When you’re looking to install home window tint, it can be hard to know where to go. Is this a job for window contractors? Should you stop by a warehouse home improvement store for supplies and then tackle the project yourself? Actually, help for residential window tint can be found in the most unusual place: at a car audio shop! Many companies that provide automotive window tinting are also available to apply tint to building windows. If you want to upgrade to the benefits of tinted windows for your home, a mobile electronics pro is the best place to start.

The only real difference between home window tinting and car window tints is where they’re installed. The same skills are required to properly adhere the films without bubbles, creases, or tears, and the same knowledge is necessary to ensure the pieces are trimmed to fit the glass snugly, without gaps or visible seams. In fact, in many cases, the materials themselves are exactly the same. So when you really start thinking about it, it isn’t that far of a stretch to consider a car audio shop for home window tints.

Car window tint installers are used to working in tight spaces and frequently have to contend with irregular curves and shapes to get their films to exactly match the contours of a car or truck’s windows. In comparison to the challenges of auto window tint, installing home window films is a breeze! However, by working with a shop that has all the skills acquired over years of putting in automotive window tinting, you can rest assured that they’ll get your residential project done accurately and completely.

Most shops that offer home window tinting also offer services for commercial spaces as well. So if you’re a business owner looking to shade your retail store or an office manager needing to cut computer screen glare, these professionals offer great solutions for commercial window tinting, too.

No matter what your needs for window glass films, your local car audio video installers should be able to help. Whether you opt for a smoky gray or clear film, putting window tint in your home can help keep your house cooler, stop fading from ultraviolet rays, and provide myriad other advantages, so there’s no reason to delay. Call or stop by to see if your area mobile electronics specialist also offers window tint for homes and businesses and start reaping the benefits of tinted windows today!

Maria Allen is a car audio enthusiast and a home improvement specialist. He is also an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, offering affordable SEO for local companies.

Energy efficiency is a big buzzword when it comes to home improvement, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s pretty amazing how much energy–and money–you can save with simple projects like weather stripping your doors or installing additional insulation. With major upgrades like putting in energy-efficient replacement windows, you can actually save up to 30% off your heating and cooling bills. But when it comes to deciding on which windows to choose for your home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and confused. Sometimes it seems like window replacement has a language all its own; however, that jargon doesn’t have to get in the way of finding the perfect window for updating your home and downgrading your energy costs. Here we explain the most common features of energy-efficient home replacement windows so you can make an educated decision for your house and your bottom line.

U-factor: This is an overall measure of a window’s energy efficiency. U-factor measures a window’s resistance to thermal heat transfer, that is how much heat the glass will let in during the summer and how much heat the glass will let out in the winter. A variety of factors contribute to a replacement window‘s U-factor, but this number can be used as a handy reference for all-around efficiency when comparing several models. The LOWER the U-factor, the better the window is at resisting heat transfer and the more it will help you save. For example, a window with a U-factor of 0.30 has more insulating capability than one with a U-factor of 0.40. Especially if you live in New England, where your home is subjected to both cold and hot seasons, a low U-factor can be critical for your new windows’ performance.

Low-e glass: Low-e stands for low emissivity and essentially indicates how much heat a material will reflect. For windows, low-e typically references special coatings applied to the glass to improve the glass’s naturally high emissivity. In plain English, low-e treatments help windows reflect heat: This keeps the heat out in the summer and in the winter. The smaller the number, the more heat will be reflected.

Argon/Krypton filled: In double-paned windows, the space between the two layers of glass has traditionally been filled with air or, in some cases, nitrogen. However, recent technologies have illustrated that filling that area with a different gas can reduce conduction and increase energy efficiency. The two most commonly used options are argon and krypton. Argon is a lower cost gas than krypton, but krypton does offer improved performance, so you’ll need to compare cost versus benefit to decide which is right for you.

Now that the terminology of window replacement makes a little more sense, you’re armed with the information you need to determine which options are best for your home. Get on the road to a more energy-efficient property by getting started with your window contractor today!

Ensuring vitality for the structure of your home or business means being proactive about safety and health risks. It’s one thing to attempt to fix a problem that has already presented itself, but it’s another to take preventative action to avoid the issue altogether. When it comes to the growth of mold, especially black mold, it’s hugely important to take proactive measures in order to protect yourself and your fellow building occupants. Don’t wait for the symptoms of mold to affect your health and your building’s structural integrity–instead, eradicate it at the first sign of growth.

The only way to keep your residential or commercial property as safe as possible is to inspect for mold and perform thorough mold removal before any complications arise. The question is, how do you know if you need mold remediation in your home? While nothing beats a professional inspection from an expert mold removal company, there are certain telltale signs you can look for in your building. These signs include:

• Damp spots on floor or ceiling
• Puddles
• Continuous incoming water
• Musty smells
• Visible mold spots or mildew

If you detect any of the red flags listed above, it’s imperative that you take immediate action before conditions worsen or spread. Professional companies that specialize in mold remediation will be able to come directly to your location, inspect the alleged mold growth, and offer a sensible plan for removal.

While applying topical bleach to patches of mold yourself may temporarily kill the spores, it is in no way a long-lasting solution. If you want permanent mold removal, you need to hire a professional. It may cost you a little extra, but the results more than make up for it. The professional mold cleanup process looks something like this:

1. The affected area is sealed off to prevent the mold from spreading.
2. The mold is scraped away and the affected area is cleaned thoroughly.
3. The source of moisture will be pinpointed.
4. Basement waterproofing options will be discussed to eliminate the moisture that feeds mold growth.

Some mold companies even use eco-friendly cleaning products to ensure that your home or business is free from harmful chemicals and cleaning agents. If you suspect that your wet basement may be susceptible to the dangerous growth of mold, don’t waste any time in implementing the proper course of action. The longer you wait, the more difficult the entire cleanup process will be.

When you owe back taxes, squaring up with the IRS is of the utmost importance. You might understand your situation well and feel comfortable navigating the IRS system on your own. If that’s the case, you may well be able to resolve your tax issues without professional assistance. However, if you do not fully understand the details of your owed back taxes position or what’s required of you to resolve it, or if you don’t feel that you have enough time to personally devote to this problem, hiring a tax lawyer may be in your best interest.

If you owe back taxes, meaning that you failed to file your taxes or to pay your total tax liability for one or more years, the situation can get out of hand quickly. Back taxes do not go away. In fact, they accrue interest, penalties, and fees the longer they are left unresolved. In some cases, the IRS can even step in and garnish your wages if you don’t voluntarily pay the money you owe, or even put a lien or levy on your assets. That’s why it’s so important to communicate with the IRS and make a plan to settle up your debt. In general, the IRS wants you to pay your back taxes, and they’ll work with you to make that as feasible as possible. If you feel capable, you can contact them on your own and figure out how to make that happen. This means that you should have an idea of what went wrong with your prior back tax returns (whether that involved not filing them or filing them incorrectly) and what you are financially capable of doing in order to pay your balance due.

Contacting and collaborating with the IRS can be a daunting prospect, which is one of the reasons why tax lawyers exist. These professionals have extensive qualifications and practical experience interfacing with the IRS on behalf of clients, both individual and corporate. If you feel like you don’t understand your own tax situation fully, you aren’t sure how to contact or interact with the IRS, or you simply don’t have the time or the resources to handle your tax problems on your own, hiring one of these professionals to help you is a great choice. Tax attorneys are fully trained in the nuances of tax regulations, and they communicate with the IRS on a regular basis, which means they already know the system and have personal contacts within it. When it comes to successfully resolving your back tax situation, they can make use of that knowledge and those relationships on your behalf to negotiate tax settlements, repayment plans, and other money-saving options to help you get back on track.

If you owe back taxes, you can certainly look to resolve the issue on your own by contacting the IRS. However, if you don’t feel comfortable handling the problem by yourself, a tax attorney can be a great asset for resolving your back tax situation as well as for your future financial health!

Radon. It’s just five letters, but this little word can terrify home buyers and sellers alike. The presence of radon in a property is no laughing matter; however, neither is it the end of the world. Yes, radon is an odorless, invisible, carcinogenic gas. Yet, it doesn’t have to make a home uninhabitable or drastically reduce its value. When it comes to radon and real estate there are a lot of myths and half-truths out there, so don’t believe everything you hear. This is what you need to know, whether you’re looking to buy or sell, about radon tests, radon mitigation, and the real estate market.

For Sellers

Start by having a radon test done before you put your house on the market. That way you won’t end up surprised by results when a sale is pending. If the radon testing process turns up concentrations of more than 4 pCi/L (the EPA’s recommended threshold for unsafe levels), you need to put in a radon system. This not only helps keep you and your family safe in the time you continue to live in the property, but it also removes a potential hurdle to a sale. If the test turns up a lower level of radon, you may still want to investigate putting in a radon mitigation fan as the EPA reports that there is no known safe level of radon exposure. Keep in mind that properties with the lowest levels of radon–thus the safest in terms of this gas–are the homes with abatement equipment installed.

In fact, your best bet is to approach your radon mitigation system as an asset, rather than a liability. Especially if your property is located in an area of the country that is known to have high radon levels (EPA red zones), you may even want to advertise that your home has a radon abatement system. If you take the angle that your property has this additional feature that others may not, buyers, too, will see the radon mitigation fan as a pro rather than a con.

For Buyers

It’s the perfect house: spacious kitchen, updated bathrooms, plenty of bedrooms… But when they see that radon mitigation system, many prospective buyers bolt. However, there’s nothing to be afraid of. As mentioned above, homes with radon abatement systems are actually SAFER than homes without. So don’t just run when you see that a property has a radon system already installed. Just like you wouldn’t buy any old house just because it didn’t have a radon system, all things being equal, you also shouldn’t nix a property just because it does!

If you’re interested in a home, and it doesn’t currently have radon
mitigation system, you’ll definitely want to have a radon test
performed. In fact, many savvy buyers make a clean radon test a stipulation of the contract, creating a starting point for negotiating with the owners if abatement is necessary.

In short, whether you’re buying or selling a property, it’s important to have a radon test done. Radon mitigation systems can ensure that your home–and your family–is safe and sound, making them an asset rather than something to fear.

If you’re one of the many homeowners that doesn’t think you need air conditioner repair or service, think again! Routine air conditioning service can help maintain your system in peak operating condition for maximum efficiency, safety, and life span. Here are just a few of the ways regular A/C repair and maintenance can keep your system working its best.

Refrigerant leaks: Many older air conditioners still use Freon as the refrigerant. This is perfectly safe, that is until the air conditioning system develops a leak. Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon and will damage the ozone layer if not handled properly. Routine air conditioner maintenance can turn up minor leaks before they become major problems–both for the performance of your A/C and the safety of the planet–while repairs can be done to fix the problem if a leak has already developed. Professional air conditioning contractors are qualified to safely handle Freon, patch refrigerant leaks, and replace the leaked coolant. So whether you’re due for regular maintenance or you need repairs done, bringing in a pro is the right answer when it comes to dealing with coolant.

Dirty evaporator coils: Think a little bit of grit and grime never hurt anything? Well, you might want to reconsider. That’s because dirty evaporator coils prevent effective heat transfer. Essentially, when dust, debris, and other gunk builds up on the surface
of your evaporator coils, they can’t generate cold air as efficiently, making your air conditioner run more to achieve the same cool temperature in your home. Regular A/C service and cleaning can help make certain your air conditioning is performing at its most efficient. Your air conditioning contractor has the specialized tools and skill to correctly clean debris and dust off your evaporator coils, getting them completely clean without damaging your cooling system. For the most efficient cooling–and the lowest energy bills–you’ll want to invest in evaporator coil cleaning on at least an annual basis.

Bent condenser fins: Air conditioner condensers are equipped with fins to radiate heat faster and make your A/C work efficiently. If they are bent, these fins aren’t able to work as well. Evaporators also have fins, but because your condenser is located in the exterior part of your A/C, it’s at greater risk of damage. Everything from fallen branches to hail storms and even animals can bend the fins on your condenser. As part of routine air conditioning maintenance, your service company will inspect and straighten any bent condenser fins to ensure your system can work as efficiently as possible. Keep in mind that condenser fins are rather delicate, and they can only be straightened with a special comb tool. For the long-term health of your A/C, it’s probably best to let the pros handle this routine air condition service.

It can be easy to forget about air conditioning service. After all, who doesn’t wish there were more hours in the day to accommodate our busy schedules. But it’s important not to skip your annual service or to skimp on A/C repairs. By bringing a professional air conditioning company out to look at your unit at least once a year, you’ll be able to maintain your air conditioner safely and correctly for optimal performance, longer life, and overall safety.

There is a range of carpet cleaning companies out there in the world, and they offer a variety of different cleaning choices including wet shampooing, dry shampooing, bonnet cleaning, and, of course, steam cleaning. In name, all of these sound promising, but steam cleaning is the only option that will both clean your carpets fully and will do so without damaging them.

Both the wet and dry shampoo options for carpet and rug cleaning rely on the familiarity that we all have with the idea of shampooing to convince us that they’re actually accomplishing deep cleaning. However, shampoos–whether a water-activated wet version or a powder-style dry version–can leave residue in and on your carpets, actually making them dirtier than they were before. To counteract this, some wet shampoo methods will employ optical brighteners added into the detergent. These will make the carpet look great for a time, as they convert invisible ultraviolet light into visible light, making the carpet look brighter and cleaner to the naked eye. However, these brighteners will ultimately discolor your carpets in the long run, leaving them with a yellowish tinge. Bonnet cleaning is a straight adaptation of hard floor cleaning, in which a rotary disk sprays and buffs the floor surface. As you can imagine, this method can quickly damage carpet fibers, especially when it comes to a thick pile carpet. And, like other shampoo versions, it fails to clean deep down or remove all residue or debris in the cleaning process.

Steam carpets cleaning, on the other hand, does succeed in removing debris, including dirt, pollen, and other allergens, without damaging your carpet in the least. Using a fine spray of water, steam cleaning physically forces these particles up and out of the carpet pile and then sucks them up with the accompanying vacuum head. Whereas other methods rely on detergents to somehow magically bind with the dirt and bring it to the surface, steam cleaning physically moves all the debris out of the carpet fibers. The majority of the moisture is then removed almost immediately via the vacuum component that moves along with the sprayer. This means that there’s no danger of mold or mildew growing in or on the carpet, as can happen with wet shampoo methods’ oversaturation. The carpet fibers themselves are not agitated, scrubbed, or buffed during steam cleaning, so they retain their original structure and orientation without fuzzing or pilling. Fundamentally, your carpets look and are cleaner after a steam cleaning without enduring any wear or tear.

When it’s time to call a carpet cleaning professional, find one that offers steam cleaning. That way, you will get truly clean carpets with no fuss, no residue, and no damage.