CARTER--Profile-of-the-Moment

From his first appearance on Trading Spaces, audiences took notice of Carter

Oosterhouse, the 6’2” carpenter voted People magazine’s “Sexiest Man on

TV” who looked more like a runway model than the guy who puts shelving in

your den. But Carter’s talent as a lifestyle expert and craftsman is as

genuine as his down-to-earth personality. On HGTV’s Carter Can he comes to

the rescue for homeowners who think that their home improvement project

can’t be done because of time, expense or lack of expertise. In addition to

practical advice, Carter provides green-building solutions and design

alternatives that conserve energy and reduce environmental waste to each

renovation project. A regular contributor to the Emmy® Award-Winning

Rachael Ray show, Carter can explain projects in a straightforward way that

any homeowner tackle.

CARTER OOSTERHOUSE

Summer went by in the blink of an eye and winter will be here before you know it. Don’t get stuck out in the cold this

season! Colder weather brings an entirely new set of challenges to homeowners. Stay ahead of the game and weatherize

your home this fall to save money this winter. Below please find Carter’s “Top 10 Winter Weather Preparation Tips” that will

lower your utility bills AND protect your investment.

1. Get an Energy Audit on Your Home: A home energy audit is the first step in making your home more efficient and

helping you figure out if throwing money out the window by heating the outside.

2. Replace your Water Heater: In freezing temperatures you don’t want to wait for hot water. If you don’t remember the last

time your water heater was replaced, chances are you may need a new one. Consider a Natural Gas tank less water

heater. A gas water heater can heat water up to twice as fast as an electric one so your family always has hot water when

they need it most. A tank less water heater heats water on demand, only when you need it. This reduces stand-by energy

loss from unused water left to cool in the tank. Install a Natural Gas tank less water heater near the point of use and you

could save hundreds of gallons of water a year simply by reducing the amount of cold water standing in the pipes between

your water heater and faucets. Tank less water heaters save money with every use, and they last almost twice as long as

tank water heaters (up to 20 years.)

3. Give your Heating System a Check-Up: If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter

every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting

energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance

and/or early system failure.

4. Buy a Programmable Thermostat: Or if you already have one, double-check the settings. Energy Star says that, on

average for an initial investment of $50 to $100, you will save $180 annually on heating (and cooling) bills if you keep the

thermostat set to no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home and awake and no more than 62 degrees

when you’re away or asleep.

5. Seal your Windows: If your windows are single pane make sure they are sealed properly. This can easily be done by

adding new caulk to the seam where the window meets the frame.

6. Close the Gap between the Front door and the Floor: A quarter inch gap can be the equivalent of a five-inch hole in the

wall. Try applying vinyl weather stripping.

7. Clean the Gutters: Dirty, clogged gutters can cause a multitude of problems during the winter months including flooded

basements and damage to your foundation and landscaping. Cleaning them out can be a pain but gutter helmets are clever

gadgets that fit over your gutters, allowing rain to come in, but not leaves, pine needles, or other debris. This saves you the

annoying task of cleaning the gutters before and after every rainfall. The gutter helmet system boasts a number of other

benefits such as prevention of landscape erosion due to poor drainage and protection from insect or rodent infestation

through the gutters.

8. Storing Tools & Equipment: When it comes time to put away the backyard tools for the season, don’t just shove them

into your garage corner or shed. Spend a few minutes wiping them down and removing debris and dirt, and then apply a

light layer of oil to keep them from rusting over the winter. This will save you time and energy in the spring when you need

to use them again. And as for your lawnmower, if you are not going to drain the fuel from the tank and carburetor make sure

to add some fuel stabilizer to the gas. Doing this will prevent your gas from going bad and keep the carburetor in good

working order.

9. Hit the Roof: From the ground, use binoculars to look for missing, loose, or damaged shingles. Then note any leaks

from inside, which might include checking your attic. Fall is a good time to replace missing shingles, cement down curled

edges, and re-caulk where plumbing stacks, cable brackets, or antennae penetrate the roof.

10. Keep Drapes open During the Day: Take advantage of the sun’s warmth this winter. It will help you conserve on your

heating bill.

Profile of the Moment