Did you know that properly using a programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways you can save energy, money, and help fight global warming? Qualified programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering four pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature in both summer and winter — when you are asleep or away.

The average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills — nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.

Jennifer from the tiny old house-blog writes her thoughts and views on the Honeywell 5-2 Day programmable thermostat.

We saved 19 therms a month, simply by installing a programmable thermostat! Installing the thermostat took about 20 minutes of our lives. WELL worth it! We have definitely saved our $30 many times over.

A septic tank, the key component of a septic system, is a small scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by private corporations or local governments. Septic systems are a type of On-Site Sewage Facility. In North America approximately 25% of the population relies on septic tanks; this can include suburbs and small towns as well as rural areas. In Europe they are generally limited to rural areas only.

The term “septic” refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that develops in the tank and which decomposes or mineralizes the waste discharged into the tank. Adding a supplemental bacterial agent to the tank may accelerate the digestion of solids in the tank. Septic tanks can be coupled with other on-site wastewater treatment units such as biofilters or aerobic systems involving artificial forced aeration.

The UK DIY-blog reports that a recent statement to the US congress has suggested that home owners failing to look after or properly maintain their residential septic systems have the potential of causing lasting damage to the surrounding environment by contaminating the areas ground water and potentially posing a health risk to their home.

Those of you that own a septic system, how do you take care of it?

In the average household lighting contributes to about 15% of the electricity bill. Replacing standard light bulbs with energy saving bulbs can reduce the amount of electricity consumed by one fifth. Although a little more expensive, energy saving bulbs on average last ten times longer than conventional bulbs.

Homeowners with a central heating system can make further savings by fitting thermostatic radiator valves. This type of valve controls the flow of hot water to the radiator and as the heat level reaches the pre-set temperature the flow is reduced; as the room temperature falls the hot water flow is increased and more heat is generated.

Thermostatic radiator valves allow different temperatures to be set in different rooms. So in cold weather the rooms used more frequently can be heated at a higher temperature than rooms that are unoccupied or rarely used, making the central heating system far more energy efficient.

If buying new electric appliances look for those that have an Energy Saving Recommended label. These appliances have been independently tested and found to be more energy efficient without impairing performance. Domestic appliances tested under the scheme include fridges, washing machines, dishwashers etc. 

The energy consumed by televisions, DVD players and hi-fi systems left on standby makes up a staggering 8% of an average household electricity bill. So when not using these appliances - switch them off.

Next: Energy saving grants

Insulation is the first line of defence in the fight against high energy bills, for around half the heat lost in a typical home escapes through the walls and the roof. It is estimated that around 25% of heat is lost through an un-insulated loft, costing the average household £155 per year. And although the sparrows perched on your roof will have warm feet, they won’t be contributing towards your heating bills.

Image supplied by North Cornwall District Council

Image supplied by
ComfiZone.co.za

Fortunately, a number of easy to install loft insulation materials are available to remedy this problem. These will either come in the form of rolls of blanket insulation or in bags of loose-fill insulation, both of which are laid between the joists.

Blanket insulation is made from mineral wool and is available in large rolls. Although an effective insulation material it can cause skin irritation and care should be taken when laying this material. Today there are a number of alternatives to mineral wool including sheep’s wool and recycled plastic bottles. This highlights the growing demand for building materials that are ecologically friendly as well as providing a cost effective solution.

Loose fill insulation comes in bags and is poured between the ceiling joists. The most common type of loose-fill insulation is vermiculite granules (a crushed igneous rock); other materials used for this form of insulation are cork granules, mineral wool and cellulose fibre.

Whatever insulation material you choose it is crucial to lay it at the correct thickness to achieve maximum thermal efficiency. The Energy Saving Trust - a non-profit organisation set up to promote the efficient use of energy - recommends a thickness of 270mm for all loft insulation.

Many homeowners already with loft insulation may find it has been laid at a thickness well short of this figure. One reason for this is that in the past it was considered adequate to install insulation to the top of the ceiling joists, which would achieve a thickness of 100mm to 150mm.

If the blanket insulation in your loft is not the correct thickness, simply add another layer or layers of insulation until the recommended thickness of 270mm is achieved. Shallow ceiling joists, however, present a different problem if loose fill insulation has not been installed to the correct depth. To create the required depth of 270mm it will be necessary to fix lengths of timber to the top of the joists. Once again this is not a difficult job and well within the capabilities of anyone with even limited DIY experience.

Next: Cavity wall insulation

You can read more articles like this at http://www.lets-do-diy.com

Creating A Greener Home, One Room At A Time

Considering the deteriorating state of the planet today, it’s about time we start taking more of an active interest in the environment. Perhaps it’s upcoming election, escalating home heating costs, rising gas prices - whatever it takes to get people to take more of a vested interest in the environment! While big-ticket issues like these are very important, there are plenty of things that you and I can do on the home front that make a difference. Living a greener life is very possible and affordable and many companies are banking on this. From hybrid cars, to bedroom furniture made from sustainably harvested lumber - going green has never been easier. Since so much of your time is spent at home, let’s go over some simple ways that you can make your living space greener.

1.) Clean Up The Air: You might be surprised by the amount of toxins and pollutants floating around in your home. Paints and varnishes continue to release chemicals into the air called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), they were applied. By bringing in more air from outside, you’ll help to circulate the existing air and make it safer to breathe. Since most home heating and cooling systems don’t automatically bring fresh air inside, by opening windows and doors, by operating window or attic fans - even by running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increased the outdoor ventilation rate. By installing local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors, you immediately remove contaminants directly from the room. It’s also recommended that you invest in a couple of air purifiers, especially in rooms where you spend a lot of time like the bedroom, nursery and TV room. By painting using certified low VOC paints you also cut down on the amount of harmful chemicals in your daily life.

2.) Buy Organic: Sure, you can buy organic fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy products, but did you know that you can also buy organic rugs and bedding? Most rugs and carpeting are chemically Treated, but with the recent increase in availability of organic and natural fabrics, you the consumer can now opt for greener floor and bed coverings. Bamboo is a great option in both rugs and bedding. With natural anti-bacterial qualities, bamboo is also hypoallergenic. Organic cottons and wools are also being used more and more frequently in home accent pieces and bed linens. Reading the labels when shopping for organic rugs and linens is important. Rugs made from natural fibers like sisal, jute, seagrass and coir are great options. Memory-foam pillows made from soy-based foam are also great options for living an eco-friendly life.

3.) Green Furniture: If you are in the market for any new furniture, consider doing a little research before buying and seek out brands that employ eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. Lifestyle Solutions, for example creates a whole line of bedroom furniture using sustainably harvested tropical hardwoods. Another leading furniture manufacturer, Vaughan-Bassett partakes in the "One For One Program", in which they replace every tree used in the manufacturing of their bedroom furniture, with a brand new tree. For those of you that are a bit craftier, refinishing your existing furniture is an economical and eco-friendly way to improve your home. By using low VOC stains and varnishes, you can improve the appearance of your older furniture, while being green, all at the same time.

4.) Green Lighting:: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year - that’s more than $600 million in annual energy costs! Not only do these compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) emit a clearer, cooler kind of light, but they also use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. While they might cost a little bit more up front, that cost is certainly offset by the long term benefits.