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 With the thick of winter here, you may be experiencing leaking or drafty windows. Maybe it"s time to replace those old single-pane windows. Or maybe the winter blahs have taken hold and you"re ready for a new look. Replacing your windows can help you save on your energy bill, provide a stylish new look to your home, and can be a strong lure when it comes time to sell. Remodeler Magazine says that changes in technology, including alterations designed to increase energy efficiency and convenience features such as tilt-out hardware, can make recently installed windows a prime selling point for prospective buyers.
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 As you trim your tree, hang the lights, and wrap your gifts, you"ll want to take extra care to make sure your home and belongings are secure this holiday season. Aside from the summer months of July and August when families are far from home on vacation, the holiday season is the most common time of the year for home burglaries. Burglars are enticed when they see trees lit up from the street and the thought of all the goodies that lie wrapped beneath. And they know we tend to be away from home more, socializing and taking care of the seasonal demands. A burglar breaks into a house, apartment, or condominium every 11 seconds - that"s about 2.3 million burglaries a year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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 Solar powered and earth-bermed homes had all the trappings of the future when I was a kid. Forty-plus years ago, there was talk, studies, journals all extolling the 21st Century as a time of alternative energy sources that were plentiful, clean and cheap. Funny how we were supposed to have lots of cool stuff happen in the 21st Century. So far, the coolest thing that’s really affected my life differently over the last 41 years, has been the PC and the microwave. Other than those two inventions (not including Velcro) my life hasn’t changed that much.
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 You spend money and time on taking care of your home, so it"s important to protect your investment by preventing minor moisture problems like odors from a damp or wet basement from growing into major problems that can cause structural and integral damage to your home. Basement moisture problems are found in three out of four homes in the United States, according to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors. Is yours one of them? Here"s what the NAWSRC says to look for: Damp spots on the walls. When wet or damp, block or concrete walls will turn a dark gray color. Mold or mildew. These fungi usually grow in dark, damp areas of the basement and will cause discoloration on most surfaces.
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