Keeping Warm Without Breaking The Bank

 

When the weather outside is frightful, it can inflate heating bills to scary highs, too. In Go Banking Rates’ recent savings report, the leading online finance resource investigates heating costs, asking energy experts for their tips on how to save money on electricity and gas. Homeowners and renters trying to keep their abode warm without draining their savings accounts will benefit from these five tips for saving money on winter energy bills.

1. Bump the Thermostat Down: Just a Bit

Every degree you move your thermostat saves 3 percent on the energy bill, says Kevin Gallegos, Vice President of Phoenix Operations at the Financial Freedom Network, in an exclusive interview with Go Banking Rates.

The average heating and cooling bill for a household is $1,000 over the course of a year, so lowering a thermostat just five degrees could save a household up to $150. With a sweater and some thick socks, most homeowners can be just as comfortable while racking up the energy savings.

2. Seal up Weak Spots Where Heat Is Escaping

"Thirty percent of energy bills float out the windows, especially in vintage, older, single-paned windows," Scott Fischer, a consultant with energy consultancy company Ciel Power, tells Go Banking Rates when asked about his energy saving tips.

Homeowners with older windows could look into replacing them with the better-insulated models that are on the market today. Many energy efficient windows are quite affordable, and can provide savings on electricity by keeping heat where it is wanted, indoors. Sealing up cracks or loose holes in a homes exterior will also keep heat from leaking out of a home.

Holiday and Christmas Tree Fire Safety

PART II

Holiday Lights

Maintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!

Holiday Decorations

Use Only Nonflammable Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Don't Block Exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle Care

Never Leave a Burning Candle Unattended

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

If You Do Use Lit Candles

Make sure candles are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame; candles, lighters or matches.

Holiday and Christmas Tree Fire Safety

ay and Christmas Tree Fire Safety

PART I

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees

What is a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the suggestion, keep the tree watered.

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree for the Holidays

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.


For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

HVAC Tips For Homeowners - PART II

Preparing for a Service Call

Need service on your heating and cooling system? Before your technician arrives at the door to service your system, take a moment to make sure you're prepared for the service call. Detailed information about your unit's problem may make a difference in the time needed to complete repairs. Your preparation will ensure the technician has all the information needed to get your system back to operating at peak performance.

Phasing Out Freon R-22

You may not realize it, but if your indoor home comfort system contains Freon R-22 refrigerant, it's an endangered species. Once the industry standard for air conditioning applications, Freon R-22 is an ozone depleting substance and is being phased out under the Clean Air Act. In response to the phase out, Carrier pioneered the introduction of a chlorine-free, non-ozone depleting refrigerant called Puron in 1996—six years before other manufacturers caught up!

Quiet and Affordable Heating Comfort

Until fairly recently, you could count on a traditional furnace to make quite a bit of noise as it heated your home. Fortunately, most heating systems manufactured today are quieter than their predecessors, but there is still a great deal of variance in the sound levels of products in the marketplace.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com