Dean of Green - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Saving Water In Your Home's Restroom

These days, we are becoming more aware of the effect waste has on our planet and of how we can slow down our consumption to conserve Earth’s valuable resources. A large consumer of the Earth’s water is the toilet in your home. Did you know toilets are the greatest water user in your home, even outweighing sprinklers? A great option that can save resources and money is a high efficiency (or low water usage) toilet.

A regular toilet can use 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) where as a high efficiency toilet only uses 1.6 gpf or less. These efficient toilets have been marketed in the US since early 1980 and have been shown to reduce water use by 23% – 46% in residential homes! By 1992, 17 of the 50 states made it standard for replacement toilets and those installed in new construction to be 1.6 gpf.

In the same year, the Energy Policy Act (EPA) of 1992 established a national manufacturing standard of 1.6 gpf for most toilets. This act began to take effect in 1994 and significantly decreased water demand and wastewater generation; which also meant a reduction in the capital investment needed for water supply and wastewater treatment.

A 1999 study by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation looked at the water use in nearly 100 homes in each of 12 Northern American cities and found that high efficiency toilets save an average of 10.5 gallons of water per person per day! For a four person home, that’s 42 gallons of water a day and 15,330 gallons of water a year! Or, 672 of those 8oz glasses of water you’re supposed to drink every day!

Need A New Hot Water Heater Or Can It Last A Little Longer?

Have you heard? I know you have! It’s impossible to miss! We’ve been hit by an economic slowdown! It’s true! Everyone is trying to hold onto their money a little bit tighter, and I can’t blame you... Hopefully, the economy is slowly but surely starting to pull out of this mini-mess, and all of the associated concern eventually fades away.

In the meantime, you’re probably keeping a closer eye on your budget, eliminating any unnecessary spending, and waiting for all of this to pass. Still, even when you’re trying to save money and be frugal, you’re not always able to do so. Things happen.

It always seems like pricey problems pop up at the worst possible time. You know exactly what I’m talking about. The car seems to have a flat that needs to be patched. The washing machine breaks down and needs to be replaced, and your water heater goes out while you’re in the shower. Each of things needs to be addressed immediately, and they’re expensive!

The last thing you want is to be faced with replacing your water heater. But you can’t go without it! You can only take cold showers for so long!

And just like doctors give people prescriptions to stay healthy as they age, we will suggest minor repairs and adjustments to keep your old water heater going strong. This refurbishment is much more inexpensive than having to replace your water heater when it breaks down.

The health evaluation is ideal for any homeowner with a water heater that is 15 years or older. Unless you’ve taken immaculate care of it, you’re not sure how long it will run without problems.

This evaluation and refurbishment should keep it going strong until this economic slowdown passes. Once it does, you can make a long-term decision about replacing it… or not! Until it does, this will put you in a good position.

Green Ideas For Spring 2013

Although the weather outside is still pretty frightful, spring is just around the corner. Make good on your resolution to be more “green” this year by implementing these eco-friendly ideas for spring, which range from green spring cleaning to installing a home water filtration system. To learn more about top-quality, comprehensive home water filters, Cincinnati and northern Kentucky residents are encouraged to visit 333Help.com.

Do some green spring cleaning

A good “spring cleaning” should involve both decluttering your home and sanitizing it. For a green twist on spring cleaning, think about reusing or recycling old items rather than just trashing them. For instance, you might have a computer repaired rather than buying a new one, or, if you do decide to replace it, you can donate the old one to an electronics recycling center. When it comes to old clothes, you can donate them to a charity or homeless shelter. Only “trash” items as your last possible resort.

You can also green-up the way you sanitize your home by using all-natural cleaning products. You can make green cleaning products yourself with common household items like vinegar and baking soda, or you can buy natural cleansers at many stores.

Give your house an energy makeover

You can save money and live a greener lifestyle by giving your house a spring energy makeover. Start with these three easy changes:

Install a programmable thermostat – This can reduce your household energy usage by as much as 25 percent in the winter and 15 percent in the summer.

Install energy-efficient window treatments – Blinds, shades, and other window coverings can save up as much as $210 in annual heating and cooling costs, while also keeping your home more comfortable.

Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient ones – By replacing old-fashioned light bulbs with CFL or LED bulbs, you can save more than $100 each year in electricity costs and reduce your carbon footprint to boot.

Use water treatment services (Northern Kentucky, we’re looking at you!)

By using water treatment services, i.e., water filters, Cincinnati area and northern Kentucky residents can help prevent landfills from filling up with plastic drinking water bottles. Whole-house home water filtration also helps your family save money (on bottled water and point-of-use water filters), provides health benefits by protecting you from chlorine and other common drinking water contaminants, and prevents mineral buildup on appliances from hard water.

(Photo By Easa Shamih (eKo)|P.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.y

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Unique Ways to Conserve Water

HVAC System Efficiency Reduced By Leaky Ductwork

No matter what you do to ensure your heating and air conditioning units are in top form, if the air ducts through which they send heated or cooled air are leaky, much of the attention that you’ve given to these units is going for naught.

Getting your Ducts in a Row

Up to 20 percent of the air generated by a home’s HVAC units can be lost due to leaky ducts, according to the ENERGY STAR program. Leaky ductwork can put a homeowner at a disadvantage in more than a few ways. When air from a forced-air furnace or air conditioning unit seeps through holes, cracks or spaces in a home’s ductwork, these units have to work harder to heat or cool the home. This results in wasted energy, dollars and increased wear and tear on equipment.

In order to make sure a home’s HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency, homeowners should carefully inspect their ductwork for even the smallest openings that may be allowing air to leak through. Special attention should be paid to areas such as attachment and connection points, curved sections of ductwork and around vents and registers.

Areas within ductwork that are open or not thoroughly sealed can be addressed by applying UL-approved mastic sealant tape, foil tape or other heat-approved sealants. Adding insulation to ductwork in areas such as basements or crawlspaces is also extremely helpful.

Additionally, there are likely to be “hidden” or hard-to-access sections of ductwork within a home. Although a homeowner may be perfectly capable of adequately sealing a good percentage of ductwork leaks on their own, it would be wise to contact a heating and cooling professional to ensure all ductwork in the home is tightly sealed.

(Photo By Check All Home Inspection Corp.)

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Green Appliance Tips

Green Appliance Tips

Save the earth and your pocketbook with these green tips for your kitchen appliances. Specifically, these tips will help you save gas, electricity, and water.

Dishwashers

• Consult the manual for the manufacturer’s water temperature recommendations. Depending on the appliance model, you may be able to reduce the dishwasher’s water temperature setting to 120° F.
• Don’t pre-rinse dishes before loading them – just scrape food remnants off into the trash.
• Try not to use the “rinse hold” setting; this uses between 3 and 7 gallons of hot water per use.
• Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
• Use the “air dry” setting on your dishwasher. If it doesn’t have such a setting, stop the dishwasher after the final rinse and prop the door open.

Refrigerators/Freezers

• Make sure the fridge and freezer aren’t set too cold; keep the refrigerator between 37 and 40° F and the freezer at 5° F.
• Ensure that the doors on your fridge and freezer are airtight. Test them by placing a dollar bill between the door and the seal and closing it. You should not be able to pull it out easily with the door closed. If you can, the seal may need replacement or the latch may need to be adjusted.
• Defrost manual-defrost appliances regularly, as frost buildup reduces the unit’s energy efficiency. You should not allow frost to build up to more than ¼ inch.
• Cover foods and liquids before putting them in the refrigerator. Otherwise, these items will release moisture, which forces the appliance’s compressor to work harder.

Stoves

• In natural gas appliances, look for blue flames; yellow flames indicate inefficient burning, which may require the stove’s adjustment or replacement. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you should consult your local utility company or the stove’s manufacturer if you see yellow flames.
• Keep your range-top clean – when burners and reflectors are clean, they heat better, saving you energy.

In addition to following the above tips, you can also save money and be greener in the long run by replacing older, less efficient kitchen appliances with ENERGY STAR-certified models. When shopping for a new natural gas stove/oven, look for one with an electric ignition system.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Unique Ways to Conserve Water

You’ve already heard several ways to conserve water around your home—turn of the faucet when brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, etc.—but there’s many more ways you can save water without going out of your way. 

Keep reused plastic bottles or pitchers of water in the fridge so you don’t have to wait for tap water to cool by running it.

Save water you’ve used for rinsing off fruits or vegetables and use it to water your plants. Got fish tanks? When changing the water, use the old stuff to water plants.

Take it a step further and install a rainwater tank. One of these will collect rain water and use can use it to water the outdoor, rinse vegetables, or for other purposes. 

Instead of using a new glass or coffee mug every time, designate a cup for drinking each day; this will lower the number of times you have to run the dishwasher. 

Thaw food in the fridge instead of letting it sit in a sink of running water. Instead of continuously rinsing pots, pans, or dishes that need cleaning, let them soak.

Washing your car? See if any car washes in your area use recycled water.

When it comes to your yard, there are some things you can do to save water. Start by making sure your sprinklers are watering the plants or grass and not the side of the house. Water in the evenings or early mornings, when temperatures are lower and evaporation is less likely to occur.

It’s also a good idea to plant shrubs or flowers that have similar watering needs together, so you can map out where to use outdoor water.

If you follow these creative tips, you’ll save even more water than before, and not only will the environment thank you, but so will your water bill.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Wise Plumbing Practices Among Many Ways to Green Up Your Home

We’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” In the case of energy and resource conservation, that “small stuff” can really add up! Following are a few tips on energy-saving measures that you can take around your home.

Water Conservation: Are you wise in the way that you use water? You may have shored up your home’s plumbing system before by having replaced original faucets and toilets with low-flow models, or by having an energy-efficient water heating apparatus installed. But have you thought about collecting rainwater for watering your plants, garden and lawn? Doing this can reduce both your water bill and the demand on municipal water supplies.

Conserving Electricity:  So you have replaced all your old incandescent light bulbs with new and efficient CFL bulbs. But are you taking every opportunity to reduce the time you need to keep lights on? Other electricity-saving areas you may want to consider are keeping heating and cooling system temperatures at minimal — yet comfortable — levels, and possibly drying your clothes on a clothes line during a nice day to give your dryer a break.

Other “little things” you can do to conserve around the home are:

- Use rechargeable batteries instead of “throw away” batteries

- Use re-washable towels instead of paper towels

- Turn off all lights and appliances when they are not in use

- Insulate your hot water heater and close off any unused rooms or living spaces in the home.

Also, with water being such a valuable resource, if any plumbing problems exist in your home, have them addressed immediately.

Speaking of resources, there are plenty available these days to give you many more ideas on how to maximize your home’s energy efficiency.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Home Heating Optimized by Adding Insulation

In recent years we have become much more energy-conscious as a society. “Green” philosophies and the initiatives that they’ve spawned have caused us to adjust our mindset—and our practices--regarding energy usage. From enhanced environmental protection to energy-saving measures that reduce heating and cooling and other utility costs within our homes, the results that these changes have produced have been overwhelmingly positive.

A vast amount of information has been disseminated over the last several decades with regard to the many ways that we can shore up our homes and maximize efficiencies within our electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems. And with our HVAC systems being responsible for using more energy than any other appliance, the level at which our homes are insulated can make a major energy-saving difference. 

A Focus on Insulation

Many newer homes are built with energy efficiency in mind, and are therefore fairly well insulated. But older homes tend to be notoriously under-insulated, which on many levels defeats the purpose of having even the most cutting-edge heating and cooling equipment installed.

A poorly insulated home will not effectively retain heat, causing the home’s HVAC system to have to work harder. This not only puts a strain on heating and cooling equipment, but increases utility costs and decreases the comfort level of the home’s residents.

There are multiple areas within a home that require insulation. Among the obvious areas are attics and exterior walls, but basements, crawl spaces, garages and interior walls that separate living spaces are often overlooked from an insulation standpoint. Even if a homeowner is not an expert in the area of insulation, they can still take a look around their home in order to detect certain spots that may be lacking. Bare spaces between floor joists, for example, may require insulation to be installed.

But it is always beneficial for homeowners to have an “energy audit” performed on their dwelling by a certified professional, or to contact their heating and air representative to inspect around their home for areas that need insulation installed or added. Qualified home inspectors will be able to point out deficiencies and trouble spots, and will advise the homeowner on what must be done to address any issues. The cost of a whole-home energy assessment varies, but the long-term savings in energy and dollars will be well worth the investment.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Teaching Energy Efficiency to Kids

It’s never too soon to start teaching your kids to be eco-friendly and energy efficient – as soon as they’re old enough to turn on the TV or the faucet, they can start racking up big utility bills! Use the following tips to get your child on track for a green, energy-efficient lifestyle.

Be a Good Example

When it comes to teaching your kids about energy efficiency, leading by example means doing things like turning off lights and the TV when you leave the room, putting recyclables in their rightful bin, taking short showers, and anything else you might tell your child to do. Unless you overcome your own bad energy habits, you won’t be very effective in teaching your kids good energy habits.

Get Kids Involved

Most people learn best by doing. Involve your kids in projects around the home that are related to energy efficiency. For example, have them help you plant a garden, sort recyclables, or turn off the lights around the house before bed. They might even be a small help with more complex projects, like weatherizing a window, by handing you tools when you ask for them. By involving your children in household tasks and projects related to energy efficiency, kids will learn useful skills – and lighten your workload at the same time.

Make it Fun

If you’re creative, you can make a game out of just about any chore or task, whether it’s helping you load the energy-efficient washing machine or closing the curtains on all the windows. Websites like the EERE Kids and the ENERGY STAR KIDS also have fun, interactive games for school-age children that help teach them about energy efficiency and conservation. Older kids might appreciate household competitions or incentives, like treats or allowance money, to reward energy-efficient behaviors.

 Keep reading Dean of Green for more green ideas you can practice at home.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

 

(photo via Flickr)

Green Resolutions

Did you make a resolution to become more eco-friendly this year? With each passing year, or even month, going green gets easier and easier. More companies are jumping on board by creating eco-friendly products, or items that make it easier for us to reduce our carbon footprint. Here’s a few ways to meet your resolution of going green in 2013.

Buy less. Fortunately, you can go green without buying any special products. In fact, buying less of anything in general is a way to be eco-friendly. Buying less means less manufacturing, less shipping, less traveling to the stores to buy, and less replacing items. Doesn’t get much easier than that.

Recycle more. Although going green in 2013 can include many different, and sometimes complicated, aspects of life, the basic methods of saving the planet still stand strong. If you don’t recycle already, find out where the nearest recycling center is located and what you need to do to get started.

Go paperless. Many companies are offering paperless billing now, which cuts back on stacks of mail, and filing them away. Check to see what bills or statements you can get rid of by choosing their paperless option. Catalogs, magazines, newspapers, and other mailers usually have a paperless, online option also.

Get some exercise. Choosing to walk or ride a bike instead of driving is a big step toward living eco-friendly, while also getting some exercise, not to mention saving some money on gas. If you cancel a gym membership, and get your exercise outdoors, that’s also an additional savings.

Reuse. Instead of using sandwich bags or freezer bags, invest in Tupperware containers that you can reuse instead of throwing away after one time. Reuse your remaining plastic grocery bags, then go for reusable bags (some stores give money back when you use your own bags).

By changing just a few simple things, going green should be an easy goal to meet this year.

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Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

 

(Photo via Flickr)