Wave Home Solutions

Hard Water Impacts Shower Heads & Tankless Water Heaters

In two different studies conducted by the Water Quality Research Association in June, 2009,  it showed the affect untreated hard water has on both shower heads and tankless water heaters.  In the first study, " ... results ...have shown that untreated hard water can rapidly lead to clogged shower-heads, in some cases possibly as soon as a year and a half of regular use."  "After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of shower-head nozzles became clogged, according to the lab results."

"Battelle (testing agency) announced preliminary results on instantaneous water heaters this week.  It was found that, after the equivalent of only one year and three months of average household use, such devices can be six percent less efficient when hard water is used ...."

 

The same can be said of boilers as limescale is a significant insulator and substantially reduces the capacity of the heat exchangers to heat the water; just a small coating of limescale of 1.6mm (.06”) on a heat exchanger in a boiler system can reduce its efficiency by an average of 11%.  As the scale increases, the efficiency losses rise dramatically. The build up of limescale usually results in reduced flow rates, loss of efficiency and early failure of components.

 

Water softeners and magnets have been the solution but neither works efficiently and in fact, the magnet solution requires constant flow to work at all.  Softeners help with new installations but on older homes, has little to no affect on existing limescale buildup.

 

One solution, HydroCare, is a technology developed in Europe and used in 30 countries world wide in over 600,000 locations for residences, commercial and heavy industry applications. It prevents mineral buildup and dissolves existing build-up of limescale by utilizing patented radio wave technology.

 

One unit has the capacity to transmit a patented radio signal that traverses the entire system and appliances in a house.  The unit works continuously without losing any strength in the signal and is not dependent on water flow or temperature levels.  The cost to operate the unit is less than 2 watts of electricity and there are no maintenance costs, replacement of parts and installation issues.  It does not change the natural composition of the water and maintains the existing mineral content.

The HydroCare unit easily clips on onto the cold water feed and induces an electric current at AM frequencies (between 100 and 200 KHZ) up and down the water system for ranges of hundreds of meters without using electrodes. It is distinct in design and technology and is unlike magnetic solutions.

 

And it is an inexpensive solution to mineral buildup on pipes and appliances, is extremely easy to install, and is maintenance free.

 

Hard Water Reduces Appliance Efficiency

According to Hardwater.org 80 – 85% of the homes in the US have hard water. Hard water creates limescale build-up (mineral deposits on pipes and heating coils) that restricts water flow and reduces heat-transferring capability in appliances.  A study by Water Quality Association (2004) stated water heaters using untreated hard water consumed almost 26% more energy.  New Mexico State University reports that by reducing and preventing mineral (lime) scale build-up on pipes and appliances, households could experience up to a 30% savings in energy costs and longer life (25 – 40%) for their appliances.

 

Limescale is a significant insulator: just a small coating of limescale of  1.6mm on a heat exchanger in a boiler system can reduce its efficiency by an average of 11%.  The build up of limescale usually results in reduced flow rates, loss of efficiency and early failure of components.

 

Treating limescale ranges from use of bottled water for appliances such as coffee makers, reverse osmosis systems that pushes water through a two stage filtering process, flushing a vinegar and water solution through the system, to the use of a salt based water softener that does not fully manage mineral buildup.  There are also other systems for breaking down scale using magnets and wraps around the pipe that are flow dependant (water needs to be running for system to function).

 

Each solution is expensive over time and with water softeners today, there has been much made of the ecological issues of discharging salinated water into the ground water.  Several communities have begun to ban softeners in a response to the concerns of salt in the ground water supply.  Due to the financial costs, municipalities are ceasing to soften water with salt.  They are warning their customers that they should expect a rise in water hardness which will contribute as noted above to a myriad of issues.  Even restaurants are also looking to reduce the amount of salt they purchase each month to soften their water which can run in the hundreds of dollars. 

 

One product, HydroCare, a technology developed in Europe and now being used in 30 countries world wide in over 600,000 locations, prevents mineral buildup and dissolves existing build-up of limescale by utilizing patented radio wave technology.

 

Test conducted by British Gas states that “The technology is ….. the only device to approach an ideal device for reducing/preventing scale formation on a continuous operational basis at high temperature. This is an essential and unique feature required by water heating appliances.” 

 

 

Rising Oil Prices

T Boone Pickens, the Texas oil billionaire, predicated on April 20, 2009 that oil prices by the end of the year would climb to $75 a barrel.  He indicated that the oil produers want the higher prices and people who have oil are cutting supply.

Last year much of the same concerns were translated into higher gas prices at the pump and dire warnings about fuel oil prices heading into the fall.  People aprehensive of the jump in costs locked in their rates at higher prices anticipating prices would continue to climb but instead, prices fell and the heating oil cost crisis was averted.  

Most everyone has short term memories and the concerns about fuel oil prices of last year are long forgotten but it is naive to assume prices will not once again rise and a general panic over what can be done to reduce and/or address rising fuel oil prices will become front and center as we head into the fall.  

There are a series of steps that can be taken today which can help reduce utility costs that homeowners are evaluating.  A number of energy audit businesses that have popped up can give the homeowner an idea of what they can do to "tighten" up their homes but they are only suggestions and it is up to the homeowner to take the steps.  

There are solutions out there that are inexpensive and easily installed and will deliver an immediate return on their investment.  A micro processor device that is installed on the HVAC system and can optimize both the heating and air conditioning cycle can contibute minimum 10% annual savings can help offset the rising costs.  Restricted water flow and mineral deposits will reduce overall appliance efficiency if not addressed. 

Many homeowners realize the time for action is now --- in today's economy, it is important to take action to directly address both maintenance and utility costs in the home. 

North Carolina County may cease to soften water

CHOWAN COUNTY, NC

North Carolina rules enacted to protect freshwater wildlife may force Chowan County, NC which uses salt to soften its water, to divert the salt-containing discharge from its softening operation.  An official with the county noted that without softening, residents would see a significant increase in some spotting and other hardness problems.

This is from an article posted on the DailyAdvance in late February, 2009 and follows an article from a California community that actually banned water softeners in an effort to protect freshwater and reduce saline content.

 

Add to this the economic climate that exists today and reality is people are looking to reduce their household expenses and water softener rentals may be one to go as it not just the monthly rental, it's the expense of buying the salt that is used in the process --- it all adds up.

 

Homeowners are looking for solutions that can reduce the hard water effect untreated water can have on their appliances while not eliminating the "taste" of the water.  They also want a solution to decrease or eliminate the spotting on their glasses, china, silverware and even dishwasher when the water is untreated.  Plus they want a product that has been tested and proven effective at managing hard water related problems and even view testimonials from consumers who have used and are still using the product. 

Wave introduced HydroCare to address a good many of these problems as the testing and testimonials reflect.

Study Shows Americans Want Energy Savings and Improved Air Quality

Americans are increasingly demanding lower energy costs, healthier living, and improved air quality according to findings from a survey conducted by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and McGraw-Hill Construction. 

"We're crossing the tipping point for green home building," Harvey Bernstein, a McGraw-Hill Construction VP, said in a statement.  "Concerns about energy costs, health, and even resale value are adding up for builders, buyers, and renters."  "Being able to afford your utility bill is as important as being able to pay your mortgage," USGBC senior VP Michele Moore said.

The references above were taken from an article that was published in Eco-Home on line pointing out a shift in homeowner priorities towards "green construction" and finding ways to make their homes "healthy" and more energy efficient.  This is not a surprising trend as there have been numerous articles about the increased health risk from airborne contaminants being "trapped" inside the home.  

Both the CDC and EPA have been warning about increased levels of contaminants in new home construction that are built almost air tight and unless they are built with adequate ventilation, they can trap contaminants inside the home.  There are minimum standards for air exchanges within new home construction that if ignored, can lead to serious health concerns.

Regardless of the age of home, proper ventilation in the home is important, as it ensures that fresh air is being introduced and provides a means for expelling the stale air to the outside.  And as warm air along with airborne contaminants are heavy, they will fall to the lowest point in the home.  This means the basement and/or crawl space is often the collection point for this "bad" air.  And in most homes, the least ventilated area of the home is the basement and/or crawl space.  And as "bad" air is not something we can see, we tend to ignore the accumulation of toxins which do have a way of creeping back up and finding ways into the duct system of the home.

By installing a ventilation system in the lower level that continually runs and recirculates the air and pulls air from the upper levels, it will assure that the lower level remains clear of contaminants, gases, and toxins and is being refreshed on a regular basis thus making the lower level a healthier environment.

Winter Indoor Air Quality

In a December, 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer article titled "Keeping air inside home clean during the winter", it says the the air (as has been pointed out in several other entries to the Blog) that "indoor air is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air and asthma has been on the rise for the last 15 - 20 years." The article implies that a culprit for the rise in poor inside air is a failure to control and manage humidity levels within the home.  The suggested ideal humidity levels inside range from 40 - 60% in the winter although some homes fall either below or higher than the desired range.

When the home exceeds the acceptable range, even in the driest air, mold and microbes can thrive.  Excess humidity can exist in the coldest of environments and in winter is usually evidenced in windows frosting over from the inside.  The best options entail looking at ventilation recovery units coupled with a having a properly installed system to vent the excess humidity to the outside even during the coldest of months. 

Homeowners wrongly assume that once the furnace kicks on that the mold or mildew problems that they may be experiencing will take the winter off.  Actually, this is a time when the conditions can lead to serious respiratory problems as the families spend over 90% of their time inside and without the proper management of the indoor air, it can lead to exacerbation of respiratory disorders that last longer than they should because of breathing the trapped "bad" air. 

Being conscious of what is happening with the air inside the home is becoming an issue more and more homeowners are investigating as with new construction being as tight as it is to conserve on energy costs, it can also trap airborne contaminants and proper ventilation is the only sensible solution.  It is recommended the homeowner check on the ideal number of air exchanges their home should maintain for proper ventilation and reduction of airborne contaminants. 

Air Cleaner or UV

 

Air cleaning devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes and make claims about what they do, not much about what they don’t do.  Air cleaning products are not well regulated and as a result, products like the Ionic Breeze which had a great run, but was little more than a dust collector and dumped ozone into the home (which is detrimental to your health), has left the buying public a little skeptical of products stating that they purify or clean the air.

 

Air cleaners that are proven and tested are out there but determining what will work for your needs is the big issue.  Most “portable” air cleaners work effectively in a relatively small area --- 200 – 700 square feet.  Any portable unit claiming it will handle up to 2000 – 3000 square feet is more hype than functional.  Most good units have HEPA filters (high efficiency particulate air).  Those available for installation in the heating/air conditioning duct systems are pricey and need to be monitored as the filter can cause pressure drops and restrict the air flow that can cause the unit to run much longer to heat and/or cool the home and may actually can lead to motor failure.

 

UV (ultra violet) has been used in hospitals and physician offices to keep their instruments sterile.  UV destroys the microorganism, breaks down the molecule rendering it ineffective.  In government buildings being constructed today, commercial UV is standard in HVAC systems to minimize the threat of someone introducing biological contaminants or viruses into the duct system as the UV will destroy the virus. 

In the home it makes sense to add UV as it will eliminate the biological contaminants, volatile organic compounds (VOC), odor problems as well as killing dust mites which travel through the duct system.  It additionally can help control allergies and reduce asthma triggers inside the home.  In simple terms it will help create a healthy environment inside the home.

But with UV, as there is with any product that has several varieties to choose from, one has to be smart about which product goes into the home and choosing based on price is usually not the best option.  Begin by seeing what device has been tested, which device has both UVV as well as UVC wave lengths to address all contaminants within the home are important considerations.  There are many “stick” UV systems available and having read most of the literature, know they tout the units as being highly effective but with 600cfm of air moving across the bulb, the actual affect is nominal.

 

 

Regional Brown Cloud

AP Beijing, China reports of thick brown clouds of soot, particles, and chemicals stretching from the Persian Gulf to Asia is a threat to health and food supplies in the world.  These brown clouds contribute to glacial melting, reduces sunlight by up to 25%, and is creating extreme weather conditions that effect agriculture production. 

Although these huge plumes have darkened 13 mega-cities in Asia, these enormous cloud masses can move across continents in three to four days illustrating this is not just a regional urban issue but a global one.

This report noted that health problems associated with particle pollution, which includes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are linked to nearly 350,000 premature deaths in China and India every year.

In another Blog, it was pointed out that conditions in certain parts of California lead to premature deaths that out numbered those related to traffic fatalities.  Bottom line is the particle pollution in these areas becomes trapped inside homes and can be up to 100 worse than the outside pollution.  There is a tendency to feel "safe" from this pollution when inside the home but the EPA has pointed out the danger in that assumption.

What is staggering are the number of deaths related to pollution and that little is being done to educate the population on what they can do to "manage" the issue within the home.  And unfortunately there is a certain amount of skepticism regarding what one can do inside to improve air quality because of the bad rap air cleaning products have received from a few bad manufacturers.

The reality is there are quite a few companies that provide smart solutions and will listen and tailor the solution to fit the need of the homeowner.  Researching is a whole lot easier today with the Internet and it should include a trip to the EPA.gov web site to read what they are saying about indoor air pollution.

Dirty Air Deadlier Than Car Crashes?

Intriguing headline pulled off of an AP story about how improving air quality in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley could save more lives annually than ending all the motor vehicle related deaths in the entire two regions.  Illustrating the point, the study that was the basis for this story, says the California Highway Patrol counted 2,521 vehicular deaths in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air basin in 2006 compared to 3,812 deaths attributed to respiratory illness caused by particulate pollution. 

The Cal State Fullerton study indicates that "if pollution levels were to improve to federal standards, the study says residents of the two air basins would suffer 3,860 fewer premature deaths, 3,780 fewer nonfatal heart attacks and would miss 470,000 fewer days of work annually. School children would miss more than 1.2 million fewer days of school, a savings of $112 million in caregiver costs. There also would be more than 2 million fewer cases of upper respiratory problems."

What the story does not tell is that the EPA and CDC have pointed out that indoor pollution in areas like these can be 10 to 100 times worse than outside.  The reasons are that the heavily polluted outside air enters the home and becomes trapped creating a more hostile environment inside that lead to respiratory related problems like asthma as well as cardiovascular problems.

Because one can't see the pollution, it is ignored as we feel safe inside the home, away from the particulate pollution that storms outside.  But the particulate pollution may be a lot worse inside and without proper ventilation, filtering of the air, and the use of an air purification system, it can contribute to the exacerbation of respiratory illnesses.

Mechanical ventilation that circulates the air, expels the "bad" air to the outside along with properly filtering the air by installing a MERV 8 or higher filter as well as investigating the addition of a air purification system such as a ultraviolet lamp system that is now being recommended in all government installations will reduce the particulate contaminants in the home.  Without properly and intelligently addressing the air quality inside the home, the deaths attributed to poor air quality in this region in California will not see much reduction. 

Investigating what works and what doesn't is critical as there is a considerable amount of hype surrounding air purification devices.  Ozone generating devices which have been touted as effective only contribute to the homes indoor air pollution problems and should be shied away from when looking for a solution.  Contacting a company focused on smart solutions that have a track record of success is recommended.

Tips For A Mold Free Home

Fall is the time to think about sealing the home for the winter.  But in doing so, it's healthy to think about what you might be trapping inside your home to keep you company all winter long.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, mold growth can exist almost anywhere and can enter the home almost anywhere and once inside the home, the spores can grow on practically anything.  Once there, it can release clouds of potentially harmful spores that once airborne can take the shortest path to your lungs.

Mold needs moisture to grow and moisture in many homes tends to accumulate in the lower level --- the basement and/or crawl space.   There are some things a homeowner can do to minimize the potential for mold in their homes.

• Control Humidity ---Keep humidity level below 50% in the basements and/or crawl space.  Improve outside grading and drainage by keeping gutters clean and soil around home sloping away.  Cover dirt crawl spaces with a non porous covering to reduce moisture.
• Store Smart --- Keep all storage items several inches off the concrete floor and away from wall which is important for organic materials like cardboard which can absorb moisture.  Use metal or plastic shelving vs wood. 
• Ventilate --- Poor ventilation in moisture prone areas can lead to mold growth.  This is especially true in crawl spaces where ventilation in some cases is non existent.  Mold cannot grow where the air is continually being recirculated and vented to the outside.  And in homes sealed tight for the winter, maintaining healthy air exchanges is especially important to minimize air borne contaminants that can become trapped inside.
• Filter the Air --- Homes with forced air should be using a top quality air filter.  Pleated filters with MERV rating of 8 - 11 are good but there are anti-microbial filters that are available that actually trap airborne contaminants and provide a tighter seal in the return.  There are also ultraviolet lamps that can be installed in the duct work that can reduce and eliminate the airborne contaminants that contribute to respiratory ailments.  UV can also destroy mold spores as well as airborne viruses, bacteria, and odors. 

Being conscious of proper ventilation and control of indoor humidity will contribute to helping the homeowner successfully mitigate the potential for mold activity within their home.