Phase Change Materials - Eutectic Thermal Energy Storage Products

Ice Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has the advantage of universal availability, low cost and transport ability through other system components. However, a conventional ice TES system for air conditioning application requires low temperature chillers and therefore standard water chillers must be replaced with low temperature glycol chillers which operate with a lower evaporation temperature and consume more power.

If we can offer designers an ice which freezes and melts above or below 0C (32 F) these new products will open new horizons for environmentally friendly and economical systems for both New and Retrofit type process cooling / heating load shifting applications.

Phase Change Material (PCM) Eutectic solutions are mixtures of two or more chemicals which, when mixed in a particular ratio, have a freezing / melting point below or above water freezing temperature of 0 C (32 F) and they offer a thermal energy storage facility between -114 C (-173 F) and +164 C (327 F).

Eutectics are well-known and in fact early applications date back to the late 18th century however the separation and the life expectancy of these mixtures were unpredictable and therefore their wide spread usage was limited.

The disadvantages of a conventional HVAC chiller and ice (water ice) storage system can be overcome by utilising the latent heat capacity of various "Eutectic" mixtures without the need for minus circulation temperatures.

Phase Change Material (PCM) thermal energy storage not only enables the designer to utilise existing chiller technology but also enables charging by means of free cooling, i.e. without running the chillers

Although the term "Eutectic" is widely used to describe the materials we are interested in, a better description would be "Phase Change Materials" ("PCMs"). Unfortunately, very few of the documented PCM solutions are true Eutectics and so many have to be modified to obtain a material suitable for long term use.

PCMs can be broadly grouped into two categories; "Organic Compounds" and "Salt-based Products". The fundamental requirement for a modified Eutectic (PCM) Solution can be classified in three categories, namely stable solution (no separation or degrading), minimum supercooling / heating and finally close freezing and melting temperatures.

There are three fundamental additives commonly used to modify hydrated salt based Eutectic PCM solutions. These three components are firstly Nucleating Agent which encourages Crystal formation and therefore minimizes super cooling and the secondly additive is Freeze Depressant to achieve a lower phase change temperature and thirdly Gelling / Thickening Agent in order to overcome separation and degrading problems.

Once the above components have been carefully applied, a satisfactory Eutectic PCM Solution can be produced from the physical and thermodynamic point of views and commercially available solutions offer a range of -114 C (-173 F) and +164 C (327 F).

However, majority of suitable PCM solutions for HVAC and refrigeration systems are corrosive to commonly used pipe and line components and therefore suitable encapsulation techniques must be applied to overcome this problem while providing the best thermal performance. Various encapsulation techniques such as tube, flat container or alternatively ball concepts have been developed whereby the PCM solutions are encapsulated in plastic and / or metal shell.

The heat transfer between the surrounding media, which flows around or inside the unit and the surrounding PCM solutions, takes place from the outer or inner or the combination of both surfaces of the encapsulated PCM unit. These techniques are generally eliminates the contamination risk and offers an efficient, cost effective, practical and flexible new type of TES designs.

Modern society's reliance on refrigeration and air conditioning indicates that refrigeration and the associated environmental issues will be with us for a considerable time and therefore one has to utilize existing and available alternative technologies with minimum usage of energy.

A Positive Temperature Eutectic Phase Change Material (PCM) Thermal Energy Storage (TES) not only provides the end user with an Environmentally Friendly design but also the following additional benefits can be obtained:

Reduced Equipment Size
Capital Cost Saving
Energy Cost Saving
Environmentally Friendly Installation
Improved System Operation
Flexibility for the Future Capacities

The temperature ranges offered by the proposed PCM solutions utilize conventional chilled water temperature ranges for both the charging and discharging sides of the system. Hence, they can be applied to any new or retrofit application with minimal technical and economical impacts.

Furthermore, the possibility of Free Cooling Cycle, Absorption Chillers, Co-Generation, Solar, Hot Water and Heat Recovery TES system combinations offer new horizons for designers to control the energy balance to match the load and electricity demand / consumption of the system as a whole.

The task for designers is to explore all available technologies towards achieving improved efficiency regardless of which refrigerant is used, and apply where and when possible diversification technologies in order to minimize the overall CO2 emission related to energy usage. A carefully balanced Eutectic, Phase Change Material (PCM) Thermal Energy Storage (TES) may be the answer for some of the cooling applications for an Environmentally Friendly and Economical alternative.

Zafer Ure, M.Sc., C.Eng., MCIBSE., MASHRAE., MInstR., is the Managing Director of Environmental Process Systems Ltd. and has 25 years experience in the HVAC industry and has written many papers for industry conferences and magazines. Details of PCM Products can be found at http://www.pcmproducts.net and Zafer can be contacted on +44 1733 243400 or at z.ure@epsltd.co.uk

Tips For a Green Renovation - Part One

The benefits to renovating green are obvious; not only do you do your part to help the environment, but you create a more marketable home that has lower monthly energy costs than your neighbors. The first article in my upcoming series on green renovation focus on a few of the simpler things you can do to ease your way into living green at home.

1.) Go Local! - Why should you use products produced locally? Not only does it support the local economy, but it also reduces the environmental effects of transporting goods long distances. Find out what types of stone and wood are prevalent to your area and make those your first choice materials.

2.) Use Sustainable and Recycled Building Materials - Sustainable materials, like bamboo for flooring, are more far easier to replace and regrow than traditional hardwoods. Recycled materials, like Terrazzo, can incorporate recycled pieces of granite and glass.

3.) Recycle, Reuse, Refurbish - Renovations produce huge amounts of waste. That waste goes into a landfill. Reuse as much of the "scrap" as possible, refurbish old doors and cabinets and recycle anything you can't reuse or refurbish.

4.) Install Energy Efficient Appliances and Windows - The initial extra investment in EnergyStar Appliances and Windows will come back to your pocketbook many times over with the money you will save monthly on your energy bills. Don't forget to check on tax credits and utility company credits for these as well.

5.) Watch Your Water Usage - Installation of low flow toilets and shower heads along with tankless water heaters can dramatically cut down your water usage.

By following these five simple and affordable tips when you renovate you will have taken a big first step to creating a green home you can be proud of! However, don't stop there! Visit my blog for more green renovation tips, tricks, and suggestions.

Jonathan Blackwell
FHA 203K Specialist
Hometown Lenders
http://www.203KLoan.net
http://www.GoGreenWithFHA.com
404-551-3845

Residential Solar Panel

Residential solar panels gained a lot of popularity in the recent years. The main reason is that they are quite efficient alternative to regular energy sources and thus can cut home utility bills by thousands.

In essence solar panels are made of solar cells that collect sun emission and than transform it into energy that can be used for any household. Many people use them just for home heating as well as producing hot water, while other also use panels to produce electricity.

Why people consider installing panels in their homes? Here are the main benefits:

Earth friendly: Residential solar panels use solar energy to create electricity, heat water or heat your home. In that sense they are totally environmentally safe because they do not use any fuel and thus cause no pollution.

User friendly: A less known fact is that it is quite easy to manufacture solar panels for your household needs by yourself. All kind of panels are very easy to install too. Moreover the maintenance of both DIY and ready made residential solar panels is quite easy and it requires neither a lot of time nor money.

Cost effectiveness: Alternative energy sources require only an initial investment that pays quickly over time. By using solar panels as an alternative to other energy supply you are likely to cut your utilities bill more than half per month.

Perfect for remote areas: Residential solar panels are perfect for energy supply in remote areas that stand out of the main electricity grid. Thus they are perfect for any mountain or agricultural regions.

Noise free: Unlike windmill generators that produce a lot of noise, solar panels are completely noise free. For that reason they are preferred alternative of wend power generators.

Don't take living space: As residential solar panels need sun to generate energy, they are usually installed on the roof of a building. In that sense they don't really take any vital living space.

The only real disadvantage is that solar panels do not work during night or during cloudy weather. However in most cases the energy collected during the day is enough for an average household of four people and their needs.

If you are really interested to create electricity at your backyard using solar power, Earth4Energy is a guide that explains step by step method to create electricity using Solar Panels. One can easily start creating electricity from Solar Power, by taking help of the guide.

Check out Earth4Energy Review

Credit Crunch 2008 and the Great Depression

The world economy is in a strange place due to the credit crunch. People across many nations have felt its effects, and are struggling to find ways to deal with it. The economy hasn't been in a similar place since just before The Great Depression, and several things are contributing to the overall crisis. Banks filing bankruptcy, large corporations failing to stay afloat and having their executives bailed out by governments around the world, as well as rampant home foreclosures have all sent the economy in a downward spiral. Amidst all these foreboding events, it seems difficult to find anything to be happy about. What if there were ways to take advantage of the credit crunch? If so, how could you do it? In this article, I'll give a brief explanation of how you can turn this economic crisis around.

The first important thing you can do is stay positive. Instead of stressing over how terrible the crisis is, try and find little ways to save money. Energy-saving technology is becoming more and more readily available to the public, and is one of the great ways you can spend less to save more. While the gas price seems to have stabilised, it's still pretty expensive across most countries. Riding a bike, walking, or using mass transit (buses and subways) can really help reduce your transportation spending. Reducing heating and air conditioning in your home can keep your energy usage down. By doing these simple things, you can really reduce the impact of the credit crunch on you and your family.

If you've recently mortgaged your house and are trying to avoid defaulting, look up tips online. There are a number of agreements and deals you can make with the lender in order to keep from defaulting, and lending companies and banks are more willing than ever to help people make mortgage payments. The credit crunch doesn't have to cost you your home - but it's up to you to take the initiative and pull yourself out.

The credit crunch is certainly costly for all , but by following some simple money-saving ideas, you can greatly reduce its impact on you and those who are close to you. Be sure to stay on the lookout for any wiggle room, and stay positive! There are plenty of ways you can keep yourself out of economic trouble. You just have to stay alert, keep your chin up; your eyes open and wear that credit crunch smile!

How to Save Money on Electricity With Alternative Energy

Are your electric bills getting out of hand? If so, then perhaps you should consider alternative energy options, to save money on electricity. Wind turbines and solar panels have been on the up rise for quite some time now. People from all across the world are producing their own electricity; it is time for us to grip the future. Start saving money now on electricity with alternative energy.

If you live in a blustery area, Wind turbines are a great way to save you money. Take the necessary steps and you will be on your way to saving money in no time. Although thinking about building your own wind turbine can seem like a hassle, it is actually a very simple, cheap, and can be finished in less than a day with the proper equipment. Previously buying units could be very expensive, now with do-it-yourself methods you can build a wind turbine for very cheap.

Another alternative is solar panels, if you live in a sunny area then solar panels is a great way to harness natural alternative energy and save a lot of money on your electricity bills. Solar panels have been around for a long time but are now more affordable than ever, due to rising demand and do-it-yourself solar panel plans.

Hopefully now you have learned how to save money on electricity with alternative energy. Consider using either a wind turbine or solar panels to generate your own electricity and save big every month. What are you waiting for?

Get your do-it-yourself solar panel and wind turbine instructions, complete with step-by-step video instructions, today.

Go green, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. What are you waiting for?

Build Your Own Windmill

Sick of paying ever increasing energy bills? There are a few solutions in reducing your energy bills, most which are going to also cost you a small fortune. I've looked in to alternative methods and found a financially viable one. Are you ready to build your own windmill?

Wind power is the worlds fastest growing energy source, increasing roughly 30% year on year. As the technology becomes better, prices of ready made home windmills are dropping. Unfortunately, the costs have only dropped to around $20,000 minimum. I recently purchased a simple guide which stated you could build your own windmill for less than $200. I was skeptical to start with but decided to give it a try, anything.

My first windmill has been installed and operational for two months. This coupled with my home built solar panel has cut my electricity bill by around 30%. The guide includes instructions on how to build your own solar panel too. My windmill came in at around $180. I'd advise anyone thinking of doing it to get help from a friend for a couple of stages, like when you attach it to your house. it can be a bit of a balancing act if you try it on your own.

If you think you can build your own windmill and want to get your electricity bill cut down, head over to my website and read my review on the whole process.

This initial investment will save you money on your electricity bills for years to come and you'll also be doing your bit for the planet.

Click Here for my review.

What is the Availability of Solar Energy in the United States?

While America may not be the leading producer of solar energy in the world, we definitely boast some pretty friendly cities that love solar panels. So if you're looking for a new place to homestead and you want to invest in solar technology, consider some of these great cities to live:

• Austin, Texas: While Texas itself may not seem like the most environmentally-friendly state, they boast one of the friendliest cities in America. In Austin, Texas, local rebate programs and energy deals with the local utility company can pay for 60% of your new solar panels upfront. These incentive programs have led to more people buying solar than anywhere else in the U.S.

There's also a boom of solar energy companies in Austin. With so many companies to choose from, you can truly "shop around" for the best deal. Competition breeds affordability when it comes to solar power. Also, Austin is the perfect environment for solar panels. It's sunny almost 300 days out of every year in Austin!

• San Francisco, California: California has long been known for its environmental consciousness. San Francisco currently only has around 900 rooftops planted with solar panels. The mayor of San Francisco came out January 7, 2009 and said he wanted to see 10,000 solar rooftops by 2012. In order to complete their lofty goal, the city is introducing new rebate programs and tools residents can use to plan their power system.

One of these tools is the "Solar Map". This nifty online tool allows San Franciscans to view how much sunlight their home can harvest. The Solar Map uses Google Earth vectoring to determine solar potency for the different city buildings and homes.

In California there's definitely no shortage of great solar power companies. Many of these companies are based in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. San Francisco is only 4.5 hours away from most of these companies, so you can definitely shop around in California for the best deal.

• Albuquerque, New Mexico: With the new Energy Act and the state incentives that New Mexico offers to residents, up to $18,000 of your solar panel system can be paid for as a rebate (no loans, no re-payment) in New Mexico.

Furthermore, New Mexico has a law that makes their local utility companies pay their customers for the energy they produce. PNM (the utility company in New Mexico) actually pays about .13 cents per kWh produced, and charges their customers only .09 kWh used! If you produce more than what you spend in electricity, then by law the utility company pays you a check.

It's easy to find a great solar energy provider in New Mexico with their New Mexico Solar Energy Association. This group actually allows you to view a solar installation and works much like the BBB of solar power.

These are the friendliest solar cities we could find in America for affordability, rebates, and future solar technology. Keep in mind, many states provide substantial rebates to home owners who are using the power of the sun. On top of rebate incentives, you should carefully weigh how many local companies can provide panels and installations. More companies mean more savings to you as a consumer. Also, keep in mind where your city wants to go with its energy programs. If your city wants to continue expansion of solar energy, then you'll see even more benefits down the road.

Why not build your own solar power at home? You can make your own solar panel with this energy guide at http://123HomeSolarPower.com.
Also check out Philip Richard's blog on solar power at http://Homesolarblog.com.

Energy Performance Certificates - Are They a Waste of Energy?

When EPC's were first launched for HIPS, many people in the Property Industry were of the mind that:
a) they are pointless and purchaser's or tenants won't look at them
b) just another hassle for Estate Agents, Vendors and Landlords to get over and
c) adding more cost the Homeowner.

Of course, this is only my opinion however, I would suggest that these thoughts are shared by at least half the UK population!

What are EPC's really all about? Do we really understand what the Government is trying to achieve. The answer I guess would be... no.

Direct.gov.uk states that "Buildings produce nearly half of the UK's carbon emissions! That's almost twice that of cars and planes. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions."

If you think about it from a global perspective, the daunting facts about global warming is a serious issue and it is about time someone starts to act on it! Having done a little research into our current climate changes, my opinions about EPC's have changed, or at least, I try to see them from a different perspective.

The only difficulty now, is trying to change the perception of the Industry to actually act on the EPC's rather than seeing then as another "Tick in the Box" when renting a property.

A couple of facts regarding EPC's:

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are now considered mandatory for all property to rent as from the 1st October 2008.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) was introduced to provide Landlords with property to let, Home Owners, Tenants and Buyers of property with information relating to the energy efficiency of a property. The property will be graded on its standard energy and carbon emission efficiency and will receive an energy rating grade from 'A' - the most efficient through to 'G'. A grading of 'D' will be an average rating.

What do EPC's mean for Landlords?

Landlords will be able to make changes to the property to let based on the recommendations of the EPC report. The report will include information for the Landlord such as:

suggested improvements (such as fitting loft insulation)
the approximate cost of such improvements
possible cost savings per year if the improvements are made
how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property

Landlords can use this information to:

Encourage Tenants to rent property based on potentially lower fuel costs
Cut your own fuel costs or standing charges for vacant properties
Improve energy performance in your house or flat to rent
Help cut carbon emissions from your property

Landlords are not required to act on the recommendations suggested from the report however, in order to promote the attractiveness of a property to let, a more energy efficient property should encourage price conscious tenants to make further enquiries.

All Landlords who rent property will be required to make the EPC available to prospective tenants the first time you let a property after the 1st of October 2008.

An EPC is only required for a property which is self-contained, and will be valid for 10 years.

An EPC is not required when a tenant rents a room and shares facilities.

What do EPC's mean for Tenants?

The energy efficiency of a property to let is measured by using the same calculations for all homes, houses and flats to rent. This allows Tenants to make an informed decision when they come to selecting a property to rent. A higher energy efficient property may be cheaper to run when calculating the cost of heating and fuel bills.

As a tenant, if you are interested in renting a property then an EPC must be made available to you free of charge by either the Landlord or the Letting Agent.

An EPC is only required for a rental property which is self-contained, and is valid for 10 years.

An EPC isn't required when you rent a room and share facilities.

Who is required to have an EPC?

The EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent.

EPC's only apply to England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland are producing their own regulations.

Jonathan Daines (Jonathan@LettingaProperty.com) is Co - Director of http://www.LettingaProperty.com - a property search portal and information guide dedicated to the letting Industry. Advertising Letting Agents and Private Landlords' Properties to Let to thousands of Tenants every day. Visit http://www.LettingaProperty.com - and start your property search.

Insulate Hot Water Pipes and Save Energy

As the world moves deeper into recession, people are looking for ways to cut their everyday living expenses. One of the major expenses in every household is that of energy consumption. With all the appliances and gadgets men have made, we tend to use, misuse and waste a good deal of energy. One easy way to save energy and to cut some of your bills is by keeping water hot inside the pipes for longer durations in winter. Insulating water pipes is the easiest way to achieve this cut in energy.

First of all, measure the dimensions of the water pipes you want to insulate. You should note the measurements somewhere so that you won't forget them, especially the outer diameter associated with each pipe. Make sure that there are no leakages in the pipes. If you find any leakage point, get that fixed before continuing with the insulation.

Once you have checked all pipes and taken measurements, you need to decide which type of insulation you should use. Whatever insulation that you select, ensure you cover as much area as you can so that the heat that escapes is kept to a minimum. The most common material used in this regard is pre-formed molded insulation foam. Because of being common, you can easily get it for most sizes and lengths, and separate small pieces are available for spigots. In order to get the best installation, ensure that the inner diameter of the foam is about equal or only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipes. This will form a closure and so cool air will not be stuck between the pipelines and insulation.

Upon acquiring the necessary materials, use a mild cleaning agent to remove any soot from the pipes. Also make sure there isn't any oil or other dampness on the outer surface as this hinders with the installment of insulation material. After the pipes become dry, wrap the foam around it carefully without leaving any part of the pipe uncovered. Additionally, when attaching 2 molded foams at bends, it is a good idea to sever the foam at forty-five degree angles, such that they enclose the whole bend and don't leave any space uncovered. Once you have successfully put it on the pipes, wrap some acrylic tape around it to ensure greater efficiency. You could also try using duct tape, though some plumbing experts prefer to employ acrylic tape. You can also use a wire or clamp rather than tape.

If you are living in a place where pipe freezing occurs frequently, it's highly recommended to insulate you water pipes even if you have to hire a plumber for this. That's because water expands when it freezes, and this can cause even durable pipes to break. Pipes most vulnerable to breakage are those situated outside the house like the swimming pool line. In the cold months, it is beneficial to empty water from the line and turn off the valve to halt additional water flow. If you find a pipe that is frozen, do not use naked fire to try to heat it up. The best thing would be to call a licensed plumber to be on the safe side.

Scott Rodgers is a master plumber who has recently begun writing articles for both a plumbing and non-plumbing audience. To view more of plumbing articles, visit http://eLocalPlumbers.com

New Home Buyers Beware

Ican't believe how many homebuyers purchase a house, with very little information and a Lotta hope. I'm a general contractor and often work on these homes, after they have been purchased and a homeowner has their money, the real estate professional is no longer involved in the transaction and the new homeowner is starting to experience the pitfalls from buying the home, that they sincerely believe was in good condition.

It's usually somebody like me that gets involved with the new homeowners after everyone else is out of the picture and chooses not to return their phone calls or explains to them quite simply, it's not our responsibility, you're the new homeowner and we really feel sorry for you, please call us again if we can help you with anything.

You couldn't even help me with that, why would I want to call you again if I had a problem. I never could understand this thinking but have ran into it often. It sounds like an oxymoron when someone refuses to help you but offers you help in the future. What ever!!!.

If homebuyers had something else to rely on besides their real estate salesperson, home inspection service, mortgage or insurance professional, I believe they can eliminate some of these problems. Where do you start and how do you get the information. You can gather information from reputable people, books, the Internet and so on.

The problem is how do you know these people are reputable and the books on the Internet have good information. This brings us to another problem, but I've got the solution that will help eliminate some of the grief. I'm not going to remove all of the grief from your life but have a suggestion for you that will eliminate some of the pain when buying a home.

Arm yourself with a good home inspection checklist. You can search the Internet and they have quite a few good home inspection checklist to work with. These checklist can provide you with things you might not have thought of, and this is where you can eliminate some of the problems.

If you took one of these checklists with you while you were shopping for a home, you would be aware of some of the problems with the home. You might not find all of the problems but these checklist will help you with some of the problems.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

Advantages of Framing With Steel Studs

I have heard all sorts of stories over the years of the advantages in framing with steel versus wood studs. One time I even heard you could build an entire house with the amount of recycled steel from a large automobile such as a Cadillac. I find this hard to believe unless you're building a very small home.

My personal favorite for framing with steel studs is that they are extremely straight. I have built nonbearing partition walls using 12 foot 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs and after the drywall you can lay an 8 foot level to check it for straightness on the wall with amazing results.

If you use 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs with 5/8 of an inch drywall you will get an extremely durable and sturdy wall. Framing was steel studs is common in office renovations or remodeling. Most of the steel stud framing is done via the drywall contractors.

Steel studs and termites do not mix. You'll never have to worry about these little buggers or other uninvited house pests damaging your walls.

Over the years I have heard stories that steel framed buildings are earthquake and fire proof. They might be more resistant to fire than wood but keep in mind when metal is hot enough it will bend and warp making it unusable.

When I hear people talking about a fireproof building built with metal framing components my first thought is all of the other materials used in building the house that are not fire resistant. Don't get a false illusion when buying a house framed with steel studs and think it is 100% fire proof.

As far as steel framed buildings being earthquake proof this is another story. I really can't comment too much on earthquake damage to a steel building. The problem with earthquakes is they seem to create fires. So even if you're building does survive an earthquake it could get damaged by a fire in the area.

I have framed more wood homes than steel homes over the years and my steel stud construction is limited to nonbearing partition walls usually located in office buildings. I love framing with metal because of its light weight and ease of construction.

I still love framing with wood. There is something about what framing that I have always loved and always will.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as

well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on House Framing Ideas

Installing a 32 Inch Back Door

In some older houses you will find a 30 inch back door. Have you ever tried to move a refrigerator or some large furniture through a 30 inch door? Keep in mind most bedroom doors are 30 inches wide and are in 36 inch hallways. 30 inch doors and bedrooms make it tough to move some furniture in too.

Let's start with the price difference between a 30 inch door and a 32 inch door. The cost difference is usually going to be around $20. If you are building a hundred homes this could become quite an additional expense. So we can understand why the home builder installed a 30 inch door in the back of our home.

He got the extra money in his pocket, you got a headache.

Here's the big problem. If you ever want to install a larger door you will need to replace the structural door framing. Now this is where you could run into a little bit of an expense. Changing the framing for a wider door could become quite costly. It could actually cost over $1000 in some cases.

Now if the homebuilder would have originally installed a 32 inch door in your house it might have ran him as high as an additional $45. How can this be? I will give you the first clue. There is a good chance the homebuilder will not be moving into any of these houses. If for some strange instance he did move into the house, he would learn the same lesson whenever he needed to move a large item into the house.

I'm a contactor and learned this lesson in a long time ago.

If you are building a new home you might even want to consider installing a 36 inch back door. This door will give you plenty of room when it comes to moving large items in or out of your house. The cost difference between a 36 inch door and a 32 inch door is usually around $20 also.

When building a new home most people don't give very much thought about their interior or exterior doors. Here's a simple chart I made to help with some basic door decisions.

Bathroom Doors Should Be 28 Inches Wide Minimum.
Bedroom Doors Should Be 30 Inches Wide Minimum.
Front Doors Should Be At Least 36 Inches Wide
Back Doors and Garage Doors Should Be At Least 32 Inches Wide

If you are a professional football or basketball player don't use these numbers above.

If you have large sliding glass doors or French doors throughout your home and can use them to move large items into the house you can install whatever size doors you choose that are comfortable to walk through.

Give some thought when installing a new door on your next project and keep some of the above tips in mind..

If you are designing a home give some thought to the stairways and hallways in the home as well.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Bay Window Ideas

Dangers Using Wood Stair Cleats - New Stair Construction

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more stair building books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Repairing a Leaking Toilet

Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.

If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.

This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.

If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.

You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.

There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.

If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.

First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.

There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.

Happy Toilet Repairing.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more House Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Some Great Plumbing Ideas

Ways to Stop Losing Your Car Keys

You obviously don't need to read this article if you rarely lose your car keys. However if you misplace your car keys often and have a pretty good relationship with your locksmith, it's time to change these bad habits into good ones.

One of my friends, recently lost their car keys. I would like you to listen to what I'm about to say and see if it makes sense to you. Most people get two keys when they buy a car. This means, if they lose one key, they now have a spare key. When they lose their first key, this should give them a pretty good clue that the second key is now the only key, if they wish to drive their car.

Does that make sense? If you lose your first key, you don't have a second or spare key anymore. Now is a good time to purchase a spare key or have one made. Don't wait until you lose the second one, unless you are planning to change your bad habit into a good one.

Now let me get back to my friends who recently lost their car's key. The car they were driving was a new Honda and you can't go to the locksmith to get another key made. You have to order one from the Honda dealer and this key cost them over $200. That's a lot of money for one key.

Now my friends lost both of their original keys and now have one key to operate the vehicle and this key cost them over $200. Now if I had to pay this amount of money, I would make sure that I never lost this key ever again. I would do whatever it to to change my old habits and create some new ones.

How hard is it to get in the habit of placing your keys inside of your purse. Placing your keys in your pockets and then only removing them when you are going to place them inside of a drawer, container, cup, bowl or on a shelf in your bedroom. If you place your keys in a drawer, this will keep them out of other people's temptation.

If you choose to lay your keys in a bowl, in the kitchen, there's a good chance someone will take them or another member of your family could lose them. Place your keys in a protected area, do not leave them out in the open ever.

If you want some tips to prevent you from losing your keys, simply talk to someone who rarely if ever loses their keys. Most of these people have simple and easy to follow tips. You can consciously create a habit that can save you money and frustration in the future.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a spiritual video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Window Header Framing Problems

As a building contractor it is my job to assemble the house to meet the specifications from the architect and the structural engineer. I do this by looking at the building plans and installing the specified lumber sizes. I can take it upon myself to install a larger size wood beam or window header adding an additional cost to the job of course. I don't think so.

It's not uncommon for a framing contractor that has an additional 5 foot scrap piece of 4 x 8 left over that he now has no use for. He can then choose to use the 4 x 8 instead of a 4 x 6 for the window header. This type of building is common and acceptable.

If the structural engineer calls out for 4 x 6 window and door headers do not take it upon yourself to replace the 4 x 6 with a 4 x 4. I have seen too many framing contractors or carpenters make an on-the-job judgment like this.

A good example would be a single story house with 2 foot wide windows that require a 4 x 6 window header. As the carpenter builds homes over the years he can come to his own conclusion that a 4x4 will work fine for this application. Again keep this in mind as a framing contractor and a carpenter you are assembling the home not designing it.

Do not change the sizes of any headers or beams.

A long time ago carpenters used a standard rule of thumb, you could go up two sizes larger than the window opening for your header. Let me give you an example of what I'm trying to explain.

A 4 foot wide window opening would require a 4 x 6 window header. A 6 foot window opening would require a 4 x 8 window header. This should give you an idea of what I mean by going up two sizes larger than the window opening to figure out the lumber necessary to use for your window header.

This rule of thumb does not necessarily apply in today's building industry. The reason for this is structural changes from earthquake damage. The structural requirements that are required for building a home require a lot more metal bracing and strapping. Therefore some of the lumber requirements for beam sizes and window headers will be different.

This message is for general contractors, framing contractors and carpenters. When installing a window header and you take it upon yourself to change the size you also assume the responsibility if the building fails. This type of mistake is common and you guys know what I'm talking about.

It's not worth it. Keep in mind you are the assembler and not the designer of the building you are working on.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and House Framing Structural Repairs

Old Versus New Construction Adhesives

When I first started building in 1978 as a young carpenter and an apprentice to my father. I had the grand illusions of becoming what they call on the east coast a master carpenter and on the West Coast a journeyman carpenter.

Part of my training in construction was learning to use the proper adhesive and caulking for different parts of the building project. We used to use a standard solvent-based construction adhesive when we were building our stairs and they would also use this adhesive on the floors to eliminate squeaks.

This glue dried extremely hard and everyone thought the harder the better. This construction adhesive was great when I started using it in 1978. There wasn't the polyethylene super elastic expandable multi-use glue and caulking construction adhesives at that time.

We used this brittle glue and it always seemed like a waste of time. As the wood dried and started to shrink the brittle hard glue would crack and break away from the wood it was glued to. Normally the glue was breaking away from plywood floor sheeting. I have seen 2 x 12 shrink 3/8 of an inch before in as little as a few months during the summer.

Now as time went on the old construction adhesives were replaced with a new window sealant made by a company called TOPS. This stuff was the hottest and best product of the decade to me. I used this stuff for everything.

This new urethane glue was now being used for sub floors, stair treads, sealing the windows flashing and siding. This stuff is still in use today and is a great choice for all of the uses I mentioned above. The price for this sealant is about double that of most water-based or solvent-based glues. But it's worth it.

So there you have it I like the urethane glues because of their flexibility, elasticity, their ability to adhere to wood concrete or metal and their performance in the years ahead.

There is one thing to keep in mind when using construction adhesives. Most construction workers seem to ignore the fact that the wood needs to be dry and clean before applying the construction adhesive. There have been quite a few times I have witnessed carpenters working with me and ignoring my advice.

Don't put yourself into this category. Doing quality work and following the manufacturers recommended installation instructions for their product will decrease your liability if there is ever a problem. Read the instructions carefully on all of the building products you use.

The manufacturers of these construction adhesives have thoroughly tested them. So use them properly and follow all safety warnings.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Carlsbad Structural Repairs

Interior Design Meets Oriental Wisdom in Feng Shui

If you're looking for interior design ideas, you probably haven't considered feng shui. Your focus might tend more towards your personal tastes, colors, and ideas. After all, who wants a huge Chinese dragon staring them in the face every time they come home?

Well, some people might. But it doesn't really matter: even if you're interior design style is completely modern, you can still adjust your life to benefit from the practice of feng shui!

Modern Interior Design With Feng Shui

Many people consider feng shui a specific style of interior design -- specifically, an Asian themed, slightly dark and mysterious look. Nothing could be further from the truth! It is not a decorating style. It's an approach to life that involves considering the energy you manufacture and invite into your home.

Feng shui is about energy. For that reason, surrounding yourself with items and interior design styles you don't like is absolutely the wrong way to approach it. The guiding rule of feng shui is that your associations make or break your home. That means that something that appeals to you is far more likely to create positive energy than something you just slapped up there because traditional wisdom said to.

Working With Symbols

It's true, though, that certain accepted symbols -- such as candles, coins, and yes, the dragon -- have powerful symbolism when it comes to creating specific types of energy. No problem! If you don't like these traditional symbols, there are several ways around the problem:

-Hide them. Feng shui doesn't try to take over your entire interior design; you can tuck Chinese coins under the couch cushions and still create powerful financial energy.

-Change them. Who says a Chinese dragon has to be red and black and breathing flames? Why can't he be done in subtle shades of white and silver? If that's your taste, it is a bit harder to find the images, though: often, you need to contact a specific artist (such as visiting www.futurewords.net) and commission the piece. This can be done for surprisingly reasonable fees.

-Replace them. Yes, Chinese coins on a red string symbolize wealth in feng shui. So what? Funky metal coasters with an American nickel could do the same thing. The association is there, the element is there -- why worry about traditions?

Let Feng Shui Guide Interior Design!

You don't have to go crazy with the feng shui to observe a powerful influence in your life. Make a few small changes and take feng shui into account when organizing your interior design and you'll be amazed at what happens!

Lisa Chang is a feng shui consultant, spiritual advisor, and author of the bestselling book, "Feng Shui Secrets for a Fulfilled Life." Visit her website at http://www.fengshuidecoratingonline.com to learn more about feng shui and start on the path to love, health, and happiness!

Upside Down Electrical Outlet

Bringing the Art of Feng Shui Into Your Home

I have always believed that the way we live and feel in our homes is extremely important. Let's face it, we live in very stressful times, we are all multi tasking and packing way too much into our days. Every spare minute is stretched as we try to get everything accomplished. We may not be able to control our external environment, but we can make a difference in our internal environment. We can make those changes within ourselves and within our personal spaces. I believe we all need to bring more energy, peace and harmony into our lives and the lives that surround us. Our homes should provide a safe and supportive feeling in which to embrace life. By paying attention to what surrounds us and how it makes us feel is the first step to creating a home that reflects our true personal desires. Elements of Feng Shui may just be the answer.

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging your belongings to increase energy or chi. Chi is the energy that flows through the earth, heavens and our bodies, chi constantly changes, moves and transfers in our environment. The personal chi that all of us have is called an aura, this is the energy that is unique to you. Personal auras change constantly to reflect our feelings and mood. The chi energy that flows through the earth, heavens and our bodies
moves in two forms called Yin and Yang. The yin and yang divide energy into opposites that attract opposites, the oceans tide would be a good example of this energy form. This attraction creates the movement that we need to balance the interaction and to keep the energy flowing at the correct pace. When this energy is balanced correctly it will produce a feeling of well being and wholeness and will generate emotional, mental and physical healing. When too much yin energy is present, chi stagnates, the body slows and ill health can occur. Too much yang and the chi move along too quickly, producing a feeling of anxiety, which again can cause ill health.

The five elements of Feng Shui, fire, earth, wood, metal and water are also important in creating a balance of energy. You may notice that you feel calmer and tend to relax more when incorporating these elements into you home dcor. How do you feel when curled up by a roaring fire or relaxing with the sound of running water? Do you feel at peace when surrounded by live plants in a garden atmosphere? Does the sound of wind chimes immediately soothe your nerves?

The key is finding the correct balance that works for you and helps you to create an environment that produces the right amount of yin and yang for yourself and for your personal space. Feng Shui is a very complex art that requires quite a bit of study, but many of the principles can be incorporated into our homes very simply.

The number one priority in Feng Shui is safety. It is important for us to feel safe and comfortable before we can risk expansion and growth. Form School Feng Shui (the mother of all feng Shui ) teaches us that the turtle should be at our back and the phoenix in front of us. In simple terms, we are to support our back (as a turtle in its shell) and provide an open expanse of energy in front (the phoenix represents expansion and transformation). When the back is supported, the front is able to expand. Building a home on the edge of a cliff is a good example. The back would be exposed, making us feel unsafe and week, hence draining chi. Let's look at how we can create spaces in our homes that support our back and increase chi.

Furniture seating should be placed against a wall to provide a feeling of safety. If the furniture is placed away from the wall, create a boundary by using a sofa table or plant behind the furniture piece.

Create retreat areas in your home, areas that provide comfort to your physical body and help you to filter the stresses of the day.

Increase earth energy by incorporating live plants into your dcor. Plants link us to the earth's cycle and help to bring balance and harmony into our lives. By bringing in elements of nature, we create a grounding that makes us feel calm and expels all the excess energy that creates tension.

A good way to lift chi is to get items up off the floor a few inches. Furniture should have legs, plants should be on a stand and books and magazines should be place on a shelf.

The wall that you face when entering your home should never be bare, this will immediately cripple your ability to expand chi. Place a collection or a pleasing print to entice the energy to move forward.

Create vertical height that draws the eye upward and sends chi energy soaring. Add crown moldings, pillars and cornices to your space.

Light is very important in your home. Open up your drapes and windows and allow for natural light to flood your space. Natural light energizes the people that live in the home and represents natures force.

Place wall art lower on the wall to help the furniture appear larger and balance the scale of the room.

Place enough furniture in the room to avoid empty corners which will stall chi energy.

Hang a faceted crystal in the center of the room. The crystal will send out chi 360 degrees.

Barren walls mean a low level of chi. Choose wall dcor that will bring you pleasure when viewing that space.

Stir your senses by incorporating texture into your surroundings, plush fabrics, rattan, metal, wood etc.

Cluster three or more items together to form energy groups. The eye will register a grouping and take it all in instead of contracting when focusing on a single object.

When decorating your bedroom, the bed should be placed in the room first to avoid overcrowding. The bed should be placed as far away from the door as possible and against a solid wall. If you choose to angle the bed in a corner, be sure to place a plant or a folding screen behind the headboard to create a feeling of safety.

Creating an environment that includes some principles of Feng Shui does not have to be difficult and can be done on a small scale. Creating a comforting home should be foremost in your decorating plan. Decorating with items that bring you joy will surely create a space that is unique to you and will quickly turn your house into a home.

Kathleen M. Moser, IRIS, SDP, ODSP

Certified Interior Redesigner
One Day Decorating Professional
Real Estate Staging Professional

Bradenton, Florida 34209
Office: (941)794-0153
E-mail: focusint@ptd.net
http://www.focusoninteriors.com

Kathleen is a Certified Interior Redesign Industry Specialist, Society of Decorating Professional and Real Estate Staging Professional. Kathleen has studied with industry leaders in the field of Interior Redesign, Decorating and Staging and has taught Interior Design courses at local colleges. She has decorated homes for several organizational fundraisers including Habitat for Humanity, local public libraries and women's club charity home tours. She has also been on TV, in magazine and newspaper publications and is a sought after speaker in her field. Her passion for Interior Design started at a young age and she has redesigned many homes to reflect the owner's personal style and taste. Her experience and skills have provided a keen eye and creative intuition for what will work with diverse decorating styles and issues.

Kathleen believes that all decorating challenges can be solved and that with a little help, everyone can enjoy a refreshed look that will transform your home into a stylish space. She is comfortable working with any home, large or small, simple to opulent, using any style.

Focus On Interiors is a full service interior decorating and design firm tailored to your individual needs and budget. We offer a full selection of services specializing in interior redesign, real estate staging, custom window treatments, color consultation, furniture, lighting, and flooring. Whether you are remodeling your existing home or building a new home, we will help you along the way in making the correct choices.

Rusted Electrical Box Exterior

Feng Shui in the Workplace

Ergonomics,
PDAs and company
wellness
programs are all
geared for healthier, more
productive employees. Each of
these has its role in whether an
employee wants to go to work,
goes willingly and produces
mightily or not.

The feel or impression
of the energy in the office is
the unseen factor that often
is the cause of excessive sick
days, increased stress and reduced
productivity. You may
be wondering how you can fix
a problem that is not tangible.
Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese
system used to determine the
beneficial or harmful effects of
land or buildings on human beings
that literally means wind
and water, provides simple
solutions that team members
can embrace.

Factors Seen and
Unseen

First we have to play
detective and find the culprit
of negative energy. We can
physically see some of the conditions
causing negative energy
like clutter, disorganization,
lack of cleanliness, chipped
and dirty paint, dated furniture
and a collection of accessories
old enough to span decades of
annual tax returns.
Finding the other unseen
conditions is more of
a challenge as they reside in
the realm of stagnant or stuck
energy, poor air quality and
environmental hazards not
easily found or remembered as
foe.

In Feng Shui, often negative
conditions found in office
environments are those of
stuck or stagnant energy and
the lack of fresh air. These conditions
may cause depression
and complacency, leading to a
rise in the cost of maintaining
the retention and productivity
of employees.

Fallout of Negative
Energy

In the busy workday, we
go along meeting deadlines,
gaining new clients and making
payroll. There may be brief
moments of imparting gratitude
and thanks to employees;
however, overall, unless there
is a crisis, its business as
usual.

Then one day we are the
recipient of a wake up call
from this daily routine. It is
noticeable that the number
of employee sick days has
increased or that productivity
is down, we are hiring
again, and there is much more
stress among the employees.
These are the unexpected consequences
of not paying attention
to the unseen factors or
conditions in the workplace
environment.

Negative Energy
Is the Sentry

Yes, there it is, prominent
and problematic: The dead
shrub, the pile of free advertisements
tossed by the office
door or the cracked and crumbly
sidewalk with its stuck,
stagnant energy welcoming all
who enter.
Negative energy at your
front door is not conducive to
keeping your bottom line in
the black. Implement the following
five Feng Shui tips to
create positive energy for the
all-important first impression.

1. Neat and tidy. Make
that the company mantra.

2. Keep doors opening
wide. Obstructed doorways
limit creativity, productivity
and business.

3. Seeing is believing. Be
sure your signage is visible,
recognizable and emanates
your companys image.

4. Light the way. Make it
joyful for employees to come
to work and easy for clients to
find your door.

5. Raise the chi. Add
something red around the
front entrance. A flowering
shrub with red berries such as
Nandina Domestica, some red
lettering on the door, a banner
or flag all add a flair of cheerfulness
for all who enter.

Positive Energy in the
Workplace

You may not be able to
sense negative energy, but here
are six fast tips to create positive
energy in your office.

1. No clutter. Insist on clutter-
free desks and work spaces.
Pull the team together, develop
a plan and set a timeline to
get clutter under control. The
buddy system works well
here. Allow adequate time
and a guilt-free environment
to complete the task. Plan periodic
clutter busting work
days throughout the year to
keep clutter under control and
positive energy high.

2. Reduce toxins. Install
toxin-eating indoor plants.
Peace Lilies are forgiving, easy
to grow and produce beautiful
blooms, and they can be positioned
nicely over a cubicle, on
a desk or on the floor.

3. Create clean air. Exchange
poor air quality by
opening doors and windows
daily. If this is not possible,
diffuse pure essential oils (no
flame) to cleanse the air or
install an ionizer or both.

4. Increase motivation. Adequate
and beneficial lighting,
such as full-spectrum, is essential
to health and happiness.
Replace overhead florescent
bulbs, add up-lighting in dark
corners and provide a variety of
lighting options to employees
as some are sensitive to different
types of wavelengths.

5. Reduce stress. A proper
type of sound is soothing. Kinetic
sculptures, soft but stimulating
music and area fans add
movement to sound to provide
a double-duo for a comfortable
Feng Shui
is your friend.

Use these basic
principles in your office, review
and renew them frequently to
keep the office energy positive
and the cash flow in the black.
Yarrow is a certified Feng Shui
consultant and can be reached
at 410-271-1377 and yarrow@
fengshuiatthebay.com.

YARROW
102 Roosevelt Court, Annapolis MD 2403 410.626.1316 yarrow@FengShuiAtTheBay.com

http://www.FengShuiAtTheBay.com Yarrow maintains that it is all about energy. She began exploring energy in the 70's utilizing at-hand knowledge of Native American traditions, awareness of life experiences, holding the question of what is really going on & applying this knowledge to her own life. Her curiosity of energy evolved into the study & practice of Feng Shui in 2001. Yarrow is a contributing author to the womens anthology: The Spirit of Women Entrepreneurs Real-life Stories of Determination, Growth & Prosperity. She is available for public speaking engagements.

Yarrow is a freelance writer & a graduate of a three-year PsychoSynthesis course out of Berkeley, California. She writes for Taste of the Bay Magazine, Lilipoh Magazine (global distribution) & other periodicals. She has studied with Australian Author Eric Dowsett, Rev. Lin Yun, Karen Kingston, Steven P

Hard Water Deposits In Toilet

Building Windmills For Home Use

Rising energy costs, environmental concerns, and an increasing interest in renewable energy sources are causing homeowners to explore their energy options.

Wind power is a much overlooked source of renewable energy. The windmills of yesterday were used primarily as water pumps for farms and ranches. Today's windmills are economical, environmentally friendly electricity generators. Even small windmills for home use can produce enough power to have a significant effect on home power bills.

Some people mistakenly believe that building a home made wind mill is a daunting task. The truth is no special tools or equipment is required, and a person with basic mechanical skills can easily build a windmill.

A home made wind mill can easily function as well or better than an expensive factory model. All the materials needed are readily available and no large cash outlay is required. Windmills from the manufacturer can easily run into thousands of dollars. Such large upfront expenses have caused many to believe that the costs are too great, and it will take years to recoup the initial investment. A home made wind mill requires less than $100 in many cases.

While building a home made wind mill is neither difficult or expensive, a solid set of plans is mandatory. Just as you would not think of building a house without a blueprint, a windmill is no different. Knowing exactly what materials are required and how to assemble them for efficiency and durability is critical.

One of the most critical areas of windmill construction is the blades. Without proper blade size and construction, your windmill project may not produce the desired results. Blades can be made from different materials, but other factors are important as well. Blade diameter, balance and the choice of what the hub is made out of can have a large influence on the efficiency and durability of the generator.

Whether your intention is to eventually live completely "off the grid", or to produce enough power to drastically affect your energy expenses, a home made wind mill can be the first step to achieve your goal.

Windmills aren't just for farmers anymore. http://www.homemadewindmillreview.com

Floor Baseboard Drywall Problems

Earth 4 Energy - Does Earth4Energy Really Work?

Earth4Energy is a brand new pair of system that will help you save immensely on your home energy bills. You can save anywhere from 50-80% or even more! But does 'Earth 4 Energy' really works and can you really get your own system for ridiculously cheap?

With the Earth4Energy system you get either a windmill kit or a solar panel kit that includes a manual and a series of videos to help you put together a solar panel or windmill. These devices will be your key to freeing yourself from dependence on the energy from the energy companies. If you have more energy than you need, you can sell it back to the power company!

Earth4Energy kits are made to be extremely simple so that many different people can use them. The solar panel kit is slightly more complex and will cost $100 more to put together. However, the solar panel and the windmill are both portable systems that can be taken anywhere you want to go. If you pay attention closely to the instructions of how to put together the Earth4Energy kits you can even learn where to get free batteries to store your excess energy.

Several people are making so much energy from having multiple solar panels that they are selling back the excess energy to their local power companies. That's right, they are getting checks, not bills, from their power companies! You can get in on this as well, all it takes is to invest your time and effort into the energy generator system and you will be ready to make your own energy capturing devices.

Earth4Energy help to save more on energy and environment. You can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by simply putting into action one solar panel or windmill. Make multiple and make even more energy! Help the environment and save your power bill today!

Some Renewable Energy Site are Scams. I will show you how to get a D.I.Y. Home-made power system at a cheap deal and avoid being scammed. Do not join any site until you have read this: Earth 4 Energy.

Let me show you how to successfully create a solar system for less than $200.

Damaged Roof Plywood

Utilizing Solar Power in Your Home

You have probably heard quite a bit about utilizing solar power in your home in order to save on some of the bills as well as being part of a "green" plan that helps keep the environment clean as well. It's no joke, you can truly use the power of the sun to heat your home and even drive your car. Even though we are still a little ways away from manufacturing solar-powered cars, it is a real possibility today to run your home on solar power.

This is an investment that will benefit you every day of your life, both economically and environmentally. You may be wondering how exactly solar energy works. The solar panel that you install in your home will convert the inherent energy in the sun to usable energy here on earth that can be utilized to do things like heat your home. The great thing about this particular type of energy is that it is natural and will not run out, unlike our limited supply of natural oil.

Doing something like installing a solar panel system may seem quite intimidating at first, but the average person can easily install one in their own home. You simply have to have the right materials and guides to help you along the process.

Doing it yourself will save your hundreds of dollars in labor and you will also get that good feeling that you did on your own and are capable of such a task which most people would be too afraid to do by themselves. As long as you do thorough and proper research on how to install a solar panel system, you shouldn't really have any problems at all. Make sure that the place you get your information from is trust worthy, then you are all set to start saving money and energy.

I've had a chance to review most of the guides available on how to build your own solar panels, and I've narrowed it down to the 3 that are the best value for your money.

=> Top 3 Guides <=

There are a lot of scams out there, and people selling solar power systems that just don't work. That's why I've put together these reviews for you.

=> Solar Guide Reviews <=

Sump Pump Damage

Save Money and Build Your Own Solar Panels

Alternative energy is a hot topic everywhere these days. More people than ever before are interested in using renewable energy. Solar power is one of the easiest ways to generate electrical power from renewable energy.

The major drawback facing the majority of homeowners is the huge cost of hiring a contractor to install a solar power system. Most homeowners are shocked at the cost of hiring someone to install solar panels. Faced with the very large initial cost, many people simply give up on the idea of solar power as a home energy alternative.

But times are rapidly changing and the information is readily available so anyone can educate themselves on the basics of solar energy and solar panels. Gone are the days when solar power was available only to the most affluent or powerful. Today anyone can learn to easily build their own alternative energy system and reap the benefits of free, renewable energy. No longer do people think of solar panels as more science fiction than reality.

Solar panels work on the basis of photovoltaic cells turning light (photo) into electricity (voltaic). The materials used in making solar panels differ, but silicon is the most common. Silicon solar cells are semiconductors in solid state and are able to generate current when stimulated by photons.

Silicon solar cells are comprised of four types: single crystal or monocrystalline, polycrystalline which is sometimes referred to as multicrystalline, amorphous cells, and hybrids of the monocrystalline and amorphous cells.All of these have their particular uses, but single crystal cells are generally recognised as being the most efficient in terms of producing energy.

But enough of the science lessons. The simple truth is you do not need an engineering degree or even be an electrician to build an efficient solar power system for your home. It is definitely not rocket science. Anyone anywhere can build and install solar panels. It really is far simpler than most people realize. Can you change a tire? If you answered yes, then you can build solar panels.

As in any task, proper knowledge and guidance is critical. Without a proper blueprint, you most likely will not succeed. Knowledge is indeed power, and with the right guidance building and installing solar panels is not difficult at all. Take the time to learn how to do it right, and you can begin reaping the benefits of solar energy far easier and cheaper than you ever imagined.

Learn more about solar panels at http://www.homemadewindmillreview.com/build-solar-panels

Building a wind and solar power system for home energy production is far easier than you think.

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Use Residential Solar Power to Save a Ton of Money and the Planet

You can beat the energy crisis and fire your energy company with residential solar power. Read on to learn how you can create your own energy. Then check out the links at the bottom for the specific plans you will need to make it happen.

The world is facing an energy crisis unlike any previously seen. 2008 showed what happens when supply and demand gets out of control. We watched prices of oil, gas, electricity, and virtually all forms of energy double, triple, or even more in price. This problem will only continue to get worse as the demand on energy continues to grow and the non-renewable resources shrink.

So what can residential solar power do for you?

Using solar power will can reduce your personal energy usage which will reduce or even eliminate your monthly energy bill. Can you imagine not having to pay the electric company every month? Every person that uses residential solar power also reduces the demand on our non-renewable resources which will make them last longer. A good solar powered home is also more valuable. Imagine how much more you could sell your house for if you could tell the new owners that they wouldn't have to pay for energy. Lastly, residential solar power is just good for the planet.

Now that you know what it does, how do you go about using residential solar power?

The obvious way to use solar energy is to harness the suns rays with solar panels and use it to power your house. You can easily do this without spending thousands of dollars per panel by building them yourself. It isn't that hard and the links at the bottom will show you how you can get started quickly. Some other ways you can use the sun's energy is to install solar powered accent lighting instead of wired lights, install a solar water heater, install a sky light or light tube to provide light during the day to a room that doesn't have windows, and using windows to your advantage to heat your house with the sun's rays or block the suns rays when you want to keep it cool inside.

Hopefully, this has got you thinking about how residential solar power can help you save money and help save the planet. Renewable energy is going to be extremely important in the future as our fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources are used up. Thanks in advance for helping to save the world!

When you are ready to get started using renewable energy, there are 2 sites that can really help you out. Go to the Residential Solar and Wind Power Review page for a review of 3 top renewable energy programs or go the the page for my top rated Residential Solar and Wind Power Program.

Let's go save some money and save the planet!

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Military Power Nor Computing Power Define the Future - Renewable Energy is the New Super Power!

Human history is long and events, eras, technologies or circumstances upon which all of human history turns are rare. The twentieth century has seen more than it's share of momentous events ... the splitting of the atom ... the bestiality of Nazi terror ... the invention of the digital, stored-program computer.

It is now a part of our collective popular wisdom that computers will change everything, the way we dress, the way we eat, the way in which we have sex.

Computers have been predicted to cause massive unemployment ... to create millions of jobs ... to help us at birth and to ease our suffering at death.

If there is one singular invention in the history of mankind that can be said to be "the cause of all things" - it would be the digital computer and the revolution it has caused in so many industries and lives.

For 25 years I have been a software programmer/engineer in the banking industry and chemical industry. I created games for the TI 99/4A, The "Home Computer" sold by Bill Cosby. I have worked on Macintosh, Windows and Unix.
Among my colleagues the question has come up over the years of what we were doing when Microsoft began and what life would be like if we had joined Bill Gates on that first day in the office.

The arguments generally end the same way, "No one will ever be in a position like that again in human history. It's a singularity in business and will never be repeated."

Well, I've thought a lot about that ... Microsoft singularity ... over the years. I've wondered what I could do ... what industry I could become involved with that had the same potential as a Microsoft in 1978.

And now, it's clear to me and it became clear in a flash of insight, that something far more important than computers is occurring all around us as we speak: The pursuit of limitless mechanical power ... the global race for renewable energy technologies.

This energy race is an opportunity that dwarfs that of Microsoft in 1978. The potential for wealth from renewable energy is many times greater than the computer industry.

The key word is "Renewable", once many of these technologies are in place Solar, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), Wave-action and Vortex Induced Vibration Aquatic Current Energy (VIVACE) their maintenance costs are very low and the fuel costs, well that's the point, the fuel costs are low to zero.

It's clear to me that many, many Bill Gates are waiting to be unleashed in the renewable energy sector and I want my piece of the pie. It's clear that renewable energy is the global blockbuster industry of the near and far future, but which technology do you bet on.

Of all the research I've done, my favorite is Vortex Induced Vibration Aquatic Current Energy (VIVACE). Question: What is the largest solar collector on the earth? Answer: The Oceans!

All the energy from the Sun captured by the oceans is where we should be looking to power our societies and infrastructure. The classic photovoltaic direct energy conversion is clearly gaining momentum, but he efficiency is low and various kinds of infrastructure must be put into place that does not currently exist.

VIVACE is a novel approach to extracting energy from flowing water currents. It is unlike any other ocean energy or low-head hydropower concept. VIVACE is based on the extensively studied phenomenon of Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV), which was first observed 500 years ago by Leonardo DaVinci in the form of "Aeolian Tones." For decades, engineers have been trying to prevent VIV from damaging offshore equipment and structures. By maximizing and exploiting VIV rather than spoiling and preventing it, VIVACE takes this 'problem' and transforms it into a valuable resource for mankind.

The genius behind this power generation technology, as with all great innovations, is that this is an extensively studied and understood phenomenon ... very familiar to engineers of bridges over waterways and engineers of oil platforms in the oceans of the world.

VIVACE turns that extensive research on it's head and uses these perturbations for any "bluff body" in a viscous fluid into a technique to extract energy ... but of even greater interest is that this energy extraction can occur at high efficiencies at low flow rates ... as low as 1.5 knots ... most ocean currents flow below 3 knots.

Of course many streams and rivers also flow at low speeds and have thus been considered low probability targets for energy generation ... save the extremely destructive process of dam building. VIVACE directly refutes this logic. Slow moving streams and rivers can be excellent sources of electrical energy production. Ocean currents can be enormous generators supporting multi-megawatt installations, in theory.

One other advantage to ocean current power generation installations is that they produce power 24/7. Ocean currents never cease. Ever. This one feature sets ocean current power generation apart from wind, solar and geothermal.

The future can be brighter than the past and we can shape that future.

Choose to invent the future, for it cannot be predicted any other way.

Want More Information about VIVACE?
Vortex Induced Vibration Energy Systems (VIVES) welcomes your comments
Click Here - Vives Blog
The future belongs to the visionaries of the present.

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Home Solar Power - What You Need to Know About the Sun's Energy

Home solar power refers to power which is generated through the means of the sun's energy. While home solar power options are yet to pick speed, the truth is that when you start to realize the true potential of this unconventional source of energy, you would be inclined to shift your focus from the conventional means of energy to home solar power. To make this more clear, allow me to give you more information about the sun's power which can be harnessed for personal use.

The Energy Is Continuous

The biggest advantage of opting for this resource is its continuity. It is continuous in nature. In case you are still wondering what would happen when coal and natural gas finish, you need not to worry for the solar power would take care of all your energy requirements. This is by far the biggest advantage of making use of this resource.

It Is Non-Polluting In Nature

The second biggest advantage of opting for solar energy is that it is non toxic in nature. As compared to numerous other sources of energy which emit carbon di oxide and various other chemicals, the suns energy is absolutely free from any kind of pollution. Hence, whenever you are opting to use the sun's energy, you can be rest assured that you would be doing a big favor to the environment by saving it from further damage.

It Is Affordable

The biggest advantage of using the energy from the sun is the price factor. As compared to the usual sources of energy, solar energy is an inexpensive resource and it is all set to provide the much needed power to your house as and when the need arises.

Hi, I am Mark Morris and I am an energy conservationist. I have a secret to share.

The Recommendation: To adopt a widely approved Solar Energy Program, which allows you to permanently get rid of your recurring electric bills. It has helped COUNTLESS people worldwide-it is now your turn.

Who Is It For: Folks who are tired of polluting power programs and have lost thousands of dollars on wasted power bills. It is for any and everyone who wishes to see instant results and save money.

How To Get There: Simply click http://purelyfitness.com/earth4energy-review and join the successful campaign to save our environment from further pollution.

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Using Solar Energy to Generate Electricity

Using energy from solar is very good alternative to the current energy resource for electricity. The solar power system can really generate a good amount of electricity that would help you to reduce your power bill by 80% to 90% and save your money as never before.

The benefits of using the solar energy resource for electricity are many and you can learn them as following. The first benefit that you will save thousands if you use this resource of electrcity. The solar energy is free and can be enough for all your home's power.

The second benefit will be the clean of that resources, the solar energy resource is one of the most cleanest energy resource in our planet. So, you will save your money as well as save your environment and children when you use these types of energy.

But what about building a small solar pane for my home? Is that a smart idea?. Of course it is a very good and smart idea to own a small solar system for your home electricity. You can even build those systems by your hand in your free time. You can build more than one kit for that issue.

Don't waste your money, you can reduce your electricity pill by %85 when you use these solar kits. And you can build those systems by your hand. It is not difficult to be built and you will be surprised when the electricity company had to pay you instead of getting money from you.

Build your own solar panel today:

http://www.BuildSolarPanel.info

Or build a small home windmill

http://onlinegamesbusiness.blogspot.com/2008/08/small-windmill-for-home-use.html

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Go Green and Find Out What is Eating Your Electricity

Did you know that a vampire dwells in your beloved home? We are talking about the electricity waste that makes your bills higher and higher. The so-called phantom load is the reason why your bills are a nightmare. Almost 75% of the electricity you pay for is used when your home electronics are turned off. The solution? Unplug all of your small appliances when you are not using them. Do you leave your toaster oven plugged into the wall? The toaster oven is still pulling power from the wall regardless of whether it is in use or not.

Try equipping your commonly used outlets with power strips. Plug your appliances into the power strip and when they are not in use, turn off the power strip in one simple turn of the switch. A power strip costs on average $20. A small investment at the start, this energy friendly tool will save you money in the long run. Plug your computer and accessories, i.e. printers, monitors, speakers and hard drives into a power strip. Turn the power strip off when your computer is not in use to save on your electricity bill. A computer is one of the top energy users among household appliances, and fortunately can be turned off, unlike a refrigerator. Also note that older appliances like analog televisions tend to use more energy.

If you want to be more aggressive as you begin your foray into energy efficiency, consider bolder ways to save and change your lifestyle for the better. Buy a windmill, or build one yourself to provide your home with free energy. The Internet is an excellent resource for available guidelines that can show you step by step how to build a windmill without having to spend a fortune on one. Solar power is another option to provide your home with free energy. The Internet is full of useful guidelines that can show you the right way to build and install the solar panels. Saving energy is not only valuable for our planet, but for your wallet too. With the New Year ringing in, consider including energy efficiency in your home to your list of resolutions. Start small by unplugging electronics that are not in use and build from there.

Amelia Yap is a mother who is very conscious about global warming and the future or our environment. She has made it her mission to educate others to go green, reduce their carbon foot print, and help save our environment.

You can download her FREE report, "27 Ways to Go Green and See Green" to see how easy it is to go green and save money along the way.

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How to Make an Electric Generator to Power Your Home

Are you interested to find out how to make an electric generator to power your home? One great strategy that I am using today is to harness solar energy. I have downloaded an online guide that has successfully taught me how to build my own solar electric generator and use batteries to store the excess energy for continued usage. Doing this has helped me save tremendously on my electric bill, lowering it by more than 60% ever since I started using my homemade energy system.

1. What Happens When There Is No Sunlight?

You can still use this system as long as you have batteries to store available energy that has been captured. This energy can then be released as electricity to power your home appliances in the event that there is no sun energy. By using this homemade solar electric generator, I no longer need to depend on my power company for electricity.

2. How To Make An Electric Generator That Produces Electric Using Solar Energy?

Before you start building this generator, you will need to prepare the materials that are needed. Basically, you will need to build a solar panel using cheap and readily available goods that you can easily buy from nearby hardware stores. You should also setup a battery system to store the excess electric power created.

3. How Do You Build The Battery System?

To build this system, you will need DC inputs and voltmeter in order to provide the power for your household appliances. Deep cycle batteries are required and you cannot use car batteries to make the system. You will also need to buy an inverter if you need to convert the DC electric in order to power AC appliances. Thousands of people have already eliminated their own home electricity bills with the free energy system. They learned how to build it by downloading a step-by-step guide online. You can find out more about how to build this homemade power system at the website link below.

Want to make an electric generator to power your home? Do not try any windmill and solar power system scams until you read the author's review of the Best Home Electric Systems at http://www.renewableenergysystemreview.com first!

The author has managed to reduce his energy bill by more than 80% by building his own renewable home energy system. Check out his website to find out how to do it!

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Advantages of Using Web Page Templates

Your web site is your company's identity on the Web. For anybody who is in the business of selling a service or products, their website functions as a marketplace. This is where potential customers come to have a look at your business, to get an idea about the products or services you are selling, to hear what your customers have to say and to learn more about your policies, terms and conditions. In a nutshell, this is the place where potential customers come into direct contact with you.

Unlike traditional brick and mortar businesses where customers can establish personal contact with vendors, marketplaces on the Web are impersonal. Add to this the fact that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other websites offering products or services that are similar to yours and you will understand why it is imperative for you to stand out from the competition. Your website simply needs to go the extra mile in order to persuade customers to make their purchase from you.

There are two ways in which you can build your web site. The first is to custom build your web site from scratch. While this gives you the flexibility to build each and every element of your page as you want it, there are certain drawbacks inherent to this process. The first is obviously the cost factor. When you have professional web designers building unique web pages for you as per your specifications, the end result is obviously going to cost more. For companies that are looking for cost-effective web solutions, custom built websites could prove to be prohibitively expensive. Another drawback is the time factor. Building a website from scratch is naturally going to take up plenty of time and resources. If you need your web presence established as quickly as possible, building up a website from scratch may not be the ideal solution.

The second alternative is to purchase web page templates. Many web services offer high-quality web page templates. These templates generally come with a set of four to five pages, a well-designed menu system, excellent graphics and are supported by the latest Web technologies. As the buyer, all you need to do after buying such a template is insert your logo and your content. Making use of web page templates will help you cut costs by more than 50%. Since these web page templates are readily available for use, you need not wait for the design process to come to an end before launching your presence. Thus ready-made web page templates make it easy for you to go online with your business.

If you are worried about exclusivity, don't be. Many online services allow you to purchase sole ownership and exclusive copyright control of their ready-made with page templates. This means that once you purchase the web page template, it is taken off the seller's rack, so to speak. Sellers will give you a letter of ownership and Copyright. You will own exclusive rights to that design. To help you further, companies also offer customization services along with a lifetime support system.

Today, many businesses and individuals make use of ready-made web page templates to establish their online presence. If cost-effective, quick web solutions are important, then purchasing ready-made web page templates is definitely an attractive option. However, if your business is set to expand exponentially, it is probably a good idea to employ a design house to take care of your company's growing needs.

Pixellogo offers web templates, Logo & Stationery Design services including logo templates, 3D logos and web design for companies at an affordable price.

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