Incandescent Light Bulbs Phased Out

Manufacturers had to stop making Incandescent light bulbs at the beginning of 2023.    The Department of Energy put two new rules on the books banning the production of these light sources in 2023, at which time manufacturers will be able to sell only energy-efficient light bulbs.  Now, more types of light bulbs will have to meet energy-efficiency requirements, and bulbs that produce under 45 lumens per watt will be banned. Over time that will result in the phaseout of most incandescent and halogen bulbs and a move toward compact fluorescent and LED bulbs.    Types of Light Bulbs Not so very long ago, if you wanted a light bulb, you bought an incandescent bulb, the kind Thomas Edison created for commercial consumption. As of August 1, 2023, this will no longer be a choice. Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs were once the most expensive choice, but their prices have fallen significantly. You can get some off-brand LEDs with the equivalent brightness of a 60-watt incandescent for $1 or less; name-brand bulbs typically sell for more. LEDs can last about 25,000 hours, compared with about 750 hours for incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL), those twisty fluorescent bulbs, are also more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. They can last about 8,000 hours and cost about $2 to $3 apiece. Because they contain small amounts of mercury, CFLs will need to be recycled. Some stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, will recycle CFLs for free. Halogen lights are very bright bulbs that are typically used for lighting small areas, such as kitchen counters. They tend to last about 2,500 hours, and burn even hotter than incandescent bulbs, so wait for one to cool off before you touch it.

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Senior's Guide to Managing Stress

First of all, I'm not a physician or health expert of any kind. This information is from my own life experiences. Preventive medicine is always the best medicine. Stress and changes cause physical, emotional and psychological strain. Feeling stress is just part of life, but too much stress can be overwhelming, especially for Seniors. It's essential to understand common causes of stress as well as how it affects the body and how it can be managed. While us Seniors have had our fair share of stress over the years, moving into a new age range has its own unique set of challenges. Stress for those 65 and older can show up in many forms and be both positive and negative. Positive stress my come from exciting life events such as retirement, weddings and births, while negative stress may come from pain or mobility issues, death of loved ones and financial dependence. Seniors are typically more susceptible to adverse physical reactions when it comes to stress because of age-related changes to the body.This is why it's important to identify stressors and work to reduce them as much as possible. Understanding how it personally affects you can lead to better long-term health. In older adults, stress can cause health issues including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Recognizing whether your stress is physical, mental or emotional can help get you on the right path to stress management. Lowering stress can come from taking surprisingly simple steps: A healthy diet can facilitate a healthy immune system and repair damaged cells. See the Healthy Eating Plate Photo below. Consistent physical activity helps improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes and overall heart health. The American Heart Association recommends that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of physical activity every week. Popular exercises for Seniors include pickleball, walking and water aerobics. Interested in playing pickleball? Give me a call and I will be happy to teach you! It's not only great exercise, but the social aspect of it will help you meet new friends and have fun. Reflecting and connecting through Prayer, Reading the Bible, meditation, yoga and journaling reduces muscular tension, calms the mind and slows the heart rate. Set aside some time each day to breathe and focus on the positives. You have to remember stress is a normal function of life. Stress is unavoidable at any age, but taking steps will help you to control or reduce the physical and mental strain it may cause. Always be aware of how your body responds to stress and the actions you can take to control its affects. If you continue to have stress related problems, contact your primary care provider. PLAY PICKLEBALL!

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Reasons Why Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Can Be Canceled

Storm risk is one reason insurance policies get canceled, but there are several other reasons your homeowners insurance policy can be canceled. Sometimes these reasons my not cancel your policy, but your premium will definitely go up. The Most Common Reasons Include: Non-Payment of Premiums Risks of Wildfire in Your Area Lack of Home Maintenance- Tree limbs next to your home beating against your roof and siding causing damage which will allow water intrusion. Water damage is the number one loss, not just in Florida, everywhere. Anything connected to water should be well maintained which includes refrigerators, toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, water heaters and spas. You need steel braided hoses, not rubber hoses. Water heaters must have an overflow tank. Anything to prevent water damage is critical. Filing Too Many Claims Now the Fun Stuff! Unique Reasons Why Your Homeowners Policy is Canceled: Certain Dogs- Your policy usually covers injuries and property damage caused by your Dog. UNLESS, your dog belongs to a so-called restricted dog breed such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Dobermans. Among the standard breeds that would likely cause a rate hike or policy cancellation includes Akita, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky and the Wolf Hybrid. Some insurance carriers don't have breed restrictions, while certain state and local governments do. Exotic Pets- Snakes such as Boa Constrictors or Venomous Snakes (Illegal in Florida), Reptiles or even Ferrets. Insurance Carriers look at the risk factor.  If you have an exotic pet or a dangerous dog, make sure you inform your insurance company. If you don't, you will be responsible for all related medical bills. Electric Vehicle Hookups- Installing a car charging station in your driveway or garage may affect your home insurance policy. Some states require home and condo owners to have liability coverage for the charging equipment, and some underwriters may require documentation that the equipment was installed by a professional. Talk to your insurance agent before adding a charging station to your home. Solar Panels- Many Florida Insurance Companies are canceling policies due to solar panels on the home. Electric Utility Companies are placing the burden on the homeowner if the solar panels cause any damage to the Electric Company. For instance, a surge running through the panels could cause damage to the grid or other homes. They will also deny coverage if you are selling power back to the electric company. While an insurer can't cancel a single policy due to an increase in storm damage, it could stop writing policies in high-risk areas. When in doubt, speak to your local insurance agent to understand coverage and limitations.

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