CasaSugar

How-To: Insulate Your Water Heater

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:00:01 -0800

Even though we've already wrapped up (har har) House Warming month, I thought I'd show you how to insulate your water heater. After all, Winter's still ahead of us, as are those expensive heating bills. This project improves your hot water efficiency by keeping water in the pipes warmer, delivering hotter water when you run the hot faucet. This way, you're effectively wasting less water since the tap isn't running tepid water when you want hot water.

It's a really easy task, and you'll be able to find the supplies needed at your local hardware store. Make sure to read the manual that goes with your water heater, though, because some manufacturers preclude insulating their heaters. You should also be particularly cautious if you have a gas heater, as it could cause a fire. To learn the steps, read more.

Supplies:

Water heater insulation kit
Measuring tape
Utility knife

Here are the steps, from Realtor.com:

To install the top piece, cut across the top insulation piece wherever necessary to make it fit using the utility knife.
Then, tape the piece in place, making sure not to block the draft diverter if you have a gas heater.
To insulate the sides, wrap them with the larger insulation blanket and secure it with tape to the water heater. Secure the seams with tape as well.
Now, cut holes to reveal the water heater's controls and the drains. And, if you have a gas heater, make sure the blanket is clear of the air intake and burner area also. Fini!

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Casa Quickie: Toasty Toes

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:00:18 -0700

To save money this Winter and still keep your bed toasty, switch your electric blanket for a hot-water bottle. This tried-and-true method may seem like a remnant of the past, but it's absolutely effective for keeping your feet warm in a chilly bed. Just fill the water bottle with hot water, pop it under the covers, and drift off to sleep. In the morning, you can use the cooled water as a drink for your houseplants, too. Waste not, want not. Source

Nice and New: Travelmate Portable Fireplace

CasaSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:30:14 -0700

When it comes to most of the products I recommend, finances are usually the only thing keeping you from taking them home. OK, maybe your husband would be opposed to mirrored furniture, but, moving on . . . There's one thing that's never been an easy purchase, and that thing is a fireplace. Why? Because a fireplace requires a chimney, which requires a contractor, bricks, etc.
To find out how to get around those pesky requirements, read more.

Lucky for all of us, that reality is no more, thanks to the Conmoto Travelmate Portable Fireplace ($3,300), a portable, stylish suitcase of black powder-coated steel and glass that holds a smokeless fire, burned from bio-ethanol liquid fuel. The Travelmate allows you to burn a fire literally wherever you want (so long as it's a flat surface): on your coffee table, in your bedroom, on the lawn, next to your favorite reading chair . . . on wood, on carpet, on stone, anywhere! Talk about house warming! That's right, FDR, you're not the only one who can have fireside chats.

Where Do You Put Your Leaves?

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:30:54 -0700

Many of us rake the leaves that fall into our yards in the Autumn. But where do you put them?

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How-To: Reduce Winter Heating Bills

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:30:51 -0700

Recently, heating expert Chris Cooper shared some advice for thrifty Winter heating. He's back, with some hints on how to cut your heating bills or to assist other families with their high heating bills. Chris notes that, "Research compiled by the National Fuel Funds Network proves that fuel poverty leads to 'heat or eat' situations, [where] families strive in vain for a safe balance between paying for food and paying for energy."

To find out how you can help out, or find assistance with your heating costs, read more.

The Low-Income Housing and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is one of the most effective programs in the battle against fuel poverty in the US. Since 1981, LIHEAP has provided funding to heat homes through the cold stretch from October to March, but officials there indicate that they only reach 20 percent of the population that requests their services. $5.1 billion is allocated to LIHEAP for Winter 08-09.
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) addresses the fuel poverty problem from the pragmatic perspective of home conditioning, offering funds to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their property. During the last 30 years, they have served 5.6 million low-income families.
In addition to the help that federal programs provide, there are numerous organizations within close proximity of any community that reach out to Americans in need. Look for a Salvation Army, an American Red Cross, or a local advocacy center in your town or city. If you can, donate warm bedding, coats, scarves, gloves, and mittens to local community assistance organizations.
Most local electric companies offer assistance programs to their customers. The Upper Peninsula Power Company in Michigan, for example, offers a Winter Protection Plan that assures eligible elderly and low-income customers will not have their power turned off between Nov. 1 and March 31. In Massachusetts, local electric providers throughout the state contribute to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund which helps people who do not qualify for state or federal programs. Electric consumers can also contribute to the fund through donations sent in with their monthly payments.
You can engage public officials in your area regarding regional and state programs that promote affordable warmth. LIHEAP distributes a newsletter that keeps citizens informed about ways to lobby and support their campaign. The National Fuel Funds Network is organizing a Day of Action in Washington DC on Feb. 10, 2009.
Participate in home winterization initiatives in your neighborhood. Participating in initiatives that improve insulation, heating options, and living conditions for a variety of people may be the sort of grass roots movement that could reverse the terrible reality of fuel poverty in the United States.

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Casa Verde: Radiant Floor Heating

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:30:41 -0700

Many of you were intrigued by my definition of radiant floor heating, but you wanted to find out more about how it worked. Instead of trying to explain the concept abstractly, I thought I'd show you an explanation. I know that when I first heard about radiant floor heating, it seemed a little confusing. When I saw it installed, though, all of the pieces clicked into place.

To see the video explaining this energy-efficient home heating method, read more.

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Definition: Radiant Floor Heating

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:00:16 -0700

Radiant floor heating is a highly efficient heating system that involves heating the floor with electric tubes or a hydronic (hot water tubes) system beneath the floor boards. The way it works is that heat is delivered directly from the floors, warming up any objects (furnishings) or people they strike, which in turn radiate that heat. It is more efficient than traditional forced-air heating because no energy is lost through the air ducts, and hydronic systems use little electricity and can also be heated by a variety of energy sources. Since heat rises, it also makes sense to have the heat source at floor level, instead of in elevated vents.
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Open House: How Are You Handling the Cold?

CasaSugar — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:30:49 -0700

As temperatures drop, our homes' thermostats creep up, and with those rising thermostats come rising bills. This week, I offered you some advice on keeping your house warm while keeping your costs down. From wearing layers to household fixes, there are actually some easy ways to make your house more efficient and cozy, that will also help you lower those heating bills.

Every household seems to have a few tricks up their sleeve about how to winterize their home. What do you do? Do you use draft stoppers on doors? Storm windows? Do you have any ingenious tricks that you haven't heard mentioned here before? Tell me all about it in the comments.
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DIY: Make Your Own Eco Outdoor Fire

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:00:51 -0700

As the nights get chillier, many of us crave the warmth of an outdoor fire, but might be concerned about the pollutants that a roaring wood fire produces. Leave it to green designer Michelle Kaufmann to create a solution to this problem. She's come up with a great, inexpensive, and very modern-looking way to create an outdoor fire on your patio, deck, or in your yard.

Here's What You'll Need

A few cans of Eco Fuel
A big metal or ceramic planter box
River rocks

To find out how to do it, read more.

Check out the video to learn how to make your eco outdoor fire.

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How-To: Save Money on Heating This Winter

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:15:44 -0700

Recently, heating expert Chris Cooper shared some advice for thrifty Winter heating. Check out these ideas for reducing your Winter heating bill with these tips, which may surprise you. Even small adjustments in everyday life and habits can result in significant cost savings.

Keep window shades open to take advantage of the sun's natural heat.
Prune back tree branches that might obstruct part of the sunlight, and remove any awnings over windows that might create cooling shadows.

For the rest of the tips, read more.

Cover bare floors with dark carpets that absorb the sun's energy and warm the room.
Cover attic stairs with an insulated cover to block gaps between the stairs and the ceiling. Keep the heat in the home from escaping into the attic and the cold attic air from leaking into your house.
Place a chimney stopper (an inexpensive, often inflatable plug) at the lowest part of the flue in your fireplace when it's not in use to prevent drafts. Remember to remove the plug before you light a fire.
Cook consciously using the proper equipment. Use the smallest pot for the job and use a burner that most closely covers the entire heating element. Use a lid to keep heat in the pot which means using a lower heat or cooking for less time. Turn off the oven five minutes before the scheduled end time and allow food to finish cooking as the oven slowly cools. Organize meals to cook multiple dishes simultaneously. Above all, avoid opening the oven to check on food while it's cooking; this allows up to 50 percent of the heat to escape and increases cooking times.
Use a ceiling fan on low setting to push rising hot air back down where residents can benefit from its warmth. Conversely, limit use of ventilation fans over stoves or in bathrooms which draw hot air out of a house.
Smart consumers can lower their heating costs in many ways, some obvious and some less obvious. Using common sense and a little bit of extra effort, you will be warmer and wealthier this Winter.

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