Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Small Tips on Maintaining Proper House Ventilation

For creating an air tight home through air sealing techniques, proper ventilation is needed to prevent moisture and indoor air pollutants. So, it is necessary to have proper home ventilation for creating an healthy and energy-efficient home.

Here are some tips for maintaining a proper ventilation of your home:

  • Ventilation of the moisturized areas should be directly placed towards outside. This is especially significant for washroom or bathroom, which normally produce more moisture than any other places in the house. Also apply the same type of ventilation system for the appliances like dryer, which produces more moisture than any other household appliances.
  • With improper ventilation, attic radiates heat into living areas during summer. So, keep the house cool in summer by maintaining proper natural ventilation.
  • A whole house fan can be used to keep the atmosphere cool in home. It lowers heating and cooling costs, reduces indoor odors, pollutants and freshens the atmosphere of your home. This is called whole house ventilation which controls air movement using small fans and duct systems. But most probably it does not work very well when the outdoor temperature or humidity is much higher than the indoor temperature.
  • Use exhaust fans in kitchen to keep your kitchen cool and clean away from insects. This is called spot ventilation which controls air movement and removes pollutants and moisture at their source.
  • Open the windows once the humidity drops below the natural humidity, so that moisture does not build up inside the rooms.
  • Make a proper decision of the placement of window fans if needed, to control the indoor temperature as closely as an air conditioning unit does. Turn on your window fans when it is cool outside than inside.

Ventilation is very important for a house, hence, follow the above tips to have a good ventilation in your home.

Know the Maintenance Tips of an Electric Fireplace

Electric fireplaces have become popular in providing warmth along with an elegant décor to your home. However, certain necessary maintenance measures have to be followed to keep them in an effective and safe functioning mode.

The electric components or wiring should be considered and checked frequently to maintain the perfect operation of an electric fireplace. They should be in a good condition without being frayed. If anything is found worn, stop using the fireplace till the problem is solved. Any exposed wires may cause risk of fire hazards. So, be careful to check them regularly. Some of the models have fan which is needed to spread the heat throughout the room. Any breakage or malfunctioning of the fans should be checked often to maintain effective function. A professional look at the fireplace to check the working order is very much necessary.

The glass window and the surrounding areas except the brass of the electric fireplace should be cleaned using a mild soap and warm water mix. However, use a brass cleaner to clean the brass area of the fireplace. Even a sponge or an old toothbrush with a slightly acidic substance shines up the brass surface. Remember to avoid using anything abrasive on metal as it scratches the surface leading to permanent damage. Once it is cleaned, dry it up with a soft cloth or rag to wipe and clean it. The other thing to be checked in an electric fireplace is light bulbs. Light bulbs which are used to give the visual appeal of fire should be replaced if necessary to ensure bright fire effect. Ensure that you follow these maintenance tips to retain the proper working condition of an electric fireplace.

Know Certain Tips to Maintain Convection Heaters

When considering to purchase a convection heater, it is necessary to keep in mind certain important features of a heater. One among them is their maintenance. It's not just sufficient to install a heater and leave, certain proper maintenance measures should be taken in order to ensure effective function of the heater for a long time. Here are some tips to maintain convection heaters.

Convection heaters are of different types based on the source of fuel. Kerosene heaters, oil-filled heaters, gas heaters and electric heaters. Kerosene heaters include combustion processes which release certain destructive fumes into the air. Hence, proper ventilation should be provided to allow them to go out. However, the ventilation requirements depend on the size of the room in which the heater is installed. Also, the gas heaters need installation of specific fuel lines which should be carefully checked. Otherwise, any breakage of these lines may result in severe dangers.

When considering electric convection heaters, ensure that there are appropriate power outlets. Better avoid using extension cords and prefer to plug the heater to the outlet directly. With an extension cord, there are increased chances of fire, overheating and electric shocks. However, if an extension cord is necessary, then consider a proper rated one which is suitable for the heater. Do not forget to switch off the heater when it is not in use. Keep your kids and pets away from any sort of convection heaters.

Most of these heaters have moving elements like fans which enable the movement of heated air throughout the room. Clean them regularly and check if they are in proper working condition. Otherwise, replace the parts with new ones. One of the important things you should remember is that the old models are more prone to accidents and hence, replace them with new ones and avoid any risks. Purchase the best convection heater considering these things and enjoy warmth in chilled rooms.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Benefits of Opting Pet-Friendly Hotel

For pet owners, their pets are the part of their family and so, wish to take them for a vacation. Fun and enjoyment can be enhanced at the vacation spot with your pets. However, you should consider a pet-friendly hotel to make your vacation a wonderful memorable experience.

Pet-friendly hotels allow or accept pets to stay along with you in the hotel. They offer specific pet amenities such as pet food, bowls, snacks, etc. They even provide an area for walking and playing for the pets. This area should be, however, at a distance from the stay so that other guests are not disturbed. Pet-friendly hotels also ensure specific medication required to your pet when needed. In case of emergencies or when the pet is sick, they ensure veterinarian services if necessary. However, not all hotels offer these services. So, better check these considerations when booking the hotel much before when you plan the vacation.

If you want a separate room for your pet, check with the hotel management before reservation. Many travel resources provide the information regarding these various services. Surf internet to get the right hotel that offers your preferred services for the pet. Remember that these pet-friendly hotels have certain rules in terms of the age, size, or training the pet requires before it can stay on the premises. So, when planning a vacation, prepare your pet first as to how to behave in social areas. Leaving your pet alone in the hotel makes it bored. So, plan your vacation activities accordingly and have fun with your pets.