Unexpected Ways to Conserve Energy

We all know energy conservation can benefit your home, your family, and the environment, and most people take small steps to save energy every day. But there’s a few less common methods to conserve energy and lower your energy bills that most people might not think of! Let’s go off the beaten path a bit and look into some more unexpected ways to conserve energy around your home! Check Out Your Ducts and Heater

Sure, everyone knows that keeping a close eye on your thermometer is a good way to help manage energy bills, but not as many people know that performing regular maintenance on your heating system can do just as much to keep heating costs down! Even basic maintenance like lubricating joints, tightening connections, and cleaning the coils in your heater can help the system work more efficiently and reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat your home. It might not be the cleanest work, but your wallet will thank you when it’s done!

Upgrade Your Appliances Regularly

This one might be a little more expensive up-front but the long-term savings and advantages will more than make it worth it. The simple fact is that older appliances are less energy efficient than newer models, especially models with the government’s EnergyStar certification. Even smaller appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can be upgraded to reduce water, heat, and energy usage for your house, all while providing you with a more usable and functional appliance to help out around the house!

Know What Your Windows Are Made From (And Decorated With)

Windows are a big source of heat loss and cold gain during the year, but not in ways you might think! The material of the window itself - as well as the material of the window frame - can affect how much heat your home retains. Vinyl replacement windows in multiple panes filled with argon gas are one of the most effective ways to keep heat in your home, and even making sure the frame of the window is the correct material and is correctly installed will do much to help keep heat in. Window dressings help too - while awnings might provide shade, they don’t do much to keep your home heated or cooled. Thick curtains, however, actually have been shown to keep your home insulated from leaking either hot or cold air and running up your energy bill!

Hopefully these lesser-known tips help you keep your home just the temperature you want it, without running up your bills! Good luck, and stay warm - or cold - out there!

Tips for a Backyard Makeover

The backyard is sometimes forgotten about because the front yard typically offers more curb appeal. However, an attractive and creative backyard does add value to your home, as well as providing benefits for your family and any visitors you may have. Here are four easy and inexpensive ways to spruce up your backyard! Create Defined Spaces

Consider separating areas in the backyard by their accessories or function. For example, you could establish a kid-friendly play area with play set or tree swing. The designated eating or cooking area can be on the deck. A small arbor, pergola, or even gazebo will create a space for quiet reflection. Sheds can be converted to a play area or even study room with some art and wallboards as decorations. A trellis is an excellent way to create a focal point or entrance into another area. The relaxing area can be kept small, simple and surrounded with colored plants and even a birdbath or fountain.

A Path to Success

Paved pathways offer endless creative patterns and styles with different colors and shapes. These versatile stepping stones come in low-cost concrete form or more expensive cobblestone or limestone, both providing durability and requiring minimal maintenance. You don’t just have to used paved concrete, either. A backyard path can be created through using colored rocks with bender boards and rented plate compactor. Strategically placed pavers offer a simple, but aesthetically pleasing solution and can help to define the different backyard spaces.

Landscaping

Adding fresh mulch on the flower beds with a few selectively placed colorful plants is all you have to do to give the landscape a new look. Of course, if your budget allows, consider adding a few trees. They will provide shade and may increase energy savings or the property value. They can also help reduce water stagnation. Standing water and grade problems can also be resolved through retaining terracing and reshaping select terrain areas. A few outdoor lights are all you need to add a sense of security and relaxation. The patio’s bland concrete can be painted with colorful masonry stain or concrete paint.

Exterior Improvements

Sometimes the home’s exterior can drastically improve the backyard atmosphere. Consider pressure washing the siding or repainting the walls if needed. Replacement windows can also add a touch of elegance and freshness. For example, vinyl windows are an excellent investment that will add value to the home while saving money in the long-run.

The backyard doesn’t have to be boring, and can be improved through simple improvements like creating designated spaces, adding pavers, proper landscaping and renovating your home’s exterior.

Renovate, Don’t Relocate

When the space inside of your home no longer accommodates your family, you may find yourself faced with the difficult task of deciding whether to relocate or renovate. If your home is in a location that you love, renovating may be your preferred option. When you begin pondering what type of renovation projects to pursue, keep in mind that even though you don't want to move right now, there may come a time when you do decide to move. The renovations you do now can impact the value of your home and affect a potential buyer's opinion of your home, so here’s a list of suggestions for home renovations that should keep your family and any potential buyers happy! Adding Square Footage

Statistics indicate that adding square footage to a home can significantly increase the value of a home. If you've outgrown your home, adding a bedroom could make your home more accommodating for your family. If your laundry area is in the basement, adding a laundry room on the first or second level will make your home much more appealing to potential buyers in the future. Adding extra smaller guest bathrooms will both increase your home’s value and provide comfort and convenience for any visitors (or maybe you, if you don’t feel like going upstairs!) and are a good way to expand your home.

Invite Light Inside

As part of your home renovation project, removing old, unattractive and drafty windows and having energy efficient windows installed is a sure way to increase the value of your home. This would be a good time to add more windows to rooms that are dark and dull. You could also replace small windows with larger windows that will allow more light into the room and give you a better view of the outdoors. Whenever possible, choose window treatments that do not interfere with the flow of natural light.

The View Matters

Sure, working on the inside of your home can be great for buyers and visitors, but if you want to increase your curb appeal and home’s value you’ll want the view outside of the home to be appealing too! Privacy fencing can block an unattractive view in case of something unsightly in the neighborhood. Vertical gardens added to the fence or around the edge of the property can liven up your view without a ton of landscaping or renovation. Creating a butterfly garden or a bird feeding station that you can see from the windows will provide you with some beautiful, lively entertainment. Water features, outdoor fireplaces and outdoor structures, such as a gazebo, can be included in your landscape to provide you with an attractive view from the window.

Hopefully these tips will keep your home beautiful and livable without having to pack up and move - and who knows, maybe when the time comes to move your work will help find a buyer that much more easily!

Tips For Keeping Your Home and Family Safe

Whether it’s protecting your family from crime or keeping your friends and loved ones safe from accident, home safety is a major concern for homeowners. There are various ways to help assure that your home and its contents are safe and that you and your family members are protected. Avoid Patch-Up Jobs

Most of us are running in high gear trying to fit in all of the activities and chores that we have planned for the day. When something goes wrong at home it's tempting to try to remedy the situation the quickest and easiest way possible. However, in the long run, that isn't usually the best solution. For example, if your windows not longer fit properly or if your window or door locks don't function effectively, you're putting your home and your family at risk. Scheduling a time to have energy efficient windows put in is a more feasible option than a short-term quick repair. These windows can reduce your utility bills and make your home a safer place for you and your family.

Don’t Just Hide The Problem

Rather than invest in new windows or a proper cleaning and/or painting of their home’s exterior, some people let their shrubs and trees grow up in front of the house to hide the unsightly windows. They also use this technique to hide peeling paint, missing shutters and other exterior flaws. This is not a good idea. Over-grown shrubs provide burglars with a great hiding place. By trimming the shrubs and leaving the windows easily visible, burglars will be less likely to attempt to break in for fear of being seen by neighbors.

Lighten Up Your Landscape

Once you have enhanced your home's exterior with replacement windows, you won't be embarrassed to add some outdoor lighting to your home. Motion sensor lights are a great safety feature for a home. Placing these at your garage, front porch or carport can deter thieves from lurking around your house and allow visitors to your home to navigate your properly more safely without risk of injury or accident.

Don't Entice Burglars

When you make major purchases for your home such as a new television or other electronics, don't leave the empty carton outside where it is visible to people passing by. This could attract the attention of would-be burglars. When you plan to be away for a few days, stop the delivery of your mail and newspaper. Having a neighbor pick them up could signal to anyone watching your home that you are away. It's also best not to place expensive collectibles in front of a window.

With these tips, hopefully your home will remain a safe place for your family, your guests, and your possessions!

Reducing Your Energy Bill After Summertime

Sure, there’s plenty of methods of reducing your energy bills during the warmer months, and while those tips are great for the height of summer, if you want to stay on top of your utility costs you’ll need to adapt some new strategies for those late summer/early fall months. We’ve got some tips here to help you stay comfortable and stay on top of costs through winter! Adjust Your Appliances

Colder weather generally means an increase in appliance and heater usage, but a great deal of energy can be saved through simply adjusting your household appliances. For example, the clothes dryer uses a large amount of energy heating the water. Instead, simply change the setting to cold water. While clothes washers can be stuffed full, the dryer will need at least one-fourth empty for proper movement and drying. When it comes to keeping your house warm, many people believe that closing vents will save energy, but it actually uses more. This is because closed vents will actually restrict the duct system, which causes an increase in air pressure and thus will make the HVAC system work harder to keep the air flow up.

Standby Power

You’re probably going to be using a lot more electronic devices indoors to keep your family entertained through the cold seasons, but it’s still good to watch your electrical usage. Many electrical products must be unplugged in order to be completely turned off. Standby power, also referred to as vampire power, is the energy used by electrical appliances when they are in standby mode. Standby power can consumes up to 10 percent of residential electricity usage. The most energy hungry appliances are entertainment electronics, such as DVRs, DVDs, satellites, and digital cable boxes. Even TVs, computers and cordless answering phones consume steady amounts of electricity when not in use. Always unplug any electronics and lights that are being used.

Replacement Windows

Older windows are notorious sources of air infiltration. Air leaks can be reduced through caulking the windows inside and outside casings. Installing weather stripping to the sash will also reduce air infiltration. Adding a storm window will not only provide extra protection, but also increase thermal insulation. If possible, consider upgrading older windows to energy efficient windows. For example, vinyl windows provide excellent insulation, noise reduction and energy savings. Keep in mind that shades don’t just keep the hot sun out, but they also reduce heat loss during cold weather. Finally, consider applying heavy-duty plastic sheets onto the inside window frame. Light-duty plastic sheets can be sealed with just a hair dryer.

Hopefully with these tips in mind you can keep your house home and your family amused without going over budget! Stay warm everyone, and try to enjoy summer while it lasts!