Home > Energy Efficiency

Posts Tagged ‘Energy Efficiency’

Small Water Savings Tips That Have A Big Impact
Water and Sewer bills can be as high as $500 for the average household.  According to the EPA, you can save up to $170 per year and conserve resources by making just a few small changes in your water usage.  From replacing old and inefficient appliances to making small changes in your home, you have the potential to realize savings.  Below are some tips for you to follow:
 
Bathrooms
The single largest use of water in your home can be attributed to your toilets.  A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water in a single day.  That’s a lot of water over the course of a year.  It is estimated that 20% of all toilets leak, and some so slowly that a leak can go undetected for years.
 
You can perform a leak inspection yourself  to see if your toilets are leaking by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank.  If there is a leak, you will start seeing the colored water in the bowl within a few minutes.  Once you determine whether you have a leak or not, flush the toilet to clear out the colored water and to avoid staining the porcelain.  If you are unable to fix the leak, you could consider purchasing and installing a new high efficiency toilet.    Some of these high efficiency toilets have a dual flush system which will allow for a 0.8 gallon or a 1.6 gallon flush.  There are also toilet retrofit flush mechanisms that will allow you to convert an existing toilet to a dual flush.  These dual flush options can save up to 6000 gallons of water over the course of a year.

Kitchens
Did you know that a faucet in the kitchen, dripping one drip per second can add up to 3000 gallons of wasted water per year.  A drip may seem like a small deal but it can cost you a bunch in the long run.  Faucet drips can typically be fixed by replacing the seals.  Seal kits are inexpensive and fairly simple to install.

Only use your dishwasher when full.  Running partial loads wastes water and electricity.  There are dish washers out there that have half load options or express wash cycles that can be used for small loads or lightly soiled dishes.  You may want to consider one of these models if you are in the market for a new dish washer.
 
Lawns
Of course we all want to have a nice green lawn.  Keeping your lawn and garden green can account for at least 30% of your household water usage.  There are some smart watering techniques that you can use to help reduce your water usage outside.  Watering in the cool morning will reduce evaporation.  Sprinklers should be positioned so that they aren’t watering sidewalks, driveways or the street. 
 

By keeping your eye on a few of the potential water wasting areas of your hole, you can help to conserve a precious natural resource and save yourself utility costs.    

 
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN.  507-202-8942

Posted on Saturday, October 15th, 2011.
Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Rochester MN Home Inspector Asks: Is Your Air Conditioner ready For Summer?
When was the last time that you had your air conditioning serviced? Last year? Two years ago? Never?
 
We’re at the beginning of June  and Summer will be here before you know it! Have you taken the time to make sure that your air conditioner is ready to handle the hot summer days and muggy summer nights to come.
 
In addition to cooling the air inside of your home, your air condition actually “conditions” the air.  The air is cooled, dehumidified and filtered.  This is why it is so important to keep your filters clean and change them regularly.  Make sure that you install the correct size filter and insert the new filter in the proper direction of the air flow indicating arrows.  Always make sure that you can put the filter cover securely in place.  You can reduce your energy consumption by 5% to 15% by replacing your filters at the prescribed intervals.  Dirty filters result in your air conditioner having to work harder to move and cool the air.  Cold air is harder to move that hot air which makes it even more important to keep them filters clean and changed. 
 
Taking the time to perform a little outside inspection and maintenance will also help with your air conditioners performance.  Be careful not to blow grass clippings in the direction of your compressor unit when mowing the lawn.  Also maintain at least a minimum of one foot clearance around the compressor unit to allow for proper air flow and cooling of the coils.
 
Once a year, or when you compressor unit appears dirty, you can rinse the unit with a garden hose.  Use the water stream to remove debris from the fan blades and the cooling coils.  Clean coils and fans move the air more efficiently through the unit.
 
Never run your air conditioner if the outside temperature is below 65 degrees F.  This can damage your compressor.  Also, if you shut the power off to your air conditioner in the winter months,  make sure that you turn the power back on at least 24 hours minimum prior to using your air conditioning system.  There is a small heater in the compressor that keeps the lubricant at the proper operating temperature.  If the lubricant temperature is too low you can damage the compressor unit. 
 
You can use your ceiling fans to help move the cooled air in your home can make it more comfortable with your air conditioner set to a higher temperature than in summers past.
 
If you feel real energetic you could set some time aside to go through your home to ensure that the ductwork is properly insulated, especially in the attic or garage.  Be sure that there is no furniture covering up the vents and cold air returns in each of your rooms.  As you would in the winter, inspect the weather-stripping around your doors and windows to see if it needs to be replaced.  Making sure that your windows, doors and fireplace dampers are completely closed helps to prevent cooled air from unnecessarily escaping your home too.  
 
Try doing laundry or using the oven early morning or late evening.  This will help to keep your home cooler during the day when the outdoor temperature is typically at its warmest.
Lastly, it is highly recommended that you have your air conditioning unit inspected by a licensed and insured service technician every couple of years.  You want to make sure that your air conditioner will keep your home comfortable for years.  Periodic service can prevent unexpected failures, and save you money in the long run. 

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections, Serving Rochester and Southeastern, MN.  507-202-8942

Posted on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011.
Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Home Inspector From Rochester MN Shares Ways To Save On Your Energy Bills

Each year, your average household can spend up to $2200 on energy costs. Our economy today is certainly challenging, and homeowners are looking for ways to stretch their monthly utility and household expenses.  There are plenty of ways to come up with extra cash by making some simple, energy saving home improvements Here are 10 simple steps that your home inspector shares that can help you to start saving now.

* Install a new Energy Star rated programmable thermostat.  Make sure that you actually take the time to program it, most people don’t.  As we discuss during the home inspection prtocess, when programmed and used properly, a programmable thermostat can cut your energy costs by an average of $180 per year.

* If your furnace is more that 15 years old, you should consider replacing it.  There are many state of the art furnaces introduced in recent years that can save you hundreds of dollars in heating costs.  Older furnaces are typically 65% – 72% efficient, compared to today’s models that are up to 96% efficient. Your average savings is up to $800 a year

*Add some insulation to your attic.  Approximately 20% of the homes built prior to 1980 are properly insulated.  Adding extra insulation will keep your heating and cooling systems from having to work overtime.  Having the right amount of insulation can save up to 10% on your energy costs.  Average savings for adding insulation is $220 per year.

*Dial back the temperature on your water heater.  Lowering the temperature from 145 degrees to 120 degrees will result in savings from $36 – $61 per year.

* Replace your 5 or so most used incandescent light bulbs with new compact florescent bulbs.  These bulbs use less energy and can last up to 10 times longer.  Motion sensors for your outside lights will help save by turning lights on only when needed.  Average savings is $65 per year. 

*Install low flow shower heads.  Replacing your shower heads with a 2.5 gallon per minute low flow model and shortening your shower time by a couple minutes can save 5 gallons of water each time someone showers.  Figure in less energy to heat less  water and you will have an average savings of up to $145.

*Wash your clothes in cold water and save on the fuel you would need to heat that water.  Make sure that you use a detergent formulated for cold water usage.  Your average savings will be $24 – $40 per year.

*Fix dripping faucets.  You don’t want your hard earned money going down the drain.  Hot water dripping at 1 drip per second can waste 1661 gallons of water a year as well as the energy needed to heat that wasted water.  Average savings is $35 per year.

* Keep your dryers lint trap clean.  Increase the drying efficiency of your clothes dryer by cleaning the lint trap between loads.  Average savings of $34 per year.

* Stop using standby energy.  Unplug or shut down TV’s, computers and other digital equipment that consumes standby energy when not in use.  Average savings $165 per year

Realize you savings by implementing a few or all of the suggestions listed.  Not only do you have the potential of saving up to $1500 a year on your energy costs, you will be saving energy and be kinder to the environment.

Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rick Erickson, Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942 http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Saturday, December 18th, 2010.
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Rochester MN Home Inspector Discussion On Adding Storm Doors To Your Home

What does your home have that can improve its first impression and it’s energy efficiency?  It’s on the front of your home and sits directly in front of your main entrance.  I’m talking about your storm doors.  Storm doors play an important role in your homes curb appeal and energy efficiency.  They can beautify and prevent drafts.

Minor issues with a broken storm door can just be something that blends into the daily noise in our lives.  Sticking, slamming,flying open in the wind are a few issues that we face with our doors.  A careful inspection of your storm door will help you to determine what may need to be fixed or replaced.

Rather than replace, sometimes storm doors can be fixed.  This is more economical that full replacement.  If your door is slamming shut, it is probably because the hydraulic closer is broken.  This is the tubular device that attaches to the door and door frame.  Its purpose is to pull the door shut in a controlled manner.  It can be adjusted to close smoothly.  If you cannot adjust the closer, it may be time to replace it.    

Latching issues will allow the door to come loose in the wind, resulting in slamming against the house.  Adjusting the catch on the door frame so that the latch assembly can engage properly should be your first effort.  If this doesn’t solve the problem, the latch assembly may need to be replaced.

If the door sticks and is hard to open, make an inspection of the door frame.  The frame could be out of square.  These thin aluminum frames are easily distorted if not properly installed or if they are damaged.  Screws can be prone to loosening over time.  Check for squareness and make sure that all screws are properly secured. 

Sometimes the problems with a door can be beyond repair.  It’s time to replace you storm door. 

Storm door prices can start under $100, but typically can cost a lot more than that. The more expensive storm doors are made from extruded aluminum and come with many great features. Some of the more popular features are the built-in or hide-away screen. Instead of having to replace the window with the screen every time the season changes, you can simply slide the glass down and the screen rolls out.

Less expensive screen doors will have options as well.  Make sure to check out all of your options before making your selection.  Choosing the least expensive storm door may not be your best choice.   A super inexpensive aluminum door will also be thin and won’t take heavy traffic well. Often the door has a wood core and a thin aluminum skin that can dent very easily. Plus, some doors are put together so cheaply they will rattle in the wind even if they fit correctly. Make the investment for a good quality door and you’ll find it will last longer and hold up to more abuse.

There are lots of options as storm doors come in many styles.  They can be special ordered in a wide range of custom colors and designs. The choices for your new storm door can be almost endless.

Now comes the question of installation.  Some of the big box retailers that sell the storm doors often have professionals that can install your door for you for $100-$200. If you have a limited budget and are confident in your Do-It –Yourself skills, put the extra money into getting a better door and do the installation yourself. It is really not that difficult.  Also note that is doesn’t hurt to have a helper for this project.

Don’t let that old storm door slam, bang, or squeek through another winter.  Add some beauty and energy efficiency to your home.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010.
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Exterior Components, Inspectors Blog

Home Inspector Asks, Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer?

Just like any of the other systems in our homes, our air conditioners need periodic inspection and maintenance to keep them running smoothly.  We want the air conditioner to work when we need it right?  Too often though, people wait until the temperatures soar to find out that the old unit just won’t fire up.  Summer is coming and soon we will all want our air conditioners to run at peak performance to keep us comfortable.  Careful inspection of the air conditioning system prior to peak use can help you to head off problems ahead of time.

First, the more you use your air conditioner, the more often it should perform an inspection.  Filters are a good place to start.  Cold air moves harder that hot air.  If your air filter is plugged, the fan has to work harder to move the air.  If the air isn’t moving, the air conditioner has to work harder to meet the desired temperature in the home.  Buy a good air filter and make sure to change them at the manufacturers prescribed frequency. 

At the condenser, (outside), make sure that there is adequate clearance for air flow around the unit.  Three feet above and one foot at the sides, minimum clearance will allow the air to flow freely.  Also, make sure that the cooling fins are free of debris and damage.  If the fins are clogged with dryer lint or grass clippings, air can’t move freely through the condenser. 

Catch small problems before they turn into big problems.  Noisy condenser units could be anything from a loose screw on a panel or safety screen, to a loose fan blade.  Loose fan blades could also be hitting part of the unit.  If everything is tight and there is still a noise, it could be the condenser motor.  You should call for service if this is the case.  Make sure that the unit is sitting level to prevent unnecessary wear on the motor bearings. 

Noise at the furnace could mean a bad motor or loose/worn drive belt.  Again, you should call a service technician for repairs.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010.
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Rochester MN Home Inspector Discloses How to Cut Costs Efficiently, and Green up Your Home
It can be a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable while keeping your energy bills in control, especially with the arrival of warmer weather.  There are a few steps you can take now that will make your home more environmentally friendly while saving money and natural resources.
 
Air conditioners, fans, and other appliances that we run in the summer can eat up energy and drive up our utility costs.  According to the EPA, the energy used in the average home is responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions that the average passenger car.  Below are a few tips that you can implement that will help reduce your energy consumption and help to keep you comfortable.
 
Install a programmable thermostat and pre-set your indoor temperatures.  This can save you up to 6% on your energy costs for every degree you raise your thermostat this summer.  Most models are simple to operate, allowing you to program them around your family’s schedules.

If you have an old air conditioning unit, you may want to upgrade to a newer system that meets or exceeds the government energy standards.  For example, it is possible to have savings of up to 47% on new heating and air conditioning costs with a newer model.  Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you may be eligible for tax credits if a new air condition and/or heating system meets energy efficiency requirements.   

Turn off lights and keep costs down.  Being more efficient with your lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce your electricity bills.  Turning off lights when you leave a room will add to your energy savings. 

How efficient are your exterior doors?  Old doors with poor seals may contribute to higher energy usage.  New exterior doors usually fit and seal better than older doors.  A new energy efficient door can help to stabilize your interior temperatures and decrease your energy usage.

Some other simple energy savers…  Even small acts of green can make a difference. Turning off your computer and monitor when not in use; lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees; taking short showers instead of baths and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes can all add up to big savings on your homes energy consumption.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Friday, April 23rd, 2010.
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Blocked Furnace Venting Found During Home Inspection
Zi6_0833

Furnace Vents

The recent heavy snowfall and drifting brings one more thing that Rochester and Southeastern MN homeowners need to keep an eye on.  Home owners with High Efficiency, direct vent furnaces and water heaters need to check to see that the venting has not been drifted over with snow or blocked.  These systems typically vent through the sill plate of the home, close to ground level through a white PVC piping like in the photo above.  Drifting snow has the potential to block these vents, causing your furnace or water heater to not operate.  These systems have sensors that will detect blockage which will shut down the system.  This home inspectors recommendation is to go out and check to make sure these vents have adequate clearance after a heavy snow fall.  If they are blocked, simply clear the snow out of and away from the vents, and you should be good to go.  If there are still problems, call your local Rochester MN heating contractor to resolve the issue. 

I was discussing this with a client recently at a home inspection.  The client’s Realtor spoke up and said that he learned this lesson last year.  Cost him $75 to have someone come and clear the snow away from the venting. 

 Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009.
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Heating, Inspectors Blog

Yearly Inspection and Cleaning Dirty Refrigerator Coils
100_0751

Refrigerator Coil Cleaning Brush

Although kitchen appliances are not included in the standards of practice for the home inspection profession, it is common practice to at least check to see if they are operating properly.  Typically on a refrigerator freezer unit that means checking to see that it is colder on one side than the other and that the water and ice dispenser works.  Recently I came across a refrigerator/freezer unit that was heavily frosted up in the freezer unit.  I took a look underneath the unit and the coils were completely loaded up with lint and dust bunnies.  When the coils under a unit are all loaded and dirty up they can not operate efficiently, resulting in higher energy bills.

The answer to this problem is to give your refrigerator/freezer coils a breather.  Coils should be cleaned at least once a year.  These appliances have a set of coils typically in the back, or on the bottom.  These coils circulate refrigerant which is cooled by air passing over them.  If the coils and area is plugged then air can not flow smoothly, causing your energy bills to soar.  To clean the coils, remove the clip-on cover from the bottom front on the unit and use a coil brush to loosen and remove the built up lint and dust.  A vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool can come in handy too.  You may need to roll the unit out to get at the back side if everything is not accessible from the front.   Be careful not to damage any attached water lines for ice makers.  The attached picture shows a coil brush which can be purchased at your favorite Rochester or Southeastern MN hardware or home maintenance store.  

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Thursday, November 12th, 2009.
Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Inspectors Blog, Interior, Monthly Home Tip

Rochester MN Home Inspector Discusses Using Caulk To Save Energy

Energy leakage and water damage are a constant threat to homeowners.  Simple caulking and insulating of leaks and openings can help to reduce energy loss by up to a third.

As I suggest during the process of a home inspection, don’t buy the cheap caulk.  Buy a good quality caulk that will last a lifetime.  There are several products available at your local Rochester and Southeastern MN hardware or home supply store. 

Once a year do a complete inspection of your home exterior for potential leaks or openings.  Areas around windows, doors, and utility entry points are the first place to look.  Home Owners that take the time to protect their homes can increase resale value and enjoy low maintenance exteriors.  Preventative measures now rather than later can eliminate big repair bills in the future.  If you keep at it, you can stay ahead of mother nature. 

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009.
Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Exterior Components, Inspectors Blog

Home Inspectors Share How To Use Ceiling Fan To Save Energy
100_0007

Ceiling Fan

As our summer temperatures are cooling down, it doesn’t necessarily mean the energy bill is going to magically disappear, but there are some things we can do to minimize them.

Use your ceiling fans.  Ceiling fans help to circulate the air in a room, taking away the heat in the process.  The expense of running a ceiling fan versus the Air Conditioning will result in several hundred dollars savings per year.  In the fall you can set your thermostat at 78 degrees and turn on your ceiling fan.  The air movement will make it feel like 72 degrees, (kind of like wind chill).  Or you could just use the ceiling fans and turn the Air Conditioning all together.  Also, only use fans in the rooms you are occupying to save energy.  Did you know that there are several ceiling fan models that even have built in heating to help out with cold rooms in the winter? 

If you do not have ceiling fans in your home and are in the market to purchase one, do your homework first.  Because it will last for years, there are many considerations when deciding on a ceiling fan. How big is the room you will be using the fan in?  How high are the ceilings?  Would you like the fan to blend in to the décor, or become a major focal point?  Will the fan be replacing a lighting fixture?  Do you want manual or remote control operation features?

All ceiling fans, because of their design and low energy consumption, will start to save you money from the day you have it installed.   The new Energy Star-qualified models will increase those savings even more.  Before purchasing a product, read labels.  Products that have undergone rigorous testing and meet the government’s strictest new guidelines for efficiency will have an Energy Star label.  All products that have met the Energy Star requirements will have an easy to read consumer guide right on the label.  When shopping for products, make sure that you read package labels carefully when comparison shopping to make sure you understand all information and make informed decisions.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009.
Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Monthly Home Tip

Rick’s home inspection put our minds at ease when purchasing our first home.  After the home inspection, we felt confident in asking for the repairs that were needed.  Thanks for the thorough inspection and report!

Melissa C. Rochester, MN

It was very easy to contact Rick and make a convenient appointment. He was very thorough, professional and efficient. We wanted a home inspection prior to putting our home on the market. He reviewed his findings with us, his report and thoroughly explained everything at the conclusion of the inspection. His report is very easy to understand and know what things need attention versus just notations. We would highly recommend Home Pro Home Inspections.

Brian & Susan U. Rochester, MN

You shared everything and provided ideas on how to fix a few issues.  You really know your home inspection stuff.  Thank you for all of your help!

Eric O, Rochester, MN

Call and schedule your inspection today 507.202.8942