High Energy Bills? Cold Drafts In The Winter? 3 Other Ways To Tell When You Need New Windows Home Repair Articles | September 2 [url=http://www.che Rudy Gay Jersey[/url] , like your HVAC, and reign in any electricity 'bad habits' your family may have. If you're good to go on these fronts and you're still seeing an increase, it's time to have your home evaluated by a professional.
2. Cold Drafts In The Winter
There's no mistaking the feeling. You have the thermostat cranked up to 80 and your house just won't get warm. The problem may be your heating system, but it's more likely that you've got a case of the drafts. A simple test is to take a lit candle and move it slowly around the frame of your windows and doors. Are there places where it looks like someone's blowing on it? If so, then you have a draft!
It may seem obvious, but if a window is still functioning, you'd be surprised how many homeowners turn a blind eye to it. A crack in a window can let in drafts and is a threat to home security. If the seal around double-paned windows cracks, you can get drafts in addition to unsightly condensation in between the panes. In either case, a window replacement might be in order.
4. Function Is Compromised - Consider Window Replacement
If windows are extremely difficult to open or close - or worse Wholesale Zach Randolph Jersey , won't open at all - it's definitely time to consider a window replacement. Another function factor to think about is the effort of cleaning. Older ones with multiple panes can be tedious to clean. New products feature dividers on the inside, sandwiched between two panes of glass, and can even be installed to tilt inward so that you can clean the outside, from the inside!
5. Aesthetics And Home Value
If you have an older home and are looking to sell, or if you just want to make improvements Wholesale Anthony Tolliver Jersey , updated windows and doors go a long way toward increasing the value. If you are making major renovations, a total window replacement might be the best way to complement the new style you're going for. Either way, be sure to go ahead and spring for energy efficient double- or triple-paned products that will last a long time, save you money on your energy bills, and increase the value of your home.
If any of the above raise a red flag Wholesale Justin Jackson Jersey , the best course of action is to call in a professional. A reputable window company will provide free estimates and offer a comprehensive line of products to choose from, as well as a warranty to back up their work.
Article Tags: High Energy Bills, High Energy, Energy Bills, Cold Drafts Wholesale Buddy Hield Jersey , Window Replacement
Q: I'm thinking about starting a business after I retire next month. I'll be 65. Am I too old to start a business? -- Milton A.
A: Milton, congratulations on your pending retirement. I find it admirable that after many years of hard work you are thinking about starting a business. While most men your age would be content to sit on the porch and watch the world go by, you are considering a ride on the entrepreneurial roller coaster. You're certainly tall enough to ride this ride, but are you too old?
Here's my standard answer: It depends. It depends on your health, your energy Wholesale Malachi Richardson Jersey , your drive, your goals, and of course, your finances. If all those are in good shape and you have your spouse's approval (that's a biggie), then there is absolutely no reason why you should not start a business at your age.
In fact Wholesale Harry Giles Jersey , the numbers are actually in your favor. According to recent studies 22 percent of men and 14 percent of women over 65 are self-employed. That's compared to just 7 percent for other age groups.
According to a Vanderbilt University study the number of entrepreneurs age 45 to 64 will grow by 15 million by 2006.
That's compared to a 4 million decline for entrepreneurs age 25 to 44.
A 1998 survey of baby boomers conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) revealed that 80 percent of respondants planned to work beyond retirement age, and 17 percent of those planned to launch new businesses.
The study noted, "Self-employment among American workers increases with age, with the most dramatic jump occurring at age 65."
Older entrepreneurs may also find starting a business easier than their younger counterparts because older entrepreneurs tend to have more experience to draw from and more assets with which to finance a business.