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Wednesday October 15, 2008

Tom Megalis hires his Greek buddy Yorgo to do some work at his office. The results are not pleasant.

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Construction Home Improvement News and Articles

10/14/2008

Decades later, concerns about U.S. drinking water still exist
In 1974, Consumer Reports published a three-part series titled "Is the Water Safe to Drink?" The first installment was an indictment of the country's many contaminated water supplies; parts two and three discussed potential remedies. At the community level, Consumer Reports called for a rapid improvement of water-processing facilities. For individual households, the investigation identified two potential solutions: bottled water and home filters. (Download the three PDFs at the bottom of this post to read the series.) Thirty-four years later, cleaning up the nation's water supplies remains a work in progress. In many states, at least 10 percent of the community water systems reported health-based violations last year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Drinking Water and Ground Water Statistics for 2007. (Nebraska had the highest level of systems with violations: 24 percent.) Another hot-button issue related to drinking water is bottled water. Bottled water has become hugely popular among U.S. consumers in recent years and is a cash cow for its purveyors. But there's been a backlash against the consumption of bottled water because of the billions of plastic and glass containers created annually by this trend (see our Buzzword on precycling), not to mention questions about the quality and sources of the water in all those bottles. Manufacturers of home-use water filters likely see an opportunity in the debate, hoping that consumers will abandon bottled water and use water filters instead. Indeed, during the last week of September, I attended a press event in New York City hosted by Zero Technologies, maker of the Z-Pitcher and Z-Bottle (shown). We haven't tested these products, which use five-stage ion-exchange filters and are designed not to clog, claims the manufacturer. For the "(How) Can We Go Back to Tap?" event, Zero Technologies assembled a panel that included Andrea Beaman, a holistic-health counselor and natural-foods chef; Laura Jana, M.D., a pediatrician who advocates against soda—and, hence, for water; Alex Matthiessen, president of Riverkeeper, an environmental group that works to protect the Hudson River; and Elizabeth Royte, author of Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It. The consensus among panel members was that tap water is better than bottled water for the environment, noting that your tap water could be contaminated, so you should filter it. (Recognizing the potential negative environmental impact of spent filters, Zero Technologies has implemented a recycling program in which consumers who return their used filters to the company will get a discount on replacements.) In our latest test of water-filtration systems, we reviewed carafe, faucet-mounted, countertop, undersink, reverse-osmosis, and whole-house models. Read our report for all the details, including buying advice and ratings of more than two dozen models (available to subscribers).—Daniel DiClerico Essential information: If you're concerned about the quality of the water in your area, check out your Consumer Confidence Report, or CCR. Learn how to obtain your CCR and understand the information in it by reading "Deciphering Your Water Report." Download Is_the_water_safe_to_drink_part_1.pdf Download Is_the_water_safe_to_drink_part_2.pdf Download Is_the_water_safe_to_drink_part_3.pdf

10/13/2008

Firewood and wood pellets become a hot commodity
As stock indices worldwide declined this fall, prices for firewood and wood pellets climbed. So too is the number of reported incidents of stolen wood in central Maine. In 2008, according to the Kennebec Journal, there have been seven reported thefts of wood, up from two in 2006. The thieves take trees awaiting shipment to mills and cut it into firewood for eventual sale to consumers. Throughout the Northeast, skyrocketing fuel costs have lit a fire under the firewood business. The demand is sparking severe shortages ahead of the home-heating season, says Sarah Smith, forest-industry specialist at the University of New Hampshire cooperative extension. "If I called up 10 folks in the firewood business and asked them for a cord of dry wood, they'd all laugh," she says. The firewood shortage started this summer, when soaring oil prices motivated more people to consider heating their homesâor supplementing their oil, natural-gas, electric, or propane heatâwith wood. "The loggers and firewood producers who were predicting and processing wood based on their usual demand couldn't accommodate all these people, many of whom hadn't burned wood in the past," says Smith. Dwindling supplies have led to higher prices. Customers are paying up to $250 for a cord of green wood, material that hasn't been sufficiently dried for burning. Two years ago, the same cords were going for as little as $100. Those lucky enough to find seasoned dry wood can expect to pay at least $350 for a cord, says Smith. A similar trend is affecting the cost of wood pellets used in pellet-burning stoves. "Prices are definitely higher," says Leslie Wheeler, director of communications for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. Although actual costs vary by region, she says the average is $250 to $260 per ton of pellets. An October 1 article in the Bangor News put the average price per ton at $300.Two years ago, the United States Department of Energy listed the average price as $190. There are ways to try to save on wood and pellets. Buy wood pellets in bulk, for instance. For cordwood, Smith advises checking the local papers and sites like Craigslist for deals. But, remember, the short supply of firewood provides an opportunity for shifty suppliers. To keep yourself from getting burned, follow these tips: • Request the right wood. Maple, oak, cherry, and other hardwoods burn longer and cleaner than softwoods like pine, aspen, and poplar. Softwoods tend to create more creosote in the chimney; if you don't eliminate the creosote regularly, it can become a fire hazard. The Wood Heat Organization's Web site includes a list of the best-burning species and helpful tips for building and maintaining wood fires. Tip: Don't get ripped off by a scamming chimney sweep. • Get what you pay for. A full cord measures 128 cubic feet, or a stack roughly 4 feet high x 8 feet long x 4 feet deep. A face cord is 4 feet high x 8 feet long and as deep as the individual logs—typically 16, 20, or 24 inches, depending on the dimensions of the fireplace or stove. Be home when the wood is delivered and have the vendor identify in writing the type of wood you're getting. Wood species can be difficult to identify. Hardwoods tend to be denser than softwoods, so a simple heft test can provide a helpful clue. Also, many softwoods have a telltale piney scent. Well-cured wood is grayish on the end, with radial cracks. • Have the vendor stack the logs. You'll pay more for the service, but you will be able verify how much wood got delivered before the delivery guy drives away. Be on the lookout for loose stacking, which is a trick crooked vendors use to short-change unsuspecting customers. If you've ordered a face cord, check that the logs have been cut to the specified length. To prevent termites and other insects from invading your home, stack firewood away from the structure, preferably in a sunny, exposed spot; you can use a plastic tarp to keep the top layer dry. • Obtain a receipt. The bill of sale should include the vendor's contact information, the sale date, the type and quantity of wood, and the purchase price. A reputable vendor won't object to the request.—Daniel DiClerico Essential information: Before you light a fire or turn up the thermostat, read these tips for locking in the heat.

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