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

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.

Looking for low-flow, but high performance from your toilet?  The stylish high-efficiency toilets on the market now are sure to make your bathroom remodel, or selection of fixtures for a new home, more sustainable.

It’s important to conserve water considering we flush about 30% of a household’s potable water down the toilet!  Replacing an old toilet with a new efficient model is definitely a green stride!  You can actually save thousands of gallons of water, and lower your water bills or impact on your septic system, by making the switch!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes selecting a new water-efficient toilet easy by labeling such models with the WaterSense logo.  “Products are independently certified by a third party to confirm that they meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance.”

You’ll find dual-flush toilets which use as little as .9 gallons per flush for “#1″ and 1.6 gpf for “#2″, as well as single flush models which use as little as 1.28 gpf!  Older toilets use between 3.5 – 5 gallons per flush!  The new high efficiency toilets are available in a variety of styles and price points by countless manufacturers, such as TOTO, American Standard (pictured above–Cadet 3 model), Glacier Bay, Kohler, Pfister, Sterling, Villeroy & Boch, and Zurn, just to name a few.

Quick tip:  Some local water utility companies even offer rebates for replacing old toilets!

Source:  EPA WaterSense

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

Looking for ways to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient this winter?  Tax incentives offered by federal and state governments, and local utility companies, can help ease the burden of home improvements that will reduce your monthly bills.

If you’re in the market for new windows, doors, biomass stoves, heating systems, and/or insulation, you can take advantage of the current incentives.  Even minor projects like duct sealing, air infiltration reduction and adding window films can qualify.

For information on federal tax credits, check out the Energy Star website.  For state and utility incentives, visit The Tax Incentive Assistance Project website here.

• Windows and Doors:  Should you upgrade your windows and doors with simple energy-saving strategies or replace them with new energy efficient models?  Find the answers here.  For tips on selecting the right windows for your climate, visit the U.S. Dept of Energy here.
• Insulation and sealing air leaks:  Would your home benefit from added insulation?  Find out here.  Where does your home leak air?
• Biomass stoves:  These include wood-burning and pellet stoves.  Learn about the emissions from these stoves here.
• Heating systems:  Included here are heat pumps, furnaces and boilers.  Curious about energy-efficient retrofits or replacements of old heating systems?  Visit the Energy Savers site or the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

photo by Jack Byrnes Hill

Is cleaning out your closets at the top of your new year’s resolution list?  Well, it’s easier than ever to find a new home for your old stuff.  Whether you’re remodeling, organizing or downsizing, you don’t have to just throw away items that you don’t want, or need, anymore.  You can donate to a local thrift store, or sell your household furnishings, fixtures, decor and building materials online.  You’ll also be doing the environment a favor by keeping useful items out of the waste stream.

If you’re planning a home improvement project, you can add instant character with salvaged goods.  I’ve compiled a list of websites where you’ll find amazing treasures, including:  windows; doors; restored lighting fixtures; vintage ironwork and architectural elements; hardware; furniture; lumber; flooring; fireplace mantles; kitchen & bath cabinets, countertops & appliances;  landscape & hardscape materials; furnishings & accessories; and more…

If you’re solely interested in purchasing new materials, you’ll find that here too, but you’ll save money compared to retail prices. Some enterprises offer surplus, overstock and closeout items that have been donated by manufacturers.

With a little searching, you’ll not only find all sorts of modern goods, but architectural gems, which can add a unique flair to your home and garden, all while saving money and the environment!

Postings by Individuals:

• Diggerslist.com
• Etsy.com
• Craigslist.org
• uShops.com
• ebid.net
• Amazon.com
• Ebay.com
• Freecycle.org (everything here is FREE!)

Removal of Household Goods and Yard Waste (these companies pick up, donate, recycle and dispose of unwanted items from your home or yard)

• 1800 Got Junk
• 1800 Junk USA
• IamJunk.com (Greater Toronto area)
• Junk Removal Reviews (here, you can compare, and read customer reviews of,  junk removal companies across the US and Canada)

Companies and non-profit organizations to buy from and donate to:

A few of the organizations listed below even offer free pick-up of items you’d like to donate.  Some of them offer dismantling services for your old home, barn or building.  Others offer home improvement classes and workshops.

• Building Material Resource Center, Boston, Massachusetts
• Community Forklift, Hyattsville, Maryland
• Dixie Salvage, Fort Payne, Alabama
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores has numerous locations in the U.S. and Canada
• Heritage Salvage Reclaimed Building Materials & Salvage Boutique, Petaluma, California
• Recycling the Past, Barnegat, NJ, where you’ll find this early 20th Century leaded glass door in Walnut (pictured above).
• ReNew Building Materials and Salvage, Brattleboro, Vermont
• Rejuvenation, Portland, Oregon
• ReSource, with reclaimed building material outlets in Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado
• Second Use, Seattle, Washington
• The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques, Washington, DC
• The Rebuilding Center, Portland, Oregon
• The ReUse Center in Minneapolis and Maplewood, Minnesota
• The Salvage Barn, run by the Friends of Historic Preservation in Iowa City, Iowa
• Urban Ore, Berkely, California
• Whole House Building Supply, East Palo Alto, California

photo by marioanima

The weather outside may be frightful, but your holiday habits don’t have to be.  Looking for ways to be more kind to the earth this season?  There are plenty of easy things anyone can do to make their home more efficient and comfortable this winter.  I’ve made a list and checked it twice, and think you won’t find my tips more naughty than nice. 

1. LIGHTING:  If you’re opting to decorate the heck out of your home’s exterior, but want to save money on the energy bills, check out the wide array of LED lights (light-emitting diodes) on the market.  They use only a tiny fraction of the energy that conventional string and decorative lights use, plus they last much longer!  Save even more money by putting your lights on a timer.  This way, they can turn on just as you’re coming home to light your way up the driveway and won’t be forgotten at bedtime when you’re too tired to remember to turn them off.
2. DECORATING:  Deck your halls with re-purposed items or those made with recycled content or natural materials.  Try to limit use of wasteful disposable items.   Here’s a few ideas:  orange pomanders, holly boughs, cranberry garland and handmade salt dough ornaments.  Also, homemade holiday cards (like the one pictured here) are extra special.
3. TREES:  Real Christmas trees are actually better for the environment if you purchase one that can be replanted in the yard in the spring.  You’ll get a lifetime of enjoyment out of it instead of just a few weeks.  Keep in mind that most artificial trees are petroleum-based and won’t biodegrade at the end of their life-cycle.
4. GIFTS:  Look for items with minimal packaging, especially non-bio-degradable bubble plastic.  Shop the “Green Pages” for eco-friendly and fair-trade treasures.  Consider purchasing a sponsorship of a natural place (typically $20 or so, which sometimes include stuffed toy animals you can include as part of the gift).  The Sierra Club, for instance, offers packages to help protect awe-inspiring wild places like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon Park and Giant Sequoia National Monument.
5. GIFT WRAPPING:  Wrap in the newspaper’s funny pages, old calendar pictures, posters or other paper destined for the recycling bin.  Kid’s drawings make a cute wrapping for small gifts.  Also, by wrapping the top and bottom of boxes separately, the paper will remain intact and they can be used again next year.  Re-usable gift bags are great since they can be used year-after-year.
6. SHIPPING GIFTS:  crumpled magazine pages provide great padding to breakable packages instead of bubble wrap or foam peanuts.
7. HOLIDAY FEASTS:  Local and organic food and spirits taste better!   Remember to compost fruit and veggie scraps.  Also, washable, fabric napkins make any meal feel more special.
8. HEATING YOUR HOME:  An extra sweater will keep you warm and toasty without having to turn up the heat, so why not sport that one in the back of your closet with the big, red-nosed reindeer on front?!  If you’ll be lighting your fireplace this chilly winter, take a look at some tips I wrote on increasing its efficiency and cleaner-burning logs.  Read my previous post to save energy and money on home heating this winter.
9. RECYCLE and RE-USE all that you can, from compostable food scraps, to paper, cardboard, bottles, plastic and cans.
10. BE THANKFUL for all that is good in your life!  After all it is the season to be jolly.  Happy Holidays!

(photo by Laura Manning)