Reliable Remodeler Blog » Electrical

Record utility costs may drive us to energy efficiecy

woodrow — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:22:53 +0000

A new study shows that the price of electricity provided to American homeowners has skyrocketed over the last five years. Energy price research conducted by the USA TODAY shows that we’ve endured the longest consistent stretch of utility bill increases since the 1970s. Today’s average bills represent a $300 annual increase in electric bills over [...]

Record utility costs may drive us to energy efficiecy is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Clean and Test Your Thermostat for Winter

woodrow — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:18:15 +0000

Most people have a “set and forget” policy for their home thermostat. But what if it’s calibrated incorrectly in the first place? You can check the calibration with a simple test. You can do this one yourself. But if you really want to ensure that you won’t spend more than you need to on [...]

Clean and Test Your Thermostat for Winter is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Quick-Change Tips for Energy Efficiency

woodrow — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 23:42:15 +0000

I’ve always maintained that the wallet–not the heart–can drive the nation toward energy efficiency. Despite our most admirable convictions, it’s been the rising cost of energy that has fuelled Americans’ efforts to cut back on burning up energy. Now, even the financial mavens at Yahoo have gotten into the act, advising consumers that the green [...]

Quick-Change Tips for Energy Efficiency is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Fix That Buzzing Light Bulb or Dimmer Switch

woodrow — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:03:58 +0000

As much as we appreciate dimmer switches, they can make low-quality light bulbs flicker and buzz when you turn down the juice. Often the problem is with the bulb and you just need to swap it out for one with a heavier filament. I’d suggest switching to a newer, energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb. Or [...]

Fix That Buzzing Light Bulb or Dimmer Switch is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Cut Your Air Conditioning Bills This Summer

woodrow — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:39:39 +0000

I don’t know which is worse in the town where I live–three months of hundred-degree heat or my energy bill! Believe me, I take to heart most of the recommendations I find from other home improvement bloggers. And if your AC bills are catastrophic during the hottest months of the year, you might [...]

Cut Your Air Conditioning Bills This Summer is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Installing a Bathroom Fan

woodrow — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:38:07 +0000

Depending on your local building codes, you may be required to have a bathroom fan even if there are windows in the room. Without a fan equipped to handle the job, you’re risking mildew, mold, rot, warping doors and window frames, and paint and wallpaper damage. Be sure to read our informative article on the basics [...]

Installing a Bathroom Fan is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

There’s Money in Your Basement (Remodeling Project)

woodrow — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:57:25 +0000

If you’re looking for a good return on a large remodeling effort this year, consider finishing an empty basement space. While the return on investment (ROI) for remodeling always fluctuates with the economy and the geographical region for each homeowner, recent statistics on 2009 projects show good returns on unfinished basement or lower-level remodeling. Even [...]

There’s Money in Your Basement (Remodeling Project) is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Celebrate with Care!

woodrow — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:42:17 +0000

It’s not a jolly statistic. The U.S. Fire Administration reports 200 Christmas tree fires a year resulting in more than 30 deaths and injuries—and $6 million in property damage. Worn lighting cords, dry needles and branches tossed into the bright holiday fireplace, and overloaded electrical sockets turn a festive scene into a disaster. It takes [...]

Celebrate with Care! is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Tripping Over Electrical Problems

woodrow — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:10:11 +0000

The kids are home from college for the weekend. The washer and dryer are running like some crazy commercial laundromat, the sub-woofer in the living room is pounding like a toothache, and you’ve just booted up your computer to check your savings balance and—wham!—your house goes dark and silent. Do you have an overloaded circuit or [...]

Tripping Over Electrical Problems is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Radiant Floors for Your Kitchen and Bath

woodrow — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:57:45 +0000

As I grow older, my feet get colder. Every winter I wish I had radiant floors. I first encountered a radiant floor kitchen in Washington State where friends had rehabbed a Victorian home. They used a hydronic tubing heating system, which is usually too pricey for most homeowners. It can cost more than putting in [...]

Radiant Floors for Your Kitchen and Bath is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Ceiling Fans and Energy Efficiency

woodrow — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:34:46 +0000

In improperly installed or poorly maintained ceiling fan may become more ornamental than useful. You may have selected your kitchen, bedroom, or living room fan based on appearance, choosing it for blade design or lighting options. But unless you’re just going to turn it on when company comes, you should make sure that your fan [...]

Ceiling Fans and Energy Efficiency is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

If I Had an Extra $80 Every Month...

Mary — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:28:03 +0000

(Stats show that in 2003, the average American’s electricity bill added up to $81.42. http://www.grist.org/news/counter/2006/03/03/costs/ What would you do if you had that back? I might save up for a nice camera, a new bike… I’d wager you could come up with more than a few things you could throw that money towards. Who hasn’t imagined not [...]

If I Had an Extra $80 Every Month... is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.