Money| Dimmers turn up resale value: According to Lutron Electronics, a leading lighting-control producer, quick lighting fixes such as an inexpensive dimmer can significantly affect a home’s resale value. Priced from around $10, dimmers have the power to change the look and feel of a room, add ambiance and create a completely new mood. Visit lutron.com for more information and lighting ideas.
Time| Let Consumer Reports do the homework on “outdoor kitchens” for you: Skip another weekend spent walking the stores in an effort to decipher just what’s needed for a fully functional “outdoor room.” Consumer Reports has done the work for you. Consumerreports.org has compiled the following tips for designing the perfect outdoor kitchen. They include:
Location, location, location! The grill is always the center of attention, so it’s best to position it downwind from the nearest door to keep smoke away from the house and guests.
Grills might be built to withstand weather but not everything in your outdoor kitchen will be. Use only appliances and electrical fixtures built for outdoor use.
Determine how often you plan on having gatherings to decide how much to spend on your outdoor kitchen. Quality gas grills can go for less than $500.
In addition to lighting your outdoor cooking space, brighten up the yard, as well.
All outdoor outlets must be of the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) type. And make sure easy plumbing access and gas line shut-offs are nearby.
Energy| Boulder store is positively green
Boulder’s Positive Energy Conservation Products is a 20-year-old company that specializes in helping businesses and individuals find new ways to protect natural resources. It’s also one place that sells the Spin-X Spin Dryer, a $460 product that uses centrifugal force to dry clothes in two minutes instead of the usual half-hour. Visit positive-energy.com or call 303-444-4340 for more information.
