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Energy Saving Articles
How to be more energy efficient
We hear so much about energy efficiency nowadays. Energy efficiency is about saving our environment and saving our money. How we got about practicing energy efficiency isnt always as clear, though. Here, there, are the most frequently asked questions about energy efficiency, and their answers.
The question most often asked is if buying products such as appliances that are specifically designed for energy efficiency cost more than others? The answer is yes and no.
While their initial purchase price is usually higher their energy efficiency reduces the bill to use them, which, over time, generally saves money. Energy efficient products often perform better than their less efficient competition, which means they may also last longer.
Another popular question is where to find products that are designed for energy efficiency and how to recognize them. Recognition is easy. In the U.S. especially those appliances and other products that have been assessed by government professionals and determined to be energy efficient earn what is called an Energy Star, and that Energy Star is displayed on their packaging and on the product itself.
To find products that have proven themselves worthy of the energy-efficiency Energy Star is not difficult at all. In fact most retailers will carry them and most major manufacturers design them. You can also call a hotline that is toll free to find where they can be purchased near you or visit the U.S. governments Energy Star Web site.
Many people ask about energy-efficiency products ability to keep their home comfortable. In other words, will an energy-efficient air conditioner keep them as cool as those not rated for energy efficiency, and will the Energy Star branded heating system actually keep them warm?
The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, in many cases, they improve the comfort level for you and your family by maintaining a constant temperature.
People often ask if, since energy-efficiency helps others, if there is assistance with the extra up-front expense of installing energy efficient appliances and products. The answer is that yes, there certainly is.
Private financial firms offer loans for Energy Star products that have favorable interest rates and longer terms than those for standard cooling and heating equipment. Again, the Energy Star hotline or site will help find these loan providers. You may find as well that your local utility company just might offer you a rebate when you decide to purchase equipment that offers energy efficiency.
Another common question about energy efficiency is about finding the right contractor to install the equipment. There are several things you can do, which hold true for any contractor you seek.
The first is to ask for references and recommendations of those you trust - friends, family, business acquaintances, and coworkers. Search the business directory of your local newspaper or you local Yellow Pages carrier. Eliminate those that arent licensed, bonded and insured.
Once youve narrowed down your search to a few choices ask for, and check, references. Check with your Better Business Bureau or the consumer protection agency for your state or county to make sure consumers have not lodged complaints against any of the contractors on your short list. As you inquire of each, ask about their experience and expertise in energy efficiency, and then compare price, service, reputation and warranty.
Install Laminate In Your Home
There is a new and beautiful alternative to natural hardwood floors and that is laminate wood flooring. Laminate wood flooring resembles natural hardwood floor but is available at a much lower cost. Recent improvements in the quality of materials have yielded laminate floors that are extremely durable as well as beautiful. Some laminate floors are virtually impossible to distinguish from hardwood floors. The top manufacturers of flooring are now manufacturing laminate flooring, so you will see fine laminate floors from Mannington, Shaw and Bruce flooring companies.
Laminate floor offer a very wide choice in colors and styles. You can have laminate floor that looks like hardwood, of course, and they are now available in styles that look like ceramic tile. The wood colors are available from very light to darkest dark, and everything in between. Since dark colors make a room look smaller, a large, formal setting would look better with dark flooring; use lighter wood colors to visually expand a small room.
Flooring stores and home improvement centers carry a wide variety of laminate flooring. You can also shop for discount brands of laminate flooring on the Internet. Think about the colors and styles you prefer, than start shopping for price. If the room you are redecorating is small, you may be able to find leftover material at a very reasonable price.
Laminates are installed differently than other floors. Instead of being attached to the sub floor, they are made of slats that interlock and "float" over the under surface, with a special adhesive that holds them in place.
A great advantage of laminate floors is that they can be installed over old flooring, whether it is wood, tile or vinyl. If you currently have carpeting, however, you will have to remove the carpet and the padding before you can install a laminate floor. Whatever surface you install over must be level before installation.
A professional can install this floor for you, but it is fairly easy to do by yourself. For one room, if it is not too large, you can probably tackle the job in one weekend. You may want to wait until you can take some time off if you intend to do a number of rooms. Having it done professionally will cost more, of course, but if you are not handy or don't have the time to devote to a project like this, it may be worthwhile to hire someone.
Once the floor is in, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. Lightly dusting or vacuuming will remove surface dirt, and if you have a stain, clean with a damp mop. That's about all the care laminate floors require, since you do not have to wax laminate floors.
When you do wash the floor, use only a slightly damp mop. Too much water can damage the coating, and letting water sit on it may damage the paper backing, since moisture will become trapped. Trapped moisture may cause mold in addition to damaging the laminate. Since bathrooms typically have a lot of moisture, it is not recommended that laminate floors be installed there, since the constant moisture will damage it.
Author:
Eric J. Slarkowski: Eric Slarkowski continually publishes detailed papers on problems dealing with how to install flooring and installing floors. From his reports (for instance http://www.insidewoodworking.com/flooring/laminatewoodflooring.html on laminate wood flooring ) he expressed his capability in the field.
Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live
Source: www.articledepot.co.uk
How To Choose the Right Radiators For Your Home
Just 20 years ago, choosing a central heating radiator was a no brainer. You chose a white, rectangular radiator made of steel or cast iron because that's all they had. Nowadays radiators have become home decoration items in themselves and you have a huge choice of styles, colours and materials. But appearance aside, you must take many factors into account before ordering. With Radiators being one of the most important elements of central heating installation, you need to get this procedure right. Here are some factors you should bear in mind when shopping for radiators for your central heating system
Firstly, before you choose your radiators, confirm whether you have a direct or indirect heating system. Then, you need to work out how much heat each room requires. Your plumber or heating engineer will determine this from such factors as the sizes of your rooms. There are also calculators that allow you to work it out for yourself. Radiator heat outputs are measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) or in Watts.
Next you have to determine the optimum location of the radiators in your rooms. Heating engineers agree that the best location for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. In addition, they traditionally specify that radiators should be installed on the external wall beneath the window. This allows the cold air coming in via the window to be warmed up. With modern double glazing and insulation methods, this tends to be less important, however. When determining the location of your radiators, try to optimize your use of existing pipework as much as possible. Installing new pipes can be expensive and disruptive.
You should also note that a double radiator has less heat output thatn two single units thought the overall size may be the same. In other words, two single radiators are more efficient than one double. You should bear this in mind if installing in a large room.
One good thing about modern designsis that you have much more flexibility in locating your radiators. For example, if the existing position of furniture is limiting your options, you can choose a tall, narrow unit that takes up minimal floor space.
So after measuring up for your needs and deciding on location, you're ready to order your new radiators. Now you can decide whether you want a designer or traditional radiator and decide on factors such as colour and material. Selecting online is a smart move as it allows you to see the whole range of designs in one place. But after choosing your radiator, it's good to talk to an expert before placing your order. Installing new radiators is an important project and the human tough is vital for your satisfaction.
Author:
Steve Voros runs a Radiator Show Room, based in London and specialises in assisting end users, interior designers, architects and installers in selecting and sourcing http://www.RadiatorShowroom.com/designer-radiators.html contemporary, traditional and efficiency radiators.
Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live
Source: www.articledepot.co.uk
Redesigning On a Budget: How and When to Cut Costs
Most professionals will tell you that trying to cut cost on a bathroom redesign can lead to problems. But if your budget is small, there are several things you can do to save money without disastrous consequences. It takes some experience to know just how and when to cut costs. Here’s a breakdown of what you can and can’t cut corners on when it comes to your bathroom redesign. Saving money: where you can cut. Conventional wisdom states that when it comes to a redesign project, you get what you pay for. While this is generally true, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to save money on your bathroom redesign project. Here are a few ways you can save money with minimal compromise. DIY paint and wallpaper. While you will need a professional to handle some of the tasks involved in a redesign project, you don’t have to leave it all to the pros. The more you do yourself, the more money you’ll save. Anyone can paint or wallpaper a bathroom without professional help. You can also take out old cabinets and shelves. If you’ve got some handyman skills, you may be able to do the flooring yourself as well. Floor plan changes. This is an ideal place to cut corners without causing damage. Avoid big changes to your bathroom’s floor plan. Don’t add new windows, knock down or construct new walls, or change the location of the door. This will save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. Budget sinks, showers, and fixtures. Showers and baths can cost a great deal of money, but you can also find some great deals. Check with redesign and bathroom fixture shops for on-sale items—just after the holiday period is the perfect time for this. Look for attractive, matching showers, sinks, and baths that fit within your budget. If you have your heart set on a luxury item, try to save money elsewhere to afford it. For example, if you want an expensive steam shower, you can save by choosing not to install a bath. Buy your own materials. Typically, contractors prefer to buy the materials for a redesign project for you. You may be able to get better prices by buying the materials yourself. It’s a good idea to look around for bargains before hiring a contractor. Your contractor may suggest that you let him buy the materials because of the discount he can get. While it’s true that contractors get deep discounts from suppliers, many will mark the price up significantly for the homeowner. Know the going rates for the materials you’re looking for, and you’ll have a better sense of whether your contractor is offering you a better deal than you can get by yourself. Choose your time carefully. Like the housing market, the redesign market is seasonal. If you redesign during a time when other people aren’t, you’ll find deeper discounts on materials, fixtures, baths and showers. Most people don’t remodel during warm summer months or around major holidays. Where you shouldn’t cut corners. There are some instances where cutting corners could lead to expensive problems down the road. No matter your budget, you should expect to spend money on the following aspects of your redesign project. Professional help on the big tasks. Electrical wiring and plumbing should always be handled by a professional. So should tiling jobs. If your tiling is set wrong, it may not be watertight—and this can cost a great deal to repair. Paying for a professional in these areas will definitely save you money in the long run. Failing to plan for unexpected costs. Most bath redesign projects cost 10% to 20% more than the original budget allowed. Make sure you are prepared for extra costs, because it’s likely you’ll encounter them. If your budget is already overstrained with the original cost, you may be in for trouble later. Avoid the lowest bidder. Some contractors cost more than others, and it’s usually not wise to go with the least expensive. If one contractor’s price is significantly lower than usual, it may be because they’re leaving out important services. In addition, avoid hiring someone close—a friend or family member with redesign skills—just because they’ll give you a deal. Friends and family take more liberties than professionals on average, and if you have a conflict, it could damage a valuable relationship. You can save money on your bathroom redesign project without compromising on quality. Plan what you want beforehand, do some bargain shopping, and don’t be afraid to pitch in on the easier work, and you should be able to get the redesign you want for a price you can afford.
Author:
R.Dobson is director at http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk. For more information on bathroom suites and fittings visit http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk/acatalog/Bathroom_Suites.html
Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live
Source: www.articledepot.co.uk |
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