Daylight Saving Good for Home Maintenance

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Monday, September 27, 2010

Daylight Saving Good for Home Maintenance and Energy Bills

Have you taken a good look at the outside of your house lately? At this time of year it’s all too common to find mossy paths which don’t drain well, broken or blocked guttering and an overgrown section. The extra evening hours of sunlight available now that daylight saving has arrived will provide an opportunity to do some of those low cost but all important maintenance jobs.

“A lot of people don’t realise the significance of home maintenance for their energy bills”, says Sarah Free, Senior Energy Advisor from the Wellington Home Energy Advice Centre.

“Ideally there should be no overflows or drips from your guttering and any water that lands on pathways should drain away from your house. It is also important to check that putty around windows is in good condition and that any cracks in weather boards are sealed up and painted. And if you notice cracks developing in textured or other types of solid claddings you should seek expert advice from a building professional on how to remedy these as soon as possible.”

Keeping your home dry helps avoid premature deterioration in building components and stops moulds and mildews developing. Moulds, mildews and dust mites are common where warm and damp conditions exist. A dry home is also easier and cheaper to heat.

Sarah also points out that trimming back trees and shrubs encourages good air flow around the house which allows damp areas to dry more quickly.  She also says that any vents under the house should be cleared of weeds to allow for the designed ventilation to the sub floor areas.  

If you would like free, impartial advice to help with any energy-related problems in your home the Home Energy Advice Centre can help. People can call toll free on 0800 388 588 if they are living in the Auckland, Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, or Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson/Tasman and North Otago regions. Outside of these areas people can visit the Energy Advice website www.energyadvice.org.nz to email an advisor who can then call them back.
 

ENDS

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