Thanksgiving has been celebrated as an official holiday in the United States for over 150 years, so you may think you understand all there is to know about this family feast. Most of us have heard the story of the pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving in 1621 after arriving in North America on the Mayflower. But did you know that only about half of the people on this ship were actually pilgrims? This fact is one of ten things that may actually surprise you about the Thanksgiving tradition!

If you're looking to increase the efficiency of your home, there's some good news: Not only can you save a bundle of money with lower utility bills, studies show that you will be able to sell your house faster, and for more money as well. Green houses are attracting more attention on the market, so when it does come time to sell you could see a big increase in the price.

Decision Influencers 

Efficiency matters. Ninety percent of potential homebuyers rate home efficiency features as “very important,” according to a survey by the National Association of Homebuilders. The survey went on to report that 61 percent of buyers would pay up to $5,000 more for a house that promised lower utility bills. Other studies found that green-certified houses sell for $34,800 more than similar homes without efficiency features in California, and green houses in Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Ore., sell at a premium of 8.5 percent and 12 percent, respectively. The Seattle study also found that the green homes sold 22 percent faster than others.

Make sure your realtor is aware of all the efficiency upgrades you’ve made and can highlight them to interested buyers. If you provide old utility bills you can really showcase the savings. 

Keep that Electric Bill Low

The electric bill is one of the biggest ongoing household expenses, so any reductions you make will go a long way. There are a lot of places to look for savings. For starters, if you have old, outdated appliances, replace them with new Energy Star-certified models so you know that they meet the strictest efficiency standards. Your lighting system is another place to upgrade -- it's time to toss old incandescent bulbs and replace them with compact fluorescents or LEDS. Finally, if you really want to save money and make your house look good to buyers, install some solar panels on the roof, which can reduce the electricity bill to near zero. 

How Else Can I Increase My Efficiency?

Don't forget to take other steps to increase the energy efficiency of your home, especially when it comes to heating bills:

You can also hire a qualified professional to conduct an energy audit and point out other ways to increase your efficiency and save money. Even if you don't plan on selling your house any time soon, you can enjoy seeing the savings in your bills each month.

So you’ve decided to invest in a new air conditioning system: what now? Well, there are a few considerations to make prior to purchasing your new home cooling system, let alone scheduling your air conditioning installation. Remember that this is not the type of decision that you can rush into, at least if you want to enjoy 100% satisfaction with your new AC. The Boston, MA air conditioning installation experts at FB Electrical Services have put together a few tips to help ensure that your service is a resounding success. Contact us today if you are ready to schedule a brand new system installation, or if the time has come to replace your old air conditioner. 

First and foremost in guaranteeing your complete satisfaction with your new air conditioner is, of course, to familiarize yourself with the various systems available for installation in your home. This is not a step that you should gloss over, even if you are expecting to replace an existing system with a similar model. There has been a lot of innovation in the home cooling industry in recent years, and you don’t want to miss out on systems and features that you’d benefit from just because you didn’t take the time to ask questions and do your homework.

Once you decided upon which system you’re after, the next step is to give your budget some serious consideration. A new air conditioner is not the type of investment you want to skimp on. However, you also must be realistic about what you can comfortably afford to spend on your new system. The more efficient an air conditioner is, though, the more costly it tends to be. Only by assessing available funds carefully can you be certain that you are getting the most efficiency for your money.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, pick up your phone and dial our number. The AC installation professionals on our staff know residential cooling systems inside and out. Not only will we help you to find the perfect one for your needs, but we’ll also ensure that it is installed properly every step of the way. Call now to get your air conditioning installation project underway.

Older houses have a charm and appeal for most homeowners. A hundred years ago, homes weren’t as modular as today’s building techniques but instead trim work, mantles and cabinetry were built according to the space available and the contractor’s ability. Antique carpentry can be a thing of beauty, but electric systems that aren’t up to date can be a nightmare.

Old Outlets

The first problem with older outlets is they don’t typically have the ground plug. Appliances at one time were independently grounded, whereas modern appliances are designed to rely on the external ground for safety. Adapters are available, but they’re really only intended as a quick fix, not long term usage.

Secondly, outlets in an antique house are likely well past their intended operating life. A worn out outlet can be frustrating at best if it only works intermittently, and can be a dangerous fire hazard at worst if it is overheating or causing a spark due to a loose connection. The good news is, outlets themselves are relatively simple and inexpensive to replace.