Asbestos in Your Home, Part Two

The asbestos is one of those dangers that we can't see, and symptoms of asbestos exposure usually take 20 - 40 years to develop ... but they're usually 100% fatal. So, getting yourself some basic education now, might be very rewarding in a couple of decades ...

friable - when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure
non-friable which cannot be reduced to powder by hand pressure

#1. Transite pipe (non friable)- you can easily recognize one by removing the register cover in the slab section of your house. It looks like a cement pipe and will most likely have very rough, uneven edges around the opening (just like on the pictures). Those rough edges are one problem, another one is that Transite pipes are not flexible and often crack under or inside the slab creating more rough surfaces and airborne fibers. If you suspect your air ducts to be made out of asbestos containing cement - have a professional to take a sample and laboratory test it - this is the only full-proof way to determine if it contains asbestos and what kind of asbestos is it.

Another Transite pipe application was the chimney flue, or its insulation. As an insulation performs well unless significantly deteriorated, falling apart (just like on the picture, which often happens if used on exterior, above the roof parts of the chimney).

Transite pipe used as a primary chimney flue, with no metal liner inside, creates a problem when it cracks, and starts leaking exhaust fumes into the attic or living area. Therefore, all vent pipes that pass through the house living areas and the attics are now required to be double-walled, galvanized metal, or Type-B, and I highly recommend replacing the Transite pipe and disposing of it correctly.

#2. Paper wrap insulation on heat vent flue pipes joints (friable) - when it comes to water heater or furnace replacement, its vent pipe might need to disassembled - if it is asbestos, this process should be done by a asbestos professional.

#3. Vermiculite insulation (friable)- is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that is flat and shiny in its natural state and puffed and dull in its expanded shape (EPA).

Tons of Vermiculite based material is still insulating the Chicago land homes, usually in the attics and wall cavities, some of it might be heavily contaminated with asbestos. This mineral was discovered near the town of Libby, Montana (Grace mine) in 1881, and mined between the early '20s to the early '90s (records indicate that 70 -80 percent of all vermiculite sold in the world during that time came from the contaminated Libby, Montana mine), and distributed under the name of "Zonolite". With or without asbestos Vermiculite looks very much the same, and cannot be distinguished without laboratory testing. So if you recognize in your home material that looks like one of the pictures, make sure that you have it evaluated by a professional;

- don't disturb it (vacuuming, sweeping, dusting)

- if sweeping / cleaning is necessary, wet it first to make sure that no dust is produced during this process

_ stop any remodeling process during which Vermiculite was discovered or which might cause Vermiculite disturbance.

#4. Sprayed on Textures Ceilings (friable)- some of us love it, many use it because it hides surface imperfections, and many more don't like it. When it comes to remodeling you should test it for asbestos presence, because using a traditional scraping method will produce plenty of dust.

#5. Cement asbestos roofing and siding - no danger under normal conditions (non friable), but it could add several thousands of dollars to your remodeling or demolition project, when you're faced with removing it.

#6. Fireproofing (friable and not friable) - asbestos containing panels of various types (some resembling cement boards, or thick, cardboard like paper), installed above the furnaces, surrounding furnace / water heater room, inside the furnaces and boilers (I've seen some inside the old forced air furnaces used a liner of a heat exchanger enclosure walls), as a furnace or water heater insulation.

Local law might require that you perform asbestos inspection when applying for a demolition or construction / remodeling permits, so check with them first.

Pros and Cons of Pellet Stoves

Almost everyone loves to watch a burning fireplace or stove. However, not too many people are very interested in the tiresome chore of chopping wood into small enough pieces that will be able to fit into a typical wood burning unit. On the other hand, if you have a corn or pellet burning stove, you can have your cake and eat it too. Watching the dancing flame is just as hypnotizing; but there is absolutely no wood to chop. The fuel for these units is made entirely from organic matter that has been compressed into tiny pellets. These pellets are so small that they can easily be stored in a container near the stove.

Pellet stoves usually burn up to a day or two with one loading of pellets. They burn very clean and very hot. Nevertheless, the outside of most of these units remain comparatively cool. But, precautions must still be taken when you are near the glass door. It will be scorching hot. These stoves are virtually smoke free; thus producing little pollution. As with most everything, there is one mayor negative feature of this unit. It relies on electrical current to operate. Therefore, it may be unreliable as the only source of heat during the cold winter months. On the other hand, battery powered units are also readily available for people who may want the added security of a second power supply.

Pellet stoves are very economical to use. They definitely will help reduce your energy costs. Since the fuel for these stoves is organic in nature, it can easily be replaced in a relatively short period of time. This means that none of our much needed forests ever need to be destroyed.

Mixed Reviews on Amana Heat Pumps

Do you know of anyone that has a heat pump installed? Are they happy with how it works? There are many popular brands on the market including Amana heat pumps. Do you research extensively before making a major purchase? Since a heat pump is a major purchase, you should conduct some extensive research first. 

If you spend some time looking over the consumer reviews of Amana heat pumps, you will notice that there are quite a few negative comments regarding these units. Do not ignore the negative comments. However, keep in mind that there will be negative remarks about almost every type of heat pump on the market. 

The important thing is that you compare all the reviews and make your own assessment. Which company has the best service plan and warranty coverage? Since it is a mechanical device, it will require service at some point. Does the company stand behind their product? 

Another good tip for researching your potential purchase of Amana heat pumps or any type of heat pump is to speak to someone who owns one. Do you have any friends or family members that have one of these units? First hand, information is excellent information. 

If you are a person who prefers to buy American products then maybe Amana heat pumps are the way to go. They have been around for close to a century and they are a trusted name in the HVAC industry worldwide. 

If you are interested in Amana heat pumps, then visit their website or even give them a call. They have several different models available. You should have an idea of the size of the unit you require. A large house will obviously require a larger unit. All heat pumps are quite expensive, so this is not a minor investment. Since it is a major home investment, it is very important to do your homework before buying anything. 

All heat pumps including Amana heat pumps have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. Therefore, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the unit is.

The Ultimate Gas Furnace Troubleshooting Guide

Looking for some quick tips on how to keep your gas furnace in tip-top shape this winter? The Ultimate Gas Furnace Troubleshooting Guide will answer all of your questions, including how to turn on a furnace, how to change a furnace filter, how to test a furnace's airflow, what to do if a furnace doesn't ignite, and much more.

We hope you find this guide to be useful - and we hope you stay warm this winter!

A) How to Turn On Your Gas Furnace

It sounds easy, but believe it or not, many people don't know how to turn their furnace on or off. Here's a simple, step-by-step breakdown:

* Find the breaker for your furnace. It's part of the electrical panel, which is usually located in your basement, utility room or garage. The breaker should be clearly labeled with a gas furnace sticker. Turn the breaker to the "On" position.

* Locate and turn on the furnace switch. It is typically somewhere near the bottom of your basement stairs - sometimes in the ceiling, sometimes in the furnace room itself, and usually at eye level or slightly higher.

* Set your thermostat. Check that the furnace is on and then make sure that the selector switch is set to "Heat". Finally, adjust your set point temperature, and that's it - your furnace is turned and ready to heat your home!

B) How to Check and Change Your Furnace Filter

Proper maintenance of your furnace filter can help optimize airflow from your furnace, which will keep it running efficiently and economically during the coldest months of the year. To prevent burnout of your furnace parts, we recommend inspecting your filter monthly and changing it every three to six months. Here's how it's done:

* Begin by carefully opening the furnace's external rack or panel door.

* Remove the furnace filter by sliding it out. Take a look at the filter to see if there's any darkness or discoloration.

* If you can't see through the filter, it's definitely time for a new one. Slide the new filter into the furnace, making sure that it is installed in the direction of the airflow. And that's it - you're done!

C) How to Test Your Furnace's Airflow

If a room in your house is too cold during the winer, it might be because your furnace isn't supplying enough warm air through the registers in that particular room. There's a simple way to test the airflow from your furnace registers to make sure they are working properly -- the garbage bag airflow test.

The test is a quick way to estimate airflow by determining how long it takes to fill a common plastic garbage bag. While it is not a precise measurement, it is better than no measurement at all and will give you a good ideas as to whether you need to call a technician to look at your ductwork.

To do the garbage bag airflow test:

* Tape the mouth of the garbage bag to a coat hanger or piece of cardboard to keep it open.
* Crush the bag flat and place it over the register or exhaust hood.
* Count the number of seconds it takes for the bag to fully inflate.

If the inflation time is:

* 2 seconds = 37 L/s (75 cfm)
* 4 seconds = 20 L/s (40 cfm)
* 10 seconds = 10 L/s (20 cfm)

If the measured airflow is less than 10 L/s, the furnace is delivering only a small amount of heat to a room and needs to be further inspected to determine why the heat is not going through.

The garbage bag airflow test is also useful if you have changed your heating or cooling systems or have made major renovations to your house.

D) If Your Gas Furnace Fails to Ignite

If you can hear that your furnace is on and the fan is running, but all you're getting is cold air, you likely have ignition failure. Try resetting your furnace by turning the switch to off for at least ten seconds, then, turning it on again. If that doesn't do the trick, give your HVAC contractor a call.

E) Furnace Troubleshooting Checklist

Think your gas furnace has quit? You could save yourself the cost of a no-heat service call by checking the following:

* Is the furnace switch in the on position? It may have been turned off by mistake.

* Is the thermostat properly set to the "heat" position and the temperature set to your normal heat setting?

* Is the furnace venting blocked by snow or ice? If so, try to remove the blockage.

* Are the programmable thermostat batteries fresh?

* Is the circuit breaker in the electric panel in the proper position?

* Is the furnace door properly closed?

* Has the filter been changed recently? If you've checked everything on the list and your furnace still isn't working, give your local HVAC contractor a call, and they'll get your furnace back up and running as soon as possible.

F) How to Properly Remove Vent Blockages

If you become aware of a furnace problem that might involve the exterior vent, do a quick inspection and see if any snow, ice or some common household item might be blocking the vent. If so, before removing the obstruction, head inside first and turn the off the power to your furnace. Now, you can safely clear away whatever is blocking your exterior vent. Once you're done, turn your furnace back on using either the breaker or the switch.

A lack of airflow through the furnace's interior vents could mean your furnace fan motor has seized. If this has happened, don't try to fix the problem yourself - contact the expert furnace repair technicians at your local HVAC contractor.

G) How to Stop Air Leaks and Prevent Heat Loss

Air leaks account for a significant amount of a home's heat loss in winter - resulting in increased heating costs as your furnace constantly tries to replace the warm air that has escaped from your home. Fixing these leaks will save you money on your heating bills.

To stop leaks around windows and doors:

* Remove the trims carefully.
* Fill large cracks or gaps with foam backer rod, oakum, or expanding polyurethane foam.
* Replace the trims and caulk along the edges.

To stop leaks along baseboards:

* Caulk along the seams without removing the baseboard.
* Remove the baseboard and caulk between the wall and the floor.

To stop leaks around electrical outlets on outside walls:

* Turn off power to the outlet and remove the outlet cover.
* Install a foam insulating pad.
* Replace the outlet cover turn the power back on to the outlet.

To stop leaks in an unfinished basement:

* Caulk under the basement sill plate and around the joists with a rubber-based caulking or acoustical sealant.
* Caulk any gaps where ducts enter a wall or ceiling.
* Insulate ducts with preformed wraps or duct-taped insulation batts.

To stop leaks in your attic:

* Seal any cracks.
* Weather strip your attic door and close it tightly.

H) If a Gas Smell is Detected

In the unlikely event that you smell something like a rotten egg smell, you could have a gas leak. Don't turn on any electrical switches and open all of your windows. Then, go to a neighbour's house and contact your HVAC contractor or your local gas provider immediately.

Simple Steps to Move on With Your Fat Loss Goals

Are you desperate to lose weight? Do you think that you can go up to any means so as to lose weight? Well, you don't need to work on to hard, just follow the simple steps included below and you are sure to attain your fat loss goals.

1. Make sure to set a weight loss goal and try hard to attain it. Unless and until you are setting a goal of how much fat you wish to lose and how much muscle you wish to gain, you are doing nothing but dreaming. You need to set specific goals and jot them in pen and paper. For instance, if you want to lose fat, then you need to do so by hook or by crook. Get real and let your body know that "yes you will lose fat". If you don't think in this way then it is quite likely that you are not serious about your weight loss plan.

2. Have you ever doubted the significance of water? If that's so, then just stay without water and see how it feels. Water plays a viable role in weight loss and you need to keep your body hydrated no matter what. Make sure you drink a minimum of one gallon of water, if possible a bit more. Always keep a bottle of water by your side.

3. Ensure consuming five or six small meals in a day comprising of low fat, moderate carbs and high protein food. This is the best possible way through which you can increase your rate of metabolism and burn your calories. Grazing on your meals constantly after every three hours will allow your body to shed off the excessive fat. The way in which you eat plays a dominant role in determining how well you will lose weight and gain muscle. By consuming 1 or 2 larger meals you are in a way slowing down the rate of metabolism of your body. In fact, by skipping meals you are in a way storing fat in your body.

4. Ensure carrying out intense cardiovascular workouts at lease three or four times in a week. This is one of the best ways to burn your calories. You need not do cardio workouts for hours and hours, instead you can do them for only twenty to thirty minutes. However, before starting off with the cardio, it would be better to do a warm up for five minutes followed by a high intensity pace for twenty minutes. Sweating, turning red, puffing, huffing and panting are some of the good signals that indicate that yes you are losing weight. Don't do exercise just for the sake of doing it, be motivated and the results are sure to be in your favor.

5. Prefer carrying out intense weight training for a minimum of three or four times in a week.

6. Ensure estimating your routine energy expenditure and try lowering it gradually.

These are some simple ways that will help in fat loss and also help you in building muscle. Try them out and see the results!