Many buildings constructed prior to 1973 were not energy efficient and relied on non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum, natural gas and coal. However, a group of 12 oil-rich countries created the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which enacted a limit on the quantity of petroleum that other non-producing countries could purchase. Read more
The water we use on a daily basis is just as essential as the air we breathe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical American household uses more than 300 gallons of water per day. On average, 70 percent of water usage occurs indoors and the other 30 percent is used outdoors. Read more
Spring may seem like the perfect time to think about the maintenance of your air-conditioning system and how to improve its energy efficiency and dependability. However, many homeowners often wait until summer to have their AC system serviced or maintained, especially if it seems like there’s nothing wrong with it. Read more
Being trapped in a building fire is one of the most dangerous situations you can find yourself in. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2011 and 2015, an average of seven Americans died each day due to house fires. The leading cause of civilian home fire deaths during this period was smoking materials while cooking equipment was the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Read more
If you’ve ever been involved in a home or commercial building fire, you’ll most likely agree that smoke alarms play a vital role in the safety of a building’s occupants. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), about three out of every five fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or the alarms aren’t working. According to a recent study, the death rate was more than twice as high in homes that did not have any functioning smoke alarms versus the death rate in homes with working smoke alarms. Read more
Winter is on its way, and along with it, colder weather. As temperatures begin to drop, it’s not as easy to get out and do what’s necessary to protect your home from potential damage or energy leaks. So before temperatures start to dip, you may want to take on this list of 7 Doable Tasks to Winterize Your Home. Read more
As a homeowner, have you ever thought about using solar power as an alternative energy source? With a 30 percent increase over the last year, solar power continues to be one of the fastest growing energy sources in the United States. Not surprising, residential solar installations continue to soar. Read more
Are you staring at a clogged kitchen sink? Is the stagnating water in the sink making you feel sick? The good news is you can unclog the sink without calling a plumber or pouring hazardous chemicals down the drain.
You can use everyday materials you have at home to take care of this annoying problem. Read more
When it comes to the environment, being a responsible global citizen starts at home. Making your home more earth friendly doesn’t have to mean starting completely over. From recycling to using alternative cleaning materials, minor changes at home can add up to real benefits for the planet, not to mention your own health and happiness, and save you money while you’re at it. Read more
A healthy home requires a furnace in good working condition. Do you have a furnace that is causing problems? Is your home heating system more than 20 years old and have you spent money on furnace repairs in the last two years? If you answered yes, it may be time to replace your home’s furnace. Read more
