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GBlist: Re: Insulation/ attic- crawlspace




On Mon, 22 Sep 1997 17:06:07 -0500 ewestbrook writes:


>
>We have an HRV with a dessicant wheel (to remove moisture) and speed
>control/on-off switch that works very well. It's made by AirXchange. 
>The
>contact I have for them, which is about 18 mos. old, is Keith 
>Robinson,
>Rockland, MA, 617-871-4816. I think the Model 503 cost about $700, 
>making it
>the best value as well as the best performer that we could find. Ours 
>is set
>up to blow the make-up air into the supply duct; talk with AirXchange 
>to see
>what installation would suit your house.
>
>You might also check out EPA publication #400/1-90/002 (February 
>1990),
>_Residential Air-Cleaning Devices: A Summary of Available 
>Information_. It
>mainly discusses filter types and efficiencies. To order it, call the 
>Govt.
>Publications Office in Washington DC.
>
>And just one more word on inside sources: particleboard and fabrics
>(especially upholstery fabrics and permanent-press) are some of the 
>biggest
>sources of formaldehyde. These are sometimes less obvious than things 
>like
>carpet. Formaldehyde emissions peak fairly early and then decline 
>slowly, so
>furniture that's 8-10 years old will cause fewer problems than new
>furniture. Clothes you've washed a lot are probably okay, but sheets 
>can be
>a big problem. I suppose, if you're especially sensitive to plastics, 
>even
>some of the allergen-proof mattress covers could cause problems for 
>you. If
>you don't know about them yet, Seventh Generation (now Harmony, I 
>think)
>carries untreated "green" sheets, in both organic and nonorganic 
>versions. 
>
>Looking around my house, I can only pray I never get sensitive to 
>plastic --
>our CD collection alone must have hundreds of square feet of surface 
>area! 
>
>Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions on the air exchanger.


Thanks Elena for replying  to my situation.  I appreciate the info your
wrote me about how your system is set up with the 'AirXchange" - and the
contact.    We are in the process of getting the house tested, to
hopefully make some progress in my "bad- air" conditioning odor.   The
inside of the house- as far as furnishings go- is very sparse.  We have
tile floors,  the kitchen cabinets, however, we need to replace at some
time.  Just can't do everything at once.  That's another area of
investigation, at another time.  I realize that one problem compounds
another.  We did have the house tested, and formaldehyde is not one of
the problems-  Thank goodness.  The furniture is not new- and I use
organic bedding.  I do remember the days of plastic covers on things- I
have organic all the way here.  No plastic.  Yes, Seventh Generation, is
where I've purchased many quality blankets, and so on.  I hear you loud
and clear when you say you pray you never get sensitive to plastics.  But
we do try to find ways around everything.  I thank you very much for you
note, and the info.  I'll  surely let you know if I have more questions
on the air exchanger.  Thanks much!   Beth.
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