Some of you will be getting an XBox for Christmas. You’ll be trading in the old PS2 that’s been slowly losing its fun and glamor over the years and upgrading to the next level.

So that you can get the full potential out of your new toy; most of you already know that you can hook the XBox up to your TV and the Internet for online interactive games, but it can do so much more. I’m talking about movies. For example, if you have a Netflix account you can watch your movies online.

Let’s get to the good stuff:

First, you need your: XBox, TV, an Internet connection, A/V Cables, Ethernet Cable

The easiest way to do this is to follow the instructions that come with the game console. When you go to connect the system, simply follow the instructions. You’re going to notice when you disconnect your old PS2 unit, or whatever you were using, is similar (the cables will be different) to the XBox unit. The only addition to your step when connecting the XBox is adding the Ethernet Cable.

Hopefully, you’ve planned ahead and either ran a cable that is out of the path of traffic, or took the time to install an RJ45 connector.

Once that Internet is connected, you can watch movies, download movies, watch free tv, play interactive games, and get downloads and updates for your console.

Green Roofs

Roofs are often viewed as simple functional components that protect buildings and residences from outside weather and temperatures. But as the planet heats up and the idea of sustainability gains popularity creative planners and roofers are creating more socially responsible areas and living spaces. This has sparked a green roofing movement in the United States and abroad as a rising number of buildings are swapping shingles for sedums. Local states that are taking advantage of the ecologically sound idea include Chicago, Seattle, Maryland, and Boston. This is all just the beginning of the movement, more and more creative planners, builders and consumers are hopping on the green roofing band wagon. All because the advantages of green roofs go beyond environmental but also impact our social and economic needs.

When builders create roofs that aren’t Eco-friendly they hurt the environment in many ways. They affect the world’s natural water cycle (called stormwater runoff); they increase heat island effects and air pollution. Because water is the world’s most valuable resource and a necessity in life for people and plant life, installing green roofs have proven valuable. Green roofs help preserve water and provide ecologically meaningful contributions to water management by their ability to store water and transpire it. The vegetation on top of roofs absorbs air pollution and reduces the hot temperatures caused by unnatural heat conductors such as asphalt, brick and concrete. When there is more building with less vegetation this encourages global warming contributing to higher air temperatures. Meaning urban areas are always 15 to 20 degrees higher in temperature than rural areas. On the contrary, Central Europe has cooler temperatures and has extensive green landscaping that retains 80 percent of its precipitation when it rains. The microclimate of green landscaped and green roof areas support cool temperatures and advance the efficiency of solar power structures, making them more economical.

Green roofs work! The benefits of them are extensive and as stated before, the primary advantage is that it helps mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff, heat island effect and energy consumption. Furthermore, the slight addition in cost brings about awesome long-term economic, social and environmental benefits for the local city and state.

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Crawl space ventilation is essential to avoid moisture damage in modern, energy efficient homes. There are two types of homes that may or may not require ventilation.

1. The older model homes that use center blocks or some type of cement, with an open dirt ground or pad resting in the center, typically need the vents or shafts that will allow air to flow in and out of those shafts.  This will assist in the removal of moisture seeping up from the ground into that space.

2. New homes or ones that have been modified, use vapor barriers between the home and ground, keeping the moisture from penetrating.  This allows for homes with this feature to be built without vents or shafts.

The purpose of those vents is to allow moisture and damp air to flow out of those small spaces.  Failing to let moisture out, eventually leads to rot, mildew, and rust.

Tips on Ventilating Crawl Spaces

The creation of  energy efficient homes over the past 20 years, has also created moisture problems we never really had before. This is also true of crawl space ventilation.

Homeowners and remodelers have known for years that crawl spaces, especially in moist climates, need to be ventilated.  Excessive moisture causes hardwood floors over damp spaces to cup and warp.

If you have vents that allow you to open and close them; what should you do? Homes in colder climates benefit by having the vents closed in winter. This would help keep the room over the crawl space warmer. If you live in a warm climate try keeping the vents open year-round.

Now that it’s Fall, it’s a great time to get done any of that painting needed around the house, inside and out. Paint tends to go on and dry better in dry conditions – usually before it gets too cold outside.

Paint on the outside of the home is best in the Fall and perfect for that time just before the elements of winter are in full effect. Paint seals those openings, cracks, and crevices that can be expanded or portions of wood that might be destroyed due to rain, snow and ice.

Your house is exposed each and every day to some kind of natural element – sun, rain, humidity, heat, cold, wind, settling – and the only way to retain its quality and value is regular maintenance.

Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com shows how you can save money on your winter home heating bills by changing the rotation of your Ceiling Fans

An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day, destroying floors and furniture. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes  are susceptible to freezing and bursting.

There are a few easy steps you can take that will save you from the mess, save money, and save you from the aggravation frozen pipes cause.

Steps before Winter Arrives

Insulate pipes all the water lines in your home, basement, attic, and crawl space. These are the  most susceptible to freezing.

Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Ensure you follow the manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions.

Stop any airflow coming in from outside; near where pipes are located. Check for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.

Dripping Faucet Method

A slow dripping faucet of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.

When You’re Away from Home

Keep your thermostat around 55 degrees; this will assist in preventing freezing and save you money on the electric bill .

Have friends or family check your home regularly.  They’ll make sure it stays warm enough inside the home and can check to see if any pipes may have burst.  This will save you money in the long run and cause less damage, by detecting it early.

If your Pipe Freezes and Burst

If you detect or suspect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (You should know where the main water shut off valve is BEFORE you need to use it.  Then make sure everyone knows how to use it if the time comes.)

Also, as they grow, the dangers don’t necessarily become less, often, new ones tend to emerge.

Place locks on your cabinet doors. This will keep kids out of those old containers, chemicals, and anything else that is hazardous.  Keep in mind, children love to explorer, touch, and then put those things in their mouths.

Same goes with washers, dryers, and dishwashers.  The odds of them climbing inside and turning it on are low, but they could suffocate if the door closes behind them.  Some machines have auto locks on them when the door is closed.

Same for the refrigerator, kids figure out fairly young where the food and snacks come from.  They will want to explore this on their own if given the chance.  The dangers here lie mostly with what’s inside.  A heavy glass container could shatter and break on the ground around your child.  The odds of you standing right there when it happens are low, otherwise they wouldn’t have been in the fridge in the first place.

Little Sally here, loves to push buttons.  Imagine what would happen if she pushed the wrong button, then climbed in the oven to hide or play.  No more Sally!  Lock the oven!

Safety 1st offers a wide selection of home proofing products.  They’re durable, reliable, and inexpensive.

Place gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Kids learn to negotiate climbing stairs faster than going down.  We recommend the gates that attach or hinge on one side, rather than the ones with the cross beam.  These are quick to install, easy to use, and will stay in place better.

Here’s another type of cabinet lock.

Also, keep plastic, packing peanuts, small parts and toys away from young children.