2017 HOW TO GUIDE
Inside this ISSUE Choose an HVAC Company.................... pg 2 Choose a Kitchen & Bath Design............ pg 4 Choose a Local Pharmacy...................... pg 6
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2017
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HOW TO GUIDE
Sunday, April 30, 2017
How to Choose an HVAC Company Going with the right HVAC professional can make a world of difference in your long-term happiness. When your heating or air conditioning system breaks down, it can be a nightmare, especially if temperatures are extreme. Making sure your HVAC installation or repairs are done right the first time can save you frustration, regret and discomfort — not to mention money. Even in moderate weather, your home’s HVAC system is important to your family’s safety and comfort. HVAC professionals prevent equipment failure by routinely servicing and maintaining your system. And the right qualified professional can help prolong the life of your HVAC unit. A lot of people — many of them vulnerable — cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. The elderly and people with chronic health problems need
to be assured of a stable and consistent temperature inside their homes. The right HVAC contractor is one who’s helpful, reliable and responsive. But a poor contractor can drain your bank account and leave you with an unresolved headache. Talk to the people you know. Ask those in your social network for recommendations. Good word of mouth will go a long way toward helping you find the best professionals in your area. Come up with a list of possible candidates, then begin investigating. Start by calling the Better Business Bureau, your state’s board of contractors or the builders’ association to check on their reputations. Your town’s building inspection office may also have information for you. Avoid companies who have many complaints on their record.
Upon narrowing the list, call the remaining ones and ask about pricing, guarantees and warranties. Also inquire about how long it would take to complete a job and the manufacturers’ brands they use. If you are purchasing new equipment, find out if you need a separate service contractor or if routine maintenance and repairs are included in the price of installation. Does the company provide around-the-clock emergency service? High quality HVAC companies are fully licensed, bonded and insured. If a worker is injured or causes damage to your property, that insurance should cover it. Otherwise, you could be liable for the damages. Your insurance premiums would likely increase as a result. Reputable HVAC companies will usually belong to recognized professional and trade
organizations. Some wellknown organizations include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the AirConditioning and Refrigeration Institute, and the American Society of Heating, R e f r i g e r a t i o n a n d A i rConditioning Engineers. Membership in one of these organizations is not automatic. Applicants are required to have certain certifications, meet professional standards and meet or exceed other requirements before they are admitted. Before any work begins, verify that all the required building permits are in place. Most companies will file permits on your behalf at the local building codes office. But don’t assume that it has happened. Check with the permitting office first. Work done without proper permits could result in a fine and time delay. Have a load calculation
done before installing a new system in any building. The best companies perform a thorough calculation rather than estimate. Buildings change over time due to foundations cracking or settling. It will affect the efficiency of any equipment. T h e H VA C c o m p a n y shouldn’t use the old unit to determine the proper size of a new one. If your old unit was inadequate, you will want to install a unit that is a different size. Speak with your HVAC installer to determine the right size and model for you. Ask your HVAC contractor to perform annual checkups to verify that the unit is running at peak efficiency. With these tips, you can choose a reliable HVAC business that will help you for years to come.
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HOW TO GUIDE
Sunday, April 30, 2017
How to Choose Kitchen and Bath Design A custom, stylishly configured kitchen and bathroom can add charm and functionality to your home, while boosting its market value when it comes time to sell. Before investing money on remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, keep these factors in mind: a functional configuration, an attractive design and an attainable budget. It’s often the case that you might be able to do most of the work yourself. But the assistance of a professional may become necessary if things get complicated. If you run into questions or problems you can’t solve, don’t hesitate to get expert advice. Remember: you’re making a big investment, and it’s always better to get things right the first time. Think about these factors when approaching a redesign for your kitchen or bath. FUNCTION Your first step is to consider the function of the room. What exactly will you be doing in this room? Do you eat in your kitchen or a dining room? Some people get dressed in their bathroom, while others put on clothing in their bedrooms. Make a list of all the activities you perform in the room. Prioritize this list from most important to the least. Upon finishing this list, figure out the items you need to store in your bathroom or kitchen. Next, create a floor plan. Think about your traffic pattern as you complete tasks. When you are tired from a hard day, you will be glad you thought ahead. Some people use their kitchen to entertain guests. If that is your preference, include it in your floor plan. You might want to add a bar or table for enter-
taining. Everyone wishes that they had more storage space, so be sure to build it into your design. To optimize function, choose storage options that streamline space, turn into useable space, and make organizing easy. DÉCOR Look for inspiration. Leaf through home design magazines to find appealing designs. Make notes on what you like most about each design scheme. Also consider watching home design shows or looking on the Internet. You can often find the most up-to-date information from those sources. If you are redecorating to sell your home, keep in mind what future homeowners may enjoy. In the kitchen, consider optimizing pantry space to give any homeowner better access,
more space, and organization. In the bath, incorporate storage options to maximize use of a small space. Neutral flooring is always a good option. These floor coverings consist of sustainable, low-maintenance material. They are a good choice for any kitchen or bathroom. Neutral paint may open up opportunities for a variety of decorating options. If you sell your home, it allows potential buyers to visualize their own preferences in that space. Of course, any room you design must be coordinated with the design of other rooms in your home. If your house has a contemporary, modern, traditional or Asian style design, you will want the kitchen and bath to blend with that decor. BUDGET Remodeling can be expensive. Experts recommend you
spend up to 20 percent of your home’s value on remodeling the kitchen, and less than that on remodeling the bath. You can save money by adding a coat of fresh paint to your current kitchen cabinets or installing energy efficient appliances, and by maximizing storage space available in the existing footprint instead of
feeling the need to enlarge the kitchen or bath space. Leave some room in your budget to hire a professional to do electrical and plumbing work, and installing storage options, along with any other chores you are uncomfortable with doing yourself. It will save you money in the long run.
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Sunday, April 30, 2017
How to Choose a Local Pharmacy Today’s pharmacies are very different than they used to be. In the past it would be common to go into a pharmacy and be greeted by the employees. They knew the customers’ names, and the customers knew their names. They were small neighborhood stores that did not always have a huge selection, but they treated their customers very well. Now pharmacies have changed quite a bit. They have become huge stores owned by large corporations, in many cases. They now have a much larger selection of products from which to choose. They carry groceries along with pharmaceutical goods, attempting to get customers to make them a place for onestop shopping. With this change into a different store, it is more important than ever to sift out the good pharmacies from the bad. It is important to take several factors into consideration when choosing a pharmacy to service the prescrip-
tion needs of you and your family. The two most basic factors to consider when selecting a pharmacy to use are the hours it stays open and its location. Location is perhaps the most important factor to consider. You need a pharmacy that is close to your house. If someone in your family gets sick in the middle of the night, then it is nice to know that they pharmacy is only a few minutes away. Some people also select a pharmacy that is on their route home from work. That way they can stop and pick medicine up from the pharmacy very conveniently on their way home. There are pharmacies open 24 hours a day in almost every city in the United States. On the flip side, small, locally owned pharmacies may have more limited hours but offer better, more personal service than the big stores. For people who do not have insurance that covers their prescriptions, it is a good idea to call potential pharmacies
and ask them their policies on discounts on the prescriptions you use. Many pharmacies now offer extremely low prices on generic versions of medications, so be sure to utilize a pharmacy that offers this very valuable feature. If you do have insurance that covers your prescriptions, then make sure that the pharmacy you choose accepts the type of insurance that you carry. Some pharmacies do not accept certain types of insurance, so be sure to ask before you decide on a certain pharmacy just because it is the closest one to your house. Older patients that are on Medicare need to be careful as well. Some pharmacies do not accept Medicare Part D plans. Due to the fact that there are many different options available on Medicare Part D plans, it is important to make sure that the pharmacy you select will work with the specific option that you have and cover the medications you need.
Finally, it is important to find a pharmacy that has a personable staff. Do the pharmacists and clerks remember your name? Do the pharmacists take the time to walk you through everything you need to know about your medications? Are they happy to answer questions? Make sure
to find a pharmacist that is knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. It is rare to find a pharmacy that will satisfy every one of these criteria, but with a little searching you should be able to find one that fits your needs perfectly.
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