There are many ways to reduce energy costs. The following could well result in possibly a 30% reduction in your heating and cooling costs so it is definitely worthwhile considering these suggestions:

An HVAC system that is older than 10 years is probably not running very efficiently. You should consider updating to a more energy-efficient current unit.

Insulation should always be checked and added at the beginning of the fall season.

Be sure that you have closed off the space between the foundation and cladding. Many overlook this area and it has the potential to be very costly.

Confirm that you have vapor barriers underneath the crawl space and over insulation in the attic.

If you have old and poor fitting windows and doors, consider replacing them with today’s energy efficient products. If this expense is not realistic right now, consider sealing up all of the gaps with caulk and hanging very heavy insulated curtains or window shades as a temporary solution.

Check for drafts by electrical switches and outlets and use additional insulation if necessary to prevent cold air from entering the room.

Check weather stripping and replace any caulking that is no longer providing the required seal.

Consider Energy Star appliances if you can possibly afford to replace the existing ones. If this is not feasible, be certain that you only wash full loads of dishes and clothing.

Replace air filters regularly as dirty filters will cut down on efficiency.

Consider investing in a programmable thermostat which will automatically set the proper temperature and eliminate waste.

There are many ways to save energy in your home and these are just a few ideas of things you can do. Remember, when saving energy, you are also saving money. This is definitely a win-win situation for every homeowner.

Allow nature to assist in energy savings as much as possible. Leave windows unobstructed so the natural warming sunlight can help to heat your home.

When heating a room, close doors and curtains so the heat remains in the intended area.

If you are not using specific heaters and vents, turn them off during this period of time.

If you are using a portable heater in your home, be sure to locate it far away from the windows.

If a fireplace is not in use, block it off so heat is not lost.

Heat should only be running in your home when absolutely necessary. A good investment is the purchase of automatic thermostats and heaters with timers. If you use them correctly, these have the potential to provide substantial savings.

Forego the electric blanket and just add an additional quilt or blanket to the bed for extra warmth.

Be certain that your home is fully insulated and be sure that you have draft excluders on all of the doors.

These are just a few tips that, if incorporated into your everyday life, can help save both energy and money.

If you are trying to prepare your home for the winter all by yourself because of marriage problems, here are a few tips to help you get ready for winter.

Consider testing for air tightness. When there is a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to your windows and doors. If you find that the air stream is traveling horizontally, it may be necessary to add caulking or weather-stripping.

Be certain to check, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows if they are leaking air.

Check for air leaks where plumbing or electrical wiring penetrates exterior walls, ceilings, floors or soffits over cabinets.

Rubber gaskets may need to be installed behind outlet and switch plates when located on exterior walls.

If you locate dirty spots on your insulation, this often indicates holes where there are air leaks. Seal the holes by placing sheets of plastic over the holes and caulking the edges.

Consider storm windows over single-pane windows or replacement with double-pane windows. Storm windows, of course, would be less expensive.

Check the fireplace to make certain that the flue damper is tightly closed when the fireplace is not in use.

When all of the above has been accomplished, relax and enjoy a comfortable winter inside your home.

October is National Fire Prevention Month and this always provokes thoughts as to what we can do to insure the safety of our families and homes. Of course, the obvious first discussions are about the availability of smoke detectors in all of the necessary locations. It is suggested that they be located on every floor and in every bedroom.

Every family should have and practice a plan for escape in the event of a fire. Practice how each person would exit the home and where the entire family will meet if a fire should occur on the premises. If some family members are responsible for others, this, too, should be discussed and practiced in case of a future emergency.

The largest fire dangers in the average home include the following:

Cooking – this is the largest cause of home fires. People who are frying, broiling or grilling are often distracted by doorbells or the sound of a child crying. They go to respond to the distraction and leave the stove unattended. This is the golden opportunity for a fire to start in the home. It is suggested that you always stay by the stove. If you believe it is necessary to leave, turn the stove off so that the danger will be eliminated. Should a fire begin, never pour water on a kitchen fire. A fire extinguisher has always been the acceptable method for responding to a kitchen fire. There is, today, an aerosol product available called Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray (firstalert.com) which is easier to use than an extinguisher and is capable of smothering a kitchen fire from 4 feet away.

Heating – In winter, this becomes the number one cause of home fires. Space heaters are generally the cause, especially electric heaters. Frequently, they are placed near draperies or furniture in which case they can be deadly. Always allow three feet of clearance around a heater and never leave unattended. Never go to sleep leaving the heater on.

Electricity – Old wiring, frayed extension cords, and overloading outlets can all be dangerous and are potential fire dangers. Check everything regularly to be certain there are no fire hazards in your home.

Friendly Fires – Candles, oil lamps, and fireplaces are very appealing but all have the potential to cause fires. Consider battery-operated candles. If you choose wax candles or oil lamps, be certain they are on sturdy fire-proof holders and never left unattended.

Smoking – If smoking is necessary, try to do it outdoors so you can eliminate the potential of exposing your home to smoldering cigarette butts, etc. Use sturdy ashtrays and have a cup of water handy to douse butts. Keep matches and lighters locked up so they are not available to children.

Homes often contain mold which is very upsetting to the homeowner. What can you do about this condition? In some areas this is not a problem, but in others it is a major concern. Since I’ve moved South, mold has become much more of an issue in my life than it ever was before.

In order to prevent mold from forming in your home, you need to prevent moisture from forming. Indoor mold usually comes from sources outside the home. Leaky roofs, plumbing problems and wet basements are usually sources of problems. If not well ventilated, steam from cooking and bathroom showers can also present problems with mold.

In order to prevent mold, it is important that you keep susceptible areas in your home dry and clean. It is necessary that you ventilate these areas or use exhaust fans vented outdoors in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas. It is also important that dryer vents are vented outdoors and that all water leaks are repaired promptly.

During humid weather, use air conditioners and dehumidifiers to prevent condensation. Exterior wall insulation prevents condensation during cold weather.

There are numerous types of mold and many of these cause illness to the inhabitants. Following the above suggestions might make your life more comfortable and provide a healthier atmosphere for you and your family.

In today’s economic times, everyone is conserving and saving as much as possible. One of the places we should concentrate on is our home. Being alert at home and adjusting some of our habits, has the potential to result in both energy savings and financial savings. Everyone wants to save money and most of us are very conscious about the environment so this should be a win-win opportunity.

Lights should be turned off when not in use. If you have children who are constantly leaving the lights and television on, put up a sign. Retraining takes time but could prove to be well worth the effort, besides which your children will be learning good habits. Although children are seldom aware of financial costs involved, they are concerned with the environment and stressing saving our resources might be the way to motivate them.

Begin slowly if cost is a factor, but work towards replacing all of your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. These last longer and will also save energy.

Unplug items which draw power when turned off. Examples of these are computers, televisions and microwaves. Again, retraining may be necessary, but this could be beneficial in the long run.

Heat and cool only when house is occupied. Automatic timers can help by regulating the temperatures at certain times of day. This will allow you to come home to a comfortable house without having paid for heating or cooling during the hours you were gone.

A good portion of the heat entering your home comes through the windows. An investment in thick shades or window film could provide a substantial savings off your cooling bill. For a particularly hot area of your home, you might want to invest in an awning or planting trees.

Air conditioning filters are inexpensive but can provide big savings if changed monthly. This is particularly important during the summer months as dirty filters prevent air flow and cause the cooling system to work harder.

Installing ceiling fans can create air circulation that will make you feel more comfortable in a space. They do use electricity but there is still savings available due to the change in temperature.

Caulk and apply weather stripping to close gaps around windows and doors.

Install pipe insulation on hot water pipes and check and repair leaky faucets, pipes and toilets. The small leaks are more expensive and wasteful than you may think,

Home safety should be a priority with everyone. We all want to avoid accidents and injuries that often take place in the home. A wise homeowner practices prevention and is generally rewarded with a claim-free history with their insurance company. This, of course, is not a guarantee, but many surveys have proven that regular safety checks result in safer surroundings for you and your family.  Especially important to new parents, parenting magazines are often filled with many of these tips, but they will be helpful to anyone.

Stair treads and railings can be very dangerous. Remove any hazardous materials on the steps to avoid falls and verify that rails are sturdy and spaced appropriately for young children.

Always check electric cords for fraying. Have all cords contained in such a manner that no one will trip on them. Be sure not to overload one particular socket. If necessary, relocate some appliances or light fixtures.

Medicine cabinets should be checked regularly that all safety caps have been replaced properly and that no medications or hazardous materials are in the reach of children. Also, verify that storage areas under sinks do not contain anything that can be harmful to little ones.

Smoke detectors should be placed on each floor of the home with batteries replaced regularly. It is always a good idea to note the change dates on your calendar, or to coincide changing the batteries with a specific event such as changing the clocks at Daylight Savings time. Health insurance companies will offer discounts for having smoke detectors and fire alarms.

Adequate lighting, especially in hallways and on stairs, is essential for keeping everyone safe. Replace burned-out bulbs immediately and consider using low-energy bulbs which last much longer than ordinary light bulbs. Using nightlights is another worthwhile precaution.

When someone is ready to purchase their first home, there are many things to be considered.  The suitability of a specific home for your family is a priority.  Does this property have the proper amount of space for the family?  How many bedrooms, baths, etc. are required for your family to live comfortably in this home?  Once the size and type of home have been determined, the next serious consideration is the cost of the property.  A budget needs to be established so you know your financial limitations.  Most of us, while shopping for a home, tend to want to exceed our budget as we are always tempted by something a little above what is financially feasible.  The smart shopper will stay within their budget even if small compromises are required.

Once these decisions have been made, it is time to find the location that is right for you.  Commuting time,  public services, store locations, neighborhood appearance, etc. all have to be considered.  Then from the parenting point of view, many consider school districts, traffic, sidewalks, children in neighborhood. There are usually several different areas that will work for you and your family and it’s time to explore them to determine where you can find the best buy for your dollar.  Assuming all other considerations are equal, the right home at the right price will generally be the final determining factor in the decision.

There are, of course, other items to be carefully weighed and many tools are available to assist a family in searching for their first home.  You can study aerial views of the area available on the computer.  The computer can also help you shop for interest rates for your mortgage, obtain insurance quotes for your new home and provide a myriad of information to you at this time.  There is now something knew available to homeowners who are looking for a friendly neighborhood in which they can walk to the stores, etc.  There is a website, WalkScore.com, that helps you determine the “walkability” of a neighborhood by calculating a neighborhood’s “walkability” rating to aid the prospective homeowner in understanding how close conveniences are to the home under consideration.  The website rating is based on the number of businesses, services, etc. available within walking distance of a specific address.  The ratings span from zero for a “driving only” location thru 100 points that would be the ultimate in availability for walkers.  A new feature being added to this site will actually allow you to see the streets you will be walking in certain communities.  This site was designed to promote “walkable” communities.

With the current high prices being charged for gasoline, “walkable” communities has the potential to become a very popular consideration.  Young people who can only afford one car, or who do not wish to maintain a car at all, would certainly place this criteria high on their “wish list”.  Elderly people who can no longer drive would also find this to be very important when planning a move.  It is just one more item to consider when shopping for a home and has the potential to play an important part in your happiness in your new surroundings.

When buying or selling a home, a home inspector is generally hired to evaluate the condition of the home.  This inspector is responsible to check all facets of the building and advise his employer regarding areas that are unacceptable and need repair.  It is also his responsibility to point out any building code violations and insist that these violations are brought up to code before the home is bought or sold.

Many people believe that building codes are just a nuisance and busy work for the local government.  This is not true.  Building codes protect the homeowners and their families, providing them the security of knowing they are living is a safe environment.

Building codes require that each floor of a home, including the basement, be protected by a smoke detector.  This particular code has saved the lives of many families and should be strictly adhered to.  It is a good idea to check your batteries twice a year when you change the clocks so that your smoke alarm will always be ready to warn you of any possible dangers. Once a year the fire stations in most cities will give out smoke alarms for free as promotional items.

Stair rails are another area where building codes have saved the lives of many children.  There are specific requirements regarding the size and space between the rails.  In the past many children have gotten stuck between the rails or fallen through the space when it is too large.  These regulations have helped eliminate most of these accidents and are in place to protect your children and any others visiting your property.

Every bedroom must have one emergency escape route available to bring the occupant outside of the premises.  It is always a good idea to regularly practice escape routes and meeting places with your entire family in case of an emergency.

In an effort to avoid people being scalded in the shower, the Building Code requires that all showers be equipped with valves to prevent this from happening.  Think how horrible it would be to be scaled with extremely hot water.

Although many people believe that Building Codes exist only to frustrate the homeowners and the contractors, the truth is that they are very useful in saving lives and preventing injuries.  Without them, we would have many more deaths and injuries and each of us must remember that these could happen to our own families.