Home Improvement Information |
|
Are Your Ducts Making You Sick?
If you have a heating or cooling systems that uses air ducts, you could have a problem. There are many duct systems that are poorly designed and installed that have the ability to bring pollutants into your home. Some are ducts are located in wet or damp crawl spaces and basements. I've seen some of these areas and some look like an open sewer. Having ducts that are not properly sealed or insulated in these locations can draw moisture, mold, bacteria and even carbon monoxide into the building. Unsealed ducts have the same effect as opening a hatch to these ares, the only difference is that you don't see it and the fan from the heating or cooling appliance will force more of the pollutants into the living space at a much higher rate. Ducts located in attics can bring in cold dry air in winter, and hot, humid air in summer, dust, dirt and fibers from the fiberglass insulation that is there to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It doesn't have to be this way. Hiring the right professional who uses duct diagnostic tools and good industry practices will put you on the road to good indoor air quality and a more comfortable environment. Ed Bishop is founder and president of Enhanced Living Inc., a Troy, NY-based design-consulting and contracting company. contracting. Trained in the â??House Is A Systemâ?? approach to HVAC design. He was formerly a building analyst instructor, providing certification training for New York's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Kitchen Magic It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete aerobic workout just while preparing dinner! Back and forth, back and forth -- I get tired just watching! Today, pay attention to the way you move while you cook. How many times do you cross the length of your kitchen in one evening? Do you find yourself doing squats to get at your pans? Stretches to reach your dishes? Are you becoming a world-class hurdler, jumping over the dog's dish every time you go from refrigerator to stove? All it takes is a few minutes to re-arrange your kitchen storage, saving you a lot of time and energy in the long run. Trading in Corporate Office for Home Office Six years ago, I had not yet turned on a computer. Today I run several successful Internet Businesses and by me being a single parent of 4 children my friends calls me a marketing expert. Checking for Asbestos in Your Home If you are concerned about asbestos exposure you are not alone. Many individuals wonder if they have been exposed, and if so, what they can do to help protect their health. If you think that you have been exposed to asbestos or are looking for ways to prevent an exposure, look no further. We will go over some of the health problems that arise from asbestos exposure, and what can be done to prevent them. What to Look For in a Drill Press A drill press, also known as a pillar drill, is the stationary form of a hand-held drill. The advantage of the drill-press over the hand drill is the tool's accuracy and power. A drill press is a very valuable tool with several different types and models of drill presses to choose from. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing your own drill press. Building Permits and Inspections Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house is the permit process. Not only do the the requirements vary from township to township, but at times the decisions made seem so subjective that we find ourselves seething in frustration. However, permits and inspections are a necessary step, and they are in place predominately for your protection. Ask any earthquake victim in Iran. Because I am concerned here with new construction, I won't go into the permits required for renovation; that's another story. The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Publics Eye (This is the first in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move") What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract It is important to be a very careful consumer when it comes to home improvement contractors. For instance, I had a case where my client, an elderly and blind woman, signed a contract and paid $30,000.00 to a home improvement company that disappeared with all of her money! Unfortunately, the company was a scam operation, my client lost her life's savings and it will take some time in court before my client may ever see her money again however, her mistake will be a lesson to all of you because this article explains how to protect yourself from home improvement fraud. A Few Simple Facts About Gas And Electric Heating Systems To make your home more energy efficient, you need to understand the energy efficiency of different types of heating and cooling systems. Many times people are confused by inaccurate information they receive from manufacturers and sellers of heating and cooling equipment. But all you need to know in order to make wise decisions when purchasing this equipment are a few simple facts. Planning Permission Tips UK - Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows - What You Should Know Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is when developing or extending a property. This is potentially one of the most subjective Planning issues their is. Most Planning Departments will have guidance but I guarantee it will be specific in parts & definitely woolly or non specific in other areas leaving the subject wide open to interpretation. Laminate Flooring - Cleaning & Maintenance One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that they are made to look good for many years with a minimum of effort. Most laminates come with a 10 to 25 years residential warranty against staining, wearing and fading, depending on the brand. All you really need for cleaning are a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop and a damp towel for more difficult stains. Laminates are built to stand up to wear, but to keep them looking like new, here are a few recommendations. How To Identify A Quality Interior Shutter 1. Shutters have proper louver tension Interior Design For Babies Babies, babies, babies-yes the topic of this article is based on interior design for nurseries. The new arrival of a baby brings a time of thankfulness and joy into all parents' lives. It also brings to mind an important question: where will the nursery be?!? Once the actual space has been decided upon, the next concern will be color scheme and furniture. Before you make all of your choices concerning the new arrival's bedroom quarters, keep these important tips in mind. How To Completely Rehab Your Home In 10 Days! This report is about taking a house and restoring it to an aesthetically pleasing dwelling that has reclaimed it's functional utility. In effect, it is the anti-aging medication for bricks and mortar. Add Value to Your House - Interior Remodelling Interior remodeling can have an amazing impact on the look and value of a house. I would definitely recommend getting professionals to do the job for you unless your good at renovation yourself. Here is some advice on how the get the most bang for your buck when remodeling. Eclectic Patio Furniture Shows Your Style Your home's interior is exquisitely decorated in your favorite style; why not treat your exterior with patio furniture and accessories that will be comfortable as well as beautiful. Your backyard becomes more functional by adding gas grills, or furnishing options such as casual hammocks or formal wrought iron. You are limited only by your imagination. The patio furniture does not have to be limited to one style. A backyard looks great if you mix it up with an eclectic flare. You don't have to decide between rigid cedar and a quilted hammock, or a built in gas grill and a fire pit. You can have it all. Do you want your patio to have a casual feeling or one that is more formal? This may depend on the style of home you have. A full log home may not be served well with antique white wicker furniture on the porch or patio. A contrast is good, but the balance isn't quite right. The white wicker seems too light and airy against the heavy logs. An Adirondack style of furniture might strike a better balance for the home. Is a specific material of importance to you such as teak, rattan, or wrought iron? Do you prefer patio cushions, or the natural look of wood as with Adirondack chairs? A gas grill or outdoor fireplace can be a focal point creating an outdoor kitchen. If relaxation is the most important to you, a hammock or patio swing would be a nice choice. Buying the Right Garage Door Opener If you have recently built a new garage you might be having a difficult time deciding on the right garage door opener. It is certainly something that seems simple at first. Once you start looking around you will find there is allot of choices. Here is a buying guide to help you along. What Are Circuit Breakers? Circuit Breakers are devices that stop the electrical current of a circuit in the event of excess or very high voltage. Circuit breakers are handy, not only because they can protect against electrical fires but also because they can be reset. When a fuse blows out, it must be replaced each time, whereas circuit breakers are easily reset when tripped. Dehumidifiers Wring Out Your Home Anyone that has a home office or bedroom in the basement knows how valuable a dehumidifier can be. Without it, the basement would be damp and useless, mold and mildew would grow promoting ill health and insects would have a perfect place to live. Your basement is underground, humid and in constant contact with the cool damp earth. If you don't control the moisture and humidity throughout the year through dehumidifiers, your carpet and furniture could be ruined, even photographs can be destroyed. I have always found that I am more comfortable when the humidity is lower. I don't like hot weather, but I would rather have it be dry and hot than cool and damp. What is it they say? "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." You might want to consider installing a ceiling fan to work in tandem with the dehumidifier. They help circulate the air, will dry out the basement even more and you will feel much more comfortable. Ceiling fans don't cool the air, but you will feel better because of evaporation than if no fan were there at all. Add Value To Your Home With A Home Improvement Loan Buying a home is a big and important investment for most people, and understandably property owners want to keep their home in good condition and looking great. However, carrying out home improvements can be difficult if finances are tight and this is where a home improvement loan could really help. You can get some really good deals and rates on loans for home improvements these days, which means that more homeowners can now afford to improve their properties in many ways. The Great American Dream Are you ready to starting building your dream home. House plan designs are abundant and easy to customize. Just getting started can sometimes be quite confusing. |
home | site map |
© 2005 |