Subject of the Month
Because we are constantly being flooded by the media with information, some more pertinent than others, we have added this page to try stay current with articles and information we hope you find useful.
We are listed with the Better Business Bureau
of Washington DC - for further information go to their web site at: www.dc.bbb.org
Feburary 2010
The extreme conditions caused by our recent snow storms have created numerous problems for the homeowner. The Washington Post has several helpful articles concerning roofs and other problems. Go to www.washingtonpost.com to read the latest tips from experts.
| Office of Information and Public Affairs | Washington, DC 20207 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2009 Release # 09-266 |
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 524-2086 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 |
Name of Product: Kidde Model PI2000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms
Units: About 94,000
Manufacturer: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C.
Hazard: An electrostatic discharge can damage the unit, causing it not to warn consumers of a fire.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reported incidents of smoke alarm malfunctions involving electrostatic discharge during installation. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Kidde dual sensor smoke alarms model PI2000. The alarms can be identified by two buttons, “HUSH” and “PUSH AND HOLD TO TEST WEEKLY,” which are located on the front/center of the alarm. The model number and date code are on the back of the smoke alarm. Only date codes 2008 Aug.01 through 2009 May 04 are included in this recall.
Sold at: Retail, department, and hardware stores and through electrical distributors nationwide from August 2008 through May 2009 for between $30 and $40.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should contact Kidde immediately to receive a free replacement smoke alarm.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kidde toll-free at (877) 524-2086 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidde.com
Defective Chinese Drywall - Homeowners are beginning to be concerned about toxic drywall manufactured in China and used in building between 2004 to 2007. To find out more about this go to our resources page under helpful links.
4/21/2009 Joseph Walker appeared on Montgomery County Television in the production of Law School for the Public. The program entitled "Surviving Your Home Renovation" Programs are shown on Channel 21,23,49 on Tuesday
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is still respectable (SEER 13). If yours is more than 10 years old, an off brand, or less than a SEER 13, you are a candidate. SEER is like miles per gallon for A/C units. Ask your HVAC technician what yours is or call us and we can look it up. But even with good units that are only 10 years old the tax credit for replacing it with a ground source heat pump is 30% of the cost, no limit on the total! If I spend $12,000 each on ground source heat pumps, $24,000 total, my grandchildren pay $7,200. At that price I’m a candidate. I’ll cut my heat and cooling bills in half and get hot water as a byproduct during the cooling season. If your equipment is due for replacement it’s a no brainer. The tax credit for geothermal has been extended into 2016. I’ll squeeze out a few more years with my old equipment but I’m going for the ground source heat pump before the credit runs out. Definitely the way of the future. I’ll pay about $8,000 – $9,000 more than I would have anyway and I’ll save about $1,500 - $1,800 a year. In about 5 years its paid for. They also last longer, so over the remaining 15 year life Ill save another $22,000 - $27,000. That ought to cover the principal and interest on the money I’m borrowing from my grandchildren. I’ll also leave them cleaner air. I’m looking into a type common in my neighborhood made by Advanced Geothermal (info@advgeo.com). It’s a Direct Exchange ground loop. My neighbors love them. It doesn’t use the water loop, which in the course of my home inspections, has always seemed to be a maintenance and installation nightmare. I’ll keep you posted. The web site at the top of the page is the Energy Star web site where you can learn more about Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.