Crisp and Cool Outside, Warm and Cozy Inside!

Tips to Enjoy the Change in the Weather Without Breaking the Bank  
 

Now that the weather is turning chilly, it’s time to consider taking steps to make sure your power bill doesn’t give you sticker shock! While there are many things to consider, let’s start with some simple basics to keep your costs in line while making sure you stay nice and cozy.
 
Basics like turning off the lights when you are not in the room, unplugging appliances when not in use, line drying your clothes and making sure your television is set to home use (rather than store display) will save you power any time of the year.
 
Sometimes, however you need to invest a little bit to save in the long term. Here are 4 things you can do that, while they may have an upfront cost, will save you money over the long term.
 
1. Arrange for an energy audit of your home. A certified energy rater can help you identify major sources of heat loss that the average homeowner would be unable to detect. An audit can cost between $300 and $500, however you could easily recover that in savings over the course of a year or two if a major hear leak is discovered.
 
2. Have a programmable thermostat installed. This can be a very inexpensive way to control your home’s temperature and make sure you are not wasting power by heating an empty home or forgetting to turn down the heat at night.
 
3. Upgrade your furnace. If your furnace is so old that it doesn’t have an energy rating listed, it may make sense to replace it, especially if it isn’t working correctly. If you have insulated your home and sealed windows and doors well, as suggested in my last article, you may be able to have a smaller furnace installed, which could save you even more energy.
 
4. Purchase more efficient appliances. Your refrigerator, water heater and television use a significant amount of power. If your refrigerator was manufactured before 2000, replacing it could greatly reduce your power bill. Replacing an electric water heater with an energy efficient gas model could save you money. And any television that was made before 2010 was manufactured before they were required to have a power rating resulting in large units that are energy hogs. An energy star rated unit will use 30% less power and will also help you lower your bill.
 
Once your home is properly insulated, your windows and doors have weather stripping, and you’ve replaced energy hog appliances, you will be warmer and your pocket book will be happier all winter long!
 
When it’s time to install a new appliance or a new thermostat, consider that some jobs should be handled by a professional. If you are unfamiliar with wiring, or even if you are, a licensed electrician is always your best option. Did you know that The Fix It Professionals has a licensed electrician? (That would be me) So if you need help installing a new water heater, putting in a new thermostat or even some help around the house getting ready for winter, give me a call. (Please Remember that we charge a bit more for electrical work, since it is a licensed service.)

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Why is it Always so Cold in Here?

(and What to do about it!)

7 Keys to warming up that cold room without breaking the bank

 

Most of us have that one room that is always colder than the rest of the house. This is just fine in the summer, but in winter – Brrrrr! The problem is, that in order to get that one room nice and toasty, you may have to make the rest of the house too warm for comfort. Besides being a waste of power, heating up the entire house just to bring one room into the “livable” range is just not practical. Here are some simple ideas to warm up that cold room.
 
1. Put down a rug. Even if the floor is already carpeted, a rug will insulate the floor and make your toes feel cozy.
 
2. Do the windows have insulated curtains? You may already have curtains on the windows but if they are thin summer curtains, they won’t do much to keep the cold air out. By purchasing and installing insulated curtains, you will have more control over the light in the room and the temperature. When the sun is shining on the window, open the curtains and let in the warmth. When it’s dark or the window is in shadow, close the curtains to kept the heat in and the cold out. And speaking of keeping the cold out…
 
3. Make sure the windows are shut and well insulated. If cold air is coming in through an open window, if the window doesn’t shut tightly or if it is not well insulated, that pesky cold air will sneak in through the gaps. Inspect all of the windows in your “cold room” with your hands. If you feel a breeze, then you know that cold air is sneaking in. If you feel cold air when you place your hand near the glass itself, that is another problem.
 
4. Consider double or triple pane windows… if you have single pane windows or if your double pane windows were installed years ago, it may be time for an upgrade to newer double pane or even triple pane windows. If this solution is too expensive consider window film. A good quality film will insulate the glass, cut down on glare and will also keep your home cooler in the summertime.
 
5. Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air but has no heating or cooling element. BUT when air passes through the unit and moisture is removed, it returns to the room 2 – 5 degrees warmer than when it left. Sometimes just a few degrees is the difference between wanting to sit under a blanket or just needing a light sweater.
 
6. Is the room insulated? This is good to consider, especially if your “cold room” is an addition or it was converted from another use, such as a garage. Making sure the walls and ceiling are insulated (or adding a layer of insulation) may be all it takes to go from brrr- to comfy.
 
7. Make it the exercise room. When all else fails, consider using the room with the idea that it being a bit colder is a good thing! You’ll work up all the heat you need on a treadmill or stationary bike, so consider making the “cold room” your personal gym!

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Pursue Painting Pronto

Touch Ups Get Touchy in Winter Weather

If you’ve been procrastinating about painting, there’s not much time left! Soon Indian Summer will make way for the rainy season, which is exactly the wrong time to paint – inside or out!
 
Here are three things to consider when preparing to paint or touch up that interior wall:

1. Temperature – Paints have improved over the years, so this is less of an issue if your paint is new. When it’s cold, your paint will take longer to dry. This might not seem like a big deal – unless you are painting or touching up a high traffic area. Imagine your “delight” as you forget that you’re waiting for paint to dry and you flip on that light switch or close a door out of habit – and have to paint all over again! When you paint in warm, dry weather, the area will dry more quickly and your chances of “forgetting” that you’ve painted before the area has dried are lessened.
 
2. Humidity – Morton Salt has a tag line – “When it rains, it pours” meaning their salt has an additive to prevent sticking in humid weather. While you may not consider the San Francisco Bay Area a place with a lot of humidity, it is a factor when it rains. Humid weather, especially cold humid weather will also slow the drying speed of your paint. I heard a story about one client who had touched up a wall in her bedroom. It was cool and rainy out but she left the window open hoping it would speed up the drying process. Unfortunately her paint didn’t dry fast enough – a mosquito became stuck in the paint and she had to do it all over again. (This also convinced her that a new bedroom window screen was in order!)
 
3. Ventilation – If it is pouring down rain, most likely you won’t actually want the windows open. While it is true that paint doesn’t out-gas or smell as bad as it used to, you don’t want to be locked down in a room with wet paint. We discover every day how something we thought was harmless is not. Even “less smelly” paint could carry a health risk if applied in a closed up room on a day when drying time is extended because of the weather. A much better idea (I think) is to find someone else to take care of painting that wall or touching up that spot, while YOU enjoy a nice cup of tea in another room – or even at the local coffee shop!
 
Have you heard the saying, “I love work, I could watch it all day?” When it comes to painting, I suggest that you do. It’s easier, faster and you won’t have to clean up! When you’re ready to put your feet up, enjoy a beverage and watch someone else work, give us a call. Now is the best time to get that touch up done or that wall repainted.

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