Search Results for: blog how ceiling fans can help save you money

Cooling Your Home For Less

Just like Spring, Summer came early to Utah and with it lots of hot, dry air. In the middle of the summer I don’t miss the humidity of the east coast but sometimes, a little rain would be nice. Keeping your home cool in the summer is just as expensive as keeping it warm in the winter. There are some things you can do to reduce your cooling costs. All of the things you do in the winter help with cooling costs as well. Changing the filters on the air conditioning unit, using weatherstripping, closing the curtains during the hottest … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Air Conditioning

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Have you turned on the air conditioning yet? Here in Utah it’s reached 90 degrees already so I had a friend open the swamp cooler a few weeks ago. While I love my swamp cooler, I love being able to have the windows open, I do miss central air. That almost refrigerated feel when you come inside after being in the hot sun is almost impossible to replicate with a swamp cooler. The best thing about a swamp cooler versus central air is that the impact on my utility bills is almost non existent. My electric bill will be about … Continue reading →

Power Hog in Your House

I don’t pay our electric bill, so I don’t have to be horrified when I open the envelope. Electricity is deregulated in Texas and we pay some of the highest per kilowatt hour fees in the nation. Electric companies here are constantly advertising and vying for business by claiming they can save you the most money. I wonder how much money the companies could save their customers if they dropped the advertising. We do not have any choices for electricity where we live. Our only option is the co-op that services our area. I do believe we’re paying less for … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Cooling Costs

Yes, I know it is spring, but despite that, we are going through a little heat wave here in Pennsylvania with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. So while the heat was pumping through the house last week and the plastic is still covering some of the windows, we’ve had to scramble a bit to keep things cool. If you want to cut your cooling costs, there is no way around it other than to cut the heat, or at least the heat that you feel. The secret to spending less is to make yourself comfortable with less energy. Here … Continue reading →

Three Ways to Go Green In Your Kitchen Design

Environmentally friendly design elements can greatly enhance your kitchen. Whether you are doing a complete remodel or just a little updating, consider these three suggestions for building good design and saving the planet at the same time. Some of the suggestions will help you save energy immediately, while the others will make it easier to conserve your resources. Energy Star Choose appliances and products that meet Energy Star standards, and you’ll save energy by doing the things you normally do in the kitchen. There are many Energy Star products out there, from the standard refrigerators and other appliances we have … Continue reading →

Paige Davis Returns to “Trading Spaces”

I used to be one of the biggest “Trading Spaces” fans around. Seriously, I would rearrange my Saturday nights just so I could be home in time to watch the popular TLC home makeover series. I adored Vern Yip; wished Frank Bielec was my uncle; coveted Paige Davis’ job; wanted Hildi Santo-Thomas to be my neighbor; and dreamed of the day Ty Pennington would craft me my own wooden china cabinet. I was a dedicated fan for years until producers decided to give the show a makeover of its own. They dropped perky Paige and brought in a slew of … Continue reading →

Staying Cool Without Breaking The Bank

Yesterday we were two degrees off of a record high temperature. It was 85 wonderfully warm degrees (not bad for May in the Upper Midwest). My daughter and I met up with a few of our playgroup pals at a local park. The kids chased each other over the bridges and under the slides—for three hours—while the moms melted in the sun (you can’t see the playground from the park pavilion so we couldn’t camp out in there). We took turns making sure the kids were well hydrated and kept asking them if they were ready to get ice cream. … Continue reading →

Choosing The Most Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fan

If there was a way you could save $20 a year on your energy bill would you jump at the chance? It would take resisting the temptation to flip on your air conditioner, and instead opt to use a ceiling fan to cool down. If you’re game, the key is finding the most energy-efficient fan on the market. Before you roll your eyes and mumble something about having better things to do with your time, consider this: finding the right ceiling fan that will save you the most money is not as challenging as you might think. Here are a … Continue reading →

More Reasons You Should Install A Ceiling Fan In Your Home

In a blog I posted on Earth Day I provided a list of ways you could make your home a bit “greener.” One of the suggestions was to add ceiling fans to rooms that heat up when the mercury rises (having them around may help you resist the urge to flip on the air conditioner). Ceiling fans help the environment and your pocketbook–if you buy a good one that is energy-efficient. Studies show an energy efficient ceiling fan can reduce your electricity bill up to 40% in the summer and 10% in the winter. What’s more, they are readily available … Continue reading →

More New Year’s Resolutions For Homeowners

My brother and sister-in-law are beginning 2007 as first time home owners. In previous blogs I addressed the importance of developing a comprehensive household maintenance plan for the New Year if for no other reason than to avoid costly problems in the months to come. While it is a fantastic idea to give your home an annual physical and design a strategy to keep or whip your house into shape, it’s just as important to resolve to get your home finances in order, especially if you are like my brother and have recently bought a new home. Experts recommend you … Continue reading →