Is Your Air Conditioning Blowing Money Out Your Window?

As the hot days of summer quickly approach us, this is a good time to start thinking about your air conditioning needs versus expenses. In today’s economy, it seems like everyone is looking for ways to save money. By understanding and being aware of your air conditioning use, you can save a lot of money this summer.

Typically, your air conditioner will use much more electricity than other appliances in your home. For example, a central air conditioning system can use up to 3500 watts while your fridge may use around 360 watts. Obviously, this is a great area to conserve.
If you use your air conditioning unit all summer long, this can make for rather large electric bills. Some ways to reduce this cost are:

* Force yourself to raise the temperature in your home a few degrees - It's not that difficult to do

* Turn off the A/C when you leave your home - or at least turn the setting up 10 degrees

* Close vents and doors to rooms that you are not using

* Consider using a window A/C unit for the room you spend most of your time in rather than cooling the entire home

* Install or utilize a ceiling fan (Make sure it is blowing down!)

* Close blinds when the sun is shining directly into your home

* Install a whole house attic fan to remove heat from your home when you first arrive and to greatly reduce the build up of heat in the attic (which acts like a heat blanket to your home)

Here are a few helpful websites:
-Saving Electricity
-How to prepare your A/C unit for spring/summer

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

Summer is fast around the corner. One of the best summer time activities in Denver is to watch a Rockies game.

Coors field is located on 20th and Blake in Denver’s lower downtown/Ballpark neighborhood. This prime location is a beautiful spot to watch a game. This ball park is unique because there are typically more homeruns hit there than any other stadium. Why? The altitude! Since Denver is the Mile High City, the air is thinner which allows the ball to travel greater distances. It is estimated that a home-run ball that is hit 400 feet at a sea level ball park would travel around 440 feet at Coors Field. Needless to say, this makes for a more exciting baseball experience.

In 2007, the Colorado Rockies made a dramatic, exciting finish to their season by winning the National League Championship. This was only the second time in Rockies history (Since 1994) they made it to the playoffs. 2007 ended in the best finish in Rockies history by making it all the way to the World Series before losing the series 4-0 to the Boston Red Sox. This recent success has created excitement for Rockies fans. The team is excited about the talent they currently have and those who are making their way up through the minor leagues.

Here are a few helpful Rockies websites:

-Rockies Schedule
-Rockies Kid’s Website
-Rockies Single Game Ticket Sales

Your Child’s Guide to Moving to Denver

Moving is a stressful time for anyone but especially for kids. They leave their homes, schools, friends, and other comfortable, well-known things to face new, unknown people and places. The best way to make this new transition a smooth one for your children is to get them involved in activities in their community. Fortunately, Denver is a great place to be a kid as well as a parent of a kid. There are endless opportunities to learn, give back, and have fun.

The best way to learn about your new city is to do some research on the internet about the area and to get out on the town. Parents, here are some valuable websites that may help you interest your children in their new home town.

- Denver Kids
- Kid Friendly Denver
- The Kid’s Directory
- Kid’s Attractions
- YMCA Youth Sports
- Denver’s Youth Sports
- Colorado’s Youth Soccer

Also, parents, if you are feeling anxious about how your child will react to the move, it is perfectly normal. No parent wants to cause their child any discomfort but psychologists suggest that children who face small amounts of adversity, such as a move to a new city, actually learn to handle stress and change more effectively. The “experts” say the best thing you can do, as a parent, is to be involved in helping them adjust and supportive of their feelings during this sensitive time.

Welcome to Denver!