Property Improvements

On paper, high-efficiency furnaces seem like a good investment in energy bills and the environment. There are levels of efficiency among the high-efficiency furnaces, and their prices reflect it. Your geographical location will help determine what level is adequate for you. To evaluate the upfront cost of a high-efficiency furnace, you should take a holistic view of your current furnace’s ongoing costs.

Energy prices fluctuate, especially during the wintertime. Homeowners can increase their home’s efficiency throughout these fluctuations by lowering their reliance on heating oil or natural gas. Of course, the advantage of improving energy efficiency is that it can provide cost-saving benefits year-round, including the summertime. Improving your home’s attic insulation is one of the best ways to increase overall efficiency. As much as 85 percent of the heat lost in a house passes through the attic.

Sealing around doors and windows is a moderate-to-difficult do-it-yourself project, according to the EPA’s Energy Star program. But don’t let that deter you – the materials are inexpensive, and the results can be significant for homes with inadequate caulking and weatherstripping. Combining sealing with other improvements, such as windows, doors, and insulation can further maximize energy efficiency.

A whole-house window replacement is an improvement investment with one of the most significant impacts on energy efficiency. Almost every exterior wall of your home has a window. Even if all exterior walls have proper insulation, an old single-pane window or poorly insulated frames will result in energy losses.

Autumn is an important season for home maintenance, as colder weather sets in. Both major and minor upgrades and repairs can significantly lower energy bills and give homeowners confidence. After all, the harsh winter weather that follows can wreak havoc on a home. In colder climates, winter is the most expensive season for homeowners due to heating costs. Since it is impossible to live in a four-season region without a functioning furnace or water heater, emergency repairs can pop up anytime.

Entertaining in the backyard is the perfect way to enjoy evenings with close family and friends, and we want to help you save money while you do it. Did you know that you could save money using outdoor LED lighting? We'll give you the scoop on what LED lighting is, how they're different from other types of lights, how they can save money, and of course, how to get the perfect look for your party vibe.
 

A violent tremor, moments of panic, floors that rumble and walls that groan. For those who experience an earthquake at home, the structure designed to be a safe haven poses the greatest threat. Especially for residents in soft-story dwellings – the wooden frame construction combined with ground floor parking results in weaker walls. When the ground trembles, these multi-family apartments risk collapsing and causing significant injuries, property damage and loss of life.

Dimmers, motion-activated switches, and light timers can all help lower your energy usage. In many cases, homeowners who pair their lighting control upgrades with high-efficiency bulbs or fixtures enjoy even greater savings. It’s important to understand, however, that these lighting control tools are not one-size-fits-all solutions.

Programmable thermostats have the potential to save homeowners a significant amount of money on their energy bills. As with any efficiency improvement, savings will depend on choosing the proper equipment and operating it correctly to maximize efficiency. Therefore, while programmable thermostats can often prove useful in reducing home energy costs, they are not a simple, one-size-fits-all fix.

Over the next 30 years in California, scientists predict the frequency of small earthquakes will decrease.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the chance of a major earthquake, magnitude 8.0 or greater, will increase.

Insulation projects are often focused on exterior walls and attics. While insulating these areas is essential, flooring insulation can also be a critical part of your house. Installing underfloor insulation can save money on their heating and cooling costs. This is especially true for homes without basements and those with unheated cellars. There is also the benefit of preventing your pipes from freezing and bursting if you live in a cold environment.

Low-flow plumbing may not seem like a vital efficiency improvement. However, considering that homeowners use showers, faucets, and toilets multiple times every day, such an upgrade makes perfect sense. Why are low-flow plumbing fixtures worthwhile? They can lower your water bill significantly. By some estimates, it takes a year or less to pay for the cost of buying and installing low-flow faucets and showerheads.