Easy DIY projects to save energy ONLYON SCLiving.coop Prepping pork tenderloin Before cooking a pork tenderloin, you’ll need to remove the silver skin membrane. A butcher can do this for you, but it’s also an easy do-it-yourself job. Chef Belinda shows us how at SCLiving.coop/food/chefbfbelinda. Register to win $100 Mark your calendar—summer vacation season is just around the corner! Sign up today for your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card in our April Reader Reply Travel Sweepstakes. We’ll draw the names of three lucky readers from all eligible entries received by April 30. Turn to Page 16 for more details or register online at SCLiving.coop/reader-reply. Winter weather can have a big impact on your energy bills, hitting your pockets a little harder than usual. Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time to tackle a few DIY efficiency projects for your home. The good news: You don’t have to be an energy expert to do this! INSULATE YOUR WATER HEATER Insulating a water heater that’s warm to the touch can save 7 to 16 percent annually on your water heating bills. You can purchase a pre-cut jacket or blanket for about $20, and you’ll probably need an extra set of hands for this project. u Turn off the water heater before you start. u Wrap the blanket around the water heater and tape it to temporarily keep it in place. u Use a marker to note the areas where the controls are so you can cut them out before final installation. uOnce the holes are cut and you’ve repositioned the blanket, tape it permanently in place, then turn the water heater back on. SEAL AIR LEAKS WITH CAULK The average American family spends $2,000 annually on energy bills. Unfortunately, much of that money is wasted through air leaks in the home. Applying caulk around windows, doors, electrical wiring and plumbing can save energy and money. There are many different types of caulking compounds available, but the most popular choice is silicone. Silicone caulk is waterproof, flexible and won’t shrink or crack. uUse a putty knife to remove any old caulk, and clean away old paint with a brush and solvent. uLet the area dry completely before you apply the new caulk. uApply the caulk in one continuous stream, and make sure it sticks to both sides of the crack or seam. uUse a putty knife to smooth out the caulk, then wipe the surface with a dry cloth. WEATHER STRIP EXTERIOR DOORS One of the best ways to seal air leaks is to weather strip exterior doors. This can keep out drafts and help you control energy costs. Weather stripping materials vary, but you can ask your local hardware or home store for assistance if you’re unsure about the supplies you need. When choosing weather stripping materials, make sure they can withstand temperature changes, friction and the general “wear and tear” for the location of the door. Keep in mind, you will need separate materials for the door sweep (at the bottom of the door) and the top and sides. uClean the moulding with water and soap, then let the area dry completely. uMeasure each side of the door, then cut the weather stripping to fit each section. Make sure the weather stripping fits snugly against both surfaces so it compresses when the door is closed. —ABBY BERRY GONE FISHIN’ The Vektor Fish & Game Forecast provides feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour. Minor peaks, 1⁄21⁄21⁄2 hour before and after. Minor Major Minor Major Minor Major Minor Major APRIL MAY AM PM AM PM 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 10:31 4:31 5:01 11:16 5:16 11:46 12:01 5:46 12:31 6:01 1:01 6:31 1:46 6:46 2:16 7:01 3:01 7:16 7:01 12:46 — 2:16 11:46 2:46 9:31 3:16 9:46 3:31 10:16 3:46 4:31 10:46 5:16 11:16 — 6:16 7:01 12:16 7:46 1:01 8:46 1:31 9:46 2:16 11:01 2:46 — 3:46 — 4:46 — 6:16 — 7:31 2:16 8:31 3:16 9:16 4:01 10:01 1 5:07 11:22 2 5:22 11:52 3 — 5:37 4 — 6:07 5 1:07 6:22 6 1:37 6:52 7 2:07 7:07 8 2:52 7:37 9 3:52 8:07 10 5:37 8:52 11 10:37 2:07 12 9:22 2:52 13 9:52 3:37 14 10:37 4:07 15 4:22 11:07 11:22 5:37 11:52 6:22 6:52 12:22 7:37 12:52 8:22 1:22 9:07 1:52 10:07 2:37 11:22 3:22 12:37 4:22 — 5:37 — 6:52 1:22 8:22 3:22 9:22 4:22 10:22 11:07 5:22 Streaming content with electronic equipment that has earned the Energy Star rating will use 25 to 30 percent less energy than standard equipment. SOURCE: ENERGY.GOV SCLIVING.COOP | APRIL 2019 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING 7 ENERGY.GOV