Save Energy, Save Money, Live Better!
So the last experiment was disappointing, because it appeared that plastic did very little to prevent heat loss for your leaky hallway window. Things aren’t looking so good for the thin plastic as insulation. Luckily, we have another scenario. Plastic over part of a window has come “undone” giving us the perfect side by side […]
This question is important to many homeowners and renters because we believe that placing plastic over our windows will halep us save energy on cold winter days and nights. Some plastic makers claim that plastic adds at least 1R value to the window. I doubt this to be true. But using the information presented in […]
There is a real push online right now for renewable energy. In other words, clean energy that the do it yourselfer dreams of. The two types that are the most prevalent are wind and solar power. Both are clean, renewable and can really make a dent in your energy bills when done right. That’s the […]
The holidays are over, and hopefully they have been good to you. Chances are you received some new gadgets, maybe bought a new one or two, or are planning on improvements with your tax refund. Now is the time to take stock of your energy usage in your home. Yes, today is time for another […]
There’s an argument to be made for cleaning your heat registers…actually, there’s several. First, there’s the energy argument. In theory, especially in forced air systems, air flow is reduced as heat or air registers become clogged and otherwise dirty. Anything that reduces airflow has the potential for jacking up your energy bills because the furnace […]
I was a little surprised by this one, and you might be too. Try this: Go to a light switch on a wall opposite the outdoors. A hallway would be a good example. Take your hand, and feel if there is cold air blowing through. Feel anything? Now try removing the faceplate. I couldn’t believe […]
Cost: $8 and up Estimated Effort: 10 minutes Approximate Savings: 10% or more If your furnace is located in an unheated area like an unfinished basement, you might already have guessed that a lot of heat can potentially be lost in the ducts themselves. Between the furnace itself and the vents, even with no holes […]
Cost: $60 – $200 Estimated Effort: 30 minutes Approximate Savings: 10% – 15% or more Installing a “smart” thermostat is not hard at all, and typically takes less than 30 minutes to accomplish, even for novice users. When buying your new thermostat, just remember – you get what you pay for. If you want more […]
The easy answer to a drafty or old window that no longer insulates well is to “cover it in plastic.” And that still is probably the best possible answer for most situations. Most situations? Yup. I said most situations for a reason. Here’s why. You need to know how the window is losing your home’s […]
The most common complaint in the cold winter months about older doors is they are drafty, or don’t insulate well anymore. In fact, a door is usually one of the first places you tend to notice energy issues. The reason is because it is opened and closed and used so often. Add to this the […]