Cash For Caulkers

Cash for Caulkers is nearly here. Earlier this summer the House of Representatives passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate, but supporters predict it will be approved before the end of the summer.

In the meantime, homeowners need to "do their homework." The bill outlines 13 different types of energy efficient retrofits, and each has unique requirements and rebate amounts. Take for example, duct replacement and sealing. Homeowners can receive up to a $1,000 rebate for replacing and sealing 50 percent of the ductwork in their home. But in order to qualify, the sealing must be installed in accordance with BPI standard or other procedures approved by the Secretary of Energy.

Fortunately there are many online resources that homeowners can use to learn about the bill's eligibility requirements. Software Advice, an online technology resource for HVAC contractors, has put together a starter's guide on "cash for caulkers." In addition to covering the specific details of the bill, they provide a good overview of how homeowners can qualify for rebates. Here's an excerpt from their post:

The Home Star bill offers two rebate programs, the “Silver Star” program and “Gold Star” program. Here are details for each:

Silver Star – Homeowners will receive a $1,000 rebate for each retrofit described in the bill. The maximum amount of rebates paid out will be $3,000 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is lower. For example, if a homeowner spends a total of $4,000 on eligible retrofits, they will get $2,000 or 50% back as a rebate. If they spend $8,000 on eligible retrofits, they would only receive $3,000 in rebates instead of $4,000 (which would be 50% of the cost).

Gold Star – To qualify for the Gold Star program, homeowners must reduce their total home energy consumption by 20%. A $3,000 rebate will be rewarded for this reduction. Homeowners can receive an additional $1,000 for each additional 5% reduction, up to a total rebate of $8,000 or 50% of the total retrofit cost. Rebates may be provided for any of the retrofits listed under the Silver Star program, or for any other energy-saving measure, including: home energy management systems, high-efficiency appliances, highly reflective roofing, awnings, canopies, and similar external fenestration (window) attachments, automatic boiler water temperature controllers, energy-efficient wood products, insulated vinyl siding, and mechanical air circulation and heat exchangers in a passive-solar home.

To continue reading, visit: http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/construction/cash-for-caulkers-the-definitive-guide-to-the-home-star-bill-1061110/

Concept of Green Cleaning

Green cleaning is becoming a term used in our daily life. People are indulging themselves actively towards green home cleaning and many people who are not directly involved in green house cleaning still are trying to understand the meaning of it. All said and heard, but how many of us actually understand the exact meaning of green house cleaning? As the name suggest most individuals can make out that green cleaning is associated with conserving our surroundings and environment but what are the efficient ways for it, how is it done, what products are used, are they really environment friendly, are some of the obvious questions floating in our mind.

Green cleaning can be defined as- Cleaning of our house/offices with the help of products and equipments which don’t contain toxic and harmful chemicals for our environment. There is a generic division between cleaning products, one category is of Toxic products and the other is of Nontoxic Green Cleaners. Both products are easily available in the market, where as toxic cleaning products are efficient in cleaning on the other hand they have a stringent adverse effect both on our health and environment. Green cleaning products are significantly marked as green or environment friendly, however one should take due care in choosing among them as they do not follow any specific guidelines or standards.

Green Cleaning Means Improved Air Quality

Most of us spend a considerable portion of our lives indoors so using green cleaners makes correct sense for us as they preserve the indoor air quality from contamination. This is especially true when combined with an air duct cleaning company who implements non-hazardous sensitization techniques. Among so many other activities contributing to air, water and land pollution using green cleaners may sound like a minuscule movement but it can prove a significant one in long run. From price point of view as well green cleaners have out casted the regular cleaners by far. Green cleaners are cost efficient and according to last amendment it is feasible to attain more than 20 percent credit on existing buildings certified by the adoption of an officially acknowledged green cleaning program.

Many governing bodies have taken giant steps for preserving nature and making green movement an out an out success. Green movement results from preserving the existing plantations as well as encouraging the new ones however either of them may go waste in case of the counter part failure. If the existing greenery is not being preserved than encouraging new plantation does not make sense and vice versa. In nutshell it can be concluded that going green in every manner is helpful towards our ecological balance, be it green cleaning.

From Government to Small Businesses, Green Cleaning is for Everyone

Green cleaning should be encouraged not only at our homes but at our workplaces as well. Mostly the big areas building cleaning causes more harm to environment than the house cleaning. However houses have a significant portion in contributing towards green cleaning as they are huge in numbers. Green cleaning discourages the use of harsh chemicals and toxic contents to the core, subsequently making our living places more healthy and productive.

Workplaces are often air constrained with most of the buildings being centrally air conditioned therefore green cleaning makes proper sense for such areas. In these buildings the air transition is zero or bare minimum so the indoor air quality is as it is deteriorated, using toxic products for cleaning further worsens the air quality.

COLORADO FALL HOME SHOW

Ductworks - Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert will be at the Colorado Fall Home Show September 19 & 20th at the Colorado Convention Center.

The Colorado Fall Home Show is Denver's only fall remodeling show. There are over 300 exhibitors, and two demonstration stages where you can find service and products to prepare your home for the fall and winter.

Tickets $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, kids 12 and under are free.

Ductworks has discounts ticket for the show, please contact us if you would like some (while supplies last).

Come visit us at booth 514!

DIY Network Disaster House!

Ductworks was on DIY Network's new series Disaster House yesterday!

Disaster House is a show where contractor Josh Temple takes destruction to a whole new level as he wrecks a house every week. Using exciting experiments to accelerate the wear and tear every home faces the DIY Network delivers resourceful home improvement solutions.

The Disaster team dropped a Grand Piano onto the house from an 80-foot-high crane to mimic tree destruction, simulated years of wall damage with an indoor roller derby, filled the basement with enough water to scuba dive through it, catapulted a lawn mower through the fence...

They built a 5000 pound, six foot tall sand castle in the living room that they blew up with black powder - to show an extreme case of dirty air ducts... whew... what a job!

Josh and the Disaster Team were a lot of fun to work with.

The show premieres on Tuesday, Oct. 6!

Construction Debris

One of the most beneficial times to clean your air ducts is after new home construction or a home remodel.

Often times after remodeling or building your home you will find a fine layer of construction debris on your horizontal surfaces or have an acrid odor every time the furnace comes on. This is due to the build up of construction debris within your air ducts.

New home construction and home remodel debris account for the majority of debris found within the ventilation system. When the home is constructed a large amount of construction debris is swept and drawn into the air ducts such as drywall, sawdust, carpet fibers, insulation and other construction materials. This debris can remain in your air duct system for years causing the debris to re-circulate in your home, and in some cases block the air flow within the air ducts.

Home builders will typically install a fiberglass filter to prevent larger debris from entering the furnace cabinet and damaging it mechanically. While these types of filters will prevent larger debris from entering the supply air ducts, they are ineffective at protecting the air ducts, furnace components or air conditioning coils from fine construction debris.

Its always a good idea to have the air ducts cleaned when a home construction or home remodel project is complete.

Why do air conditioner coils freeze up?

Low airflow, dramatic temperature settings or a slight undercharge of refrigerant are the most common reasons for an air conditioning coil freeze. If your air conditioner coil is freezing up start first by changing your air filter...

Low Air Flow:
Low air flow is the most common reason for coils freezing. This can result from a dirty filter, a dirty or damaged evaporator coil, or restrictions within the air ducts.

To prevent the air conditioner coil from freezing due to low air flow:

1. Change your air filter every 2 months. Do not use filters that are too restrictive to air flow. (We suggest air filters that have a MERV rating between 7 - 11)
   
2. Have the air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years to lessen the amount of debris drawn within the heating and cooling components.
   

Dramatic Temperature Settings:
Dramatic temperature settings is when the temperature on thermostat is set too low. Coil freeze from dramatic temperature settings can also occur when the air conditioner is turned off during the day while the homeowner is at work in a effort to conserve energy and turned on to a low temperature setting when the homeowner returns from work.

To prevent the air conditioner coil from freezing due to dramatic temperature changes:

1. Never lower the thermostat to under 70 degrees
2. Avoid turning the air conditioner off during the day. Set the temperature of the thermostat to a temperature 10 degrees above what it is typically set when you are away, or invest in a thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature.
   

Undercharge of Refrigerant
Overtime gaskets and seals of air conditioning components will wear of deteriorate allowing for the loss of refrigerant.

To prevent the air conditioner coil from freezing due an undercharge of refrigerant:

1. Have the air conditioner inspected each year by an HVAC contractor to ensure for proper levels of refrigerant, and that the unit is operating efficiently.
   

Carbon Monoxide Detector Law

During use furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, chimneys and gas dryers produce carbon monoxide while in operation. Exhaust systems for these devices are designed to allow carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases to escape the living space into the outside air and avoid the potential build up of dangerous carbon monoxide gas.

"Lofgren Family Carbon Monoxide Safety Act" Begins July 1, 2009

On March 24th. Colorado governor, Bill Ritter, signed the "Lofgren Family Carbon Monoxide Safety Act" into law.

• Applies to any dwelling using any fuel-fired heater or appliance or with an attached garage
• Compliance required upon sale of home or tenant turnover or new construction
• Battery or AC powered or combination alarms for existing dwellings
• Plug-in type alarms must not be on a switched outlet
• Hardwired AC powered for new construction
• Alarm needed within 15 feet of each legal sleeping room
• Local codes may specify additional or more stringent requirements

The levels that the carbon monoxide detectors are required to comply with is within the UL 2034 listing, which at the low end of exposure 70 ppm up to 149 ppm for between 60 and 240 minutes. If a dangerous level of carbon monoxide is present the carbon monoxide alarms will detect this danger and sound an alert.