Posts Tagged ‘IAQ’

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Idling your car- it’s not ideal

January 28, 2011

It is cold outside. And dark. And you really don’t want to go to work.

I know how you feel.

How do you get over the winter morning blues? For most Americans the antidote involves a large cup of coffee and a toasty-warm pre-heated car.

But how much is that pre-heating costing you, not to mention the environment?

Every two minutes an idling car uses about the same amount of fuel to travel a mile. So for every two minutes you spend waiting for your car to warm up before you get in you are effectively adding an extra mile of gas onto your daily bill.  And worse, it puts a lot of additional wear and tear on your engine, beyond what the odometer says.

But don’t engines need that time to warm up in the morning?

Maybe in Grandma’s day, but modern engines need no longer than about 30 seconds to warm up in most climates. If you live somewhere really cold, it makes more sense to invest in an engine bloc heater than to leave your car idling in the mornings.

So what is a cold, disheartened, winter-morning-hater to do? Suck it up. Leave your hat, scarf and gloves on for the first few miles. It’s not so bad and it makes the coffee taste better.

While we’re on the topic of vehicles I’ll add this warning: Never idle a vehicle in your garage, even if the door to the outside is open. The exhaust fumes can leak into your home and cause a significant risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning to you and your family.

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Posted in Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Service agreements – a smart way to save.

January 25, 2011

Expensive things, like cars, come with a warranty, which is the manufacturer’s guarantee that your purchase will keep on working the way it should for the life of the warranty… IF you uphold your end of the bargain. When you buy a new HVAC system, read the fine print of your warranty, and you will find that in order to keep it valid you must have the unit serviced annually.

Is this just a scam for these companies to get more money out of you?

Actually, no. There are two very good reasons to make sure you have your heating and cooling system checked and tuned annually.

First, if there is a problem with your HVAC system it can become a serious health risk to you and your family. A licensed contractor can ensure that carbon monoxide is not leaking into your home.

Second, the cost of annual maintenance has been shown to pay for itself in operating cost savings during the peak season alone.

Together, these are reasons that the EPA and DOE recommend annual maintenance on your system—you should do it whether under warranty or not.

So it makes sense to have your HVAC system maintained each year, and if you’re looking to save some money it makes sense to enter into a service agreement.  This ensures your  heating and cooling system operates safely and efficiently and your protect your warranty.  Even better, service agreements allow for planned visits during regular hours, and thus we can plan for and control costs and offer special services and priority treatment to customers who sign up for these plans.  Check out the extra perks we offer to service agreement customers here at GreenHomes.

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Furnaces, GreenHomes America, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Heating & Cooling Tips, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

It’s Cold, But Don’t Use Your Stove to Heat Your Home or Apartment

January 17, 2011

With temperatures sinking to single digits—and even well below zero in many locations around the Northeast—the potential for house fires shoots up as some attempt to use their kitchen stove or other forms of open flame sources to heat their homes or apartments for warmth.  Don’t!

  • NEVER USE YOUR OVEN FOR HEATING. Kitchen ovens were never designed for heating homes only for cooking food.  There is a risk from both carbon monoxide (CO) and fire.
  • Never Leave High Stove Heat Unattended. Stay close when using high heat on the stovetop. If you must leave to answer the door or the phone, keep a spoon or a potholder in your hand so you have a visual reminder to get back to the kitchen ASAP.
  • Review portable heater safety tips.  Kathryn had a nice post about space heater safety this fall.  Reread it!

Stay warm, but be safe.  If your home or furnace isn’t up to the task, call is.  If it’s a question of affording the utilities, check out your local community agencies or your state’s LIHEAP program for emergency assistance. 

Thanks,
Mike

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Posted in Furnaces, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, News | Leave a Comment »

Fire prompts warning about space heaters

December 29, 2010

The Burlington Free Press reports an all-too-common winter story about a house fire started by a space heater.  Fortunately the house wasn’t completely destroyed, and no one was injured in this case.  But it could have ended very differently.   As Kathryn touched on last month, space heater safety is very important.   As the Fire Marshall’s Office said in this case, space heaters should be used only temporarily and kept clear of combustible materials.

Stay warm–but be safe!
Mike

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Posted in Consumer Protection, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, News | Leave a Comment »

Smoke Alarms – New Features Make Them More Tolerable

December 3, 2010

This is the last thing I’m going to say about fire alarms for the foreseeable future…

The leading cause of smoke alarm failure is inadequate power supply, and many times this is due to the unit being disabled by the owner. Smoke alarms can be annoying because if they are installed too close to the kitchen they can be triggered when there isn’t really a fire to worry about. This is what experts call a ‘nuisance’ alarm. Unfortunately nuisance alarms can be so much of a nuisance that the owner disconnects them, rendering them unable to assist in detecting a fire.

Then again, it is incredibly annoying to have to deal with a fire alarm whenever you want to use your kitchen, so what should you do?

If possible, move the unit a few feet further away from the cooking area, in many cases this will solve the problem. If this isn’t possible, or you are still getting nuisance alarms, try replacing the unit with a new alarm that has a ‘hush’ feature – a handy little button that mutes the alarm for 10 seconds, which is usually long enough to clear the air of the smoke that triggered the alarm in the first place.

Remember that you should never disable the alarm by removing the batteries as you might forget to replace them again.

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Posted in Health / Safety / Indoor Air | Leave a Comment »

The Feds on Air-Sealing

October 23, 2010

This Spring, DOE released a guide “Retrofit Techniques & Technologies: Air Sealing” that explains the practices used along with some related considerations.  It dives into the weeds, but it’s a good resource for anyone who wants to understand more about one of the common things we at GreenHomes do to improve homes–and why. 

As they point out, the air leaks in many homes can add up and have the same effect as leaving a window wide open all year long.  And thus, it’s no surprise that

By sealing uncontrolled air leaks, you can expect to see savings of 10% to 20% on your heating and cooling bills, and even more if you have an older or especially leaky house.

For those considering taking a stab at climbing up into the attic and taking care of air leaks on their own, definitely reread Kathryn’s post on “DIY Insulation” from last month.  In it you’ll also see mentioned the ENERGY STAR “Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating“.  It gets into a lot of the important details critical to safe and effective air-sealing with some additional illustrations and photos.

Neither publication covers everything, but they do hit on some of the important basics.  And both point to some important health and safety considerations.  The DOE guide does a better job explaining the importance of combustion safety and ventilation–and how a good “test-in/test-out” approach helps address these issues.

If you’re thinking about insulating your home, remember, you should air-seal first.  The guides help explain how and why.  Both are worth a read.

Thanks,
Mike

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Posted in Air-Sealing, Consumer Protection, DIY, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Insulation | Leave a Comment »

Space Heater Safety

October 15, 2010

It’s happening again… The leaves are turning, the mercury is dropping, and every store north of the equator has space heaters in stock. They are so tempting. They promise so much and are inexpensive to buy. But be aware of the dangers of heating rooms with space heaters, because there are some very real safety issues at stake.

Almost one in ten US households contain a kerosene heater, and approximately half of those have no chimney at all (Consumer Product Safety Commission). If you own a kerosene space heater or are considering buying one, be sure to read on and discover the risks you are taking by operating one inside your home. Additionally, make sure to check your home insurance policy to ensure use of a portable heater does not void your fire insurance.

There are two main dangers associated with operating a kerosene heater: Fire and Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Fire:

Use of an improper fuel can result in fire or explosion, but aside from that, you must be hyperaware of your home and its contents while operating a portable heating device. Maintain a clearance of at least 36 inches from all combustible materials, and never use flammable solvents, aerosol sprays or lacquers near the heater. Of course you should never operate a space heater in a room that also includes flammable liquids (such as gasoline) or is very dusty.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

If a heating unit is not cleaned and maintained regularly, it may produce high levels of Carbon Monoxide as a byproduct of the fuel burning process. Consult the manual of the devise to determine how frequently you should have it serviced and make sure to stick to that schedule, even if the unit seems to be functioning well.

Always ensure your heating unit vents the by-products of combustion to the outside. Only operate space heaters that are vented outdoors and that have been installed and maintained by a professional. Never operate an unvented heater in your home, the risk of serious harm or death is too high. Even if you own a sleek, new, top-of-the line model, it is still not advisable to operate an unvented heater inside your house because of the risk of high levels of carbon monoxide.

Summary:

Although portable space heaters are a popular solution for warming drafty parts of the house during the cold months, they are very dangerous and should only be operated with great care. If you use a vented space heater, we recommend that you have it serviced regularly and that you keep the heater far away from combustible materials such as furniture, curtains, etc. to prevent fires. We do not recommend that you buy or operate an unvented heating unit inside your home as the health risks are too high.

Handy Hint:

If you have ‘problem’ rooms in your house it is likely that your home is inadequately insulated and sealed. Rather than pouring money into keeping problem rooms warm with space heaters, a better (and safer) solution is to have a home energy audit performed to fix the underlying problems.

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Posted in Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Heating & Cooling Tips, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Maintain Your Appliances!

October 14, 2010

When you turn on your shower faucet hot water comes out. When you turn the thermostat up it gets warmer in your house. Your clothes go into the clothes drier wet and come out dry, the same way your food goes into the oven raw and comes out cooked. So long as these rules hold true most of us never give a second thought to our gas (or oil or propane)-fired appliances, but we should.

The simple truth is that, if not properly maintained, your appliances could turn into the most dangerous things in your home. Forget sharp knives, poison oak or your killer doberman, if you don’t maintain your appliances they can cause you a world of pain, or even death through fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning (see Combustion Safety Week articles 1 and 2).

So what should you do?

Most importantly, have a licensed contractor do an inspection of your gas piping, gas appliances and heating system every year. You wouldn’t drive your car around for a year with out having a qualified mechanic inspect it, and your home appliances are no different. A well-qualified professional can detect problems before they become dangerous and advise you on the best course of action.

There is more that you can do in the period between check-ups. Run kitchen exhaust fans when gas appliances are used and make sure CO detectors in the home have fresh batteries. Also, be aware of your appliances. Take notice of changes in how well they function, strange smells and noises. Call a licensed contractor immediately if you notice any of the following red flags (courtesy of Vermont Gas):

  • Gas flames that appear pale or wavy
  • Gaps, rust or blocks in vents, or vents that do not lead outdoors
  • Strange smells
  • Appliances that are rusted or are covered in thick dust
  • Problems with furnace air filters, such as clogs, excessive dirt or the complete absence of filters.
  • Appliance valves that are missing, or improperly installed
  • The absence of a fire door on a gas appliance
  • Soot near burners or vents
  • Gas burners in a garage installed less than 18 inches above the floor
  • Venting that does not conform to the manufacturers recommendations
  • Discoloration around burners, access doors or vent area
  • Noisy appliances
  • Water/flood damaged appliances

Important Tip: Never store flammable liquids such as paint thinners or gasoline near appliances, and never hang things on gas piping or vents, even rags or clothes.

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Posted in Boilers, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Oil / Coal / Natural Gas, Uncategorized, Water Heaters / Hot Water | Leave a Comment »

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

October 13, 2010

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, which is dangerous to humans. It is almost impossible for an unaided person to detect CO, which is why it is often called ‘The Silent Killer.’ Each year approximately 500 people in the US die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Many of these deaths could have been prevented with a few simple precautions.

Carbon Monoxide is released when a carbon-based fuel (oil, propane, kerosene, wood, natural gas, charcoal etc.) does not fully combust. This may occur when an appliance is not functioning adequately or is used improperly. Luckily there are some simple steps you can take to make sure you and your family are safe.

Steps for PREVENTION:

1.     Have your heating system, water heaters and gas ranges inspected every year, no matter the fuel you use.

2.     Ensure that your appliances are properly maintained and ventilated. If you are not sure, call a licensed contractor and have them inspect your appliances and answer your questions.

3.     Keep all sidewall vents clear of brush and snow.

4.     Never run a vehicle or generator in the garage or basement of your home, even if the door or windows are open.

5.     Inspect your chimney for blockages. You never know what Santa may have left behind that could cause inadequate venting of your fireplace.

6.      Use your oven for heating your food, not your house.

7.     Never use a grill or portable stove in an enclosed area (even if you’re camping and it’s raining and really, really cold outside).

8.     Do not use or install an unvented room heater, space heater or gas fireplace.

Steps for DETECTION:

1. Install CO detectors in your home, with battery back-up. It is best to have multiple CO detectors and the models with a numerical readout are preferred.

2.     If you have symptoms such as:

a.     Shortness of breath

b.     Nausea

c.     Headache

d.     Dizziness

e.     Light-headedness

And you suspect CO poisoning follow the following evacuation procedure.

Steps for EVACUATION:

If you suspect you have been exposed to high levels of CO seek fresh air immediately and remain outside. Call 911 and ask for both the Fire Department and an Ambulance. Seek medical attention immediately for yourself and others who are exhibiting the symptoms listed above.

Handy Hint: CO detectors cost only a few dollars and most models only require their batteries to be changed about every other year. You will know when the batteries need to be changed because it will start to make that annoying chirping sound like smoke detectors do. Invest a few dollars and it could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

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Posted in Boilers, Furnaces, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Uncategorized, Water Heaters / Hot Water | 3 Comments »

McKinsey EE Report on Comfort and IAQ

August 3, 2009

Whew—tons of good stuff in here.  I do talk a lot about energy, but it’s not just energy.  In fact, many of our customers are more interested in comfort and health and safety.

Thus it’s reassuring to see this mentioned on page 13 of the report: 

Impact on comfort and health.  Energy efficiency upgrades, including proper insulation and sealing against air infiltration [emphasis added], can address a number of common residential problems, such as drafty rooms, cold floors in the winter, damp basements, dry air, musty odors, and mold.  Because people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, many of these issues can lead to health risks, contributing to chronic allergies and asthma, as well as periodic illness.  Sick building syndrome (SBS), which is associated with poor indoor air quality, can manifest itself in building occupants as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or skin, as well as other ailments.  Flaws in HVAC systems, emissions from some types of building materials, volatile organic compounds used indoors, and inadequate exhaust systems may be contributing factors.  Severe problems with heating or cooling systems, for example, can result in dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide or radon gas.  Air and duct sealing and periodic maintenance of HVAC equipment can mitigate a number of these risks.  While quantifying the impact of higher air quality on health is difficult, research suggests that the benefits are significant.  Improved indoor air quality can reduce symptoms of SBS by 20 to 50 percent, asthma by 8 to 25 percent, and other respiratory illnesses by 26 to 76 percent.

Right on!

Thanks,
Mike

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Posted in Energy Geeks / Energy Policy, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

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