Archive for category Home Improvement
Green, Chemical-Free Pest Control: Quick and Safe.
Posted by Cynthia in Going Green, Home Improvement, Home and Health on November 10th, 2009
Pest Control has finally evolved into an industry that quickly and effectively eradicates pests in your home without exposing its other living inhabitants to harmful and dangerous chemicals with a system called ThermaPureHeat offered by a company called Expediant in NY, CT, NJ, PA and MA
ThermaPureHeat is a completely chemical-free new process called Structural Pasteurization that utilizes clean, pure heat to kill mold and bug infestations of any size without harming pets, plants or people.
Used effectively in difficult infestations such as bed bugs, it leaves no residues or smell behind. The treated areas can be safely occupied right after the treatment by anyone, including pets and small children.
The process is also scalable: it can be applied to a whole house, to a single floor or even a single area or room and the concept is very simple. Giant heaters — 500,000 bpu each — blast hot air into the house until it reaches the desired temperature. Different infestations require different heat settings but the treatment will kill the mold or bug infestation, with the added bonus of killing many harmful bacteria and viruses as well.
Here’s a Discovery Channel Video about the process:
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Monitoring HVAC Zones: Thermostats and Dampers
Posted by Francine in Home Improvement on October 27th, 2009
A HVAC zone refers to a precise area of a building that is heated, cooled, or ventilated by a HVAC system. Zones may be specific rooms or whole floors of a home. Commercially, a zone may be one office, a section of offices, or a story of a building. Today’s residential homes are generally built with three to five HVAC zones. Each zone has its own thermostat to monitor different areas for desired temperature and comfort level. Most homes are fitted with standard dial thermostats that may compromise energy consumption. However, there are specialized “smart” alternatives for the modern homeowner.
Digital Thermostats
Simply put, digital thermometers have buttons instead of a dial for controlling HVAC zones. Many have the option of presetting temperature, with “home” and “away” buttons, and timers. These are called “digital programmable thermostats.”
Tips for Purchasing Energy-Efficient Windows
Posted by Francine in Budget Friendly, Going Green, Home Improvement on October 26th, 2009
Purchasing replacement windows will put money back into your pocket if you choose to replace your old existing windows with new energy-efficient windows. You will especially notice a difference during the hot summer months and cold winter months.
It’s important to remember your current location and the design and layout of your home. This plays a major role on the style and selection of energy-efficient windows you select for your home.
A family living in the northern region will need different windows than a family living in the southern region. The environment and climate conditions are entirely different, and windows will need to serve each purpose.
The windows you select should be purchased by the design of your home. The direction and size of the windows are more important than one would think.
In hot or heat dominated regions, windows facing south should be heavily glazed. This is done to make efficient use of solar heat during the cold and bitter winter months. The windows should also possess a solar heat gain co-efficient of more than .6 but a U-factor of less than .35 to assure heat transfer is reduced during the hot and humid summer months.
Home Improvements that Pay Off
Posted by Cynthia in Budget Friendly, Home Improvement, Home Remodeling on October 20th, 2009
In times of economic uncertainty it is only natural that we try to save money. We cancel expensive vacation trips, cut on leisure, postpone the purchase of that brand new car, and put off major expenditures such as home remodeling and repairs. The idea is to stretch our hard earned dollars and save everything we can, in case we come to face even tougher times
However, forfeiting some renovation projects and important repairs might not be the smartest choice. That outdated HVAC system, the old windows, and cold basement might be costing you big bucks. The next rainstorm may flood your basement. In other words, the money you’re trying to save in repairs might be being spent instead in utility bills or depleted in bigger repairs later on due to the lack of proper preventive measures.
Even in tough times, there are some improvements that actually pay off, lowering your energy consumption, preserving or increasing the property value, and giving you much-needed peace of mind.
Below is a list of the five of the most cost-effective home improvements and the best investments you can ever make in your home.
Read the rest of this entry »
Garage Remodeling
Posted by Francine in Home Improvement, Home Remodeling on September 30th, 2009
Most residents think about their garage twice a day: when they’re getting into and getting out of their cars. But the garage is an untapped resource in many homes — one that can be re-organized, re-adjusted or just plain re-worked into something fun, practical or even good for your health. Here are some tips for garage remodeling.
One of the easier outcomes for your garage is to turn it into a home gym. This process will create a more convenient situation to exercise, as there will no longer be a need to drive to the gym. It can also save you loads of money in the long run when you no longer have to pay the monthly gym fees. Some ideas to make your garage more appealing for this are to put down a carpet, put up a television or install a radio system, or install shelves and hooks to store less heavy equipment.
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