6 Tips to Keeping Your Home Cooler
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010--Wow, it's hot outside! The summer's in full swing with no signs of cooling. And while you may be tempted to crank up the A/C, remember - you won't be nearly as excited to see that electric bill next month.
To save some money -- and, don't forget, energy! -- here are six tips that might just help.
1.Avoid heat build-up in your home – The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out. This can be done by closing the drapes on windows facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon). You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.
2.Use ventilation and circulation to cool your home – Instead of automatically turning on the air conditioner on hot days, try cooling your home with window and ceiling fans. Circulating air can make your home feel cool and comfortable in a much more efficient way than air conditioning. There is also the option of a whole house fan (a large ventilating fan installed in you attic that expels hot air out of your home) which can circulate air throughout your entire home.
3.Keep air conditioning efficient and to a minimum – When you do have to use air conditioning, there are ways to make it more efficient. First of all, turn up the temperature setting on your air conditioner by a couple of degrees. Most people keep the temperature setting lower than it needs to be, hence using more energy than is needed to keep your home cool. It is recommended that you keep the temperature at about 25° C (77° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner once your home has reached a comfortable temperature. By coupling minimum air conditioning with reducing the amount of heat entering your home, you can keep it cool without using excess energy. It isn’t recommended that you leave your air conditioner on when you leave your house, but if you’re going to do so, turn the temperature setting up a few more degrees while you’re gone to about 28° C (82° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner if you’re going to be away from your home for more than a day. It is also important to make sure your cooling vents aren’t blocked so that the energy being used is going towards actually cooling your home and not being wasted. Furthermore, keep rooms that don't need cooling, such as closets, closed off when you're air conditioning.
4.Make sure your home isn’t losing cool air – By weather-stripping and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets on outer walls, you can prevent losing cool air from your home and prevent hot air from getting in. Improve your home’s insulation on outer walls, again to keep cool air in, and hot air out. You should also consider installing storm doors for the same reasons if your home doesn’t already have them. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed. These provide an extra barrier against the escape of cool air. All of these options will make cooling your home more efficient and will save you money on your energy bill.
5.Select energy-efficient cooling systems – If you’re in the market for a new cooling system, there are many new technologies that are much more efficient than older versions. As with other appliances, you should look for the Energy Star logo and compare the amount of electricity each uses.
6.Use the coolest parts of your home – On hot days, parts of your house will naturally stay cooler than others. For example, if you have a basement it will remain cool even during the hottest part of the day (this is because the cool air in your home will sink down to your basement). One way you can reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home is to do more in cooler areas of your home. This way, you won't have to use energy to stay cool.
Showing posts with label experience kansas city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label experience kansas city. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The new way to get around - a SEGWAY!!
When I originally started this blog I was "touring" Kansas City. If slacked quite a bit in the last year or so on those adventures...BUT I went on a fabulous adventure last Friday! I toured The Plaza on a SEGWAY!!!
It was my friend Terri's Birthday so I took her along with me! There were two other people on the tour along with our guide Sam. We had the "watered down" tour of the plaza. I wish I could remember all the cool facts he told us, but of course I forgot most of them. The most important - JC Nichols was a KU fan!! Oh, and Kansas City has a sister city in Italy that has many of the same fountains and buildings.
I won't lie, I was the last to get on my segway (therefore the one with the least amount of practice) and I was a bit crazy at first!! I couldn't figure out how to slow down or stop. I "may" have run into a light pole to stop. haha. BUT, I did quickly get the hang of it (it helps when your feet are centered!!!) and had a GREAT time. I can't wait to go back again!!
If you are interested, check out www.segwayexperience.com. They offer FOUR different tours in the Kansas City area. My office bought a bunch of groupons so let me know before you go in case we have some left! And I could be easily persuaded to go again!!!
Keep Close Tabs on Your Credit Score
For Your Clients: Keep Close Tabs on Your Credit Score
By Dan Serra
RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010--(MCT)--With banks tightening their grip on loans, getting one is requiring more work and vigilance on the borrower's part. Even people with excellent credit are jumping through hoops to verify everything and avoiding nicks that could give the appearance of being a risky borrower. There are a few strategies to employ that could improve the chances of not only getting a loan but getting a better rate.
One of the obvious ones, beyond paying bills on time, is to not be overextended on credit. Lenders look at how credit is managed, so someone with $10,000 credit limit but owes $9,000 won't appear as good a borrower as someone who owes only $1,000 of the $10,000 limit. Therefore, it is important to pay down credit before applying for a loan. This can help raise your credit score and get a better rate.
When you do pay down the debt, such as on a credit card, keep the account open to show lenders you have a long credit history and you are responsible by not maxing out every loan you get. Be wary, however, of some creditors who have started reducing credit limits as amounts are paid off. You may need to ask for the limit to be raised, or switch to a new credit card.
Next, verify your credit score every year, or right before you apply for a large loan such as a mortgage, to make sure there is nothing on the report that is inaccurate. While other credit report requests could harm your score, because it indicates you are looking for help often, requesting your own report does no damage to your record. There are three credit bureaus that maintain reports. Request them all through www.annualcreditreport.com. Reports are free once a year. Nearly eight in 10 reports have an error, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups. Be wary of firms that offer free credit reports only after you sign up for another service with a monthly fee.
If you do see a mistake, follow the instructions to dispute the charge. If the mistake was caused by a certain circumstance you feel was not common, also dispute it.
The importance of good credit in our changing economy cannot be overemphasized. Those neglecting their credit are positioning themselves to be shut out of the economy, and at risk of not having a lifeline when times are tough. In addition, those with poor credit also face higher expenses as interest rates, insurance premiums, and rental rates can be higher for those without excellent credit, not to mention employers may shun applicants that do not demonstrate responsible money management.
Make it a point to audit your credit at least once a year and make managing it a priority in your life. Doing so will eliminate chances of financial disasters.
(c) 2010, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
By Dan Serra
RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010--(MCT)--With banks tightening their grip on loans, getting one is requiring more work and vigilance on the borrower's part. Even people with excellent credit are jumping through hoops to verify everything and avoiding nicks that could give the appearance of being a risky borrower. There are a few strategies to employ that could improve the chances of not only getting a loan but getting a better rate.
One of the obvious ones, beyond paying bills on time, is to not be overextended on credit. Lenders look at how credit is managed, so someone with $10,000 credit limit but owes $9,000 won't appear as good a borrower as someone who owes only $1,000 of the $10,000 limit. Therefore, it is important to pay down credit before applying for a loan. This can help raise your credit score and get a better rate.
When you do pay down the debt, such as on a credit card, keep the account open to show lenders you have a long credit history and you are responsible by not maxing out every loan you get. Be wary, however, of some creditors who have started reducing credit limits as amounts are paid off. You may need to ask for the limit to be raised, or switch to a new credit card.
Next, verify your credit score every year, or right before you apply for a large loan such as a mortgage, to make sure there is nothing on the report that is inaccurate. While other credit report requests could harm your score, because it indicates you are looking for help often, requesting your own report does no damage to your record. There are three credit bureaus that maintain reports. Request them all through www.annualcreditreport.com. Reports are free once a year. Nearly eight in 10 reports have an error, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups. Be wary of firms that offer free credit reports only after you sign up for another service with a monthly fee.
If you do see a mistake, follow the instructions to dispute the charge. If the mistake was caused by a certain circumstance you feel was not common, also dispute it.
The importance of good credit in our changing economy cannot be overemphasized. Those neglecting their credit are positioning themselves to be shut out of the economy, and at risk of not having a lifeline when times are tough. In addition, those with poor credit also face higher expenses as interest rates, insurance premiums, and rental rates can be higher for those without excellent credit, not to mention employers may shun applicants that do not demonstrate responsible money management.
Make it a point to audit your credit at least once a year and make managing it a priority in your life. Doing so will eliminate chances of financial disasters.
(c) 2010, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Segway Tour
Two summers ago I was GREAT about my Kansas City Staycation - the reason I initially started this blog! These past two years, for whatever reason, I have not been good. I think my problem is I need a "partner in crime" to go on activities with me!! Anyone up for the challenge? I can have multiple partners in crimes for different activities! Come on, you know you want to experience Kansas City with me!!!
How about a Segway Tour?? A while back there was a groupon for Segway tours. (If you have not checked out: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu505239) My office bought a few thinking it would be a great office activity. The only problem is you can only go in groups of 8 (and we have way more than 8 agents in our office!). SO, I need some buddies to go with!! They are hour long tours and expire Sept 26th. Here are the choices:
For $20, you get a choice of one of four 60-minute tours with Segway Experience of Kansas City (an up to $50 value). For safety reasons, this Groupon is valid for riders weighing less than 350 pounds aged 12 and older. Children aged 12 to 17 years old must also have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Your choice of Segway tours are:
• Urban Journey: Starting from palatial Union Station, explore Kansas City's most treasured historical landmarks, including Liberty Memorial (the nation's only World War I museum), before gliding up to the observation deck for one of the best views of this thriving, ever-changing Midwestern metropolis. ($40 value)
• Segway Safari: Tour the Kansas City Zoo by Segway, baffle Dumisani and his pride of lions with your curious mode of transportation, and bump through the Australian outback surrounded by bemused red kangaroos riding their own Segways. ($50 value, extra $11.50 admission fee required)
• Plaza: Starting from the historic Courtyard Marriott, glide through Mill Creek Park and find out why KC is the City of Fountains before continuing on through the stunning Spanish-inspired architecture and artwork of Country Club Plaza. ($50 value)
• Union Station: Tour the Station's 900 Beaux Arts-inspired rooms and learn the incredible history of the structure that helped put Kansas City on the non-piratical map, as well as what it was like during its heyday. ($40 value)
Available Tuesday through Sunday, Segway Experience's tours are a game-changing way to sightsee Kansas City for families, out-of-town visitors, and time travelers with a broken-down DeLorean. Don't worry about getting the hang of your Seg-legs, though. Each Segway is equipped with high-speed microprocessors, solid-state gyroscopes, and powerful electric motors that keep you balanced. Call ahead to reserve your Segway tour, and roll through KC while absorbing its history and beauty without the use of a shopping cart or hamster-propelled roller shoes.
In the event of bad weather, tours will be rescheduled.
Let me know if you are interested in joining me!!!
How about a Segway Tour?? A while back there was a groupon for Segway tours. (If you have not checked out: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu505239) My office bought a few thinking it would be a great office activity. The only problem is you can only go in groups of 8 (and we have way more than 8 agents in our office!). SO, I need some buddies to go with!! They are hour long tours and expire Sept 26th. Here are the choices:
For $20, you get a choice of one of four 60-minute tours with Segway Experience of Kansas City (an up to $50 value). For safety reasons, this Groupon is valid for riders weighing less than 350 pounds aged 12 and older. Children aged 12 to 17 years old must also have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Your choice of Segway tours are:
• Urban Journey: Starting from palatial Union Station, explore Kansas City's most treasured historical landmarks, including Liberty Memorial (the nation's only World War I museum), before gliding up to the observation deck for one of the best views of this thriving, ever-changing Midwestern metropolis. ($40 value)
• Segway Safari: Tour the Kansas City Zoo by Segway, baffle Dumisani and his pride of lions with your curious mode of transportation, and bump through the Australian outback surrounded by bemused red kangaroos riding their own Segways. ($50 value, extra $11.50 admission fee required)
• Plaza: Starting from the historic Courtyard Marriott, glide through Mill Creek Park and find out why KC is the City of Fountains before continuing on through the stunning Spanish-inspired architecture and artwork of Country Club Plaza. ($50 value)
• Union Station: Tour the Station's 900 Beaux Arts-inspired rooms and learn the incredible history of the structure that helped put Kansas City on the non-piratical map, as well as what it was like during its heyday. ($40 value)
Available Tuesday through Sunday, Segway Experience's tours are a game-changing way to sightsee Kansas City for families, out-of-town visitors, and time travelers with a broken-down DeLorean. Don't worry about getting the hang of your Seg-legs, though. Each Segway is equipped with high-speed microprocessors, solid-state gyroscopes, and powerful electric motors that keep you balanced. Call ahead to reserve your Segway tour, and roll through KC while absorbing its history and beauty without the use of a shopping cart or hamster-propelled roller shoes.
In the event of bad weather, tours will be rescheduled.
Let me know if you are interested in joining me!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)