Time To Clean Those Dryer Vents!

Dryer not drying as well as it should? Then it is time to clean your dryer vent! This is one of those chores that should be on your honey-do list every six months. Cleaning your dryer vent will not only improve your dry time, it may prevent an unsafe situation in your home. The US Fire Administration reports that clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries annually. “Failure to clean” is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.

Unplug the clothes dryer from the electrical outlet. (If it's a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply to the dryer at the appliance shutoff valve.) Pull the dryer away from the wall and vacuum behind it. Unhook the tube that leads to the vent and clear as much lint from the tube as you can. Rinse the vent hose in the sink until it is clean or use a shop vacuum to remove as much lint as possible. Check for holes in the hose. If you find any holes replace the vent hose. Take it to any hardware store and make sure to buy the same size and the right length. Grab that shop vac, go outside, and tackle the outside dryer vent as well. Locate the external vent and remove the vent cover. You may have to scrape away some caulk from around the cover. The foot-long vent tube should slide right out. Remove lint from inside the hole. Slide the vent tube back in and replace the cover. Head back inside, plug the dryer back in and run the dryer for a few minutes to make sure air is unobstructed while flowing through the vent.

Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads

Low-Flow shower heads and faucet aerators are the single most effective water conservation savings you can do for your home. The aerator (the screw-on tip of the faucet) ultimately determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet. Typically, new kitchen faucets come equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm, while new bathroom faucets have ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm. For maximum water efficiency, purchase aerators that have flow rates of no more than 1.0 gpm. Some aerators even come with shut-off valves that allow you to stop the flow of water without affecting the temperature. When replacing an aerator, bring the one you're replacing to the store with you to ensure a proper fit.

Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators are inexpensive to replace, simple to install, and can be one of the most cost-effective water conservation measures. They can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50% and reduce your cost of heating the water by as much as 50%. This conservation of water and energy is not only good for the environment, but the savings in your utility bills will pay for the cost of the aerators within a few months.

Local Harvest

Did you know the typical carrot has to travel 1,838 miles to reach your dinner table? Farmers markets are great places to shop and a great way to support the small, local farms, run by farmers who live on their land and work hard to preserve it. Truly, the best organic food is what's grown closest to you. You can also cut down on the use of fossil fuels used to haul food to the local supermarket, which leads to significantly reduced levels of pollution and resource depletion. This website can help you find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies: http://www.localharvest.org/

Water Heater Sediment

Water heater manufacturers recommend flushing the sediment from the tank once a year. Sediment is the dirt, sand, and minerals from the water company or well, and is a normal part of a water system. Over time this sediment builds up in the bottom of your water heater. A deep layer of sediment displaces water and reduces the amount of hot water available for your use. It can also clog the drain valve and possibly affect the efficiency of the water heater. Water heater sediment can also slow the heat transfer and overheat the bottom of the tank. By cleaning your water heater regularly and flushing this sediment out, you will extend the life of your heater and will lower the energy and money required to run your water heater.