FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR ENERGY
EFFICIENCY & ADD A FEW DOLLARS TO YOUR POCKET BOOK
Don’t: DIY (Do it Yourself): Speaking of DIY, Pinterest, Google and YouTube have
created homeowner monsters! We can do many things ourselves, but there are many things we SHOULDN’T do. Suffice it to say, sometimes we get in over our heads and a seemingly simple fix turns into an inescapable nightmare. Rest assured that if a licensed contractor should be doing the work – call them. Roof repair, HVAC, plumbing, electrical or tree removal all fall under these categories. When in doubt, call your local professional. Our CAI- CNC Member Directory has a plethora of trained professionals. See: Buyers Guide.
DO: Lower your water heater temperature: Tis seems like a summer checklist, but it actually is meant
for the colder weather! By turning the maximum water temperature on your water heater a bit lower, you will consume less energy which will save you in energy costs.
Finally, and most importantly:
Don’t: Start the dish washer, washing machine or dryer before you leave: One quick trip to the store
is in order and you’ve got a load of laundry to start, a load to transfer to the dryer or a stack of dirty dishes that could be clean by the time you arrive home. Sounds like the perfect plan! I did this little time saving trick for years and years. Unfortunately, this is a risky move, even if it kills two birds with one stone. Te reality is that many things can happen during a wash or dry cycle while you’ve stepped away. For example, there is a water sensor in your washing machine that automatically shuts off when the water levels have risen to the selected level. Like most mechanical
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parts, over time, give way. Te worst peril is water evacuation into your home or laundry area while you’re unassumingly filling your cart at the grocery store. Te same can occur when your dish washer water line gives way, leaving water to escape into your kitchen, et al. But the most alarming is the fire hazard that awaits by leaving your dryer unattended. Clothes dryer fires account for over 15,000 structure fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually. “Failure to clean” is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires, mainly due to improper care of the lint filter and vent pipe.
While time is often limited and the list of “things to do” seems to mount, cutting corners and time saving tricks are often a must. But when it comes to home safety and care, there shouldn’t be any cutting corners and these steps should be at the top of your extra care list. Be sure to follow these simple tips to increase your energy efficiency, add a few dollars to your pocket book and, most importantly, protect your most valuable asset during the winter season.
CHRISTINA KEELE, who first joined the Russo Insurance Agency team 16 years ago, has gained experience in all major areas of the insurance industry. She holds her Prop- erty & Casualty Brokers License as well as
the Community Insurance Risk Management Specialist desig- nation through CAI nationally. She is an alumnus of California State University Sacramento and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice, and her Associates of science degree in Business Administration. Today, Christina has the privilege of successfully serving her clients, while continually meeting and serving new clients.
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