Keeping the heat out

During the summer, your air conditioner must work harder to cool hot air from sunny windows. Install ENERGY STAR®-qualified windows and use curtains and shade to give your air conditioner and energy bill a break.

If your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with double-pane windows with high-performance glass—low-e or spectrally selective coatings. In colder climates, select gas-filled windows with low-e coatings to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain.

If you decide not to replace your windows, consider following these tips to improve their performance.

• Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
• Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day.
• Install awnings on south- and west-facing windows.
• Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar heat gain.

Foggy Window Solutions

Condensation is the fog that suddenly appears in cold weather on the glass of windows and sliding glass doors. It can block out the view, drip on the floor, freeze on glass...it's annoying! It's natural to blame the windows...but you shouldn't.

What causes window condensation?

1. Condensation can develop between the panes if the seal fails. When this happens, the vacuum or gas escapes and the outside air is free to invade the space between the panes, resulting in a bbuild-upof moisture or condensation. Seals can fail due to faulty installation, inferior sealants or extreme temperatures and weather conditions

If you have an older home subject to frequent temperature changes, our insulated glass (IG) units can help balance the indoor climate. If your home already has double-pane windows, but there is condensation or a “milky” appearance between the panes of glass, it’s time to contact our glass specialists. 

2. Window condensation can also be the result of excess humidity in your home. The glass only provides a cold surface on which humidity can visibly condense. The fog on your windows is a form of condensation; so is the water that forms on the outside of a glass of iced tea in the summer and on the bathroom mirrors and walls after someone takes a hot shower. Condensation usually occurs first on windows because glass surfaces have the lowest temperature of any of the interior surfaces in the house. When the warm, moist air comes into contact with the cooler glass surfaces, the moisture condenses.

The important thing is, your foggy windows and sliding doors are trying to tell you to reduce indoor humidity before it causes hidden, costly problems elsewhere in your home - problems like peeling paint, rotting wood, buckling floors, insulation deterioration, mildew, even moisture spots in ceilings and walls. Foggy windows and sliding doors are the indicators, the warning signs, that humidity could be damaging your home.

Double Pane windows can help increase your home’s insulation. Contact us today and we would be happy to come to your home and assisit in assessing your home and find you a solution to your foggy window’s. 604-929-7292

TIPS FOR FURTHER REDUCING YOUR HOMES HUMIDITY

1. Use Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans are common in bathrooms, kitchens, and other places that are likely locations for hot water usage. Make sure to use these fans whenever necessary as they will keep the moist air from escaping to other parts of the house as well as decreasing humidity levels at the source.

2. Take Shorter Showers: Most of the moisture in the air in your home will get there from one source: steam. The most likely culprit for this is long, hot showers in improperly vented bathrooms. By reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower, you will not only reduce the amount of water that escapes into the air, you will also use less water and spend less money on heating that water.

3. Hang Damp Clothes Outside: Except in the case of adverse weather conditions, there is no good reason to hang wet or damp clothing to dry inside if you already have a humidity problem. The water evaporating from your clothing or towels has nowhere to go but into the air of your home. Instead, hang these items outside whenever possible so the unwanted moisture stays outside where it belongs!

4. Only Run Washers When Full: Some clothes or dishwashers have settings for the size of the load but many do not. Prevent unnecessary water wastage and unnecessary humidity by only running these appliances when they are full.

5. Don’t Turn Your Home into a Jungle: Plants can be a great addition to a home: they purify the air and are great decoration but they also create extra humidity in your home. If plants are forming mold, you may have too many. Consider giving one or two away and see if that helps the atmosphere of your home.

6. Open Windows and Doors: Air circulation will do a lot in reducing the stuffy, sticky feeling of a humid home so open up those windows and doors when possible to let in fresh air. Keep inside doors open so air flows freely through the home.

7. Do a Moisture Audit: Once you have taken care of these easy ways of reducing humidity, perform one final check around your property to look for any less obvious problems that could be contributing to the moisture in the air:

Home Made Natural Cleaning Products

Baking Soda:

Baking soda works as a mild abrasive, helping to gently scrub things that need to be scrubbed, but not scratched. Baking soda also works well to remove smelly odors, making it a prime candidate for a bathroom and kitchen cleaner. Baking soda also works to removes stains, and can be used to help soften laundry.

Borax:

Borax is a laundry booster that can be used in a few different ways around the house. Borax is actually a natural mineral, but can be an irritant on skin, and shouldn't be ingested. Borax can be used as a stain remover and a substitute for bleach. Borax can also be used to repel insects, although care should be used around pets and small children.

Castile Soap:

Castile soap is an oil based soap, that can be used to clean almost anything in your home. Diluted liquid castile soap can be used as an all-purpose cleaner.Liquid castile soap is an excellent degreaser.

Cornstarch:

Cornstarch can be used as a starching solution for clothing. Cornstarch also absorbs oils and greases, making it a great help in the laundry room or for stains on countertops.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils help add a pleasing scent to homemade cleaning solutions. Be careful when using essential oils. A little goes a long way. There are people with high sensitivities to essential oil fragrances.

Lemons and Lemon Juice:

Lemons can be great for scrubbing copper bottom pots. The juice works to clean and shine the pans. Lemon juice is a natural bleach, especially when combined with the sun. Lemon juice is a natural degreaser, which comes in handy with dishes.

Salt:

Salt is an abrasive solution for scrubbing. Use salt to get rid of rust and mildew. Salt also works to help polish copper and silver.

Toothpaste:

Toothpaste works as a very mild abrasive, similar to soft scrubbing gel solutions. Toothpaste can be used to clean silver. It can also be used to remove stains on white clothing, tennis shoes, and in many other places where a light scrubbing is needed.

Vinegar:

Vinegar can be used as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Vinegar makes a great all-purpose cleaner. Mopping with vinegar is an inexpensive way to keep your floors clean. Vinegar is a great stain remover. Vinegar carefully combined with baking soda, makes a great foaming toilet cleaner.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a disinfectant. It also is one of the most effective blood stain removers.

With all of these ingredients, be careful about mixing cleaners together. Use new clean bottles. Follow storage guidelines for cleaners. Rinse thoroughly, and always follow instructions.

Why Shop Locally

In case you needed some reaons: Here is our top 7. Enjoy!

1. Your spending will boost the local economy &  housing

Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every $1 spent with a small or medium-sized business $0.63 stayed in the local economy, compared to $0.40 with a larger business.

Did you know that streets populated with thriving independent businesses have been shown to boost the price of nearby homes. So in a way, shopping local is an investment in your investment. Cool

2. It is the ethical & the healthy choice

Buying out-of-season produce, like strawberries in December, lowers your eco-credentials. As does eating turkey and carrots that have been flown halfway round the world or wrapped in layers of plastic. When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. Along with supporting local farmers, it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.

3. They sell quirky, one-off gifts

Independent shops often stock items which are made locally and aren't available elsewhere: buy a dress by a fledgling designer and there is little chance of turning up to the office Christmas party wearing the same as someone else.

When it comes to gifts, quirky one-off items are a major plus of independent shops. Give your niece or nephew a handmade toy and at least it won't be identical to everything they already have.

Local shops also support local artists and designers, food producers and growers, so you're buying products absolutely unique to your area.

4. You will be supporting Canadian entrepreneurs

Artisan markets help foster the talents of the next generation of Canadian designers and retailers. There is a constant turnover of new products, and sellers listen to customers' demands. If a certain pie filling is popular, for example, a pie company will respond to that and quickly supply more of them – and you can suggest things too, so you can even have a bit of influence over the products on sale.

5. You can help build communities

Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from book groups to knitting clubs and children's events. If the businesses are not supported, the local groups tend to disappear too.

Markets also often give space to community groups and social enterprises, says Ellie Gill, campaign manager at Love Your Local Market. "Markets can have a community value, as there is often a social purpose to stalls – they can be public spaces as well as retail outlets."

6. You might get a better deal or some good advice

Local bakers throw in extra bagels for regulars; grocers give informal 10% discounts; and market stall holders are prepared to negotiate on prices. Independent retailers can use their discretion to reward regular custom, and it can mean you get discounts on the items you actually want to buy, rather than being tempted by multi-buy offers in the big chains.

7. You can see it and try before you buy

Major retailers have the advantage of economies of scale and can afford to slash prices and offer reduced costs. However, it's easy to waste money on products you end up not actually liking. When you buy it local you can see touch and smell it, literally. 

Local products can be sampled, easily returned and as in the case with Glass Doctor North Vancouver, comes with a satisfaction guarantee. 

How Efficient Are Your Windows?

Windows provide our homes with light, warmth, and ventilation, but they can also negatively impact a home's energy efficiency. You can reduce energy costs by installing energy-efficient windows in your home. If your budget is tight, energy efficiency improvements to existing windows can also help.

Heating and cooling costs can be affected just based on the type of windows you have. If you have an older home and new windows were never an upgrade, it may make more sense to get new windows instead of just trying to improve upon the existing windows. New windows will lower heating and cooling costs, eventually covering the initial cost.

Storm windows can reduce the amount of air leaking out and remove drafts. Weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors can assist in this as well.  Weather-stripping is designed for things that move such as doors and windows that open. Use caulk where gaps exist.

Another way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to select different options with regards to curtains and blinds. Window treatments can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Often Energy Star approved windows can eve be zoned for your area you know they can withstand the climate you may regularly endure. When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can help minimize your heating and cooling costs.

Energy efficient windows not only reduce home energy costs and drafts but can reduce noise and help increase light in the home.  Don’t forget about skylights and doors as well. Window replacement in skylights can help reduce condensation that builds up in older models.

If you would like to have a home audit done to see if your windows are energy efficient, or letting your money leak out the door, give us a call! 604-984-4527

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