(NC)—Warm weekends are prime time for yard work and outdoor projects. To avoid turning tasks into turmoil, be sure to take a few extra moments to ensure the power tools you use are safe. CSA Group, a leader in electronic product testing and certification, offers tips to help ensure the safety of you and your family while doing yard work this weekend:

General Tips for Yard Maintenance

• Ensure products such as electric lawnmowers, barbecues, power tools, ladders, decorative lights, extension cords and safety apparel carry the mark of a recognized or accredited certification organization such as CSA Group.

• Protect yourself by wearing certified protective eyewear and footwear. Hearing protection should be worn when operating loud machinery, vehicles or tools.

Lawnmowers

• Before mowing, take the time to remove objects in your yard that may obstruct your moweror that could be flung by the rotating blades.

• Never clear an obstruction in a running mower. If the mower is electric, turn off the power and unplug the machine. If it’s gas, turn off the power and make sure the engine isn’t running and that all safety features have been activated.

Portable Power Tools

• Never use a power tool that has a cracked casing, loose parts or frayed cords. Ensure all safety guards are in place and in proper working order.

• Make sure the tool is turned off before it’s plugged in or unplugged. Always unplug the tool before changing parts such as drill bits or cutting blades.

• Use only electric power tools that have either a three-prong plug or double insulation with a heavy enough gauge (wire size) to handle the electricity load. Use an outlet with a ground fault circuit interrupter to protect against electric shock.

Extension Cords

• Check extension cords for wear and damage before each use. Discard any cords that are frayed or have damaged insulation.

• Never connect more than one extension cord together. Instead, use a single cord that is long enough to reach from the outlet to an appliance or tool.

• When working outside, only use cords clearly labeled for outdoor use.

• Never run an electrical cord through a doorway or under a carpet. If a cord becomes hot when plugged in, discontinue use immediately and replace with a heavier gauge cord.

More safety tips are available online at www.csasafetytips.com.

Source: www.newscanada.com

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Safety should always be a top priority around your home. As much as possible, you want to keep your home clean, organized, and hazard free. If you implement proper safety measures, you can  minimize the risks and hazards that could harm you and your family.

One of the riskiest aspects of a home is the electricity. There are constantly instances of houses catching fire due to faulty electrical work or electrical shortages. Preventing house fires is one reason to make sure you maintain proper electrical safety, but there are other reasons as well.    Proper electrical work will help extend the life of your home appliances and other electrical devices. It will also help you save more energy, which consequently saves you money.  Lastly, it keeps you safe and secure because it minimizes the chances of you being electrocuted.

To help you properly maintain your home electricity, here are a few useful tips you can follow:

• Keep your home dust-free. Dust accumulation is not only unhealthy, but it can also create cause major electrical hazards.  When dust accumulates in your electrical devices or outlets, they will run ineffectively, which can cause them to break or even catch fire.
• Leave the electrical repairs to the experts. Do not attempt to do any electrical repairs yourself, especially if you do not have the education and experience to do them.  There are major risks involved in electrical repairs and saving money up front by not paying an electrician is not worth it if your life is at stake.
• Avoid overloading an outlet. Do not try to insert too many plugs into a single outlet. If you have other electrical outlets at home, try to utilize them in order to keep the electrical flow balanced.
• Unplug appliances when they are not in use. Aside from saving you money on energy costs, it is also safer because it prevents the possibility of an electrical shortage from happening.
• Schedule a regular electrical checkup. This will ensure that your electrical wires are not faulty and everything is safe and secure.

Source: Heather & Alan Davis

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Ventilation Systems

Home ventilation involves removing stale, moist indoor air and replacing it with fresh outside air in a controlled manner. This process is necessary to create a healthy indoor living environment. Proper ventilation also ensures air is circulating through the home and that adequate humidity levels are maintained.

If you have a metal exhaust chimney (when a natural gas water heater, or mid or standard efficiency furnace is in use), warm, moist air continuously exits your house through it. This draws cold, dry air into the house through cracks in walls and around the windows and doors, providing uncontrolled ventilation. This uncontrolled and continuous chimney ventilation helps to dehumidify homes in winter, but may consume excessive heating energy. A high efficiency natural gas or electric furnace may minimize or eliminate this uncontrolled ventilation.

Reducing or eliminating this chimney ventilation will save energy, but may also increase humidity levels, reduce air quality and change the way that air leaks into and out of your home. Homes usually become slightly more positively pressurized.

An increase in humidity and air pressure could cause doors and locks to freeze up, increase condensation/icing on interior surfaces of well-sealed windows, and frost build-up between the panes of poorly sealed windows. To make your home more comfortable:

• improve the weather stripping and caulking around your windows and doors (but not on storm doors);
• cover your windows using a window insulator kit (clear heat-shrink plastic over the inside of windows and frames) in the winter;
• install a ventilation system that may consist of exhaust fan(s), a fresh air intake, a heat recovery ventilator, dehumidistat and/or timer controls;
• run an exhaust fan for a couple of hours each day; or
• replace old, poorly sealed windows with modern, energy efficient windows (preferably triple pane).

Types of Ventilation Systems

• Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) – The purpose of a HRV system is to exchange the air in your house on a regular basis, thereby ensuring that the interior air is fresh and healthy for your family. It removes stale, polluted, humid air from the kitchen and bathrooms, directs it through the HRV unit in the basement and then exhausts this air outside. The HRV unit simultaneously brings in an equal amount of fresh air from the outside to replace the exhausted air. As the cold and warm air streams pass in the core of the HRV, the outgoing household air gives off heat to preheat the incoming cold air. The fresh air then passes from the HRV into the return air duct of the furnace where it is filtered, heated to room temperature and distributed throughout the entire house. To help air distribution, the furnace fan runs on low speed mode whenever the HRV is in operation.
• Ventilating Fans – Ventilating fans or mechanical fans can be mounted in the wall or ceiling (bathroom fans, range hood fans and utility room fans) and are used to remove stale, polluted, or humid air from inside the home. Ventilating fans are individually controlled by a switch or a timer and are manually turned on by the occupant when ventilation in a specific area of the home is required (i.e. in the kitchen or bathroom).
• Central Exhaust System – these systems are similar to a ventilating fan in that their primary purpose is to remove stale, polluted, or humid air from inside the home. However, a central exhaust system draws the contaminated air from multiple locations in the home via one central exhaust fan rather than multiple fans throughout the home. Central exhaust systems can be controlled by a standard switch, dehumidistat (a control that measures indoor humidity levels and when they become too high turns the switch on), or timer.

Ask your furnace contractor if an HRV or other changes to your ventilation system may improve the indoor air quality of your home. Finance ventilation improvements through our Power Smart Residential Loan.

Source: Manitoba Hydro

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

During the summer when there are hotter days and less rain, water consumption soars. This not only creates an environmental impact, but it also causes water bills to increase.  Fortunately, there are several ways you can preserve water to help minimize both of those things.  One of the main things to keep in mind is being aware of when you use water, so you can only use what you need and avoid being wasteful.

Below are some tips on how you can save more water this summer:

• Check and repair leaks. One of the major causes behind increased water bills is leaks. Leaky faucets or pipes waste a lot of water, and what appears to be only drip can add up very quickly. Make sure that there are no leaky pipes in your home.
• Wash full loads of laundry. If you are constantly washing only a few pieces of clothing at a time, you will be wasting a lot of water. Combine your linens with your clothes or wait until you have full loads before you do laundry, so you minimize your water use.
• Take short showers. Instead of taking long baths, take a quick shower instead.  Showering uses significantly less water than taking a bath, especially if you keep them short.
• Water your plants during the cooler parts of the day. If your water your plants in the middle of the day when the sun is the hottest, the water will easily evaporate, and you will have to use more water in order to keep them watered enough. Try to water your plants early in the morning or in the evening, so the water will sink in more thoroughly, and your plants will have a chance to drink it before it’s gone.
• Use water-efficient appliances. If you have old appliances that need to be replaced, when you choose new appliances, look for those that guarantee less water usage and higher efficiency.
• Utilize rain water for things like washing your car and watering your plants. Though rain may be scarce in the summer, take advantage of it when it is there and store the extra water by using rain barrels that will collect it.
• Scrape leftover food off your plates before you wash them.  This will allow you to use less water when washing your plates.

Source: Heather & Alan Davis

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Electrical fire is a common occurrence during the hot summer months because many homes utilize more energy, especially when it comes to cooling their homes. Air conditioning added to the use of electric fans, televisions, computers, and other entertainment devices used by kids while they’re out of school starts to add up from an electric usage perspective.

Practicing electrical safety is one way to ensure that your house is safe from possible fire due to electrical overload. You can start by plugging in fewer electrical devices at one time, so they will not easily overheat. Here are some other useful tips you can follow to ensure proper electrical safety:

• Have your electrical wiring checked. It is recommended to have your home checked by an electrician for faulty wires or other signs of electrical hazards. This way, if you find any faulty wires, they can be replaced before they have the chance to cause any damage.
• Avoid overloading your electrical sockets. There are so many things to do at home that require plugging in. But, what you may fail to realize is that using an electrical fan while charging your phone, while working on your computer, while watching TV can overload your circuits and cause a potential fire or shocks.  Plug into different outlets if you need to plug in more devices. Otherwise, let the others wait.
• Listen to your appliances. Are there times that you feel a slight shock from your appliance?  Is the fuse broken?  If there are signs of abnormalities in your appliance, do not hesitate to have it checked. These are signs that there is something wrong with it.
• Manage your electrical cords safely. There are times when your electrical cords may become pinched between furniture or get tacked down. If this happens, the insulation within the wiring can easily become damaged, and the added pressure can compress the conducting wire.
• Use outlet covers. If you have kids at home, it is recommended to install covers on your outlets. This will discourage them from putting their hands inside the outlet and risk getting shocked.

Source: Heather & Alan Davis

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Optimize your air conditioning system

(NC)—Switching your thermostat from “heat” to “cool” is usually a sign that summer is fast approaching and it is time to start thinking about your central air conditioning system. According to a recent national survey from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI), only 16 per cent of Canadians bother to make sure their air conditioner is working at optimal capacity. While a yearly check-up is best left to a qualified contractor, there are some things homeowners can do to avoid an ill–timed malfunction of their central air conditioning system, as follows:

• Clean or replace the furnace filter. The air conditioner needs the furnace to circulate the air and a dirty filter circulates dust and other particles throughout the house, cutting down on a furnace’s efficiency.

• The thermostat should be set below the room temperature and not set for cooling below 20 degrees Celsius which can cause a multitude of problems with your air–conditioner, including freezing up. Ideally, set the thermostat to 25.5 C when at home; 29 C when away.

• Turn the humidifier off during the summer cooling season. Leaving the humidifier on will only increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder.

• Close your drapes or shades on sunny days and ensure all windows in the house are closed.

• Close off vents in any unused rooms.

• Use ceiling fans to circulate the air.

• Book a qualified professional to make sure your air conditioning system is operating safely and efficiently. This is done by calling HRAI toll–free at 1–877–467–4724. More information is also available online at www.hrai.ca.

Some government agencies and utilities offer incentives and rebates for homeowners to maintain or replace their air conditioning units. Information on these programs can be found online at www.hrai.ca/rebatesincentives. .

Source: www.newscanada.com

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

(NC)—With the arrival of sunshine and summer heat, many Canadians venture up north to the family cottage to spend the weekend by the lake. Along with beach towels and sunscreen, Canadians are now packing their laptops and tablets to work remotely from the cottage, or even from the dock.

An industry report from IDC Canada predicts the Canadian mobile worker population is growing because of devices like smartphones and tablets that now offer better data rates and plans, allowing employees to work remotely. Thanks to these wireless devices, it’s never been easier to setup a connected workspace in the cottage.

To help get away from the grey office walls, here are some tips for creating a connected cottage workspace:

Set up a secure Wi-Fi hotspot – Use a Rogers Mobile Hotspot to easily connect up to 10 Wi-Fi devices. So whether you’re using your laptop or tablet, you’ll stay connected to a fast and secure network so you can send emails or file reports from the dock.

Make use of collaboration tools – Take advantage of web-based video or audio to participate in conference calls and meetings while away from the office. Rogers One Number is a service that allows customers to make and receive video and audio calls from a laptop or tablet with their Rogers wireless number.

Access online shared drive for storage – save and access your reports and files through an online portal like Dropbox or Skydrive to back up your data in the cloud. Check into the VPN access from your employer so you can directly access your work files from anywhere.

Source: www.newscanada.com

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Your home’s plumbing and electrical systems are two of the most important systems that allow you to live safely and comfortably. Unfortunately, these two systems are also key sources of damage to your home that will put your home insurance policy to work. Even more concerning is the possibility that some damage caused may not be covered by your policy. To understand what is covered and not covered, it is helpful to also understand your home’s routine maintenance needs. By taking care of these two systems on a regular basis, you will eliminate most of the potential damage and avoid uninsured claims.

When approaching home maintenance, you should view your house as a complex piece of machinery, not unlike your car. Most people would not think of deferring maintenance on their vehicle, having a relatively good understanding of the benefits of regular inspections. Your home is really no different and you should approach it in the same fashion with the same desired outcomes.

Plumbing

Problems with your home’s plumbing can lead to all sorts of damage and not always issues that are obvious and insured. For example, an undetected, slow leak over time can result in rotted wood and moldy drywall. The home insurance policy is clear on its refusal to cover any damage caused by repeated or continuous seepage of water from any plumbing system or fixture. It will also exclude any damage associated with mold, fungus, or rot. However, sudden and accidental water damage is generally covered by the policy. Regardless of insurance coverage, it is still best to do everything you can to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Here are some simple maintenance tips you can follow to help prevent problems.

• Monitor your water bill and usage for any abnormalities. If your water all of a sudden increases but you don’t think you’ve changed your usage patterns, there’s most likely a leak somewhere.
• Replace angle stops before they fail. These are the connections under your sink or behind your toilet that connect to the home’s main water source. Older stops can burst and cause water damage. Replacing them before anything happens is inexpensive and a much better proposition than a major water leak that goes on unchecked while you’re not at home.
• Immediately repair any leaks. This might seem obvious, but many people will allow a small leak at a faucet to go on for some time before repairing it. Leaks generally don’t fix themselves. Instead, they tend to get worse over time so it’s best to fix them as soon as you notice them.
• Regularly inspect your water heater for any leaks or inefficiencies in operating. Especially important is the anode rod that helps prevent rust to the water heater tank, thereby prolonging its life. The rod should be inspected regularly and the City of Scottsdale, Ariz., has provided a helpful document for its citizens to use in inspecting their own heaters.

Electrical

Unlike water, electricity is not visible or generally tangible and, as a result, tends to be overlooked when it comes to home maintenance. So long as the power is on and the myriad electrical appliances and devices are operating, most people don’t give it a second thought. However, electrical problems are a significant source of fires in the home and poor wiring can also become liability when it causes injury to others. Electrical Safety Foundation International produces an electrical safety workbook with some tips to keep your home’s electrical system in top working order. Some of the things you can easily do on a regular basis are listed below.

• Test your ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to ensure they are working properly. These outlets have a button for you to push that will tell you if their protection is still valid. You will commonly find these types of outlets in your kitchen and bathroom.
• Inspect your outlets and plugs to make sure they aren’t overloaded. When you buy a new electrical device, it’s common to plug it in immediately to start using it. This cumulative effect means you sometimes have too many devices plugged into one outlet. Regularly take the opportunity to unplug unnecessary devices or redistribute them around the house.
• Do you have outlets that regularly spark when you plug something in? Or do you have outlets that no longer have enough tension to securely hold a plug? If so, don’t delay; immediately have an electrician replace these potential dangers.
• Inspect your electrical panel for anything that seems out of place. If there’s anything loose or buzzing, those are signs you may need repairs or replacement.

By taking the time to regularly inspect and maintain your plumbing and electrical systems, you can avoid costly repairs and damages to your home. In many cases, preventative maintenance will not only help you avoid damage, but it will also help you avoid damages that are uninsured, which are an even costlier proposition.

Source: HomeInsurance.Org

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

A clean furnace system is at the heart of a healthy home

(NC)—When spring cleaning your home this year, why stop at the surface? A home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system – the ‘heart and lungs’ of a house – is often left forgotten. Keeping the system clean and well-functioning is essential to ensuring the air in your home is healthy and safe.

Consider the following:

• A dirty furnace is a breeding ground for bacteria.Furnaces are easy to neglect. Over time, dust and dirt can accumulate in your home’s ducts or air filters, and these dirty filters can become ‘ground zero’ for airborne germs.

• Poor ventilation can lead to moisture and the growth of mold. When the air in your home is too humid, fungus and bacteria can start growing and releasing spores into the air. This can have health consequences for your family – sensitive family members may begin to experience headaches, itchy eyes and irritated skin.

• A dirty HVAC system costs more money.If you use a ‘forced-air’ heating system, dirty filters will force the fan to work harder than it needs to. This can put strain on the system, leading to bigger energy bills and more wear and tear.

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) maintains a list of qualified contractors who can inspect your home and recommend repairs, maintenance, or custom-built solutions to persistent problems. To find a qualified contractor who can keep your home’s air healthy and safe, visit www.hrai.ca or call 1-877-467-4724.

Source: www.newscanada.com

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Source: Manitoba News Letter Feb 2013

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.