Home Works

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

(This is the third of an eight-part series.) The U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency states that the air in your home is can be 2 – 5 times more polluted than the outdoor air. When the wind blows, your house is subject to the effects of the wind. The wind creates a positive pressure on the side of your home that it’s hitting directly and at the same time, it’s literally sucking air out of the opposite side. All homes leak air, at least a certain amount. We need them to leak some air, coming in and going out, so that the air … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through

(This is the second of an eight-part series.) Fact or Fiction? “Insulate your home and you’ll cut your energy bills in half.” Fiction. Many people have seen little or no reduction in energy costs after adding insulation alone. The newly recommended R-values for this region are; R-49 in attics and R-19 in walls. Let’s first explore the three major types of insulating products available on the market today. Fiberglass insulation is by far the most common, probably due to the affordability and the ease of homeowners who prefer … [Read more...] about Eight holes in your home that energy dollars escape through