Jan

21

   Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States.  It comes from the natural breakdown of Uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe.  Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.  Indoor radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country.  It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable.

Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.

Any home can have a radon problem.  This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.  In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home.  That is where you spend most of your time.  Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4pCi/L or more).  Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in roughly 1 of every 4 homes tested in Oconee and Greenville Counties.  You cannot predict radon levels based on state, local, and neighborhood radon measurements.  Do not rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood to estimate the radon level in you home.  Homes which are nest to each other can have different radon levels.

Testing is the only way to find out what your home’s radon level is.

Please know that I personally would not live in a home in Upstate South Carolina that had not been tested for Radon Gas! HomeWorks Inspections conducts radon tests for home buyers, home sellers and homeowners in Oconee, Pickens, Anderson and Greenville Counties.

To learn more about Radon Gas check out the video below.

Dec

17

Quality Replacement Windows Help Keep Heat In, Cold Out (ARA) - With rising energy costs and the return of cooler weather fast approaching, many homeowners are actively looking for ways to reduce their monthly heating bills. According to ENERGY STAR, the average American household spends $1,900 annually on energy bills and as much as half of that energy cost goes to heating and cooling your home.

Homeowners who want to make a big impact on reducing their energy bills can start by looking out the window. Or rather, at the window. Traditionally, poor performing windows and doors have been the weak energy link in homes, often accounting for up to 40 percent of a home’s heat loss during the winter.

As a result, homeowners are increasingly looking for replacement windows to boost the energy efficiency of their home. Craig Evanich, president of Renewal by Andersen, suggests homeowners look at key energy efficiency designations from their replacement windows such as qualification by ENERGY STAR, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label and other independent organizations that help consumers choose environmentally responsible and energy efficient products.

The ENERGY STAR label is designed to help homeowners make energy efficient choices and achieve substantial savings in heating and cooling costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing inefficient single pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows could save up to 15 percent on your energy bills.

In addition, homeowners who purchase and install ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors in 2007 may be eligible to receive a one-time credit of up to $500 on their federal income tax.

Windows are also rated for their energy efficiency by the NFRC, which helps homeowners compare window products by establishing an independent industry-wide standard for rating and labeling windows. The NFRC label means the window’s performance is certified and provides an “apples to apples” comparison between products.

Evanich says, “When comparing windows, be sure to check a window’s U-Factor on the NFRC label. A window with a lower U-Factor has better insulation properties. U-Factors run from .01 to .99. In colder climates, a factor of 0.35 or lower is recommended.”

Homeowners are increasingly seeking products that not only help reduce their energy consumption, but do so in an environmentally responsible manner. This means taking into consideration the full product life-cycle, from materials to manufacturing and use to recycling and disposal.

According to Evanich, every Renewal by Andersen window frame is manufactured using a patented composite material that is a blend of 40 percent reclaimed wood fiber and 60 percent thermoplastic polymers by volume. This low-maintenance framing material never needs painting or scraping, reducing waste created by ongoing maintenance.

Wood fibers used in this composite material are reclaimed directly from manufacturing processes, helping to minimize the overall impact on the environment. In fact, in 2001 Renewal by Andersen became the first replacement window manufacturer to earn Green Seal certification, and continues to be the only replacement window manufacturer to be Green Seal certified today. This designation identifies a product as environmentally preferable, demonstrating it meets energy efficiency requirements and is manufactured in an environmentally conscious manner.

A window’s durability is key to making energy efficient windows an investment for the long term, and avoiding future waste. Evanich suggests shopping for quality windows that are supported by a strong warranty and that shoppers look for long-term value over price. “Saving a few dollars now could mean another replacement project just a few years down the road,” says Evanich.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dec

4

Washington, D.C./October 2nd- Release #08-003The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Honeywell International Inc., of Morristown, N.J., today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 4,000 gas valves used in decorative stoves and fireplaces. The activation knob on the valve can be left in a position between OFF and PILOT, which can cause the pilot gas to leak and accumulate prior to burner ignition. This poses a risk of thermal burns to consumers when they light the pilot of the fireplace or stove.Honeywell has received one report of gas accumulating and combusting resulting in a minor injury when the consumer lit the fireplace and the hair in the back of the consumer’s hand was singed. The recall involves gas valves used in liquid-propane-fueled decorative fireplaces and Franklin-type stoves. These stoves and fireplaces have direct pressure relief vents via a spring-loaded door. Fireplaces and stoves with a side or rear vent are not included in this recall. Honeywell sold the gas valves exclusively to original equipment manufacturers for use in fireplaces and stoves from April 2004 through August 2007. Those manufacturers sold fireplaces and stoves at retailers nationwide.Inspectors that see these valves should notify homeowners or their agents about this recall and advise them to stop using the product immediately and contact Honeywell for information on how to receive a free inspection and replacement valve.

For additional information, contact Honeywell at (800)939-4836 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please click here.


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