QUESTION: I want to install a garbage disposal system in my kitchen, but I am not sure if I need a full-featured one with the most powerful motor? Also, is a garbage disposal harmful or beneficial for the environment?ANSWER: Installing a garbage disposal is certainly a convenience, but how it affects the environment is somewhat dependent on the area in which you live.In areas where landfill space is at a premium and water is plentiful, it may be beneficial to run garbage down the drain instead of disposing of it in landfills.In water-restricted areas, it may make sense to put the garbage in your trash. This will save water and reduce the amount of sewage treatment required by the local sanitation system.Running a lot of garbage into a septic tank may cause problems for some older systems. In major cities, the grease from garbage disposals also may cause sewer problems.Check with your local water/sewage department for its advice on the use of a garbage disposal. If you decide to get one, more power is definitely an advantage. The motors range from about one-half to one hp (horsepower) for residential units. Since you run one for such a short time each day, the difference in electricity usage is minimal.The most powerful one-hp models will cost about $200 or more. Some smaller one-half-hp models cost less than $100. If you are careful to keep small bones and other tougher garbage out of the garbage disposal, a one-half-hp model should be adequate. A one-hp model can chew up most bones that would typically get in it.For safety and convenience, select a garbage disposal with auto-reverse to automatically clear out items that get jammed in it. This is safer than sticking your hand down in there to clear it out. Ones made with stainless steel are corrosion-resistant and stronger and some, such as In-Sink-Erator, have up to a seven-year, in-home warranty. A good-quality model will usually last about 10 to 12 years.If your children sometimes clean the dishes and use the garbage disposal, choose a batch-feed model. This will operate only when the cover is placed over the drain so little hands cannot get in there and no small bones can fly out. For more convenience and speedy operation, a continuous-feed model operates from a wall switch.When a kitchen also has a dishwasher, select a garbage disposal with an inlet for it. Dishwashers usually drain to the garbage disposal. If you install it yourself, make sure to remove the cover over the inlet before attaching the drain hose. I forgot once. When I ran the dishwasher the first time and it started the drain cycle, it shot a stream of hot, soapy, dirty water out the top of the sink like a geyser.The following companies offer garbage disposals: General Electric, 800-626-2000 or www.geappliances.com; In-Sink-Erator, 800-558-5700 or www.insinkerator.com; Kitchenaid, 800-422-1230 or www.kitchenaid.com; Waste King, 800-854-3229 or www.wasteking.com; and Whirlpool, 800-253-1301 or www.whirlpool.com.Send inquiries to James Dulley, Butler Eagle, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

QUESTION: We have dirty areas by the hot air registers from our electric furnace. We had the ducts cleaned but dirt keeps coming back. How is the fine black dirt getting into the ducts?ANSWER: If you had the ducts cleaned by a reputable duct cleaning company, they should have gotten all the loose dirt out of them. No furnaces, especially electric, should create any black dirt.It sounds as though you may have some return ducts in the walls which are open to the attic. They should be sealed at the top, but sometimes are missed. This can pull a tremendous amount attic dirt into your duct system.