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How To Get Rid of Mold

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Mold is a common problem, especially in older homes. There are many different types of molds which may take up in a home for a variety of different reasons. There’s no completely avoiding it – mold is everywhere.

However, in order to grow, mild needs a dark, moist place to live. Check your home for anywhere that is a good environment for mold to grow – but if you find mold, how should you get rid of mild in your home?

The first thing to do in your effort to rid of mold in your house is to find the area where mold is growing and have it tested. This will let you know if the mold is only on the surface or has penetrated deeper.

Mold can easily grow inside of your walls and under floors, since water can easily get into these places. Once the mold is located, you need to remove it completely or it will just grow back and cause problems again.

If you have a serious mold problem where the mold is growing deeper than the surface, then you may find that your only viable option is to hire a professional to take care of the problem. The conditions which are ideal for mold (moisture) can also cause structural damage to your home, so you may also need a contractor to perform any necessary repairs. It is important to make sure that the area where there has been mold growth is dry and will stay that way afterwards to prevent future growth.

In many cases, the moisture which is encouraging the growth of mold is leaking through from a different part of the home entirely. Any leaks will need to be repaired to prevent future mold problems.

For mold which has not penetrated deeper than the surface, bleach or even vinegar can take care of surface mold. There are also a number of different mold removal products on the market which can help. If you have woodwork in your home which has become moldy, you will need to have this wood removed and replaced. If the mold is only on the surface of the wood, then drying and treating the area can get rid of the mold in your house and prevent it from growing back.

Prevention is the best way to get rid of mold in your home, however. Always repair leaks as soon as possible and check anywhere which has had leaks in the past regularly. These preventative measures can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs later on.

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Identify Energy Leaks With A Home Energy Audit

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When people hear the word “audit”, the connotation is almost always of a negative nature. It conjures images of men in grey suits with the unenviable task of sifting through every scrap of paper and invoice from years gone by, resurrecting the ghosts of bad recordkeeping and missing receipts, making you wish you took a little more care with your taxes.

If the word audit makes you feel even a little uneasy, it’s completely understandable however in this context the word “audit” is actually good.

Amazing there are energy auditors that can measure the amount of energy your home loses to its surroundings, think of them as a kind of “House Whisperer” who are able to pinpoint exactly where your homes vulnerable points are and fortify its energy weak spots making your home more energy efficient.

Their job in essence is to paint a picture of where you’re spending the most money, energy usage wise and suggest ways that you can reduce your consumption, reducing your energy bills. They generally look at your utility bills over the past 12 months to try and establish any usage patterns or abnormalities which could indicate electrical problems or identify energy wasting habits. They also eyeball where your home is losing energy due to air leakage, where drafts are seeping cold air in through cracks and ensure that your homes internal air quality is safe for living conditions. Until homeowners have a home energy audit done, they have no idea that their home is an energy sieve leaking precious heat to its surroundings.

The house whisperer’s tools of the trade resemble something straight out of the pages of Star Trek and employ high tech infrared technology to identify these energy cold spots. They can identify with precision exactly where your home needs insulation to plug these energy leaks as well as where air is infiltrating the house.

To achieve this, energy auditors use a blower door which is a fan attached onto the frame of an exterior’s doors opening. The fan draws air from out of the house reducing the homes internal air pressure. The higher external pressure creates a vacuum allowing air to flow in through all of the unsealed spaces.

Infrared or thermo imaging reveals where heat is escaping through leaks and walls, it also has the ability to show where insulation was improperly installed or where over time has shifted leaving energy gaps. This truly is where you find out the type of job your builder did and will identify if they properly insulated or not, inadequate insulation appears as dark spots.

An energy auditor will also investigate the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, air leaks, water heater’s with the inclusion of household appliances and lighting to give an overall picture of how effectively energy is used in your home.

Post assessment, your energy auditor should recommend ways for improving your energy usage and identify based upon your habits where the most energy is being wasted and how you can reduce it. They will also recommend the best types of insulation for your home depending upon its location and climate. A home’s insulation in more tropical conditions will differ greatly from a home in colder climates.

You can find a certified energy auditor by checking within your area or with your local energy provider, they may even contract their own energy auditors specifically for this purpose or at least point you in the right direction of one.

An energy auditor is a must if you are looking at making improvements to your home, just by identifying and plugging these energy drains will save you money in the long run while maintaining a warmer, healthier home for less money.

Filed Under: General, Green Homes Tagged With: , , , ,

ENERGY STAR | A Star Is Born

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energy-efficientWho would have known back in 1992 that Energy Star, a joint initiative of the US Department of Energy and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) would have become such a major heavy hitter in the world of energy efficiency for the 21st century?, in fact so ingrained in our culture are they that 70% of all Americans recognize that Energy Star is synonymous with energy saving, with over one billion products being sold with the Energy Star logo to date.

Before the Kyoto Protocol as we know it came to be, most of the world was in blissful slumber in regards to the issue of global warming, most people had no idea what that even was. You can say that in terms of global action, we are like a 50,000 ton mega ship that only now is finally, yet ever so slowly, turning its rudder in a direction for the positive, but like with big ships as in our consuming habits as a nation, it takes time to change.

With environmental lobbyists rallying to raise awareness of the reality of global warming we have been able to take stock of the situation and make changes in our own lives that can help make a difference. This is the key if we are to turn the situation around for the better.

One such program that has had its finger on the pulse long before most people were even aware of the environment was Energy Star. Their objective was to save money and the environment by way of energy efficient practices and products.

With its humble beginnings, Energy Star has gone from strength to strength and has become a front runner in energy efficiency. It began with the Energy Star label on a handful of appliances starting with computers and monitors until in 1995 that range grew to include office equipment and heating and cooling systems for residential properties.

So prolific is Energy Star that it now encompasses over 60 different products ranging from refrigerators to microwaves ovens, televisions, sound systems, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, home electronics and lighting to name a few with the more recent expansion of the EPA to now include energy efficient solutions for both residential home and commercial buildings.

Each passing year has seen Energy Star’s global reach extend even further with its joint venture alliances with over 15,000 private and public organizations while providing options to consumers to make better informed decisions when choosing energy efficient solutions. Customers can rest assured in the knowledge that their product will in the long term save money by using less energy and emitting fewer greenhouse gases than some of their less efficient market equivalents.

2008 alone saw Energy Star save nearly 20 billion dollars through reduced energy usage from their inventory of approved products carrying the Energy Star logo.

In April of 2009, the EPA launched their campaign “Change The World – Start With Energy Star” encouraging consumers to join the fight against climate change through small changes in their daily energy using habits and by replacing older, energy wasting appliances with Energy Star recommended products.

By 2012 Energy Star predicts a reduction of around 50 MMTEC of greenhouse gases released into the earth’s atmosphere as a direct result of its initiatives. This total saving is equal to the output from more than 30 million vehicles while saving over 15 billion dollars annually in energy bills alone.

So how do we make this life changing global impact for energy conservation? Simple, just by one energy compliant appliance at a time.

Filed Under: Energy Efficient, Energy Efficient Featured Tagged With: , , , , ,

Sustainable Decking Solutions

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Decks are a popular way to enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of your home. Building a green deck, however, can be a challenge. That’s because deck materials are called upon to last a long time without maintenance, and do other things that resist the natural behavior of the materials. Many of the treatments that decking undergoes make it an environmental problem. Even materials that look sound might not be. Here’s some information about ecologically friendly decking to help you decide.

Wooden decking is the most popular and traditional of your options. This nontoxic material is strong for the weight, easy to work, and attractive. When managed properly, wood is a renewable resource. It’s also produced using a relatively small amount of fossil fuels. Wood is also easily recycled and bio degradable.

However, wood may break down when you least want it. Treated woods are damaging to the environment, so many people choose materials like redwood and cedar instead. Tropical hardwoods are also used, but this can be seriously damaging to rain forest environments. The further away the wood has been grown, the greater its impact on the environment. Many forests are not well managed, either.

Composite decking is another option. Made from recycled wood waste and plastic, with fiberglass, waxes, and other chemicals, this substance creates a board that’s much like wood. Some manufacturers are known for their sustainable practices and products. This material also lasts a long time without much maintenance. You should expect some warping and weathering, though. Since composite lumber looks and acts much like wood, it will also weather something like it.

There are criticisms of composite wood, too. This material is hard to dispose of once it’s worn out, since the materials it’s made up of are blended. Composite decking can’t be recycled, and is often more expensive than other materials. It’s also relatively new, and hasn’t had a chance to prove its durability.

Plastic lumber looks like a similar material, but it’s made entirely of high density polyethylene – just like milk jugs. This material is commonly recycled from waste plastic, and is workable with wood tools in the same way as composite lumber. It’s not as strong as wood or composite lumber, and is bed for posts, beams, and joists. It tends to expand and contract as temperatures change and may have a greater tendency to warp. Not all materials contain all or mostly post consumer waste, but many contain fifty percent or more.

Of course, there are plenty of non wood materials that work well for a patio or outdoor space, too. Paved patios, like those used in Mexico and the Mediterranean, are relatively non toxic, durable, and low maintenance. They also cost little, and while concrete and tile have a high initial impact, they last a very long time. An English style garden or terrace is also a good option. There’s a lot you can do with some thought and imagination that transcends the average deck. See what you can come up with!

Filed Under: Green Homes Tagged With: , , ,

Plug Your Financial Leak – Test Your Home For Energy Efficiency

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One of the best ways to go green and save money at the same time is to test your home for energy efficiency.

An energy efficient home will use less power, saving you money while at the same time helping the environment. There are a few simple things that you can do right now that can make your home energy efficient.

You can begin by checking your home for air leaks. The drafts that come in from these leaks can suck out your warm air in the winter and your cool air in the summer. By reducing the drafts in your home you can actually save up to 30% on your energy bill every year which can accumulate to some serious savings over time. Your home will also be a cleaner, drier environment lessening the likelihood of illnesses due to damp, moldy conditions. Another advantage of eliminating drafts is that your home will be more comfortable temperature wise reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling to reach optimum conditions.

To check for drafts, check for the air flow in several areas of your home, including the following:

Windows/window frames
Door frames
Baseboards
Fireplaces
Attic hatches/doors
Window air conditioning units
Electrical outlets
Light switch plates
Mail slots

If you can rattle your windows or if you see a halo of light around your windows and doors then the window or door doesn’t seal as well as it should. This means that you are losing hot or cool air which in turn means that your heater or air conditioner has to work even harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature costing you more money. You can easily remedy this by either replacing the window or door or you can install better weather stripping.

Another way of testing your home’s energy efficiency is to measure how much insulation you have in your attic. If it’s less than the recommended amount, then your home is losing heat out of the roof. By installing more insulation your home will hold in heat more effectively and is a great solution for making your home more efficient, energy wise without spending more on your power usage.

You may wish to check your hot water heater as well, adding an insulation blanket acts as a thermos and traps the heat in the cylinder where it belongs rather than escaping to its surroundings.

You should also check the age of your appliances. Many older appliances are not as energy-efficient as the newer ones. You can recognize the newer, more energy efficient appliances as they feature the EnergyStar logo. If your budget allows for it, you may want to replace your appliances that are 15 years and older, doing so can add up to major savings over the years with reduced power bills.

Don’t forget the basics of checking your light bulbs to see if you’re using the appropriate wattage in each appliance. If you’re using a 100-watt bulb in a lamp that only needs a 65 or 70-watt one, you may be using more energy than you need to. Swapping out traditional bulbs for compact florescent bulbs can also reduce your power usage.

Being energy efficient can add up to some serious savings over time and don’t require a lot of effort. Don’t be fooled into thinking that going green is difficult or a huge sacrifice, performing checks as simple as these is all it takes.

Filed Under: Energy Efficient Tagged With: , , , , ,
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