Hello. Energy bills cost money. Wasted energy costs more. You can stop this waste today. Your home in the West End needs care. Your house in Burnaby needs attention. High-rise apartments leak air. Older houses lose heat. You can fix these problems. Most fixes take minutes. Use these steps to lower your costs.
Start with your lights
Go to your kitchen. Look at the ceiling. Identify your light bulbs. Old bulbs use too much power. They get hot. This heat is wasted energy. Buy LED bulbs. Ensure the base fits your fixture. Turn off the power. Let the old bulb cool. Unscrew the old bulb. Set it aside. Screw in the new LED bulb. Turn on the switch. Repeat this in every room. Check the bathroom. Check the bedrooms. Check the hallway. LEDs use 90% less energy. They last for years. You save money immediately.
Inspect your doors in the West End
West End apartments often have gaps. Front doors lead to drafty hallways. Walk to your front door. Close the door. Look at the bottom. Check for light. Light means air is escaping. Air moves through the gap. Your heater works harder. Heat goes out. Cold comes in. Buy a door sweep. Measure the width of your door. Use a saw. Cut the sweep to size. Align the sweep with the floor. Use a drill. Screw the sweep into the door. Test the seal. Ensure the door closes easily.
Move to the sides of the door. Check the frame. Look for worn weatherstripping. This material flattens over time. It loses its grip. Pull the old strip off. Clean the frame. Remove dust. Remove old glue. Buy adhesive weatherstripping. Measure the height of the frame. Cut the strip. Peel the backing. Press the strip onto the frame. Hold it for ten seconds. Close the door. Feel for drafts. If you feel air, then add more material.
Fix window gaps in Burnaby
Burnaby houses have many windows. Windows are common points for heat loss. Stand by your window. Move your hand around the edges. Look for moving curtains. Moving curtains mean air leaks. Find the specific leak. Use rope caulk. This material is cheap. It is easy to use. Pull a piece of caulk. Press it into the crack. Use your thumb. Smooth the edges. Repeat this for every window pane.
Check the window locks. Lock your windows. Locking pulls the sashes together. This creates a tighter seal. A locked window is an efficient window. Do this in the basement. Do this on the main floor. Do this in the attic.
If gaps are large, then use foam tape. Open the window. Clean the track. Apply the tape. Close the window. The foam compresses. It blocks the wind. It keeps the heat inside your Burnaby home.
Seal your electrical outlets
Air moves through your walls. It enters through outlets. It enters through light switches. This is a hidden leak. You cannot see it. You can feel it. Stand near an exterior wall. Put your hand over the outlet. Feel the cold. Buy foam gaskets. These are precut shapes. They fit behind the plate.
Turn off the breaker. Ensure the power is off. Use a screwdriver. Remove the screw. Take off the plastic plate. Place the foam gasket over the outlet. Put the plate back on. Replace the screw. Tighten the screw. Do not over-tighten. Repeat this for every outlet on outside walls. Repeat this for every light switch. This stops the draft. It keeps your walls warm.
Manage your thermostat
Your thermostat controls your costs. High settings cost more. Low settings save money. Look at your display. Lower the temperature by one degree. You will not feel the difference. Your bill will show the difference.
Lower the heat when you leave. Do this before work. Lower the heat when you sleep. Do this at night. A drop of eight degrees for eight hours saves 10%. This is simple. This is free. If you live in a Burnaby condo, then use the programmable settings. Set a schedule. Make the heat lower when the unit is empty. Make the heat higher before you arrive home. Automation saves effort. Automation saves cash.
Clear your air vents
Look at your floors. Look at your walls. Find your vents. Ensure they are open. Look for furniture. Look for rugs. Look for curtains. Move these items away from the vents. A blocked vent makes the system work harder. The motor burns more power. The air does not move. Your room stays cold. Keep a clear space of six inches. This allows air to flow. It balances the temperature. It reduces wear on your furnace.
Use natural ventilation
The weather changes. Morning air is cool. Evening air is fresh. Open your windows in the morning. Let the cool air in. Close the windows when the sun hits. Close your blinds. This keeps the heat out. This reduces the need for fans. This reduces the need for air conditioning. Use the West End breeze. Use the shade in Burnaby. Control your environment manually.
Maintain your HVAC system
Go to your furnace. Find the filter. Pull it out. Look at the color. Gray or black means it is dirty. A dirty filter blocks air. Buy a new filter. Check the size on the old one. Slide the new filter in. Ensure the arrow points toward the blower. Do this every three months. A clean filter improves air quality. It improves efficiency. It protects your equipment.
Professional help for West End and Burnaby
Sometimes you lack the time. Sometimes the repairs are difficult. Randall The Handyman can help. We serve the West End. We serve Burnaby. We check your seals. We install your weatherstripping. We replace your light bulbs. We seal your outlets. We ensure your home is efficient.
Our pricing is clear. We charge $120 for the first hour. We charge $85 for each additional hour. We bring the tools. We bring the expertise. We save you time. We save you energy.
Our service areas
We travel to you. We work in Kerrisdale. We visit Yaletown. We help in East Vancouver. We serve UBC. We work on the Westside. We cover South Vancouver. We help homeowners in Richmond. We drive to North Vancouver. We visit West Vancouver. We work on Main St and South Main St. Our network is large. Our team is ready.
Take action today
Do not wait for the next bill. Start with one room. Check one door. Fix one window. These small steps add up. They create a warmer home. They create a cheaper home. Walk through your house now. Feel for drafts. Look for gaps. Make a list. Buy your supplies. Start the work.
If the job is too big, then call us. We handle the details. We improve your efficiency. We make your home better. Call Randall The Handyman. Schedule your visit. Start saving money.
Move to the next task. Protect your investment. Enjoy your efficient home. Contact us now.
