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The Green Corner by Michelle Sagatov

Here are some tips to keep money in your pocket while you live a little Greener!

Free - Things that Cost Nothing & Save Cash

• Turn down water heater thermostats as appropriate.
• Turn off lights when leaving a room.
• Set thermostats to 68 degrees in winter when you're home, and down to 55 degrees when you go to bed or you're away. (Programmable thermostats do this automatically.)
• Use energy-saving settings on washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
• Avoid wasting water, hot or cold, inside and outside your home.
• Clean your refrigerator's condenser coils once a year.
• Air-dry your clothes, when practical.
• Close heating vents in unused rooms.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets (5% of water "use" is leakage).
• Close drapes (and windows) during sunny summer days and after sunset in the winter.

Simple and Inexpensive--Things that will Pay for Themselves in Lower Energy Bills in Less than a Year

• Install a water-saving 2.5 gallon-per-minute shower head ($15).
• Install water-efficient faucet heads for your kitchen and bathroom sinks ($2 each).
• Install a programmable thermostat ($26).
• In the attic and basement, plug the air leaks a cat could crawl through, and replace and re-putty broken window panes (about $20).
• Clean or change the air filter on your warm-air heating system during the winter and on air conditioning units in the summer ($2).
• Install an R-7 or R-11 water heater wrap ($12).
• Insulate the first three feet of hot and inlet cold water pipes ($6).
• Install a compact fluorescent light bulb in the fixture you use the most ($15).

If you keep these tips in mind and make the changes one at a time, you'll be keeping the planet a little greener, and keeping a little green in your pocket!

Allergies?? Duct Cleaning may NOT be the solution!

Allergy season has hit! Can duct cleaning minimize the allergens circulating throughout your home? Certainly, the ads want you to believe there are health and energy saving benefits. But be cautious--this might not be the answer. A thorough annual furnace and air conditioning maintenance program may be a more appropriate approach.

Unless there are specific, identifiable problems, such as mold, the evidence does not support the duct cleaners' claims. An EPA study found that "duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems," nor do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.

Actually, duct cleaning may do more harm -- and it is costly. The cleaning process involves using negative pressure by connecting a very large, powerful vacuum cleaner to the ductwork, sucking out loose dust and debris using a rotary brush, compressed air nozzles, or a special tool called a skipper ball. This process churns up dust and may break the duct system seals. Cost is a major consideration. A 3000 sq ft living space on 3 levels is in the range of $600-$750.

Consider other steps before hiring a duct-cleaning service. Change or upgrade your air filter and clean and maintain your heating and cooling system. Consumer Reports recommended the 3M Ultra-Allergen Reduction 1250. It has a MERV rating of 11 and costs about $16.

An annual HVAC maintenance contract may be best way to go. Duct cleaning services may not include cleaning the heating & cooling equipment (heat exchangers, cooling coils, condensate drain pans, fan motors, blades and housings). Cleaning the blower fans and evaporator coils helps the system work more efficiently and avoids dirt and mold build up. Whether you use a duct cleaning firm or an HVAC contractor, always ask if these services will be part of the regular maintenance. Checkbook magazine periodically rates AC contractors.

One caveat -- duct cleaning may be necessary if there is evidence of mold growth, infestation of insects or rodents, or substantial deposits of dust or debris, for instance if the registers were not sealed during a renovation project. If your allergies are off the chart, consult with your physician to identify the problem and suggest other remedies before considering duct cleaning. 

Currently Coral!

(The latest in the ongoing saga that is Coral's home renovation!)

The renovation is almost complete. I am a bit edgy about it to say the least. Mostly because my husband is on some sort of nationwide tour, traveling 5 times in the four weeks encompassing the supposed end of the project. So every last minute detail I have to deal with myself, which is not the best situation for me because I am really bad at making decisions!

So, the cabinets have been highly anticipated because we chose a two-toned combo, one for the island and butler's pantry, and another for the kitchen. It's hard to envision exactly what it'll look like when you are looking at a 5x5 square of wood.

We were told the cabinets would be in around Feb 18--did not happen. Then we were told it would be Feb 29 definitely and they would be installed that day and/or Saturday and Monday. Well, Feb 29 came and went with no cabinets. I am then told it will definitely be Monday, March 3. Okay, so Monday is here! I foolishly go to my house expecting cabinets displayed in their proper places practically installed. Yes, I said it was foolish. There were many boxes all over the place and the only color present was the one for the island/butler's pantry. I did not immediately panic, but I was a bit concerned, so I called my builder who assured me it was just that they were on separate tickets and the other color would be here tomorrow.

So my husband, who left for Florida yesterday at 4:30am, accidentally left the alarm on and I woke at 4:30am today, convinced that there was no possible way that the correct cabinets would be in and all is lost and we will never get into our house. Ever! Well needless to say, my irrational mind frame about this project was on steroids at 4:30am, and I went to the house later this morning and saw boxes and boxes of Irish Cream and Sunset cabinets all waiting to be installed. But no one was there. Oh well, right? At least they are not all Sunset!