Green Zone
KFMG 99.1 FM, streaming at kfmg991.org
Des Moines, Iowa
September 15-19, 2008

Monday, Sept. 15
Today’s Tip: Make your refrigerator more energy efficient. Test the seal.
The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house. Make yours more energy efficient by testing the seal.

If your refrigerator won’t stay tightly shut, it may be overcrowded and your shelves may need some reorganizing. However, it may also be that the door gasket has deteriorated over the years, leaking warm air into the interior and forcing your compressor to work harder. To check the seal, close a dollar bill in the door frame and tug it gently to see if it is held firmly in place. If the bill slides right out, contact your service provider about installing a new seal. Move the dollar down a foot and repeat the process until you’ve tested the entire seal.

From Green Guide, fall 2008, “Fridge Efficiency,” page 28

Tuesday, Sept. 16
Today’s Tip: Check the temperature of your refrigerator.
The refrigerator is one of the biggest household energy hogs. Make yours more energy efficient by keeping it at the correct temperature.

Keeping your fridge too cold is a waste of energy and can ruin your food. The ideal internal temperature is between 38 and 40 degrees F. To check, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf and let it stand for five to eight hours. If the reading isn’t in the ideal range, alter the temperature control and check again in another five to eight hours.

From Green Guide, fall 2008, “Fridge Efficiency,” page 28

Wednesday, Sept. 17
Today’s Tip: Make your refrigerator more energy efficient. Clean the coils.
The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house. Make yours more energy efficient by cleaning the coils.

Condenser coils tend to get dusty and covered in pet fur over time, making them less efficient. If the coils are on the back of your fridge, pull it away from the wall and unplug it. Turn it and clean the coils thoroughly with a sponge or vacuum. If the coils are at the base of the fridge, move the unit to unplug it (or leave it in place and flip the circuit breaker). Remove the coils’ cover panel and vacuum the coils with a wand attachment until clean. You may also need to use a condenser cleaning brush to reach coils farther back. Do this every three months.

From Green Guide, fall 2008, “Fridge Efficiency,” page 28

Thursday, Sept. 18
Today’s Tip: Install a HEPA filter
Improve your home’s indoor air quality with a true HEPA filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency-particulate-air. It cuts down on allergens as well as dust.

Ordinary disposable fiberglass filters were designed to remove the largest particles from the air, with the goal of protecting your heating equipment, not your lungs. They trap only 10 to 40% of the debris passing through them. A HEPA filter, on the other hand, can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles. They are made of randomly arranged fibers and are based on Department of Energy standards.

In terms of value and effectiveness, installing a filter on your central heating and cooling system is definitely the best way to go. You can also get portable filter units for individual rooms.

Do beware of so-called “HEPA type” or “high efficiency” filters, which are widely advertised, especially on TV. These products can actually be up to 55% lower in efficiency than true HEPAs.

From thedailygreen #460220

Friday, Sept. 19
Today’s Tip: Seal those ducts
Heating and cooling are two of the home’s biggest uses of energy, so it’s important to make sure all your ductwork is tightly sealed. According to U.S. Department of Energy studies, 10 to 30% of conditioned air in an average system escapes from ducts.

Clearly, you don’t want to be paying for hot or cold air that is simply going to waste, and you don’t want to be responsible for more CO2 emissions than is necessary. Therefore, it’s a good idea to hire a professional (and experienced) service technician to come out and test your system, and fix any duct problems they uncover. Don’t just try to slap on duct tape, because that’s not very effective, despite its name.

Properly sealing ducts can save the average home up to $140 annually, according to the American Solar Energy Society. And it helps cut down on mold and dust, leading to healthier indoor air.

So call your professional service today for a fall checkup of your heating system, and be sure to check those ducts.

Thedailygreen #4154