The Air in Your House is Polluted!

Most people now have some level of concern for the environment and air pollution. As a result, there is much focus and information on the outdoor air quality for various cities and it can be big news when a particular municipality violates the various air pollution regulations. Of course, this is cause for concern as a citizen you don't want to be breathing dirty, polluted air when you go outside. The little secret though is that the air in your home is, in all likelihood, worse than the polluted outdoor air on the news.
It is not commonly known but the air quality inside a standard home is very poor. In fact, the EPA has reported levels of indoor air pollutants may be up to five times higher and occasionally up to 100 times higher than outdoor pollutant levels. This is rather profound given that people spend most of their time indoors. There are many things that contribute to poor indoor air quality such as new paint or other cleaning products, pet dander, radon or dust. Also, new carpet - that "new carpet" smell is chemicals used in making the carpet and should be ventilated as best as practicable. Additionally, firewood stored in the house can release mold or spores. Obviously, indoor smoking is powerful air pollutant as cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxins.
The build up of these pollutants can lead to respiratory problems and lowers overall health. Those with asthma suffer more frequent attacks with poor indoor air quality.
The best way to prevent your air quality from degrading is to eliminate the source. Have smokers smoke outdoors, use non-toxic "green" cleaning products, vacuum and dust regularly, etc. However, it is not possible to eliminate all contaminants and this is where an air purifier can help.
An air purification system is designed to eliminate or greatly reduce mold, bacteria, particulates and other microorganisms so as to improve or "purify" the air inside your home. Whole house systems are designed to do just that and improve the air in the entire house. These are excellent systems and wonderful to install if you or a loved one suffer from allergies or asthma. The drawback can be cost. If you are not quite ready to install a whole house system, small units designed for a single room or small space can be purchased at major retailers. Be sure to check the square foot rating for a given device so that you have the proper size machine for the room it will be located in. Typically this would be the bedroom since many hours are spent there and the space is generally small enough for a tabletop unit to be effective.
If you would like to improve your health an air purification system is a great way to go. Contact a qualified installer in your area and have them visit your home. In this way, you may find out exactly what your home needs and learn the cost. Plus, the installer will be able to advise you on specific pollutants common in your area of the country and state. They can be a valuable resource and consultant.
At a minimum, think about the things you bring into your home and how they might be contaminating your air. Doing so will help your family live a longer, healthier life!

Learn more about how to eliminate air pollutants in your home by visiting Abel Onsite of  St. Bonifacius, MN. Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Quick Winter Energy Saving Tips

The chilly winter season is upon us and it is a good time to think about how we can make our homes more energy efficient. Not only will it save money on your electric bill but will help you live a greener lifestyle and be more comfortable. Fortunately, none of these steps are overly burdensome or expensive.

The first one is to plug up the leaky spots around your home. If you have never thought about how heat might escape your house, you probably have numerous spots where cold air is able to rush into the living space. A common area is under outside doors where the seal has become ineffective and no longer blocks the outside air. Additionally, the weatherstripping around the remainder of the door can fail allow cold air to seep in. You can easily purchase replacement weatherstripping at a home improvement store and follow the directions to install it. Be sure to caulk gaps or cracks around the door frame. Often cold air can reach the interior of the wall through these cracks and find its way into your living space.

Consider expanding foam spray if you find larger holes or cracks that can't be filled in with caulk. One brand name is Stuff. Basically, it is a liquid that rapidly expands and then hardens. I found that it worked well to block a hole underneath my door threshold that was large enough to actually see through. Plus, the foam prevents insects and mice from entering your home.

Next, cold air can enter your home through outlets on outside walls. Check for drafts around yours and buy specially designed foam inserts to block the air flow. They are not visible when installed properly.

Windows are a huge concern for conserving energy. You can reduce the amount of heat escaping your home by covering each window with plastic. The plastic creates dead air space over your windows and retards heat loss while allowing light to enter. An alternative is to keep your drapes open on windows that are facing the sun. This way you put the sun to work heating your home. However, you have to keep all other windows draped over to prevent heat from escaping. By not covering your windows you are allowing up to 20% of heated air to escape.

Finally, technology can really help out. Consider installing a programmable thermostat. These devices can be set to only heat and cool your home when you are home. While you are away at work the thermostat can let the temperature in the winter drop ten degrees and then warm up again right before you come home. In this fashion you are not fully heating an empty house and incurring the cost. A qualified heating and cooling specialist such as Abel Onsite can advise you on this topic.

These are just a quick tips to think about. Hopefully they will help you easily save money each month on your power bill.

For more energy saving tips visit Abel Onsite or call 952.446.9545 today . Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Authorized Air Sealing & Weatherization Contractor

Abel Onsite is now Authorized by Honeywell and certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) to perform air sealing and weatherization for homes and buildings

As an authorized Honeywell Weatherization Contractor, Abel Onsite is now providing services to make homes, buildings more energy-efficient.

Saint Bonifacius, MN – November 2010 – ABEL ONSITE, the heating and air conditioning specialists, announced that it has been authorized by Honeywell to provide air sealing and weatherization services for homes and commercial buildings. As part of their training, key employees at Abel Onsite have also received their Building Analyst and Building Envelope certification by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) which teaches them to take a comprehensive “House as a System” and “Building as a System” approach to their weatherization projects.

To learn more view our full Press Release on our website "Click Here".

Five Reasons to Install a Solar Array

With all the talk of alternative energy on the news lately, you might begin to wonder how you can be a part of it. There are many ways to become involved from hybrid cars to geothermal heat and cooling. One of the best ways, however, is solar. In fact, here are five excellent reasons for installing solar panels on your home.

1) Save Money - Electricity rates have been going up for quite some time now and they are not expected to reverse this trend. In fact, some experts believe that electricity rates could skyrocket over the next few years. With solar, you insulate yourself from these problems. Once you install a complete system you never have to pay an electric bill again. That is a great feeling. Even if you install a system that only supports a portion of your needs, you are cutting down your electric bill each month.

2) Power Outages Don't Happen - If you have ever lived through a multi-day power outage you know how very inconvenient this is to put it mildly. With a complete solar array, you will always have power even if you neighbors don't (depending on how you have your array configured). You cut your dependency to the power company. In fact, this can feel liberating which might be yet another reason for solar!

3) Increase Your Home's Value - Solar is a very desirable item in the real estate market. Of course, if you intend to move very soon installing a solar system does not make sense. However, if you are going to spend many years in your home and ultimately desire to sell, it can increase your selling price. A 1998 study by ICF Consulting found that a solar system that saves $1,000 per year on electric bills increases the home's value by $20,000.

4) Protect the Environment - Solar power is renewable and does depend on fossil fuels. For this reason, solar is a clean technology. By investing in a solar array you are helping to make the earth a cleaner place.

5) Technology is Cool - This isn't an oft cited benefit but it is a reality. A solar array is a great conversation starter as people have a interest in it. Plus, if you have children or grandchildren it is a great live science experiment. Teaching about the various aspects of the system can lead into many interesting and educational conversations. By talking to people and your children you are helping to spread the word about solar power and helping the earth and others in the process!

Of course, solar power is a complicated subject with many aspects to consider. Take the first step and call an installer to see what if would take to install a small, starter solar system. Your pocketbook and the earth will be glad you did!

For additional information on the topic of solar power visit Abel Onsite. Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Controlling Your Home's Humidity Level

While the South is well known for its high humidity -especially during the summer-it s not the only region of the U.S. where people have to deal with high humidity levels. For instance, when people in Colorado refer to the "dry cold" of the winter's mountain air they are talking about the humidity just as Miami's muggy, sticky heat is a result of humidity. Since humidity is no respecter of regions, it is often necessary to take control of the humidity level within your home.

The EPA recommends that the indoor humidity level be no more than 30-50% relativity humidity. This relative humidity is the amount of water vapor the air contains compared to the maximum amount it can hold at any given temperature. Consequently, if your indoor humidity level is too high, it should be controlled in one of two ways: by lowering the humidity level with a properly sized air conditioning system or by having a humidifier (or in some cases a dehumidifier) installed.

To effectively keep your home's humidity level comfortable by using an air conditioner, it is of utmost importance to have an AC unit that is the proper size for the amount of space to be maintained. If it is too big it will turn on and off too often and result in there being too much moisture in the air. Of course, during the winter months, when heaters are in use, the same rule applies. If your heater is too big, it will dry out the air so rather than having cold "clammy" air, it is dry and can often make breathing difficult.

How to Tell If You Need a Dehumidifier

If you are not sure whether or not you need a home dehumidifier, there are several signs that you can judge by:

• Wet stains on walls and ceilings
• Stuffy feeling in a room
• Rotting wood
• Condensation on windows
• Musty smells
• Allergies due to the air in your home being too moist which will encourage the growth of bacteria and mold

Additional Ways to Control Your Home's Humidity Levels

If you already have a dehumidifier but your home's air still has too much humidity for your liking, or are perhaps trying to put off the inevitable, there are several steps you can take to reduce the humidity level in your home. These include:

• Improving the drainage around your home's foundation by making sure that gutter downspouts put water away from the foundation; keeping gutters and downspouts clean and open; making sure that the soil slopes away from your home so that water does not pool around your home and by not overwatering plants near the foundation.
• Making sure that your clothes dryer is properly vented; not only will this improve the humidity level, but your clothes will drive faster.
• Using vent fans in the bathroom and kitchen to remove humidity where it starts.
• Repairing leaking faucets, this will save on your water bill and lower humidity!

For additional information on the topic of humidity and dehumidifiers visit Abel Onsite. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

The 3 Types of Solar Heating for Your Home

Are you looking for a way to lower your energy costs that is both efficient and environmentally friendly? With the rising cost of gas or electric heat, you may be looking for an effective alternative. Fortunately, there are several choices available, one of which is the use of solar energy.

Today there are 3 types of thermal solar collectors-low temperature, medium, temperature and high temperature. And while the names may not be all that original and the concept of solar heating is not brand new, there is still much to be gained by opting to use solar energy. The use of solar energy works on the principal that what is gotten out of a solar collector is the difference between what went into the collector and what the collector lost to its outside environment. What is left is used for heating.

Low Temperature Solar Collectors

A low temperature solar collector typically loses nothing to the outside air as it works below the outside air temperature. An example of is a solar swimming pool which is heated by hanging a black plastic mat out in the sun, run pool water through it and Viola! Your pool water is warmed. In this scenario, the black plastic will receive approximately 95% of the solar energy and the efficiency drops significantly. This principle can applied to heating the water in your home, by having metal panels that are filled with water built or installed to the outside structure of your home. The water travels through these panels to your home's plumbing system. You can even have built water filtration added to the system so you can enjoy cleaner, healthier water as well.

Medium Temperature Solar Collectors

This is actually the most commonly recommended form of solar energy for residential use. It works by trapping the sun's energy in an insulated box, typically located on the roof of a building. As outside temperature rise the collectors retain the energy in boxes made of aluminum, copper, foil and low iron tempered glass. Traditionally, as the sun hits the shingles in a non-solar heated home the heat passes through, get absorbed or is reflected. The solar boxes, however, collect this heat and store it as energy to be released as needed into your home. In fact, sometime, there is so much energy collected, that your meters will actually turn backwards meaning that you are creating far more energy than you are actually using.

High Temperature Solar Collectors

Ironically, the high temperature solar collector is not seen as the most efficient as it requires thicker insulation, more cover sheets, or forcing more air from the collector. In fact, of the 3 types of solar collectors it only has a collector efficiency rate of 50% as compared to the 75% of the medium and low.

It should also be noted that studies show that solar energy materials will pay for themselves in 2-3 years and have a life expectancy of 20-30 years.

For additional information on the topic of heating and air visit Abel Onsite.

Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not frelect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

How to Save on Your Utility Bills

With these tight economic times, everybody is looking for ways to save money. Your utility bills are an area where you can realize substantial savings with a little thought and effort.

The first area is with your lights in general. Switching all of them to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) can add up to significant savings over time. CFLs us up to 75% less energy than a typical incandescent bulb and can last up to ten times longer. The draw back is the up front cost which can be many times the cost of an incandescent. With CFLs you must be prepared to recoup your cost over a few years.

Next, is your water heater. By wrapping it with a hot water heater jacket you can reduce the amount of heat that escapes to the outside air. The jackets are inexpensive at less than $20. The energy savings you realize will depend on the type and size of water heater you have.

Also, you might consider installing an on-demand water heater. These devices only heat as much water as is needed at a particular moment. If hot water is not needed, none is heated. This contrasts to the standard water heater which keeps water at the desired temperature constantly regardless if it is needed at the moment or not. This means the heater must reheat the water over and over as it cools. Imagine how much wasted energy there is while you are work or on vacation! Again, an on-demand system is one in which you will realize savings over time since there is an upfront cost to install it.

The final area where large savings can be realized is with heating and cooling your home. The average home consumes most of its energy maintaining a comfortable temperature - upwards of 40%, in fact. By installing a programmable thermostat you can save up to 30% on your utility bills. These thermostats can be programmed to different temperatures depending on your schedule. For instance, if you leave for work at a certain time, the thermostat can be set to a lower temperature during the winter while you are gone. Instead of maintaining the house at 72 degrees it might maintain it at 60 degrees. Further, it an be set to warm the house back up to 72 degrees thirty minutes or an hour before you arrive home at the end of the day. In this fashion, you are never in an uncomfortable cold house and you save money!

Finally, you might want to consider replacing your air conditioner and furnace if you have old systems. New systems are so much more energy efficient that, coupled with rebates and government incentives, you can start saving a tremendous amount on your utility bills can recoup the install cost in about three years. The difference in energy usage for a new versus and old system can be quite astounding. Call your local HVAC installer to learn more about the specifics.

Hopefully, this article has given you some actionable ideas to help make things a little easier on your wallet!

For additional information on the topic of heating and cooling systems Abel Onsite.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.