We were lucky enough to have a warm winter, but does that mean we'll have an extra hot summer? I hope not! Spring is the perfect time to find bargains on insulated drapes. Demand is low with winter receding. Insulated curtains and drapes save energy in the summer too by lowering air conditioning bills. Look for deals online and at your local … [Read more...]
Thoughts on Earth Day and a 358 MPG Car
I don't get too excited about Earth Day anymore. That's mainly because developing countries pollute so much and we have so little influence on that. Perhaps it's helpful to look back at progress made in the US since the first Earth Day.What color are your paper napkins, toilet paper, and tissues? White? That's not always been the case. Believe … [Read more...]
Fall Is a Great Time to Plant a Tree!
Fall is a great time to plant a tree. Not only is it a great time, it's the best time to plant a tree! You can pick out a tree when the leaves have turned colors to be sure how it will look with your house. Even trees of the same name can show slightly different colors, so choose the one you like the best. Trees are often on sale in … [Read more...]
Shrink Your Energy Bills with these Improvements
Prices on oil and gas are not going to go lower. It's a good time to get serious about some specific improvements to your house. They will help your budget & will be selling points later.The costs of these projects range from a few dollars to over a thousand. Pick those you can afford with an eye to how long it will take to recoup your … [Read more...]
Do Fireplace Inserts Save Money?
Possibly. These inserts cost about $3,000-4000, so you initial cost is not cheap. The insert is supposed to keep more heat in your house than a fireplace without one. It seems you need a good air circulation fan from your furnace that you can run to get the heat moved around your house.Be sure to read all the comments to the linked … [Read more...]
New R-Value Insulation Standards–Check Map for Your Recommendation
The government has recently raised the insulation standards for the US. They did this without out much press coverage. The reasons are rising costs of heating that are expected to rise even more in the future.This article says that R-values decline over the years as insulation settles. So architects are being urged to put in higher R-value … [Read more...]
Excellent Tips to Lower Your Energy Costs
No matter what time of year it is, there are ways to lower your energy costs. I like to see how long we can go without air conditioning in the spring. As this list says, adjust your clothes to the season. Don't wear winter clothes in the summer indoors forcing you to use the ac even more. If you are looking to buy a house or move to an … [Read more...]