How to Beat the Summer Heat
BBB Offers Tips to Keep Your Bank Account from Getting Burned
Austin, TX – July 2, 2009 – The summer months are here and with record 100 plus afternoon temperatures across Texas, consumers are looking to stay cool without dipping too low into their wallets. Better Business Bureau is offering advice on how to take advantage of a few easy home improvements and qualify for tax credits being offered by the Federal Government.
“Now is a great time for consumers to start making more energy saving purchases and cut down on their monthly bills,” said Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO of BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas. “These improvements don’t have to be too costly to be effective, but consumers still need to do their homework before making any big decisions.”
Consumers looking to save money during the next few months should consider the following tips.
Qualify for a Tax Credit:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included several new tax credits for consumers. According to the Act, up to 30 percent of the cost for all improvements up to $1,500 can be used as long as the products qualify. Consumers can go to www.energystar.gov/taxcredits to see a full list of improvements that qualify for this tax break. The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR seal is a good indication that a product may meet these standards, but not all will.
Keep it Simple:
Some of the best ways to cut a few dollars off an electricity bill involve doing very little work. Consumers should check the areas underneath the doors and windows of their home for holes in the weather stripping. This helps keep homes air-tight and also water-tight in the event of a thunderstorm.
Consumers should clean out or replace their air filters on a regular basis to maximize the airflow coming from their air conditioner. Adjusting the thermostat to a higher temperature and turning off unnecessary electronics such as computers and cable boxes can keep the electricity meter from spinning out of control.
Use Natural Resources to Save:
The sun’s rays heat homes up throughout the day, but they can also be useful if consumers take advantage of solar technology. Installing solar attic fans on a roof can reduce monthly energy costs by blowing out the hot air that accumulates in the attic of a home. They require no electrical hookups and consumers can go to BBB’s Member Pages to find a trustworthy solar energy equipment dealer.
Consumers can also save on their water bill by purchasing a water storage tank to place underneath the run-off points of their roof. Rain showers come fairly infrequently during the summer months, but with the right gutter system installed around the roof of their home, consumers can collect hundreds of gallons of water to use for watering plants. Buying an inexpensive electrical water pump can even allow consumers to set up a sprinkler system to water their lawn.
Don’t Crack Under Pressure:
David Maddox of Waco Foundation Repair says long stretches of extremely hot temperatures without rain can lead to damage to a home’s foundation. Investing in a series of soaker hoses to place around the perimeter of a home could be a cheap way to keep consumers from taking on a costly foundation repair.
"The best method is to bury the soaker hose three inches deep and a minimum of eighteen inches away from the edge of your foundation,” said Maddox. “Placing the hose a short distance from the foundation allows the water to evenly soak the soil."
It may lead to greater water usage, but a cracked foundation can cost thousands of dollars to repair and some homeowners policies don’t cover drought-related foundation issues. Large trees and shrubs can also draw water away from the foundation so avoid planting these items too near the base of the home.
Pick the Right Contractor:
Some home improvement jobs may be a little more complicated than what consumers can handle on their own, so hiring a contractor to do the work may be the best fit. BBB’s eQuote service allows consumers easy access to Accredited Businesses and saves consumers the hassle of spending long periods of time on the phone.
For more information on making home improvements, visit www.bbb.org.