| Meet the Savers |
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Tune up, cool down (5/31/12)
Bill Saver stood at the kitchen window, surveying the pile of treated lumber that had been deposited on his lawn earlier that week. He noted the utility locator flags that marched in a line from the street to the electrical transformer cabinet in his yard and then to the corner of the house. Glad I remembered to call 811, he thought as he hurriedly downed his morning cup of coffee and headed outside. Adding a deck to the Saver home would be quite a project for Bill. Hed built a birdhouse in high school shop class years ago, but that was the extent of his experience with carpentry. Thankfully his dad, Morrie Saver, had jumped at the chance to help. I better get the post-holes dug before he shows up, Bill thought. Hell be chomping at the bit to start sawing boards and pounding nails. It was a nice June morning, the perfect temperature for working outdoors. Birds sang, squirrels skittered across the grass and the central air conditioner hummed. The sound stopped Bill in his tracks. Its too early in the day for the air conditioner to be running, he thought. I better call a contractor and get it tuned up. Its been years since Ive had it serviced. Bill knew better than to attempt the job himself, and he had a good incentive not to. If I have a professional HVAC contractor do the tune up, I can apply for ECEs $25 rebate and make the cost more affordable, he thought. Our air conditioner will operate efficiently, and that saves energy and money. His dad came around the corner of the house just then, hammer in hand. Hey, good morning, Dad, Bill said. I was just thinking. You didnt name me Bill Saver for nothing. Saver Tip of the Week: If you have central air conditioning and ceiling fans, set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher and use the fans. You save three to five percent on your cooling cost for every degree you raise your thermostat. Check back June 15, for part 11 of the Savers energy-saving adventure.  |
