This document is a newsletter from Agave Premier Properties & Investments that provides real estate and home maintenance tips. It discusses cleaning HVAC systems to improve air quality and efficiency. It also provides tips for deck safety including inspecting for decaying wood. Additionally, it recommends going green by installing motion sensor lights, considering solar options for pools and landscaping, and provides an Asian salad recipe.

1. Agave Premier Properties & Investments
Over the Fence Yvette M. Palmer
REALTOR®, SFR
Associate Broker - BR545848000
1891 N. Mastick Way, Suite B
Nogales, AZ 85621
Phone: 520-313-0352
N E W S F R O M Y O U R R E A L E S TAT E P R O F E S S I O N A L …
Fax: 520-761-3307
ypalmer@agavepremier.com
www.SouthernAzHomes.com
V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 5 M A Y 2 0 1 1
l Dirty Evaporator Coil: Over time, l Pay special attention to any areas that
evaporator coils become matted with dust tend to remain damp or are in contact with
and dirt, which insulates the coil and fasteners. Use a tool like an ice pick or a
significantly reduces the system’s ability to screwdriver to penetrate the wood surface.
cool the air. This system will work longer If you can easily penetrate 1/4—1/2 inch,
$
and harder and energy costs will increase. break off a sliver of wood without splinters,
or the wood is soft and spongy, decay may
Cleaning your HVAC system will improve be present.
indoor air quality, air flow, efficiency and
thermal comfort. A proper cleaning l This is also a good time to look for small
includes the elimination of all visible holes in the wood, which may indicate
debris and particles from all components insects.
of a ventilation system. The National Air
Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has Stairs
published an internationally recognized l Check any railings or handrails to be sure
standard that specifies requirements for they are firmly held in place; check also the
proper cleaning. For more information visit risers and stringers to be certain they are
www.NADCA.com. securely attached and not decayed.
May is Deck Safety Month If the area behind the stair treads is open,
l
Save Money and Your deck is the perfect place
this opening should be no more than 4” high.
Improve Air Quality with to enjoy the warm weather
l Also, always keep stair pathways clear of
planters, décor, toys and other items that
HVAC Cleaning with friends and loved
ones.
can present a tripping hazard.
(ARA) - Whether in a home or in a
commercial building, the heating, The North American Cleaning and Maintenance
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) Deck and Railing l Clean away any leaves and debris, since
system is crucial to ensure a comfortable Association these can be slippery and promote mildew.
temperature, fresh airflow, and an overall (NADRA) is
healthy indoor environment. But over time, dedicated to l If mildew is present or the deck coating
these systems can get dirty or damaged, increasing public has worn away, make time to clean and
reducing indoor air quality and efficiency, awareness of the apply a new waterproofing coating. It can
hitting your health and energy bill hard. necessity for help prevent the split, decayed wood and
regular inspection loosened fasteners mentioned earlier.
Here’s What You Need to Know and maintenance of existing decks and
l Filtration Issues: Low-efficiency filters, lack proper installation of new decks. For full
of a filter replacement program, and article visit the NADRA site: www.nadra.
improperly sized filters can all allow particles org/DSM_checklist2008.pdf
and debris to flow into a home or building. National Deck Safety Month
The age of the system is also a factor. Split or Decaying Wood National Salad Month
l Duct Work Contamination: One of the l Check several different areas of the deck May 5th: Cinco de Mayo
most underreported problems in HVAC to be sure the wood is still sound. This May 8th: Mother’s Day
system maintenance is the deterioration of includes the ledger board (where the deck
attaches to the house and a common May 21st: Armed Forces Day
the insulation duct liner. It is estimated that
more than 90 percent of HVAC systems source of deck failure), support posts and May 30th: Memorial Day
installed over 10 years will have some level joists under the deck (if you can reach
of insulation deterioration. them), deck boards, railings and stairs.
OVER THE FENCE

2. Agave Premier Properties & Investments
Yvette M. Palmer - REALTOR®, SFR
1891 N. Mastick Way, Suite B
Nogales, AZ 85621
Repair, Replace, Relax with Fidelity National Home Warranty (FNHW). A home warranty from FNHW provides both the home buyer
and seller with “peace of mind” when it comes to repairs and/or replacement of a home’s major systems and appliances. FNHW prides
itself on superior customer service, including quick response time and efficient solutions for homeowners’ problems and needs.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future, please call
for a personal interview and property assessment with no obligation.
This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another agent. These materials contain information and articles obtained from third parties.
FNHW does not endorse the recommendations of any third party nor guarantee the information provided is complete or correct.
Going Green this Summer?
Quick Tips for Your Landscape, Pool and Spa BLACKBERRY PEAR
l Install motion sensors on any nonessen- ASIAN SALAD
tial lights. New versions just screw right Don’t overlook the value
into your existing light socket. A typical that fresh fruit and berries
100-watt floodlight, used six hours per day, can add to a salad.
can consume up to $40 of electricity a year.
Ingredients
l Consider solar-powered outdoor lighting
for walks, paths and more. 1 package (5 ounces) spring mix lettuce
3/4 cup sliced or cubed cucumber
Pool and Spa 2 green onions, thinly sliced
l Consider a time clock that will give you
day-to-day, automatic control over your 1 ripe pear, cored and cut into 16 thin
Landscape filter’s and heater’s hours of operation. wedges
l Plant a tree. Carefully positioned trees
can save up to 25% of the energy a typical l Consider replacing your old pump. Pools 1 package (6 ounces) blackberries
household uses for cooling. are commonly equipped with larger pumps
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
than needed. Replacing an oversized pool
l Consider water use when replacing the pump—even one in good working order— 1/4 cup prepared Sesame Ginger Salad
irrigation system—native plants are well with a smaller, energy-efficient pump is an Dressing
adapted to the amount of water your investment that usually pays for itself in just
community usually gets and will cut down two to four years. Instructions
on overall watering needs. Arrange lettuce, cucumber and green
l Go solar as solar pool heating systems onions on four salad plates. Top each
l Replace outdoor floodlights with are especially effective during the summer with 4 wedges of pear, one quarter of
compact-fluorescent versions—they’re just months and can back up a regular pool heater blackberries and 1 tablespoon almonds.
as bright and use 1/4 the energy. in the spring and the fall. A solar pool heating
system can be a significant investment, so Drizzle each salad with 1 tablespoon of
l Replace low-wattage halogen landscape
make sure the savings have a payback time dressing.
bulbs with LED versions. They cut energy
use by over 80% and can last for 10 years of less than, or equal to, the useful life of
or more. the equipment.
OVER THE FENCE