| BobVila.com's Top 5 Energy-Saving Ideas for 2008
BOSTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Home improvement expert Bob Vila has been on the presidential campaign trail talking about energy efficiency. His popular web site shares five earth-friendly projects -- both large and small -- for your home in 2008. 1. Use energy-saving appliances. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioning units and water heaters all have high- efficiency models. Before buying a new appliance, compare labels to find one that uses the least amount of energy and water with the lowest operating costs. Appliances with the Energy Star label are up to 50 percent more efficient than standard models, saving you up to 30 percent on your electric bill. "I've been promoting Energy Star appliances for over a decade," Bob Vila says, "and it still makes sense to invest in them because of the energy savings you'll get." 2.
Air conditioning unit sparks hotel fire
A heating and air conditioning unit sparked a fire Wednesday at a North Myrtle Beach hotel, said city public information officer, Nicole Aiello. The fire occurred around 9:51 a.m. at Peppertree by the Sea, 305 South Ocean Blvd. Two people were treated for injuries on the scene, and one was transported to Seacoast Medical Center. HORRY COUNTY Fire victim died of smoke inhalation, burns An autopsy performed Wednesday determined that smoke inhalation and severe burns killed a man who died in a fire at his office late Monday, Deputy Coroner Tony Hendrick said. The fire occurred in a building in the 4000 block of West U.S. 501. The victim's name is being withheld until his family, believed to live in Guatemala, is notified, Hendrick said.
Smoke causes evacuation at Clinton headquarters
A malfunctioning air conditioning unit on the roof of Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign headquarters caused an evacuation tonight before firefighters arrived and found no fire. Firefighters were called just before 8:20 p.m. after the malfunction sent smoke into the building at 701 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin Fire Department Capt. Rob Bredahl said. "There was never actually any fire or any real danger," he said. Bredahl said such malfunctions are common with air conditions on roofs. Between 50 to 60 volunteers and staff were in the building when they smelled smoke and someone called the fire department, campaign spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod said. After firefighters cleared the building, everyone went back inside and got back to work. "The only thing we're suffering from is a bad stench," Elrod said.
Attic mold removal a high headache
Q: I am getting a lot of mold in my attic, which contains an air conditioning unit and hydro air that provides heat and air conditioning to the house. The mold is extensive, mainly on the roof sheathing. Two companies have offered to get rid of the mold, one for $2,000, another for $12,000. One man suggested taking up the insulation on the floor, which is not moldy. Why would that be needed, and how in the world could mold removal cost so much and with such a huge difference? What should I do?
TERRIFIED A: The $12,000 cost is due to the need to use protective clothing and taking many precautions while working, plus the removal of the mold itself, which may be a toxic mold. See if the $2,000 job will remove the mold, and if so, then you can do other things.
Contractor emerges as charity's Champion
Vandals destroyed the heater at the American Red Cross' headquarters on Sixth Street in Modesto last week, sending a shiver through the charity, but things began to warm up again Tuesday. Champion Industrial Contractors Inc. of Modesto donated the $2,500 deductible the Red Cross would have had to pay to replace the heating and air conditioning unit, said Rebecca Ciszek, executive director of the Red Cross's Stanislaus County chapter. Then the contractor installed a $5,702 replacement unit. The balance will be covered by insurance. By early afternoon, the place was heating up. "The classroom is nice and warm," Ciszek said about 1 p.m. "It took a little while because that room had been cold now for a week." The donation means the organization won't have to dig into its charity funds to fix the unit, Ciszek said.
Copper thefts continue in Valley
On the rooftop of a strip mall near Hollenbeck Street and the 10 Freeway, burglars stripped six air conditioners of their copper coils in recent weeks. Then they returned to pull apart three more air conditioning units. Although the thieves may have made about $900 for two nights' work, businesses like World Gym, Dental Fun Zone and several others were left sweltering - and facing an estimated $100,000 in damage, said one expert called in by the West Covina police. "We have a rash of copper thefts - and not just in our city," said Cpl. Rudy Lopez. Thefts of copper, aluminum and other metals have increased in recent years as the materials' value has soared, but their worth to the burglars is still far less than the damage done to the victims, authorities said. The nighttime game lights are dead at Little League fields in Montclair and Hacienda Heights because of copper stolen in the past two weeks.
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