Spring Clean Your Air

July 9, 2012

According to the EPA, the air inside your home may be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. So when you’re doing the annual clean-sweep, don’t forget to add it to your list. Spring clean your air Spring sprucing can have your home looking great in no time. But what about the mess you can’t see? Invisible particles, like bacteria, chemicals, pet dander, and viruses—along with dust, mold and mildew—can pollute your indoor air, affecting your home, health and comfort. And since most people spend 90% of their time indoors, keeping the air clean is just as important as cleaning the surfaces you can see. Here’s a spring sprucing checklist that will help keep things tidy while helping to improve indoor air quality (IAQ): (cut down pollutants and combat poor indoor air quality). Ban the use of chemicals in your home Scented fragrances—like laundry detergents, floor cleaners and air fresheners —may smell fresh, but chances are, they’re polluting your indoor air. These products can emit dozens of different chemicals into the air, causing respiratory irritation. To combat synthetic fragrances, purchase naturally scented or fragrant-free products, use mild cleaners without artificial ingredients and discontinue use of aerosol sprays....

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Get comfortable with a home energy audit

July 5, 2012

How can you identify and prioritize home upgrades that will also reduce your energy bill and make your home more comfortable? With a do-it-yourself home energy audit! Like the home energy audits offered by many utility companies, the DIY audit starts with a simple walk-through of your home to assess energy wasters and improvements to eliminate them. Here are three important places to start: 1. Inspect your cooling/heating system Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half your home’s energy usage. Improving efficiency here can make a noticeable difference on your monthly energy bill. Your HVAC system should be inspected at least once a year. Your Lennox dealer can check and clean your equipment to help control energy usage. If you have a central heating and cooling system, the filters should be checked monthly – especially during high-usage seasons – and replaced as needed (at least once every three months) to keep the system working efficiently. Check ductwork for streaks of dirt that indicate air leaks. These should be sealed with duct mastic. Insulate ducts or pipes that extend through unheated spaces. If any HVAC unit is more than 15 years old, a newer system can greatly reduce your energy usage...

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Playing it cool: 7 ways to beat the heat

June 29, 2012

So the temps are skyrocketing, and you’re sweating buckets. Not exactly the plan you had for chilling out this summer. Not to worry: We’ve gathered seven tips to help you stay cool in the rising heat: 1. Drink plenty of water In summer, your body loses a maximum amount of water through perspiration. Replenish several times a day (drink at least 2 more glasses than usual), and add more juices and fruit—watermelon, grapefruit, pineapple, pears and citrus fruits are not only cooling, but contain high water content. 2. Slather on the sunblock Not only will it keep you protected from the sun’s harmful rays and help to prevent sunburn, it will also keep you looking younger over time. Bonus: By keeping the burn at bay, your skin will stay cooler. Use an entire ounce (about the size of a golf ball) for optimum protection. 3. Lighten up Your plate, that is. Research shows heavy foods take longer to digest, interfering with the body’s cooling process. Think salads, sandwiches and soup broths…you’ll stay trim while gaining energy for outdoor activities. 4. Go with the flow Dressing in breezy, lightweight fabrics that offer plenty of movement—cotton, linen and gauze—are the best bet...

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Seal Your Home, Pay Less In Energy Costs — It’s That Simple

June 7, 2012

When you seal your home, you reduce the amount of air coming inside and going out. Those leaks cost you money summer and winter because they make your HVAC equipment work harder. Sealing the leaks isn’t a difficult process once you know where they are. Find the Leaks You can conduct your own test with just a few common household items. First, draw a simple sketch of your home’s layout and close the windows and exterior doors. Extinguish any gas-burning appliances and turn on the exhaust fans. Walk through the house with lighted incense, covering the entire perimeter of your home, including the attic and basement. Note on the floor plan where the smoke wavers. The moving smoke indicates air coming inside. Typical places for air leaks include window frames, exterior doors, electrical outlets and switches, and places where the cables and pipes enter or leave. Seal the Leaks Seal exterior door leaks with fresh weather-stripping, available at home improvement stores. You can add a door sweep to the exterior doors to block drafts coming in or going out. These sweeps are available at home centers. If you need one, measure your door before going to help you buy the right...

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