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Energy Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:48:56 GMT

Tips That Every Homeowner Should Use To Help With Energy Efficiency

1. Don't touch that dial.

We recommend installing a programmable thermostat. You can program to automatically adjust your home's temperature when you are sleeping or away. This can cut your energy bill from 10 to 30 percent.

2. Look for high SEER ratings.

SEER is the acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the federally mandated rating system for energy efficiency of air conditioners. For the ultimate in efficiency and climate control, look for air conditioners containing the new two-stage Copeland Scroll UltraTech compressors made by Emerson.

3. Make routine maintenance a priority.

There are a number of routine maintenance tasks that homeowners can do on their own, such as regularly changing disposable air filters (or cleaning electronic air cleaners) on the indoor blower unit: keeping debris away from the outdoor unit; and hosing off the condenser fins on the outdoor unit.

But just like regular tune-ups for your car, it really pays to have a contractor inspect and service your air conditioning and furnace system annually to make sure it is operating at peak performance.

Tip: Be sure your contractor is licensed, well trained, insured, and experienced.

AprilAire Partners Healthy Air in the News 2 minute read

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 18:34:46 GMT

Healthy Air in the News

Healthy Air in the News is a collection of articles that we’ve put together for you to share with your co-workers and others in the business of IAQ. Help educate others about what we are all doing to create Healthy Air!

ACHR News – Manufacturers Look at Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality While Controlling Costs

https://www.achrnews.com/articles/144847-manufacturers-look-at-ways-to-improve-indoor-air-quality-while-controlling-costs

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all take a closer look at the air quality inside the spaces where we work and play. This brings new challenges for building owners and operators who have traditionally made energy efficiency the priority and focused on protecting equipment versus people. This ACHR News article discusses how IAQ strategies can sometimes directly conflict with the energy efficiency within HVAC system management. We also learn about the pros and cons of ventilation and air filtration, along with why this new focus on indoor air quality won’t be going away anytime soon.

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) – ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Releases Updated Airborne Transmission Guidance

https://www.ashrae.org/about/news/2021/ashrae-epidemic-task-force-releases-updated-airborne-transmission-guidance

This new statement from the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, released in April 2021, supports the position that modifications to HVAC systems are important in reducing airborne exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The press release specifically mentions air filtration and ventilation as important strategies for reducing the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The task force was formed in March 2020 to provide guidance for controlling the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within HVAC systems. Use this statement to support all your efforts in promoting IAQ!

Kaiser Health News – As Schools Spend Millions on Air Purifiers, Experts Warn of Overblown Claims and Harm to Children

https://khn.org/news/article/as-schools-spend-millions-on-air-purifiers-experts-warn-of-overblown-claims-and-harm-to-children/

As students return to the classroom, schools have been under extreme pressure to ensure that the air inside their buildings is clean and virus-free. This article examines some of the dangers that can arise when IAQ solutions aren’t properly vetted out due to a rush for quick, less expensive fixes. These include devices that produce harmful amounts of ozone, use ineffective technology or those that aren’t able to purify spaces adequately. Turns out those tried and true strategies like ventilation, MERV 13 filters, and HEPA filters may be the most effective options after all.

Important Information About Your Drinking Water From Water District No. 1 of Midland County

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:18:59 GMT

What happened? What is being done?

The Michigan Department of Envi ronment, Great Lakes, and Energy set ranges for our water quality parameters on May 12, 2022. After these ranges were designated, we collected samples in the distribution system on August 2, 2023, that were below the required minimum value for pH. Ten excursion days were counted in the distribution system between the dates of August 2nd and August 11th, 2023. Additionally, alkalinity samples were collected on November 20th, which also were below the required minimum value for alkalinity. We are working on following up with all water quality parameter results timely to prevent this from happening again. For more information, please contact Water District #1 of Midland County, 989-687-2709, or 246 East Price Road, P.O. Box 320, Midland, Michigan 48657.

Midland County Water District #1 Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements

This notice is being sent to you by Midland County Water District #1.

01

What should I do?

You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

02

What does this mean?

This situation does not require that you take immediate action. If it had, you would have been notified immediately. This is a treatment violation, but it does not mean there is lead or copper in your drinking water.

03

Lead-

Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

04

Copper-

Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's disease should consult their personal doctor.

Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 18:54:49 GMT

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety & Prevention

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO) and how is it produced in the home?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because you cannot see it or smell it, it can kill you before you are even aware of its presence. Carbon monoxide is one of the leading causes of accidental poisoning deaths in America.

2. What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include: headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Many people with CO poisoning mistake their symptoms for the flu or are misdiagnosed by physicians, which sometimes results in tragic deaths.

4. What should you do to prevent CO poisoning?

Many poisonings occur during the winter months when heaters are in high use and windows are closed. Here are some steps to reduce carbon monoxide exposure.

• Ensure that combustion equipment is properly installed and maintained regularly.

• Never use a generator inside living/working space.

• Never run a car or truck in the garage with the door shut.

• Never burn charcoal indoors.

• Never use a gas range or oven for heating.

• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and check batteries regularly.

• Purchase only gas equipment containing the seal of a national testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or the American Gas Association (AGA).

5. What should you do if you are experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning?

If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. Call your fire department and report your symptoms. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. It is also important to contact medical personnel immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell them you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified serviceperson checks them for any malfunction.

Again, we always recommend having your heating equipment serviced, as safety inspections on fuel-burning equipment can prevent these types of issues. We also recommend inspecting water heater vents, along with gas dryer venting for any venting that may be hazardous. Test your Carbon Monoxide detectors/alarms on a regular basis.

Information provided by: By Steven Munsell, Industrial Hygienist, U.S. Army Public Health Command November 24, 2014 and Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC Document #466 Publication.

Backflow Prevention History - Case Study

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:05:10 GMT

Heating System Anti-Freeze Enters Potable Water Supply

Bangor, Maine, water department employees discovered poisonous anti-freeze in a homeowner's heating system and potable water supply in November, 1981. The incident occurred when they shut off the potable water service to the home to make repairs. With the flow of water to the house cut off, pressure in the lines in the house dropped and the anti-freeze, placed in the heating system to prevent freeze-up of an unused hot water heating system, drained out of the heating system into the house water lines and flowed out to the street. If it had not been noticed, it would have entered the homeowner's drinking water when the water pressure was restored.

~Information obtained from the Backflow Prevention Reference Manual 2nd Edition IAPMO~