Humidifiers can alleviate common nuisances brought on by winter heating, but without regular maintenance, they can promote the growth of biological organisms in the home.
HVAC
Radon Basics
Radon causes an estimated 14,000 lung cancer deaths each year. It is the earth’s only naturally produced radioactive gas and comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. You cannot see or smell radon, but it can become a health hazard when it accumulates indoors.
Forced Air Heat: How It Works
Immediate heat with the flick of a switch, a rush of warmth and the gentle whoosh of moving air are the hallmarks of forced air heat. Run through ducts to registers located in the floors or baseboards in each room, forced hot air is easily distributed and controlled in any home.
EnergyWise House: Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning
Many people buy or use air conditioners without understanding their designs, components, and operating principles. Proper sizing, selection, installation, maintenance, and correct use are keys to cost-effective operation and lower overall costs.
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning: An Overview
Heating your home turns on three simple concepts: How you make heat; how you distribute it; and how you control it.
EnergyWise House: Maintaining Existing Air Conditioners
Older air conditioners may still be able to offer years of relatively efficient use. However, making your older air conditioner last requires you to perform proper operation and maintenance.
Insulating Old Homes: Blow-In Insulation Options
You can’t cram the pink stuff into a closed wall. However, blown- or sprayed-in insulation can make a leaky old home an energy miser. Fiberglass, cellulose, and foam can all keep the cold at bay.
Selecting a Gas Fireplace
A new fireplace can improve your heating efficiency, and add warmth and charm to your home, without disrupting your floor plan, raising your roof, or running miles of flue pipe.
Insulating Ducts for Efficiency
There’s more to efficiency than tuning the furnace. Homeowners must insulate ducts to prevent heat or cool air loss.
Moving Heat from Room to Room
There are pros and cons to all heating systems. Issues of air quality, control, flue gas condensation, effective distribution, venting, and ventilation surround all heating decisions. Knowing your needs, the characteristics of your heating system, and the variables that impact its efficiency will help you stay warm?safely and wisely.