Converting Your Home Heating System to Natural Gas

Converting Your Home Heating System to Natural Gas

Is it time to convert your home heating system from oil to a more affordable, reliable and healthier gas?

Natural gas home heating is much cheaper than oil. Not only is it cheaper, but it is clean, safe, efficient and a more dependable energy source because it is produced in the United States.

To begin the conversion process, contact PSE&G and ask them to recommend one of their reputable installers if you do not already have one.

The contractor can find out if there’s natural gas within 100 feet of your home so that you do not have to pay a connection charge.

Once this is determined, the contractor will remove the old boiler and oil tank if it is located inside your home. If your tank is located underground, it can be abandoned and will no longer be used to store fuel. In place of the old heating system, a gas boiler and a separate hot water heater will be installed. The last and final step would be a safety inspection of the new equipment.  This process can take some time, so make sure that you have enough of your current fuel source.

After that, you can enjoy a more affordable, safer, healthier and efficient way of heating your home.

Don’t forget to contact your insurance agent and advise them of your heating system updates.

For questions or more information on Homeowners insurance, please give us a call at 516-249-5200 or visit our website at www.chedwards.net

by Steven Visco

 

 

Life Insurance Awareness Month: Policy Beneficiary

Life Insurance Awareness Month: Policy Beneficiary

No one likes to think about dying, but when it comes to life insurance, you need to figure out who will get your money when it is your time. It is important to know what a beneficiary is and how your life insurance policy works after you are gone.

September is life insurance awareness month and C.H. Edwards, Inc. is here to help you understand the basics of life insurance.

What is a Beneficiary? Beneficiary is a term in a life insurance policy contract that recognizes who receives the benefits after a person’s death. The primary beneficiary is the first person who receives the benefits after you have passed. If your primary beneficiary is deceased, your contingent beneficiary would then receive your benefits. A contingent beneficiary is also known as your secondary beneficiary.

How to choose your beneficiary? Choosing the right beneficiary is important, but can also be challenging. Consider who you want to help after you are gone. This could be a spouse, child, niece, nephew, etc.. In short terms, your beneficiary should be someone you can trust with your money after you are gone.

It is never too early or too late to purchase a life insurance policy. Nearly 40% of consumers in the United States do not have life insurance coverage. Don’t wait another day!

For more information on life insurance, please give us a call at 516-249-5200.

 

Summer Guide to U-Pick Lewin’s Farm!

Summer Guide to U-Pick Lewin’s Farm!

Summer is here and that only means one thing, fresh summer produce! If you love fresh fruits and vegetables, check out one of Long Island’s many “U-Pick” farms on the east end! With a wide variety of choices ranging from blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and more, you and your family are sure to find something you all love!

Lewin’s farm on Sound Avenue in Calverton offers many fun, family activities along with their “U-Pick” farm experience.

Even if you don’t feel like picking your own produce, Lewin’s offers a huge farm stand of already picked fresh produce right at your fingertips.

While there, make sure to take a drive down Sound Avenue and see what other farms and stands can offer you.

Its summer fun for the whole family, don’t miss out on this year’s summer picking season.

Lewin Farm
812 Sound Avenue
Calverton, NY 11933
Phone: 631-929-4327

 

Looking for a twist on your weekend breakfast/brunch?

Try some Cheese and Blueberry Danish

What you need:

  • 1 package (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
  • 4 oz. package of cream cheese
  • Sugar to taste
  • ½ cup of Blueberries

How to make it:

  • Heat your oven to 350 degrees
  • Unroll the crescent rolls onto a greased baking sheet
  • Use two triangle pieces to make one square (you will have four at the end)
  • Pinch the seams to hold the dough together
  • In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and sugar until it is as sweet as you like
  • Spread a spoonful of cream cheese onto the dough and top with a handful of blueberries
  • Bring opposite corners of rectangles together and press together to seal.
  • Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown

Enjoy!

Water Park Safety

Water Park Safety

The Summer Season is a fun time to enjoy the outdoors and all the activities that come with the warm weather.

If you’re planning to take a trip to your local water park, be sure to follow these important safety tips to help ensure the safety of yourself and other:

  • Children under 48″, non-swimmers, and weak swimmers should wear a Coast Guard approved life vest while enjoying water park attractions.
  • Children in diapers should be dressed in waterproof swim diapers to minimize leakage.
  • Children should not ride attractions that are not suitable for their height, weight or age.
  • Keep an eye on your children and make sure you know where they are at all times.
  • Dress appropriately, and be sure to bring a dry pair of clothing to change into once you have had enough sun for the day.
  • Apply waterproof sunscreen before leaving home and be sure to reapply throughout the day.
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Read the signs at every attraction and listen to all audio instructions provided by recordings or staff.
  • Follow the lifeguards’ instructions and signal them if you or someone else is in trouble.
  • If your group plans to split up, be sure to use the buddy system. This is an excellent way to make sure no one is left behind.

Enjoy your summer season safely!

 

Natural Ways to Repel Summer Insects

Natural Ways to Repel Summer Insects

Summer time is here once again. Unfortunately, with all the good that summer brings, the warm and humid weather also brings unwanted insects.
Here are some natural and safe remedies to help get rid of these pests and enjoy your summer.

Wasps. Wasps come back as soon as the warm weather turns. The colonies are getting bigger and this results in more aggressive and hungrier insects. These insects have a good quality of eating other dead insects, however they are a huge risk to anyone who is allergic to them. Wasps do not like any type of mint, so growing mint in your garden will be a deterrent. Mint is safe and non-toxic to any pets or children who may accidentally get into it.

Ants. Warm and damp weather is a recipe for ants to come out. Ants can be attracted to anything that spills in your kitchen or on your floors. Once you see one ant, you can bet there are more hanging around. You can make a natural repellent out of white or apple cider vinegar and water. Simply put this mixture in a spray bottle and spray the affected areas.

Mosquito’s. Mosquito’s are a pest that can put a damper on the mood of any party or gathering. They seem to come out of nowhere and keep coming back. A safe and effective way to reduce the mosquito population around your home or yard is to reduce standing water if possible. Standing water is the mosquito’s preferred breeding ground and will bring them into any yard that has standing water. You can also grow mosquito repelling plants such as basil.

Ticks. Ticks are one of the hardest insects to get rid of. They dig into your skin and your pet’s fur and stick. A single adult female can have as many as 4,000 eggs in one sitting. Planting basil can help repel ticks along with a solution of tea tree oil and water. However, be aware, cats can be sensitive to this mixture.

Do you have any suggestions for repelling summer insects? Share them below!

Happy Summer!

 

Backyard Safety

Backyard Safety

Homeowners often aspire to have attractive backyards that look like they belong in a magazine. While these can be picturesque and functional for adults, they may not be entirely practical for homeowners who have young children, especially when the majority of the yard is covered with paving stones and concrete.

When young children are part of a household, homeowners may benefit by designing yards that are both functional and fun. Incorporating safe play areas for kids is one way to unlock the potential of both, big and small backyards.

When considering playground equipment for the yard, parents need to make safety a priority. Follow the “five S’s” when considering your next purchase:

Surface: Parents should assume children will fall. Be sure to buy equipment that is made of a material with a grip to it such as rubber.

Structure: Be sure that the equipment you buy is made of a sturdy material. Cedar wood works great if you are building your own equipment.

Site: Be sure to place your playset in a safe area. Avoid overhanging trees and area of the yard with direct sunlight.

Safety: Follow directions for installation and don’t cut corners to save time. Make sure to anchor down all posts into the ground and check your equipment often for rusty spots and wear and tear.

Supervision: Place your play set and play area in a place where you can easily monitor what is going on.

Backyard playgrounds should be built with safety in mind. Not only for your children, but for others too.

 

Cutting Prom Costs

Cutting Prom Costs

Many people fondly remember their high school proms. While proms make great memories, they can also break the bank!

Prom can be an expensive occasion. On average, American families plan to spend $900 on their children’s prom. Here are some helpful tips to help cut costs when it comes to preparing for prom 2017!

Search for deals: Subscribe to mailing lists and download apps such as Living Social or Groupon to find the best deals on flowers, formal wear, and all the extras.

Go supermarket floral: Supermarkets and warehouse clubs may offer discounted prices on flowers, which prom goers can fashion into boutonnieres and corsages. Also, nothing says you cannot pull a beautiful bloom out of your home garden as well!

Be your own paparazzi: Smartphone cameras now have excellent capabilities, and certain apps can apply filters and fix minor flaws easily. Pair with a coupon for discount photo prints, and soon you’ll have a frugal photo memory book or wall portrait.

Savings in numbers: See if a particular vendor will cut costs if you book services with a group of friends. Retailers will guarantee the sales, and prom goers can save some money.

Prom is meant for making memories, not getting in debt. Save money with smart shopping and avoid all the stress!

Happy prom season!

 

When Was The Last Time You Inspected Your Clothes Dryer?

When Was The Last Time You Inspected Your Clothes Dryer?

When was the last time you inspected your clothes dryer? Failure to do so can pose a safety hazard in your home. Performing a regular maintenance check on your dryer can help promote energy efficiency and keep your dryer running properly for years.

Here are some tips to help maintain your dryer:

  • Inspect dryer and dryer vents every two to three years and clear any dirt or lint buildup.
  • Replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting.
  • Clear outdoor vent trap from snow and other debris.
  • Clean the dryer filter after each use.
  • Dry full loads of laundry and you could save $7 each month!

When it is time to upgrade be sure to visit nationalgridus.com for the latest on rebates for energy efficient appliances.