Winter Tips - By American Builder
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~ Brian Gurry discusses how to prevent carbon monoxide poisioning in your home
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~ Car seat tip from Next Generation Children's Centers
10 Simple and inexpensive ways to cut your home heating bill this winter
The most obvious solution to saving on home heating bills is to turn down your thermostat. Even a couple of degrees can make a difference. However, here are 10 useful tips that are less obvious:
- Clean your furnace
A clean furnace is an efficient furnace. If you're looking to save money on energy bills, you should start with having your furnace checked and cleaned. While this isn't the cheapest way to save on home heating costs, it is one of the most effective. - Change your air filter
For less than $20 you can change the air filter on your furnace. A dirty air filter will block the airflow from your furnace and can actually decrease the furnace's life expectancy. - Use your ceiling fans
Yes - ceiling fans during the winter. A ceiling fan set in reverse can draw warm air through your home, helping to keep it warm. - Use washing machines and dishwashers wisely
When running your washing machine or your dishwasher, make sure that you only do full loads of laundry or dishes. If you don't run full loads, you'll need to run your appliances more frequently, wasting energy in the process. - Use compact fluorescent lighting
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less than half of the energy of incandescent light bulbs, and they last longer as well. Fluorescent lighting technology has improved dramatically over the past few years, so even if you didn't like fluorescent lighting in the past, it's worth trying again now. - Keep shades up and blinds open
Take advantage of natural daylight and solar heat through your windows. Rather than having light bulbs running all day, keep your shades and blinds open and you'll be able to make use of the natural sunlight and the warmth that naturally comes from the sun. - Insulate your water heater.... I've done it myself so I know you can !!!
If you have an older model water heater, buy insulation wrap and insulate your water heater. It will help the heater retain heat and will help reduce your energy bill by about $20 per year. When you need to replace your water heater, buy an energy efficient model. (This is also good advice when you need to replace your furnace -- buy a high-efficiency model.) - Install and use a programmable thermostat
If you talk to any heating and cooling specialist, they will tell you that one of the best things to do in order to save money on your energy bills is to install a programmable thermostat. You'll be able to program the thermostat to reduce the heat of your home when you're away and when you're asleep. - Seal leaks
If you have air leaks in your home, seal them up with caulk or weather strips. Drafts can add significantly to your home heating costs during the winter, so make sure that you locate and seal off any drafts in your home. - Turn it off
A simple rule of thumb is if you're not using it, turn it off. From lights to televisions to appliances.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is usually a good rule—except when it comes to your heating system. Even if it's humming along just fine, having a technician take it apart once a year to clean the lines and filters and give it a good inspection is absolutely essential. Regular servicing reduces the risk of breakdowns and prolongs the unit's life. Plus, it saves you money: For every year of maintenance you skip, energy bills jump 5-10% because of reduced efficiency. Here's the lowdown on heating system maintenance.
Who does the job?
The simplest way to get the work done is to hire your fuel company to do it. Oil companies and gas utilities usually provide this service, or you can hire the contractor who installed the equipment. Also, some plumbers handle heating systems.
What is involved?
The technician will clean soot and corrosion out of the combustion chamber where the fuel is burned, and check it for leaks or damage. He'll inspect the flue pipe for open seams, clogs, or corrosion that could cause carbon monoxide to backdraft into the house. He'll replace the filters on oil and forced-air systems. Finally, he'll test the exhaust from your cleaned machine and use the information to adjust the burner for maximum efficiency.
How much will it cost?
You'll pay between $100 and $300 for the service, depending largely on whether you have a gas system, which is easier to maintain, or oil, which requires a fair amount of soot removal. Usually the cost is covered by an annual maintenance contract that also provides 24-hour emergency service. While the technician is there, he should also service your water heater, assuming is has a separate oil or gas burner.
When is the best time to do the work?
Ideally, have your system tuned up in the fall so it's in top shape for the start of the heating season. Of course, that's when technicians are the busiest, so if you can't do it when you want, do it when you can—as long as your system is serviced once a year. And don't expect your provider to call to remind you that it's time. Even if you subscribe to an annual service plan, you still need to call to make an appointment.
How often should my dryer vent be cleaned?
Most dryer vents should be cleaned at least every two years or so. This depends on the length of your vent, how many turns and how often the dryer is used every week. Dryers that have short vents and little usage may be able to go longer than normal before being cleaned. On the other hand if you have a large family and/or are constantly running the washer and dryer then you might need to have a dryer vent cleaning yearly.
Cleaning the dryer vent can help prevent the possibility of a fire in your house or dangerous carbon monoxide gas buildup (in the case of a gas dryer), plus can save you money on electricity or gas cost. A clean vent pipe allows the dryer to move the proper amount air through the system taking the humidity out of the clothes, caused by the heating of gas burners or electric elements in your dryer thus allowing your clothes to dry quicker with less energy consumed. Take time to notice if your dryer is running longer with the same amount of clothes, it may be time to have the vent cleaned. And, with all the talk about power shortages we all must do our part and make sure all our appliances are operating at peak efficiency.
My chimney has white stains on the brick what is this?
The white stain or powder-like material is often the result of water penetration of the chimney. During a rain, snow, or ice storm water is absorbed by the brick and mortar crown. In the case of snow or ice storm, the freeze/thaw cycles can enlarge the cracks on the top of the chimney mortar crown allowing water to enter the structure. The chimney will soon saturate with water. As the chimney dries, lime and salts from brick and mortar are pushed out of the pores of the chimney. Wood in contact with the chimney can also absorb water, and in most cases, start to rot. This is a common problem that we can help prevent. The cost of this service depends on many factors.
