Now that fall is here, I really need to get serious about this furnace.  So I went to the basement, pulled the filter out and saw what I can only describe as a dust and spore filled mess.  Since I don’t want to risk the furnace giving a less than stellar performance in our iconic Buffalo winters, I decided to do a little research about what type of filter is best.   My confession serves as a reminder to all homeowners to get your furnace ready.   Why is it such a big deal? A clean and functional filter improves home cleanliness of the air, helps save energy, and reduces wear on the furnace blower motor. 

Let’s get this clear.  I am not a filter or furnace expert.  But I have come to learn there are several types of filters including: fiberglass, pleated, electrostatic , HEPA and media.  It’s up to you to determine which type of filter your system can handle and find the balance between the right balance between cost, efficiency and particulate collection.

The most common type is use is the inexpensive fiberglass filters.  Although the price may be right, there are several problems with the cheap fiberglass panel filters.  They get clogged very quickly and must be changed monthly.  Clogged filters prevent your furnace from moving as much air as it was designed to do, which causes it to run longer to heat your house, which in turn adds to your gas or electric bill (so saving moving up front may still cost you money in the long run).  Another reason for not settling on the cheap filters is that the cardboard edging is susceptible to mold growth.  If that’s not enough, the edging does not provide a good seam around the frame; therefore you’re more likely to have unfiltered air circulating in your home.

Since I am into reuse and clean air, naturally I started looking into the washable and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.  What I learned was surprising. The washable ones are great for reducing waste, but tend to lose their efficiency the more you wash them.  And the HEPA filters are what you call “front loading” meaning the surface catches at the front because the weave is one standard thickness.  Unfortunately front loading significantly restricts air flow once they become somewhat clogged; so these type of filters need to be checked regularly.

With my past unpredictable pattern of changing filters, I know I need something that I only have to change very couple of months.  I found something that strikes a great balance between furnace efficiency by not restricting air flow and the collection of particulates.  It’s made of a media that combines a course material first, medium and fine.   Two great things about it (1) I only have to change it every three months (when the system is running) and (2) Its made from a local company!   If you want more information about my great find, send me an email at info@blueskydesignsupply.com.

Regardless, I want to banish ants, mosquitoes and other pests from my home.  Seeing that there is growing evidence that synthetic pest control can be harmful to both humans and animals, I decided to research how to do it in a natural way.  Surprisingly I found that some common items can combat unwelcomed visitors. 

• Cucumbers – the skin of cucumbers (the more bitter the better) is a natural deterrent to a host of bugs including ants, flies, wasps and moths.
• Spearmint & Peppermint – have been known to repel ants.  Consider growing them around the perimeter of your home.
• Mint & Basil – both smell great and happens to repel flies.
• Thai Lemongrass  -  natural and effective mosquito repellent. It contains citronella.  In fact, lemon grass citronella is considered more effective than true citronella as an insect repellent.  Grow some in potted plants around your home.
• Grits – If you actually want to eliminate a colony of ants and eliminate the queen.  Sprinkle instant grits on the ant hill.  The workers will carry the grits to the queen for a meal.   Long story –short, the grits will expand in her stomach and she will bloat to death.   With the queen gone, the others will die.

There are so many common building materials that release formaldehyde into the air including paint, particle board, flooring, adhesive, sealants, drywall, and carpet.  Here are a few quick ways to check for low-emitting materials you can use in your next construction project.

Flooring

For carpet and carpet adhesive, look for products with the Green Label Plus symbol.  This is a program developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute to test carpets for emissions of formaldehyde and 12 other chemicals.  Only products that meet this high standard for indoor air quality can receive this label.  Similarly for resilient flooring look for the FloorScore seal, developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute.

Cabinets & Particle Board

The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has a set a standard called the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP).  Cabinet manufacturers participating in the program demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability by eliminated the use of formaldehyde bonded particle board and plywood (oftentimes used for shelving).   As of January 2011, cabinets with the ESP seal contain particle board that meets stringent emission standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  Another program designed to produce more sustainable products is the Composite Panel Association’s Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) certification.  This certification not only verifies formaldehyde emissions lower than government regulations, but also the use of recycled and/or recovered wood fiber.

Paints & Coatings

Green Seal is a third-party certification program aimed at certifying sustainable products.  The Green Seal Standard GS-11 is considered by many in the building industry to set the benchmark for low-VOC paint.  Also consider the Scientific Certification System (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold which has a comparable assessment process.