If thinking about how you are planning on carrying your most recent purchase home, please take the time to think whether your plastic or Paper Bags or will end up in a landfill. Once at that landfill, will the plastic and Paper Sacks be there for a small or large amount of time? Perhaps they will be there forever. It would be wonderful if these things were taken into account before you answer that all important question, “paper or plastic?”
In today’s world we need to be cognizant that every action we take can (and often does) have a tremendous impact on the earth. When we run out to a restaurant for Carryout food, the amount of trash left behind is enormous. Think about the Styrofoam container the food comes in as well as the plastic silverware paper napkins, cups, straws and bag. All of these items must go somewhere and often it is into the trash, on its way to a landfill far from your home. After that we rarely ponder its effect.
The bags, sacks and containers have a lasting consequence on the earth. Well over a billion single-use plastic bags are given out each day. There are consequences for the short-lived handiness of unlimited, free, single-use plastic bags. To observe the real costs, we must look at the multiple impacts of a bag’s life. In a landfill, plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to degrade. As litter on our roads they breakdown into tiny bits, contaminating our soil and water. When plastic bags breakdown, small plastic particles can create threats to sea life and contaminate the food supply for all mammals. Collection, hauling and disposal of plastic bag waste create another environmental issue. Almost 8 billion pounds of plastic bags, wraps and sacks enter the waste stream every year in the United States alone, placing an unwanted burden on our diminishing landfill room. It has been noted that when incinerated, plastic bags cause air pollution.
Paper bags are now thought to be a better choice. Their negative consequence on our globe is far less. It takes almost 85%less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper, the public recycles fare more than that of plastic bags. Often the paper bags were made of recycled paper to spin]begin|start[/spin] with. Paper sacks in the landfills of today do not break down at a substantially faster rate than plastic does. In fact, nothing totally degrades in modern landfills because of the lack of water, light, and oxygen. A paper sack consumes more space than a conventional plastic bag, but since paper is recycled at an elevated rate, saving space in landfills is not much of a concern.
What should we do then when taking our shopping home? First, try to choose paper over plastic if possible. Perhaps you could use and reuse both your paper and plastic bags many, many times. Several stores will give you a slight discount for doing so. You also are saving the store money to. Most significantly however you should carry a cloth bag with you everywhere. This way you will be ready when asked “paper or plastic?” Your answer will be “neither, I brought my own bag, thank you.” And the world will thank you in return.
Are you in the market for an auto air filters? Air purifiers are electric machines that are used to eliminate harmful particles or contaminants from the air. If used inside your home, air purifiers will help to make the air that you and your family breathes cleaner. For that reason, there is a good chance that you would be in the market for a new air purifier, if not now then in the future.
When it comes to buying honeywell hepa air filter, there are many consumers who think they know what to look for. Many of those consumers end up purchasing the lowest costing machine or the one that looks the best. Of course, you will not want to pay more than you have to and a good looking machine would be nice, but you are advised against basing your decisions solely on that. Instead, you will want to take the time to understand the product you are interested, namely the price of the purifier, as a whole, and the performance quality.
Perhaps, the first step in buying a charcoal air filter is to familiarize yourself with all of your available options. You can do this two different ways. The first way involves visiting one of your local retail stores. You will want to thoroughly examine each product that they have available. This should be done by reading the information which can be found on home air filter boxes. In addition to comparing prices and products at the store, you can also use the internet. In fact, the internet may be the easiest way. Online, you can not only familiarize yourself with different air cleaning machines, but you can also read product reviews.
If you have the opportunity, you are advised to read online reviews of multiple air purifiers. These reviews should give you inside information on the operation and maintenance of multiple air purifiers. Although product reviews are nice, you are also advised to do your own research, as well as use your common sense. This is important, especially when determining the final cost of purchasing an air purifier.
With air air filter cleaning, you will find a number of different make and models. Some of these makes and models use filers. With certain types of filters, many just need to be cleaned, but others need to be replaced. If you need to replace the filter in an furnace air filter, you need to determine when that filter needs to be changed and exactly how much it will cost. This is extremely important, especially if you are shopping on a budget. In some cases, you will find that some air purifiers need to have their filters replaced in as little as a couple of months. You may also find that the filter ends up costing more than you originally paid for the air purifier. You are urged to stay away from these types of cleaning machines; many times they are not just considered air cleaners, but financial traps.
Keeping a dryer vent cleaning is an idea that not only can save us money on gas and electric bills, but in addition to this, we also are helping to prevent fire in our homes. If your clothes seem to be taking longer to dry, with more cycles required, perhaps the problem is dirt and lint inside the dryer’s venting pipe.
It is all too easy to assume that the dryer itself is at fault – after all, if the clothes are not drying properly, the obvious thing to do is to question the working mechanics of the dryer. However, this could prove to be a very expensive mistake if you, as a result of this idea, decide to call a professional in to fix the dryer, or even replace it. The problem actually is often a lot simpler, and often several times cheaper to fix.
If the dryer vent is being obstructed by a build-up of filth, then the washing will not dry efficiently, since the dryer cannot properly release the moisture in the clothes, and as a result, the washing will take a lot longer to dry. This can lead to clothes smelling generally unpleasant even after they have been in the dryer. If the dryer is run in this way continuously, you will find that damage is done to the dryer itself, resulting in you having to incur the cost of expensive repairs to the machinery.
Perhaps the most worrying feature of having an unclean dryer vent is the possibility that fire could arise. A lot of new dryers have a feature whereby the dryer will automatically turn its heat off if an obstruction is present to prevent the hazard of fire. The problem with this is that your clothes will unfortunately not end up being dried. However, dangerously, the older dryers do not have such a feature, and as a result are a real fire hazard. Due to more heat being pumped out and the heat being released inefficiently, the dryer will continue to heat up. This is a very serious fire safety issue, and if you feel something like dirt is a problem in your dryer, you should get it checked out at the earliest opportunity, without further delay.
Obviously in a lot of cases it is impractical to try to clean the dryer vent properly yourself, so you will want to call in a trained professional. However, you will find that most specialists will not be willing to sort the ventilation system for you. You should instead contact a chimney sweeping service or a duct cleaning company.
One way of helping your dryer out is simply to stop the build-up of unwanted things in the ventilation system before it occurs. This can be done by making sure all pieces of paper, handkerchiefs and so on are removed from clothing before they are placed into the dryer. Another hazard is losing money or jewelry in this way – an expensive mistake to make.
In 1998, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission gave an estimated figure of 15,600 fires caused by dryers, resulting in 20 deaths and 370 injuries. The build-up of dirt and paper is one of the main causes of these fires, and it is completely unnecessary to take this risk. A fire can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to your home, or even worse, damage to yourself, so it is well worth investing in having a qualified professional come around to clean the dryer properly. Keep an eye on how the professional does the cleaning; it might be the case that your dryer is a type that you can clean yourself, resulting in even more money being saved. For obvious reasons you will want to keep anything flammable well away from the dryer.
It is good practice to clean the lint screen before you dry each load of laundry. Bear in mind that while you might want to use a fabric softener, these can result in a chemical film being left on the lint screen that can increase overheating in the dryer. Periodically take the lint screen out and wash it thoroughly with hot water, dishwashing soap, and a toothbrush.
Your dryer will have a flexible connector hose from the wall, and if this is not treated properly, the heat exhaustion can be even more inefficient. You do not want the connector hose to be plastic since a lot of plastics are flammable or do not resist heat well. An aluminum connector hose is good, but there should be no kinks in it, due to further inefficiencies. The connector hose should be short enough so that it only just stretches between the dryer and wall, with a little slack in case the dryer is pulled.
You should leave the door open when your dryer is on, as this will improve circulation and provide new, fresh, cool air for the dryer to use in exchange for its hot air, helping to prevent overheating. A dryer needs at least 100 square inches of oxygen, that’s 10” by 10”. Any exhaust fans in the room should be off whilst the dryer is running to prevent more heat being released.
Due to the high incidence of dryer fires, we need to be very careful about what we do whilst the dryer is running; it is not wise to leave the house, and it is certainly not wise to leave the dryer running at night when you are in bed. It may save a little time in your day, but the consequences could be disastrous.
Make sure that the person you are going to hire to clean out your dryer vent is going to use a viper high pressure air technique; a simple vacuuming or will not properly remove the lint from the venting system. This is even more the case if the build-up is moist since it will stick to the inside of the pipe even more firmly if this technique is used.
Next time you use your dryer, consider what you have read and think how much money you could be saving in energy bills and dryer replacements if you simply take the time to get the ventilation cleaned. Safer and cheaper – you are winning both ways.
A-1 Ductworks is a full service duct cleaning company serving the fort mcmurray and Wood Buffalo Region of Alberta Canada
Reduce Your Energy Bills With A Programmable Thermostat
A-1 Ductworks is a Fort McMurray Furnace and Duct Cleaning company. Here is a great energy saving tip that the home owner can implement on their own.
While we want our homes to be warm and comfortable it’s surprising how many of us overlook the question of energy efficiency. But doing so costs us money. And as the prices of gas, electricity and heating oils rise, it’s more important than ever to look at simple but effective ways to trim expenses.
Making our homes energy efficient is a necessity. Let’s assume we already have attic space with premium insulation and good windows to prevent heat escaping. How else can we make heating our homes more cost effective? One very simple step that anyone can take is to install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are low cost, but they provide the means to save a considerable amount of money when it comes to reducing energy bills.
The latest Programmable Thermostats make their traditional counterparts look positively prehistoric. Who wants to have to set temperatures manually these days? Programmable thermostats allow you to set a custom-made heating agenda for your home. You can stipulate how warm you want your house to be at different times throughout the day. Once you’ve done so you simply sit back and let the programmable thermostat work it out. Most people opt to have the heat at a slightly lower level overnight, say around 17 or 18 degrees. Having the heat on a lower setting overnight is an effective way to save money while you sleep. Although natural temperatures drop during the dark hours there is no need to burn energy to keep warm. The cooler temperatures are compensated for by warm bed clovers and, for some, having someone to cuddle up to! With a programmable thermostat the heating temperature can be set to automatically go up a few notches in the mornings, making it easier for even the most reluctant of us to get out of bed in the winter! Waking to a warm home makes it easier to face the day. Yes, even Mondays!
Research carried out by Energystar.gov revealed that using a programmable thermostat can cut up to $180 from a householder’s heating bill every year. That’s a significant amount of money and such savings are easily achieved once a programmable thermostat has been fitted.
So, how complicated is installation? It’s not complicated at all. The fitting of a programmable thermostat is a very straightforward procedure. In fact it’s so simple many people opt to carry out the task themselves. Programmable thermostats come complete with helpful installation instructions. If you are fitting your own programmable thermostat the first thing to remember is that the power needs to be switched off from the mains, that means the power to the furnace should be set to off on the breaker panel or fuse box. When removing an existing single setting manual thermostat be sure to keep all the wires accessible. Take the base plate of the new programmable thermostat and run the wires through it prior to attaching it to the wall. The installation instructions will feature a guide about which color wires connect where on the new programmable thermostat. Oh, and don’t forget to fit back-up batteries. That way, even in the event of power failure, your individual heating settings won’t be lost. Once the batteries are fitted and the wires are correctly connected the front plate of the programmable thermostat can be secured to the wall and you’re ready to tailor your home’s heating schedule to suit your needs and your budget.
So how do programmable thermostats work?
Most programmable thermostats work on a cyclic basis. The user can choose appropriate settings for the working week, and separate settings for the weekends. On a daily basis a programmable thermostat allows up to four different temperature settings to be scheduled. Most commonly people like to tie these in with key points of the day. For example most of us like it to be nice and warm when we get up in the morning, but when we’re at work and the house is empty it would be a waste of money to have the heating on. But, we do want to come home to a comfortable warm house when our working day is done, don’t we. With a programmable thermostat the user can make this a reality without having to pay the cost of leaving a heating system running unnecessarily.
What is the best type of programmable thermostat to buy?
While the automatic programming features are the main appeal of programmable thermostats it’s wise to purchase one that includes a manual override and a hold temperature facility. A thermostat with these features will allow you to manually adapt your pre-set program if ever you need to. This is particularly useful if you need to put extra heat on or turn the heat down due to unexpected temperature changes. It’s useful too if your timetable changes and you are going to be home when the automatic schedule was set to be off. A simple click of a button and the programmable thermostat will revert to the agenda you set it.
Is a programmable thermostat compatible with any heating system?
Yes, the latest programmable thermostats are compatible with the majority of heating and air conditioning systems, provided that the existing thermostat has a 2, 3, 4 or 5 wire connection. One of the few exceptions is electric baseboard heating. This form of heating uses very high voltages that render programmable thermostats incompatible. In most cases though, a programmable thermostat is ideal, being inexpensive, easy to install and simple to use. More importantly using one will quickly begin saving users money while keeping their homes luxuriously warm and welcoming.
Try this energy saving tip and call today to book our excellent Duct Cleaning service by A-1 Ductworks, serving the Fort McMurray, Wood Buffalo area since 1965.
It is the middle of winter and the thought of an air con unit in your home isn’t on your mind but you might feel differently when the summer is here. In recent years the United Kingdom has had some very hot temperatures during the summer and this shows no sign of stopping soon. There are many ways of lowering the temperature in your house but sometimes opening windows and plugging in a fan just doesn’t do the job. The best way to chill your home is with an air conditioning installation that will allow you to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home.
Home air con units provide a household environment that is constant and this can be beneficial in a number of ways. Research has shown that domestic air conditioning can have positive benefits for people who have asthma. The constant environment means that windows can be kept shut; this means that any potential allergens can be kept out while those indoors can be cleaned up.
Air conditioning maintenance is vital with any unit installation. It is very important to keep an air conditioning unit maintained as one that hasn’t been can promote the growth of micro organisms that can cause Legionnaires disease and other illnesses. However a unit that undergoes regular cleaning and air conditioning maintenance can provide a pleasant, hypoallergenic environment. This is why they are used in hospital operation rooms and in the production of computer microchips.
Air conditioning maintenance also helps the unit to work more effectively thus saving on the amount of energy used as well as reducing the amount of noise produced. A poorly operating unit can make the same level of noise as you would get from living near an airport and this can cause hearing loss.
If your ducts are not cleaned regularly, you may be increasing your risk of suffering from the many symptoms and illnesses associated with indoor air pollution. Many types of pollutants and small particles can collect within the ducts that include mold, fungus, dust, bacteria and viruses as well as other outdoor pollutants, such as exhaust fumes, pollen and animal hair. The more these particles collect within the ducts, the higher chance you have of developing illnesses and symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality. If you have allergies, you are even more susceptible to the high concentration of contaminants that may be circulating within your home.
Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of symptoms that include nausea, headaches, respiratory illness, congestion, eye and nose irritation, runny nose, trouble concentrating, malaise (generally not feeling well) and lethargy. It also increases the risk of contracting illnesses such as colds, flu and fungal or other infections. Indoor air pollution greatly contributes to the amount of severity of symptoms suffered by those with allergies and can even contribute to the development of new allergies.
Many times we do not think about the quality of air we air we breathe while inside our homes. However, the American Lung Association estimates that we spend anywhere from 60-90% of our time indoors. Usually, the pollutants and fine particles found within the air we breathe indoors are at substantially higher levels of concentration compared to the air outdoors. This makes those with allergies at especially high risk for the health problems associated with poor indoor air quality that may in part be attributed to the debris collected within our ducts.
Dust buildup is the most common cause of asthma and is also the biggest allergen within the home. The more dust buildup there is, the more dust mites there will be, which are true causes of dust allergies. The large quantities of dust mites that are found with collections of dust within your ducts and airborne dust particles are a major contributor to the allergy symptoms experienced by the vast majority people. It is hard to rid your house of dust and avoid the health risks of the allergic reactions attributed to dust mites if there is a large amount of dust buildup within your ducts. This dust is then circulated in high concentrations within your home and is breathed in causing a much higher risk of allergy symptoms and allergic reactions within the body.
Regular duct cleaning is essential for clean indoor air quality and the reduction of the potential health hazards associated with indoor air pollution. It is even more essential for those that suffer from allergies to avoid the severe symptoms associated with them. Dust is the most common allergy, but many other allergens can be found in high concentrations within the ducts and in the indoor air you breathe including pollen, animal hair and fungus. If you do your duct cleaning regularly, you will find this will greatly reduce and even relieve the many allergy symptoms you are experiencing and will also reduce your chance for other indoor air pollution health risks.
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