Weatherization

Increasing a home's performance can be quickly done and inexpensive

Weatherization is a chance to improve your home's energy efficiency without making major modifications to the overall structure of the house. It should involve a whole-house systems approach that considers all aspects of energy efficiency, safety, moisture control and the durability of the structure.

Test for leaks first, make your improvements, then test the home again.

A whole-house  approach to home performance  includes a number of before-and-after tests that check for air leakage and measure the performance of the hvac systems. A good first step is hiring a home energy auditor to evaluate the performance of your home. A professional auditor will most likely use a blower door, Duct Blaster and infrared camera, as well as other tools, both to quantify and qualify the energy wasting areas of a house. After the testing, the work begins to take care of the problem areas, and when it is finished, the auditor will come back to retest. The results of his 2nd visit tells you how well the improvements you made are working.

Air sealing is the most important

Before any other improvements are made, it is vitally important that air leaks must be sealed. Insulating a  very leaky house is counterproductive, and it makes it more difficult to find the leaks in the future with new insulation piled over the top of the leaks.

Will weatherizing really help to make the home efficient?
Some homes may not be worth the improvements until structural issues or severe site or plumbing problems are taken care of--problems that  would be beyond the expertise of a weatherization contractor. Issues may include mold in a bathroom that doesn’t have proper ventilation; water leaks in the basement; or weak foundations or the framing of the structure.

Educated homeowners use less energy
Some energy problems are people issues not buidling issues. Leaving lights on 24 hours a day, not using exhaust fans in the bathrooms or the kitchen and leaving windows open in winter, educating your family may be  as important as anything else.

Pros and Cons of a Ductless Mini Split

"What is a duct-less mini split system?" is a question that the folks in the air conditioning and cooling industry commonly hear. These particular air conditioning systems historically weren't largely popularized although in a few instances, they were necessary to cool places which are not easy to reach. Despite the fact that there are plenty of advantages to a ductless mini split, you can also find several things you ought to look out for and contemplate before you decide to pay for one. Here we will examine some of the possible down sides to ductless mini splits to make sure you will be aware what you're committing to prior to running out to the store and getting one.

To begin with, numerous people do not like the appearance of these units. Rather than one eye sore, you essentially get two, since there is one unit outside the house, and one on the inside. Although most people usually are not bothered by them since they are usually out of the way or in hard to reach areas. 

Secondly, a ductless mini split can be expensive. The unit itself typically runs from about one thousand to twelve hundred dollars, but then you also have to consider installation, which may be pricey. Yet it is less costly that buying a central air conditioning system and having it installed. Though they may be not be the most costly option, they might not be the most affordable, if cost is your only concern.

Lastly, if you are pondering  reselling your property and haven't decided whether to invest in central air conditioning or a ductless mini split, it is important to recognize that a lot of people within the market to purchase a home are trying to find central air conditioning. Although the actual difference inside the output could not be that far off, the stereotype is the fact that central air will be the greatest, so the choice to set up a mini split may have an effect on your resale worth. It may also be hard to find installation specialists and repair individuals merely because central heating and air conditioning units are more popular.

Getting a ductless mini split can typically be a challenging decision simply because there are numerous benefits and drawbacks to weigh before making such a big purchase, but make certain you search at both sides before investing so you know what you're getting yourself into.

Heat Recovery (HRV) & Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV)

Interior quality of air issues have greatly increased since the the later part of the 1970’s when building technologies succeeded in creating energy-efficient "tight" homes. Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) have for ages been widely used in Canada and are also growing to be popular in the United States. Believe it or not, Canada has a nationwide ventilation law. During 1992 there was in excess of 125,000 systems sold there. Within the U.S., there are only 3 states that have ventilation laws and there are more than 15,000 units presently being used in the United States.

HRV

Contaminants inside of homes, which once escaped through cracks and crevices around doors and windows, are now confined inside producing an internal atmosphere that's typically Two to five times more polluted compared to outside the house. Family pet dander, mold spores, dustmites, allergens, cigarette smoke along with other pollutants amount to very poor indoor air quality. An Energy Recovery Ventilator  (ERV) or a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is an excellent solution to combat bad indoor air quality by delivering clean fresh air into your house whilst expelling stagnant air.

ERVs and HRVs utilize internal fans to pull fresh air flow in and then transfer stagnant air out of your house. The main element to efficient ventilation is the HRV or ERVcore -- which warms or cools down inbound fresh air, recapturing Sixty to eighty percent of the conditioned temperatures which would otherwise be wasted.

HRV vs. ERV - so what exactly is the difference?

ERV

There's two kinds of energy-recovery systems: heat recovery ventilators (HRV) and then energy recovery (or also called enthalpy recovery) ventilators (ERV). Both types incorporate a heat exchanger core, one or more fans that will help drive air through the device, and some controls. The primary difference between a heat recovery and an energy recovery ventilator is the means by which the heat exchanger core functions. With an energy-recovery ventilator, the heat exchanger exchanges a specific amount of water vapour together with heat energy, while a heat recovery ventilator simply only transfers heat. The part of the United States that you reside is going to determine the type of unit that's right for your family's needs. In most cases - HRVs are generally suggested for cold climates with lengthier heating seasons. ERVs tend to be used for milder, more humid climates with longer cooling seasons.

Installation & Sizing

HRVs/ERVs are normally sized to ventilate the entire house at a minimum of .35 air exchanges each hour. In order to calculate the lowest CFM requirements, you need to take the sq footage of the property (which includes the basement) and multiply by the height of the ceiling so you can get the cubic volume. Next, divide by 60 and multiply by .35.

The ideal way to configure the unit installation on an ERV or HRV is to always make a dedicated system of ducts to blow out old stagnate air from trouble spots (kitchens, bathrooms) and bring in fresh air to the more frequently used areas (lving rooms, bedrooms). Even though this is preferred, it is sometimes not possible - particularly in a retro-fit scenario. The most typical, and much easier installation is achieved by attaching the ERV/HRV supply and exhaust ductwork straight to the return air-duct of the home’s present forced air hvac system.

Long Gas Lines Show the Need for Resilience

Hurricane Sandy confirmed the vulnerability of people's dependency for gas for commuting and emergency generators


By now we’ve just about all witnessed the pictures of houses entombed within sand along the Jersey Coast, burned-out properties within Queens, as well as immersed subway stations in Manhattan. Those breathtaking photos were in the initial wave of media from Superstorm Sandy the end of October.

The 2nd, residual consequences might not be as spectacular, but they are nonetheless extremely substantial. And they display, ever so clearly, our need for better resilience. As of late-afternoon Sunday, Nov fourth, there were still 1.8 million people without having electricity, the vast majority of these people within New York and New Jersey. That’s lower from 8.5 million without having electrical power at the peak, but it still involves nearly a quarter of New Jersey. In some places black outs may last for several weeks.

Failures around August in New Jersey aren’t so terrible - there might be some irritation from the high temperature, but few at true risk of safety -- but with conditions falling into the thirties earlier this week, power outages turn out to be very severe. The vast majority of our home heating systems have to have electrical power to operate - for the fans, pumps, and controls -- though there are some exceptions.


Electric power failures and gas stations

Along with these kinds of clear challenges regarding energy outages - lack of , heat, and home appliances - power outages impact all of us outside the house as well.

As we realized within New Jersey and Long Island, without having electrical power most gas stations can’t run. The American Automobile Association calculated early November that 60% of service stations throughout New Jersey and 70% on Long Island were closed down because they don’t have power to pump gas. Only 23% of New Jersey service stations were still with no power by Sunday morning, but lines continued in many locations.

There were in addition actual gas shortages, which contributed to the problems. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that thirteen of the region’s thirty three gas terminals had been closed as a result of the hurricane, along with 2 main gasoline pipelines serving the area.

Without gas, we can’t run our vehicles. But those shortages also meant that home owners with more compact, gasoline-powered generators were running out of gas.


Moving toward resilience

The solutions to these problems are many-faceted. Relative to the need for power generators, we should develop better resilience in to our homes. All homes should be able to sustain livable conditions in the event of loss of power or home heating fuel. This is a familiar refrain of mine.

We can do this with much better building envelopes (substantially greater insulation levels, triple-glazed glass windows, tighter construction) and also passive solar gain. By using these features, temperatures in these houses should never fall beneath forty five or fifty degrees Fahrenheit, even during the heart of winter season if there’s absolutely no power and our home heating systems can’t operate.


Minimizing dependence on cars

Relative to fuel shortages and also the inability to pump gasoline in the course of outages, we can obtain increased resilience by reducing our dependence on the automobile. This isn’t a quick fix, however by means of participation in local preparation efforts and by influencing transportation funding priorities, we're able to create a lot more pedestrian-friendly spaces that let people to reach key services safely on foot or simply by bike.

If we develop communities which will function reasonably well without having cars during times of emergency situations, those will be places where automobile use might also decrease during ordinary times. These are going to be cleaner, more secure, much healthier places that move all of us toward sustainability.


Final thoughts

Resilient design is where we should be headed. It's an integrated method that can keep us all safer and enable us to recover faster from no matter what the next disruption may be.

Masonry Home heating solutions Burn Clean & Hot

If you have a big home and you simply desire to heat with wood, you can think about constructing a Russian-style masonry solid wood stove.

A masonry heater, also known as a masonry stove or Russian hearth, is really a wood-fired heating system that is fired intermittently at high temperature to heat up the big quantity of thermal mass, which then radiates heat into the house. The heater has a circuitous route as a result of which the flue gasses move. From here, the heat is transferred into the stone, brick or any other masonry parts of the heater.

Primary advantages of masonry heating

From an environmental standpoint, masonry heaters burn fuel really rapidly at a higher temperature. This results in very complete combustion with small pollution produced. Except when 1st starting the fire, there should be no visible smoke.

From a overall performance and comfort standpoint, masonry heaters take a lengthy time to heat up, however they then continue radiating heat for an extended period of time, generally 18 to twenty-four hours. The outer surface of a masonry stove in no way gets as hot as a cast-iron or steel wood stove, however it retains its heat much longer. The surface region provides a large radiant surface, contributing to comfort.

Operation of the masonry heating units

As opposed to a wood stove, where you typically start a fire after which maintain it going for any extended time frame by adding fuel, using a masonry heater you operate it in batches, and the fuel is generally entirely burned from the time the following fire is started. This implies that you need to begin a lot of fires - which many people will discover less convenient.

Because the firebox may not be extremely large within a masonry heater and because a fast-burning, intense fire is preferred, the firewood is reduce and split differently. Often the length of acceptable firewood is less than with a wood stove (sometimes as short as 12 inches), and the optimal diameter of split wood is smaller sized - typically three to 5 inches.

Because the heat from a masonry heater will not warm up a space swiftly (it could take a number of hours for the outer surface to reach peak temperature and peak heat delivery), it isn’t as effective as a wood stove at rapidly taking the chill off. You should plan ahead. Also if it is going to be a sunny autumn day and you also possess a lot of south-facing windows, starting the masonry heater in the morning might result in a  period of overheating later in the day when the sun peaks. 

Some masonry heaters include bake ovens or warming places built in to the modules, providing a good feature for all those interested in wood-fired baking. Some also contain benches for seating. 

System choices

Masonry heaters are typically custom-built, and such units can satisfy a wide array of style wants and unique needs. Simply because they are large and heavy, provision should be produced for such units - like a concrete slab or concrete bearing walls beneath the heater. The Masonry Heater Association of North America is an excellent resource on masonry heaters and includes a directory of masonry heater builders.

You can find also some companies of modular masonry heaters that can be assembled fairly simply. The best-known manufacturer may be the Finnish organization Tulikivi. Tulikivi heaters are produced from soapstone or ceramic and are available inside a wide range of types, each with or  without baking ovens. If a residence has the room or space for it, a masonry heating unit is generally the best method to heat with wood. In new construction, specifically in rural locations, it is undoubtedly worth looking into.

Carrier Air Filters

Carrier is one of the most well knowned companies and a trusted name in providing HVAC systems. In 1902, Willis Carrier invented the basics of air conditioning and since then Carrier company had been a world leader in manufacturing air conditioners and heating systems. They manufacture a wide range of cooling and heating systems and their various parts. If you are purchasing an air filter Carrier would definitely be a good choice. They manufacture filters in all sizes and different materials.

If you reside in a area with little pollution then you can purchase a disposable panel filter. They need to be replaced every 30 days and is very efficient in trapping larger sized particles like dust, ash, sand and other debris. If you want a higher level of protection against pollution  a electrostatic pleated filter which would ensure maximum protection would be a better choice. This AC filter effectively prevents harmful microbes, smokes and pet danders and will provide you with cleaner air. It is perhaps the best way to remove pollutants which are as small as 0.01 microns.

The Carrier filters have high MERV rating and they will enhance the air quality of your home. They are easy to replace and are designed to give improved performance. They also keep your heating and cooling system working efficiently. They are durable and consume low energy. Another advantage is that they only need to be replaced every 2 to 3 months.

Getting Your Furnace Ready for the Winter Weather

November is here, the cold weather season is upon us. In fact many of us are already dealing with snow and freezing temperatures. This is the season that many people love. I mean who doesn't long for the brisk chill of a cool November day? Cold weather, cuddling by the fire, hot chocolate..  That said- winter has a way of sneaking up on us.  As a result, it's imparitive to take quick action to ensure that your home is a warm, comfortable living space during what could be a very cold winter.

Neglecting your hvac system can lead to disastrous results. If you aren't careful your living room could turn into the Arctic Circle. The cold weather, as much as we love it, belongs outside. You look forward to the wondrous benefits of winter: hot cocoa, crackling fire in the  fireplace and family gatherings. Well, in order to enjoy these traditional winter activities you should make sure that your heating system is serviced and running properly.

If you have a older, outdated heating system whether it has performed wonderfully or questionably, have it inspected soon. Even if it worked without a problem during  past winters, there may be hard-to-detect problems, the result of wear and tear from years and years of use.. If you're hesitant to spend money on a heating system evaluation, consider it an investment in your peace of mind. Having a factory-trained HVAC technician perform a system evaluation can lead to more energy efficiency and lower heating bills over the next few years. Maintaining your heating system will not only bring a financial savings on your heating bills, but also help you avoid  future repairs that may have been prevented if caught when they were minor issues.

It's important to schedule regular servicing to guarantee uninterrupted cold-weather operation. In addition to having a seasonal check-up performed by a certified HVAC technician, there are additional steps homeowners can take to increase the efficiency of their heating systems. Change the air filter's at the beginning of every heating season and check it every few weeks tthrough the winter. Also, inspect the heat exchanger for holes or cracks and make certain there are no carbon monoxide leaks.

Keep your eyes open for red flags. If your house isn't being heated evenly you should figure out why, and if you are also having humidity problems, your system could be malfunctioning.

If your furnace appears to be on it's last leg it may be smarter to invest in a energy efficient model than to be dumping money into a sinking ship. Remember, it's an investment. So do your research.

In the event that you need to purchase a new furnace, take a deep breath and contact your local HVAC company. They can solve your heating problems well in advance of winter's cold weather. This is why it is important to take preventive measures as opposed to waiting until the last possible moment to take action, or worse, putting it off completely.

Remember, don't rely solely on your judgment to diagnose heating problems call your local heating professional. With his expert service and your own regular maintenance checks you and your family will enjoy a safe, warm home all winter long!