Category: House & Home

Improving Savings, Health, and Happiness by Re-examining Your Practices and Surroundings series

kids townThis series of EDIS publications introduces readers to the concept of overall community performance and suggests minor modifications to neighborhoods, public schools, and public services that could help citizens improve their communities. This publication is for a general audience and provides a list of changes to public schools that, if enacted, may help improve a community’s performance.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_improving_savings_health_and_happiness

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase–Engaging Residents (WEC334/UW379)

Figure 1. A white ibis on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. Credit: Daniel FeinbergAs urban communities grow, design and management strategies for new developments become critical factors that determine impacts on natural resources. How can we accommodate growth yet conserve natural resources, such as biodiversity, water, and energy? In this document, we focus on conserving biodiversity when land is subdivided, constructed, and occupied. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw379

Improving Health and Happiness in the Home by Being an Energy Giver Rather Than an Energy Taker (FCS3313/FY1339)

Father and son with laundry basket One way to improve health and happiness in the home is to work toward becoming an energy giver rather than an energy taker. The first step in doing this is to accept that you have some control regarding the attitude you choose to display during your waking hours. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Randall A. Cantrell and Victor W. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1339

Landscaping in Florida with Fire in Mind (FOR71/FR076)

Figure 1. With careful management and preparation, fire can be a positive force in maintaining Florida's native forests.Fire is a powerful part of Florida’s landscape. It can maintain healthy natural ecosystems (Figure 1), but can also turn a home to ashes. Florida’s frequent lightning strikes and human carelessness guarantee that wildfire will continue to be a factor in both rural and suburban areas. Some homeowners may wonder if they are in danger of wildfire. Find out if you are at risk, and follow these guidelines to reduce the threat of wildfire. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Martha Monroe, Alan Long, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr076

Renter’s Insurance (FAR5007/FM382)

apartment for rent sign“Whether you’re a family living in a rental house or apartment, or a parent whose children are in a rental situation, one of the costs that people tend to forget or ignore is renter’s insurance. But according to consumer science researchers, everyone renting an apartment or a house should have renter’s insurance. It will protect you and your family against losses from disasters such as hurricanes and fire.” This 2-page Family Album Radio transcript was written by Mary Harrison and Donna Davis, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fm382

Home Buying and Your Credit Report (FCS3217/HE714)

Figure 1. Before you purchase a house, you need to look over your credit report. Your credit history will affect whether or not a bank will give you a loan, as well as the interest rate you will be charged.Before you purchase a house, you need to look over your credit report. Your credit history will affect whether or not a bank will give you a loan, as well as the interest rate you will be charged. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Martie Gillen and Virginia Peart, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he714

Differences between Green Homebuilders and Traditional Homebuilders (FCS3308/FY1285)

When renovating an existing home, seek out ENERGY STAR and WaterSense products to improve your home's energy and water efficiency.Homebuilders are not a homogeneous group. Throughout the majority of the US homebuilding history, homebuilders may have used similar practices and building materials, but homebuilders who build to a “green” standard differ from those who do not. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1285

Improving Savings, Health, and Happiness by Making Small Modifications to Your Home (FCS3312/FY1323)

Figure 1. Conceptual framework for overall home performance.Intended for an academic audience, this 7-page fact sheet introduces readers to the concept of overall home performance and offers suggestions of minor conservation measures, maintenance items, and family operations that could help the family improve the overall home performance. Written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1323

Improving Savings and Health by Maintaining Your Home at a Ready-to-Sell Level (FCS3310/FY1321)

We never know when the market will allow for bidding wars on the price of homes, which was the case in some areas before the recent housing crisis. Similarly, we never know when we will have to make a decision about whether or not to move our family. This 4-page fact sheet reviews ways to maintain your home at a ready-to-sell level, which can be a benefit if you have to sell your home or relocate your family. Written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1321

Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase: Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Treatment (WEC319/UW364)

Figure 2. A bioretention area at SW Recreation Center, University of FloridaBecause so much area in subdivisions is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and driveways, stormwater runoff must be accounted for and treated to prevent flooding and to remove contaminates. Often, stormwater runoff impacts surrounding landscapes and water bodies due to nutrient loading. In this 7-page fact sheet, we discuss the importance of using a more distributed stormwater treatment system that treats runoff closer to the source. Often called Low Impact Development (LID), this stormwater management approach is being used to more effectively remove pollutants from runoff. Written by Daniel Penniman, Mark Hostetler, and Glenn Acomb, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw364

What Not To Do for Bed Bugs / Que No Hacer contra las Chinches (ENY2026/IN925)

Figure 1. Engorged adult and nymphal bed bug.In desperate attempts to eliminate bed bugs, people often turn to home remedies that can be fatal. Here is a list of what not to do for bed bug control.
En desesperados intentos para eliminar las chinches, las personas usan remedios caseros que pueden ser fatales.Lo siguiente es una lista de lo que NO se debe hacer para tratar de controlar las Chinches.
This 2-page Spanish/English fact sheet was written by Faith M. Oi, Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman, Eddie Connor, Marty Overline, Brian Taggart, and Louis Witherington, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in925

Improving Savings, Health, and Happiness by Modifying How the Family Operates the Home (FCS3311/FY1322)

A toolboxDoes your home routine need a tune-up? This 4-page fact sheet discusses ways to improve your home’s family operations, which are routines and behaviors practiced at home by your family. Written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1322

Improving Savings and Health through Minor Conservation Measures in the Home (FCS3309/FY1320)

Florida homeMechanical upgrades can increase the overall performance of a house by as much as 40%–50%, and the remaining 50%–60% inefficiency in the overall performance of a home is largely misunderstood. This 4-page fact sheet discusses ways to improve your home by making minor conservation measures. Written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1320

The Association between One Particular Green Building Program and the Use of Environmentally Certified Wood by US Homebuilders (FCS3307/FY1301)

Workers build a home for Habitat for Humanity, in Gainesville,FL. UF/IFAS Photo: Eric ZamoraA recent survey of US homebuilders shows that there is an emerging trend for smaller- and medium-sized homebuilders to begin using the LEED for Homes green building program in the near future. Half of the homebuilders sampled desire to receive “green-building points,” and one way to do so is by using environmentally certified wood. LEED for Homes appears to have increased US homebuilder awareness of and use of environmentally certified wood. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Randall A. Cantrell, Indroneil Ganguly, Ivan Eastin, and Tait Bowers, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1301

Be Prepared: Tips for Assembling a Low-Cost Disaster Kit (FCS9313/FY1284)

Emergency kitBeing prepared can increase your speed of recovery from severe events such as flooding, drought, tornado, hurricane, winter storms, or even being stranded because of a car problem. According to the Red Cross and FEMA three steps of preparation are: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. While pre-assembled kits are available for purchase, assembling your own can cost less and ensures that the kit includes items that are appropriate to your family’s needs. Remember when planning to include all members of your family including pets. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Elizabeth D. Kiss and Michael S. Gutter, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1284

Carbon Sequestration and Storage by Gainesville’s Urban Forest (FOR210/FR272)

live oak Darien GA (CC BY-NC 3.0) Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.orgCities are a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. This fact sheet demonstrates that urban and natural trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change somewhat by sequestering CO2 but can only sequester a small portion of all carbon dioxide emitted from cities. In addition, decomposing trees and mulch, tree maintenance activities, and improperly placed trees that cause shading in winter can also result in emissions of CO2, so it is important for communities to reduce fossil fuel emissions and manage for and preserve large, healthy trees to maximize the amount of CO2 sequestered by an urban forest. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Francisco Escobedo, Jennifer A. Seitz, and Wayne Zipperer, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr272

The Effect of Gainesville’s Urban Trees on Energy Use of Residential Buildings (FOR211/FR273)

Trees provide shade and help with utility costs. Andrew Koeser, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org (CC BY-NC 3.0)Based on a 2007 average retail price of electricity in Florida, trees in Gainesville are estimated to provide about $1.9 million in savings each year due to reduced air conditioning and heating use. However, trees also increase energy costs in winter by approximately $367 thousand annually because their shade cools buildings and thus raises building heating costs. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Francisco Escobedo, Jennifer A. Seitz, and Wayne Zipperer, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr273

Northern Racoon (WEC34/UW033)

Figure 1. Northern raccoon, Procyon lotor, adult male.Raccoons are found statewide in Florida in ever-increasing numbers. Urbanization and agriculture often help their population because food becomes more available in these conditions. Therefore, it is not at all uncommon to encounter raccoons near your home or neighborhood. Learn more facts about raccoon biology and how to (legally) solve raccoon problems. This 7-page fact sheet was written by William H. Kern Jr., and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw033

Cleaning and Sanitizing the Kitchen: Using Inexpensive Household Food-Safe Products (FCS8OH2010/FY1280)

Figure 1. Products that meet the criteria for the EPA’s Design for the Environment program will come with this label. Consumers can protect themselves by preventing the spread of germs by both cleaning and sanitizing surfaces where food is prepared. This 3-page fact sheet provides instructions for sanitizing with bleach, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide; and how to purchase “green” sanitizing products. Written by Janet Buffer, Lydia Medeiros, Mary Schroeder, Patricia Kendall, Jeff LeJeune, and John Sofos; adapted by Amy Simonne for use in Florida with permission, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1280

El Mosquito Culex Iolambdis (ENY727S/IN901)

Figure 6. Hembra adulta de C. iolambdis.Culex (melanoconion) iolambdis es un mosquito pequeño de color marrón oscuro que existe en sitios tropicales y subtropicales. En los Estados Unidos, solo se encuentra en el sur de Florida. Se conoce poco sobre la biología y comportamiento de este mosquito. El subgenéro Melanoconion se distingue por el pequeño tamaño de sus especies y por dificultad en diferenciar las diferentes especies. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Jorge R. Rey, Erik M. Blosser, Stephanie K. Larrick and C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in901