How Energy Efficient is Your Home?

Yep. It's winter in Upstate New York, and we've all seen that reflected in our monthly energy bills. After all the grumbling and the letter from the energy company offering us the option to pay the larger-than-life bill in installments, how do you know where to start?

Well, wonder no longer. We've put together some things to consider to help you to mitigate those sky-high energy bills.

Lights and Appliances

• Paint walls and ceilings light colors that reflect light rather than absorb, reducing the need for extra lighting


• Keep light bulbs and shades dust-free - dust absorbs light


• Consider replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), or light emitting diodes (LEDs)


• With incandescent lighting, use one high-wattage bulb rather than several low-wattage ones


• Turn off unused lights, stereos, televisions, computers, etc

Heating and Cooling Systems

• As a general rule, set the thermostat at 65°F to 70°F during the winter, and 58°F when away from home


• Install programmable thermostats to help you make those temperature changes automatically


• Have  your heating and cooling systems inspected annually by a certified HVAC professional. Inefficient heating and cooling systems can increase your consumption of energy.


• Hire a specialist to inspect your chimney and flues


• Insulate ducts and pipes that run through unheated areas


• Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm air flow across the floor

The Kitchen

• Inspect the seals on your refrigerator, freezer, and oven doors to ensure that they fit tightly. Replace the seals if they don't.


• Replace outdated appliances with energy efficient rated appliances.


• When necessary, preheat your oven for no more than 10 minutes


• Check all your range burners. If your natural gas stove burns with a yellow rather than blue flame, something may be clogging it. Call a service technician to inspect and service it.

The Water Heater

• Remove sediment from the bottom of your water heater from time to time. Follow your manufacturers instructions to drain the dirty water until it's clear to keep your water heater efficient.


• Insulating your water heater could reduce your energy use by 5 - 8%. Check your owners manual for specific instructions.


• Set the temperature low (about 120°F) and use warm instead of hot water for dishes and clothes.


• If you still have an oil-fired water heater, be sure to have a qualified professional inspect it every year.

The Attic

• Insulate your attic! If you heat with natural gas or oil, at least 6 inches of R-19 should be sufficient while those with electric heat should have at least 12 inches of R-36 type insulation.


• Insulate and weather strip your attic access door.


• Be sure that your attic has proper moisture barriers and is vented properly to reduce condensation and interfere with the performance of insulation

The Basement

• Seal all cracks in masonry walls


• Insulate basement walls


• Insulate the floor joists above unheated areas


• Insulate crawl spaces under heated areas

If you want to get an idea how energy efficient you home is and get more of these tips, check out this printable quiz/checklist from RG&E: http://ow.ly/J5d0v

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Home Checklist: Preparing for Fall

With fall upon us, homeowners are busy preparing their homes for the months ahead. Considering these tips will not only save you money in the short term, but cut down on repair costs come spring!

Exterior Maintenance

• Ensure the foundation is sealed
  Take a walk around your home and check your foundation for cracks or other openings that could lead to heat escape. Specifically, check where any masonry meets the siding, pipes or wires enter the structure, and around windows and doors.


• Inspect your windows
  Windows are a big source of heat loss in the colder months. Fix any broken windows, and ensure that they lock tightly. Consider installing storm windows to add an extra air cushion to further insulate your windows from heat loss.


• Make sure your roof is in good shapeA lot of heat loss can occur through the roof of your home as well. Look for missing and loose shingles, and have it repaired as necessary. With the frequent temperature shifts in Upstate New York, further damage can occur as the melting snow and ice re-freezes as it works its way under the edges of the shingles.


• Clean out gutters and downspoutsAvoid the ice buildup in your gutters this winter by removing any debris, flushing them with water, inspecting the joints for a tight seal, and tighten any brackets that are loose. A gutter system that is off pitch due to a loose bracket can cause pooling, and eventually an ice buildup.


• Weather strip your garage doorKeep out the driving snow and rain, characteristic of an Upstate New York winter with weatherstripping. Not only will it keep your garage at a more bearable temperature, but it will help keep out some of those smaller animals, too.


• Inspect your driveway and sidewalk for cracksWhen snow thaws and re-freezes in the cracks of your driveway or sidewalk, it further damages the pavement, eventually creating what we commonly know as “pot-holes.” Sealing the cracks with a commercial sealer helps prolong the life of your pavement, and makes it easier for snow removal.

Interior Maintenance

• Inspect your doors and windows for leaksPrevent unnecessary heat loss and expensive heating costs this winter by inspecting your doors and windows for leaks. Check with your hand for air movement around the edges of the doors and windows. Caulk or install weatherstripping where appropriate, and don’t forget to check the door to the basement.


• Have your heating system checkedSet up an inspection of your heating system by a licensed heating contractor. When properly serviced, heating systems are more efficient, last longer, and experience fewer problems.


• Get your wood stove and fireplace in working orderExamine your wood stove or fireplace inserts door gasket for a tight seal, and ensure there are no cracks in the door. Additionally, have your chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep. Blockages in the chimney put you at a significant risk for a chimney fire.


• Change the direction of your ceiling fansBy reversing your fans, you create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling.

By addressing these easy tips, you set yourself up for long-term savings in both emergency maintenance, and in utilities!

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Top 10 Home Heating Savings Ideas

Depending on the type of heat your home has, your gas or electric bill can easily be the most expensive utility bill you have to pay. Well, perhaps second to your cable and Internet bill!

Here are some quick tips that may help you save money each month (and year!). Some of them are more extreme and other ideas are quite simple. We hope you enjoy.

1. Insulation In The Attic – Since warm air rises, having sufficient insulation in your attic will do a great job with keeping your house warm for you.


2. Turn Down The Heat – Even with a programmable thermostat, the more frequently you turn it down when no one is home, the more money you will save to heat your house in the winter. Check out the Internet-connected Nest thermostat which features an "auto away" mode!


3. Read Your Heating Bill – Read the details of your heating bill; see how much you used last year at the same time to measure your progress in lowering your heating bill.


4. Downsize – It costs less to heat a smaller home than a larger home.


5. Educate Your Family – The more a family talks about the cost of heating, the different ways each family member can contribute to lowering the cost, the more successful you will be in lowering your home heating bills.


6. Drink Hot Beverages – Sounds silly, doesn't it? The more often you drink hot coffee and hot tea throughout a winter’s day, the lower the temperature you can keep your house.


7. Grab A Snuggie! – The more you use throw blankets and Snuggies, just like the more you use extra layers of clothing, the warmer you will feel and the lower you can set your thermostat.


8. Blinds Open On Sunny Days – Letting more of the sun and natural outdoor light will inside will help reduce the frequency that your furnace has to run to keep your house sufficiently warm.


9. Empty Rooms – Keeping the vents and doors closed in rooms which are not being used will help keep the heat flowing to the areas of the home which are used.


10. Go To Bed Early – The sooner you are under the covers, the sooner you can lower the temperature setting on your thermostat and reduce the amount of your heating bill.