Merry Christmas from HouseSmart

The HouseSmart Referral Network would like to wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season. The referral network office will be closed for the holiday season until Wednesday, January 2nd, however, our website can provide you with a complete list and links to all our network members and the products and services they offer.

If you require assistance in finding a qualified contractor and supplier for your home improvement project please visit our Referral Network link and you will find a variety of categories serving your area. If you have a how to question simply type in your question in the keyword box.

We look forward to helping you in 2008.

A Merry Christmas Poem

It’s Turkey Time, a real family get together,

Mistletoe, kissing and a fat Santa, any weather.

Stockings hang over fireplaces to fill,

Children try not to sleep, this night of thrill.

But sand will fill their eyes and they’ll sleep,

Milk and cookies await Santa, who will creep.

Mum and Dad have to fill the bill and hum,

Christmas comes once a year, now it’s come.

Christmas is part of life’s thrills and joys,

We understand these expectations of girls and boys.

They’ll awake early to see what they got,

From whom and what, it matters not.

Presents first, cards later they will cheer,

Whilst Mum and Dad dry another tear.

These be memories we treasure for life,

And has been for every Man and Wife.

Stanley F. Smith

Health Care for Cut Christmas Trees

If you plan on having a real Christmas Tree this year (cut, not live), you can make your tree last as long as possible by following this formula passed onto us by our good friend Wim Van Der Zalm:

Make a nice clean (new) cut at a 45 degree angle. Although the tree has been cut before, the tree attempts to heal itself and a new cut will allow it to take on liquids much more easily.

Rather than just using water, use warm 7Up or Sprite, your tree will love the sugar content.

If you feel particularily ambitious, the following mixture of ingredients will ensure that your tree will last as long as possible:

Into 1 litre or quart of warm water, mix ½ cup of litre corn syrup and 2 teaspoons of a chlorinated bleach such as liquid Javex. If available, you could also add 2 tablespoons of micronized iron (available from Art Knapps Plantland or most Garden Centres.)

Caution: You may wish to skip the micronized iron if your tree is on a surface that would stain if the solution spilled.

“It’s Just That Easy”

Merry Christmas

Shell

Check out Grants and Rebates for Upgrading Your Home

If you have had your initial Energuide for Houses evaluation completed or if you plan to make upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of your home, don’t miss out on rebates that may be available to help cover the costs. Many provinces across the country are providing incentives to encourage homeowners to complete those upgrades. Be sure to check with your local utility provider and Natural Resources Canada for the most up to date information. We have provided a few examples of what is currently available to homeowners.

British Columbia
The Energy Saving Plan (ESP) is a LIMITED TIME OFFER that is providing government grants and utility rebates for reducing your energy costs, in addition to providing the expertise and assistance to get the required upgrades.

How it works:
1. Get an EnerGuide done before you start the work. This provides you with professional, independent advice on how to spend your time and money most wisely from a energy efficiency perspective.
2. Complete the upgrades as soon as possible (funds are limited) Potential improvements are High Efficient furnace/boiler or heat pumps, windows, hot water tanks, doors, insulation and draft proofing or air leakage reduction.
3. Keep all receipts and provide the origional(s) to your EnerGuide Evaluator. The ESP program will:
A. Refund the initial evaluation fee of $250 provided the homeowner improves the homes EnerGuide score by 5 points or more
B. Pay the EnerGuide Evaluator company $150 directly for the second evaluation
C. Provide a grant of up to $1500 for the energy improvements.

Participating pilot communities include: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Abbotsford, North Vancouver, Victoria, Saanich, Port Moody, Salt Spring Island, Smithers, Fort St. John.

To find out how to qualify for The Energy Savings Plan in British Columbia contact DF Energy Consulting @ 604-837-3603.

Homeowners who received an EnerGuide for Houses A assessment prior to May 13, 2006 are still eligible for the Energuide grant. The Energy Share Plan will match the Energuide grant up to a combined maximum of $1500.

Saskatchewan

Until March 31, 2007 the Government of Saskatchewan through its Energy Share Plan will provide an EnerGuide for Houses retrofit grant up to $2,000 to homeowners who undertake renovations that improve the energy efficiency rating of their home. For more details contact SaskEnergy at 1-800-567-8899.

Manitoba
Manitoba Hydro offers its customers loans of up to $7500 for energy related home improvements. These include: adding insulation, installing ventilation, sealing air leaks,replacing windows and doors, lighting, electrical service and wiring, and upgrading the efficiency of your existing furnace or water heater. Monthly installments are included on the energy bill.