sherwood: Motivation: Stress Buster
- 07/27/11 03:35 AM
Stress is like dark chocolate. A little of it won’t kill you. In fact, small blocks here and there can be good for you. But chronic and severe stress can damage your body and mind, blocking the fluid communication to and from most organs–especially in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and in the limbic system, the brain’s emotional center. You want these two systems running as smoothly as possible, with low levels of the delinquent stress hormones in your bloodstream. This is why I always keep some stress busters handy. Here are nine of my favorites. 1. Simplify.Cut your to-do list … (0 comments)
sherwood: Question: What do you recommend regarding water heater insulation jackets?
- 07/20/11 08:21 AM
I dont recommend wrapping water heaters and neither do manufacturers. The theory is that wrapping a water heater with an insulating blanket or jacket helps slow heat loss, so your water heater doesn't have to run as often. But the reality is, newer high-efficiency water heaters are built with good interior insulation, so an extra layer of external insulation is unnecessary. If your water heater is more than 10 or 15 years old, it's approaching the end of its life expectancy anyway, so budgeting to replace it with a new, high-efficiency model is a better idea. Other issues to think … (1 comments)
sherwood: Ten thrifty ways to keep cool. Enjoy summer comfort minus big energy bills.
- 07/20/11 08:14 AM
When the temperatures soar, don't let your electric bill soar with it. Here are some wallet-wise ways to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer, whether you have air conditioning or not. Choose energy-efficient settings for your AC. Set the thermostat as high as is comfortable for you; 75 to 78 degrees is an energy-efficient range. To save more energy, you can raise the temperature about 4 degrees at bedtime and about 8 degrees when you're away from home for more than two hours. Try fans instead. If outside temperatures are just warm and not really sweltering, you might try … (2 comments)
sherwood: Make your clothes dryer more efficient
- 06/15/11 05:10 PM
How to clean your dryer vent and save energy. Every time you dry laundry, little bits of lint rub off. That lint builds up surprisingly fast. It can make your dryer work harder - wasting energy - and also create a potential fire hazard. Some lint ends up in your dryer's lint trap. Make it a habit to clean the trap after every load. But at least once a year, you should do a more extensive cleaning of the entire dryer vent system. Gather supplies Vacuum with hose attachment and/or a dryer vent brush (large brush on a long, flexible metal … (2 comments)
sherwood: Vacation checklist: Save while you’re away
- 06/15/11 01:33 PM
Important steps to take before you leave home.While you're relaxing on the beach, snapping photos with Mickey Mouse or bunking with the in-laws this summer, your lights, AC, electronics and other home energy users should be taking a summer break, too. Here are four simple steps to take before you step out the door.Pre-vacation checklist Turn off unnecessary lights. Leave on just one or two lights, and - unless these are compact fluorescent lights - put them on timers set to random patterns to make it look like someone is home. Photo sensors and motion detectors are good ideas for outdoor … (1 comments)
sherwood: Caulking and Weather Stripping
- 03/16/11 04:04 AM
Can you imagine having a 9-in. hole in your wall? Just think of the costs of heating or cooling your house with a hole that big. Now, did you ever think that you just might have the equivalent of that 9-inch hole in your house? Experts tell us that a quarter-inch crack around the perimeter of a typical 36-inch entry door can leak as much air as a 9-in.² hole. And that's only one door. Any air leaking around other doors or windows just makes that hole bigger. What This Means for You Since the typical US family spends close to … (3 comments)
sherwood: Ask Before You Hire
- 03/16/11 04:00 AM
Question to Ask a Contractor before You Hire After a damaging storm, it can be hard to find a contractor who will repair your home right away. Although it is tempting to rush into a contract with the first available builder or handyman, it is very important to take the time and check their licenses.Meet the contractor on site. Have a complete set of questions ready to ask. Make sure to interview more than one contractor and compare their estimates to see if the work, materials, schedule, and pricing are alike. If they are very different, be sure to ask why. … (1 comments)
sherwood: The Environmental Benefits of Plants and Landscaping
- 02/11/11 04:09 AM
"The Environment" isn't only out there somewhere on the slopes of a distant mountain. The areas where we and our children live, work and play are also increasingly a part of the environment. And the plants, lawns and landscapes which make these spaces livable for us also offer environmental benefits. Adding to their value is the fact that they deliver those benefits at or near the point of origin of some of the problem they help overcome, such as water pollution, air pollution and excessive storm runoff. Here are a few of those benefits: EROSION CONTROL - The roots of landscape … (0 comments)
sherwood: Ice Damming
- 02/02/11 04:29 AM
Ice dams are large build-ups of ice, the most visible manifestation being found at the bottom edge of the roof and gutters as icicles. A small amount of ice may not cause an immediate problem, but if the ice continues to build up, it will block the water flow down the roof, causing water to back up under the shingles and leak from areas such as the soffits, roof and chimney flashings and skylights into your house. Here's How it Happens Ice dams form when there is a blanket of snow on the roof. Heat from the attic melts snow … (0 comments)
sherwood: Smart Ways to Unclog a Drain
- 01/31/11 02:29 AM
With a few inexpensive household items, you can avoid a costly visit from the plumber by clearing drain clogs yourself. Using cola..Pour 3 cups of warm cola down your drain and let it sit overnight; the citric acid in the soda will break up any buildup in your pipes. In the morning, run hot water to help flush the remains. Dissolve it with fizz.Drop 3 denture tablets down the drain followed with a cup of vinegar. When mixed together, they bubble to dissolve drain buildup. After the bubbling stops, run hot water down the drain. Bubble break.Pour a 1/2 cup … (3 comments)
sherwood: Wood Flooring Choices
- 01/28/11 03:44 AM
Wood floors come in a variety of materials. When it comes to choosing the best floor for your needs, consider the room it will be used in, the subfloor/existing floor, preferable design and cost. Solid Hardwood Floor lasts the longest and can go through many refinishing cycles. Hardwood is an excellent design solution and comes in materials such as oak, maple and ash. Engineered Floor provides all the benefits of hardwood but does not require a subfloor. It can be refinished and installed on any surface. Engineered flooring is made of wood, but is not solid. It is a laminated … (0 comments)
sherwood: A Safe & Warm Winter
- 01/28/11 03:30 AM
Every winter homeowners turn to supplemental heat sources such as gas fireplaces, generators, space heaters, wood stoves and kerosene heaters to reduce home utility costs and stay warm. When using a supplemental heat source to save energy and money this winter, keep safety top of mind to prevent fire and Carbon Monoxide dangers - two of the most common winter safety hazards. Below is some safe heating advice. Keep space heaters at least three feet from people, pets or anything that can burn, especially furniture and curtains. Look for products that have built-in safety features like automatic shutoffs, anti-tipping devices … (0 comments)
Water is an essential to all our lives. But when it leaves its trace behind it can look messy. Here are some tips to remove some of these stubborn stains. Save leatherSpilled water on your leather couch or car seat? Just ball up a piece of fresh bread and blot at the water to remove it without leaving a stain behind. Revive wood furnitureWater rings on your wood table? Squirt some non-gel toothpaste onto a dry cloth and rub over the water rings. Let sit for a few hours, remove with a clean damp cloth and dry to a … (1 comments)
ABOUT VENTILATION Delivering the right amount of fresh air
All the effort that goes into creating tighter houses results in significant energy savings and greater comfort. But moisture, chemical toxins, and cooking odors can't dissipate as easily in a house with a tight envelope as in a leaky house. Opening a few windows may provide too much or too little ventilation, with adverse effects on comfort in either case. Even in houses where building materials and furnishings have been carefully chosen to reduce indoor air pollutants, some form of mechanical ventilation is a prerequisite for healthy occupants and … (3 comments)
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