1. Turn on that ceiling fan.
When it’s incredibly cold outside, the ceiling fan is probably the last thing you want to turn on. Surprisingly, though, it can warm things up if you use it correctly.

Take a look at your ceiling fan. It should have a small switch on its base. This lets you change how the fan blades rotate.

For the winter months, turn that little switch so the blades rotate in a clockwise direction. By doing so, you let the blades suck up warm air from the floor towards the ceiling. This helps any warm air spread throughout the room.

Once it heats up outside, remember to turn the switch back, so the blades flow in a counterclockwise direction.

2. Cover your floor.
Have you ever stepped on a bare floor in the winter? It can be quite a cold shock, which is why using rugs is a great way to warm up.

3. Wear extra layers of clothes.
This is perhaps the easiest way to stay warm in your home if you don’t want to incur any extra heating costs.

If you live in a cold climate, you probably have sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, and the like in your closet. When things get incredibly chilly, layer up.

While this tip may seem odd as you imagine yourself sitting in bed with multiple layers on, it makes perfect sense if you live with others.

Everyone has their comfort zone when it comes to cold temperatures, so each person can layer up how they please. If it gets too hot, take off a layer. If it gets frigid, put more layers on.

At the end of the day, your utility costs won’t go up a cent using this method.

4. Get help from of a humidifier.
Like turning on a ceiling fan, this tip may seem odd when it’s cold. Adding humidity to your home, however, can make it feel warmer.

A humidifier adds moisture to the air. The moisture helps you replicate humid days that seem a lot hotter than dry ones.

If you don’t have a humidifier, fill up a large pot with water. Boil it on your stove, then turn it off. As the water vapor moisturizes the air inside your home, you should feel more comfortable.

Last, but not least, you can place a bowl of water near your radiator or one of the vents. As the warm air blows over the water, evaporation will occur, adding moisture to the air..

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It’s sweetheart month and you’ve found the one! Sure there’s music, trumpets and fireworks, but mostly it’s just about finding that someone who you want to share your remote control with. When you find that special someone that feels like home, moving in together is often the next step. While cohabitation is an exciting step forward in any relationship, merging two homes, decor styles and closets can be a challenge. Moving in with your significant other is more than just moving in with a roommate, it’s about finding a balance and creating a home together.

So, how do you reduce the landmines scattered through the experience of moving in together? Like most things moving related, it’s all about the planning. Tackling difficult decisions before the moving trucks arrive will prevent your shared space from turning into a war zone on moving day. Here are eight tips for making moving in with your partner more about the love and less about the stuff.

Clear Communication
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Instead of speaking negatively or critically of your partner’s furniture or strange collector items it’s probably a good idea to ask why he/she is attached to certain things. Is it a family heirloom? Moving unearths a lot of memories and emotional baggage and sometimes it’s hard to deal with it all at once. Listening and showing an interest goes both ways, make sure you are as invested in his/her important items as much as they are. Perhaps, giving it to a family member or putting it into storage is an option. Asking ahead of time in a respectful manner will give each other time to think in a cool-headed manner.

Pick a Floor Plan
Before your move, it’s a good idea to make a simple floor plan of your new place and decide how to use each space. Take important measurements beforehand and plan out what furniture fits where. You might find his couch fits better than yours into the new space. A floor plan will also help the movers move your items and boxes a lot faster.

Blend Styles
Try to pick an aesthetic you both agree on using Pinterest boards to pin styles you both like. If you have very different styles, find a neutral style that can fuse both in the details. You might love shabby chic details while he’d prefer modern industrial loft style, but together you create industrial farm house, that blends the two together.

Take Inventory
Before you pack take an honest inventory of both places. If you have duplicates decide which is in better condition or which fits best in the new shared home. If you are choosing to start fresh sell, recycle or donate your unwanted items. Finding out what you have already, what you need and what you can’t do without, will help you scale down on how much you are moving before you move.

Give Yourself Some Space
Moving in with your partner might mean taking time away from your things. If there are some items that neither of you will compromise on, but they don’t fit into your new shared space, put them in storage for a while. If after six months you still miss or want that item, you can discuss it again with your partner. If after the time apart you realize you don’t miss the item as much as you thought, take it out of storage and donate or recycle it. When it comes down to it, ask yourself who would you miss more? Your partner or your things?

Edit Closets
Closet space is often a sore spot for couples when moving in together. Moving is a perfect time to de-clutter and clear out all of that clothing you don’t wear. Remember the less you have the less you have to pack or move. Divide your items into three piles: donate, trash and keep. De-cluttering is a cathartic experience so it’s only right you do it yourself, don’t see it as a chance to attack your partner’s closet.

His & Hers
It’s important to create a space to call your own when you’re moving in together. Although you’re probably moving in together to be closer, remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder! Find a little space to call your own; where you decide what goes and how it’s used. Whether it’s a workspace decked out with your unique style or a reading nook with piles of your sassy pillows, a little space for yourself will allow you to later regroup and compromise regarding the rest of the shared space.

Home is Where Your Heart Is
A new home is a like a blank canvas. Joining two styles creates great possibilities to create something new together. Once you have the basics installed in your new home, as your joint style takes form only buy new decor items little by little,. Try to make something crafty together. Whether you design or order your wall art together, these joint experiences will be the beginning of many happy memories together.

The roof is at least 25 years old

Most asphalt shingle roofs are built to last between twenty and thirty years. It isn’t unusual for families to stretch the life of their roofs an extra ten years or more to save money. In some cases, 40-year-old shingle roofs may still be in good condition. However, replacing the roof is recommended even if it looks good from the ground.

Most experts recommend replacing the roof before it reaches its 30th birthday, even if it appears to be in good condition. Homeowners who live in a development can tell when to change their roof by looking at what their neighbors are doing. If they are starting to replace their roofing, it may be a good time to do so too.

A significant number of shingles are curling

Another way homeowners can notice they need a new roof is by checking whether the singles have started to curl. In general, shingles curl in two different ways. They can cup, which means that the edges start turning upward, or claw, which means that the middle of the shingle starts to come up. In either case, curling often leads to more significant problems, such as weathering and leaks.

There are several reasons why shingles start curling. First, it may be the result of a faulty roof ventilation system. In general, these systems work by pulling in outside air using intake vents often placed in the lower section of the roof. However, when the incoming air is not properly distributed, heat and moisture become trapped in the attic. As a result, the shingles start wearing, fading and curling faster than they should.

Another potential reason why shingles start curling is improper installation. DIY homeowners and technicians must follow certain regulations to make sure shingles are installed properly. When this does not happen, or when new shingles are installed over old ones, high winds can easily curl them. If wind speeds are high enough, shingles may come off entirely instead of curling.

Homeowners who notice curly shingles may want to replace their roofs within five years, depending on how severe the curling is. Mild curling is often harmless, especially when present in only a few shingles. However, if the number of curly shingles is much higher, replacing the whole roof may become unavoidable.

More than a few shingles are missing

Replacing shingles is an effective method to extend the life of the roof. In general, families replace shingles several times before they decide to get a new roof altogether. In general, shingles are sold in bundles that cover around 32 square feet each. This means that only one or two bundles would be needed to replace several damaged shingles. Given that a 2,400 square feet roof would need around 75 shingle bundles to be replaced, families often try and replace as many individual shingles as they can to reduce costs.

Replacing individual shingles, although cheaper, creates another problem later down the road. It is often difficult to find new shingles that match the colors of the old ones. As a result, after several rounds of replacements, roofs may start looking like a checkerboard. This problem is also exacerbated by how shingles lose their color over the years due to weathering. When this happens, it might be inevitable to replace the entire roof to give back the house its original look.

Cracked shingles

Curling is not the only thing that can happen to shingles. In some places, high wind speeds can lead to cracked shingles. In general, homeowners can replace individual shingles just like when they become curly. However, this strategy only works when the number of cracked shingles is low and the affected area is small. If the entire roof has cracked shingles in random places, it might be better to replace the whole roof.

Cracked and missing shingles are among the most dangerous things that can happen to a roof. This is because the lack of shingles can lead to leaks and other significant damages to the entire structure. If the issue is not addressed as soon as possible, a new roof is not the only cost homeowners will have to deal with. To avoid this outcome, most experts recommend replacing the roof three to five years after the number of cracked shingles becomes high enough.

Granule loss

Another sign homeowners can use to determine whether they need a new roof is granule loss. Granules are tiny particles used to cover shingles. Their purpose is to provide additional fire resistance and protection against sun exposure. Without granules, shingles would wear down much faster. In most cases, granules are made of graded crushed rock, porcelain, slate, tile or slag.

Granule loss takes place due to a number of different reasons. The first time homeowners will experience granule loss is when installing a new roof. This is because during manufacturing not all granules are property embedded to the shingles. As a result, a number of granules are dropped during the installation process. In some cases, granules will also drop while the shingle bundles are being shipped.

Some granules do remain attached after installation and accumulate in the gutter shortly after due to high wind speeds or storms. Homeowners should keep an eye out when this happens, as shingles can often lose granules prematurely, especially during rough weather or after a faulty installation. Premature granule loss can also be caused by poor-quality asphalt. In general, the rate at which granule is loosened from the shingles will depend on product quality and weather.

However, granule loss does not become a significant problem until after fifteen to twenty years have passed. This is because the bond between the granule and underlying asphalt weakens, causing them to be loosened and deposited into the gutter. Granule loss can also lead to some aesthetic problems, such as the presence of moss or algae where the granules used to be. After twenty years, the roof has released so many granules that it no longer protects the home against leaks and other hazards. When that happens, homeowners should get ready to replace the roof in around five years.