Spring Is In The Air!

The sun is out, the snow is trying to melt, and the time has changed. March is beginning to "march" on by!

This is the time of year when I begin to get antsy. Spring cleaning is top of the list, the windows need washing, the front deck needs sanding and sealing, and the siding could use a good scrubbing. Aside from the obvious exterior clean up, the guts of my house could use a good check as well. Filters need to be changed, weather sealing needs upgrading, and the vents could all use a good clean out. Luckily, my home is only a few years old, the insulation is great, the windows and furnace are efficient, and most of the seals around my house are tight.

Now would be the perfect time to contact Northwestern Energy for a free energy audit.

http://www.northwesternenergy.com/display.aspx?Page=Home_Audit_MT&Item=102

Your house must be at least 5 years old, and of course, the energy audit is available while funds last. Which is why it makes sense to request it now.

Contact Swanson Construction at 587-8200, we can be on site for the audit and walkthrough. We will gladly answer any questions, and offer additional suggestions.

Now is also a great time to evaluate the "energy saving" projects that may have been placed on the backburner. Beginning January 1, 2009 and ending December 31, 2010 are new tax credits geared toward Energy Efficiency. There are tax credits available for existing homes and new homes. A breakdown of the tax credits are as follows:

Existing Homes: 30% of the cost up to $1500

• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non solar)
• Biomass Stoves

Existing Homes & New Construction: 30% of the cost

- no upper limit

• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Solar Panels
• Solar Hot Water Heaters
• Small Wind Energy Systems
• Fuel Cells

A more comprehensive explanation of the

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency can be found at:

https://www.energystar.gov/

Contact Swanson Construction for assistance with planning, budgeting, and executing your Energy Saving projects.

406-587-8200

Tom Swanson: swansonconstruct@bresnan.net

Alison Gendreau: alisong@bresnan.net

Thermostat Setback: Fact vs Fiction

As the weather starts to chill, and the temperature drops, our once manageable power/gas bills begin to rise. In an earlier post - I addressed a few simple and quick fixes to help stop drafts and the transfer of cold from the outside to the inside. Now is the time for the focus to shift to energy saving tips.

To begin with, we should all be practicing the art of the Thermostat Setback. This is process of "setting back" the thermostat during the times when we are not at home, or we are sleeping. For every "pro" opinion, there is a "con" opinion. I will attempt to tackle a few of the biggies here. (All the following information was borrowed from: http://www.mge.com/home/saving/thermostat.htm)

Fiction: It costs as much or more to heat a home back up after a setback.

Fact: The longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more heat you save.

Fiction: The house will warm up faster the higher the thermostat is raised.

Fact: The thermostat isn't like the gas pedal on a car. It's either calling for heat or not, so setting the thermostat too high may cause you to overshoot the desired temperature.

Fiction: The kids will kick off the covers and get cold.

Fact: Children older than about two weeks can regulate their body temperature just like adults, so they don't need any different temperature than adults. If they kick off the covers, try dressing them in two sets of pajamas with feet or using a sleeping bag.

Also, take into account some of the energy-saving benefits of utilizing the thermostat setback.

• By setting back just 3 degrees Fahrenheit, you could save $74 per heating season. Bigger setbacks save even more.
• If we all set back our thermostats by 1 degree Fahrenheit this winter, we could save enough gas for 3,100 homes.

In closing, it is important to remember that even the smallest gesture can result in a large impact. To start off by saving a little energy here and there, you are helping to save natural resources and a little money. Start small, continue small, and suddenly you will realize that the savings - both environmentally and fiscally - really do add up.