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Found 27 results for the keyword(s) ‘Filters’

  • Article

    Avoiding common errors with paving stones & Asphalt driveways

    It is frustrating when walkway or driveway paving stones heave with frost, or drop with erosion. If properly built, this doesn't happen. Actually what I have written here about paving stones applies to asphalt driveways as well.   A GOOD COMPACT SUBSTRATE IS ESSENTIAL IN A COLD CLIMATE You nee...
  • Article

    All kinds of water flow problems.

    Several viewers are complaining about low water pressure in old houses. Old steel pipe tends to collect corrosion and calcium on the walls, enough to slowly choke off the flow of water. A look at the graphic shows what happens to water flow compared to a clean new 1/2 inch pipe. When it becomes r...
  • Article

    What are the options in furnace air filters?

    A minimum filter is designed to protect the furnace fan from large dust balls -- not to protect your health.   ONE INCH FILTERS You can start upgrading from there. One of the best of the 1 inch filters is called Filtrete from 3M. It's an electrostatic filter that becomes charged as the air pas...
  • Article

    CONFUSION: SHOULD VENT DUCTS GO THROUGH THE CEILING?

    Many government or crown corporation publications are afraid to ask too much of homeowners both in terms of work and comprehension. They prefer that homeowners do things half-way rather than not at all. When compromises seem to work some of the time, these publications (and many contractors) are ...
  • Article

    Soap and static sheets could destroy your clothes dryer.

    It's all about maintenance and one of our viewers had half of a very interesting story. Burnice writes: "I had a wonderful morning, the heating unit went out of my dryer! Why does everything seem to fall apart this time of year!??? The guy that fixes things went in to the dryer and pulled out t...
  • Article

    WHAT IS AN AIR-TO-AIR HEAT EXCHANGER, HRV and ERV?

    Air-change ventilation systems exist that take stale air out and bring fresh air in so as to not rely on cold air drafts for the entry of fresh air to the house. They are simply a box with two fans. In a few of the warm spots of Canada these are legitimate systems on their own. In most of Canada ...
  • Article

    Cleaning Electronic Air Filters

    When clean, electronic air filters are the most efficient furnace filters on the market - according to research at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. When dirty, they don't filter much at all. When in-between they can give off ozone. If you're a lazy homeowner, they probably won't do m...
  • Article

    Living with Dust

    (This entry was originally submitted as an article to Chatelaine Magazine. The heavily edited version which appeared in September 2008 was a fine little article, but missed some critical points like exhausting central vacs outdoors, not making the critical distinction between the bad ozone air c...
  • Article

    Testing and developing furnace filters

    We visited the development facilities at Cimatec Environmental Engineering in Toronto, Ontario where I actually managed to get into the middle of a 65 foot ducting test system to see just what life looks like when you happen to be a furnace filter. Emanuel Mouratidis showed us how they clean the...
  • Article

    The best of breathing protection

    The first photo shows a respirator. If you have ever used a respirator you will really love this new one. It has a quick latch release that allows you to drop it down off of your face without loosing any of the adjustments of the straps on your head, and quick latch it right back. When using...
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