Energy & Green Building Week

It's the final week of the International Code Council's (ICC) Building Safety Month and this week's theme is Energy & Green Building. Building green and using energy efficient materials, supplies, appliances, etc. helps save money on energy costs, while also helping the environment.

In recent years, energy efficient new homes have begun to catch on with homebuyers and builders across the country. Many builders are now electing to build ENERGY STAR® Certified new homes or to follow the HERS Program to satisfy this growing demand of energy conscious homebuyers. 

Energy efficient homes offer reduced utility costs, improved indoor air quality, increased thermal comfort, and higher resale value than a standard home.

If you aren't in the market for a new energy efficient home, here are some tips to improve the efficiency of your current home:

• Seal any cracks around windows and doors 
• Make sure ducts are properly connected and sealed
• Install more insulation in the walls and attic
• Upgrade your windows to ENERGY STAR® qualified windows
• Install a programmable thermostat
• Clean HVAC systems 
• Use energy efficient lighting (CFLs)
• Choose energy efficient appliances
• Upgrade the water heater
• Add solar panels

So, whether you are looking to buy a new home or not, you can take steps to reduce your energy costs and become more energy efficient today!

New National Campaign to Prevent Occupational Respiratory Disease from Dampness Exposure in Schools, Office Buildings & Other Nonindustrial Facilities

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued a new warning alert similar to what you would find on tobacco products which states: “Warning! Occupants within damp office buildings, schools, and other nonindustrial facilities may develop respiratory symptoms and diseases”.  

NIOSH defines “dampness” as “the presence of unwanted and excessive moisture in buildings”. It is widely known that excessive moisture and dampness can lead to mold growth, which can negatively impact the health of occupants by causing respiratory symptoms such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus infections, and other respiratory infections.

Dampness and moisture problems can often occur because of sub-optimal building design or lack of oversight during construction. 

Here are some tips from NIOSH to prevent a moisture problem from occurring:

• Prevent high levels of indoor humidity through proper use of HVAC systems
• Conduct regularly scheduled inspections of heating, ventilating, and A/C systems 
• Dry any porous surfaces that have become wet from leaks or flooding within the first 48 hours
• Clean and repair or replace any building materials that are moisture damaged or show evidence of mold growth
• Establish an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) team to oversee implementation of an IEQ Program. 

SkyeTec also recommends implementing a moisture prevention program during construction to ensure that the building is being properly constructed and sealed to avoid defects that could lead to a moisture problem later in the building's life cycle.  It is much more cost-effective to take preventative action for moisture/dampness than it is to take remedial action.

With the amount of time that we all spend in the workplace or classroom, it makes sense for NIOSH to emphasize the importance of a quality indoor air environment and the resolution of dampness and moisture/mold problems.

Now Hiring

Loss Technology Services, Inc., a SkyeTec company, is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the Claims Analyst position. For details click here. 

Article Raises Awareness of a Growing Problem in Sandy Aftermath

An article from Wednesday’s Long Island Newsday titled “Hurricane Sandy Mold and Flood Cleanup is Affecting Health and Safety of Residents”, brings light to a serious problem now plaguing residents of New York and New Jersey: mold and flood remediation. The article discusses the slow cleanup due to improper remediation techniques, improper equipment, and lack of well trained/certified contractors.  Meanwhile, residents are potentially affecting their health with their compromised indoor air quality.

At SkyeTec, we are all too familiar with the problems that can arise from improper mold and flood remediation. Our licensed mold inspectors work to prevent these situations by providing detailed reports of the damage and clear recommendations for what should be done to resolve the issue. Residents are then able to present a concise plan of action to the remediation contractor to ensure timely, and effective cleanup.

We also provide oversight services for flood cleanup. Our Restoration Consulting (water mitigation oversight) service makes sure that remediation contractors are properly handling the flood cleanup. We ensure that they are using the right equipment, for the proper amount of time, and in the correct manner.  This service reduces overcharging and prevents people from being taken advantage of.

Always check that the mold & flood remediation contractor is licensed in that state.