10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy

I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.

1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.

2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.

3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.

4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.

5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.

6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.

7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.

8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.

9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.

10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.

Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Home Remodeling Contractor

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

Click here if you're looking for additional Homeowner Contractor Advice. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.

Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.

If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.

There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.

The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.

The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.

This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.

A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.

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

By Greg Vandenberge

What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?

A three way home electrical light switch is a special light switch that can be used in your hallways, large rooms and stairways. These light switches are specially made to operate one light or a group of lights from two different locations.

They are most commonly found in hallways and provide a homeowner with the option of turning the light on at one end of the hallway and turning it off, when they are finished walking through the hallway and are about to enter into another room.

Before three way home electrical light switches were made, people would turn the hallway light on and leave it on or they wouldn't turn the hall light on at all, because they knew that after they walked down the dark hallway, they wouldn't be able to turn the light off at the other end.

Three-way light switches are also used in stairways. It makes a lot of sense, to be able to turn your stairway light on, at the bottom of the stairs and then after you have walked up the stairway safely, you can simply turn the stair lights system off.

As homes become larger, it's not going to be uncommon to find three way light switches being used at either end of large rooms. If your living room or family room was located within the center of your home and had an entrance at each end, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a light switch at each end, for travelers who are simply walking through these room.

Remember that three-way light switches, are used to operate lights from two different locations.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Great Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Encinitas Home Remodeling Contractors

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

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Building Codes - Stairway Construction

The stair building code was created for building safety. Before the building code and local city enforcement (Building Inspectors), anyone could build a house. This meant Uncle Earl who had just watched a couple of his friends build a house down the street construct some sort of a dwelling. The next step for Earl would be to help these guys for a day and now he is a professional home builder. You get the point.

Stair Building Codes create the safety needed for one of the most hazardous areas of your home. You might know someone who has fallen down a stairway?

I lived in a house I built for 15 years and I redesigned the stairs from a winder design to a T shaped set of stairs. Both sets of stairs were built using the local stair building code for my city.

Wow I could not believe how many times my family members fell down the stairs. I even fell down once. I was amazed. When I switched from the winder to the T shaped stairway there were less accidents. My point is that even using the stair building codes this is a dangerous part of your house.

Having a professional stair builder install your stairs is great advice. Take it. For example this happened to me on quite a few jobs. I get a set of plans from a architect who has been designing houses for over 40 years. I looked at the stairway to find out that he has designed a stairway that is too small for the length of this part of the home. If I build the stairs using the plans that by the way were approved from the local building department, I could have a problem.

You are probably asking yourself how does this happen. Aren't these people experienced professionals. Of course they are. They probably have the U.B.C. (Uniform Building Code) in their office somewhere. Everyone makes mistakes here and there but this is one area of the home where safety is a big concern.

Just look at it like this. The stair building code was designed to improve the safety and reduce the number of accidents while using the stairs. Over the years I have seen stairs poorly designed and constructed. These stairs create problems for the owners of the buildings not just the people that use them. Did I mention lawsuits. This is one area where a lawyer will have a field day.

As a building professional I advise you to use the stair building code first for safety and second to avoid lawsuits. Get an idea from some of the pictures I have taken over the years on problems with stair building.

Use common sense while building or remodeling your home. It goes a long way.

Greg Vandenberge 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 stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Stair Building Articles

Retaining Walls Suffer From Moisture Problems

Whether you're driving down the road or through a neighborhood and you notice a retaining wall that has large cracks in it, or is severely discolored, or one that has white calcium deposits from moisture covering the entire wall, you've got problems with moisture.

The retaining wall is designed to hold the dirt back, that's it's sole purpose. It's not going to hold any moisture back unless someone has installed a waterproofing membrane to separate the soil from the concrete block wall. If the soil isn't ever going to get wet, then you probably don't need to waterproof the retaining wall.

However that's normally not going to be the case. So we need to waterproof the interior of our retaining walls to eliminate future moisture problems that could eventually, deteriorate as moisture starts to accumulate, inside of our block wall for a longer periods of time.

If you don't know anything about waterproofing, I would suggest that you hire a waterproofing expert. Waterproofing looks easier than it actually is, and might be out of your scope of work.

I'm not going to suggest that you use waterproofing paints, because I haven't seen great results with these products. However, if you're not that concerned about your retaining wall and are looking for a cheaper way to apply any waterproofing materials, these paints might not be a bad idea. Sometimes, Something is better than nothing.

If you live in a relatively dry climate, it might not be necessary to waterproof your retaining walls. But if you live in a damp or moist area, especially an area where the ground is moist all year round or more than six months out of the year, I would suggest that you waterproof the back of your retaining walls.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link House Basement Repair Ideas. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Dryer Vent In Basement Window.

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Don't Let This Happen to You - Home Computer Electrical Damage

If you've read any of my other articles, you know that I am always coming up with great ideas, tips and even a couple of stories that can save homeowners lots of money. Here's another one of those stories, that involves a friend of mine who asked me if I could fix his outdoor electrical outlet.

I was over at his house one day, and told him that I could probably fix the electrical outlet and if we needed any parts, we could run down to the lumber yard and pick them up and his problem would be solved within a few hours. This two hour repair was about to cost him the hard drive on his computer, but neither one of us had any idea what was about to happen.

We each agreed to give it a shot, I told him to go over to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker that went to his outdoor shed. He proceeded to turn off the breaker and yelled out," It's off, try it." I plugged in an electric drill and it was still working, as he was walking around the corner, towards me, I showed him that the drill was still on and he hadn't turned off the right electrical breaker.

He went back and turned off a couple of more electrical breakers and the drill was still running. Now he frantically started to turn off one electrical breaker at a time, until I yelled out," It's off, the electrical power is, off you can stop."

I repaired the electrical outlet and he went back to turn every electrical breaker back on that he had turned off. We were proud of ourselves and he now had electrical power, back to his shed and he was happy.

Now for the bad news, his computer was running and when he turned the electricity off and on, it must've done something to his computer hard drive and it now needed to be replaced.

The moral to the story, isn't that you shouldn't help your friends. It's that you should, make sure that your computers are safely off, before you attempt to do any electrical work to your home.

It wouldn't be a bad idea, to have a battery backup, for your computer, if you use it often, just in case there is an electrical failure or something happens like the story above.

If your really interested in saving money on your home electrical bills - Energy Saving Books

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

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

How to Start Your Metal Building Project

You need to consider a number of issues before beginning any metal building project. Here are six essential aspects that need to be decided on before starting.

The first consideration is your budget and how much money you have available to fund your project. Many people make the mistake of having funding for the initial phase of their project but then not having the monetary resources for the completion. If your budget is limited you may want to consider a smaller building initially that can expand to a larger facility as additional funds become available.

The purchase of a cheap metal "economy" building is not advised. These buildings can quickly become money nightmares on maintenance issues. Purchase the highest quality metal building you can afford to minimize your maintenance expenses.

Most metal buildings do not come with components as a complete building package. If you will be needing doors, windows, vents, insulation, or any other components you should know that these are purchased separately from the base building package.
Do remember in many cases, the foundation base cost is usually extra and carried out by a separate contractor.

Figure the amount and pricing of the components you need to complete your building first before purchasing the building to see if your budget is in line.

Make sure you know the exact height of the metal building that you require. Add 3 or 4 feet in height more than your tallest door or entrance clearance requirement. You should check your local building regulation before deciding the height clearance required by law.
The erector for your metal building project will rarely offer preparation of your site. You have that responsibility and to make sure you budget accordingly for these improvements.

The site needs to be cleared of all foliage and in some cases leveled. Contact a local landscaping company that has done this type of work before if you do not have the time or manpower to do clear the land yourself.

You want to be sure that your new metal building has the space required for its use. Even though metal buildings are expandable do not cut size requirements initially and complicate your space requirements by growing "out of your building" quicker than expected. Budget for as much space as required by your design requirements.

The use of your metal building is important. You will probably need to go with clear-span metal frame construction if your needs are for a column-free interior environment such as a metal warehouses, metal office complex buildings or aircraft hangers.Clear-span accommodates up to 300 feet in width but is a more expensive system.

You can save money if the application of interior columns is not an issue in a manufacturing facility, for example. This is called a multi-span metal frame system.

Written by Jim 'G' Davidson - freelance writer for http://www.metal-building-sales.com

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Salt Water Pool Treatment Facts

While they were once only used sporadically, today, salt water pools are becoming more and more popular for homeowners. However, although many salt water pool manufacturers promote the ease of converting your pool to a salt water system, the pool treatment methods are not any easier than those of a typical pool. Before your convert your system, it is important to understand how it works and why you should (and should not) consider converting.

Salt treatment begins with understanding exactly how salt water pools' chlorination systems work. The basis behind this system is that you do not have to add chlorination for this treatment. However, that does not mean that there is no chlorine. That's actually a common misconception. There are chemicals in a saltwater pool. Treatment is still necessary, and although you do not have to manually add chlorine (in most cases), there is still chlorine in the system. The chlorine, however, comes from the salt itself.

A salt system is not the same as swimming in the ocean. In fact, the water in a pool system is actually still considered fresh water because there is only a very low level of salt in it (there's more salt in your eyes). However, this amount of salt, when put through a control box, can create enough chlorination to keep your pool clean, blue and safe for swimmers.

The control box on a salt water pool treatment system is a device that actually sends electricity through the sale. The longer the electricity runs through the salt, the more chlorinated the water will be. The pool treatment system should automatically control this, but you'll still need to use test strips to test for chemicals often. You can control how chlorinated the water is using the salt control knob. In addition, with the control box, you can tell when you need to add more salt to the system.

Although you will not have to add chlorine as part of your salt water pool treatment program, you will have to continuously check for alkalinity and pH level. It is a good idea to check your water once a week if you use it moderately and even more often if you use it often or get a lot of rain, which can affect the acidity levels. As part of your pool treatment plan, you also need to check the calcium levels in your pool. With too much calcium, your pool water will be "hard" and may leave unsightly build up along the steps and tiles. In addition, excess calcium in your salt water can clog the pump and control box system.

Salt water pool treatment is, for some, a better option than a typical chlorinated pool system. Keep in mind, however, that there are other options as well, and that natural pools are also becoming more popular. Pool treatment is an issue no matter what kind of pool you have, so don't make the mistake of thinking there is no work involved with having a pool.

Please visit us to see the problems with salt water swimming pools and having a chlorine generator

Exterior Wood Beams

Remodel Your Home For Ease of Use - Universal Design and Aging in Place

As aging baby boomers consider staying in their homes, Universal Design and Aging in Place will be gaining more momentum in the years to come. Here are some practical home modification tips to promote safety, comfort and independence in everyday living.

What Is Universal Design and Aging in Place?
Universal Design is a concept that focuses on comfort, ease of access, and maneuverability within homes for all people, while aging in place is a popular lifestyle option for older homeowners preferring to safely and independently live in their homes.

Did You Know?
89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely, while National Association of Home Builders cites 75% of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work.

Suggested Universal Design and Aging in Place home modifications include:
- Installing lights strategically to maintain a well-lit hallway

- Having non-slip interior and exterior flooring

- Replacing knobs with levers handles

- Setting up pantries and cabinetry with rollout cabinets and lazy Susans

- Mounting adequate handrails for stairways and ramps

- Building or installing a roll-in shower with multiple showerheads

- Installing a no-curb shower

Local Certified Remodeling Professionals
To address the growing number of consumers looking for local specialized professionals, the Remodelers Council of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has created a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) resource directory for homeowners. You can visit their website for a list of local specialists in your area.

When remodeling for ease of use, look for simple and practical products which are safe to use and easy to maintain. With these simple and practical home modifications, you can design your home for how you would like to live now and for the future.

You are welcome to publish or reprint this article, free of charge, as long as the article remain unchanged, all hyperlinks are active, and the "About the Author" section is included in the reprint. The author is not liable for any loss profits, expenses, or any other damages resulting from the use or misuse of articles published on this website.

Villette Nolon is the President and CEO of HomeSavvi.
HomeSavvi provides free home remodeling instant inspiration. Online guide features home remodel design ideas, photos, expert advice, including bathroom and kitchen designs, budgets and costs and other helpful information.

How Tough Are Concrete Epoxies

Environmentally Friendly Architecture Design

There once was a day where one someone was speaking about the word green, it was obvious they were referring to a color formed by mixing yellow and blue. That assumption is no longer true; with our society leaning toward a healthier environment and ways we can help save the earth, the term green now takes on a whole new meaning. One way to support an environmentally conscious lifestyle is with green architecture.

'Green Architecture' is a form of environmentally sensitive design and construction. Energy-saving, sustainable development and natural materials are all hallmarks of this form of construction. Green Architecture is also sensitive to the impact of the construction on the environment in the years and decades after the construction is complete. It explores a relationship between architecture and ecology.

One of the key points to green architecture is to create synchrony with the surrounding environment. Everything about a green building should easily transition from the natural landscape, including the building materials. The best material to use for green construction is materials that have been recycled or come from easily restored resources.

Advantages of Green Architecture:

1. Optimizes the use of resources, especially energy and water. At the design and construction stage, it incorporates resource recycling during construction, and later when the building is being used.

2. It causes minimal impact on the environment during the entire building life cycle of siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal.

3. Where possible, the natural topography is used to optimize energy usage.

4. It leads to reduced operating costs by optimizing resource usage. Green Architecture focuses on recycling resources - especially water. Wherever possible, it focuses on using building materials from the building site itself. Well-insulated doors, windows and walls reduce energy usage and loss.

5. Green Architecture promotes improved health of the occupants of the building, due to better natural air circulation and use of natural light.

6. Provides onsite facilities for recycling, thereby minimizing waste being sent to landfills.

Materials Commonly Used in Green Architecture

1. Recycled materials such as wood, tiles and bricks that are available at the building site or in/near the surrounding area.

2. Where new materials are used, the focus is on material that can be rapidly replenished, such as bamboo, which can be harvested for commercial use in just 6 years.

3. Insulation made from low volatile organic compounds that use materials such as recycled denim as opposed to fiberglass insulation - which has long-term adverse effects. Insulation may be treated with boric acid to retard insect damage. Organic or milk-based paints also afford protection.

4. Solar energy is an abundant resource that is used through passive solar, active solar and photovoltaic techniques.

5. Packed gravel in parking lots and driveways instead of concrete reduces rainwater run-off and replenishes ground water resources.

Many countries have developed their own standards of Green Architecture for energy-efficient and sustainable building. Given below are some common standards:

1. Code for Sustainable Homes - United Kingdom

2. EnerGuide for New Houses - Canada

3. House Energy Rating - Australia

4. Green Globes - USA, Canada and UK

Practitioners of Green Architecture and sustainable development seek to achieve ecological and aesthetic harmony between structures and their surrounding natural environments.

James Heimler, Architect Los Angeles California, owns one of the leading firms in green architecture and environmental sustainable design practices.

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Using a Commercial Painting Contractor

Finding a painter, specially the one who can understand and fulfill your requirements is one of the difficult tasks you perform when it comes to the renovation of your house. You search, you bargain and then you select. However, in the end dissonance prevails because of time delays and non-standard work of the painter.

Situation remains the same even if you want to plan to refurbish your office, manufacturing plant, building, ware house or any other commercial vicinity and you think you can get the desired results by hiring a non professional painter, then you are living oblivious of the reality. If you are thinking what other you can avail to have your office/ building painted, the option you have is "commercial painting contractors in San Diego"

Commercial painting contractors have the state of the art technology which ensures the standardization in the output and because of the experience and skilled workforce; commercial painting contractors have quality brewed in their work which enhances the appearance and aesthetics of your place.

There are few advantages that a commercial painting contractor has over non professional or local painters. First of all, commercial painting contractors and slick in their field and because of immense experience they can help in deciding the color and the texture of the paint. They know about the capability of colors in constructing different moods and aesthetics. Therefore, their advice can help you in color choice, which eventually uplifts your home or work place.

Secondly, commercial painting contractors can produce better and standardized results because of the equipment they use. Equipment, acquainted with the SOP's (standard operation procedures) of the company conjure up to bring about extraordinary quality in the output, also it ensures the standardization, which means that the same output or color can be achieved anywhere else.

When ever you hire a local painter, you confront the issues of time delays. However, commercial painting contractors have a set starting and ending date which they abide by, therefore, issues of time delays are resolved. Secondly, no home owner wants the painter to create disturbance in his or her daily routine. Commercial painters resolve this issue as well. Commercial painting contractors make sure that they are not causing disruptions or impediments in your daily life.

Therefore, by hiring a commercial painting contractor your decision will reap you following benefits. First of all it reduces your time cost, which means that every day you are wasting in your office because of paint delays, could have earned you something. Commercial painting contractors save this cost of yours. Secondly, the out produced by commercial painting contractors is of standard quality, which means it has high adherence to the sample paint (which is usually shown before you make a deal). Finally, you paint defines the mood and attire of your home or office. Commercial painting contractors make sure that it is in accordance with your requirements. Their experience in the field per se gives them the capability of defining aesthetics. You can find many painting contractors over the internet, where your deal is at the distance of one click.

Bio: View my profile for more articles about Commerical Painting Contractors

David Hay is the owner of 858 GRAPHICS in San Diego, California. 858 Graphics designs, builds, prints and installs almost any type of graphics. For all your Trade Show Display, Wall Murals, Outdoor Signs, Poster Printing and Vehicle Wraps needs, please visit http://www.858graphics.com

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Energy-Star Appliances Can Help You Save Money

Your household appliances are responsible for a large percentage of the energy consumed in your home. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approximates that kitchen appliances account for almost half of the $2,000 that most average families spend on utilities each year. In addition, appliances that are over 10 years old use more energy than their newer counterparts.

The Energy Star classification system was created by the EPA and the US Dept of Energy (DOE). This system identifies home appliances that decrease energy consumption, lower your utility bills and improve the air quality in your home. Energy Star appliances are usually more expensive than traditional models but the savings in daily energy usage will help them pay for themselves in the long term. Some Energy Star appliances can even save you up to half of the energy you use each day.

Understanding Your EnergyGuide Label:

All Energy Star appliances are required to have an EnergyGuide label. This label displays the model number, features, size and capacity of the appliance. In addition, the label estimates the average energy usage and operation costs of the model per year.

Each label also displays a range of energy used per year by similar models so that you can comparison shop and determine if this particular model meets your needs.

Standard Features of Energy Star Appliances:

Refrigerators:

Use up to 40% less electricity.

Savings of up to $150 each year.

Dishwasher:

Use 50% less water.

Use over 40% less energy.

Save $90 over the lifetime of your dishwasher.

Clothes Washer:

Use 50% less water.

Reduce drying time by extracting more water in the spin cycle.

Less wear and tear on your clothing.

Use up to 40% less electricity.

Savings of up to $110 each year.

Dehumidifier:

Use between 10 - 20% less electricity.

Savings of approximately $30 each year.

Household Air Conditioner:

Use 10% less energy.

Save approximately $250 over the lifetime of your air conditioner.

Investing in Energy Star appliances will help you save on monthly utility costs and reduce emissions in your home and the environment. It's an easy way to save yourself some money plus do your part for the environment.

Gwen McIntyre is a Marketing Manager for PartSelect.com. PartSelect.com is a provider of appliance repair parts to help repair your home appliances. Partselect has a full selection of appliance parts for all major appliance manufacturers.

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Eco Friendly Insulating Paint Additive

Eco friendly paint additives are the buzzwords of modern day society. Fueled by constant demands for energy saving products coupled with a psychological desire to limit the damage being caused to our environment through our actions and daily lifestyles. These products promise to be the future answer to some of these problems.

Products of text book marketing theory referred to as "social marketing" for those in the industry. These products are the result of socio-economic demands as an essential component in the complete insulation of homes, building and other premises. Combining the other buzzword of modern day society - convenience, the product ranges are on the whole efficient, effective and very simple to use. Typically applied by adding to paint and away you go, is the claim made by leading manufacturer and distributor Thermilate, based in the UK.

In using such products society will benefit with a win-win situation. Benefits to consumers of such products are the energy saving they promise, which can be as high as 25%. This in turn impacts on costs and provides users with greater control over the temperature in their homes and other buildings where used. The gains for the environment are the resultant reduction in the usage of damaging carbon fuels, one only has to imagine the millions of homes and buildings out there to visualise what the impact on the environment of the absence of such products has been thus far.

These products work by reducing the amount of heat escaping through walls, which many people have yet to realise are a major form of heat loss in their homes or buildings. Social marketing messages to inform consumers across the world about heat loss through windows proved very successful in the 1970's and 1980's backed by multi million pound marketing campaigns. However, in time it has transpired that the messages were incomplete and failed to inform consumers about the heat loss through their walls, which ironically can be far greater than that which takes place through their windows.

How do they work?

Although technologically advanced and safe to use, these paint additives are amazingly simple in their application. Leading eco-friendly additives company Thermilate stated, "they work by reducing the amount of heat escaping through walls via their insulation and reflection properties. The technology has taken years to develop and the resulting product is highly effective."

Heat loss is a fairly simple process - the walls, roofs and flooring are not impenetrable and they allow significant heat loss. These additives are featured in a multitude of journals. Products such as those mentioned above can slow down this process and inhibit this heat loss permanently.

The technology is based on simple micro-spheres, which create an invisible vacuum effect and thus reflect the heat back into the house, creating a double glazing effect for walls. The brand leader in the industry says its products have proved to reduce significant energy losses and energy consumption when these products were utilized. He is very excited about the future of this technology, particularly in its contribution to the global effort on climate change.

Off course the reverse is also true, these products also prevent heat entering a building in hot climates therefore keeping buildings much cooler, which anybody from such a climate will appreciate is a major problem and in doing so saving on air conditioning costs and creating a far more comfortable living environment.

It is recommended that as your first port of call you Google Thermilate. Its many applications are already assisting in the global effort for climate change. The success or failure of the global climate change strategy is hinged upon the cumulative success of individual efforts which will impact on our collaborative environment in the years to come.

How to Build a Solar Air Heater - Building a Homemade DIY Solar Air Heater

Why build a homemade DIY solar air heater if you could instantly go to a store and buy it? You have the choice of buying over making one for your home. If buying an air heater wouldn't be a great loss to your account, go for it. But think twice, money does not account for everything in this world. Do you know that buying an air heater contributes to the increasing loss of our environment? You may refuse what I'm saying but you can't reject the obvious and harmful effects of global warming. Climate changes due to this effect are very visible throughout the globe.

Solar energy never fails to provide the world adequate amount of solar energy which could equate our energy needs. Electricity demands continuously add up to the global issues concerning energy needs. Human as we are needs electricity to live life in motion. Life is stagnant and insensible without electricity. For us to constantly enjoy its unlimited feature we should be concern with some energy saving measures necessary for its long term effect on humanity. We must not think of pure leisure but also of responsible tips and ways to save energy, one way is knowing on how to build a solar air heater.

The following are the benefits of solar air heater:

Crop drying

Water removal(surface) for veggies and fruits

Warmth providers for animals and plants

Research constantly proves that solar energy could solely supply us energy. If humanity allows the solar energy as the main sour of our electrical needs, we could live in a world of less worry. Each one of us must work triple times to prevent the world from collapsing. Do you think it is not possible? I'm telling you right now that it's not impossible yet truly possible. If man continues to exploit every resource that he have, in no time you'll get surprised you have nothing to use. All things have its limit.

Solar air heater is advantageous especially in the field of crops. In building a homemade diy solar air heater you must used available resources within the vicinity. Improvisation of things must not cost you too much. Savings is a plus since you could use it in several valuable things and materials. Materials does not call for new equipments rather you could make use of old or used supplies provided it is still functional.

For all we know, the world have different meridians and zones wherein we experience different climates in respect to our location. In some countries, the cold climate is intolerable. Thus, warmth is a need for them. Balance of temperature within the human body is necessary for optimum function. Solar air heater is of importance to these people who have cold climates. Aside from buying air heaters they could have do it on their own. There are several sites that provide a very simple procedural guide that will allow you to build a solar air heater that won't demand you competent skills. Many of which require minimal assembly. Knowing on how to build a homemade diy solar air heater is one way of saying that you're pro life and environment friendly.

Do you know that you only need the top guide to use everything solar in your home, rv, pool, boats, and many others?

http://www.FullEarth4EnergyReview.com will show you this to you.

Exterior House Painting Projects - Remodeling Tips

Fixing up your house can be a fun and exciting time, as you decide on a new look for your home. Designing and planning home projects is both complicated and time consuming, but if done right the results are very rewarding for you and your family.

Exterior house painting is one of the quickest and most surefire ways you can change the look of your home. Painting it a different color or just mixing up the color schemes can give your house a fresh new look. Be sure to consult experts, or do your own research, when deciding on color schemes, as certain colors do not mesh well.

It is better to do this research prior to painting, so time and money is not wasted learning the hard way that certain colors clash too hard for your home. Exterior house painting is not Chinese algebra, but doing your homework never hurts.

Contractors' opinions are useful as well, as they have probably been in the business for some time and have experience with color schemes. Consulting a skilled contractor is a good idea before making a final decision on your exterior house painting choices.

Hiring a contractor is wise as well because of the time and headaches you will save while getting a professional job at the same time. Many people take home projects lightly and end up paying the price later, whether it is a monetary price or just the hassle that comes from disappointment in your decision. Taking some time for planning and design will probably help you to avoid these messes.

More information on College Works Painting exterior house painting for your home is just a click away.

Vinyl Glove Information And Sizing Recomendations

Using vinyl gloves is a common practice in any industry where bacteria and viruses can be transmitted. The food service industry is a large user of vinyl gloves because they are very affordable and extremely effective at preventing the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses. Vinyl gloves are economical and stronger than latex gloves. The vinyl used in vinyl gloves is a synthetic polymer than is more resistant to tearing and puncture than latex. Used widely in the food preparation and food handling industries vinyl gloves can give you an almost bare hand feel when grasping items. Unlike latex, vinyl is a synthetic substance that very rarely causes an allergic reaction. Vinyl gloves are also used widely in the cleaning industry as barrier against bacteria and infection in restroom and hazardous biological material cleanup.

Vinyl gloves come in a variety of sizes and come in both powdered and powder free forms. Powder is added to some types of vinyl gloves so that they are easier to put on and the powder can also help in preventing perspiration of the hands. It is an industry wide standard that there are usually 100 gloves per box and the one glove will fit both hands. Glove sizes range from small to medium. Small gloves will fit a hand size of 8 and below. Medium vinyl gloves will fit a hand size of 9. Large vinyl gloves are suited for a hand size of 10 and extra large gloves are to be used for hand sizes of 12 and above.

Vinyl gloves and latex gloves are now being used by the US Postal Service as a precaution against terrorism. Vinyl gloves act as a barrier against viruses, bacteria and germs that could potentially be sent in letters and packages. Overall vinyl gloves are an effective way to stay safe in an unsafe world.

Great cleaning tips and cleaning information by Lee Harris can be found at http://www.monsterjanitorial.com. Lee Harris is an expert in the cleaning supplies and janitorial products industry and can answer all your questions about vinyl gloves. Our information is concise and will give anyone basic information about the right cleaning tool for any job. On our cleaning site we also have a cleaning forum where our users can assist each other with their own questions. A cleaning services directory is readly available for cleaning companies to advertise their site by the state in which they are located.

Top Ten Reasons to Consider Renewable Energy

During the election, I kept hearing about renewable energy. In today's economy, people are looking for ways to cut cost out of their budget. I am too, so I started thinking - Renewable Energy - what a concept!

I have trimmed back on my telephone service to the bare minimum, saving $40 a month. I cut my trash bill by $26 a month, by taking my trash to a dumpster at the local gas station for $2 a bag. Now for the Biggie... Renewable Energy. I'm in the process of eliminating my electric bill! That alone will save me about $1800 a year. Over the next ten years, I can save $18,000! I will probably save more than that though, because that's figuring it at today's rates.

These are the reasons that I came up with. You may come up with even more.

1. The obvious one will be that I won't have to pay for electricity any longer... Instead, the power company will pay me, if I produce more than I can use, I can sell it to the electric company. That will be too Kool - getting a check, rather than sending one!

2. I found out that it won't cost me an arm and a leg, like I originally thought it would. I can actually build it myself for around $200

3. The time is right. The economy worldwide is in a heap of trouble. By making my own electric, I won't have to rely on others.

4. With the ever-growing shortage on fossil fuels, I'm not waiting around for someone to tell me 'Sorry We Ran Out', so I figure now's as good a time as any.

5. I looked into it and found out that it's not hard to do. If I create renewable energy, than anybody can!

6. This is great for our environment and our children and grand children will thank us for it. There may be some gas left when they reach driving age! Knowing that I am doing my part to conserve our planet feels great!

7. When I can make renewable power (my own electricity) for less than $200, I would be foolish not to!

8. I will be able to spend the money that I save on more important things, like food, making my mortgage payment, and other things I might need.

9. I won't have to scramble any more during 'Power Outages' - I can be warm and comfortable.

10. When I install my renewable energy system in my home I will increase the value of my home by thousands! Can you imagine telling a potential buyer - Oh by the way, you won't have an electric bill if you buy my house!

I always sit down and make a list of the pro's and con's, before I do something. I really can't find any con's in this one though. The only one I had in the beginning was the initial cost, and I found a way around that. After making my list, I decided that there is definitely a huge incentive to get started right away.

After making my list and checking it twice. I found a way to save a fortune and accomplish my goal of cutting $1800 a year out of my budget. That extra money will sure come in handy. You can do it too, unless you like forking out for electric bills every month - for the rest of your life! Why not start saving today.

http://www.energymoneysavings.com

How to Attach a Zinc Frame to Stained Glass

A zinc frame on stained glass panels is essential for structure and rigidity. The zinc frame is added once the design is cut, foiled and soldered. The process of adding a zinc frame is accomplished by following seven steps.

1. First, measure the length of zinc came needed for each side.
2. Then, decide if you want straight cuts or mitered cuts for the corners.
3. Using a came saw or a fine tooth hack saw, cut the zinc came to the length and angle you need. Initially, you may want to cut the pieces long then re-cut once you dry fit the came to the stained glass piece.
4. Once you have all the zinc came cut and fitted to your piece, insert the glass into the came channels and hold zinc in place using t-pins. If you are using Handy Hangers, you would insert them into the came corners during this step.
5. Now flux the corners of the came frame and all the solder seams that touch the frame
6. Then, solder each joint of the frame and the adjacent solder seams.
7. Once, the first side is done, carefully turn the piece over and repeat the process on that side.

To apply hanging rings to the zinc frame, lightly flux the ring and the area of the frame where the ring will be attached. The area in which you attach the rings should be where the zinc frame meets a solder seam. Next, solder the rings to the zinc frame. Be sure the ring extends over the edge of the frame. If you are going to add a wood frame to the stained glass piece do not attach rings to the zinc frame.

Hanging rings can be purchased or easily made by using copper or silver wire. To make your own hanging rings, wrap wire around a pencil or other object to get the diameter you need. Then simply cut it, making a small circle. If you need stronger rings, cut two or three lengths of wire and twist them together. The twisting can be done easily by placing one end of the strands in a vice and the other end into the chuck of a drill. Rotate slowly until the desired amount of twisting is completed. Then wrap the twisted wire around a pencil or other object and cut.

After zinc frame is attached, be sure to use flux remover and remove all flux residue.

Some areas of concern:

Please note that zinc frames are available in different sizes, widths. Each one, however, laps over the edge of the glass the same amount. So, the only reason for going to a larger width is looks. Additional strength may be gathered if your stained glass piece is extremely large. Any piece over 30" wide or tall should definitely be framed in the largest size zinc frame available.

Mitered cuts look better in my opinion, especially if you are not using a wood frame. Actually miter cuts are not that much harder to accomplish, so why not be professional in the first place? Small electrical frame cutters, 2" blade, are available for around $20. This is worth it in my opinion.

When mounting frame on your art work, be sure that all edges of the glass are secured into the full depth of the zinc frame. Otherwise, you will experience dissatisfaction after you solder the pieces together. As mentioned, T-pins are suggested to be sure and hold the frame tightly anchored to edge of the glass and deep into the channel of the zinc frame.

When soldering the corners or the seam lines connecting the frame, you will see a slight rise to the solder. It is common to see the actual solder at these points, but after patina is applied, these blend together and look fine. Be careful as to not build up too much solder at these locations or this may be highly visible when finished.

After soldering the first side and then turning the art work over to solder the second side, examine the frame to see that it is in the correct position before soldering. Sometimes it can get "adjusted" when you turn the piece over.

I highly suggest the using hanging rings that have been twisted together as these are much stronger and tend not to pull apart after the art work has been hanging for some time. I have experienced single wire hooks actually failing and a piece or two has dropped and broken. Save yourself grief (take it from me) and only use the twisted, therefore stronger hanging rings.

If using a wood frame, a better look is always produced by mitering the corners of the wood. Simple 45 degree cuts on the end of all frame members easily accomplish this. When mechanically attaching these pieces of frame, I strongly suggest the use of a good carpenter's glue and one screw for long term hanging safety. Additionally, wood frames come in all sizes, including width, thickness and specie of wood. Decide how you want to finish them, paint or stain. This will enable you to use the right wood for the right job and not end up painting oak wood. Oak is too expensive and beautiful to hide under paint in my opinion. Mechanical hanging fasteners that include screws into the wood should be used.

I started out as a stained glass admirer. After a class in stained glass, I became addicted. At first I made stained glass to decorate my homes, which lead to friends asking me to make stained glass for them. Now I am a full time professional making stained glass as well as instructing others on how to make stained glass. My studio is located outside of Chicago, Illinois. For more information on making stained glass or to sign up for my newsletter, go to http://www.creativity-in-glass.com

Solar Power Systems - 5 Benefits of Using Solar Power in the Home

Solar power is the heat and light we receive from the sun. Our planet is bathed in this energy every day. However, it is only fairly recently that it has become economically viable to use this freely available renewable energy source at home.

There are many benefits to be had from using a solar power system in our home.

1. Renewable sustainable energy. Solar energy is renewable. The power derived from solar energy produces both heat and light. The heat energy can be simply used to directly heat water using solarpanels. The hot water can then be used in heating systems or to provide the hot water we use in day to day life. The light energy can be converted into electricity by the use of photovoltaic cells. The use of sunlight to produce electricity has been known of for many years. We have all seen pictures of satellites and space stations with extendable arms covered with solar cells. In more recent years this technology has been used to build commercially viable power stations.

2. Reliability. Solar energy is a reliable source of power. It cannot be switched off or withheld. Solar power systems require little maintenance and therefore the running costs are low.

3. Environmentally Friendly. The power produced from solar energy has no harmful pollutants or side effects such as carbon dioxide.

4. Reduced need for fossil fuels. In the long term electricity produced from solar energy will help cut the use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. Fossil fuels used in power generation produce harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide which are polluting the atmosphere. Fossil fuels will run out. They cannot be replaced.

5. Tax incentives. More states and Governments are providing tax incentives to their citizens to encourage their use of renewable solar energy.

Find out how you could easily and cheaply install your own solar power system at home by Click Here.

ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms - Method of Building Walls

There are several different methods used to build walls. This article will discuss the ICF method. We will look at the materials used in this method and then list the conclusions reached based on these materials. If you are standing inside the house, we will talk about the materials from the inside of the house to the outside of the house.

Gypsum Wall Board - this material absorbs water. The moist Gypsum wallboard can contribute to mold and mildew.

EPS foam - very good insulation properties. It is 'continuous and touching' which provides excellent energy savings.

Concrete - this material is poured in what is known as a 'continuous pour'. Even if the concrete is poured in lifts, the adhesive properties of concrete to itself allow the pour to be considered continuous. This material that goes from free flowing to rock solid is what provides the best-sealed envelope of a home.

EPS foam - very good insulation properties. It is 'continuous and touching' which provides excellent energy savings.

Cementious Finish - typically a fiber mesh wrap is applied to the walls and synthetic stucco materials are installed in two applications to get the requested look by the homebuyer.

Windows and Door openings - typically the openings are formed with 2x12's cut down to the width of the foam blocks and braced to accept the concrete pour. The 2x's are fastened with J-bolts that are placed prior to the concrete pour. An issue with the openings is that they have wood in the exterior walls in the areas where water has the highest possibility to enter the house. This creates the possibility, and likelihood, of water entering at these locations (the same as a wood framed house.) Remember, when the air is flowing thru the return air it is pressurizing the air which means 'additional air' has to come in the house. The window and door areas are where this air will come from, which allows water to get further into the wall, into the wood 2x bucks and farther away from the edges. This makes it take longer for the moisture to get out. When this occurs this will lead to the formation of mold and mildew.

Ease of construction - the trained skill level to build the walls of a custom home are similar to the skill level needed to build a concrete block home, or for a skilled carpenter to build a wood framed home.

Issues during construction - typical issues are proper bracing to minimize/eliminate concrete spills (blowouts) and bracing to keep the walls plumb (vertically aligned) and straight along the top of the forms.

The ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, contracted by the United States Department of Energy) after testing all 16 methods of construction proves the method of construction that Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) utilizes is the second best method of building a home (by approximately 9% less savings) in regards to energy savings. To confirm please view: http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/research/detailed_papers/thermal/index.html

The ICF method exceeds all building codes for high wind resistance due to the use of poured-in-place concrete in the forms.

This article has discussed the ICF method of building walls. It has described the various materials that are used. This article has also shown the problems and benefits that each of these materials can cause when building a house. The use of the ICF method of building walls only fails in 2 areas of building a home to prevent mold and mildew issues, which is the use of wood around openings and the use of a gypsum product (drywall) on the interior of the exterior wall. The 2 inches of foam and the drywall board on the interior is what accounts for the 9% higher use of energy than a wall with concrete in direct contact with the interior, such as the most energy efficient wall that utilizes the method referenced by the ORNL as concrete- insulation - concrete (CIC).

Are you getting ready to build a new home? Are you trying to build an energy efficient home? To get more information about building your next energy efficient home, visit http://www.allwallsystem.com, a "CIC" method of building.

The Glass Block Revolution Spreading to Home Design

Glass blocks have come a long way, even competing with regular bricks when it comes to interior and exterior design of rooms. We are living in times when visual appearances are very important and more people are insisting on having something out of the ordinary when it comes to their immediate surroundings. For many, they can simply accentuate the room with special flowers, paintings and more. Others prefer something more permanent, such as glass blocks.

Glass blocks come in very many designs, shapes, colors and even textures although all of them are made of glass. Below are some different types of glass blocks:

Standard series
Decorative
Glass flooring
Colors and finishes

Standard series
-wave satin
-wave endblock
-90% curved corner wave
-Imported from Germany
-Made in USA

Decorative (water organic, arts and crafts, geometric, lined and ribbed)
-starburst
-Mirage
-Neptune
-Bubble
-Bonzai

Colored
-Pastels
-Primaries
-Earthtones

We now see how many types of glass blocks exist. Their variety is awesome and this caters to any type of design and preference. One would be hard-pressed to find a glass block that they would regard as ideal for their own custom surroundings.

If you want to get glass blocks installed, the first place to look is the home improvement stores. Stores such as Home Depot sell and install almost all the above types of glass blocks that we have mentioned. Most people are not experts at this and that is why Home Depot maintains qualified personnel who for an extra fee, can help you choose just the ideal glass blocks for your immediate liking and also assist you with installation.

Glass blocks have several major advantages. One of them is resilience. Glass blocks are very strong because they are designed out of industrial glass that has been treated to temper it and make it able to withstand great pressure. This makes it an ideal for construction and in some quarters it is actually known as glass brick.

Glass blocks are also beautiful. In some European cities, they are used to construct entire buildings giving the building a very exotic and at the same time futuristic look especially when light bulbs are fitted inside. Glass blocks allow light without compromising on security and that is why they have become a favorite when it comes to office construction.

When it comes to energy saving and conservation, glass blocks have also become a favorite in many quarters. This is because in a glass block environment, there is little need for artificial lighting especially during the day because natural light is allowed into the room. That means that with time, the office begins to realize energy savings in form of lower energy costs. It is hard to realize these savings when all the light bulbs are on 24-7 as is the case with natural brick office buildings.

The best way to go about installing glass blocks is to contact a handyman. In many cases they will refer you to a home improvement store to choose and buy the glass block designs of your choice first.

Need information about about glass blocks? Theodor Cartman recommends the best glass blocks when buying.

Homemade Energy - Why Build Your Own Solar Panel?

With energy sources rapidly declining and global warming creating havoc across the earth, many people are looking to renewable energy in order to shrink their carbon footprints. Solar power can help undo a lot of the damage we have done but unfortunately, even the most environmentally conscious individual can't act on such matters without a large financial outlay. The installation costs of a solar power system can set you back thousands of dollars. Many people are now resorting to taking matters into their own hands and are checking out the many resources that instruct you how to build your own solar panel.

With some minor research it is feasible to build your own solar panel, however the panels often only supply relatively small amounts of energy. A better solution is to take a look into the ever increasing number of DIY build your own solar panel kits. These kits are assembled for under $200 in materials avaliable at your local hardware store.

Items you need to purchase to build your own solar panel

1. A multi-meter

2. Alligator clips made of copper

3. Wide mouth container

4. Copper Sheets

5. Other more basic DIY materials such as sandpaper

6. A good guide, that clearly shows you how to build your own solar panel.

There are a lot of resources to help you put together your very own solar panel kit, a lot of which may be found online in the form of guidebooks. The large majority of guidebooks available online are well penned, with a lot of sites even offering instructional videos and member forums as well as email support to help guarantee your build your own solar panel kit is a winner. A lot of the bigger power companies, such as GE now manufacture DIY build your own solar panel kits. Easy to follow step-by-step directions will help you get your solar energy kit built very fast and see you quickly recovering your initial investment and harvesting big savings by cutting as much as 80% from your power bills.

Arriving at the decision to build your own solar panel is one of the better investments you can make, both for your future and that of the earth. Begin harvesting your own power at home and make use of this awesome way to save money, educate yourself as well as your children, do your bit to help save the environment and CLICK HERE to learn how to build your own solar panel today!

If your serious about saving money on your energy bill and you want to do your bit for the environment, check out the following link DIY Solar Power Kits reviewed

Jon Elsdon is a Solar Energy Consultant and Environmentalist. Jon is editor of DIY Solar Power

How to Build a Shower Pan - Shower Pan Installation

With the convenience with which people today can hire contractors and handymen to do all their home improvement projects for them, it sounds out of place to be asking tips on how to build a shower pan. But engaging a contractor or handyman can be costly, and whether you can afford them or not, it's best to engage in a project that will not only allow you to save money, but can boost your sense of accomplishment, too.

Nowadays, you can easily access answers on all sorts of how-to questions on the Internet. Everything you need to know is on the web. However, with all the tips that abound on cyberspace, you can get hit with information overload and end up more confused than ever.

And that is why we've made the research for you and did the challenging task of choosing the most reliable tips on how to build a shower pan so you can have just this one brief, uncomplicated guide.

Our choice is the set of steps provided by Randy Davis. Here it is:

1. Rough-in shower drain pipe
2. Prepare floor and walls for concrete and membrane
3. Install base of drain.
4. Lay thin layer of concrete to create slope
5. Put down layer of roofing paper
6. Cut and install membrane and top of drain.
7. Hang concrete board on walls
8. Pour final layer of concrete with chicken wire embedded
9. Build form for threshold
10. Pour concrete for threshold
11. Tile it.

These tips have been published on the Internet for years now so rest assured that you can't go wrong if you follow them.

If you want to learn how to build a shower pan, I highly recommend you check out Randy's video course. Learn how to tile shower pan from his step by step videos.

Is it Easy Being Green in a Recession?

Recently, a question was asked in a forum on a website. "Is it possible for companies to save money and lower their carbon footprint?" The answer is yes for many companies. In fact, going Green may be the only way many companies could survive this recession. In the past, companies have survived recessions by cutting employees, performing business process re-engineering, and other techniques.

Energy efficiency/Green solutions are an area which most companies have not focused on in past recessions. As a result, this route represents a new area of cost savings. Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), employee cuts, and other techniques have been done many times before. Each time these cost measures pull in less cost savings. Process have been re-engineered .Employees have been cut to the point where companies lose revenue and services if they cut anymore. Companies are becoming desperate for new avenues of costs savings. Even profitable public companies have to cut available costs because of the economic forces driving down the stock market.

With new technology and favorable tax codes, new avenues of savings are possible. Areas which have traditionally been considered fixed costs are now no longer fixed. The problem is the box. You remember the box. Traditional thinking is referred to as thinking inside the box. Non-traditional thinking is called thinking outside of the box. The problem is that many companies are stuck thinking inside the box by repeating the same old recession cycle cost saving strategies. They know that cutting employees had saved money in the past so why not cut employees again? Why? There are many reasons: loss of employee morale/loyalty, productivity loss, and the eventual rehiring costs for recruiting and training. What about re-engineering business processes? Most companies have re-engineered processes repeatedly. Any significant cost savings have already been saved.

Ecologically friendly cost savings have rarely been investigated to any great extent by the average company. Paper recycling is done in more companies than energy audits. Most companies go through a similar cycle during economic downturns - cut employees, cut product lines, and re-engineer the business. When the economic cycle returns to the positive, the same companies go through the same cycle. Rehire employees, expand the product lines, and re-engineer the new business processes. The problem is that this cycle reduces not only costs but limits production and revenue.. Cutting employees removes productivity. Rehiring employees incur costs through recruiting and training

How do companies get these savings? There are many ways depending on the type of company. They include using energy as a consideration when doing projects. In many cases, no savings are possible. However, in some projects huge savings are available. Using telecom companies as an example, energy efficient data centers cost about the same as regular data centers. This concept is at least five years old. However, regular data centers are still being built, even when energy represents the majority cost in a data center. Companies are stuck thinking inside the box. They take the easy route. Regular data centers are still being built. As a result, companies are forced to rely more heavily on cost savings are being sought through employee cuts, BPR, etc.

"Is it possible for companies to save money and lower their carbon footprint?" If a company looks at conservation from the standpoint of cost saving, then yes. Companies can increase revenue and reduce its environmental footprint. With this economy and the reduction of available capitol - cost saving measures become more important than usual. Unlike during previous recessions, the technology exists which will save energy and may also qualify for tax credits. Tax credits are available at the federal, state, and municipal levels for green buildings.

How do companies get savings from reducing their carbon footprint? UPS for example identified more cost efficient delivery routes. They identified routes which focus on right turns rather than left turns. This was made possible through the use of traffic simulators. Other companies are making the heating/cooling in their buildings more cost efficient while at the same time reaping benefits from tax breaks.

Are there other benefits from companies seeking savings through reducing their carbon footprints? In the words of James Champy.

'Not a company exists whose management doesn't say, at least for public consumption, that it wants an organization flexible enough to adjust to changing market conditions, lean enough to beat any competitor's price, innovative enough to keep its products and services technologically fresh, and dedicated enough to deliver quality and customer service.'

This is easier for a company to obtain if it does so through green technologies and green tax credits in addition to other techniques.

Andrew Horan is a member of the Paskamansett Project.

Bathroom Contractor Safety - Remodeling Contractors

This article isn't about contractors using the bathrooms safely, it's about contractors working on someone's house, remodeling a bathroom. When working on any part of the home, a contractor and his workers should think and work safely on any project, but working in a bathroom with more than one person can become a contractors safety nightmare.

I was working in a kitchen one time, with 11 workers. I finally couldn't take it anymore and left the job. This did not make the general contractor very happy but it saved me from getting into a fight with one of the other workers. Whenever you're working in a confined area like a kitchen, bathroom, crawlspace or attic, safety is going to be a priority and should not be overlooked, because someone else wants to get the job done two days sooner.

Most accidents happen working in confined areas because of poor time management or someone else is in a hurry. Whenever you start to speed the destruction or assembling of any part in the house, you're increasing the risk of an accident. Most accidents happen from people in a hurry or poor planning.

As a bathroom remodeling contractor, you should plan properly and only use the minimum amount of people necessary to work in confined areas. If you are tiling the bath tub surround, one to two people is more than enough. If you're tearing the bathroom apart, during the demolition process, a maximum of three people should be used. During the demolition process, make sure your workers are thinking safely and clearly. Ripping a large piece of plaster off of the wall, that has wall anchors in it could grab a hold of something like an electrical wire or plumbing pipe. This of course could cause damage to the home, as well as a risk of electrocution.

Use your head when working in the bathroom and you will greatly reduce the possibility of any accidents. Accidents can easily be prevented my working cautiously on anything.

Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

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

If you're really interested in learning more about remodeling, new home construction, home maintenance, home repairs and really want to get the nuts and bolts of home improvement. Visit our web site and select from the best-selling home building books on the Internet

Home Improvement Consumer Laws Can Help You in Many Ways

There are several home improvement consumer laws that have been created to help the consumer who are working with contractors for their home projects. These consumer laws are different in different regions but one must be aware of all of them to take maximum advantage as well as to avoid any kind of troubles. Here are some of the most important home improvement consumer laws that can help you in your daily life.

You Have a Right to Cancel Your Contract

The federal government gives you the rights to cancel any kind of contract you signed within three days. This law has been created to support a consumer who happens to change his mind after signing a contract. So, in case you change your mind after signing a contract, you have three days to cancel the deal without any troubles. You have the right to do so.

Don't Forget the Cancellation Form

When you cancel a contract, make sure you get two cancellation form of the contract from your contractor. One of these forms is for your record while the other one is for the contractor. You have to clearly mention all the details of the contractor, and the reason for canceling the contract. Make sure you ask for it from your contractor after canceling a deal. Majority of people are not aware of such home improvement consumer laws and they do not ask for any kind of documentation when they cancel a deal.

It is Your Right to Ask for a Contractor's License

Many states do not allow any contractors to work without a contractor's license. If you do not know about home improvement consumer laws of your region, you should make sure that your contractor is registered and has a valid license to work in a particular region. Otherwise, you might have to face several problems if your contractor does not have a contractor's license.

Avoid a Bad Contractor

Make sure that the contractor you hired for your project has a good working reputation. Otherwise, if there is any kind of complaints signed against your contractor, you will not be able to proceed with your home improvement project according to home improvement consumer laws.

These laws are different in different regions but you can always research on the internet and get yourself updated to use these home improvement consumer laws for your best.

For detailed articles on home improvements projects and contractors, visit http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/index.php.

Wind Generators For Home Use - How to Build One on Your Own?

Wind generators for home use are fast becoming the choice of homeowners looking to save on energy bills. The savings apart, they are also great for the environment too. With the right supplies and tools, you too can build your own wind generator these days. You can have a machine that will put an end to all your worries about the energy bills.

Contrary to popular perception wind generators for home use are not that difficult to build. Some of the things that you need for building one in your home include bolts, nuts and batteries, things that you can always find in a hardware store near you. With these easily available things, you can now build your own wind generator, with a little bit of effort on your part. Moreover, you need not spend a small fortune to build and install a windmill in your home.

You will need to make sure that you check the appropriate laws that govern installation of windmills in your particular area. You will need a proper permit to install one in your home. You can start off the entire process by first of all finding a proper location in your home. When it comes to the design of wind generators, there are two types that are available, horizontal axis and vertical axis, with the former being the more widely in domestic generators.

DC motors are usually used when building wind generators for home use. The size of the motor will also dictate the size of the blades of the windmill. The simple thumb rule being, the bigger the motor, the bigger would be the size of the blades. While the blades are usually made of PVC, for the body of the machine, stainless steel is preferred.

If you want to find detailed instructions on building wind generators for home use, then visit Earth4Energy. You can easily build your own wind generator by following the instructions given on this online guide.

Stair Lighting Problems - Safety Home Ideas

Walking up and down the stairs in the dark could become a safety issue. If the stairs in the house are not that old, there should be a light switch at the top and a light switch at the bottom of the stairway. This is a three way switch and is designed to allow you to turn the stair lighting on as you walk up the stairs and then turn the stair lighting off, once you've safely reached the top of the stairway. And vice versa as she walked down the stairs.

If you don't have a light switch, there are motion sensor lights that are battery operated and can be installed easily in the stairway. These lights can provide you with peace of mind, while protecting your family from accidents.

Stairway accidents are nothing to joke about, I lived in a two-story house with four other people and was the last one to fall down the stairway. None of us got seriously injured and the stairway was built to meet local building codes and was inspected by a building and safety inspector. The stairs were built correctly and the stair lighting was no problem, but people still fell down the stairway and it always happens in the evening.

During the day time there were two windows that let plenty of light into the stairway and in the evening the stairway became quite dark, rarely was the stair lightning ever turned on. This could have been outright laziness but nevertheless, it was rarely used and eventually became a safety issue.

Lighting your stairway might not end all of your problems but it can and some of your problems. There are plenty of stair lighting systems available on the market today and some of the battery operated stair lighting systems can be installed by most homeowners.

Think safety always and do your best to solve your stair lighting problems as soon as possible to prevent injuries or accidents.

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

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

Solar Energy Technology - How Solar Energy Can Save You Money While Helping to Save the Planet

Solar energy technology is considered as a vehicle, which is geared towards sustainable energy production, which not only aids in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing out electrical utility bills, and in bestowing us with complete freedom to use as much power for our requirements as we want, but also aids in reducing pollution levels by cutting down immensely on the greenhouse gas emissions.

The energy from the sun reaches the earth in the form of electromagnetic radiations. While on their way to the earth's surface, some of these radiations get absorbed as the sunlight passes through the different layers of the atmosphere. However, a significant portion of the energy from the sun (which roughly amounts to 1000 W/m2), finally reaches the earth's surface and it is this balance energy from the sun, that is harnessed and utilized in solar energy technology for the production of solar energy.

Depending on the end use or the final area of application of the solar energy, the solar energy technology employed keeps changing in each case. For instance, photovoltaics, in combination with power inverters may be used for electricity generation; glazed (or unglazed) flat plate collectors, in combination with heat exchangers can be used for heating water; air based collectors in combination with air handling units or air dampers may be used for building ventilation purposes; trombe wall collector technology or transparent insulation may be used for heating buildings; or vacuum tube collectors may be used for the purpose of cooling the building.

Depending upon the type of solar energy technology used, the solar energy may either be directly converted into electricity through photovoltaic systems (wherein the electricity produced can either be stored in batteries for future use or supplied through electrical grids for immediate circulation and use) or to heat form using solar thermal systems.

Apart from the large number of environmental benefits, solar energy technology is also extremely effective in saving energy and is a highly reliable alternative source of power to meet our increasing power demands. However, the quantum of solar power produced depends on several factors such as the clouds and other weather conditions, the altitude, direction of placement of solar panels, the solar energy technology used for harnessing solar energy, hindrances (if any) in the path of light that can obstruct direct sunlight from reaching the solar panels, etc.

Saving money is great but saving the planet is something we should all be doing our part in. By installing solar panels you will save money on electricity bills and help save the planet. To find out more about how solar power energy works and how easy it is to install visit http://www.solarpowerenergysaving.com

Painting For a Quick Face Lift

Painting is probably the quickest and cheapest fixes for your home. Your house is going to look better right away, and if you are selling, you will get back more money than you put into the project.

You are vulnerable to particles and fumes when you are sanding, painting, or working with solvents. Protect your skin by wearing cotton gloves when using sharp or abrasive tools. Wear latex gloves when working with paint. Wear neoprene gloves when handling solvents, strippers, and harsh chemicals. Protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses when working with tools. Wear goggles to protect against dust and aerosol droplets when sanding, spraying, or painting over your head. To protect your lungs sand, paint, and strip outside, or cross ventilate with a least 2 open windows or doors. If there is a danger of breathing dust, aerosol, or solvent fumes, filter the air with a respirator.

Priming is essential and helps ensure a professional looking paint job. primer is fundamental to good looking walls, not a way to sell you one more paint product. It is a specially formulated product designed to:

Increase adhesion.

Help the finish coat develop maximum sheen.

Give the finish coat a uniform appearance.

Increase the finish coat coverage.

prevent blemishes on an old surface form bleeding through the new coat of paint.

Add to metal corrosion resistance.

In preparation for painting:

1. Move furniture away from walls and protect floor and baseboards with 12-inch base board masking and a paper/poly drop cloth

2. Set Popped nails or screws, repair cracks and holes, and fill dents with light weight crack filler.

3. Let the crack filler dry based on instruction.

4. Treat any areas of mildew with 3-to-1 water/bleach solution and protect your hands with rubber gloves.

5. Rinse the entire wall surface with clean, fresh water and let the wall dry overnight.Clean with a TSP solution before you prime and paint.

6. Spot prime all of the repaired areas with a latex stain-blocking primer.

7. Prime the entire wall with the same stain -blocking primer for uniformity.

Glossy paints dry to a hard, nonporous surface; therefore, it is almost impossible for new paint to adhere effectively. Glossy surface lack what painters call "tooth," or roughness, which gives the paint something to stick to. A light sanding or use of a chemical deglosser will do the trick to for a "tooth."

Although priming is vital to lasting finish and a great looking room, there are also sound economic reasons for a good priming job. Primer is not just a watery paint. It is formulated to adhere well to a variety of surfaces and seals them to prevent stains and discoloration from bleeding through the final coat.

Mask the room and determine the order for painting the room. Paint last the areas that are likely to get dripped on. Prime and paint ceiling first, and walls second, and trim last. If you plan to prime the trim with a different tint than you will use on the walls, mask the trim first. Mask the top of the walls if you are painting the ceiling. Mask the ceiling and trim if you are starting with the walls.

If using latex, dip the brush in water to help absorb the primer. If using alkyd, dip the brush in mineral spirits. Brush out the liquid on a piece of cardboard to remove loose bristles. Brush primer on areas of walls and trim that need special attention: patches in drywall and plaster, areas of bare wood exposed by scraping and sanding, and any spots treated with stain blocker.

It if hard for a dry roller to absorb primer or paint. So prime the roller before you put it in the primer or paint. If the prime is latex, spritz the roller with a garden mister and squeeze off the excess water. Use mineral spirits for alkyd primer. Run the roller over the paint grid or roller pan several times to get an even amount of primer on the roller cover.

Prime the ceiling. Start on the short side of the room and "cut in" the edges about 2 inches wide and about 5 feet long along the edge of the ceiling. Then, wearing safety goggles and an old cap , roll paint onto the ceiling, working the roller into the cut-in areas to remove as many brush marks as possible. Roll with diagonal strokes and move from the edge toward the middle of the room. Continue cutting in and rolling until your are finished.

Cut in a section of the wall. Wait until the ceiling dries and mask it off with blue painter's masking tape. Mask off the trim if you haven't already done so. Starting in a corner, prime along about 5 feet of trim, 5 feet of ceiling, and from top to bottom of the corner.

To minimize the wall area that will have a brush-stroke texture, run the roller over the strips you have primed during the cutting stage, getting as close as possible to the masked trim, ceiling, or adjacent wall.

Begin rolling at the top section of the wall along the cut-in strip. Sand the walls if necessary. Roll the ceiling with the finish color. When the primer is dry, mask around the ceiling. After cutting in a section, start rolling, Protect your eyes with safety goggles and wear an old cap. A 5-gallon bucket with a roller grid requires a filling less often and is less likely to tip than a paint tray. Use a relatively dry roller to reduce spattering. Roll diagonally, as you did to prime, to avoid creating visible rows across the ceiling. Extension poles you to reach more areas without leaning dangerously from a ladder. Then after apply the finish putting on the paint. You can apply more than one coat if you feel that is necessary.

Prime and paint the trims, remove the masking for the walls, allow the pain to dry thoroughly, and mask off for the trim. Control dripping by pouring the trim paint into a small bucket and dip the trim paint into a small bucket and dip the trim paint into a small bucket and dip the brush about halfway into the paint. Tap the brush against the sides instead of scraping it around the rim to remove excess paint in the tip of the brush; This will leave paint in the body of the brush.

Continue painting the delicate areas like the windows and edges with caution until you are completed with your paint job. Your paint job will end up looking professional, because it was done using the right steps.

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Building a Basement Bathroom

Perhaps you own an older home that was built with only one bathroom and want to expand your living space. Adding a bathroom to your home can greatly increase its value if you decide to sell it someday, and it'll add to it convenience right away. Anyone with a family or frequent guests knows how frustrating it can be to have to wait in line at the bathroom door. That's why building a basement bathroom is such a good idea. It's not as hard as you might think, and it has an enormous number of benefits.

There are a number of considerations you should take into account when you build, however. That's because drainage works differently in the basement, and most basements also have a few things in common. They're often dark and damp, and may be chilly as well. You'll need to treat your plumbing and the entire bathroom design with special care if you're going to get a bathroom that works well. However, building a basement bathroom is something that you can do on your own, if you have the right skills and knowledge.

One solution to the drainage problem is to use a sewage ejector pump and a sump installed below the concrete floor. This method does require excavation of the floor, but it'll allow you to flush a basement toilet easily, as well as handling the waste water from shower and sink. There are also toilets equipped with grinding mechanisms to deal with waste and flush it out easily. These require no excavation, but are often costly. You may hear some noise after flushing as the motor kicks in, but the functioning is otherwise very difficult to notice.

Of course, if your building has a drain below the level of your basement, no pump at all will be needed. Find where the main drain comes out of the house, and see how deep it is. If it's below the level of the basement floor, you'll have no trouble building a basement bathroom the normal way. One way to tell if your drainage is below the basement floor level is if your basement has floor drains for easy cleaning. A professional plumber can also tell you where your drain lines are located. It's a good idea to sketch out your proposed basement bathroom before you talk to the plumber. He or she can tell you if what you want to do is actually a good idea.

Building a basement bathroom is a great idea for just about any home, and if you know the setup of your house and what you want, it won't even be hard. You just have to know what to expect and be ready to deal with it. If you're thinking about building a bathroom in your basement, take the time to draw up a detailed plan and budget, and the whole process will get much simpler.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Building Basement Bathrooms and the creator of the publication Building Basement Bathroom 101. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today

Build a Small Windmill

Stop buying electricity - you can really stop losing your money and reduce the electricity power by 80% or even 100% if you build a small windmill power system for your home electricity. You can build more than one unit to generate electricity that is more than your needs and you will be surprised when you see your electricity company in your country pays money.

The green energy resources are becoming more important for many reasons. One of most vital issues these days is the depletion of oil, the prices of oil are increasing every hour and are going to be very hard to obtain especially for third world countries.

The second reason is the pollution of using oil as an energy resource. For these reasons and other many reasons the whole world is going to depend on green energy resources like solar and wind energy resources. And for your home, it it a very great idea to use these green resources.

When you build small a windmill for your home electricity you will save your money by 80%, and in the same time you will save your environment and children. Actually, there are many great benefits with using solar and wind energy resources for your home electricity.

The home windmills can generate a good amount of electricity that can easily power all your electronic devices in your home. You can build those windmills by hand with the help of some unique guides available in the internet. Save you money and your environment, start building your very own windmill today.

Learn how to build a windmill in 1 hour, step by step guide: http://www.BuildSolarPanel.info/Windmill

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