Shave Bucks off Energy Bills

by Thomas Kraeutler

It may not be the coldest winter on record, but most heating systems are cranked up enough that your energy bills grab your attention. If you think you can't do anything to cut your gas, electric, oil and water bills, take a look at my "Top 5" energy saving tips:

1. Clean Machines - When heating system boilers are not kept clean, mineral and combustion deposits build up. The "dirt" reduces the ability of a natural gas or oil flame to heat your water. The result? It takes much more energy (and dollars) for you to get hot water. To make sure you get all the energy you pay for, have the boiler professionally cleaned at least once a year.

2. Drafty Ducts - If you have a forced air system, examine all the ducts for air leaks at the seams. Leaks in the unheated areas, like the attic, basement or crawlspace, are especially wasteful. If you find a drafty seam, fix it by wrapping the seam with high quality duct tape. The wide metal duct tape is best. It's a little more expensive than cloth or plastic tape, but it won't dry out and fall off during the heating season.

3. Trickling Toilets - Toilets are one of the most used and least understood home appliance. They basically have only two moving parts: the flush valve, which lets water out of the tank and down the drain; and the fill valve, which lets the toilet fill up after the flush cycle is complete. Small leaks in these valves can cost thousands of gallons of water per year. Here's how to tell if your valves are leaking:

Flush valves
Open the top of the tank and pour a small amount of food coloring in the water. Close the tank. After an hour, check the bowl. If you see any colored water in the bowl, the flush valve is leaking and should be replaced.

Fill valves
Open the top of the tank and find the hollow plastic pipe which sticks up from the bottom of the tank. The water level should be about one inch below the top of the pipe. If the water level is even with the top, the fill valve may be leaking or improperly adjusted and should be repaired or replaced. Next, flush the toilet and watch the top of the valve. If any water squirts up, you may have a leaky seal which also means you need a new fill valve.

The good news is both these valves are easy to replace and cost less than $10 each. Fluidmaster makes good replacement valves with clear instructions that teach you how to do the job. They are available at most hardware stores and home centers.

4. Worn-Out Windows - Did you know that every 15 minutes all the heated air can wind up outside? Known as "air changes per hour", a drafty home can have four or more every 60 minutes. That's why tight windows are essential. If you have older windows without storm windows - get them. Or consider vinyl replacement windows. Thanks to new technology, installing replacement windows is not the huge construction project it use to be. However, be careful with window contractors. Every year a number of folks wind up paying far too much for poor or average quality windows. Do some research, think before you buy and don't feel pressured by salesmen who won't leave before you sign on the dotted line.

5. Don't Wait to Insulate - Your home loses about 80% of its heat through the attic, about 15% through the walls and the remaining 5% through the floor. Adding extra insulation to the attic or walls is always a good improvement. Cost is usually low and pay backs are quick. When insulating, be sure to wear a long sleeve shirt, gloves, pants and buy a dust mask to protect yourself against inhaling the fiberglass particles.

 

Tom Kraeutler is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight when their basement floods. He earned his home improvement stripes as a professional home inspector, amassing over 20 years experience learning how houses are put together, and how they fall apart! Tom appears regularly on CNN, MSNBC, The History Channel, HGTV and the DIY Network. He's a columnist for House Beautiful and do! Magazine and his work has been featured in Smart Money, Reader's Digest and in hundreds of daily newspapers across the nation.