When faced with the restrictive cost of installing the duct work necessary to install a central air conditioning system, take into consideration the fact that central air conditioning has it’s share of ups and downs, such as:

• Reduced humidity – A plumber once told me that central air can reduce the humidity in your home. If you live in an already dry state, you might not consider this a plus.
• Energy consumption – Most central air conditioning systems aren’t energy efficient as new models, most times energy inefficiency is based on user habits.  Most people rarely set their thermostat to a constant setting, instead choosing to cycle between temperatures in your home to cool it down depending on daily preference.
• Pricey – Central air conditioning can quickly become expensive to purchase and install depending on if you have forced air heating.  While you can take advantage of seasonality and buy your unit in the winter time, often times there are hidden fees based on unforeseen installation hurdles or inadequate duct work already existing in your home.

However, if you’re looking for an alternative to central air, there are eco-friendly, green solutions called whole house fans or WHF’s for short.  While this is only one such alternative, WHF’s have a few advantages over other alternatives:

• Inexpensive installation
• Very energy efficient
• Eco-friendly

Basically, these fans are installed in your roof at the central high point of your home.  You then open your windows to let cool air in from outside and then you crank up the WHF. The air in your home is then sucked out and the cool air from the outside rushes in to fill the space. Probably has your mind wondering about all the other benefits, doesn’t it?

1. In addition to central air, this could be wonderful at getting things going so your AC doesn’t have to work so hard or you don’t have to wait so long before it cools down in your home.
2. WHFs work much faster than other alternatives because you’re sucking the hot air that’s trapped inside out, immediately. You can literally feel the air moving past you.
3. Since hot air rises, if you have 2 stories, the upper story will experience immediate relief and get some of that cool air that’s downstairs or outside…inside.
4. You’re not using a lot of electricity and the only thing you’re putting into the environment is warm air that’s trapped inside your home. You’re just trading that air for the nice, cool air that’s outside.

Of course, the advantages of WHF’s are based on the presence of cool air outside, making it less attractive for residents of hotter or more humid regions of the country making central air systems or even traditional swamp coolers more appealing.  However if you’re a resident of a traditionally calmer climate and the environment is a key concern to you, a WHF may be exactly what you’re looking for. Check out a major hardware stores or big box stores in your area to find out pricing and installation but traditionally, you’re most likely looking at $300-$600 depending on your area and market.

Have your own ways of keeping your house cool in the summer?  Feel free to share them here.

Sometimes, when making a move, the work needs to be completed in a small window of time and often, your time is being split between several different priorities besides packing your belongings.  Especially given that packing can be especially time-consuming and without previous experience or proper materials this can lead to a lot of uncertainty.  Will this box be too heavy to place on top of other boxes? Am I packing my container most efficiently?  It might even be difficult to decide what should be wrapped or how much it should be wrapped.

Depending on how much you have, it might even be too much to handle for one or two people! A great alternative is using a professional moving service* such as those listed below:

To inquire about any accessories mentioned above or to see which accessories are available at the location you’re renting from, please contact the PODS call center at 800-776-PODS (7637).

As well, save money by buying the boxes (link: http://www.podsboxes.com/)  the professionals use and pack your belongings yourself (Packing tips link here) so you know your belongings receive the care they deserve.

A solution to the seasonal storage blues is a PODS® weather resistant container. The container is ideal as you can keep it as long as you need, so you can take your time moving items in and out of your container (as you enjoy decorating for the holiday season). And, there are several sizes available to provide you with enough space for all your seasonal items. The other cool part is that a PODS® container is at ground-level, providing you with easy loading and unloading access. So it’s easier to move the Christmas tree that seems to get heavier each year, the giant plastic Santa singing Ho-Ho-Ho, and the large decorative Easter Bunny.

Here are some tips on storing seasonal or holiday items in your container:

First, it’s always important to protect your items, by using bubble wrap, paper, etc. to help you protect your valuables such as ornaments or that holiday cookie jar grandma gave you. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, rubber band like colored limbs together to save yourself the step of sorting next year. Save the original packaging tray for the holiday lights. Repack the Christmas lights by clipping them back into plastic holder they came in. It will make decorating for the holiday next year so much more enjoyable when the Christmas lights are not bundled together representing the size of a pumpkin.

Pack your items by season in sturdy boxes or plastic bins. When the box is packed, label the outside depending on the season, what the items are, and any other distinguishing information. Ex: Halloween – The Great Pumpkin, or Christmas – Ornaments. Next is to create a system for easy seasonal identification. A system that worked well for me was splitting the container into 4 sections – Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. Then I group all the boxes/items depending on the season.

When each new season comes around and my container is delivered, I can easily distinguish the items I need, but also know that I can take my time loading/unloading.

With these tips, you’ll be ready to start storing your seasonal items.

Storage with PODS just makes sense. Some highlights of our storage facilities are:

• Secure – Storage centers are accessible by PODS employees and customers. Only you have access to your belongings because only you have a key.
• Climate controlled – Our air conditioned facilities provide you with peace of mind.
• Humidity controlled – If you’re storing items that can warp due to exposure to humidity, choose one of our humidity controlled centers. (Not available in all markets)
• Store more! – We bring your stored items to you!  Whether you need to add more boxes or valuables to your container or you need to remove anything stored,  we’ll bring your container to you, saving you time and money!

In the event that you need to remove a large number of items from your container, don’t even consider renting a moving truck. PODS can deliver your container back to your home or to a new location and you can pack and unpack your container at your leisure.

• Boxes: Always remember to use sturdy, thick boxes. This is one area where you should not skimp. Thick, durable boxes are key to ensuring that when packing fragile items, your boxes do not get smushed, putting pressure on your fragile valuables inside.
• Stock up on Bubble-wrap, Styrofoam (popcorn, peanuts or sheets) or thick packing paper. As well, most moving supply locations also sell handy bubble-wrap sleeves that you can simply slip your plates into, making packing that much easier.
• Top,  Bottom: While conserving your packing materials can sometimes be a priority, try and make sure to always place your bubble-wrap, Styrofoam or packing paper in both the bottom and top of the box to help cushion your fragile items from impact or the usual movement boxes make while in transit.
• The spaces in-between: Remember to place your cushioning material between your plates and glasses, not just between them and the box.

When packing your kitchen supplies, it’s always better to go overboard with caution.

Have your own packing tips when it comes to your fragile belongings?  Let us know!

1. Forward your mail: What seems obvious to most is often on the bottom of your to-do list.  The USPS website offers an easy, online way to do this. [https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/flow.do?_flowExecutionKey=_c88DB6BD9-24A8-3F2E-DE33-2E5B0BC05703_kACF70886-82E6-D852-5327-DA58B3C084A5]. Keep in mind, when changing your address, the forward is in place for a maximum of 365 days but for 6 months following that year  maximum, any mail sent to you is returned to sender and they’re notified of your new address, so that’s not half bad.
2. Update any regular bills, subscriptions, deliveries or prescriptions: Remember, after a year, your permanent change of address expires.  Any regular deliveries that haven’t been updated by you personally may begin to return to your old address if not updated by you.
3. Update your Driver’s License: Another very common oversight is your driver’s license. Remember, even if you aren’t leaving the state, it’s against the law to have your incorrect address on your license. Check with your local police department to find out how much time you have before you’ll get in trouble over this one.
4. Insurance: This next one can be a little somber but you should always ensure that documents you’ve signed at work for things like long term disability insurance, your health insurance and your life insurance should be updated when you move. Often times, we’re with the same company for years so you’ll want to ensure that your contact information is up to date for these.
5. Services: These days, many people have bundled packages for things like cable internet (or DSL), telephone and television. You’ll want to call your provider(s) to get these services up and running at your new home.
6. Utilities: Some realtors, mortgage brokers or even sellers will get your water, gas, and electric services at your house up and running for you before hand. Make sure you check on this one, though! It’s kind of a given but it needs to be on this list anyway.

Can you think of any other items that should be on this checklist? There’s a comment box below and we’d love to hear your tips (as would other readers, surely!) for making a smooth move.

Step 1. Work with the pros –

Unless you’re a seasoned veteran or the epitome of independence, working with a realtor and a mortgage broker can drastically improve your home-buying experience. No one else knows the city better (growth patterns, property value escalation probabilities, average house type/dimensions) than a realtor. The rules can change from city to city as well as with time and a professional realtor can remove a lot of the headache. Have fun looking around but if you can avoid this stress, you’ll be much happier in the end.

A mortgage broker lives in paperwork and understands the ins, outs, ups and downs of loan types and also when the best time to buy is. They make sure all the moving pieces behind the financial aspect of the engagement stay moving while you’re deciding on the home of your dreams and where you’ll be placing furniture.

Step 2. What area of town can you live in?

“Can” is used here in several contexts. Your budget is going to be a primary factor when looking of course but when it comes to your peace of mind, which neighborhood will be best for your situation? Something may be too urban or too suburban for you. “Howdy neighbor!” may work for some people where privacy is more important for others. Quadrant or section the city and find out which area fits your personality best.  (tools: moving.com/zillow)

Step 3. What tools should I bring?

When house hunting with a realtor, if you can borrow a GPS unit or invest in one that’s reasonably priced, you’ll find it much easier to get from one place to another. This is by no means a must but if you’re unfamiliar with the areas you’ll be looking in (or even when you find your perfect home!) a nice addition to travel is a GPS unit for locating the quickest way to the grocery store, kids’ school and even work. Where is the nearest grocery store, anyway?

Step 4. Do your Homework –

Make sure you inspect your new home and do your research.  This may be the home you spend the rest of your life living in and realizing you’ve bought a money-pit is often one of the more common fears home-buyers face. How old is the home? Are there cracks in the exterior walls/foundation? How is the water pressure? How old is the furnace/AC? What are the neighbors like?

Hint: Talk to the neighbors!  No one knows more about the neighborhood and the former occupant of your potential home than the people next-door.

We know many of you have been there before.  We and other bloggers would love to hear your tips – comment below!

ST. LOUIS, Mo. AND CLEARWATER, Fla. – PODS (Portable on Demand Storage) and UniGroup, Inc., the parent company of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, have agreed to a marketing alliance that provides for the exchange of services between leaders in portable container moving and storage and full-service moving.

The agreement provides UniGroup access to PODS’ fleet of 138,000 moving and storage containers serviced by 166 franchise and corporate locations. In exchange, PODS gains access to professional packing and loading services through the network of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit agents with nearly 750 locations across the country.

“UniGroup is pleased to enter a marketing alliance with PODS, the largest portable container moving and storage services provider,” said Rich McClure, president of UniGroup, a leader in the full-service moving industry. “This alliance will enable UniGroup and its family of United and Mayflower agents to offer residential and corporate customers a complete range of moving and storage services – from full-service professional moving to do-it-yourself container services.”

Tom Ryan, CEO of PODS, said, “PODS has experienced tremendous growth in the moving and storage industries due to the flexibility and convenience of our services. Traditionally, we’ve appealed to the do-it-yourself moving and storage customer, but our agreement with UniGroup will enable PODS’s customers to access packing and loading services that many of our customers want from the most trusted names in the business – United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit.”

The alliance with PODS will expand the capacity and efficiency of Mayflower and United agents within the portable container marketplace and ensure the van lines’ customers have access to a range of moving options to fit their needs. UniGroup entered the portable container moving and storage market in 2006 with its brand SAM – Store and Move. The SAM network of 92 dealers in 65 cities in the United States will continue to provide portable containers under the new agreement.

About UniGroup, Inc.

UniGroup, Inc., a $2 billion privately held transportation and relocation services company, has service providers in all 50 U.S. states and more than 180 countries around the world. In addition to household goods carriers United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, UniGroup owns several

other subsidiaries that provide goods and services to professional movers and customers, including Vanliner Insurance Company, Trans Advantage, Inc., and UniGroup Worldwide UTS.

About PODS

Founded in 1998, PODS provides moving and storage services to more than 238 million consumers in 48 U.S. states, Canada, and Australia. To date, the company has completed more than 200,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded one million deliveries and has nearly 138,000 PODS^® containers in service. PODS^® secure containers are constructed of a steel frame and are available in three sizes: approximately 8-by-7-by-7 feet, 8-by-8-by-12 feet and 8-by-8-by-16 feet and have been tested to withstand winds of more than 110-mph when partially loaded.

• Size: The overall weight of your move can affect the price with some companies. Generally portable storage is not weight based, however with professional movers, often the heavier the move, the more it’s going to cost.

• Distance: The number of miles you’re traveling can influence its cost greatly, as can your final destination. Keep in mind that some moving companies only serve a certain region.

• Time: The time of year you need to move will also have an effect on your bottom line. Moving during peak times, such as the summer or holidays, often means that you’ll pay more. If you have the luxury of time, try to plan at less busy times. Look for specials during unpopular periods.

• Level of service: Hiring a moving company to complete a “full-service” move – one where they not only transport your household items, but also pack and unpack them – will be significantly more expensive than a “self-service” move. Make sure you’re aware of the varying level of service available for your move and what works best for you.  Many times, people forget that self-moving has several levels of service available to meet your budget as well.

• Insurance: Be sure to consider insuring your move against mishaps or even disasters. Keep in mind that moves you do yourself are usually limited to $25,000 insurance, and cover only damage caused by disasters such as auto accidents or fires.

• Storage: Make sure to calculate if your new residence will be able to accommodate all of your belongings.  Many times, the couch you’ve had since college won’t fit in your new living room (or relationship) but hasn’t used enough duct tape to be sent to the trash bin.  Having the ability to store your extra belongings, even in the short term as you decide how to layout your new interior, is often overlooked when moving.

Taking some time to determine what your move will actually and honestly cost you will save you from a lot of the stress of moving, and will insure that you’ll be that much happier in your destination.