Welcome to Green Tip Tuesday! Each Tuesday, we’ll give you one tip (big or small) to help you be a little greener in Cincinnati.  So, be sure to check back each week for new ideas. To get us started, we called Duke Energy to find out about their free energy assessment.  Duke Energy’s Home Energy House Call Program helps qualified customers learn how to increase their energy efficiency and reduce their energy bill.  Once you’ve qualified and the appointment is set up, Duke Energy will send an energy specialist to your house to analyze your total home energy usage, check... [more...]

Itching to get out in your garden and make it fresh for summer? It’s that time of year to get outdoors and freshen up your outdoor space. It’s great to have a plan before you go to the garden center. Calculate how much mulch you’ll need, whether you need plants that grow in sun or shade, or if you want annuals or perennials. If you’re hoping to incorporate large changes into your landscaping, do lots of research first. You’ll want to know how much your plan will cost and how long it will take. Consider calling a landscaper for big projects. Here’s a taste of... [more...]

No matter how big or small, all homes have one thing in common: wall space. But many homeowners get stumped by what to do with it. Walls are a blank canvas for creating an inviting space and showing off personality, and although homeowners’ tastes vary widely, there are a few general ideas and guidelines to consider when deciding how to make the best use of your walls. Sconces are a great way to add light and style to a room. They should be placed about six feet above the floor, and if there are two or more, be sure to place them evenly to provide balanced sources of lighting. If the sconce is... [more...]

Time to Fall Back also means time to change the batteries in your smoke detector. Have you done it? It’s recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke detector twice a year to ensure your safety. While you’re at it, check to make sure you have an accessible fire extinguisher (especially near the stove) and that it’s not expired. If you don’t own a carbon monoxide detector yet, now is a good time to pick one up. They are inexpensive and can plug right into an out-of-the-way outlet in your home. It’s always a good idea to have one when you start to use your... [more...]

Even as homebuyers look to downsize their homes, kitchens are taking up a larger percentage of the overall floor plan. Once- popular home theaters and dining rooms are making way for larger kitchens, according to design experts with General Electric. “The kitchen has become the new living space, and it’s expanding in both size and comfort to accommodate everyday life and entertaining,” says Marc Hottenroth, manager of GE Appliance’s Industrial Design Organization. “The attention to detail that once went into the selection of the leather sofa, plasma TV and Oriental rug in the family room... [more...]

Have smelly or slow-draining sinks in your house? There are a few simple things you can do to clear out your drains, and you might not even have to resort to nasty chemicals. Try to run hot water through drains frequently to kill nasty odors and keep it clear. If you get the start of a clog, treat it quickly with one of these methods before it gets out of hand. For kitchen drains, pouring a strong brine (salt water) solution down the drain every so often will help kill odors and keep it free of grease. Naturally clear sinks by pouring baking soda down the drain, followed by a quarter cup of vinegar... [more...]

How did Americans fare at becoming greener last year? Here’s some stats. Percentage of Americans who: Installed more energy-efficient light bulbs: 63 percent Purchased energy-efficient appliances: 36 percent Started paying bills online: 46 percent Switched to paperless financial statements: 40 percent Donated an electronic device for recycling: 41 percent Switched from bottle to tap water: 29 percent Installed a low-flow showerhead: 17 percent Installed a low-flow toilet: 16 percent Made home improvements (e.g., windows, solar panels or insulation) that provided government tax credits: 14... [more...]

Home remodeling is still worth the investment, according to the 2009-2010 Cost vs. Value Report. According to the data in the report, various types of siding and window replacements and expansions of living spaces round out the list of the top ten ways to get the greatest return on investment for a remodel. And many of the projects that are receiving top returns are mid range and modest cost projects. So don’t let a slow economy prevent you from making an upgrade to your home. Keep it mid-range to see the best return. The best thing to do? Do the upgrades as you can and as you want to. It’s... [more...]

So, you’ve made your home purchase — now what? In talking with my CPA Mark Conrad, I asked about how exactly first-time buyers file for their 8,000 tax credit. He explained it in very simple detail: “Federal Form #5405 is the only form that needs to be filed with the tax return. It is a half page long. It is very simple to fill out. The information needed to fill out form is as follows: 1) Address of home 2) Date Acquired 3) Purchase price of home 4) What your adjusted gross income is (on the 2008 return it was line 38 on form 1040)” After calculating the credit –... [more...]

What gives me the most bang for my buck? An update to our information about the Energy Tax Credit and how you can put it to work for you. I asked my CPA, Mark Conrad of Knoll and Associates what you need to file the Energy Tax Credit. He shared this list of tips: There is a credit available of 30% of the cost of qualified purchases up to $1,500 for the years 2009 and 2010. $1,500 is the maximum amount that can be claimed for all products place in service in 2009 and 2010. To claim the credit, FORM 5695 is filed with your tax return. The manufacturer supplies the purchaser with a SIGNED CERTIFICATION... [more...]

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