Category: Home Energy
Don’t Miss Out on Energy Tax Credits
You’ve considered upgrading energy systems in your home but wonder whether the monthly energy savings will justify the high up-front investment. After all, it can take months or years to recover your investment through monthly savings. However, new tax credits for investing in energy savings upgrades help shorten the time
Don’t Be Misled by Greenwashing
Consumers increasingly expect companies to follow environmentally responsible practices in manufacturing and packaging. Most companies strive to attain such standards honestly, but some companies are pretenders. They take advantage of consumers by using misleading statements, slogans or images to appear more environmentally friendly than they are. Known as “greenwashing,” such
What You Need to Know About Smart Light Bulbs
Switching to smart light bulbs is a great way to add smart technology to your home. What can smart bulbs do that traditional bulbs can’t? Here’s a primer on smart light bulbs. What are smart light bulbs? Smart light bulbs look much like regular LED bulbs, but with Wi-Fi, you
Maintaining a Ductless Mini-Split Heating and Air Unit
Ductless mini-split heating and air-conditioning units bring climate-controlled air to spaces where traditional ducted systems aren’t feasible. A do-it-yourselfer can usually handle the regular maintenance. Here’s what you need to know. Ductless mini-split monthly maintenance Your mini-split unit inside the house has a return air intake with two filters shielding
Is a Ductless Mini-Split Air System Right For Your Home?
Sometimes you need air conditioning or heat in a home without attic or basement space to run ducts. A ductless mini-split unit may be your best answer in those situations. What is a ductless mini-split, and is it the right solution for you? HVAC without ducts A ductless mini-split is
How to Raise Eco-Friendly Kids
Despite today’s convenience-based culture, raising eco-friendly children is easier than you might think. Here are ten tips to help your kids become the next generation’s eco heroes. Start when they’re young. It’s never too soon to introduce the idea of treading more lightly on the planet. Begin by making eco-friendly
What You Need to Know About Charging An Electric Vehicle
You’ve decided to buy your first fully electric vehicle (EV). But before you bring that technological wonder home, you must understand the charging process and the choices available to you. Here’s our tutorial. How much do you drive your EV each day? There are three classes of charging capacity: Level
What You Need to Know About the Safety of Your Gas Stove
Gas stoves, which have long been a favorite of chefs and foodies, have recently come under scrutiny for potential environmental health hazards. Here’s what you need to know if you own a gas stove or are contemplating the purchase of one. Just the facts Earlier this year, an official from
Safely Storing Gasoline and Diesel Fuel
Homeowners often keep gasoline or diesel fuel on hand for use in lawn equipment. You must handle these useful but dangerous fuels cautiously. Take these steps to protect yourself, your family and your home. Understanding the risk Gasoline and diesel are both flammable liquids. Gasoline also has highly volatile fumes
DIY: Cleaning Your Air Conditioner Condenser
Specific maintenance steps are required for your air conditioner to operate at peak efficiency. Periodic cleaning of the outside air conditioner condenser is a task you can do yourself. Here’s how to keep cool. Why cleaning the condenser is important Air conditioning works through the principle of heat transference. Inside
Watch For These Signs of an Electrical Fire
An electrical fire can be stealthy. Old or faulty wiring or an overloaded circuit can spark a fire inside a wall, the basement or the attic. Here are signs you need to act quickly to protect yourself and your family from an electrical fire in your home. Tripping breakers It’s
How to Safely Shut Off Your Utilities
You may need to shut off your home’s utilities in the event of a repair, suspected leak or an emergency. Here’s what you need to know about shutting off utilities safely. Cutting the water supply The main water valve is adjacent to the water meter, often in the same valve
Will a Nearby Wind Farm Blow Away Your Property Value?
Today, huge wind farms are spreading across parts of America. How does having a wind farm next to your property affect its value? Is it cost-effective to let a wind farm be built on your land, given the subsidy you’ll receive? Let’s blow through the hot air and get to
How to Safely Dispose of Light Bulbs
All light bulbs eventually burn out. Today’s compact fluorescent and LED bulbs are far more economical in energy usage than old-school incandescents, but they contain toxic elements and must be disposed of properly to protect the environment. Here’s how to get rid of old light bulbs safely. Different bulbs, different
Choose The Correct Light Bulb Wattage
When a light bulb burns out, you may grab a replacement without considering its wattage. But there’s a risk of fire if a light bulb’s wattage exceeds what the light fixture or lamp allows. So let’s shed some light on light bulb wattage requirements. There’s a maximum wattage warning? It
Help Your Air-Conditioner Keep Its Cool
Record-setting heat has suffocated the western states this summer. When the demand for power from utility companies surges during heat waves, household air-conditioning systems are pushed to the max. Here are eight steps to prevent your air-conditioner from collapsing from heat exhaustion. Keep your air-conditioner going strong Have a professional
Do Shutting Vents Save on Energy Costs?
It seems to make sense. Shutting the heating and air conditioning vents to unused rooms should save on energy costs, right? After all, why heat a room that is rarely used? The reality is quite different. Cutting off airflow to rooms could cost you money. Here’s why. Your system’s design
Avoiding Solar Energy Scams with Powerful Knowledge
Solar energy offers you the chance to save money on your electric bill and be less dependent on “the grid.” But solar power scammers take advantage of consumers with schemes to take their money for little or nothing in return. Let’s power up your knowledge to protect your wallet. How
Cut Energy Costs by Managing Idle load
As you and your family snooze soundly at night, your appliances, electronics and home systems still silently draw energy. This idle load can be responsible for as much as a third of your electric bill. Read on for steps you can take to reduce idle load and save money. What
How Your Home’s Major Systems Affect Value
A new roof, foundation or HVAC system may not be as exciting as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, but all of these can add value to your home. How does the condition of your home’s major components and systems affect its value? Professional examinations of systems When you sell your
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