Here’s a great energy saving tip: Simply by replacing one 60-Watt incandescent light bulb with one 13-Watt Compact Fluorescent light bulb (CFL) in your home, will not only would help you prevent a significant amount of toxins from pouring into our environment, but you will save money in the...
Bob Beisbier
Burning Odor from Light Fixture
Your nose knows. If you smell something burning and it’s coming from your light fixture don’t ignore it. If a light fixture gives off a burning smell, disconnect the fixture until you have determined the source of the odor. Overheating electrical wires and devices often emit a burning smell....
Thermostats
Turn down the heat at night or while you are away? A common misconception associated with thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been turned down, resulting in little or no savings. This misconception...
Basement Seepage
It’s that time of the year again! Unfortunately, heavy spring rains bring water problems to many basements. Basement leaks not only make life miserable for a home owner, but they can weaken the foundation of your home. Basement walls should seal out a moderate amount of water, but few...
Asbestos
In 1977, the official state rock of California was found to cause cancer. Asbestos–a building product hailed through most of the 20th century as a “wonder fiber” was killing workers who breathed its microscopic dust in mines, asbestos plants and shipyards, decades after their exposure. When the Environmental Protection...
Lead In The Home
A Serious Health Hazard: Lead affects practically all systems within the body. Lead in your home is nothing you should ignore. It poses a serious health threat to you and your family. High levels of lead (lead levels at or above 80 micrograms per deciliter (80 µg/dl) of blood)...
Facts About Mold
Molds can be found almost anywhere. Mold can grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present. Outdoors many molds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without molds we would all be struggling with large amounts...
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny animals you cannot see. Every home has dust mites. They feed on skin flakes and are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys, and fabric or other fabric-covered items. Dust mites are mostly harmless, but the body parts and feces of...
Efflorescence
Masonry or plaster with white-ish crystallization is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is primarily an appearance problem that occurs with masonry and often plaster. Rarely do these deposits of crystalline salts do any harm to masonry surfaces. In most cases, the efflorescence appears as a white dust or deposit on the...
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans have been around since before electricity! Why this lasting popularity? Certainly charm is one big factor. A fan fixture can bring distinction to a room. And for some people, the steady, quiet whirl of paddles evokes the romance of bygone days, of sultry summer afternoons. More importantly...
