Your Royal Stairway - How to Achieve One

More often than not, most items found in your home serve primarily the purpose of decoration. Take your vases, paintings, and carvings, among others, as examples. However, some items serve for particular functions but may also serve as a decoration. Take your crystal chandelier (it is primarily to give light to your home but also serves as dcor to your ceilings) and your antique mirror for instance.

One thing that is not actually furniture which can be both useful and decorative in function is the stairway. Oftentimes, they serve as pathways from one level of our house to the next. Obviously, this is really a great help in houses with two or more floors. There are also houses which opt to put a stairway's platform in direct vision of a person entering the house from a front door. It gives out this appealing impression. Given this, it is therefore necessary that a stairway is not only sturdy and secure (for purposes of safety) but also must demonstrate "grandiosity" in its own right. Usually, this is attributed to the entire design of the stairway, but can also be tracked down to the specific stair parts, too. You have to remember that even the smallest detail, in this case part, can affect the totality of a whole structure to function and serve its purpose. This goes the same for the stairway and its stair parts.

A stairway may be built in different fashions. It can be helical, straight, or sectioned with a balcony. These final structures usually depend more or less on the materials used for the stair parts. Colossal mansions and castles usually have marble staircases of regal grace and elegance. Suburban homes have staircases of wood. For high buildings and skyscrapers, they have cemented or stone-made staircases. There are also some which have more than two or more materials mixed.

Some stair parts may be made of wood, while the others with cement or steel or other materials. For example, the steps are made of cement, the balusters from steel and the handrail from wood. However, when a staircase is made of marble, it is almost always the only material used for its stair parts, too. Oftentimes, the color of these stairways is usually the same with the rest of the house. This is because a stairway is a part of the entirety of the structure of the house.

There are various designs and materials of stair parts which when combined properly may produce a great look for the stairways. The general consideration is on the structure of your home. Also, consideration is also given to your budget to achieve the one which you like and is fit for your home. Most construction stores and depots offer various stair parts with affordable and reasonable prices.

Stairways, just like any general structures, rely greatly on their stair parts to achieve the final look to be visually stimulating to your guests and visitors and also for its solidity. Be certain that you only get what is best for your stairway to produce the effect of a royal pathway, to the next floor that is.

For more information about Stair Parts feel free to visit http://www.elegantstairsandwoodfloors.com

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Plaster Crack Wall Damage

Upgrade To a Wet Bar In Your Rec Room

The den, the rec room, the family room...no matter what you call it, there should be one place in the home where the entire family can relax after a long day. If you are especially sociable, the room should be inviting and spacious, perfect for receiving guests, and equipped to entertain. Most definitely, a wet bar is needed for all your planned activities.

If you're not familiar with the term, a wet bar is simply a counter area or bar, recessed within the room or situated like a kitchen island, that features a working sink with running water. Unlike the standard kitchen sink, a bar sink is usually a small single bowl, often stainless steel, used for rinsing glasses and flatware or adding water to mixed drinks. Wet bars may also features miniature refrigerators for storage of wine and beer, and cabinets for glassware and other items needed for entertaining. For families who host gatherings on a regular basis, be they club meetings or a weekly football game viewing, having a wet bar offers a great advantage.

A wet bar takes some pressure away from the kitchen by allowing drinks to be stored and served where the party is, plus the host can save time using this service area rather than having to run to different parts of the house. Using a stainless steel sink for the bar allows for an attractive, sanitary workspace for your parties as well.

Regardless of the layout of your home, wet bars are usually simple to install. Hiring the proper plumber and contractor for the job is one step in the right direction, and an attractive countertop and accessories will enhance the look of your entertaining area. So if you plan to receive friends, family, or co-workers into your home, why not consider making them more comfortable with the luxury of a wet bar? This is one investment guaranteed to enhance the value of your home.

Kate Lively is a freelance SEO writer specializing in tips for home improvement, from buying the right stainless steel sinks to new carpeting.

How Steel Buildings Cost Less Than Conventional Buildings

Anyone who is considering the construction of a building usually has two concerns: cost and durability. While traditional lumber buildings are usually the norm, metal buildings are quickly gaining popularity for many reasons.

Metal buildings are available in many shapes and sizes to fit even the choosiest consumers. The first step should be to determine your budget. You will quickly find that you can have a larger, better equipped building if you choose a steel building as your primary building material. If you are expecting your new building to be warm in the winter, then ensure that insulation is included in the cost.

Ensure that when you are purchasing a metal building that the exterior panels and trim are coated with a protective paint, otherwise you will have to add the cost of the paint into your budget as well. Items such as doors and windows are typically not included either.

Before you go with the lowest cost steel building, check to see what the total costs are. Here at Absolute Steel, we will always figure out what your total costs are or at least estimate them for you. Many companies will give you a low price but when they add in freight and other costs you will find that you are paying more. Furthermore, most companies engineered plans do not include the foundation and concrete which you'll need to include to obtain a building permit. Also check the thickness of the metal and try to get the thickest metal you can afford, as this will ensure that your new building can stand up to the elements.

No matter what type of building you choose the cost of laying the foundation is not included, unless you are purchasing through a construction company, in which case it should be included in the cost (along with labor). Absolute Steel metal buildings are easy to assemble yourself, so you can save on labor costs with a metal building after your foundation is laid.

Freight costs also need to be considered when you are choosing your building type, and again a metal building is a better choice. Most all our building quotes include shipping so at Absolute Steel this is not a concern. Pre-fabricated metal buildings come pre-cut and packaged, so you are only shipped what you need and there is very little waste. Since metal buildings weight much less than lumber the freight costs are typically much less.

Even if the cost of a lumber versus metal building were exactly the same, you would still save money by choosing metal. You will likely never have to spend a dime on maintenance on a metal building as it comes coated with a protective paint that means it won't rust. There is also no chance of your metal building being susceptible to insects, rot or other common lumber problems.

The lifespan of a metal building is much longer than other materials since it stands up to all types of weather conditions. When a metal building is finally demolished, it is 100% recyclable so you don't even have to pay for disposal. From start to finish a metal building is easier to assemble, less costly to ship and put together, requires less maintenance, and lasts longer than lumber. It is easy to see why metal makes a great choice for building material when you want a strong, durable building that is easy on the pocketbook.

For more information on steel buildings, visit AbsoluteRV.com.

Asphalt Shingle Roofing - Poway Home Remodeling

Is it any wonder why almost 80% of homes in North America use asphalt shingles as the roofing material of choice. The prevalence of asphalt shingles has created a vast assortment of fittings and fixtures designed to work with them. Items such as a multitude of flashing configurations, edge products, and almost every skylight manufactured has an appropriate base configuration for a weatherproof connection with asphalt shingles. All of the material that you need for a proper installation, such as the shingles, tarpaper, nails, vent boots and chimney flashing are available at any home improvement retailer.

The primary attributes of asphalt tiles are:

• reasonably priced (economical),
• require very little maintenance,
• versatile,
• provide excellent protection on steep sloped roofs,
• are weather and sunlight resistant,
• easy to cut,
• can be nailed by hand or with powered nailers.

There are two different types of asphalt shingle base material construction - composition and fiberglass. Composition shingles use a base material termed organic felt, which is a blend of paper and wood fibers. Fiberglass, on the other hand, uses a base that is comprised of a fiberglass mat. In both cases, once the base material is produced it is soaked in an asphalt compound. In numbers sold, fiberglass leads the market. They are less expensive, weigh less because they are thinner, have a longer wear life and have a better fire rating than the composition base shingles.

Average cost of a shingle roof is $50 to $150 per square, installed. Removal of old shingles will cost between $30 and $50 per square.

Both types of asphalt shingles are manufactured with embedded mineral granules. Seeing the granules in your eaves trough (after the initial installation) is a sure sign that you need to repair or replace the shingles.

Where just a few years ago asphalt shingles were only available in simple tab configurations in blacks, grays and browns, the manufacturers have expanded their product lines to include a vast array of colors, profiles and with the use of laminate coatings have created as assortment of eye pleasing textures. Special chemicals are also being blended into the shingles to make them mold and algae resistant. Although these additional features do increase the price per square, asphalt shingles are still the most economical roofing material available.

Drawbacks:

The serviceable life of asphalt shingles is the lowest of all the roofing materials. Although they are available in numerous grades designated by the expected life, from 15 to 50 years they often need repair or replacement long before their supposed life has expired. The hotter the climate, the shorter the life of asphalt shingles. Many of the asphalt shingle problems that are encountered by homeowners are a direct result of two factors:

• poor initial installation
• damage due to sever weather

Poor installation usually occurs in the area of deck preparation, and not providing adequate flashing around items that are protruding through the roof such as vent pipes and chimneys. Other poor installation methods are not using the required amount of nails per shingle and nailing in the wrong area of the shingle. There are many fly-by-night roofing companies that will quote low prices, because they won't be around to stand behind the workmanship. Choose a roofing contractor carefully.

Roof Repairs:

You should inspect your shingled roof and all the flashing at least once a year and after any major storm such as a hurricane. Hurricane winds will remove entire shingles and lift others. Sun and rain can cause asphalt shingles to crack. You should also go into the attic and look up, any sign of daylight means that there is a hole. When inspecting the roof look for shingles that have lost the granule minerals - bald spots, cracked and/or curled.

If you have to make a roof repair, choose a warm day so that the shingles will be flexible and unlikely to crack when lifted. The roofing cements also spread easier in warmer temperatures.

You will know when you have a roofing problem when you see beige spots appearing on ceilings and walls close to the ceiling. Beige spots are a sign of water damage.

Maintenance:

Roofing cement is the equivalent of duct tape for roofs. It will repair most leaks, cracked or torn shingles, patch flashing around vent pipes and chimneys. You can also use the roofing cement to cover nail heads that have been exposed.

Shingles fade with age so any replacement shingles used will most likely be visually obvious. Shingle over damaged ridge shingles, by nailing down all the corners of the old shingle first - do not remove them.

If you have to replace an entire shingle, lift each of the tabs and pry the nails out of the shingle of the one that needs to be replaced. Remove the top corners of the replacement shingle and very carefully, without damaging the tarpaper, slip it under the existing shingles.

Use roofing nails (large head, galvanized) to fix the new shingle to the roof decking. Use roofing cement to cover the nail heads.

Planning and knowledge are the keys to any successful home improvement, remodel or landscaping project!

For additional information on roofing materials for your home or other renovation projects, including landscaping, visit Renovation Headquarters

Roman Shades Add Style, Privacy and Lower Energy Bills!

Roman Shades made with an insulated or blackout lining will lower your energy bills. In these days of trying to cut costs do not forget the obvious in any room, your windows if not covered are costing you more money than you realize.

In the winter they can block out unwanted cold air drafts lowering your energy bill. In the summertime they can block out the heat of the sun which lowers your energy bill. Having trouble viewing your television on that sunny day? Roman Shades will get rid of the glare on the screen. Blackout linings combine fashion with function.

Windows are the single most area of your home where energy escapes or enters your home. Windows are also the most focal point of a room that should be dressed to add warmth and style to the room. Roman Shades add that designers touch to any room where there are numerous styles to achieve your goals of style, privacy and decor. By using a thermal backed lining you can achieve up to a R-9 rating for insulation depending on the face fabric you use. 100% Cotton Duck fabric with a thermal insulated lining has been used for years in the design industry for exceptional window coverings that are energy efficient.

Roman Shades were at one time only available through a designer or design center but are now available through many different resources including the Internet. Bandings or trim can also be added to any style to give a personal touch to any style.

M-C Roman Shades can fabricate your shades in a variety of seventeen styles with a 100% cotton duck fabric and thermal lining. We have been a fabricator of Roman and Balloon Shades for 26 years and can be found at http://www.mcromanshades.com You may supply your own fabric if desired. Toll free 800-261-8755

Building Contractors - Master Builders of Homes, Buildings and Roads

Building contractors or general contractors are construction professionals that contract other individuals or companies for the construction or renovation of a house, building, road or any other structure. They provide estimates to clients by studying the blueprints of the structure. Subsequently, once a contract is signed, building contractors will then be responsible for the means and methods to be used in the construction of the house, building or road. They have to make sure that all the details of the signed contract will be met.

Building contractors, especially established ones, already have their own equipment, manpower and even construction materials to supply their clients. However, for those who are still starting out, the only way to execute the contract agreement is to contract other contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Building contractors often work 24/7 throughout the duration of the project to be able to immediately solve problems that may occur from accidents or those caused by the weather. Other problems that may occur are lack of materials, malfunctioning equipment and lack of manpower.

Building contractors also accept projects for different government agencies and they are often referred to as the prime contractors. They often follow the same procedures similar to contracts they accept for private clients. In general, building contractors specialize in one type and size of construction project. Commercial contractors, however, sometimes accept residential projects and vice versa but most rarely take on large scale public works projects such as building industrial sites, bridges and sewage systems to name a few.

Building contractors often start out as construction workers mastering in carpentry, insulation, landscaping, plumbing and other similar jobs. After gaining the necessary skills, they will then work as apprentices or assistants for other contractors or developers. Before becoming a contractor themselves, they should have at least 5 years of experience in the contracting field and have certifications in mastering a construction skill. They are also required to get a degree in construction science, construction management or civil engineering. Many states require contractors to be licensed before they can work and get clients from the area. Building contractors must complete several requirements before they can be granted their licenses.

Other ways of getting a license aside from taking a four year course degree is to attend training programs plus at least two years of college programs in construction science or construction technology. The American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America often offer voluntary certification programs for aspiring contractors. Once you have completed the requirements and passed the written examinations, you will be granted your certification.

Working as a building contractor can be very demanding and stressful but can also be very fulfilling. With an average $69,870 annual income and with the employment rate for contractors and other construction personnel and workers increasing until 2014 (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics), there will surely be a lot of opportunities for building contractors for the next few years.

Zipcodez.com is a widely-used local business listings service and search engine. It features a complementary collection of useful topics and resources from "Arts & Entertainment" to "Wireless & Telecommunications." If you are interested in "Building Contractors," you might also want to read "For Your Construction Needs - Building Contractors" available at http://www.zipcodez.com/article/featured-articles.htm.

What To Consider When Remodeling

When you say you want to start remodeling your home sometime soon, that is a rather broad way of describing what you want done. You have to be more specific about your remodeling plans so that the contractor knows exactly what you want to achieve in this home makeover project.

The sub-project of bathroom remodeling includes new vanity, new sink, new faucet, new bath tub, new shower walls, new shower doors, new vinyl flooring at the very least, that is. You may also need to have a new toilet, new water closet, new mirror, and new medicine cabinet integrated into your bathroom layout as well. Whew! And thats just the bathroom for starters.

In kitchen remodeling, you may need new countertops (like granite countertops which stand up very well under wear and tear due to its sturdiness) or perhaps new kitchen cabinets. A new kitchen sink may also be warranted if your old one has stains that wont come out even with the toughest detergents and regular scrubbing on your behalf, or if it has rusty parts that may prove dangerous if young hands get too close.

Acoustic ceiling removal may prove necessary before you have recessed lighting installed in your living room and dining room. Recessed lighting is great for showcasing the interior details of your house, including the new carpeting you may have had installed. New dual paned windows or retrofit windows might look good here as well.

Regardless of how you want to conduct remodeling of your home, you will probably need the professional services of an experienced and knowledgeable contractor (unless you have extensive experience in home makeovers yourself and want to make the home remodeling a DIY project instead.)

The rule of thumb when hiring any contractor is: make sure everything you ask the contractor to do for you is stipulated in a written agreement that both parties have signed. This also protects the contractor so that he gets paid for everything that he does for you .

When you ask the contractor to purchase the materials for the home makeover, you should list down what sizes, colors, models and/or brands should be bought. This cuts down on any misunderstandings and assures you that you get what you asked for.

The labor aspect is another sticking point. You should come to a definite agreement with the contractor as to how many people he should have in his team, how long they should work on the project, and what happens if the team doesnt finish the project on schedule (meaning, do you wind up paying for the additional days or not?)

A good contractor will provide a warranty for the work that he and his team finished for you. This way, if evidence of shoddy work shows up later on, you can hold him to the warranty and get the mistakes redone (without you having to pay extra money to him.)

By the way, who will handle disposal of trash and any debris that is produced by the home makeover project? There are contractors who include that in the service though there may be projects where you have to find a hauler who will cart away your debris and trash for you instead. Clarify this beforehand as well.

It is also helpful if there is a stipulation in your contract permitting you a grace period before the project starts so that if you change your mind, you can always bow out gracefully without spending a cent or incurring the ire of the contractor.

Extreme Makeover Pros is your affordable contractor serving Orange County, Ca. for nearly 25 years. Specializing in Home Improvement and Renovation. For more details visit http://www.extrememakeoverpros.com

Moisture Proofing Your Basement

If you are planning a basement remodeling project then the first thing you have to take care of is to see if your basement seems damp. No one wants to stay in a damp basement. Whatever you plan for your basement whether it's a game room, a home theater or a bath or an extra bed room you have to first solve the moisture problem before you can think of anything else. In fact even if your basement seems dry it would be better to conduct a small test to be sure. A basement finishing can't be complete till you have taken care of this problem.

In order to test if your basement has a moisture problem or not take a piece of plastic or a piece of tin foil and tape it to the floor. Seal it on all sides and leave it like that for some days. You might find some moisture on the exposed side but that is ok. It is only the condensation. Insulation and ventilation will take care of that. But if you find moisture in the covered area then there is some moisture infiltration and you need to take care of that.

More often than not, basement-moisture problem is due to improper drainage system. The problem could be lack of gutters like allowing rain water to run directly off the roof. Or it may be due to bad grading i.e. the soil should always slope away from the house but it might be otherwise. There might be a wrongly placed drain pipe that leaves the water near the foundation. Water should always be directed at least 5 feet away from the foundation. Taking care of these areas can solve the dampness problem in your basement.

You can also directly apply concrete water proof sealer to the floor and the walls. There are many different brands that you can find in your home store. Most of them come as a powder that you need to mix with water and apply with a long bristles brush. This keeps the sealer moist for days and allows it to reach into the pores and form a crystalline structure that is able to block moisture.

You'll also need to repair any cracks that are present in the walls. Chisel out hairline cracks at least 3/4" deep and wide. Now fill this gap with some concrete patching material. Treat the cracks in the floor the same way. Chisel them out and fill the gap with some concrete and bonding material. If the matter is not very serious then your basement finishing won't cost much.

Exterior Wood Beams

Natural Wood Cedar Garage Doors

Natural wood garage doors are aesthetically very pleasing and add value to any home. Redwood, oak and cedar garage doors are very popular with many new home builders. Natural wood is really great at accenting your home. In terms of garage doors pricing wood doors are relatively cheap to build and install however they are obviously not as durable as conventional metal or composite garage doors.

Wood garage doors will weather quickly and expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. As such frequent up keep will be required to keep them in good condition. Many of the new wood care products do a very good job of protecting wood products including wood garage doors. If you live in area with long winters and deep snows where the snow will lay against the doors for an extended period then you will need to conduct maintenance more often. Also if you live in an area with long periods of heat and humidity such as the Southeast US you will also have to do a good job of regular maintenance to protect your investment.

The lowest priced wood garage doors are constructed of redwood while oak and cedar garage doors are normally about twice as expensive. A 16 x 7 redwood garage door will average about $600 to $800 depending on the type of door construction. Tilt-up garage doors are especially adaptable to using wood for construction. Cedar garage doors have an additional advantage of being lightweight and very rot resistant. In addition white cedar garage doors do a fairly good job of insulating as well.

If you decide to use a flush fit roll up garage door construction you should make sure the panels are constructed of one solid piece of wood. Failure to do so will mean that there is a good chance that glued and stapled seams will begin to show after weathering. Finding redwood and cedar material that is straight and clean can be expensive. Thin wood panels will have a higher risk of warping than larger dimensions. However it you are installing an oak door with long solid panels then door weight may become a concern.

For obvious reason you would not want to install cedar garage doors or any wood door in areas of high wind risk. However you can apply a wood door covering to a high wind rated door that will protect your home from hurricanes and meet local high wind building codes. In some case local building codes will not permit the modification. It probably be best find a conventional high wind garage door manufacture that has a very good artificial wood finish embossed on it if you live along the Southeast Coastal areas.

When building your home there is no doubt that natural wood garage doors do look very nice. The look of an oak, redwood or white cedar garage doors that are well maintained will certainly enhance the value of your home. It really is hard to beat the natural look of real wood.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Garage Doors Pricing Website located at http://www.garagedoorspricing.com - Providing information on Cedar Garage Doors and the purchasing, installing and operation of a garage door.

Insulation Damage

Why Granite Countertops Are Today's Top Choice

The heart of any home is the kitchen. It comes as no surprise that people would choose the best materials when the idea of remodeling it comes up. And when you think of your kitchen, you have to think of the best material for your countertop. From the very many choices out there, you cannot go wrong with granite countertops!

Granite is the material of choice during these times when not only durability is a key quality but also beauty. Advantages abound in making granite your choice for your kitchen countertop and your bathroom as well. Not to mention its practicality. Granite is a kind of rock formed from the cooling of magma in the pockets of magma trapped under the earth's surface. These rocks come in different colors and patterns a homeowner can choose from. In ancient times, granite was used as pyramid surfaces. In modern times, they were mostly used for monuments because they lasted longer than marble. Recent times have seen more uses for granite.

Kitchen or bathroom countertops are often exposed to different wear and tear situations and so durability is very important. You would not want the hassle of constantly having your countertop repaired or reconstructed. To begin the list of several advantages of having a granite countertop, durability comes first. Granite is so durable that only another piece of granite or diamonds can cut it. That means it is one piece that cannot be scratched by anyone or anything else! In fact, granite is often used for building high-rise structures because it can even withstand rain and gale force winds.

Besides being durable, granite also has another excellent quality - natural beauty. A granite countertop's color will never change. It will always look as vibrant as when it was first installed in your kitchen. Even more, granite slabs are all unique and thus have their own look and beauty. That is why you often are asked to choose from actual samples.

These countertops increase the aesthetic appeal of your home. They make any kitchen look elegant and polished. Imported from Europe, Brazil, Africa and other areas rich in natural stone, they are quite striking to look at. In fact, granite is used not only as kitchen countertops but also as flooring for homes because of its raw natural beauty. They add warmth and color to any home. There has been a boom in the demand for granite countertops in the past five years. The use of these is not only limited to upscale homes, but has since become available to modern-income families.

Many may think that granite countertops may be too expensive. This is not always true. Although they may be rather pricey for many, there are several factors to be considered. The transportation, polishing and installation are included in pricing a granite countertop. But then again at the end of the day, these stone countertops are competitively-priced. Compare them to other high-end surfaces and you'll be surprised.

It may sound all too good to be true, but actually granite countertops are a good investment. Just like any investment choice you have to make, careful thought and analysis must be applied in selecting the perfect countertop for your perfect home.

Want to see the magic that granite countertops can bring to your home? You can can have the job finished in as little as three weeks by calling on Granite Tops For Less You can see the wide choice of colors and other options at http://www.GraniteTopsForLess.com

Plywood Stair Treads

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

Nails versus screws who will become the winner. When drywall first came out the installers used everything from regular steel nails to galvanized roofing nails. After a short amount of time they started to develop major problems from nails popping out of the finished drywall.

Nail popping results when the nail is driven into moist lumber and as the lumber shrinks the house settles and nail can actually pop out to the walls. Hard to imagine the nail could actually pop out of the drywall as the wood was drying out.

How far the nail would actually pop out was determined by how far it was driven in to the framing studs or ceiling joists. Well pretty soon drywall installers started to use ring shank nails to eliminate this problem. This worked great but these nails were hard to drive in and would often break.

As time went on the nails improved and were made out of galvanized metal with cupped shaped heads and came in a few different sizes. The size of the nail used was determined by the thickness of the drywall. These new nails worked great and had good holding power and eliminated a lot of nail popping.

Using nails means driving them in with a hammer. If you miss the nail you damage the drywall. This seemed to be a big problem and was virtually eliminated with the screws.

Well pretty soon people started using screws which had greater holding power and pretty much nail popping. Another advantage to using screws over nails is the simple fact you need less screws than you do nails to attach the drywall to the metal or wood framing.

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

There is one problem with the screws and that is they have to be set perfectly. They can not break the paper surface on the drywall but have to be set enough into the drywall so that it can be finished properly. Most screw guns have an adjustable setting used to get just the right depth for the screws installed in the drywall. But this also was a problem when screwing into a hard piece of wood you can actually snapped the screw head off, strip the screw head or break the screw.

Nails on the other hand can bend while driving them into a hard surface.

Who wins the nails versus screws while installing drywall? I have got to give it to the screws. That doesn't mean the nails just got screwed or the screws just got nailed.

I couldn't resist. I actually preferred the screws over the nails except for when nailing the drywall corner bead on. Some drywall professionals use nails to hang the drywall and go back with a screw gun and some screws to finish the job. The nails sometimes seem handier than the screws when installing the drywall.

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 Home Improvement

Magical Numbers

New Solar Technology Trends Around the World

In the business of solar energy, the U.S. has not been the biggest buyer of solar power. While the U.S. does quite well exporting solar panels and solar technology, there are many Americans who still find the cost of panels very prohibitive. Plus, many states still don't offer the same sizeable solar power perks (tax credits, low interest loan programs) as many other nations in the world.

As the price of solar energy decreases, Europe has had a much higher demand for solar power than anywhere else in the world. Germany alone orders double the amount of solar panels sold in the U.S. ever year. Better yet, there's a bigger market for commercial solar power in Europe than in the U.S. Many European universities and campuses have rebuilt their dorms to run off solar energy. Most water heaters in Europe are solar-powered, even if the home doesn't have a full solar panel system.

A recent report released by Emerging-Energy.com states that between 2008 and 2020, Germany will become one the largest producers of solar panels in the world. In Europe, it's not just small residential power systems that are leading the way in solar energy dependence. It's mostly large scale (over 1 MW) projects that have spurred new markets that have shaped a new landscape of energy usage in Europe. Such large projects have literally changed the way how utility companies and residential contract companies view solar energy. It's become increasingly easier for European business owners to purchase and install their panels with lowered tariffs and taxes.

Specifically, Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic are the newest customers of solar power systems. These countries have begun to purchase so much solar energy that their borders have seen changes in tariffs for solar panels. They've also seen major changes in permitting regulations that makes it easier for such private residences to have solar energy systems. In Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic, the demand for solar energy is the same in the private (residential) industry and the commercial industry. Conversely, most other European nations have seen a drastic rise in commercial industry demand, with residential demand remaining relatively stable.

Japan, who's also been at the forefront of solar panel imports, has picked up solar panel buying as the cost of gas and electricity rises. Japan has begun using solar panels in almost every new commercial and industrial building being built- including schools, hospitals and government facilities. There are entire neighborhoods in Japan outfitted with residential solar power panels. For example, the neighborhood of Iwaki New Town has about 46 homes outfitted with full private solar power panels. The neighborhood produces over 310,000 kWh in a single year, enough to power over 90 residences!

Japan also uses solar energy in surprising places. Japan is the only country to power most of its vending machines with solar energy. Sharp, one of the largest solar panel producing companies in Japan estimates that by 2010, Japan will produce 4.8 million kWh of solar energy. As a result, buying solar energy panels in Japan is inexpensive and has created one of the most profitable net-metering countries in the world.

Using the power of the sun definitely isn't going away anytime soon. In fact, solar energy may be the next step in energetic materials. If we equipped half the homes in America with solar panel systems, we could produce enough electricity to run the entire country. All it takes is one house at a time!

Philip Richards is an expert writer about solar power. Check out how he made solar power at home with this easy to follow guide at http://123HomeSolarPower.com Or check out his blog on solar power at http://homesolarblog.com

Home Made Energy Guide

Home Made Energy is a guide that will teach how to make solar panels and wind turbines for under 200$! I researched this product quite a bit, and a high percentage of people are fully satisfied. With the recession and the growing energy costs this could come in handy. If you are like most people in America paying outrageous prices for energy, or just want to help the environment, this a something to buy.

I'm one of those people who wants to help the environment and all that jazz, but I can't afford to buy all of the expensive solar panels and other energy helping devices. I was looking for "green" things i could get instead of the less "green" items that do the same thing when I ran into this. I read through the sales page then searched for some user opinions. As I said above, a high percentages (not sure of exact numbers, 80-95%) of the people who have bought this don't regret it one bit and are saving tons of money. These weren't the responses you see in ads, I actually sent messages to a few of the people. On top of that I spent most of my free time since i was 10 on the internet so I've learned to recognize fakes.

This guide is really easy to understand. I read it was written so a 10 year old would be able to understand. All of the materials you need you can buy at a local hardware store for 200$ (total). Once again, this product would be a great buy and will save you plenty of money of energy.

Link to my main blog with link to guide http://dwebookfinder.blogspot.com/2008/12/home-made-energy-guide.html

Reduce Your Energy Bills With a Programmable Thermostat

While we want our homes to be warm and comfortable it's surprising how many of us overlook the question of energy efficiency. But doing so costs us money. And as the prices of gas, electricity and heating oils rise, it's more important than ever to look at simple but effective ways to trim expenses.

Making our homes energy efficient is a necessity. Let's assume we already have attic space with premium insulation and good windows to prevent heat escaping. How else can we make heating our homes more cost effective? One very simple step that anyone can take is to install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are low cost, but they provide the means to save a considerable amount of money when it comes to reducing energy bills.

The latest programmable thermostats make their traditional counterparts look positively prehistoric. Who wants to have to set temperatures manually these days? Programmable thermostats allow you to set a custom-made heating agenda for your home. You can stipulate how warm you want your house to be at different times throughout the day. Once you've done so you simply sit back and let the programmable thermostat work it out. Most people opt to have the heat at a slightly lower level overnight, say around 17 or 18 degrees. Having the heat on a lower setting overnight is an effective way to save money while you sleep. Although natural temperatures drop during the dark hours there is no need to burn energy to keep warm. The cooler temperatures are compensated for by warm bed clovers and, for some, having someone to cuddle up to! With a programmable thermostat the heating temperature can be set to automatically go up a few notches in the mornings, making it easier for even the most reluctant of us to get out of bed in the winter! Waking to a warm home makes it easier to face the day. Yes, even Mondays!

Research carried out by Energystar.gov revealed that using a programmable thermostat can cut up to $180 from a householder's heating bill every year. That's a significant amount of money and such savings are easily achieved once a programmable thermostat has been fitted.

So, how complicated is installation? It's not complicated at all. The fitting of a programmable thermostat is a very straightforward procedure. In fact it's so simple many people opt to carry out the task themselves. Programmable thermostats come complete with helpful installation instructions. If you are fitting your own programmable thermostat the first thing to remember is that the power needs to be switched off from the mains, that means the power to the furnace should be set to off on the breaker panel or fuse box. When removing an existing single setting manual thermostat be sure to keep all the wires accessible. Take the base plate of the new programmable thermostat and run the wires through it prior to attaching it to the wall. The installation instructions will feature a guide about which color wires connect where on the new programmable thermostat. Oh, and don't forget to fit back-up batteries. That way, even in the event of power failure, your individual heating settings won't be lost. Once the batteries are fitted and the wires are correctly connected the front plate of the programmable thermostat can be secured to the wall and you're ready to tailor your home's heating schedule to suit your needs and your budget.

So how do programmable thermostats work?

Most programmable thermostats work on a cyclic basis. The user can choose appropriate settings for the working week, and separate settings for the weekends. On a daily basis a programmable thermostat allows up to four different temperature settings to be scheduled. Most commonly people like to tie these in with key points of the day. For example most of us like it to be nice and warm when we get up in the morning, but when we're at work and the house is empty it would be a waste of money to have the heating on. But, we do want to come home to a comfortable warm house when our working day is done, don't we. With a programmable thermostat the user can make this a reality without having to pay the cost of leaving a heating system running unnecessarily.

What is the best type of programmable thermostat to buy?

While the automatic programming features are the main appeal of programmable thermostats it's wise to purchase one that includes a manual override and a hold temperature facility. A thermostat with these features will allow you to manually adapt your pre-set program if ever you need to. This is particularly useful if you need to put extra heat on or turn the heat down due to unexpected temperature changes. It's useful too if your timetable changes and you are going to be home when the automatic schedule was set to be off. A simple click of a button and the programmable thermostat will revert to the agenda you set it.

Is a programmable thermostat compatible with any heating system?

Yes, the latest programmable thermostats are compatible with the majority of heating and air conditioning systems, provided that the existing thermostat has a 2, 3, 4 or 5 wire connection. One of the few exceptions is electric baseboard heating. This form of heating uses very high voltages that render programmable thermostats incompatible. In most cases though, a programmable thermostat is ideal, being inexpensive, easy to install and simple to use. More importantly using one will quickly begin saving users money while keeping their homes luxuriously warm and welcoming.

For more great duct cleaning and energy efficiency information please visit http://www.furnacecleaning.info

Interesting Tidbits About Green Construction

Going green used to be on the fringes of society, but now modern skyscrapers are being built using the philosophy. Here are some interesting things about the movement.

Green structures are not weird or ugly things. They are not necessarily geodesic domes or something that looks like a Mongolian Kurt. They do not have rows and rows of solar panels on the roof or a giant windmill in the backyard. At least, they dont have to look that way. The truth is that most green structures are indistinguishable from any other building based on appearance. Although style can be modern, it is not how they look they makes them a green structure.

Green structures are not always new buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for existing buildings (LEED-EB) program awards certificates to older building that incorporate green ideas, or make changes that support them. They also have standards for existing building that evaluate the environmental impact of work that has already been done. The green construction movement does not focus completely on state of the art type of technology alone.

The whole idea of going green is not an all or nothing proposition. Many people have the mistaken idea that this is so. They think that in order to be considered a green structure; it has to be built as one from the bottom up and from day one. The truth is that a building can be a little green. The idea is environmental protection and even the smallest change or improvement in a building that brings that goal closer makes it part of the green construction movement.

Green structures are not necessarily more expensive. Studies show that buildings consume more energy than any other sector. This includes even transportation and industry. So, energy savings can result in considerable money savings. Operating costs are often much less in green structures when compared to traditional ones. They are just more efficient. Commercial buildings retain and attract tenants better, and they lease and sell faster. There is actually a great deal of money to be saved through going green.

People spend 90 percent of their time indoors according to some studies. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that the air quality inside a building can often be two to five times worse than the outside air. Green structures are not something that is of concern to the other guy; it can benefit all of us. We all live, work, and often play inside buildings. We all breathe the same air and drink the same water. It is our issue.

Zack Verde is with GreenBuildingCompanies.com - providing information on green building companies.

Build a Home Wind Generator With Just $200 in Your Pocket

Wind energy systems are widely considered as one of the best ways to create electricity for free and help slash ones electricity bill. But up till recently, installing a wind energy system for your home can cost you thousands of dollars. Today, you can actually learn how to build a home wind generator yourself with just $200 in your pocket!

The wind generator has come a long way, and the technology involved and process to build one has improved rapidly. But many home owners are hesitant in using such a system mainly because of the high cost involved in installing one for their home. In fact, a low range model that produces just enough power output for one small cottage can easily set you back by at least $3000.

Such an expensive device may take you years to realize a positive return of investment! In fact, calculations show one such system will take approximately more than 5 years for it to pay-back the initial investment in terms of savings in your power bills. This just is not feasible, especially for most average income households.

Thankfully today, you can build a wind generator system easily from home without having to spend the most part of your monthly paycheck.

The Internet is a wonderful resource cauldron where you can learn how to build a home wind generator using simple items that you can get for cheap. Personally, this is indeed ideal because the main reason why we install the generator system is to save our money. Learning to build one helps you save thousands of dollars more!

So how do you get started to build the wind generator? If you are technically skilled enough, there are various websites out there that provides the information for free. But most of these websites are geared towards experienced users who are comfortable with technical jargons.

If you are not technical enough, or even do not come from a technical background, fret not. There are many professional kits to help you build the wind generator from home.

These low cost DIY kits include well-written instructions and clear diagrams that are perfect to help you build your home wind generator.

Home wind generators are meant to help you save money, so start saving today! Get the most popular wind power kit and be the first in your neighborhood to learn how to build a home Wind generator.

Who knows, you might turn out to be the wind energy expert in your town someday!

Saving Energy in the Kitchen

The kitchen, with all its appliances, gadgets and heat, is a real hot spot for potential energy saving. As the oven uses the most energy and creates a vast amount of heat while cooking foods, it is a good place to start.

For instance, when baking cookies use two trays. While one is in the oven baking, the other one is prepped with raw cookies - ready to replace the tray in the oven with no wasted heat and some time saved. When we bake bread we also fill the oven with foil wrapped potatoes. The potatoes can be stored in the fridge without the foil and used throughout the week in a myriad of recipes, or as a side dish. This method can be applied to a menu plan in that if you are baking one dish, try to include a side dish that is baked as well.

By turning off the oven a minute or two before the dish is done, the residual heat will finish the cooking. When done with the oven, open the door to allow any leftover heat to warm the home.

Pasta cooking water can be left out until it has completely cooled - so that the heat and moisture are released back into the air. Before pulling the plug, consider leaving hot dishwater (and bath water) until it cools. Why pay to heat up your sewer pipes? When cooking vegetables, consider steaming instead of boiling. When steamed, more nutrients are retained in the food, and because it requires less water to heat - there is less energy used.

In summer, consider cooking on the barbecue to help keep the house cool. Most barbecues now include side burners that make outdoor cooking all that much easier.

All these methods are relatively easy to adopt and when added up, the savings in energy and time really do make a difference.

~ Dave & Lillian Brummet: Authors of the books Trash Talk, Purple Snowflake Marketing and Towards Understanding; co-host of the Conscious Discussions radio show (http://www.brummet.ca)

Battery Reconditioning Using EDTA

Renewable Energy systems such as solar or wind have a few drawbacks and that comes in the form of storage of the energy for use when the wind isn't blowing, and you have some cloudy days in a row where solar energy output will be minimal.

When you are not generating energy you either use it from your grid-tied system, or you potentially have a battery bank of batteries that you charge for these times. Deep cycle batteries are not cheap at all and some of the batteries that are created solely for the use of renewable energy can cost of upwards of $250 per battery!

So what can you do about this? Well there are a couple of things that you can do, especially if you make the right people contacts in just about any town you live in. This is where opportunity lies for getting some nice batteries on the cheap.

Deep Cycle batteries are used in marine, vehicle, RV's, Off-road ATV's, Golf Carts, ForkLifts, and just about any application. One of the largest manufacturer of these batteries is a company named Trojan Battery company and the batteries they have are great for renewable energy sources. They even happen to have a ine dedicated specifically for RE uses.

So.... Instead of buying a large bank of these batteries at $250 a pop you should hunt around local golf cart maintenance shops, forklift repair shops, and more for finding these deep-cycle gems. :)

Most of the time the batteries themselves are not in horrible condition beyond repair, some easy work they can be fixed up to practically new without much cost at all. One simple method of repair is for using EDTA in the electrolytic fluid in each cell that doesn't pass the test of a standard electrolytic hydrometer. Although some battery types are sealed most are recoverable with this technique. EDTA stands for ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and can be purchased on the internet rather easily. If you see people selling you "special" battery reconditioning mixtures this is what the main ingredient is.

You can also visit energyprojects.info for more information about battery reconditioning methods and see them in action. You can save yourself lots of money on your solar pv or wind turbine system by using this method. If you already know how repair battery cells then you probably have all of the information that you need.

Nicholas Cole - http://www.energyprojects.info
"Your Resource for Energy Solutions"

3 Little Pigs - Which One Are You?

The original fairy tale about the 3 Little Pigs is a bit harsher than the later versions. In the original the first two pigs get eaten by the big bad wolf because they were lazy, thoughtless home builders. The third pig used his brain and built a quality house out of brick. In the original tale, the wolf after huffing and puffing to no avail, then trying to trick the pig out of the house decided to go down the chimney. The pig boiled a pot of water, put it in the fireplace and that was the end of the wolf.

In my 20 years in real estate and construction, most clients are like the the first two pigs. They choose to cut corners and always look at first cost rather than the long term picture.

That attitude has caught up with us as a nation. It's crystalized because we're in a period with a weak dollar, declining real estate values, high energy costs and dependence on foreign sources for oil.

That's a bad position to be in. Fortunately that will change for the better. It will be those who are like the third little pig who will lead us out of this decline. Those who are long term thinkers, innovative entrepreneurs will come up with profitable solutions to problems.

In an earlier article I mentioned T. Boone Pickens strategy about building wind farms down in Sweetwater Texas. His strategy will reduce an outflow of capital to foreign business for oil from $700 Billion to $400 Billion within 10 years. Thats $300 Billion that stays here in the U.S.A. Thats a start.

We're starting to see a significant change in automobiles that people are driving to smaller fuel efficient models. Again, I think it will be the entrepreneurs who will develop and bring to market cars and motorcycles driven by alternative energy. I'd like to find statistics showing the benefits of eliminating the use (or drastic reduction) of oil in our everyday transport.

When it comes to real estate ICF Construction (Insulating Concrete Forms) is what the smart third little pig would build today. This type of construction reduces energy costs by as much as 80%.
Currently about 85% of all homes built in the United States are wood frame and less than 10% are ICF.

I'm going to take a stab at what ICF Construction can do for energy savings. These are my own quick numbers.

My house is 2,800 square feet and I average 88 gallons of oil use per month. Let's say that the average home in the United States is 2,000 square feet and has a similar use rate of oil which would be about 60 gallons per month or 720 per year. Last year there were about 1.1 million new homes built. If each new home built is ICF construction with oil heat thats a ballpark reduction of 500 gallons per year per home.

Think about that. With price of home heating oil at $5.00 per gallon thats a household savings of $2,500.00. Thats a lot of money that stay here in the United States rather than ending up in the hands of foreign interest who are in turn investing in our stocks , bonds and real estate. Not to mention how we are fueling unfriendly interests who are using our money to blow us up.

It's taken a severe crisis that we all feel, proving that we can't live like the first two little pigs. Innovation,thinking and a movement towards a Green energy efficient society is what will lead us out of the pickle we're in.

I'd hope to hear comments from you on this topic. So which little pig are you, do you want to get eaten or not?

Blog http://www.metrocrete.com

Home Solar Power - How to Generate Electricity at Home

A home solar option is supposed to be the most feasible option for ordinary households. The main reason why home solar is being preferred by ordinary individuals is because it saves both time as well as money. Home solar options are easy to install and easier to execute. Listed below are a few steps which can help you in generating electricity from home.

Purchase A Well Known Program

Even before you start to dream of saving large amounts of cash through solar powered electric supply, you need to research the internet and find a suitable kit which can aid you in your dream. Once you have a kit ready, the next step is to ensure that you have it installed either through a technician or by reading through the manual book and doing it yourself.

Look For A Suitable Installation Place

If you wish to benefit through the means of the sun's natural energy, you would be required to find a suitable place in order to install your solar panel. While the roof of your house is supposedly the best available option, you may seek an alternative according to your personal choice.

Put It In Practice

Another way to benefit through the means of solar energy is by making sure that you give yourself some time. From time, I mean, you need to allow the solar power to generate on its own. Soon, you would be making enough electrical power to run a couple of houses and not just one-and that too at no extra charge.

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.

Provide Your Own Power With Solar Energy

As environmental awareness increases, and people look for ways to lower their energy bills, alternative sources of energy have been getting more and more attention. There has been a recent surge of interest in solar energy lately, partly due to technological advances that have made solar power much more affordable. Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource available, and gives off more energy than any source on earth. Unfortunately, most of the solar energy that reaches the earth is not being harnessed.

What Are The Advantages Of Solar Power?

One of the primary advantages of solar power is the cost. A commercially available solar power cell can be purchased for around $500, and it will help to drastically reduce your monthly expenses. If this is still out of your price range, you'll be happy to know that it is actually possible to build solar panels and cells yourself, right at home. Instructions for doing this can be found in many places online, and will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to start collecting solar energy for your own home.

Another advantage of using solar power is the independence it gives you. This means that is a storm knocks out power lines in your area, you may not be affected by it.

How Do I Start Using Solar Power?

You will need solar panels to collect the sunlight, and a solar power cell to store it. You can either buy these items commercially, or you can build them yourself. Details on how to build them are too involved for this short article, but can be found by getting a guide on the internet.

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 <=

Residential Lighting - Aesthetics & Function For Home Improvement

It has often been said that the right kind of lighting has the potential to raise property values, and in general enhance living spaces and office aesthetics. Thanks to the continuous evolving and revolution of style and function, residential lighting can be beautiful and something to admire while still remaining functional and cost effective. You'll easily find many different styles of residential lights to meet your design needs.

Grow lights on the other hand, are not so much about being pleasing to the eye, as they are more geared towards being a functional form of lighting. A grow light is used to promote growth in a plant by emitting the same electromagnetic spectrum that photosynthesis needs to take place. There are many different types of grow lights available, with each giving off certain colors, spectrums, temperatures and light waves. Grow lighting is desired by those who are interested in growing plants because they give off the same daytime rays, tones and color temperatures that natural sunlight does. You can pick the right grow light for your growing needs by looking over a color rendering index and choosing the appropriate solution.

Then there is commercial lighting. Commercial lighting blends contemporary style with the need to provide appropriate lighting in a functional manner. You'll find commercial lighting in use in just about any non-residential setting you can think of. These settings include stadiums, stores, outdoor arenas and even the streets and roads that are lined with street lights. Commercial lighting solutions are available based on form, function, energy savings and cost effectiveness. Mix and match commercial lighting options for the desired result and attributes.

All of these types of lighting - residential lights, commercial lights, grow lights - can be used as an application to make living more enjoyable and more functional. Without lighting, we'd have a pretty hard time of it once the sun set.

If you would like to shop for these types of lighting, any hardware store or discount retailer will have their own selection of them. But for the greatest overall selection and best prices, look to the internet as your source.

Many websites, such as http://www.accessdiscounts.us - have a large selection of lighting solutions available.

Sam Brown is a personal shopper, avid gardener and home improvement specialist with tips and solutions for residential lighting, Grow lights and commercial lights.

Cost Efficient and Energy Saving Ultrasonic Humidifiers

Why do I need a humidifier?

During each winter the most common problems faced by people are often chapped lips, cracked feet, and dry skin. These can be slow to heal in a cold climate. However, air humidifiers are like a blessing that helps retain moisture in close compartments, sending a wave of relief amongst all who live there.

Varieties of humidifiers

There are plenty of options available for humidifiers including room humidifier, ultrasonic humidifier, portable humidifier and several more. The first thing you need to understand is the kind of humidifier you are looking for and is it suitable for your purpose? Once you have got your humidifier it is essential to know how the system works.

Ultrasonic humidifier is the best option available

One of the most popular humidifier used in urban households is the ultrasonic humidifier. It has an edge over all other humidifiers in that it doesn't create much noise and produces some amount of cool fog to keep balance in the room temperature. The inner framework of this humidifier comprise of a metallic diaphragm which vibrates to produce tiny drops of water.

Advantages of ultrasonic humidifiers

Some of the major benefits of ultrasonic humidifiers include:

Just one droplet of water is sufficient to release good amount of steam in the humidifier.

It saves huge amount of energy by making use of comparatively very little electrical energy.

Mist production and its release in the atmosphere keeps room temperature balanced

Water in the humidifier is purified by steam before entering into the system so there is hardly any cleaning required in the container.

Easy maintenance and hassle free handling. You need not go into troubles of changing IR bulbs, pans or steam containers

The unique feature of the ultrasonic humidifier is that whenever mist content in the air drops, the relative humidity setting activates automatically, balancing the moisture content in air.

Latest features included in the ultrasonic model

Ultrasonic humidifiers have ultraviolet lights that help in killing bacteria and warding off any kind of insect intrusion in the air. These humidifiers have evolved to a great extent from the previous models in which it was difficult to keep the minerals from infusing into the air. Latest ultrasonic humidifiers are laced up with modern innovative technological features. It comprises of a demineralization cartridge which restrain minerals from diffusing into the air. It also prevents dust from infecting and choking the environment.

Ultrasonic humidifiers in Industrial set ups

Ultrasonic humidifiers have not only become first choice in the domestic sphere. In many industrial set ups humidity control is also one of the foremost concerns. Industries and production plants have large amount of raw material, packaging stuff, products, and other important materials stored. So, in such places appropriate temperature is required to maintain the freshness and quality of the products.

Ultrasonic humidifiers are available in various sizes depending upon the dimensions of the place where they are to be installed.

When we talk about the right resource, http://www.humidifierinformation.com/ is amongst most visited online sites for good quality products. One can benefit from the guaranteed products and free information that is made available at this website.

Build a Wind Generator - How to Make Your Own

We figured learning how to build a wind generator was our best option to make power for our off grid home.

We found some great wind generator plans too.

Our choice was a hard one. We could either diversify our Renewable Energy System, a choice between hydro power from our small stream or put up a wind generator. We also had the option to just buy more solar panels. We decided to learn how to build a wind generator and here is why - You may want to build your own too.

There are times of the year when even a hundred solar panels and 10 times our present battery storage would not run our home. In the fall and winter the sun may not shine for weeks at a time. Thus, no power is produced from the solar panels, no matter how many we would have. We really wanted to smooth out the wrinkles in our charging cycle as well as produce more power for our home, that meant adding more solar panels just wouldn't work for us.

Hydro power is probably the most cost effective option if you have enough running water with an adequate drop to produce power. Water power will produce 24/7 , but we had a problem with this option. From November until April our stream freezes solid and in order to produce power we need running water. Unless we could figure out a way to run ice through the hydro turbine that is.

That left us with the wind generator option. A quick assessment of our site told us we had wind energy potential. Open space and a site that was free of obstructions for over 300 yards. We would only need a 40 foot tower to get up to the good wind.

So, we started shopping for a wind generator. The wind definitely went out of our sales, so to speak, when we started looking at the price of new and used wind turbines.

During our search for a wind power turbine a friend of ours suggested why not build one. He had done just that recently with some plans he had downloaded from a website called Homemade Wind Generator. We took a look at the nice job he had done on his wind generator and decided to download our own plans.

We learned how to build a wind generator that cost us less than $100 , including the small cost of the plans (still under $20), but compared to the price in the thousands for a new or used wind generator to meet our needs it was a real bargain. The plans were simple and easy to follow and provided sources for all of the material we would need. Isn't it time you built your own. Just check out the following link for more information:

Build a Wind Generator - Once we knew where to look, the DC motor used for a generator was quickly located, as well as the free PVC pipe we used for the blades. Our family is quite happy learning how to build it and It produces about 1000 watts of power at 24 volts. We have plans to build a wind generator for the front yard next.

Our family has been living off the grid since last year, and loving every minute of it. You can find some really helpful information at the Homemade Wind Generator website that we found, you can even learn how to build a wind generator.

Understanding AFUE Ratings

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heating and cooling the average home in the U.S. accounts for about 56% of home energy use, making it the largest energy expense for most households. It is important then to have a way to know just how energy efficient home heating and cooling appliances are when purchasing them for your home. To give consumers an objective measure of how efficient fuel fired heating systems are, the AFUE rating was established.

AFUE stands for "Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency" and is expressed as a percentage. It is not an absolute rating of the energy efficiency of a piece of equipment per se, but it is intended to indicate what the overall efficiency would be in a typical application over the course of a year. This is what people really want to know when they purchase heating equipment, so they can get an idea of what it is going to cost to operate compared to what they have now.

For instance, if a furnace has an AFUE rating of 50%, what that means is that for the energy value of the fuel to operate that furnace over the course of a typical year, only 50% of the energy went to heat the home. That sounds really dismal, but up until minimums were established for home heating systems, that's what you might have been stuck with. Now the minimum AFUE rating for a furnace is 78% as established by the U.S. government. There may still be some of those old systems out there presently in use, but any new furnaces installed have to meet the minimum AFUE rating. If you had a furnace with a 50% AFUE rating and replaced it with one that has an 80% AFUE rating, you can expect to save about 37% on your home heating bill over the course of a year.

The U.S. government may have set minimum standards, but to promote greater energy efficiency the DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed the ENERGY STAR program. For an equipment manufacturer to earn the ENERGY STAR seal, they have to comply with the standards that ENERGY STAR has established for energy efficiency.

The current standard is ENERGY STAR 2.0 as of October 27, 2006, which is higher than the U.S. government's established minimum standard. For a furnace manufacturer to meet the ENERGY STAR 2.0 standard, a gas-fired furnace would have to have an AFUE of at least 90%, and an oil-fired furnace would have to deliver an AFUE rating of 83%. For instance, if you had a furnace with an AFUE of 80% and you replaced it with a ENERGY STAR Furnace with and AFUE of at least 90%, you could expect to save 11% on your home heating bill over the course of a typical year.

Check to see if your home heating and air conditioning dealer will offer ENERGY STAR equipment. They will be able to help you understand what the energy ratings of the equipment mean, and work with you to determine if it makes sense to upgrade the heating and cooling equipment for your home.

Bardi Heating and Air conditioning is an Atlanta area HVAC contractor specializing in design and installation of air conditioning systems for residential and commercial project of any size. To learn more their services please visit this author's website at http://www.Bardi.com

Things 99.9% of Home Owner Won't Inquire About When Replacing Windows Next Spring

As a customer shopping for windows these are some of the basic feature a you should inquire about before you agree to upgrade.

A knowledgeable window technician should be informing about quality of the material used in the manufacturing of the sashes, frame and hardware. The process of assembling the window should be fusion welded to ensure that the joints never fail during extreme outdoor temperature and burglary.

This is important because lower quality material used in windows, may not withstand the extreme conditions and put you life at risk. The material of choice UPVC windows (Unplastersize Ploy vinyl chloride). This newly developed material more durable, glossy and easily cleaned than regular PVC frames.

The seal of the window should be co-extruded with the frame so it cannot separate fro the frame. For maximum energy saving performance the insulated glass unit must be finished with low-e coating and filled with argon gas.

Some window manufacturer even included a light tint to reduce the UV ray, so be careful not to mix and match when replacing window individual windows. One last thing ask for your incentive once you are ready to purchase you`re entitled to it.

Replacing your existing windows to reduce your energy bill and increase your home comfort and curb appeal is not the only solution for defective window. Depended on the extent of the damage to the window you can either.

Consider this when you have professionally installed high quality insulated glazed units windows you can enjoy the benefits of

lower energy bills

Less or no cold drafts

Reduction in sound transfer for outdoors to indoors

High value (equity)

Enhance appearance and curb appeal

Bragging rights.

Government grants, rebates and tax credits.

As a customer seeking window you should expect to upgrade from your existing hydo sucking frames to more energy efficient replacement windows that are attactive and adds to the appearence of your home plus within a resonable budget. Don't settle, click here and fill in your name and email to book a free professional no obligation estimate and presentation, so you can make an informed decision on your new UPVC replacement windows for maximum energy saving.

Renewable Energy - Lesson 2 - Solar Power

People have been aware that the sun's energy can be harnessed to power various devices and machines for years, but it is not until recently that the technology and the motivation has pushed people to seriously consider solar energy as a viable power source.

With the current state of the economy and with the growing move toward a more environmentally responsible lifestyle, many people are considering various forms of renewable energy and "green living" principals. Solar power is usually at the top of the list when it comes to renewable energy sources. Solar power has been used for years by the government and various businesses, but it has only recently come into the mainstream for the everyday average household.

In almost any area of the country it is possible to dramatically cut one's electric bill by installing and maintaining solar panels. Some people are even able to go entirely off the grid and power their homes completely independently of the traditional local electric company, all by solar power. While going off the grid may be an intimidating prospect for some, there is absolutely no reason why a household cannot install solar panels on the roof and greatly reduce the monthly electric bills.

Until recently, the cost to buy and install residential solar panels has been prohibitively high, and not everyone has the technical know how to do it themselves. However, with the shift toward renewable energy, many companies have seen this as an opportunity in an untapped industry and have started offering solar panels at much more competitive and affordable prices. The installation and upkeep of the solar panels is very easy and affordable. Many households find that they can pay for the solar panels in less than a year through the reduced electric bills they produce.

Obviously, once the panels are installed, the solar power is completely free and produces absolutely no harmful emissions, unlike traditional fossil fuels. As the technology becomes more mainstream, manufacturers and builders are constantly refining their techniques to make the solar panels more efficient, durable and innovative.

Recently, some builders have started to integrate solar power into their overall design by including solar panels as standard features on top of garages and in other unobtrusive places such as the roofs of gazebos, tops of pool houses, and on every available foot of roof space in general. Some pool decks are being built with embedded solar cells. As the renewable energy movement continues, more and more builders will find it necessary to integrate a solar power plan into their overall building plan in order to stay competitive with all the other builders who are doing the same.

Solar power is one of the easiest and best solutions to not only help the environment and climate, but to save significant amounts of money in electric bills as well. With solar power components being more affordable now than ever before, every homeowner should at least consider installing solar panels.

To learn more about solar panels price please visit: http://www.RenewableEnergyForUs.com.

Residential Solar Power Generators - Why Generators Powered by Solar Energy Are Popular

Residential solar power generators are becoming more and more popular. As individuals struggle to pay their energy bills, the need for alternative energy and fuels are real. Some people are taking it upon themselves to lower their monthly electricity bills and are using alternative means to do so. These devices use the sun to create electricity for one's home. This typically takes the form of solar panels or some other types of power systems. But they all use the sun which is a natural and free resource. The energy that is created is used to fuel all sorts of things such as one's appliances and other equipment, essentially anything that runs on traditional fuels.

Another great advantage of using a residential solar power generator is that once they are installed, they are more or less maintenance free. You will not have to invest a lot of attention in them, which is fantastic especially for persons who are busy and would rather not be bothered with constant repairs.

Solar panels also last for a long time. In fact, they may not have to be replaced for at least 30 years or more. The technology has also improved greatly and they are much more aesthetically pleasing and attractive than they once were. When they were first introduced, they were often bulky and stood out for the wrong reasons. Many people were not interested in utilizing them simply because they were ugly. Today, they blend in much better into one's home and look more natural.

Another benefit of using a residential solar power generator is that it allows individuals to take advantage of free energy from the sun. As a result, this can drastically reduce one's electricity bills. Solar power is also much better for the environment. For those individuals that are environmentally conscious, this is one way to be less damaging to the planet. Persons interested in generating electricity from the sun can find a lot of great resources online. There are even downloadable books that will teach you how to create a generator that is powered by the sun for your own home. For a small fee, you can gain access right away and get started today.

Tired of high electric bills? Discover how thousands of families are using homemade solar power systems to power their homes!

Tax Credits For Steel Roofing

Recently President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 which, among other economic incentives, extended the tax credit available for energy efficient home improvements. Home owners that are in the midst of planning to make improvements to their homes can do so in 2009 and receive tax credits for improvements that are deemed to make the home more energy efficient.

While the purpose of the bill was and will always be to lessen the blow of the recent economic downturn, one must look deeper to see the many advantages it provides to the common household through tax credits. Anyone who is planning to undertake home improvements should consult the details of the bill to see if the changes they are making qualify for tax credits.

One of the main focuses of the home improvement tax credit portion of the bill was to encourage people to change their roofing material from heat-absorbing, energy-wasting shake and shingle to a substance that reflects heat and reduces energy consumption, such as a reflective metal roof.

The advantage of a change to metal roofing is that it reduces the home's consumption of energy by requiring less energy to cool the home in the summer, as the steel roof reflects heat instead of absorbing it. A second advantage comes with the fact that since the heat is immediately reflected back into the atmosphere it reduces the occurrence of smog and urban hot zones in populated areas.

Those who need to replace their roofs in the next few years should consider upgrading to a steel roof in 2009 to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires. Homeowners who add a metal roof that is ENERGY STAR qualified can get 10% of the cost refunded, up to $500. That's a pretty significant savings.

To qualify for the tax credit the steel roof must be put into service between Jan 1 - Dec 31 2009, a manufacturer's certification statement is required, along with IRS Form 5695. According to the bill the roof qualifies if it is: "...any steel roof...installed on a dwelling unit, but only if such roof has appropriate pigmented coatings or cooling granules which are specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat gain of such dwelling unit". So essentially you are looking for a coated steel roof which meets the ENERGY STAR program requirements.

Check with your Absolute Steel representative to see which of our metal roofing materials qualify and save some money!

While some may not consider 2009 to be the best year for major expenditures on a home, if your home is in need of a roof soon regardless you should think about upgrading your roof in the next year to take advantage of the tax credit savings. Not only will you save money on the roof itself, but every year your metal roof will give you back up to 40% in energy savings due to reduced cooling costs. You should also keep in mind that when you spend money on your house you are also helping to stimulate a lagging economy, and every little bit helps.

Visit http://www.MetalRoofingSource.com to learn more on the benefits of metal roofing.

A Sustainable House Makes Good Sense!

A sustainable house is one which is ideally built without the use of building materials containing toxic, allergenic ingredients. A synthetic house is therefore a safer and healthier environment for your entire family and is less likely to cause allergic reactions than are homes built using conventional methods and materials.

A Sustainable House is Healthy:

A sustainable house has a smaller environmental impact and has a much higher level of air quality than do homes built with synthetic materials. A lot of furniture and building materials include the known carcinogen formaldehyde, which also can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. A lot of fabrics (including upholstery) and plywood products contain this deadly chemical.

A sustainable house is made with organic products and has furniture made with non-toxic treatments and organic fabrics. In the last 30 years, asthma has more than doubled in most countries, which is largely due to the way that our homes are built and furnished. The result is that the air quality in our own homes is in many cases as much as 100 times more toxic than the air outside - even if you live in an area which is polluted.

A Sustainable House is Energy Efficient and Saves You Money:

The more recent models of appliances, water heaters and HVAC systems are much more energy efficient than are their older counterparts. Using as much as 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs are becoming very popular as a way to save on energy costs and reduce the environmental impact of one's home. Many homeowners are also choosing to install programmable thermostats and seal windows and doors as a energy saving measure.

There are other easy steps you can take towards making your home a sustainable house such as installing low flow showerheads, insulating your water heater and making a habit of changing your furnace filters regularly. Insulating your attic well can also reduce your energy usage - and your energy bills!

A Sustainable House Uses Green Products:

People are increasingly interested in green building and there are more choices than ever before when it comes to green building materials. Non-toxic paints and finishes are widely available, as are sustainably harvested woods - bamboo flooring is particularly popular. For those who prefer carpet, there are wool carpets and even carpet which is manufactured from recycled materials.

A Sustainable House Uses Solar Energy For Additional Light And Heating:

You can make your house more of a sustainable house by taking advantage of solar energy. Even without installing solar panels on your home, you can use skylights and windows to increase the amount o flight and heat which come into your home.

Installing tinting on your windows in the warmer months can also reduce your cooling costs. You can find organic window treatments which can keep energy costs down and make your house a sustainable house.

There are simple steps you can take to make your house a more sustainable house and save a lot of money on your energy bills in the bargain, even as you help to protect the environment.

Curt Roese is the author and is a Real Estate Broker holding the EcoBroker and NAR GREEN Designations. Find more information about Sustainable Homes and sign up for his informative newsletter at Green Sustainable Homes.

The Easiest Way to Save Money With Solar Power

Solar power and other green energy topics are big news all over the world. Unstable oil prices coupled with a desire to go green have fueled an ever increasing interest in alternative energy sources. Solar power is hardly a new subject, but more homeowners are exploring their energy options and solar energy is at the top of many people's list. From solar panels to solar water heaters, there are many choices available as a viable means of producing residential power from the sun.

Most people are familiar with solar panels and how they can be an excellent way to lower, and in some cases eliminate, the high energy bills facing each of us every month. Solar water heating systems are also receiving lots of attention these days.

The major obstacle facing most of us is the high cost of having a solar power generating system installed in our homes. In today's economy many people simply cannot afford the huge cost of these systems. Hiring a contractor to do the work will easily cost several thousand dollars, and the return on investment may be years down the road.

There are alternatives available that many homeowners all over the world have discovered will save thousands of dollars and in many cases are far more practical. The information is readily available that will teach anyone how to build and install solar panels and solar water heating systems. Most people are shocked when they learn that it really is far simpler than they ever imagined to build and install an efficient solar power system.

By learning how to properly build and install homemade solar panels, the advantages and savings that solar power affords us can quickly be implemented. Anyone with common household tools can build their own solar panels and start to save money with solar power in as little as one weekend. Building solar panels is not rocket science, and can be easily learned in a short time.

Solar water heaters are definitely not a new invention, but only lately has so much attention been given to their uses and benefits. In fact the first solar water heater patent was granted all the way back in 1891. The famous outlaw Butch Cassidy used a solar powered water heater at his home in Utah. Solar water heaters can be built for as little as $70, and the savings on utility bills can be quickly realized. This is by far one of the most economical ways to begin saving money and get involved with the alternative energy movement.

The knowledge is available to anyone who wants it to start saving money with solar power and spend far less money by learning how easy it is to do it yourself. Thousands of people worldwide have already begun using the free and renewable energy from the sun. Will you be next?

Ready to save money with solar power? Learn how thousands worldwide are building their own solar power systems at http://www.homemadewindmillreview.com/build-solar-panels

Building a Green Home - Six Ways to Save Energy (and Money)

There are many areas where you can experience significant energy savings when you are building a green home.By working with an architect in the early design stages, many of these areas can be addressed in the design of your energy efficient home, helping you to save money in the future and enjoy a healthier home:

1)Footprint:Reduce the size of your home.Your home design should be limited to only as much space as your family needs.This will keep your energy usage to a minimum right from the start.

2) Windows:Windows are a break in the thermal insulating barrier of your home.The higher quality window you choose the better performance the entire home will achieve.

3)Insulation:Even if you do nothing else, by choosing a superior building envelope for your home like structural insulated panels (SIPs panels) and/or an insulated concrete form foundation system (ICF), you will enjoy huge savings in heating and cooling your home (up to 50%-60% over a home without SIPs).

4) Passive solar design:By incorporating sunlight for lighting and heat and natural ventilation into the basic home design, you can reduce the size of mechanical systems and lighting in the home.

5) Heating system:Consider a renewable energy system to heat and cool the space and tap water in your home (solar, wind, geothermal).

6) Ventilation:Incorporate an air-to-air exchanger, or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system into your home. This will replace stale air with fresh outdoor air while maintaining the temperature inside the home and conserving energy.

There are many other areas of the home that can be addressed to increase energy efficiency and save money over the life of your home. In the beginning stages of the home design, your green architect will discuss your opportunities to save money while providing a healthy environment for your family.

About the Author: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates http://www.boninarchitects.com, is an award-winning green architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. With a special interest in sustainable design and green homes, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as timber frame construction, Jeremy incorporates renewable energy practices where possible, including geo-thermal, solar, radiant heat, and energy-efficient foundation systems.

Information on Homemade Residential Solar Panels

Natural Energy,means energy produced from nature. The main sources ofnatural energy, or power, are wind power and solar power. According to science none of the energies is lost in these methods, they just change their forms.

The sources, upon which we depend now, are the oil bed and other fossil fuels such as coal for energy. But, due to excessive exploitation of those energies the climatic conditions are changing for the worse and this is resulting in global warming and more costly electricity. So, to bring the situation in to a better position we must look for some alternatives. This search gave birth to the solar panel and wind turbines, bothfor commercial and individual household use. Wind and solar energy are the most used alternative energies in homes.

Solar energy is produced by the radiation received from the mighty sun. This is a fresh and renewable energy. The photons that are contained insolar energy help to derive the electricity through the cells on the solar unit. Going with this process every one can save theirmoney and our dear earth in the process. Previously, it was far too costly to get a solar panel installed in your home but this is no longer the case. Now there are new options on the market for solar technology which are far more affordable and practical. Setting up one of these units at home is very easy and all the materials required are available in your local hardware shops. Everything that is need to do-it-yourself will cost around $200, which will quickly pay for itself in electrical savings. With the economy and global warming in their current states there has never been a better time to being using the sun to power your home.

The cheapest option for installing solar panels is to go with DIY Solar Panel Instructions which include detailed instructions, step-by-step video walk-throughs and even locations to get all of your materials as cheap as possible.

With DIY solar panel instructions you can be living off the grid, on free solar energy, for as little as a $200 start up cost.

Start saving money and the environment today, what are you waiting for?