Contrary to popular belief, there aren't any health benefits to cleaning air ducts, but having a pro remove gunk can boost the efficiency of your HVAC. Five to seven times a day, the air in your home circulates through the air ducts of your HVAC heating and cooling system, carrying with it the dust and debris of everyday living. Your furnace filter catches much of the stuff, but neglect, remodeling projects, or shoddy duct installation can lead to a buildup of gunk inside your ductwork that threatens the efficiency of your system. Are Dirty Ducts Hazardous to Your Health? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts no studies have proven that duct cleaning prevents health problems. Also, there isn’t proof that dirty ductwork increases dust levels inside homes. But some people are more sensitive to airborne dust and pet dander than others. If your nose is getting itchy just thinking about what might lurk in your ducts, the $300 to $600 it costs to clean a 2,000-square-foot home is a worthwhile investment. But before you reach for the phone, take a good look to see if your ducts are dirty. Get the Picture Wouldn’t it be handy if you could take an incredible journey through your ductwork to see if cleaning is needed? Using a pocket digital camera equipped with a flash, you can come close. Simply remove a floor register, reach as far as you can into the duct (don’t drop your camera!), and take a couple of shots. If there’s gunk within a few feet of the register, take heart. It’s easy to snake a vacuum cleaner hose into the duct and remove the stuff. However, if you see a long trail of junk and a thick coat of dust beyond what your vacuum can reach, your house may be a candidate for professional cleaning. Look for These Symptoms
- Clogs of dust, cobwebs, and debris, or noticeable particles blowing out of supply registers
- Visible mold on the inside surfaces of ducts
- Rodent droppings and dead insects inside ducts
In addition, recent construction inevitably creates dust you don’t want in circulation. “We recommend cleaning after a big remodel job,” says Scott Milas of Mendel Heating and Plumbing, St. Charles, Ill. Milas adds that a new home purchase is also a good occasion — after all, who wants to breathe someone else’s pet dander? “People get it done after they buy a house,” he says. “It’s like getting the carpets cleaned.” Good Reasons for Duct Cleaning
- Cleaning removes accumulated dust so it won’t shed into the household.
- Removing debris and cobwebs eases airflow and increases the efficiency of the system, in extreme cases as much as 40%.
- If you have fiberglass ducting, fiberglass gathers more dust than sheet metal.
Reasons to Skip Duct Cleaning
- Cost.
- Health benefits are not proven.
- Dust and debris caught on the interior of ducts isn’t circulating and therefore may not be a problem.
- Changing furnace filters regularly often does the job, especially when combined with annual furnace cleaning.
By David Toht Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprented from Houselogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Here are some tips to help you buy that get-away you’ve always dreamed about!
- Research the area to see how it matches your wish list. Make a scouting trip first before even going out to look at properties.
- Hire a local agent who is familiar with and has worked in the area for a number of years.
- Buy something convenient to your primary home. You will end up using it more often.
- Consider a location offering both summer and winter recreation, even if you only plan on using it for one of the seasons. This helps maintain the value and provides a greater range of buyers if you need to sell at some point.
- Pencil out your finances before making the offer. Factor in all the costs of ownership including plowing, insurance, dues, maintenance, utility bills, etc.
- Know how you will pay for the home. If you need a loan, working with a local lender will make the sale go more smoothly.
If you are looking for a REALTOR® with 20 years experience in the vacation home market and who has tons of practical advice, please contact me. 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com
Donna Forest, Broker Associate, ABR
This home has all you would expect and more! It is meticulous and in move-in condition with nice views of Little Lake Sunapee and mountain views. The spacious kitchen boasts granite, stainless steel appliances, and a heart-warming brick fireplace and faces directly into the sunroom/family room. This window wrapped room soaks up the light year-round and merges the indoor/outdoor areas in perfect harmony. It's the perfect place to watch the colors of the seasons change. Features a wish list of amenities including a first floor master, wood floors, fireplaced living room, a lower level game room and family room, a park-like setting with gardens and beautiful birches on 2 lots of record, and a great location providing easy access to I-89 and only 3 miles to New London shopping. A must see inside and out! For more photos and details, visit www.NHViewHome.com.
Donna Forest, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to own at Lyon Brook in New London, NH. Sunny, first floor 2 bedroom condominium with southern exposure has been recently carpeted and painted. Enjoy sitting on the patio breathing in the fresh air. Close to community dining and all activities. Monthly association fee includes heat, cable, hot water, plowing, sewer, landscaping, trash removal, water and local transportation. Offered at $149,000. For more photos and details, visit http://tour.circlepix.com/home/8FZJVL Schedule your showing today!
Emily Campbell, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
Meticulously maintained, stately colonial with many period details, terrific curb appeal and wonderful, easy living. Recently renovated master bedroom suite that exudes comfort and relaxation, two additional bedrooms, inviting living room with fireplace and a large upholstered window seat facing rock walls and established gardens. Dining room with pellet stove inserted into fireplace, built-in china cabinet and access to a screened porch. Den, office and many delightful features make this a one of a kind offering. Sit on the screened porch and listen to the loons fly overhead from Otter Pond to Lake Sunapee. Relax, you're home! Offered at $585,000. For more photos and details, visit www.NHEasyCountryLiving.com.
Emily Campbell, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
You’ll be moving in the right direction with Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
There are common mistakes that many sellers make when they go to sell their house. As a professional with over 20 years of selling experience, here are my top 5 picks to avoid.
- Overpricing. It’s the kiss of death in a buyers’ market. Be realistic in your pricing and listen to the advice of your Realtor.
- Not getting the house ready to sell. Don’t expect to sell if you have done nothing to prepare it for the market. De-clutter, update, paint, repair, landscaping; the list goes on. Ask your Realtor what you need to do before putting it on the market.
- Being emotionally attached. Yes, your house is your home – except for when it goes on the market. Time to switch gears and understand that it has become a commodity that is competing with other properties for a buyer.
- Not Trusting Your Realtor. Unless you have a good reason to believe otherwise, you should listen to and solicit whatever advice your agent can give you. They are the ones who do this for a living day in and day out – take advantage of their knowledge.
- Ignoring Lowball Offers. Don’t be insulated if you get a low offer. Set emotions aside and view this as a starting point to getting your house sold.
Visit my website for other useful tips at www.DonnaForest.com. 603-526-4116
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
Get your friends and family and meet at the Town Green for the first annual Strawberry Festival, June 27 and 28. The Center for the Arts will also present the annual Arts on the Green on Saturday with fine art, music, vendors and activities for kids. Then Sunday the 28th, more fun can be had at the New London Historical Society, Little Sunapee Road where there will be crafts, games, alpaca visits and strawberry ice cream tasting! Ride a horse drawn buggy to Spring Ledge Farm and experience the past and present. There's lots to do in the Lake Sunapee Region of New Hampshire - click here for more area events!
Imagine the possibilities with this 9 bedroom Victorian home in a picturesque setting within walking distance to Sunapee Harbor! Restore this home back to a popular Bed & Breakfast and enjoy living in your attached two bedroom owner's quarters. Ideal for the large family or use as a vacation retreat. Town water and sewer, sprinkler system, oversized attached garage. There is even a hair salon (two rooms) between the garage and kitchen - many possibilities for this space. Come take a look! Offered at $465,000. For more information and photos, visit http://tour.circlepix.com/home/TZ3JWK
Anne Marie Appel, Listing Agent
Despite our tough winter, home sales are up 28% in the 10 local towns in the first 5 months as compared to the same time in 2014. The average days on market is 169 days and statewide, the median price is up 7% from last year. While our data shows a 5% increase, I believe some of that can be attributed to the higher number of lake sales with 2 sales at $2M+. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to finally see upward movement in our market. Newbury – 64 Currently for Sale 1/1 -6/1/14 6 Solds 140 Days on Market (DOM) 1/1-6/1/15 17 Solds 230 DOM New London – 81 Currently for Sale 1/1 -6/1/14 26 Solds 169 DOM 1/1-6/1/15 20 Solds 109 DOM Sunapee – 68 Currently for Sale 1/1 -6/1/14 13 Solds 182 DOM 1/1-6/1/15 13 Solds 88 DOM A recent Pulsenomics survey of housing experts predicts US home values to level off in the next few years with a 4.3% rise in 2015 and an average annual growth rate through 2019 of 3.6%. In other words, buyers, it’s time to get off the fence if you are thinking about buying as home prices and interest rates are predicted to only go up. If you are looking to buy or sell, contact me to work with a local expert! 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.comFigures are based on information from the Northern New England Real Estate Network, Inc. for the period 1/1/14 thru 6/1/14 and 1/1/15 thru 6/1/15.
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
This meticulous 3 bedroom, 3 bath home fits the bill! It boasts gleaming wood floors, warm colors, a traditional floor plan, and a 2 car attached garage. The expansive kitchen is truly the heart of this home with stainless steel appliances and plenty of space to enjoy the simple joys of good food with good friends. Spend summer evenings relaxing on the back deck - a perfect spot for grilling and outdoor entertaining. You'll wake up smiling every morning in this peaceful country setting and tucked back from the road far enough to be private. Yet it is an easy commute to the Upper Valley. If you are looking for a comfortable and uncomplicated lifestyle, give this home a look! Offered at $257,500. For more information and photos, visit www.NHEasyLiving.com
Donna Forest, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.