NC) - Budgeting is a financial management discipline that is crucial if you are considering buying a home for the first time or are already a home owner.

Budgeting helps you keep track of your spending. It allows you to put aside money for a down payment or to cover the many costs of owning and operating a home, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance.

The average house price in Canada in the first three months of this year was $238,230, up from $226,230 in 2004. Thanks to mortgage insurance, Canadians can buy a home with as little as a five per cent down payment.

Since air filters are one of the bests tools for eradicating allergens from your home, more people are using them than ever before. The trick is to find the one that works best for you, depending upon your specific needs. Before going shopping, arm yourself with some facts, so that you’ll be more prepared to choose an air filter, rather than listening to various sales pitches from merchants who are interested in making a quick buck. Of the five major types of air filters, here’s a quick look at four of them – one type (the ozone air filter) is not environmentally friendly, and consumers are not encouraged to purchase filters of this type.

How do you know whether a HEPA filter is really doing its job? When would you change the filter?

Q: How do you know whether a HEPA filter is really doing its job? When would you change the filter?
A: An air cleaner is a different product than for example, a heater or an air conditioner. With a heater or air conditioner, you feel heat or cool instantly. With an air cleaner users typically notice a decrease of allergic reactions or other symptoms over time - generally within 2-3 days of continuous use. Or they may notice they have less house dust (a mite allergen home) or they sleep better. Observing the filter also indicates the air cleaner is working, as the filter turns color as contaminants build up.

What is an air purifier?
Why are air purifiers needed?
What kind of technology is used in today's modern air purifiers?
What is HEPA?
What is a micron?
What is AHAM?
What is a CADR?
What is CFM?
How do negative ions work?
How do negative ions and ozone work?
What happens to the ionized particle once it falls to the ground?
Can an air purifier replace the need for asthma medication?

Q: What is an air purifier?
A: An Air Purifier is a device which aims to free air from contaminants. Various techniques are used to accomplish this which includes filters, adsorbents like charcoal, and electrostatic charges. People who suffer from asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems have the most to benefit. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Can you explain how an ozone generator (air purifier) works? Can ionizing actually clean the air? We recently purchased such a unit. Did we do the right thing?
What are the advantages of using a carbon filter rather than a cheaper electrostatic filter?
Why offer a UV lamp on an air purifier?
Can you explain what the difference the fan speed makes to the cleaning effectiveness of a machine?
Are there any benefits to using a room air cleaner as opposed to a central HEPA or electrostatic system?
We often get people who want to move an air cleaner from room to room during the week - one day one room and then move onto the next.

Why should indoor air quality concern me?
What contributes to poor indoor air quality?
What contaminants contribute to poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
Does my Home or Office have an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problem?
What are the primary sources of air pollution?
Why is controlled ventilation essential?
Can ozone be dangerous?
Why is ozone so dangerous for my health?
What does MCS mean?
What does VOC means?
Can houseplants purify your indoor air?

Q: Why should indoor air quality concern me?
A: Today’s modern homes are sealed tight to insulate us from the cold and heat as a result air circulation is kept to a minimum. Our indoor air meanwhile, contains minute particles such as dust, pet dander, pollen and mold spores that can aggravate asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems. In addition, many of today's cleaning products, furniture, carpets and building materials release chemicals, which also end up in the air we breathe. What’s most sobering is that fact that while our bodies have natural defenses against air borne particles, we have no natural defense against airborne chemicals! These, in fact, can go straight into the blood stream! A high efficiency air cleaner can help neutralize airborne particles, chemical and odors. AllerAir