A Few Savvy Ways to Save on Electric

Sick and tired of one high electric bill after another? With winter weather as cold as this, we're not surprised that you're utilizing a little extra power to keep your toes feeling toasty and warm.

No reason to sacrifice cost for comfort. We have a few savvy ways you can save on electric:

Run appliances at night. Utility companies tend to charge higher rates during the day time because they know most people are about and awake. Therefore, you'll be able to save by running the washer machine at night. You can also confirm with your local utility company what their on and off peak hours are.

Try a light roof color. It's true! Home's with darker roofs spend almost 20% more in air conditioning charges than homes with lighter roofs. This is especially true in warm and sunny weather.

Replace filters. Dirty and old filters make your furnace work much harder than it has to, and trust us - your furnace is not the one paying for it.

Insulate properly. It only takes one air leak or improperly insulated area to let an abundance of hot or cold air into your home. To avoid paying double for your HVAC systems, take the time to weatherstrip and insulate accordingly.

There's an app for that! Want more personalized ways you can slash electric costs in your home? Apps, such as Bidgely, are available to help you find ways to save.

Mad you didn't think of these before we did? Don't be! That's what we're here for.

Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter offers all of the plumbing, sewer and drain services you need to keep your home up and running perfectly. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information. 

Putting a Stop to Those High Heating Bills

Colder days are coming to New York and to keep our toes toasty we love cranking up that heat. However, the quicker you crank it the quicker you'll see those heating bills fly up with it.

There are a few simple things we can do to maintain costs that we often just forget about. Here's a quick reminder so you can see 5-10% of savings on your heating bills this winter:

Set your thermostat back a few degrees. Set the heat to turn on only when you need it. For example, if your out all day at work or school, set it to turn on only an hour before you usually arrive home.

Replace your furnace filter once a month. This prevents your furnace from clogging and shutting down - making it more efficient.

Keep cold air out of your home. Stick old towels, rugs, sweatshirts at the base of your door to seal out any cracks that are letting cold air in.

For emergency heating repairs this season, call us at 877.713.8136. We'll have your system fixed in no time! Visit our website for more information.

Tips for Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning

According to the ACEEE, air conditioning accounts for almost 200 million tons of carbon emission annually. The best way to immediately save money and energy wasted on your cooling equipment is to reduce the need for air conditioning in your home.

Here are a few ways you can cool off your home this summer without air conditioning:

1. Keep sun from beaming through the windows - Whether you have to keep shades down during the day or put house plans in front of extra sunny windows, you want to avoid trapping the sun's heat in your home like a greenhouse.

Image Courtesy of pakorn/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2. Keep windows closed during the day and open at night - On hot summer days, it is unlikely opening your windows will add any cool air to your home. Instead, keep them shut during the day and only open them at night if there is a cool evening breeze. However, be sure to close everything back up before the sun hits your home each morning.

3. Insulate - Improving insulation, specifically in the attic, prevents heat from entering your home. If you do need to have your air on from time to time, this will help trap and retain cool air in your home well after shutting it off.

4. Get rid of bad lighting - Incandescent light bulbs and other forms of modern lighting produce as much heat as they do light.  By keeping the lights off or replacing them with more efficient fixtures, you can save your home from a lot of unnecessary heat.

5. Use fans to create ventilation - Use ceiling fans and stand-alone fans to create a in-house breeze. However, fans don't actually lower the temperature of the room, they just create a more comfortable environment, so make sure you shut them off when you leave the room.

6. Keep your body cool - If you avoid allowing your body to heat up, then you won't need as much cooling down. Avoid using the stove during hot summer months and consume cold meals instead. Salad over soup and icy beverages over hot tea are simple choices that will keep your body temperature down. A nice swim in the pool or a cool shower never hurts either!

7. Plant a tree - planting a tree on the side of your house that gets the most sun will help to block heat from getting into your home. Obviously, this is not an option for everyone given the nature of your property, but is an efficient and natural option for those who can.

For other tips and tricks on home maintenance and energy savings, LIKE us on Facebook.

How to save Money on Your Energy Costs

We're talking about ways to save again. Between everything you have to pay for in your home, it is normal to find that the price is becoming overwhelming. That's why NY Plumbing and Sewer wants to share with you a 3-step plan by Oprah, from basic to advanced, that helps you curb your energy costs:

1. Do a home energy audit: If you know your home, you are better equipped to manage the energy it is using. Certified energy raters can identify the extent of air leakage with a blower door test. For this test, they put a powerful fan in your doorway which sends air through your home and all the tiny holes that may be letting in cold or heat. A home energy audit would require no personal labor and costs up to $500.

2. Identify leaky spots: Air infiltration is one of the easiest problems to correct and may be part of wasted energy in your home, especially if your home was built before 1970. Sealing leaky spots in your home can save you as much as 9 percent on your energy bill and all it takes is a trip to the hardware store for a caulking gun and some caulk. Moderate labor is required, however, the cost is low (under $50).

3. Reinsulate your home: Even with the heat or A/C turned all the way up, it is impossible to keep a good temperature in your home if your walls are not insulated properly. Places to check for poor insulation are your attic, basement, and crawl spaces. Different kinds of insulation are valued at different prices and it may take a few years to cover the investment. However, as many investments go, reinsulating home saves you money in the long run, especially if you have already done a home energy audit and identified leaky spots in your home. Both the labor and costs associated with reinsulating your home are high in the short run. 

For all heating services and installations, call us at 718-514-7145. Let us know what you think of this 3-step plan on our Facebook page.