HipForum

Question: "I have noticed that my energy bills the past few months have been unusually high. I know that they will be higher during some months of the year, but how can I be sure that I'm operating my home so that I am making the best use of my energy capabilities?”

Thanks so much for your question. And your question is especially applicable now that the winter months are approaching. To truly have a hip home, you need to educate yourself on the savvy use of energy in order to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills down. Here are some of the best practices for the equitable and positive use of your heating and cooling system. This should keep your energy bills under control if practiced faithfully.

Many older homes were constructed with ducts that are not properly insulated. I can't say enough about properly insulating your home. Have these ducts sealed and insulated to ensure that you are not losing heat or air through them. If you have a newer home, have your duct system inspected regularly to ensure that they are properly sealed and insulated.

Another place in your home that can benefit from technology is your thermostat. Installing a programmable thermostat holds a variety of attractive benefits for homeowners. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10 percent per year on your heating and cooling bills by turning your thermostat back during the times when you don't need it.

Installing an attic fan will make a huge difference during the summer months. An attic fan is much more efficient in cooling your home than using the air conditioning. Open your windows and allow your attic fan to draw in cool air. This may pose a problem for people with allergies, so make sure you have quality window screens that filter out unwanted particles.

Question: "I have a serious problem that needs a quick fix. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we have learned that there are thousands of orphaned pets that have been transported to our town and need good homes. We are planning on adopting some of them. How can we prepare our home to take in these crisis victims?”

First of all, let me say that there should be more pet lovers like you answering the call in this difficult time for animals in hurricane affected areas. I applaud your actions and am happy to help you with this issue. There are definitely some things you can do to make your home more pet friendly and protect it from damage. These are simple and inexpensive ideas that will save you a lot of stress and money in the long run. Here are my suggestions for pet proofing your home.

Hardwood floors are the number one choice for pet owners everywhere. Hardwood flooring is easy to clean and will not be damaged by the pitter patter of four legged friends. Accessorize your hardwood flooring with throw rugs that can be thrown into the wash when they become smelly or stained.

If you must have carpeted areas, look for brands that are specifically for pet stains. Many companies sell carpet cushions with moisture barriers that make cleaning up messes a snap. Look for synthetic blends that are better at releasing odors. To make sure you are entirely protected, investigate extended life warranties that will protect you against future smells and stains that are impossible to clean.

For furniture, choose attractive covers and pads that will allow your new pets to get comfortable on the ottoman without actually touching the fabric. Or, select fabrics that are naturally resistant to stains and smells. These can be a bit more expensive, but they are far cheaper than having your furniture professionally cleaned every time your pet makes a mess.

Question: "I have spent a great deal of time in my yard making it look perfect. My lawn is manicured and my garden is full of beautiful flowers that were expensive and took a lot of time to cultivate. How can I protect my outdoor environment from the damage that neighborhood pets can do?”

Thanks so much for your question. I think you've hit the nail on the head for lots of green thumbs who are frustrated with this bothersome but common problem. Whether the pet is your own or your neighbor's, it can do considerable damage to your lawn and garden in a relatively short period of time. But since you can't kill the animal, which is what many homeowners would prefer to do, you must come up with an effective strategy for dealing with these pooch problems.

For your own pet, the first thing you need to do is find an acceptable area in your yard for your pet to go potty. It will take some time to get them used to going to this area to do their business. But once that is established, you will be in a much better position to protect your environment. Start with sending them behind a stand of tress or in a patch of ivy or mondo grass. Other options are short wire fences to corral your garden area or a selection of deterrent sprays that protect your vital areas.

Discourage dogs from digging in your garden by catching Fido in the act and applying the appropriate disciplinary measure. If your dog is a natural digger (i.e. a Jack Russell Terrier), provide him or her with a sandbox and encourage its use. If your dog is small, consider making raised planting beds out of reach. Provide your pooch with a reward system for doing the right things to help you protect your garden or lawn.

Question: "My three children have all gone off to college (thankfully!). But now I have their rooms to contend with. I'd like to change them up and reclaim the space. What are some things I can do make their rooms more a part of my home again?”

This is a great question for this time of year. Millions of students are leaving home for college during the late September month and parents are finding themselves with tons of extra space that they haven't had for twenty something years. Reworking these spaces can be fun if you have a plan and stick to it. Here are some of the best ideas for turning those old kid spaces into new home spaces for you to use and enjoy.

First of all, it's important to remember that the kids will be home from time to time. It can be psychologically disturbing for them to visit home after the fall semester only to find the room that was once their space completely changed. The rule of thumb here is to make subtle changes that both you and they will appreciate. If your students will be returning for visits, you can paint the walls to incorporate the room back into the rest of the home and still give them a space to occupy.

If your children are leaving the nest for good, that's when the fun really starts. There are a variety of exciting remodeling ideas that will allow you to add a whole new dimension to your home. For larger rooms, you can transform the space into a home gym. Add several pieces of workout equipment and maybe even install a shower area for post-workout.

More business minded individuals can turn one of the kid's rooms into a home office. This will give you a definite space to conduct business within the confines of you home. The room should already be wired for Internet service, so all it would need is some office furniture to complete the job.