The Record Homescape 06-04-2020 | Page 2

2H | THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020 | THE RECORD P YOU CAN BE IN HOMESCAPE! We invite our readers to submit photos and background information for four of our recurring features: n “MY HOME PROJECT” — Do you love tackling home improvement challenges? Is it your idea of fun to build shelves, stencil walls or refinish furniture? Maybe you’ve even renovated a large area on your own! If you can provide a short write up and high quality “before” and “after” photos of one of your projects, we’d like to share them with our readers. n “COMFORT ZONE” — Do you have a “go-to” or unique space in your home designed to cater to your special interests? It could be a game room, fitness center, workshop, audio room, unique retreat where you indulge in your favorite hobby or just hang out with friends. “Scouting shots” are OK for this feature, because if your room fits our criteria we’ll have our photographer photograph the space. n “COLLECTIONS” or “FAMILY HEIRLOOMS” — Are you an ardent collector of interesting items that fit a theme and are integrated into your home décor, or have you discovered a family heirloom that you’ve restored for display? We’d love to see your collection or learn about your heirloom’s special history. Contact James Emolo at [email protected]. CUSTOM PUB SPECIALISTS James Emolo and Joseph Ritacco NORTH JERSEY MEDIA GROUP 1 Garret Mountain Plaza, PO Box 471 Woodland Park, NJ 07424 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY THE ADVERTORIAL DEPARTMENT OF THE RECORD AND HERALD NEWS To advertise, call 973-569-7800. For content, call 973-569-7895 or email [email protected] Copyright © 2020 North Jersey Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of NJMG is strictly prohibited. HOMESCAPE / ADVERTISING SECTION Energy-efficient upgrades for the home Energy bills are likely among the largest expenses for homeowners, but you can take action to lower those costs. During a remodel, a certified contractor can help you make smart decisions when it comes to selecting appliances, windows and insulation for projects. Though upgrades made with efficiency in mind can vary depending on the climate you live in, the biggest energy users are typically the heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems, and water heater, all of which make up about 60 percent of a typical home’s energy budget. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry offers the following advice on reducing a home’s energy reliance and environmental impact: HEATING AND COOLING Climate control is one of the largest home energy users. A programmable thermostat is a simple starting point and can save up to one-third of heating and cooling costs. Cutting-edge models can even learn a family’s behaviors and tweak usage for maximum savings. Additional ways to save energy include sealing leaky ducts, cleaning or changing air filters regularly and replacing the furnace or air conditioner with an energy-efficient model, particularly if either system is more than 15 years old. INSULATION Studies show that only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 were well-insulated. Multigenerational: Family living space PHOTO COURTESY OF ONZEG/GETTY IMAGES This modern bathroom is designed to accommodate the access, mobility and ease-of-use needs of a disabled person, and possible future needs of an aging family member. PHOTO COURTESY OF FAMILY FEATURES Lighting accounts for 5-10 percent of a home’s energy budget. The cost can be reduced by using LED lighting. Depending on when your home was built, adding insulation in the attic and walls can be one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste. Not only does better insulation reduce energy loss and improve comfort, it’s an upgrade that generally adds to the value of a home with an estimated 95-percent return on the investment. WINDOWS High-performance windows not only lower heating and cooling bills, they also reduce heat gain during warmer months CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1H and add a layer of insulation when you need to keep the heat inside. Triple-pane, Low-E insulated frame windows can save 33 percent of the heating cost for a typical home in cooler climates, and in hotter environments, double-pane, low solar-gain windows can reduce cooling costs by up to 32 percent. APPLIANCES The refrigerator is a major energy drain, accounting for up to 15 percent of the energy bill in some homes, particularly models that are 15 years old or older. Design plays a major role in a refrigerator’s efficiency; it needs adequate air flow for optimal function. Be realistic about your needs and only buy as big a unit as you require. Be aware that icemakers and dispensers not only add to the up-front cost, they’re also less efficient. As with any appliance, shop for a model that offers as many energy-saving features as you can afford. LANDSCAPING Trees positioned to reduce summer sun and winter wind can reduce a household’s energy use by 25 percent or more. In summer, trees can lower air temperature as much as 9 F through shading and evapotranspiration. In winter, a well-designed landscape can cut heating bills by about one-third. Find more tips for creating a more energyefficient home at remodelingdoneright.com. — Provided by Family Features WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START Zoning: “One of the biggest obstacles can be zoning,” says Caputo, a partner in G&L and Sons Renovations LLC in Cedar Grove. Each town has its own requirements for building use, so it’s best to talk to your local zoning officer to see what’s allowed. Accessibility: Sharon Sherman, owner of Wyckoff-based Thyme & Place Design, said it’s important to consider accessibility now and in the future. “Will the space be accessible from both an independent doorway and via a connection to the house?” If there are stairs, she said, “mobility may become an issue,” and elevators are a costly option. Daily Life: Sherman suggests giving some thought to how the loved one will interact with the family, whether they will be having meals together and daily visits or live more independently. Also reflect on what they need to make life simple, she says, like a stacked washer-and-dryer combo conveniently located in a closet. As you plan adequate lighting for aging eyes, no-slip flooring, easy access cabinets, and other caring features, she says, don’t neglect privacy. “Designing with dignity is the most important factor for all involved.” See MULTIGENERATIONAL, Page 4H NR-USE0007454-03 Sterl Kitchens Co. Inc. Family Owned & Operated Since 1945 75 YEARS OF SAVINGS, SELECTION & SERVICE YES WE ARE OPEN SHOP FROM HOME WITH LIVE ASSISTANCE FROM OUR DESIGNERS WE ARE DESIGNING AND SELLING KITCHENS VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE ON ANY DEVICE: PHONE OR TABLET OR COMPUTER Temporary phone & text [phone] 50% OFF STOCK & CUSTOM CABINETS SAMPLES AVAILABLE AT YOUR HOME VIA UPS Screen share link is at www.SterlKitchens.com PLEASE CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR ONLINE APPOINTMENT! Most American Brand Cabinets Convenient open stock from our warehouse inventory WWW.STERLKITCHENS.COM 5426 TONNELLE AVENUE US. 1&9 NORTH NORTH BERGEN 201.866.7999 Pools: Time opening by scheduling early CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1H dealer can recommend how to correct any problems you may have. One important component that helps lead to balanced water is the pH level. This is a scale from 1 to 14. Anything below 7 is acidic; water above 7 is alkaline. The sweet spot for pool water is between 7.2 and 7.6. To hit those numbers, the dealer can show you what to use to raise or lower the pH. TIMING IS EVERYTHING Spring is the busy season for pool service companies because everyone wants their pool ready for summer. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t start thinking about their pools until spring. But service companies often start taking reservations for pool openings and equipment installations during the previous fall or just after the holidays. Check with your pool company to see the earliest date you can schedule your pool opening for next year. The same is true if you are thinking of adding new equipment. “If you are thinking about new equipment now for the future, try to have a decision made by the fall so that you can schedule it for next spring,” says Lockhart. Many people want to install new vinyl liners at the start of the season, but waiting times to have that done can extend into the summer this time of year. If the liner is in good shape, but you want to change it because it is faded or you just want a change, book an installation for the fall. “That way, when you open the pool up next spring you will have a brand-new liner,” says Lockhart Pool service companies, as well as pool builders, are especially busy this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more people staying home, they put vacation plans on hold and want their pools open. In the Northeast, many homeowners want pool heaters installed this spring so that they could open their pools earlier. There is increased demand and the need for service companies to adapt to different ways of doing business. For most of the spring pool-prep season, service companies that also operate retail stores had to rely on taking phone orders and curb-side pickups. Most companies are not equipped to handle the volume of phone orders. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE Once your pool is opened and ready to go, you will need to maintain it throughout the season. There are companies that will handle this for you. They usually work on weekly or bi-weekly schedules and will do as little or as much as you want. Some offer full-service packages that include everything from vacuuming the pool, cleaning out the skimmer and pump baskets, performing routine maintenance on the filter and testing the water, and adding chemicals as needed. Or, you can do the cleaning yourself and have a pro attend to the chemistry of the water. PHOTO COURTESY OF BLEDGER/GETTY IMAGES After servicing the water pump and filter, it is best to wait 24 to 48 hours before testing the pool water for its pH level. Be aware that if more people will be using the pool than normal, the water chemistry will need to be adjusted after the party. And if you are planning a large pool party, it is a good idea to check the pool equipment, including heaters in advance. “There are hundreds of different heaters,” says Lockhart. “And no company is going to have every part for every heater in stock. If the heater isn’t working, we may not have the part in stock for last-minute repairs. We suggest checking two to three weeks before so that we can get the part that’s needed.”