Home security doesn't have to be expensive

By: JAMES and MORRIS CAREY - AP Weekly Features | Thursday, June 9, 2005 9:43 PM PDT ∞

Got outdoor security lights at your house? If they're on all night, they could be costing as much as $100 a year, not counting the cost of bulbs. Today, new security gadgets increase the "scare-the-crooks ratio," while lowering the "cost-to-homeowners ratio."

For example, electronic barking-dog alarms now come in many shapes and sizes -- from hard-wired, motion sensor-controlled Doberman guard dogs, to yappy little battery-controlled barkers that let you know an intruder is there. The nice part is they're inexpensive and portable, making them great for travel.

Other low-operating cost alternatives are small-battery-operated wedge alarms that sound 110 decibels when a door opens against it. Also, the cost of monitor systems has come way down.

Now you can see crooks and scare them away -- inexpensively.

Sectional garage doors cost more, but offer more

Q: I need a new garage door. My husband and I think a sectional door would be nice, but they are almost twice as expensive as the fixed kind. Any suggestions?

A: You're right ---- sectional garage doors are more expensive than the fixed overhead type, but they do have a few advantages that, in some cases, really justify the expense.

We have found that many folks believe the sectional door is prettier than the solid kind. Since appearance is strictly subject to personal preference, we won't study that issue here. But there are a few functional differences that are quite important:

1. More head room. Unlike the fixed overhead door, which opens into the opening, a sectional door opens up and behind the framed opening. This provides 6 to 8 inches more opening height. And, if you have always wanted to get your van or 4-wheel drive into the garage now you know how.

2. Easier parking. In urban areas where garage doors are closest to the sidewalk or alley, and in situations where the driveway is barely long enough to park your car, the straight-up opening action of the sectional door (as opposed to the swing-out action of the fixed-type door) can eliminate the problem of parking in the driveway and using the garage door at the same time.

3. Better weather protection and a neater trim configuration. Since the sectional door moves straight up (or down) as it is opened (or closed), it is much easier to seal at all edges. A close inspection of the two different types of doors installed reveals that the sectional door seals better at all four edges than the fixed type. That can be nice on a cold, windy winter day, and it gives a cleaner look.

Use caution when selecting a sectional door. Sagging at the middle can be a problem. Installers will use a center track to help prevent the problem, but the better metal doors incorporate stiffeners into the back of the door that will prevent the problem altogether.

Saving energy a cool idea in hot weather

Summer is a good time to save energy, not only because of the expense but because of summer's increased demand and risk of blackouts.

Saving energy doesn't have to be as painful as sunburn, nor does it have to cost much money or time. It has more to do with changing a few energy-wasting habits. And where costs are involved ---- such as having your cooling system checked annually by a professional ---- the expense can be offset by making your system more efficient and longer-lasting.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling use more energy and more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 44 percent of your utility bill is for heating and cooling. You can lower those costs by implementing some of the following tips:

Install a programmable thermostat. It can be set to vary the temperature of your home according to your schedule.

For example, you can set it so your home is cooler in the morning before you leave and in the evening when you return. Set the temperature higher for the hours in between, when no one is home. Many thermostats have multiple-day programs so you can change the setting for weekends, when your schedule is different.

Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you're home and 85 degrees when you're out four hours or longer. Setting it lower will keep the cooling system running during the peak demand period and setting it much higher than 85 can cause the system to work too hard when it's asked to cool your home in the evening.

Increase your lighting efficiency. Lighting can affect energy bills not only by the energy it consumes but by producing heat ---- which requires increased cooling. According to the DOE, replacing 25 percent of incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones in high-use areas will save about 50 percent of your lighting energy costs.

Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last six to 10 times longer. Although fluorescent bulba are more expensive, they pay for themselves in energy savings. Look for the Energy Star label when buying these products. Motion detectors and dimmer switches can also help reduce utility bills, and both are inexpensive and easy to install.

But whether lighting is energy-efficient or not, turning it off will save energy, produce less heat and require less cooling ---- and, of course, lower your bills. Also, consider shutting down home office equipment and heat-producing computer monitors when not in use.

Use washing machines, dryers and dishwashers after 7 p.m. and you'll see your utility bill shrink like a pair of cotton jeans washed in hot water. Also, when possible, wash clothing in cold water. If you're shopping for a new washing machine, consider a front-loader, which is typically more energy- and water- efficient.

According to the DOE, appliances account for about 20 percent of your household's energy consumption, with refrigerators and clothes dryers at the top of the list. A new energy-efficient refrigerator could save from $35-$70 a year compared to models of 15 years ago. This amounts to between $525 and $1,050 during the average 15-year life of the unit.

If you have a swimming pool or spa, operate the filter pump and automatic cleaner during off-peak hours ---- before noon and after 6 p.m. Also consider investing in a solar cover that will passively warm the water and protect the pool or spa from debris, which means you might be able to reduce use of the filter pump and cleaner.

Finally, irrigating your landscaping during off-peak hours could save energy, too, if your irrigation system is supplied by a well or if you have a booster pump to increase water pressure.

For more home improvement tips and information, visit www.onthehouse.com or call (800) 737-2474 Saturdays between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, email addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.