Sept.

15, 2010
D1
INSIDE
Use a little
energy this fall
to save a lot
on energy costs
this winter,
page D2

Get the most

out of your
mower as you
prepare lawn
for winter,
page D3
CLEANING CREW — McPike employees remove algae from a roof of a storage unit.
Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman

Fall’s a great
time to prepare
a new garden
Save money
for next year,
page D4 Cleaning a roof
Let there be increases lifespan
light — or not.
Window film is of a roof by
a bold, or
subtle, option, 5 years
page D5
Algae unsightly,
decreases life of roof,
Color your
world with increases utility costs
paint; warm up
a room with by Lisa Fipps
draperies,
page D6
managing editor
editor@kokomoperspective.com

“ It’s simply a

L
ook up. Are
there streaks way to save your
and stains on roof. We can also
As it gets your roof? If use it to clean
so, expect to
colder, it’s time have to pay for a new roof
algae off siding,
to have furnace to be installed five years gutters and
serviced, earlier than you had origi- overhangs. The
page D7 nally planned. chemicals are UP ON THE ROOF — Mcpike's Paul Townsend uses a
Those streaks and safe for humans, chemical solution and hot water to clean a roof.
stains are more than un- Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
sightly. They’re costing
pets and
you money — in more landscaping. Mother Nature unleashes, the shingle,” he said. “It
Don’t get ways than one. shingle manufacturers doesn’t allow the roof to
hammered; tips Brian McPike, sales add limestone. Limestone breathe.”

manager at H.P. McPike
for choosing a Inc., explained the prob-
good contractor lem.
for your project, To make roof shingles
page D9 heavy enough to with-
”
makes shingles heavier. McPike gets many a
Problem is, limestone call from local residents
also attracts algae, who think that the streaks
stand high winds and McPike said. and stains mean they need
other weather conditions “The algae deteoriates new roofs. A new roof can

SAVE–D2
 Kokomo Perspective Sept. 15, 2010
D2 kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden
to allow us to use hot
Use a little energy SAVE water,” he said. “That’s
continued from page D1 the real key. The chemical
this fall to save a cost about $5,000. But
solution and hot water
don’t hurt shingles. It’s

lot on energy once at the scene, McPike

said, a lot of times people
don’t need to replace their
simply a way to save your
roof. We can also use it to
clean algae off siding,
costs this winter roofs, they just need to
clean them.
gutters and overhangs.
The chemicals are safe for
Cleaning is not as easy humans, pets and land-
as it sounds. You can’t scaping.”
just stand atop your roof The cost? Pretty cheap
and spray it down using a — especially compared to
garden hose — although the alternative of replac-
many people attempt to ing a roof.
do that. “It’s a couple of hun-
“We see people who dred bucks,” McPike said.
use a hose and think that “The average job takes a
washing the roof is going couple of hours to do.”
to kill the algae,” McPike You get a two-year war- ON TOP OF IT — McPike’s Paul Townsend and Gary
said. ranty that the algae won’t Brown can clean a roof in just a few hours so you get
It takes a chemical so- come back, he added. same-day results.
lution and — the word McPike workers have Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
and is key here — water special training to remove
that is at least 180 de- the algae from the Ameri- “Algae will raise your ing system could still be
grees. Water spraying can Roof Cleaning Insti- heating and cooling of benefit.
from a garden hose is tute. costs,” McPike said. “It “We can also get grease
nowhere near that temper- There are many bene- makes the heater run and oil off concrete, like
• If your windows allow cold air to leak into
ature. fits to cleaning a roof, more in the winter and the in your driveway or
your home, the most cost-effective measure is to
“At McPike’s we starting with not having to air conditioner run more garage, clean wood decks,
seal the entire window with a layer of plastic for
bought a special machine pay for a new roof. in the summer.” get spilled paint off,”
the winter. New heat-shrinking films are airtight
If you don’t have a McPike said. “There are a
and easy to see through.
buildup of algae on your bunch of different uses.”
• Seal up the largest air leaks in your home —
roof yet — yet is the key For more info, call
the ones that whistle on a windy day or feel
drafty. Check for leaks around windows, doors, Why clean your roof? word there because every
shingled roof gets it even-
McPike’s at 452-1123.
and at locations where utilities enter the home •A clean roof will enhance the curb ap- tually — McPike’s clean-
(e.g., pipes, cables, telephone wires, etc.) and seal
these with caulking or foam insulation products. peal of your home or business.
• Clear away weeds and debris from outdoor air •The removal of algae, the black streak-
conditioning and heat pump units. This allows air
to circulate freely around your outside unit, low-
ing, will help prolong the life of your roof. What’s eating your roof?
ering your bills and helping reduce service calls. Most shingles are guaranteed for 25
The black streaks on your roof are actu-
Planting a tree to shade the unit can help, as long years by the manufacturer. A roof left un-
ally evidence of a living organism known
as airflow is not blocked. An air conditioner op- treated could deteriorate in 15 years or
erating in the shade uses as much as 10 percent
as gloeocapsa magma. This hardy algae
less.
less energy than the same unit operating in the feeds on the limestone filler in a roof’s
sun. •The black streaking on a roof can raise shingles and grows and darkens until
• Duke Energy’s “Our Home Energy House building temperatures and, therefore, removed. These roof stains, often are
Call” offers eligible customers a free in-home en- raise cooling costs. mistaken as “roof mold,” take months or
ergy analysis. Call to schedule an energy audit
with a professional energy specialist. •An estimated 50 percent of all new res- even years to appear. Starting on the
• Plant a leaf-bearing tree on the south, east and idential roofs are installed not because north side of the roof, where conditions
west sides of your home to reduce heat build up in they are leaking or worn out but for aes- are dampest and receive the least
your attic and provide shade for your windows thetic reasons only. The cost to have a amount of sunlight, the algae will
and walls. multiply and eventually streak across the
roof cleaned is only a fraction of the cost
of a new roof. entire roof.
ENERGY-D4

kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden
Get the most out of your mower as
you prepare your lawn for winter
Put your mower to work fertilizing,
aerating, thatching, mulching, composting
by Lisa Fipps
managing editor
editor@kokomoperspective.com
E
very year
c o o l e r
tempera-
tures sig-
nal a new
round of seasonal
chores, like swap-
ping screens for
storm doors, clean-
ing and storing
patio furniture,
and checking for
air leaks around
the home. Many
Americans also
use this time to
prepare lawn
equipment for win-
ter storage, but ex-
perts at John
D e e r e s a y, “ N o t s o
f a s t .”
Riding lawn attach-
ments have revolution-
ized the way homeowners
approach fall and winter
yard work so now you
can do more than just
mow.
“Generally, a lot of
customers will do a lot of
aerating, coring aeration
and spiker aeration, this
time of year,” said Bart
Lefler, sales manager at
McGavic Outdoor Power.
“Coring pulls a plug of
grass out and the spiker
just cut slits in the
ground,” he explained.
“Some form of aeration is
very good to do on the
yard in the fall. Same
thing goes with thatching
a yard.”
Thatching
“Thatch is a tightly in-
termingled organic layer
of dead and living shoots,
stems, and roots that ac-
cumulate just above the
soil surface,” according
to Purdue Extension’s
“Mowing, Dethatching,
Aerifying and Rolling
Turf Thatch Control.”
“Thatch accumulation
is due to either over-fer-
tilization, overwatering,
and/or soil compaction. A
small amount of thatch is
desirable because it mod-
erates soil temperature
fluctuations and provides
a cushion on the soil sur-
face. Too much thatch in-
terferes with water and
air movement, reduces
fertilizer and pesticide re-
sponse, and increases dis-
ease and insect activity.
Eventually, roots may
start growing in the
thatch, and since thatch
does not hold much
water, the turf then be-
comes very susceptible to
cold, heat and drought
stresses.”
There are walk-behind
thatchers and pull-behind
thathcers, Lefler said.
“They have hooks on
them that pull up a lot of
the dead grass and debris
that’s in your yard. After
they do that, then cus-
tomers will either have a
bagger on the mower or
rake it off their lawn to
dispose of it.”
Always follow the rule
of thumb on grass height
— except now.
“One of the thing that’s
also good for the yard in
the fall is kind of an odd
thing,” Lefler said. “We
preach all year long not
to cut your grass too
short, but at the end of
the mowing season it’s
good to cut it shorter than
normal because there can
be a lot of fungi and
molds that can get in
your lawn in the fall and
winter months.”
Fertilizing
Late fall is one of the
best times to fertilize a
lawn. One final dose of
fertilizer before the cold
weather strikes is good
for strengthening roots
and increasing the nitro-
gen stored for an earlier
spring green; while the
top growth of the grass
stops, all energy is re-
served for t he following
season. The specific time
of day you fertilize de-
pends on the current
weather conditions, and
fertilizer should not be
applied if rain is in the
immediate 24-hour fore-
cast.
Instead of pacing the
yard with a cart or hand-
held bucket, John Deere
suggests attaching a tow
behind spreader to a lawn
mower or garden tractor
to quickly spread fertil-
izer, seed and even ice
melting products when
the snowfall arrives.
Aerating
Aerating is ideal in
cooler months for remov-
ing plugs of soil and
thatch from a lawn. It en-
courages deep rooting,
improves water and nutri-
ent penetration, helps
break down thatch and
promotes growth of ben-
eficial soil microorgan-
isms.
In place of spiked
shoes or spray-on liquids,
Sept. 15, 2010 Kokomo Perspective
D3
options includes plug
aerators, spike aerators
and thatcherators that
easily attach behind a
tractor and removes plugs
of soil from two to three-
inches deep.
Mulching
If you prefer not to
rake or bag grass or
leaves, mulching is an
ideal alternative. Be sure
to mulch leaves only
when they are dry since
mulching wet or damp
leaves can cause build up
or make your engine
work harder and use
more fuel. Remember
that grass needs sunlight
in the fall to help store
food for winter, so be
careful when mulching
this time of year. A thin
layer of mulched leaves
will do and helps add nu-
trients to the soil, reduc-
ing the need for fertilizer.
Composting
Creating a compost
pile allows you to take
advantage of decom-
posed organic material to
create a rich soil. The fall
season is a good time to
create a compost pile
with decaying matter
throughout the yard, like
vegetables, grass clip-
pings and leaves, which
contain the nutrients nec-
essary to add nitrogen the
soil needs for planting
come spring. Be sure to
alternate layers of
“brown material,” or high
carbon materials, with
your grass clippings.
Using a rear bagger
with your lawn mower or
tractor will help make
collecting grass clippings
a breeze. You can also
collect materials with a
blade or shovel to easily
and efficiently create
your compost pile. When
winter strikes, you can
use these attachments to
plow, pick up and trans-
port snow.
“We run a lot of service
specials to reward cus-
tomer to take a mower in
to be serviced in the off-
season,” Lefler said.
Servicing includes
scraping the deck so de-
bris isn’t gummed up and
promoting rust, sharpen-
ing the blades, changing
the oil, changing the fuel
filter, changing the oil fil-
ter, and changing spark
plugs so they’re ready to
go for the spring, Lefler
said.
 Kokomo Perspective Sept. 15, 2010
D4 kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden

ENERGY
continued from page D2
Fall’s a great
time to prepare
a new garden
for next year
by Kathy Bond-Borie
guest writer
editor@kokomoperspective.com

• If your home is situated in a large open area,
use evergreens on the north and west sides of your
home to create effective windbreaks.
•Heating and cooling account for the greatest
portion of energy costs for the average home. In-
sulation is your most effective means of reducing
energy usage to keep your home comfortable both
in winter and summer.
• Install the proper amount of insulation in ex-
terior walls, roofs or ceilings, and floors above
cold spaces. If you currently have no insulation
in one of these areas, installing insulation will cut
your energy bills dramatically.
• Do not compress insulation on the attic floor
by adding a layer of wood, storing boxes on it or
walking across it frequently. Crushed insulation
is not a good insulator.
•The R-value is the standardized measure to
rate the relative effectiveness of insulation mate-
rials. Different materials will have varying R-val-
ues per inch. R-values of R-38 for attic insulation
and R-19 for walls are considered cost effective
for homes in the Midwest.
Source: Duke Energy
Energy-saving ideas from
Kokomo Gas & Fuel
Using energy wisely can reduce consumption
and save money on utility bills, according to the
American Gas Association (AGA) and Kokomo
Gas. We offer these suggestions for homeowners
looking for simple ways to conserve energy:
ENERGY-2 -D8
S
oil preparation is the most important step in
growing a successful garden, yet the spring
planting frenzy can tempt us to cut corners to
hurry and get everything in the ground. That's
one reason why fall is a good time to prepare
a new garden spot. Also, fall is a good time to add
amendments to adjust the pH of your soil because they
take some time to do the job. Perhaps the best reason to
start a new garden in fall is that you can do it with a lot
less effort if you are converting any lawn to a garden.
Follow these steps to get a head start on spring planting.
Choose the spot
Vegetable gardens and most flowerbeds require at
least 6 hours of full sun each day. Choose a level spot
– either natural or terraced – that has well-drained soil,
if possible. Thick grass or vigorous weed growth usu-
ally indicate soil drainage and nutrient levels that will
support healthy garden plants.
Rejuvenate tired soil
If your garden spot is not new and just needs some
revitalization, begin this fall. First, send a soil sample
to a private or Cooperative Extension soil-testing lab
for nutrient and pH analysis. Call the lab or a local gar-
den center for a collection kit and instructions on how
to collect the sample. Test results will tell you which
minerals and pH amendments your soil needs to grow
healthy vegetables and flowers.
Add amendments
Adjust the soil pH – its measure of acidity or alka-
linity – by adding ground limestone or sulfur as rec-
ommended by the soil test results. Improve the soil
fertility, clay soil drainage, and sandy soil water-hold-
ing capacity by adding organic material, such as com-
post, well-rotted livestock manure, or composted fir
bark. Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of organic material
over the garden.
Turn the soil
Work the amendments into the top 6 to 12 inches of
soil with a rototiller or garden fork. Break up large
clods and remove rocks and roots. Work the soil only
when it is dry enough to crumble easily after squeez-
ing — never when it is saturated with water.
Convert lawn the easy way
If your future garden spot is currently covered with
grass, you can remove it by slicing under the sod with
a spade and cutting it into manageable pieces. Or you
can utilize the nitrogen and organic matter in the grass
by simply smothering it. First, mow the grass short.
Then spread several thicknesses of newspaper over the
grass and moisten it with a hose. Finally, spread several
inches of compost or composted manure on top. Over
the winter the grass will decompose underneath, and
by spring you'll have a nice planting bed.
For more tips and garden information visit
www.garden.org.
A former floral designer and interior plantscaper,
Kathy Bond-Borie has spent 20 years as a garden
writer/editor, including her current role as Horticul-
tural Editor for the National Gardening Association.
She loves designing with plants, and spends more
time playing in the garden – planting and trying new
combinations – than sitting and appreciating it.
Source: Photo courtesy of Fotolia, content courtesy
of Family Features
 Sept. 15, 2010 Kokomo Perspective

kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden D5

Let there be light — or not

Whether seeking privacy
or energy savings, chose
from a variety of window
treatment options — and
some could put $1,500
back in your pocket
by Lisa Fipps
managing editor
editor@kokomoperspective.com

A
nyone who’s driven by Eastern
High School lately has surely no-
ticed a big change. It’s right there
in black and white. Well, actually,
it’s in green and gold, Eastern’s
school colors. It’s window film. Budget Blinds
installed it.
“We’d had some blinds that had been there a
number of years that were in really poor
shape,” said Dr. Tracy Caddell, superintendent G R E E N A N D G O L D
of Eastern Howard School Corp. BOLD — Window tint was
It’s the area above the swimming pool on the applied at Eastern High
east side of the building. There were com- School in Greentown.
Perspective photo / Lisa Fipps
plaints from guests and
swimmers that the light
pouring through and re-
flecting off the water
made it difficult to see at
times, too.
“Patrons asked ‘Is
“ It’s amazing the
amount of options
there anything you could
do?’ Budget Blinds and you have with
others gave us options,”
window film.
”
Caddell said.
“One option was
shades, but they would
have had more maintenance issues,” said Ruth Fansler, co-owner. “We thought
their best bet would be window film. Because of the cholorine from the pool,
the film was applied on the exterior, not the interior.
“It’s basically maintenance-free,” she said.
After considering the needs and the budget, the school chose film over the
other window treatments.
“It does promote school colors and the school system,” Caddell said. “It
is pretty striking.”
“It’s so bold, but that was the idea, to draw attention,” Ruth Fansler said.
In addition to getting noticed, Eastern thinks it will realize another ben-
efit from it. “We do anticipate an energy savings, too,” Caddell said.
When it comes to residential use, it’s unlikely anyone would chose such a
bold window film, said Ruth Fansler. But on a
commercial level, it is a great way to draw at-
tention to a building. She noted that Eastern had
the option of adding graphics to the window
film. It could have chosen to include a comet
since Eastern is home to the Comets.
“It’s amazing the amount of options you have
with window film,” Ruth Fansler said.
Usually when people choose window film for
a residence, they choose a film that is barely no-

LIGHT-D6
 Kokomo Perspective
D6
Color your world with paint;
warm up a room with draperies
by Lisa Fipps
managing editor
editor@kokomoperspective.com
W
hen you want to
make a change,
one of the
fastest and least expensive
ways is to paint, said
Cathy Newton, a consult-
ant at Kokomo Glass &
Paint.
“Paint is going to be
your cheapest fix to do
something with,” she said.
Reds, berries, greens
and gold — a lot of vivid
colors — are popular
choices right now, Newton
said.
“Lots of people tend to
have neutral walls, but
once you talk somebody
into making a change,
once they break that cycle
— and I’ve even done it
myself — you wake up
and you’re in a better
mood. Color puts you in a
good mood.”
But once the paint roller
or brush hits the wall, peo-
Sept. 15, 2010
kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden
ple panic.
“What I tell them is if
you’re having someone
paint for you, leave and
come back and see it,”
Newton said, noting it can
be a little nerve-racking to
see a bright red or deep
purple go on a once-white
wall. “Once you get the
whole thing painted, it’s
beautiful.”
If you’re tempted, but
not quite ready to commit
to the idea of going with a
bold color, try virtual
painting.
Several companies, such
as Porter Paints, have Web
sites where you can see
what different colors will
look like on the wall. Go to
porter.voiceofcolor.com/en
/myproject/vision.asp.
Paint companies aren’t
the only ones providing
consumer-friendly Web
sites that allow customers
to give test samples.
On Hunter Douglas’s
Web site, consumers can
find out more information
about blinds, for example.
But a trend right now in
window coverings is drap-
ery. Yes, drapes are back.
Just like with clothing,
decor goes in cycles.
“We’re starting to do a
lot of fabric treatements
again,” Newton said.
“People are lookig for
draperies and top treat-
ments whereas before we
mostly went to just doing
top treatments for people.
I am selling a lot of
draperies and custom bed-
spreads to coordinate with
them. I think it’s a nice
way to accessorize.”
Draperies add color but
also warmth to a room,
Newton said.
For those with a close
eye on the decorating
budget, panels are a good
option when it comes to
window treatments. You
can buy a panel or two to
give the room warmth and
color and draw attention to
the window without pay-
ing for enough drapery to
cover the entire window,
she said.
Adding trim is also pop-
ular, Newton said, such as
beaded trims, tassels,
fringe. “There’s just tons
and tons of things you can
choose from. I would say
elegance is coming back.
For a while there, it
seemed like simple was
the theme.”
LIGHT
continued from page D5
ticeable, said John Fansler,
co-owner of Budget
Blinds.
“The main purpose is to
protect furnishings,” he
said, adding, “99 percent
of the UV rays are blocked
— regardless of how much
tint there is. Even a light
tint, where you can barely
tell it’s on the window,
blocks 99 percent of the
UV rays.”
Window film also re-
duces heat.
“It can help reflect away
the sun’s energy,” John
Fansler said. “But it does
not hold heat in, in the
winter.”
So most of the energy
savings from film comes
during the summer
months.
Save money on taxes
Here’s another advan-
rage of window film. In-
stalling it makes you
eligible for a tax credit of
up to $1,500.
Under section 25C of
the Internal Revenue
Code (I.R.C.), homeown-
ers can receive a 30 per-
cent credit on the costs of
“qualified energy effi-
ciency improvements,”
including solar control
window film, made to a
primary residence from
Jan.1, 2009, through Dec.
31, 2010. Only window
films that meet the geo-
graphic and solar per-
formance criteria will be
eligible for the credit, so
if the tax credit is a major
motivator for you deci-
sion to go with film, be
sure to let Budget Blinds
know that so they can tell
you which film qualifies.
If you want to save
even more money, you
might consider installing
honeycomb shades in ad-
dition to the window film.
“Honeycomb and film
is the perfect combina-
tion,” John Fansler said.
“Honeycomb is one of
the optimal insulating
systems to keep the heat
out in summer and the
heat in the winter.”
Honeycomb shades
come in a variety of fab-
rics and colors, including
blackout fabric.
“That’s great for bed-
rooms if you’re sleeping
during the day because
you work odd hours,”
John Fansler said. “I call
them ‘third-shift’ shades.
What’s great about them
is that you have a top-
down option. You can
bring the top down to
allow natural light in but
keep some privacy in
your windows.”
Here are some more
tips to create a bedroom
to improve sleep no mat-
ter what your work hours.
There is no disputing
that humans need sleep or
how much sleep is rec-
ommended for optimal
results. But in the last 40
years, the amount of
sleep we get has de-
creased to the point
where our health and
well-being has been im-
paired. The conse-
quences of our poor sleep
habits range from poor
moods, decreased pro-
ductivity, drowsy driving
and heart conditions. The
people at Budget Blinds
suggest that making
changes to your bedroom
may help you get the Z’s
you need.
“Your bedroom should
be a place where you can
rest and relax so you can
get the sleep you need to
be your very best. Many
people would benefit
from spending a little
time to create an environ-
ment that is conducive to
sleep – cool, calm and
dark,” said Tracy Christ-
man, vendor alliance di-
rector for Budget Blinds,
the leading custom win-
dow coverings franchise.
Keep your cool
The best sleep environ-
ments are cool. Use win-
dow treatments to control
the temperature in your
rooms. Some treatments
provide more insulation
than other window treat-
ments. Cellular shades
are excellent insulators
and can double the insu-
lating ability of a double
paned window. They can
also help cut your energy
costs by reducing how
often your heater or air
conditioning needs to op-
erate to maintain indoor
temperatures. Homeown-
ers who choose program-
mable motorization for
their window treatments
can choose when to lower
and lift the window treat-
ments to block sun during
the day to maintain the
room temperature.
Stay calm
The bedroom should be
used for rest and relax-
ation – a sanctuary. Elim-
inating things that disturb
your calm can summon
the sandman. Start by
eliminating clutter from
your room and putting
things in their place. Vac-
uum and clean regularly
to remove dust and other
allergens so you can
breathe deeply. Choose a
calming color palette
such as blues, greens and
purples for your room.
Add plants like spider
plant and peace lily to
clean air naturally. Use
drapery panels to soften
harsh visual edges and
dampen sound. Area rugs
can be used to absorb
sound as well.
Go dark
Light disrupts sleep.
Some light sources are
easy for you to control,
like lamps, clocks and
televisions. Other light
sources, such as street
lamps and bright moon-
light, require a different
approach. Use window
coverings to block light
so you can get the sleep
you need.
Adding room-darken-
ing privacy liners to your
new window treatments
will stop the most light.
These are very helpful to
shift workers. If light is
seeping in through the
gaps between your win-
dow treatment and the
window frame, you may
benefit from adding dec-
orative touches that will
cover the gaps like drap-
ery panels or cornice
boxes. If you’re in the
market for new blinds,
routless louvers eliminate
the tiny holes traditional
blinds have. Another op-
tion is to cover the rout
holes with cloth tapes,
which also allow accent
colors to be carried to the
wall.
Programmable motor-
ization can be used to
open the window cover-
ings in the morning al-
lowing the sunlight to
assist in the waking
process. Simply program
the window coverings to
open about 15-30 minutes
before your alarm clock
rings, and you’ll waken
more naturally and
calmly than with the
audio alarm alone.
 Sept. 15, 2010 Kokomo Perspective

kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden D7

As it gets colder, it’s time to have furnace serviced
by Syra Sharif and

“
Lisa Fipps
staff writer &
managing editor
editor@kokomoperspective.com
Your heat exchanger
could crack if you

I
f you don’t want to
be left out in the
cold this winter, you
need to have your
don’t change your
home’s furnace
serviced this fall. And with
filter. Or your blower
the way temperatures have
dropped lately, the sooner
motor could go out,
the better.
Rick Newton, a sales-
meaning the furnace
man at King's Heating &
Plumbing Inc., described
is heating up but not
what is typically included
when a professional is
blowing the heated
called to make sure a fur- air out.

nace is in working order.
“Getting your furnace
serviced basically that’s
changing the filters to
start with,” Newton said.
Probably the No. 1 mis-
take homeowners make is
not changing furnace fil-
ters regularly.
“A lot of people let that
go,” he said. “They forget
or they say ‘we’ll get to it
later’ and later never
comes.”
So how often should a
furnace filter be changed?
“A filter should be
changed once a month or
once a year, depending on
what your furnace uses,”
Newton said. “There are
all different kinds and
sizes now, and we carry
about everything you can
think of.”
Filters are very inex-
pensive — especially con-
sidering the cost you
could incur if you don’t
change.
“Your heat exchanger
could crack if you don’t
change your filters,” New-
ton said. “Or your blower
motor could go out,
meaning the furnace is
heating up but not blow-
ing the heated air out.”
Many homeowners
have installed high-effi-
ciency furnaces. If you
have one, it’s important to
“make sure the drain lines
are cleaned out because
they will cause problems.
Flues need inspected. Mo-
tors might need oiled;
some do and some don’t
— it depends on the
model you have. Some
have condensation
pumps. They also need to
be cleaned. Flame sensors
— they’re like the old
thermocouple, it’s taken
the place of it — those
need cleaned. A lot of
thermostats take batteries.
They need replaced. With
the furnaces that have hu-
midifers, you need to
change your humidifier
pad before any heating
season. We find that some
customers have never
”
changed their humidifier
pad. It won’t work if you
don’t change it and it de-
feats the purpose of hav-
ing it.”
Many furnace filters are
easy to change. Many
people can and do change
furnace filters. But the
rest you should let an ex-
pert take care of.
“I highly recommened
a trained service tech CHECK IT OUT — Chad McFarland of King’s Heating and Plumbing checks out a fu-
rance filter.
come out and service the
Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
equipment,” Newton said.
A trained service tech the waterheater while on good air quality, here’s & Cooling.
knows exactly what each the job. what you need to do. A basic furnace system
model of furnace needs to “It’s important to make Run your blower all the includes: a burner, a heat
be in good working order. sure the flue of the water time. In other words, in- exchanger, Ductwork
You will pay a small heater is opened up and stead of leaving the set- (which transfers heat
bill in maintenance, but not stopped up,” he said. ting on “auto,” put it on through the house), and a
that little bit can prevent “We make sure there’s no “on.” vent pipe. It is important
big problems. leaks on it.” “That will keep the air to determine whether all
“Eighty percent of Here’s a little some- cleaner,” Newton said. of these components are
problems can be pre- thing that Newton shared “And it keeps the whole in working order and are
vented if you have your that most people don’t house more evenly heated all doing the operations
equipment serviced,” know. or cooled, depending on they should be inside and
Newton said. Indoor air quality is a the season.” outside the house.
It’s a good idea to have big concern these days. Here are some tips pro- A lot of people forget
the service tech check out If you want to have vided by Brandt’s Heating about the outside.
 Kokomo Perspective Sept. 15, 2010
D8 kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden
Celery Leaf-tiers are
abundant this year in
fields, lawns
Celery moths
(bottom) are
similar in
color and
shape to the
larger (top)
European
Corn Borer
moths.
Photo: John
Obermeyer
If you have walked out on your lawn recently
you may have noticed hundreds of small, buff
colored, moths flittering here or there as you ap-
proach. These may be alarming for both farmers
as well as turfgrass managers because they;
(1) look like a common corn pest (European
Corn Borer)
(2) act like a common turfgrass pest (Sod
Webworm)
Rest easy, though. These are neither corn bor-
ers nor sod webworms, but rather a close cousin
to both. The moths are called Celery Leaf-tiers
and normally are very minor pests of a wide
range of plants, flowers and weeds (including
celery).
These moths have the same general triangu-
lar appearance and coloration of European corn
borers, albeit they are slightly smaller (see
photo).
On lawns, these moths behave much like sod
webworms. They normally rest during the day-
time but become more active at dusk. Disturbing
them causes them to fly just above the surface of
the grass until they settle again, a few feet away.
The reason for their high numbers in lawns is
unknown and is probably not a real attraction.
Rather, these moths are simply everywhere, we
just notice them more on our lawns because that
is where we walk and what we see most. They
are in no short supply in vacant lots, or un-
maintained grassy areas. Walking there and in
agricultural fields will flush the same numbers
of moths. In fact, driving down nearly any coun-
try road at dusk right now will yield a wind-
shield full of splats. Celery moths do seem to be
everywhere.
The good news is that these are not expected
to become more than a curiosity or nuisance
pest on our lawns and in our yards and they do
not threaten neighboring corn crops.
The bigger question is, why are they so preva-
lent all at once? Rest assured that you are not
the only one witnessing this phenomenon.
Neighboring states are reporting the same thing.
Why they are occurring in such huge numbers
right now is just a guess. We know that popula-
tion explosions occur from time to time among
many different species of insects. Often the
cause has to do with environmental conditions,
especially weather. If our prolonged wet
weather conditions favor the development of
this insect or the plants that it feeds on, or is un-
favorable to the naturally occurring controls that
normally keep it in check, such an outbreak may
occur.
Source: Purdue University Extension
ENERGY-2
continued from page D4
• Seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings,
such as pipes or ducts -- with caulk or weatherstripping.
• Set thermostats between 65-70°F in the winter, at least
five degrees lower when you're sleeping, and at 58°F
when you're away from home for more than a few hours.
(Warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with
ill or elderly persons or infants.)
• Set water heater temperatures at 120°F and install
water-flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets.
• Change filters or clean the filters in heating and cool-
ing units twice a year. Close vents and doors in unused
rooms. If pipes or ducts run through unheated areas, in-
sulate them.
• Use drapes, shutters, awnings, shade trees, glass with
reflective film or solar screens to keep sunlight out in the
summer and let it in during the winter.
• Check to see if attic and basement (or crawl space)
have the recommended level of insulation.
• If you have a woodburning fireplace, consider in-
stalling a natural gas fireplace insert, which can save on
energy costs compared with wood. A gas fireplace also
will dramatically reduce the air pollution created from
burning wood.
• Consider storm or thermal windows and doors or dou-
ble-paned glass. A less-expensive alternative is plastic
sheeting, which can be temporarily fastened over doors
and windows to retain heat or air conditioning.
• Be sure that dishwashers, washing machines and
clothes dryers are fully loaded before using them.
• When buying new appliances, compare energy-effi-
ciency ratings and annual operating costs. A slightly
higher initial cost for high-efficiency appliances could be
recovered in a very short time through energy savings and
lower utility bills.

kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden
Don’t get hammered by contractors;
tips for choosing a good one
W
hether
y o u ’r e
plan-
ning an
addition
for a growing family or
simply getting new storm
windows, finding a compe-
tent and reliable contractor
is the first step to a suc-
cessful and satisfying
home improvement proj-
ect.
Your home may be your
most valuable financial
asset. That's why it's im-
portant to be cautious
when you hire someone to
work on it. Home im-
provement and repair and
maintenance contractors
often advertise in newspa-
pers, the Yellow Pages, and
on the radio and TV. How-
ever, don't consider an ad
an indication of the quality
of a contractor's work.
Your best bet is a reality
check from those in the
know: friends, neighbors,
or co-workers who have
had improvement work
done. Get written esti-
mates from several firms.
Ask for explanations for
price variations. Don't au-
tomatically choose the
lowest bidder.
Home improvement
professionals
Depending on the size
and complexity of your
project, you may choose to
work with a number of dif-
ferent professionals:
•General contractors
manage all aspects of your
project, including hiring
and supervising subcon-
tractors, getting building
permits, and scheduling in-
spections. They also work
with architects and design-
ers.
•Speciality contractors
install particular products,
such as cabinets and bath-
room fixtures.
•Architects design
homes, additions, and
major renovations. If your
project includes structural
changes, you may want to
hire an architect who spe-
cializes in home remodel-
ing.
•Designers have expert-
ise in specific areas of the
home, such as kitchens and
baths.
•Design/Build Contrac-
tors provide onestop serv-
ice. They see your project
through from start to fin-
ish. Some firms have ar-
chitects on staff; others use
certified designers.
Don't get nailed
Not all contractors oper-
ate within the law. Here are
some tip-offs to potential
rip-offs. A less than rep-
utable contractor:
•solicits door-to-door;
•offers you discounts for
finding other customers;
•just happens to have
materials left over from a
previous job;
•only accepts cash pay-
ments;
•asks you to get the re-
quired building permits;
•does not list a business
number in the local tele-
phone directory;
•tells you your job will
be a “demonstration”;
•pressures you for an
immediate decision;
•offers exceptionally
long guarantees;
•asks you to pay for the
entire job upfront;
•suggests that you bor-
row money from a lender
the contractor knows. If
you're not careful, you
could lose your home
through a home improve-
ment loan scam.
Hiring a contractor
Interview each contrac-
tor you're considering.
Here are some questions to
ask.
•How long have you
been in business? Look for
a well-established com-
pany and check it out with
consumer protection offi-
cials. They can tell you if
there are unresolved con-
sumer complaints on file.
One caveat: No record of
complaints against a par-
ticular contractor doesn't
necessarily mean no previ-
ous consumer problems. It
may be that problems
exist, but have not yet been
reported, or that the con-
tractor is doing business
under several different
names.
•Are you licensed and
registered with the state?
While most states license
electrical and plumbing
contractors, only 36 states
have some type of licens-
ing and registration
statutes affecting contrac-
tors, remodelers, and/or
specialty contractors. The
licensing can range from
simple registration to a de-
tailed qualification
process. Also, the licensing
requirements in one local-
ity may be different from
the requirements in the rest
of the state. Check with
your local building depart-
ment or consumer protec-
tion agency to find out
about licensing require-
ments in your area. If your
state has licensing laws,
ask to see the contractor's
license. Make sure it's cur-
rent.
•How many projects like
mine have you completed
in the last year? Ask for a
list. This will help you de-
termine how familiar the
contractor is with your
type of project.
•Will my project require
a permit? Most states and
localities require permits
for building projects, even
for simple jobs like decks.
A competent contractor
will get all the necessary
permits before starting
work on your project. Be
suspicious if the contractor
asks you to get the per-
mit(s). It could mean that
the contractor is not li-
censed or registered, as re-
quired by your state or
locality.
•May I have a list of ref-
erences? The contractor
should be able to give you
the names, addresses, and
phone numbers of at least
three clients who have
projects similar to yours.
Ask each how long ago the
project was completed and
if you can see it. Also, tell
the contractor that you'd
like to visit jobs in
progress.
•Will you be using sub-
contractors on this project?
If yes, ask to meet them,
and make sure they have
current insurance coverage
and licenses, if required.
Also ask them if they were
paid on time by this con-
Sept. 15, 2010 Kokomo Perspective
D9
decide if a particular con- Understanding
tractor is right for you. You payment options
may want to ask:
You have several pay-
•Can I visit your home
ment options for most
to see the completed job?
home improvement and
•Were you satisfied with
the project? Was it com-
maintenance and repair
projects. For example, you
pleted on time?
can get your own loan or
•Did the contractor keep
ask the contractor to
you informed about the
arrange financing for
status of the project, and
larger projects. For smaller
any problems along the
projects, you may want to
way?
pay by check or credit
•Were there unexpected
card. Avoid paying cash.
costs? If so, what were
Whatever option you
they?
tractor. A "mechanic's choose, be sure you have a
•Did workers show up
lien" could be placed on reasonable payment sched-
on time? Did they clean up
your home if your contrac- ule and a fair interest rate.
after finishing the job?
tor fails to pay the subcon- Here are some additional
•Would you recommend
tractors and suppliers on tips:
the contractor?
your project. That means •Try to limit your down
•Would you use the con-
the subcontractors and payment. Some state laws
tractor again?
suppliers could go to court limit the amount of money
to force you to sell your
home to satisfy their un-
paid bills from your proj- BEWARE–D10
ect. Protect yourself by
asking the contractor, and
every subcontractor and
supplier, for a lien release
or lien waiver.
•What types of insur-
ance do you carry? Con-
tractors should have
personal liability, worker's
compensation, and prop-
erty damage coverage.
Ask for copies of insur-
ance certificates, and make
sure they're current. Avoid
doing business with con-
tractors who don't carry
the appropriate insurance.
Otherwise, you'll be held
liable for any injuries and
damages that occur during
the project.
Checking references
Talk with some of the
remodeler's former cus-
tomers. They can help you
 Kokomo Perspective
D10
BEWARE
continued from page D9
a contractor can request as
a down payment. Contact
your state or local con-
sumer agency to find out
what the law is in your
area.
•Try to make payments
during the project contin-
gent upon completion of a
defined amount of work.
This way, if the work is not
proceeding according to
schedule, the payments
also are delayed.
•Don't make the final
payment or sign an affi-
davit of final release until
you are satisfied with the
work and know that the
subcontractors and suppli-
ers have been paid. Lien
laws in your state may
allow subcontractors
and/or suppliers to file a
mechanic's lien against
your home to satisfy their
unpaid bills. Contact your
local consumer agency for
an explanation of lien laws
where you live.
•Some state or local
laws limit the amount by
which the final bill can ex-
ceed the estimate, unless
you have approved the in-
crease. Check with your
local consumer agency.
•If you have a problem
with merchandise or serv-
ices that you charged to a
credit card, and you have
made a good faith effort to
work out the problem with
the seller, you have the
right to withhold from the
card issuer payment for the
merchandise or services.
You can withhold payment
up to the amount of credit
outstanding for the pur-
chase, plus any finance or
related charges.
Keeping records
Keep all paperwork re-
lated to your project in one
Sept. 15, 2010
kokomoperspective.com/home improvement & lawn and garden
place. This includes copies
of the contract, change or-
ders and correspondence
with your home improve-
ment professionals. Keep a
log or journal of all phone
calls, conversations and
activities. You also might
want to take photographs
as the job progresses.
These records are espe-
cially important if you
have problems with your
project - during or after
construction.
Completing the job:
a checklist
Before you sign off and
make the final payment,
use this checklist to make
sure the job is complete.
Check that:
•All work meets the
standards spelled out in the
contract.
•You have written war-
ranties for materials and
workmanship.
•You have proof that all
subcontractors and suppli-
ers have been paid.
•The job site has been
cleaned up and cleared of
excess materials, tools and
equipment.
•You have inspected and
approved the completed
work.
Where to complain
If you have a problem
with your home improve-
ment project, first try to re-
solve it with the contractor.
Many disputes can be re-
solved at this level. Follow
any phone conversations
with a letter you send by
certified mail. Request a
return receipt. That's your
proof that the company re-
ceived your letter. Keep a
copy for your files.
If you can't get satisfac-
tion, consider contacting
the following organiza-
tions for further informa-
tion and help:
•State and local con-
sumer protection offices.
•Your state or local
Builders Association
and/or Remodelors Coun-
cil.
•Your local Better Busi-
ness Bureau.
•Action line and con-
sumer reporters. Check
with your local newspaper,
TV, and radio stations for
contacts.
•Local dispute resolu-
tion programs.
For more info
•Federal Trade Commis-
sion: www.ftc. gov
The FTC works for the
consumer to prevent fraud-
ulent, deceptive and unfair
business practices in the
marketplace and to provide
information to help con-
sumers spot, stop and
avoid them. To file a com-
plaint, or to get free infor-
mation on any of 150
consumer topics, call toll-
free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-
877-382-4357), or use the
complaint form at
www.ftc.gov. The FTC en-
ters Internet, telemarket-
ing, identity theft and other
fraud-related complaints
into Consumer Sentinel, a
secure, online database
available to hundreds of
civil and criminal law en-
forcement agencies in the
U.S. and abroad.
Source: “Home Sweet
Home Improvement,”
Federal Trade Commis-
sion
Things to consider
before adding on a deck
W
hen it
comes
to im-
proving
outdoor
living spaces, decks are a
popular choice. If you’re
thinking about adding a
new deck, or even replac-
ing or resurfacing an old
deck, there are a lot of
things to consider before
you get started. These tips
will help you design the
right deck for your needs.
Determine deck use
Think through all the
ways you’ll be using your
deck.
• Will you entertain fre-
quently? If so, how many
people will you need
space for?
• What kind of seating
will you need – patio fur-
niture or built-in
benches?
• Will you need light-
ing to entertain at night?
Choose location
For most people, the size
and orientation of your
house and property limit
possible deck locations to
one or two areas. Within
those areas, think about
things like:
•Climate – If your area
gets hot, humid summers,
putting a deck in a south-
ern or western location
might make it a hot spot
you’ll end up avoiding. Is
it windy where you live?
Then think about putting
the deck where it will get
some protection from the
house or a screen of trees.
•Privacy – Careful
placement of your deck
can eliminate unwanted
views, minimize traffic
noise and give you addi-
tional privacy.
Select materials
Here are some ques-
tions to consider when
choosing deck materials:
•What’s your budget?
When calculating costs,
decide the amenities and
features you want such as
an arbor, fire pit, multiple
deck levels, and type of
railing.
•How much mainte-
nance are you willing to
do? Treated lumber is a
common choice for
decks. While wood has its
advantages, maintenance
can become a chore that
adds up in terms of time
and money. Composite
decking is a lower main-
tenance option that more
and more homeowners
are choosing.
A can increase outdoor
living space and value to
your home. Just ask the
right questions before
you start.
Source: Family Fea-
tures