|
|
||
|
“With dozens of “how to build
your new home” books available, what could be left out? Plenty, as author DeCarlo shows in her
practical approach to topics often left out, forgotten, or given scant attention. Readers will thank her
for raising subjects to consider in the earliest stages of planning a new home.”
Unfortunately there aren’t enough hours in the day for anyone, including the builder, architect, designer, or me, to sit down and tell you what you need to know. Nonetheless, this information void needs to be filled. That’s why, back in October of 2006, I began creating The Difference is in the Details: The Homeowner's Planning Guide to Building a Functional Home. Two years, 400 pages, 400 photographs and over 900 tips later, it's finally here! All the hours and hours and hours of researching the web have been done for you. This comprehensive Guide provides the education, tips, and reminders you need to navigate successfully through the residential construction process. With this tool you’ll be able to anticipate and deal with a myriad of critical details at the beginning of your construction project. Using this tactic will greatly reduce the number of change orders (and corresponding expenditures) during the project, while at the same time resulting in a home that fits your family’s unique needs.
If you save the cost of a single change order, The Difference is in the Details will
have paid for itself many times over! To peruse the Table of Contents, view sample tips, and learn about my
free bonus offer, see
www.DifferenceInTheDetails.com |
||
The Safety and Convenience of Electronic Lighting
Light your way home: Not particularly thrilled about driving up to and entering a dark home? Most electronic lighting packages offer a remote control to turn on pre-programmed lighting from your car. Now you can turn on strategic lighting as you arrive and turn it off as you drive away. Turn off all the lights on another floor: No need to get out of bed and go downstairs to turn off the lights: The flip of a switch will do it for you. Turn off all the lights in the house: On your way out the door? There’s no need to run around the house turning off lights before you leave. One switch located near the exit door will turn them all off at once. Enhance your home’s security: Most lighting and security systems can be connected. For example, if an intruder triggers the security system, the electronic lighting can be programmed to automatically turn on all the lights in and around the home. Real-life vacation mode lighting: For years safety officials have encouraged us to place various lamps on timers before going on vacation, thus giving the appearance that someone is home. Most electronic lighting systems provide a much more realistic impression of occupancy. Using the “vacation-mode” feature, an electronic system can vary the lighting within your home while you’re away. Systems with this feature include a default vacation mode; some offer the option of customizing the lighting sequence.
Programming Flexibility: Electronic lighting allows pre-programming of various lighting scenarios. When you touch the button on the switch that corresponds to the scenario desired, the lighting in the room responds. Energy Savings: The programmable and dimming capabilities of electronic lighting packages offer energy savings. Dimming your lights just 25 percent saves approximately 20 percent in energy. Traditionally, electronic lighting packages have been a luxury, but they are becoming considerably more affordable all the time. Look into your options; you might be pleasantly surprised. And if you’re remodeling, check out lighting systems where the automation is contained within the switch. These products can be a great retrofit for existing wiring. For more information, visit www.Lutron.com IS THERE A SUBJECT YOU'D LIKE ME TO COVER? Let me know by sending an email to tracy@tracystips.net. WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? All past issues of this ezine are in the Ezine Archives on our web site. Click here for Ezine Archives ! WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Tracy DeCarlo, author of "The Difference is in the Details" publishes the idea-packed, monthly e-zine "Tracy's Home Building Tips." If you're ready to learn how to plan a more durable, energy-efficient, and easy-to-live-in home, get your FR*EE tips now at www.DetailedSolutions.net. 
By working with homeowners to focus on their daily habits and preferences, she helps them create living spaces that support and compliment their lifestyles, while at the same time teaching techniques to manage the bottom line. 
I’d love to hear from you:
Tracy DeCarlo, Detailed Solutions, Inc. P.O. Box 161644 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, United States Phone 407-814-2328 |
||
|
Want to take yourself off our list or change your e-mail address? See below. |
||
|
Copyright ©2008 Tracy DeCarlo Detailed Solutions, Inc. |
|
I would like to apologize for the absence of this ezine for the past month. My husband,
who publishes the ezine, became ill on March 5th, was admitted to the hospital via the
emergency room two weeks later, ended up having to have surgery, and just started back
to work three days ago. He is doing very well now and life is getting back to normal.
The ezine will be back on schedule in May publishing the first Thursday of the month.
I’ve
spoken with so many families who spent a year or two of their lives and a large sum of money building or
remodeling their home only to move in with a list of “I wish I would haves”. Why does this happen?
Because there is an information void in the residential construction industry. Homeowners are missing the
tips, reminders, and education needed to thoroughly plan their project. 
Many of today’s products for home automation come with
mind-boggling features and equally mind-boggling price tags. Electronic lighting, however, can prove an
exception to the rule. Not only is it becoming more affordable, it can also offer potential energy savings
and enhance home security. Here are a few of the ways these systems can make life easier.
(Photo courtesy of ConnectLife Technology)
No more mystery switches: 
Tracy
DeCarlo owner of Detailed Solutions, Inc. and One Stop Green Home Certification, has more than fourteen years'
experience in the residential construction industry. As a Home Building Function Analyst,
Certified Green Professional, Green Certifying Agent,
and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, Tracy addresses the functional aspects of home construction, design, and usage, including items such as energy efficiency, disaster mitigation, air quality, aging in place, green building, plumbing, electrical, lighting, and storage. 