NewsTribune_Illinois Valley Homes_011823

Welcome home to this turn key two bedroom, two bathroom home in the desirable Webster Park subdivision. Freshly renovated main level features an open concept layout with 2 living rooms, connected by the kitchen and dining space. The kitchen has white cabinetry, solid surface countertops, and all high end appliances that are included in the sale. Other features of the home are a master bedroom with master bath, double sinks in the second bathroom, new ooring, attached garage, and full un nished basement. Second living room has a gas replace and plenty of windows that look out onto the large backyard space and doors that allow for access to the back patio. You will not want to miss out on the opportunity to view this home. Call your LOCAL agent today.

(BPT) - Everyone agrees that water is an important resource, and with the ongoing megadrought paired with increasing costs of water in many cities across the country, water consumption is increasingly top of mind. More people are questioning their daily water use and looking for strategic ways to save at home.

Considering only about 1% of Earth’s water is available for human use, it’s important that everyone take steps to reduce their water use through smart home improvements. Here are three ways you can make a difference and save money:

The first step is to understand how much water you’re using. Start by paying attention to your water bill. How much water are you using and how does that compare to months and years past? Some utilities even provide insight into your use compared to your neighbors’, which can be helpful in seeing if you’re above or below average.

Additionally, consider insightful upgrades like the Kohler H2Wise systems that provide key insight into how much water your home uses every day. Plus, this smart system provides 24/7 monitoring that sends real-time alerts to your phone if it detects changes in water pressure that signal potential water leakage or other plumbing problems,

Each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can lower your water footprint by being aware of your water usage and making several strategic home improvements.

2.LOOK FOR LABELS

The average family spends more than $1,000 per year in water costs, but can save more than $380 annually from retrofitting with WaterSense labeled fixtures and ENERGY STAR certified appliances, according to the EPA. That means if you’re making home improvements, it’s important to look at the labels of products and choose wisely.

The EPA has recently recognized Kohler Co. with a 2022 WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award for its continual efforts to innovate water-efficient plumbing products, promote water conservation

and aid in the protection of this natural resource. This award is the company’s 8th Sustained Excellence recognition and its 13th year of recognition overall by the WaterSense program.

By looking for this label and using these products, you can be part of a movement that’s making a big impact on water conservation. Since 2007, cumulative savings due to Kohler brands is over 437 billion gallons of water, 9.26 million metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions and $7 billion in energy and water costs.

3.MAKE STRATEGIC UPGRADES

Many people are looking for ways to green their home with eco-friendly upgrades. Replacing old toilets and faucets with WaterSense options reduces water use and saves money, especially since these things are used on a daily basis. When it’s time to replace washing machines and dishwashers, remember to keep water conservation in mind as well when selecting updated appliances.

Swapping out your showerhead is another option to help you gain control while saving money. Go a step further with the innovative Anthem digital control that has a sleek, minimalist display that lets you control your outlets, temperature and water flow. Optional built-in eco mode lets you conserve water by using just one outlet at a time, and the summary screen helps to promote mindful water usage.

Finally, research if a tankless water heater might be right for your home. Rather

than a holding tank, these units heat water on demand, therefore eliminating the long waits between when you turn on the water and when you actually get hot water flowing, which can equate to gallons of wasted water down the drain.

The EPA states everyone can use at least 20% less water by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances. Pair this with being thoughtful about your water use every day and your entire family will help conserve this precious resource.

A ordable ways to make homes more appealing to modern buyers

Home trends come and go. Today’s must-have items tend to become tomorrow’s outdated features in the blink of an eye.

Homeowners who plan to stay in their current homes for years to come needn’t prioritize modern trends over personal preferences. However, homeowners looking to sell their homes can consider these favored features to increase their properties’ appeal to modern buyers.

■ Separate laundry room: According to the National Association of Home Builders’ 2021 What Home Buyers Really Want report, a separate room dedicated to laundry was the most desired feature among prospective home buyers. Though it might not inspire the awe of an outdoor living room or floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a wooded backyard, a laundry

room fills a direct and universal need. Perhaps that’s why 87 percent of buyers want a room dedicated to laundry in a home.

■ Exterior lighting: Drive through a modern suburban neighborhood at night and it won’t take long before you realize the popularity of exterior lighting. And that’s no coincidence, as homeowners everywhere appear to embrace exterior lighting. The NAHB report indicates that exterior lighting is the most sought-after outdoor feature. The good news for prospective sellers is that exterior lighting is an inexpensive and instant way to transform a property at night. Some solar-powered lighting along walkways and outside the front door can make a home feel more safe, while some uplighting of large trees in the backyard can produce a sight to behold once the sun

goes down.

■ Energy-e cient upgrades: Inflation has driven up the cost of just about everything over the last year-plus, and energy is no exception. So it should come as no surprise that 83 percent of prospective home buyers are looking for energy-efficient windows and appliances in a home. These features save money and benefit the planet, making them a win-win among buyers.

■ Patio: Patio spaces have long been popular, but that popularity reached new heights during the pandemic. When forced to stay at home for long periods of time, millions of people longed for ways to spend more time outdoors without breaking lockdown rules. Patios provide outdoor living spaces, and 82 percent of buyers indicated they wanted a patio with their next property.

Side-by-side kitchen sinks are sought-after features among prospective home buyers.

■ Side-by-side sink: A double or side-by-side sink is among the more affordable features buyers are looking for. At less than $1,000 on average, a side-by-sink is an affordable way to make a home more appealing to modern buyers.

Modern buyers want a lot out of their homes, and sellers can do their best to meet those desires while getting the most money for their properties. FH228166

Makeover your home with fun and fresh paint colors

Stop in today to see how the vibrant colors of Benjamin Moore® can help your next paint project be your best ever.

The hottest trend in replaces?

Using them to warm up a kitchen or bathroom

(BPT) - In the past few years homes have become vital sanctuaries - places where you and your family want to feel comfortable, cozy and serene. Recent shifts in home design are responding to this need, while also reflecting a desire for beauty and luxury. As a result, fireplaces are seriously trending - not just for living rooms or bedrooms, but even kitchens and bathrooms.

Thanks to recent innovations such as beautifully designed, easy-to-install electric fireplaces from SimpliFire, you can add the warmth and charm a fireplace brings to almost any room without undergoing major renovations or having to worry about things

like chimneys, piles of wood, screens or gas lines.

The sleek, contemporary features seen in these electric fireplaces add a warm glow and ambient light to any room. You can select features like driftwood log sets and a variety of finishes, plus whatever flame color options and fire bed materials and colors suit your mood and style.

TIME-HONORED LUXURY WITH A MODERN AESTHETIC

While adding fireplaces to various rooms may be an emerging trend in contemporary home design - and a boon for home values - the idea has a long history, as homes once relied solely on fireplaces for

heating every room. Today’s designs, however, offer the drama and visual interest of clean lines and modern style - while also being much more convenient and energy-efficient than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Another great advantage? You can run your electric fireplace anytime you’d like to enjoy the beauty and ambience it provides, with or without heat, all year round.

THE HEART OF THE HOME

The kitchen is possibly the most crucial room in every home. Because kitchens needed fireplaces for cooking functions in olden days, it seems like a natural fit to add a fireplace here. Today’s

kitchens are the heart of the home in more ways than one, especially with open plan home designs allowing plenty of space for the entire familyand guests - to gather around and cook meals together.

What better space to create a warm, cozy and decorative focal point with an electric fireplace? You could even use a 3-sided style such as SimpliFire’s Scion Trinity Fireplace by Heat & Glo to connect a kitchen to dining or living areas, or use two units back-to-back to create a two-sided fireplace between any two rooms.

A PERSONAL SPA

The bathroom has become

a sought-after oasis in contemporary homes, inspiring spa-like features from heated floors or towel racks to deluxe standalone tubs that create an aura of comfort and luxury. Adding a bathroom fireplace is one more way to design the ultimate personal retreat. What could be more calming than relaxing in a hot bath by the light of a glowing fireplace?

Fortunately, today’s electric fireplaces make this renovation easier than ever. While a few special safety precautions need to be taken for bathroom applications, following your product instructions and local code restrictions will ensure that your fireplace will be as safe as it is enchanting.

HOW ELECTRIC FIREPLACES WORK

Electric fireplaces can supply light as well as being able to offer some heat, but the glow and warmth are created without an actual flame. With the press of a button, you can use a remote control to adjust both the “flame” and other effects, including the heat level, thermostat, timer, brightness, ember bed lights and accent

lighting. Turn up the heat to take the chill off during wintry days, or turn the heat down and enjoy the fireplace just for its calming ambiance when the weather’s warm.

INSTALLATION IS EASY

Whether you choose to hire

a professional or completely DIY it, electrical fireplace installation is remarkably easy. With just a few tools, a wellplaced grounded electrical outlet and a revolutionary wall-mount SimpliFire Format electric fireplace, you can bring the comfort of a

fireplace to any room in your home in a day.

Interested in making a statement with a new fireplace in your home? Visit heatnglo. com to see all of the beautiful possibilities to warm up the atmosphere in any room.

SUBDIVISIONS

HERITAGE FIELDS SUBDIVISION

Large residential building lots starting at $19,900. Curb & gutters, city sewer & water available. Close to I-39! Lot size begins at .25 an acre & covenants are available. Call Garry Schroeder at 815-252-5854. MLS#10141625

CEDAR LANE PREMIUM HOME SITES

Ready to build, city sewer/water, curbs, sidewalks, underground utilities. Plat & restrictive covenants available, Peru school district. Starting at $95,000. Call Wendy Fulmer 815-252-8280 or Chris Hopps 815-252-5273. MLS#10785416

STONE BLUFF TERRACE

Large, wooded building lots starting at $19,000. Water to site, gas & electric nearby. Overlooking scenic Vermilion River Valley! Lot sizes from .32-1.34 acres, 3 available lots. Call Chris Hopps at 815-252-5273. MLS#08273641

Barb Kuzma Bonnie Lester David Postula Garry Schroeder Vincent Jessen

Jessica Jeffrey Gunnar Jauch

Integrate principles of fashion for sleek grandeur in the bath

(BPT) - Creating a sleek and elegant design in the bath requires a keen eye for not only interiors, but for high fashion design as well. Interior design is oftentimes directly inspired by iconic moments in fashion, and bringing runway influence into the home can elevate a space. Bring to life a timeless, grand sanctuary in the bath by putting this into practice, including adding elements from fashion designers who have themselves branched out into home design, such as with Jason Wu and the Jason Wu for Brizo® Bath Collection.

LUXURIOUS EXPRESSION

Elevate a home by weaving in fashion with sleek lines and bold expression. Fashion influences design, and finding an aesthetic from the runway to influence a space creates a modern, stylish look. The right décor, such as statement furnishings, fabrics and textiles, can bridge personal touches and streamlined refinement together. In the bath, add sculptural lighting on the wall or a contemporary, abstract rug to accent the space. To ensure an overall luxe aesthetic, carefully examine scale when selecting pieces, keeping symmetry and overall harmony of the design in mind.

EMBRACE INDIVIDUALITY

Maintain a high-end look,

while highlighting personality with unique statements and layered styling. Look to fashion shows for inspiration on layering, and finding on-trend, contrasting patterns within a color scheme to deliver an elegant, timeless design. Choose a lead pattern, something multicolor with a distinctive look, and establish a base for the colors and details for a cohesive yet intriguing aesthetic. Create depth with layering, using textured wallpaper beneath large-scale wall décor, from prints to gilded mirrors, with smaller details incorporated, such as fixtures with clean lines.

SOPHISTICATED EMBELLISHMENTS

Like accessories, embrace accents that add a touch of contrast. Consider adding baroque style to a minimalistic space for sophisticated dynamism and choose elegant, resolute ornamentation to enhance any design. Purposeful details such as the wood cross handles of the Jason Wu for Brizo ® Bath Collection starkly juxtapose the fixture’s matte black finish for the perfect blend of streamlined elegance and quality crafted adornment. Alternatively, the collection’s lever handles with varying heights establish a discerning look. Like pieces can serve as refined focal

points against bold color schemes, such as mint with a retro gold, or in tandem with neutrals to create an overall sophisticated aesthetic.

REFINED PALETTE

Opt for a refined palette to provide a constant base, which allows for the curation of personalized style. New

neutrals such as sage green or bamboo shoot can establish an unexpected yet versatile backdrop to any room. Enduring through time, neutral palettes also allow personalized expression to shine through, and like neutrals in a fashion collection, allow for the creation of a streamlined, cohesive and modern abode.

(BPT) - How well do you know your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC, system? Like any product, you want to keep it in working order, and being HVAC savvy will help you keep this vital equipment working more efficiently regardless of the temperatures outside.

Here are some important

aspects of your HVAC system you should know:

THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF HVAC

Generally, with proper maintenance most residential HVAC systems have a typical lifespan between 10 to 20 years. For instance, an increase in dust on surfaces in your home could be a sig-

nal to replace the furnace filter, which should be done monthly for optimal performance. Loud noises from the HVAC or inconsistent room temperature can also indicate the need for maintenance or an upgrade.

Although an HVAC may continue to provide comfort during this timeframe, the

average homeowner may still seek to replace an HVAC system during this period for a variety of reasons, such as rising energy bills which could also be a signal that the HVAC is not operating as efficiently as newer models.

STATE-OF-THE-ART HVAC TECHNOLOGY

While most people are fa-

miliar with central HVAC systems, some homeowners might not know about “mini-split” systems. A “mini-split” system, typically ductless, both heats and cools. There is an indoor and outdoor unit; the outdoor unit does most of the work while the indoor unit distributes the heating or cooling.

Mini-Split HVAC units with inverter technology, like those from LG Electronics, provide zoned heating or cooling where you need it, all while providing you with an opportunity to reduce your reliance on fossil fuel. This ductless system allows you to select comfort settings for each zone or room in your home and then control the temperature, volume, and direction of airflow, all according to your preference. ENERGY STAR® certified models are available and, in addition to being more eco-friendly than a traditional HVAC system, can help cut your cooling costs by up to 30 percent.

KNOW THE SEER RATING

The Seasonal Energy Effi -

ciency Ratio (SEER) rating of your air conditioner is a measurement of the product’s cooling output in comparison to the total electric energy input. The SEER rating, which can range from 13 to over 30, represents the heat pump cooling and air conditioning efficiency.

You’ll want to know the rating to help you understand the efficiency of your unit when it works at its maximum potential. In general, the higher the rating, the better. For example, your air conditioner should have a SEER rating of at least 14.5 to qualify as an ENERGY STAR product.

BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR

The gold standard for energy efficiency is ENERGY STAR, a U.S. government-backed program that helps consumers and businesses easily identify products designed and built to meet above-average efficiency standards. Home products, including HVAC systems, which achieve a certain degree of energy efficiency while also meeting usability and conve-

nience requirements, earn the rating. In fact, heating and cooling costs could be cut by up to 20 percent versus traditional HVAC products by using ENERGY STAR certified models.

Keeping your heating, ventilation, and HVAC equipment well-maintained can have a significant effect on your utility bills and will help you catch small issues before

they snowball into financial burdens. Replace the air filter regularly, have a maintenance expert evaluate your system twice a year in the spring and fall, and report any concerns to your HVAC provider between planned visits. Ready to make the switch? Consider an LG HVAC unit by contacting a contractor to learn more about upgrading your system or installing a new unit.