Sealing all joints in the ductwork with a special water-based duct mastic (sealant) will reduce or eliminate warm air leaks. Look in the Yellow Pages™ under “Furnaces – Heating.” High-temperature duct tape may work, although it tends to degrade or permit air leakage over time.

When the circulating fan is running, heat loss can increase significantly if leaky ducts are located in an exterior wall, an attic or a crawl space, allowing the heated air to escape. This is one more good reason to keep all ducts well sealed.

Ducts passing through an unheated area such as a crawl space or an attic should first be sealed, then wrapped with batt or duct insulation. Do the same for long duct runs in the basement. As a minimum, insulation is recommended for the warm air plenum and at least the first three metres (10 feet) of warm air ducting. Better still, insulate all the warm air ducts you can reach. Use batts of insulation with foil backing, or enclose the insulated ducts in the joist space. If your basement is now being heated by the heat loss from the ducts, it may be necessary to have additional registers installed in the basement after you insulate. This will help direct the heat only where you want it, when you want it, without loss along the way.

Rooms on upper floors or far from the furnace are sometimes difficult to heat because of heat losses and also because of friction and other resistance to airflow (such as right-angle bends) in the ductwork. This can sometimes be corrected by light modifications to the ductwork after the ducts have been sealed and insulated and by balancing the dampers in the supply ducts to redirect the airflow from the warmer areas to cooler rooms.

Use dampers to divert the airflow

In some forced-air distribution systems, balancing dampers may be located in the secondary warm air ducts, close to where they branch off from the rectangular main heating duct. Often the dampers can be identified by a small lever on the outside of the duct. The position of this lever (or sometimes a slot in the end of the damper shaft) indicates the angle of the unseen damper inside the duct. If there are no such dampers, you will have to use those in the floor registers.

Start by closing the dampers in the ducts that supply heat to the warmest rooms. (They will probably supply some heat to these rooms even if they are completely closed.) Wait a few days to see what effect this has on the overall heat balance, then make further adjustments as necessary. Such adjustments may slightly reduce the total airflow through the furnace, but this will be balanced to some extent by a slight increase in the temperature of the delivered air.

CAUTION: It may be more practical to have an experienced service technician make the adjustments. If you make too large a reduction in the airflow, you could cause an undesirable increase in the temperature of the air inside the furnace plenum. It is a good idea to have your furnace serviceperson check this temperature rise.

Add cold-air returns.

Most houses are designed with inadequate cold air returns. As a result, there is not enough airflow through the furnace. Additional cold air returns in the living areas, particularly in the bedrooms, can increase air circulation and heating system efficiency while improving comfort and air quality in the house.

Some years ago, it was mistakenly thought that one way to get around the problem of inadequate cold air return was to open up the cold air return ductwork or plenum in the basement area near the furnace or even to take off the furnace access panel near the air filter. This is dangerous. The depressurization caused by the circulating fan can actually disrupt the combustion and result in spillage or backdrafting of combustion products. These combustion products can then be circulated through the house instead of being sent up the chimney. In certain cases, this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

For heat distribution problems that cannot be corrected by damper adjustments and other duct modifications, have a qualified serviceperson do a complete and proper balancing of your distribution system.

Change thermostat settings.

The easiest way to save heating dollars is to lower the temperature setting on your house thermostat. As a general rule, you will save 2 percent on your heating bill for every 1°C you turn down the thermostat overnight.

A programmable thermostat will adjust your home’s temperature automatically. These thermostats have a mechanical or electronic timer that allows you to preset household temperatures for specific periods of the day and night.

Maximizing efficiency in forced-air gas-heating systems: chimneys
Maximizing efficiency in forced-air oil-fired heating systems

8 oz  ( tomato sause ) , fresh parsley, black Peppers and one pound of turkey sausage.

Wash Lentils simmer to 45 minutes.

Add all ingrediants , ( brown sausage before adding to soup )  simmer.

Freezes very well and great for lunches.  

Our waiter was first class and one of the best I have seen in my life.

So if you like Italian Dining this place is worth checking out for sure. http://www.marcianos.ca/

One cup of Onion

2 Cloves of Garlic

1/4 cup of brown Sugar

1/4 cup of Molasses 1/4 cup of Key West Lime BBQ Sause 1/4 cup of Ketchup

2 tablespoons of worchester saus  one tablespoon of dry mustard  1 table spoon of cider vinegar

black Pepper a titch

This recipe came from  the barbeque bible I discovered using real German Smoked Bacon from Deningers in Hamilton or  Burlington makes a tremendous difference in flavour. I also opted to added spicy BBQ sause with lime. I used  Key West Lime BBQ Sause  but caution on the LIME it can be overpowering.

3 hours on High cool and reheat to medium. This is like  chilli  always better on the second reheat .

I was on a way to a showing in Burlington  and I stopped into a Tim Hortons. What I did wrong was a I cut a lady off in the Tim Hortons drive through. I felt bad but did not notice her  car . When I got to the window I payed for my coffee and payed for the order behind me. It was a small gesture but cutting off someone when you dont mean too is a crappy feeling. Im sure she was surprised when she got her donut and coffee for free.  I figured oh well its not much but at least I did something to correct my ways. The counter person also apoligized on my behalf  as I was not in a position to leave my car.

In Real Estate or any self employed business you learn quickly what goes around comes around.  Well funny thing  I was in Costco last week in Burlington. I did not have cash and the lunch counter is cash only. So I went to the ATM machine to get cash.  When I returned the counter person said you dont need  any money.

A lady had paid for my lunch and drink ! !  You are hearing  of this pay it forward  thing and I have not looked into it. But I am so amazed that I received this gesture from a complete stranger.

It just goes to show what goes around comes around.  I do believe most people are good people but we do sometimes get sidetracked.  But the lunch at Costco (Hot Dog and a Coke ) never tasted so good. The rest of the day was a gratifying  one as there was only positive thoughts for the rest of the day . Its a good day when you are above the ground.     

I went to Dundas's hidden treasure the rail trail. I only rode my bike 6 km uphill and 6 km downhill. I never count downhill.!  The air was cool and crisp. I saw a total of 3 whitetailed deer. I m not a deer expert but they had white tails so I guess I got it right.

People of all ages were out walking , biking, and enjoying the near perfect day.

Every year when the weather gets nice it is a daily routine to hit this trail,.And sadley every year by August we are down to once per week. I truly admire the people that can stick to a daily routine.

The wonderful thing about being self employed is those little opportunities while everyone is fighting traffic you can occasionally have a little moment. Today was that day.

I guess even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then .

Around 10 am I left the house and decided to rush a status certificate to help some clients out. I picked up the status certifcate and delivered to the other agent.  Because  management company's have 10 days I was lucky to get the status after 4 working days.

Then it happened my truck broke down. After 35 minutes CAA towed me to my favorite  garage in Burlington Sonic Auto.  There service is incredible. Unfortunately there loner vehicle broke down. I then had to use Zoom Courier in Burlington to pick up and deliver two deposit cheques.

Suddenly after waiting for my vehicle there was more bad news. The garage needed more time.

The listing agent  who happened to work at my office drove me to the house inspection. My clients who are valued friends then drove me to their home where we celebrated a successful home inspection with Pizza and Coke.

My wife then picked me up and drove me home. My car was ready the next morning at 8 am .

Thanks to Sonic auto for great service and  CAA, and everyone else who helped me make the home inspection on time.  

Friday September 2nd : 11 am to 11 pm
Saturday September 3rd : 11 am to 11 pm
Sunday September 4th : 11 am to 11 pm
Monday September 5th : 11 am to 8 pm

I came across this recipe the other day tried it and loved it  ( on a smaller scale ) I never have been able to follow a recipe. It got me thinking about the Burlington Rib Fest so I found info on the web site promoting this event..

6 racks of pork ribs

1/4 cup of paprika, 1 1/2  tablesoon of black ground pepper 1 1./2 Brown Sugar

i table spoon of sea salt, Pinch of celery salt, fresh garlic shaved, garlic power 1 1/2 teaspoons , 1 1/2 dry mustard and finally 1 1/2 ground cumin.

If you like  mop sause  to swab over ribs during cooking use 2 cups of cider vinegar 1/2 cup of yellow mustard ( I prefer sweet mustard) .

I parboil ribs which is a no no. and have the grill on medium heat. For true memphis style ribs use wood chips

and cover with sause after cooking for an hour on medium heat . Ribs are the toughest challenge for me on the cue.

If you like simple ribs try red wine , garlic and brown sugar , sause after………… Good luck

I would suggest searching the internet for memphis style ribs there are so many variations of this style.