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April 27, 2011     The Sun Paper
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April 27, 2011
 
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011, The Sun 7 Get Your House Ready for Summer The dog days of summer can really put the heat on electricity bills and put even the best air conditioning systems to the test. "The Department of Energy says that almost 45 percent of a homeowner's utility costs come from heating and cooling the house. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help lower those costs, keep your system working as it should, and beat the summer heat," says Dave Quandt, Senior VP of Field Services for American Home Shield, one of the nation's leading providers of home warranty services. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when summer temperatures start to sizzle: • An air conditioner set at 70°F can cost twice as much to operate as one set at 78°F. Raise the thermostat by 2 degrees above its normal setting. 'You'll still be comfortable, and your pocketbook will thank you. • Set the thermostat to 80°F when you'll be out of the house for several hours and lower it when you return. But don't shut the air conditioner off; it's less efficient to cool the house back down than to leave it set at a higher temperature. • A ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a 100-watt bulb, but it can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler. In summer, blades should turn counter- clockwise, pushing air downward to create a cool breeze. • Keeping windows closed and curtains drawn during the day can reduce cooling costs by 30 percent. • Lights, computers and televisions all generate heat. Turn them off when they're not in use. Quandt believes your best protection, however, lies in preventative maintenance. "It's important to have your air conditioning system professionally inspected and cleaned a least a month before you'll need to start using it," he says. "At@ minimum, tum it on and make sure it's still running like it should. "Last summer, we responded to more than 550,000 requests for air conditioning repairs during the record-breaking heat wave. You don't want to find out that your air conditioner needs repair or replacing just when you need it most. Now's the time to be sure everything's in good working order." Find out the manufact- urer's recommendations for maintenance on your type of unit. You can usually fred it online and in your owner's manual. In addition: • Create shade for the unit, but keep the area around the exterior condensing unit clear of leaves, bushes and other obstructions to ensure adequate airflow. • Clean or replace the air filter. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter monthly. Clogged, dirty filters block air flow and make a unit work much harder. A clean filter Rainbow of Colors • Steel orAluminum Prepainte(I • 6" Fascia Gutter System • Continuous Gutters • 30 Colors Available. Cleaning 5% Senior Discount Do-it.Yourselfer Materials ~ FREE Estimates - • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • MANUFACTURED • APARTMYIS $125 Minimum Repairs In Business 38 Years • CCB# 97556 can save up to 10 percent on your bill. If your air conditioning system and/or components break down, a home wawanty can help protect you from unexpected repair costs. "A home warranty," said Quandt, "is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most common home system breakdowns. It also covers appliances not usually covered by homeowner's insurance." Quandt says that American Home Shield offers home warranty coverage regardless of the age of the home, and it can be purchased at any time, not just when a home is bought or sold. To get more summer home care tips, and to learn more about home warranties, visit www.ahs.com. --Family Features THIS SEASON I WANT SOMETHING BG 55 .ANOH00LO e,owE. S1499s Proven handheld blower at an affordable price 503-623-5350 or 503-931-9835 STIHLusa.com Photo courtesy of Getty l00lIbi00 Polk County since 1972 Polk County's largest plumbing store. Commercial & Residential Service • Drain Cleaning • Septic Tank Repair and Replacement • Well & Pump Service 24 HOUR EMERGEliCY SEeVUCE www.forbesplumbingnow.com  I'tl-I-/S 503-623-8595 CCB# 5189 Electrical Sece Residential & Commercial New Construction & Remodeling A family owned business since 1943. 147 IN. Main St. Sheridan, OR 97378 s0s.8400.mz .s,,o SAW $179 9s J I I Bat lengths may vary  regio Designed for occasional wood-cutting tasks around the home To adverfie in next fairs All About Your Home section • call Paula 503-843.2312 ext. 202 i ii i i n iiii ORTHWEST LOGGING ' SUPPLY, INC. 2330 Stratus Ave., McMinnville 503-472-4115 • M-F 8:30-5:30, Sat 8am - 2pm www.nwlogging.com Available at pavlcipatinl dealers while supplies last. © 2011 STIHL "//i//" I///'////I/I/ "/I/////77;///i/////I// "el /liilil/i?'// i11/ (/ I1/ I ,;,'/:,'//;,;'//,;'/, , //Y// ://'/,/4" /// ,, // / / / / /,. //i /I/ ,, // // .. //, /// ,/>'/\>;0%///:'/'////\>\>%’ / "//'///,-,9,,////.', , .//, ..>: D ,,_'///OW/// ,."/-.'//./,0 / I/,', ,/,;;/,;h T//W//.%/,;,//, / /"//,;°/,, ,,, ,//,; ,////,/77. / /009  / ; / ,/.'/;1 /J/J/ //{ / / I 0’ (." ; / / //" / ’0 ? "// , //.gSS{J" / I)OI/A "/1"/17 / / / / 119 // /// ///1////,///////// I / //////S///// / 111 ,  ///// / /" I / / / I/!//////////////!/; 6";’'/,;', ".h/.;’%;Y////)//////;;;'//; >;':';.;;Y/?Z'/,;;'/,;'/,//)/)//,%//, /,/. /././,,,,////7%-//. ;.1///-//,,,///,/////,,// /////--/ ///, /t / /////////////I. ///,////'.J/ / I1/,////"//// / / /// //////// 1// / / C'//'//', / /////]/L W/ I{t1/I} /11 / ii / /I ] / II11 II i// tl/l/{l//J, // ." ...... - ;,,';; ..... :,'/; %6,/s,/////2; s ", .s ;, ,,; % ,/,;s ,, -,,; ;; ;;,, ,;4";. //// // "///ll///(,////llf/" "/1/i.,'6/// /I/I/’////////1///// ,,/ l/ .... ii//// /,I,,..,/i/.//I .... Ii/,.1.!1,1/i,1111( ....... i ..... ENERGY SAVINGS ARE RIGHT AT YOUR OPPORTUNITY IS ALL AROUND Let Energy Trust of Oregon help you seize the opportunity today. We can show you how making energy-efficient improvements to your home can reduce your energy costs. APPLIANCES You can save up to 30 percent on the cost of running your appliances when you choose highly efficient ENERGY STAR models. LIGHTING :4 . Cut your lighting energy use by as much as 75 percent--every time you turn the lights on--by installing compact fluorescent : light bulbs. INSULATION . Upgrades tb attic, wall and  floor insulation, as well as sealing air and duct leaks,  can save up to 20 percent on total energy costs. Energy Trust can show you how to start saving on energy costs today. Call us at 1.866.368.7878 or visit www.enersytrust.org. Serving customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. Ene rgyTrust of Oregon 1