It is certainly the time of year to keep warm air inside while considering winter storm protection for windows. Storm windows can be made of glass, rigid plastic panels, or durable plastic sheets and they can be installed on the outside or inside of a home's existing windows. The cost of storm windows have [...]
It is officially springtime, however it is still the season for coughs and sneezes. Colds, flu, and a new respiratory illness are all reasons to take precaution for contractors and non-contractors alike. This new respiratory illness, the novel coronavirus or officially known as COVID-19, is spread person-to-person through respiratory secretions. Similar to cold and [...]
Imagine arriving home from work or anywhere else and your favorite room or the entire home is pre-cooled in the summer or pre-warmed in the colder months in anticipation of your arrival. This would not only feel comfortable to the senses, but would certainly save money in comparison to leaving the heat or air conditioning [...]
Passive solar design utilizes a building’s site, materials, and climate to reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Windows, walls, and floors can be made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute energy from the sun. Passive solar design helps to utilize this warm energy in the winter while limiting heat absorption and distribution in [...]
Just because the sky is extra leaky this time of year doesn't mean your home has to be. Not only is the smell of mold not so fresh, but it contributes to health maladies such as allergies and headaches. Sick Building Syndrome is a term that describes building occupants who experience health problems, such as [...]
Summer is a great time to enjoy gardens and outdoor gathering spaces. Soaking up the sunshine or feeling a warm breeze under the moonlight is even better without having to swat away mosquitoes or deal with other irksome bugs. There are various ways to help make spending time in outdoor spaces fun with fewer swarms [...]
Spring has sprung and that means increasingly ample opportunity to open windows to let in some fresh air and to spend more time outside in yards and garden areas. Preparing outdoor areas for warmer weather now can save time and effort later in the summer. Post-winter clean-up Use a garden rake to remove any fallen [...]
A geothermal heat pump, also known as a ground-source heat pump, is a central heating and/or cooling system that uses the constant below-ground temperature of soil or water to heat and cool a building. In the cooler months, this system draws heat from the earth or water and brings it inside the building using a [...]
Insulation is a crucial component of energy efficient buildings. It helps keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, heating and cooling costs are 50-70% of energy use for the average household in the U.S. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by the ability of the [...]
Radon gas is a natural chemical element that affects the air quality inside of buildings. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It forms when uranium breaks down to radium, which further breaks down to form radon. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled into the lungs. Radon is emitted from the ground [...]
