Month: April 2018

Saving Energy by Improving Home Exteriors

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When the weather is warm we tend to spend time in our yards mowing the lawns, trimming the bushes, planting flowers. We all have a desire to want the outside of our houses look nice. Whereas this is often a worthy cause, are we putting as much diligence into making the outside of our homes cost efficient? We work hard to keep a roof over our heads thus why toss money away by permitting heat to escape?

The majority of the houses heat escapes in the course of drafts. Filling these drafts will save on the heating cost over time. Do a walkthrough around the exterior of you home to find what has to be improved. First you should examine all the areas where two different construction materials meet for example where the siding meets the chimney and where the foundation meets the exterior brick or siding. Examine all exterior corners as well. Youll need to fill any cracks or openings in the mortar, the foundation or the siding. Make sure to fill them with the suitable substance. If you are going to complete a job, do it right. And, it can last longer if its done the proper way with the correct material. You will also want to inspect where faucets or pipes extend from the exterior. Make certain there are not any holes around them as well. In your exterior inspection, dont miss the windows and doors. Make sure that theyre all properly caulked and that windows and doors seal tightly. Some people have air conditioners mounted directly into the wall rather than in a window throughout the summer months. While this might save on time of installing and un-installing the air conditioner each year, it is also a great way to let in drafts throughout the winter months. Make certain that the area round the air conditioner is properly sealed. If you dont have one by now, invest in a cover that may be placed over the unit in the winter. This can stop the unwanted cold air from getting in your home.

Also, make sure that your house is properly insulated. This will save you a large amount of money. In particular check the attic. Make certain that there is a steam barrier under the attic insulation. Water vapor will pass through the ceiling. With large amounts of moisture, the effectiveness of your insulation goes down and may cause structural damage. In order to prevent this, you should have a vapor barrier which may be tarpaper, Kraft paper attached to fiberglass batts, a plastic sheet or vapor barrier paint. Additionally make sure that any gaps round the pipes, ductwork or chimney is correctly sealed.

If youve got the funds, you might need to consider replacing recent doors or windows with new energy efficient ones. While this can be an improvement that will dip into your pocket, it will as well save you cash on heating. With the price of home heating, making sure that the exterior of your home is properly sealed is almost a necessity.

Cost and Energy Savings Tips for Swimming Pool Owners

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We all love having a swimming pool in our backyard but the cost of maintaining it not so much. Fortunately, pool construction has evolved dramatically in the last few years and there are several things that swimming pool builders can do to make the operation and maintenance of your pool much less expensive than it was in the past.

With the focus on energy savings and “green” products being very much on peoples minds, consumers like the idea of saving money and also helping the planet. Much of the long term savings come from installing energy efficient equipment and plumbing in a pool. If you are inviting swimming pool builders to bid on your pool construction project, in addition to talking about design features and aesthetics, you need to make sure that you have the discussion about how he builds a pool, what type of equipment he uses, and what his recommendations are for cost savings.

The utility cost to run a swimming pool pump is the biggest monthly expense for pool owners. The function of the pump is to circulate, clean and filter pool water. It is also used to operate water features, in-floor cleaning systems, and spas. For years, the standard for swimming pool builders was to put a single speed pump in a pool in all the pools they installed. The problem or wasteful part of running a pump at a single (or high) speed all the time is that not all functions require it. Variable Speed pumps with programmable functions can adjust the water flow rate to the actual needs of each feature in the pool. This can save you from 30% to 90% on electrical expenses.

If swimming pool builders do not recommend or bring up the option of putting in a variable speed pump, then typically they are trying to be the lowest bidder to get your business but are not looking out for your best interests. They should explain the long term cost savings and the fact that the extra expense of the initial purchase will be recouped in a relatively short amount of time with the savings you will get from lower monthly utility bills.

Plumbing that carries the water in your circulation system is also a very important factor for having an efficient pool. Installing a larger pump will help push water faster which will result in cleaner water and better filtration. However, if swimming pool builders use plumbing that is too small, the pump will actually work harder to push the water through, which will use more energy and cause more wear and tear on your pump. Because the piping is underground, this is an area where some swimming pool builders may try to cut corners. Make sure that the dimensions of your plumbing and the specifications for your pumps are clearly noted on your contract. Another area where you can save on your monthly pool expenses is to have LED pool lighting installed.

Premier Pools & Spas, the #1 ranked swimming pool builders in the country, have their own brand of eco-friendly, low voltage LED lights called Eco Radiance. These Eco Radiance lights are up to 95% more efficient and last up to 30 times longer than traditional lighting. Their high brightness and 180 degree beam angles also help spread light more evenly throughout your pool. So not only do save a lot of money on electricity, but you will have a more vibrant, dramatically lit pool. Eco Radiance lights are designed to be used as replacement pool lights as well, so people who are looking to revamp their existing pool can easily replace their out-dated lights.