Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Save more, spend less.

It's easy to get shocked with a big energy bill during the cold winter months. There are a number of steps that can be taken to help keep those costs down to improve heating efficiency. Although some steps may require the assistance of us here at Serenity, many others can be done easily and quickly by any do-it-yourselfer.

Your home's heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system is the most obvious place to start, since this is probably the largest power draw, and the greatest source of energy loss as well. Get your HVAC systems serviced regularly and change the filters on your heating unit. A dirty filter can dramatically decrease heating efficiency, yet it only costs a few dollars and takes only a few minutes to replace. Our experts here can help you in determining what filter you may need. Feel free to call us!

Sealing your duct system is also an easy way to save energy. A duct system that has leaks will take in unheated air and blow it into your home. Seal the leaks with duct mastic, instead of duct tape. The attic is also a common source of drafts, so you should make sure to seal the air spaces in the attic. Holes or tunnels for plumbing or wiring, if left open, may cause cold air to move inside the walls throughout the entire house.


By doing these two things you can decrease the amount of energy you use and in turn decrease your costs! If you have questions please call us and we will help you in any way we can.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Indoor Air Pollution More of a Problem

Indoor air pollution in offices and homes is becoming more and more of a recognized problem, for a couple reasons. One, we seal our buildings up tighter than we used to in order to increase energy efficiency, and two, we are filling them up with more and more toxic products that get in our air.
In some homes, indoor air pollution is 100 times higher than outdoors!
Ways to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
You can reduce indoor air pollution by removing as much as possible the following types of products from your home:
  • Artificially scented beauty and personal care products and candles
  • Cleaning products made from synthetic chemicals
  • Air fresheners (which only add more chemicals to cover up smells)
  • Plastics
  • Pesticides
  • Synthetic fibers, fabrics and materials, as well as added toxins like flame retardants and stain resistant chemicals in carpets, clothes and furnishings
  • Building materials and furnishings made from formaldehyde and other toxins
You can also reduce indoor air pollution by increasing ventilation. In good weather, keep your windows open as much as possible and use fans to increase air flow. In the winter, you may want to consider an air-to-air heat exchanger (for more info, contact us here.) Houseplants such as aloe vera, elephant ear philodendron and English ivy can also help to clean the air.
For more information about how we can help you improve your air quality, please call us today!