Happy Thanksgiving from Blais Insurance

As we all anxiously await another Thanksgiving feast, it is important to reflect on what is most important during the holiday season.

Whether staying home or traveling abroad, it is imperative to make certain the appropriate levels of protection are in place to ensure the safety and security of your loved ones.

For over 100 years, Blais Insurance has insured the homes and businesses of Northern Rhode Island and we take tremendous pride in that responsibility.

We would be happy to provide a complimentary review of your current insurance policies to make certain they are still meeting your needs. Please contact our offices today at 725.0070 to schedule an appointment.

On behalf of the entire staff of Blais Insurance, we wish you and your loved ones a bountiful and joyous Thanksgiving.

Ways to Winterize Your Home

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

A quality homeowner’s insurance policy is key to making sure your home assets are protected should the worst happen. But there are a number of ways you can care for your home that will not only protect it, but will help you save real money on heating energy and expenses.

Winterizing your home can help you start saving today. Here are a few simple ways you can feel warmer this winter without turning up the heat (and the costs):

• Install storm doors and windows, which can increase energy efficiency by 45% by sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Making sure these are installed and securely shut can help save you a great deal of energy and money.

• On the same track, window insulation kits are available for just a few dollars at your local hardware store, and add a buffer against draft and extra still air space.

• Invest in a programmable thermostat that operates on a timer, so that you aren’t paying for heat when you aren’t in your home.

• Wearing warmer clothes like sweaters while in your home may seem like an insignificant step, but doing so can warm you up by four degrees, allowing you to lower that thermostat and save more energy and costs.

A number of winterization methods can also help pay for themselves with certain federal tax credits that make saving on energy tax deductible. Investing in a tankless water heater, or going solar, for instance, can be used with a federal tax credit that pays 30% of the cost for solar water heaters, or up to $1,500 for conventional systems.

Many of these simple steps can help you save money and energy for your home. Start making these changes before the temperature drops!

If you have any additional questions regarding winterization for your home, please contact Blais Insurance at 401-725-0070.