Home Works

“Power outage season” has begun, and along with it come basements flooding from no sump pump power, food spoilage from a refrigerator or freezer not running and even medical equipment, such as breathing machines and oxygen generators that cannot operate without a valid power source. Want an automatic solution that can save you thousands of dollars the very first time you find yourself without power due to damaged electrical wires or severe storms? A natural gas-powered backup generator may be the answer to saving thousands of … [Read more...] about How to prevent stormy weather from leaving you in the dark

are wonderful for creating a nice, relaxing, homey atmosphere, but the ingredients some candles are made of can also be very bad for your health. Aside from the obvious benefits candles provide us with, let’s also take a look at some things to watch out for. As candles burn, they produce carbon monoxide and soot. Burning candles too frequently can discolor the walls, ceilings and contents of a home. They can also contaminate your homes ventilation system. This is especially true of ductwork constructed or lined with fiberglass or … [Read more...] about The problem with candles

of us do laundry every week, and never even think twice about it. But what you don’t know about your clothes dryer could hurt you. By nature, moonlighters lack proper licenses. They don’t carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees or liability insurance, and they can’t pull permits on the work they perform because they are operating illegally. The Consumer Pro-ducts Safety Commission estimates there are 24,000 clothes dryer fires each year in the United States, amounting to $96,000,000 in estimated property … [Read more...] about Maintain clothes dryers to avoid potential fires

those of us with basements, I’m sure I don’t have to explain how important our sumps pumps are. Let one fail just one time and you’ll remember it forever! Here are a couple smart ideas that will help you save money, prevent damage to your property and a whole lot of hassle in the event of a water emergency. One option is what’s called a high water safety alarm. It is 9-volt battery operated and has a sensor that you place where, if water reaches the sensor, it sends an audible alarm alerting you to the potential hazard. Want a … [Read more...] about Wet basement alert

the weather gets hot and steamy again, the last thing you want is for your air conditioning to go on the blink. Here are a few tips that you can use to ensure the least amount of trouble from your air-conditioning unit. • Inspect and clean the exterior fins of the unit. Make sure they are debris free. Air-conditioning units draw in air through these fins to assisting in removing the heat extracted from the house. The dirtier they are, the harder the unit has to work. This can mean higher bills and a shorter life span. A plain water … [Read more...] about Summer weather alert: preparing to stay cool despite blistering hot temperatures

This is the last of an eight-part series.) Energy Scams: Some people are probably most surprised by this last tip. In prior years there wasn’t much need for a tip like this on an energy savings report. However, with all this talk on global warming, energy scams are great ways for some people who trick the general public and cash in. In the name of energy savings, you can get ripped off in an ever-growing number of ways. Be on alert when dealing with door-to-door salespeople or unsolicited letters or phone callers who promise to … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through

This is the seventh of an eight-part series.) Water Heaters: By insulating hot water piping and turning your water heater down 10 degrees you can save up to 5 percent annually on your hot water heating costs. The average life of a standard hot water heater is 10 to 15 years, depending on many factors such as the water pressure in your house and the quality of the water. Many of the tankless water heater manufacturers state that you will enjoy up to a 40 percent energy savings by switching from a standard (tank type) water heater … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through

This is the sixth of an eight-part series.) Air conditioners are another energy hog during the hot summer months. An air conditioner that is over 10 years old could be costing you double the energy costs to operate than that of a new system. Air conditioning efficiency is rated by a S.E.E.R. rating (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). The new standard as of 2005 is 13, however most manufacturers make units with a S.E.E.R rating of 21 or higher in some cases. A standard air conditioner that was installed 15 years ago is probably … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through

(This is the fifth of an eight-part series.) The most common way people heat their homes in Michigan is with a forced-air furnace fueled by natural gas. These units typically last between 15 and 20 years, and even a bit longer with regular maintenance. The most important issue is safety. With any gas-burning appliance, you want to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions and fire hazards. It is important to have your furnace inspected and maintained by a licensed professional every year. Not only will you be … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through

(This is the fourth of an eight-part series.) Last week I explained the importance of sealing your home from unwanted air infiltration. I pointed out some areas of great concern such as attics, crawl spaces and attached garages. The best practice for air sealing is to first have a professional energy audit performed with a blower door test and infrared camera scan. This is the best method to not only find air leaks but inadequate insulation as well. In attics, it is sometimes necessary to remove the existing insulation and spray … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through