Outdoor Lighting

(ARA) – As summer rolls in and guests show up, the benefit of having outdoor living space for relaxing and entertaining becomes readily apparent. Homeowners love having extra space where they can hang out, and outdoor environments are a huge plus for those trying to sell or rent out a home.

Overall home improvement project budgets are shrinking in 2009, while low-cost improvements are growing in popularity with both residential homeowners and landlords who want to give their properties a little added boost, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Outdoor lighting is a popular improvement. In addition to traditional landscape lighting, deck lights, post lights and recessed path lights extend the livability of outdoor decks and patios, and offer a low-cost update with the benefit of improving the usability of outdoor spaces.

“Today it seems that the more practical the upgrade, the better. And lighting is an easy upgrade that adds instant function, ambiance and value,” says Jay Savignac of Aurora Deck Lighting.

“In a down economy, people stay home more. They entertain at home more. This makes usable spaces more important than ever, and outdoor living areas remain one of the top areas for home improvement,” Savignac says.

Taking your backyard deck or patio from daytime roost to night time entertainment space is easy. In fact, there have never been more product options available to homeowners for lighting up their deck or fence, and creating an inviting and usable outdoor area for night time enjoyment.

Savignac says homeowners can easily install outdoor lighting in just one weekend, or even less time if they opt for lights that don’t require wiring, such as solar options.

Best of all, outdoor lighting products can be installed without the aid of an electrician and, in most communities, no permits are required. Homeowners have a variety of options to consider:

* Post lights are easy to install on the tops of deck posts and fence posts. They can be positioned directly on top of posts or mounted on the rails using special mounting brackets. Their distinctive “lantern look” offers an elegant finish to decks, and post lights are available in a variety of styles, sizes and colors that work with all sizes of posts on both decks and fences. Matching post caps are also available.

* Post lamps mount vertically on deck or fence posts and offer spot lighting, which can add security and safety in dark areas or near stairs. Post lamps on fences are a popular addition that fence builders say add value and security, as well as dramatic effect.

* Special “stair lights,” like the Pyxis from Aurora, mount easily into the vertical riser on a stair to provide downlighting for safety and sure footing.

* Recessed deck lighting, like the Aurelle from Aurora, is a new product that can install under seating, in deck floor boards, or even overhead inside patio covers to add lighting using the same concept as recessed lighting indoors.

Outdoor lighting projects are easy to complete. Homeowners can choose from solar options that have no wiring requirements, or low-voltage lighting that works off a transformer and operates from a standard 110 volt power source. Outdoor lights can run off a timer or can be wired into light switches in the home for maximum control.

Your own outdoor lighting plan can be as simple or as complex as you desire. Aurora has transformers that can handle up to 50 lights, although accent lighting using as few as four or five lights can make all the difference in creating an outdoor living space that can be readily enjoyed at night.

Best of all, you can create a custom look that works for you, adding light in cooking areas, near stairs or gates, or along bench seating where guests congregate.

For more information on outdoor lighting and installation, visit Aurora Deck Lighting’s Web site at www.auroradecklighting.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Nesting Back In Style

(ARA) – As the economy took a downturn, there was a major shift in how Americans shopped and entertained. ‘Nesting’ made a comeback, and as such, dining out has been replaced with invitations to friends and family to dine in.

And, while we’re looking for ways to cut spending and save money, we still want to keep our decor — in the kitchen and on the dinner table — fresh, modern and fun for everyday and the occasional soiree.

There are several ways to wow party goers and stay within your budget. You can repurpose the plates you have or purchase a couple of inexpensive but key pieces like linens and silk flowers to create an entirely different look. Before you do anything, however, take stock. This season’s dining decorating trend may already be in your cupboards.

Urban elegance
This year, lemongrass is making the statement. Incidentally, Michelle Obama chose to wear the color on her husband’s inaugural day.

In an urban-inspired decor, this chartreuse-like shade is the color that gets attention and leaves a lasting impression. “It says ‘optimism, vibrancy and cheerfulness,’” says Ed Wonder, director of design for Fiesta Dinnerware, an iconic American brand. “Throughout history, when our country is in turmoil, we’ve often looked to bright colors to lift our spirits.”

Consider adding a few pieces in this contemporary color to each place setting, either a solid napkin or bud vase holding a single fresh orchid. If you already have chocolate- or ivory-colored china, mix in lemongrass-colored serving platters and bowls; the three-way color combo sets the stage for a metropolitan meal.

To make guests gasp, go bold with the colors of lemongrass, black, white and several shades of purple.

Bohemian but chic
The bohemian lifestyle is all about collecting pieces over time, mixing and matching similar with dissimilar items, and creating a feeling of overall freedom. With that said, almost anything goes. So, don’t rely on a standard ’set’ of dishes to enhance the dining experience. The key is to mix different shapes — like round dinner plates with square bowls — as well as sizes, colors and patterns.

Fiesta recently introduced square dishes to its nearly 75-year-old signature circular design. The layering effect achieved when the two shapes are combined not only adds dimension, but a bit of playfulness to the setting.

Most importantly, be unconventional with your color and pattern choices. Mix brights with earth tones, like Fiesta’s peacock and tangerine with chocolate and evergreen dinnerware. And, incorporate decorated glassware, cups and saucers and dessert plates — in any pattern, even paisley — with solid pieces.

The good news is you can achieve ‘bohemia’ without breaking the bank. Purchase one or two new, but inexpensive, pieces that you can add to your everyday dishes, like a set of square bowls to layer with round designs. Or add chargers in a shade that acts as an accent to the current color scheme.

Your best bet is to raid your grandma’s boxed up dishes in the basement or scout out bargains at local antique stores and garage sales.

Patriotic plating
What better way to show your patriotism than with dinnerware in the colors of the flag, and made right here in the U.S.A?

Fiesta offers its scarlet, cobalt and white (or ivory) dinnerware. Chances are, you already have a set of white or ivory everyday dishes (the top colors on bridal registries), so you can easily add splashes of scarlet and cobalt without spending lots of your hard-earned cash.

A simple table runner, flatware and a few large vases in all three colors, and you are all set to celebrate the blessings in life and support your country on July 4, Labor Day, or any day of the year.

A unisex tabletop
For a serious, sophisticated dinner setting that appeals to both ‘him’ and ‘her,’ turn to colors that mimic menswear. Choose dinnerware in the following color combinations: black, evergreen, marigold and white, or black, chocolate, cobalt blue and ivory.

Consider covering the table with a herringbone, houndstooth or plaid tablecloth. This doesn’t have to be a designer label; buy the fabric by the yard at a local arts and crafts store.

Place stacked settings — charger, dinner plate, salad or fruit bowl — on top of leather placemats. Use solid napkins, but in a bright accent color to soften the look for female guests. Tangerine works well with chocolates, as does a sunflower shade.

Whatever your design preference is for the season, be it urban, bohemian, patriotic, or more masculine, you can be a trendsetter and achieve these looks on a budget.

Just combine a few new pieces, dishes you already have, and a little creativity.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Spring Cleaning

(ARA) – Green grass can finally be seen again and people across the country are realizing they can’t avoid it anymore. That’s right; summer is here and it’s time to clean the garage. All winter long you kept the garage door shut, but summertime means that door is inevitably going to be open. You don’t want to be embarrassed when the neighbors stop by, do you?

This year, after you’re done wrestling the two most important summer accessories out of your garage — the grill and the lawn mower — take the time to give the space a thorough cleaning and update. There are a number of simple steps you can take to clean and organize your garage so that when your neighbors do walk by, they’ll be amazed at the transformation.

Colorful, but still clean
Stroll by a dozen open garages and you’ll likely see one common thread. All the garages are painted white. There’s no rule against painting the walls of your garage something other than white. But, choosing paint for your garage is more than color. Garage paint has to be strong enough to withstand grime, water and general dirt.

Consider applying a paint that is specifically designed for durability, like Pratt & Lambert’s Porcelain paint line. The paint is actually infused with bonded ceramic beads that create an impenetrable film that doesn’t allow dirt and stains to set in. So, if you’re cleaning your lawn mower and happen to splash grassy, muddy water on the wall, all you have to do is wipe it off with a wet rag. The paint won’t become discolored or chip off. It’s even strong enough to handle scrubbing with a sponge. Plus, Pratt & Lambert offers more than 1,000 colors, so you can create a distinctive look.

Power wash and kitty clean
Once you have the walls sealed and painted, you can now power wash the concrete floor without concern about damaging exposed drywall. Many large home and hardware stores will rent out power washers by the hour or day. Power washing is relatively easy and you’ll be amazed at how effective it is at removing dirt and paint splatter from your garage floor.

Once the floor is clean, break out the kitty litter. That’s right; kitty litter is an excellent absorbent and can remove those hard-to-clean oil stains. Simply spread the kitty litter on the stain and use a heavy object, such as a brick, to work the kitty litter into the stain. Once it’s worked in, let it sit for a few hours before sweeping up. After you’re all swept up, finish by taking a stiff-bristled brush and some soapy water to clean any remaining residue.

Waterproofed and weatherized
Notoriously, the garage is a receptacle for dirt, mud, salt and water. Dirt and water from car tires, lawn mowers, snow blowers and garden tools all seem to meld into one big mess that defies cleaning. Not only does this mess make the garage look bad, these elements can have a very detrimental effect on your garage floor. One way to combat the wear and tear is to consider waterproofing the concrete with a protective coating.

Many companies offer simple do-it-yourself coatings kits, such as H & C Coatings’ Shield Crete. This garage floor coating protects concrete against gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, road salt and even hot tires. It also creates a glossy, showroom-like finish that hides imperfections like cracks or unsightly stains and easily cleans up with soap and water. Available in eight colors, it includes optional decorative flakes to give that previously boring garage floor just the right finishing touch. One easy-to-apply kit can cover up to 250 square feet and is water-based with virtually no odor.

Storage, not shelving
Just about every garage in America has the standard-issue white organizer shelving. Though the shelving does provide functionality, it still doesn’t look clean. All the car washing sponges, bug spray, small garden tools and miscellaneous tools are still visible and sitting out.

Instead of shelving, install storage cabinets. There are dozens of industrial grade and strength garage storage cabinets that will help hide all of the small items that you store in your garage behind magnetic, closable doors. Even if you still can’t seem to organize the items inside the cabinets, at least they won’t be visible, and it will provide a much cleaner appearance to your garage.

Once you’ve cleaned and sealed the floor, painted the walls and housed all your miscellaneous tools and supplies in storage cabinets, you’re ready for the fun part; relaxing. Plus, the fact that these simple solutions provide lasting durability means that next year, you won’t have to do this again.

For more information on Pratt & Lambert, visit www.prattandlambert.com. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Outdoor Living

(ARA) – Instead of spending on pricey vacations, more Americans are turning to money-saving alternatives in their own backyards. Upgrading or adding a deck is a great way to take advantage of outdoor living spaces.

Homeowners today are viewing their outdoor living space as extensions of their home. Among the 40 million homeowners who have an available outdoor living space, less than one-third prep their decks appropriately for the season, according to a Glidden brand survey. If you’re planning on using your outdoor living space this season, you may want to consider improving or upgrading your current deck.

Although it now may seem like a challenging time to invest in your home, enhancing your outdoor living space can be cost-effective. Exterior and replacement projects bring homeowners the best return on investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report.

“Outdoor living has become an increasingly popular trend over the last few years,” says Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Products, Inc. “When selecting your future decking material, research all of your options to ensure you’re purchasing material that best meets your needs.”

When making a decision on your available decking options, you may want to consider the three common types of decking material:

Composite
Representing 40 to 60 percent of new decks, composite decking is the latest trend in outdoor living spaces. Composite decking is made from a blend of woods and recycled plastic, vinyl or acrylic materials that prolong the life of the deck. Although the initial price of composite decking may be higher compared to other types of wood, the expected lifespan can save money in the long run.

Many homeowners are attracted to composite decking because it provides the appearance of real wood, requires little maintenance and typically comes with a longer warranty period. For example, TAMKO’s EverGrain is backed by a 25-year limited warranty.

“Composite decking requires no painting or staining which allows homeowners to spend more time enjoying their decks rather than working to maintain them,” says McNally.

Pressure-treated
Pressure-treated wood contains preservatives that provide protection against termites, insects and fungal decay. The wood product is placed into a depressurized cylinder. The cylinder is filled with preservatives under high pressure that forces them deeply into the wood. When the process ends, the cylinder is drained and the remaining preservative is reused. Applying preservatives is an attempt to slow drying which means less shrinkage occurs and the surface of the wood remains smoother longer.

Although pressure-treated wood is usually found at relatively low cost, it is at high risk for moisture damage. In order to protect a pressure-treated deck against weather and premature aging, the wood requires regular power washing and yearly application of stain and sealer.

Cedar
Cedar is another commonly used decking material because it is attractive, easy to work with and is naturally rot- and insect-resistant. Cedar wood decking material has less than half the swelling and shrinking tendencies of other domestic softwoods.

If cedar wood goes untreated, over time it will lose its natural golden hue and may turn a silver grey color. The average lifespan of cedar is roughly 10 years and, in order to double the lifespan, regular applications of staining and waterproofing are highly recommended.

When you’re ready to begin creating or improving your outdoor living space, research your options. Be sure you’re picking the best available material to ensure your deck will last you many more summer months to come.

Courtesy of ARA content

Curb Appeal How To

(ARA) – You only get one chance for your home to make a first impression. With a little help from Mother Nature, you can demand a second look from passersby with a show-stopping front yard.

“Every canvas needs to start fresh and clean,” says James A. Baggett, editor of Country Gardens Magazine. “So roll up your sleeves, stick your hands in the dirt and get ready to personalize your yard with color and style.”

With a little ingenuity you can transform a ho-hum landscape into a real stunner with these simple tips that add professional-looking curb appeal to your home:

* First things first
You can’t enhance anything until you have a clean slate. So mow the lawn, get rid of the weeds, rake up and dispose of any leaves, edge the sidewalks and remove the grass growing between concrete seams and brick pavers. Prune the trees — especially the ones near or touching the roof — and add a layer of dark, natural mulch to any flower beds or under trees.

* Cover up the bald spots
Now you need to take a good look at your yard. How can you enhance your best features and minimize your worst? Here’s a great trick: Print photos in black and white and you’ll easily see the problem areas. Determine what “flaws” you want to fix. To update your look, fill empty spaces and add interest to a drab corner or “hide” unsightly spots with colorful, ever-blooming plants like the very popular shrub roses in The Knock Out family.

* Put out the welcome mat
The entry garden is the most visible garden space and sets the mood for your entire home. Whether formal or relaxed, it should draw your eye toward the front door. Plant a pair of carefully pruned boxwoods on either side of the front door to add symmetry. Add a light fixture that matches the home’s exterior and shows your personal taste.

* Contain yourself
For those with minimal or no yard, or if you just want the elegance and ease of containers, pot up pretty annuals and perennials around your entrance, mailbox or along the front walk. To have striking color year after year, use perennials for fistfuls of continuous blooms that help stretch your dollars. Yellow and red are hot colors this year so plant the newest Sunny Knock Out rose paired with your favorite red annuals to be in step with the latest trends.

* Express yourself
Decorate a garden with a favorite antique, treasured collectible or statue. Look for objects such as driftwood, rocks or even empty mailboxes to punctuate certain areas. Use color to attract the eye. Paint your front door a bold, welcoming color or try a bright, punchy color on the shutters.

* Plan for sustainability
Look for plants that are easy to grow, save water and don’t require a lot of work. Pick plants that are native to your area for low-maintenance beauty. Eco-friendly shrub roses are a great choice, especially when paired with perennials for year-round color.

Baggett thinks shrub roses are perfect for first-time homeowners since they are extremely easy to grow and are low-maintenance. “Shrub roses give you a lot of bang for your buck,” he says. “They are really no work for the homeowner — and don’t require spraying, harsh chemicals, pruning, deadheading or lots of water. They bloom from May to the first hard frost in the late fall, offering season-long color and visual impact in the home landscape.”

The most popular shrub roses are The Knock Out Family of roses. They are available in seven shades ranging from hot raspberry pink to soft yellow, fitting any homeowner’s taste and landscape style while providing continuous year-round curb appeal.

Enjoy the days you get outside to renew your yard and garden. You’ll have folks taking a second look.

For more information on The Knock Out Family of roses visit www.theknockoutrose.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Cabinet Finishes

(ARA) – With the dreary shadow of the economy looming, what better way to cheer your family’s mood and welcome in summer than by incorporating a creative color palette into your living room, bathroom or home office? With Americans spending more time at home these days, many are investing in home upgrades. Take a cue from Mother Nature and bring in functional and affordable cabinetry in surprising colors.

Designers are reporting increased demand from consumers for cabinets with painted finishes, according to the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence. Cabinet manufacturers are expanding finish options beyond the traditional brown and reddish tones to include bright and relaxing hues that create a summer retreat within your own home.

For example, Diamond Cabinets recently introduced several new cabinet finishes to its Inspired Collection, including a sunny, buttery yellow called Honeysuckle; a lagoon blue appropriately dubbed Oasis; a chameleon-like neutral, Portobello and Tidal Mist, which is reminiscent of foggy, ocean-front summer mornings. Other finishes in the collection include Moss — an earthy green — and Crimson, which emulates the look of summer berries.

Finishes from the Inspired Collection are also available with an heirloom technique, which creates a worn look around the cabinet edges, giving them a vintage feeling as though they have been open and closed for years.

The key is to have fun when incorporating a bright palette into your home. Pair colorful finishes with modern dark wood cabinetry to create a look that will be fresh for years. Use an unexpected hue for your laundry room cabinets to add a spark of personality in your space.

Sleek, versatile storage

The open, airy personality summer evokes can be easily mimicked throughout the home. For instance, an X-shaped Wine Cabinet is ideal for clearing bottles of your favorite summer wine selections off high-demand counter space. Its fluid design makes storing bottles of varying sizes a breeze. The X-shaped cabinet can be put to good use in other rooms of your home as well. Use it to neatly tuck away rolled-up towels in your bathroom; in your home office to store stationary or other small items; or in a playroom where it creates a compact home for children’s toys. Whatever your use, the sleek, open storage allows your personality to peek out without making your home look cluttered.

While you may enjoy quiet summer evenings listening to rustling tree branches and singing cicadas, you may feel the urge to grab your favorite summer tunes to liven up an afternoon barbeque or impromptu campfire. Find tunes easily with a smart CD/DVD Rollout Insert Cabinet, which allows you to smartly store your summertime favorites.

Incorporating cabinetry with playful colors and smart design into your home is a sure-fire way to invite the ease and excitement of summer living into your family’s life all year round.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Increase Home Values

(ARA) – National foreclosure statistics can be downright frightening – until you realize that despite record increases in foreclosure rates, the majority of American homeowners are still making their mortgage payments.

If you are among the majority of homeowners whose hard work and smart financing decisions will allow you to stay in your home through the recession and real estate downturn, you may actually have the wherewithal to make some improvements to your home. Low interest rates and increased competition among remodeling contractors make this a great time to enhance your house’s value and your enjoyment of your home with some popular upgrades.

“From talking with homeowners at home shows across the country, there’s still a lot of desire to invest in improvements that are beneficial to both the home’s value and the people who live in the home,” says Steven Deland of Acryline Spa Bath. “People still want to create as luxurious a home environment as they can afford, especially in the bath where the trend toward a spa-like atmosphere continues.”

From both an investment and personal enjoyment standpoint, there are clear advantages to remodeling, renovating or upgrading a bath, including:

* A modest bathroom remodel will recoup you up to 75 percent of the cost upon resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2008-2009 Cost vs. Value Report.

* Baths are among the easiest remodels to achieve using “green” practices and products, from eco-friendly materials like ceramic tile to luxurious, water-conserving fixtures and low energy-consumption lighting.

* With even secure homeowners feeling the anxiety of living in a recession, demand is increasing for cost-effective ways to relieve stress, and upscale baths are perceived as a way to do exactly that. Upgrades like massaging bath systems and luxurious soaking baths are seen as a more cost-effective, personalized alternative than repeated trips to a spa or massage therapist.

Few bath improvements make as strong a spa-like statement as an upgraded bath. A luxurious water experience can elevate a bathroom from a simple utilitarian room to a center of therapeutic relaxation in the home. Massaging baths like Acryline’s Ultimate II System use jets of warm air, circulated through bath water, to create a soothing, relaxing bathing experience. Enhanced keypad operation allows the user to set heat and intensity levels, and choose massage options without the distraction of having to self-program the system. For more information on Acryline, or to find the retailer nearest you, log on to www.acrylinebathsystems.com

 “Demand remains strong for tub experiences that really underscore that feeling of spa-like relaxation in the home bath,” Deland says. In fact, Acryline, which specializes in massaging bath systems, is so confident of continued demand that the company has never stopped investing in plant and equipment upgrades, new technologies and new products despite the economic downturn.

“Since the end of World War II, the U.S. has seen repeated cycles of prosperity and downturn, yet American homeowners have historically seen their homes double in value every 11 years since then,” Deland points out. “Investing in your home is still one of the most sensible ways to spend your money and improve your life.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Outdoor Tiles

(ARA) – Outdoor living is more than just dressing up patios with a few planters and installing a pool in the backyard. Instead, people are transforming ordinary backyards into “specialty rooms” complete with kitchens, bars, TVs, lake-like pools and heating elements for cool nights.

With increasing demand for stunning outdoor sanctuaries, pools and other water features such as fountains, ponds and waterfalls have gained priority status. At the same time, ceramic tile has crept beyond its standard uses in kitchens and baths to appear in some of these more uncommon and unexpected scenarios. Tile of Spain-branded manufacturers continue to produce a broad variety of products that add oasis-like attributes to outdoor living.

“Tile can be used in a multitude of outdoor living applications and not just in decor,” reports Patti Fasan, a Tile of Spain ceramic tile consultant. “Today’s tile serves practical purposes with its superior property advantages — ideal for pools and other outdoor settings.”

Why ask for ceramic tile when sculpting your backyard Shangri-La? Ceramic tile offers beauty, safety and practicality all rolled into one. It inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, fungus and other organisms that usually accompany the presence of water. It’s highly resistant to pool-related chemical agents such as chlorine and won’t fade, even under continuous exposure to direct sunlight. And perhaps the most important benefit of ceramic tile when designing a spa or pool area: slip-resistance. Tiles are manufactured with a defined and rated anti-slip factor.

Keeping the needs of homeowners in mind, Natucer recently introduced Filter Floor. Using a very thin open joint, this floating ceramic floor allows rain water to pass through the tile surface and drain away underneath, preventing stagnation of water and resulting mildew. Filter Floor is a good material for use on terraces, balconies and as a swimming pool surround and is available in two finishes.

Interior design that reflects the natural beauty of outdoor surroundings is gaining popularity as well. This entails bringing the outside elements indoors so there is seamless transition between the boundaries of the structure and its surrounding natural aesthetics.

One example is the Segorbe series by Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer Grespania that achieves the palette of a forest floor — a mesh of moss, leaf and stone. This tile is available in marengo, negro, beige, marron, ocre and marfil colors. The Imazi series by Vives Azulejos y Gres is inspired by one of the most alluring expanses of our planet, the Sahara desert. This wall tile is available in white, cream, nut, pearl, black and marengo.

The look of weathered wood is sweeping the design front in a frenzy of textures and tones. But as we all know, water and wood are not always the best partnership, requiring possible replacement and refinishing from warping and staining. Tile of Spain manufacturers have embraced advanced technology to replicate finishes virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. So for that organic poolside look, people can easily achieve the look of wood without the risk of water damage and high-cost replacement. The Ginza series by Inalco allows the classic look and warmth of wood but gains the technical standards and durability of ceramic tile.

For more about tile produced in Spain call (305) 446-4387 or visit www.spaintiles.info.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Energy Saving Ideas

(ARA) – The hot, humid weather of summer is about to meet Americans’ continuing desire to cut costs this cooling season. Room air conditioners are a practical way to cool down when temperatures heat up, especially if you want to save money by only cooling the rooms you use the most.

New room air conditioners are significantly more energy efficient and now offer a variety of features, including varying fan speeds, remote controls, timers and different types of filters. The average room air conditioner manufactured in 2008 also uses 23 percent less energy than units made in 1990. ENERGY STAR units can save you even more.
�
Before going to the store to purchase a new unit, consumers should visit www.cooloff.org to search through a list of models that are AHAM-certified. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers tests and certifies room air conditioners in an independent lab to verify that the product performs according to the manufacturers’ claims.

To get the maximum benefit from a room air conditioner, consider two important factors — cooling capacity and efficiency. Many people size air conditioners incorrectly, purchasing an air conditioner with more cooling capacity than needed.

More is not necessarily better. A unit with too much capacity may cool a room so quickly that it won’t run long enough to lower humidity. This results in a cold, clammy feeling caused by chilly, humid air. More importantly, you will be wasting energy and lots of money.

Cooloff.org also offers a cooling calculator  for consumers to determine the proper cooling capacity for their room. The Web site will also take you through a series of questions before recommending models that fit your needs.

Once you know what size unit you need, consider its operating efficiency. The higher the energy efficiency ratio, or EER, the more efficient the model. When shopping, you’ll also want to look for the “AHAM-certified” seal. Models certified through AHAM’s program have been tested and their performance verified by an independent laboratory, assuring consumers that the product will perform according to the manufacturer’s product claims for BTU’s per hour, amps and efficiency.

Once you have the perfect air conditioner for your home size, you’ll want to keep it running smoothly. Here are some maintenance tips from the AHAM:

* Turn off the unit and open doors and windows during cooler periods.
* Use the unit fan and portable fans to draw in cooler outside air and increase circulation.
* Use a higher (warmer) thermostat setting during peak periods or when the area is unoccupied. A 75 to 80 degree setting will cut power consumption by 15 percent.
* Don’t let heat build up all day and then try to cool areas quickly by turning the controls to maximum settings.
* Draw the shade or window blinds to reduce solar and outdoor heat.
* Regularly change or clean filters and check air flow for blockage or frost on evaporator coil.

Beat the heat. Check out www.cooloff.org today and cool off with a new room air conditioner.