HVAC and Carpet Cleaning Tips For Your Home

I just finished reading an article "Breathe Easier In Your Home" out of a local magazine called Women's Edition, October 2013 issue.  This article is all about finding and setting a time to clean your ducts and other system components along with your carpets twice a year.  It recommends once in the spring and once in the fall to have your carpets professionally cleaned to get rid of all the dirt, dust and mites that may be trapped in the fibers of your carpet.  The EPA doesn't offer any guidelines on how often you should have your ducts cleaned, but it should be done as needed. 

"When choosing a professional duct or carpet cleaning service, it is important to do your homework.  Look for industry designations such as CRI and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).  And, as with any professional service provider, be sure to ask for an estimate, but don't let price be your only consideration."

Other online sources for information are:

www.epa.gov
www.nadca.com
www.carpet-rug.org
www.iicrc.org

Below is a link from NADCA's website on Energy Savings in your home.  Take the time to view as it's important to keep your HVAC systems working properly.

http://youtu.be/hImvxVyZvQE

In California, a Midcentury House in the Redwoods

In The New York City Times article "In California, a Midcentury House in the Redwoods" I was introduced to the intriguing idea of living in a tree house. This article shows a couple, The Todd's, that purchased a home built in 1958 by Daniel J. Liebermann, an architect who had apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright, and he was just 28 when he designed it for himself and his wife. This small home is just 1,100 sq ft and was purchased in 2006 for $1,125,000 by the Todd's. Many updates were needed as the house was in need of repairs when purchased in 2006. The couple combined the three small bedrooms into one large master suite and bath. They also upgraded the house’s 19 skylights, kitchen and radianting heating system. New lighting was installed throughout the house; the wood rafters and the ceiling were wire-brushed and waxed; the concrete floors were restained and polished; and the exposed brick walls were coated with plaster to create a more modern look. All to the tune of $350 a sq ft. The end result is amazing as you can see in the following pictures.


http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/06/17/garden/20100617-location-slideshow.html