According to Slow Living LDN, creating a considered home requires us to be thoughtful about what we buy for our spaces, first asking if prospective purchases are truly necessary. This is, in a sense, the antithesis of mass consumption and needless accumulation. Investing in the best quality items we can afford will help deter repeated purchases.

In addition, the outlet suggests that caring for pieces we already own is a function of slow living; this could mean anything from setting up revolving maintenance schedules for home systems to washing delicate clothing by hand. Green Lili recommends choosing sustainably made and second-hand items for their reduced environmental impact, and supporting brands whose business and manufacturing practices align closely with our values. 

A slow home is also a healthful home, therefore using natural and non-toxic products within its walls is key. Furniture, mattresses, and carpeting can release harmful compounds within our interiors. Cleaning and beauty products, kitchenware, and scented candles are additional everyday items that affect indoor air quality. Among ideas offered by Pure Living Space for how to make our homes healthier, organic bedding and textiles, low or even zero VOC paints and stains, beeswax instead of paraffin candles, and cast-iron instead of nonstick pans are suggested. Formaldehyde is another indoor air pollutant that is frequently used in the manufacture of pressed wood furniture; buying solid wood, secondhand, or antique furniture for our homes can help lessen our exposure to the chemical.

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TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Seven Midwestern states are teaming up to accelerate the development of hydrogen as a clean-energy alternative for automobiles and factories that rely largely on climate-warming fossil fuels, governors said Monday.

The partnership includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, whose economies are dominated by agriculture and heavy industry such as steel and automobile manufacturing.

“The Midwest will continue leading the future of mobility and energy innovation and has enormous potential for transformative hydrogen investments,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that already powers some cars, trucks, buses and trains. But a shortage of fueling stations limits their appeal. Some environmentalists are skeptical because most commercially produced hydrogen in the U.S. comes from natural gas, which emits greenhouse pollutants carbon dioxide and methane.

But hydrogen can be derived using electric currents from wind, solar or other means that produce few if any emissions contributing to global warming. Such “clean hydrogen” releases only water as a byproduct when used in a fuel cell.

“We don’t have to choose between clean energy and clean air and creating good-paying jobs and a strong economy — we can do both,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said.

The federal infrastructure law enacted last year included $8 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy to fund regional “hubs” that would step up clean hydrogen production and distribution.

Biden administration faces resistance on clean energy push

Climate legislation that President Joe Biden signed last month offers a tax credit intended to make clean hydrogen more competitive.

Those measures “made it almost certain that clean hydrogen development will become a major alternative for producing energy both in the Midwest and nationally,” said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer.

States in the Rocky Mountains and the Deep South announced regional associations earlier this year. Another was proposed for the Los Angeles Basin in California.

The Midwestern Hydrogen Coalition hasn’t committed to joint pursuit of federal funding, although smaller groups of states or industries might seek grants.

Instead, the seven-state partnership will focus on boosting development, markets, supply chains and a work force for clean hydrogen, according to a joint statement.

It will take advantage of assets such as the region’s pipelines and tanks for distributing and storing ammonia, which consists largely of hydrogen and is a key ingredient in fertilizer.

Hydrogen “could help us end the use of fossil fuels, and it could be especially helpful for industry, which is the hardest to decarbonize,” said Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer with the Michigan Environmental Council. “But not all hydrogen is clean.”

Midwest states should focus on hydrogen made from renewables and should not use their coalition to “delay moving our power systems to renewable energy and electrifying our buildings and transportation,” Jameson said. “We have the solutions and the momentum to do that now.”

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LAREDO, Texas (Border Report) — The Clean Air Laredo Coalition and the nonprofit Earthjustice on Tuesday announced plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it fails to set emission standards to regulate a cancer-causing toxin that is found in high concentrations in Laredo.

The EPA last week held a town hall meeting with residents in Laredo to discuss the harmful effects of ethylene oxide, which is an odorless and colorless gas.

EPA to discuss harmful emissions at public meeting in border town of Laredo

A risk-assessment study released in July by the EPA links ethylene oxide, or EtO, with an “elevated cancer risk in the Laredo community.” And the study directly linked those risks to a medical equipment sterilization facility, the Midwest Sterilization Corporation, which is located in northwest Laredo and near several schools.

• 

Laredo City Councilwoman Vanessa Perez, left, and Raul Garcia, legislative director with the nonprofit organization EarthJustice

“We’re giving the EPA 60 days notice to come out with ethylene oxide emissions standards across the country,” Raul Garcia, legislative director with the nonprofit organization EarthJustice said during a news conference Tuesday morning on the steps of the Laredo City Hall.

According to the EPA report, 10 schools in Laredo are among the highest in the nation with detected concentrations of ethylene oxide.

Garcia said EarthJustice has teamed up with the grassroots Clean Air Laredo Coalition to “demand” the federal agency gives communities, like Laredo, more protections against this chemical.

They also are asking that air monitors be set up on the border “to get accurate data about the chemicals,” he told Border Report.

Laredo City Councilwoman Vanessa Perez said the community was not aware of the dangers of ethylene oxide and did not know it was being emitted into the air.

“We didn’t know about it. It’s an odorless, colorless gas,” Perez told Border Report during Tuesday’s news conference. “Now we’re finding out that EPA knew about it for years.”

Midwest Sterilization Corporation has operated in Laredo since 2005.

In a statement to Border Report, the company said it takes its regulatory compliance seriously.

“We are currently in compliance with all federal and state emissions control requirements, and expect to remain in compliance, including when the new rulemaking is adopted,” the statement read. “EtO is an important tool in protecting patient health. Midwest is taking all steps necessary to ensure that patients across the nation and residents locally remain safe. Furthermore, we are currently working on additional emissions control measures ahead of EPA’s new rulemaking timeline.”

Baja artist using her work to save the Pacific Ocean

The Laredo City Council on Monday night approved subsidizing an air quality survey for Laredo.

Perez said they have asked five entities to participate, including two area school districts, and for each to fund $35,000 for the study.

The study will be overseen by the nonprofit Rio Grande International Study Center, which Executive Director Tricia Cortez says has monitored water quality in the Rio Grande for years, but they had no idea this cancer-causing chemical was in the air.

“Last summer we found out about this company,” she said. “They flew under the radar.”

But she said her community is galvanizing and demands help from federal and state officials.

“People often underestimate Laredo and it’s too bad,” Cortez said. “We have a fierce group of community advocates in South Texas. Here in Laredo, we take a stand and we hold our ground and we won’t back down until our people are safe.”

Cesar Ortiz holds a photo of his daughter Yaneli Ortiz, 15, who has leukemia as he participated Tuesday in a press conference in Laredo, Texas, held by the Clean Air Laredo Coalition. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

“There are a lot of kids who have been impacted by this and many more who will be impacted by this if we do not act now,” said Edna Jimenez, 36, a mother of three children ages 15, 11 and 8.

She said her son Higinio’s friend in 2019 was diagnosed with leukemia, and she said she knows many other families who are suffering. That is why she says she joined the Clean Air Laredo Coalition.

“We need air to breathe. It’s not a want. It’s a need,” she told Border Report.

Olivia Martinez says her son has a brain tumor. They lived near schools listed by the EPA as having an elevated risk for cancers due to air toxins. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

Olivia Martinez, whose 25-year-old son Alejandro Martinez was diagnosed with a brain tumor last month, could not hold back tears and she had trouble talking about him during Tuesday’s news conference.

She told Border Report that he has been sick since 2005 and he attended two schools listed on the EPA’s high-risk list for ethylene oxide.

“I had him in the afterschool program. I’m a single parent. He stayed there from 7:45 to 6 p.m. in the evening playing outside in the playground being exposed to this every single day,” she told Border Report. “I want answers. We were homeowners and never were told about this Midwest Sterilization Company.”

Martinez says her son has suffered from headaches, nose bleeds and eye ailments for years that doctors could not diagnose.

At Thursday’s EPA meeting, she received a list of environmental doctors, some in San Antonio, that she says they are now reaching out to for further evaluations.

“He has been suffering for so long,” she said. 

“He has been suffering for so long.”

Olivia Martinez, Laredo parent

She said Alejandro recently graduated from Texas A&M International University with an MBA, and he wants to go to law school, but now that is on hold.

They have since sold their home and moved to another area, but she says they know many former neighbors and classmates who are sick.

“They’re all sick. They all have cancers,” she said.

Garcia said Laredo has been “hit the hardest” by this toxin.

He said if the EPA does not implement standards then EarthJustice will file a civil suit under the Clean Air Act to try to force stricter regulations. He said the civil lawsuit would not seek to receive financial retribution but to set standards that would help other border communities and towns across the United States that also are affected.

On its website, the EPA said it was “reviewing controls on regulated equipment and processes that emit EtO to determine whether additional air pollution controls are needed.”

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – If you find yourself with itchy, watery eyes and sneezing more, well, you’re not alone, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Fall allergies are in full swing for many, and folks may be looking for some relief.

When do Utah’s national parks have free-entry?

“So this time of year, in the fall time, we will typically have ragweeds and molds,” said Sandra Hong, MD, allergist for Cleveland Clinic. “I like to break down the seasons into national holidays, so right around Labor Day to the first good snowfall, we will actually see a lot of the weeds pop up. There’s a lot more molds because it’s actually really damp out there and you’ve got leaves on the ground.”

Common symptoms of fall allergies may include a stuffy or runny nose, itchiness, watery eyes and sneezing, which you may be all too familiar with.

There are some different options available depending on the severity of your symptoms, however.

Nasal steroids are usually the number one treatment for allergies, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Hong also recommends taking an antihistamine on an as-needed basis.

If you’re someone who suffers from fall allergies, you should try to limit your time outdoors, if possible, experts say.

Closing windows in your home and showering daily may help to avoid pollen.

Utah mill turned radioactive waste dump

“Try not to do any sort of drying of clothes outdoors because when you have your sheets in the air, it’ll bring in all that pollen for you. So that can be really difficult and rev up your allergies at certain times,” Dr. Hong added.

Here are some more tips for avoiding fall allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
• Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
• Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Dr. Hong says that it’s surprising how many people may not realize they have allergies, and that if you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, it might be a good idea to make an appointment with an allergist.

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A woman who smashed up her Ford Everest with a crowbar in Korat, northeast Thailand, on Thursday says she wants “justice, not attention.”

The 42 year old businesswoman, Runghathai (surname withheld), resorted to clambering on her bonnet and smashing her windscreen because of an ongoing feud between her and Ford Thailand which began in March.

Runghathai says that she drove the new car less than 1,000 kilometres and encountered “loads of problems.”

When the car started playing up, Runghathai took it to the service centre. However, she said they didn’t fix any of the problems, so she decided to go to the Consumer Protection Board’s Nakhon Ratchasima Office for help.

Meanwhile, Ford Thailand has blamed Ranghathai for the car’s problems. Ford said that the woman installed an air purifier, which is an accessory which they said could “affect the tire pressure monitoring system.”

Ranghathai explained that she was previously in a bad car crash so she wanted to buy a car with an excellent safety system. Ranghathai was set on the Ford Everest after reading several good reviews.

The woman bought the car upfront for a price of 1.48 million baht on February 2 this year. In 30 days, Ranghathai had driven 938 kilometres in the car, when things started to go wrong.

On March 4, Ranghathai took the Everest, still under warranty, to the Ford service centre. However, the mechanic said the problem could not be solved without removing the air purification system that Ranghathai installed.

The service centre arranged an appointment for a “thorough repair” from 11am – 6.45pm on March 9. However, Ranghathai said she couldn’t go without a car.

The next day, Ranghathai went to the Korat Consumer Protection Board and requested if she could either have a new car of the same model or a refund. The board arranged to host a meeting with Ford to sort out the problem, but said she would have to wait until July 25.

However, no solution was found on July 25, so another appointment was arranged for September 22. In September, Ford told Ranghathai that she couldn’t have a new car, but her current car could be repaired.

To her shock and dismay, Ranghathai said the legal advisor accused her of snatching the key from the mechanic while he was fixing the car when he hadn’t finished tightening a bolt, so the problems were her fault.

That’s when Ranghathai resorted to smashing up the car. She hopes the act will publicise her story and will convince Ford Thailand to replace her car…

“I tried negotiating with them several times, but the service centre did not cooperate with me. When they made the accusation against me, it hurt my ears. People don’t understand how I feel. I’m gangster enough to destroy it myself and fix it myself. I don’t want fame, I just want justice.”

Netizens are confused because the real facts of the feud are not very clear. Some netizens think there is something fishy going on and some even accused her of being an attention-seeker.

SOURCE: KhaoSod

 

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THE Bradford Clean Air Zone will go live on Monday, almost four years after Bradford Council was ordered to draw up a plan to improve air quality in the city.

The CAZ, which will see the most polluting commercial vehicles charged to enter Bradford and sections of Shipley, has proved to be one of the most controversial political issues in Bradford in recent years.

In 2018 Bradford Council was issued a “ministerial direction” by Government to reduce illegal levels of pollution in areas of the District.

READ MORE: Residents air concerns as Bradford CAZ starts on Monday

Government department Defra argued that existing plans to improve air quality and reduce pollution would not bring air quality to legal levels in some areas of Bradford until 2027 – and that more drastic action was needed.

In the following years proposals to reduce pollution were developed, and in early 2020 the Clean Air Zone was announced.

It would see commercial vehicles that did not comply to certain standards charged to enter the zone, with non compliant HGVs and vans charged up to £50 a day.

Private vehicles including cars and motorbikes will be exempt from charging.

READ MORE: Bradford Clean Air Zone: Vehicle charges and how to pay

Bradford Council and health organisations have highlighted how the illegal air quality was harming the health of people in Bradford – particularly children, and leading to high levels of asthma and respiratory conditions.

Health bosses have praised the scheme. Professor John Wright, clinician and Chief Investigator for Born In Bradford, said it was a momentous step forward for public health – comparable to the smoking ban or seat belt laws.

However, like both those changes, the plans met with a huge backlash.

Many small businesses have argued that the charges would place too great a burden on them – and they could not afford the extra cost.

Some have said they planned to increase costs to their customers to pay for the charge.

And other critics have said the plan will lead to Bradford becoming a “ghost town.”

The Conservative opposition on Bradford Council argued that a charging Clean Air Zone was not needed, and that there were other ways of reducing pollution.

But Bradford Council has argued that it was Government that pushed for the action – and signed off on the charging plan.

Council bosses said Bradford had a requirement to bring air quality to legal levels.

At a recent Council meeting, members were told that other options, such as introducing electric buses or park and ride schemes, would not improve air quality enough to satisfy Defra.

It has since emerged that £2 from every CAZ charge will go to Government coffers.

The remainder of the income from the CAZ will be used to fund its operation, with any remaining money used for further environmental improvement schemes, such as providing further grants to help businesses upgrade vehicles.

The Clean Air Zone included a huge funding package from Government, with Bradford Council given millions to hand out to local businesses to upgrade their vehicles.

And Bradford Council has offered exemptions to smaller businesses to allow some of their vehicles to avoid charging.

So far the majority of the District’s taxis have been upgraded to be Clean Air Zone compliant, along with the vast majority of Bradford’s buses.

New figures show grants have been awarded to upgrade almost 2,900 vehicles.

And over 6,500 exemptions have been awarded for vehicles in the District.

The Clean Air Zone will go live in the early hours of Monday morning.

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Ray Templeton was known for his work on the mic at hundreds of Montgomery Viking athletic events over the years.

So much so he earned the nickname “Mr. Montgomery.”

But he was beloved for the things many didn’t see or hear about: Work days to clean up the Montgomery campus, the planning of events to support all manner of Vikings’ activities, and the check-ins with friends and family just to see how they were doing, to show a little support.

“All the people who has helped and touched in his life, it’s one of those things you take for granted,” said Jason Lea, a longtime friend and fellow Montgomery graduate. “You take stock of that when someone leaves you.”

Templeton was stricken and collapsed while hiking with his wife, Tiffany, son Zack, and other family members in Colorado on Sept. 3.

People attempted to revive him, Tiffany Templeton said, but he died.

He was 59.

Born Oct. 9, 1962 to Jan and Floyd Templeton, Ray graduated from Montgomery in 1981.

He wore number 55 on the football team and loved his high school experience. Those years inspired a lifelong commitment to supporting the school in ways both big and small.

He did game announcing for the boys basketball program for years until the girls team asked him to call their games, too. So he did.

Dean Haskins, a Montgomery graduate and the school’s longtime athletic director, said he’s spent countless winter nights standing next to Templeton in the gym as he worked the microphone game after game.

He’d arrive early so he could learn the names of the visiting team and get a handle on the contest he’d be calling.

He never took a Thanksgiving or winter break vacation — he refused to miss a game.

“If you asked him, he did it. If you needed something fixed, he fixed it. If you needed a ride, he gave you a ride,” Haskins said. “If we wanted to upgrade the trophy case, Ray was the first one there with a measuring tape figuring out how to do it.”

But it was his quiet generosity that moved Haskins the most.

In 2017, Haskins was dealing with lung cancer. When the wildfires struck in October, the air was filled with acrid smoke. It was dangerous for everyone, but especially someone with compromised lungs.

Haskins heard a knock on his front door. When he got there, no one was there but there was an air purifier on his porch.

“He texted me, ‘I just wanted to make sure you are safe, buddy,’” Haskins said. “And he got in his car and left. That was Ray.”

For longtime Montgomery girls soccer coach Pat McDonald, also a Montgomery graduate, Templeton was the guy who got things done. The things a lot of people don’t see, but notice when they are complete.

He pointed to the scores of banners and pennants that hang in Montgomery’s gym.

When the facility was getting an overhaul, it was Templeton who spearheaded a project to remove every banner, have them cleaned, and organize them chronologically before putting them back up.

“He just cared,” McDonald said. “He did the grunt work, all the behind the scenes work to make it a good experience for the kids.”

Friends say Templeton was constantly showing up for people, whether it was driving to Danville to watch a friend’s son play baseball, or doing a surprise Slurpee run for neighborhood kids.

“My kids called him ‘Uncle Ray,’” Lea said. “If something was going on in their life, it was ‘Uncle Ray will help me.’”

Templeton coached all three of his sons in a wide field of sports: soccer, basketball and baseball.

He had run Ray Templeton Auto Glass since 2013, but his heart was in volunteering.

But he knew how to have fun, friends said. In fact, he didn’t know any other way.

“He thought, ‘Life is fun.’ Seriously. That is no joke, if you were around Ray Templeton, you were having a good time,” Lea said.

A celebration of life will be held for Templeton on what would have been his 60th birthday: Oct. 9. It will be in Montgomery’s gymnasium.

“Ray would have hated any kind of sad affair and he loved his birthday,” Tiffany Templeton said.

In addition to his wife, Templeton is survived by sons, Dylan Templeton of San Diego, Zack Templeton of Denver, Colorado, and Jake Templeton of Santa Rosa; his parents Jan and Floyd Templeton of Santa Rosa; and sister, Charlea Templeton of Santa Rosa.

You can reach Staff Columnist Kerry Benefield at 707-526-8671 or [email protected]. On Twitter @benefield.

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Originally Appeared Here

Hackaday Editor-in-Chief Elliot Williams took time out from Supercon planning to join Staff Writer Dan Maloney for a look through the hacking week that was. We always try to keep things light, but it’s hard sometimes, especially when we have to talk about wars past and present and the ordnance they leave behind. It’s also not a lot of fun to talk about a continent-wide radio outage thanks to our angry Sun, nor is learning that a wafer-thin card skimmer could be lurking in your ATM machine.

But then again, we did manage to have some fun by weighing cats to make sure they’re properly fed, and making music by pegging VU meters. We also saw how to use PCBs to make a beautiful yet functional circuit sculpture, clean up indoor air on a budget, and move microns with hardware store parts. And we also got to celebrate a ray of international hope by looking back on the year that taught us much of what we know about the Earth.

Check out the links below if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in the comments!

Direct download here!

Episode 186 Show Notes:

News:

What’s that Sound?

Interesting Hacks of the Week:

Quick Hacks:

• Elliot’s Picks:
• Dan’s Picks:

Can’t-Miss Articles:

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Insulation keeps a home warm in the winter and cools in the summer, making it one of the most effective ways to conserve energy at home. By increasing the insulation in your home, you can make sure that you use energy efficiently and make the best use of natural resources.

 

To make sure there are no insulation issues, proper maintenance is required. There must be some insulation problems if there is poor indoor air quality, observable too-cool or too-warm temperatures in the home, and increased energy costs. However, there are some fast ways to examine your home for insulation problems and fix them.

But, before going through them, let us know the equipment you might need to fix insulation issues.

Equipment You Might Need

Your insulation fixing project can run more quickly, smoothly, and safely with the following tools and equipment:

• A tape measure to measure the region being insulated and the insulation itself.
• To cut insulation, use a straightedge, perhaps with a yardstick or 2×4.
• Utility knife to cut insulation.
• A stapler to connect facing insulation or framing.
• Stud welding equipment might become handy to fix hydraulic lines and electrical enclosure issues.
• Utilize a putty knife or screwdriver to wedge insulation into tight spaces.
• To seal floor or ceiling plates and any other holes where air may enter, use a caulking gun and caulk.
• Dust mask to reduce short-term irritability from inhaling dust particles.
• Safety glasses or goggles provide eye protection from airborne particles as well as other potential threats.
• Long pants, a loose-fitting shirt with long sleeves, and gloves can all help to reduce skin contact with insulation.
• Dependable work boots to avoid equipment risks and dust from insulation.

The steps you might take to fix any issues with your insulation are as follows:

Top 8 Steps to Consider While Fixing Your Insulation Materials at Home

1. Inspecting the Insulation

Always wear long sleeves, long pants, a face mask, safety goggles, and safety gear when working with your insulation. Fiberglass is one of the most popular types of insulation, which can readily shatter into jagged fragments when touched.

2. Determining the Insulation Type

The most popular insulation types are fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. Look more closely if you’re unsure of the model you have right away. The kind of insulation you have may usually be determined by looking at it. For both repairs and replacements, utilize the same kind of insulation.

3. Verifying the Level of Insulation

To determine whether the insulation in your outside walls is sufficient, utilize an electrical outlet. Go to the breaker and cut the outlet’s electricity.

A bright flashlight should be flashed into the box’s crack after removing the outlet cover. Any insulation in the walls ought to be visible. Repeat the process, inspecting the insulation on each story of your house.

Note the areas that don’t have any or enough insulation. All exterior walls should be fully and adequately insulated, although different insulation levels are advised depending on where you reside.

4. Looking into the Ventilation

Make sure there is no insulation covering the vents in the house, particularly those in the attic. Vents that are clogged make it difficult for air to move through, which results in poor ventilation as well as air quality. Check your roof for leakage or poor ventilation if you have water stains on the ceiling.

Your roof may develop ice dams as a result of poor ventilation in the winter, which can result in roof damage, leaks, and moist insulation. No matter the weather, you and your family can stay comfortable inside your house thanks to proper ventilation.

When you are in your attic, search for mildew and mold. If you see any, it can indicate a more serious ventilation issue. Because mold can be difficult to remove, contact a mold removal specialist in your area for assistance.

5. Detecting Air Leaks

Instead of worrying about finding every small air leak in the home, focus on any signs of larger leaks that let cold air in or warm air out. Leaks frequently occur in the following areas: attic doors, attic floors, vent fans, dropped soffits, dryer vents, crawl spaces, duct registers, outdoor faucets, etc.

6. Repairing Your Insulation

You should have found air leaks, inadequate ventilation, or general insulation concerns during your check. You can handle this on your own if you’ve worked with insulation and sealed leaks before. But when working with insulation, it’s preferable to contact a professional.

7. Repairing Air Leaks

Where the leak is will determine how to remediate it: Air leaks on windows, doors, and around ductwork, plumbing, and electrical wiring should be caulked and weather-stripped. You may use fire-resistant sealants, such as sheetrock and furnace cement caulk, to stop leaks around the furnace, chimney, and gas-powered water heater vents. Foam sealant can be used on larger leaks.

While you can usually seal air leaks on your own, if you’re not comfortable dealing with these materials or simply lack the time, don’t hesitate to contact a contractor. Long-term savings on your energy expenditure is easily possible by sealing air leaks in your home.

8. Improving Insulation as Necessary

Insulation may appear fluffy and safe, but it could pose a health risk if it touches your skin or if you unintentionally breathe it in. Additionally, if you make mistakes, you could harm your house’s ventilation and eventually impair the air quality. If you haven’t worked with insulation before, hire a pro to handle this task.

Final Words

Nobody enjoys living in a drafty home that is impossible to keep cool in the summer or warm in the winter. Even worse, these drafts and warm or cool patches in the house can be signs of a bigger problem, such as extra moisture getting inside the house without permission, which can result in unpleasant odors or even mildew.

So, proper insulation is required to avoid these issues. Fix them as soon as possible, and if you are doing it by yourself, do not forget the suggestions mentioned above so that you can make sure to have a proper insulation system around your home.

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Originally Appeared Here