Greater control, savings and ultimate comfort!

As a followup to my last post addressing programmable thermostats and our tendencies as homeowners to be selecting all the wrong [but with good intentions] settings, I am excited to show a new product that has promise to save you energy, increase home comfort and maybe even add some fun to your day to day. "Intelligent conservation solutions for real people"....That's the headline in one marketing piece for the latest in smart thermostats built with the homeowner in mind.  

Presenting: ecobee. The ecobee is a WiFi connected smart thermostat designed to save you money in utility costs and reduce your environmental impact.  Its capabilities are enormous, with the capability to monitor and report heating/cooling systems status' such as the amount of time your furnace/boiler or air conditioner run in a day to the usefulness of having your own web portal to change the settings while away.  

Have a vacation property? Multiple homes? Busy lifestyle (who doesn't)? The ecobee brings us the ability to control when and for how long our heating/cooling systems run.  This is extremely beneficial for those of us who are heading to the cabin for the weekend, either from a computer or from an iPhone & Droid app we can now turn up the heat on the way up north rather than bear the frigid temps waiting for the place to heat when we get there. And talk about savings!

Regular programmable thermostats are "locked" in to the program we set for them.  I can't speak for everyone but, my families schedule hardly meets the actual definition of a schedule, we are going every which way but loose most days.  With the instant connectivity to my Droid phone via an app I can easily change the temperature settings with the swipe of my finger, after all we planned on being home for dinner but those plans go out the window sometimes....I don't need the heat to kick back up for a few hours, not today....

This may seem contradictory to my last post, it isn't though.  The ecobee has a monitoring and reporting function that allows me to see how my system is performing, showing me information that can help me save energy by not having too deep of a set-back.  With cool features like a 5-day weather forecast of my local area I can even decide to adjust my heating cooling settings in anticipation of upcoming weather patterns....now that's kinda geeky but it makes sense!

There's safety built in! 

Wouldn't it be nice to know if there is a problem at home before you get there, during normal business hours when you can get someone for service?  The ecobee has the ability to send an alert if your system is malfunctioning.  An alert can be sent because the home's temperature is too low, indicating the furnace is out or the a water sensor can be installed in the basement to alert you if there is a leak or the sump pump stopped working.  Does your big box store t-stat do that?

This interactive way of home comfort is a 180 degree turn away from a traditional programmable thermostat, and with great results.....SAVINGS! I would love the opportunity to show you how it works, how it may fit into your lifestyle and the benefits it is sure to bring to your bottom line. 

Your Basement Stinks!

What You Can Do If Your Cellar's a Smeller!

If you’ve ever spent time in a stuffy, musty basement you don’t need anyone to tell you how unpleasant the smell can be. Worse than dirty gym socks, worse than rotten eggs, worse than…well, there aren’t many things that smell worse. A smelly basement is especially problematic for homeowners who want to use their basement as additional living space for a den, extra bedroom, or entertainment room -- or if you're looking to sell your home.


Where is That Basement Smell Coming From?
Usually, bad basement smells come from humidity and moisture that comes up from the ground. Because the basement is below ground level, this moisture never really goes away and just keeps accumulating. Mold and fungus grow and spread, causing the unpleasant smells. The only way to permanently get rid of odors is to get rid of the moisture.

While totally removing moisture and condensation from your basement is not realistic, there are plenty of steps you can take to dramatically reduce the amount of moisture entering the space and eradicate that horrible musty basement smell.


Cover Sources of Basement Moisture
Dirt that is left exposed will attract moisture, which then seeps into your basement through the foundation and leaves behind a nasty smell. You can try to fix this problem by covering the dirt around the outside of your home with plastic sheeting, mulch, or gravel. This should help block some of the moisture and improve the smell in your basement.

Exposed water pipes may get cold and collect condensation, allowing moisture to build up. Insulating pipes in and around the basement can really help reduce moisture and tamp down the smell.


Turn Up the Heat
Moisture and heat generally do not get along. One of the best ways to eliminate excess condensation in your basement is to crank up the heat. If your home’s HVAC system doesn’t have a control for the basement, you can try one of these alternatives:

• Open basement window curtains to let warming sunshine in during the day. Shut them at night to hold heat in and prevent overnight condensation when temperatures drop.
• If your boiler or furnace is located in a separate basement room, leave the door open to allow heat from the unit to raise the temperature in the rest of the space.
• Place a small space heater in the basement and run it whenever someone is home. Even a few hours of extra heat can make a big difference.

Air It Out
Improving air circulation through your basement can help dry up moisture and get rid of bad smells. Installing an exhaust fan in the basement is a good idea, as is running a simple standing or box fan. In pleasant weather, open basement windows to let fresh air into the room. And putting your laundry dryer in the basement, with the outgoing air vent directed out of the basement, can also help improve air flow and dry the air.


Dehumidify Your Basement
Perhaps the most effective way to eliminate moisture from a musty, moldy basement is to get a dehumidifier. These devices pull moisture from the air, collecting water in a built-in reservoir. Empty the basin regularly and you’ll have a fresher, more pleasant basement.


Install a Sump Pump In Your Basement
If your foundation rests over a well or water table and if your basement is prone to dampness, groundwater leaking and flooding, consider installing a sump pump in your basement. Sump pumps funnel and collect basement moisture in a pit dug into the foundation and pump it out of your home. A Horizon Services plumbing technician can recommend and install a sump pump system that's ideal for your basement.


Could It Be Your Sewer or Water Lines?
Is the smell especially foul? The source could be sewage waste slowly seeping into your basement due to obstructions in or damage to your main sewer and water lines leading out of your house. Over time, these lines can rsdily clog up with waste; crack, bend or break; or even be penetrated by creeping roots from trees and shrubs. This can cause sewage to back up into your home or seep your yard and foundation into your basement.

One sure sign of sewer and water line problems, besides the smell, is if water does not flow easily down your toilet, sinks or tubs, or makes unusual gurgling, bubbling sounds when it does. If you suspect such a problem, don't delay: call a professional sewer & water line repair/replacement contractor like Horizon Services. If left untreated, the problem could result in a major backup of sewage waste into your home; this is not only extremely unsanitary, it can result in permanent damage to floors, carpets and other parts of your home.


Related Information from Horizon Services...

• Horizon Plumbing Services
• Horizon Sewer & Water Line Replacement Services
• Make Sure You're Covered for Sewer Backups
• Keep Your Home Free from Mold and Mildew

Related Blog Posts...

• Landscaping to Avoid Root Infiltration
• Home Sewer Line and Drain Disaster Prevention
• Common Sump Pump Problems Solved
• Got Mold?
• Common Drain, Sewer and Water Line Problems
• Do You Need a Sewer Line Replacement?
• Your Guide to Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
• Get to Know Your Sump Pump!
• Choosing the Right Humidifier for Your Home
• Prevent Frozen Pipes Now!

Saffron Milk Panacotta and Florentine Cookies - Daring Baker's Challenge, February 2011

This Month Daring Baker's Challenge hosted by Mallory of A Sofa in the Kitchen!!!! She Challenged us to make these Gorgeous Looking Panacotta and Delicious Florentine Cookies!!!! When she talks about the recipe, she says it is Simple and Delicious, So True!!! Its a Simple, Delicious and makes a Great Dessert!!!! It can be served in small bowls, Portion Control, Light, Tasty and definitely doesn't scare your guests, if they are one of those from the Eat-Wisely Group!!!!!

Mallory Offered us to the choice of making panacotta using any of the Flavored Milk!!!! While Blog-hopping i came across Thasneen's Rose-Raspberry Panacotta. Inspired by that i chose to make the same using Saffron Milk and Almond Meal!!!! 

Ingredients : Saffron Milk Panacotta

2 cups of Whipped Cream

1/4 cup China Grass/Agar-Agar

2 tbsp Warm Milk

2 tsp Saffron threads

1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp Almond Meal

4 tbsp Sugar

Method

Soak Saffron threads in Warm Milk. Soak China Grass/Agar-Agar in half cup of water for 10 minutes. Heat it in a pan, dissolve it, Strain it and keep aside. But, make sure it doesnt stay aside fopr long, it jells fast!!!!! In a saucepan, add cream, vanilla essence, sugar, and heat it over medium heat.  Let the cream simmer for few minutes, add the saffron soaked milk and add the melted agar-agar and Combine Well. Remove from the flame and Cool it down.  Add the Almond Meal, Stir well. Pour them Small Individual Bowls and Refrigerate them for 6 hours At-least.


Ingredients For Florentine Cookies
5 tbsp + 1 tsp Unsalted Butter
1 cup Quick Oats
1/2 Cup Sugar
5 tbsp + 1 tsp All Purpose Flour
2 tbsp Golden Syrup (Replacing Corn Syrup)
2tbsp Whole Milk
2 tbsp Vanilla Extract
pinch of Salt
Dark Chocolate/White Chocolate for Drizzling the Cookies

Oops!!! Sorry for that Bad Pic!!!!

Method
Preheat Oven to 190C. Melt butter, to this add Oats, Sugar, flour, golden syrup, Milk, Vanilla and Salt.  Combine Well.  Grease the baking pan with Parchment paper, Add a spoonful of cookie batter on the sheet leaving atleast 2-3 inches space between them. Bake for 6-8 minutes, until cookies are brown.  My Oven took 10 minutes to do the same.  The Baking Temperature depends upon your Oven. So Keep an Eye on your Cookie!!!!!Once done, Cool them on a Wire Rack, you can drizzle melted dark/White Chocolate on top!!!!! I topped the second batch cookies with a choco button in the center!!!!

Enjoy Light, Airy Panacotta along with Little Crispy, Little Chewy Cookies. It was a great pleasure making them both!!!  Be Creative with your Panacotta Flavour, Try them and let me know!!! 
Until Next Post, God Bless you and Have a Great Day!!!!!