Summer Energy Saving Tips

This time of year as the weather heats up, there are always lists of summer energy saving tips. And while most people know that replacing your conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, and not using your oven during the hottest part of the day are wise moves, there are some tips that do not immediately come to mind. For example, most people do not think about the placement of their secondary refrigerator or deep freezer as an energy hog. If either (or both!) of those are in an uninsulated area, such as a hot garage, then they are having to work even harder to stay cool, as opposed to if they were in an insulated room or basement. Many energy saving lists mention turning a dishwasher to the “air dry” option, instead of the heat drying cycle. However, most would not think about also doing other heat and moisture producing tasks when the day is cooler. Moisture in the home is going to mean humidity, after all. And while many people use an outdoor grill in the summertime, it is not typically as an energy saving measure—the grill will use less energy than the oven, and the air conditioner will not have to make up for the extra heat within the home. So, you have our permission: grill out soon, in the name of energy efficiency!

Routine Plumbing Maintenance

Everyone knows that routine maintenance is needed to keep things running smoothly on expensive items, that is no mystery. Cars get oil changes every three thousand miles. Home air conditioners get new filters every month. But most people do not think about routine plumbing maintenance in their homes, to keep it running as well. While plumbing problems should be left to qualified professionals, like those at Gehringer Mechanical, general maintenance can be within anyone's grasp. A sluggish bathroom drain can be avoided with periodic treatments of baking soda and hot water. Water filters in the refrigerator’s ice maker can be checked and changed. Sediment in a traditional-style hot water heater can be drained. Poorly preforming shower heads can be cleaned. All of these are easy treatments that could spare a homeowner from misery, days of trouble, and of course, costly repairs.