(NewsUSA) - Recent Generac/Harris Poll survey provides insights into preparedness for widespread power outages*

With the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season expected to have the highest activity level in recent history, now is the time to prepare with a plan to protect your loved ones.

Colorado State University’s annual Atlantic hurricane season forecast predicts 23 named storms, with 11 which could become hurricanes and five possibly reaching major hurricane strength. This marks the highest ever outlook prediction the CSU team has issued since it began the forecasts in 1995.

When a hurricane or even a strong tropical storm strikes, it leaves a path of destruction that could leave homeowners without power for days – even weeks. Families are faced with difficult decisions like whether or not to evacuate, how to keep their pets safe and how to complete daily functions with no internet, household appliances, or even in total darkness.

A recent survey* commissioned by Generac and conducted by The Harris Poll illustrates that many Americans are not prepared for widespread power outages and are at risk for both their comfort and safety. More than half of Americans (52%) would only have enough food in their home for 1-2 days if there was a widespread extended outage in their area. 71% of Americans would be concerned with food spoilage if their home experienced an extended power outage, with half (50%) saying they would struggle financially to replace all of their perishable food lost due to an extended power outage. The survey data also revealed that 36% of Americans have medical devices powered by electricity that they or someone in their home use daily. Moreover, 77% of pet owners are willing to risk their own comfort to stay with their pets at home amidst extended power outages.

“With the highest-ever predicted hurricane season in nearly three decades, homeowners and business owners need to do everything they can to prepare now,” said Kyle Raabe, president of Consumer Power for Generac Power Systems, a global energy technology company. “Making a plan ahead of time that includes a source of backup power is an important step to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe and comfortable in the event of an extended power outage.”

Generac offers a free Hurricane Preparedness Guide to help homeowners prepare for the storm season. The guide not only highlights steps to take before, during and after a storm but also provides printable inventory checklists, comparisons on backup power options and power outage safety tips.

Power outage experts from Generac have provided tips on how to prepare for blackouts during hurricane season:

• Identify the safest location in the home to wait out a storm, and review emergency plans for evacuation, based on your local government’s recommendations.
• Identify when your nearest evacuation centers will open and, if applicable, which ones allow pets. As an alternative to an evacuation center, reach out to friends or family who live outside of the forecasted cone of impact and create a list of potential evacuation locations.
• Designate a main location and a backup location to meet after the storm.
• Gather local area maps in the event mobile devices lack service or electricity.
• Build an emergency kit with items such as a 7-day supply of non-perishables per person, three gallons of water per person, a fully stocked first aid kit and flashlights and extra batteries.
• If you are planning to stay in your home, ensure you have a backup power plan. Consider investing in a portable or home standby generator to back up critical components of your home.
• If you already have a generator, be sure it is well-maintained and you have an ample amount of fuel, so it is ready to work when you need it most.
• Review appropriate instructions on how to safely operate a generator to protect your loved ones and your home. Make sure to only run a portable generator outdoors, far away from any doors or windows and with the exhaust pointing away from the home.
• For more information on generator safety, visit https://www.generac.com/be-prepared/the-home/outdoor-power-equipment-safety.

With an expected 23 named storms forecasted for the upcoming hurricane season, it’s important to remember that it only takes one strong storm to cause serious destruction. In order to navigate a well-above average hurricane season, it’s crucial to plan ahead. Getting a home standby generator takes planning and a period of time to get installed, therefore you should reach out early for a free, no cost estimate so you are prepared with the information you need. https://www.generac.com/nationalpromo

*This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Generac from April 18-22, 2024, among 2,094 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

(NewsUSA) - Today’s homeowners are having an Extra Room Boom! This latest real estate reality is marked by the convergence of two mounting trends – growing home sizes and declining household members – that together mean more extra space and energy-efficiency challenges.

Americans want their homes supersized. In fact, median home sizes have increased by a whopping 150% in just over 40 years with the median size of a new home jumping from 1,595 square feet in 1980 to 2,383 in 2022.

Simultaneously, the number of household occupants is steadily shrinking. For example, the average population per household has decreased by more than 100% dropping from 2.75 people in 1980 to 2.57 members in 2022. 

This emerging dynamic demands a smart energy-efficiency strategy that effectively regulates cooling power between used and unused rooms. The good news is that homeowners can prevent a utility bill blitz by following a few simple tips. With home heating and cooling accounting for more than half (54%) of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.

• Leverage the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act:The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is a landmark legislation that encourages Americans to transition towards a new era of energy efficiency and decarbonization. It offers households tax credits for related improvements that save money in the long run, such as highly efficient heating and cooling appliances like heat pumps. Households can claim a tax credit for 30% of the costs of buying and installing a heat pump, up to $2,000 including support for any electric system upgrades needed to make the home heat-pump-ready. ‘
   
• Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control.  Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25% on energy bills. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is qui­etly distributed to the interior space.
   
• Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Prioritize your rooms. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless system, allowing you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you don’t spend much time. You’ll multiply savings by needing less cooling and gaining a more efficient system in the spaces you use.
   
• Get “Smart" About Climate Control: When it comes to home tem­perature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” sys­tems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-con­nected device or voice-operated home automation system. 
   
• Voice Your Preference: Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to ver­bally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.
   
• Try Low-tech Fixes: Try to use heat-producing appliances – stoves, irons and dryers – at night or early morning.  Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs – which consume 90% more power. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weather-stripping for gaps or cracks.

Targeted, room-by-room climate control systems will allow families to enjoy their extra space without paying to cool empty space this summer. To learn more or find a contrac­tor nearby, visit www.constantcomfort.com.

(NewsUSA) - With existing home inventory predicted to remain low in 2024, many home buyers are choosing to purchase new construction or instead electing to remodel their current home. Either option takes homeowners on a design journey with an array of endless selections and choices as they look to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle. Wilsonart has unveiled four new home surface trends that are sure to inspire and bring beauty and function to any new or existing space.

1. Light & Bright

In the ever-evolving realm of design, the Light & Bright trend emerges as a captivating focal point, seizing the spotlight and celebrating the timeless allure of white tones. In the kitchen and bath, white continues to lead as the top choice for styling, and modern countertops are often sleek and slim. Wilsonart^® Quartz and Wilsonart^® Solid Surface offer an array of marble and natural stone looks that are perfect for achieving this look in modern backsplashes or countertops.

2. Crafted Calm

Crafted Calm is a soft, warm, comforting interpretation of casual living and will be seen in homes that prioritize well-being and tranquility. Connecting with nature through design is an essential element of the Crafted Calm trend, and the wellness kitchen is at the center of that connection. Here, look to countertop designs that feature warming hues.

3. Fresh Heritage

The new Fresh Heritage trend draws inspiration from the historic English countryside and features traditional woodgrain styling, neutral tones and polished rooms that feel lived-in and loved. It's a journey into the past with a contemporary twist. The LUJO^® Collection from Wilsonart^® Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL) offers a luxury matte Silken Wood finish that is a premium example of a surface that can add revolutionary texture to any home.

4. Dark & Moody Luxe

The Dark & Moody Luxe trend invites us to turn down color and dial-up the intensity with dramatic color contrasts that convey a deep sense of luxury. Embracing the desire to 'escape at home,' this trend introduces exotic wood accent walls, bold open storage, and industrial surfaces. The Wetwall™ Waterproof Wall Panel System offers designs with dark veining and a bold appearance, perfectly suited for the trend.

For those looking for kitchen and bath design inspiration to give their homes a fresh look for the new year, visit www.wilsonart.com.

(NewsUSA) - They say blonds have more fun, but there are non-frivolous reasons for choosing pale or light-finish hardwoods for floors, cabinetry, paneling, and millwork in your home. “Many species of Real American Hardwood^®—white oak, maple, birch, ash, poplar, beech, and sycamore among them—are naturally blond,” notes Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “These pale-tone woods can help create bright and airy residential spaces that readily adapt to the homeowner’s preferred style of décor, from the comfortably traditional to the boldly contemporary.” More than just a collection of pretty faces, they all share hardwood’s well-known durability, flexibility, and sustainability—qualities that make it an ideal material for use in today’s most Instagram-ready interiors. Here are six examples of how it’s done. 

In remodeling this Chicago kitchen, designers Rebekah Zaveloff and Kat Andrejevic of KitchenLab Interiors (@kitchenlabinteriors) achieved an invitingly informal feel by choosing white oak for the massive island and chunky open shelves, the gorgeous honey-toned wood adding warmth but no visual bulk to the sizeable elements. Refinished light-stained hardwood floors, the island’s single-slab marble top, dark-green custom cabinets, and white subway-tile walls complete the crisp but welcoming look. Photo by Michael Alan Kaskel

Subtlety is the name of the game in this Sleepy Hollow, New York, bathroom by Studio Dearborn (@studiodearborn), where designer Sarah Robertson has used rift-sawn white-oak millwork finished with a custom pale-mushroom stain to enliven what might otherwise be a bland color and materials palette: Calacatta Gold marble for the counter and floor, smoke-gray subway tile for the backsplash, and pure white tub. Nickel-finish faucets, hardware, and sconces add sparkle. Photo by Adam Kane Macchia 

The traditional kitchen in an Arts & Crafts–inspired farmhouse in Charlottesville, Virginia, by BRW Architects (@brwarchitectscville) is a masterclass in how to give a fresh, modern look to a beloved classic style. Blonde maple cabinetry in a clean Shaker-like design is joined by red-oak flooring, green-granite topped island, stainless-steel appliances, and an abundance of natural daylight, all of which help amplify the contemporary vibe without violating the room’s period spirit. Photo by Virginia Hamrick 

Renovated by Ectypos Architecture (ectypos.com), this 1950s ranch house in Seattle now includes a library, thanks to a handsome wall of built-in light-oak shelving that turns a former corridor into an attractive reading nook. The golden-hued wood glows under strategically placed ceiling lights, ensuring that the narrow space, which connects the living and dining areas, is warm and inviting—a place to linger in rather than a mere passageway. Photo by Joe Iano

The owners of this contemporary town house in Austin, Texas, asked Breathe Design Studio (@breathedesign) to give them minimalist, midcentury-modern interiors—a request that the sleek, sophisticated kitchen with its polished-concrete flooring, waterfall island, wireframe stools, stainless-steel appliances, and pure white walls more than delivers on. Custom, solid-birch cabinetry with a natural finish renders the space cool, calm, and collected rather than cold and clinical as it could have become. Photo by Chase Daniel 

A wall of vertical poplar slats sets off a white-painted brick fireplace in the family room of a Danville, California, house renovated by Kimberley Kay Interiors (@kimberleykayinteriors). The individual wood battens are stained slightly different shades of light khaki, creating a sense of organic color variation across the wall that contrasts pleasingly with the regular rhythm of the neatly tailored millwork. More texture and visual interest are added via textiles and woven-straw baskets. Photo by Life Created 

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using blonde American hardwoods in your home. 

(NewsUSA) - As Americans prepare to spend more cold cash to keep warm this winter, it’s more important than ever to learn how to leverage the benefits of The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is the largest ever climate investment in American history expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and cut home energy costs by incentivizing the adoption of highly efficient electric appliances – including heat pumps. In fact, the IRA specifically highlights the vital role of heat pumps to achieve its objectives.

A Heat Pump Primer

Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all climates and seasons.

The most common type of heat pump is the air source heat pump (ASHP) which provides optimally efficient heating and cooling by extracting heat from outside into your home in the winter and pulling the heat out of your home in the summer. Today's systems can reduce electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to units such as furnaces and baseboard heaters and is about one-half the cost of oil heat.

For homes without ducts, ASHPs are available in a ductless version called mini-split heat pumps. Mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General, provide maximum energy efficiency, saving homeowners up to an additional 25% of utility bills by simply eliminating wasteful ducts. Duct losses can easily account for more than 30% of energy consumption.

Further, heat pumps are better for the environment because they don’t burn fossil fuels. In fact, even under conservative modeling assumptions, 98% of U.S. households would cut their carbon emissions by installing heat pumps today, according to Rewiring America.

Acting on The Inflation Reduction Act

The benefits boil down to two categories: Tax credits and rebates. Specifically, there’s the 25C Tax Credit and two rebates (coming soon) including the High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) and the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Rebate Program.

• Energy Efficient Home Improvement (25C) Tax Credit: 25C provides households a 30% tax credit for heat pumps capped at $2,000 per year. The credit resets each tax year, effectively becoming available again for additional projects. 25C also includes a 30% tax credit up to $600 for an electrical panel upgrade, but only if it’s upgraded in conjunction with another upgrade covered by 25C (like a heat pump).
   
• High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act: The High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act provides point-of-sale consumer rebates to enable low- and moderate-income households to electrify their homes. For low-income households, the program covers 100% of heat pump costs up to $8,000. For moderate-income households, they cover 50% of costs up to $8,000. The rebates may be implemented differently in each state, so final amounts, eligibility, or timeline may vary.
   
• Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate Program: The Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate Program will provide funding to State energy offices to develop and implement a rebate program for whole-house energy saving retrofits including certain HVAC equipment. Unlike the HEEHRA program, the HOMES rebates program is not income restricted but is rather performance-based with modeled or measured energy savings from energy efficiency upgrades.

With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, don’t let rising utility bills leave you in the cold this winter. For more information about the IRA benefits, visit Rewiring America and www.constantcomfort.com to find a heat pump system that would suit your home’s needs.

(NewsUSA) - Despite increased interest rates and inventory challenges, you can still be a homeowner this year.

Many first-time homebuyers may not realize that there are many ways to make home ownership happen, and not all of them involve a 20% down payment.

The need to put down 20% of the cost of a home is a general misconception according to Freedom Mortgage, a residential mortgage lender with experience originating conventional, FHA and VA loans. They are an independent, non-bank, full-service, residential lender whose mission is to expand opportunities for first-time homebuyers, especially military personnel and consumers with low down payments.

One secret to securing a successful loan is to work with a loan officer who is experienced in the wide range of available home loans, especially those backed by the U.S. government. That way, homebuyers are aware of all potential financing opportunities and companies who offer those options. A good loan officer will walk you through the process and find a loan that works for your budget. Remember—even if your credit history is less than stellar, or if your resources for a down payment are limited, owning a home is still within reach.

Government-insured loans for first-time homebuyers that don’t require a 20% down payment include:

• VA loans. If you are a Veteran—either active military or retired—you may be eligible for a VA purchase loan through the federal government with no down payment.
• FHA loans. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan allows for lower rates, flexible credit terms, and low minimum down payments (approximately 3.5%). FHA loans are designed for individuals with lower credit scores (minimum 550) and can be used for refinancing, too.
• USDA loans. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans help people seeking to buy homes in rural (and some suburban) areas. USDA loans are not available everywhere, but they are an option in many states. Benefits include competitive interest rates and, in many cases, no down payments. USDA loans have no limits on the loan, and low mortgage guarantee fees. The minimum credit score is 620.

For homebuyers with good credit and finances, a conventional loan may be a good bet, because these loans allow you to finance a wider range of houses than other mortgage types do. Conventional loans also may allow you to borrow more money to finance a more expensive home.

The bottom line is that home ownership can—and should—be available to everyone. A lender such as Freedom Mortgage can help identify the best loan that lets you purchase a home sooner and start to build wealth through home equity.

Visit www.FreedomMortgage.com for more information or call 833-687-1212 for assistance.

(NewsUSA) - Spring and warmer weather means more time outside, and finding the right swing set for your yard is a great way to get your kids and their friends (parents, too!) energized and enjoying outdoor play.

When choosing a swing set, several factors to keep in mind include safety, convenience, and style.

Backyard Adventures has been providing premium, wooden modular swing sets for more than 40 years. The company’s continuing mission is to help families discover the joys of simple outdoor play through fresh air, friendship, exercise, and imagination. The company offers customizable outdoor playsets that enable hundreds of different configuration possibilities to suit a range of tastes and yard sizes.

“Outdoor playtime is critical to the healthy development and growth of kids, and we have continued to innovate and offer new designs and playsets that appeal to homeowners,” according to the company. “The customization of our back yard swing sets coupled with the unmatched quality is what continues to set us apart.”

Backyard Adventures’ new Treehouse Peak Series, for example, is designed for larger spaces. Special features include high-quality forts, swings, and customizable accessories such as slides, playhouses, and monkey bars with ninja style training features. Best of all, the Treehouse Peak Series is designed for parents and children to play together!

Other series of swing sets include the Peak Playsets, which can be customized with rope ladders, climbing walls, and classic style tire swivel swings. Bridged swing sets allow even more options with the ability to combine two fort structures or more into huge backyard playscape.

For smaller spaces, the Space Savers playsets don’t compromise on quality or fun, and can also include climbing walls, picnic table, gang planks, and sandboxes that bring adventure to any backyard.

With prices starting at $2,500 for smaller swing sets to upwards of $50,000 for deluxe models, there is a swing set for every family, backyard, and budget. All swing set models feature an attractive two-toned stain and natural cedar wood.

Backyard Adventures wooden playsets are available through trusted dealers across the country, and the company website helps families locate the dealer nearest to them. In addition, check out the online playset designer and create your family’s one-of-a-kind outdoor play space.

Visit www.backyardadventures.com for more information, or follow Backyard Adventures on Facebook and Instagram.

(NewsUSA) - Spring and warmer weather means more time outside, and finding the right swing set for your yard is a great way to get your kids and their friends (parents, too!) energized and enjoying outdoor play.

When choosing a swing set, several factors to keep in mind include safety, convenience, and style.

Backyard Adventures has been providing premium, wooden modular swing sets for more than 40 years. The company’s continuing mission is to help families discover the joys of simple outdoor play through fresh air, friendship, exercise, and imagination. The company offers customizable outdoor playsets that enable hundreds of different configuration possibilities to suit a range of tastes and yard sizes.

“Outdoor playtime is critical to the healthy development and growth of kids, and we have continued to innovate and offer new designs and playsets that appeal to homeowners,” according to the company. “The customization of our backyard swing sets coupled with the unmatched quality is what continues to set us apart.”

Backyard Adventures’ new Treehouse Peak Series, for example, is designed for larger spaces. Special features include high-quality forts, swings, and customizable accessories such as slides, playhouses, and monkey bars with ninja style training features. Best of all, the Treehouse Peak Series is designed for parents and children to play together!

Other series of swing sets include the Peak Playsets, which can be customized with rope ladders, climbing walls, and classic style tire swivel swings. Bridged swing sets allow even more options with the ability to combine two fort structures or more into huge backyard playscape.

For smaller spaces, the Space Savers playsets don’t compromise on quality or fun, and can also include climbing walls, picnic table, gang planks, and sandboxes that bring adventure to any backyard.

With prices starting at $2,500 for smaller swing sets to upwards of $50,000 for deluxe models, there is a swing set for every family, backyard, and budget. All swing set models feature an attractive two-toned stain and natural cedar wood.

Backyard Adventures wooden playsets are available through trusted dealers across the country, and the company website helps families locate the dealer nearest to them. In addition, check out the online playset designer and create your family’s one-of-a-kind outdoor play space.

Visit www.backyardadventures.com for more information, or follow Backyard Adventures on Facebook and Instagram.

(NewsUSA) -  

Have you considered using solid hardwood cabinetry and millwork in your bathroom, but hesitated given the constant humidity? In fact, as long as the room is properly ventilated, and the wood surfaces treated with a moisture-resistant finish—like tung oil, polyurethane, or varnish—such favorites as oak, walnut, cherry, and maple will stand up well to a steamy environment. “Real American Hardwood® products can be used in the bathroom to add warmth, texture, and character to a space that may feel cold and clinical,” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “And it adapts to any style, from the cozily traditional to the coolly contemporary.” Here are six bathrooms that do just that.

Everything’s bright and breezy in this Minneapolis bathroom by Swan Architecture (@swanarchitecture) and Lucy Interior Design (@lucyinteriordesign): nickel-gap shiplap on the end wall and bath surround; shiny chrome sconces and sink fittings; canvas duck Roman shades. But the beachy, upbeat vibe is cleverly balanced by the custom walnut vanity, a solidly handsome piece that strikes a more substantial note without being overly serious. Photograph by Spacecrafting

Architects Hsu McCullough (@hsumccullough) show mastery of subtle color and texture in this Los Angeles bathroom. Slate-gray cement tiles on the floor and pale-smoke marble tiles on the walls provide a quietly glamorous setting for the main event: a custom vanity of lightly bleached white oak with a clear matte sealer—Rubio Monocoat, derived from natural plant oils—that allows the full beauty of the wood to shine through. Photograph by Dan Arnold Photo

Cerusing—also known as “liming”—is the application of white-pigmented, non-toxic wax sealers to porous wood to bring out the natural grain without changing its color. Architects Michael McKinley and Associates (@mckinleyarchitects) make expert use of the finish for this custom cerused-oak vanity in a Connecticut bathroom. White subway wall tiles, chrome fittings and mirror frames, and oak flooring set the honey-tone cabinetry off to perfection. Photograph by Jason McGrail

Two firms, Milieu (@milieu_design_spokane) and Designology (@designologyluxuryinteriors), worked on the makeover of the guest bathroom in a Wellington, Florida, equestrian estate. The glass door lets the great outdoors in, but the interior is totally urbane. A pair of vintage mirrors salvaged from an old steamship set the sophisticated tone, which is echoed in the polished bronze faucets and matching pulls on the custom maple vanity—a sleek design finished in Rustic Gray stain by Sherwin Williams. Photograph by Ken Hayden

For the renovation of an undistinguished 1980s colonial house in Minneapolis, architect Meriwether Felt turned the bland main bathroom into a sophisticated retreat with a somewhat rustic feel by installing characterful cherry moldings, trims, and casings. “The stained wood warms up the bathroom and provides richness,” Felt says. “The client asked for a luxurious yet elegant feeling, and cherry fit the bill perfectly.” Photograph by Susan Gilmore

Modern Scandinavian design inspired the main bathroom in a Santa Monica, California, house by Hamilton Architects (@hamiltonarchla); ergo, the clean lines, warm materials, and uncluttered forms that characterize the effortlessly chic, spa-like space. Chief among the scene-setting elements are the sculptural tub, graphic black faucets, and the custom floating vanity. The rift-sawn white-oak cabinetry is an unbroken expanse that’s free of hardware or other visually distracting details. Photograph by Paul Barnaby

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in the bathroom.

If your New Year’s resolutions include maintaining a clean and tidy home, fulfilling that goal is made easier with pr