Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

The province is taking over the administration of homeowner grants from municipalities. PHOTO BY DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS files.

Homeowners in all municipalities will now submit their applications directly to the B.C. government instead of through their municipal office.

The B.C. Finance Ministry is reminding homeowners to keep their property assessment notice or property tax notice from their municipality because they will need their roll and jurisdiction number to apply for the grant.

Click here for the full article

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bank of Canada actions have pushed mortgage rates to record lows
• Canadian economy bounced back in the third quarter, but the second wave looms
• Bank of Canada on hold, but when will quantitative easing end?

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Smoke alarms are an important defense against injury, death and property loss in house fires. Nearly two-thirds of home fire fatalities occur in homes with non-working or missing smoke detectors. An early warning can save lives!

• Smoke alarms should be in installed every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on each level of the home.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement. High, peaked ceilings have dead air space at the top, so smoke alarms should be placed no closer than 3 feet from the highest point.

• Near the kitchen, use an alarm with a “hush button” that will silence nuisance alarms reacting to cooking smoke or steam. Or install a photoelectric alarm which will not be triggered by cooking. Never remove the unit’s battery to stop or prevent nuisance alarms.

• Test each unit monthly. Put a reminder in your calendar to do this on the first or last day of the month, for example. This is also an ideal time to dust off the unit so that it continues to work properly.

• Replace the batteries at least once a year. A common rule of thumb is to do this when changing to or from Daylight Saving Time in fall or spring. Many alarms now come with 10-year lithium batteries that eliminate the need for new batteries, but the unit itself must be replaced after its lifespan.

CO is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, oil and propane in devices including furnaces, water heaters and stoves. These appliances are designed to vent the CO to the outside, but incomplete combustion of fuel, improper installation, or blockages, leaks or cracks in the venting systems can cause CO to reach harmful levels inside the home. Dangerously high levels of CO can lead to incapacitation or death, with victims sometimes never having been aware they were being poisoned.

Homeowners can take action against carbon monoxide poisoning by taking the following steps:

• Never use a gas stove or oven to heat the home, even temporarily.
• Have all fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected annually, preferably before the start of the cold weather season when heaters and furnaces are first used.
• These appliances include gas stoves and ovens, furnaces and heaters, water heaters and gas clothes dryers.
• All such devices should be properly installed and vented to the outside.
• Have flues and chimneys for gas fireplaces inspected regularly for cracks, leaks, and blockages that may allow a buildup of CO to occur.
• Don’t start a vehicle in a closed garage or idle the engine in the garage even if the overhead door is open.
• Gasoline-powered generators and charcoal grills must never be used indoors.
• Install a CO detector (either battery operated, hard-wired or plug-in) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper location. Working CO detectors in residences are now required by law in most states.
• Learn what to do if the CO alarm activates. If anyone in the home experiences symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, or confusion, everyone should leave immediately and seek medical attention. If no symptoms are felt, open doors and windows immediately and shut off all fuel-burning devices that may be potential sources of CO.

Enjoy the comfort and safety of home this winter and all year long.

Compliments of Pillar to Post Home Inspections

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Looking for the statistics for your area? We have them ...don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca   

Given that as much as 25% of household energy costs go to heating water, it makes sense to evaluate various systems with an eye toward saving both energy and money. Here we take a look at some of the water heater options for homeowners to consider.

Storage (Tank) Water Heaters – These are by far the most common type of residential water heater. Once the water in the tank reaches the desired temperature, the heater cycles on and off to maintain the temperature of the water. Most of us know the phenomenon of running out of hot water after family members take one shower after another; this will happen if the tank’s storage capacity is insufficient to meet demand. Whether water is being used or not, the heater must still fire on and off to keep the contents of the tank hot. While tank heaters are an affordable option, it is quite inefficient to keep a tank of water hot all day.

Tankless (Demand) Water Heaters – Rather than being stored in a tank, water is rapidly heated by gas or electricity when the faucet is turned on. Because it reaches the desired temperature so quickly, much less water is wasted while waiting for hot water to flow through the faucet; however, the results are not truly instantaneous. Tankless systems normally cost more up front than a conventional storage water heater, so homeowners should take that into account along with what type, size, and location makes the most sense for them.

Solar Water Heating – This uses the sun’s energy to pre-heat water for the home. The pre-heated water then flows into a solar tank that monitors temperature. Then it’s piped into the regular hot water system, usually a storage water heater. If no water is turned on within a brief period of time, the water circulates through the system again, making it unnecessary to keep a large tank of water constantly hot. The pre-heating is done by one or two solar panels, usually installed on the roof.

With efficiency and decreased energy use as a goal, the best choice of water heater depends on what pencils out in any given home.

Compliments of Pillar to Post Home Inspections

With these easy steps, you will enjoy the comforts of your home all season long and know that we are helping you to protect your investment too!

1. Caulk around exterior door and window frames for a tight seal. Look for gaps where pipes or wiring enter the home and caulk those as well to protect from water, insects and mice.
2. Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles. Water, wind, ice and snow can cause serious damage to a vulnerable roof, leading to a greater chance of further damage inside the home. Always have a qualified professional inspect and repair the roof, but binoculars can be used to do a preliminary survey from the ground.
3. Clear gutters of leaves, sticks, and other debris. If the home gets heavy leaf fall, this may need to be done more than once during the season. If the gutters can accommodate them, leaf guards can be real time-savers and prevent clogging. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the house.
4. In cold-weather climates, drain garden hoses and store indoors to protect them from the harsh winter elements. Shut off outdoor faucets and make sure exterior pipes are drained of water.
5. Have the furnace inspected to ensure that it’s safe and in good working order. Most utility companies will provide basic, no-cost furnace inspections to their customers. Replace disposable furnace air filters or clean the permanent type according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. A wood-burning fireplace can be a real pleasure on a chilly fall evening. For safety, have the firebox and chimney professionally cleaned before use this season.

Compliments of Pillar to Post Home Inspections

We have these statistics prepared for all areas in Metro Vancouver, please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like these details for your area and/or have any questions.

Sue 604-355-7968 or sue@key2key.ca