Inexpensive Energy Solutions

It's still pretty warm here in sunny Southern California. We are all still finding means of staying cool during the heat waves, but at the same time our electricity bills end up increasing.

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's kitchen remodels in Belmont Shore. For more photos of this kitchen remodel, click here.

Our last blog post on energy conservation focused on Fast and Free Energy Saving Tips, but now we are going to provide some inexpensive energy saving tips.

• Replace air conditioning filter.
  Replacing air conditioning filters will ensure a clean air flow throughout your home and prevent stressing out your air conditioning unit. Dirty filters will cause your air conditioning unit to work harder, meaning more energy consumption. Replace filters monthly for maximum benefits.
   
• Plug your home's leaks.
  Plugging in your home's leaks will help save energy. With cracks between windows and doors, cool air from your air conditioning unit or hot air from your heater can easily escape your home, causing your air conditioning unit or heating unit to work harder than it should. Weather-strip, seal, and caulk leaky doors and windows, and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers.
   
• Choose ENERGY STAR products.
  If you need to purchase a new appliance for your home, it is best to choose an ENERGY STAR product. ENERGY STAR products are energy efficient appliances. In California, some electricity companies offer rebates for having ENERGY STAR products in your home. 

Doing these fixes for your home, will help you save money on your electricity bill and conserve energy.

To read more on inexpensive energy solutions, click here.

Summer Time Conservation Tips

With the hot weather, it's hard to conserve water and energy. Living Green Magazine offers some tips to help you conserve water this summer.

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's remodeling projects in Laguna Beach, CA. For more photos of this home remodel, click here.

• Block out the sun from your home
• Change your bulbs
• Use fans and open windows during evenings when the temperature is cooler
• Check for leaks
• Install a low-flow system
• Check your meters

To get more information on these tips, check out the Living Green Magazine blog here. 

Fast and Free Summer Conservation Tips!

Summer is just around the corner! With summer comes higher utility bills. Here are some fast and free conservation tips from the Consumer Energy Center California Energy Commission to ensure you're conserving during summer!

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's projects. A home remodel in Long Beach, CA. For more photos of this home, click here.

• Use your microwave to cook. Microwaves use 2/3's less energy than cooking on a stove.
• Use your dishwasher to wash dishes (make sure it's a full load). Dishwashers use less water than hand washing. To save energy, let your dishes air dry.
• Having lots of food in your refrigerator prevents the fridge from warming up too fast when the door is open. So fill up your fridge, so your fridge does not have to work as hard to stay cool.
• Turn up your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away.
• Help prevent power outages by using high energy consuming appliances (i.e. your washing machine and dryer) after 6 P.M.
• Turn off lights and equipment when not in use.

For more tips on energy and water conservation, click here.

8 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool

This winter really is feeling like summer in Southern California. Want to stay cool and not use your air conditioning unit? Here are some tips from Huffington Post to keep your home cool without using your AC!

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's projects, a home remodel in Laguna Beach, CA. For more photos on this home remodel, click here.

1. Keep your blinds close
2. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter clockwise
3. Focus on the temperature in your body, not the house
4. Turn on your bathroom fans when you shower and your kitchen exhaust fan when cooking
5. Let the night air in
6. Ditch the incandescent lights
7. Start grilling
8. Consider long term improvements such as installing awnings or getting blinds for your windows

For more details on these tips and other tips, visit the Huffington Post's blog here.