Fox 5 Local News' Melanie Alnwick and ecobeco have teamed up once again to take an in depth look at how to help your home reduce drafts. This time we are putting several common insulation and air sealing remedies to the test.

First on our docket was the Twin Draft Guard. This versatile insulation product can be cut to fit under a door or window and provides an air barrier, cutting down on wayward drafts and gusts. Next we looked at plastic wrapping films for windows.  Don't miss the thermal camera comparing a covered and non-covered window side by side. 

 

For the full TV spot, click here.

Now that it's the middle of winter and we are spending more time sealed away in our homes, it's time to talk about Radon. The EPA declared January (yes, we got the memo a little late) to be national Radon Month in recognition of this threat and it suggests that you test your home to see if there is any build-up of this heavy and potentially dangerous radioactive gas.  Testing should be done every 5 years.

 

Radon is a tasteless, odorless, gas caused by the decay of radioactive minerals naturally found in the soil. This gas leaks into your house through gaps in your floor, service pipes, and cavities in your walls. Once in your home, radon and can build up to seriously dangerous levels, particularly in a well sealed, poorly ventilated house.  Click on the map on the right to see Radon levels in Maryland and other states.

 

Proper air circulation and ventilation drastically reduce the risk of radon poisoning. Sealing cracks in your foundation and other ground-level penetrations also helps to reduce the radon level in your home. Testing your home is also relatively easy and can be done with a simple disposable testing kit (available at ecobeco for $15 plus $30 lab fee).

 

The EPA recommends testing for radon in mid winter for the best results. In order to perform a test properly, you should keep all windows and doors closed for at least 12 hours before the test.  Then, you place a small gas-absorbing container (the test kit) on your lower level for 2-3 days while the test takes place. Then you seal the container and send to a lab for analysis.  It's easy.

 

It is always a good idea to test the air quality of your home whenever you perform renovations that can potentially change the air flow of your house.  While Radon is a concern, the good news is that it can be remedied.  To quote my favorite action hero, "Knowing is half the battle."