In the end, all it
needs (between 120°F to 125°F,
takes is a quick trip
according to most energy experts.)
Additionally, you can save up to nearly
to your local home
twenty-five percent on your monthly
improvement store
energy bill by covering your water heater
with an insulation blanket (less than $20)
and a little elbow
and wrapping insulation over the first 3-6
grease to keep
feet of hot and cold water pipes.
When it comes to energy hogs, make
your home’s energy
sure to give your fridge the once-over this
guzzlers functioning
summer, too, especially the condenser coils
that filter cold air to the cold conductors.
safely and efficiently.
Experts recommend cleaning your
coils—which are markedly less efficient
at doing their job when covered with lint,
dust and other kitchen floor crud—at
least once a year, twice a year if you have
indoor pets. Regular maintenance can
reduce your refrigerator’s monthly energy
consumption by as much as six percent, a
substantial savings given this appliance
uses more electricity than any other in
the home.
In the end, all it takes is a quick trip to
your local home improvement store and
a little elbow grease to keep your home’s
energy guzzlers functioning safely and
efficiently. And the more you reduce your
energy costs, the more money you’ll have
this summer…for shopping!
more simple home maintenance
money savers:
gUTTER CLUTTER. Following a summer storm or Santa Ana winds, check and
clear your gutters for leaves from nearby trees. The leaves can block your gutters’
downspouts, backing up water into your walls or house.
SCREEN TEST. You can easily replace a torn or frayed window screen yourself if the
frame is solid. Installation requires a special, albeit inexpensive tool (costing as little
as $7) that presses the edge of the screen into a groove.
PREVENT dRyER FIRES. To save energy and prevent a fire, periodically inspect
your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. Manufacturers recommend using rigid
venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
DYEING TO KNOW. One of the biggest water wasters in the home is running water
in a toilet. If your toilet is the silent type, drop in five or six drops of food coloring
into the tank. If the toilet is running, the colored water will appear in the bowl in
about 30 minutes.
For more helpful home maintenance tips, visit doityourself.com, energysavers.gov or numerous
other home repair websites and blogs. to purchase a copy of “the 6-Minute home inspection guide
for the home buyer & residential investor,” visit grassrootspublishing.com.
34 june l MYunDERTHESun.COM
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