Bill McCowen asked:




When we set out to begin a major home improvement project, the first things we should be thinking about are our total cost and final budget. However, even with a budget, we can overshoot our material expenses or underestimate our costs, leaving us without backup funds to complete the project.

That’s where loans come in. Loans are a great and often low-interest way to finance major home improvement projects. However, as easy as it is to walk into a local loan office or apply for a loan online, you need to make sure you understand all the costs involved with your home improvement loan.

One tool that helps figure out the exact expenses involved with a loan is a loan calculator. Essentially, a loan calculator works by taking the amount you want to borrow for your project, the number of months you expect it will take you to pay it back and a general estimate of your interest rate. With that information, the loan calculator provides in return a fairly accurate estimate of your monthly loan payments.

Of course, loans can sometimes be a little more complicated than that, so keep reading to learn about the different variables that will help you understand how a loan calculator works.

1. Periodic Payment Figure

The periodic payment amount is the figure that you will need to pay every “pay period.” A standard pay period is usually one month. The amount of these payments is based on the number of payments you’re making or the length of your loan, along with the total principal amount and the interest.

2. Periodic Interest

The periodic interest rate, once settled on by your loan officer, is the amount of interest, or percentage of the total loan, that will be charged every payment or interest period. Remember to shop around for the best interest rate.

3. Total Payments

This is the total number of payments that you will be required to make over the duration of the loan. For example, a 3 year or 36-month term loan will likely require you to make 36 payments. Usually, the sooner you pay back your loan, the better. Of course, a shorter loan period means higher payments. Before making this decision, evaluate your monthly income and general household budget to make sure you’re choosing a payment plan that you can afford.

These are just the basics of home improvement loans and the three factors you’ll encounter when using a loan calculator. Before deciding on and signing a loan agreement, always make sure you understand the terms and all associated fees and costs.

D Marx asked:




Ceiling fans are a popular fixture for good reason. Functionally similar to any other kind of electrical fan, ceiling fans have many benefits over their more conventional counterparts.

A ceiling fan is nothing more than an electrical fan that hangs from the ceiling, and optionally includes lighting. Ceiling fans are preferred by many people due to the space savings over the more conventional or portable fans that take up significant floor space.

Air circulation is a primary benefit of a ceiling fan. They are proven to make a room feel at least 4 degrees cooler than without any moving air. When installed over a kitchen dining table, the moving air helps to dissuade flying pests from entering the area.

Colder winter months benefit from a ceiling fan too. The moving air helps distribute the warm air coming from sources like a furnace or heat stove. Moving this heat around the home makes for a more even distribution of warmth.

Air conditioners do a fine job of cooling a home during hot summer months. But the bill for the electricity consumed can be prohibitive. Yet another benefit of ceiling fans is the energy savings on days where the heat isn’t so high that a ceiling fan cant make a room feel comfortable.

Indeed, the cost savings in electrical power are significant. Ceiling fans consume power at the rate of only pennies per day, while air conditioning units can consume power at the rate of dollars per day. Clearly, during spring and fall months, or even summer mornings / evenings, and ceiling fan can suffice for comfort in room temperature and wallet.

It is important to note – a ceiling fan run in the winter for warmth distribution needs to run clockwise to draw air up against the ceiling. Since warm air rises, this gives it a chance to get pushed around and mixed with the cooler air floating around below.

So where did this great idea come from?

Two dudes, father and son – James and John Hunter first invented the ceiling fan back in 1886. It was originally powered by water since there was no electrical system that you could simply plug into back then even though electricity had been discovered more than 100 year prior.

In 1903 the Emerson Electric Co incorporated the Hunters ceiling fan design in their products. Later the Hunter Fan company was spun off bearing the name of the original duo. Since then there’s been a great deal of evolution in design and technology. Today, there are countless ceiling fan designs offered by the Hunter Fan company.

Casablanca modern fans

Casablanca manufactures the most modern styles of ceiling fans available anywhere. The are beautifully crafted and luxurious ceiling fans. Casablanca fans are not inexpensive. Due to their appeal some of the designs can become collectors items. Don’t be surprised if you find these fans costing a pretty penny over other options.

Age has served the ceiling fan well, what with materials and technologies, and all – from water power to electricity, and light weight material blades, the ceiling fan is the most affordable option for temperature comfort going.

kathy f asked:


I have 2 of the old valves in my condo; one under the
kitchen sink for the kitchen and laundry area, and
the 2nd in a closet for the bathroom. I know plumbers
charges are high, but I need to know in advance to prepare for the shock.