Q&A / 

FilterScan Video Transcript Hi, I'm Tim Carter from AsktheBuilder.com. You know what this is, don't you? This is a common air filter that goes in either your furnace or your air conditioning system. And you know what the trouble is all too often you may be one person that doesn't change them frequently enough or Read More »

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Thanksgiving and Christmas are bearing down on you. When I still was building and remodeling six days a week, I clearly remember how customers wanted me gone and out of their homes during this festive season. The stress level that accompanies turkeys, family, gift giving and parties is already high enough so the dust, plastic Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Intake vent for makeup air What height from the ground Be aware of blockages Randy King, who's in need of makeup air in Madison, WI, wrote: "I saw your video on make-up air. I'm installing Skuttle's Model 216-6 (6") damper control and exterior intake vent. The intake vent needs to exit through Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: Is furnace smell dangerous Carbon monoxide is odorless/dangerous Dust accumulation causes smell Clean furnace and ductwork Jane, who lives with an old octopus gravity-feed (probably) furnace in Roseville, MI, has an odor issue. Let her describe it: "We moved into a home that has an old octopus furnace - it is labeled Read More »

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Quick Column Summary: How good is radiant heating Calculate heat loss to determine heat needed for your room Use separate electric circuit for mat Do all of the testing steps DEAR TIM: I'm remodeling a small room that has no heat. Radiant heating is really appealing to me because it's so comfortable. I've seen mats Read More »

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Radiant heat is by no means new. Different form forced-air systems, it uses electromagnetic, infrared waves to heat. Radiant heating systems are a little more expensive to install but provide silent, clean and comfortable heat.

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Galvanized ducting buried under concrete slabs can collect water, debris or worse. There is an air duct cleaning system that not only cleans your ducts, but coats them with a waterproofing compound. This system uses your existing ductwork, so no need to install new ducts.

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A fresh air intake directly next to water pipes can cause a frozen water pipe. The fresh air is required for today's HVAC systems. By redirecting the make-up air inlet down to the floor, you can provide some pipe freezing protection.

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