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In This Issue

• Stay Cool For Less
• Check Your Hoses
• How to Stretch a Tank of Gas
• Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Stay Cool For Less

Now that summer is in full swing and the days are consistently hot, your air conditioner is probably getting a pretty good workout. Staying cool is crucial during the summer months, but using you’re air conditioning regularly will impact your electric bill, and not in a positive way.
Fortunately, there is a simple way to keep your A/C running efficiently. Regularly changing the filter can significantly help save on electricity, not to mention assuring that your home is being pumped full of healthy, clean air. Changing the filter is easy and can be broken down into a few steps.

Step 1
First thing is first. You need to find your air conditioner filter vent. This compartment is normally covered by a strip of metal that slides in and out of place, but this can vary depending make and model. Some models will require the use of a screwdriver to remove the exterior panel to get access to the filter.
(Note: When changing an A/C or furnace filter, or when working with any home appliance, make sure the power is turned off at the breaker to avoid risk of electric shock.)

Step 2
Determine the size of the air filter that needs to be replaced. The sizes are noted on the side and usually appear as 16×24 inches and other similar sizes. You may also consult the user’s manual to find this information.

Step 3
Purchase a replacement filter in the size required for your system. There are various types of filters to choose from, and they will vary by price. Synthetic polyester filters will be more expensive than spun glass filters. You may want to consider a high efficiency or HEPA filters if you have more strict health concerns. High efficiency filters will also trap pollen, mold and other irritating particles.

Step 4
You will want to make sure that you replace the new filter so that it works properly with the unit’s airflow. Again, this will vary by make and model, so check your user’s manual to determine the proper guidelines for replacement.

Step 5
Filters should be replaced at least 4 times per year. Some units will recommend monthly filter replacement, so again, check the user’s manual or consult the manufacturer to see what works best for your unit.

Step 6
Dispose of the old filter, sit back and enjoy the cool air.

Drink to Your Health
Having clean drinking water is essential to your health. Our bodies are made up of 70% water and it frequently needs to be replaced. While tap water is generally safe to drink, it may still contain certain chemicals, particles and microorganisms. So using a water filtration system to remove contaminants and pollutants from your tap water can help to provide you and your family with a safe and healthy water supply. Water filters can come in all shapes and sizes, and they all have different methods of purification.

Here are a few common types of water filtration and benefits of each:

Distillation

The water is heated to a boil where it vaporizes. The vapor is then collected, condensed and stored. Distillation leaves most bacteria and other solid materials behind. However the main disadvantage to this type of filtration is that certain chemicals may be passed along with the water if they have the same or lower boiling point than water.

Ion Exchange

Primarily used for deionization and water softening, this process involves the exchange of ions. Water is passed through bead-like spherical resin materials. The water ions are exchanged with the ions attached to the beads. This method is commonly paired with another type of filtration as it does not remove many of the microorganisms found commonly in tap water.

Carbon Absorption

In this method, water is passed through carbon filters to remove unpleasant tastes, smells, and many chemicals. Companies like Brita and PUR make products that use this type of filtration and the use of Carbon Absorption has become very common.. Some microorganisms may be removed, but not necessarily. Carbon Absorption works well in conjunction with Ion Exchange as a means of purification and water softening.

Reverse Osmosis

Water is pushed through a filtration membrane by hydraulic pressure. As the water moves through the membrane any salts, sugars, ions, and any other molecules that are larger water are removed. One drawback to this method is that does not provide the pleasant taste of Carbon Absorption.

These are just a few methods of water filtration and there are many more ways to go about it. As previously mentioned, filtration methods can be combined for even better results.
To keep filtration systems working effectively the filters will need to be changed regularly, at the most every 6 months. Each type of filtration system works differently, and as such, there will be different methods for filter replacement. Check the product’s user manual or consult the manufacturer to ensure filters are being changed properly and on time.

Check Your Hoses!

Has this ever happened to you? You sort through piles and piles of laundry to pick out the specific items that you want to wash, read all the labels for washing instructions, lug the laundry basket down to the washing machine, open the lid and boom…you have a full washer full of old, dirty water.

If so, you most likely have a hose problem.

A washing machine has a set of hoses that connect to a water line to pump in new water to the machine and drain out the dirty used water. If you open your washer to find stagnant water sitting inside you probably most likely have a clogged hose. This is very common and easy to fix.

In order to determine if this is the problem you will need to disconnect the suspected hose from the washer. Make sure you have a bucket or drain nearby as the hose will most likely contain trapped water that will pour out upon disconnecting. At the end of the hose that attaches to the washer there will be a filter that traps lint and other solid particles. All too often these filter screens become full and water can’t pass through. Take out the screen and clean it. Once it is cleaned, replace it and reconnect the hose.

If this doesn’t work, try using a pipe snake to clear out any blockage that might be in the hose itself.

In the event that one of your hoses bursts, you will need to replace it entirely. You can find replacement hoses at most any hardware store. You’ll want to purchase either reinforced rubber hoses or “burst proof” stainless steel braided hoses. One word of caution: despite their name burst proof hoses can, and do, break on occasion.

How to Stretch a Tank of Gas

As you turn your key in the ignition, you notice the hand on your fuel gauge nearing that dreaded red line beside the “E.” It’s that time again – time to fill up. If you drive a car, odds are you would like to learn how to save money on gas. Check out some of these suggestions.

Turn off the air conditioner.
Using the air conditioner increases fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Roll down your windows, instead. If you are traveling more than 60 mph, however, open windows increase drag. In this case, the air conditioner is a better choice.

Streamline
Make your car more aerodynamic by removing roof racks and bicycle carriers that create wind resistance.

Lighten your load
Remove excessive weight from your car. According to “547 Ways to be Fuel Smart” by Roger Albright, a reduction of 200 pounds typically improves fuel economy by nearly 5 percent.

Drive the speed limit
The faster you go, the more gas you use. According to transport authorities, driving 70 mph uses up to 9 percent more fuel than driving 60 mph and up to 15 percent more than driving 50 mph.

Drive smoothly
Acceleration and deceleration use the most fuel, so anticipate what is coming and gradually adjust your speed. On the open road, use cruise control to maintain a constant speed. Also, avoid rough surfaces, which increase fuel consumption by up to 30 percent. To comply with this tip, pretend grandma is in the back seat drinking coffee. You wouldn’t want her to spill – or throw out her neck.

Plan ahead
If you are planning a road trip, leave early in the day when the traffic is light. Adjust your eating schedule if necessary, and stop for meals when the traffic gets heavy.

Don’t let it idle
In the winter months, your car often needs time to warm up. Once it has warmed up, however, make sure it does not idle for more than a minute. Also, if you are waiting to pick someone up, turn off the car. Letting it idle uses more gas than turning off the vehicle and restarting it.

Don’t rev the engine
Although it might make you feel cooler than John Travolta in Grease, refrain from revving the engine. It wastes fuel by pumping raw gasoline into the cylinder walls and washing away a film of oil that protects them.

Change the oil
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for regular oil changes and tune-ups. Clean oil improves fuel consumption by reducing the wear caused by friction of moving engine parts.

Replace the air filter
Change your car’s air filter regularly. A dirty filter results in less air flow, which puts more pressure on the engine and burns up more gas. A clogged filter can cost you 1 mpg.

Adjust the fan belt
Adjust the tension on the fan belt with a wrench. If the belt is too tight, it makes the engine work harder and uses up more gas. When the engine is not running, the belt should give a little to finger pressure.

Change the spark plugs
Spark plugs make a significant difference in the amount of gas mileage your car gets. In fact, worn out spark plugs can cost you 2 mpg. Changing spark plugs, however, is a job for trained technicians only.

Pump up the tires
Under-inflated tires cause rolling resistance that can cost you as much as 1 mpg. The recommended tire pressure for your car can usually be found on a plate located on the car door.

In addition to following these tips, start keeping a mileage record. It will help you know when it’s time for a tune-up. Although filling your tank is inevitable, there are many ways you can reduce the amount of gas you use. By following the suggestions listed above, you can protect the environment, ease your financial burden, and slow the gauge’s inevitable arc toward “E.”

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Are your counting sheep worn out from jumping indefinitely over fences while you try to fall asleep? Do you toss and turn in the middle of the night or wish you felt more refreshed in the morning? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people struggle with falling and staying asleep.


In fact, one in three adults report some degree of insomnia. However, unless you are suffering from a serious sleep disorder, you can improve the quality of your sleep by making changes to your daytime habits, sleep environment and bedtime routine. Check out the following suggestions.

Daytime habits

Exercise regularly. As little as 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity a day makes it easier to fall asleep at night. You don’t need to do all 30 minutes in one session, either; you can break it up into five minute segments. Furthermore, it is best to exercise in the morning or early afternoon. Exercising stimulates the body and raises its temperature, so if you exercise within three hours of your bedtime, you might have trouble falling asleep.

Don’t nap. Napping during the day might make it hard to fall or stay asleep. If you must nap, do it in the early afternoon, and sleep no longer than 30 minutes.

Get some light. We all have an internal body clock that helps regulate sleep, and this clock is sensitive to light and dark. When you wake up, open the shades or go outside to get sunlight. This will send a signal to your body that the active, daytime phase has begun.

Avoid caffeine. Caffeine, a chemical in coffee, sodas, tea, chocolate, etc., causes hyperactivity and wakefulness. For some people, caffeine can cause sleep problems up to 10 to 12 hours after drinking it. Therefore, if you rely on caffeine to keep you going during the day, consider eliminating it after lunch or cutting back your overall intake.

Eat dinner at least four hours before bedtime. This will give your system time to digest the food you have eaten.

Quit smoking. Because nicotine is a stimulant, it can make falling asleep difficult. As the night progresses, smokers experience nicotine withdrawal, which makes it even harder to sleep.

Sleep environment

Room temperature and ventilation: Keep the temperature of your bedroom no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sixty degrees is ideal. Also, make sure you have adequate ventilation. A fan can help keep the air moving.

Humidity: Most heating systems dry the air in your bedroom, and a dry throat can make sleeping difficult. Try using a humidifier or opening a window.
Bed: Make sure you have enough room to stretch out and turn comfortably in bed. Also, examine your mattress, pillows and bedding for comfort. Soft, breathable cotton sheets are a good choice.

Alarm clock: Remove your alarm clock from view. It will only make you more uneasy when you see the time ticking by, and any kind of mental fretting will make it harder to fall asleep.

Noise: If a source of outside noise cannot be eliminated, try using a fan to mask it. Or, listen to recordings of soothing sounds, such as waves, waterfalls or rain. If you choose to listen to music, select a recording that has no words, no definite melody, and little change in volume. Ear plugs are also a possibility, but make sure they don’t block out important noises like an alarm clock.

Light: Sleep in complete darkness. Even the tiniest bit of light in the room can disrupt the production of melatonin and serotonin, chemicals that regulate the circadian rhythm. If curtains, blinds or drapes do not block out enough light, use an eye mask to ensure complete darkness.

Bedtime routine

Minimize liquid intake. In the two hours before you go to bed, drink less fluid than you usually do. This will cut down on trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Choose the right snack. Avoid rich, heavy foods as a bedtime snack. Also, spicy or acidic foods in the evening might cause stomach trouble and heartburn, which will worsen when you lie down. Instead, eat a light snack. Calcium helps the brain use and process tryptophan, an amino acid which promotes sleep. Furthermore, pairing tryptophan-containing foods with carbohydrates can help calm the brain and allow you to sleep better.

Avoid alcohol. Although a nightcap before bed might make you drowsy, the effect is short-lived. Drinking alcohol in the few hours before bedtime often results in shallow and disturbed sleep, abnormal dream periods, and early morning awakening.

Establish a rhythm. Teach your body to fall asleep by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Also, do the same things every night before you go to bed. This will send a signal to your brain and body that it is time to wind down.

Take a bath instead of a shower. Try taking a long, hot bath before going to bed. This will relax and soothe your muscles. A shower, on the other hand, will tend to wake you up.
Relax with quiet activities. Before bed, relax by listening to quiet music or a book on tape, by reading “light” material, or by watching a mindless television show. Put your work away at least one hour before you go to bed to give your mind and body time to relax.

Keep a pen and paper handy. Put a pad of paper and a pen on your nightstand. That way, if you think of something you have to remember in the morning, you can jot it down instead of holding it in your thoughts.

Give yourself 20 minutes. If you’re still awake 20 minutes after you turn out the light, get up and do something to make you drowsy. Then, go back to bed and try again.

These strategies will remedy many sleep problems, but if your inability to fall asleep starts to interfere with your ability to function normally and persists for more than a couple weeks, schedule an appointment to see a doctor or sleep specialist. Also, be aware that sleep needs vary from person to person. Some need only four hours per night. Others seem to need 10. Whatever your individual needs, getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mental and physical health – at any age. Therefore, follow the tips listed above to make every night’s sleep a good night’s sleep. Your counting sheep will thank you.