Livingston Reporting - page 363

Saniglow’s Thermal Energy Analysis Services

Anybody who lives in Michigan can attest to the fact that Michigan winters are cold. While some winters are colder than others, every year, at some point, you are almost guaranteed weeks of sub-zero temperatures and nasty windchill temperatures to boot. It doesn’t really matter how you heat your home — a log-burning wood stove, natural gas, or electricity — when it’s cold outside, especially if you have a larger home, you have to use more resources to keep your home warm. This is where a thermal energy analysis can help you to save some money this year on your home heating bills.

Also known as infrared thermography, or thermal imaging, thermal energy analysis allows you to view unseen parts of your home — in terms of energy savings, this type of analysis allows you to see cold and hot air ‘leaks’ coming into, and leaving, your house. So, if you can see where your heated air is escaping your home, or where cold air drafts are coming in heavily, you can fix those problem spots, keep your home warmer in the winter while spending less money on heating your home.

Saniglow of Brighton, Michigan offers home thermal imaging services that can help you to pinpoint hot and cold air leaks in your home. Alongside showing you home energy leaks, however, Saniglow’s thermography services:

  • Can pinpoint electrical ‘hotspots’ that may post a fire hazard
  • Identify moisture buildup that can cause dangerous mold inside your home
  • Highlight areas of low or missing insulation within your home’s walls

If you own a home and you live in Brighton, Howell, South Lyon, or anywhere in Livingston County, Saniglow’s thermography services are a must for homeowners who want to not only protect their investment, but to keep their home heating costs low, especially during Michigan’s harsh winters.

Visit the Saniglow cleaning services website for more information on their cleaning, flood repair, and thermography services.

Local Flood Clean Up Services

Emergency Flood Cleanup in Brighton, Howell, and all of Livingston County During the spring and summer, Michigan homes and businesses are prone to flooding. With melting snow, flash floods, and sometimes a torrential downpour while the winter snow is melting, rivers run over, water builds up in our yards and on our streets, and that can lead to some serious flooding, and potentially damage, to our homes and businesses. When the floods come, and they inevitably will, you need a way to minimize the damage, and quickly. Fortunately, there are service providers available in the Livingston County area that can help to remove the water from your home, and minimize the damages caused by sudden flooding.

Saniglow, a Brighton-based residential and commercial cleaning company, has a proven track record of water extraction and flood repair services to the Livingston County area. They not only help you remove the standing water, but they use a rapid drying system (controlled heat plus airflow) to remove the water from your floors, walls, and carpeting, they dehumidify your home, treat mildew, and disinfect and deodorize the area. Saniglow is a full-service Livingston County flood clean up service provider who will do what it takes to minimize the damages caused by flooding.

Michigan is prone to flooding; there isn’t much you can do about that. However, if you are in a low-lying area that has a history of flooding, and especially if the flooding affects a finished or furnished area of your home, you should be prepared. Head over to Saniglow’s website, check out their water extraction services, and keep their number handy. Floods oftentimes happen unexpectedly, but when they do happen — expediency of action is of the utmost importance. While floods can and will cause damage to your home or business, with the right water extraction and flood cleanup team helping you out, you are doing your part to ensure that those damages are kept to a minimum.

How to lower your home heating bills in Livingston County

Michigan is notorious for its cold winters. In fact, we’ve recently moved into autumn and we’re holding steady at about 45 degrees daily, and creeping toward freezing temperatures on a nightly basis. Needless to say, most Michigan residents have their heat on at night, and many of us are keeping it on all day long — even now. And, it’s only going to get colder as Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year. What many homeowners do not know, however, is that there is a way for them to save money on their home’s heating costs, starting right now.

Saniglow cleaning services of Brighton offers a service called thermography, or home thermal imaging, which allows you to see your home in a new light, quite literally. Using specialized cameras, Saniglow can show you where heat is leaking from your home and where cold air is coming in, which, using this information you can put a stop to cold air leaks and heat loss, which in turn will help you to heat your home more efficiently and ultimately can save you money on your home heating costs.

Saniglow’s infrared thermal imaging service is non-intrusive; the images are taken from outside your home, and the practice is safe — it will not harm or otherwise affect any person, animal, or object within your home. If you live anywhere in Livingston County or the surrounding areas — Brighton, Howell, Fowlerville, Hamburg, or Pinckney, look over their thermal imaging services, and contact them to receive a hassle-free quote for your home. While Michigan’s cold winters guarantee that you’ll have to heat your home, if you can stop or minimize hot air leaks, and keep the cold air from coming into your home, you’ll know how to minimize heat loss and cold air intrusion so that you can save some money on your home heating costs.

Visit Saniglow’s thermography services page.

Professional Carpet Cleaning – Why you Need It

Carpeting can be problematic, especially in Michigan where the weather can change like the minute hand on an analog wall clock. It doesn’t matter if you’re a business owner or a home owner — keeping your carpets clean can be a real challenge. While vacuuming may help aesthetically, unless you have a professional-grade, or high-dollar, vacuum cleaner, your vacuuming probably does little more to actually clean your carpets than sweeping it with a broom would do. Visual cleanliness aside, however, carpeting is no more “clean” because it looks good than a wiped-off plate that held raw chicken is “clean” because you don’t see any residue from the bacteria-ridden juice. So, maintaining a clean carpet is about more than just how it looks, and that’s why you really do need professional carpet cleaning services.

Unless you’re super-strict about who walks on your floors and how they do it — sans shoes with clean socks only — for instance, your carpeting will attract a whole host of elements that range from unappealing to outright infectious. However, vacuuming with a conventional vacuum, even if it’s backed up with the occasional steam cleaning or carpet shampoo, simply will not help you to clean your carpets sufficiently. Regardless of how you feel about door-to-door vacuum salespeople or the wares that they push, their demonstrations showcase a valid problem with department-store vacuum cleaners — they push more surface dirt around than they actually pick up, and they certainly do not remove the deeply-embedded elements.

Professional carpet cleaners, on the other hand, have the tools necessary to help you remove the dirt, grit, and allergens from your carpeting. While you can shampoo your carpeting, or steam clean it with a grocery-store steamer rental, if you aren’t cleaning your carpets completely to begin with, all you’re doing is adding water to the dirt, grit, and allergens that reside in your mat or at the bottom of your carpet where conventional vacuums simply cannot reach. As if creating ‘mud’ in your carpeting isn’t bad enough, the grit that stays in your carpeting can shorten the life of your carpeting substantially, especially in high-traffic areas.

While you may not need professional carpet cleaning services every week, it’s not a bad idea to bring some professional cleaners into your home or office every few months to clean your carpeting thoroughly. Not only will a good carpet cleaning extend the life of your carpeting, it will make it cleaner, and thus safer, for you and those who frequent your carpeted floors.

Saniglow is a Brighton, Michigan residential and commercial carpet cleaning company.

How important is virus protection?

The New York Times issued readers of its website on 9/14/2009 to beware of a virus pretending to be an advertisement.  If the New Your Times website isn’t safe, are any?  I doubt it.  Today with viruses being designed to take over your computer without you even knowing; it is imperative to keep up to date on virus protection.  One of our favorites is www.avira.com.  It is a low cost solution that protects everything you need.  Take a minute right now to make sure EVERY computer in your office has anti-virus on it, and is up to date.

CPS is a Livingston based company focusing on website design and computer consulting.

What does a website cost anyway?

Website design work requires a complete team of people to assemble.  From graphic design to general layout to text that is ready for Google and Yahoo to managing SEO effort, social networking, press releases and more.  It is important to find a reputable web design firm, and then find out what it should cost.  Most websites that do not offer ecommerce should run between $1500 and $4000.  Ecommerce sites (depending on web design and layout) should only add another $1500-$3000.  SEO marketing for most small businesses should be under $600 to get started and then progress as your budget does.

I’ve seen too many people pay $15,000 for a site that should have cost $2000. There are a ton of cons out there, so it is very important to do your homework.  Ask for references, web site design samples, and make sure you have a good vibe with the owner.  Any honest business person should be able to tell you what realm your project should cost, what you can expect realistically from search rankings, the benefits of search placement, and EXACTLY how they plan on designing your website.

Be wary of anyone promising you anything on search engines.  Many firms will guarantee 1st page rankings, ask them what their guarantee is.  Will they refund you all of the money for the project? How about some of the money? If not is it really a guarantee or just some hype work they are throwing around.

CPS is a Livingston based company focusing on website design and computer consulting.

Heatkeeper Windows Introduces Premium Vinyl Windows and Doors with Built-In Blinds

Taylor, Michigan – September 2, 2009 – Heatkeeper Windows, a Taylor, Michigan replacement window manufacturer, located online at www.heatkeeper.com, now offers premium replacement windows and sliding doors with blinds between the glass. Heatkeeper’s windows and doors are available to US residents nationwide through their website.

These days, when consumers are concerned with everything from their pocketbooks to the environment, Heatkeeper’s windows and doors appear address some of those concerns for homeowners looking perform related home improvement tasks. According to David Orr, owner of Heatkeeper Windows, “[Up] until recently if you wanted a quality window with blinds between the glass, they were only available in a Pella® wood window at the higher end of the of the price point.” Orr continues, “Now, through recent advances in technology, we are producing premium vinyl windows and sliding doors with blinds between the glass that not only tilt, but go up and down with the touch of a finger.”

Alongside the purported ease-of-use for Heatkeeper’s windows with blinds, the company exclusively utilizes Super Spacer® technology. Which, according to the Heatkeeper.com website, Super Spacer warm edge spacer products offer a higher R-Value, or resistance value, than traditional metal spacers do, which in turn provides better protection from heat transference through insulated windows. When combined with the low-e glass available through Heatkeeper Windows, consumers have a viable option for ‘going green’ through energy conservation, the ability to lower their heating bills through lower heat transfer, and potentially even qualify for a tax credit to further save them money.

On this point Orr adds, “This [Heatkeeper Windows’ website] allows you to order custom sizes, custom colors and all of the high tech window treatments needed to qualify for the current stimulus tax credit. All at a fraction of the cost of the comparable Pella windows.”

About Heatkeeper Windows

Heatkeeper Windows is a Taylor, Michigan replacement window manufacturer specializing in vinyl windows and doorwalls with blinds between the glass. Their blinds and sliding doors come with a choice of 33 colors to match exterior siding and interior trim. For more information on Heatkeeper’s products, visit http://www.heatkeeper.com

Maintain a Cleaner, Safer Home with Doorwalls with Blinds

As a home owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your home safe, and clean, for yourself, your family, and your loved ones. While doorwalls can add a significant amount of value to your home, both real and perceived, traditional, single-pane door walls, if you use traditional blinds with them, present two specific areas of concern: cleanliness and safety for kids and small pets. Here’s how you can maintain a safer, and cleaner, home by choosing doorwalls with blinds over single-pane door walls.

Cleanliness and Combating Allergies

Traditional blinds are dust and dirt magnets. It’s not the dirt from tiny little fingers and paws that cause issue; it’s the dust and all of the particles that collect on the blinds that can really wreak havoc on allergies and sensitivities within the home. While dusting your blinds is recommended if you want to keep your home clean; you are, time and time again, stirring up the particles and dust every time you clean your blinds.

By opting for door walls with blinds instead of traditional doorwalls, you can avoid this problem as the blinds are contained within the glass, not on the outside of the glass.

Safety Concerns of Doorwalls with Traditional Blinds

The biggest safety concerns about blinds, whether they are for replacement windows or doorwalls, is the choking and tripping hazards that the cords present. And, because doorwalls extend from the ceiling to the floor, the blind cords for door walls are longer than for windows, which just makes the case for safety even more important.

Kids, whether they are your own, your friends’ kids, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or kids of the four-legged variety, can easily hurt themselves on the cords for blinds. Additionally, long cords that are not kept up can be a hazard for you, too — getting your foot tangled up in a cord, especially at the wrong moment, can be exceedingly dangerous.

Because door walls with internal blinds do not require the use of cords, you alleviate the risks associated with using traditional blinds, and the costs associated with making your blinds kid-and-pet proof.

There are real benefits to choosing doorwalls with built-in blinds over single-pane doorwalls. They’re cleaner, they’re safer, and they are actually quite attractive.

When you’re looking to add on to your home, or replace your current doorwall, check out what HeatKeeper Windows has to offer. With 33 color choices, energy-efficient glass, better safety, and an overall great look for your home, it’s worth the look to see how HeatKeeper.com can help you with your home improvement needs.

Benefits of Windows with Blinds Inside

If you are shopping for replacement windows, consider designer Pella replacement windows with blinds in between them. There are many benefits of having windows with blinds built in them. If you have children, you probably know that their little hands can grab and bend things faster than you can be on top of it. Conventional mini blinds are ruined too easily. Once they are bent, they don’t sit right anymore, and that can be quite an eyesore. If your children don’t ruin your blinds, there is a pretty good chance that your pet might.

Another benefit of having windows with blinds between the glass is that you will have one less thing to dust in your home. Dust, pet dander, and dirt cannot penetrate between the glass of these designer replacement windows. You can have peace of mind that they will always look fresh, clean, and new as the day they were first put in.

You can be happy to know that there are no cords. These replacement windows with blinds are completely safe because they have nothing out in the open hanging from them that could hurt a small child or pet, unlike conventional mini blinds that have dangerous and unsightly cords that hang from them. These blinds between the windows are slim and never bulky. They can come in a hard plastic, wood, or cloth material. You can decide which material works for your personal design style and needs.

By having windows that contain blinds between them, it will create a more insulated type of window. That will lead to energy savings throughout your home. Heating and cooling costs will come down dramatically. Anyone that is eco-friendly can appreciate the energy savings that will result from changing out their regular windows and replacing them with these types of replacement windows in their homes.

If anyone in your home has allergies or health problems, having these replacement windows with blinds between the glass will help cut down on the total percentage of allergens in the environment of your home. There won’t be anything soft hanging from your windows that can attract dust, dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. This is very beneficial for those who suffer from severe allergies, have compromised immune systems, or asthma.

An obvious reason for getting replacement windows with blinds is the stylish factor. They look great in any setting. Different vendors provide different features, but many of these windows with internal blinds allow you to color match your home, inside and out, perfectly. By purchasing designer replacement windows, you no longer have to pay high-end prices to get a high-class look in your home. These specialized windows create a unique and modern look for your home, which is sure to be the talk of the town, or at least your circle of friends or family.

So, if you’re looking into purchasing new windows for your home, check out the options for replacement windows with internal blinds. Over the last couple of years, due to the number of Pella replacements available, blinds between the glass windows have become a luxury item that just about any homeowner can afford.

If you are in the market for replacement windows, check out Heatkeeper.com’s windows and doorwalls with blinds. You can choose from 33 colors, and their high-quality windows are manufactured in the USA. Visit www.heatkeeper.com for more information.

Insulated Windows and Home Energy Savings

As winter approaches, many people are looking for ways to save a little money on energy costs. The cost of gasoline might go down, but in cold climates a lot of those savings are spent on keeping the house warm enough to be livable. There are always the simple ways to keep costs down, such as dressing in warmer clothing or staying physically active, but the advantages of superior technology are allowing customers a greater number of options, many of which can be built right into the structure of their homes. Homeowners are replacing old seals around doorways, purchasing thicker and more insulated carpets, and installing more energy efficient heating units.

One increasingly popular trend in home energy savings is the use of energy efficient insulated windows. There is a significant advantage with this type of energy savings — it offers a passive, or ongoing, savings rather than saving money simply one time. Instead of having to check the thermostat and debate whether to turn it off for a few hours to save some money, homeowners can simply install these insulated windows and enjoy the benefits for no additional effort. Additionally, these windows aren’t a compromise in savings over appearance; most providers have a variety of styles available to choose from. There are even options for those who prefer windows with blinds, as many new models of insulated window include internal blinds for the homeowner to adjust.

Some of the best savings come from a combination of technologies. For example, Low-E windows serve to retain the heat in a house both by reflecting it inward instead of allowing it to escape outside, and by collecting passive heat from sunlight. However, even Low-E windows will not retain all of this heat if installed with, say, a plain metal spacing unit. Metals are generally conductors, and they will allow heat to seep out around the window, reducing the potential savings. The key is to combine the insulated window with a nonmetal spacer that doesn’t allow for such seepage, such as Super Spacer units.

With these combined technologies, heat is retained in multiple ways, maximizing the effect of both technologies, and returning the initial investment faster than either technology would alone. Additionally, the energy efficiency will not stop with the cold weather. Proper home insulation is as beneficial to home cooling as it is to home heating, which will provide energy insulation savings year round, year after year.

HeatKeeper.com offers affordable Pella replacement windows that feature windows with blinds and Low-E technology to help save energy costs. For more information, visit www.heatkeeper.com.