www.taliesinpreservation.org/2011-centennial

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. 

Change your air filter regularly

Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Seal your heating and cooling ducts

Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more.

Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house. 

Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment

If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading,consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.

Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment

Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent — costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment's life. Learn more.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac

A Maryland beverage-maker is testing your honesty today by offering you a drink and trusting you to leave a dollar.

Bethesda-based Honest Tea is conducting it's second annual Honest Cities "social experiment."  It will leave carts of its iced tea drinks around several cities nationwide, including the District.  There will be a sign asking people to leave $1 for taking the tea.

Hidden cameras will keep an eye on people today in a busy spot of the District.  The iced tea cart and the honesty test will be in place until 6:00pm.  You can watch the Honest Tea cart via live streaming video.  

How will DC fare compared to other cities' honesty?  In 2010, 93% of people who took a bottle outside Union Station left money.  That put Washington in second place in the nation, just getting edged out by Boston.

"Sometimes people put in more money.  We saw a guy put in $5 and took three bottles," said Seth Goldman, the "Tea E.O" of Honest Tea, in an interview with 9NEWS NOW.  "Some people have been on roller skates and barely slowed down to take a bottle.  You really see all kinds of different behavior."

Results of the multi-city honesty test are expected to be released Wednesday.

Written by Dan Guzman: 9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com

An automatic sprinkler system is a home improvement project worth considering. Not only will it help maintain a healthy beautiful landscape which you can enjoy with your friends and family, but it’s the most convenient and efficient way to ensure your landscape gets the water it needs without over-or under-watering. When it is properly installed and maintained an automatic sprinkler system will help conserve water too.

In fact, a professionally or DIY-installed automatic sprinkler system is one of the best investments that you can make for your home. Just ask anyone who has one. There is no easier or more cost-effective way to beautify your home, increase its value, and save yourself time and money.

Keep in mind, however, that there is more to a sprinkler system than just sprinklers.  System design and installation are critical factors that will affect your system’s performance and longevity. If you hire a professional to install your sprinkler system, a system design should be created before installation begins.  If on the other hand, you decide to install the sprinkler system yourself, Rain Bird can create a design plan customized for your landscapes specific needs.

Along with ensuring your system is properly designed and installed, Rain Bird manufactures rain shut-off and moisture sensing devices that can help you realize even more water and cost savings over the lifetime of your sprinkler system

So put away your garden hose and let Rain Bird do your watering for you -- automatically! You'll have greener grass, healthier plants, and much more free time to smell the roses instead of watering them.

Why Purchase a Rain Bird Automatic Sprinker System

• SAVE TIME: Your system will do all the watering for you.
• SAVE WATER: An automatic system uses less water than watering by hand.
• SAVE MONEY: Your water bills will be lower and your plants will live longer.
• REST EASY: The Rain Bird name is your assurance of quality, value, and performance.

http://www.rainbird.com/homeowner/education/benefits.htm

Expansion and contraction of wood is perfectly normal during changes in the weather. Wood is a natural material that seeks to be in balance with its surroundings. Hardwoods destined for use in home furnishings are carefully kiln-dried for that purpose, and they will take on or give off moisture with extreme changes in relative humidity. When the air is exceptionally warm and humid, solid hardwoods will absorb moisture and expand. Likewise, with much cooler, drier air, the wood will give off moisture and contract. This is completely natural, and craftsman design fine solid hardwood products to accommodate these changes.