Mold, which is a fungus, requires three things to grow: food, oxygen and moisture. While food and oxygen are widely available on common surfaces, it is the presence of moisture that becomes the critical element. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold thrives on organic materials such as wood, cellulose, dirt, dust and other organic accumulations. Read more
As a property manager or building owner, the cost of energy consumption for building operations will always to be a primary concern. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), commercial buildings in the United States account for 18 percent of U.S. energy consumption. The DOE claims that heating, air conditioning, ventilation (35 percent of total building energy) and lighting (11 percent) are the top four energy consumers in buildings. Read more
Have you ever smelled a musty odor inside a commercial building or home? Usually that means mold is present. Mold is a fungus and is always present indoors and outdoors in small amounts. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), mold can be toxic to both humans and animals, depending on the type and amount of mold present. Read more
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is often referred to as a silent killer. It is generated by incomplete combustion of fuel in an engine, heater, appliance or from an open flame.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CO poisoning claims the lives of more than 400 people each year. More than 100,000 people visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized from CO poisoning. Read more
Keeping employees, customers and guests comfortable when the weather outside is stifling is a primary concern for companies looking to maximize foot traffic at their location.
Unfortunately, the costs of cooling an industrial building can be steep, with company profits being significantly undermined in buildings that have not made energy efficiency a priority. Read more
Allergies and asthma can wreak havoc on a family. Whether you’re in the doctor’s office for a flare-up or just miserable in your home, you may feel that there’s nothing you can do. However, there’s hope out there. There are several steps you can take to reduce the flare-ups and issues you deal with daily due to pollen, pet dander, mold or dust particles. Read more
Many buildings constructed prior to 1973 were not energy efficient and relied on non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum, natural gas and coal. However, a group of 12 oil-rich countries created the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which enacted a limit on the quantity of petroleum that other non-producing countries could purchase. Read more
Spring may seem like the perfect time to think about the maintenance of your air-conditioning system and how to improve its energy efficiency and dependability. However, many homeowners often wait until summer to have their AC system serviced or maintained, especially if it seems like there’s nothing wrong with it. Read more
Winter is on its way, and along with it, colder weather. As temperatures begin to drop, it’s not as easy to get out and do what’s necessary to protect your home from potential damage or energy leaks. So before temperatures start to dip, you may want to take on this list of 7 Doable Tasks to Winterize Your Home. Read more
Carbon monoxide is more commonly thought of as a deadly poison in the winter. But it’s often the culprit of many incidents during other seasons as well. You probably know that when you use a gas or wood-burning appliance, such as a furnace, you increase the risk of carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning. However, other appliances and equipment, such as a gas oven, stove or water heater can also produce CO. Read more
