How To Winteriz Your Home for Good Indoor Air Quality

As the weather begins to cool, we start preparing our homes for the winter season. Closing up the house and using your heater can really have an impact on indoor air quality. The best way to keep the air in your home clean throughout the cooler months is to get your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system cleaned.



"When people go to turn their heat on, the dust and debris that has been collecting in the coils either burns into fumes or gets distributed throughout the home," says John Schulte, executive director of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). "The warm environment can also be a haven for mold and mildew, all of which can cause air quality to plummet."

HVAC systems have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria and very small particles of dust. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The removal of such contaminants from your HVAC system is crucial to improve indoor air quality. Plus, a clean system can save you money on your energy bill.

Further research from the EPA has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.

"About half of the energy used in a building is on heating and cooling," says Schulte. "Having your system cleaned can save up to 30 percent in energy costs. So not only are you improving indoor air quality, but you're saving money and helping the environment."

The top issues that effect a home's HVAC system, its efficiency and air quality are:

1) Filtration Issues
Low-efficiency filters, lack of a filter replacement program, and improperly sized filters can allow particles and debris to flow into a home or building.

2) Duct Work Contamination
It is estimated that more than 90 percent of HVAC systems installed longer than 10 years will have some level of insulation deterioration. Over time, the insulation fibers are distributed and blown into occupied spaces every time the blower turns on.

3) Dirty Evaporator Coil
Over time, evaporator coils become matted with dust and dirt. During cold months, the heated air can flow over the dirty coils and be distributed into your home's interior space.

The best way to determine if your HVAC system is clean is to perform a visual inspection. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system needs to be serviced. Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include:
* Smokers in the household.
* Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander.
* Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.
* Residents with allergies or asthma.
* Home renovations or remodeling.

"The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to employ Source Removal methods of cleaning," says Schutle. "This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure, through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum."

How to Clean a Flat-screen TV

The next time you walk into the room where your new flat-screen TV is on display, take a good look around. Is it starting to look dirty? Between all the dust and lint that flies around the average room and the dirty fingers used to turn the TV on its mount, it doesn't take long before the set needs a good cleaning.



But don't be tempted to use the same methods you would to clean your tube TV. Flat-screen television sets require more specialized care. Here are a few "Dos" and "Don'ts" to keep in mind:

* Don't reach for strong chemical cleaners like alcohol, ammonia-based cleaners or window cleaners. They can damage the screen's special coating.

* Don't spray a liquid cleaner on the screen, as it can leak into the TV casing and damage the circuitry.

* Never use paper towels or newspapers to wipe off the screen either. These are wood products and will scratch the screen.

What you should do instead is look for a solution that is specially labeled "safe for laptop screens" or "LCD and plasma screens" and wipe it on with a soft cloth, preferably one made of chamois, microfiber or 100 percent cotton. These items are sold individually, or in kits available at most home entertainment stores or online. Kits, which typically include the cleaner, wipe cloths and brushes, are the most affordable way to go.

A line worth considering is Sanus Systems' new Elements Screen Care, a series of quality screen care accessories that gently clean high-end TVs and monitors, and easily remove dust without damaging the screen. Within the Elements line is the ELM101, a complete screen care system that includes a special alcohol and ammonia-free gel that gently cleans TVs and monitors without harming screens or discoloring bezels and a Micro-Mist bottle you can use to apply it in a targeted spray.


Also included is a unique microfiber wiping handle that allows for quick, even, window-style-cleaning; a microfiber cloth that cleans without leaving behind lint or residue; and an antistatic dusting brush attached to the wiping handle that lifts debris and static electricity from the screen between cleanings. Sanus also offers a simpler cleaning kit called the ELM102 that includes the detergent gel and a microfiber cloth that stores in the bottle cap.

"We know these cleaners are going to be extremely popular among flat-screen television set owners because they offer the solution they've been looking for," says Jason Schmidt, product manager for Sanus, "an easy and inexpensive way to keep their electronics clean."

Elements Screen Care products are now available at thousands of retail locations nationwide; a store locator is available at www.sanus.com.

Once you have your cleaner on hand, here are the quick-and-easy steps you should follow to clean your set:

Step 1
Disconnect the power to your TV before you clean it each time. This is much safer, and it will allow you to see the smudges and dirt better.

Step 2
Use either lukewarm water or a cleaning solution to clean your TV, and wipe it on to the screen with a damp, soft cloth. Just a gentle wiping of the screen is enough. Rubbing, scrubbing and hard pressure can damage the screen.

Between cleanings, a little preventative maintenance will go a long way. Remember, it's important to dust your TV and its screen on a regular basis. Excessive dust will damage any electronic device.

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How Great Outdoor Lighting Brightens the Holiday Season

From twinkling candles glimpsed through a window to trees and shrubs decked in brightly colored strands, light can be the warmest welcome for your guests during the holidays. And if you've been thinking about enhancing the lighting above and around your front porch or door, the holidays are a great time to put that thought into action.

 
"People spend more time than ever before in the outdoor spaces of their homes," says Rick Seidman, president and chief executive officer of Quoizel Inc. of Goose Creek, S.C. "The front and back entry areas have become living spaces frequented by friends and family. This has led to consumers wanting to decorate and light these areas with the same importance as the inside of their home.

 

Attractive exterior lighting not only enhances your enjoyment of your home, it adds curb appeal and value, and can welcome guests with a feeling of warmth and security all year round. Good lighting is especially important during the holidays, when more guests will be coming to your door, the experts agree.

Homeowners thinking about upgrading their exterior lighting should keep some basics in mind, including scale, style, visibility and planning.

"Frequently, you see homes with outdoor lanterns that aren't large enough for the home or the area it's lighting," says Rick Wiedemer, Jr., certified lighting consultant and president of Hinkley Lighting in Cleveland. "When choosing a lantern to hang above your door, consider viewing your home's entry from the curb or coming up the driveway as a guest would."

 

A good rule of thumb for choosing a right-sized lantern is to pick one that is at least a third the size of the door, says Mark Rottner, president of Artistic Lighting and Designs in Norcross, Ga. "That means if your door is 7 feet high, your lantern should be 27 to 30 inches long," he says. "If you decide to go with a lantern on either side of the door, then each should be about 25 percent of the door's height."

Appropriately sized lanterns not only provide ample illumination for the area you're trying to light, they also impart elegance to a façade, says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky's School of Interior Design. "They really are a show of confidence."

The style of the lighting is also important, the experts agree. The style of your outdoor lighting should match both the design of your home's exterior and the lighting design inside the house.

"Lighting should be selected to accentuate the architecture, not detract from the beauty of the structure," says Jeffrey R. Dross, senior product manager with Kichler Lighting in Cleveland. What's more, he adds, "it's important the entryway lighting has a relation with driveway lights, landscape lighting, deck lighting and the rest of the lighting on your home. You want to avoid the 'flea market' approach where all the pieces are different."

If your home is colonial, Victorian, traditional, craftsman or contemporary, be sure to look for lighting that pairs well with the architectural style. For example, if the exterior color palette is warm, then brown or bronze light fixtures may be more appropriate, Dross points out.

Don't be afraid to incorporate some trends into your exterior lighting design. Some hot exterior lighting trends include the addition of crystals to different style fixtures, and - for upscale homes - natural gas lanterns in copper or brass. Layering several types of lighting at an entry is also popular, Wiedemer says. For example, if your door has an overhang, you may place recessed lighting in the overhang, paired with decorative lanterns on either side of the door and path lighting leading up to the door, he says.

"There's more variety than ever in outdoor lighting," Rey-Barreau says. "Pluralism is the trend."

Homeowners looking to temporarily enhance their outdoor lighting for the holidays have a host of options as well. Rottner likes the idea of putting exterior lights on a dimmer to create a warm, comforting mood. Weidemer recommends adding low-voltage landscape lighting, which is easy to install and can be moved or added on to in the future.

Attractive outdoor lighting can be a great way to welcome your guests at the holidays, the experts agree. "A warm glow by your front door indicates your personality, and the personality of your home," Rottner says.

To learn more about exterior lighting trends, designs and options, or to find a local American Lighting Association showroom, log on to www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com or call  (800) BRIGHT IDEAS (800-274-4484).  ALA is a trade association representing the lighting industry.

How To Avoid the 'Rakes and Pains' of Autumn Yard Work

As the leaves turn different colors and the weather becomes cooler,
many Americans begin to engage in outdoor cleanup.  Consider the number
of Americans injured in yard work accidents every autumn and you may
begin to suspect that "fall" is actually short for "pitfall."  Fall, it
seems, is becoming the season for back injuries, tumbles from ladders
and lawn mower accidents.

"Approximately 42 million people
seek emergency room treatment for injuries each year, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," says Brett Taylor, MD,
spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). 
"Many of these injuries can happen while performing seemingly routine
tasks, like autumn yard work."

The AAOS offers a few simple tips to avoid common autumn injuries while in the yard: 

Rakes and Pains

Brightly
colored fallen leaves are one of the charms of autumn, but raking them
also sends thousands of people to emergency rooms each year. Raking is
vigorous exercise, and you should pay close attention to your arms and
back to avoid injury.

To prevent injury from raking, be sure to:

* Warm up for at least 10 minutes with some stretching and light exercise.

* Use a rake that is comfortable for your height and strength. Wear gloves or use rakes with padded handles to prevent blisters.

*
Keep your vision free of impediment, like hats or scarves and beware of
large rocks, low branches, tree stumps or uneven surfaces.

* Vary your movement, alternating your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist.

* Wet leaves can be slippery; wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.

*
Do not overfill leaf bags, especially if the leaves are wet. To avoid
back injury, you should be able to carry bags comfortably.

* Never throw leaves over your shoulder or to the side. The twisting motion required to do so places undue stress on your back.

Clean up that Lawn

It
will soon be time to store the mower until spring, but chances are you
will mow the grass a few more times before the snow falls. Or, you may
use it to collect leaves or and lawn clippings. You may love your
lawnmower, but keep in mind it is a powerful tool - one that can cause
significant injury. In 2007, more than 225,000 people were injured by
power, manual and riding lawn mowers, according to the Consumer Product
Safety Commission.

To avoid lawnmower-related injuries be sure to:

* Make sure the engine is off and cool before you begin any maintenance work or refuel your lawnmower.

*
Never use your hands or feet to clear debris from under a lawnmower.
Use a stick or broom handle instead. Likewise, never touch the blades
with your hands or feet, even if the engine is off. The blade can still
move and cause serious injury.

* Never remove safety devices, shields or guards on switches.

* Do not leave a lawnmower running unattended.

* Wear protective gear like goggles and gloves, boots and long pants when mowing. Never mow barefoot or in sandals.

* Do not consume alcoholic beverages and mow.

Ladder Safety

Autumn
is a great time to clear out gutters, check roof integrity and wash
windows. More than 532,000 people were injured in falls from ladders in
2007, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

To stay safe on a ladder:

* Inspect the ladder for loose screws, hinges or rungs. Clean off accumulated mud, dirt or liquids.

* Make sure all four legs rest on a firm, level surface. Avoid uneven ground or soft, muddy spots.

* Before you climb, be sure all ladder locks and safety braces are engaged.

* Never sit or stand on the top of the ladder or on its pail shelf. These areas were not designed to carry your weight.

*
Choose the right ladder for the job. A step stool or utility ladder is
good for working at low or medium heights, for jobs such as washing
windows. Extension ladders are appropriate for outdoors to reach high
places, for when you need to clean gutters or inspect the roof.

*
Be aware of your balance. Be careful when moving items off a shelf
while you're standing on a ladder. If you have to stretch or lean to
reach your work area, it would be safer to climb down and reposition
the ladder closer to your work.

For more lawnmower or ladder safety tips, visit the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeon's Web site at www.orthoinfo.org

How To Go Green for Halloween

Halloween is the season of dress-up, make-believe and fun. Great preparation goes into buying costumes that transform young children, teens, college students and even adults into an array of characters including ghosts, goblins, witches, devils, superheroes and storybook characters. It's a time when it's okay to be something or someone other than yourself for a day.



This year some thrill seekers may want to consider Halloween alternatives to provide a new twist on an age-old event. During this season of green witches, slime and other spooky characters, going green for Halloween can extend the positive theme of protecting the environment even during this season of dress-up and make believe.

"Halloween is a perfect time to demonstrate commitment and concern for the environment," says Dr. Debra Huntley, program chair of the BA Psychology Program at the Argosy University Twin Cities Campus. "Protecting our environment is a year-round effort that is getting increasing attention from people from all age groups."

While the traditional ritual of trick or treat has its place, going green for Halloween is an opportunity to host a costume party and serve treats without food coloring or preservatives. Guests can enjoy healthier snacks like popcorn balls with salt and butter substitutes or caramel apples and fudge with sugar substitutes. The host can serve juice drinks, flavored water and apple cider instead of sugary soft drinks that are loaded with calories and caffeine. By preparing treats, money and the environment are also protected by not using extra packaging and wrappers. And with fall harvests, it's a great time to shop at a local farmer's market for nutritious, local snacks. Buying locally is not only a healthy choice, but patronizes vendors that are nearby as opposed to those that require resources to transport.

Going green for Halloween can also mean deciding not to drive that evening or identifying activities and events closer to home to reduce driving time and air pollutants from vehicles.

Dr. Huntley explains some youth or college-age groups may want to share the green Halloween spirit while lifting the spirits of senior living and nursing home residents. They can visit residents and share wholesome snacks, play music and lead a ghoulish and festive dance around the facility. In addition to enjoying the costumes, the residents can enjoy healthful snacks and the afternoon with friendly little ghosts and characters.

For those partaking in traditional trick or treat activities, Dr. Huntley encourages everyone to remember it is important to maintain safety and caution to ensure this is a fun and safe experience for young trick or treaters. Children should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible older sibling. Costumes should not be too tight or obscure vision. Children must be encouraged to cross streets carefully and always with a traffic light when present. Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods or at homes with whom you are acquainted. Many malls and shopping centers enjoy hosting trick or treaters as a fun community service initiative. Often schools help promote safety by encouraging teachers to let students trick or treat at various classrooms in the building. Some schools host a costume parade in the building or a fun assembly.

Whatever you decide, make this Halloween season a fun, safe, nutritious and tasty experience for all participants.

How To Compost Fall Leaves

Leaves turn brilliant colors, evenings cool and the kids go back to school. So long summer, hello fall garden cleanup.

You may already know that composting is a better way to deal with bags of leaves and backyard waste. But if you've avoided composting because it seems like too much work and mess -- or you just weren't sure how to start -- fall is a great time to try your hand at turning this year's yard debris into next year's natural fertilizer.



Composting delivers many benefits. Modern gardeners face strict waste removal ordinances in many communities. Plus, growing environmental consciousness inspires gardeners to minimize their eco footprint while cleaning up the back yard. Composting is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to convert your yard debris into "black gold" - a nutrient rich, all-natural, safe fertilizer for next spring's planting season.

Fall, by nature, is an exceptional time to begin composting. Dry leaves, grass clippings and woody materials represent a large percentage of total yard waste. Each offers either the carbon or nitrogen components necessary for the decomposition process that takes place during composting. Add air and water, and you're well on your way to rich, loamy compost.

The trick to successful composting is to maintain a working balance between carbon and nitrogen. A simple rule of thumb is to use one-third green and two-thirds brown materials. This allows oxygen to penetrate and nourish the organisms that reside within the material.

You don't have to live with an unsightly, foul-smelling compost heap to do your part for the environment. Compost bins and tumblers are a hassle-free way to create good-for-your-garden compost. Bins are basic, but tumblers add an element of motion, something that can enhance the quality of your compost.

The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler by Clear Air Gardening is a good example of how tumblers work to produce great compost. The Tumbleweed holds 58 gallons worth of kitchen scraps and yard waste. When full and finished breaking down, each batch contains enough compost for a medium sized garden or flowerbed, or a 10 feet by 10 feet area of lawn.

Unlike typical tumblers, the Tumbleweed features a stainless steel rod running through the middle of the bin that helps break down materials even more quickly than tumblers without a rod. The twist-lock, animal resistant lids on each end make filling and emptying the compost tumbler simple. Built-in vents allow rainwater to drain easily, keeping your compost moist, aerated and odorless. The end result is organic, nutrient rich compost in as few as 21 days. All that's required is a daily spin of the tumbler.

Compost materials can be added to bins and tumblers year round. Although the process will naturally slow or cease in the winter when temperatures decline, the process will resume again in the spring and summer as temperatures slowly begin to rise.

First time composters may be surprised to find that finished compost smells earthy, fresh and natural. They may be even more surprised to learn that compost can suppress plant diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and increase water retention in the soil -- all great benefits that ultimately save consumers money while safeguarding the environment.

Convenience and environmental stewardship aside, compost is essential to vibrant lawns and healthy gardens. The rich macro and micro nutrients in the well-aerated compost replenish the soil that grasses, shrubs, trees and flowers need to grow and fend off disease.

Compost started in fall can be used for planting fall bulbs, trees, transplants and as mulch to protect vegetation from winter's cold. Fall leftovers can be used to prepare the soil in spring for vegetable gardens, flowerbeds and around trees and shrubs. As mulch, compost will retain moisture in the summer.