Month: July 2016

Make a Power Switch!

If you’re looking for ways that you and your family can reduce your energy use, keep track of your consumption by saving your bills, and noting the dates of any major changes (eg. severe weather, new appliance, change of routine, etc.). Then compare your consumption and spending to previous years’ results.

Meanwhile, here are some “electrical switches” you can make right away, for a noticeable cost reduction:

• Switch to newer, smaller fluorescent bulbs.
• Switch large or multi-light fixtures to dimmer controls.
• Switch to water-saving showerheads.
• Switch your laundry wash to cold water – most washing energy is spent making hot water.

Imagine this scenario. You hire a Home Inspector to inspect a house you’ve made an offer on. The inspector goes over everything with a fine tooth comb, outside-to-inside, basement-to-ceiling.

Great so far.

Then he presents you with his findings, points out areas that need repairs – and then offers to do this work himself because he’s also a contractor!

That’s called a “conflict of interest”. You cannot confirm whether the home inspection was done honestly, or with the aim of getting more work from you.

When hiring any professional, make sure that the advice or opinion you’ll be relying on is unbiased.