticated than their counterparts of the past, so be sure to ask professionals such as AMI Energy / 1800 Solar USA for a rundown on the various benefits of having solar panels installed. 

Cool Roofs

If summer air conditioning bills are causing your temperature to rise, get a cool roof and enjoy the refreshing indoor atmosphere. Cool roofing technology uses reflective materials to repel the sun's heat from the surface of your home, resulting in significantly cooler interior temperatures. 

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats take the human error out of the picture and prevent utility bills from soaring when the last one out of the house for the day forgets to turn down the heat or air conditioning. 

Click Here For Kitchen Remodeling Ideas & Tips for Seniors

You can also operate these remotely to turn household temperature regulating devices on a half hour or so prior to your arrival. Some programmable thermostats can also heat or cool different rooms to different temperatures. Therefore, if you can change the temperature in the rooms you use the most versus the rooms you use the least. 

This ultimately allows your furnace and air conditioner to not work as hard which should hopefully allow you to save on the cost and life on both systems. 

On-Demand Hot Water Heaters

Traditional water heaters work by keeping a supply of hot water ready at all times. On-demand water heaters heat the water as it's used, so you never pay for hot water that just sits there cooling in a tank. 

Energy Star Appliances

Replacing your stove, refrigerator, freezer, washing machine, dryer, and other household appliances with those that meet the federal governments Energy Star standards will greatly reduce your household energy costs. Purchasing Energy Star appliances will also make you federal tax credits, increasing your savings even further. 

Energy-Efficient Landscaping

Lush, decorative landscaping is one of the major drains on the utility budgets of many American homeowners. Using native plants, drought-resistant ground coverings rather than thirsty lawns will help you keep water costs down. 

Native plants are an excellent choice because they are already acclimated to your specific region and won't need to be provided with extra water.

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when deciding on home renovations with cutting costs in mind is that green choices will almost always put more green in your pocket in the long run. 

There are many other ways to take your home green and more energy efficient as well allowing you and your family to live comfortably without breaking your wallet and bank account on energy bills each month. 

How Seniors Can Get Help Paying Utility Bills

If you are just getting by and finding it difficult to meet only your monthly bill commitments, there is help out there. Many seniors may find it hard to ask for help or don’t know where to go. 

Low Income Financial Help has provided a great list of how to get help with utilities. In addition, if you are having other financial difficulties that go beyond utilities and can use some money help, there are numerous non-profits and government programs which can help. 

Non-Government Agency Help for Paying Utility Bills

The first place to look is your own utility or heating company. Utility company programs offer payment plans, free conservation measures, and shut off prevention as resources. Heating bill programs are another way of helping pay for utility bills. 

There are a number of Heating bill programs available, depending upon where you live. Non-profits, charities and social service agencies also offer a variety of assistance with utility bills. 

There are organizations such as Dollar Energy Fund, Operation Roundup, Salvation Family Emergency Services, and the National Fuel Funds Network. So before you begin jumping through the government’s hoops; look closer to home for some help with heat.

Four Main Ways to Get Help From the Government

However, there are at least four ways to get help from the government in paying your utility bills: Low Income Home Energy Assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Heating Repair Replacement Program. 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program allows qualifying residents a one-time benefit during winter months to help pay energy bills. The amount paid depends on income, size of household, fuel type, and geographic location. The Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help low income homes save fuel and money, while increasing their comfort. 

The Home Energy Assistance Program and Heating Repair Replacement Program are smaller, more specialized programs. All of the programs require paperwork and documentation of participants meeting predetermined criteria.

1. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is broken down state by state at Benefits.gov. This program is designed to keep heat on in low-income homes during the freezing months of winter. 

In order to apply for the program, you must meet a yearly maximum income level dependent upon the state you live in.

You’ll need to contact a local community action agency and make an appointment in order to apply for the program. 

A person who participates in certain other benefit programs may be automatically eligible for L.I.H.E.A.P (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Crisis Programs). 

For any low-income family with an emergency, such as an unexpected disconnection or low heating oil or fuel, grants and financial assistance can be paid directly to your electricity or utility companies.

2. Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program for most states has a goal of insulating homes, especially the elderly, disabled, families with children, high energy users and homes with high energy burdens.

In order to apply for the program, you must meet a yearly maximum income level dependent upon the state you live in.

You’ll need to contact a local community action agency and make an appointment in order to apply. A person who participates in certain other benefit programs may be automatically eligible. 

This program focuses more on the long-term savings for low income housing by providing services such as weather-stripping, wall and attic insulation, minor home repairs, and other energy saving measures.

3. Home Energy Assistance Program

The Home Energy Assistance Program will provide financial help to eligible households that need assistance paying heating and/or cooling bills. 

4. Heating Repair Replacement Program

Heating Repair Replacement Programs provide repair or replacement of heating units, appliances, furnaces, and other home upgrades for low-income families to help with heating costs.

So when you get stuck in the cold for one reason or another, don’t be afraid to ask for help, because it is out there. 

For short-term emergencies or long term planning, making your home a comfortable place should be your top priority.

7 Things Business Owners Should Know About Pallet Racking

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Pallet racking can be used in a wide number of ways and is suitable for all sorts of business applications, not just warehousing. 

Of course, installing a pallet racking system means that your business operation can more seamlessly fit in with that of other businesses, both customers and suppliers, thus improving the efficiency of the supply chain. 

However, there are a number of things that business owners ought to know about pallet racking before making any significant investments.

1. Pallet Racking Is Not Just For Warehouses And Distribution Facilities

Although pallet racking is the most widely used system in the logistics industry, employed in the majority of the world's warehouses and distribution centres, it is also the dominant form of storage in many other sectors, too. 

Pallet racking is, for example, widely used in the retail sector nowadays, as well. Not only do palletised racking shelves mean that store operatives are able to locate the stock items they need with ease, but forklift operators are able to return goods to the distribution centre, if appropriate, or even easily organise stock movements between retail outlets, when necessary. 

2. Pallet Racking In Manufacturing

These days, pallet racking is widely used in manufacturing industries, as well. Most manufacturers know the importance of keeping their production lines operating without clutter of excessive parts and components. 

Business manufacturers can find a variety of pallet racking systems at Warehouse Storage Solutions, and choose the most suitable one to help them become more efficient by de-cluttering, and avoid any bottle necks in the supply chain. Tying money up in stock close to the production facility is not wanted either, so many manufacturers rely on their slick supply chain to keep items coming to their production facility just when they are needed, committing as little cash flow as possible to purchasing. 

Therefore, components need to hit the places where they are needed immediately on arrival and palletised racking is the only real way of achieving this simply.

3. Pallet Flow Systems

These pallet racks are used with small rollers in their trusses, allowing for pallets to be moved easily from one area to another by operatives. Sometimes set at a slight incline, they are used in tandem with work flow environments, such as distribution centres, where sorting or other work is going on in support of the company's needs.

4. Safe Handling of Products

Some people are put off the idea of pallet racking because they think that smaller items held on a pallet will get damaged too easily, especially when they are cheek-by-jowl with bulkier items that are more suited to pallets and forklift pick-ups. 

However, high-quality pallet wrapping products, from the likes of Davpack, for instance, mean that even smaller items are held securely on a pallet without the need for large and costly containers or tubs to stow them in. Even hand held items are perfectly suited to pallet racking given such wrapping products.

5. Increased Storage Space

In many cases, palletisation can create more storage simply by using the upper space available in a business unit. 

So long as less wanted items are stored on the higher racks and fast moving lines are held at eye level, there is no reason not to use racking right up to the ceiling in a safe way which is perfect for getting the best out of the floor space that you already have.

6. Maintenance Issues

Pallet racking is basically a maintenance-free solution to a business' storage needs. Once it is set up and put in place, then there is virtually nothing that is required to keep it in good working order. Most pallet racking systems are modular with uprights and trusses being sold separately. 

Therefore, if a section of pallet racking does become damaged, perhaps by a collision with a forklift truck, then the appropriate sections can be replaced, without the need for starting again from scratch.

7. Benefit of Adaptability

Even when used outside of a warehouse, pallet racking is wonderfully adaptable so it can change along with your business' needs. 

Pallet racking is able to improve the overall functionality of the workplace, whether it is for holding components, finished stock or storing heavy machinery. Outbound goods sections and goods-in functions can be adapted easily with high-capacity and heavy duty racking.

What Your Small Business Needs to Keep Up With Competition

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With a high rate of failure within the first five years of business, it's important that business owners take the necessary steps to keep up with competition to survive. 

Successful businesses think outside the box and find ways to keep customers engaged and coming back. Focus on these basic strategies to help you survive, and thrive.

Use the Internet

Everybody is online, including most of your customers. Smart business owners make maximum use of the internet. Google Analytics tracks and analyzes your web traffic. Create your website in an afternoon with Wix if you need a time-saving solution for creating your site. 

You should also have social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest to find more customers and keep them engaged and update. If customers cannot find you on the internet, they may not find you at all.

Create an Advisory Board

Whatever your business and your knowledge, there's always someone that may know a little more and can help. Recruit some people with a variety of experience and ask them to serve on your advisory board. 

Meet virtually, so you are not limited to people in your area. Make the meetings substantive, and don't give board members an excuse not to participate. Listen to their advice. Get that talent and experience available even one hour per month, and you are a big step ahead. 

Know Your Competitors

You can’t get ahead of your competitors if you don’t know who they are. Identify your direct competitors, and predict every move they make. Don’t forget indirect competitors. Many small businesses have multiple lines of products and services. 

Follow them on social media and stay up-to-date on new things they are doing in the industry. This will help you to find ways to stand out amongst your competition. If you are exactly like another business, why would consumers chose you over them? By studying your competition, you can find ways to be more unique in the field. 

Know Your Customers

Talk to them, and ask what they like and need. Ask their opinion about your new products. Include survey links with online orders. Even negative feedback helps you make your business better. 

If you don't know what your customers like and dislike, you are losing out on their business. Aside from surveys, pay close attention to what they are saying on social media. Comments on your posts, pictures and videos can tell you a lot about how they feel about your company and products. 

Manage Your Cash

This seems pretty basic. Many business owners focus on profit. You can’t pay utilities and meet payroll with profit. If you can’t afford to stock what you need to make your business work, customers won’t take you seriously. 

You will need to make sure you have a supply of the basics such as credit card paper rolls, business cards, advertising leaflets and order forms. Without these simple items, your business can really suffer from missed opportunities and frustrated customers. 

Have a Higher Purpose

You’re in business to make money, but make your business more financial gains. Customers will pay a premium to support a good cause. Don’t do your good works in the dark. If you’re contributing 15% of sales every Wednesday to the Little League, tell your customers and the baseball fans. Don’t use a gimmick. Customers recognize that right away. Identify how your business can contribute to a cause you care about.

Making sure that you are doing the basics is only the first step to growing a successful business. Be sure to keep up with industry news and find ways to make your business more unique to stand out amongst competition.