Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Regina Home Builders Build Green, Build Smart


 

You hear a lot about building green these days but many people still have misconceptions about what it costs to incorporate these techniques into a custom home. The truth is that most green building practices can be factored in at the design stage with little to no extra cost. Dakine Home Builders believes in building sustainable homes using smart designs and eco-friendly building practices that support environmental preservation – it’s part of our fundamental principles and values.

The first step to conserving energy and saving money is to incorporate energy efficiency into the design of your new home. We can help you incorporate features such as passive solar lot orientation and home design, which includes things like window orientation, roof overhangs and heating systems. Incorporating green design techniques allows you to protect your health, enhance comfort, and save money. The essence of green building starts with the design!

Green building techniques don’t have to be complicated, it can be as simple as a change in materials. For example, when choosing your fixtures, look for WaterSense products such as low flow taps or duel flush toilets. Utilize companies such as Mercier that make their hardwood flooring from rapidly renewable resources, have low VOC’s and are easy to care for negating the need for harsh chemical products while cleaning.

 

 

Sometimes, you need to invest a little extra during construction to save a lot down the road. A great example of this would be the use of insulated concrete forms or ICF instead of the standard concrete basement. The use of ICF during concrete construction eliminates wood waste associated with standard concrete fabrication, it is manufactured using 100% recycled materials, and provides up to 70% energy savings with Thermal mass properties of up to R-50. Other benefits include a more sound proof home, an air tight structure that allows for efficiency in heating and cooling, reduced carbon emissions and increased indoor comfort by eliminating air gaps, minimizing the potential for mold growth and draft paths.

 

 


Trusted Regina Real Estate Agent tip on pricing your home

 
 pricing your home:

 

The most popular question home sellers ask me is: “How much is my home worth?” Many don’t recognize that a price too high can actually diminish their prospects for a fast and valuable sale.

Here are three benefits to hitting the value sweet spot when pricing your home:

1.You create the most interest right away...
Buyers who have been searching nearby know the market, so a competitive price will have them calling rather than walking away.

 

2.Your home is positioned for multiple offers
Bidding wars and multiple offers are a home seller’s dream. A solid price attracts more buyers, setting the stage for multiple bids.

 

3.You sell your home for the most money, in the least amount of time
If a home is underpriced, the sellers lose profits. If a home is overpriced, it may deter buyers and take a long time to sell (and may not sell at all without reductions).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trusted Regina Furnace and Duct Cleaning air conditioning coil tip


Spring Cleaning? Don't forget about your air conditioning coil!

When many people think of their air conditioners, they think only about the outside unit (condenser unit).   

Evaporator coils (see diagram below), commonly referred to as air conditioning coils are almost always indoors, so they are safe, right? Afraid not. With nearly all the air in your house passing through the evaporator coil (even in the winter when your heat is on), they are repeatedly exposed to everything in the air. Even with a good filter, there can be a substantial buildup of dust particles, grease, smoke, dander and pet hair.

 

But wait, there’s more! The evaporator coils are usually damp from condensate and are placed in a cool, dark place — an ideal environment for breeding bacteria and other microorganisms. 

Dirt and debris accumulating on an air conditioner coil can block airflow across the coil, increasing the cost of heating or cooling your home. In severe cases, air conditioning coils or condensing coils can become so blocked that airflow is seriously reduced, possibly also leading to an evaporator or cooling coil icing problem indoors which can lead to overheating and damaging the compressor (the heart of your air conditioning), or simply loss of cooling capacity of the system. 

In addition, a blocked evaporator coil can cause the AC compressor to run at higher than normal temperatures - a condition that over time can break down lubricants circulating inside the system, thus shortening the life of the compressor motor itself. 

 

Cleaning the evaporator coils not only helps the system operate properly, but it could also help avoid illness and maintain a healthy living environment for the home’s occupants. 

 

     

Picture of the dust and debris removed from an air conditioning coil by one of our trained technicians! 


 


 

 

Trusted Regina Spa answer some great questions - Part 2


 

Great Spa questions - Part 2:

Q: Renee T: Are there any creams/treatments that actually fade age spots? (Besides prevention with sunscreen and avoiding the sun).

A: Prevention really is key, however, I suggest having microdermabrasion treatments done, specifically focusing on the problem areas, followed by applying a lightening serum and cream diligently at home. It is very important to remember to continue with, and always apply sunscreen or the hyperpigmented areas will quickly return and darken. 

 

 

Q: Jennifer G: My Skin is really dry at this time of year, and no matter what I put on it, nothing helps! What are your recommendations?

A: It’s important to update your skincare regime with season changes. I would suggest a heavier cream containing Hyaluronic Acid (to encourage moisture retention), or a cream containing Vitamin C to be applied before bed, to lock in hydration and provide repair to dry or de-hydrated skin. A light hydrating cream is great during the day, followed by sunscreen (even in the winter) and avoid creams or makeup with mineral oil that prevent the skin from breathing, or contain alcohol that dries! Try & exfoliate once a week to remove dry, dead skin cells and follow with a hydrating mask to really boost the skin’s moisture levels!

 

Q: Paige F: Is there anything specific we can do before and/or after a pedicure to help our feet (other than pumice stone, etc)?

A: To maintain healthy heels use a sanitized foot file after a foot soak or during a bath. Keep nails trimmed straight across to avoid ingrown toenails, and for full hydration or maintenance of the feet be sure to follow with a cream suitable for your specific concerns! (Callus, cracks, sweating feet, peeling skin, bad circulation etc). TIP *Be careful not to remove too much callus when filing, or your skin will actually produce more callus in response for protection!

When time permits, I suggest letting the pro’s take care of you! Invest in a professional pedicure service and let those sensitive feet be pampered!

 

Trusted Regina Maid Service share clever tips on what to do with a lint roller

TRUSTED REGINA home cleaning experts!

Here they share clever tips on what to do with a lint roller:

Lampshades are frustrating….you can’t throw them in the washing machine, you might not have the right vacuum attachment, and washing them by hand can be time-consuming. Forgo all these and use a lint roller. You will be amazed to see how much dirt and dust you collect.

 

Quickly Clean Your Carpet or Furniture

Don’t have time to break out the vacuum or thoroughly clean the furniture? Lint rollers are a great quick fix; you can even use them on wood and glass! And since they fit underneath your couch and chairs, you don’t need to move your heavy furniture around. Just roll the lint roller underneath and pull out the dust.

 

Clean Up Broken Glass

When a glass or plate hits the floor and shatters, it’s almost impossible to thoroughly clean up all the tiny glass shards left behind. You can CAREFULLY use a lint roller to pick up the remaining pieces.

 

Clean Your Pool Table

Too much dirt and debris on your pool table will slow the balls down, or even redirect their paths. Pet hair is one of the most difficult things to remove without damaging the felt. Too much suction from a vacuum and you will permanently damage the fibers on your pool table surface. Regular brushing combined with a lint remover will keep you at the top of your game.

 

Prep Your Paint Roller

To reduce lint from your paint roller and to create the smoothest finish, go over your roller brushes with a lint roller before each use. 

 

  


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