5 Things Nov. 3: No Means Yes, The Grinch and More

Five Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. No Means Yes
No Means Yes will perform at Trinity Bar & Restaurant 9:30 p.m. to close. Cover is $3 at 9 p.m.

2. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”
Dr. Seuss' “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” will be held at Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. Tickets are $35 to $125. Enter code PATCH and get 15 percent off tickets to select shows. For tickets, dates and more information visit http://www.citicenter.org/grinch/.

3. Governor Patrick signs bill to improve the long-term care for seniors
Governor Deval Patrick joined advocates and legislators Wednesday for a ceremonial bill signing of Senate Bill 2359, “An Act Establishing Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance,” which ensures the availability of long-term care insurance policies, protects long-term care applicants from unfair or deceptive sales or enrollment practices, and promotes flexibility and customization according to an individual’s long-term care needs. The legislation also establishes standards for long-term care insurance and facilitates better public understanding and comparison of long-term care insurance policies. Governor Patrick signed the legislation on Oct. 25.

The legislation also provides safeguards through certain provisions that are prohibited in long-term care insurance policies. For example, a policy may not be cancelled on the basis of age or deterioration of mental or physical health; a long-term care policy may not contain a provision containing a new preexisting condition limitation period when existing coverage is converted to a new one within the same insurance company; the policy may not provide coverage for skilled nursing care only; or provide significantly more coverage for skilled care than coverage for lower levels of care.

Additionally, the legislation:
·         Gives people of all age’s encouragement and peace of mind that they are buying a safe product and one that will provide an option for people to be cared for in their home.
·         Makes long-term care insurance policies more understandable and more portable across state lines by meeting federal standards for long-term care insurance coverage.   

4. Tips to stay warm while keeping energy costs down from National Grid

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees. In the winter, set the thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees during the day and to 58 degrees at night or when away from home for several hours. If you have a heat pump, make sure to slowly increase the temperature to avoid running the emergency heat. You can learn more about your thermostat online by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy website.
• Seal air leaks. Seal all holes from pipes and wires that enter/exit the living space. This includes entrances, pull-downs and attic stair openings, light fixtures, pipes and wires. Attic entryways should be weather stripped and insulated.
• Seal off fireplaces. Never use a fireplace as a heat source for your home. Even as a supplemental heat source, the cold air introduced to a warm home through an open flue isn't as efficient as sealing off a fireplace and using the primary source of heat. For natural gas fireplaces, turn off the pilot light when not in use. Seal off the fireplace area or the flue area to prevent cold air from leaking in.
• Seal duct work. This is the number one way to conserve energy. Make sure that all ductwork is sealed at joints and intersections with duct sealer or silicone caulk. Otherwise, supply ductwork can leak heated air into the attic or crawl space, and outside air can be drawn into the return ductwork, increasing costs and reducing comfort dramatically. Ducts can be sealed using foil-backed tape or silicon caulking.
• Lower water heater to 120-125 degrees. Many water heaters are automatically set at 140 degrees. Lowering the temperature on your water heater to between 120 and 125 degrees will reduce the amount of fuel needed to heat the water.
• Change furnace filters every month. This is the number one reason for furnace breakdowns. Inspect heating and cooling equipment annually, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Have a professional check and clean furnaces once a year.
• Weatherstrip doors and windows. Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window needs sealing. Air leaks can be sealed with caulking or weather-stripping.
• Insulate water pipes coming from the water heater. Insulate the first 3- to 6-feet of cold and hot water pipes near the water heater. Insulating all hot water pipes is not necessary where pipes are located in a crawlspace or attic.
• Add an insulation blanket to water heater. Wrapping the water heater with an insulation blanket can save heating money by slowing the drop in temperature from the hot water tank as it sits unused. Inexpensive insulation kits are available at most home improvement stores.
• Add insulation to attic. When adding insulation, start at the top and work down only after eliminating air infiltration.