Thursday, June 24, 2010
Important Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Plumbing Contract
Household plumbing problems can cause anxiety and stress for many homeowners. Leaking pipes, water back-up, clogged drains and drippy faucets are not only annoying, but they often lead to more serious plumbing trouble such as water damage and mold. In a perfect world, we’d all have a reputable, trustworthy plumber on call any time of the day or night. But what if you don’t have that magic plumbing number taped to your fridge or printed on a business card stowed handily in your wallet?If you’ve decided that you need to bring in a professional to work on your home’s plumbing, there are some important areas to cover with your plumber before you sign a plumbing contract.
- Get Prices Up Front. No one likes to be surprised by hidden plumbing fees and additional plumbing charges. A good plumber will provide a complete estimate free of charge before beginning a plumbing project and will get your approval for any unforeseen fees that pop up as plumbing work goes on. Generally, you can expect to pay for hourly labor, parts and travel time; extra charges are almost always tacked on for emergency service. Keep in mind, though, that cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to plumbing. The best way to keep plumbing costs under control is to get a ballpark number up front.
- Choose The Right Plumber For Your Job. Plumbers fall into two general categories: those who work on emergencies like burst pipes and water back-up, and those who do installation and renovation. Hiring a plumber who doesn’t have experience doing the kind of work you need done is like flushing money down the drain. Make sure the plumber you hire is qualified to do your specific plumbing job; for example, even the trusted general plumber who never fails to come to the rescue when you have a plumbing emergencies might not be able to manage a bathroom remodel.
- Do Your Homework. All reputable plumbers are licensed, adequately insured and certified; every state has a set of standards that these plumbing professionals must adhere to in order to do business. Don’t rely on your plumber’s word, either. Check with your local regulating organization to make sure the plumbing company or contractor’s license and certification are current; ask about insurance policy coverage details; and get a list of references. A good plumber will provide this information (and more) willingly and will encourage you to do a background check before signing a plumbing contract.
- Get Everything in Writing. An honest plumber will provide a written estimate containing details of service fees, labor charges, cost of parts, and any other costs associated with your plumbing job. This simple piece of paper can not only help you budget, but will also prevent you from sticker shock and price gouging once your plumbing project is finished. A plumber who won’t give you this information in writing is probably not someone you want to hire.
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Monday, June 21, 2010
50+ Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer
Summer is the time of year when most homeowners' electric bills hit the roof. Air conditioning is the primary culprit in causing summer electric bills to rise, but other appliances in your home also get heavy usage in the summer and can cause your electric bill to skyrocket. In honor of today being the first day of summer, here are 52 easy tips that you can do all summer long to keep your electric bill in check, stay cool and still enjoy the summer season to its fullest.- The ideal thermostat setting is between 75 and 78 degrees in the summertime. Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature when using your air conditioning. Moving the thermostat up just one degree could lower your electric bill as much as 3 to 5 percent.
- Keep air conditioner filters clean. Aluminum mesh filters may be washed; fiberglass filters should be replaced, usually on a monthly basis.
- Get an air conditioning tune-up. Your air conditioner will run more efficiently with a lower risk of breaking down.
- Keep air vents and ducts clear of obstructions.
- Use duct tape to seal cracks and leaks on any sections of air duct on your central air conditioning system.
- Close the drapes on the sunny side of the house during the day.
- Leave storm windows and doors in place when the air conditioner is running.
- If you leave your home for vacation or extended period, leave your air conditioner off.
- If you cool your home with window air conditioning units, place them on the north side of the house. Keep window air conditioner vents free from obstructions.
- Keep lamps, TV sets and appliances away from your thermostat. Heat from these devices can cause your air conditioning system to run longer or unnecessarily.
- When you turn on your air conditioner, do not set the thermostat at a lower than normal temperature. It will not cool the room any faster, but it will use more electricity.
- Clean your outside condenser coil once a year by spraying with a hose at low pressure.
- Plant shade trees and shrubs around your home to shield from sunlight and heat.
- Apply reflective film on all south facing windows to reduce solar heating of your home's interior.
- Use window or whole house fans to ventilate your home. Use ceiling fans to cool kitchens and other hot indoor rooms and to evenly distribute conditioned air.
- Take brief, cool showers with minimal hot water. Showers use less water and energy than baths.
- Install a low-flow shower head; it can reduce water usage by 50-70 percent.
- Set your hot water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.
- Insulate the pipes going into and out of the hot water heater tank. Add an insulated blanket around your water heater if it's an older model.
- Turn the water heater off when you're gone longer than a weekend.
- Run your dishwasher only when it's full.
- Replace conventional light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent lLght (CFL) bulbs. This will save up to 75 percent in lighting energy, produce more light and last up to 10 times longer.
- Use one large light bulb rather than several small ones. A 100-watt bulb produces more indoor light and uses less energy than two 60-watt bulbs.
- Switch to tungsten-halogen incandescent bulbs; they cut lighting costs by about 15 percent.
- Use low-watt bulbs where lighting is not critical.
- Use dimmer switches in as many rooms as possible.
- Dust your light bulbs. Dust on bulbs can reduce light output by up to 50%.
- Place floor lamps and hanging lamps in corners. The reflection off the walls will give you more light.
- Turn off all lights, TVs, stereos and radios if no one will be in the room.
- Set your refrigerator temperature between 36 degrees and 40 degrees. Set freezer temperature between 0 degrees and 5 degrees. Use a refrigerator/freezer thermometer to check the settings.
- Wash full loads of clothes in the coolest water possible. Rinse clothes in cold water.
- Toss a dry towel into your dryer to absorb moisture from the load of moist clothes. Your dryer won't have to run as long.
- Be sure to clean your dryer's lint filter after every load
- Place full loads of clothing in the dryer, but don't overload.
- Don't over-dry clothes. Stop running the dryer as soon as clothes are dry, or use the moisture sensor control to automatically shut ohe dryer off.
- Dry multiple loads of clothing one right after another. The dryer is already heated so, you'll use less energy because the dryer is already heated.
- Skip the dryer altogether. Hang your clothes on a clothes line to dry in the sun.
- Let warm foods cool to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator.
- Place the refrigerator away from the stove, dishwasher, heat vents and direct sunlight.
- Keep refrigerator door closed as much as possible. Don't make unnecessary trips to the fridge.
- Keep the freezer full. A full freezer loses less cold air when you open the door.
- Defrost freezers when the frost builds up to 1/4" thick.
- Vacuum dust and dirt from refrigerator coils so refrigerator runs more efficiently.
- Try to cook several items in the oven at the same time.
- Avoid pre-heating your oven whenever possible.
- Use the microwave for items that need a quick cooking or reheating.
- Use crockpots and slow cookers whenever possible.
- Defrost foods before baking or microwaving; it will use 1/3 less energy than starting with frozen food.
- If you're going to clean your oven, use the self-cleaning cycle right after you finish baking. That will give the self-cleaning cycle a head start in heating the oven.
- Give your oven and stove a vacation. Barbecue or grill outdoors whenever possible.
- Switch from a desktop to a laptop computer. Laptops use much less electricity and throw off much less heat.
- Go outside! Take advantage of the warm weather and extended sunlight. Eat, read, talk and have fun outside as much as you can!
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Monday, June 14, 2010
Hybrid Appliances Aim to Solve Energy Crisis
Have you seen the new horror/science fiction movie Splice in which scientists combine the DNA of different animals to create incredible new hybrid animals? It's pretty scary stuff...especially when they start splicing together the genes of animals and humans. But outside of Hollywood, there are some other kinds of "genetic engineering" taking place that could have a major and beneficial impact in your home in the coming yearsThere’s a new movement quietly gaining momentum as we search for ways to reduce our energy dependence, improve our environmental outlook, and save money on rising utility costs. Part innovation and part science fiction, the technology of hybrid appliances is fast taking the scientific world by storm. Here are some of the unusual and novel appliance and fixture combinations you may see in your home some day soon.
The Washing Machine Toilet:
At first, putting a washing machine together with a toilet sounds downright unsanitary. But upon closer examination, the idea is fairly brilliant. The washing machine does a load of laundry as usual, but then stores the waste water from the rinse cycle and uses it to flush the toilet when it’s needed. Using dirty water to get rid of…well…dirty water just kind of makes sense, doesn’t it? Users will cut down on water consumption while solving another common household problem: limited space. By combining a bulky appliance that normally takes up a lot of space with a necessity already found in every single home and apartment in the country, the washing machine toilet could prove a god-send to those in a serious space-crunch.
Developed by a Turkish engineer, the washing machine toilet was recently entered in the Greener Gadgets design competition. Though it’s still in conceptual development, this hybrid appliance could revolutionize the way we do our laundry and our “business.”
The Toilet Sink:
If it’s good enough to get set up with the washing machine, why not pair the toilet with the sink, too? The toilet sink is meant to be another space-saver and reduces water consumption, too.
How does it work? The water in the toilet tank and bowl combine with gravity to flush waste. Fresh water then flows into each receptacle. With the sink feature, this fresh water can be diverted to the tap where it flows out just like a normal sink. The water that drains from the sink then flows back into the toilet bowl where it stays until the toilet is flushed again. So you’re always washing your hands with fresh water, but you may be flushing the toilet with grey water on occasion.
The downside of this neat little device is that you’d have to lean directly over the toilet seat to use the sink, so just be sure to keep the bowl clean!
The Tanning Shower:
It’s every prom queen’s dream: a shower that gives you a tan while you lather, rinse, and repeat.
Made by ProSun International, the SunShower was first introduced in 2006 when it won an award for best bath product at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.
According to ProSun, the tanning shower emits a balanced, gentle UV light spectrum that’s similar to natural sunlight. It allows the user to tan just a little bit with each shower, rather than experience the UVA and UVB bombardment of one 10 or 15 minute session in a traditional tanning booth. Supposedly, this gradual tanning is easier on the body.
While there’s as yet no proof that these claims are true, tanning enthusiasts are already snapping up these powder room novelties.
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Thursday, June 10, 2010
Green Home Construction on the Rise
New Energy-Efficient Designs Now Represent 17% of All New Home ConstructionEven as home sales continue to struggle through this recession, green home building is one real estate sector that’s thriving.
According to recent data, more than 1 million homes have been certified by the government’s Energy Star program since it began in 1995 and more than 75,000 more were added in 2009 alone. In 2008, homes with the Energy Star rating accounted for almost 17% of all new single-family dwellings built, which marked a more than 5% increase from 2007.
The Energy Star label may be familiar to many consumers—the seal appears on all kinds of appliances and household electronics—but Energy Star home construction is a relatively new concept.
In order to receive the Energy Star seal of approval a home must be at least 20% more energy-efficient than similar new houses. Generally, Energy Star homes have more efficient lighting, insulation, windows, heating and cooling systems, and appliances.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification program is not the only one to report growth in eco-friendly home construction. There are also several private and not-for-profit organizations that certify green homes, including the United States Green Building Council and the National Association of Home Builders.
These private groups also report significant increases in green-certified new home construction despite an overall 30% slide in new homes built or completed by October 2008.
Nate Kredich of the US Green Building Council, a group whose rating standards are even stricter than those of the Energy Star program, says that the council’s number of certified homes has risen from just over 1,100 in 2008 to more than 3,000 in 2009. Though the increase is small, Kredich notes that growth has been steady and suggests that more and more homeowners are considering greener alternatives to traditional residential construction.
Kevin Morrow, from the National Association of Home Builders, echoes Kredich’s assertions. The NAHB certified just 99 green homes in 2008; in 2009, that number jumped to nearly 600. As Morrow suggests, the increased interest in green home construction is driven by consumers looking to save money on their energy and utility bills, and to reduce their impact on the environment.
And it’s not just new construction that’s going green. A recent USA Today poll showed that more than 68% of homeowners surveyed made home improvements designed to make their houses more energy efficient. Of those, nearly 72% said it was to save money on utilities, while almost 30% said the changed were prompted by concerns about the environment.
Regardless of their motivation, homeowners are clearly impacting the way new houses are built. Typical best-sellers are those products that pay for themselves quickly—like solar panels, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, or major appliances like dishwashers and light fixtures. Price is a key factor, as many consumers are willing to pay a little extra up front to ensure considerable savings in the long run.
As energy prices continue to rise and concerns about the environment reach the mainstream, most building experts expect green construction and renovation initiatives to increase in popularity. At Horizon Services, we believe it; our heating and air conditioning technicians are seeing more and more Energy Star certified homes in our Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland service area. Soon, we predict, these eco-friendly options may be the norm rather than just a passing trend.
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Monday, June 7, 2010
Are Plastic Pipes Right For Your Home?
Get the Lead Out...More Plumbing Contractors are Pushing Plastic Piping Than Ever Before!Remember that famous line from The Graduate? "I only have one word for you, Ben...plastics." These days, plastics has become THE WORD when it comes to pipe material for your home's plumbing, drain and sewer line systems.
We all know that lead pipes are bad. Thankfully, most new homes and remodeled plumbing systems now use alternatives including copper, bronze, and iron pipes. Plastic pipes are yet another option that is quickly gaining popularity with homeowners and plumbing contractors.
Plastic piping is versatile. They can be made virtually without joints, which means no leaks, easy installation, less maintenance, and fewer problems down the road.
Because it’s so adaptable, plastic plumbing is generally cheaper than other options and you can save significantly on labor and installation charges.
Extensive testing has proven that plastic is durable and hard-wearing, lasting a hundred years or more in some cases. Plastic pipes outperform copper and other metals by dozens of years.
As an environmentally responsible option, plastic pipes are well beyond any other material. They can be recycled or made from post-consumer content, which makes them a green choice for concerned homeowners.
So it’s clear that there are lots of advantages to using plastic pipes over metal or other pipe materials. But is plastic piping really the right choice for your home? To answer that question, it’s important to know a little bit about the different kinds of plastic pipes that are available.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) are the most popular choices for plastic plumbing pipes. PVC is that stiff, rigid white plastic that we’ve all seen in various applications, from furniture to toys. PVC pipe is made from a plastic and vinyl combination material. The pipes are durable, hard to damage, and long lasting. A PVC pipe does not rust, rot, or wear over time. For that reason, PVC piping is most commonly used in water systems, underground wiring, and sewer lines. PVC pipe can be glued together with a special chemical solvent or fused and melted together by heat.
CPVC pipes are similar to PVC pipes but they are manufactured with a special chlorination production process. CPVC pipes share most of the features and properties of standard PVC pipes, but with a few differences. CPVC generally offers greater chemical and heat resistance. Structurally, CPVC is more ductile than standard PVC, providing greater crush and corrosion resistance.
Polyethylene (PE) is a flexible plastic that can be bent and shaped into just about any configuration. This kind of pipe can be curved around corners, which eliminates the need for fittings and significantly reduces the risk of leaks. Sections of PE pipe are usually joined using clamps or are melted together using heat. PE is slightly translucent and colorless; it’s a popular choice for geothermal heating systems, sprinkler systems, and other kinds of water supply systems.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a hard black plastic pipe material that is similar to PVC, but generally cheaper. ABS is only appropriate for use in drainage lines and systems.
The growing popularity of plastic plumbing pipes has turned the head of many a plumbing contractor so it’s likely that yours will have an opinion about its use and appropriateness for your home. If plastic pipes are an option you’d like to consider, be sure to talk it over with your plumbing contractor. Only a trained professional can tell you if plastic is a smart way to go and should be able to give you more information about the types of plastic pipes that could work in your home.
If you have questions about whether plastic piping and pipe material are right for your home, contact Horizon Services. Our experienced plumbing, drain and sewer line professionals can give you a complete overview of plastic piping as well as other pipe material and help you make an informed decision.
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Save, Save, Save with High Efficiency Toilets
All Toilets Are Not Created Equal!You probably don’t realize it, but your toilet uses more water than any other appliance in your house. The average toilet in the US is responsible for about 30 percent of a household’s total water consumption each year. A high efficiency toilet is a great way to cut down on water consumption, using less water per flush and chopping your home’s water use in half.
Over the last five decades, American water consumption has increased a whopping 209 percent, and the average American uses more than 100 gallons of water every day. That’s the equivalent of 584,000 glasses of water per person each year! When you consider that toilets comprise at least 30 percent of that annual usage, it makes sense to look for alternatives like high efficiency toilets to help reduce consumption.
In order to understand how high efficiency toilets can make a difference, it helps to review a bit of toilet history. Before 1980, toilets used about five gallons of water per flush. Between 1980 and 1994, improvements in technology pushed the industry standard back to about 3.5 gallons per flush, where it remains today. A high efficiency toilet, however, uses just 1.5 gallons or less per flush than your typical toilet in use today.
If you were to replace just one toilet in your home with a high efficiency toilet, you could save nearly 4000 gallons of water per person every year. If your bathroom fixtures are older or you have a toilet that leaks, you can save even more with a high efficiency toilet. If every home in America replaced one toilet with a high efficiency toilet, we could save an astounding 900 billion gallons of water each year!
So, high efficiency toilets are clearly a smart choice for the environment. But what about your pocketbook?
It’s no secret that eco-friendly choices in home improvement often help you save money on utility costs; high efficiency toilets are no exception. Installing a high efficiency toilet in your home can save you about $90 on your water bill annually, and as much as $2000 over the life of the toilet. Your high efficiency toilet will pay for itself several times over before it wears out—a very smart investment. What’s more, because you’ll be using less water by using a high efficiency toilet, you’ll be doing your part to reduce strain on your municipal water supply. Waste treatment, water purification, maintenance of city pipes and sewers, and everything else that has to happen every time you flush your toilet all cost money. So cutting back on your home’s water use is good for everyone.
Before you purchase a high efficiency toilet, talk to a representative at your local water supplier for information about rebates or discounts that may be offered in your area. In most cases, these rebates range anywhere from $25 to $175 or more. Whether you want to replace an old, inefficient toilet, are concerned about water conservation, or are in the market for a new toilet, consult a toilet retailer for more information about high efficiency toilets. And, of course, the plumbing professionals from Horizon Services are always available to help you install your new high efficiency toilet and provide reliable plumbing service 24/7/365!
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