PowerHouse Tip of the Month
September Tip of the Month: Clean your air ducts
Clean air ducts are essential to maintain a healthy and comfortable home, especially during seasonal changes. Regular air duct cleaning can greatly improve the air quality in your home and keep dust out of your heating system. When you clean your air ducts, you:
- Prolong the life of your heating and cooling system. Clean ducts reduce dust that can cause strain on the system, leading to fewer repairs and a longer lifespan.
- Lower energy expenses. Improved airflow efficiency means your heating and cooling system uses less energy.
- Minimize the accumulation of dust. Cleaner ducts mean fewer allergens and pollutants circulate in your home.
Routine maintenance can also help identify potential problems early to prevent costly repairs down the line.
Get tips to keep your air ducts clean and improve home air quality from Pete and Megan.
August Tip of the Month: Insulate your garage door
Uninsulated garage doors do little to protect you from cold, heat or noise. It’s simple to fix that with a garage door insulation kit. Kits are inexpensive and easy to install. The result is a more energy-efficient garage where you can spend time and pursue hobbies in comfort.
If your garage is attached to your home, it’s your first line of defense against heat and cold. Insulating your garage door can help keep indoor temperatures about 20 degrees lower in summer and 10 to 12 degrees higher in winter.
Garage door insulation material comes in several varieties:
- Radiant barrier is made of aluminum and works by blocking heat. According to Energy.gov, radiant barrier insulation is more effective in hot climates than cool.
- Fiberglass has a high R-value (a measure of thermal resistance) but can be messy to work with. It’s used in attics and walls throughout homes in addition to garage doors.
- Foam comes in two types. Spray foam is inexpensive and easy to work with but is not the best option for garage doors. Rigid foam is light, user friendly and affordable, a popular choice for DIY home kits.
- Cellulose consists of organic materials like cotton, wood and recycled paper products. It’s treated for fire resistance.
An insulation kit will include instructions, panels and fasteners. It might also contain items like squeegees or razor knives. Read the package before you buy to be sure it will work for the type and size of garage door you have.
Remember the rubber sweep on the bottom of the garage door needs to be in good condition too. Replace it if necessary. This also helps keep your space temperature controlled and your energy costs low.
Learn more about energy efficiency in the garage with Pete and Megan.
July Tip of the Month: Don't cool an empty house more than necessary
After a summer vacation, it can be uncomfortable to come back to a hot, stuffy home. It makes sense to save on air conditioning, but if you’ll be gone more than a week, you might want air conditioning to control your home’s humidity.
A more comfortable cost-saving solution is to keep your air conditioner on, but raise your thermostat temperature. The less difference there is between the temperature outside and inside, the less your air conditioner will have to work, which saves money on your bill. The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees higher anytime you’re away. The usual daytime temperature the DOE recommends is 78 F, so that means setting your thermostat to 85-88 F. When you get home, it will take less time to bring it back to your preferred setting.
A smart thermostat can take out the guesswork. You can adjust the temperature from your smart device when you’re almost home. Some smart thermostats also have vacation settings. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, remember to keep your air conditioner’s fan speed at its lowest setting.
Don’t forget to seal up your house while you’re away. Close all windows, doors and curtains to keep cool air in and heat out.
Let Megan and Pete share more ways to save on energy in your home.
June Tip of the Month: Use advanced power strips
Advanced power strips can increase your home’s energy efficiency. They’re designed to detect when TVs, laptops and other items are in standby or sleep mode and automatically cut power to those devices, reducing phantom energy waste.
Some advanced power strips feature surge protection. This protects devices from damage in cases of sudden voltage spikes, which usually happen due to storms. Other features you might look for include USB charging ports, motion sensing and remote controls.
Let Megan and Pete tell you more about how to save with advanced power strips.