GH_Fall_2009

Fall 2009

Grand Homes a free publication of the Teton valley news

inside Preparing your yard for winter How to make the most of fall’s final harvest Tax credits for homeowners Buying and selling your home in the winter

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P r e pa r i n g

your yard

for winter

Rachael Horne Staff writer

M

ost people spend all spring and summer working to improve their yards. So it’s a shame when fall and winter roll around and the greenery goes away.

But there are easy steps to take before winter gets here to have a beautiful lawn when the snow melts in the spring.

Doityourself.com offers these helpful tips: Rake. Raking up leaves, pine needles, twigs and other debris from your lawn is an essential step in preparing your lawn for winter.

Left to the elements, this matter will break down slowly, smothering your lawn and contributing to rot, mold and other lawn diseases. Rake the leaves before they decompose.

Dethatch. Dethatch your

lawn in the fall to remove grass clippings and other debris that has accumulated at the base of the grass.

Thatch acts as a barrier that blocks water and nutrients from reaching your grass’s roots and, therefore, can hinder healthy growth.

Aerate. Aeration, or pulling plugs of soil out of your lawn, loosens compacted soil and allows more water and nutrients to reach the grass’s roots. For best results, water your lawn after you aerate.

Attack Weeds. Apply a herbicide

for winter. A good fertilizer will encourage healthy root growth, helping your lawn survive the winter and preparing it for a healthy revival in the spring.

Mow. Cut your lawn before it goes

dormant for the winter. While there is some debate as to how short to cut your winter lawn, with low to medium seeming to get the most votes, there is general agreement that it should not be left uncut for the winter. Talk to a lawn-care professional at your local home improvement store or nursery for advice on how short to cut your lawn, since it may depend on the type of grass you have and your local climate.

Repair. If your lawn has developed dry patches, seed these areas in the fall.

This will allow the new grass to become established in the fall and to develop a healthy root system so that it can come back strong in the spring.

Water. Don’t stop watering

you lawn in the fall when low humidity may limit the amount of moisture your lawn gets.

Source: Doityourself.com

in the fall or remove weeds by hand for a weed-free lawn in the spring.

Fertilize. About a month before the first freeze, fertilize your lawn using a winterizing fertilizer that is formulated to prepare your lawn

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to make the most of fall’s final harvest (ARA) - Your vegetable garden has supplied your family with flavorful, nutritious fare throughout the summer.

But the arrival of autumn doesn’t mean your days of enjoying your garden are over. If you plant now for the future and prepare for the coming season, it’s possible to enjoy a few last tasty morsels from your garden and ensure next spring’s landscape will be dazzling.

Here are a few tips to ensure your fall

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harvest is as fresh and fabulous as possible: Plant a bit of fall flavor

Add a few short-season vegetables to your garden for fresh-from-the-field flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that time. Leaf

lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots grow quickly, tolerate cool weather and are great additions to your fall cuisine.

Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of low nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite. Incorporate it into the soil prior to planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. “This organic nitrogen will provide needed continued to next page

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Give them a boost

nutrients without damaging the tender seedlings. It is safe to use on all your edible and ornamental plants,” says Melinda Myers, nationally known horticulturist and author.

Don’t forget about your trees. As the temperatures cool, and even after trees lose their leaves, tree roots are in their most active growth period. Fertilize trees in need of a nutrient boost about one month after the first killing frost but before the soil freezes. Use Milorganite to encourage balanced growth without the risk of damaging the roots. The organic source of nitrogen is slow release and stays in the soil. The non-staining iron is available to plants no matter the pH. So, you can give stressed trees a boost without encouraging excess growth or incurring root damage.

Cover ‘em up

Protect tender vegetables like tomatoes and peppers from the first few fall frosts.

Floating row covers, cloches and cold frames can protect tender plants from frost. Or harvest green tomatoes before the killing frost and finish ripening them indoors. Spread them out on heavy paper or wrap them in newspaper so the tomatoes don’t touch and store them in a 65-degree location. They will ripen over the next few weeks. Speed up the process by moving a few tomatoes to a bright, warm location a few days before they are needed.

And don’t leave green tomatoes behind.

They taste great fried or made into relish and other tasty treats.

Plant some spring color

A fall planting of daffodils, grape hyacinths and other long-lived bulbs can provide many springs of beauty.

Prepare the soil and add a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer like Milorganite to the soil.

“This organic source of nitrogen releases needed nutrients including phosphorous and potassium from the soil without promoting unwanted fall growth,” according to Myers.

Prep your lawn for winter

Help your lawn recover from the heat and drought of summer and prepare it for winter with fall fertilization.

University research has shown that fall fertilization is the most beneficial practice for home lawns. Less disease problems and slower weed growth mean your lawns — not the pests — benefit from the nutrients.

Fall fertilization also helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer because it encourages deep roots and denser growth that can better compete with weeds, and tolerate disease and insects.

“Northern gardeners can follow the holiday schedule and fertilize Labor Day and Halloween. Southern gardeners should make their last fall fertilization at least 30 days before the lawn goes dormant or the average first killing frost to avoid winter kill,” recommends Myers. Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, for best results.

Tuck them in for winter

A good, long drink and bit of winter protection goes a long way to help struggling and less hardy plants through the winter ahead. A blanket of evergreen boughs, straw or marsh hay applied after the ground freezes will prevent frost heaving and early sprouting, and increase the chance of winter survival for bulbs and perennials.

Wind breaks and mulch can reduce winter drying and death of broadleaf and other evergreens.

Water these and other plantings thoroughly before the ground freezes to increase overwintering success.

Add a layer of wood chip mulch on the soil surrounding trees and shrubs to moderate soil temperatures, conserve moisture and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch off tree trunks and shrub stems.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Tax credits for homeowners

New this year are tax credits for homeowners (part of the Reinvestment and Recovery Act) that allow credits for up to 30 percent of the costs of making energy-efficient improvements to your home.

Tax credits are available for up to $1,500 toward the cost of these energy-efficient home improvements through 2010: • Windows and doors • Non-solar water heater • Insulation • Roofs (metal and asphalt) • Energy-efficient furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, or boiler

Tax credits are available for up to 30% of the cost of these energy-efficient improvements, through 2016: • Geothermal heat pump • Solar panels • Solar water heater • Small wind energy system.

For detailed information visit www.engergystar.gov.

Strapped for cash?

HVAC solutions keep costs low (ARA) - You may find the economic climate less than balmy right now, but that doesn’t mean the climate inside your home can’t be comfortable.

Like many Americans, you’re probably thinking about ways you can reduce your living expenses. Heating and cooling costs account for more than 40 percent of the average home’s energy bill, so finding ways to become more energy efficient can save you real cash. In fact, nearly two thirds of respondents in a recent Energy Awareness Month survey cited reducing their heating and cooling bills as a top concern.

There are many ways to improve the performance of your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, even if you’re on a tight budget. Here are a few: Tip 1. Take advantage of tax credits by replacing old appliances with ENERGY STAR Qualified appliances.

One of the best ways to improve home energy efficiency is by replacing your outdated air conditioner or furnace, especially if it’s more than 10 to 15 years old. Newer, more energy-efficient models that are ENERGY STAR qualified are readily available and can be up to 40 percent more efficient. What’s more, tax credits will be issued to homeowners who 6

install ENERGY STAR qualified appliances in 2009, offering a dual cost-saving benefit for you and your budget.

The more efficient your air conditioner is, the more money you can save annually.

When looking for efficient appliances, consider a model such as the Trane XL20i communicating air conditioner. Traditional systems usually deliver a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of around 8. With a system like the XL20i, which has a SEER rating of 20, your family could save up to 60 percent on your annual energy bill, depending on the type of equipment the high-efficiency system is replacing. Of course, your actual energy savings will also vary depending on factors like your lifestyle, system settings, maintenance, climate and installation.

In fall and winter, consider upgrading with an XC95 furnace. With this product’s three stages of heat, you can achieve an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating of up to 95 percent, which means that up to 95 cents of every dollar actually goes to heating your home.

This is especially important when you consider that the average household will pay $2,300 this year on energy costs, with

heating alone accounting for almost 45 percent of that total, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

Tip 2. Consider automated technology so you can have peace of mind that you are taking control of your own energy management.

Incorrect air flow and improper refrigerant levels within a heating and cooling system are two of the biggest issues affecting home energy efficiency. So when shopping for new appliances, consider those that will eliminate these common errors with automated systems to monitor those levels for you.

Manufacturers such as Trane are making this possible with heating and cooling systems that come complete with communicating technology. Built-in interfaces enable all communicating components of a heating and cooling system to be automatically and properly charged, configured and calibrated to ensure homeowners will always receive the ultimate in reliability, efficiency, continued to next page

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comfort, convenience and peace of mind.

Tip 3. Adjusting room temperature by just a few degrees will help yield big savings in your household budget this year.

You can save about 3 percent of your heating and cooling costs for every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, and for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer.

Programmable thermostats are another great option to maximize the performance of your heating and cooling system. Because you can program these thermostats to raise or lower the temperature while you’re away from home, you save energy while still maintaining your standard of comfort. In addition to this flexibility, ENERGY STAR models can also yield savings as high as $115 per year.

If your heating and cooling equipment is less than 15 years old, routine maintenance is an easy yet important step you can take to ensure efficient heating and cooling performance. Having a professional perform maintenance in the spring and fall, before cooling and heating seasons begin, will increase the life of the system, improve energy efficiency, reduce pollutants and save you money.

Be sure you also contribute to your system’s continued efficiency by cleaning or replacing filters on schedule, and by keeping outdoor units clear of snow, ice and other debris.

For more information, visit trane.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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What you should know about frozen pipes Mike Polhamus Staff writer

Geologists say that water drives the process of erosion: water carves out valleys, shatters stone and topples the same tall trees it helps to feed. Not surprisingly, the same principles are true even in the home. Even the stoutest water pipes will burst, destroying living spaces and hard-earned savings, unless the pipes are properly insulated against the devastating power of the water they carry.

Frozen pipes are a problem in Teton County, where cool winter weather often causes freezing temperatures below the shallow depths to which many local pipes are buried. As a result, many local residents leave their water running through the winter, especially on cold nights and long absences, to prevent the water from remaining in the pipes long enough to freeze. Some part-time residents and spec-home owners even blow out their pipes for the winter, clearing the water entirely from lines that would crack open when winter temperatures expand their water.

Unfortunately, these types of preventive measures are the most affordable remedy

for many homeowners seeking to protect their homes from the damage and cost of burst water lines. Other helpful steps include keeping the heat on indoors and opening cabinets where water lines are located to allow warm air to circulate around them.

If, after a long absence or a very cold spell, you turn on your tap and find only a trickle or no water at all coming from the faucet, you may have frozen pipes.

This inconvenience could signal bigger problems, but if you act quickly they may be avoided.

First, if you suspect a frozen water line, before attempting to reheat the line, make sure to open the faucet so that trapped water and gases will have a place to go when the problem is fixed. Next, assume that if one line is frozen, others are likely to be as well, and open all your other faucets too. Then attempt to reheat the frozen pipe using an electric heating pad, portable space heater or electric hair dryer.

Do not use open flame to heat the pipes, as it may cause water inside to boil, which could create enough pressure from the steam to make the pipe explode.

The best way to prevent these problems

is to bury water lines at the proper depth for the area where you’re living, and to properly insulate all exposed tubing.

Insulating your pipes alone won’t prevent them from freezing, though it’s an easy do-it-yourself option that may help; properly insulating your entire home is a much more effective way to keep your plumbing from freezing.

For more information, the nonprofit Institute for Business and Home Safety has an excellent document outlining steps you can take to prevent and treat frozen pipes, at www.ibhs.org/natural_disasters/ downloads/freezing.pdf.

Ice dams:

How they form, how to prevent them, how to get rid of them Mike Polhamus Staff writer

Almost everyone loves the sight of thick icicles hanging from the eaves of an old home in midwinter, but homeowners in mountain climates know that behind these beautiful formations lurks a destructive culprit: ice dams.

Ice dams look to the naked eye more like ice flows, but they’re called dams for a reason. When snow collected on a roof melts, it flows down the warm roof surface until it either refreezes on the roof or falls off the roof’s edge.

If snowmelt refreezes on the same roof it melted on, that’s because one continued to next page

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area of the roof is cooler than another.

When ice dams form, it is because the roof above the eaves is warm, and the eaves themselves are not. This is almost always caused by inadequate attic insulation combined with poor attic ventilation. When a warm attic melts snow on the roof, and the snowmelt refreezes on the cold eaves, ice builds up on the eaves until it blocks additional flowing water behind it, which is why the resulting frozen mass hanging off the roof is called an ice dam instead of an ice flow.

The best way to prevent ice dams is by properly insulating and ventilating your attic. The insulation is to keep warmth in your house without heating the roof, and with proper insulation, the attic can be ventilated in the winter so the roof stays cool without draining heat from the home below.

If your attic is not insulated or ventilated sufficiently, and ice dams form, it is

important to take action immediately to avoid costly repairs, since water from melting ice dams can seep inside walls, damaging them invisibly from the inside out. Ice dams damage roofs also as they form, with the expanding ice pushing shingles up from below, so even if you cannot remove an ice dam that is already formed, it is still worth trying to prevent it from getting worse.

Internet sources recommend filling old pantyhose with calcium chloride ice melter, then laying the stuffed stockings on top of the ice dam perpendicular to the edge of the roof. This will melt channels into the dam, allowing future snowmelt to escape. The downside to this method is that it may stain shingles and paint, or even corrode certain surfaces.

To temporarily prevent ice dams from forming, without buying a new roof, many homeowners install heat tape on their roof above the eaves. Heat tape is affixed to the roof over a home’s eaves in a pattern that, when the electrically activated tape is turned on, melts channels into rooftop ice so that further snowmelt isn’t dammed up. Heat tape is effective, but it must be put on before the snow falls.

To help prevent ice dams without spending much money, just make sure to clear away snow a few feet back from the edge of your roof. Without snow built up to help trap water on the eaves and freeze it there, ice dams are much less likely to form. For this simple procedure, use a long-handled rake while standing on the ground, because standing on a slanted, icy roof while trying to clear snow off it is unsafe.

If you already have an ice dam formed on your roof, avoid chipping away at the ice, which could cause damage to the roof’s surface. Instead, several

For more information, with helpful pictures and suggestions on how to prevent ice dams, visit www. deerparkroofing.com/icedams.php.

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Why

your home?

Mike Polhamus Staff writer

The Federal Department of Energy estimates that an average home uses 50 to 70 percent of its energy on heating and cooling. Unless your home was intentionally constructed using energysaving practices and materials, the DOE says you may be able to cut the amount of energy used on heating and cooling by between 10- to 50 percent, simply by adding the right insulation to the right places.

But what is the right insulation, and what are the right places for it?

The answer to this question could involve many variables, but much of it depends on where you live and what home you live in.

For the most accurate, up-to-date information on what type of insulation would help most, and what parts of your house are most important to insulate, see the DOE’s Web site on insulation, at www. ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html. Here you will find an easy-to-use calculator that factors in your location and relevant information on your home to determine what R-value insulation would best suit your home, and where in the home it would help most.

R-value is a term that means “resistance

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to heat flow,” according to the DOE, and a higher R-value indicates greater resistance to heat flow. Heat naturally flows from warmer places to cooler places, and resistance to that flow allows isolated areas to remain warm in a cold climate (like a warm house surrounded in winter snow) or cool in a hot one.

How much insulation is enough depends on the type of insulation used and where it is placed. Some insulation comes in rigid blocks or panels, and each successive layer of this insulation adds a specific R-value; installing the right amount is as easy as adding the R-value of each layer continued to next page

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go to the DOE Web site www. energysavers.gov/your_home, then click on the button on the left titled “Insulation and Air Sealing.”

until the desired insulation level is reached. These types of insulation are usually professionally pre-installed in homes.

Finally, the question most savvy homeowners ask before investing in upgrades like these, is, how long will it take before new insulation pays for itself? In other words, how many years does it take for the money saved from energy spent on heating and cooling equals the amount spent on new insulation?

Foam insulation panels are stacked and ready to place.

For more information, visit the DOE’s fact sheet on insulation, found at www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html.

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Because heat naturally flows not only from warm areas to cool areas, but upwards also, the attic of a home is one of the most critical areas for proper insulation. But even the space between an interior heated room and an unheated garage, for instance, could allow enough heat flow to make additional insulation there a worthwhile investment. From the roof to the foundation, the DOE recommends homeowners take stock of their existing insulation, and add more as needed. DOE also recommends sealing homes against unwanted airflow before adding insulation. For more information on assessing your home’s existing insulation needs,

To find the answer to this question, go to the same Web site mentioned above, and after selecting the Insulation and Air Sealing tab you’ll see several more options appear; choose “Existing Homes,” then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link for “estimating the payback period of additional insulation. “There you’ll find a formula to estimate how long it will take before your new insulation pays for itself in reduced energy costs.

TV tal gi

Do-it-yourself installation will probably use instead the loose-fill or blanket types of insulation. Again, total R-value is calculated by adding the values of each layer applied, but in this case it is important not to compress the material by adding too much, because compressed insulation doesn’t work.

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Get into hot water What you need to know about buying a hot tub Rachael Horne — Staff writer

H

ot tubs are a great way to relax, reduce stress, improve circulation, release toxins, alleviate sore muscles and ease joint or back pain. Besides that, it’s also a fun way to spend time with family and friends. Hot tubs are one of the most life-enhancing consumer products available in the home leisure market.

What to know before you buy Size: Spa size is typically affected by the available space for the hot tub in your desired location, and by the number of people you want your hot tub to hold.

Comfort: The comfort of the hot tub’s seating is very important.

To ensure that your comfort level is met, be sure to sit in the spa before purchasing. It’s also highly recommended that you “wet test” the spa; this will give you the best indication of how comfortable it is for you and other intended users.

Comfort factors include seating depth and variety, foot well space, lounge fit, access to hot tub controls, ease of entry and exit, and cushioned headrests.

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Reliability: Buying a hot tub that

Keeping costs down

will last over time is an important consideration for most potential spa owners. Look for a spa that is well built, uses high-quality materials and components, and is backed by a reputable dealer and spa manufacturer. Length of time in business and reputations can tell you a great deal. Finally, ask for a copy of the warranty, and determine if the dealer and hot tub manufacturer are willing and prepared to support it.

Invest in a good quality cover.

Maintaining a steady water temperature is recommended to help keep operating costs down. When the water cools and you turn it back up, it costs more than if you set it and leave it warm, ready for use.

Ease of Maintenance: Most likely,

you’re looking for a hot tub that won’t require a lot of your time to keep the water clean and clear, and that will preserve its appearance over time.

Energy Efficiency: Your spa’s

operating cost will be primarily determined by its ability to retain heat. Ensure that the hot tub has effective insulation for the shell and plumbing. Full foam insulation surrounding the shell, combined with a custom-fit spa cover that forms an insulated barrier around the bar top, are essential to keeping heat in and cold out.

Maintenance and size of the spa, as well as frequency of use and the surrounding air temperature, all contribute to operating costs. Shop for a well-insulated spa that will keep heat in and cold out.

Energy costs may be cheaper per month with an entry-level spa because you do not have the same amount of pumps or jets.

But a cheaply made spa may lack the insulation needed for optimum heat retention. It’s recommended to shop for a hot tub with features that minimize operating costs.

Consumers can also opt for a water care system, such as an effective ozonator, which will make it easier to maintain good water quality for longer periods. This, in turn, can reduce the frequency of refilling the spa and heating the new water up to usage temperature.

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Buying and selling your home in the winter Rachael Horne Staff writer

Winter usually isn’t the ideal time to put your home on the market, but here we don’t have much choice, or the luxury of waiting. Winter presents its own unique set of challenges. The lawn is brown and then covered in snow. The weather can be volatile and unlike the longer days of summer, there is less time to show it during the daylight hours.

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Keep snow and ice at bay. The top tip from agents: If the buyer can’t get in easily, the house won’t sell.

That means keeping walkways and driveways free of the frozen stuff. Just like trimming the lawn in the summer, you want to make the home looks like it’s been maintained. If you’re away frequently or live in an area that’s subject to bad weather, it can pay to hire a service to regularly salt or shovel the driveway and sidewalks.

Warm it up. Before a buyer comes through; adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature to make it welcoming. But buyers who come in and aren’t comfortable won’t stay long. If you have a gas continued to next page

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fireplace, turning it on right before the tour can give the house a little ambiance. With a wood-burning fireplace, you’ve got to be a little more careful. If the house is vacant, don’t chance it. But if you’re still living there and will be there during the tour, it can be a nice touch.

Take advantage of natural light. Encourage showing during the

high-daylight hours. At this time of year, if you show after work, you’re totally in the dark. Make the most of the light you do have.

Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and builtin fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate. Before you show the house, turn on all the lights.

Make it comfortable and cozy. Set the scene and help the buyers

see themselves living happily in this house. Consider things such as putting a warm throw on the sofa or folding back the thick comforter on the bed.

Emphasize winter positives. Is your home on a bus route or some

other vital service that means it’s plowed or de-iced regularly in bad weather? Be sure to mention that to the buyers.

Make it festive. Even if you’re not actually going to be present,

greet your buyers as if they were going to be guests at a party.

Set up the dinner table with the good china and silver. Have a plate of cookies for your guests, some warm cider or even chilled bottles of water.

Use the season to your advantage. When the holidays are over (and the Christmas and Hanukkah stuff should come down), you can still use winter wreaths and dried arrangements around the door to spark interest. In the winter, with the leaves off the trees, you might also have a nice view that isn’t as apparent in the spring and summer months.

Consider the area. In some parts of the country, such as ski areas or warmer regions where the snowbirds flock (hello, Teton Valley!), winter weather can actually be a selling point.

For buyers There’s usually less competition.

Sellers are often pressured. Motivation is critical in any real

estate situation.

When you buy a new home before the end of the year, you’ll be able to report items such as mortgage interest, points, closing costs, property taxes and more on your tax return.

Beat the price hikes. As high as the prices may seem now, chances are they’ll only be higher when a new real estate season starts in the spring.

The Teton Valley News Grand Homes is a publication of the Teton Valley News, 75 North Main, Driggs, ID 83422 Stacy Simonet.......... Publisher Lisa Nyren................ Managing Editor Rachael Horne......... Writer Mike Polhamus........ Writer

Meg Heinen.............. Advertising KaTrina Chadwick..... Advertising Amy Birch................. Art Director Barbara Gibson........ Graphic Design

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