The Debate on Whole House Air Purification Systems vs. the Good Old Fashioned Open Window!

I recently heard that my city is one of the worst in the nation when it comes to air quality. (A good excuse not to get out for a jog…right?) Well, it got me thinking about what simple things that I could do in my own environment to improve the quality of air. Here is some debatable information that may blow your mind! Sorry to all you “Green Design” Lovers out there. Sometimes I don’t think that we realize the ramifications that “new-to-the market” building materials may have on our health.

As it turns out, indoor air quality has become one of the major concerns of the Environmental Protection Agency. Strangely enough, air inside homes and offices is more toxic than the worst outdoor air – possibly two to five times worse, especially in newer, energy efficient houses. Insulating properties designed to keep winter’s cold air out and summer’s air conditioning in are not assisting you in improving the air quality in your home. The old fashioned exchange of indoor/outdoor air doesn’t happen often enough in the newer energy efficient homes to keep interior air safe to breathe. It is times like these that I am glad I live in an 80 year old home! LEAD RULES!

The reality is that the implementation of new materials that can reduce your overall utility bill may also result in higher health costs. Allergies are on the rise. One study determined that 54% of our body’s energy comes from the air we breathe, so the stuffy air indoors – where most of us spend 90% of our time – are depleting our body’s natural resource for defense on every level while it attacks our immune systems with an overload of used air.

The traditional solution of “opening a window” isn’t always possible in office buildings.

Studies show that air filtration and purification systems can correct the problem. As I began to search for systems, I saw a mind-boggling assortment of options in a wide price range to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Not one filter or purification system can meet all needs in all areas, so it’s important to know what you are shopping for in an air cleaning system for your home.

Here are some pros and cons highlighted in pursuing a system, if you choose to at all:

These are key words that you will find on packaging or labels in the specifications of various systems

• Ionizers: This is a process used in conjunction with other kinds of filters. It emits a small electric charge to the air stream which draws air through it; this creates a magnetic-like attraction for pollution particles and causes them to adhere to the filter.

• Electrostatic Precipitators: Filters the air by creating opposite charges on metal wires or plates; this attracts and holds dust, pollen, smoke and other particles as small as .0001 microns on a metal, glass or fiberglass assembly that can be washed and re-used.

• Ultraviolet Light Purification: Passes the air through a UV system that destroys bacteria, viruses, and dust mites of any size.

• Ozone Releasing: Destroys all bacteria that comes in contact with the ozone, and leaves a “fresh” smell in the air. We associate this with the clean smell following rain, because some ozone, carried from the outer atmosphere where it protects us from harmful sun rays, remains in the lower atmosphere after a storm.

The safety of ozone gas in interiors, however, is questionable; it can irritate the lining of lungs and exacerbate breathing problems. The US federal government has set standards depending on the rate of filtration and room size recommendations. The Canadian government has banned the sale of ozone releasing air purification systems.

• High Efficiency Particulate Air (hepa) cleaners capture airborne pollutants .3 microns or larger; this includes some tobacco smoke, household dust, and pollens. The are designed to remove 99.97% of the particulates that pass through the filters, which cannot be cleaned and re-used; they must be replaced. They have no effect on fumes, viruses, bacteria, smaller mold spores, and some tobacco particulates.

• Ultra Hepa: A more efficient version of the hepa, the makers of these filters claim that they remove out 99.999% of the particulates that pass through them.

I often wonder if we are getting too smart for our own good. What does “environmentally friendly” really mean? What is “All Natural”? Did you know that you can buy a bag of “All Natural Doritos” at the grocery store now? We live in a society that has managed to put a label on everything, making us all believers in better ways to live our lives. Mother Nature is our oldest and most natural cleaning process. I think that our bodies adapt to our surroundings. Sure, some of us may feel that we will live longer than others due to the air quality around us, but in the end, we all have to “live” somewhere. Even if the Amazon was noted as having the best air around…what would happen if we ALL moved there? Not so great anymore…right?

Through all of my searching, I find myself laughing…just crack a window and live your life! Get outside for awhile. I have decided that instead of investing in an air purification system, I think a nice outdoor breeze sounds much better than recycling used indoor air.

What are your favorite outdoor activities? How do you feel about this green living trend?  Share your thoughts and pastimes on here!

Bathroom Renovation with Radiant Floor Heating

My husband and I decided to renovate the master bath when the pan under our shower sprang a leak. This of course meant the existing carpeting was gone. Hurray!! We chose tile this time around. Seemed like a logical choice – messes could be cleaned up easier from tile than from carpeting. We discussed electric radiant heating and decided that typically the floor would be covered with throw rugs so not to bother. Big BIG Mistake! Nothing will wake you up faster on a cold February morning in the Midwest than missing the rug, finding the tile with your foot.

When you are already down to the sub floor (this is the rough floor before we expose the structure), it is time to install radiant heat. This is what I have learned since we redid our bathroom. Radiant heating is comfortable and when your feet are warm, you are warm. Because the entire floor is heated, there are no warm spots by the heat vent (if the builder decided to put a heat vent in the bathroom) and cold spots farther away. Because of the sense of warmth permeating through your feet, heating your entire body, thermostats are likely to be kept a few degrees lower than forced air systems.

Radiant heat can be hydronic (water) or electric. Hydronic heat is expensive and complicated to install. Electric radiant heat is like putting down an electric blanket. It consists of a series of small wires looped through the area to provide a consistent heat throughout the room and costs far less than hydronic. For a single room, electric radiant heat is the answer and should have been the answer we chose.

To set up an electronic system for our master bath we would have first made a scaled drawing of the space. The wiring does not go under any of the cabinetry, tub, shower enclosure and should be 6” away from toilet and bidet wax seals (don’t even begin to think about melting those guys). This drawing is used to determine how much wiring will be required. ThermoSoft has great directions and pictures from getting started through laying the tiles. This link shows how mats are cut and laid to fit in your space. A licensed electrician will hook up the new electrical circuit (a dedicated 15-20 amp GFCI ) and connect to the thermostat. The wiring is covered with thinset and your tiles are placed on the thin set in the pattern of your choice. The grout is applied and voila a warm AND beautiful floor.

A bathroom size electric radiant heat floor will cost between $400-$700, including the cost of the new tile, and consume the same amount of electricity as 3 100 watt light bulbs.

For more information about radiant heating check out these sites:

Warmzone

ThermoSoft

SunTouch

Interior design fact finding: Where do you find your answers?

Have we all become a little too dependent on Google? Or maybe we think only the best of choices can be made standing in the aisle of your favorite Do-It-Yourself mega store? If you are a “research before execution” or an “inspired by what I see on the display” person, there are a variety of ways to make visualization become reality nowadays.

I live and breathe in the design community on a daily basis. When I am inspired by something, I depend on a variety of resources to find better understanding of how it is created. For example, last week I was in a Thai restaurant (I ordered the Pad Se Ewe, medium spice with tofu, delish! I highly recommend) and they had a very subtle paint treatment on the wall that was just stunning. It was a crossing paint technique that made the wall look as if it was woven with different variations of sheen. From my observation, the wall had low, medium and high gloss paint in the same hue. Feeling inspired by this, a set off to figure out how this wall was created began.

Choice one, internet research. Knowing what combination of words to type into a search line in order to yield the result you are looking for is a new age art form, in my opinion. After trying a few different combinations including; “basket weave paint effect”, “multi-sheen paint pattern” and (my favorite) “paint effects with sheen variation,” I struck out. Therefore, I decided this would take a more effective research method.

Second attempt, the local paint shop. Success!! I was not only able to get personal attention and ask specific questions here, but I got good advice and walked away really feeling like I could accomplish the technique myself.

Being a good interior designer not only means knowing what I want a space to look like, but being a good communicator. If my painter can’t understand what I am looking for when I say “Can you make this wall look basket weaved?”, then I need to be able to explain the process. In the end, good research equals good results. No matter what path works the best, doing your research is always key!

Kitchen Appliances: Out with Stainless, In with Bronze!

As the Olympics begin tomorrow, I thought I would write about kitchen metals and a new trend that I see spreading in the very near future.

Jen-Air is a few steps ahead and, although they released the new kitchen suite back in 2006, we have yet to see it really catch on. Perhaps it is because not everyone can afford the Jen-Air kitchen and the competition has yet to launch a comparable option. Or maybe it is that people are afraid to choose something different. In my opinion, it is warm, comfortable, timeless and beautiful!

I can’t begin to tell you how tiring it is to see Real Estate ads posted with key words like: 42” cabinets and “Stainless Steel appliances!” As if we should all be jumping for joy that yet again, someone followed the boring rule of re-fabricating their kitchen with stainless steel. It is expected. It is NOT creative and it is definitely a “quick fix” to sell. Whoever said that everyone has to have stainless steel? It sort of makes me feel like the kid at the bus stop who didn’t have the same brand of back pack as everyone else and dared to be different…and was considered an outcast because of it. You better have stainless if you want to be cool!

Take a look at the Jenn-Air Oiled Bronze kitchen suite, which I think is an improvement to the sterile-ness of stainless. Jenn-Air created a true original with select refrigerators, dishwashers, wall ovens, cook tops, warming drawers and hoods that combine a rich bronze finish . The bronze finish combined with stainless steel handles and hardware give a unique impression of depth, warmth and style. Whatever style that you claim to be yours, rustic earthy look or classic town and country impression to urban modernism, these appliances could work wonders in your home.

How do you feel about bronze?  Disagree with me about stainless steel?  Make your argument and maybe you can sway my thoughts…but maybe not?

What is LEED?

Being green is all over the news these days. How many times have you picked up a newspaper to read about another LEED certified building? Do you find yourself wondering what LEED is?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED buildings are certified through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures (www.usgbc.org).” Every couple of years an updated rating system is released. Individuals can take the LEED Accredited Professional Exam. In 2009, individuals are now accredited in their specific area of work. There are 5 types of exams: LEED for Green Building Design and Construction, LEED for Green Interior Design and Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance, LEED for Homes, and LEED for Neighborhood Development. Many professions are responsible to help make a building LEED certified. Some of these professionals are Architects, Landscape Architects, Electrical Engineers, HVAC Engineers, Civil Engineers, Interior Designers, and Construction Managers. Basically, anyone involved in the building has to play a part in the process; from manufacturers guaranteeing their products meet certain minimum standards to the actual workers who build and execute the installations.

The LEED rating system is determined from meeting a minimum number of credits. Buildings are certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum depending on the credits that are reached during the design and construction process. Main areas that LEED addresses are Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. There is also an additional section for Innovation and Design which may allow an achievement over the minimum requirements for a credit or a creative solution to making the building more sustainable.

During the process, paperwork, drawings, photos and many other items are submitted two different times during the project for review through the Green Building Certification Institute. They are responsible for determining if the building has met the necessary requirements to become certified. The Green Building Certification Institute has taken over administrative responsibilities during certification for the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a time consuming process and will only get done if everyone works together as a team!

If you are interested in having your home or business LEED certified, research a qualified professional in your area to assist in determining what your needs will be. This can be done by searching for a LEED AP. For more information go to the U.S. Green Building Council’s website at www.usgbc.org

Mold Remediation: First steps to recovery before it even happens

I may not be a disaster recovery specialist, but I do know a few things when it comes to water damage. The mainstay statement that I will never forget is that water takes the path of least resistance. Yes, it can be an absolute nightmare. I can remember my very first attempt on a job site which had suffered severe water damage during a flood, thinking to myself…where do you begin?

Well, if you have experienced a basement flood, or perhaps a skylight leak…maybe even a cracked foundation that suddenly creates a new faucet in your home that you can’t turn off, run! The flood gates have officially opened! Guess what? The worst part is that the towels and a mop are only the beginning to the multiple steps in taking care of the problem.

I learned my lesson the hard way when my husband and I had the pleasure of dealing with this animal (also known as water) in our basement. I had gone downstairs to take clothes out of the dryer before going to work that rainy morning. Suddenly I felt cold, wet feet, and in a whole new way was a definite sign of nerves. ***I HIGHLY recommend that everyone who is reading this take a trip to the hardware store this weekend and purchase a sub pump. This model is a little bit more expensive than the one we got our hands on, but it will save your life when you least expect it! The final race during a downpour to the store where sub pumps and shop-vacs are flying off the shelves is not the ideal time to run out and get one. Now that you have discovered that you aren’t alone, everyone who lives in your area may too be suffering from this monsoon!

Sub Pump to the rescue – We tarped off the area in our backyard where the water was sitting, attached a hose to the thing to take the water away from the house, ran an extension cord to it for power, made sure that it was submerged in at least 3” of water at all times and played WAR with the Rain Gods for the rest of the day! By hooking the pump up outside ( BE VERY CAREFUL MIXING ELECTRICITY AND WATER IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS), we managed to keep the water from entering into our home.

The storm eventually stopped and we were able to begin clean up. Remember in the very beginning when I mentioned my very first experience with flood damage at a clients home? Well, I have never been more grateful for the lessons I learned there! Here is a list of things that I recommend preparing for:

1. Those old beach towels that you never thought you would use suddenly come in extremely handy.

2. Get out that old dehumidifier and pray that it still works.

3. Oh yeah, don’t forget the shop-vac! More often than not, this water isn’t pretty- suction is key in a major way!

4. Simultaneously call a professional Disaster Recovery Specialist to come out and assess the damages as well as your home owners insurance agent. Depending on the severity of your damage, you may consider filing a claim. Both professionals that I listed will have different numbers on their paper when it comes time to pay out….compare their notes!

5. Don’t forget to tell the Disaster Recovery Specialist that you may need a series of air blowers and an air scrubber. These are key ingredients to ensure proper dry out and may need to run for days, even weeks depending on the nature of your damage. Your insurance agent may come with a moisture detector. Make sure that someone has one on-site within 24 hours . These devices will measure the moisture content in the air as well as the effected areas on the walls, floor, furniture, etc. Make sure you take a reading in an unaffected area in your home to compare the percentages of moisture. Take notes, date them, keep record. It will help you with your claim in the end.

6. Air blowers and air scrubbers are key ingredients in salvaging your home from any mold growth. An air scrubber takes out all of the impure and excess moisture in the air, wall surface and potential mold spores that will begin to grow. Air Blowers are like giant hair dryers that sit on the floor (they are just as noisy – imagine having a dozen going at once).

Bottom Line is…

Every case is unique in its own way – there is no way of determining how bad it will be until it happens. But by following my steps above, hopefully you will be on a better path to recovery, long before the word “MOLD” has to come into the picture.

One Local Business Operator’s View on Social Media

In a recent post at Dan McCarthy’s Viralhousingfix blog there was an interesting ground level story about a local cycling/spin studio operator’s view on his own experiences with social media as a tool for expanding his business.  I happen to know the operator, and he is a practical smart thinker that never overstates matters or sugar coats his experiences.

The operator, Bill Pryor of Spynergy Cycling Studio (full disclosure: Bill is an old media hand and good friend, and we have used his expertise to help us develop our DigitalSherpa social media services) had this to say about social media as tool for a small businesses like his:

First, all this is still exploratory and the best practices are far from well defined —– but it doesn’t take much time (or money) to explore and there is more than enough anecdotal stuff happening to make me feel it is worth it. Second not ALL my customers are into this stuff……not even MOST of my customers and prospects are into it. But a small, passionate and fast growing group ARE into this. And those people are disproportionately important because they are those key “connectors” or “engagers” or whatever it was that Malcom Gladwell called them in Tipping Point. The ones who ARE into social media often can turn into obsessive evangelists for your business. Evangelists armed with amazing networking tools.

Check out the post at Viralhousingfix.com to see some examples of how some of Bill’s social media savvy customers have helped him promote his local fitness business.  Also, read this post on local businesses and social media .  If you are interested in checking in on Bill’s blogging approach for Spynergy, find it here at spynergy.squarespace.com/blog .  It is just another example of how social media can be an inexpensive but powerful boost for small businesses.