Livingston Reporting - page 149

Preventing Future Problems with Proper Roofing Ventilation

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Good roof ventilation is imperative, but many homeowners don’t understand why it’s so important.  When your roof is adequately ventilated, it lasts longer. In bad weather, the roof’s ventilation helps protect your roof from ice dam which occurs when the ice accumulated on the roof prematurely thaws. Ventilation also helps discharge heat that might build up beneath the roof and cause premature thawing of snow on the roof.

Release of Moisture

Other than conserving energy and protecting your roof from the effects of climatic changes, adequate ventilation protects all aspects of the roof’s structure by discharging moisture which could easily collect without proper ventilation.  During the summers or in extreme weather conditions, moisture is likely to get trapped beneath your roof. When moisture is trapped beneath the roof deck, it can cause all types of problems. Any metallic objects found in the roofing such as nails become vulnerable following exposure to moisture. Once these metallic elements are compromised your roof will start falling apart.

Complete Ventilation

Some ventilation techniques are better than others. When ventilation is poor, the sole purpose of having ventilation in the first place will be compromised. Part of your roofing structure with less ventilation will be more vulnerable to effects of climate change, moisture and other influences. Ensuring your roofing structure is ventilated in all the right places is the best way to protect your roofing and property from damage.

The ventilation on your roofing structure should help get rid of inconsistencies exhibited by methods designed to provide partial ventilation to your roofing structure.

Fixing problems that arise from poor roofing structures can be very costly and worse still, the damage already done might require that you replace your entire roofing structure. Ensuring that the roofing ventilation is adequate from the onset is the best way to safeguard your property and protect your roof.

Choosing A Certified Contractor

Ensure that you work with a certified contractor with experience when ventilating your roof. A good contractor will not just get the job done, but they will also do a superior job that will save you lots of money in the long term.

These are the key benefits of ensuring that your roof is well ventilated and staying safe from the drawbacks of a poorly ventilated roof. When the work is properly done, you will certainly enjoy your home for many years to come.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  Our roofing contractors offer services throughout Michigan including: Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.

Home Pro Roofing MI

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Comparing Digital Marketing to Traditional Techniques

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Proper search engine optimization doesn’t exist alone, it must be pursued as a bigger picture in marketing your website online.   Adequate doesn’t cut it in the competitive world of online business and therefore a comprehensive plan needs to be in place that concentrates on building your websites presence online.  This process combines several elements that come together to properly showcase your website to search engines to rank within the top ten organic search results.

Optimizing websites, otherwise known as SEO, has not been around that long.  It is interesting to note that marketing websites really didn’t become a popular idea in web exploration until around 1998.  Until then the concept of marketing evolved more from the point of view of a store front with products or services that business owners needed customers to know about.  The concept of the 4 P’s of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion were mainstream.  They concept of marketing evolved as the internet became a main stream way for business owners to conduct business.

Old school marketers, like myself, had been trained in a manner that did not involve e-commerce.  As the internet has become a more common element in day to day life the techniques that we use have also had to evolved.  Whereas a listing in the yellow pages of every county you serviced would have been a great tool to use back in the 80’s today most homes do not even have a phone book and many children under 18 have never been introduced to the yellow pages.

When it comes to knowing what a search engine is looking for in ranking your site it is impossible to come up with a solid formula to follow.  In SEO you must learn to be fluid and adjust what you are doing consistently as the times change and search engines become more aware.  For optimization to be effective you must truly be a savvy marketer that is willing to do what it takes to continually improve your website.

There truly is more involved in good SEO than driving traffic to your site. Not only does the traffic need to be able to find you but your site must offer them what they are looking for.  Your website must be engaging and offer the user something of value.  It is also crucial that the traffic that is making its way to your site is your target.  If you are selling cat food but the only people finding your site, even if they are finding it by the thousands, are people that love dogs and allergic to cats then it is ineffective.  With the competition that is found online it is imperative that the users that make it to your site are interested at that moment in what you are offering and are engaged in the information presented on your site.

The 4 p’s of marketing still exist in the digital marketing era.  Let’s examine this in a little more detail.

Product/Service

It is important that this element is defined before you are addressing your online marketing needs. Who are the customers that you are looking for; what are you offering them and how does it benefit them?  What are these consumers end goals; how does your product or service help them to obtain it.  Define the struggles that your market faces and what your product or service does to ease them.  Understanding who you are selling to and what you are selling is obviously a key element that needs to be defined before beginning any marketing campaign, especially online.

Price

A lot of research goes into determining a price point. The price that you will be able to charge is totally dependent upon the value that people perceive that they are gaining from your product or service.  All businesses are in business to make money unless of course you are non-profit.  The amount that is charge must cover costs and a profit.  The trick to this is that people must perceive your product or service to be worthy of this amount.  If people are only willing to spend $5 on your widget but it costs you $4.75 in overall expenses, it is up to you to decide if the profit of $.25 is enough in the end.  If you are selling widgets at $6 and people aren’t buying them it is obvious to see there is an issue.

Place

If you are running an online business, it is a must that the market for your product is online.  Will your consumers know to look for you online?  Does your business also service consumers at a physical location?  Does your website only offer information about your products or services or is it an e-commerce or a combination of both?  It is imperative that you define what is taking place on your site and determine if the targeted consumer is going to be able to find you where you are at.

Promotion

This is how your marketing message gets out to the public.  With traditional marketing this is done through print, radio and other types of advertising but in digital marketing it combines several avenues and making sure you reach all of them.  The internet is a combination of advertisements, paid and organic search results, information blogs, videos, and so much more.  Your job in SEO is to come up with a combination of sources to use to spread the word about your company.  If your target mainly uses videos to gain information, then only advertising on informative blogs is not going to be a solution for you as is the opposite.  You need to offer useful promotions, to users in sources that they will benefit from.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

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Preventative LINAC Maintenance: Unscheduled Repairs Impact Treatment

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Radiotherapy engineers conduct preventative maintenance and repairs on equipment used for radiotherapy. Predictive and preventative maintenance of the complex equipment which includes linear accelerators, teletherapy systems, radiotherapy simulators, digital x-ray systems, among many more.

Quality management within a radiation therapy clinic involves maintaining, servicing and supporting linear accelerators. When a linear accelerator breaks down, the physician in charge or other clinic employees usually inform the support team who send engineers out to the location to do the repair. Unscheduled servicing on linear accelerators can have a significant impact on treatment. Patients going through radiation therapy should get the treatment at specific times. When linear accelerators malfunction, it means the patients must be moved to other centers for treatment or have their treatment rescheduled. As a clinic, this can have a negative impact on your business and it is, therefore, important to have the problem resolved as fast as possible.

To minimize the impact of downtown due to equipment failure maintenance must be kept up to date.  To decrease the impact of equipment failure we suggest:

  1. Reducing the processes involved in reporting the issue to the support engineers. Sometimes the process involved in reporting issues to the support engineers and have them dispatch people to five the machines can be too lengthy. The longer it takes to send a team over, the longer it will take before patients can receive treatment.
  2. When there are repetition and redundancies in reporting the incident, it takes the support engineers a long time to resolve the issue. Time is of the essence when making unscheduled repairs on linear accelerators.
  3. Cancer patients going through radiation therapy have compromised immunities because of the illness and the radiation treatment. If a Linear accelerator breaks down, the clinic might have to take patients to another facility for treatment. Moving patients who have a weakened immune system increases the risk of infection which could be detrimental to the patient’s health.
  4. Linear accelerators are critical for administering radiation therapy to cancer patients. When a linear accelerator needs to be fixed, it means patients who were scheduled to use that machine will not get their scheduled treatments and even if they do so from another center they will still be inconvenienced.

Ensuring cancer patients have access to treatment is extremely imperative. Linear accelerator support engineers cannot prevent breakdowns entirely, but rapid repair of the machines goes a long way in minimizing the impact on patients’ treatment.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

Acceletronics

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Characteristics of a Product Label That Will Go the Distance for Your Brand

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

What is the first thing consumers notice about your product?  If you answered the products package and label you would be correct.  You want to grab the attention of consumers and one of the easiest ways this can be accomplished is through innovative packaging and eye catching labeling.  To help get your idea gears going we have compiled a list of objectives to consider when designing or re-designing your products label and packaging design.

Obvious Imagery

The absolute, most important aspect when it comes to marketing your product is clarity.  You need to make sure that what you are offering clearly comes across in the representation of your products image. If it is not completely obvious or consumers are confused about what it is that is being offered failure is imminent. An initial clear and precise representation is crucial to a products success.

Confident Use of Color

Not all products are best suited to use bold colors in their product packaging and label design.  The use of color is important in the overall design, but it is important that the coloring used conveys the desired message.  Color should be used to draw attention in on purpose and not in a manner that consumers are taken aback.  The use of bold colors when appropriate can be beneficial to promoting your product. They can also be detrimental when used incorrectly.

 Unique Elements vs Essential Elements

The perfect blend between what is required on a label and what adds interest is required for any product label that is hoping to stand the test of time.  Elements of a label that are necessary for sale can include: barcodes, ingredients, nutritional information, price, quantity, name of manufacturer, product name, and more depending on the type of product being offered.  The unique elements are what your product offers to its target market that the competition may not or how you do it better.   Add something quirky to individualize your product while bring attention to the unordinary aspects of your product.

Complimentary Fonts

Font choice is as important, if not more, than the images used on custom designed product labels.  Fonts that are chosen must be easily read while complimenting one another and matching the overall character of your product.   Choosing a font perceived as childish for an adult diaper label could give off the wrong message.  Adult incontinence is a very serious issue that should in no way should give off a vibe comparing it with children’s diapers. The wrong choice of font could do just that.

The product packaging and label set the overall tone of your product.  Be sure to incorporate elements that present it in the most positive light possible.  The wrong message being sent by your product label could spell disaster even if the product itself is amazing.

Learn more about Anchor Printing and their vast line of custom product label & packaging options including: Shrink Sleeve Labels, Flexible Packaging, Roll-Fed Labeling, Pressure Sensitive and Cut & Stack Labels at http://www.anchorprinting.com.  To contact one of our label specialists call toll free at 800.748.0209 or via email at info@anchorprinting.com.

Anchor Printing

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What to Expect After LASIK?

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Laser vision correction is a surgical procedure used to reshape the cornea with an excimer laser. This type of surgery can be used on patients experiencing short sight, long sight or astigmatism. Laser vision correction is not an ideal solution for everybody and some people are not candidates for this type of surgery because of the severity of their problem or because of another medical issue. The best laser vision results mean that glasses and contact lenses will no longer be needed by the patient.

The Process of LASIK

One of the most common types of laser vision correction is LASIK or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. In a typical LASIK procedure, the patient will have numbing eye drops placed in the eye and then a lid holder applied to keep the eye open. A microkeratome is used to create a flap in the cornea, which is then bent back to expose the inner corneal tissue. The laser sends pulses of light to remove parts of the cornea while the patient focuses on another light to keep the eye as still as possible. The actual laser exposure time is usually less than a minute.

 

After the laser treatment, the corneal flap is repositioned. No stitches are needed because the flap will hold itself down when repositioned and heal itself. The patient is given an eye shield and eye drops and told to come back within a day or two, so the doctor can see if the eye is healing and whether there are any problems. The eye has great healing powers and it would be of great comfort to know that all corneal procedures, even complete transplants, do heal ultimately.

 

What to expect after the LASIK eye surgery

 

The post LASIK eye surgery period is just as important as the surgery itself. The cornea should completely heal. This takes time and requires a lot of aftercare, which should be done meticulously.

 

The average healing period after the LASIK eye surgery is approximately six months. During this period any vision problems that you may have been experiencing should have completely disappeared or at least considerably lessened. Complete healing of the corneal flap could take a bit longer, sometimes up to two years. But this should not give you any cause for discomfort or concern. Healing of the cornea is an ongoing process that does not or should not interfere with your vision or your daily life.

 

Usually there are a minimum of five follow-up visits are scheduled for most patients, post LASIK eye surgery. The first visit will most likely be within 24 hours of the surgery. It is of utmost importance to keep all these visits so that the doctor can keep track of the ongoing healing process and rectify any problems that may arise as you go along.

 

After LASIK eye surgery, it is natural to expect a little discomfort in your eyes, though you should not feel any pain. Part of the aftercare involves using eye drops to help alleviate this discomfort. This will have to be done for a minimum period of two to four weeks after the surgery.

 

Other common reactions that are common after undergoing LASIK eye surgery are a slightly blurred vision, feeling of dryness in the eyes, minor swelling and redness of the eye, sensitivity to bright light and watery eyes accompanied by a runny nose.

 

Tips to make this period more comfortable:

 

  • To get over the minimal discomfort that comes along with LASIK you can take any over the counter pain medication that does not contain aspirin such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
  • Give your eyes sufficient protection against sunlight or any bright light by wearing sunglasses when going out in the day.
  • Give your eyes as much rest as possible by getting some extra shut-eye for at least two to three days post-surgery.
  • The eye mask that was given to you needs to be worn immediately after the surgery for a minimum two to three hours and then during the next three to four days, it should be worn while sleeping.
  • During the first two weeks, all water sports, as well as all water-related activities such as whirlpools or hot tubs, should be avoided. Scuba diving should be avoided for a minimum of six weeks.
  • Your risk factor and the possible need for post-surgery rectifications depend on various factors, the most important one is the condition of your vision pre-surgery. If your vision had deteriorated there are higher chances that there will be some degree of complication in your surgery and you would be dissatisfied with the outcome. Also, if a small degree of astigmatism was present, the results could turn out to be unsatisfactory. Touch-up surgery is common and is normally covered by the initial cost, but the additional surgery is still an unpleasant thought.
  • As with any other surgery, there are no absolute guarantees with LASIK eye surgery too. Complete success is determined by many factors acting together, most important of which is each individual healing powers.
  • There are a few factors that act as a deterrent to anyone considering LASIK eye surgery. Anyone between 19 to 24 years of age is considered an unsuitable candidate for this procedure. As also anyone suffering from a condition such as diabetes, HIV or herpes or pregnant and breastfeeding women. LASIK eye surgery is not ideal if your eyes have been found to have thin corneas, refractive instability, or large pupils

 

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

Michigan Lasik

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What Type of Water Treatment System Does Your Home Need?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

In today’s world where we are surrounded by all sorts of impurities, filtered water is becoming a necessity. Our health is largely based on the amount of high quality drinking water we take in every day. It is crucial that the water we are drinking does not contain harmful chemicals, pollutants, parasites, organic waste, and other imperfections.   There are several ways that one can go about procuring drinking water such as buying bottled water, but a better long run solution is to treat the water that is entering your home.  It is also crucial that water treatment systems are maintained and running efficiently to ensure the quality of your families drinking water.

How Water Softeners Work

A water softener is a water treatment device that uses chemical methods to reduce the level of hardness of water.  Depending on the type of water flows into your home you may need to use a water softener to ensure that your family’s water is free of excess minerals and elements that cause damage.  A professionally installed water softener can drastically remove the hardness factor of the water entering your home and can transform it into soft, safe, usable water.

Hard water is not only harmful to ingest it can give you a tough time with cleaning, washing, soap removal, and maintaining health.  If the hardness is removed from the water sufficiently then the soft water that is produced in the process will be as good as any other natural soft water.

Using Additional Iron Filters

A whole house water softener with an additional iron filter can be effective in purifying your water and improving your health.  When your home or business has extremely hard water, a water softener with an iron filter can most often take care of the problem.  These units are unlike regular activated carbon filters.  They are specifically designed to remove iron and when the filter is full it flushes the iron deposits down the drain and begins the process over again.  This seems to be a more common occurrence with drilled wells than municipal water sources.

Iron deposits in the water table often find their way into wells.  The amount in water can vary a great deal from different areas.  Some areas only have a trace amount of iron while neighboring wells could be producing orange-tinted water that leaves stains on fixtures with in the home.  Water softeners that use additional iron filters remove toxic, heavy metals from drinking water.  These systems are highly recommended for their ability to effectively block iron, Sulphur, manganese, sediment, and turbidity from water. Before choosing a system, it is crucial to have your homes water tested by a professional water treatment company.

Using Reverse Osmosis to Treat Water

Another option to treat water is reverse osmosis.  A reverse osmosis water softening system uses hydraulic pressure is put on the water to act against the osmotic pressure naturally occurring in water.  Purified water is then collected on the lower part of the membrane.  This three-stage process purifies water, renders it clean, softens water, and then adds necessary minerals that add an amicable taste to the water.

Reverse osmosis water softener produces purified water containing no salts, sugars, ions or molecules that have been dissolved before filtration. With this method water will not have the same pleasant taste of other types of filtration. Over 97% of the hardness in water passed through reverse osmosis water softener is removed by the process. The most vital function of this filtration system is that it kills the bacteria and germs in the water.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Reynolds Water

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Nine Important Facts That You Should Know About Medigap

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Choosing a Medigap Plan can be challenging. Be aware that one size does not fit all and not all plans are going to be created equal. Different personal circumstances will certainly play a part in determining what type of policy would be suitable for them.

It is always important when choosing a Medigap plan that you have your eye on the long-term benefits that that plan will provide. This is simply because switching plans can be a bit of a process and one that can only be done during open enrollment.  It is always better if you can fulfill all your needs with the original plan that you choose. When choosing a Medigap plan, there are certain things that you should know. Here, we look at nine important facts that you should know about Medigap

  • The aim of Medigap is to take care of the things Medicare does not cover hence, bridging the gaps. You will pay an additional amount to get this type of policy on top of your Medicare premiums. Also, before you can purchase a supplemental policy, you must first be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
  • Keep in mind that your Medigap policy does not cover your spouse. If you both need coverage, you will have to buy two separate policies. This confuses some people because traditional insurance often covers the spouse.
  • Medigap policies are only available to individuals who already have Medicare Part A for free hospital services and Medicare Part B for doctor services. Each plan covers one only individual, meaning you and your spouse will have to purchase separate Medigap policies.
  • Medigap has 12 standard plans, through A to L, that offer different levels of health coverage and benefits. Although different insurance companies sell these policies, they offer the same Medigap plan benefits. Not all Medigap policies may be available in your state.
  • It pays to compare companies offering Medigap insurance before committing to any individual plan. This is because not all companies carry all 12 plans, so an insurance agent may be steering his or her customers towards one of the plans that company offers when a different plan might be preferable for you.
  • If you intend to buy a Medigap plan, it is important to note that you must enroll within the open six-month enrollment period that starts on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and enroll in Medigap. During this period, insurance companies cannot use medical underwriting to deny you Medigap coverage or increase premiums due to your health or apply waiting periods even if you suffer from pre-existing medical conditions. However, if you try to buy a Medigap policy after the six-month enrollment period is over, there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to get coverage. There are chances that your rates may climb substantially in case you get covered.
  • For a Medigap plan, you must pay a monthly premium to the insurance company along with your Medicare Part B premium. The cost of the Medigap policy is determined as follows:
  • Community-rated policies charge the same premium to everyone living in that area regardless of age.
  • Premiums in Issue-age-rated policies are based on your age when you first bought the policy, however, the rate doesn’t increase automatically as you age.
  • Attained-age-rated policies are inexpensive at the age of 65, but their rates increase automatically as you age.

Generally, insurance companies establish their own prices and eligibility regulations, so it is recommended to shop around for the plan.

  • Medigap plans cover some of your Medicare co-payments, co-insurance for hospital stays, and some other medical services such as preventive care, at home recovery, etc., thus reducing your out of pocket costs. It is vital to consider that Medigap plans do not cover hearing aids, dental care, eye-glasses, long-term care etc. Prescription drug coverage can be obtained by enrolling in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or Part D. You must decide what type of plan is best for you. In most cases, if you give up your Medigap policy, you won’t be able to get it back.
  • Also, beware of anyone who tries to sell you additional Medicare supplement insurance if you already have this type of policy in place. US law states that it is an offense to try to sell additional policies of this type, as the plans offer a wide range of benefit options and if you choose the right plan, a second plan would be totally unnecessary.

When you are about to face retirement, having a basic understanding of how Medicare works can give you better health care and reduce what you spend on medical services. To be able to get a plan, you need to enroll in Medigap services.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

 

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage: Is It for You?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare was not established to be a one size fits all type of insurance plan.  It was never intended to cover all medical expenses for all enrollees.  This is one of the many reasons that Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans were created; to cover the gaps in medical expenses and Medicare coverage.  There are currently twelve different Medicare Supplemental plans of coverage to choose from which are effectively managed by the federal government.  Management by the government ensures that they have a parallel coverage regardless of the insurance agency from which you acquire it.

Choosing the Perfect Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage

Before choosing a Medicare Supplemental Plan it is important to understand the coverage that you need.  Evaluate where Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are lacking in medical coverage for your specific needs and compare supplemental insurance plans to determine which one addresses the best combination of medical needs for you at a budget that is affordable.  It is crucial to understand that no matter where you choose to purchase insurance from the plans will remain the same.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan G through Blue Cross Blue Shield is the same as Plan G through United Health Care. The only difference being the service you receive and the premiums you pay.

Because there are only a dozen plans to choose from this process is a lot simpler than searching for local insurance coverage.  There is no difference between the plans regardless of the private insurance organization you choose to purchase it from.

Facts You Should Know About Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage

Price Variability

Even though these plans are identical, the cost of acquiring Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage may vary from carrier to another. This is due to the additional services and premium features attached to it. Therefore, try to shop many companies and compare their packages before you buy. Single insurance carriers offer a different selection of plans. Hence, each insurance company will try to introduce you to the plans they sell which may be different from another.

Same Package Coverage

Regardless of who you buy your Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage from, the package is still the same as the gaps found in Medicare. There are several levels of benefits offered by this comprehensive 12-plan package, ranging from Plan A to plan L. More so, there are many private companies out there that offer one or more of them. However, regardless of where you buy these plans from, the coverage is the same and identical. Therefore, if a company should tell you their plan is different from others with some unique benefits, don’t believe them.

Only One Plan is Needed

According to the law, only one Medicare supplement insurance plan is needed. However, you easily cover the gap in your Medicare coverage by purchasing the Medigap insurance. What this implies is that if a plan covers your need, you don’t need any other supplemental plan. If otherwise, you can go for a Medigap insurance plan. Generally, buying more than one pan is considered “illegal” by the Federal Government.

Only You

You are the only one that can be covered by a Medicare insurance plan. Unlike the traditional insurance plans that oftentimes cover your family and loved ones, Medicare only covers you and no one else. Hence, married couples must purchase different plans for themselves. More so, if a private insurance company should tell you their insurance policy covers you and other people, they are not genuine, and you should rather consider other companies.

Bottom Line

Generally, it is a wise option to enroll in a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan. Likewise, it is essential to understand the basics before proceeding to purchase one. If you are yet to purchase one, there is still time for you to do so. Follow the above tips and facts for choosing a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan and be assured of the best choice.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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Home Improvements To Increase Energy Efficiency

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Here at Kearns Brothers we are often asked about energy efficient upgrades.  Many homeowners are finding it quite costly to heat and cool their homes thus compelling them to investigate ways to increase the energy efficiency of their homes.  When considering enhancements to your home that increase its overall efficiency it is important to start by evaluating the exterior “envelope” of your home.

The first step in improving the efficiency of your home and decreasing your overall utilities comes from eliminating air from entering or exiting the home unnecessarily.  A new, bigger furnace or air conditioning unit will do nothing to decrease your utility bills if the air is still seeping through windows, doors, walls, or the roof.

Window Replacements

New windows are one of the first home improvements that we would suggest to homeowners with older homes or worn out windows to improve a homes energy efficiency.  Yes, high-quality replacement windows can put a large dent in a homeowner’s home improvement budget however, not only do they provide energy savings they also provide a solid return on investment when going to sell your home.

If new windows are out of the question, another option is weather-stripping.  This process includes sealing areas where air is seeping in and out of the home such as windows, doors, cracks found in attic piping, chimney, wiring, and recessed lighting. Little crevices can radically increase heating and cooling expenses.  These minor, open areas need to be addressed before insulation issues are addressed.

Additional Insulation

The next area to address is insulation. Adding insulation, of at least ten inches, on the attic floor is a must.  Since heat naturally rises this is the first place that should be taken care of with additional insulation.  Adding insulation to the walls of an existing home is often a little trickier than with new construction.  The best time to add insulation to older homes is when you are in the process of installing new siding or updating the exterior such as adding stone veneer or other masonry upgrades.

Another budget conscience way to increase the energy efficiency in your home is by having a home improvement contractor seal and insulate your homes duct work.  Ducts are responsible for leaking heated and cooled air throughout the attic, basement, and crawlspaces of the house.  By having a professional contractor seal and insulate the duct work in your home can cut your heating and cooling expenses upwards of thirty percent.

Look Into your Heating and Cooling Systems

Once your home has been effectively sealed homeowners will see a significant decrease in heating and cooling expenses.  Heating and cooling systems over ten years old are often considered inefficient by many HVAC specialists.  Of course, there is always going to be a new and improved, high efficiency upgrades you can install but without the maintenance mentioned above this won’t help provide any cost savings to homeowners.  Reputable HVAC specialist and home improvement contractors will always suggest making the modifications within the space to create an air tight seal before unnecessarily removing working heating and cooling systems.  If your home is already sealed and insulated properly and you are still looking to increase energy efficiency then and only then should you look into the latest and greatest high efficiency heating and cooling unit.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

Kearns Brothers

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Aluminum Fence Panels Ease Installation

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

For homes and business that require a fence the task of choosing a fence material, color, style, and more can be quite daunting.  Choosing the right fencing is important not only for aesthetics but also safety and ease of installation.  There are many different materials commonly used in residential and commercial fencing however, aluminum tends to be the most popular based on durability, look, and ease of installation.  Aluminum fencing is basically maintenance free and has an abundance of benefits over other typical fencing styles.

 

Aluminum fence panels can be very easy to install because of the way they are shipped, already put together.  There are no individual planks that require attention.  Aluminum is also a very light metal which means that most do it yourselfers will be able to lift the fence panels into place.  Aluminum fencing panels are made to go up quickly.  A typical backyard can be fenced in within a weekend when using aluminum fencing.

 

There is zero additional prep work to be done once the fence is in place.  Aluminum fence panels are bought pre-painted.  For most residential and commercial fence owners the most annoying part of owning a fence is the yearly maintenance of cleaning and staining.  This is not an issue with aluminum as it does not rust do to the protective powder coating that is applied before the color of the fence is applied.

 

Aluminum is a metal that is naturally resistant to the elements. It does not rust or corrode when exposed to water like iron will. It is a metal that will not rot or deteriorate, unlike its wood counterpart. This makes it a very low maintenance solution. If it ever needs repainted it is much simpler than painting iron because the prep work is cut in half without the presence of rust.

 

Fencing and gates in aluminum are durable against the elements.  The panel design makes it an easy weekend project for most homeowners that are familiar with do it yourself home improvement projects.  It is the perfect solution to mark the boundaries of any yard while providing boundless enjoyment of a worry-free fence.

 

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need.  Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/.  For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

iFenceUSA

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