So, you want to give your dreary home a new look? There are several ways to improve your home's appearance internally and externally. You can start with something small such as simple repairs, buying new furniture and painting your walls a new color. If you want to go all out and pamper your home, you can have replacement windows installed and purchase new sidings for your outer walls.
As much as home improvement projects can benefit your home, it also brings with it the risk of damaging your floors and furniture. Paint jobs involve cans of paint and several dripping brushes. Reconstruction and repairs may send debris flying all over your house. Contractors and repairmen will bring in their toolboxes, ladders http://www.gregandnicolsponberg.com/generally-speaking-if-you-have-casements-throughout-your-home-try-to-include-casement-in-your-bay-window/ and other equipment. Your floor and furniture might pay the price for your new roof or freshly painted walls. Here are some covers and sheeting you can use to protect your floor and furniture during a renovation. Drop Cloths Drop cloths are made from materials such as cotton canvas, paper, plastic and paper/poly. Each has its own specific durability, cost and characteristics. Drop cloths are usually used for interior painting projects. If you're going to do a fast and simple painting job, paper and plastic drop cloths are inexpensive and can easily be disposed off after your project. For more complicated and frequent projects, canvas drop cloths are heavier and more durable. The paper/poly drop cloth has the advantages of both plastic and paper. Floor Plastic These days, floor plastic is more than just a sheet of bulky transparent material. Floor plastic film is usually self-adhesive and made of thin polyethylene. It is suitable and easy to layout on a number of flooring materials, including ceramic, tile, hardwood, laminates and stone. Floor plastic can withstand foot traffic and resist spills or scratches for as long as 45 days. Upon removal, it doesn't leave any dirty or sticky residue. Carpet-protecting Film Not all floor plastic films are http://www.gregandnicolsponberg.com/generally-speaking-if-you-have-casements-throughout-your-home-try-to-include-casement-in-your-bay-window/ appropriate for carpeted floors. Because carpet is expensive and any stains on its surface may automatically mean an eyesore, there are carpet-protecting films that homeowner and contractors use to make sure that the carpet remains damage-free. This carpet-protecting film is designed to completely adhere to carpet fibers without leaving any residue. Blankets and Cardboards If drop cloths, floor plastic and carpet-protecting films are too costly for you, old blankets and cardboards are economical alternatives. However, they require a lot of effort because you have to tape them down and they are not very resistant to spills. If you want to read more about how to protect your furniture and floor during a home renovation, you may visit ehow.com.
0 Comments
One of buy golf clubs the most famous contests in golf saw one of the most impressive displays on a green in Ryder Cup history, and it didn't even come from one of the players.
David Johnson, a spectator during the practice round on Thursday at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, watched Team Europe's Rory McIlroy and teammate Andy Sullivan as they tried and failed repeatedly to sink their putts. Johnson yelled from the crowd behind the ropes of the eighth green that he could golf putters make the 12-footer. A heckler, Dave Johnson, boasted he could sink a putt that both Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan missed, Henrik Stenson called the guy out and did not disappoint. In general, pros tune out boasts from hecklers and play on, but when teammate Henrik Stenson heard the heckler bragging about his own short game, he made Johnson put his money where his mouth was -- literally. Justin Rose laid down a $100 bill on the grass next to the ball, about 12-feet from the hole. Johnson settled his stance, looked over the ball, gave it a firm tap and sunk the putt. The North Dakota native threw his hands up in celebration as the crowd erupted and all four of the Team Europe players shared congratulatory high fives and hugs. "It was one of those roars," Johnson told ABC News. "I compare it to the movie 'Tin Cup.' If you remember, at the end of 'Tin Cup,' when he scores a 13 on the final hole and everyone just goes nuts and that's kinda what it reminded me of." He added: "I just soaked it in and enjoyed every minute of it." The players on the green signed the winning golf online shop golf ball. As for the $100 bill, Johnson said he is going to frame it and hang it in his office. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ryder-cup-heckler-wins-100-bet-making-putt/story?id=42468609 Last Updated May 29, 2009 6:59 AM EDT
Geothermal energy, which uses the planet's sub-surface heat to generate electricity, is a valued resource because it doesn't emit greenhouse gases and can provide baseload power, in contrast to more unreliable sources like wind. For many years, the only problem has been that geothermal power is not readily accessible. But today, quite a few companies are searching for new ways to get at the deeply buried resource. And this Wednesday, word broke that geothermal energy will receive $350 million in funding from the Obama administration. Interest in the industry is growing, although it's still unclear where the Federal money will land. Here's a short list of some top geothermal players, mostly public companies, who might be among the first to benefit: Ormat Technologies -- One of the top companies in the geothermal industry, Ormat is aggressive about its expansion, splitting its time between working on its own sites, selling equipment to smaller operators like Nevada Geothermal, and entering partnerships with startups like Australia-based Geodynamics, which is working on cutting-edge hot fractured rock (HFR) technology. The company is one of the few that has managed to secure project financing during the downturn. If geothermal takes off, Ormat will almost certainly be taken along for the ride. Calpine -- Since emerging from bankruptcy early last year, Calpine has been on a tear, turning down an acquisition offer from NRG Energy, breaking its losing streak when it posted a profit earlier this month and taking on a $1 billion loan just a week ago. The operator of one of California's oldest geothermal plants, Calpine is also well-situated because of its ownership of natural gas plants, which will likely become more important in coming years as environmentalists fight to phase out coal power. Its new cash holdings could also be used to gobble up smaller geothermal companies. US Geothermal -- Last year, US Geothermal had the simultaneous good and bad luck to attract the attention of Goldman Sachs. Good because it secured them an investment at the time; bad use this link because Goldman soon thereafter found itself far too occupied by its bad derivative trades to worry about a tiny geothermal startup. Now the company may be find more on the cusp of receiving an $85 million Department of Energy loan for a 22 megawatt power plant in Oregon, which would likely give it the needed credibility to pick up more private investment. Raser Technologies -- Potentially heavily dependent on government help, Raser has its fingers on geothermal Your Domain Name sites in western states like Oregon and Utah, where it just completed a mad dash to build a 10 megawatt plant, and the country of Indonesia. On its own, Raser is racking up quarterly losses. Like most development companies, it needs heavy financing to get its sites up and running. The company also has a side-business making components for electric and hybrid vehicles, which could be a distraction from the core geothermal technology. AltaRock Energy -- The only company in this list that's privately held, AltaRock nevertheless bears watching. The recipient of money from Google.org among other investors, AltaRock has attracted plenty of attention for its Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS), a plan to drill miles into the Earth's crust to reach superheated rocks. Once this is done, cold water can be pumped down, to return as steam that drives generators. Geodynamics is working on the same plan, but recently suffered an unexpected a well blow-out that could put AltaRock ahead. If the plan works at all, larger companies licensing the technology will be able to tap gigawatts of previously unreachable energy. The above companies seem to be the most interesting of dozens of players in the geothermal space. The question, of course, is when their industry will be able to tap the rapid growth that has benefited wind and solar over the past few years. That time could be years away. But given the Obama administration's success in drawing attention to the boring facts of energy efficiency, it seems likely that it will soon succeed in popularizing geothermal as well. For the interested, there are quite a few more small companies that might also be worth a look. Nevada Geothermal, Polaris Geothermal and Western GeoPower are all small publicly-traded North American companies with potential power plays around the globe. GeothermEx, Potter Drilling and Thermasource are privately-held companies with technology for deep drilling and power plant construction, which will be necessary to advance the sector. And there are also some big players -- notably Chevron and, through its recent acquisition of Pinnacle Technologies, engineering giant Halliburton. © 2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-five-geothermal-companies-to-watch/ First, you have to know what it is Meatball Sundae is about the mismatch between traditional marketing and what you find online... Find all the details right here: Meatball Sundae A meatball sundae is the unfortunate result of seo optimization mixing two good ideas. The meatballs are the foundation, the things we need (and sometimes want). These are the commodities that so many businesses are built on. The sundae toppings (hot fudge and the like) are the New marketing seo Marketing, the social networks, Google, blogs and fancy stuff that make people all excited. The challenge most organizations face: they try to mix them. They attempt to slap new marketing onto old and end up with nothing but a failed website. This book explores the 14 trends that are changing our world and how organizations can either embrace them or be punished by them. seo companies href='http://hubpages.com/community/seth-2'>http://hubpages.com/community/seth-2 The GMC Yukon is a large affordable SUV, which is produced and sold by General Motors. The Yukon is very similar to the Chevrolet Tahoe, which is also sold and manufactured by General Motors. The GMC Yukon comes with various trim levels and fuel management system for cars a few different engine options. The first engine option for the GMC Yukon, which comes standard with the SLE and SLT trims, is a 4.8 liter eight cylinder engine. This engine option gets about 295 horsepower and 305 pound feet of torque. It is widely perceived that the smallest engine option is not sufficient for many drivers. The next engine option, which comes standard with the 2010 GMC Yukon XL, is a 5.3 liter eight cylinder engine. The Vortec 5300 V8 engine produces 320 horsepower and 340 pound feet of torque. The last engine option for the 2010 GMC Yukon is a 6.2 liter eight cylinder engine. This Vortec 6200 V8 engine option comes standard in the 2010 GMC Yukon Denali and produces 403 horsepower and 417 pound feet of torque. To help with fuel efficiency, General Motors installed an Active Fuel Management system which shuts off four of the eight engine cylinders when they are not needed (such as when the driver is cruising or idling). This has helped with fuel efficiency as the base GMC Yukon can now get 22 miles per gallon fleet fuel management systems on the highway, compared to last year's model which got only 19. The SLE and SLT trim levels come standard with two wheel drive, but can be upgraded to all wheel drive. The XL and Yukon trim levels come standard with all wheel drive. Another improvement over previous year's models is the introduction of a six speed automatic transmission. This transmission is an upgrade over last year's four speed transmission. By: Ronnie Tanner Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Ronald W Tanner is a contributing writer at SW Engines. He writes about Used Yukon Engines and other industry specific topics. http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/2010-GMC-Yukon-with-a-4-8-liter-V8-engine/1324810 Diesel engines continue to be extensively used in heavy-duty commercial uses around the world, and they are also gaining regard in light-duty applications such as passenger carriages.
With this comes more concern for and regulation of diesel emissions - most particularly nitric oxide (NOx) emissions and particulate matter (PM). What is Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)? DEF is a urea-based chemical reactant designed definitely for use in SCR systems to reduce Nitrogen oxide emissions. The raw resources used to create DEF comprise of natural gas, of coal, or other petroleum products. DEF is prepared by liquefying solid high purity urea in deionized water to make a 32.5% solution in water. DEF and comparable urea-based products are generally used at present for a variety of industrial and agricultural needs. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is one of the key elements of the SCR process. It click for more info is a non-toxic solution of 32.5% urea advice and 67.5% water. When inoculated into hot exhaust as a sufficient mist and passed over a catalyst. DEF aids convert NOx into water vapor and nitrogen gas. DEF is not a fuel stabilizer. It will need its own distinct tank on the car. DEF consumption is likely to be about 2% of actual fuel consumption. Advantages Does not need special handling Non-flammable Non-hazardous Non-toxic and non-polluting Stable and colorless Disadvantages The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has recognized diesel exhaust as the air pollutant most detrimental to public health in Washington State. 70% of the cancer risk from airborne toxins is from diesel exhaust. It puts well people at risk for lung disease and aggravates the symptoms of people with health problems such as heart disease, asthma, and lung disease. Around four million individuals in Washington work or live close to highways and other main roads where they are most possible to be exposed to diesel exhaust. How is Ecology decreasing diesel emissions? Ecology is working to lessen diesel emissions by providing support to help fleet managers to cut idling, install apparatus to clean up diesel exhaust (termed "exhaust retrofits use cleaner fuels,"), and trade older engines with newer, cleaner ones. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) SCR (selective catalytic reduction) is a new technology that uses a catalytic converter and a urea based diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to considerably lessen oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. SCR is the foremost technology being utilized to meet 2010 emission regulations. SCR Technology are used in most new heavy duty commercial cars beginning in 2010. This new technology is a proficient way of converting damaging diesel emissions into innocuous water and nitrogen. Selective Catalytic Reduction also mends total fuel economy by about Find Out More 5%. This technology is not just an example in growth that we might see in the market. DEF and SCR are both being used which meet with federal regulations. Equipment suppliers and service stations are now preparing the infrastructure to be able to supply DEF to clients that have these recently equipped cars. In other words, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) will be available anywhere that diesel fuel is available. http://diesel.ezinemark.com/diesel-exhaust-fluid-advantages-and-disadvantages-18e175703b4.html Skylights allow natural light to flood a room, giving the room a warmth that lightbulbs just can't match. They are also the perfect viewing window to observe the moon and stars at night. Acrylic skylight are a good choice for those who are afraid glass skylights may break from an impact such as a falling tree branch during pop over to this website a storm. Acrylic skylights are crystal clear when they are new. Wind, rain, snow and overhanging trees can change that pretty quickly. The dirt and tree sap can create a hazy or dirty film over it taking away a pleasant view. Cleaning an acrylic skylight with the wrong types of cleaners can permanently damage the crystal clear view. Some cleaner scratch the surface especially if they have abrasive quality. Some cleaners can cause a permanent cloudy haze over it.
Cleaning Skylights In a large bucket or pail, mix 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap into a gallon of water. Gently stir the detergent and water so it is well blended. Do not use dishwasher detergent because these detergents are too strong and harsh for acrylic. Wet a microfiber cloth in the soapy water and wipe it. Go in one direction, in straight lines only. After each pass from end to end of it, rinse the microfiber cloth in a second bucket filled with clean water. Microfiber cloths will not cause scratching and they hold dirt well. Just do not rub the dirty cloth over it because the dirt on it may be abrasive which is why you only make one pass in one direction at a time. Wet the microfiber cloth in soapy water and wipe it one more time. Rinse the soapy water off the sky light and dry the acrylic surface with a clean microfiber cloth. Bring wikipedia reference a long garden hose up on the roof with you, it makes rinsing and washing much easier than carrying yet another bucket up on the roof with you. If you have stain that you could not remove with the soap and water, use 3M plastic cleaner or Permatex Plastic Cleaner. Spray whichever cleaner you chose onto the acrylic surface and scrub with a microfiber rag until the stain is gone. If you have tree sap stuck to your acrylic skylight, spray Orange Glo onto the sap, let it sit for a minute or two and scrub off with a microfiber cloth. Rinse it thoroughly with plain water and dry it with a microfiber cloth to avoid water spots. You can also use a clean, well worn cotton or flannel rag. Do not use standard spray glass cleaners on acrylic skylights as they may ruin the acrylic. Avoid using strong cleaners and abrasive sponges, powders or steel wool on an acrylic skylight as these can permanently damage the acrylic. Even mild abrasives can leaves small, thin scratches that end making it look like it is dirty. These tiny scratches are permanent and will ruin your skylight. Use care when working on a roof and follow all safety precautions. Don't attempt to clear snow and ice from skylights. If its have snow and ice, it's pretty likely the roof will also have the same slippery mess, which makes walking on the roof very dangerous. http://www.infobarrel.com/How_To_Clean_Acrylic_Skylights The annual tradition for college students called spring break sends shudders down the spines of concerned parents as well as the beleaguered local residents of such beach side communities as Panama City, Florida, and Padre Island, Texas. However, if a new trend catches on, parents and many other folks may breathe a sigh of relief.
Inspired partially by the destruction wrought by hurricanes along the Gulf Coast last year, many spring breakers decided to volunteer their youthful energy to perform positive charitable work this spring. In one article about this welcome turnabout, "New Orleans Working Vacations Catch On," in the Washington Post for March 15, the writer observed: "[Anita McClendon] and thousands of other volunteers are combining work and play to help rebuild this devastated city. This month, they are being joined by hundreds of college students spending spring break here and on Mississippi's Gulf Coast." The article quoted Alexis Logan, 22, a senior political science major and one of several Howard University students who spent spring break working with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans. Said Miss Logan: "Traditional spring breaks are when students go to tropical islands and do what college students do.... This may not be as fun, but it will be just as rewarding in the end." Another article, in the Christian Science Monitor for March 17, told of a student group from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who also spent spring break living amidst rather primitive conditions (outdoor toilets and showers) while helping to rebuild New Orleans. Philip Jones, one of the students, said: "This is the weirdest but most rewarding trip I've ever taken. At first, I said there was no way I was going to give up my last spring break to come here. Now I'm not regretting it a bit." The report estimated that 10,000 such students spent their spring break helping with the rebuilding effort. "Everybody talks about all these billions [of federal dollars] coming down, but on a one-to-one basis they're not seeing anything," New Orleans City Councilor Cynthia Morrell told the Monitor. "It's an opportunity to go into a depression, and all of a sudden here come these kids, and even adults that come to help, and it's almost as if someone's reaching out a hand and saying, 'It's OK, we'll help you get on your feet.'" Not everyone who spent his spring break helping out was a college student, however. Duane Clayton had recently returned from a tour of duty with the Army in Iraq. He told the Monitor: "This [relief effort] is what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they built the country on Christian principles." The workers involved demonstrated strong integrity as well as a good work ethic. Nineteen-year-old Trista Wright, from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Georgia, discovered some papers hidden in a wall vent. She told CNN: "I started raking it out of the air conditioner vent. I thought it was garbage and I was going to shovel it up, but I bent down to pick it up, and it was a stack of $100 bills, and then more and more kept coming." A total of about $30,000 in cash was recovered. One of Miss Wright's fellow students, Haley Barton, who was helping clean up the house, told CNN: "I think that it's expected of us as young people, or people of any age this day, to go in and take it and not be faithful or trustworthy in turning it in, but that wasn't even an option for us." The diy home renovation blog woman who owned the house suspected that her lather, the previous owner, had hidden the money. He had gone through the Depression and didn't trust banks. The Rev. Warren Jones, Jr. of New Salem Baptist Church in the Ninth Ward, which served as a base for church missions, told reporters: "To see that woman's face when we told her about the money, that's the kind of positive story that makes all the hard work worthwhile. She said it was a home improvement tips miracle. And when you think about it, it was." Two hundred students from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, also took part in spring-break service trips from March 6-10. An article about the dedicated students appeared in the National Catholic Register for March 26-April 1. The newspaper quoted Creighton senior Kelly Orbik, who participated in her fourth service trip this year, working at a food bank and shelter in Cleveland. Miss Orbik told the Register: "It is hard to know what to do sometimes. These communities all across the country want our students to come--to learn from them and with them, how to love the poor and marginalized in our society." Miss Orbik and classmate Marie Young produced a recruiting video to enlist more students in such service work. The video concludes with an invitation: "Do you have the courage and compassion to hang out with a person who is homeless, to sit with a child learning to read or to gut a house ravaged by a hurricane?" As all of the preceding stories reveal, many young people across America have both the courage and the compassion. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Springbreakersfixhomes.-a0145571536 Regular mechanical maintenance of HVAC systems is the best way for homeowners to save money on their bills over the long run. While repairs might seem expensive at first, the payoffs article source later on are numerous.
Today's HVAC technicians have received comprehensive vocational training at technical schools or colleges featuring class work specifically geared to refrigeration, heating, cooling, and mechanical maintenance careers. Often, these trade schools instruct students in the latest HVAC technologies, which include sophisticated pumping and cooling system repair, and techniques for upgrading chlorofluorocarbon-reliant (CFC) coolant systems with environmentally friendly materials. Why is regular HVAC mechanical hop over to here maintenance important? Most homeowners do not notice that an HVAC system is malfunctioning or performing poorly until the system shuts down. This is an unfortunate way to approach HVAC maintenance. Small malfunctions or errors in an HVAC system's operation early on can lead to inefficiencies in heating and cooling. Ultimately, these inefficiencies result in wasted energy and high gas and electric bills. If you have noticed dramatic jumps in your utility bills, think about when your HVAC system was last serviced before shrugging the high bill totals off as symptoms of inflation. Efficiency loss in an HVAC system is gradual, but pernicious. The purpose of regular maintenance is to keep small systemic leaks, cracks, gaps, or slowdowns in check so that homeowners have the best, most energy-efficient, continuously performing HVAC systems possible. In vocational school, HVAC and mechanical maintenance engineers are trained to perform thorough inspections, to test systems in a proactive fashion, and to accurately and rapidly diagnose system malfunctions. HVAC and mechanical maintenance technicians are also adept at determining when a heating or cooling system must be replaced entirely. Upfront, the cost of replacing an HVAC system can seem prohibitively expensive. However, the newer a system is, the more likely it is to employ highly energy-efficient technology, saving you money on your heating and cooling bills over a long period of time. What can I do to save money on my heating and cooling bills? Homeowners can take several steps to useful source ensure their HVAC systems run efficiently between maintenance periods. Here are a few tips: In hot weather, do not run your air conditioner continuously on the coldest setting. Turning the A/C up just a few degrees can prolong the life of your HVAC system. Make sure that you have adequate amounts of refrigerant in your HVAC system before hot weather arrives. A HVAC repair person or mechanical maintenance engineer can assess your coolant levels. If your system is cooled by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have the cooling mechanism replaced with a greener technology. Install ceiling and central room fans during hot weather. These fans will enhance the efficiency of your air conditioner, allowing it to perform better while conserving energy. Prior to the arrival of cool weather, have your heating ducts cleaned -- and have your heating filter replaced regularly thereafter. Clogged or dirty ducts or filters can hamper the efficiency of your HVAC system during cold weather. Have your furnace inspected before the cold season arrives. Furnaces that aren't working properly can contribute to wasted energy, inefficient system performance, CO2 leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, and even home fires. Insulate your home from cold weather so the heater doesn't need to work as hard. Insulating your windows with plastic wrap or weatherproofing strips helps. You can also insulate your home by sealing cracks in windows and doors. Turn down the heat, even when you're home. You can save major money on your gas or electric bill by turning the thermostat down a few degrees and wearing a sweater. Regular mechanical maintenance of HVAC systems, combined with homeowner initiative and attention to energy conservation result in greener, more efficient home heating and cooling. By: Jane Muder Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com The Refrigeration School, Inc. is a vocational HVAC and mechanical maintenance school located in Phoenix, AZ. The school provides technician training that prepares the graduates of tomorrow to work on the latest HVAC technologies. For more information, visit RSI online web site. http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Regular-HVAC-Mechanical-Maintenance-and-Upgrades-Save-Energy/369698 |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2017
Categories |