Last week I wrote about Elizabeth Turnbull’s experiment in green homebuilding on the Yale University campus, her tiny abode sharply contrasting the behemoth student dorms typical to most college campuses. Well, as it turns out, Turnbull isn’t the only one interested in small homes.

Taking a cue from coffee cups and Smurf Village, a Japanese designer-builder is marketing small, Styrofoam prefab houses that look like mammoth mushrooms. Each house is made from 100 per cent expanded polystyrene foam, which, unlike wood and metal, does not rust, rot or attract bugs. Oh, and each home can be assembled in a few hours—not bad for homeowners on the go.

While you likely won’t see these domed domiciles in your community anytime soon, polystyrene foam is becoming a popular building material in regular-looking homes.

Polystyrene foam is an excellent insulation material, which is why green-minded builders are turning to insulated concrete forms (ICFs, as they’re commonly known) for exterior foundations. The forms look like pieces of foam that come when you buy a fridge or TV, but when put together and filled with concrete, the forms provide a strong, rot-resistant, energy-efficient insulating base for exterior walls and foundations.

There are many ICF brands for foam insulation, some more suitable depending on the application. And while it tends to be slightly more expensive to build with, ICFs provide long-term savings when it comes to heating and cooling and rot-resistance.

Having grown up in a house without air conditioning, I know what it’s like to sweat through hot nights and loud fans. This was a time before the efficient, quiet fans now common; back in the day, we put loud, plane-propeller-size units in the window and on the floor hoping for a bit of air movement, just enough to pass out.

Luckily, I’ve found better way to keep cool. I still don’t have air condition, mind you, but I like it that way; besides, I’ve found a more efficient, less energy-taxing solution: the ceiling fan. Installed the right way, in the right place, these inexpensive and easy-to-install devices will keep you cool and save you cash.

Unlike energy-hogging A/C units, electric ceiling fans don’t actually cool the air; rather, they move it around, which helps evaporate moisture, on your skin and on surfaces in your home, making things feel cooler. Ceiling fans also help draw up warm air, mixing it with cooler air for more moderate room temperatures, so you get gentle warmth without the frigid, synthetic feel of air conditioning. (In winter, switch blade direction and the fan will push down warm air rather than draw it up.)

Installation

Putting up a fan is as easy as installing a ceiling light—right? Not quite. Screwing into the existing junction box might not provide enough stability. After all, some of these fans weigh more than 30 pounds standing still; add in the pressure and vibration created by the spinning blades and you’re left with a dangerous spinning blade—to say nothing of an eyesore.

Instead of affixing directly into the existing junction box, attach the fan to something—a beam—that will securely handle the weight and motion of the fan. Of course, it will need to be hooked up for power, so if you’re at all unsure how to safely connect, especially if your fan is also a light, hire an electrician to come in for a quick, inexpensive inspection.

Right place, right fan

Ceiling fans aren’t one-size-fits-all; there are ceiling fans for every type of decor; ceiling fans operable by remote control; fans designed for sloped ceilings; fans with blades as big as canoe paddles—you name it, it exists. Unless you want to recreate the plane-blade scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first consideration here is ceiling height. If your ceiling is less than eight feet, it’s too low for a ceiling fan. Also, the blade span should be no closer than two feet from the wall to allow for airflow.

The final consideration is noise. Put it this way, you could spend $25, but do you really want to live with a fan worthy of the exhaust system at KFC?

Ask Sam, The Service Expert

Q. If my home’s air is uncomfortable, what will you look for?

A. We’ll evaluate your home’s air against many criteria including humidity, moisture, airflow, filtration, ductwork and carbon monoxide using our exclusive Home HealthReport™ Card.

Q. Is humidity that big of a deal?

A. It sure is. Humidity levels affect your comfort and health inside as much as they do outside. Too much can promote mildew growth. Too little can dry skin, make throats sore and cause respiratory problems. In other words, humidity levels need to be balanced in order to feel comfortable at normal temperature settings.

Q. Our basement always seems damp. Does that matter?

A. Yes. It can become a breeding ground for microbes and contaminants that can lead to severe respiratory problems, allergies and even immune system disorders. You may need to put in a moisture barrier and then a dehumidification system.

Q. How does inadequate air flow effect my inside comfort?

A. It can cause poor heating and air conditioning equipment performance or increased energy consumption. It could also lead to things like improper humidity levels, an uncomfortable home and higher utility bills. By measuring your home’s air flow, a NATE-certified technician can determine what changes need to be made in your system to ensure maximum comfort and energy efficiency.

Q. Do I need more than the ’standard’ filter in my furnace?

A. Possibly. Without adequate filtration, expensive heating and cooling equipment can become clogged and lead to decreased efficiency, higher utility costs and potentially expensive repairs. The wrong filter could also cause dust buildup that can make your family susceptible to colds, allergies and respiratory disorders.

Q. I noticed some damage to my ductwork. Is that a problem?

A. Yes. If ducts are damaged or improperly sealed or insulated, they can waste energy and draw pollutants into your home, then distribute them to every room.

Q. How can I protect my family from carbon monoxide?

A. Purchase a carbon monoxide detector. In addition, have your gas appliances checked to determine if theyare properly ventilated.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit program is open to all Canadian homeowners renovating to be more energy efficient.

Things to know about the program:

• Homeowners can receive a rebate of up to $5,000 for improving their home.
• You have to pay $295 to have someone come into your home to assess it before you renovate, and an additional $150 to have them come back after the renovations are complete.
• Some provinces will send you an instant rebate of up to $150 after the first assessment to subsidize some of the cost.
• The average homeowner receives $1600 in rebates
• By following the recommendations of the advisor, you can help lower your house’s emissions by up to one-half. Homes are one of the major producers of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
• All advisers must be impartial — be careful of those that come into your home and try to up-sell you.
• Homeowners can choose what to upgrade based on their adviser’s recommendations, their budgets, and what has the most payback.

posted by Nikki Rollins
nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

Reduce Energy Costs

As your heating and cooling system ages, it can lose its ability to cool or heat your home. If your current heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, or your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, it may be time to replace it with a more efficient system. Inadequate insulation or equipment installation may be the cause of temperature changes from room to room.

Your new system can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter while saving you money on energy bills. Let the professionals at Sears help you determine if your current system needs replacing.

Replacing your current equipment with an ENERGY STAR rated heating and cooling systems can help reduce high energy costs as much as 10-30%.*

Accept No Substitutes!

* Full line of exclusive Kenmore and Carrier heating and cooling systems

* ENERGY STAR qualified systems that can help save up to 25% of your annual heating/cooling costs*

* Sears Heating & Cooling specialist can work with you to determine the right system for your home

* Prevent minor problems from becoming big headaches

* You’re paying for quality

* Cost of utilities is rising, get the most out of your heating and cooling dollars

* A manufacturer’s limited product warranty of up to 10 years*

* A full one year limited warranty on installation*

* Free in-home consultation on a new system

*Article is courtesy of Sears Home Central - for a free estimate, click here
Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Propane

As a highly portable fuel, propane provides you with modern convenience no matter where you live, work or travel. Propane can economically go anywhere a portable cylinder can be carried. Or wherever a propane delivery truck can travel to a storage tank.

Propane is a highly concentrated energy source. For example, the typical 20-pound container of liquid propane connected to your backyard barbecue holds the equivalent of 1,000 gallons of useable fuel.

Burning propane for fuel creates lower greenhouse gas emissions (which are attributed to climate change and global warming) than many other energy sources.

Propane is an environmentally friendly fuel. It has an extremely low sulphur content and therefore does not contribute to acid rain. Propane does not contain lead and never has.

When propane is burned, it produces harmless water vapour and carbon dioxide, two things the natural environment uses and produces every day.

Propane Appliances

Propane appliances are more durable than their electric counterparts, requiring fewer repairs.

Propane water heaters heat twice as much water in an hour than electric water heaters.

Propane high efficiency furnaces can provide energy costs savings of up to one third over conventionally-powered units.

Propane powered direct vent space heating units use outside air to support combustion while recirculating inside air to further warm the room.

Propane pool heaters heat greater water volumes in less time than electricity.

For more information on the benefits of propane, call the knowledgeable and neighbourly team at Superior Propane toll-free at 1.87.SUPERIOR (1.877.873.7467).

While homeowners choose to undertake many kinds of home renovations, installation and/or repair of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment is usually considered an exceptional measure. Yet the heating and cooling system in any structure is a critical factor in occupant comfort and quality of life. The purchase of a furnace, air conditioner or ventilation system is a major investment and deserves careful consideration. Most provinces require the hiring of a licensed or qualified HVAC tradesperson to perform the work because of the safety concerns and consequences involved. However, homeowners frequently do not distinguish among contractors on anything other than price. Consumers should be aware that the lowest price is not always the best value!

There are some obvious red flags to look for when you are shopping around for a contractor. For example, reputable contractors will not quote prices without seeing the job. Reputable contractors will not request large cash advances prior to the delivery of any equipment or materials. And any reputable contractor will readily provide a full business address as well as a telephone number where they can be reached. Apart from these more obvious tip-offs, there are a number of guidelines that a homeowner should keep in mind in order to get the best value when hiring a heating and air conditioning contractor.

1. Finding Reputable Contractors

You may wish to contact neighbours, friends, relatives and co-workers for opinions on work done recently by an HVAC contractor. You can also use the business directory for your area, or newspaper, radio and television ads to identify contractors. In most cases you will be better off selecting contractors that promote the quality of their service and equipment at a reasonable rate, rather than just low prices. It may be best to select experienced firms. If possible, try to visit their offices.

You will want to determine whether the contractor has appropriately certified personnel on staff (sheet metal, refrigeration and air conditioning or electrician journeymen, gas fitters, etc.), whether 24-hour emergency service is available, and whether the contractor offers maintenance and service agreements after the installation and warranty. The warranty policy should be clearly stated for equipment, materials and labour and should indicate who is responsible for honouring the warranty.

2. Getting Estimates

Arrange for the contractor to come and inspect the job site. Some small jobs may be priced out and an estimate written immediately, but larger jobs may require additional time to price properly and to prepare a heat loss and gain calculation for proper sizing of the equipment.

Make sure that each estimate is written on a proper form that is easily read and understood. When comparing the estimates received, the statements about the work to be performed and the materials used should be of comparable quality, or the estimates should make proper allowances for any differences. Be sure that the estimate includes the proper permits and licenses. The warranty policy should be clearly stated for equipment, materials and labour. If the contractor uses sub-contractors for some of the actual work, these should be listed on the proposal and in the contract.

3. The Contract

The contract is the agreement between the homeowner and the contractor that specifies what work will be performed and gives a firm dollar value on that work. It is a legal, binding document when signed by both parties, so be sure you understand and agree with the contents before signing. Any changes or additions in the work to be done should never be made without those alterations being written into the contract and initialed by both parties. If extra billing is to occur, it must be clearly stated and initialled by both parties.

In addition to the name, address and telephone number of the consumer and the contractor, the contract should clearly state the following items:

* required licenses and permits to be purchased by the contractor
* responsibility for removal of old equipment and materials
* warranties and guarantees on materials and labour
* approximate start and completion dates unless specific dates and times are agreed upon
* price and terms of payment

The contractor should also provide orientation regarding operation and maintenance of the equipment, and should leave an operations and maintenance manual with the consumer.

4. Payment Methods

There is no standard method of payment, so the payment schedule will vary from company to company. In any case, the payment schedule should be easy to understand and clearly stated if interest charges are applicable. A nominal deposit may be requested. Get a receipt for your deposit or have the amount shown on the contract and get the salesman to initial it. All payments should be made directly to the company named in the contract.

5. Insurance

It is important that the contractor and any sub-contractors each have public liability and property damage insurance, and be able to produce a certificate of good standing from the Workers Compensation Board. You may wish to ask who the policy is with and follow up to verify that it is current.

6. References

Reputable contractors will be more than willing to give you the names and addresses of customers they’ve done work for in your area. You may wish to contact the Better Business Bureau, which maintains records of consumer complaints about its members. You should also ask whether the contractor is a member of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC-Canada), the industry association for heating and air conditioning contractors in Canada. HRAC requires its members to carry relevant trade, fuel safety and municipal licenses as well as workers compensation. A companies membership in HRAC tells you that the company is properly licensed and that they are committed to continuous improvement through education and training.

Reprinted with permission from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada. www.hrac.ca

**Courtesy of Sears Home Central - Home Central

Note: For American contractors, please visit the Air Conditioning Contractors of America at www.acca.org.

A healthy home is in your hands. Just use the checklists below.

Source Control
The best way to improve the air in your home is to attack problems at the source. The following checklist will help you do just that.

Tips to help control dust and other biological contaminants
*Use a vacuum cleaner with strong suction, and a rotating beater brush to loosen ground-in dirt. Two-ply bags with HEPA filters ensure the dirt stays in the bag.
*Install hard surface coverings on floors, windows and furniture — they help repel dust.
*Avoid pets inside your home. If you wish to keep a pet indoors, make sure it is groomed often and keep it away from carpets, furniture and beds.
*Wash bedding weekly at a hot setting.
*Use hypoallergenic dust covers on your mattress and pillows to deter dust mites and other biological contaminants.

Tips to help control odors, fumes, and gases
*Keep interior doors leading directly into the garage closed. Leave the garage door open at least 5 minutes after a car enters or leaves the garage.
*Extinguish all burning embers in your fireplace before shutting the flue.
*Leave the door open to any room that does not have a return vent.
*Use non-toxic cleaning products. Keep them sealed and store them away from high traffic areas in your home.
*Eliminate tobacco smoke in the home.
*Install and use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Tips to help control the humidity levels in your home
*Check your home for leaks near windows, doors, attic accesses and dryer vents.
*Ensure your ductwork is inspected and cleaned by a professional.
*Reduce static electricity in your home by installing a humidifier.
*Maintain relative humidity in the 35 to 50% range. Over 50% can promote mold and other bacterial growths. Below 35% can cause sore throats, sinus congestion, skin disorders, warps in wooden furniture and floors, separation in wood floors, and gaps in molding.
*If you live in a warmer, humid climate, be certain your air conditioning equipment is sized properly and ensure it’s in good working order for the best dehumidification. (If no air conditioning system is present, a dehumidifier can be a good option to maintain proper humidity in your home.) In colder climates, a humidifier may be used to increase humidity levels as needed.
*Have a precision tune-up performed on your heating and cooling system twice each year for maximum efficiency, comfort and safety.

Ventilation

Today’s modern homes are tightly sealed to keep conditioned air in and save energy. The problem is, without the right amount of fresh air, your home can become a breeding ground for pollutants. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do with the help of a Service Experts professional to improve ventilation in your home.

Here are just some of the many aspects of healthy ventilation you should be aware of when it comes to ensuring that your family can enjoy a healthy home:
*Have your kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans tested to determine if a back draft from another flue (such as your water heater or fireplace) is drawing carbon monoxide into your home.
*Contain your renovations to one room at a time.
*Seal and vent renovated rooms before continuing to the next project.
*Have an existing ventilation system properly maintained with regular service.
*Mechanical ventilation systems such as Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) are balanced systems that bring in and filter the outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. These systems capture energy and use it to heat or cool the incoming air for greater energy efficiency and comfort.
*Rather than opening windows for ventilation, consider solutions that only allow filtered conditioned outside air to come indoors and help dilute any pollution in your home’s air.

Filtration
Another way to keep your home healthy is to clean the air by filtering out as many pollutants as possible.

A proper filtration system helps clean the air in your home:
*Determine the appropriate air filtration and cleaning equipment for the needs of your family. Service Experts can help educate you regarding various options so that you can choose the option that is best for the health of your home.
*Regardless of the options selected, an important step in good filtration is the constant recirculation of air throughout your home.
*Remove up to 97.5% of all airborne house dust in less than 24 hours, as well as 99.9% of all allergy causing pollen and spores, with an air cleaner.
*UV lights are an excellent problem solver in areas where bacteria or biological contaminants are a concern.
*UV lights can reduce and destroy biocontaminants by bathing them in high intensity UV.
For the complete filtration system, ask your Service Experts professional about the newest filtration and purification system –the photo catalytic purification system–which combines filtration of particles and bacteria as well as reduces odors.

**Courtesy of Service Experts - Expertise You Can Rely On - Guaranteed!

Chris Paulsen

Don’t Assume That All Contractors Are “Pretty Much The Same”

The most important part of shopping for a new indoor comfort system is to pick the right contractor. Choose the wrong one and you risk getting a new system that will not keep you comfortable and will not save you much, if anything, on you monthly utility bills.

In order to get the efficiency and comfort you deserve, you must find a contractor who will:

1. select the right size of equipment for your home
2. install the equipment properly
3. uncover and solve any pre-existing problems with your duct systems or house insulation.
4. ask you a lot of questions
5. NOT provide a quote before doing a diagnostic testing - a good contractor will mention this, a bad one won’t.
6. NOT force you to make a rush buying decision - steer clear of pushy sales people
7. explain everything and suggest several options available to you
8. NOT try to sell you a system over the phone

All contractors are certainly not the same. Sad to say, a small minority are downright dishonest. Both NBC’s Dateline and CBS’s 48 Hours recently aired hidden camera sting operations exposing fraudulent heating and cooling contractors. A number of these companies that they called out either bent the facts, or commited outright fraud on national television. The Better Business Bureau ranks heating and cooling as one of the highest complaint generating industries.

Fortunately, the great majority of contractors are honest. They work hard and mean well. They are ethical, at the leading edge technically and have business and customer service systems in place that ensure high levels of client satisfaction. Invest the time to identify a good contractor, it will be time well spent.

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

People who choose to have their heating ducts cleaned tend to do so because their children or other family members are suffering from breathing problems. Air and furnace ducts, when uncleaned, breed mold and mildew and lead to poor air quality. Furnace duct cleaning will also improve the efficiency of your furnace.

Duct cleaning requires not only of the ducts themselves, but of the entire furnace system: the blower, heat exchangers, cooling coils, and condensate pan. When these parts are clean, air flows efficiently through the entire system.

If you or someone in your household is experiencing health problems, and you suspect your furnace air ducts might be the problem, call a duct cleaning company. They can inspect your furnace ducts, and will most likely use robotic video equipment to show you how dirty the ducts actually are. If the video surveillance reveals mold anywhere in the duct system, it’s time to clean your furnace ducts.

Dust and mold can appear to be similar on a scan of the ducts. If the furnace cleaning professionals are unsure, touch a piece of tape to the inside of a furnace duct, and have a lab analyze it for you.

Methods of Cleaning Furnace Ducts

There are several ways to clean furnace ducts. One way is to use an extremely powerful vacuum, which remains in a truck outside. A long hose runs to the furnace area and attaches to the furnace ducts. From the rooms, mechanical brushes, air jet brushes or air snakes pull the dust loose within the furnace ducts.

Another way to clean furnace ducts is with a smaller vacuum unit located inside your house, in the vicinity of the furnace. This vacuum should contain a HEPA exhaust filter to ensure that the dust from the furnace ducts does not fill the air in the room.

A third way of cleaning furnace ducts is to run a rotating brush that is attached to a vacuum nozzle through the furnace ducts.

When selecting methods and services for your furnace duct cleaning, look for quality over cost. A poor quality furnace cleaning job can leave you worse off than before, as it can pull the dust off the furnace duct walls without sucking it all in.

Remember, furnace duct cleaning costs money, so before you sign a service contract, ensure that the company has given you sufficient visual evidence that furnace duct cleaning is necessary. Also, make sure your furnace duct cleaning provider can explain to you in detail how he/she will clean the entire system, not just the ducts. If one component of the system is left uncleaned, it may recontaminate the entire system, defeating the purpose of having put out the cash for the cleaning in the first place. Ask that your furnace duct cleaning provider give you a full duct-length visual inspection after the cleaning is complete, preferably with a camera inside the ducts.

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com