Are you ready for the LED lighting phenomenon?
(NC)-The LED lighting phenomenon we have been anticipating is now here. While LEDs, otherwise known as light-emitting diodes, are commonly found as indicator lights on cars and electronic devices, they are now available as an everyday lighting option for your home. As LEDs significantly reduce energy consumption, this lighting solution is beneficial for home applications that require illumination for several hours a day or places where the lights are frequently turned on and off. The challenge of changing hard to reach light bulbs such as in recessed pot lights and track lighting, can also easily be solved by using LED light bulbs. Kristine Fisher, marketing manager for Philips Lighting indicates, "LEDs are excellent for accent lighting and we have just recently introduced GU10 and MR16 spot lights in both cool and warm white to the market". LED lighting is more than just a light bulb, it's a technology. Outperforming standard lighting by lasting up to 80% longer, LEDs produce more light per watt of electricity and significantly reduce energy consumption. Philips, known for its innovative lighting technologies, has mini reflectors that use only 4 watts of electricity while providing a high quality light output. When considering the benefits of installing LED lighting, the energy savings and length of life far surpass standard lighting sources, not to mention you will have the coolest new lighting technology in your home.
How to protect your bathroom against mold and mildew
(NC)-Excess moisture can make your bathroom a haven for mold and mildew growth. Be it a leaky seal under a toilet, a loose connection under a sink or restricted air flow from a shower curtain or door, the collection of moisture in each instance will eventually encourage mold and mildew growth in your bathroom. Molds are microscopic fungi that require moisture to grow. They thrive on organic materials, natural fibers such as cotton or wool, paper or wood. Mold and mildew can cause discoloration on bathroom tile or other fixtures, on walls, around windows, and between layers of flooring. Molds vary in color - from white to orange, green, black or brown - and usually produce a musty odor. To reduce mold and mildew in your bathroom consider these following tips: . Keep your bath and shower areas clean and as dry as
possible. "One of the biggest problems with today's homes is that homeowners don't adequately ventilate the bathroom area," said Mathew Cripps, Product Manager Bath Fans for Broan-NuTone. He added that people either forget to turn on the fan when required or find their conventional fan too loud to use properly. To help with this problem Broan-NuTone has developed the new QT series Humidity Sensing Fans. "These fans using Sensaire technology will automatically turn on when a rapid rise in humidity is detected. Once the humidity levels return to normal, the unit will turn itself off therefore preventing cosmetic and structural problems associated with excess moisture," Cripps explained. Conventional fans are noisier and less appealing esthetically than new products like the QT line. "It represents the ultimate in bath fan solutions for today's homes," he added. "Either in the fan or fan/light version, the QT line fans are more than 50% quieter than standard models and bring simple, quiet elegance to any bath or powder room." But what sets this line apart from standard models is its energy efficiency. As Energy Star qualified ventilation products, the QT line of bathroom fans use 65% less energy on average than standard models, saving you $120 in electricity costs over the life of the fan. They feature high performance motors and improved blade design, providing better performance and longer life. More information on bath fans and moisture control at www.broan.ca.
A Green Home Improvement
Permeable interlocking concrete pavements are the way to green walkways,
driveways and patios. (NC)-Homeowners are putting their best foot forward to improve the curb appeal of their home while helping to protect the environment. They are redoing their driveways and walkways with permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP), which not only looks good, but allows water to filter through the pavement to migrate back into the ground. Further good news is that some counties offer a rebate program to homeowners who install a PICP driveway. Because PICPs return rain water to the ground, they help drought-stricken areas or places where storm sewers overflow from too much runoff. How It Works PICP works like this: A surface of solid concrete pavers is separated by joints filled with small stones that make the joints highly permeable. Water enters the joints between solid concrete pavers and flows through an "open-graded" base; i.e., crushed stone layers with no small or fine particles. The spaces among the crushed stones store water and infiltrate it back into the soil. The joints provide 100 percent surface permeability and the base filters storm water and reduces pollutants. For Patios, Walks and Drives Pavers can be used for walks, patios and driveways, as well as for parking lots and residential streets. Homeowners particularly like the vast array of colors, shapes, sizes and textures available. You can get rustic stone like pavers or others that look like clay brick. Light-coloured pavers can provide a cooler surface around patios and pool decks. The pavers are easy to maintain and snowplow. In addition, because the snow melts faster on PICP, it reduces ice hazards. Studies have demonstrated that less deicing salts are required.You can learn more online at www.icpi.org. |
Clear the air in your kitchen with flair
New designer range hoods bring style to pollution control (NC)-It's hard to show off your cooking skills when your culinary masterpieces are hidden behind the thick smoke coming off your range. The worse part is, once the smoke clears, you'll be able to smell that "gourmet" dinner from every room in your home. Even hours after mealtime, your house, clothing and furniture will reek with a stale odor. Smell familiar? For those homeowners who don't have a proper functioning kitchen range hood this is an all too familiar stale scene. A quality kitchen range hood plays a significant role in the indoor air quality of the home, drawing stale air filled with grease, odors, and moisture out of the room. But what makes a quality kitchen range hood? A good range hood should be powerful enough that it reduces greasy buildup that can accumulate on cabinets and kitchen appliances, and strong enough to pull out contaminants that occur naturally while cooking. A good way to check on a model's efficiency is to look at the manufacturer's specifications. A CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating tells you the amount of air that is moved per minute in cubic feet. The amount of air that the unit will actually move once installed in you kitchen will depend on how airtight the room is. This rating varies significantly between models. A good hood should be between 250 and 500 CFM, whereas a less effective model may only be 190 CFM or less. Also look for models that have Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) certification (www.hvi.org). Like many kitchen accessories and cookware, range hoods have developed a balance of function and beauty over the last few years. While hoods were originally developed to remove cooking odors and smoke from the home, they have also come to serve as design statements in many kitchens. For example the latest elegant line of range hoods from Venmar Ventilation add streamlined style and effective pollution elimination to your kitchen. These new range hoods are becoming the focal point of kitchen decors with their elegant, refined design that bring European models to mind. In addition to standing out as a result of their unique look, the range hoods satisfy all your needs when it comes to trapping and eliminating various sources of pollution. Available in stores throughout Canada, these slim and contemporary range hoods come in three models and feature a CFM range of 280-500. They're powerful but that doesn't mean they're noisy. You won't have to worry about excess noise while you entertain, as the hoods feature low noise level thanks to their soundproofing. Also their efficient halogen lighting ensures that you have ample lighting to create your culinary masterpieces. They're a breeze for you to maintain with dishwasher-safe filters and come with a five-year guarantee and Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) certification. More information on the latest in range hoods is available at www.venmar.ca.
Turn down the heat on this family battle
(NC)-With cooler temperatures just around the corner, Canadian families will soon begin their regular tussle for control of the thermostat - a battle that pits the hot-blooded against the perma-frosty. Just about every family seems to have a member who likes the mercury up at Death Valley levels, while others try to ward off heat stroke. To keep tempers from boiling over, there are a few things your family can do to find a happy median. This fall, consider these tips from Direct Energy to save money and reduce conflict. Dress for success The autumn and winter seasons are great for those cozy sweaters and fuzzy socks. Why leave them in the drawer attracting moths when wearing them will cut your energy use, and keep you stylish? Make it a no-touch zone Install a programmable thermostat and set it so that the temperature decreases slightly at night, when you're snuggled under that downy duvet. By programming the temperature ahead of time, it's easy to ensure that family members sleep comfortably without the furnace blasting overtime. Lowering the temperature at night and during the day while the family is away could save 10 per cent on heating bills. Kill the Indoor Wind Chill Factor Up to 30 per cent of the heat in your home can be lost through poorly fitted windows and doors. Seal all leaks with caulking and weather stripping - caulking one window that's over 10 years old can save 5-10 per cent in heating and cooling costs. Avoid the Blame Game Be sure to get your furnace checked out before the cooler temps hit, so that your family isn't left out in the cold when the furnace doesn't start. More information on this topic is available online at www.directenergy.com or toll-free, 1-888-334-8221. |
Prepare for winter with a rosy outlook
(NC)-For many gardeners rose bushes are a prized possession. As the gardening season comes to a close, it's time to prepare your roses for the cold, harsh Canadian winter ahead. Knowing the best feeding and prepping techniques will ensure your cherished roses survive the winter and bloom beautifully in the spring. Proper feeding is the first step in putting healthy roses to bed for the winter. Remember to continue feeding the plants every seven to 14 days with a specially formulated plant food for roses, such as Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food 18-24-6. Once temperatures fall below 1°, switch to plant food containing only phosphorus and potassium to help strengthen the plant over the winter. Other preparation secrets include proper cleaning, pruning and inspection to ensure roses are strong, as well as insect and disease-free. Here are some more simple tips to prepare your roses for the fall and winter: . Rake leaves and mulch away from the base of the plants as disease spores or insect eggs may be hidden there. . Examine roses for any insects or diseases - especially rust and black spot. . Trim off flowers and buds. This will encourage the plant's energy to go into underground growth for the winter. . If you live in the colder parts of Canada, cut roses back to 30 to 36 inches, tying the longest canes together to protect them from wind damage. . When regular frost begins, mound several spadefuls of soil over the base of the plant and extend the soil up at least a foot above the graft (bud union). When the ground is thoroughly frozen, cover the mound with a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or compost. For more information about roses or to speak with a Scotts Garden Expert call 1-866-436-8477 or visit www.Scotts.ca.
Energy efficiency starts with the attic
(NC)-With oil, gas and electricity costs on the rise you may be wondering how you can save some money around the house. An easy way Canadian families can reduce their heating and cooling costs and help decrease greenhouse gas emissions can be as simple as looking in the attic. Homeowners may be surprised to learn that energy is easily lost through a home's attic. Topping up on your home's attic insulation is an affordable retrofit that can help reduce heating and cooling costs, while conserving energy and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. It can also offer additional cost savings of up to $600 through energy-saving government grants available through the ecoENERGY initiative. Adding insulation to your attic can be simple for the do-it-yourself homeowner. First, assess how much insulation is already in place. Then, install PINK Fiberglas® Batt Insulation between attic trusses and don't forget to fill nooks and crannies using leftover pieces. A properly insulated attic should achieve the minimum industry standard R-Value of R-50 - a measure of heat flow resistance. Insulating your attic to R-50 will help provide your attic with great insulating power and will also help reduce the amount of energy consumption in your home. It's an easy do-it-yourself project that requires little time and investment that are well worth the financial reward. And don't forget about proper attic ventilation. Install raft-R-mate® attic vents to ensure proper air-flow through the soffit at the eaves. This will help extend the life of your roof by preventing ice dams and moisture build up. Always consider these three important questions when considering an attic retrofit: . Is the attic properly insulated to a value of R-50? . Can insulation be added to the attic to improve energy-efficiency? . Is the attic properly ventilated? For more information about insulating your attic and ecoENERGY government grants, visit www.pinksavesenergy.ca. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning © 2008 Owens Corning
Save water every day
Photo caption: Save water daily with a low flow showerhead (NC)-Doing your part for the environment and your wallet is simple once you get started. Delta Faucet offers these tips for saving water every day: .
Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. More water-saving tips are available online at www.deltafaucet.com |
