General Rules for Holiday Safety Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children. Avoid smoking near flammable decorations. Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do. Be sure to PRACTICE THE PLAN! Avoid wearing loose flowing […]
Part 2 of Thanksgiving Day Fires in the United States. Building fires are divided into two classes of severity in NFIRS: “confined fires,” which are those fires confined to certain types of equipment or objects, and “nonconfined fires,” which are not. Confined building fires are small fire incidents that are limited in extent, staying within […]
Loose-fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. Although installation costs may vary, blowing loose-fill attic insulation—fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose—is usually less expensive than installing batts and provides better coverage. STEPS FOR INSTALLING LOOSE–FILL AND BATT INSULATION Seal all attic-to-home air leaks, especially chases, dropped ceilings, wiring and plumbing penetrations, light fixtures, […]
Part 5 of Get Your Power from the Sun. Can you locate your system so it works well? A well-designed photovoltaic system needs clear and unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day, throughout the year. You can make an initial assessment yourself. If the location looks promising, your photovoltaic provider […]
Part 4 of Ways to Save Money on Energy at Home. Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 44% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. What’s more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit over a […]
Part 2 of Cooling Your Home Naturally with Fans and Ventilation. Natural ventilation relies on the wind and the “chimney effect” to keep a home cool. Moving air ventilates your home by entering or leaving windows, depending on their orientation to the wind. When wind blows against your home, air is forced into your windows. […]
Part 5 of Cool Your Home Naturally. Nothing feels better on a hot day than a cool breeze. Encouraging cool air to enter your house forces warm air out, keeping your house comfortably cool. However, this strategy only works when the inside temperature is higher than the outside temperature. Natural ventilation maintains indoor temperatures close […]