Most of us have seen them on car doors, safes, and offices. Now there beginning to show up in residential homes; I’m talking about keypad entry systems. You have the option to use your key, or the option to enter a code to unlock your front door.

There are a lot of advantages for these units; for instance, you always have the opportunity to change the code at anytime if you believe the code has been compromised, you never have to worry about losing your keys, you never have to leave a key under the rug for company, and some of the newer models let you customize multiple codes for multiple users. Say for instance that your housekeeper recently moved on to another job, you can now simply delete her code without effecting your families codes, you no longer have to continuously update everyone with the new code.

Another feature that some of the newer models have is the ability to send you a text message whenever the lock has been used. You can now monitor who and when people are accessing your home. Say some relatives call you and say surprise, we’re at your front door, well now you can remotely let them in (or make sure they stay out if your house is a mess).

The prices on these units are pretty reasonable. Looking at Home Depots website they’re selling between $99 – $148. For more of the high tech remote control units I recommend looking at Schlage’s website, they offer a vast selection with great features and appealing designs.

If you or someone you know already uses keypad entry, please let us know your opinons about them in our comments section.

Winter is upon us and for those who have not winterized your home we have compiled 5 tips to help you stay safe, warm, and save this winter season.

1. Seal it up: Check the outside windows and doors to ensure that there isn’t cold air entering the home. If air is coming through caulk the windows and use weather stripping to seal the doors. And switch out all summer screens with its glass replacement.

2.Inspect the furnace: Have your ducts cleaned and your furnace inspected by a HVAC professional. Change your furnace filter once a month this will prevent your furnace from over-working and over-heating. If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, open the valves slightly and bleed them until water appears this will ensure the proper flow of water through the system. When the time is right you may want to consider switching to geothermal heating/air to save on your energy bill in the winter and summer. Also make sure there is a carbon-monoxide detector near your furnace and that it is operational.

3. Check the lid: Inspect the roof to ensure the shingles are in good condition. Consider adding extra insulation in the attic to prevent warm air from escaping through the roof and causing ice dams. Clean out your gutters and downspouts. Installing leaf guards will minimize debris in your gutters and prevent them from clogging. Check flashing to make sure water can’t enter your home.

4. Protect the pipes: Drain all garden hose and insulate all exposed piping. If you leave for vacation, keep the house temperature at 55 degrees to prevent your pipes from freezing. Make sure you know where your water main shut off valve is in case there is an emergency.

5. Keep the pest at bay: To make sure your home stays rodent free, rake all edible vegetation away from the foundation. Seal up all entry points and any cracks in the foundation. Inspect all sill plates for possible infestation.

We would like to keep a dialogue going with our clients and subscribers so if you have any specific questions about wintering your home respond to this blog with your questions. And remember the only dumb questions are the ones that aren’t asked.