Solar Water Heaters Shine

Most of us don't think too much about the cost of heating water in our home.  Electric water hears are inexpensive to purchase, and when a hot water heater goes out homeowners often choose the cheapest replacement.  However, an electric water heater accounts for 25% of the energy costs in the average household.  In a study conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center, solar water heaters were found to save as much as 50% to 85% annually over the energy costs of electric water heaters.  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates recovering the investment on a solar water heater in 4 to 8 years through the resulting savings on energy costs.

Homeowners can also factor in various utility rebates and tax credits to increase their savings.  Once your solar water heater has paid for itself, you will have free hot water for the life of the heater and won’t have to worry about fuel or energy cost hikes in future years.  If you sell your house in the meantime, you have a good chance of recouping the cost of your solar water heater through the increased market value of your home.  Of course there are environmental benefits to operating a solar water heater.  You will not add to the pollution created by generating power or burning fuel to heat water for your home.  It’s estimated that over 20 years, the electricity needed to power an electric water heater will produce more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to the greenhouse effect, and your solar water heater will eliminate those emissions.

The next time you are contemplating life in a nice hot shower, give some thought to how you heat your water and the benefits of solar water heaters.

Keeping Spa Water Clean and Safe

Although the pool may get less use throughout the winter, in ground or above ground spas use can increase as the weather cools down.  Because of the warmer temperature of the spa, it’s important to follow some simple maintenance and cleaning guidelines to keep bacteria to a minimum and maintain the proper chemical balance.

You will need to use a spa sanitizer regularly to keep the water clean.  There are several different options available, including chlorine, bromine, baquaspa and minerals.  In addition, you’ll want to have a Spa Shock product on hand as well.  This product will work quickly to sanitize your spa and kill bacteria after heavy use.  To ensure that your sanitizing products work correctly, you’ll want to keep the pH of the spa water at 7.4 to 7.6.  Maintain your alkalinity at 100 ppm to 150 ppm.  The chemicals needed are readily available and inexpensive to keep on hand.  Depending on what type of spa you have, adding calcium may help protect your spa’s surface and prevent deterioration from soft water.

A pool supply professional can help you determine how often to use the basic chemicals based on what type of spa you have and how much it is used.  Regularly testing your water and looking for any trouble signs such as cloudy or discolored water, a ring around the spa tub or white deposit build-up will ensure that family and friends can enjoy a healthy and relaxing soak in your spa any time.

When to Consider Upgrading your HVAC

When having your fall HVAC maintenance check, you may be faced with big questions as to whether or not to replace your system.  Here are some guidelines from www.energystar.gov on when it’s time to consider replacing your system

If your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you could benefit from up to 20% savings in your energy costs if you choose an energy efficient new system.  If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, replacing it with Energy Star rated models can result in 5-15% more energy efficiency.  If you find that your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are rising, your system may simply be losing efficiency.

If you notice things in your home such as certain rooms that are too warm or cold, excessive dust, humidity issues or noisy equipment, your HVAC system may be to blame.  If your equipment isn’t operating properly, you may experience some of these problems.  Other causes could be dirty, leaky or insufficient ductwork or inadequate insulation.

If no one is home for a good part of the day and you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider having one installed.  It’s an easy way to save money while you are at work.  If you replace your old HVAC equipment with Energy Star rated products before the end of 2011, you could be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500, as well as substantial savings on your future energy bills.

The Benefits of Carpet in your Home

Installing new carpet is a great alternative to tile flooring.  Here are the top five benefits of carpet and rugs, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute:

Warmth & Comfort:  We all know carpet is more comfy than a hard surface for sitting, playing, or lounging.  Carpet provides insulation in colder temperatures, which can save energy.

Beauty & Style:  You can personalize your home by choosing from thousands of carpet styles and colors. 
Carpet provides a neutral foundation, or a focal point of bold color or pattern in your room.

Softens Slips & Falls:  Carpet provides a cushion underfoot, and a softer place to land for toddlers.  It also reduces the chance of injury if a fall occurs.

Long-Wearing Value:  When properly maintained and cleaned, carpet will maintain its beauty and durability for many years.

Noise Reduction:  Carpet helps absorb noise from computers, televisions, and other household electronics.  Carpet helps create a sound barrier between floors and on stairs as well.

The world of carpet is changing with the times, with a wider variety of new recycled and natural fiber carpets available to home owners that are long-wearing, easily cleaned and stain resistant.

Yes, You can Grow Vegetables in the Desert

Many people move to Arizona and think there is no way they can maintain a successful vegetable garden and
enjoy fresh produce.  The conditions are tough for growing, from the scorching sun to the hard, rocky red soil.  However, there is a gardening method that works well in any climate, takes up very little space and produces a steady stream of seasonal produce to enjoy.

Square foot gardening takes a small space and makes the most of it. Using raised beds or planting boxes allows the home gardener to create a garden with excellent soil and optimum growing conditions.  The gardening space is divided into a grid of squares, each containing a different type of plant.  Using the concept of companion planting allows the gardener to make the most of the space, by placing plants that actually benefit each other in close proximity to one another.  Some squares will contain one plant, others will contain multiple small plants.  Using a sequential planting schedule allows you to harvest small amounts every few weeks during the season, instead of having huge amounts of one vegetable to harvest all at once.

Local Master Gardener, John Chapman, has created a system of box gardening that allows Valley residents to get started with vegetable gardening easily.  Chapman addresses issues such as fertilization, irrigation, and provides many informative links on his website such as planting schedules, a vegetable garden model and books on square foot gardening.  October is a great time for planting and working outdoors, so why not get your green thumb back to growing?

My House Needs to Be Painted…Again

There are several reasons why your home may need to be repainted sooner than you thought.  Of course,
maintaining a quality painted finish on your house is not only aesthetically pleasing – no one wants to look at peeling, cracked or discolored paint – but also good for the life of your home.  So when you start to see problems with your exterior paint finish, it’s a good time to act.

Even a quality paint job will wear over time, especially in our extreme climate. Rain and snow aren’t really environmental factors that affect paint here in the desert, but sun and high temperatures certainly take a toll on your exterior paint.  The sun’s UV rays can cause paint to break down and fade.  Heat will cause paint and the surface beneath it to expand.  Repeated expansion and contraction can cause cracks that eventually expand and result in peeling paint.

Another reason you may need to repaint your house stems from improper preparation before a previous paint job.  If the surface was not properly prepared, the paint won’t adhere properly.  Quality of paint or choosing the incorrect type of paint can also result in peeling and cracking prematurely.  More expensive paints generally contain higher quality materials and should last longer if applied properly.  One coat of paint may be a quick fix, but you won’t get the wear out of it and your house will not be as well protected as it should be.

If you think your exterior paint is showing signs of wear, call in a qualified professional painter to evaluate the condition, identify any potential problems and provide your home with lasting protection and beauty.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

Are you ready to enjoy the fall and winter in beautiful Arizona?  Time to relax with family and friends, get outdoors, whether you’re golfing, hiking or attending the many festivals or art events in the area.  But, before you can play it’s a good idea to get your home maintenance list squared away.  September is a great time to handle routine maintenance items around the house as it begins to cool off a little.

Walk the exterior of your home and check for peeling paint, cracks in the foundation or stucco, damage to the soffit and fascia, and the slab and any plantings around your air conditioning unit.  As temperatures cool, adjust your irrigation timers accordingly.

In fall, solar screens can be removed, cleaned and stored.  Of course, that means windows can be washed after all of our summer dust storms.  It’s also a good time to check your sliding glass doors and clean the tracks and treads.  Check your garage door for proper operation, and follow manufacturer’s instructions for oiling the door if necessary.

Fall is also a good time to check and/or change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Remember to have your HVAC system checked by a qualified professional, and change your air filters.  While you are checking filters, don’t forget about your water filtration or softening systems – do you need a new filter in your fridge or bags of salt in your water softener?

Spend a day thoroughly checking out your systems and structure, keeping things clean and running smoothly and you’ll be ready to get out and enjoy the beautiful  Arizona fall weather.