Entries Tagged 'Heating and Air' ↓

A house is one of the most important purchases anyone will make. Your house is more than a solitary shelter from the elements. It’s a home. Keeping up with maintenance is essential to keep it looking its best.

It’s nice to know that emergency loans are helpful in maintaining the beauty of your home and your peace of mind. Here are 5 home maintenance tips to consider when making your project list.

Silent Hazard

The home’s HVAC system is in place to provide comfort. A neglected heating/cooling system increases the risk of carbon monoxide within the home. By replacing your filter once a month and having a professional come out annually to check the HVAC system, you can prevent this silent health hazard from creeping about your home.

Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets are easy to overlook. What seems like a tiny inconvenience can turn out to be a monstrous problem if ignored. Not only does one leaky drop per second waste over 6,000 gallons of water a year, leaks can also cause damage you can’t see until its too late. Rotting wood seriously compromises the structure of your home, causing wood deterioration. Unchecked water leaks can also breed something you do not want to take residence – - dreaded mold.

Fire Prevention

We all know not to leave a candle unattended, but did you know that your dryer can put your home at risk as well if it’s not properly maintained? A clogged dryer duct can catch on fire if it’s not cleaned out on a regular basis. Take the time yearly to clean out the lint trap and nip this problem before it escalates.

Chunky Gutters

Another way to prevent mold and save on home maintenance is by cleaning the gutters. Rainwater with nowhere to travel causes moisture issues to threaten the foundation of the home’s structure. It also becomes the perfect condition for mold to form. Following a schedule of home maintenance is a good idea.

Keeping Out The Cold

Being prepared for winter is crucial. Prepping for that chilly bite in the air can help cut the cost on your heating bills. Placing an additional layer of insulation in the attic can save up to $150 per year. Also, don’t forget to air seal the floor of the attic.

Many options are available to help save financially. For instance, using natural energy by installing solar panels gives your home a green edge. Solar panels are one way to increase your Home Energy Rating System (HERS). A better rating may help give you an edge when looking into your financing options. Check it out.

A home equity loan often provides a low interest rate. With a payment that may be tax deductible, it’s worth looking into. Another solid financing option to consider is obtaining a line of credit. Find out what your options are when looking for an emergency loan. No matter what type of repairs your home may need, there is a financing plan that is right for you.

Once you have experienced the efficiency of a corn pellet stove, you will never go back to other home heating systems. Corn pellet stoves are an economical and sophisticated way to heat your home, without worries of high heating bills. They are environmentally friendly and cost effective.

Growing Popularity of Corn Pellet Stoves

Corn is one of the most inexpensive fuels today, and the use of corn pellet stoves have doubled since last year. Even before this burst of popularity, an estimated 65,000 corn pellet stoves were used in the United States in 2005. Cheaper than propane, oil and natural gas, there are waiting lists with corn stove makers due to the rapid rise in popularity.

Corn pellet stoves and wood pellet stoves look similar on the outside and both come in a variety of styles, finishes and sizes. Glass front windows are standard with both types of stove. They can both be vented to the outside, therefore there is no need for a chimney. Smoke is not trapped inside the house because the draft blower creates a vacuum and draws the combustion air through the pellets and smoke gets forced outside through the vents.

How Corn Pellet Stoves Work

Pellet stoves are run on tiny pellets of the same consistency and size and are fed automatically into the stove. Differing from wood stoves, corn pellet stoves produce convective heat and not radiant. This is a benefit to homes with children, because they do not get extremely hot to touch.

You simply pour the corn pellets into the holding bin, which is called a hopper, located at either the top or the bottom. The hopper usually holds about 35 – 100 pounds, depending on the size and burn rate of the corn pellet stove you are using. If it is a large hopper, it will burn longer because of the amount of corn pellets that fit into it. Continue reading →