Employ Passive Solar Energy and Start Saving Electricity Today
March 31, 2007
1. Orientation, layout and positioning of your house on the land
Orientate your living areas to the south side of the house, which receives most of the sun throughout the day (north if you live in the southern hemisphere).
2. Insulation and draught proofing
Make sure your walls, roof and floors are insulated and fill any gaps where draughts might come through.
3. Ventilation
Position doors and windows opposite each other to allow for a cooling breeze to flow through the house when the air cool down in the evening of a hot summers day.
4. Windows
Windows on the south side of the house should be bigger to allow more sun to penetrate the house during the day and windows on the north side smaller to prevent heat lost at night.
5. Landscaping
Position trees and plants to direct a cooling breeze into your house, whiles shading it during summer. Plant trees that shed their leave in winter.
6. Shading
Make sure external shading structures are wide enough to block out the sun in summer, whiles still allowing the low winter sun to enter.
Home Loan Confusion Continues
March 31, 2007
Unfortunately, most Americans still do not understand how home loans work and how to take advantage of the wide array of programs available. The way I see it, people are still confused about mortgages in general and real estate finance, in particular.
Just last week, a friend of mine told me he was buying a house. He was pre-approved for a loan, he said, and I was very happy for him. You see, he is young, just 25, and he is embarking on the American Dream of home ownership. So, I asked him about the type of mortgage he was getting. He said, “I don’t know. I was just approved, and I haven’t even signed any papers, yet.”
He did have the house picked out, though. Although it is all too typical of a response, I found myself still surprised that my friend didn’t know anything about the loan he was being pre-approved for. As another acquaintance recently pointed out, the right loan program can make hundreds of dollars of difference in your monthly payment. This person will save $6,048 this year using an adjustable rate mortgage over that pesky fixed rate that so many people desire.
Pendant Lighting Layout - How To
March 31, 2007
Pendant lighting has gained a great deal of popularity for use in kitchens over the last few years. A common place to install them is over an island or peninsula. One of the most frequent questions I see is how high do I hang them and how do I space them out? Both questions can be answered in several ways and as with any home design aspect there is no absolute or right answer. There is however some guidelines to use that can help you make the right decision.
One consideration on the height is with the fixture you choose. If a fixture has an open bottom and it is installed to high, it can become very annoying looking up into the light bulb all the time. By the same token, a fixture that is designed so that the top is not made to be viewed, if installed too low, can be very unappealing. There is an average height you can use as a guide, about 68″ - 72″ off the floor to the very bottom of the fixture. This puts the fixture at about eye level for the average person. The reason there is no correct answer is in a house where everyone is 6′ 4″ and taller this height would most likely be too low.
Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages
March 31, 2007
Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU.
Solar Energy Advantages
1. Saves you money
- After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
- The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
- Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost.
- If your system produce more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This is called net metering.
- It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
- Solar energy does not require any fuel.
- It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
- The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
- The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.
Alarm System: Contacts (Window & Door Switches)
March 30, 2007
Alarm Contacts- Contact switches are magnetic switches used to protect doors and windows for the most part. There are three main styles that are used by most alarm companies. They are recessed contacts, surface mount contacts and roller-ball contacts.
Recessed contacts are hidden in the window tracks and door jams so that they can’t be seen when the window or door is closed. The switch is on the fixed or non-movable side of the opening and a magnet is placed on the movable side. When the magnet meets the switch the circuit is complete and the control knows it is closed. Recessed contacts are more complicated to install unless they are placed during the construction phase of your home or business. A good installation technician can install recessed contacts in your home after construction as long as they have an unfinished basement, accessible attic or closet to run the wires in.
Surface mount contacts function the same as recessed ones however they are visible when the doors or windows are closed. They come in three main sizes being large, small and micro. They come in the colors white, gray and brown so they can blend in to the door trim or window- sill they are mounted on.
Ship Ahoy! The Nautical Touch in Your Outdoor Living Space
March 30, 2007
Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a shore bird? Whether you’re land-locked or seaside, you can create a nautical look in your outdoor living space by following a few easy principles. You’ll find that even landlubbers can answer the siren song of the sea.
Although any outside space can be adapted to this motif, wooden decks are particularly suitable. And if you can manage to install a water feature so that the deck overhangs it, you’ll increase the “on-board” feel. Be sure to include the following elements.
Color
For a real yacht-club feel, think navy, as in uniforms. Not only does navy recall the color of the ocean at night, paired with cream accents and brass “buttons”, it looks as classy as a ship’s captain. You can also add red accents for additional color.
Fabric
Make cushions of canvas or canvas-like fabric. For a trim nautical look, edge thick square cushions in contrasting rope piping. Blue and white striped mattress ticking also makes great throw cushions.
Use sailcloth or awning fabric for drapes. Trim them with navy stripes and hang with grommets on brass curtain rods.
Portable Air Conditioners Ensure Economy And Convenience
March 30, 2007
Small is beautiful and convenient and so is the portable air conditioner as it can be shifted from one place to the other very easily. Read on to find out all the other advantages.
With the onset of the damp weather, it becomes difficult to survive without constant central air conditioning but that can prove to be quite expensive. The answer to this problem is a portable air conditioner as it has many advantages. It is easy to shift from one place in the home to another and that makes a portable air conditioner the ideal cooling system solution for your home, office or industrial site.
The portable air conditioners are easy and quick to install, as they do not involve any lifting or tearing up of windowsills. Moreover it can be shifted very easily from one place in the home to the other. For taking care of the hot spots in the central air conditioning, the portable air conditioners are far more convenient than window air conditioners. It is also ideal for window shapes, which present problems for installation. There is nothing like portable air conditioners for use as a spot cooler in the home.
Tips on Ladder Safety
March 30, 2007
PLACEMENT
?Ladders should be placed so each side rail is on level and firm footing so the ladder is rigid, stable and secure.
?Boxes, loose bricks, or other loose packing should not support the side rails.
?No ladder should be placed in front of a door opening towards the ladder.
?The correct angle for a freestanding ladder is 4 to 1. For every 4 lengths up the ladder should stand 1 length away from the house.
?Ladders should rise to a height of at least 3 feet above any landing place for people using the ladder.
?Ladders should be securely fixed at the top and base so they can’t from move either points of rest. If this is not possible, then a person should stand at the base of the ladder and secure it manually.
USE
Imagine Cutting Over $8,000 Off Your Mortgage This Year
March 29, 2007
I once helped a customer cut over $700 off his monthly mortgage payment. That’s right, over $8,000 each year and over $40,000 in just five years. Now, not everyone can save this much, but if you have a loan that is over $200,000, you could come close to this, if you refinance your fixed rate mortgage to a new loan program.
What’s the secret, you might ask? Don’t be afraid to take an Adjustable Rate Mortgage or, perhaps, an interest-first mortgage. The problem, though, is most mortgage brokers or bankers will not encourage you to make this move.
There are many reasons — the most likely one being their desire to make more money off of you. They do this based on the program and the interest rate you accept. You see, mortgage brokers are not unlike realtors, home improvement companies or car salesman — they all work on commission.
Mortgage brokers can also make a commission, paid by your lender, if you take a higher interest rate than you qualify for. So, a mortgage broker may encourage you to take a new fixed-rate, 15-year mortgage at 6.5 percent. This might be an improvement of 1 percent over your current 30-year fixed rate loan. Now, most people will think this is amazing.
Tranquil Setting for the Weary Traveler
March 29, 2007
The DeLaunay House, located 185 N. Pioneer in Ashland is a wonderfully remodeled 1909 Craftsman style house just blocks from downtown Ashland and the Historic Railroad District. The comfortable and attractive suites have imaginative and spiritual names to reflect the joy and spiritual process of the owner-operator Deborah DeLaunay. Peace Pilgrim, Peace Mountain, Zen Cottage and the Harmony Suite are luxuriously appointed yet restful and comfortable. Originally named Breathe Peace Inn, The DeLaunay House is truly a place to “breathe peace in”, a tranquil setting for the weary traveler.
A successful artist, interior designer and proprietor, Deborah DeLaunay, says restoring and decorating the home was an act of love and the fulfillment of a dream. Besides her own stained glass designs that are displayed throughout the house, you will see the hand painted clouds and sky above as you walk up the stairs then, the gorgeous Shakespeare robe wall hanging. In the Zen cottage bath you will notice the claw foot tub adorned in tiger stripes to match the animal prints of the adjoining rooms. Deborah has a way with pulling the interior together with eclectic twists that are interesting and stylish.
