Mechanical H-C

(Editor’s note: The following is the eighth of an eight-part series designed to reduce energy costs in the home.) 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 to 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 … [Read more...] about Tough economic times giving rise to energy savings scams

(Editor’s note: The following is the seventh of an eight-part series designed to reduce energy costs in the home.) 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 … [Read more...] about Federal tax credit can help make heating your water a ‘tankless’ undertaking

(Editor’s note: The following is the sixth of an eight-part series designed to reduce energy costs in the home.) 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 price of operating a new system. Air-conditioning efficiency is rated by a seasonal energy-efficiency ratio, or S.E.E.R. rating. 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 … [Read more...] about Law change makes older air conditioners more expensive to operate

(Editor’s note: The following is the fifth of an eight-part series designed to reduce energy costs in the home.) 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 … [Read more...] about Factors to consider when replacing your furnace

(Editor’s note: The following is the fourth of an eight-part series designed to reduce energy costs in the home.) Last week I explained the importance of sealing your house 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 first to 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 … [Read more...] about Audit is best way to find leaks, poor insulation

(Editor’s note: The following is the second of an eight-part series designed to reduce energy costs in the home.) Fact or Fiction? “Insulate your home and you’ll cut your energy bills in half.” Fiction. Many people have seen little or no in energy cost after adding insulation alone. An R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. 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 … [Read more...] about Not all insulation is created equally; sealing is important

As Americans, we have all heard these terms many times over the last few years: “global warming,” “lessening our dependence on foreign oil,” “going green,” “environmentally friendly,” etc. We all know by now that buying fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles can help with foreign oil dependency and that turning off lights and appliances when not in use will help the environment by lessening carbon emissions from electric power plants. What most of us may be missing though, are the benefits that we can create for ourselves just by … [Read more...] about Windows, doors may be letting money escape your house

Now that it’s officially furnace season, we’re going to talk about how to stay safe this upcoming winter season with the main topic being deadly carbon monoxide. You can’t see it, smell it or even taste it, but it’s responsible for hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospital-related injuries every single year. The primary sources of carbon monoxide in our homes are, simply, anything that burns a flame … furnaces, water heaters, stoves and some space heaters. It’s crucial to have a qualified technician maintain these … [Read more...] about Carbon monoxide: winter’s silent killer

The water heater is something most of us take for granted — until it suddenly stops working. When our water heater fails, we desperately dial a plumber or rush off to get a new water heater. All this might be avoided with some regular preventive maintenance. Water heater maintenance is easy to overlook because the tank just sits there and has no moving parts to worry about. But inside, two things are constantly attacking your water heater: sediment and rust. Most steel water heater tanks are lined with glass to prevent … [Read more...] about Maintaining water heater will save money, prolong its life