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Grilled Shrimp and Peach Salad
AND
SPRING CLEANING TIME AGAIN!
spring 2012
Invest in an Outdoor Room
The right additions increase enjoyment and ROI.
By Kristy Alpert
F
ormerly viewed as fertile soil for daisies and storage sheds,
“What creates a successful outdoor room is freedom and good
today the backyard is a tool for increased return on investment
architectural planning,” says Durie, who notes that homebuyers
(ROI), with elaborate and enjoyable outdoor rooms. These
are often attracted by well-thought-out outdoor areas. “An
outdoor rooms have become the space formerly known as the
outdoor kitchen is somewhere you literally prepare food with
backyard as homeowners expand their living quarters into
a gas grill and a prep area, and the greater outdoor room is
the garden.
where you relax, come together, interact and dine. There’s a
huge value to having both.”
“I’m all about creating spaces that people live in and not
just look at,” says award-winning landscape designer and
Outdoor décor
horticulturist Jamie Durie (www.jamiedurie.com), host of
The most popular outdoor room components include a porch
HGTV’s The Outdoor Room. “These days, outdoor rooms are
or sectioned-off area of grass with a built-in gas fire pit (a
really extensions of our living space and by creating a kitchen
must-have for any outdoor room) surrounded by weatherproof
or a dining room or a sunken fire pit area, you’re creating a
couch-like seating, side tables and even a rustic coffee table.
reason to get outside and you’re building architecture that
evokes social interaction and a connection with plants.”
Durie says he looks at a landscape the same way he looks
at a house. “The only difference is that I tear the roof off the
house and then I replicate the floor plan of that, walls and
all, outdoors.”
Rooms with a view
PSNC Energy sells a wide variety of natural gas
grills, fire pits and logs that would be great for
any outdoor living area. Give us a call today at
1-866-546-5369, and we’ll help you find exactly
what you need. Visit psncenergy.com/products
for more information.
Outdoor rooms create a magical place to commune with
friends and nature, but they also add a huge value in terms
Outdoor kitchens have become a bit more elaborate over
of ROI to the home. Homebuyers are entranced with the idea
the years as well, adding to the traditional patio table with
of a well-manicured and thought-out backyard, as a study
full-size wooden dining tables set beneath wooden trellises.
from Clemson University found that homeowners typically
Most kitchens now include a high-end gas grill — arguably
see 100 percent or more ROI they put into landscaping. They
the most attractive feature for homebuyers — built into a
have become an attractive concept to potential homebuyers,
stone structure that includes a prep area for cutting meat
which can translate into more money when it’s time to sell
and vegetables, and even built-in mini-fridges to add to the
your home. Whereas Durie once told his clients to spend
authentic kitchen feel. Durie strongly believes native plants
somewhere between 5 and 7 percent of the value of their
interspersed throughout the permanent outdoor room fixtures
property on an outdoor renovation to make sure not to over
are crucial to give the full effect of a natural setting, adding
capitalize, he now recommends spending more. He even has
that well-planned landscaping is the absolute key to creating a
clients gladly spending up to 30 percent of the value of their
lasting outdoor room that will provide enjoyment in the short-
home to enjoy a higher quality of life, and, eventually, to enjoy
term and at least a 100 percent ROI in the long-term.
getting the money back that they put into the room ... most of
the time with a profit!
Reprinted with permission from Natural Living magazine, copyright 2011 PRISM Media Group.
Take a Biltmore Road Trip
for Family Adventure
A
s the weather starts to warm back up, it’s time to get the family out of the house and enjoy all the great attractions
North Carolina has to offer. One such place is Biltmore, an 8,000-acre estate in Asheville and a PSNC Energy customer.
Biltmore offers activities for all ages and interests. There’s the annual Festival of Flowers, which began April 7 and continues
through May 20, and many other great options. The Biltmore staff helped us compile a list of adventures for your family.
Biltmore Chef Recipe
Grilled Shrimp
and Peach Salad
with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette
The adventurer Biking, rafting, hiking
and horseback riding are some of the activities
the outdoor adventurer can experience at
Biltmore. Kick back on a guided float trip down
the French Broad River or learn to navigate
off-road obstacles at the Land Rover Experience
Driving School.
The Animal Lover At Antler Hill Farm,
kids can visit with farmyard friends, including
lambs, calves, Belgian draft horses and
chicks. Then stop by the stables at the
Equestrian Center to say “hello” to the horses.
They are kept warm and toasty during chilly nights
with natural gas heating.
The History Buff Renoir paintings adorn
bedroom walls in Biltmore House, Napoleon’s
chess set beckons its next player and a new
exhibit in Antler Hill Village’s Legacy building
showcases a unique collection of Samurai
armor and an early Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
The Sweet Tooth Whether you’re looking
for a home-baked pastry item or something
more decadent, the Bake Shop and restaurants
will fulfill your cravings. Natural gas is used
throughout Biltmore’s kitchens to help the
chefs prepare all your favorite treats.
The Green Thumb With more than 2,300 roses,
a summer garden of brilliant annuals and
natural gas heated greenhouses next to the
mansion, you’re sure to find many old and
new favorite flowers in the extensive
Biltmore gardens.
The Wine Connoisseur Interested in
tasting complimentary Biltmore wine, taking
a guided tour or learning more about the art
and science of winemaking? You must include
the winery on your itinerary.
1/2 lb raw jumbo shrimp
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 fresh peaches
1 bag mixed greens
4 oz blue cheese crumbles
4 oz pecan pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
6 oz Sweet Tea Vinaigrette
Toss shrimp into 1 tablespoon olive oil, and grill for about 2 minutes on each side. Cut peaches into 8 wedges
per peach; grill for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Toast pecan pieces. Toss mixed greens with Sweet Tea
Vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper. Top greens with shrimp, peaches, blue cheese and pecans.
Sweet Tea Vinaigrette
1 cup sweet tea
1/4 tsp honey
1 oz cider vinegar
3 oz canola oil
1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
Simmer tea on low heat until reduced by two-thirds and cool.
(Do not let boil.) Add reduced sweet tea, honey, mustard and vinegar,
and whisk. While stirring, slowly add oil to emulsify.
Add to mixed greens above.
Biltmore is cooking with gas
From the greenhouses near the mansion to the horse stables and Antler Hill,
natural gas is used for heating, cooking and water heating throughout many
parts of the 8,000-acre estate.
$10 off
For more information on the countless activities available at Biltmore and to get
your admission if you order your tickets at least seven days in advance, visit www.biltmore.com.
All images courtesy of Biltmore.
Time for Spring
Cleaning
Gas-fueled Homes
Sell Faster
Yard Project?
Before you begin that landscaping project, put your family’s safety
first by dialing 811 before you dig. At no cost to you, North Carolina
811 will send technicians to your home to mark the underground
It’s time to throw open the windows and give the house a good scrubbing.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your natural gas appliances can
utility lines on your property — including PSNC Energy’s natural
help keep them in good shape.
gas lines. State law requires that you notify area utilities before
I
t’s hard not to enjoy spring. Our landscape seems to
change almost overnight. The trees are green again, and if
you put out any azaleas last fall, they should be in bloom
— just make sure you call 811 to get your underground
utilities marked before you dig any time of year.
In our business, we count April as the last month in
our heating season. Overnight temperatures can still
sometimes take a dip despite the warmer days we enjoy
this time of year.
beginning any excavation work, and NC 811 provides this service
Get an HVAC tune up
Have a professional perform this inspection:
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Check that thermostat settings are accurate.
Tighten connections; measure voltage and current on motors.
Lubricate all moving parts.
Inspect condensation drain to make sure it’s clear and running freely.
Check the controls — ensure it starts, operates and shuts off properly.
Inspect all gas or oil connections and burners.
Inspect, clean or change air filters.
Make your grill shine
A clean grill will make your food taste better and help your grill last longer.
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After each use, leave the burner on high for 10 to 15 minutes with
the lid closed to burn off accumulated food residue and drippings.
While the cooking rack is still warm, brush with a stiff wire brush
or wet nylon scouring pad. When necessary, soak in hot sudsy
water and scour with steel wool or a nylon pad.
Clean the inside of the grill box if there is a buildup of grease or
ash on the bottom. Heat the grill slightly to soften the grease,
then scrub with hot, sudsy water and a steel wool pad; rinse and dry.
Periodically wash the outside of the grill box with hot, sudsy
water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Occasionally remove the
burner and brush it
with a stiff wire brush.
Use wire or pipe
cleaner to open
any clogged ports.
Replace burner
in exact original
position, so it is
correctly aligned.
If you don’t currently have all gas appliances at home,
perhaps it is time to consider replacing electric
appliances with natural gas appliances to improve
resale value. At least that’s what a new study by the
National Association of Home Builders discovered.
The national survey, prepared for the Energy Solutions
Center by the National Association of Home Builders
in November 2010, asked NAHB’s builder members to
compare the prices of newly built single-family homes
with natural gas equipment to those homes with only
electric equipment.
According to the study, homes powered by gas fuel
sold for higher prices than electric homes – regardless
of the size of the home. The gas home, on average,
sold for 6 percent more than the electric home.
Other results of the study indicate:
• The average price for a new home with gas
heating systems and appliances was $328,549,
compared with an average price of $308,520 for
a comparable home with only electric heating
systems and appliances.
• A typical gas home sells for $250,000 or more.
A majority of builders noted that a new home with
natural gas equipment (e.g. heater, range, water heater,
dryer or fireplace) generally sells more quickly than a
new home with electric appliances.
Reprinted with permission from Natural Living magazine, copyright
2011 PRISM Media Group.
for free.
I suspect our mild North Carolina weather is a factor for
many area homeowners interested in creating an outdoor
living space, but the added home value is another plus. In
this issue of Comforts of Home, we highlighted the benefits
of an outdoor room to help you decide whether this
investment is right for you.
For more information about digging safety and NC 811, visit
ncocc.org or call 811 or 1-800-632-4949.
Electronic Comforts of Home
Gives You More!
Most of you walked to your mailbox to get this issue of Comforts of
Home, but, for the first time ever, some of our customers had this
issue delivered via email. Now you can, too!
Starting with this issue, Comforts of Home is available as an
electronic publication. The electronic version offers the same
The benefits of using natural gas have not changed.
Its reliable, clean-burning, 90% efficient qualities
make it a preferred energy source. What has changed
is cost. Ten years ago, natural gas was fairly low priced,
but wholesale costs soared in 2005 following hurricane
damage in the Gulf of Mexico, which was then followed
by a price spike during the summer of 2008. Market
prices have now settled down, and as a result our rates
today are the lowest they’ve been in years – thanks in
large part to an abundant domestic supply of natural
gas. I hope we’ll see continued stability in natural gas
prices as well as calm summer weather ahead.
Finally, if you’re in need of a change of scenery, I recommend
a visit to Biltmore Estate. Its beautiful grounds might give
you some new ideas for your own backyard.
content as the printed version plus many added bonuses. Now you
can look forward to additional energy saving tips, interactive content,
Make the most of your spring,
how-to videos and more. So much more, in fact, that we’ll be emailing
the electronic version four times a year to coincide with each
season, instead of twice a year as we do with the printed version.
To continue receiving the printed publication, you don’t need to do
anything, but if you would prefer to sign up for the new electronic
version, go to psncenergy.com/comforts or scan the QR code below
to be taken to the sign-up form. Signing up for the electronic version
will remove your name from the mailing list for the printed version
of Comforts of Home.
Rusty Harris
President and Chief Operating Officer
PSNC Energy
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
COLUMBIA, SC
PERMIT #71
Home
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Natural Gas. Making Everyday Life Better SM
Backyard
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EscaShr
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Gri lled
AND
SPRI NG
CLEA NING
TIME AGAI
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SEND STORY IDEAS AND COMMENTS TO: Comforts of Home, Mail Code B277, SCANA Corporation, 220 Operation Way,
Cayce, S.C. 29033-37018, e-mail [email protected], visit our website at psncenergy.com or call 1-877-776-2427.
©2012 All rights reserved. Comforts of Home is from PSNC Energy, a SCANA Company.
PSNC Energy appliance sales, installation, maintenance and repair are not part of the regulated services offered by PSNC Energy and
are not in any way sanctioned by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. There is no advantage to customers of PSNC Energy
if they buy these products or services from PSNC Energy. A customer does not have to buy such products or services in order to continue
to receive the same safe and reliable natural gas service from PSNC Energy.