SAVE ENERGY WHEN WASHING / DRYING CLOTHES

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

CLOTHES WASHING:

If all the households in the U.S. switched from hot-hot cycle to warm-cold, we could save the energy comparable to 100,000 barrels of oil a day.
Even if you wash on hot and rinse on warm, you’re going to use an average of 4.5 kWh per load, which at a cost of $0.15 per kWh will cost you $0.68.
On the other hand, if you wash on cold and rinse on cold, you’re going to use an average of 0.3 kWh per load, which at a cost of $0.15 per kWh will cost you $0.04.
The numbers are clear: if you wash on hot, you’re dumping water down the drain.

Of course, there are a lot of counter-arguments for this.
The chief argument for using hot water is that hot water is the best route for getting your clothes as clean as possible. The high temperature of the water is most likely to kill bacteria and also to cause more movement of the water, causing more soiling and germs to be removed from the clothes.
However, hot water also does the most damage to clothes, causing them to shrink, wrinkle, and fade more than other temperatures.
Most of the time, our clothes simply aren’t dirty enough to warrant the rough treatment that a hot water washing would give them.

What about warm water? 

You may want to use warm water for stains or particularly dirty clothes. But it is still not necessary for everyday washing.
Washing your clothes on warm and rinsing on warm will cost you $0.53 per load, and washing your clothes on warm and rinsing on cold will cost you $0.29 per load.

Cold water washing is also the gentlest choice for your clothes, extending their life. There’s less garment wear on a cold water washing as well as fewer wrinkles (meaning less ironing) and less shrinkage.

  

CLOTHES DRYING - 9 REASONS TO LINE-DRY:

1. Save Money

Most households which abandon their clothes dryer save more than $100 per year off electric or gas bills. A new clothesline is much less expensive than a new clothes dryer.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Energy Conservation

Line drying laundry conserves energy and helps to protect the environment by saving precious fossil fuels. It is the pinnacle of green laundry!

3. Freshness

Clothes and sheets smell fresh without additional chemical laundry fresheners. This is particularly important for those sensitive to perfumes and dyes used in detergents and dryer products.

4. Gentle on Clothing

Tossing and tumbling in a dryer can cause wear and strain on clothing seams and buttons. Line drying is more gentle to fibers.

5. Physical Activity

Hanging up laundry is a physical activity which you can do inside or outside. Learn how to do it correctly.

6. Good Rays

Sunlight helps to bleach and disinfect laundry. This is particularly beneficial for sheets, towels and diapers. However, for dark clothes it can cause harm - keep them in the shade.

7. Winter Humidity

Indoor racks can humidify the air in dry winter weather. (Ok we'll skip this one for people in the lower mainland - our winters are moist enough!)

8. Prevent Fire Risks

Clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually. The yearly costs in the United States for fire loss due to clothes dryer fires is estimated at $99 million.

9. Peacefulness

Taking time to enjoy the weather, the feel and smell of clean laundry can offer an outdoor experience that is meditative.

Finally:

If you really want to dry your clothes in the dryer, use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. They can be rubber with little stubby spikes, or they can be all-natural made of felted wool. Basically, they bounce around in your laundry load, separating the clothes and fluffing them up, so that you don’t need to reduce static cling chemically.



 House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada 

Stay Cool / Save Energy This Summer

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

 Now that the temperature's rising, it's time to get your home ready to enjoy in warm weather! 

 

 But before you crank up the air conditioning and turn on the sprinklers, make sure you've inspected the house - giving things a tune-up can help you save on energy costs and avoid expensive repairs. Here are a few tips that will help you summer-ize your home!

 
1. Tune up your air conditioner

Get a professional tune-up on your air conditioning unit(s) at least once a year. The last thing you want is for your A/C to go out when high temps hit. A professional can check for damage or leaks and make sure your equipment is running as efficiently as possible. 






2. Clean and adjust fans
 
Clean your ceiling and portable fans for maximum efficiency and minimum dust. Turn off your fans when they're not in use and when you leave the house.







3. Check air filters

Make sure clean filters are installed in your heating or cooling systems. Washable home furnace/HVAC system filers can be cleaned and reused. They only require replacement every few years, saving you money in the long run. Don't skimp on the quality, though, and follow the directions for proper cleaning and drying. 






4. Rethink your appliance use
 
Skip the oven, which can create heat in your home and make it more difficult to cool down. Instead, start using the BBQ more often. Running appliances, like your dishwasher and washer/dryer, at night will save energy and money. The humidity created from the dishwasher can compete with the cooling effects of A/C, and energy prices may be slightly lower on off-peak hours, such as bedtime.






5. Create shade
 
Replace heavy curtains with a lighter material. Consider window tinting or plantings that can create more shade in areas that get the most sun. 

 







6. Clean windows
 

Keep the cool air in and the hot air out! Clean windows inside and out and check for any damage to glass. Rinse window screens and check for damage. Replace weather stripping if necessary. 

 








7. Adjust your thermostat
 

Install a programmable thermostat, if you don't already have one. Benefits: increased comfort, more control, big savings! By ensuring that your cooling system isn't running all day or night, a programmable thermostat can help lower energy costs. 





 House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada

Home Maintenance - 5 Things Every Home Owner or Renter Should Know

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

When you buy a home, you’re signing up for a certain amount of maintenance and care. Little things are easy to fix, like loose trim or a squeaky hinge.

When you can do some maintenance task yourself, you can do them around your schedule, instead of having to deal with someone else’s priorities. Some knowledge could even be valuable to renters. For instance, if your toilet gets clogged at 2:15 AM, you can have it fixed by 2:20 AM, instead of having to wait for a plumber to come by – and if you’re a homeowner, you’d also be considering a plumber’s fee.
With that in mind, here are five DIY home maintenance tasks that everyone should know:

1) Painting. 

Painting is relatively easy, but professional painters can charge a hefty fee. If you learn how to paint, all it will cost you is the price of the paint, the tools, the tarps, and your time. That’s actually the real clincher, the amount of time it takes, especially if you have to apply multiple coats. But imagine the color possibilities for your walls if you could paint them whatever, whenever the mood strikes you? If you’re renting, you may want to get the okay from your landlord before you do any painting. They may want you to paint it back before you move out. 


2) Caulking. 

You might immediately just think of caulking around the bathtub or the toilet, but those aren’t the only important places where knowing how to use caulk would be beneficial. There is often caulking around windows and doors to keep out the wind. With a well sealed house, you can save on heating and cooling bills. Though caulk can be used for a variety of sealing purposes, it can also used for decoration to attach tiles, glass, mirrors and more.









3) Toilets. 

Knowing how a toilet works can save a lot of money on plumber bills. It’s actually pretty basic: There’s a tank, a flap, a balloon, a bowl and some pipes. They work using basic physics of gravity pulling water downwards. If you know how to fix issues in the tank, you can reduce your water bills from various types of leaks. If you also know how to use a plunger and a drain snake, you have most of your toilet issues covered. And if you know how to use drain cleaner, you have a good chunk of your sink issues covered, as well.








4) Faucets. 

Which brings me to faucets. Many leaks can be stopped with a few turns of a wrench. Yes, there are handles on faucets that turn water off an on, but there’s also usually another set of handles under the cabinet below the sink where you can shut the water off to make repairs or even replace the faucet. With more knowledge on faucets, you can also easily install faucet-mounted water filters, aerators or even a fancy touch-activated faucet.




5) Air systems. 


We take our air filters, central air, air conditioners and furnaces for granted. They keep the air in our homes the temperature that we’d like them to be, but they’re more than that. Often they are a line of defense for air quality within the home. If you know how to change out air filters, scrub grates and clean out air ducts, you can reduce breakdowns, increase efficiency, eliminate musty smells and extend the lives of your air and furnace units.

That’s it! It’s a pretty simple list, but knowing how to take care of the DIY maintenance tasks mentioned above could save a lot of time and money. You can use your time for more productive endeavors and with the money you save, you can be more prepared financially in case something more serious happens.

- by Kurt Jacobson - RentFinder

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada 

Home Finance for Home Improvements - Snap Home Finance

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Introducing SNAP Home Finance Corp. by HOUSE SMART HOME IMPROVEMENTS.....

 

SNAP is the fast, flexible, easy way to pay for your heating, cooling and indoor air quality needs without having to wait. It’s the consumer-friendly financial program endorsed by your local dealer.
Why go to the bank when you can simply click on the pre-approved logo below and complete our secure credit application. With SNAP, credit decisions take just minutes!



With SNAP you will enjoy:

• Up to 100% financing for all your home comfort needs

• No down payment necessary
• Variety of financing offers including:

• No Interest No Payment programs
• Low Monthly Payment Programs
• Open Loan – Pay off the entire loan at anytime without penalties
• Personal and Confidential
• Easy deductions from your bank account
• Take up to 12 years to pay.  

Start Saving Money NOW!

There’s no need to putting off a more Energy Efficient, Cost Effective home comfort system.
We make it simple – start saving money now – CLICK below to get started! http://housesmarthomeimprovements.com/snap/




House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020
Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada

10 Principles on How to Save Energy!

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

 A Large Amount of the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the World Comes from Domestic Energy Use.


To reduce our impact on the environment, we must think about the lifestyle changes we can make, using a little technology where necessary. Small changes can make a big difference, so here are our top 10 ways to save energy, helping the environment, along with your pocketbook.


1) Switch off.

Always switch off lights when you leave a room. Turn off and unplug computers, games, consoles, mobile phone chargers, etc. when not in use. Do not leave them on standby!

Also, turn off taps when you are not using them. While you are brushing your teeth or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing.









2) Turn it Down

Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1 degree could cut your heating bills by 10 percent. If you are still feeling cold, then put on an extra jumper! Reduce temperatures in any unused rooms to a minimum. If you have a programmer, set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time.






3) Insulate / Draft Proof

Install wall and loft / attic insulation and draft proof your home. Install weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows and fix drafts from doors, windows, letterboxes, keyholes, etc. Close curtains to keep heat in at night. Put an insulating jacket around your hot water tank.







4) Watch Your Washing

Fill up your washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher: one full load uses less energy than two half loads. Use cooler settings to wash your clothes and dishes. Modern washing powders work just as well at lower temperatures and most clothes can be washed successfully at 30 degrees C. Whenever you can, turn off your tumble dryer and hang your clothes outside to dry.





5) Boil Only What You Need

Only boil as much water as you need in a kettle. Jug kettles tend to be more efficient. Cover pans when boiling water to speed up the process and reduce heat wastage.











6) Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Consider energy efficient models when you next have to change or buy a home appliance. Consider installing a tankless water heater, they heat water on demand so no stored water needs to be continuously heated. Avoid products that come with excess packaging especially molded plastic and other products that can't be recycled.







7) Use Energy Saving Light Bulbs

They last 10 times longer than regular bulbs. Using more energy efficient light bulbs reduces the amount of energy used by the light bulbs, saving you A LOT on your electric bill in the long run. The LED method of producing light loses far less energy to heat than do other lighting technologies.









8) Stop Drips and Use Less Water

Fix leaky taps and make sure they are fully turned off. Have a shower instead of a bath and try to stick to 5 minutes in the shower. Having a shower not only saves on water but it saves on the energy used to heat the water.










9) Use the Natural Resources

Let the sun be your guide. In winter or during cooler weather during the day open drapes and blinds to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to avoid any chill from the cold windows. In summer or during warm weather, close drapes or blinds to keep it cooler.





10) Think Quirky!

Utilize ceiling fans. Running fans in reverse very slowly in the winter will circulate warm air down around a room. Check the arrangement of your furniture over vents or a baseboard radiator, which decrease the efficiency of the units.

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020
Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada

4 GREAT TIPS ON HOME MAINTENANCE TO SAVE COSTLY REPAIRS

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements
 

 Routine maintenance can extend the life of your home's major components and prevent expensive and time-consuming repairs in the future.

Something as simple as sweeping debris off your roof once a year can help prevent moisture from building up. Moisture can break down your roofing material and cause an expensive leak. Or how about preventing your pipes from freezing by covering them inexpensively?
In this week's article, we give you 4 preventive home maintenance measures to help save you money:

AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE

Clearing vegetation from around your air conditioner to prolong the life of the unit.One of the easiest ways to keep your coils clean is to keep the area around your air conditioning unit clean. Dirt, leaves, branches and anything else that happens to blow by the air conditioner can cause the coils to get dirty. Regular cleaning around the unit will go a long way towards keeping the coils clean. This is a great chore for a young teen to do, not a something critical, but if done regularly will prevent a lot of the buildup of dirt and debris on the coil. Also regular activity around the air conditioner will also prevent mice snakes and other pests from wanting to nest there. Here is a good article showing you how to do this: http://voices.yahoo.com/cleaning-air-conditioner-coils-5855896.html

PATCH CRACKS, COVER PIPES 

Check vents in the attic for cracks and rips and patch them with foil tape to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and take the load off of your air handler. Seal gaps around pipes, recessed lighting, and ducts into the attic might help prevent future damming and lower your heating and cooling bills. Cover pipes with inexpensive insulation to prevent freezing in winter. Here are some instructions: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-insulate-pipes/index.html 

CHECK YOUR ROOF

 

Roofs are the most vulnerable to water infiltration, given their exposure to the elements and the laws of gravity. On a sunny day, use binoculars to spot cracked, curled, or missing shingles, which are signs that the roof is near its end of life. Also check flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys, and the rubber boots around vents for cracks.Check for loose roof shingles and secure them with roof cement.

Siding is also susceptible to leaks, especially where it meets windows and doors. A $5 tube of caulk might save you thousands of dollars in structural repairs. If you live in a cold climate, check the siding under the roof eaves for water stains, which could be a sign of ice damming.

WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE

A water heater is one of the most important and yet nearly invisible items in one's home. Most of us don't even pay attention to our water heaters until they start making funny popping noises or there's water all over the floor next to it or they quit working completely. Taking care of your water heater now by draining the water and its sediment can add to a longer life for your water heater. Ideally, a water heater should be drained once every year. This may need to be either a longer or shorter period of time though, depending on just how much sediment is in your water.

What is sediment? Simply put, sediment is anything solid that has not dissolved in your water. This can be sand, grit, rust or mineral deposits. Most wells or city water companies are going to have at least some sediment which will eventually end up in your water heater. Once inside your water heater, the sediment sinks to the bottom of the water heater tank. Here the sediment can build up over a period years and eventually clog up the tank or take up so much room that there is hardly any room for the water to enter and be heated. This is why a water heater should be flushed regularly, to prevent the build-up of sediment.
You don't need to be a professional plumber to drain your hot water heater. It is a DIY task that anyone can do. There is however, one very important thing you need to know before you decide to drain your water heater; do you know how to re-light the pilot light? If you have never had to light the pilot light on your water heater, then have someone teach you how and then practice until you can do it. Otherwise, call a professional plumber to drain your water heater for you.
As long as you can re-light the pilot light on your hot water heater, you are ready to start the process of draining it. This article will detail all the steps needed for you to drain your hot water heater by yourself.

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020
Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada.

 

Get Your Home Ready for Spring!

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Spring is right around the corner, and for most home owners it’s an exciting time to get your home ready. In the winter time, many portions of your home are neglected or aren’t used as often because of home owners staying inside their homes. From the interiors of your home to the exterior, getting your home ready for spring will ensure you’ll be ready to enjoy the warmer weather once it hits. Space out your maintenance tips and by time spring is here, you will be able to enjoy the season!

Start on your exterior: The outside of your home has taken more wear and tear from the harsh winter, than the interior so start here. Walk around your home and examine caulking around windows and doors, as well as open windows and doors and look at weather stripping. Replace old or cracking caulk and replace weather stripping. Do you need new energy-efficient vinyl windows for your home? If your windows have aged or if you have aluminum window frames, it may be a good time to upgrade. For a limited time if you live in the lower mainland of BC you can save 100 dollars per window installed back in government rebates. See more HERE or at: House Smart Home Improvements.com 



Landscaping tips: While it may not be time for you to start planting flowers and watering your lawn, it isn’t too early to ensure you will have ready your garden hoses, walkways, and adjacent areas to your landscaping. Replace cracked or old garden hoses, and rake away leaves, tree limbs and debris from sidewalks, plant beds and surrounding areas. If you no longer have snow in your area, now is a good time to start planning out your spring landscaping ideas and lawn care maintenance regimen. Pressure wash concrete and paver areas that have become dirty and power wash vinyl siding, brick walls and vertical surfaces on your home if need be. 


Check your interior systems: The fall and spring are the two most important times to review your home’s major HVAC – heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems. Right before the harsh climatic changes are going to occur. Ensure air filters have been replaced or cleaned and stock up on new air filters if you use disposable one. Check your air conditioner before the summer to ensure it is in good working order. If you need to have a service person look at it now, it will be a lot less expensive than 3 months from now.

 
Interior spring cleaning: By now your windows – inside and out could use a cleaning. You will be surprised how much you can see out your windows, once they are cleaned. Spring is also a good time to have new windows installed, if need be. Clean off ceiling fans, and clean out fireplaces from use over the winter. Test your emergency systems in your home: home alarm, smoke fire alarm, fire extinguisher, and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working properly. Most home owners forget to test these regularly; fall and spring maintenance time is a perfect opportunity to ensure they’re in good working order.

 Preparing your home for the spring is rewarding now, and 3 months from now! Your home goes through changes as it ages, and climatic conditions change. Spring maintenance is a good idea for everyone, and even more important if you’re considering putting your home on the market soon. Home buyers want to ensure that all systems have been well attended and taken care of before buying a home. If you’re concerned you will miss something, hire a professional home inspector – they will cover the entire home from top to bottom. What are you waiting for? Get started, the warm weather is on its way!

This article from http://www.freshome.com


 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call.604-585-2020
Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada.