© Hudson, Ink
Inside This Issue:
Homexpert
Smart and simple ways to enrich your home living Fall 2008
ConsumerWatch
Is Your Toilet the Biggest Loser?
Put That Greedy Fixture on a Water Diet
I
t’s hot and you’re filthy. Of course,
that’s what you should expect when
you spend the morning digging up
weeds. But you’re finally ready to grab
a shower and call it a day…except that
when you turn the tap, the faucet remains
dry. The water is simply…gone.
Good thing that’s a figment of your (or
maybe my) imagination. But in truth,
the growing population is putting stress
on available water supplies. Between
1950 and 2000, the population nearly
doubled. However, in that same period,
public demand for water more than
tripled. This increased demand has put
additional stress on water supplies and
distribution systems, threatening both
human health and the environment.
The Culprit
According to the EPA, residential
toilets account for about one-third of
the nation’s indoor household water
use – more than 2.1 billion gallons of
water a year. With the average family
of four flushing more than 16 times a
day, it’s not hard to see both our water
supply and utility dollars going down
the drain.
If your home was built prior to
1992, when the federal government
HomeXpert is published for friends of
Hiller Plumbing
Heating & Cooling
• Home Remodeling
• Gutter Clutter?
• 6 Ways to Save Money
began mandating low-flush 1.6 gallons
per flush (gpf) toilets, your existing
bathroom toilets greedily consume 3.5
gpf. If your home dates back to the
1950s or earlier, you may have a water-
guzzling 5.5-7 gpf model.
The H2O Diet
“Too much of a good thing” definitely
applies to the amount of water being
wasted. That’s why the EPA developed
the WaterSense labeling program,
designed as a win-win – both for
consumers’ wallets and the environment.
Here’s how:
Ü The program will educate the
public about smart water choices.
Ü WaterSense promotes efficiency
without compromising comfort or
performance.
Ü Qualifying WaterSense toilets will
save 20% more water than current
models.
Saving water by installing high-
efficiency toilets is a great way to make
a local difference that can have a global
effect. With this one home improvement,
a family of four will save an estimated
25,000 gallons each year. So if you want
a little help keeping your water running
on high and not dry, give us a call.
Your Quick Call Comfort Hotline:
615-627-9894
www.hillerplumbing.com
$3.00
MyWord
Renewing the
Renewable
By Jimmy Hiller
Hello Friends,
Interesting times
indeed. Gas pric-
es have soared
through the globally-warmed roof.
Again. “Green” products are every-
where. Heck, if you’re not touting
something green, you’re almost so-
cially irresponsible. (Yes, we have
many green products available and
have for years.) The “link” between
gas prices and going green seems to
be Ethanol, that corn-based “renew-
able” fuel. Think of that…
Our planet does many things well.
(That’s a good thing, because where
would we go if it didn’t?) One of my
favorites is the change of seasons,
and Fall is mighty special. Some el-
der definitions of “Autumn” include
“a period of maturation or decline.”
I don’t completely agree. We get
the new school year, fashion season,
car models, and television program-
ming. There’s much “renewed” in
fall. The cool snap in the air surely
renews my desire to get indoors!
Whether you agree or not, there’s
no debate.
Autumn signals the approaching
year-end. The calendar is getting
mighty thin. Somewhere in there
continued on page 4
HomeWise
What Home Remodeling Project is the Best Investment?

I
t’s no secret that home sales are a bit off. Okay, that’s
like saying that Simon Cowell is a bit blunt. So, in-
stead of “moving up,” lots of homeowners are “stay-
ing put” and improving their property.
Some of the more popular upgrades are bath upgrades,
office additions, and kitchen
● Cabinets are generally the most expensive part of the
remodeling project. With the number of styles, material
and hardware available today, you can have a custom
look without a custom price tag. Also, refinishing your
existing cabinets can provide an updated look.
● Consider one of the new luxu-

remodels. Each of these has ry, laminate countertops rather

been painstakingly researched than solid surfacing or granite.
by Forbes Magazine, and You could have money left
here’s the scoop… over for the stainless steel ap-
Midrange Bath Upgrade: pliances you want.
Fared pretty well at 94% ROI. ● If you want the look of stainless

But hey, what’s it worth to NOT appliances, but aren’t ready to

have to look at that stupid shag pay the price, consider order-
toilet cover and gross faucet? ing basic appliances with front
Office Addition: Ranked “trim kits.” You can apply a
lower than we’d have guessed metal or laminate look-alike
at just 73% ROI. Yet when you panel to the fronts of refrig-
consider that your home-based job is supposed to generate a erators and dishwashers, and
profit, that should more than even the score. you’ve got the look for less.
Kitchen Remodel: The low and mid range remodels did You can save by removing existing cabinetry and coun-
better than the ‘higher end’ versions (98% vs. 91%). This tertops and painting the room yourself, but it’s usually a
is a great ROI, and in some neighborhoods the ROI can good idea to leave electrical, plumbing and installation
be 105%, which ought to make the head chef very happy work to the experts. (Give us a call and we’ll be happy to
indeed. So let’s take a look at a good remodel… review the options that are best for you!)

HomeFront
Got Gutter Clutter? (Squishy carpets are a clue!)

W
hen autumn rains fall, many homeowners get option. It’s shaped to fit all gutters and keeps your
the unpleasant surprise of finding water has hands away from the debris. And don’t over-reach
leaked into their basements or you could destabilize
or ground floor. But the solution could your ladder and cause a fall.
be very simple: clean your gutters. If Instead, consider using a
gutters are clogged with leaves and special tool to extend your
debris, they can’t do their job of moving reach. The Gutter Grabber
rainwater away from the house. To is a cleaning tool on an
keep gutters operating properly – and extension pole that lets you
to protect your investment – try these clean up to 18 ft. of gutter
tips: without moving the ladder.
Ë Think safety – Always use a solid, Ë Check the downspouts,
good-quality ladder to reach your gutters. Safety too – If the spout is clogged, a coat hanger can
glasses and gloves are a good idea, too. And watch serve as a tool for working the debris out of the
out for power lines. spout. Follow that with water from the garden
Ë Use the right tools for the job – In addition to hose to flush out debris. Covering your downspout
something to contain gutter debris, you’ll also need a with a strainer such as the Gutter Getter Big
tool with which to scoop it out. The patented Gutter Top Downspout Strainer will help reduce future
Getter Scoop from Working Products, Inc. is a good clogging, too.
SeasonalShift
Top 6 Ways to Save Money and Breathe Healthier Air

I
t happens every Fall. No, not a long line of strangely } When a wood fire is present, a window should always
dressed – and painfully awkward – round of “celeb- be kept open – especially in a tightly sealed, energy
rities” being bounced off Dancing With the Stars, efficient house.
but the Government’s recommendations to weatherize } Invest in a quality range hood
your home. And they mean your home. that will offer high-perfor-
Their reasoning is simple – the more this mance ventilation in the kitch-
country saves on energy, we become less en from every day cooking.
dependent, better off financially, and } Install a carbon monoxide de-
better stewards of the planet. Not a bad tector on every floor of the
outcome. house.
And every Fall, I yell – I mean “sug- } Make sure a home’s roof and
gest” – that you take a hard look at sav- windows are in good shape.
ing more of your energy dollars too. Of Water leaks, condensation and
course, there are financial and health elevated levels of humidity
considerations. Let’s take a look… may not be visible, but mois-
ture in interior wall spaces can
The Science
encourage mold growth and
In the last several years, a growing structural degradation.
body of scientific evidence has indicated
} For optimal air quality, invest
that the air within homes can be more
in an air exchanger system that
seriously polluted than the outdoor air in
will both filter out harmful
even the largest and most industrialized
pollutants and distribute fresh
cities. According to the Environmental Protection Agen-
tempered air throughout the home.
cy (EPA), people spend approximately 90% of their time
indoors, especially during the cold winter months. For more free tips on keeping your air clean and your
home healthy, visit our website. Or if you want to dis-
Measures such as installing storm windows, weather
cuss your options, just give us a call – we’re always
stripping, caulking and blown-in wall insulation can re-
happy to help make your home a healthier, happier
duce the amount of outdoor air infiltrating into a home.
place to live.
Consequently, after winterizing, concentrations of in-
door air pollutants from sources inside
the home can increase. DidYouKnow?
The Source
¥ The phrase “Goodbye” originated from “God bye,” which
Most homes have more than one
source that contributes to indoor air
is derived from “God be with you.”
pollution. Some of these sources can ¥ The game “Simon Says” was originally known as “Do This,
include smoke, dust, pet dander, ra-
don, mold and other pollutants which
Do That.”
can pose serious health risks and con- ¥ The fear of teeth is referred to as Odontophobia.
tribute to respiratory disease, asthma
and even lung cancer. ¥ Golf results in more deaths than does playing any other
Fortunately, there are steps that you sport.
can take both to reduce the risk from
these existing sources and to prevent ¥ Calling a contractor other than us results in nightmare.
new problems from occurring. Here (Just making sure you’re still paying attention!)
are some tips to consider:
} Operate bathroom fans, if present, to ¥ A crooked nose used to be considered a sign of leadership
remove moisture from showers (fans in ancient Rome.
should be ducted to the outside).
 MyWord Do You Really Want To
continued from page 1
this means I’ve gotten a year older,
which means I’ll be advised to “watch Didn’t think so.
Pay MORE for LESS?
my diet and exercise” to ward off ac-
By becoming a member of our Maintenance Agreement program,
celerated aging. (Sound like someone at
you’ll pay LESS for MORE . (That’s better, isn’t it?)
your house?)
Preventive maintenance is good, I The Happy Hiller Club includes:
1 - Spring AC tune-up
guess. All for
99
HomePoints
My house 1 - Heat tune-up $
needs a little Washing a car with a hose 1 - Plumbing Health & Safety Inspection
nozzle and turning off the
fixing, my car Membership entitles you to priority service and discounts on repairs, plus you’ll
water while washing can save
needs some more than 100 gallons
reap the benefits of extended equipment life and more energy savings. You’re one
tending. My of water each time.
call away from making it happen!
wardrobe could Call Hiller Plumbing Heating & Cooling at 615-627-9894.
use an update. ©2008

(No comments please.) Fortunately,

good maintenance is better than full and
costly replacement. Here’s where you
expect – and will get – a nudge from me
about keeping your heating, air condi-
Good for Nothing
That’s what many things you get in the mail are worth,
tioning, and plumbing in tune.
But for the living and irreplaceable
but not this…
things – like the earth, you, and your Just present this ad with your is that our repair professionals
family – good maintenance is the only next repair bill, and we’ll give can get your system up and
prudent path. you $25 dollars off. Why? running as soon as possible.
Here’s to the health of all, Because when you have And that’s good for a lot.
a repair on your plumbing,
heating or cooling system,
you’re already not having a

P.S. Want us to send this issue to a

good day. We understand and
would like to make things a 615-627-9894 $25
friend? Just call us and it’s done! So little easier on your wallet. (We recommend cutting this out and putting it
many great articles, they’re bound to Of course, the best benefit on your refrigerator. Just a thought!) ©2008

thank you!

Nashville, TN 37203 If your mailing address is not correct, please call us!
1510 Fort Negley Blvd.

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