Author: damacher
Website: http://www.homeimprovementadvisors.com/one-homeowners-experi…

We are increasingly more interested in the value of home solar power.  But a robust solar electric system can cost up to $20,000.  Most homeowner’s wonder how long it will take to see some ROI.  Here is one homeowner’s story:

My Solar Hot Water System has been on line for one year now.  I thought I’d post some results on the energy savings thus far:

Before the solar hot water system was installed, we used on average 32 kWh/day.  This is a three year average and it was pretty consistant.  Now that we generate most of our hot water by solar instead of electricity, our average useage for the last 12 months has been 23 kWh/day.  You might say, big deal… 9 kWh per day.  We are now paying ¢18.3/kWh.  Therefore 9 kWh x 365 days is 3285 kWh or at our current electrical rate, $601.16.  This puts it right in the range I was expecting and agrees with all of the calculations I did beforehand.  I love it when that happens!

What is even better, over the summer, the electric rates…

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Author: damacher
Website: http://www.homeimprovementadvisors.com/vinyl-aluminum-copper…

Fall is here my friends, and chances are you’ll want to make sure your gutters are ready for the Winter season. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend that you survey your gutters for gutter damage, leaking, and for gunk-filled clogs.

If you find that your gutters aren’t doing the job and need new gutters, how do you choose?

To help you decide, we’ve compiled a quick guide to selecting gutters based on some basic questions. Your location, budget, decorative tastes, and the nature of your project will determine your choice of gutters.

Question #1 – Where do you live?

For places with a warm climate and intense sun, vinyl gutters are a great choice. Think about getting them in white to deflect sunlight.

For cold climate areas we recommend aluminum gutters because they really maintain their strength and integrity in extreme cold. On the other hand, you should stay away from vinyl gutters, which tend to become brittle in cold climates.

Question #2 - How much do you…

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Author: damacher
Website: http://www.homeimprovementadvisors.com/creating-a-safe-and-s…

The bathroom in general poses many safety hazards, but in particular, the bath tub and shower create risks for slipping and possibly causing injury. However, there are a number of ways to make a shower safer. If you’re concerned about yourself or your aging parents, please take the time to make a few additions or changes to the bath tub to increase safety.

The first item on the list is the least expensive and also the easiest to install. Grab bars and rails attach to the walls of the shower enclosure and can be installed horizontally or vertically. There are also L-shaped bars and bars that are made for corner installation. If you choose to install one of these bars yourself, remember that you must anchor it into the wall studs; simply screwing it into the tile or drywall doesn’t allow the bar to adequately support weight. Some experts recommend getting a bar that is textured so it’s easier to grip, which is especially important when water and soap are making things… (Read the rest of this article at the following article source link for the full story)

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Author: tbairstow
Website: http://www.homeimprovementadvisors.com/nailed-down-the-truth…

When it comes to roofing, most homeowners don’t know their shingles from their elbows.  Roofers tout their “lifetime warranties” and 30 year guarantees.  It all sounds good, but the truth is that most roofs don’t last for even 20 years.  How is one to know what a roofing and shingle guarantee really means?  The Roofery did some research and came up with some surprising findings about roofing and shingle warranties.

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Author: tbairstow
Website: http://www.homeimprovementadvisors.com/welcome-to-home-impro…

Thanks for visting our new blog! Home Improvement Advisors is dedicated to showcasing the best home improvement articles, content and tips for consumers across the country.  As a once clueless homeowner, I’ve used the Web to help overcome  many of the challenges that home ownership has had to offer.

The kinds of things I never learned through osmosis: Fixing window sills. Cleaning my furnace. Re-building my roof deck.  Installing a patio.

We’re going to be showcasing the best home improvement sites, articles and advice in the months and years to come, so check back often to see what we’ve found to make your home a little easier to love and maintain - t

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