Category: Tips & Tricks

Last month, we shared a blog about how to know when to replace your appliances. No one wants to spend money on a new appliance if it isn’t necessary! Along the same lines, it’s always nice to increase the life of your existing appliances. How? It may be simpler than you think! Find out how to increase the life of your appliances.

Ovens/Stovetops

A common mistake that homeowners make is cleaning the stovetop incorrectly. If you aren’t sure what type of cleaner to use, go with vinegar or warm water. Many homeowners use the wrong type of cleaner and damage the burners. Also, never spray around the knobs. Knobs lead to electrical controls and just a squirt could cause a short. Instead, spray a rag and wipe down the knobs.

Refrigerators

When was the last time you cleaned your refrigerator coils? These are located in one of two places: either on the bottom of the front of your refrigerator or in the back of your refrigerator. It looks similar to a radiator, and can collect dust very easily. Use a vacuum or coil brush to remove the dust. That way, your refrigerator doesn’t have to work as hard to cool. When it overworks, it is more likely to need an early replacement.

Dishwashers

This one may surprise you. Be careful how much you pre-wash your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Some dishwashing detergents are extremely effective and when combined with soap from a pre-wash, they can cause the dishwasher to produce too many suds and overflow.

Washers

The most common problem with washing machines is overloading. Here’s a rule of thumb: if you have a front-load washer, clothes should not cover the whole window, but only about half.

Dryers

It seems obvious, but always remember to clean the lint trap after every load. It’s also a best practice to make sure the air vent (wherever the air exits from the dryer) isn’t clogged with lent. This should be done every month or so. Also, locate the moisture sensors on your dryer. If you use dryer sheets, the chemical residue can collect on these sensors. Be sure to keep an eye on these as well.

Follow Us!

Hopefully, these tips help to increase the life of your appliances and ultimately the amount of money in your pocket! For other insightful tips and tricks like these, be sure to follow our boards on Pinterest!

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat that goes out the window accounts for up to a quarter of heating bills. Of course, a solution to this heat loss would be covering the windows to converse heat and save energy. Even better than just a covering your windows is layering them…find out how to layer your windows in the 5 easy steps below!

1. First, choose a cellular shade. These come in single, double, or triple cell shades; the more cells there are, the more insulation there will be. Cellular shades alone reduce heat loss by up to 31%!

2. Hang the shades inside the window frame, a half-inch from the glass, with gaps of only a quarter inch on either side. To take advantage of solar heat gain, raise and lower the shades with the sun.

3. Next add sheers. Sheers hung on a double rod add privacy and light control when the shades are raised to capture the sun.

4. Drapes alone cut heat loss by approximately 10%. When choosing drapes, look for ones with a tightly woven fabric and a lining. Hang them about an inch from the window with a 4 inch overlap at the center.

5. To tie your window layers together, choose a valance or cornice to button up windows even more by trapping air along the top of the window.

Think Of Us First

By layering your windows, you’ll not only save energy by keeping your home warmer, but you’ll also add some festive decor to the “eyes of your home.” The same ideas can be applied to your glass doors, too! At The Bosworth Company, our priority is the comfort of your home, so think of us first for all your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs! For other tips and tricks like these, follow our boards on Pinterest!

Winter is almost here…and you know what that means. Cozy evenings and crackling fires in the fireplace! However, fireplaces and chimneys are involved in 42% off all home-heating fires. So before you spark up the logs, use these 8 tips to prepare your fireplace for winter!

1. Have your chimney swept – Your chimney should be swept at least once a year to remove soot and debris. The end of fall/beginning of winter is the perfect time to do this.

2. Check for damage – In addition to having your chimney swept, you should inspect the chimney structure and liner for cracks, loose bricks, missing mortar, etc.

3. Cap the chimney – If you’ve never done it before, now is a good time to have your chimney capped. A cap fitted with wire-mesh sides covers the top of the chimney and keeps animals, debris, etc. from entering. If your cap is missing or damaged, get it replaced.

4. Burn the right wood – Choose dense wood that’s been stored and dry for at least 6 months. Wood that is softer or damp can produce a build-up that can collect in your chimney.

5. Don’t overload – Be cautious to not overload your fire. Small fires generate less smoke, and obviously, less heat. Too much smoke or heat can crack the chimney.

6. Start it right – Place your logs on a metal grate at the rear of the fireplace. Rather than flammable liquids, use kindling to start the fire.

7. Use a fireplace screen – Prevent embers and sparks from shooting out of the fireplace with a mesh metal screen or glass doors.

8. Keep an eye on it – After you start a fire in your fireplace, be sure to keep an eye on it to ensure the fire is contained and everyone stays a safe distance away.

Wishing You A Cozy Winter!

If you don’t want to deal with fireplace maintenance, you may want to consider gas logs. Discover the benefits and contact us to tell you more!

At The Bosworth Company, your comfort & satisfaction is our priority. For all your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing needs, think of us first! We’re worth the call…always.

You could probably guess that your shower is the biggest water user in your home. In fact, the average home uses 40 gallons of water every day (according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). That translates to over 4.9 billion gallons a day in the United States!

You can save money by reducing your home’s water usage by making one simple change to your bathroom…

Switch Your Shower Head

Was your shower head installed prior to 1994? Due to the age of this shower head, you could be using an unnecessary amount of water. Here’s why: older shower heads typically spray 5 gallons a minute. Shower head models that were made after 1994 spray almost half of that and are much more efficient.

Test It!

How do you know if your shower head is spraying more water than necessary? Put it to the test! Here’s how: Place a gallon bucket under the spray of your shower head. Turn on your faucet the way you would normally turn it on for a shower. If the water from your shower head reaches the brim of your one gallon bucket in less than 24 seconds, your shower head doesn’t pass the test. You could possibly benefit from a new shower head.

Switch & Save

If your shower head didn’t pass the test, it’s time to make a switch and save! When you go to shop for a new shower head, look for a “WaterSense” label. That means that particular shower head is highly efficient, saving water & dollars.

It’s that easy! Just a simple switch could save you hundreds of dollars a year in your water bill. At The Bosworth Company, we are here to ensure the comfort of your household. If you’d like more information on how to save on your utility bills, follow our boards on Pinterest!