Charlottesville Homeowner Services

• First, you spend more time indoors in the winter. Don't you want the view out to be crystal clear since you will undoubtedly be spending more time looking out your windows?
• Second, there are no grass cuttings being blown about and landing on your windows.
• Next, there is no pollen in the air to stick to the surface of your windows.
• Finally, you actually get more sunlight in your home during the winter which makes it easier to see the dirt. This is because there are no leaves shading your windows and the sun is lower in the winter sky during the day.

Every year you hear about the family that lost their house on Christmas morning to a fire. Don't let that be you this year. Here are some tips to keep you and your home safe while enjoying the sights and smells of the holiday season.

• Water your tree frequently - Have the shop you buy your tree from cut the end and then make sure you keep the tree well watered to reduce your fire risks.
• Check your lights twice - Santa has to check twice and so do you. Double check those strings of lights to make sure there are no exposed wires or empty or cracked sockets. If there are, throw the lights out, don't use them.
• Don't burn your wrapping paper - Burning wrapping paper can cause intense flash fires which can be dangerous. Instead consider either recycling or reusing your paper. 
• Don't string more than three strand of lights together and check to make sure the wattage on your extension cord will carry the amount of lights you are plugging in. 
• Make sure your tree is at least three feet from any radiators, fireplaces, or other heat sources. You will also want to make sure that it is not blocking any doorways.
• Make decorations safe. Never placed small ornaments low on the tree where children or pets can reach them. They could be a chocking hazard.
• Make sure any artificial tree is labeled fire resistant
• Double check your candles are away for other decorations. Consider using hurricane lanterns over your candles if you are using them around anything that might be flammable.

You can find  more information about Holiday Safety at the UL website and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Dennis, Mike and Joe, our crew works hard every day to provide you with the best customer service possible. They have been doing such a great job, that I am getting noticeable great reviews about them. I often speak with customers who tell me how "polite", "courteous" and "efficient" they are. We invite you to see some of the rave reviews about them on our testimonials page. 

Plant flowers and shrubs that are well suited to your climate. This will allow you to water less as these plants are naturally able to survive in the environment. If you are not sure what to plant ask the staff at your local nursery. Another added benefit is that you will use less fertilizer and pesticides. Great plants to grow in the Charlottesville area include: Eastern red columbine, Common yarrow, Box elder, Red maple, and White snakeroot. For more information on native plants visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Move your fridge out of direct sunlight or away from the range. The heat from either will force a refrigerator compressor to gobble up more energy than necessary. A fridge uses up to 2.5 percent more power for each degree the surrounding temperature is above 70 degrees. So moving it out of a 90-degree spot can save you as much as $70 a year. If you can't move it, at least block any sunny window with curtains and put as big a buffer as you can between it and the range.