Dryer Vent Clogs

Do you know where your dryer vent terminates?  Many may be surprised to learn terminations through the roof such as the one pictured above are very common throughout our area.  Dryer vent terminations are equipped with weather flaps in order to prevent energy loss and/or pest access, but when screens are added, clogs and increased risk of fire result. Thousands of fires associated with dryers are reported annually.  If  you have noticed lint built up on the wall behind your dryer, inefficient dryer operation or longer drying times then it's time to take a look at the lint within your dryer exhaust for possible clogs, especially at the termination. Use extreme caution when working on roofs or employ the service of a qualified professional.

Clean Filters Make Safe Stoves

Your stove's vent hood is there for every cooking adventure, but doesn't get much credit. Show your appreciation by keeping it in tip-top shape.  Clean standard filters with a degreasing solution, followed by warm, soapy water, or put it on the top rack of your dishwasher.  In units that use activated charcoal filters, replace those filters on a regular basis.

Hemcrete®: Carbon Negative Hemp Walls

Buildings account for thirty-eight percent of the CO2 emissions in the U.S., according to the U.S. Green Building Council, and demand for carbon neutral and/or zero footprint buildings is at an all-time high. Now there is a new building material that is not just carbon neutral, but is actually carbon negative. Developed by U.K.-based Lhoist Group, Tradical® Hemcrete® is a bio-composite, thermal walling material made from hemp, lime and water. What makes it carbon negative? There is more CO2 locked-up in the process of growing and harvesting of the hemp than is released in the production of the lime binder. Of course the equation is more complicated than that, but Hemcrete® is still an amazing new technology that could change the building industry.

Good looking, environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable, Hemcrete® is as versatile as it is sustainable. It can be used in a mind-boggling array of applications from roof insulation to wall construction to flooring. Hemcrete® is waterproof, fireproof, insulates well, does not rot [when used above ground] and is completely recyclable. In fact, the manufacturers say that demolished Hemcrete® walls can actually be used as fertilizer!
Available for years in the U.K., Hemcrete® is only now finding its way into North America. The species of hemp used to manufacture Hemcrete® is illegal to grow in the U.S., making Hemcrete® an expensive option for U.S. builders for now. As pressure for more sustainable building materials grows, lawmakers are certain to revisit this and other similarly restrictive statutes, particularly if there is money to be made. And judging from the success of Hemcrete® in Europe and elsewhere, there is plenty to be made; it is so profitable overseas that Hemp Technologies, one of the biggest manufacturers of hemp products in the UK, is actively recruiting as many new growers as it can.

Read more: Hemcrete®: Carbon Negative Hemp Walls | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Cleaning Decks with Laundry Detergent

Is your wood deck looking winter worn? Laundry detergent can be used for more than just colors or whites. Here is a great outdoor use for your laundry detergent. As the weather gets warmer, you may want to clean all traces of winter from your wood deck. Powdered laundry detergent and hot water is usually enough to spruce up your winter worn deck. This mixture acts as an abrasive and a cleanser. To eliminate mildew from your wood deck, use a 10 percent bleach solution. Use a power washer for extra cleaning power, and finish with a thorough rinse for a bright summer deck.

Swing Set Safety Tips

·                          Ensure the swing set is erected at least 6 feet away from any building or fences.   Position the swing set in a shaded area, so that surfaces won't get too hot to the touch.  Use sand or pea gravel, or a rubberized surface under the swing set, as these materials absorb the impact of a fall much better than dirt or grass.  Make sure toddler swing sets are at least 2 feet above ground so kids can't use it on their own

Refrigerator Seal Dollar Bill Test

You can save cold hard cash on your utility bills by actually putting a dollar bill in your refrigerator.  It's essential that your refrigerator door seal is tight.  Leaky doors waste lots of energy over the course of the year.  To test the door, close it over a dollar bill.  If the bill pulls out easily, you may need to adjust the latch or replace the seal to save some cold hard cash.

Cold Water Cash

To save money while washing clothes, try using cold water instead of hot water. Improved detergents and modern technology mean you need a lot less hot water for your laundry, and instead can use cold water.  Replace your old washing machine with a new energy efficient model and you can use cold water to save cold hard cash while washing your clothes.