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| This analysis is reproduced from AARP Magazine. |
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cost-Saving Home Energy Tips
The following article is from Green Living Ideas and offers many ideas about where and why we should make changes in our way of living to reduce energy costs in areas where waste may exists in your home. While you may not want to implement all of the "Green Ideas", there are some rather simple areas that will save you money.
By Stephanie Evans
Co-founder of Green Living Ideas
http://greenlivingideas.com
Energy usage is a major player in the game of going green. When it comes to energy use in your home, there are many things you can do to cut costs and boost energy efficiency.
From calculating your energy expenditure to becoming educated about green home improvements, your energy consumption can change dramatically with just a few simple steps.
Wasted Energy
* Calculating the Cost
* Heating and Cooling
* Water Saving
* Getting Green
Calculating the Cost
There are many ways to cut down on energy use in your own home, starting with where energy is wasted. In order to know where energy can be saved, we first have to examine how we consume it.
Household energy data varies by geographical location, but the U.S Department of Energy reports national averages that pertain to our sources of fuel and our lifestyle choices:
* 34% of our household energy consumed goes to space heating
* 34% goes to lighting and other appliances
* 13% goes to heating water
* 11% goes to air conditioning
* 8% goes to refrigeration
Depending on where you live, fuel choices can create a significant environmental impact. While most Americans (49%) use natural gas, 39% use electricity as their main energy source, while propane and fuel oil make up the rest.
78% of single family homes have air conditioning (a central system, wall/window units, or both).
For general appliances:
* 95% have a clothes washer
* 90% have a clothes dryer
* 63% have a personal computer
In examining the ways we use energy, it’s shocking to note how dependent we are on appliances. Energy is a revolutionary advantage and comfort in the modern world, but the consequences of our energy consumption are apparent, not only to the environment but on our pocket books.
To calculate the energy use in your home visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Consumer Resources Page.
Energy Star
There are several ways to go green with your energy use, starting with choosing the right kind of appliance. In response to the growing demand for more energy-efficient appliances and products in the home, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy formed Energy Star.
Energy Star-rated appliances use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models. Short of washing your clothes by hand, Energy Star-rated models are the next best cost-saving solution. If buying all new energy efficient appliances for your home is out of the question, there are several other ways to save money and reduce your home energy use…
Attic Insulation
Heating and Cooling
Since heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the home, there are many options to reduce your spending and increase your energy of efficiency.
Insulation
Insulation is a favorite topic of energy conservationists for good reason. Inadequate insulation and air leakage account for most of the energy waste in your home, and insulation is an easy way to cool and heat your home more effectively.
Since insulation is the “shell” of your home, effective sealing and insulation can:
* Make your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house
* Make walls, ceilings, and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
* Reduce your heating and cooling bill, if installed properly
Insulation is measured by its capacity to resist heat flow, called the “R factor”. Depending on where you live, different R factors, and different types of insulation are more appropriate for your home. While consulting a professional on how to best insulate your home is always an option, you can also visit Energy Star’s also Do-It-Yourself Guide.
Where to insulate?
Attic—If you have an attic, it is typically the easiest place to insulate (and save the most money). The recommended insulation level for most attics is about 12-15 inches, depending on the insulation type. For Energy Star recommended levels of insulation, visit their insulation guide.
Water Pipes—Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing for a lower water temperature setting. You also won’t have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which helps to conserve water.
Garage—Garage insulation is often overlooked, but can be an easy and cost-effective tool to combat unnecessary energy expenditure. Just as in any case with insulation, be careful to follow your building code.
Air Sealing
Air sealing is another type of insulation that can greatly reduce your heating and cooling bill. Not only are drafts uncomfortable, but they bring moisture and heat into your house from the wrong direction.
Besides windows, chimneys, fireplace, and doors, air can escape or enter via these points:
* Any openings or cracks where two walls meet, where the wall meets the ceiling, or near interior door frames
* Gaps around electrical outlets, switch boxes, and recessed fixtures
* Gaps behind recessed cabinets, and furred or false ceilings such as kitchen or bathroom soffits
* Gaps around attic access hatches and pull-down stairs
* Behind bath tubs and shower stall units
* Through floor cavities of finished attics adjacent to unconditioned attic spaces
* Utility chaseways for ducts, etc.
* Plumbing and electrical wiring penetrations
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats are probably the easiest way to cut down on energy use and save money in your home. Energy Star-rated thermostats usually have pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature in both summer and winter, and during the night and day. By properly setting your thermostat, you can save about $180 a year.
To see the settings that are most comfortable for your family, visit the Energy Star Programmable Thermostat Setpoint table. For detailed information about programmable thermostats, visit EnergyBible.com.
A step beyond programmable thermostats is the automated home energy system, which provides a highly accessible form of remote temperature control for your home environment, allows you to monitor things while you’re on the go.
Water Temperature Gauge
Water Saving
After heating and cooling, water heating is typically the largest energy user in the home because it is necessary for so many domestic activities. The good news is there are several ways to save money and reduce your energy consumption. For general information about water heating technologies, check out Solar Water Heating and Tankless Water Heating.
Washer and Dryers
While washers and dryers use a lot of energy and consume a lot of water, there’s no need to pull out the washboard—Energy Star has you covered. An Energy Star-qualified clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer. Energy Star models also lower energy use, thereby reducing water waste and pollution.
Unfortunately Energy Star does not rate dryers because all brands use similar amounts of energy. There are a few tips however, if line drying is not an option.
* Use the moisture sensor option on your dryer, which automatically shuts off the machine when the clothes are dry.
* If your clothes washer has spin options, choose a high spin speed or extended spin option to reduce the amount of remaining moisture, thus starting the drying process before you put your clothes in the dryer.
* Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
* Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
* Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
WaterSense Toilets
Toilets account for one third of the water wasted in American homes every day. WaterSense toilets use 30% less water, and are tested for efficiency and performance. The average American flushes the toilet 5 times per day, and with a WaterSense labeled toilet, roughly 4,000 gallons of water annually can be saved as a result. Savings with a WaterSense toilet add up to about $90 a year, and provide an easy way to conserve water resources.
Getting Green and Efficient
Adjusting your home energy use can involve a complete overhaul, or consist of little do-it-yourself projects. Something as easy as replacing a light bulb can help bring you closer to a cost effective way of doing your part for the environment.
With energy-awareness becoming such an emergent part of our culture, more and more resources are available for anyone out there wanting to get green and efficient.
For more tips and ideas on home energy consumption and ways to reduce expenditures, visit these great resource pages:
* Energy Star’s Home Tips
* The U.S. Department of Energy
* The Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Use Page
By Stephanie Evans
Co-founder of Green Living Ideas
http://greenlivingideas.com
From calculating your energy expenditure to becoming educated about green home improvements, your energy consumption can change dramatically with just a few simple steps.
Wasted Energy
* Calculating the Cost
* Heating and Cooling
* Water Saving
* Getting Green
Calculating the Cost
There are many ways to cut down on energy use in your own home, starting with where energy is wasted. In order to know where energy can be saved, we first have to examine how we consume it.
Household energy data varies by geographical location, but the U.S Department of Energy reports national averages that pertain to our sources of fuel and our lifestyle choices:
* 34% of our household energy consumed goes to space heating
* 34% goes to lighting and other appliances
* 13% goes to heating water
* 11% goes to air conditioning
* 8% goes to refrigeration
Depending on where you live, fuel choices can create a significant environmental impact. While most Americans (49%) use natural gas, 39% use electricity as their main energy source, while propane and fuel oil make up the rest.
78% of single family homes have air conditioning (a central system, wall/window units, or both).
For general appliances:
* 95% have a clothes washer
* 90% have a clothes dryer
* 63% have a personal computer
In examining the ways we use energy, it’s shocking to note how dependent we are on appliances. Energy is a revolutionary advantage and comfort in the modern world, but the consequences of our energy consumption are apparent, not only to the environment but on our pocket books.
To calculate the energy use in your home visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Consumer Resources Page.
Energy Star
There are several ways to go green with your energy use, starting with choosing the right kind of appliance. In response to the growing demand for more energy-efficient appliances and products in the home, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy formed Energy Star.
Energy Star-rated appliances use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models. Short of washing your clothes by hand, Energy Star-rated models are the next best cost-saving solution. If buying all new energy efficient appliances for your home is out of the question, there are several other ways to save money and reduce your home energy use…
Attic Insulation
Heating and Cooling
Since heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the home, there are many options to reduce your spending and increase your energy of efficiency.
Insulation
Insulation is a favorite topic of energy conservationists for good reason. Inadequate insulation and air leakage account for most of the energy waste in your home, and insulation is an easy way to cool and heat your home more effectively.
Since insulation is the “shell” of your home, effective sealing and insulation can:
* Make your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house
* Make walls, ceilings, and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
* Reduce your heating and cooling bill, if installed properly
Insulation is measured by its capacity to resist heat flow, called the “R factor”. Depending on where you live, different R factors, and different types of insulation are more appropriate for your home. While consulting a professional on how to best insulate your home is always an option, you can also visit Energy Star’s also Do-It-Yourself Guide.
Where to insulate?
Attic—If you have an attic, it is typically the easiest place to insulate (and save the most money). The recommended insulation level for most attics is about 12-15 inches, depending on the insulation type. For Energy Star recommended levels of insulation, visit their insulation guide.
Water Pipes—Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing for a lower water temperature setting. You also won’t have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which helps to conserve water.
Garage—Garage insulation is often overlooked, but can be an easy and cost-effective tool to combat unnecessary energy expenditure. Just as in any case with insulation, be careful to follow your building code.
Air Sealing
Air sealing is another type of insulation that can greatly reduce your heating and cooling bill. Not only are drafts uncomfortable, but they bring moisture and heat into your house from the wrong direction.
Besides windows, chimneys, fireplace, and doors, air can escape or enter via these points:
* Any openings or cracks where two walls meet, where the wall meets the ceiling, or near interior door frames
* Gaps around electrical outlets, switch boxes, and recessed fixtures
* Gaps behind recessed cabinets, and furred or false ceilings such as kitchen or bathroom soffits
* Gaps around attic access hatches and pull-down stairs
* Behind bath tubs and shower stall units
* Through floor cavities of finished attics adjacent to unconditioned attic spaces
* Utility chaseways for ducts, etc.
* Plumbing and electrical wiring penetrations
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats are probably the easiest way to cut down on energy use and save money in your home. Energy Star-rated thermostats usually have pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature in both summer and winter, and during the night and day. By properly setting your thermostat, you can save about $180 a year.
To see the settings that are most comfortable for your family, visit the Energy Star Programmable Thermostat Setpoint table. For detailed information about programmable thermostats, visit EnergyBible.com.
A step beyond programmable thermostats is the automated home energy system, which provides a highly accessible form of remote temperature control for your home environment, allows you to monitor things while you’re on the go.
Water Temperature Gauge
Water Saving
After heating and cooling, water heating is typically the largest energy user in the home because it is necessary for so many domestic activities. The good news is there are several ways to save money and reduce your energy consumption. For general information about water heating technologies, check out Solar Water Heating and Tankless Water Heating.
Washer and Dryers
While washers and dryers use a lot of energy and consume a lot of water, there’s no need to pull out the washboard—Energy Star has you covered. An Energy Star-qualified clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer. Energy Star models also lower energy use, thereby reducing water waste and pollution.
Unfortunately Energy Star does not rate dryers because all brands use similar amounts of energy. There are a few tips however, if line drying is not an option.
* Use the moisture sensor option on your dryer, which automatically shuts off the machine when the clothes are dry.
* If your clothes washer has spin options, choose a high spin speed or extended spin option to reduce the amount of remaining moisture, thus starting the drying process before you put your clothes in the dryer.
* Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
* Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
* Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
WaterSense Toilets
Toilets account for one third of the water wasted in American homes every day. WaterSense toilets use 30% less water, and are tested for efficiency and performance. The average American flushes the toilet 5 times per day, and with a WaterSense labeled toilet, roughly 4,000 gallons of water annually can be saved as a result. Savings with a WaterSense toilet add up to about $90 a year, and provide an easy way to conserve water resources.
Getting Green and Efficient
Adjusting your home energy use can involve a complete overhaul, or consist of little do-it-yourself projects. Something as easy as replacing a light bulb can help bring you closer to a cost effective way of doing your part for the environment.
With energy-awareness becoming such an emergent part of our culture, more and more resources are available for anyone out there wanting to get green and efficient.
For more tips and ideas on home energy consumption and ways to reduce expenditures, visit these great resource pages:
* Energy Star’s Home Tips
* The U.S. Department of Energy
* The Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Use Page
Energy Saving Tips For The Summer Months
The following article is from WeatherBug.com and has some very simple steps we can all take to improve energy consumption with out spending more dollars as Summer time approaches.
By WeatherBug Meteorologists
The summer months bring baseball, lemonade, pool parties and unfortunately, high electric bills. For most of us the thought of our electric bills going through the roof this summer can have us counting our pennies.
Although our electric bills are certain to go up this summer, we can consciously do a few things to control how high it gets. Here are a few tips to help you this summer:
* The easiest step you can take is to turn your thermostat up a few degrees. Instead of keeping your thermostat at 73 degrees, turn it up to 75 degrees. You can also turn it up to 85 degrees when you go out for the day. This will help keep humidity out of your home without using unnecessary electricity.
* Keep your blinds closed when you`re out during the day. This will keep the sun from heating the inside of your house during daytime hours.
* Use your dishwasher and washing machine only when you have full loads. This will keep the number of times you will use these appliances down. It also helps to use your dryer at night when temperatures are a bit cooler; neutralizing the heat it gives off.
* A ceiling fan can help lower the temperature in a room by as much as 4 degrees. This can allow you to keep your air conditioning up a few degrees and still feel cool.
* Try to do most of your cooking with a barbeque, microwave, or on the stove stop. Ovens give off a lot of unnecessary heat while in use.
* Use compact florescent light bulbs (CFL). These light bulbs will last much longer than your average light bulb and reduce the amount of electricity needed to run your lamp. Plus, incandescent light bulbs add more heat to a room than CFLs, making the air conditioner work even harder.
* Lower your hot water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. Most heaters are set at 140 degrees but over the summer months 120 degrees will be just as efficient.
Like everything else in life, comfort comes with a price. If you choose to follow these steps you can live the life of comfort, and still have enough money to enjoy your summer. So turn your thermostat up a few degrees, use your ceiling fan, and barbeque outside to help make it through the hot, sultry months ahead.
Story image provided by WeatherBug user Jason Mitchell of Huntingtown, Md.
By WeatherBug Meteorologists
Although our electric bills are certain to go up this summer, we can consciously do a few things to control how high it gets. Here are a few tips to help you this summer:
* The easiest step you can take is to turn your thermostat up a few degrees. Instead of keeping your thermostat at 73 degrees, turn it up to 75 degrees. You can also turn it up to 85 degrees when you go out for the day. This will help keep humidity out of your home without using unnecessary electricity.
* Keep your blinds closed when you`re out during the day. This will keep the sun from heating the inside of your house during daytime hours.
* Use your dishwasher and washing machine only when you have full loads. This will keep the number of times you will use these appliances down. It also helps to use your dryer at night when temperatures are a bit cooler; neutralizing the heat it gives off.
* A ceiling fan can help lower the temperature in a room by as much as 4 degrees. This can allow you to keep your air conditioning up a few degrees and still feel cool.
* Try to do most of your cooking with a barbeque, microwave, or on the stove stop. Ovens give off a lot of unnecessary heat while in use.
* Use compact florescent light bulbs (CFL). These light bulbs will last much longer than your average light bulb and reduce the amount of electricity needed to run your lamp. Plus, incandescent light bulbs add more heat to a room than CFLs, making the air conditioner work even harder.
* Lower your hot water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. Most heaters are set at 140 degrees but over the summer months 120 degrees will be just as efficient.
Like everything else in life, comfort comes with a price. If you choose to follow these steps you can live the life of comfort, and still have enough money to enjoy your summer. So turn your thermostat up a few degrees, use your ceiling fan, and barbeque outside to help make it through the hot, sultry months ahead.
Story image provided by WeatherBug user Jason Mitchell of Huntingtown, Md.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Home Maintenance Activities To Tackle
Attached is an article from Yahoo Financially Fit which is of genuine interest for homeowners to consider as we negotiate through these difficult financial times. I trust you will find it helpful.
Home Maintenance Activities to Tackle
In this economy, you may be tempted to delay or even skip minor home maintenance repairs, cleaning jobs and inspections in your home. But don't be penny-wise and dollar-foolish. That $200 or $300 you save today could result in expenditures of $3,000 or even tens of thousands next month or next year if hidden problems in your home go unnoticed and become worse.
Consider coughing up a little dough to take care of these small jobs before they morph into gigantic, expensive jobs later.Annual HVAC inspection
Cost: $200-$300, depending on where you live.
How often: At least once a year.
When: Spring or fall. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, companies aren't as busy, and you're not in dire need of heat or air conditioning.
What an inspection might find:
The furnace blower is not working properly. Cost to repair or replace: $100-$150. Possible consequence of letting it go: a broken heat exchanger. Potential savings down the road: $300-$1,000 to replace the heat exchanger or $750-$3,500, depending on the energy efficiency, to replace indoor or outdoor furnace components.
The reversing switch in the heat pump is broken. Cost to repair or replace: $100-$300. Letting it go results in no heat from the heat pump, and the system switches to a more expensive auxiliary heat. Potential savings: lower heating bills.
Bottom line: "Things that happen often happen at the worst possible time in the worse possible conditions and you're looking at the maximum rate," says Terry Townsend of Townsend Engineering in Chattanooga, Tenn., and former president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Remember, continual maintenance prolongs the life of the equipment. "You're sitting there with an investment of thousands in your HVAC system and you're investing a few hundred dollars in maintenance."
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Cost: $65 for an inspection; $150 for inspection and cleaning, including removal of creosote buildup, which may lead to a chimney fire.
How often: Once a year.
When: Before your first fire in winter.
What an inspection might find:
There's no chimney cap. Cost to add: $150. If you let it go, rain water can get into your chimney, damage the chimney liner and damper, and even saturate mortar joints -- causing mold. Potential savings: $2,000-$4,000 to replace the chimney liner.
Other problems may include: A cracked chimney crown, which can be repaired for $300-$500; chimney flashing that needs caulking, which can be done for $80-$100; and waterproofing the exterior brick, $350-$600. All these fixes will prevent rainwater from getting in and mold from forming.
Bottom line: "A simple chimney cleaning can prevent chimney fires and damage to your entire house," says Ray Gessner, a licensed professional engineer and owner of A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps, with offices in the eastern U.S. "Water is the No. 1 problem with chimneys. With water damage, you might need to have your whole chimney rebuilt."
Termite Inspection
Cost: $75-$200 for an inspection; $200-$300 for a termite protection contract for qualifying homes with no current evidence of termites to cover treatment and repairs for any later infestation.
How often: Once a year.
When: Any time, although termites are more active in spring and early summer.
What an inspection might find:
Subterranean termites that come from the ground or flying termites. If left untreated, these bugs damage framing, trim, drywall, furniture, carpet, copper and other soft metals. Termites cause more than $5 billion in damages a year in the U.S., says Paul Curtis, director of quality assurance for Terminix in Memphis, Tenn. The average homeowner loss for termite damage is $3,000, but losses can be as high as $30,000 or even $80,000, Curtis says. Most homeowners insurance does not cover repair of termite damage.
Bottom line: "Termites eat the wood from the inside out," Curtis says. "A typical homeowner would not be aware they are even in their home until months or years after they get in and start causing damage. A lot of people don't realize that termites don't just feed on the home. They'll eat flooring, insulation, books -- I've even seen them penetrate through swimming pool liners."
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Cost: $100-$300 for a 200-square-foot deck, more for a larger deck.
How often: Every one to three years, depending on the amount of traffic, moss and mold.
When: Any time in sunny weather.
Power washing gets rid of stains, algae, mold, mildew and moss. Algae and mold can make your deck slippery and dangerous, says Justin Lee of JL Power Washing in Williamsburg, Va. Sealing your deck after it is cleaned helps prevent water damage. Wood soaks up rain like a sponge, expands and then shrinks, Lee says. Sealing makes the water bead up and roll off. And let's not forget -- your deck will look nicer, too.
If you let it go, your deck will warp, nails will pop out and the deck won't last as long.
Potential savings: $4,000 to $20,000 or more to replace your deck, depending on size.
Bottom line: "A properly cleaned and sealed wood deck can last 20 to 30 years," Lee says.
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Cost: $120-$200.
How often: Every year.
When: A sunny day.
The purpose is to get rid of lint buildup. If your dryer is not on an exterior wall, it's likely that the vent leading outside is clogged up, says Gessner of A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps.
If you ignore it, the result could be a disastrous fire. "Once the vent gets clogged, the dryer starts overheating and it can catch on fire," Gessner says. "Dryer fires are very dangerous."
Potential savings: Your home, your furnishings, your belongings and your life.
Bottom line: "I had been airing a radio commercial talking about the importance of dryer vent cleaning for about a month when three people (in our area) died in a fire caused by a dryer vent fire," Gessner says.
Carpet Cleaning
Cost: About 50 cents per square foot for hot water extraction cleaning, or $500 for 1,000 square feet of cleaned carpet.
How often: Every 12 months; more often for high-traffic areas and homes with small children, pets or smokers. Manufacturers' warranties may require cleaning every 18 to 24 months. You can save money by focusing on regular cleanings for high-traffic areas and waiting up to two years for the entire carpet.
When: Any time.
If the carpet looks dirty, you've waited too long because some soil can't be removed with vacuuming. This soil will bind to your carpet and dull the texture, shortening the life of the carpet.
Your home also will be healthier with pollen, bacteria, insecticides and dirt removed, says Howard Partridge, founder and president of Clean as a Whistle, a cleaning company outside Houston.
Potential savings: Extending the life of your carpet. Replacing 1,000 square feet of medium-grade carpet, including padding and installation, costs about $3,000.
Bottom line: "One of my neighbors had to replace his carpet in less than four years," Partridge says. "And his carpet looked terrible the whole time. I've been able to keep my carpet for 12 years now."
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