Prepping Your House for Summer

With the recent spike in temperatures (102 degrees yesterday!!!), it is probably a good time to think about preparing your home for the summer months.  Here are a few very simple tips to get you started:

1. Air Conditioner Tune-up - Your air conditioner, much like your furnace, goes unused for large periods of time.  Much like you change the air filter and tune-up your furnace before winter hits, the same should be done with your air conditioner.   A simple Google search reveals that a standard maintenance tune-up will run you between $130 and $150 (unless, of course, you sign up for Groupon).
2. Buy a Programmable Thermostat - Programmable thermostats are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of models and styles.  Here is a Google Shopping search for "Programmable Thermostat" - as you can see, they typically run between $40 and $100, depending on the brand and the extent to which it has "all the bells and whistles". 
3. Change Fan Directions - This one actually seems a little silly, but simply changing the direction your fans spin can improve air flow and simultaneously improve your comfort level.  As a rule-of-thumb, fans should spin counter-clockwise in the summer, clockwise in the winter.
4. Install/Replace Weatherstripping - Weatherstripping is inexpensive and goes a long way towards keeping the bad air out and the good air in.  Replace your weatherstripping every year or two to ensure that it continues to do its job effectively!

There are a lot of other tips, but this is a decent start.  If you have other unique tips that you use, please feel free to mention them in the comments section - I will add any good ones to this list for future reference.

Sneaking Heat

Photo Source: thedailygreen.com

This won't be a full post but every homeowner in Minnesota should be reading this article about preventing heat from escaping their home.  It offers some very effective, tangible, low-cost solutions that will help you save hundreds of dollars heating your home every year.  Of course, if you have the money to invest in some real alternative sources of energy, you will save thousands of dollars over the long haul.  But most people don't have tons of cash laying around, so they should at least be employing the simple tips provided in the article.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Green Remodeling

There are a number of reasons people overlook the possibility of being more "green" in their remodeling projects.  Some people simply can't afford the extra costs associated with green projects - the conventional wisdom is that by spending a little more now, you can actually save money over time.  Some people wrangle over the decision of whether to embark on larger projects or simply focus on smaller remodeling projects.  And some people simply don't worry about the amount of carbon dioxide we pump into the atmosphere.

But for those of you interested in looking for greener ways to remodel, whether it be a small fix-up job or a major addition/rebuild, I have just the book for you.

"Practical Green Remodeling" by Barry Katz is an excellent resource for finding ways to become more energy-efficient with your home.  Barry stresses that the book isn't a "how-to" but more of a "what-to" - giving readers multiple options to explore how green they want to be or can afford to be.  Below you will find an Amazon link to the book if you are interested in checking it out!

Happy Holidays!


Practical Green Remodeling by Barry Katz