By Jake Taylor It’s human nature to find a cool, comfortable place to relax when the summer temperatures are blazing hot, and the humidity is high enough to curl even the straightest of hair. We can use shade to our advantage to prevent things like sunburns or heat stroke.  This concept also works on the… Continue reading.

By Jake Taylor Ask any mechanic and they’ll tell you — preventative maintenance is key to keeping a car in good running condition. The same holds true for your A/C or heat pump. Three things could happen to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) that reduces its efficiency or causes it to fail. … Continue reading.

Many of us enjoy the satisfaction of standing over the air supply register when the furnace kicks in, warming our cold toes first thing in the morning.  Unfortunately, that usually means that you have a single-stage furnace that only discharges air at one rate. That also means that you have one of the least efficient… Continue reading.

You’ve probably been told to replace your furnace filter every month to every three months or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. These suggestions are fine, but may be wasteful. Here are a few things to think about when purchasing, replacing and inspecting your furnace filters: Pleated Vs. fiberglass. Pleated filters cost slightly more than standard fiberglass… Continue reading.

My mom’s go-to phrase anytime my sister or I left a door open on the house is one many will recognize: “Were you born in a barn?!”  From a building science perspective, I need to talk to you about opening your doors and windows during the summer months and how my mom — and your… Continue reading.

It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” Most people have been taught that admitting we don’t have all the answers somehow shows a lack of intelligence on our part, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I often get calls from members who are confused about their use and can’t seem to understand what… Continue reading.

I love the imagination of a child.  Recently I listened to a conversation between two kids about the noises they heard in their home and the applied logic they used to deduce the residence of a ghost. Once I stopped laughing and could focus on their stories, I began to piece together, in my mind,… Continue reading.

Nothing’s better than preparing for a hot shower, with your loofa and shower cap in hand, only to absentmindedly walk into an odorous wall of rotten egg smell. Right? Let’s be real: of course not. There are a lot of better smells.  Nearly everyone who gets their water from a well knows about and has… Continue reading.

This is the introductory column in a new series titled “Ask the Energy Advisor.” The column will be published every other month and feature timely and relevant information from LaGrange County REMC Energy Advisor Jake Taylor. The series will touch on a wide range of subjects, including energy efficiency, rebate programs, construction and remodeling, and… Continue reading.