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New Home Renovation Tips

By: Lifschitz


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Upgrade your furnace, when looking at the cost of replacing your old furnace, keep in mind that an upgrade can save up to 25 percent on your annual heating and cooling bill.

Some furnace facts to consider:

Higher efficiency furnaces use less gas to do the same heating job. While an older unit might operate at less than 70 per cent efficiency, a new high-efficiency model will operate at up to 96 percent.

Condensing gas furnaces are the most energy-efficient furnaces on the market with an "annual fuel utilization efficiency" AFEU rating of between 90 and 97 percent. They use 33 to 38 percent less energy than older models, and can save a homeowner with an old gas furnace about $300 a year. Condensing furnaces come in a variety of sizes and can be installed in the same location as the furnace being replaced, using the same ductwork.

High efficiency furances are a good choice for homes that are greater than 2,000 square feet.

Make sure to follow these fall maintenace home renovation checklist tips:

Drian exterior water lines, hose bibs, sprinklers and pool equipment before the first major freeze. Caulk around pipes where they enter the house.

Book an appointment to have your furnace cleaned, inspected and safety checked.

Check doors and windows for proper caulking and weatherstripping. Check the bottoms of doors for a snug threshold seal or door sweep.

Make sure your firplac eis in safe working order. CHeck that the damper opens and closes smoothly and fits properly to prevent heat loss.

Have the chimney inspected and cleaned.

Wash windows to let in the maxinimum heat and light during cold winter days.

Consumer fraud alert - Home Renovation

Roofers, pavers, home renovators, lawn care: the list of businesses that may end up at your door seems endless. Most door-to-door sellers offer quality service at fair prices. But buyer beware: some of them want your money without working for it. High pressure and the element of surprise can lead to bad deals for consumers.

Risky Business

"Signing contracts or buying on impulse is always risky," says Chris Ferguson, director of Ontario's consumer protection branch. "There are scam artists who will press you to make unnecessary "repairs". Provicinal investigators encounter many sad cases of consumers, many of them seniors, losing thousands of dollars on jobs not done or done so poorly that further repairs are needed.

Pressire tactics are a problem and examples abound of people buying expensive air purifiers, vacuum cleaners and other goods they don't really need just to get a "salesperson" out the door. "Turning someone away from the door is not rude, it's your right" asserts Ferguson, suggesting that having family or friends present when hearing a "sales pitch" is a great way to avoid being swayed by the pressure or too-good-to-be-true deals.

Ontario's consumer protection act provides consumers with key protections. You have a 10-day cooling-off period in which to cancel a contract signed in your home - no reason required. If goods or services aren't provided within 30 days of the date promised in the contract, you can cancel and any money you paid must be refunded.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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