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Spray Foam Insulation:
Spray foam insulation is foam that is sprayed into attics, crawlspaces, ceilings or anywhere else you have insulation. The biggest difference between spray foam insulation and pink/yellow/white fiberglass insulation is that the foam is able to fill in all nooks and crannies; as a result it is a better insulation. Holes are filled and the house is warmer in the winter, therefore no cold air escapes from the house in the summer. Spray foam also has a longer life span than your typically fiberglass insulation since it adheres to the surface it is applied and can’t sag and fall like fiberglass insulation can. Added bonus is that it doesn’t cause skin irritation when touched. As for indoor air quality there are no fiberglass particles floating around in the air. Closed cell spray foam doesn’t absorb water so it resists becoming a harvest area for microbial growth. Most homes insulated with spray foam have a higher resale value and can expect to save more on their utility bills. Definitions: Closed cell foam- All of its tiny foam cells are closed and packed together. Its density is ranges from 1.7 lb. /cu. ft. to 2.0 lb. /cu. ft. and has an R-value of around 6.0 per inch (aged R-value); it will give a recognized R-value of 10.0 to 20.0 per inch depending on the application and uses high R-value blowing agents. It also has a greater resistance to the leakage of air or water vapor. Open cell foam- Where the tiny cells of the foam are not completely closed. They are broken and air fills all of the “open” space inside the material. Its density typically weighs in at 0.4 to 0.5 lb. /cu. ft. Open-cell SPF has an R-value around 3.5 per inch and typically uses water as the blowing agent. It will absorb water.
Low Level Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors:
The purpose of a low level carbon monoxide detector is to alert someone when CO levels are above 10 parts per million (ppm). Most standard CO detectors only detect when the levels are above 70 ppm for over an hour. CO levels increase when incomplete combustion occurs in a variety of home appliances. The major cause of high levels of carbon monoxide in the home are faulty ventilation of furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, cooking stoves, grills and kerosene heaters. Other common sources are car exhausts, and/or gas/diesel powered portable machines. Faulty or improper ventilation of natural gas and fuel oil furnaces during the cold winter months accounts for most carbon monoxide poisoning cases. Installing one or more of these low level CO detectors is the first way to prevent CO poisoning from occurring. To protect the consumer we recommend not installing a rechargeable battery because the power drains from them faster than that of a regular battery. Attic Tent: Radiant Barrier Solutions:
Attics get hot in the summer because of the rise in temperature. Heat transfer is the passage of thermal energy from a hot to a colder body. There are 3 ways that a heat transfer moves. One, heat conduction which is where the heat flows through solid objects (i.e. burner on stove). Two, convective heat transfer which is when heat moves from one place to another using fluid (i.e. how you get water to boil on a stove). Three, radiant heat is heat that passes through air, heating solid objects that in turn heat the surrounding area (i.e. a radiator). All people give off radiant heat. Option 1: Radiant Barrier Foil Radiant barrier foil blocks up to 97% of radiant heat which is unlike fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation merely slows down the rate of radiant heat transfers. This works by reflecting the heat back towards the direction from which it came. This decreases the temperature in your attic, which if your HVAC system is installed there will reduce the wear and tear on your system. It will also prevent additional hot air from entering your duct system if ducts are in your attic. Overall this will make home more comfortable and save on your utility bills. Option 2: Reflective Coating Reflective coating works in a similar fashion as radiant barrier foil however only reduces blocks 65% of radiant heat and is in the form of paint. This paint can be applied directly to the wood in your attic. This coating will also help decrease the wear and tear of your HVAC unit and duct system. Duct Sealing:
Duct sealing is another way to save on your energy bills and increase the comfort in your home. Duct sealing is done by using a mastic sealant and/or metal tape. In addition more insulation around or in your duct system may be required. Making sure that connections are sealed properly at vents and registers to floors, walls, and/or ceilings are also part of duct sealing. Another added benefit of duct sealing is improving your indoor air quality. Fumes from household and garden chemicals, insulation particles, and dust can enter your duct system, which can aggravate asthma and allergy problems. It reduces the risk of pollutants and particulate from entering your duct system and circulating through your home. Can Light Air Seals: Can light seals are for recessed light fixtures. The purpose is to create an airtight barrier which prohibits the passage of conditioned air through the recessed fixture and out of the living space. House Doctor Treatment: The house doctor treatment is when two Healthy Home Diagnostics Sealant Specialists come to your house for eight hours and seal leaky areas throughout your home. These leaky areas might be in the duct system, around electrical outlets, in your attic, etc. Your consultant will tell which areas of the home need to be sealed. Attic Renovation: Attic renovation is when all the pre-existing insulation is removed with a vacuum and seal all penetrations going into the home. Healthy Home Diagnostics will re-install insulation; fiberglass, spray foam, or a combination of both. This will make the attic completely sealed, including the floor. Each attic renovation is custom to each home. Crawlspace Renovation: A crawlspace renovation is when Healthy Home Diagnostics removes all possible organic matter that could puncture the floor of your home. Removes all pre-existing insulation and re-installs insulation; fiberglass, spray foam, or a combination of both. Each crawlspace renovation is custom to each home. Please note that this renovation will not solve water or flooding issues. Do-It-Yourself Mold Test Kit: This kit is designed for the homeowner to test their individual house for the contamination of mold spores. Once the homeowner performs the test, the test will need to be sent to a laboratory for testing and results. Dehumidifiers: Often people will turn up the air conditioning in their home and still continue to feel uncomfortable. One of the main contributing factors is humidity. An air conditioner alone does not remove the humidity in your home. A dehumidifier installed as part of your central air system will remove the correct amount of moisture from your home making it more comfortable. Air Filtration:
UV lights can be installed in your duct work so that it may wash the air from harmful bio-organisms that live in the air and duct work of your home. When the air containing these microorganisms pass through the UV light in the duct work, the light penetrates the organism and breaks down its molecular bonds. This causes cellular and genetic damage that renders these microscopic particulate harmless. Air Scrubber: The activTek INDUCT 2000 substantially reduces odors, visible smoke in the air, and microbial populations on surfaces, utilizing the patent pending ActivePure technology. Steam Humidifier: To put moisture into the air, humidifiers can use different methods. A steam humidifier disperses water vapor into the air by boiling the water. Water is piped directly into a steam unit, so you don’t have to fill it yourself. The evaporated steam is pure and clean and does not contain bacteria or mineral deposits. This is a self regulating unit. It will make your home more comfortable during the dry months. Intergraded IAQ Controls: There are several products that will allow you to control either your dehumidifier and/or steam humidifier from your thermostat. HVAC and Duct Design Service: Not only can Healthy Home Diagnostics help you increase you comfort in your home, but we are also certified to design your HVAC and duct system according to ACAA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) manuals J and D. Builder and Remodeler Consultation: Healthy Home Diagnostics is able to give a consultation, beyond the HVAC system, on how to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable. Training: We offer green building training and seminars for your organization.
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