Archive for April, 2010

Mould in your Muskoka home? What to do about it:

Monday, April 26th, 2010


Keep Humidity Levels in Your Home Down to Reduce the Risk of Mould

Couple in kitchen cooking


Mould is a type of fungus that comes in a variety of colours and can grow in damp areas inside your home. Mould grows where there is too much humidity from water leaks, cooking, showering, flooding, etc. It can grow on wood, paper, fabrics, drywall, insulation, inside walls or above ceiling tiles. When mould finds a damp place to grow, it can contribute to poor indoor air quality.

What Are the Health Effects?

People living in homes with mould and damp conditions are more likely to experience:

  • Eye, nose and throat irritation
  • Coughing and mucous build-up
  • Wheezing and shortness of breath
  • Worsening of asthma symptoms
  • Other allergic reactions
man with water driping from ceiling

How do I Know if I Have a Problem?

  • Not all mould is obvious to detect, so it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere that is damp, especially where water damage has occurred.
  • Inspect your home for visible signs of mould or areas with excessive moisture. Look for stains or discolouration on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics and carpets or a musty “earthy” odour. If necessary, contact an expert for help.

What Can I Do?

  • Prevent mould from growing by making sure you:
    • Check for wet spots in your house, such as damp basements, leaking sinks, cold closets on exterior walls, etc.
    • Repair any water leaks as soon as you notice them; clean up immediately after any flood.
    • Use the exhaust fans when cooking or showering and check that your clothes dryer and range hood vent to the outdoors.
    • Seal your tubs and sinks tightly.
    • Throw out basement clutter.
    • Measure humidity and keep it low, about 50% in summer and 30% in colder weather. If necessary, use a dehumidifier.
  • If you discover mould:
    • If the contaminated surface is small: clean the mould by yourself, by using water and dish detergent. There’s no need to use bleach.
    • If the affected area is large: take precautions to protect your health. In such a case, consider hiring a professional to clean it up.
    • Fix the underlying cause, whether due to water damage or excessive humidity.

INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM

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Testimonial from Muskoka WaterFurnace Geothermal customer

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Great report, from a recent Muskoka WaterFurnace Geothermal  residential installation, for our customer:



April 12th 2010: Muskoka Geothermal WaterFurnace Design & Installation

Feedback
Quality of Installation 5
Professional Image of Contractor 5
Courteous/Friendly
On-Time for Appointment 5
Responsiveness to Questions 5
Product Performance
Overall Experience of Your Recent Purchase
Would You Recommend Us To Others Yes
Would You Recommend This Brand to Others
Optional Feedback
Did your customer service representative explain how to operate and maintain your new system? Yes
Did your new system require a callback? No
If yes, was your problem resolved?
Were you offered consumer financing? No
If no, would you have been interested? No
Were you offered a service agreement to help maintain your system the season? Yes
If yes, did you purchase an agreement? Yes
Do you wish a phone call from our customer service department? No

Don Zacher, Muskoka April 2010

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Why is Geothermal Heating and Cooling the best heating system for my Muskoka home or cottage?

Saturday, April 24th, 2010


1. Reduce your energy costs:

Providing you with an unheard of efficiency of up to 400%, the Envision WaterFurnace geothermal system can deliver up to $4 of free earth energy for every $1 of electrical energy used.

2. Heating, cooling and hot water in one unit:

One compact WaterFurnace unit provides heating, central air conditioning and supplemental domestic hot water all in one packaged system.

3. 10-year worry-free warranty:

The 10-year Worry-Free Warranty comes standard with the Envision WaterFurnace unit. This warranty covers the unit and provides you with a worry-free labour allowance. The warranty is with the manufacturer, not the distributor or the installing dealer and regardless of what happens to your dealer, you still have a warranty.

4. Long-lasting technology:

The WaterFurnace reputation for reliability has been earned by using only the highest-quality components, design and workmanship. WaterFurnace has been making geothermal systems for over 20 years.

5. Low-maintenance:

When installed properly, the buried loop will last for generations. And because the WaterFurnace unit is housed indoors, it is protected from the harsh weather conditions, increasing the lifespan of the equipment.

6. Quiet operation:

WaterFurnace systems do not require noisy outdoor units that create unsightly additions to your home’s appearance.

7. Safe operation:

There is no combustion, flames or fumes and no chance of carbon-monoxide poisoning because natural gas, propane and oil are not required to operate a WaterFurnace unit.

8. Reduce your carbon footprint:

Installing a WaterFurnace system can be the environmental equivalent ofplanting 750 trees or removing two cars from the road. No fossil fuel means no harmful emissions or greenhouse gases

9. Save future power plants:

If one in 12 Ontario homes installed a geothermal system, the energy saved would equal the output of three new power plants.

10. Increase the value of your home:

With a high-efficiency rating, the value of your home will go up. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are approximately 30 per cent more energy efficient than those built to minimum building code standards. The increased efficiency of these homes translates into reduced energy costs for homeowners.

Posted in Choosing a Contractor, Equipment & Supplies, Funding & Grants, Heating and Cooling, News | No Comments »

Why every home should have a Heat Recovery Ventilator

Friday, April 23rd, 2010


Feds look into Canada’s killer homes

Every year, 2,000 die from radon exposure. Is it in your home?

by Michael Friscolanti on Monday, February 9, 2009 12:49pm - 9 Comments

Feds look into Canada’s killer homes

Your life savings are vanishing, your job is in jeopardy, and the repo man has already visited some of your friends and relatives. Now here’s the really bad news: your beloved home—the one you’re desperately trying to save from foreclosure—may actually be killing you (and not because of the mortgage payments).

The culprit? Radon: a tasteless, odourless, invisible gas that lurks in cellars and crawl spaces and is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking. Every year, up to 2,000 Canadians die a premature death because their homes—unbeknownst to them —are loaded with tiny radioactive particles.


This nasty little gas is hardly new (scientists have been studying its fatal side-effects for more than a century), but the federal government is suddenly anxious to find out which neighbourhoods are most at risk. Over the next two years, Health Canada plans to spend almost $1 million testing 18,000 randomly chosen homes, with the end result being an online “radon potential map” that pinpoints possible danger zones. “Radon is the largest source of radiation exposure for most Canadians,” says Jack Cornett, a ministry spokesman. “But we are concerned that there is a real lack of awareness about it.”

Here’s what Health Canada wants you to know: first, don’t panic. Radon is a naturally occurring gas released by uranium decay in the soil, and the experts believe that only 2.5 per cent of all homes contain “unsafe” levels (more than 200 becquerels per cubic metre). Second, if you’re still nervous, conduct your own test. Do-it-yourself radon kits cost as little as $50 at the local hardware store. Third, seal all the cracks in your basement floor. Radon loves to seep through those crevices.

Oh, and don’t smoke cigarettes. Apparently that causes lung cancer, too. MOST IMPORTANT: INSTALL A HRV!! SEE:http://www.lifebreath.com/en/consumer/products/residential/hrv/


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Great new air conditioning system to cool your Muskoka home or cottage or upgrade if an air conditioning repair is required

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Sometimes if an air conditioning repair is required it is better to upgrade, since the cost of repair plus the energy efficiency grants may be a more cost effective solution.

With cooling season upon us and tax credits and rebates still in high gear, now is the time to focus on your higher-SEER systems. Your Frigidaire 16-SEER air conditioner and heat pump have several features that will help you stand out from the competition.

  • Two-stage operation is like having two outdoor units. First stage operation is at 68% of capacity, reducing energy consumption and sound levels for your customers.
  • A compressor sound blanket makes these models even quieter.
  • ComfortAlert™ diagnostic module detects system and electrical problem conditions. A diagnostic key directs the service technician to the root cause of the problem
  • Swept-wing fan blade for further noise reduction.
  • ecoLogic™. 16-SEER and higher systems qualify for Frigidaire’s ecoLogic seal, a designation for our “green” systems. ecoLogic tells homeowners that they are getting the most environmentally responsible system with the most advanced comfort features.
  • Exceptional warranty – 10 year limited parts warranty and 10-year Quality Pledge to replace the entire unit if the compressor fails

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Grants for energy savings for your Muskoka home or cottage

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010


HOME ENERGY SAVINGS

Energy Home SavingsIMPORTANT NOTICE

On March 31, 2010, the federal government announced funding cuts to theecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program.

The Government of Ontario is committed to encouraging conservation, and will continue efforts to help residents achieve their home energy efficiency goals.

The following information is provided to help answer some of your questions about how this announcement might affect you. Please visit this website again in the future for updates.

1. What effect does this announcement have on the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program (HESP)?

Due to the sudden nature of the federal announcement to cancel a partnership program, Ontario is reviewing its options to create and deliver effective conservation programs to Ontarians. Until such time a decision is made and notice given, Ontario will continue to fund new pre-retrofit audits. This means we will continue to pay 50% of your home’s audit, up to $150. Audits will qualify you for up to $5,000 in provincial retrofit grants. Please continue to check back here for further information and updates.

2. Can I still enter the federal ecoENERGY-Retrofit program?

No. Effective March 31, 2010, the federal program is not accepting new bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations.

Only the homeowners who have already booked or completed a pre-retrofit evaluation remain eligible to apply for a federal retrofit grant.

3. I have already booked a pre-retrofit. Will I still be able to go ahead?

Yes. Homeowners who scheduled pre-retrofit evaluations by March 31, 2010 remain eligible to apply to the program (both HESP and ecoENERGY). However, homeowners are reminded that they are required to complete their renovations and follow-up with a post-retrofit evaluation and submit their application by March 31, 2011.

4. I have already had a pre-retrofit energy evaluation. What is the deadline for applying for a grant?

The deadline for applying for a grant is 18 months from the time of the pre-retrofit evaluation or March 31, 2011, whichever comes first. Homeowners who have completed the eligible work under the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program within their 18-month period or before March 31, 2011, (whichever comes first) are eligible for a grant. However, it is suggested that you complete your energy upgrades well in advance of the deadline in order to allow enough time for your post-retrofit evaluation.

5. I have more questions about the recent changes to the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. Who should I contact?

Please call Natural Resources Canada at 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232). The call agents from the federal program will be able to provide you with more information.

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Carbon Monoxide: How do I keep it out of my home?

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010


Keep Carbon Monoxide Out of Your Home

woman smelling flowers


Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas that has no colour, smell or taste.

CO forms whenever you burn fuel such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal and wood. It is also contained in second-hand smoke. If furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves or water heaters are improperly installed, or if they malfunction, they can release CO into your home.

What Are the Health Effects?

CO can cause health problems before people even notice that it is present.

When you breathe in CO, it reduces your body’s ability to carry oxygen in the blood.

Even at low levels of exposure, CO can cause headaches and make you feel tired. The health effects at higher levels can be much more serious and can even lead to death.

How do I know if I Have a Problem?

CO can be detected only with a carbon monoxide detector.

What Can I Do?

  • Maintenance is the key!
    • There is no substitute for good maintenance of fuel-burning appliances because CO detectors may not detect low levels of CO that can, over time, have effects on your health.
    • Make sure appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters are well maintained and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
  • Get a CO detector!
    carbon monoxide detector
    • Put at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. A smoke alarm helps protect against fires, but will not warn you of potentially harmful carbon monoxide in your home. It is important that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home as well as a smoke alarm.
    • Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified CO detector with an audible alarm to warn you of high CO concentrations in your home. The most important place to install a detector is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on how to install and use the detector, and when it needs to be replaced. You can use a marker to remind yourself when it was installed and when it should be replaced.
  • Leave it outside!
    • Never use a barbecue indoors.
    • Don’t use kerosene or oil space heaters or lamps in enclosed areas unless they’re specifically designed for indoor use.
  • No idling indoors!
    • Don’t let vehicles idle in the garage, even when the garage door is open.
    • Never run gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, snow blowers or other machines in the garage.
    • Keep the door between your house and the garage closed.

INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR

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Radon - A danger in our homes? - And what to do about it:

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010


Test Your Home for Radon



Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.

Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.

What Are The Health Effects?

Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.

How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?

The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.

Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.

What Can I Do?

foundation wall

If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre3, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.

If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:

  • Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
  • Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
  • Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.



Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.

Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.

What Are The Health Effects?

Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.

How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?

The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.

Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.

What Can I Do?

foundation wall

If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre3, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.

If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:

  • Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
  • Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
  • Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.


INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM

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Eco-Energy Grants revised

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

***As of April First 5PM the federal portion of the Eco_energy grants no longer apply:



Notice of Operational Changes to the ecoENERGY Retrofit- Homes Program

After launching the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program in 2007, the Government of Canada expanded the program’s budget under the Economic Action Plan to a total of $745 million. To ensure the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program operates within its existing budget, effective today, the program is no longer accepting new bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations.  We will continue to approve grant applications from the over 300,000 eligible homeowners right up to March 31, 2011 — that is in addition to nearly 300,000 we have already processed.

We emphasize the following:

    • Effective today (March 31, 2010), the program is not accepting new bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations. Confirmation of these bookings through a CID must be made prior to 5pm EST, Thursday April 1, 2010.  At this time, the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program will no longer be issuing CID’s for appointments for federal grant eligible pre-retrofit evaluations.

    • The program is confident that all eligible homeowners who previously entered the program by scheduling or completing a pre-retrofit evaluation will still have the opportunity to apply for and receive a grant.

    • Most provinces and territories have developed their own energy efficiency programs for homes and the Government of Canada will continue to process applications for those complementary programs.

    • Previous program participants will no longer be permitted to apply for re-entry to the program and submit a second grant application. Program participants who have already registered, and been approved, for program re-entry will have until Mar 31, 2011, or 18 months from the date of their re-entry (whichever occurs first) to undertake the additional qualifying retrofits, obtain the second post-retrofit evaluation, and apply for the program grant.

Issuance of CID’s for Appointments For Federal Grant Eligible Pre-Retrofit Evaluations (D’s)

The program is confident that all eligible homeowners already having an assigned CID for a pre-retrofit evaluation will still have the opportunity to apply for and receive a grant.

Please note the following:

      • Effective 5pm EST on Thursday April 1, 2010, NRCan will no longer be issuing CID numbers. The online CID application will no longer be accessible.
      • Pre-retrofit files not including a valid CID number will be ineligible for an ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes grant.
      • Other aspects of the administration of the ecoENERGY Retrofit Homes program will continue until March 31, 2011.

Since October 2009, NRCan has mandated that Service Organizations obtain a CID prior to confirming an appointment booking with a homeowner. Service Organizations will be solely responsible to homeowners for any appointment bookings confirmed prior to obtaining a CID.  Files not including a valid CID number will still be transferred to program partners in accordance with established data transfer agreements and homeowner consent, but will not be eligible for an ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes grant.

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