Friday, June 10, 2011
Greener Ways to Stay Cool This Summer
Keep Your Family Cool and Comfortable All Summer
You have certainly heard it before – adjusting your air conditioning to a few degrees warmer can help you save money on utility bills. But what if you are still uncomfortable? Follow these simple, green tips to help stay cool this summer, no matter what the thermostat says.
House Plants
No, a potted fern in the living room isn’t going to keep you cool, but planting shade trees, climbing perennials and vines can shelter your home from the sun’s rays and significantly reduce the amount of heat buildup inside your house.
Window Cracks
If you turn your air conditioner on and off as the outdoor temperature changes, you could be wasting a lot of energy and money. Instead, try keeping your house at a consistent temperature and open windows on cooler summer days. Encourage air circulation by opening the bottom portion of the windows on the windy side of your house, and open the top portion of the windows on the opposite side of the house. Warm air will flow out through the top of the windows; cooler air will flow in through the bottom.
Fan Out
When opening the windows isn’t enough – or isn’t possible – you can increase air flow in your home by turning on ceiling fans. They are relatively inexpensive, energy-efficient, effectively draw hot air out while pulling cool air down, and they help you feel cooler. If you don’t have ceiling fans, consider installing them in your main living space and in any occupied bedrooms.
Be Shady
Even on the hottest of summer days, the temperature in your favorite shady spot can be as many as 20 degrees cooler than in direct sunlight. Whether you install an awning over your deck or patio, or set up a hammock or comfy chair under a tree, you can enjoy the great outdoors in cool comfort.
Drink More
Unfortunately, increasing your evening cocktail intake probably won’t help you cool off, but staying hydrated with plenty of non-alcoholic fluids will. As your body heats up, you sweat more in an effort to cool down. This excess perspiration can lead to dehydration if you are not careful. Drink plenty of cold water, lemonade, iced tea, sports drinks, or juices throughout the day to replace lost fluids.
Towel Time
A cold, wet towel wrapped around your neck is one of the most effective ways to cool down quickly on a hot day. The cold compress cools the blood as it passes through your veins, helping to lower your body temperature. Keep a few damp hand towels in your fridge or freezer so you have always got one on hand.
No Pool, No Problem
A cool shower can be as refreshing as a dip in the pool. Try this trick at the height of the afternoon heat or just before you go to bed. You will remove excess sweat from your body (which can make you feel sticky and uncomfortable) and will open your pores to help your body cool off faster.
Related Air Conditioning Information from Horizon Services...
House Plants
No, a potted fern in the living room isn’t going to keep you cool, but planting shade trees, climbing perennials and vines can shelter your home from the sun’s rays and significantly reduce the amount of heat buildup inside your house.
Window Cracks
If you turn your air conditioner on and off as the outdoor temperature changes, you could be wasting a lot of energy and money. Instead, try keeping your house at a consistent temperature and open windows on cooler summer days. Encourage air circulation by opening the bottom portion of the windows on the windy side of your house, and open the top portion of the windows on the opposite side of the house. Warm air will flow out through the top of the windows; cooler air will flow in through the bottom.
Fan Out
When opening the windows isn’t enough – or isn’t possible – you can increase air flow in your home by turning on ceiling fans. They are relatively inexpensive, energy-efficient, effectively draw hot air out while pulling cool air down, and they help you feel cooler. If you don’t have ceiling fans, consider installing them in your main living space and in any occupied bedrooms.
Be Shady
Even on the hottest of summer days, the temperature in your favorite shady spot can be as many as 20 degrees cooler than in direct sunlight. Whether you install an awning over your deck or patio, or set up a hammock or comfy chair under a tree, you can enjoy the great outdoors in cool comfort.
Drink More
Unfortunately, increasing your evening cocktail intake probably won’t help you cool off, but staying hydrated with plenty of non-alcoholic fluids will. As your body heats up, you sweat more in an effort to cool down. This excess perspiration can lead to dehydration if you are not careful. Drink plenty of cold water, lemonade, iced tea, sports drinks, or juices throughout the day to replace lost fluids.
Towel Time
A cold, wet towel wrapped around your neck is one of the most effective ways to cool down quickly on a hot day. The cold compress cools the blood as it passes through your veins, helping to lower your body temperature. Keep a few damp hand towels in your fridge or freezer so you have always got one on hand.
No Pool, No Problem
A cool shower can be as refreshing as a dip in the pool. Try this trick at the height of the afternoon heat or just before you go to bed. You will remove excess sweat from your body (which can make you feel sticky and uncomfortable) and will open your pores to help your body cool off faster.
Related Air Conditioning Information from Horizon Services...
- Troubleshooting Your Window Air-Conditioner
- 101 Ways to Save Energy and Money in Your Home
- Air Conditioning Alternatives
- Cutting Edge Solutions For Energy Efficiency
- Do The Math…High Efficiency Air Conditioners Drastically Reduce Energy Costs!
- A Precision Tune-Up is Your Air Conditioner's Best Friend!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Mold Diaries
Mold: Is It Hiding in Your Home?We have all heard horror stories from friends and neighbors about mold infestation and the damage it can cause to a house, belongings, and health. It is typical for dangerous or rare types of indoor mold to grab all the attention, but far more common kinds of mold are quietly responsible for headaches, respiratory problems, allergies, sinus inflammation, and other problems for thousands of Americans.
You’ve Got Mold
It is inevitable; every home has some level of mold, no matter how well you scrub, scrape, ventilate or disinfect. Almost any amount of prolonged moisture exposure on wood, insulation, drywall, plaster, or most other surfaces will cause mold spores to grow. This is why mold remediation is so costly – you are not just paying to have the mold removed; in most cases you also have to find and eliminate the source of the moisture.
Don’t Be Fooled by “Toxic” Mold
The term “toxic mold” is one of those media-friendly euphemisms that spice up headlines and boost readership. The truth is, mold itself is not toxic, and the types of aggressive mold that do produce toxins are extremely rare. Furthermore, these rare forms of mold are usually only life-threatening to newborns, the elderly and the seriously ill.
Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which possess the “toxic” effects often attributed to mold. While these mycotoxins are almost universally harmful, other kinds of mold are simply allergenic or pathogenic. This is where the complications begin. If you have mold allergies, you could be much worse off being exposed to an allergenic mold than a healthy person would be if exposed to a so-called “toxic mold.” For those with compromised immune systems because of illness or disease, a pathogenic mold can produce adverse effects just as devastating as a toxic mold.
So You Think You Know Mold?
There are more than 100,000 different types of mold spores, all of which are nearly impossible for you to identify specifically. Mold can be yellow, green, pink, black, or white – in all different shades and hues. To make matters even more confusing, the exact same kind of mold can appear completely different depending on the situation. Most experts will tell you that it is generally pointless to try to pinpoint the specific type of mold you have in your house; it just doesn’t matter. Unless you or someone in your home is experiencing extremely severe health problems, forget trying to identify the mold and just call a professional in to remove it.
Do Something
If you find mold in your house – and you will – there is no need to run screaming to the nearest emergency room. However, you should keep infants, elderly people, and those who might have an existing respiratory condition from spending too much time in a room where you know mold is present. Mold is most commonly found in areas prone to dampness, like the bathroom or basement, and is likely there even if you can’t see it. If you develop a sudden, unexplained respiratory problem, call in a mold remediation specialist right away. If you notice a leak in your plumbing, call in a plumber to fix it immediately, to stop mold from appearing. The longer you leave a mold problem untreated, the more damage it will do to you and your home.
Related Mold Information from Horizon Services...
You’ve Got Mold
It is inevitable; every home has some level of mold, no matter how well you scrub, scrape, ventilate or disinfect. Almost any amount of prolonged moisture exposure on wood, insulation, drywall, plaster, or most other surfaces will cause mold spores to grow. This is why mold remediation is so costly – you are not just paying to have the mold removed; in most cases you also have to find and eliminate the source of the moisture.
Don’t Be Fooled by “Toxic” Mold
The term “toxic mold” is one of those media-friendly euphemisms that spice up headlines and boost readership. The truth is, mold itself is not toxic, and the types of aggressive mold that do produce toxins are extremely rare. Furthermore, these rare forms of mold are usually only life-threatening to newborns, the elderly and the seriously ill.
Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which possess the “toxic” effects often attributed to mold. While these mycotoxins are almost universally harmful, other kinds of mold are simply allergenic or pathogenic. This is where the complications begin. If you have mold allergies, you could be much worse off being exposed to an allergenic mold than a healthy person would be if exposed to a so-called “toxic mold.” For those with compromised immune systems because of illness or disease, a pathogenic mold can produce adverse effects just as devastating as a toxic mold.
So You Think You Know Mold?
There are more than 100,000 different types of mold spores, all of which are nearly impossible for you to identify specifically. Mold can be yellow, green, pink, black, or white – in all different shades and hues. To make matters even more confusing, the exact same kind of mold can appear completely different depending on the situation. Most experts will tell you that it is generally pointless to try to pinpoint the specific type of mold you have in your house; it just doesn’t matter. Unless you or someone in your home is experiencing extremely severe health problems, forget trying to identify the mold and just call a professional in to remove it.
Do Something
If you find mold in your house – and you will – there is no need to run screaming to the nearest emergency room. However, you should keep infants, elderly people, and those who might have an existing respiratory condition from spending too much time in a room where you know mold is present. Mold is most commonly found in areas prone to dampness, like the bathroom or basement, and is likely there even if you can’t see it. If you develop a sudden, unexplained respiratory problem, call in a mold remediation specialist right away. If you notice a leak in your plumbing, call in a plumber to fix it immediately, to stop mold from appearing. The longer you leave a mold problem untreated, the more damage it will do to you and your home.
Related Mold Information from Horizon Services...
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