Showing posts with label austin energy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label austin energy. Show all posts

Monday, February 2, 2015

HOME TIPS! : Seal Your Walls!


A simple home tip that may save you money and energy this winter.

We're all looking for ways to improve the energy-efficiency of our homes to help the environment and lower our utility bills in the process. Thankfully in Texas, basements are rare, so it's one less place you have to expect drafts to emanate. However, your home may have spots where air penetrates through the walls causing a draft and a change in temperature inside your home. This will likely occur in the areas where holes have been cut out of the walls to install plugs, switches, and canned lights. If you have ever removed these during cold weather, you have probably noticed some cold air pouring out.

You may reduce air leakage by using a tube of high quality caulk or a spray foam can to seal around the area where the electrical box meets the drywall. There are also alternative recessed lighting cans or fixtures that you can install which provide a tighter seal to keep the cool (or hot) temperatures out. This simple process will potentially save you energy this winter season!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Was Your Home Built Before 1978?

If you live in an older Austin home and have children or grandchildren age 5 or younger who live with you or visit often, it is important to get you home inspected for hazardous lead. Lead can be found in paint, tile, flooring, walls, mini blinds, window areas, and yards. The City of Austin, through its LeadSmart program, will inspect income-qualified homes for lead (often found in homes built prior to 1978) and will remove it at no cost to you, at a value up to $30,000.

Lead is a poison that can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, blood and vital organs such as kidneys. Lead poisoning is especially harmful to young children and babies; it often shows no symptoms or is mistaken for other problems -- even people who appear healthy can have lead poisoning.

The LeadSmart program is provided by the City of Austin Neighboring Housing and Community Development Office. Visit www.austintexas.gov/empower for details about free home repair and financial empowerment programs, or call (512) 974-3100.

From Austin Energy