Many people do not know about the benefits of do it yourself air conditioning repair. In fact, there are people who are hesitant about do it yourself air conditioning repair because they think you need to be certified, which is why they do not do, do it yourself air conditioning repair. There are however some benefits to do it yourself air conditioning repair.
The number one benefit of do it yourself air conditioning repair is that do it yourself air conditioning repair is much cheaper than having to hire a technician to do repairs for you. Do it yourself air conditioning repair is not a hard task. There are many manuals and books that can show you how to perform do it yourself air conditioning repair. By using resources to learn do it yourself air conditioning repair jobs, you will save a lot of money that you can put into other things.
Another benefit of do it yourself air conditioning repair is that you will be learning a new skill. Do it yourself air conditioning repair is good to get you into the habit of learning how to do things yourself and can get you into the habit of doing your own repairs. Parts for do it yourself air conditioning repair are not expensive and can be done fairly cheap especially if you go to a parts supplier who sells parts at a discounted price.
One more benefit of do it yourself air conditioning repair is that you do not have to rely on a technician. Knowing how to perform do it yourself air conditioning repair tasks, if your air conditioner breaks down you do not have to wait for a technician to come to your home and diagnose the problem then go get parts and do all the tasks necessary to repair the problem. With do it yourself air conditioning repair, you do not have to wait for a repair man and you can diagnose the problem yourself, making completing repairs a much quicker task.
The benefits of do it yourself air conditioning repair will not only help you save more money, but it will also educate you in the areas of do it yourself air conditioning repair, and make you more independent so that you can perform your own repairs.
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Ready for a change? Geothermal Heat Pumps is one of the most energy efficient ways to cool and heat your house with little to no maintenance needed.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Geothermal Comfort: Investing in Savings
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) geothermal systems are,“the most energy- efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” Extremely high levels of efficiency are possible because a geothermal heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not produce it. A geothermal unit typically supplies four to five kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used. Three to four of these kilowatts of heat come directly from the earth itself, and are clean, free and renewable. Geothermal heat pumps also take advantage of the mild ground temperature for extremely high efficiency cooling. Most systems also include a hot water generator, which diverts a portion of the supplied heat to the domestic water heater. This provides a substantial portion of a family’s hot water needs at a very low cost. Overall, geothermal technology offers the highest cooling and heating efficiencies of any system available today.
Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground. By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficient comfort year around with a factory- tested and sealed packaged unit, without the need for a noisy outdoor fan, or a flue.
The environmental advantages of geothermal systems have caught the eye of governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Because geothermal technology is lowest in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to global warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. EarthPure® (R-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant is available for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps for an even friendlier system.
In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! As efficiency ratings increase, operating costs decrease. However, efficiency ratings alone do not tell the “whole story” when it comes to operating costs for homeowners. Fuel type, home construction, geographic location and thermostat settings are just some of the factors.
Over the years, geothermal systems have always been the leader in low operating costs. Recently, however, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. Now is the time to consider electric technologies like geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water needs.
Even a high efficiency natural gas furnace with a high efficiency air conditioner is still nearly twice the operating costs as a geothermal system. Since these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. standard efficiencies = 13 SEER efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment being replaced by a geothermal system would be even more dramatic. If the existing air conditioner is older, it may have an efficiency of between 8 and 10 SEER. Older furnaces could be as low as 65-70% efficient.
Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground. By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficient comfort year around with a factory- tested and sealed packaged unit, without the need for a noisy outdoor fan, or a flue.
The environmental advantages of geothermal systems have caught the eye of governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Because geothermal technology is lowest in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to global warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. EarthPure® (R-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant is available for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps for an even friendlier system.
In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! As efficiency ratings increase, operating costs decrease. However, efficiency ratings alone do not tell the “whole story” when it comes to operating costs for homeowners. Fuel type, home construction, geographic location and thermostat settings are just some of the factors.
Over the years, geothermal systems have always been the leader in low operating costs. Recently, however, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. Now is the time to consider electric technologies like geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water needs.
Even a high efficiency natural gas furnace with a high efficiency air conditioner is still nearly twice the operating costs as a geothermal system. Since these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. standard efficiencies = 13 SEER efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment being replaced by a geothermal system would be even more dramatic. If the existing air conditioner is older, it may have an efficiency of between 8 and 10 SEER. Older furnaces could be as low as 65-70% efficient.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Everything You Need To Know About Green Energy
Green energy refers to the use of power that is not only more efficient than fossil fuel but that is friendly to the environment as well. Green energy is generally defined as energy sources that don't pollute and are renewable.
There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydro power on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.
Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.
The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.
Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.
As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.
Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.
The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.
Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.
Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.
There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydro power on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.
Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.
The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.
Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.
As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.
Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.
The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.
Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.
Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.
Friday, October 23, 2009
DIY Preventative Maintenance
Its 6 p.m., a very hot 96 degrees with the humidity at about 80%, and you just got home. Of course, the a/c in your car didn’t quite have time to cool off before you got in the bumper to bumper traffic on the interstate, so you had to turn it off before the auto overheated. That’s OK. At least you remembered to leave your home a/c turned down to about 65 degrees.
You’ll cool off once inside and you shed the sweat soaked clothes. Just getting the house key in the hole makes you sweat. Then it hits you right in the face! A blast of hot air that has started your head pounding. No air conditioning!
OK, I know this has happened to at least 75% of the population. Especially if you live in the south, you know what I’m talking about. How can you prevent this from happening again? There are no absolute guarantees it won’t. No, you can’t be completely safe from this aggravating situation. But you can help your heating and cooling system just by reading your owner’s manual. I know, who reads these things? We do, the ones’ who have been in this same situation. Believe it or not, there are some good facts that you need to know to stay comfortable.
First and foremost: Learn how to operate your thermostat! I think about 10% do not know how to do this.
Second: Know where your filter is and replace it, or clean it, once a month, every 2 weeks if you have pets with hair. And I have to tell you, some people don’t even know they have filters for their units that must be cleaned or replaced some time. If this isn’t done you will have a very expensive repair bill.
Third: Locate all the electrical breakers, inside and out, to all your pieces of equipment. Some systems have electric air filters, or cleaners, or humidifiers, even other electrical components that could cause the system to stop. Know where the breakers are and how to turn them back on.
There aren’t that many parts of the system that a normal homeowner can deal with on the system. The first check point should be your thermostat. Be sure it is on, and the temperature is set at the correct temperature you want in the house. If this looks good, go to your filter and check it. If it looks like a rug, change it. If you’re not sure, change it anyway. Now give it about 15 minutes, put your hand as close to a vent in one of the rooms, and see if any cool air is coming out.
OK, so that didn’t work. Do you have any idea where the condensing unit is? It is usually somewhere along the back of the house, or on an end. Once you do find it, see if you can hear it running. Usually there is a fan close to the top which you may be able to see, hear, or feel hot air coming out the top. If this unit is not running there should be an electrical disconnect box on the wall within 3 feet of the unit. It only has one lever on the side which should say ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintanence
Be sure the leaver is in the ON position. Your unit may have a delay on it which may not let it come on right away. Wait about 5 minutes, if it’s still not on you may have a problem.
You can go to your main electrical panel and be sure all breakers, at least one will be 110 v., and one will be a 230 v., going to your system, are not tripped off. Turn the breakers off and then back on kind of hard. Again, give the unit about 5 minutes. If nothing is happening, I suggest you call someone certified to work on your air conditioning system. If you are lucky enough to get the cool air on, you will have to be patient with it. Everything, walls, floors, furniture, ceilings, is at 96 + degrees. It will take a long time for everything to cool down to a tolerable temperature. It would probably be best to eat dinner out somewhere its cool. Let the unit try to catch up a little before you face that heat again.
These systems are pretty simple to operate. And after you read the maintenance and operation manual, you will be able to troubleshoot your problems, if they are minor, to keep from having another annoying and uncomfortable situation.
If you have to call a service technician to check your air conditioning, be sure he is certified and bonded. If he isn’t, find someone that is. This can save you time, money, and nerves. I was the customer service person for a fairly large heating and cooling contractor, I know what I’m talking about! There isn’t anything I haven’t heard from irate customers. Just keep your cool, read your manual, follow the directions, and hope for cooler weather.
You’ll cool off once inside and you shed the sweat soaked clothes. Just getting the house key in the hole makes you sweat. Then it hits you right in the face! A blast of hot air that has started your head pounding. No air conditioning!
OK, I know this has happened to at least 75% of the population. Especially if you live in the south, you know what I’m talking about. How can you prevent this from happening again? There are no absolute guarantees it won’t. No, you can’t be completely safe from this aggravating situation. But you can help your heating and cooling system just by reading your owner’s manual. I know, who reads these things? We do, the ones’ who have been in this same situation. Believe it or not, there are some good facts that you need to know to stay comfortable.
First and foremost: Learn how to operate your thermostat! I think about 10% do not know how to do this.
Second: Know where your filter is and replace it, or clean it, once a month, every 2 weeks if you have pets with hair. And I have to tell you, some people don’t even know they have filters for their units that must be cleaned or replaced some time. If this isn’t done you will have a very expensive repair bill.
Third: Locate all the electrical breakers, inside and out, to all your pieces of equipment. Some systems have electric air filters, or cleaners, or humidifiers, even other electrical components that could cause the system to stop. Know where the breakers are and how to turn them back on.
There aren’t that many parts of the system that a normal homeowner can deal with on the system. The first check point should be your thermostat. Be sure it is on, and the temperature is set at the correct temperature you want in the house. If this looks good, go to your filter and check it. If it looks like a rug, change it. If you’re not sure, change it anyway. Now give it about 15 minutes, put your hand as close to a vent in one of the rooms, and see if any cool air is coming out.
OK, so that didn’t work. Do you have any idea where the condensing unit is? It is usually somewhere along the back of the house, or on an end. Once you do find it, see if you can hear it running. Usually there is a fan close to the top which you may be able to see, hear, or feel hot air coming out the top. If this unit is not running there should be an electrical disconnect box on the wall within 3 feet of the unit. It only has one lever on the side which should say ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintanence
Be sure the leaver is in the ON position. Your unit may have a delay on it which may not let it come on right away. Wait about 5 minutes, if it’s still not on you may have a problem.
You can go to your main electrical panel and be sure all breakers, at least one will be 110 v., and one will be a 230 v., going to your system, are not tripped off. Turn the breakers off and then back on kind of hard. Again, give the unit about 5 minutes. If nothing is happening, I suggest you call someone certified to work on your air conditioning system. If you are lucky enough to get the cool air on, you will have to be patient with it. Everything, walls, floors, furniture, ceilings, is at 96 + degrees. It will take a long time for everything to cool down to a tolerable temperature. It would probably be best to eat dinner out somewhere its cool. Let the unit try to catch up a little before you face that heat again.
These systems are pretty simple to operate. And after you read the maintenance and operation manual, you will be able to troubleshoot your problems, if they are minor, to keep from having another annoying and uncomfortable situation.
If you have to call a service technician to check your air conditioning, be sure he is certified and bonded. If he isn’t, find someone that is. This can save you time, money, and nerves. I was the customer service person for a fairly large heating and cooling contractor, I know what I’m talking about! There isn’t anything I haven’t heard from irate customers. Just keep your cool, read your manual, follow the directions, and hope for cooler weather.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DIY AC Repair
The major air condition repairs carried out are due to the air conditioner not being able to turn on, or the cooling capacity has been reduced, the air flow is lost or it can also be due to the internal components of the air conditioner.
The usual air conditioner components that need to be replaced are the faulty air compressor or condenser, defective air handling unit, defects in the duct system and the air leaks.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintenance
If your air conditioner doesn’t start, you have to look at the controls and the switches as most of the problems due to air condition repair are electrical repairs. You have to check whether the circuit breaker and the thermostat are properly functioning.
After that you need to check the air handling unit which comprises the return air plenum, air filter, blower fan, cooling and heating coil and the supply plenum. Next you need to check the circuit breakers for the compressors and the air handling units.
If the air conditioning problem is not resolved, then you need to check the duct system i.e. the return air ducts and the supply air ducts and the filters whether they carry air from the air handler to the different intended rooms in the building.
The other most common problem with air conditioners would be that the air conditioner doesn’t give good cooling effect. It so, you will need to check the blower unit.
If you find that it is dirty, you should clean it as it causes loss of cool air supply. The reduced cooling could also be due to old or aged air compressors which have to be replaced.
The air compressors are costly and this would be an expensive repair. Cooling effect is reduced even if the condensate from the air conditioner is not being drained properly or there are leaks in the air handler, or due to damaged air ducts or due to the problems in the air conditioner refrigerant system.
The usual air conditioner components that need to be replaced are the faulty air compressor or condenser, defective air handling unit, defects in the duct system and the air leaks.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintenance
If your air conditioner doesn’t start, you have to look at the controls and the switches as most of the problems due to air condition repair are electrical repairs. You have to check whether the circuit breaker and the thermostat are properly functioning.
After that you need to check the air handling unit which comprises the return air plenum, air filter, blower fan, cooling and heating coil and the supply plenum. Next you need to check the circuit breakers for the compressors and the air handling units.
If the air conditioning problem is not resolved, then you need to check the duct system i.e. the return air ducts and the supply air ducts and the filters whether they carry air from the air handler to the different intended rooms in the building.
The other most common problem with air conditioners would be that the air conditioner doesn’t give good cooling effect. It so, you will need to check the blower unit.
If you find that it is dirty, you should clean it as it causes loss of cool air supply. The reduced cooling could also be due to old or aged air compressors which have to be replaced.
The air compressors are costly and this would be an expensive repair. Cooling effect is reduced even if the condensate from the air conditioner is not being drained properly or there are leaks in the air handler, or due to damaged air ducts or due to the problems in the air conditioner refrigerant system.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Cutting Energy Waste To Save Money
Tired of throwing money at oil companies and your local utility? You can fight back by eliminating the energy waste in your life. Consider the following:
1. If you have an attic, you undoubtedly are wasting money on your heating bill. Take a close look at the entrance to the attic. If it is a drop down from the ceiling, hot air is moving up and through it.
2. When considering the layout of solar panels on your home, it is vital that you consider how to maximize the exposure to the sun. This is known as “orienting” and involves placing the panels in such a position that they receive as much sun as possible.
3. Check the Pressure in Your Tires – Under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 3 to 5 percent and wear out the tires. Make sure to maintain pressures at the top end of the suggested psi of the tire.
4. Programmable Thermostats Save Money – Heating your home can be expensive. Programmable thermostats let you save money by setting the times when heating should occur and when it should not such as when you are at work.
5. Cut Lighting Costs – The lights in your home are huge money wasters. Switch to CFL lights. They last up to 10 times longer and cost less to run.
6. Heating Two Story Homes – Heat moves up, so you can manipulate it with your multi-level home. Close all vents other than on the lowest floor. Heat will migrate up and you will spend less.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
7. The Electrical Grid – When it comes to renewable energy, you will quickly hear the term electrical grid. It refers the platform maintained by utilities across the country. With solar, you can feed energy into the grid when not using it.
8. Solar power not only saves you money, but helps stop global warming.
9. Window Energy Costs – Windows allow for the transfer of heat in a big way. Closing curtains or blinds over them at night can cut down on the rate of heat loss, saving you tons on your bill.
10. Changing Car Filters – Two energy wasters on your car are the fuel filter and air filter. Change them every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. Any oil change location can do it.
You should notice that the above tips do not really require you to make any drastic changes in your life. It is more a matter of eliminating the sloppy things to save some serious money.
1. If you have an attic, you undoubtedly are wasting money on your heating bill. Take a close look at the entrance to the attic. If it is a drop down from the ceiling, hot air is moving up and through it.
2. When considering the layout of solar panels on your home, it is vital that you consider how to maximize the exposure to the sun. This is known as “orienting” and involves placing the panels in such a position that they receive as much sun as possible.
3. Check the Pressure in Your Tires – Under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 3 to 5 percent and wear out the tires. Make sure to maintain pressures at the top end of the suggested psi of the tire.
4. Programmable Thermostats Save Money – Heating your home can be expensive. Programmable thermostats let you save money by setting the times when heating should occur and when it should not such as when you are at work.
5. Cut Lighting Costs – The lights in your home are huge money wasters. Switch to CFL lights. They last up to 10 times longer and cost less to run.
6. Heating Two Story Homes – Heat moves up, so you can manipulate it with your multi-level home. Close all vents other than on the lowest floor. Heat will migrate up and you will spend less.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
7. The Electrical Grid – When it comes to renewable energy, you will quickly hear the term electrical grid. It refers the platform maintained by utilities across the country. With solar, you can feed energy into the grid when not using it.
8. Solar power not only saves you money, but helps stop global warming.
9. Window Energy Costs – Windows allow for the transfer of heat in a big way. Closing curtains or blinds over them at night can cut down on the rate of heat loss, saving you tons on your bill.
10. Changing Car Filters – Two energy wasters on your car are the fuel filter and air filter. Change them every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. Any oil change location can do it.
You should notice that the above tips do not really require you to make any drastic changes in your life. It is more a matter of eliminating the sloppy things to save some serious money.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Being Greener When You Rent
Renting can be frustrating when you want to go green. There are a lot of things you just don’t have control over. You generally don’t own the appliances, can’t install solar panels, etc. It gets annoying sometimes.
I deal with this a lot as I do still rent. We’re fortunate enough to be renting a house rather than an apartment, but there are still a lot of limitations.
Start By Saving Energy
Even when you can’t replace that cranky old refrigerator, you can still save energy. Start with the light bulbs. Switch out to compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs. In many areas you can find them at a discount through your local electric company. I’ve seen them under $2.50 for a 3-pack in my area due to discounts run through my power company. Take advantage.
There is one catch to CFLs if you have a lot of closed fixtures. The standard spiral bulbs don’t work as well in closed fixtures. According to energystar.gov, you are best off using a reflector CFL in these areas. Similarly, if you have dimmer switches, you will want to be sure that your bulbs will work with these.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
Also try to find out about recycling these, as they have a small amount of mercury and should not be just thrown in the trash. In my area Kohl’s recycles them.
You should also think more about when you are using electricity. Power down the computer if you won’t be using it for a time. Unplug appliances that don’t need to be plugged in all the time. Unplug the cell phone charger and other chargers.
Power strips can also be a big help. Use them to shut off all power to multiple items at once. This takes care of the “phantom load” that many electrical items have where they use electricity even when off. Often this is to run a clock or other nonessential. If you don’t need it to have electricity 24/7, find a way to make shutting it off all the way easy.
Watch for Green Apartments
You may not be able to move into one right now, but in some areas green apartments are turning up. Just a few miles from where I live, there’s a new apartment complex that is powered by solar power. Believe me, I would have loved to get on that list, but by the time I heard of it, the list was full.
I expect green apartments to be a trend. It’s a good value for the landlords and very appealing to many renters.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
Encourage Green Habits
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is that you may not have access to many of the basic things homeowners take for granted. For example, recycling may or may not be available in some apartment communities, even if single family homes are required to recycle.
If your complex doesn’t recycle, talk to the rental agents about it. If they learn there is a demand for it, they’re more likely to sign up for recycle bins to be put out by the trash bins.
Being green in a rental situation is more difficult, but it is not impossible. These steps can help you to get onto the right path.
I deal with this a lot as I do still rent. We’re fortunate enough to be renting a house rather than an apartment, but there are still a lot of limitations.
Start By Saving Energy
Even when you can’t replace that cranky old refrigerator, you can still save energy. Start with the light bulbs. Switch out to compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs. In many areas you can find them at a discount through your local electric company. I’ve seen them under $2.50 for a 3-pack in my area due to discounts run through my power company. Take advantage.
There is one catch to CFLs if you have a lot of closed fixtures. The standard spiral bulbs don’t work as well in closed fixtures. According to energystar.gov, you are best off using a reflector CFL in these areas. Similarly, if you have dimmer switches, you will want to be sure that your bulbs will work with these.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
Also try to find out about recycling these, as they have a small amount of mercury and should not be just thrown in the trash. In my area Kohl’s recycles them.
You should also think more about when you are using electricity. Power down the computer if you won’t be using it for a time. Unplug appliances that don’t need to be plugged in all the time. Unplug the cell phone charger and other chargers.
Power strips can also be a big help. Use them to shut off all power to multiple items at once. This takes care of the “phantom load” that many electrical items have where they use electricity even when off. Often this is to run a clock or other nonessential. If you don’t need it to have electricity 24/7, find a way to make shutting it off all the way easy.
Watch for Green Apartments
You may not be able to move into one right now, but in some areas green apartments are turning up. Just a few miles from where I live, there’s a new apartment complex that is powered by solar power. Believe me, I would have loved to get on that list, but by the time I heard of it, the list was full.
I expect green apartments to be a trend. It’s a good value for the landlords and very appealing to many renters.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
Encourage Green Habits
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is that you may not have access to many of the basic things homeowners take for granted. For example, recycling may or may not be available in some apartment communities, even if single family homes are required to recycle.
If your complex doesn’t recycle, talk to the rental agents about it. If they learn there is a demand for it, they’re more likely to sign up for recycle bins to be put out by the trash bins.
Being green in a rental situation is more difficult, but it is not impossible. These steps can help you to get onto the right path.
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