Saving Energy With Window Treatments

With fall fading and winter approaching now is the time to start thinking about ways to keep the chill out. One way to save energy is to replace leaky wooden windows with energy efficient vinyl replacement windows. This improvement will pay for itself in reduced heating and cooling bills. You can also think about window treatments that keep cold air out and heat in.

Drapes Properly hung drapes can keep drafts at bay. Consider letting hems hang or pool to the floor. This pooling gives a look of elegance, but also stops drafts from underneath. Make sure that when drapes are closed they overlap slightly. This acts as a seal to cold breezes. Drapes that extend to ceiling height also block drafts from the top. A cornice with the top closed with also block upward drafts.

Insulated Panels This is a quick do-it-yourself project that can save energy and money. Measure a panel made of foam core board to fit the inside window frame. Cover it with a decorative fabric. Adding a quilted fabric increases the insulation. Attach the panel with heavy duty Velcro strips or simply pop them inside the window frame. These can be put up at night or on especially cold days.

Shades Window shades are one of the cheapest alternatives to keeping out cold. They are also available in many styles to fit any window or decor. Roman shades can be a decorative accent while saving energy. Many styles are filled with insulation so that when shades are drawn they act as a barrier to heat loss. There are also shades with magnetic strips to attach to the inside of the window frame. The shades cling to the strip making a perfect seal. Choose a translucent style to admit light while keeping out the cold.

Shutters Exterior shutters can be very effective at keeping out cold air. Aside from protecting against cold weather and rain, they provide extra security while protecting your windows from external damage. They are usually made to be operated from inside. Interior shutters provide most of the benefits of exterior shutters. These shutters are easily opened and closed and are effective at reducing drafts.

Plumbing Issues That You May Be Able To Fix On Your Own

When it comes to major plumbing problems, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional. However, there are some simple plumbing issues that you can probably handle on your own. Below is a list of common plumbing issues that can easily be fixed in many cases:

Clogged Drain Clogged drain is a plumbing issue that most people will have to deal with at some point. Regardless of whether you have a clogged toilet, sink or bathtub, it can be frustrating to deal with a clogged drain. It is a good idea to have at least two plungers. You can use one plunger to fix toilet clogs, and the other plunger can be used to fix any other type of clog that you have.

Most simple clogs can be removed with a plunger. If you are unable to remove the clog with a plunger, then you should consider using a drain snake. There are many rental places that have drain snakes. It is time to call a plumber if plunging and snaking do not fix the problem.

Leaky Faucet A leaky faucet is often easy to fix. You will need a screwdriver, pliers and an Allen wrench to fix a leak. If you are unable to fix the leak yourself, then it is time for you to call the plumber.

Dishwasher Draining Issues Your dishwasher draining problems may be easier to solve than you think. If your dishwasher is not draining problem, then you should try to clear the filter. You should also try running the dishwasher again. If neither one of those things work, then you should consider calling a plumber.

Toilet Will Not Stop Running Most of us have used a toilet that continued to run after we flushed it. Modern toilets should not run because they are designed to conserve water. If your toilet keeps running, then the water may be leaking from the tank into the bowl. This can usually be fixed by replacing the rubber flap in the toilet. It is time to call a plumber if you water is leaking outside of the bowl. If you notice water around the toilet, then the water is likely leaking outside of the bowl.

Lesser Known Ways To Save Money in Winter

Many people notice a drastic increase in their energy bill during the winter months due to increased usage of the heater for most of the year. The good news is that there are still many things you can do in order to save money on your energy bill while keeping your family warm and comfortable. Below are some lesser-known tips that will help you cut the cost of electricity during the winter months:

Use A Ceiling Fan If you have a ceiling fan, then you can use it to keep your home warm. Warm air naturally rises. When the blades are turning clockwise, they push the warm air back down. Make sure that you have your ceiling fan set on a low setting. You may be able to set your thermostat on a higher temperature if you use a ceiling fan to keep your home warm.

Use Cold Water To Wash Your Clothes Your heating system is not the only thing in your home that uses a lot of energy. Your washing machine also uses a lot of energy. It is estimated that people can save up to 40 cents per load by washing their clothes in warm water. This may not seem like a lot, but it can help you save a lot of money in a year's time.

Reduce The Temperature Of Your Hot Water Heater Your hot water heater is another machine that uses a lot of energy. Many hot water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should consider reducing the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering the temperature will not only help you save money on your energy bill, but it will also help prevent scalding while keeping your baths and showers warm and comfortable.

Insulate Your Attic Warm air may be asking your home through the attic, causing your bills to rise higher without much change in your home’s comfort and warmth. One of the best things you can do to prevent air from escaping your home is to make sure that your attic is well-insulated. You may also want to consider installing an attic tent. The attic tent fits over the hatch, and you can unzip and zip it.

Use A Programmable Thermostat A programmable thermostat will raise or lower the temperature based on the pre-programmed settings. You can set the thermostat to where the temperature is lower when you are sleeping or not at home. A programmable thermostat will prevent you from wasting energy.

Landscaping is Not Simply Mowing

Landscaping is something that has been done for centuries. Even the Ancient Egyptians found ways to manipulate the land and they did so for both functionality and aesthetics. What most people find is that a well-groomed outdoor area offers more than just eye appeal, especially in residential areas. The fact is that landscaping is more than just mowing and it can greatly improve the curb appeal of your home and provide you with more living space.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a landscaping design firm, you can quickly change the appearance of the site around your home. Your first step is to carefully inspect your current landscaping and, with your specific needs in mind, carefully create a design that incorporates the needs of your family. If you live in an area that has very hot summers, you may choose to integrate plants that do well in the hot sun and mulching to help the soil retain its moisture.

In planning your design, you need to determine exactly what you and your family expect from your outdoor area. Do you need a place to entertain family and guests? Do you wish to have a quiet area where you can relax alone in private? Or, do you prefer a place to grow flowers or vegetables? Whatever you prefer, your outdoor area can be anything you want it to be. It’s all about choosing the design you want and figuring out how to get the job done on the budget you have allowed yourself.

There are many great ideas for landscaping, including paved stones for walking paths or concrete benches for a sitting area. You can bring in color by planting different flowers that will bloom at different times and by incorporating a wide variety of outdoor décor items that you can find in almost any garden supply store. Successfully designing your outdoor space is all about utilizing the things that give you comfort. Of course, the area you live in may have more challenges than hot summers. Harsh cold winters can make it tough to enjoy your landscaping, and you may feel that it was all done for nothing. However, when spring breaks, you can be sure that your family will be enjoying their landscaped patio or deck, and you will appreciate the fact that you cared enough to make you home a pleasant place to entertain family and friends in the warmer months.

How To Maintain Your Garden During The Fall

It can be difficult to maintain a garden during the fall months because of the cold temperatures. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect your garden and keep your plants safe and healthy during fall and winter. Below is a list of tips for maintaining your garden during the fall months:

Use Leaves In Your Garden Weeds may still be a problem during the fall months. You can use leaves as mulch to protect your flower and vegetable gardens. Leaves not only stifle weeds, but they can also help retain moisture. Leaves can also help enrich the soil.

Fertilize With Egg Shells Instead of throwing out all your egg shells, you can use them to fertilize your garden. You will simply need to crush up the egg shells and put them in the soil. Egg shells have calcium carbonate in them. Calcium carbonate helps keep your soil healthy. Keep in mind that it takes a long time for egg shells to completely break down. That is why eggshells can benefit your garden for a long time.

Egg shells can also help keep garden pests at bay. Slugs are a common garden pest and they can linger surprisingly long through autumn and winter. They dislike the chalky sharpness of the ground egg shells. Cutworms, which are another common garden pests, do not like the chalky sharpness of the egg shells either. You should put the egg shells around the plants in order to protect them from critters.

Use Coffee Grounds Coffee grounds are another thing that make a great fertilizer. Coffee grounds contain nitrogen. Nitrogen helps keep your plants and soil healthy.

Make A Homemade Pest Spray You can keep cold-weather pests at bay by making a homemade pest spray. You can make a pest spray by mixing a few drops of dish soap with water. Spray the mixture on the pests. This mixture will not only kill the pests, but it will help prevent them from coming back.

Remove Diseased Plants If you notice any diseased plants in your garden, then you should remove them as soon as possible. This will prevent the other plants from developing a disease that could linger through the winter months.