This article comes from MSN-Realestate and it talks about energy efficient upgrades to your existing home. It also talks about how making these changes in your attic can help local business as well.

Here is an excerpt, “The most effective investments a homeowner can make to lower his utility bills occur in the attics and crawl spaces, with homegrown labor and homegrown goods: insulation and caulking. Nearly every dime stays close to home.”

“Employing local workers. The work is hardly glamorous (when’s the last time a TV show featured an air-duct remodel or a trendy attic insulation?) nor does it need to use the sexy house-wares that big companies promote in ads and on Capitol Hill. Often the results are even hidden from the view of the homeowner himself (aside from the smaller number on the electric bill).”

We found this to be a very good article. Please take a few minutes to read it, and let us know what you think.

MSN Realestate; Energy Efficiency

Another great article on MSN Real-Estate….talking about June’s home maintenance checklist…” Early summer chores should get you outdoors: Look for winter damage, ward off mold and rot, sharpen your tools and patrol your home’s perimeter for pests and other problems.”

The article lists items such as switching the ceiling flan blades to push cool air down, cleaning out your dryer vents (which can become a fire hazard if you don’t clean them out from time to time.

“Take advantage of dry weather to clear out leaves, needles and debris, leaving gutters free to carry rainwater away and protect your home from mold and rot. Depending on your home’s surroundings, you should do this several times a year. Hire someone (around $50 to $100) or get a stable ladder (and someone to hold it) and do it yourself. Use a garden trowel or your (gloved) hands to muck out the debris. Scrub gutters with a non-metallic brush. Slosh water from a hose through the gutters and the drainpipes to finish the job and test that they’re clear and that water is flowing away from your basement, foundation or crawl space.”

Check out the entire article on MSN-Real-Easte and let us know what you think

MSN Real-Estate June Home-Maintenance

I ran across this great article on MSN Real-Estate about 10 ways to reduce your summer utility bills. I know the economy is rough and money is tight for most of us….so performing a few simple energy conscious acts can help keep your utility bills from being a nightmare this summer.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

MSN Real-Estate Reduce your Summer Utility Bill