• Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
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The average North American household spends $1500 annually on energy bills, a number that may go up as much as 50 percent this year. In the face of higher energy costs this winter, improving energy efficiency is more important than ever to homeowners. Here are some simple and inexpensive steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Why not start this weekend?
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Furnace Care
Dirty furnace filters impede air flow and can also affect indoor air quality. Replace your furnace filters or clean them as needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The furnace won’t need to work as hard to deliver heat where it’s needed. Also consider installing a programmable thermostat, which will lower the heat at night or when no one is home. |
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Bundle Up
If you have a tank-style water heater, wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent needless energy loss. |
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Change a light bulb
Replace the five most frequently used lights in your home with LED or CFL light bulbs and save more than $60 each year in energy costs. |
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Power Down
Put electronics such as computers and televisions on a power strip and turn it off when you’re not using those items. Consider “smart” power strips that can detect when an item is turned off but still drawing idle current; the strip will automatically shut off the current to selected outlets on the strip. |
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Seal Drafts
Seal holes, cracks and openings in your home to stop heat loss through the walls and ceiling. |
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Use Energy Star®
Energy Star® products help you save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Star® label is on more than 40 different kinds of products for the home, including lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment and appliances. |
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Fill it Up
Run washers and dryers at full capacity. They are most efficient when they are fully loaded. |
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Use Your Dishwater
You’ll use up to 35 percent less water by doing a full load of dishes vs. washing them by hand – and use less energy for water heating, too. |
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Sam & Melissa Leslie
1150 Hungryneck Blvd. Suite C-327
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
881-4740 Office
478-4343 Cell
Sam.Leslie@pillartopost.com
www.pillartopost.com
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Category: Carolina One Real Estate, Charleston, Charleston SC Homes For Sale, Downtown Charleston, Eco Friendly Home Tips, Energy Efficient Homes, First Time Home Buyers, Mt Pleasant SC Home for Sale, Mt Pleasant SC Real Estate, My Listings, SC Real Estate, Safety Tips, Summerville Homes For Sale
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• Thursday, December 04th, 2008
I know everyone is busy getting ready for the Holidays and decorating their homes. As the holidays approach, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging people to look for and eliminate potential dangers from holiday lights and decorations that could lead to fires and injuries. Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 10,800 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees. In addition, there are 11,000 candle-related fires each year, resulting in 150 deaths and 1,200 injuries annually. Christmas trees are involved in about 400 fires annually, resulting in 20 deaths, 70 injuries and an average of more than $15 million in property loss and damage. Click on the link below for some CPSC tips to make your holiday a safe one.
http://www.homehintsenews.com/plainpage.asp?page_name=holidaydecorationsafety
• Thursday, December 04th, 2008
I know that a lot of you will be traveling around the holidays and it is very important to protect your home. As with most things, a little common sense goes a long way. Burglars go through neighborhoods looking for uncut lawns and stuffed mailboxes. In the evening, they look for darkened houses or lights that have been left on too long. There are many easy and cheap ways to help reduce your chances of being burglarized. I liked the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department’s suggested burglary prevention tips to help make you and your family safer. Click on the link below to access these tips.
http://www.homehintsenews.com/plainpage.asp?page_name=burglaryprevention
