As we do every winter...here are some thoughts and reminders for how to prepare your home for colder days and months.
*Our homes are insulated about as well as they possibly can be for this climate. Most older homes in FL were constructed without insulation in the walls, (pre-central air conditioning). Some attic and crawl spaces are inaccessible. In most cases...if you cannot insulate the entire home...partial insulation will not make much difference. Most southern homes do not have the same types of insulation as northern homes. Many pipes are located on the exterior of homes.
*To keep your electric bills reasonable...you should try to give your heaters the ability to turn off occasionally. On a cold day...if the warmest your house will get is 68...even when the heater is working at 100% capacity...then your system will never turn off if you set it to 75. Thermostats read the wall temp, not the air temp. It could be warmer in your home than the t-stat measures. However...it will only shut off when it reaches the temp you set. Florida Power & Light will raise prices when there is high demand. Use as little energy as you need to save $$. Many of you have heat pump systems. There is a defrost cycle. Sometimes this emits cooler air during defrost. Do not be alarmed if this occurs.
*There is a differential that has been set for many of your heaters if you have a heat pump. It is best to increase heat only 1-2 degrees at a time. If you attempt to raise your heat too quickly (ie. coming home from work and raising heat from 60 degrees to 70 degrees), you can turn on your auxiliary heat. This will turn on extra heating strips to ramp up the heating. This is available on heat pump systems if it is what you want to do...but I would expect that is costs 2-3X the kilowatts on your energy usage. Some of your t-stats call this "emergency heat." Remember that your heater is not producing heat of different temperatures. The output from the vents is always the same temp.
*Florida Power & Light provides energy audits to customers for free. They take about a month to order. They can show you how much energy each of your appliances is pulling. Occasionally, we have found a faulty appliance and replaced it. Usually it is just a good lesson on how Florida Power & Light bills people. Call FPL to order this service if you like. We would be happy to meet you during the appointment.
PREVENTING FROZEN PIPES
When water freezes, it expands. That's why a can of soda explodes if it's put into a freezer to chill quickly and is then forgotten. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands the same way. If it expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious damage results.
Why Pipes Burst
Surprisingly, ice forming in a pipe does not typically cause a break where the ice blockage occurs. It's not the radial expansion of ice against the wall of the pipe that causes the break. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a pipe, continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe causes water pressure to increase downstream -- between the ice blockage and a closed faucet at the end. It's this increase in water pressure that leads to pipe failure. Usually the pipe bursts where little or no ice has formed. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can always retreat back towards its source, so there is no pressure build-up to cause a break. Water has to freeze for ice blockages to occur. Pipes that are adequately protected along their entire length by placement within the building's insulation, insulation on the pipe itself, or heating, are safe.
Regional Differences
Generally, houses in northern climates are built with the water pipes located on the inside of the building insulation, which protects the pipes from subfreezing weather. Water pipes in houses in southern climates often are more vulnerable to winter cold spells. The pipes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside of the building insulation. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are all vulnerable to freezing. MANY OF THE PIPES IN YOUR HOME ARE LOCATED IN THESE AREAS.
When is it Cold Enough to Freeze?
When should you be alert to the danger of freezing pipes? That depends, but in southern states and other areas where freezing weather is the exception rather than the rule, the temperature alert threshold is around 20°F. However, freezing incidents can occur when the temperature remains above 20° F. Pipes exposed to cold air (especially flowing air, as on a windy day) are vulnerable to freezing at temperatures above the threshold.
Mitigating the Problem
It's a good idea to keep kitchen and bathroom sink cabinet doors open during cold spells to let the warm air circulate around the pipes. Letting a faucet (farthest from the street) drip during extreme cold weather can also prevent pipes from bursting. Also...please be sure to disconnect all exterior garden hoses and drain them!!! It is very important to disconnect all hoses from the hose bibs on the side of the house if temperatures will drop close to or below freezing. If you suspect that a pipe or sprinkler line has frozen CALL US ASAP! It is rare...but it happens. Keep your heater on 55 degrees minimum and bring all animals and delicate plants indoors when the temps are low.
If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe
If you open a faucet and no water comes out, CALL ME ASAP! If a water pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve (usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house). You may already know how to shut off the water to your house. If not, call ECUA immediately, then call me. Don't try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame; as this will damage the pipe and may even start a building fire.
Going on a Trip?
When away from the house for an extended period during the winter, be careful how much you lower the heat. A lower temperature may save on the heating bill, but there could be a disaster if a cold spell strikes and pipes that normally would be safe, freeze and burst. ALWAYS keep the heat on during the winter and do not lower below 55 degrees.
And lastly...here are the numbers for ECUA (water company)
For after-hours emergencies (850) 476-5110.
For all other requests, contact the Ellyson Customer service office at (850) 476-0480.
While it is best to call me first in the event of a maintenance issue, you can always call ECUA or Florida Power & Light first if there is a major electrical issue (ie.) you notice power arcing from a transformer or there is a river of water in your yard. :)
TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME
*During the winter months, keep heat on at 68 degrees daytime/65 degrees nighttime and dress warmly. Every degree above 68 will use 5-10% more energy. Be sure to use a thermometer to check the real air temperature. Many thermostats are placed in areas where the wall temp may be different than the air temp. If possible, turn the thermostat down a bit when you leave the home.
Be aware of heat units going into “auxiliary mode.” (This means that the secondary coils heat up and produce more heat (in some heat units)…which means a higher cost to you. You can prevent this by raising your thermostat temps a few degrees at a time. Usually the differential is between 1 and 3 degrees – meaning if you crank up the temp to raise it quickly…the auxiliary may turn on. It’s ok to do so…it is just more expensive for you.
*Only use fans in rooms with people in them. Fans cool people…not the air. Just like a light, you should turn a fan off if you leave the room. A fan running all the time can use about $6 to $9 a month. You can reverse your ceiling fans to push warm air down from the ceiling. There is a small switch on the side of fans for this purpose.
*Open shades to let more light and warmth inside your home. Close them at night to keep less air from escaping through the windows.
*Set water-heater temp to no more than 120/125 degrees on top and 110/120 on the bottom. Restaurants are required to have theirs set to 140 degrees, but you may not need it that hot. Ask me to show you how to change your water heater temps. You can also reduce hot water use with a low flow shower-head.
*Choose the shortest run time on dishwashers to get the dishes clean. Also clean dishwasher food traps often, and turn off HEAT DRY if not needed.
*Do not allow exhaust fans (bath and stove) to run for longer than needed. Remember that they will just empty the warm air from inside your home and send it outside.
*Make sure that heat registers and return vents are not covered by furniture, rugs, wall hangings, drapery, etc. this will prevent them from working properly. ALSO...CHANGE YOUR AC FILTER!!
*Wash clothing with cold water unless extra sanitizing is required. Run dryer loads back-to-back and clean the lint filter every time. Don’t over dry clothes and dry on the lowest setting needed. Check the dryer vent on the OUTSIDE of the house too. If this is clogged...your dryer will work poorly and could be a fire hazard.
*Turn down refrigerator and freezer controls to factory settings. Make sure you vacuum out the bottom front vent of the refrigerator (especially if you have pets), and also any vents on the back (if easy to reach). Refrigerators are on wheels, so if you have never moved one…they are fairly easy for one person to slide out.
*Use energy-saving light bulbs (and unplug anything you are not using regularly-toaster, microwave, chargers...)
And lastly...here are the numbers for ECUA (water company)
For after-hours emergencies (850) 476-5110.
For all other requests, contact the Ellyson Customer service office at (850) 476-0480.
While it is best to call us first in the event of a maintenance issue, you can always call ECUA or Florida Power & Light first if there is a major electrical issue (ie.) you notice power arcing from a transformer or there is a river of water in your yard. :)
Visit https://www.fpl.com for more energy saving tips and various billing options that will fit your needs.
IN OTHER NEWS
SMOKE ALARM / FILTERS:
If you did not check your smoke alarms when we turned the clocks back, be sure to test them soon. Hold in the test button until the alarm sounds. Press again to silence. If your batteries/smoke detectors are not functioning. Please call me asap.
The filters in your AC/heating units must be changed frequently. Some people (especially those with pets) need to change filters once a month. Use the cheap blue or green fiber filters. They work the best. Your AC/heat will not work very well if you have a clogged filter. It will also be more expensive to run your unit. (Imagine trying to suck a marshmallow through a straw...that is what having a clogged filter can feel like to your heater/ac unit.) If you have an odd sized filter, there are a few hardware stores/specialty that sell all sizes of cheap filters and the big box stores can order them for you too, with advance notice. Also...Amazon.com. :)
JACKSON STREET RESIDENTS ONLY>>> your filters can be removed by pulling up the screen on the front of the unit. You can wash them in the sink. Dry them thoroughly and return to the unit. Be sure to turn off the units before doing this.
LAWNS:
Thank you for taking pride in your lawns and shrubs. Some of you are responsible for maintaining your own lawns. If you need the name of a lawn service, or if you would like to be placed on our lawn service, please give us a call. Leaves should also be removed from the ground regularly in the winter months to prevent killing the grass underneath. If you see a large build up of leaves on your roof...please give me a call.
EXTRA HEAT AND FIRES:
Please use space heaters responsibly. Avoid using any heaters requiring oil, and DO NOT leave them on when you are not at home. DO NOT plug them into an extension cord. Use a wall outlet. As always, it is not a good idea to burn anything (even pretty candles) in our homes. There are NO functional/working fireplaces in any of our rentals. Do not attempt to use any of them. :)
MAINTENANCE:
Please notify us if you have any major concerns with your property that need to be addressed i.e.) water leaks, roof leaks, electrical malfunctions, or appliance malfunctions. Please speak up. These types of problems tend to get worse over time…not better. It is much easier to fix small problems before they become a disaster.
Stay warm and HAPPY WINTER!
*Our homes are insulated about as well as they possibly can be for this climate. Most older homes in FL were constructed without insulation in the walls, (pre-central air conditioning). Some attic and crawl spaces are inaccessible. In most cases...if you cannot insulate the entire home...partial insulation will not make much difference. Most southern homes do not have the same types of insulation as northern homes. Many pipes are located on the exterior of homes.
*To keep your electric bills reasonable...you should try to give your heaters the ability to turn off occasionally. On a cold day...if the warmest your house will get is 68...even when the heater is working at 100% capacity...then your system will never turn off if you set it to 75. Thermostats read the wall temp, not the air temp. It could be warmer in your home than the t-stat measures. However...it will only shut off when it reaches the temp you set. Florida Power & Light will raise prices when there is high demand. Use as little energy as you need to save $$. Many of you have heat pump systems. There is a defrost cycle. Sometimes this emits cooler air during defrost. Do not be alarmed if this occurs.
*There is a differential that has been set for many of your heaters if you have a heat pump. It is best to increase heat only 1-2 degrees at a time. If you attempt to raise your heat too quickly (ie. coming home from work and raising heat from 60 degrees to 70 degrees), you can turn on your auxiliary heat. This will turn on extra heating strips to ramp up the heating. This is available on heat pump systems if it is what you want to do...but I would expect that is costs 2-3X the kilowatts on your energy usage. Some of your t-stats call this "emergency heat." Remember that your heater is not producing heat of different temperatures. The output from the vents is always the same temp.
*Florida Power & Light provides energy audits to customers for free. They take about a month to order. They can show you how much energy each of your appliances is pulling. Occasionally, we have found a faulty appliance and replaced it. Usually it is just a good lesson on how Florida Power & Light bills people. Call FPL to order this service if you like. We would be happy to meet you during the appointment.
PREVENTING FROZEN PIPES
When water freezes, it expands. That's why a can of soda explodes if it's put into a freezer to chill quickly and is then forgotten. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands the same way. If it expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious damage results.
Why Pipes Burst
Surprisingly, ice forming in a pipe does not typically cause a break where the ice blockage occurs. It's not the radial expansion of ice against the wall of the pipe that causes the break. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a pipe, continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe causes water pressure to increase downstream -- between the ice blockage and a closed faucet at the end. It's this increase in water pressure that leads to pipe failure. Usually the pipe bursts where little or no ice has formed. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can always retreat back towards its source, so there is no pressure build-up to cause a break. Water has to freeze for ice blockages to occur. Pipes that are adequately protected along their entire length by placement within the building's insulation, insulation on the pipe itself, or heating, are safe.
Regional Differences
Generally, houses in northern climates are built with the water pipes located on the inside of the building insulation, which protects the pipes from subfreezing weather. Water pipes in houses in southern climates often are more vulnerable to winter cold spells. The pipes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside of the building insulation. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are all vulnerable to freezing. MANY OF THE PIPES IN YOUR HOME ARE LOCATED IN THESE AREAS.
When is it Cold Enough to Freeze?
When should you be alert to the danger of freezing pipes? That depends, but in southern states and other areas where freezing weather is the exception rather than the rule, the temperature alert threshold is around 20°F. However, freezing incidents can occur when the temperature remains above 20° F. Pipes exposed to cold air (especially flowing air, as on a windy day) are vulnerable to freezing at temperatures above the threshold.
Mitigating the Problem
It's a good idea to keep kitchen and bathroom sink cabinet doors open during cold spells to let the warm air circulate around the pipes. Letting a faucet (farthest from the street) drip during extreme cold weather can also prevent pipes from bursting. Also...please be sure to disconnect all exterior garden hoses and drain them!!! It is very important to disconnect all hoses from the hose bibs on the side of the house if temperatures will drop close to or below freezing. If you suspect that a pipe or sprinkler line has frozen CALL US ASAP! It is rare...but it happens. Keep your heater on 55 degrees minimum and bring all animals and delicate plants indoors when the temps are low.
If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe
If you open a faucet and no water comes out, CALL ME ASAP! If a water pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve (usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house). You may already know how to shut off the water to your house. If not, call ECUA immediately, then call me. Don't try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame; as this will damage the pipe and may even start a building fire.
Going on a Trip?
When away from the house for an extended period during the winter, be careful how much you lower the heat. A lower temperature may save on the heating bill, but there could be a disaster if a cold spell strikes and pipes that normally would be safe, freeze and burst. ALWAYS keep the heat on during the winter and do not lower below 55 degrees.
And lastly...here are the numbers for ECUA (water company)
For after-hours emergencies (850) 476-5110.
For all other requests, contact the Ellyson Customer service office at (850) 476-0480.
While it is best to call me first in the event of a maintenance issue, you can always call ECUA or Florida Power & Light first if there is a major electrical issue (ie.) you notice power arcing from a transformer or there is a river of water in your yard. :)
TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME
*During the winter months, keep heat on at 68 degrees daytime/65 degrees nighttime and dress warmly. Every degree above 68 will use 5-10% more energy. Be sure to use a thermometer to check the real air temperature. Many thermostats are placed in areas where the wall temp may be different than the air temp. If possible, turn the thermostat down a bit when you leave the home.
Be aware of heat units going into “auxiliary mode.” (This means that the secondary coils heat up and produce more heat (in some heat units)…which means a higher cost to you. You can prevent this by raising your thermostat temps a few degrees at a time. Usually the differential is between 1 and 3 degrees – meaning if you crank up the temp to raise it quickly…the auxiliary may turn on. It’s ok to do so…it is just more expensive for you.
*Only use fans in rooms with people in them. Fans cool people…not the air. Just like a light, you should turn a fan off if you leave the room. A fan running all the time can use about $6 to $9 a month. You can reverse your ceiling fans to push warm air down from the ceiling. There is a small switch on the side of fans for this purpose.
*Open shades to let more light and warmth inside your home. Close them at night to keep less air from escaping through the windows.
*Set water-heater temp to no more than 120/125 degrees on top and 110/120 on the bottom. Restaurants are required to have theirs set to 140 degrees, but you may not need it that hot. Ask me to show you how to change your water heater temps. You can also reduce hot water use with a low flow shower-head.
*Choose the shortest run time on dishwashers to get the dishes clean. Also clean dishwasher food traps often, and turn off HEAT DRY if not needed.
*Do not allow exhaust fans (bath and stove) to run for longer than needed. Remember that they will just empty the warm air from inside your home and send it outside.
*Make sure that heat registers and return vents are not covered by furniture, rugs, wall hangings, drapery, etc. this will prevent them from working properly. ALSO...CHANGE YOUR AC FILTER!!
*Wash clothing with cold water unless extra sanitizing is required. Run dryer loads back-to-back and clean the lint filter every time. Don’t over dry clothes and dry on the lowest setting needed. Check the dryer vent on the OUTSIDE of the house too. If this is clogged...your dryer will work poorly and could be a fire hazard.
*Turn down refrigerator and freezer controls to factory settings. Make sure you vacuum out the bottom front vent of the refrigerator (especially if you have pets), and also any vents on the back (if easy to reach). Refrigerators are on wheels, so if you have never moved one…they are fairly easy for one person to slide out.
*Use energy-saving light bulbs (and unplug anything you are not using regularly-toaster, microwave, chargers...)
And lastly...here are the numbers for ECUA (water company)
For after-hours emergencies (850) 476-5110.
For all other requests, contact the Ellyson Customer service office at (850) 476-0480.
While it is best to call us first in the event of a maintenance issue, you can always call ECUA or Florida Power & Light first if there is a major electrical issue (ie.) you notice power arcing from a transformer or there is a river of water in your yard. :)
Visit https://www.fpl.com for more energy saving tips and various billing options that will fit your needs.
IN OTHER NEWS
SMOKE ALARM / FILTERS:
If you did not check your smoke alarms when we turned the clocks back, be sure to test them soon. Hold in the test button until the alarm sounds. Press again to silence. If your batteries/smoke detectors are not functioning. Please call me asap.
The filters in your AC/heating units must be changed frequently. Some people (especially those with pets) need to change filters once a month. Use the cheap blue or green fiber filters. They work the best. Your AC/heat will not work very well if you have a clogged filter. It will also be more expensive to run your unit. (Imagine trying to suck a marshmallow through a straw...that is what having a clogged filter can feel like to your heater/ac unit.) If you have an odd sized filter, there are a few hardware stores/specialty that sell all sizes of cheap filters and the big box stores can order them for you too, with advance notice. Also...Amazon.com. :)
JACKSON STREET RESIDENTS ONLY>>> your filters can be removed by pulling up the screen on the front of the unit. You can wash them in the sink. Dry them thoroughly and return to the unit. Be sure to turn off the units before doing this.
LAWNS:
Thank you for taking pride in your lawns and shrubs. Some of you are responsible for maintaining your own lawns. If you need the name of a lawn service, or if you would like to be placed on our lawn service, please give us a call. Leaves should also be removed from the ground regularly in the winter months to prevent killing the grass underneath. If you see a large build up of leaves on your roof...please give me a call.
EXTRA HEAT AND FIRES:
Please use space heaters responsibly. Avoid using any heaters requiring oil, and DO NOT leave them on when you are not at home. DO NOT plug them into an extension cord. Use a wall outlet. As always, it is not a good idea to burn anything (even pretty candles) in our homes. There are NO functional/working fireplaces in any of our rentals. Do not attempt to use any of them. :)
MAINTENANCE:
Please notify us if you have any major concerns with your property that need to be addressed i.e.) water leaks, roof leaks, electrical malfunctions, or appliance malfunctions. Please speak up. These types of problems tend to get worse over time…not better. It is much easier to fix small problems before they become a disaster.
Stay warm and HAPPY WINTER!