Monday, July 27, 2009

Indoor Air Quality and Air Conditioning

This week's "Treading Lightly" episode deals with Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
There are numerous strategies, products and ideas out there on IAQ. I'm going to add a little to the topic here and focus on air conditioning, since it is that time of year (finally!).
With residential air conditioning, whether it be a central unit, a 'window shaker', a portable unit, or a ductless split system, it is important to remember that as the air in your home is cooled part of the process involves the removal of moisture from that air. It is tempting to open up your windows after the sun goes down to take advantage of "free cooling", but if the humidity is high, it just adds to the load in the house that the air conditioner will see the next day when it is turned on again. There's nothing wrong with a little fresh air - in fact the more the better (as long as you don't live next to a freeway, factory, or a fastfood restaurant - but then I guess then that that air wouldn't be fresh), but just be cautious on those cool rainy days or evenings about opening up those windows and letting all the humidity back in that your air conditioner worked so hard to remove. Remember - dry air feels cooler than humid air, potentially allowing you to keep your house at a warmer setting in the summer - and saving you money with less AC use.
Of course as always, keep your humidifier on low (or off) during AC season, and keep those filters clean!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Treading Lightly, a series of vignettes on the CKUA radio network

Hello again.

Last week, the first episode of my new series of radio vignettes aired on the CKUA Radio Network. The series is titled: "Treading Lightly: Minimizing Your Environmental Footprint". The series is wholly sponsored by myself and my company, Horizon Heating based in Calgary, and is part of my continuing efforts to fund local arts and culture while at the same time providing a meaningful and important community service.

"Treading Lightly: Minimizing Your Environmental Footprint", as it's name suggests, will focus on issues and topics related to the environment and sustainability, with an everyday life approach. My aim is to deliver easy to use and informative solutions and tips to everyday issues related to conserving our natural resources while maintaining or even improving our standard of life. The topic range will extend beyond my business focus of indoor comfort solutions - offering you, the listener (and online follower), new and innovative tips and solutions to everyday environmental concerns.

Stay tuned!

The CKUA Radio Network can be heard across the province of Alberta on 17 FM transmitters, on 580AM and on the web at www.ckua.com.