Saturday, March 29, 2008
Stair Articles
Building Stairs With Recycled Concrete What a great idea using your old side walk or driveway to build a nice stairway for your front or back yard. Using the old concrete instead of sending it to the landfill. Wow talk about earth friendly. Who would have thought that using recycled concrete would create a beautiful center piece in your landscaping plans.1/8/2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Fireplaces
A Fireplace Turns A House Into A Home
By: Christine Loxley
Having a fireplace in your home is a great way to heat your home... and it can look great while doing it. But when choosing a fireplace there are some important aspects besides the aesthetic beauty that you must consider in order to maximize efficiency for the heating of your house. A good-looking fireplace is useless in a cold room!
One thing that must be looked at is the efficiency rating of the fireplace. This is measured by the heat that is produced by the fireplace. Generally fireplaces have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the AFUE rating the more efficient the fireplace. Make sure that when you compare fireplaces that the numbers used for the ratings are on the same scale.
In choosing a fireplace you need to look at which one will be the best fit for your home. It depends on the model type and the space you have for the fireplace in your home. There are three main types of fireplaces which are inserts, direct vent and vent free models. Generally most of the gas models can be converted so they will run on propane and many fireplaces that are wood burning can have gas jets added to them to add to the desired heat.
You will also have to look at the cost of the form of gas or wood to factor in what you will use as fuel to heat your home.
Once you have the right model in terms of heating capability, you can decide on the look. The fireplace that you choose must match the décor of the room you wish to put it in. But there are literally thousands of styles of fireplaces so there is bound to be one that fits your style needs.
Fireplaces can be a great addition to any home as well as a very attractive part of your house.
About The Author
Christine Loxley writes for http://fireplace-focus.com , a website full of fireplace articles and resources
By: Christine Loxley
Having a fireplace in your home is a great way to heat your home... and it can look great while doing it. But when choosing a fireplace there are some important aspects besides the aesthetic beauty that you must consider in order to maximize efficiency for the heating of your house. A good-looking fireplace is useless in a cold room!
One thing that must be looked at is the efficiency rating of the fireplace. This is measured by the heat that is produced by the fireplace. Generally fireplaces have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the AFUE rating the more efficient the fireplace. Make sure that when you compare fireplaces that the numbers used for the ratings are on the same scale.
In choosing a fireplace you need to look at which one will be the best fit for your home. It depends on the model type and the space you have for the fireplace in your home. There are three main types of fireplaces which are inserts, direct vent and vent free models. Generally most of the gas models can be converted so they will run on propane and many fireplaces that are wood burning can have gas jets added to them to add to the desired heat.
You will also have to look at the cost of the form of gas or wood to factor in what you will use as fuel to heat your home.
Once you have the right model in terms of heating capability, you can decide on the look. The fireplace that you choose must match the décor of the room you wish to put it in. But there are literally thousands of styles of fireplaces so there is bound to be one that fits your style needs.
Fireplaces can be a great addition to any home as well as a very attractive part of your house.
About The Author
Christine Loxley writes for http://fireplace-focus.com , a website full of fireplace articles and resources
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Home Energy Guide
Photovoltaic Systems - Energy From The Sky
By: Ross McIvar
As people search for alternatives to fossil fuel energy, solar energy emerges as one of the cleanest and most practical sources of electricity. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or any area that receives a lot of sunshine. The solar panels consist of a photovoltaic system that converts the energy of the sun into electricity.
Photovoltaic systems have existed since the 1950s but only in recent years has the technology matured to the point of making it a viable alternative to power utilities. Indeed, most solar systems do not replace the utility company, instead they work in conjunction with it to produce extra electricity that can be fed back into the grid.
One of the main problems with solar power is storing it for use during non-daylight hours. Batteries can be used but they are expensive and have a limited life span. As an alternative, excess solar electricity can be fed back to the power utility company for a credit, and then power can be drawn when needed. In a sense, the utility company becomes the storage device.
Most municipalities have legislation requiring power utility companies to accept electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. This system benefits everyone – there is less dependency on fossil fuel power plants and electricity costs are reduced for owners of photovoltaic systems.
Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by using specially treated materials such as silicon that convert light into power. They can be of almost any size and are suitable for providing electricity for small items such as calculators or watches right up to complete industrial complexes. Because they can be wired together, an array of solar cells can produce enough electricity for residential or commercial needs.
The main requirement, of course, is sunlight. This makes solar power most practical for southern areas such as California and Arizona. But it can also be used in more northerly areas as a backup power system. As the technology advances, photovoltaic cells are able to produce usable amounts of electricity even in low light conditions.
About The Author
Ross McIvar is the leading author of http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ / .
By: Ross McIvar
As people search for alternatives to fossil fuel energy, solar energy emerges as one of the cleanest and most practical sources of electricity. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or any area that receives a lot of sunshine. The solar panels consist of a photovoltaic system that converts the energy of the sun into electricity.
Photovoltaic systems have existed since the 1950s but only in recent years has the technology matured to the point of making it a viable alternative to power utilities. Indeed, most solar systems do not replace the utility company, instead they work in conjunction with it to produce extra electricity that can be fed back into the grid.
One of the main problems with solar power is storing it for use during non-daylight hours. Batteries can be used but they are expensive and have a limited life span. As an alternative, excess solar electricity can be fed back to the power utility company for a credit, and then power can be drawn when needed. In a sense, the utility company becomes the storage device.
Most municipalities have legislation requiring power utility companies to accept electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. This system benefits everyone – there is less dependency on fossil fuel power plants and electricity costs are reduced for owners of photovoltaic systems.
Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by using specially treated materials such as silicon that convert light into power. They can be of almost any size and are suitable for providing electricity for small items such as calculators or watches right up to complete industrial complexes. Because they can be wired together, an array of solar cells can produce enough electricity for residential or commercial needs.
The main requirement, of course, is sunlight. This makes solar power most practical for southern areas such as California and Arizona. But it can also be used in more northerly areas as a backup power system. As the technology advances, photovoltaic cells are able to produce usable amounts of electricity even in low light conditions.
About The Author
Ross McIvar is the leading author of http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ / .
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
New Home Building
Finding New Homes Builders by: Tom Laing
Owning a home – whether it is a single family dwelling, a new two family unit, or a new condominium unit – is a dream most people and is sometimes a goal to which we all strive to reach at some point in the future. If one could manage the finances, there are people - the new homes builders - out there to lend you a professional hand in building your new home.
For many, new homes are not seen as a dwelling that protects them from sun, rain and cold. Instead a home is seen as an investment. One cannot afford to take a wrong step here. Hence, be careful when you selecting your new homes builders. New homes builders ideally should be one who offers the designs, quality and location that you want. New homes builders should be skilled, experienced and have a great track record of satisfied customers. In one word, new home builders should be professional in their approach as well as execution.
These days there are a lot of new homes builders around so it won’t be hard to find one. But before entering a legal agreement with a new homes builder, do a little qualifying of your own. Is this the kind of company that you want to do business with, and how can you be sure that you will get the home and the service you want?
While doing the final selection, try to get answer to these queries. Is home building their profession? You should not even entertain part timers and new homes builders need to be true professionals. Query about the warranty, their experience as new homes builders and references from past clients. Check with your local Home Builders' Association to find out if the builder is a member in good standing. Also, make it a point to request a tour of a home under construction and a chance to meet the site crew. That will very well give you clues about the work and quality of methods employed.
Some new homes builders arrange for financing. As far as the economic aspect is concerned, always have a solid idea about your financial capabilities and hence the home buying budget. New homes builders, if they offer finances, tell that they search amidst a number of loan options before offering you a definite plan. As a customer, keep your eyes and ears open and pick one that you think suits you and your financial status.
When it comes to building new homes, make it a point to always to hire professional and genuine new homes builders. In the long run you will reap the benefits of researching and finding just the right builder for you.
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