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It’s not hard to see: A few of them can hook up a stationary cycle to a battery pack and then pedal off while they imagine a peaceful life in the Brazilian rain forests.
It takes about 10 minutes to crank the toaster. There are many ways to reduce your summer energy costs that you may not have considered.
These are some realistic options for homeowners:
* Make your yard work for you. It is well-known that strategically placed greenery can increase the house’s overall value. “curb appeal.”You’re right! You can also add trees, shrubs, and vine-covered trellises to protect yourself from the scorching sun.
“Trees reduce bills not just by shading your house, but by cooling the air by releasing moisture,”Asa Foss from the U.S. Green Building Council spoke to AARP.
* Ceiling fans are your new best bud. This little trick can help reduce electricity consumption by air conditioners. “[Running fans] counterclockwise will push hot air up in the summer”This is your goal “and clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months,” advises U.S. News & World Report.
* Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. If you don’t have what Jason Joplin, Program Manager at the Center for Advancement of Roofing Excellence calls, it might be a good idea to just send your utility company a blank cheque. “a continual flow of air to help protect the efficiency of your attic’s insulation.”That is what the problem is: excessive moisture buildup on your roof’s bottom in winter. This can be from seemingly benign sources such as appliances, showers, or cooking vapors. Then, the condensation moisture eventually soaks the insulation.
Joplin’s suggestion to prevent the problem? A properly balanced ventilation system, consisting of Cobra Ridge Vent (installed on the ridge) & Cobra IntakePro Pro (installed on the eave).gaf.comNorth America’s largest roofing manufacturer,. “Both work in tandem to allow cool, fresh air to enter at the eave edge while forcing moist, super-heated air out of the ridge vent,”He elaborates.
* Beware sneaky thermostats. Although your large-screen TVs and lamps are sure to make you the envy of the neighbors, they can be costly if placed next to thermostats. “The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary,”Home Energy Saver is recommended.
Be quick and move them.
