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Modern Basement Insulation Methods Bring Many Beneficial Results

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It is a good idea to insulate one’s cellar to bring the energy costs down and to create an extra living space. Un-insulated, the warm air located above soil level mingles with the cooler air below ground level and causes moisture to collect in the wood framing and insulation. The result is a growth of spores which causes rot as well as unhealthy air. There are several basement insulation methods available and the home owner should learn what the best option is for their home.

Some basements are not very appealing to visit. Patience is needed to go downstairs and note the pluses and minuses of the situation.Choosing to go down when the climate outdoors is comfortable will make the lower level more inviting to explore.

There are three types of basement insulation. Rigid foam, polyurethane spray and blanket are the main choices. Not every cellar is suitable for all these insulating walls so one must first make an assessment of their cellar to decide which system is best. Once the homework is done the home owner can decide if they want to do the project themselves or contract it out.

Experience has shown that when a basement is insulated it does not take very long to recuperate the investment. The energy savings are significant throughout the house.

If the walls are straight then the best system is the rigid foam with the highest RSI value. It also requires the least amount of space. The exterior walls will have two inches of foam attached to them and the floor will only require one inch. Each piece fits together closely and a special adhesive glue is used to attach the panels onto the surfaces. The seams between the panels must be taped and sprayed with foam. Nailing strips provide an alternative solution to the gluing system. Studs are attached to the foam and a moisture resistant 12.7 millimeters of drywall is added to the studs.

There are two ways to build the new wall. It can be built flush using 2×4 inch lumber or it can be extended from the original wall by two inches. This creates an additional ventilation space that reduces moisture.

Spray foam is the best solution for irregular walls. It is also recommended for walls with moisture issues. The product must be applied by a certified specialist. The foam must be distributed evenly and covered by a layer of fire-resistant material. The foam tends to expand so it must be sprayed in moderation.

Green Homes


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3 Recyclable Products Ready For Use In Your Home

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The news and certain television shows are where you’ve probably seen it. The way to go is keeping an environmentally friendly home. A lot of money can potentially be saved as well. Just how expensive it can sometimes be to purchase energy efficient products for your home, such as solar panels or appliances, is where the problem lies. You don’t have to break the bank to be environmentally friendly though. Certain products that do their part in helping preserve the environment can be purchased at low cost.

A prime example is paper products. There are other options, despite assumptions that paper products consist only of items you eat food off of. Why not make sure you’ve purchased recycled paper if you have to print off a lot of it for work or school projects? Tissues, napkins and, yes, even plates and other tableware products are all included in this list. You’ll be doing your part to keep your home eco-friendly as a result, and the cost is virtually the same as the non-recycled counterparts.

How about office supplies, in the same vein? It is possible to recycle many plastic and metal office products. Many people also have home offices today, even if you don’t have any say in what products your employer’s office uses. Why not ensure you’re only purchasing office supplies that have been recycled, then?

Did you know it was also possible to recycle glass as well, despite most peoples’ belief that using paper products is the only cost-effective way to be environmentally friendly? Great examples of recycled glass products are drinking glasses and bottles, but there are more beyond that. Glass plates and dishes do exist. Plus, you can always request new windows be made from recycled glass, the next time you need to replace your home’s windows.

A variety of different shapes and sizes are consequently available in which to purchase recycled products. You as an American may most easily recognize paper products, but you can also look into other relatively inexpensive products made from recycled material. Helping the environment doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. People just need to be able to spot office supplies, glass and other products as recyclable in order to make use of them. You just need to be cognizant and constantly on the look-out, and before you know it, you too can be purchasing products that are ready for a second (or even third) use.


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Duct Cleaning And Air Quality Annual Periodic Testing

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Poor air quality is often impossible to notice because contaminants are invisible. At other times, contaminated indoor air may have an odd smell. Poor indoor air quality can cause building occupants to become ill. Air quality annual periodic testing rates the cleanliness of the air. Duct maintenance is essential for good air quality.

Duct cleaning addresses many common indoor pollution issues. Around twenty-five percent of the Canadian population has allergic rhinitis according to the Canadian Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Foundation. Causes of indoor air pollution include contaminants from indoors and outdoors, building fabric contamination, and inadequate ventilation.

Several pollutants can collect inside ducts. Mold is the most common. It grows within ducts or on heating and cooling system parts. It may grow on insulation that surrounds ducts. Removing mold from ducts will help, but mold will recur if the cause of growth is never eradicated.

Ducts can also be clogged by other pollutants. They can become infested by rodents or vermin. They can be clogged with dirt and debris released into the home from supply registers. They may be clogged by pet hair or outdoor allergens.

Technicians clean more than just ductwork in a high-quality cleaning. They clean the HVAC components of forced air systems. These include fans, air handling units, and drip pans. These include coils, diffusers, and grilles. These include both supply and return air ducts.

Technicians use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and debris. They vacuum with a high-powered machine. They may apply chemical biocides to the insides of ducts. They may apply chemical biocide to other heating components. They might apply encapsulants that inhibit mold growth. They may apply sealants that prevent the release of dirt or fiber particles.

Good technicians have several characteristics. Many have certification from NATE (North American Technician Excellence) or NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association). They provide good references and have clean records with the Better Business Bureau and local consumer affairs organizations. They carry appropriate licensure. They provide estimates that include a timetable if they charge by the hour. They inform homeowners of any possible interruptions in the work schedule.

Property owners should ask their technician some important questions. They might ask about their level of experience with a particular HVAC system. They might ask if they comply with NADCA standards. They might ask what steps they take to protect people, homes, and pets from contaminants released during cleaning.

Property owners should monitor technicians’ work. Good technicians open all access ports to make sure the entire system is maintained. They alert homeowners to the presence of asbestos. Their vacuums are either HEPA machines, or their exhaust systems send pollutants outdoors. Technicians use soft-bristled brushes when cleaning fiberglass. They repair any holes in ducts or surrounding insulation. They take care of carpet and home furnishings.

Duct cleaning is a crucial part of air quality annual periodic testing. Good technicians adhere to established cleaning standards. Clean ducts prevent air contamination by mold and other allergens. They also prevent infestations by rodents or other vermin.


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Selecting Recycling Bins Based On Construction Material

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One can find all kinds of recycling containers. You can find just about every material composing the containers built today. Organic materials such as wood, long-lasting materials like steel, and other materials should be chosen based on the specific use of the recycling bin. This is a guide to help you buy a container for all applications, whether it be for the office or at your home.

Average materials would be the metal and plastic containers. These have been around for quite some time, but they are also of the most common. Steel containers are best for large scale applications of recycling while plastic is common in the home environment. Plastic is sometimes seen as a poor choice because it doesn’t always degrade well.

Recycled materials are a popular fad for recycling containers. They may cost more because of the extra work in constructing them, but the recycling fanatics are more than willing to pay a higher fee for supporting the recycling cause at every level. Sometimes these recycled containers are made of recycled plastic – which isn’t very degradable but it does ensure that new plastic isn’t put into production and rather recycles current supplies.

Previously metal was a good choice for big recycling operations. This is being changed with the use of fiberglass. Fiberglass itself is very durable, resists fire, and can withstand the natural bumps and bruises that come with handling the containers. Fiberglass can indeed be put back into the recycling process if need be: fiberglass is needed in operations such as asphalt mixing and in some building materials.

Some recycling applications on a large scale don’t give much room in choice. An example would be with steel recycling bins, which are often the first choice when dealing with a large scale operation because of the durability of steel. This allows workers to load and unload bins easily by using other machines to do the dirty work. Materials such as plastic or wood would be susceptible to breakage or prone to accidents.

The low end of recycling is simple: use a bag you would get from your grocery store. Make sure it’s a degradable sack or one made of organic fiber. Using plastic bags is strongly discouraged since they are contributing to a nationwide problem in landfills. Some cities will even award vouchers to households that want to start recycling: check with your local government to see what they offer.

In Conclusion

The innovation in recycling container materials is still on the move. While we wait to see more mixtures and compounds of materials, it’s important that you find out what your opportunities are in helping the recycling movement. Talk to your local government about getting a program setup and raise awareness.


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What You Should Know About Saving Electric At Home

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A great deal of electricity is wasted in the average household, leading to higher utility bills and concerns for the environment. By making some simple changes, it’s possible to significantly lower your consumption of electricity. Here are some recommended methods for saving electric at home.

Don’t make your refrigerator work harder than necessary. Because the fridge has to run constantly, it tends to use more energy than any other appliance in your home. It will use less if it is not subjected to excessive kitchen heat. Locate it away from the oven and other sources of warmth such as radiators. Place it against a cooler outside wall and be sure it is not in direct sunlight.

Electric dryers make you pay a high price for convenience. You can reduce your electricity payments significantly by line drying your laundry. On rainy days, set up a drying rack indoors. Clothes will dry quickly in winter if you locate the rack near a heating vent or radiator.

Electronic devices in standby mode continue to drain electricity when you’re not even using them. Make the effort to unplug appliances such as a microwave you only use for a few minutes each day or a stereo you only use on weekends. If the plugs on things like your TV or computer are buried in hard to reach places, consider investing in an energy saving adapter socket kit. It will allow you to disconnect them from the electricity supply using a remote control.

Incandescent light bulbs waste energy by producing heat as well as light. Energy saving bulbs last over ten times longer and use up to four times less electricity. You can make significant savings by using energy efficient bulbs in all the ceiling lights in your home. If you prefer incandescent light for reading, use old style bulbs only in desk or table lamps.

There are many ways to save electricity when cooking on a stove. Use the right size burner for the pan. Put lids on pots to conserve heat and bring the contents to a boil faster. Cook a whole meal on one burner by using a tiered streamer. Measure out the amount of water you need for things like instant soup or noodles and don’t boil more than you require.

Where a microwave oven uses three units of energy to heat a frozen dinner, an electric oven uses up to sixteen. Only preheat your conventional oven for foods that are not recommended for microwave cooking. Most processed foods have microwave instructions and there are many recipes available for cooking traditional meals in the microwave.

Controlling your thermostat is vital for saving electric at home. Careless use of central heating can lead to a big increase in utility bills. Whenever the whole family is going to be out of the house for more than a couple of hours, turn the temperature down to around 55 F. If you’re only using one room for hours at a time, don’t heat the entire house. Turn down the thermostat, close the door and keep warm with a small space heater.


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