Get to know your water heater

(NC)—They sit in basements and corners across Canada, silently churning out hot water for our daily needs. The only time many of us think about our water heater is when the taps suddenly run cold. Below are a few tips from Direct Energy on energy efficiency, lifespan and maintenance for your water heater.

Energy Efficiency. Homeowners can take the following measure to add to the efficiency of their hot water tank. Wrap the water pipes leading away from the tank; do not wrap the tank itself if it is gas-powered; turn down the temperature when on vacation or away for extended periods of time; keep temperature at manufacturer suggested level and keep the area around the tank clutter-free for optimum air flow.

Maintenance. Beyond ensuring you have the right tank for your consumption needs and water quality, water heaters don't typically require regular maintenance routines like a furnace or air conditioner unit would. Direct Energy suggests homeowners keep the area around the water heater free of clutter, and easily accessible, should it ever require a service visit.

Lifespan. The average lifespan of a hot water heater is sixteen years. Although the lifespan of a water heater depends on a number of factors including, how it is used (i.e. residential, commercial), water temperature, and water quality (i.e. water hardness) on the premises, the efficiency of the unit will remain fairly consistent for many years.

More information on water heaters is available online at www.directenergy.com/waterheater or toll-free at 1-888-334-8221.

Source: www.newscanada.com

New high-quality exterior paint creates the wow factor

(NC)—When beautifying their homes most homeowners will concentrate their efforts on the interior before touching the outside, often neglecting that the exterior of a property – its curb appeal – is the first thing people notice. With Canada's harsh winters taking a toll on homes across the country, the first impression home exteriors are leaving these days is tough to bear.

“First impressions have a lasting effect, so the quality and colour of paint used on a home's exterior make a major difference – they're what give a home 'wow' attraction and make it inviting,” explained Stéphanie Pelland, marketing communication manager for the Sico retail brand and member of the Color Marketing Group, who has recently launched a high-quality, top-performing exterior paint designed to beautify the outside of the home and protect it from the elements.

Developed using a state-of-the-art multi-sphere advanced technology, the 100 per-cent acrylic latex exterior paint provides exceptional adherence and durability in both a flat or semi-gloss finish. Its high viscosity forms a protective coating that prevents water infiltration, resists mildew and UV rays, and fills in small surface defects so they virtually disappear.

“Offered in all of Sico's 1,696 colours, our new exceptionally-performing exterior paint maximizes the curb appeal of a home and, through our glamorous colour combinations, gives it enhanced charm and personality,” Pelland explained.

For example, Sico's suggested exterior paint colour choices from its new colour brochure include eye-catching, trendy combinations such as:

• Grey tones mixed with brown and almost-black, like Cotton Flower (6186-31) grey-beige as the main colour, accented with Maple Extract (6119-83) reddish-brown and Black Ice (6207-83) industrial grey.

• A fusion of warm khakis and dark grey, such as Designer Grey (6198-63) khaki as the main hue, with Neutral Grey (6198-42) green-grey and Indian Ink (6206-83) charcoal as accents.

• Sandy tones combined with light neutrals and teal blue or red, like Oyster Mushroom (6185-52) sand on the main surface, accented with Dried Mushrooms (6185-21) grey-beige and Montmartre (6155-83) teal or Candy Apple (6051-75) red.

• Pale yellow merged with winter white and slate grey, such as Almond Biscotti (6115-42) creamy yellow as the main colour, with White Beluga Whale (6209-11) blue-white and Kennetcook Slate (6157-63) grey-blue as accents.

Using a mix of different paint sheens also boosts the beauty and uniqueness of a property. For best results, Pelland suggests using a flat finish for vinyl or aluminum siding, concrete and stucco, and a semi-gloss finish for window frames, shutters and trim. “No matter what the style of a home, from country to contemporary, even minor enhancements to the exterior can make a major difference in upgrading both the look and perceived value of a property.” More information on exterior paint choices is available at www.sico.ca.

Source: www.newscanada.com