Homeowners are constantly striving for ways to lower their energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Between rising gas prices and the overwhelming call to action by the green movement, it's hard to ignore your energy bill. While many want to make an environmental difference, often these options are more expensive and difficult to implement. Programmable thermostats, on the other hand, are a quick, easy, and incredibly convenient way to hop on the green train.
Costs for Programmable Thermostats vs. Energy Bill Savings
Before we get into the convenience factors of programmable thermostats, let's talk price tags. For a programmable thermostat, all you'll need to buy is the actual thermostat, which will range from $50 to $200. This is chump change compared to replacing your furnace, installing new windows, or switching out your appliances for energy-efficient options. Although these are all good ways to lower your energy bill, there is usually a large price tag attached. Whereas with programmable thermostats, the cost is small and the savings are big. About 15 percent per year. You can do this simply by turning back your thermostat by 10 to 15 percent for eight hours a day. These gadgets make this easy.
Convenience Factor: Heat and Cool What You Want, Where You Want
Besides cutting down your energy bills, programmable thermostats add a significant convenience factor to the comfort of your home, and essentially save energy without you lifting a finger (or actually, by you only lifting a finger). Essentially, you are customizing how you heat or cool your home. So turn down your heat while you're at work all day, and have it set to kick back on an hour before you return. That's eight hours of lowered energy, and your home will still be nice and toasty upon your arrival. Also, most people prefer a cooler environment while they sleep. They curl up under a blanket, which leaves the necessity for cranking the heat a lot lower than the waking hours. With a programmable thermostat, lower your heat from an hour after you go to bed until an hour before you wake up. You'll never know the difference when your feet hit that bathroom tile at sunrise. These hours really start to add up and shave off both wasted energy and unnecessarily high energy bills.
The Quiet Killers
There are probably rooms that you don't use on a daily basis. A guest room, for example, often gets heated with the same ferocity as the rest of the house with no one to occupy it. Maybe you don't use your finished basement every day. Programmable thermostats give you the option to turn off the heat in these unused areas of your home until it is necessary. This includes your entire home while you're away on vacation. Press the "hold" button, or program your heat to kick back on a few hours before you return.
In some cases, having several thermostats is useful if you have special needs. If you have a wine cellar, for example, and need to keep it at the perfect 55 degrees, then you could set up a thermostat set for that space. There are a lot of options out there to really customize your home's heating and cooling plan.
Words to the Wise
While there are many benefits to programmable thermostats, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Many models have a variety pre-programmed settings to choose from. If that is the case, it is better not to override these settings and make you own because you could end up using more energy.
If you have a heat pump system, you may require a special kind of programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings. It's best to talk to your HVAC specialist to figure out what will work best for your home.
Make sure that your air conditioning and furnace filter is clean. If your system isn't working properly, check to make sure that the filter is clean because that could be causing your problem.
These types of thermostats won't lessen the load on an old furnace or heating and cooling system. It will merely limit the time that it is used. Your heating system will work the same as it always has, the timing will just be different.
The bottom line is that there is a lot of value associated with installing a programmable thermostat. You can ensure maximum comfort by personalizing your heating system to your preferences, while saving money in the process. Not bad for a quick switch.
Kerosene Heater Safety
Suggested Usage Practices
December 20, 2008
Written By: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Questions and Answers
#1 How safe are the new unvented portable kerosene heaters?
That depends upon who you talk to. Some public health and safety officials take a cautious view of these types of heaters. Some manufacturers and dealers, however, do not. But it is a fact that these types of heaters can be a potential fire hazard and that the pollutants these heaters produce may represent a significant health hazard.
For these reasons, some communities and some states have banned the use of these types of heaters in homes. Would-be buyers of unvented, portable kerosene heaters should check with building authorities and/or fire officials and insurance representatives first.
If this type of heater is purchased, be sure to follow the manufacturer's exact directions for operation.
#2 What are some of the hazards of using unvented, portable kerosene heaters?
This type of heater increases the potential of a home fire loss if it is placed too close to combustibles such as paper, curtains, and other readily flammable household material; or if used carelessly increases the potential for personal burns. Tests by Consumer Reports (Oct. 1982 issue) show that during normal operation, these types of heaters can develop surface temperatures from 320° F to more than 500° F. Obviously, keep small children well away from the heater. Kerosene heaters also produce carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas), nitrogen dioxide (which may cause throat and lung irritation), and sulfur dioxide (which can impair breathing).
#3 Are there portable, unvented kerosene heaters on the market that do not produce these gases?
No. Any heating system that burns fuel, and does not have a chimney, will give off some gases into the room or area where it operates.
#4 Is there an accumulative "indoor pollution hazard" from use of several unvented appliances?
It would appear so, especially in a "weatherized" home or a unventilated room.
Following tests of 18 types of portable, unvented heaters, Consumer Reports states that: "We calculated the concentration of four gases produced by these heaters --- carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide --- in a 10x12x8-foot room with normal ventilation. The levels of each gas were high enough to be a serious health hazard to high-risk groups, including pregnant women, asthmatics, people with cardiovascular disease, children, and the elderly. The levels we calculated for some pollutants may pose risks for healthy people."
Hazard from indoor pollution is highest on calm days when an unvented heater is used along with an unvented gas range, gas refrigerator and a gas clothes dryer; along with a vented water heater and furnace. Only heating units connected to chimneys exhaust products of combustion safely to the outside of the home.
#5 Of the gases that are produced by a portable, unvented heater, which is potentially the most lethal?
Carbon monoxide. It is toxic because it interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the cells of the body. It may reach toxic levels in the blood stream within minutes or several hours. Carbon monoxide may be a particular threat to persons with heart ailments.
Early carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include dizziness, headache, weakness, drowsiness and/or nausea. Some people could experience impaired judgement and irritability.
#6 Why is carbon monoxide so deadly?
Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood until suffocation occurs. Carbon monoxide mixes with your blood 210 times quicker than oxygen, so even getting fresh air after poisoning symptoms begin may not help and suffocation can still occur. It takes from 10 to 24 hours to rid the blood of excessive carbon monoxide.
Pre-Listing Inspections
Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. We can point out that by having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways:
Copies of the inspection report along with receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers.
Deadly Mistake #1: Thinking you can't afford it.
Today, buying the home of your dreams is easier than ever before. Many people who thought that buying the home they wanted was simply out of their reach are now enjoying a new lifestyle in their very own new home.
Buying a home is the smartest financial decision you will ever make. In fact, most American & Canadian home owners would be financially broke at retirement if it wasn't for one saving grace - the equity in their home. Furthermore mortgage rates are more flexible today than ever and tax allowances favor home ownership.
Real estate values have always risen steadily. Of course there are peaks and valleys, but the long term the trend is a consistent increase. This means that every month when you make a mortgage payment the amount that you owe on the home goes down and the value typically increases. This owe less-worth more situation is called equity build-up and is the reason you can't afford not to buy.
Even if you have little money for a down payment or credit problems, chances are that you can still buy that new home. It just comes down to knowing the right strategies, and working with the right people. See below.
Deadly Mistake #2: Not hiring a buyer's agent to represent you.
Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it's often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated. New technology, laws, procedures and competition from other buyers require buyer agents to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. For many homebuyers, the process turns into a terrible, stressful ordeal. In addition, making the wrong decisions can end up costing you thousands of dollars.
It doesn't have to be this way!
Work with a buyer's agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business and on your side. Buyer's agents have a fiduciary duty to you. That means they are loyal to only you and are obligated to look out for your best interests. Buyer's agents can help you find the best home, the best lender, and the best inspector. Best of all, in most cases, the buyer's agent is paid out of the seller's commission, even though he/she works for you.
Trying to buy a home without an agent at all is, well... unthinkable.
Deadly Mistake #3: Getting a cheap inspection.
Buying a home is probably the most expensive purchase you'll ever make. This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection. The cost of a home inspection is very small relative to the home being inspected. The additional cost of hiring a certified inspector is almost insignificant. As a homebuyer, you've recently been crunching the numbers, negotiating offers, adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages, and trying to get the best deals. Don't stop now. Don't let your real estate agent, a patty-cake inspector, or anyone else talk you into skimping here.
NACHI front-ends its membership requirements. NACHI turns down more than 1/2 the inspectors who want to join because they can't fulfill the membership requirements.
NACHI certified inspectors perform the best inspections by far. NACHI certified inspectors earn their fees many times over. They do more, they deserve more, and yes they generally charge a little more. Do yourself a favor...and pay a little more for the quality inspection you deserve.
The last thing you want is to move into a home or condo unaware of potential problems. Problems that could be costly to repair or, worse, beyond repair.
That's why it's critical to choose a service like ours. We have the training to know exactly what to look out for. If there are problems, we'll find them for you.
Why bother with a home inspection?
Every dream house can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. The faulty components and structural defects you indirectly choose to ignore by foregoing a home inspection can come back to haunt you even 15 or 20 years down the line. Buying a home is a huge investment. First Class Property Inspection wants to ensure it's also one of the smartest moves you'll ever make.
How We Can Help You
Our inspections enable you to take control of your real estate transaction by helping you:
We are Impartial and Work ONLY For You
Property inspection is our only business. We are impartial and work only for you. Our job is to provide you with a comprehensive, fair, independent, objective evaluation so that you can understand and take care of your valuable investment.
What To Expect
The inspection provides an invaluable learning and discovery experience during which your questions can be answered on the spot. We wholeheartedly encourage you to accompany us during the inspection.
First Class Property Inspection offers a non-invasive visual inspection designed to pinpoint those material defects and household components that may compromise the structure of your home and cost you dearly down the line. A home inspection not only allows you to avoid nasty surprises and potentially grueling negotiations with savvy buyers, but it will ensure your property - whether you are buying or selling - is as safe, livable and valuable as possible.
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Inspections can help you buy or sell your home. As trained professionals we have seen it all, and we'll provide invaluable help in turning you into a knowledgeable consumer.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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