Repairs & Maintenance   -   Energy Efficient

• Green Electricity: Power for the New Millenium
  Green electricity is not a modern form of energy; it is a modern way of thinking about electricity and how it is produced. In today's "environmentally friendly" society, conventional sources of energy are becoming less feasible due to their harmful effects on the environment. "Green" or "Clean" electricity is an industry-coined term that describes environmentally "low-impact" power derived from renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, small-scale hydroelectric and biomass. Until recently, the environmentally aware consumer could limit their energy consumption but had no control over how their electricity was generated. Presently, the utility industry is undergoing a process of transformation where power consumers can use environmentally low-impact electricity, similar to powering your vehicle with water instead of gasoline... [ read more ]
  
  
• Renovations: Exterior Upgrades Add Value
  If you live in an older house, chances are that you will want to update or replace cladding, doors and windows at some point. According to the Canadian Home Builders' Association, exterior renovations can give new life to a tired home and reduce maintenance significantly. At the same time, you can improve the energy efficiency, security and general comfort of your home. When you are ready to begin planning, talk with a professional renovator to get ideas and a sense of cost. Make sure it's someone who is experienced in exterior renovations and can offer you both sound technical advice and design assistance... [ read more ]
  
  
• Water, Water Everywhere, But Not For Very Long
  There's good reason to save water. 99.5% of the earth's fresh water sits frozen as polar icecaps, and they're not very portable. The rest is in aquifers, natural underground wells that, more and more frequently are rendered unusable by industrial waste. Keep in mind that miracles such as desalination aren't likely to help much because, quite simply, they cost too much. So what can you do? Plenty. Especially if you're remodeling your bathroom... [ read more ]
  
  
• Window Energy Treatments Can Save Money
  Window treatments have proven effective in combating the loss of energy through windows. Experts estimate that 20 to 30 percent of the heat escapes through the windows in winter, and a similar amount soaks back in through the windows in summer. Many homeowners would like to know how they can save on energy bills and decorate their windows at the same time... [ read more ]
  
  
• How to Keep Your Home Heating Costs Down This Winter
  Your furnace uses more energy than any other appliance in your house. Consequently, the cost of heating your house accounts for the biggest part of your energy bill - an overwhelming 60%. Even if you're using natural gas, which saves 40% to 60% over using electricity, oil or propane, winter can still hit you in the pocket book. If you're in the market for a new furnace, upgrading to a more efficient model could be the most effective way for you to improve your home's energy efficiency and save money on energy costs. And even if you're not ready to buy a new furnace, tuning up your existing one should help keep your winter heating bills down... [ read more ]
  
  
• Winter Blanket for Your Home
  Preventive maintenance will help you protect your investment in your home. As the temperature outside dips, the following tips are offered on home care.....[ read more ]
  
  
• Solar Development
  A Nicaraguan man steps up onto a tree root, takes the weight off his artificial limb and carefully climbs up on his donkey. Under one arm he holds a solar panel. It is a long ride through the hills to the next town. There he will install the panel, which may provide light to a hospital or community building, allow vaccines to be refrigerated, give children light to study by, or power radio communication... [ read more ]
  
  
• How To Choose a Natural Gas Barbecue
  Gone are the days when no self-respecting dedicated barbequer would be caught grilling dinner over a gas flame instead of charcoal or wood embers. Today, many people are switching over for the convenience and lower cost of cooking with gas. Getting that distinctive wood flavour, can easily be achieved by using a smoke box filled with wood chips... [ read more ]
  
  
• Insulation Tips
  A home without adequate insulation can be drafty, cold and expensive to heat. If your walls feel cold in the winter or your indoor air feels warmer than outside temperatures in summer, you likely need to upgrade your insulation... [ read more ]

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