Energy Efficiency

Prep Your Home For Winter

It’s time to get your home ready for the upcoming winter months. I’m not sure we will be as lucky with winter as last year, with only one minimal storm here in CT.

Here are some things that we do at our house:

1. Get all the patio furniture cleaned and put inside if possible. We have a lot – and most comes inside – but there are a few pieces that are too big and heavy. For the pieces that stay out, we put those orange cones atop the table and cover with patio furniture covers. This prevents the water from puddling up. Make sure to secure the covers tightly.

2. Turn off the outside water and drain the lines. You don’t want to have to call a plumber in the middle of winter to fix a frozen line or burst pipe. Remember to bring in the outside garden hoses once you have drained them.

3. Clean those gutters before you have problems. Scoop out the debris from inside (even if you have gutter guards), so that the water can flow easily. Remember to clean out the down spouts too.

4. While you are on your roof… Check for leaks that might need fixing, cracks, and moss growing in the roof (not a good thing as moss holds moisture and that can mean rot). Don’t forget to look around the chimney. All these could become a major problem as we get into winter. As I have told you, it’s easier to fix a small issue now rather than a major issue later. You can either do this yourself or call a professional for help. While you are checking the roof, do any trees need to be trimmed? Now is a good time to do this too.

5. Get your heating systems tuned up and serviced before winter to make sure it’s in working order. There is nothing worse than waking up to no heat on a cold winter morning.

6. Caulk around the windows to seal up any drafts. You don’t want leaky, drafty windows sucking the heat outdoors. You should caulk every few years as preventative maintenance. Don’t forget to remove window air conditioners, as they create drafts.

7. Because winter storms can mean loss of electricity… You will want to check up on your emergency supplies – lanterns, batteries, flashlights, battery powered radio, warm blankets, non-perishable food with a manual can opener, bottled water, portable power chargesrs and matches if you want to cook on the barbecue grill.

It’s much better to prepare ahead of time and do little projects now while the weather is nice. You don’t want to deal with emergency repairs in the winter.

Getting Ready For Storms / Winter

I understand that it’s summer. I am a beach person and want to get in as much beach time as possible. In addition to that, it’s time to get your home ready for the upcoming storms / winter months. So far this summer we have lost power twice – once on a hot humid sunny day and the other in a rain storm. There is nothing worse, than not being ready.

Here are some things that we do at our house:

2. Turn off the outside water and drain the lines. You don’t want to have to call a plumber in the middle of winter to fix a frozen line. Remember to bring in the outside garden hoses once you have drained them.

3. Clean those gutters before you have problems. Scoop out the debris from inside (even if you have gutter guards), so that the water can flow easily. Remember to clean out the down spouts too. YOu’ll need to do this after the leaves come down to ensure that they are clean before the winter season is here.

4. While you are on your roof… Check for leaks that might need fixing, cracks, and moss growing in the roof (not a good thing as moss holds moisture and that can mean rot). Don’t forget to look around the chimney. All these could become a major problem as we get into winter. As I have told you, it’s easier to fix a small issue now rather than a major issue later. You can either do this yourself or call a professional for help. We have plans for next month to have our roof replaced. Owning a home means planning for maintenance projects.

5. Get your heating systems tuned up and serviced before winter to make sure it’s in working order. There is nothing worse than waking up to no heat on a cold winter morning. Personally, this is one service plan we purchase and it includes a cleaning.

6. Caulk around the windows to seal up any drafts. You don’t want leaky, drafty windows sucking the heat outdoors. You should caulk every few years as preventative maintenance.

7. Because winter storms can mean loss of electricity… You will want to check up on your emergency supplies – lanterns, batteries, flashlights, battery powered radio, warm blankets, non-perishable food with a manual can opener, bottled water, and matches if you want to cook on the barbecue grill. This is something that you could need year round.

It’s much better to prepare ahead of time and do little projects now while the weather is nice. You don’t want to deal with emergency repairs in the winter.

Prep Your Home for Winter

It’s time to get your home ready for the upcoming winter months. The Farmer’s Almanac predicts another snowy winter here in the northeast.

Here are some things that we do at our house:

3. Clean those gutters before you have problems. Scoop out the debris from inside (even if you have gutter guards), so that the water can flow easily. Remember to clean out the down spouts too.

5. Get your heating systems tuned up and serviced before winter to make sure it’s in working order. There is nothing worse than waking up to no heat on a cold winter morning.

6. Caulk around the windows to seal up any drafts. You don’t want leaky, drafty windows sucking the heat outdoors. You should caulk every few years as preventative maintenance.

7. Because winter storms can mean loss of electricity… You will want to check up on your emergency supplies – lanterns, batteries, flashlights, battery powered radio, warm blankets, non-perishable food with a manual can opener, bottled water, and matches if you want to cook on the barbecue grill.

It’s much better to prepare ahead of time and do little projects now while the weather is nice. You don’t want to deal with emergency repairs in the winter.

Prepare for Winter Now While the Leaves Are Still Falling

Summer has ended and we are now into Fall. Do you know what that means? There are important preparations to make! Yes, of course, you need to rake, and bake, and make costumes, and shop for the holidays. But isn’t there something you’re forgetting?

You need to prepare your home for winter weather! Those of us in Connecticut have seen unusual weather this year: earthquake, tornados, hurricane, not to mention feet of snow… and 2011 isn’t over. I hate to think how much snow we’ll get this year.

Here are several things you might want to do before winter sets in and why you should do them:

Have your heating system cleaned and tuned up for winter

Why? It may seem counterintuitive. How can paying for a tune-up save you money? For starters, it’s much more expensive to replace or repair a furnace. And, obstructions and dirty vents can reduce your energy savings. That’s not to mention the dangers of carbon-monoxide poisoning. Check to see if your utility offers a free annual checkup.

Seal up any drafts from windows or doors.

Why? Leaks cost you money, every day, every minute that your furnace is running. Our front door developed a crack in the wood that we repaired to seal up the draft. If you need to replace windows and doors, check to see what energy tax credits are available to you.

How do you check for drafts? Here’s a fun trick: Have someone aim a hair dryer from outside while you hold a lighted candle inside – carefully! If the flame moves or goes out, you know you have a heat leak.

Have your roof inspected for leaks before the snow piles up (we should have done this last year)

Why? Learn from my failure. You don’t want to deal with a roof repair in winter. Trust me on this.

Have your chimney inspected.

Why? Chimney bricks are more exposed to the elements and quicker to crack than the bricks on your walls. They’re also difficult to repair in winter because the cement mixture that holds them together needs to dry. You don’t want to cope with water damage in February when it can be prevented with an inspection in October.

Trim trees and bushes (or remove them)

Why? What do you see after every single snow storm? Photos of damaged property from fallen limbs and trees. Taking care of dead or weak branches can help protect your home.

Let me know what you are planning on doing for your home.

Replace an Appliance using the Federal Rebate Program

Have you been thinking about replacing an appliance for another more efficient one? Were your appliances damaged in one of the storms this spring? Now may be a good time to make a purchase.

Connecticut is one of 14 states participating in the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program The Federal Government gave Connecticut $3.4 million to use for this program The program started January 25, 2010 and will run out when the funds are used up So if you are thinking about replacing that old appliance for a more efficient one or you lost one in the storm damage, this is the time to consider buying one or more.

This program is designed to stimulate the economy with sales that will help retailers and to provide you with a more efficient appliance that will lower you energy usage (therefore lower you utility bill) If you live in Connecticut, go to www.ct.gov/opm/ApplianceRebates If you live in another state, search your state government’s website for more information.

You will get the following rebates:

Clothes washer $100
Refrigerator $50
Freezer $50
Room A/C units $50*
Central Air units $500

*You are allowed one each except for room a/c where you are allowed 3.

Only buy an appliance if you can afford it, or if you know your insurance company will reimburse you for your claim Buying something you don’t need or can’t afford will not do you any good, even if you get a rebate As always, consider how you will pay for it before you buy This is one of those things that you should be able to pay for from money in your savings account This is not a good purchase for to put on a credit card and make minimum payments for years to come.

Energy Efficient Rebate Programs Help Replace Appliances

Many states have been affected by severe weather this spring Wind and rain can cause significant damage, not only to the structures of our homes, but our possessions inside Severe weather can cause power outages and power surges, not to mention flooding, structural damage, and fires.

If you have to replace one or more of your appliances (for any reason), you might want to see if your state offers a rebate program.

I live in Connecticut Our is one of 14 states participating in the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program The Federal Government gave Connecticut $3.4 million to use for this program The program started January 25, 2010 and will run out when the funds are used up So if you are thinking about replacing that old appliance for a more efficient one, or you lost one in the storm damage, this is the time to consider buying something new.

This program is designed to stimulate the economy with sales that will help retailers and to provide you with a more efficient appliance that will lower you energy usage (therefore lower you utility bill) For Connecticut details go to www.ct.gov/opm/ApplianceRebates If you live in another state, check your state’s website for more information.

In Connecticut, you could get the following:

Clothes washer $100 rebate
Refrigerator $50 rebate
Freezer $50 rebate
Room Air Conditioning units $50 rebate
Central Air units $500 rebate

You are allowed one appliance per each home (except for room air condition units – you are allowed 3 for each home).

Only buy an appliance if you can afford it or if you know your insurance company will be reimbursing you for your claim Buying something because of a rebate or sale that you don’t need or can’t afford is not doing you any good Before you buy, consider how you will pay for it This is one of those things that you should have money in your savings account for, not put it on a credit card and make minimum payments for years to come.

Leaking Energy Inside and Out

Reader Question: What can I do to make my home more energy efficient?

To make your home energy efficient, look to see where energy is being wasted.

If your house feels drafty, replace your old roof, windows or doors.
If your house is hot in summer and cold in winter, upgrade or replace your insulation.
If your energy bills are unusually high, you could replace your heating/cooling systems with more efficient versions which use less energy.

Making your home more efficient can reduce your monthly utility bills which could save you money in the long run.

There is a program available for a homeowner’s principle residence (not a second home or rental property) that gives tax credits for energy efficient improvements. You typically get a 30% credit from your costs (labor and material) for qualifying improvements.

The tax credit is available for 2009 and 2010 up to the sum of $1,500. If you use it all up in 2009, then you can’t use it again in 2010. Check out www.EnergyStar.gov for complete details.