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Tips that let you turn down the thermostat and save your money

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With today’s high fuel prices, heating your home in the cooler months can be expensive. By turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours, you can save up to 15 percent per year on your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

“There are basic steps homeowners can take to maintain a comfortable home while living with a lower thermostat setting,” says Bob Vila, home renovation and repair expert.

To help you get started, Vila offers some useful advice:

Seal your drafts

One way to make sure you’re not throwing money out the window is to ensure heat’s not escaping through it as well. From mail slots to doorways, to cracks and loose window fittings, air leaks can be found throughout the entire home, sending heated air outside. Without compromising the ventilation system or air quality, you can seal most of these leaks by applying weatherstripping. Weather-stripping comes in many forms, including adhesive backed foam strips for door and window frames, sealants for cracks and shrink-film for windows. Many come with easy application features.

Warm air can even leave a room through electrical outlets. Seal these holes tight with fire-retardant plastic foam outlet covers.

“Not all rooms should be treated equally when it comes to heating,” says Vila.

By targeting only frequently used rooms of the home, you can turn down the thermostat and save energy. But don’t forget to close the doors of rooms not in use.

Portable heaters are ideal for zone heating because there is no installation involved, so you can create cozy spaces quickly. But traditional units can get very hot, posing a risk to pets, children and flammable materials such as curtains and carpet.

“Opt for a product with no exposed heating elements,” advises Vila. “You get the warmth you want without any risks.” For example, EdenPURE heaters don’t get hot to the touch, don’t have exposed heating elements that can cause a fire and won’t reduce humidity or oxygen in a home.

Five-minute fixes

There are also many quick fixes that will help you heat efficiently.

Between annual furnace check-ups, clean or replace air filters once a month. Dirt and build-up prevent systems from operating at maximum efficiency.

Ensure heat registers are dust-free and clear of obstructions like drapes and furniture. Change the direction of your ceiling fan to a clockwise rotation. This forces cooler air upward, sending the warm air down into your living space.

Don’t forget that thermostats need upkeep as well. Calibrate your thermostat for proper temperature readings, dust the inside and cover with a soft brush.

With a little effort, you don’t need to sacrifice your family’s comfort to save a dime.

 

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Winterize It!

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Taking a few green, energy-saving steps in the colder months can lead to big savings all around.

Winterize It!

Although we’ve been spared the monumental snowfalls of the previous couple of years so far, the 2011-12 winter in New Jersey is far from over. There is still plenty of time to perform these super easy green winterizing tips for your home.

The first thing I recommend is checking your house for drafts. Get down and check under doors especially. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, anywhere from 5 to 30 percent of your energy use can be wasted as a result of drafts. You can purchase an inexpensive draft guard or under-door weather strip from many retail home improvement or hardware stores. Or you can make one yourself with some material and sand, rice, or even kitty litter for filling. You can also use a rolled up towel for free if you don’t mind the aesthetics. For windows you can purchase inexpensive draft kits or weather stripping.

Drafts coming in under your doors aren’t the only thing that can zap your energy and increase your bill. What’s coming through them can hurt too. Simply installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by as much as 45 percent by reducing air flow. The same can be said for storm windows. Purchasing energy efficient doors, windows and skylights may qualify for federal tax credits to offset the costs.

Keeping the cold air out is a great start, but controlling the environment inside your home can help, too. Be sure to replace or clean the filters frequently on your heater or furnace. Once a month is a good recommendation during heating season. You can also consider switching to a permanent filter, which not only adds up to less waste, but traps at least twice as much of many pollutants and debris. Electrostatic filters and HEPA filters are also typically better at controlling mold and bacteria.

The easiest way to control your energy put-out indoors? Turn down your heat when leaving your home. For every degree you lower your thermostat during heating season, you can save up to 3 percent of your heating bill. And who wants to pay for energy that no one is using? I always recommend a programmable thermostat, if you don’t already have one, as the easiest way to control home heating costs.

Don’t forget to make the most of the heat of the sun. Keep windows and blinds up and open during the day to warm your home naturally. Be sure to close them in the evening or in rooms that don’t get much sunlight to better insulate the room from cold air and drafts.

Did you know you can run ceiling fans in reverse (clockwise) to produce a warming effect by sending warm air near the ceiling back down into the room?

And what about winterizing your vehicle? Be sure to check your air filter, tires, fluid levels, and windshield wipers throughout the cold weather season. Operating your car efficiently saves you money and, in many cases, reduces emissions.

When we finally do get that long-awaited snowstorm, be ready. Use a de-icer on your sidewalk or driveway made from magnesium chloride instead of sodium chloride or calcium chloride. It’s safer, does less damage to surfaces like concrete and melts ice at a lower temperature. If you can, use electric snow removal products rather than gasoline-powered ones. While electric products do consume energy, they do not emit greenhouse gases. Or better yet, as I’ve said before, use a good old fashioned shovel—if you’re in physical condition for it or can utilize older children or neighbors for labor.

It’s very easy to make sure that this winter you stay green, and keep your hard-earned money from flying right out of those cold, drafty windows.

 

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Simple do it yourself home repairs can save money

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Isom Hill is a heat-and-air technician with an interesting analogy.

“Just think of an A/C system like the human body that inhales and exhales,” he said.

“For instance, there are many different environments we breathe in, and we have hairs – or filters – that clean the air we breathe,” he explained. Dirty filters can lead to numerous air conditioning failures.

A dirty filter in a home’s cooling cycle can lead to freeze up due to poor air flow. Likewise, in the heating cycle, a dirty filter can cause your furnace to overheat due to the lack of air flow.

“There is a high percentage of calls that could be prevented by a routine filter change,” said Hill, who was one of two local handymen who offered us tips on simple home maintenance that may prevent you from having to spend a ton of money.

Changing filters is “the equivalent of brushing your teeth,” said Tony Cooper, owner of Cooper’s Home Repair. “Preventative maintenance is so much cheaper than repairs because who knows what you’re going to run into.”

You should change your air filter each month, Cooper said. He’s forgetful, so he makes sure that whenever he pays his mortgage, he changes the filter.

And cheaper filters are fine, he said. The more expensive ones may last longer, but they clog up faster, reducing air flow.

Here are some other handy tips Cooper offered:

Garbage disposals. Once every three months, empty a cup of ice into your garbage disposal and turn it on. This sharpens the blades, keeping the disposal running well and the blades really sharp.

Caulking. Proper window caulking can prevent water from deteriorating a home’s exterior. (For great tips on caulking, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website, tulsaworld.com/usdecaulkingtips

Heaters. If yours is more than 10 years old, have a certified technician come in at least once a year and service your A/C and heater. They’ll check the heat exchanger, which can crack and allow carbon monoxide in through the house. So servicing your A/C can prolong its life and protect yours, he said.

Plumbing. If you have floor drains in your garage or in a bar sink you rarely use, put enough water in there to open the P trap, which drains waste water and seals off vapors coming from sewage. If you haven’t run water down the drain in a while, gases can build up behind it, leading to an unpleasant smell.

Popular Mechanics provides tips on basic plumbing dos, don’ts

First, a disclaimer: We are by NO means suggesting you be your own plumber.

But if you’d care to trouble-shoot some simple stuff and don’t think you know your way around all those pipes and what not, Popular Mechanics’ website has an awesome list of tips.

Here are a few:

Know where your pipes are. Pounding nails and driving screws is all well and good, until you puncture a copper or plastic supply or drain.

What to do: Buy a stud sensor that also detects pipes and wirings. You can also look around in the attic or the basement (if it’s unfinished) to get a sense of where pipes are hiding. Finally, if the wall will be covered by whatever you’re building or installing, you can always carefully cut a test hatch to find plumbing lurking in the walls.

Don’t over-tighten. If tight is good, really tight must be better. Right? Wrong.

What to do: Given what I just said about the hit-or-miss quality of many plumbing components today, you’d think that a generous application of wrench torque is called for. Not so. A clean, properly cut and fitted joint that’s been sealed just doesn’t need to be massively tightened. In many cases, after bringing the parts together firmly hand-tight or using a wrench, often all it takes is another half a turn. In fact, brass–copper gas fittings are particularly vulnerable to wrench damage from over-tightening, while steel pipe is more forgiving.

Leak test. Always. It should be obvious: Make a thorough leak inspection before closing up and moving on.

What to do: When you’ve installed a new valve component (or the valve itself), aggressively open and close the valve, as well as running hot and cold water through it. Do the same when checking drains. Run water down a drain and fill up a sink or tub and then drain it to check for leaks. Check gas lines with a soapy water and detergent solution or spend a few dollars for an 8-ounce bottle of bubble-creating leak detector sold on the Web or at a plumbing supply house. The advantage of this material, as opposed to dish detergent, is that it creates larger, more brightly visible bubbles than detergent does.

Be kind to your septic system. The guys at Popular Mechanics are asked this question all the time: “Should I use an additive to improve the performance of my septic system and reduce the need to pump the septic tank?” An additive can be almost anything from sugar or enzymes to a dead chicken (we’re not kidding about the chicken – we get that one plenty).

What to do: Don’t bother with additives, especially the chicken. A properly designed, built and maintained septic system will last for decades and trying to reduce pumping intervals will more likely lead to a clogged leaching field as solids, not clear effluent, flows out of the septic tank and into the leaching field. A septic-tank-pumping company can advise you on how often the tank needs to be pumped. It will depend on the tank’s size and how many people live in the home. Likewise, avoid excessive use of chlorine bleach or caustic chemicals that can kill off beneficial digestive bacteria in the septic tank.

 

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Nine Ways to Cool Down Air-Condition Costs

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House Real Estate 01 Nine Ways to Cool Down Air Condition Costs
Hear that? It’s the sound of your air conditioner running and the sound of your bank account drying up.

Heating and air conditioning your home take a 43% bite from your monthly utility bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Here’s how to reduce those costs in summer.

Improve Plantings Around Your House

“Most heat that accumulates inside a house comes directly from the sun shining onto the roof or through windows, and heating the house directly,” says John Krigger, owner of Saturn Resource Management, which offers energy conservation training in Helena, Mont.

Planting leafy trees around the building’s exterior will stop the sun from reaching inside your home. “Even for the cost of going to the nursery and buying a 15- to 20-foot-tall tree, trees are still the best value,” Krigger says.

If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could boost your AC’s efficiency by up to 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Clothe Your Windows

Solar screens, or mesh-like window screens, intercept up to 70% of solar energy before it gets into the house, Krigger says. Window screens are particularly effective on east- and west-facing windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Window films are another option. They are transparent, metalized sheets that reflect heat before it can be transmitted through glass.

However, windows must be shut for window films to work, while solar screens do double-duty, keeping sun and insects out even with windows open.

Flip a Switch

Go ahead, get comfortable. Lower your air conditioner’s thermostat setting to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home. But let that number rise to a warmer temperature at night or when you’re away from home. You can save 5% to 15% on your air-conditioning bills by raising the temperature setting on your thermostat when you’re away and don’t need cooling, according to the Department of Energy.

Fan It

No need to invest in fancy fans. Krigger says the key is to circulate air inside the house. If possible, locate fans on your house’s upper level and open windows on a lower level. If you live in a one-story house or apartment, you should close windows near the fan and open windows in rooms far from the fan, preferably on your home’s windward side, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Moving air also helps evaporate the sweat from your skin, says Paul Scheckel, an energy efficiency consultant in Montpelier, Vt., and author of “The Home Energy Diet.”

“Evaporational cooling is an incredibly efficient process for removing heat, and our bodies do it all by themselves. A little help can increase the cooling effect,” Scheckel says.

Chill in The Basement

Camp out in your basement, says Stan Cox, author of “Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer).” In your eco-cooled basement, a television, couch or futon and a cold drink may be all you need.

However, Scheckel says don’t open basement windows when outdoor air is heavy with humidity. “Warm, moist air will cause condensation on cool surfaces such as basement walls, ultimately increasing the humidity in your home,” he says.

Don’t Bake or Cook on The Stove

Skip the stove-top boiling and oven baking, Cox says. Decrease indoor heat by making microwave nachos or eating a cool salad. If you must boil pasta for tomorrow’s potluck, cook in the evening.

After cooking, turn on the kitchen exhaust, and use the bathroom exhaust fan after a hot shower. “Remove heat and moisture at the source,” Scheckel says. “Reducing humidity can help increase comfort.”

Maintain or Replace Your AC

“AC efficiency is mostly a function of the technology,” Scheckel says. “Keep the filter clean to allow for good air movement and keep the unit level so the condensation drains properly.”

If you replace your older room air conditioner with a newer unit, you could cut your energy costs in half, according to the Department of Energy. Look for a high-energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, or an Energy Star-qualified unit. Higher EER ratings mean a more efficient air conditioner. Energy Star refers to a system adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to identify energy-efficient products.

Let Humidity Set Your AC Pace

Set the AC fan speed on high, except on very humid days, says the U.S. Department of Energy. On humid days, set the speed on low. The slower air movement through the air-condition equipment removes more moisture from the air, improving comfort in your home.

Splash in The Bath

Hop in the shower, spray yourself with a water bottle or use a cool cloth on the back of your neck. And if you don’t chill out right away, don’t give up, says Cox, the environmental writer and scientist. “Our comfort range depends on the temperatures we have experienced in recent days and weeks,” he says. “The body and mind adjust to rising temperatures.”

 

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Tips for saving energy, money during the summer

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With the recent arrival of the first day of summer, the days of heat and humidity have only begun in the area, which can mean increased energy costs for residents trying to keep cool.

In a typical household, about 43 percent of the utility bill goes to cooling and heating the house, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

But there are ways to save on energy while still saving money.

Raising your thermostat is the number one energy saving measure Dominion Power recommends.

Dominion media and community relations manager Bonita Harris said the company encourages customers to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees in the summer.

She said the temperature is comfortable and not too warm, which can be a health risk.

Homeowners cut energy costs by 1 percent for each degree warmer they keep their homes in the summer, Harris said.

If 78 degrees isn’t for you, Harris said it also helps to turn up the thermostat when you leave the house, so energy isn’t being used to cool rooms when you aren’t home. This is particularly easy to do if you have a programmable thermostat in your home.

However, Harris does not advise turning off the air conditioning altogether during the day while you’re at work because when you do get home, the system has to work even harder to cool the house.

You can also close the doors and vents of the rooms that aren’t occupied to conserve energy.

If you would still like your home cooler, a ceiling fan is the way to go instead of pumping air conditioning.

“A ceiling fan uses less electricity than air conditioning,” she said.

In fact, the use of ceiling fans can save about 25 percent on energy bills, according to Dominion.

Fans can lower the room temperature by up to 10 degrees and are especially effective because they circulate air downward, Harris said.

To keep your air conditioning running efficiently, Harris said the filter needs to be changed once a month, even if the packaging didn’t require it.

In addition to monitoring cooling systems, homeowners should cut down on activities that create excess heat to reduce energy.

Harris said activities that use hot water, such as doing the dishes, should be completed during early morning or later at night when it’s not as hot outside. Doing this will reduce the amount of heat in the house, which takes some work off the air conditioning.

Harris said another simple thing people can do to reduce heat is to use cold water for dishes and even while running the garbage disposal. She said it helps the disposal stay cool, and it reduces hot water usage.

“It’s one of the small things people can do,” Harris said.

Changing to energy efficient light bulbs can also help reduce energy costs in the home. Harris said it doesn’t cost a lot to invest in compact florescent lamps, or CFL bulbs, but they have a great return.

She said CFLs use less energy, last longer and generate less heat than incandescent light bulbs.

This is something that can help reduce utility costs all year long.

And just like in the winter, saving energy in the summer means keeping the air out. To ensure as little air is getting in your home as possible, you should check the seals on windows and doors.

Harris said weather stripping and caulking are effective and affordable ways of renewing those seals.

Additionally, using blinds, shade or heat control film on windows can be a good way to keep heat out of the house.

Harris said heat control film, which can be a little pricier, is a good alternative for homeowners who don’t want blinds or shades to take away from the view or appearance of their windows.

For more energy saving tips, visit www.dom.com/about/conservation/summer-tips.jsp.

 

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New Energy Efficiency Standards Should Save Consumers ‘Billions’

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heat pump New Energy Efficiency Standards Should Save Consumers BillionsNew energy efficiency standards for air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps should save consumers billions of dollars in reduced energy costs, according to a coalition of consumer, manufacturing, and environmental groups.

The new energy efficiency standards just released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) establish the first-ever regional standards for central air conditioners and furnaces, as well as strengthened national standards for heat pumps.

“Climates as different as those of Minneapolis and Miami need different furnace and AC standards,” said Andrew deLaski, Executive Director of the Appliance Standards Awareness

Project (ASAP). “Until now, we’ve had one-size-fits-all national standards. These new, regional standards are a major breakthrough that will benefit consumers and the environment.”

Once the latest updated standards take effect, a typical new air conditioner in the South will use about 40% less energy, and a typical new furnace in the North will use about 20% less than before national standards were established in the late 1980s.

According to DOE’s analysis, the improvements to the air conditioner and heat pump standards announced today will save 156 billion kilowatt hours of electricity over 30 years, or about enough to meet the total electricity needs of all the households in Indiana for three years, while delivering net savings of more than $4.2 billion to U.S. consumers. The new furnace standards will save 31 billion therms of natural gas, or about enough natural gas over 32 years to heat all the homes in New York State for more than 11 years and save consumers $14.5 billion.

Major step

“The agreement on which the new DOE rule is based is another great example of industry and advocacy groups collaborating to save energy and improve the environment,” said Stephen Yurek, President and CEO of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), one of the organizations that negotiated the agreement. “It represents a major step forward in the nation’s drive to increase energy efficiency. It will save energy and will provide industry with greater certainty in the marketplace, which enables more investment, enhances global competitiveness, and preserves jobs,” he said.

The energy savings from the new DOE standards also will deliver benefits for the electric system, the environment, and public health. Improved air conditioner efficiency will reduce hot summer-day electric demand by about 4,000 megawatts, or roughly the output of 13 large, gas-fired power plants. Global warming carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by up to 143 million metric tons over 30 years, an amount about equal to the annual emissions of 25 million passenger vehicles. Power plant emission of mercury and smog-forming nitrogen oxides will also be cut.

“These standards are a triple win: a win for consumers, a win for public health, and a win for the environment,” said David Goldstein, Energy Program Co-Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Under the new standards, air conditioners will still keep homes cool on hot summer days but will use less electricity, particularly during high demand days. This will lower electricity bills and the potential for brownouts and blackouts and will also reduce the amount of deadly air pollution that causes ‘ozone alert’ or ‘red alert’ days that can lead to serious health problems and even premature death. Furnaces and heat pumps that meet the new standards will heat homes using less energy, while lowering energy prices for all consumers due to decreased demand.”

These standards will also protect low-income households, most of whom are renters dependent on their landlords to provide the heating system. “These new regional furnace standards will ensure that landlords install efficient systems, which will make tenants’ heating bills much more affordable,” said Charlie Harak, Managing Attorney of the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) in Boston.

 

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Green tax breaks that can improve your home and wallet

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From windows to wind turbines, tax credits give homeowners an extra incentive to make energy-efficient home improvements.

The sweet deals of 2010 — where homeowners could receive a maximum tax credit of $1,500 — are gone. The tax laws for 2011 reverted to the incentives of 2006 and 2007, which cover up to 10 percent of the cost of improvements with a $500 cap. For certain kinds of improvements, such as windows, heaters and air conditioners, the maximums are lower, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

While it’s not the $1,500 of 2010, local energy auditor Sarajane Koch of Scott Temperature said it does help. For instance, the $500 limit can be met through a $300 tax credit for an air conditioner, a $150 tax credit for a furnace and a $50 tax credit for circulating fan.

In the past 15 months, Koch said she saw more homeowners go with higher efficiency models because the $1,500 tax credit helped cover the difference.

The $500 lifetime limit doesn’t apply to all energy-efficiency projects. The more costly improvements of installing geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells and wind generators are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit and have no upper limit. These credits are good until 2016.

That’s good news, Koch said because projects such as installing geothermal heat pumps can cost between $15,000 to $40,000.

All of the housing credits are for equipment that is installed and used in 2011. And the upgrades have to be made for the homeowner’s principal residence and can’t be applied to rental properties. There is also a $500 lifetime limit on the tax credit. So, if you took full advantage of last year’s $1,500 tax credit, you won’t be eligible.

The tax credits also don’t include installation and labor costs.

With the help of information from the DOE, we made a cheat sheet on what tax credits are available for 2011.

Windows, doors, skylights

Homeowners can get up to 10 percent off the cost of the windows, skylights and doors that carry the ENERGY STAR label. The credit is good for up to $200 of the cost of windows and skylights and $500 for doors. To qualify, not all the windows, doors or skylights in your home have to be replaced and they don’t even have to be replacements for old ones, so products that are used on additions would qualify.

Insulation, weather stripping

Tax credits are available for 10 percent of the cost of insulation or weather-stripping products with a $500 cap. The tax credits cover typical insulation products such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers and expanding sprays. It also covers weather-stripping materials, cans of spray foam, caulking and house wrap. Homeowners can get the credit if they install the insulation or do the air sealing themselves.

Water heaters

A $300 tax credit is available for water heaters that have an energy factor of .82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent. The DOE has a list of tankless water heaters that qualify. There aren’t any residential storage tank water heaters or gas condensing water heaters on the market right now that qualify for the tax credit.

There is also a $300 tax credit for electric heat pump water heaters that have an energy factor of 2.0. Electric storage tanks and electric tankless water heaters do not qualify.

Furnaces and boilers

A $150 tax credit is available for furnaces and boilers that have an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating (AFUE) of 95 or greater. The DOE doesn’t have a list of all the heating products that qualify for the tax credit, but the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute keeps track of products that do. You can search its website.

There is also a $300 tax credit for air source heat pumps and a $50 tax credit for an advanced main air circulating fan.

Central air conditioners

A $300 tax credit is available for central air conditioners, but you will most likely have to replace your furnace as well to qualify. The DOE doesn’t have a user-friendly list of what central air conditioners qualify, so the best way to find out what earns a tax credit is to check with your contractor.

Biomass stoves

Stoves that use biomass, such as trees, wood, grass or agricultural crops, can earn a $300 tax credit. The stove must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent.

Roofs

Homeowners can receive 10 percent of the cost of a new roof. The tax credit is capped at $500. The tax credit is aimed at reflective roofs, which are best used for homes that are in hot sunny climates and use air conditioning frequently.

What’s not covered

Here’s a list of what isn’t covered under the government’s tax credits: ceiling fans, washers, dryers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, electric furnaces and boilers, swamp coolers, lighting fixtures, ovens, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, room air conditioners, TVs and toilets.


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