The Fun Times Guide > Home Building/Remodeling > money saving tips

Are Radiant Barriers Right For Your Home?

radiant-barriers

Radiant barriers have been around for decades but they are starting to gain momentum. This is in large part due to advances in design and the sales potential to existing homeowners that are upside-down on their mortgages. I touched on the subject of radiant barriers in a recent post regarding home energy audits, but I wanted to dig a little deeper. Radiant barriers inhibit heat transfer by thermal radiation.  The concept works and is widely used throughout the homebuilding industry among … [Read more...]

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What Is A Home Energy Audit?

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What is a home energy audit? A home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment, is a series of specific tests and inspections performed by a certified professional to determine where your house could be more energy efficient. We recently had a free home energy review, not the same thing as a home energy audit, performed on our home by a representative of Home Energy Solutions. He came to our home and performed a complimentary 15-point inspection. It wasn't a full scale home … [Read more...]

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How To Increase Home Energy Savings

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Everyone wants to know different ways in which to save money. Homeowners have a particular advantage over renters as far as what you can do to improve home energy savings because you have a vested interest in your property. That doesn't mean that renters can't do some of these things, but they will have to live with the fact that whatever improvements are made (assuming the landlord approves your improvements prior to implementation) will stay with the condo, house or apartment. There are … [Read more...]

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What You Need To Know About Water Efficient Shower Heads

Let's face it. Most of us want to conserve water when it comes to showerheads, but we don't want to pay extra for water conserving plumbing products in order to do so. Nor do we want a low flow shower head to give us lack luster water pressure that requires us to spend longer periods of time in the shower rinsing soap and shampoo off of our bodies either. That would defeat the purpose of water conservation, would it not?! Have you ever stood under a so-called water efficient shower head and it … [Read more...]

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How To Paint Countertops That Look Like Granite At A Fraction Of The Cost

Is that granite in the photo on the right? It's not. It's our old laminate countertop after we used the Giani Granite paint kit on it. I never thought we would paint countertops in our bathroom, but we did. Why? Because of 2 very good reasons: … [Read more...]

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Home Water Heater Efficiency Is Increasing With Advanced Technologies

Water heater efficiency is a major deal because water heaters can be energy hogs in your home.Heating and cooling is the #1 culprit. Water heaters are typically #2 in the fuel gobbling category.So what can you do about it? Researching fuel-efficient water heaters is a great start. I'm glad you're here.  … [Read more...]

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How To Choose The Best Energy Star Water Heater For Your Home

If you are in the market for a water heater for your home, I urge you to buy an Energy Star water heater. What do I mean when I say 'Energy Star water heater'? Simple. An Energy Star water heater is one that has met stringent energy and efficiency guidelines as stated in the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Star program. These fuel efficient water heaters will save fuel, therefore, saving you money. You might even receive a rebate if the unit you purchase meets Energy Star guidelines. Are … [Read more...]

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How To Find Appliance Rebates

Are you moving into a new home in need of new appliances? How would you like for the United States government to help you pay for that new appliance you've had your eye on? Uncle Sam is all about encouraging consumers to save energy and resources, in general. One of the easiest ways to do that is to give Joe Public a little cash incentive to do the right thing. Namely, in the way of an appliance rebate for being sure that you make an appliance purchase with the Energy Star endorsement. It's that … [Read more...]

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Painting Countertops To Look Like Granite… Really! A Cool Home DIY Project

It seems everyone wants granite countertops these days. But what if you're looking to update your kitchen without spending a ton of money? What if I told you that you could have the look of granite countertops for a fraction of the cost. What?? No way!!!All kidding aside, there's an awesome product made by Giani that makes painting countertops a frugal investment. My wife brought "granite in a can" to my attention recently and it looks as though it has been added to my honey-do … [Read more...]

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Save Money and Conserve Water At Home By Installing A Dual Flush Kit In Your Toilet

How would you like to conserve water and save money at the same time? That is inevitably what happens when you conserve water anyway, but I'd like for you to think big picture here. Think dual flush kit! Okay... that's merely a piece in the puzzle of the big picture. A slight change in something you do several times a day (flushing a toilet) will do the trick. How could that be?   What Is A Dual Flush Kit? A dual flush kit is an aftermarket plumbing device that once installed … [Read more...]

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