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. 

World Water Day 2014

World Water Day 2014 is this Saturday, March 22nd. This year the UN System's attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality. This years key messages include: 

1. Water requires energy and energy requires water.

2. Supplies are limited and demand is increasing.

3. Saving energy is saving water. Saving water is saving energy.

4. The “bottom billion” urgently needs access to both water and sanitation services, and electricity.

5. Improving water and energy efficiency is imperative as are coordinated, coherent and concerted policies.

Read more at unwater.org.