SUMMER 2015
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My Word by <NAME> Dear Friends, Summer is here again! I hope you’ve got some fun things planned. This is a great time of year for relaxing pastimes. But, of course, as the heat kicks in, the one part of your household that won’t have a chance to relax is your electrical system. High temperatures tend to send electrical consumption into overdrive. If you notice that your lights dim when your cooling system comes on, that could be a sign of trouble. Let us know. Or if your energy bills seem unusually high, call us for help.
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Hudson, Ink Corp ©2015
Cutting the Cost of Cleaning, Cooking and Cooling …page 2
Five Tips to Save Money Each Week …page 2
How to Complain Effectively …page 3
<Company>’s
Smart & simple ways to enrich your home living.
— Article Archive — Plug In Safely This Summer
Even when you’re enjoying time
spent outdoors, it’s nice to have a little electricity around (understatement, I know) – for lighting, music and entertainment, or gadgets and tools. So plan carefully, and plan to be careful. Avoid using extension cords not rated for outdoor use or thick outdoor extension cords that may present a tripping hazard. Far better, ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are safe for outdoor use and are easily installed by qualified electricians (like us!). About – The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) defines a ground fault as “an unintentional electrical path between a power source and a grounded surface.” In a truly worst-case scenario, this “unintentional path” could be your
body. GFCI outlets interrupt or cut off the power when the current flowing from the outlet is greater than the current flowing into the outlet – which prevents electrocution. Where – The National Electric Code requires GFCI outlets to be placed outdoors, in bathrooms, in garages, in basements, in kitchens, near wet bars and near laundry or utility sinks. Basically, they should be anywhere that outlets may come in contact with water. How – GFCIs can be installed in circuit breakers to protect different circuits from overload or ground fault, or separate GFCI outlets may be installed. Each outlet should be tested monthly by plugging a light into it and pressing the test button. The light should turn off. Press the reset button, and the light should turn on. Give us a call about installing GFCI outlets in your home!
Visit www.<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com for more great ideas for home & life, including: MONEY-SAVING TIPS | HOME & ORGANIZING | HEALTH & FOOD
— THE 5 —
Five Tips to Save Money Each Week
— DOLL AR S MAKE SENSE —
Cutting the Cost of Cleaning, Cooking and Cooling
Summer can totally escalate
your electricity bill, and raising the thermostat a few degrees to save money may not be a comfortable option. But you do have other possibilities. The Consumer Energy Center offers up several ways to cut down on electricity usage – without sweating it out all summer long: Cleaning – To save energy, shut your dishwasher off after the rinse cycle and allow your dishes to air dry. Only run your dishwasher when it is full. Also, wash your clothes in cold water and hang them to dry on a line outside or an indoor drying rack. Cooking – Instead of cooking on the stovetop or in the oven – and inadvertently heating your home – cook instead in the microwave or on the grill outside. You’ll avoid wasting your cooling dollars. Plus, if you have an electric stove, you’ll save energy there, too. Or, opt for cold salads and other pre-cooked foods.
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Cooling – Keep your fridge full of cool goodies. This will keep the cold in when you open the door to grab a snack. Other ideas: replace the air filters in your home comfort system regularly,
caulk around windows and place weather stripping under doors. Plant trees to shade your home or install shading outside of the windows that receive direct sunlight. Don’t forget that the extra time outdoors can also affect your summer energy use (and costs!). We can tell you about how energy-efficient lighting can help save you energy dollars. Call us to learn more.
S
etting aside money for savings can seem so impossible it’s like pushing a boulder up a steep hill. But it doesn’t have to be as hard as it sounds. Get started with these quick tips:
Switch it. Plug it. Click it. The electronic devices your family enjoys for work, school, entertainment and connecting came along after most homes were built. Let us come out for a friendly, free review of what’s being switched, plugged or clicked. We can add wiring quickly and safely. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>.
©2015
• Enroll in a retirement savings program. This is an ideal way to save money, because programs such as a 401(k) remove money from paychecks before
— TAKE T HAT! (AND T HIS TOO!) —
EnvironmentallyFriendly Driving Lessons
2. Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed whenever possible.
The EPA has driving tips to help the Earth – and your wallet:
3. Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
1. Perform routine maintenance and inspect the exhaust system annually for leaks.
4. Plan and combine trips to save up to 20% off your fuel and wear and tear.
taxes. In addition, many employers match 401(k) contributions up to a certain level, meaning you get “free” money you’d otherwise skip. • Cook and prepare your own meals. Instead of buying a muffin or bagel each morning on the go, buy them in bulk at the grocery store and spare the few minutes of preparation for a lot of savings in the long run. Also, make your lunch at home and take it with you. • Drink lots of water. Drinking recommended amounts of water actually can decrease hunger, saving on the cost of cravings for pricey mid-afternoon snacks. • Avoid hidden fees. If your credit card or bank accounts have minimum balance requirements, know what the minimum is and keep enough in the account to avoid the charges.
— SECRETS —
How to Complain Effectively
Contact the retailer quickly to avoid time limits on returns or refunds.
If there’s no resolution, ask for a supervisor or manager. If that doesn’t work, try the national headquarters or manufacturer. Check the product label, warranty or other papers you received at purchase for a toll-free number. If you don’t see one, access the company’s website and look for a “Contact Us” link.
Let them know what you expect and include copies of receipts or related documents (keep the originals).
During the process, keep a record of your efforts, including names of people you contacted and what was done, if anything.
So you bought a robotic
banana peeler – exciting! But now you realize it’s not working as promised – and you’ve got to venture into the dreaded consumer complaint process. Relax, and proceed like so:
— RE AL GOOD FOOD — vibrantly colored skin, free of any cracks.
• Use only ATMs from your actual bank. Are you paying double the fees to access your own money? Stop now.
Ravishing Radishes
Good for Nothing
Peppery, crunchy and colorful,
That’s what things in the mail are often worth, but not this… This ad gets you $25 off your next repair bill. So your wallet gets some help while our repair professionals get your system up and running. And that’s good for a lot. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>. ©2015
these spunky veggies come in several delicious varieties: French breakfast radishes are a mild type, watermelon radishes are large and dense, and globe radishes are spicy and crisp. • Fresh Pick – Ready-to-eat radishes should feel firm when squeezed. The leaves should be bright green with
• Store Away – Remove the leaves as soon as you get home, as they tend to draw moisture from the root. Radish leaves that are young and fresh are best if used immediately, perhaps in a risotto or pasta salad. For up to a week, you can refrigerate radishes in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag. • Revive Them – Shock radishes back to life by placing them in an ice bath for 20 minutes, and then serve them raw.
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My Word
! e M n a c S
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A bit of advice: Invest in preventive maintenance to keep small issues from becoming big emergencies. A little prevention can save you from costly, stressful disasters later on. It can also help keep energy bills lower. Let us know when we can be of service. Take care and enjoy your summer.
<signature> <name, title> P.S. Don’t forget to check out the offers on this page to enjoy some big savings. If you want a friend or family member to get a copy of this newsletter, just give us a call, and we’ll send them one, too!
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— Wire Fire —
Connect
More house fires are caused by • Circuit breakers – These can faulty wiring than any other be lifesavers, but not if they’re source… And many can be corroded. prevented with a simple wiring check. Let us perform a FREE wiring • Water seepage – Water and electricity are enemies. We can safety check on your home. There’s no cost or obligation. We can alert keep them apart. you to potential dangers that can be • Frayed wiring – Animals, completely undetected except by insects and motion strip wires of experts. (That’s us!) Trouble spots in protective insulation. your home could be: • Loose wiring – Over time, anything can get ungrounded.
Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE> to make sure your home is safe.
©2015
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M O R E S AV I N G S A N D G R E AT N E W S
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Want to see more home and savings
tips? Visit our HomeXpert portal at
<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.
You’ll find energy saving tips for the coming season, plus articles covering the hottest topics in home, health and savings news. You may even find a recipe or two! So visit <yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.