I am a big fan of battery backup systems that can supply emergency power during outages. After living through three major hurricanes, I have a deep understanding of the need for backup energy. These portable power stations come in a variety of sizes and wattage capacities. While there are occasions when a large system is …
Energy-Hacks
My daughter’s bedroom was always colder than the rest of the house. Noticeably colder. I did a lot of research on this and here’s what I’ve learned. Here are 5 likely reasons why your bedroom is cold: Vents may be covered or closed. Windows and walls may not be sealed. High ceilings mean that heat …
Choosing new items for your home is exciting, but it can also be challenging. There are so many different types to choose from, and some things, like ceiling fans, come with many technical factors. However, installing the correct ceiling fan for your room is essential as anything too big or too small will cause problems. …
Improving the energy efficiency of your home is not about any single magic bullet solution. It requires taking a comprehensive look at the energy losses occurring throughout your home and tackling them one by one. An often overlooked opportunity for energy savings is learning to properly seal around air vents. Air-sealing is a critical part …
When we built our new home my wife designed the blueprints to allow for a bonus room upstairs. The extra space would be nice but I knew I would be dealing with a heating and cooling issue. Bonus rooms built in attics face constant temperature challenges due to walls that are adjacent to unconditioned space. …
Waterproof flickering flames without fire. No electrical wires to run. No maintenance. Just stick them in the ground and enjoy the ambiance. Sounds great, right? But do the TomCare Solar Torch Lights really live up to their claims? I purchased a set of four of these for our front yard flower bed and have been …
When I built my current house, I decided to splurge on some smart home devices. I have continously added to my arsenal and am extremely pleased with it’s capabilities. If you are wondering what a smart home can do, then you have come to the right place. I’m going to walk you through the entire …
When building my new home I researched options for making the structure as energy efficient as possible. At the same time, I needed to work within a budget. I considered foam insulation but it wasn’t the right choice for me at the time. I decided to focus on air sealing, blown in insulation, and some …
At this very moment, energy is being lost in your home. Money is literally seeping out through inefficiencies in your home’s thermal envelope and being lost from inefficiency practices and home routines. If you are wanting to learn how energy is wasted and what you can do to stop it, here’s what you need to …
There was a time when a device’s energy consumption was easy to understand and estimate. When you turned a device off, it was truly “off” and no power was drawn until it was turned on again. Today, however, we live in a world of always-on electronics. Even when “turned off” these always-on devices continue to …