Simple energy efficiency upgrades can lead to major savings

Monday, January 20th, 2014

(NC) As the chill of the fall and winter seasons set in Canadians seek warmth – turning on the furnace and turning up the thermostat. Unfortunately this often results in higher energy bills.

Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas at Direct Energy, has worked with thousands of homeowners to combat this challenge, providing energy-saving tips and advice about when to implement efficiency upgrades.

Here are some of the most effective ways Dave suggests for saving money on your energy bills this season:

• Furnace maintenance – Clean or replace your furnace filter every three months to save as much as five per cent off your heating bill. Also, most homeowners might not realize that if you own an older, conventional burning furnace, it operates at 60 per cent efficiency. That means that 40 cents of every dollar you spend heating your home goes right up the chimney. If your furnace is 17 years or older, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace that could save as much as $565 per year on heating costs.

• Invest in a programmable thermostat – Knocking the temperature down and leaving it around 20 degrees at night and during the day when nobody is home can save as much as three to five per cent on heating bills.

• Sealing leaks – Up to 20 per cent of the heating and cooling costs in a home can be lost through poorly fitted windows and doors. Caulking and weather stripping around existing openings or installing new energy-efficient windows can save home owners as much as $150 a year on their energy bills.

More information is available online at www.davescorner.ca.

Source; www.newscanada.com

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Don’t Get Zapped by Electrical Hazards in Your Home

Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

Do It YourselfWhile you probably know not to put your finger in a socket (I wasn’t nearly as smart when I was younger), you may not be aware of all the electrical hazards in and around your home. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical fires are the fourth leading cause of fires in the home and result in more than 50,000 incidents each year. Given the potential risk and danger, you need to be very aware of what’s lurking in your home. Even though your home insurance policy may cover most resulting electrical fires, it’s always a better policy to not have a fire or injury in the first place.

The most critical part of your home’s electrical safety is the system itself. While you might think about appliances and other devices that use electricity in the home, the wiring behind the walls will prove to be an even more important factor. If you live in a modern home that was built with the most current technology and safety mechanisms engineered into the process, you are probably in pretty good shape. On the other hand, if you have an older home where the electrical system has not been upgraded, you might have some things to be concerned about. A good friend of mine lives in an older home that has knob and tube wiring, something that hasn’t been in common use for decades. However, since she has not made any changes or redesigns to her home, the wiring system can stay intact, even if it’s a less than ideal situation.

Unfortunately, older wiring systems are not always as safe as current methods. As a result, insurance companies may be somewhat reluctant to insure your older home with out-of-date wiring. If you are able to secure proper insurance, you might be faced with higher premiums due to the higher risk of fire. Additionally, current building codes mean that a claim in your house would likely trigger the building ordinance coverage, whereby you must pay to upgrade the system. There is coverage for this to a limited extent on the home insurance policy, but again, it is costly and there is often a limit to how much the insurance company will pay.

Apart from the fire dangers to your house itself, there’s also the danger to persons in the home from a fire. You also need to consider the basic concerns of being shocked or, worse, electrocuted. Even the most modern systems can sometimes still pose a danger or threat to those residing in your home – and I’m not only referring to small children. Bad wiring or defects in the wires can pose a threat to anyone in the house. In addition to the home’s basic electrical system, you also need to mindful of the electrical devices you are using. In today’s modern world, virtually everything that is considered a tool or necessity in the home is powered by electricity. We often take for granted their basic safety. However, you should never become complacent. Always inspect your devices before plugging them in and don’t take chances with anything that appears to be worn or frayed. The potential danger is definitely not worth the risk.

The Underwriters Laboratories’ Safety Smart website is a great resource for safety tips and it’s presented in a family-friendly format.

Source: HomeInsurance.Org

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

 
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