Gold Winner
NORTHJERSEY.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | 7LF
A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE RECORD
Homescape
INTERIOR DESIGN ❚ HOME IMPROVEMENT
My Home Project:
Problem solved by creating
planter post, and birdhouse.
8LF
HERE’S THE SPIN ...
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAPITOL LIGHTING
Mounted on down rods to bring their cooling effect closer to the living space, these metallic-finish ceiling fans each
feature four blades and LED lighting. They are controlled remotely and add a modern touch to the room’s lodge decor.
Sleek ceiling fans
are cool alternative to AC
EnergyStar models valued for energy efficiency, too
By FRAN J. DONEGAN
SPECIAL TO HOMESCAPE
Ceiling fans can help you feel
cooler and allow you to dial
back the central air-conditioning
during certain times of
the year, saving money on electricity.
But to enjoy those benefits, you have
to make sure you have the right fan
for the area you want to cool.
THE BELLS AND WHISTLES
“The trend in ceiling fans leans
toward sleek, low-profile designs,”
says Tony Antenna, manager of
Capitol Lighting in Paramus. “They’ve
gotten away from the old five-blade
model with the bulky blade holders.
Newer models have three or four
blades. And for eight-foot ceilings
there are low-profile models.”
And while you can still find fans
with light kits that are attached to
the bottom of the fan, newer versions
have the lights integral to the fan.
The use of LED lighting improves the
energy efficiency and cuts down on
the heat generated by the lights.
There has also been a change in
how the fans are controlled. The old
pull chain is still available, but some
models are controlled by remotes.
Very high-tech products can be controlled
by smart phones.
There is also an increase in the popularity
of outdoor fans, those installed
on porches and other outdoor areas.
More traditional in style, this fiveblade
ceiling fan features a light fixture
and is designed for outdoor use.
“I don’t know if it is because of the
epidemic (coronavirus), but people
are redoing their patios and outdoor
living areas,” says Antenna. “If the
area is covered, they are putting in
ceiling fans along with the lights.”
Ceiling fans used outdoors have to
be rated for damp or wet conditions.
You can use an outdoor fan indoors,
but you can’t necessarily use an
indoor fan outside.
The variety of styles and finishes
available allow you to pick the fan that
will complement the rest of the room.
A sleek three-blade fan in black or
with a metallic finish will look great in
a contemporary setting. All white fans
work well for cottage-inspired designs.
And for the beachy feel consider fans
with bamboo or rattan blades.
ENERGY SAVINGS
Ceiling fans can provide energy
benefits in both the summer and winter.
During hot weather, the fan blades
turn in a counterclockwise direction
that produces the cool breeze. The
feeling of the cool air on your skin
makes it seem that the room temperature
is going down. But it’s not. It
just feels that way. According to the
Department of Energy, if you have
central air-conditioning, using a fan
can allow you to raise the temperature
on the thermostat by four degrees
without reducing your comfort.
“Fans help supplement cooling
during those times when you don’t
need air-conditioning, such as spring
and fall,” says Bob Palmarozza of
Tri-County Mr. Handyman in Wayne.
“But many people make the mistake
of running the fan and the air conditioner
at the same time. That just
wastes energy.”
If you do use a ceiling fan, even if
it is your only source of cooling, turn
it off when you leave the room. Fans
cool people, not spaces.
During heating season, the direction
See CEILING FANS, Page 8LF
Experts reveal
their secrets
for a successful
garage sale
Turn cleanout into profit
By DONNA ROLANDO
SPECIAL TO HOMESCAPE
Tired of crossing things-to-do off the calendar?
A garage sale is one plan you can safely tackle
without pandemic jitters. An annual tradition
for many, garage sales often take place outdoors
where COVID-19 is less of a threat. As the organizer of the
sale, you can tell shoppers right on your lawn signs that
masks are required, and social distancing is “very easy,”
says Barbara Maniscalco of Barb’s Home Organizing and
Staging. With folks on the hunt for outdoor activities the
coronavirus can’t ruin, Maniscalco says garage sales are
more popular than ever.
So, why not profit off all your fall cleaning efforts with
a garage sale the entire family can rally behind? Here are
seven tips to maximize your garage sale’s potential.
n Think Multi-Family: Not only is it more fun to join
with your neighbors, friends or relatives in one big moneymaker,
but it is also a great way to beef up business and
get a helping hand. “Garage sales are much more successful
if they’re multi-family sales,” says Maniscalco, located
for many years in Wyckoff. “And a lot of times people don’t
want to do it on their own.” If the town holds a garage sale,
the more the merrier!
n Trash or Treasure: Here’s where you scour the entire
house, not just the attic or basement, but every room
and every closet, searching for garage sale merchandise.
“Because you don’t want to do this all the time, you want
to do a one-shot deal,” explains Maniscalco. As a rule of
thumb, you want to get rid of items you are storing, but not
using. And remember, “The more things you have to sell,
the better the sale,” she says.
A third option, of course, is the trash. Maniscalco cautions
that broken or damaged goods will only scare off customers.
Make sure everything is clean and in working order
with an electrical outlet nearby, if possible, to demonstrate
that appliances and power tools run. Tools will undoubtedly
be one of your best sellers, along with furniture, including
older styles for the born DIYer, and collectibles like vinyl
records. The worst sellers are kitchen items — most people
already have the basics.
n The Art of Pricing & Negotiating: “People show up
to garage sales for a reason. They want a good deal!” says
Rachel Cruze, author, financial planner, and host of The
Rachel Cruze Show. “So, you should go into this expecting
to negotiate,” she says. If the offer is reasonable, meaning
you can still make some money, accept it, but don’t be
afraid to say final offer if the bargaining gets too low.
See GARAGE SALES, Page 8LF
PHOTO COURTESY OF FSTOP123/GETTY IMAGES
Nicely presented items such as clothes that are clean
and displayed on a hanger often sell well at a garage sale.
LOOKING FOR
ANEW HOME MEANS
CHOOSING A NEW
COMMUNITY.
Let NorthJersey.com
help youchoosewisely.
STORM SEASON
IS COMING
YouDon’t NEED aGenerator,
Until you NEED It!
Trust the Company Voted #1 for 6years in arow
SPECIAL
MAINTENANCE
OFFER
$ 225
ONLY *
Suburban Essex
2019
*Call for complete
details of this offer.
CLICK CLICK ON ON REAL ESTATE
NJ ELEC LIC#
11850B
HVAC-R LIC#
19HC00144800
Bloomfield Cooling,
Heating & Electric Inc.
973-237-0505
www.BloomfieldCooling.com