Check out this short video on working but outdated knob and tube wiring. If you have this in your home it should be updated by a qualified electrician. Outdated Knob and Tube Electrical Wiring

Check out this short video. You will be amazed at the location of this main electric panel. Main Electric Panel in Bathroom

Send us your questions or concerns about your home. We love to help our clients solve there home issues and concerns.

Cut Your Costs And Your Carbon Footprint

(NAPS)—Living in an energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable home is now more easily attainable.

Here’s How

Here are a few hints that may help from the experts at the United States Department of Energy:

1.  Keep appliances clean and in good repair; clogged air vents or worn-out parts make motors work harder, which wastes energy.

2.  Insulate your water heater and hot-water pipes.

3.  Plant trees, shrubs and hedges around your home so they shade your home in summer and let sunlight right in, in winter.

4.  Change your lights to energy-saving compact fluorescent lights (CFL). If every American home replaced just one lightbulb with a CFL bulb, we would save enough energy to light nearly 3 million homes. We’d also save more than $600 million in annual energy costs and reduce greenhouse gases by the equivalent of nearly 750,000 cars. The average CFL lasts 6,000 to 15,000 hours, and when you replace it, you can recycle it.

5.  Use solid-state lighting (SSL) for holiday tree lights, nightlights and walkway illumination. They’re durable and long lasting and use about a tenth as much energy as incandescent bulbs.

6.  Turn off power strips or unplug electronics. Electronics—computer, TV, VCR, even your phone chargers—use energy even when they’re turned off. Standby power can account for as much as 20 percent of home energy use.

7.  Caulking your window seals around the glass can provide insulation.

8.  Air seal and insulate your attic and ventilation ducts. More than half the energy used in a typical American home is for space heating and cooling. Much of that conditioned air escapes through poorly sealed, underinsulated attics.

The Department of Energy and homebuilders are working together to combine advanced building techniques with renewable energy sources to minimize energy needs from outside providers.

When you live in a “green” home you reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, the building block of greenhouse gases, that you add to the environment, otherwise known as your carbon footprint.

 Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot to do so. New homes built green from the ground up can cost the same as a conventional house, as homebuilders incorporate innovative technologies directly into new homes.

Take, for example, Trilogy by Shea Homes, eight active lifestyle communities located across the country.

The company uses a number of technologies and products designed to reduce the carbon footprint of each home by up to 48 percent. These include dual-pane, low-e windows, solar electricity systems, solar-powered attic fans, high-performance insulation, wood from sustainable forests, weather-responsive sprinkler systems, Energy Star appliances and more. As a result, Trilogy homes exceed the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code by 45 percent.

Learn More

You can find energy-saving and eco-friendly tips and other information online at www.trilogylife.com or by calling (800) 685-6494.

Energy costs don’t have to go through the roof if you live in a “green” house.

Follow this link to see if your microwave/oven is a potential fire hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08110.html

Follow this link to find out if your Bosch or Siemens Dishwasher has been recalled do to a fire hazard!
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09100.html

Mother Nature is full of surprises, especially during the winter months when freezing temperatures, ice, snow and high winds can knock out power to your home. Not only is a power outage inconvenient, it can threaten your safety. Your power can go out without notice, so make sure you’re prepared the next time you’re left in the dark.

Prepare Your Home and Family
A recent Chamberlain study conducted by Zoomerang found that 93 percent of homeowners reported having experienced a power outage this year alone, with some outages lasting hours or even days. Every family should prepare an emergency kit for storms and power outages and keep it in a central location. The kit should include:
* Flashlights, extra batteries, matches and candles
* A battery-operated weather radio
* A fully charged cell phone battery
* First aid supplies
* Bottled water and nonperishable packaged or canned foods and snacks
* Blankets, towels and pillows

Don’t panic. Help keep family members and children calm in the dark by telling stories and playing games such as trivia and guessing games.

Always Have Access — Don’t Forget the Garage
Today, more than half of homeowners (55 percent) use the garage door as the primary entrance to their home, relying on an automatic garage door opener to gain access. However, during a power outage, homeowners are faced with having to manually lift the garage door, creating security, safety and convenience concerns. Make sure you have backup options when the power goes out.

* To avoid being blocked from entering and exiting your garage during an outage, check out a garage door opener with the EverCharge Standby Power System, a battery backup system that continues to supply power to open and close your garage door for up to two days when the power has failed, available on selected Chamberlain and professionally installed LiftMaster garage door openers.
* Know how to manually open and close your garage door during a power failure. Test your ability to ensure you can physically lift your garage door, your home’s heaviest and largest moving object.

Save Your Appliances
Power surges happen, so unplug your appliances to avoid a blow out when the power returns. Using power strips with surge protectors is an easy and cost-effective way to protect expensive electrical appliances.

* Open the refrigerator and freezer doors only when necessary and keep a cooler and ice packs on hand to store items that spoil easily.
* Remember to turn off your furnace, water heater and water pump. Leave one overhead room light in the “on” position so you can easily tell when the power has been restored.

For more information and to find a professional garage door opener dealer near you, visit www.liftmaster.com. For weekend warriors, the Chamberlain product equipped with the EverCharge Standby Power System can be found at most major home improvement retailers under the Chamberlain brand name or at www.chamberlain-diy.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Heating and cooling systems account for 56 percent of energy used in a typical home, making it the largest energy expense for most households, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Making smarter decisions about your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system can help you save money on your monthly utility bills.

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning has developed several tips for cutting your heating and cooling costs without cutting comfort. 

Install a programmable thermostat.

Controlling energy costs starts with your thermostat. During winter months, you can save nearly 3 percent of heating costs for each degree your thermostat is lowered. In the summer, cooling costs are cut up to 6 percent per each degree you raise the thermostat. A programmable thermostat will automatically adjust temperatures throughout the day, ensuring greater energy efficiency and enhanced comfort. Some thermostat models even allow homeowners to pre-program desired temperatures for specific times of day. You can save costs by easily adjusting the heating and cooling settings for when times when you’re waking up, leaving for work, sleeping or going on vacation.

Upgrade to variable speed heating or cooling.

Depending on your comfort needs and where you live, you can choose from a variable speed furnace or air handler. Both work with the outdoor unit to ensure the greatest energy efficiency and consistent comfort throughout your home. “Variable speed” refers to how a furnace or air handler’s indoor blower motor runs. A two-stage, variable speed furnace or air handler operates at an energy-saving lower speed and a higher speed, when needed, for more consistent air circulation. With steadier, variable speeds, these indoor units don’t have to turn on and off as frequently, which reduces temperature swings and may help to lower your heating bills.

Consider a hybrid system.

Hybrid HVAC systems bring together two different fuel sources, typically a gas furnace and an electric heat pump, for more efficient heating and cooling. A hybrid system is calibrated to automatically switch between the furnace and heat pump depending on which offers the most economical power for your heating or cooling needs at any given time. Cost savings can be significant. In fact, American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s Heritage Hybrid comfort system can deliver up to 50 percent savings over a comparable 10-year old system.

Check your filter every month.

It is especially important to check your filter during heavier usage periods such as winter and summer and, at a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt buildup in your system.  Some programmable thermostats will even remind you when to check your filters.

Get the best energy efficiency ratings.

Your heating and cooling system’s components should have the highest possible energy efficiency ratings. The higher the rating, the more efficient the product and lower your energy bills can be. Make sure your components meet the following minimums:

* Furnaces: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 80 or higher

* Heat pumps: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings of 7 or higher
 
* Air conditioners: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings of 13 or higher

By following these few easy tips, you and your family can cut energy costs and enjoy cleaner and more comfortable air all year long. For more information on how to cut your home’s energy costs without sacrificing comfort or to locate an independent American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer near you, visit www.americanstandardair.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Save Water and Create a Healthy Lawn, Beautiful Garden

With spring upon us it’s time to start enjoying the great outdoors by planting in the garden and maintaining the lawn. When caring for a lawn and garden this season there are several tips to keep in mind to maximize your landscape’s potential with minimal use of water.

“Water has always been recognized as a vital natural resource, but now communities and homeowners are growing increasingly concerned about conserving water,” says John Marshall, manager of The Scotts Training Institute. “We’ve always made water research a priority at Scotts and educating homeowners about water use is an important part of our efforts.”

With simple lawn care and gardening practices homeowners can create healthy lawns and beautiful gardens that make the best use of available water.

Depending on the region you live in, lawns require different care. Online research on your area and lawn type can be very helpful. One general rule of thumb is to make sure established lawns get at least 1 inch of water a week. Water for longer, less frequent periods of time to help the lawn absorb water deeper into the roots. Use a rain gauge or put out a shallow pan next time you water to determine how much water your lawn receives. Then, adjust watering habits accordingly. Fixing irrigation systems with broken or misdirected sprinkler heads also reduces water use.

“It’s important to keep an eye on your lawn for signs of thirst to determine when to water and when to wait,” says Marshall. “Grass wilts when it’s thirsty, and if your grass isn’t wilting, wait for rain to water your lawn.”

An easy way to judge if a lawn needs to be watered is if footprints stay in the grass for several minutes.

Mowing and feeding your lawn also keeps it healthy. Adjust the mower’s blade so it’s on the highest setting, as longer grass blades promote deeper roots to help retain moisture. After mowing, leave grass clippings on the lawn to return organic matter and nutrients to the soil. A regularly fed lawn is strong, able to recover from drought conditions faster and absorbs water more efficiently. It’s also important to make sure fertilizer is kept on the lawn and swept off sidewalks and driveways back into the grass, protecting streams and other waterways. A healthy, dense lawn also crowds out weeds that steal vital nutrients from the grass.

In the garden, efficient watering practices depend on the type of plants, the containers or soil they’re planted in and the region. While it’s important to take these factors into consideration when watering, there are general watering practices that apply to all gardens.

The best time to water is early morning, when evaporation is minimal. Gardens also benefit from longer, less frequent watering. To check if your plants are sufficiently watered, dig around the plants after watering to see if the soil is moist several inches down.

If you have hanging container plants, watch them carefully as they often need more water because wind dries the plant out. Container-grown plants also have a limited area to absorb water from, so they can dry out faster than plants in the ground. To help keep container plants well-watered try Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix with a formula blend that holds 33 percent more water than ordinary soils.

One of the easiest and most beneficial practices you can use in the garden is mulching. “Not only does mulching help conserve moisture, but adding a layer of mulch minimizes weeds, protects soil from erosion, and helps to maintain a more even soil temperature,” Marshall says.

When it comes to watering efficiently, the market is saturated with items that help homeowners save water. Products specifically designed to be water efficient, such as a soaker hose, can be found in most local lawn and garden centers or online. Soaker hoses water garden beds efficiently and right where the plants need it — at the roots.

With so many simple practices and products available to help homeowners use less water, it’s easier to make a positive environmental impact by reducing water use. Water can be saved every day by modifying habits and using water more efficiently in lawns and gardens.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Whether in a home or in a commercial building, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is crucial to ensure a comfortable temperature, fresh airflow, and an overall healthy indoor environment. But over time, these systems can get dirty or damaged, reducing indoor air quality and efficiency, hitting your health and energy bill hard.

Some people believe air distribution systems do not get dirty, but thousands of buildings throughout the world suffer from significant ventilation issues including particle accumulation, insulation deterioration and mold growth. They mistakenly think that ventilation systems are pristine when installed, or believe filtration will stop everything. Some believe that it is less expensive to replace an HVAC component rather than keeping it clean and properly maintained. Others mistakenly believe that you just can’t clean ductwork. Here are some of the issues you need to know about:

Filtration Issues

HVAC systems become contaminated in a variety of ways. Improper filtration is a major factor. Low-efficiency filters, lack of a filter replacement program, and improperly sized filters can all allow particles and debris to flow into a home or building. The age of the system is also a factor. Filters may keep large particles from entering a system, but small particles will accumulate over months and years of service.

Duct Work Contamination

One of the most underreported problems in HVAC system maintenance is the deterioration of the insulation duct liner. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of HVAC systems installed over 10 years will have some level of insulation deterioration. Over time, the insulation fibers are distributed and blown into occupied spaces every time the blower turns on. Fibers from fiberglass insulation can become an eye, nose and throat irritant for some people.

Debris also enters HVAC systems during the installation process. When ductwork sits waiting in a construction yard prior to installation, it gets filled with dirt, debris, and rainwater. During many projects, newly installed ductwork may be dirtier than already existing ductwork. Many engineers are finally recognizing this issue and requiring contractors to seal the ductwork during transport and before installation.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Over time, evaporator coils become matted with dust and dirt, which insulates the coil and significantly reduces the system’s ability to cool the air. This system will work longer and harder to keep a conditioned space cool, which very quickly leads to sharp increases in energy costs.

Cleaning your HVAC system will improve indoor air quality, air flow, efficiency and thermal comfort. Because your system is more efficient, energy costs also go down. Coil cleaning alone has been shown in multiple studies to increase air flow and increase efficiency of an entire system by up to 30 percent.

Indoor air quality is another major reason that HVAC systems are cleaned. A dirty evaporator coil has the potential to cause the largest amount of mold in the system. The combination of condensation and dirt buildup on a coil creates an ideal breeding ground for mold, which can get into the air and cause health problems.

So what is involved in cleaning an HVAC system? A proper cleaning includes the elimination of all visible debris and particles from all components of a ventilation system. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has published an internationally recognized standard that specifies requirements for proper cleaning. NADCA is a widely recognized nonprofit trade organization representing certified contractors worldwide that sets standards and provides certification and training for the industry.

What about the effectiveness of cleaning insulated ductwork? In many cases, after cleaning, insulated ductwork can be treated with coating products specifically designed to “lock-down” deteriorated fibers and provide a new surface and extended life. Many of these coating products contain anti-microbial additives, which help to inhibit future mold growth. When insulation is beyond repair, fiberglass insulation can be replaced with a closed cell insulation product.

The best way to determine the need for cleaning any air-conveyance system is to perform a visual inspection. Many NADCA contractors have the capability and equipment to provide this inspection. For more information about HVAC cleaning and to find a certified and knowledgeable contractor, visit www.NADCA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent