Electrical
Our old house has a gas floor heater and no air-conditioning (it's always 75 in sunny Southern California). The thermostat seemed almost as old as the house and we're not to sure it registered temperature correctly anymore so we just used it as an off/on switch which is inefficient and costly.
We decided that a programmable thermostat would be needed and would save us on our gas bill as well as not waste as much energy when we don't need it on.
That's when Trane stepped in to let us test out their XL800 Programmable Thermostat. It works with all types of heating and cooling units including gas and electric. There are four programmable settings that for different temps for day, night, wake and sleep. We only have a heater so setup and wiring was a cinch.
Here are the basics to installing a programmable thermostat.
We're full of fall maintenance tips these days and hope to get everything accomplished this weekend which will be hard to do as we're headed to Seattle to bring in the new season and enjoy a few days in the PNW.
But if you're home these are some simple tune-ups you can do for your home that will save you time and money now and are much easier to perform in the mild post-summer weather.
1. Tune up your heating system. For about $80 to $100, a technician will inspect your furnace or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and in good repair so that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency. The inspection also measures carbon-monoxide leakage. And you minimize the chance of being 200th in line for repairs on the coldest day of the year.
2. Buy a programmable thermostat. Or, if you already have one, double-check the settings. Energy Star says that, on average, for an initial investment of $50 to $100, you will save $180 annually on heating (and cooling) bills if in winter you keep the thermostat set to no higher than 70 degrees
3. Hit the roof. Or at least scan it closely with binoculars. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may leak during winter's storms or from melting snow. If need be, hire a handyman to repair a few shingles ($95 to $125, according to www.costhelper.com) or a roofer for a larger section ($100 to $350 for a 10-by-10-square-foot area).
As we mentioned in a recent newsletter, Timothy will be contributing regularly to ShelterPop and today he shares the proper way to store medium-heavy gauge extension cables.
Storing cables the proper way prevents twisting and makes for easy use the next time you need them.
The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity today announced the national expansion of Partners in Sustainable Building, a $30 million building program dedicated to greening more than 5,000 Habitat homes across the country.
Below are five simple, inexpensive energy saving tips courtesy of The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
+ Save 10 percent or more on your energy costs by plugging tiny air leaks. Caulk and weather-strip all seams, cracks and openings to keep hot air outside.
+ Clean or replace air filters. Dirty air filters cause the AC unit to work harder than necessary, increasing your energy use and bills.
+ Install a programmable thermostat to save up to $180 a year in energy costs.
+ Choose ENERGY STAR appliances which use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models.
+ Install low-flow bathroom fixtures and save thousands of gallons of water a year.
The only reason not to replace your worn water heater with an electric one is upfront cost. Electric water heaters start paying for themselves as soon as you start using them as no energy is wasted keeping water hot.
One Project Closer has a great tutorial for replacing your old water heater with an electric version. With the correct tools it isn't that difficult of a job and you'll save a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself.
One of the more popular space saving ideas in a kitchen is installing an over-range microwave. It will open up countertop space and provide an exhaust fan for your range if you don't already have one. The drawbacks are depending on height they can be difficult to reach and lifting hot and heavy glass objects above shoulder height isn't ideal and some consider it an eyesore having a microwave as part of the cabinetry.
If you have decided to go that route you need to make sure you have the proper circuitry in your kitchen to handle the juice needed to run your microwave safely.
Photo: Sad Furnace Day from Fensterbme
The Home Depot has shared these tips for keeping your home warm this winter while saving money.
1. Regularly maintain your furnace and water heater. Regular maintenance on your furnace and water heater will increase energy efficiency in your home. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20 percent to 50 percent. Regular maintenance will help make these investments in your home last longer and be more energy efficient.
2. Install a programmable thermostat. You can save up to $180 a year by installing a programmable thermostat that controls the temperature of your home while you're at work or asleep.
There are some who don't have the means to keep themselves and their families warm this summer. If you need assistance in paying your heating bills or would like to help keep a family warm, follow these recommendations.
We've grown up with the ground prong slot at the bottom of all the electrical outlets we ever saw but many electricians are now installing outlets with the ground slot on top which actually makes the most sense. Some heavy duty electrical appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators have immediate-turn plugs which have the cable pointing in some direction. These outlets should typically point down or in the direction of the cable so it's not wrapping itself around the plug.
ThisD*mnHouse realizes that one of the shortcomings of older homes is that when it comes to modern day living among all of our electronic appliances, televisions, and computers, old homes are ill-equipped to power this equipment.
They've done a nice job with installing an outlet with a brass faceplate which makes all the difference with the period pieces in their home.
