If you’re lucky enough to have hot water radiators, the most comfortable and least allergen-producing heating system, you may be wondering how to increase their efficiency this winter.  Here are some tips to help save money on your heating bills:

1. Place a radiant screen, made of reflective insulation, behind the radiator to direct more heat into your room.
2. Be sure not to block air flow around the radiator with furniture or drapes.
3. “Bleed” the radiator if the top feels cold and the bottom is warm.  Learn how to do this safely here.  You can purchase an automatic radiator valve that will bleed the radiator for you when needed.
4. Have your heating system inspected and maintained annually.
5. Lower the temperature in rooms rarely used if you have a TRV (thermostatic radiator valve) on more modern radiators.  You can retrofit older radiators with TRVs too.
6. “Balance” your radiators if ones located farther away from the boiler are cooler than ones closer to it.  Learn how to do this yourself here.

image above courtesy of Heat USA

Want to create a cozy retreat for those cold, wintry days and nights?  There are many things you can do to make your home feel warmer, improve its efficiency and lower energy bills.  In this post I’ll focus on ideas for drafty windows and doors.

• ADD THERMAL DRAPES OR ADD CURTAIN LINERS to your regular curtains to keep your rooms warmer.  Options include liners that permanently attach to your existing curtains (either by sewing or using iron-on fusable tape), or liners that hang on the rod in back of your regular curtain.
• LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN by opening curtains during the day, especially in south-facing rooms where sunlight is strongest.  Remember not to let landscape plants block windows outside your house.  Always consider the mature height and spread when adding new plants.
• REMOVE WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS!
• ADD DOOR DRAFT STOPPERS to the bottom of doors and windows.  They’re relatively inexpensive and also easy to make.
• STORM WINDOWS in older windows help reduce heat loss.  “Shrink film” window kits will also help, especially on drafty sliding glass doors.
• SEAL AIR LEAKS around doors and windows with non-toxic, low VOC (harmful volatile organic compounds) caulks and weatherstripping.
• INSTALL SOLAR INFLECTOR SCREENS that draw in the sun’s heat in winter and block it out in summer.  You’ll significantly increase your window’s efficiency.
• INSULATE YOUR ATTIC DOOR with an attic door cover or tent on pull-down doors or with rigid foam board insulation and weatherstripping on walk-up attic doors. In winter, this will keep heated air in your living spaces, and will keep hot attic air out in summer.

photo courtesy of starmist1

Who doesn’t love a crackling fire on a chilly night?  If you’re tired of chopping wood and lugging it into the house when needed, firelogs may be a better choice for you.  Besides making your fireplace more efficient this winter, as I’ve written about in a previous post, you can heat up your nights in front of the fireplace with a cleaner alternative than cord wood.

• Pine Mountain offers a variety of fireplace logs, including Java-Log® (made from spent coffee grounds) and Natural Firelogs (which burn cleaner than cordwood and produce less creosote in your chimney).
• CleanFlame™ recycles wax cardboard produce boxes into ultra-clean burning firelogs and firestarters.  According to their website, “Compared to a seasoned oak log (which is the best firewood), a Cleanflame firelog provides 50 percent more BTUs, and emits 86 percent less creosote, 80 percent less carbon monoxide, and 30 percent less particulate matter.”
• Even Duraflame now makes their logs from a 100% renewable formula consisting of plants and vegetables combined with recycled sawdust and agricultural materials.

photo courtesy of the guardian.co.uk

In Part I of this series on lowering your summer utility bills, I focused on the quick and easy fixes that anyone can do.  In this post, I’ll concentrate on strategies that cost a bit more upfront, but will save you money in the long run. 

Not only does saving energy save you money, but it also benefits the environment by minimizing pollution caused by electricity generation.

• Install a programmable themostat and you won’t have to remember to adjust the temperature every time when you’re away from home or sleeping.
• Add a ceiling fan which uses only a small amount of energy, but can make a room feel 4-6 degrees cooler.  Be sure to set it to spin counterclockwise in summer.  You can even purchase a motion-detector switch so it turns on and off automatically.
• Insulated Attic Stair Covers can save a significant amount of energy during both the heating and cooling seasons by keeping temperature extremes in the attic and out of your living spaces.
• A whole-house attic fan does wonders to cool down the house.  Run it at night and open the windows to pull in the cooler night air.  You can save up to 50% on your cooling bills!
• Properly maintain your HVAC system to keep it operating efficiently.  Also seal leaky ducts because in a typical house, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts, resulting in higher utility bills.
• Opt for Energy Star-rated room air conditioners and HVAC systems if your old system is more than 10 years old and not operating efficiently.
• Plant deciduous shade trees on the sunny south- and west-facing sides of your home.  You’ll not only keep areas inside and outside of your house cooler, but you’ll increase your home’s curb appeal and value.
• Add weatherstripping and seal air leaks around windows and doors, and in your attic, basement and crawl space.  Use low-VOC products to not compromise good indoor air quality.
• Ventilate and insulate your attic since the hot temps up there contribute to higher cooling costs in your living spaces.  Click here to see how much insulation the Department of Energy recommends for homes in your zip code.

Your new energy-efficient improvements may even qualify for a federal tax credit up to $500.   Additional incentives, including rebates, grants and loans may also be available by your State and local utility companies.

The dog days of summer are here, but you can still stay cool and save energy by implementing some quick and easy fixes.  Of course, if you want to go the extra mile and make your home even more efficient, you can do such things as insulating your attic and replacing old hvac equipment with new Energy Star-rated models.

I’ve compiled a list of things to do ranging from easy & inexpensive, to higher investment actions, and everything in between.  Here, Part I will focus on the quick and easy fixes, some of which cost nothing to do!

• Block the heat of the sun from entering south- and west-facing rooms by keeping drapes (especially thermal or insulated ones) closed during the day.
• Turn on the ceiling fans and make sure air is flowing downward in summer.   Energy Star-rated ceiling fans use only a small amount of energy (much less than an air conditioner).  Be sure to keep a window open a bit.
• Window fans can bring in cooler air at night or in the early morning hours, plus they use little energy.
• If you use central air conditioning, turn up the temperature to 78 degrees (or higher).  Doing this will still eliminate the humidity in your home and keep it cool & comfortable, while costing less to run.
• Change your HVAC filters when dirty, or within 3 months, to keep your system operating efficiently.
• Close the storm windows when you have the A/C on if you have older, less efficient windows.
• Change out hot incandescent or halogen light bulbs to compact fluorescents or LED lighting.  They burn cooler and use MUCH less energy.

photo courtesy of theromanticvinyard.com

Mature trees not only add curb appeal and value to your home, but they keep your house cooler when strategically placed around your property.  Some great deciduous shade trees (those that lose their leaves in the winter) include:  Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Quaking Aspen, Weeping Willow, Northern Catalpa, Sourwood and several oak species.  These trees, among many others, provide year-round interest with brilliant fall foliage, beautiful spring flowers, cool seeds, nice bark and overall form.

Keep these tree tidbits in mind: 

• Plant trees on the south and west sides of your home to provide shade from the hottest summer sun.
• Trees should be planted 10-20+ feet away from your home, depending on expected mature size (the larger the tree, the farther from the house it should be).
• Your air conditioner unit will operate more cost-efficiently if it’s in the shade.
• Trees provide better shade than artificial structures. Air passing through the branches is cooled by transpiration from the leaves.”
• Autumn is typically the best time to plant trees since they begin a dormancy period.
• Plant young trees (those that are 2-3′ high) because the smaller the caliper (diameter of the trunk), the less care the tree will need to get established.
• Trees grow at various rates from slow (less than 12″ per year) to fast (25″+ per year!), depending on the species and other variables such as soil, drainage, light, etc.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is a great resource to purchase trees appropriate for your climate.  They even offer 10 free trees with a $10 membership fee!

source:  University of Missouri Extension

photo courtesy of sacrentals.com

Whether you have central air conditioning or a window air conditioner, there are some easy things you can do to ensure it runs efficiently, therefore saving you money on electricity bills.

Of course, the ultimate way to save energy is to turn it off when not absolutely needed.  When the weather is pleasant during the day, or during cooler evening and early morning hours, simply opening windows is the least expensive course of action.  But, when those dog days of summer come along and it’s too hot and humid to think straight, keep these tips in mind:

FOR WINDOW UNITS:

• Ideal placement is in a north-facing window where the sun won’t bake it and make it work harder than it should.
• Clean the filter.  It should slide out so you can wash it with warm, soapy water to remove any dirt or mildew.  Be sure it is completely dry before putting it back into the unit.  I like to lay it out in the sun to dry.
• Use a programmable wall outlet timer with your room air conditioner so you don’t have to leave it running while you’re not home.  The timer will turn on the A/C unit so it’ll cool down your room by the time you return.  (Make sure that the amperage and voltage ratings of the wall outlet timer are appropriate for the electricity demands of the room air conditioner).
• When buying new, look for Energy Star rated models that have a built-in timer and/or programmable thermostat settings.  Learn how to find the proper sized unit for your room.  Save money with state rebates available for appliances such as room air conditioners.

FOR CENTRAL AIR:

• Change the filter when dirty, or at least every 3 months, if used frequently.  It’ll run more efficiently and last longer.
• Maintenance check ups for your HVAC system will keep it running efficiently.  You can do it yourself if you don’t want to call in a professional.  Here’s a helpful checklist.
• Keep the temperature at 78 degrees or higher, and you’ll still cool down your place and reduce the humidity.
• Install a programmable thermostat so your A/C doesn’t have to run all day while you’re away.  You’ll save almost $200 every year off heating and cooling costs!
• Seal and insulate ducts to increase comfort levels in your home and improve your system’s efficiency by 20% or more.
• When buying new, you’ll likely save 30% in cooling costs if your central air system is more than 12 years old.  Tax credits and appliance rebates are also available for Energy Star models to help offset the expense.

photo courtesy of Trane

Did you know that outdoor structures such as pergolas, awnings and even carports can do double duty?  Not only do they protect you, or your car, from the hot sun or drenching rain, but these structures can be topped with solar panels to generate clean electricity for your home, business or electric car.

Whether you purchase a pre-assembled unit, like the one pictured here, or build one yourself, you’ll enjoy a shady spot for family gatherings or to park your car under.  I love the idea of parking lots sporting solar carports to generate electricity for nearby businesses, while keeping the parked cars nice and cool.

There are numerous companies that offer pre-assembled structures that support solar panels for both residential and commercial applications.  You may even qualify for state or federal tax incentives or grants to help offset the cost!

photo courtesy of the American Solar Energy Society

The following is a guest post by Alan Parker, a blogger based out of New York, NY, who writes about alternative energy, green business, sustainability, and climate change.

It’s no secret that homeowners throughout the nation are looking for ways to go green or at least to cut down on their power bills.  As a result, the solar technology industry in the last five years has grown exponentially as homeowners invest in conventional solar panels for their roof.  Yet many of these households are encountering problems, as their panels become the object of theft.  Further, many homeowner associations don’t allow traditional panels on roofs because they jut up and can be seen by neighbors.  This is preventing people from trying solar power, but some companies offer solar shingles as a solution.

Solar roof shingles integrate easily with regular asphalt shingles and are not mounted on racks like traditional panels.  Since they are installed directly onto the roof, they are much harder to steal.  Here’s a comprehensive look at the more common shingles available.

Powerhouse Shingle (pictured above): Supported by $20 million in funding from the US Department of Energy and justifying their $1.5 billion yearly investment in R&D, Dow CEO Andrew Liveris revealed their Powerhouse Shingle in late 2009.  It is widely available to homeowners this year. They have received a lot of exposure since Dow’s shingle uses a low-cost, sturdy material called Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) instead of the customary silicon.

These shingles are meant to replace traditional roof tiles so they adapt seamlessly to the home.  This means regular roofing businesses can install them with an electrician connecting them to the home once installed, so homeowners don’t have to hire an independent solar installation company.

Dow’s extensive history with plastics allowed them to create an extremely strong plastic cover to replace the glass most solar panels use, without allowing any less light through.  This lets the shingles shield the roof from the elements just like an ordinary roof.

Sun Energy Shingles: Made by BIPV Inc, Sun Energy Shingles can deliver up to 50 Watts of electricity per shingle.  They sit right over the existing composition or asphalt roof, so they lay flush and provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than panels installed on racks.  They use polycrystalline silicon, which BIPV claims makes them more efficient than other cells using thin-film technology.  Further, they have a Class A fire rating and a high wind and snow load rating, so they are durable and protect a home just like a roof is meant to do.   The Sun Energy Shingles are presently available to homeowners and have been fitted to a number of homes in the western part of the country.

Solar shingles offer a great alternative to traditional solar panels, with sleek design and easy installation.  Plus, homeowners don’t have to be concerned with theft or rejections from Homeowners Associations.  If thinking of ways to green your lifestyle or home, solar shingles are a terrific option.

Follow Alan on Twitter @AGreenParker

Not only do metal roofs look great and last a lifetime, they reduce energy bills too.  They’re available in a wide variety of colors and styles and can be applied to residential, commercial or industrial buildings.  There are metal roofs that mimic the look of cedar shakes, slate and even curved clay tiles.  Metal roofing is also available in traditional vertical panels.

Plus, until December 31, 2011, pigmented metal roofs installed on existing homes may qualify for a federal tax credit: 10% of the installed cost for qualifying equipment, capped at $500.

BENEFITS OF METAL ROOFING:

• Longevity: lasting up to 50 years, providing a low life cycle cost (replacement is not necessary as often as asphalt roofing)
• Low maintenance
• Resistance to corrosion
• Recycled content and recyclable
  
• Quick installation directly over existing asphalt roofing, so your old roof doesn’t add to maxed-out landfills
• Reduce cooling bills up to 40% by reflecting solar energy.  In warmer climates, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal
• Impact-resistant qualities may allow you to receive discounted homeowners insurance if you live in areas prone to weather events such as hail, high winds, forest fires and earthquakes
• Add value to your home

Find qualified roof products, a dealer/store, and additional special offers on the Energy Star website (under the Roof Products Resources bar on the right hand side of page).

photo courtesy of the Metal Roofing Alliance, a resource where you may also find a contractor in your area