Do-It-Yourself & Home Improvement Resource

Increased Cost for New Air Conditioners

New Regulations May Increase Air Conditioners Cost The Energy Department will require that new air conditioners manufactured as of Jan. 23, 2006, be more energy-efficient. The result will be a 30 percent improvement in minimum energy efficiency. The new minimum standard will be a seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER, of 13. The current minimum is 10 SEER. SEER is to air conditioners what miles per gallon is to automobiles — the higher the number, the better the energy efficiency. ...
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Real Wood Floors are Low Maintenance Flooring

Real Wood Floors: The Low Maintenance Flooring Option In your grandmother's day, caring for a wood floor was a real chore.  Today, however, hardwood floors offer busy families a low-maintenance, yet durable and beautiful, flooring alternative. The National Wood Flooring Association states that wood floors will last a lifetime when properly maintained. "Today's wood floors are easy to take care of," says Ed Korczak, executive director, NWFA.  "In the past few d ...
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Home Remodelers in for a Rude Awakening

For Renovators, a Rude Awakening THE hurricanes that battered the Gulf Coast and Florida this year devastated communities and left tens of thousands of people homeless. Now consumers everywhere are likely to feel the impact of the storms in the form of rising prices for construction and building materials. Many of those materials were already going up in price, but within six months things may be much worse. Tack $7,000 onto the cost of building a typical house in 2006, according to Michael Carliner, an econom ...
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Gifts for Home Improvement Gurus

Gifts for Home Improvement Gurus Scratching your head, trying to figure out what to get for the holidays for that do-it-yourself, home improvement enthusiast on your list? Danny Lipford, host of "Today's Homeowner," stops by The Early Show Friday with practical suggestions. Most sell for under $100. They include: The Tradesman Gift Stocking: Stick a few tools and gadgets into this stocking, and you're likely to please anyone. The stocking is made of 12 ounce fire hose mate ...
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Considering Satellite TV?

Considering satellite TV? A look at what services are offered Remember "BUD?" The "big ugly dish" that decorated 1970s lawns, reminding us of extraterrestrial test sites and re-runs of "My Favorite Martian?" To get the "good" channels, you needed a sci-fi "landing zone" in your yard - but not anymore. These days, dishes are cute, compact and offer the complete package. How does it work? Satellite television isn't so different from cable, except with satellite, the signal comes di ...
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To Save Energy

You just can't have enough "tips to save energy" these days.  Take a look and make sure yo have done all you can to save a few dollars this year. To Save Energy Home energy bills are expected to rise this winter, yet you can do a lot to keep costs down. And your electric utility company can help. It has free advice that can make your energy savings really add up. Start by keeping the cold air outside. Seal up leaks around windows, doors, pipes or other openings in your home. Next, m ...
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