Homeowner Tip #12: Moving the Menagerie

Moving can be stressful for you and your family members, but it's especially hard for pets who have no idea why their world has been suddenly disrupted.

These tips assume you are moving your pet by car. If you need to transport your pet on an airplane, check carefully with the airline and your veterinarian for restrictions and precautions.

Before you move, get a copy of your pet's complete medical history, a certificate signed by the veterinarian stating the pet is in good health and a sheet stating when and where the pet was vaccinated for rabies.

On moving day make sure your pet is wearing some kind of I.D. tag with your new address and phone number.

Pack your pet's bed, toys, brush, dishes and bottled water.

You'll need a leash and collar as well as a scoop and bag for cleanups after roadside exercise breaks.

Feed your pet at least two or three hours before you leave and keep its meals light during the trip. If the pet suffers from motion sickness, your veterinarian may be able to provide something to help.

Plan short rest stops for at least every three hours, plus a couple of play periods each day. Never leave your pet in an unventilated car, or for more than a few minutes in a ventilated one.

Unpack your pet's things as soon as you can. Make sure the pet knows where its new feeding and sleeping areas are.

If your pet's behavior alters dramatically in the first few days, chalk it up to the stress of moving. If problems persist, contact a veterinarian.

For more moving tips, call Sugar Pine Realty/GMAC Real Estate in Sonora at 209-533-4242.

Homeowner Tip #11: Fans Circulate Savings

Ceiling fans do more than just add a decorative touch to your home. They can also subtract from the bottom line of your energy bills.

In summer, a cool breeze generated by a fan can save on air-conditioning costs.

In winter, most fan blades can be reversed to circulate down warm air that would otherwise be trapped at ceiling level. This will help you feel warmer and allow you to turn the heat down.

Ceiling fans usually have either a direct-drive motor or a friction drive motor. Direct-drive motors have fewer moving parts, run more quietly and are more efficient than friction-drive motors —unfortunately they are also more expensive.

Most fans have one to three speeds. Running a fan at its slowest speed is still effective at circulating the air — without whipping up a breeze.

Pull-chain or wall switches control the operation and speed of most fans. Some models also have a switch that reverses the direction of the blades. When the blades are reversed, air flows up toward the ceiling and down the walls, eliminating drafts.

A fan with a 36- or 38-inch blade span is adequate for a room measuring 10x10 feet or less. Larger rooms may require fans as large as 54 inches in diameter.

Most fans hang down between 12 and 24 inches from the ceiling. For physical safety and psychological comfort, be sure the blade of the fan is at least seven feet above the floor.

For more energy-saving tips, contact Sugar Pine Realty/GMAC Real Estate in Sonora at 209-533-4242.

Help for Homeowners - Ideas for Cooling Your House

Coming at you with another in the "Help for Homeowners" series where Sonora, Twain Harte and Mother Lode area homeowners can find advice to help make their homes that much happier. (To read any of the first five posts in this series, click the following links: Showing Your Home, Decorating for Living Large, Gardening with Kids, Neighborhood Garage Sales or Say It With Flowers.) It's going to get hot in the Mother Lode according to the National Weather Service. Sonora, Groveland, Angels Camp and everywhere in between can expect temperatures in the 90s to around 100 degrees by this coming Thursday and Friday. What better time then to talk about ways to beat the heat? Today's blog post highlights ideas for cooling your house that won't empty your wallet...

Dear Homeowner,

There's more than one way to be cool. It's easy to head straight for the air conditioner on sizzling days and steamy nights, but sometimes low-tech, low-cost options can do the trick. Consider these non-mechanical options for beating the heat:

Landscaping
Deciduous trees on your home's south and west sides provide summer shade, but still lose their leaves to allow low winter sun to reach windows.

Block direct rays
Awnings, roof overhangs and exterior shades help reduce interior temperatures by absorbing solar radiation before it hits your windows.

Cook early and late
Household appliances such as washers, driers, ranges and ovens generate heat and humidity inside a house. By using these appliances in the morning and evening when it's cooler, you can help keep operating costs down.

Windows
Double or triple-pane windows slow the transfer of warm air, and some window glazings can actually bounce heat back. Take advantage of summer breezes, too. Bring in air through a small opening on the windy side of the house and pull airflow to a large window or door on the other side.

Insulation
Once you've generated cooler air inside the house, keep it there as long as possible. Insulate attic floors to keep the hot upper air at bay. Find the places where air sneaks in and out of your home and plug them up with caulk or weather-stripping.

For more helpful home advice, call Sugar Pine Realty/GMAC Real Estate at 209-533-4242 or EMAIL US HERE.