Thursday 31 July 2008

Electricity Rates Continue to Rise - Fight Back & Save Up to 25% Each Month!

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) recently announced that in July 2008, they will ask the Public Service Commission for permission to pass the increasing price of fuel on to its customers. If the commission approves this request, Florida Power & Light customers will see the increase on their August electricity bills. Residential customers could face an increase of 16% and commercial customers could see an increase of 24% on their monthly electric bills. FPL is only one example of how power companies in America are passing on soaring energy costs to us, the consumers.

With already high energy costs, and the very real possibility of higher electric bills just around the corner, consumers everywhere are eager to find ways to save on their monthly electric bills. While many people become more diligent about turning off lights, using cold water to wash clothes, and turning down the air conditioner or heat, technology has come up with a way to optimize the power factor in your home or business, allowing you to increase the effective use of your electricity. This reduces your power consumption, which in turn lowers your electric bill. This process is called power factor optimization.

The term power factor means the way in which energy efficiency is measured, and more precisely, the percentage of electricity that is delivered to your home and used efficiently, compared to what is being wasted through your inductive load. For example, a home with a power factor of 100% means that all of the electricity being delivered is being used in an efficient manner. However, studies show that most homes in America have an average power factor of 78%, and in some cases, the power factor is even lower. This means that if you have a power factor of 78%, the motors in your home from various appliances (ie, your inductive load) are wasting 22% of your electricity.

How does one reduce the amount of power lost through the inductive load? A power factor optimizer, such as the PS 1200, can be installed. This device will increase the effective use of your electricity and lower your usage of electricity. Also known as a power conditioner, the PS 1200 works by reducing the amount of the power drawn from the utility and capturing the lost electricity in the capacitators. This captured electricity is then sent back into the circuit.

Other benefits of the PS 1200 power factor optimizer include:

  • Whole house surge protection
  • Extended Appliance Life
  • Reduced Energy Costs Up To 25
  • Reduced Harmonic Feedback
  • Environmentally Safe
  • Electrical Noise Reduction

The actual savings that the consumer experiences by installing a power saver unit is determined by many variable factors. The size of your home, the amount of your inductive load, and the amount that you are currently paying per kilowatt hour are all important factors. Most people see a savings of 10-25% on their actual monthly electric bills after installing the PS 1200. In reality, this unit can pay for itself within 12 months. With an average lifetime of 20 years, and a factory warranty of 5 years, your monetary return on investing in this piece of equipment is excellent. Business owners can also purchase commercial 3-phase power save industrial models (PS 3200 and PS 3400) and often times can write off the cost of the equipment and installation as a legitimate business expense.

The residential power save unit works on any modern type of modern circuit panel (it does NOT work with screw-in fuses) and will work on any such single phase residential electric application. The two commercial and industrial models are 3-phase and they size motors up to 75 hp and up to 300 hp. All units, whether commercial or residential, should be installed by a licensed electrician.


http://www.saveonelectric.net - Learn How To Save Up To 25% on Your Residential & Commercial Monthly Electric Bills


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._Sunderman

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Loft Extensions - Valuable Roof Space!

Are you planning for a loft extension? If your answer is yes then continue reading this article and even if you have already designed your extension plan, do read this article as it may help you correct some of the most common mistakes or to add some important points to your plan. This article unveils one of the most valuable loft extension guides that will become a free source for you to find out how exactly and properly you can extend your empty roof space to an extra room that you have always dreamed of. In order to prepare for a successful loft extension, you need to consider two important steps:


1 The first step is to find out how long your headroom is and how much capacity it has for a loft extension. Don't forget to take a measuring tape with you when going up in the roof space. An eight feet space is ideal for a loft extension but seven feet is also appropriate. Measure vertically from a joist to the ridge in the center of your loft.


2 The second step is to determine the manner in which your roof has been built. Normally the older houses have more roof space as they were built with steeper and more inclined roof than today's modern ones. Roofs built with steel and timbers are comparatively easier for loft extensions than the trussed roofs. This is because the trussed roofs are W shaped and have a low pitch which makes them difficult for a loft extension.


Today, more people are opting for a loft extension instead of shifting to another place. A loft extension will not only help you build a room you have always dreamed of but will also add extra beauty and elegance to your house. However, this will only happen if your extension plan is well designed and properly managed. In this case, choosing the right builder or a Loft Extension Company is a vital and crucial step. Although quality loft extension companies and builders are very rare to find, yet choosing one is not all that hard.


If you consider a few important points, choosing the right builder will become easier for you. These points include the word of mouth which is also a reliable source of publicity and advertising. You can always ask your neighbor about their builder and if they would like to recommend him or her to you. But do not consult your neighbor only as one view is not enough to make a choice, ask your friends, acquaintances, and colleagues about their recommendation of a loft extension company or a builder. The more you ask, the more you know! This will help you a lot in making the right choice.


Once you have made your choice and your builder has started working, don't calm down as it is your project, not the builder's. You can not depend totally on the builder. Just make sure that you are on top of everything; from budget to the actual loft extension work. Be very keen about the quality; don't let the builder get away with it. Remember! It is you who is going to live in the building, not the builder. Be the project manager yourself!


All Loft Extension Firms Are Not The Same In Essex. Before You Do Anything Talk To Loft Extensions Essex.


All Loft Extension Firms Are Not The Same In Essex. Before You Do Anything Talk To http://www.ottleylofts.co.uk


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_D_Green

Monday 28 July 2008

Get Rid of Cat Urine Odor - Super Easy & No More Smell!

Cats will sometimes pee inside the house - especially if they are young kittens still learning to control their bladders. The resultant mess is not only unpleasant to clean, but also leaves a nasty smell. This is off-putting not only for ourselves but for family and any friends who may be intending to visit.


We all like a clean home. But how can we get rid of cat urine odor? There are a number of expensive, harsh chemical commercial products available that can be purchased from specialist pet shops. But what if I told you there was a much gentler, environmentally friendly way to rid of cat urine odor? And what if I told you the ingredients for this simple recipe is probably already in your kitchen cupboard? Would you be interested? Of course you would!


There are, in fact, a number of ways to get rid of cat urine odor without resorting to commercial products. But this method is perhaps the easiest. To know how to get rid of cat urine odor, you must first understand the nature of cat urine and why it smells so awful in the first place. Don't worry, this is not as bad as it sounds. But this understanding is important if you are to get things right.


Do you know what it is that makes cat urine odor so offensive? The answer is simple and yet obvious. Cat urine contains ammonia and it is this ammonia that gives cat urine its distinctive smell. It is this smell which cats use as their calling card and warning signal to other cats that this is their territory.


Now that we armed with think knowledge lets quickly move onto exactly how to get rid of cat urine odor. Because ammonia is an acid, we need to neutralize it with an alkaline. The most common (and cheap) alkaline we have in our kitchen is - yes you guessed it - white vinegar. Vinegar will get rid of cat urine odor when used properly.


Your first step is to blot as much of the cat urine with blotting paper as possible. Be generous and patient. Hold the paper down in place firmly and wait. Do not pat or rub. We are trying to lift the urine out of the carpet using capillary action here.


Mix white vinegar with water in a 50-50 ratio. Dab onto the urine stain to neatralise as much smell as possible.Sprinkle generously with baking soda (another odor neatraliser) and vacuum. While you are at it, sprinkle the entire room liberally with baking soda and vacuum. Viola! No more cat urine odor! Your house is clean and your friends can visit once again.


Want more recipes for more stubborn cat urine odor? Stale cat urine stains not shifting? Be surprised at how simple the answer is by clicking here. Or if you simply want to avoid future embarrassments for your cat, why not read this guide on how to train your cat - including how to train her to use the human toilet!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Telford

Saturday 26 July 2008

Cabinet Hinges - Tips to Keep Yours in Tip-Top Shape

Cruelly underestimated and for a long time denied their rightful place in the fitted kitchens' hall of fame, cabinet hinges have only recently been recognized in the priority pecking order of the kitchen cabinet compendium. And yet, the humble cabinet hinge is the kingpin that allows millions of kitchens to function properly, day after day, month after month and year after year.


Toiling away unseen, bearing the brunt of a heavy load, the cabinet hinge really would be more conspicuous by its absence. It's a hidden hero. Not only does it allow you to smoothly open the cabinet door, but it also puts up with the said door year after year, without complaining. Such loyal service should be rewarded. Here's how you can show your appreciation:


A Good Lubricant

Your average kitchen cabinet hinges will only go on being smooth operators if you help them out from time to time with a little oil. Just a little goes a long way. A drop now and again on the hinge will prevent that horrific grinding noise as you open the cabinet. This preventive measure will also drive out moisture (moisture and oil really don't get on together) and thus help to prevent rust.


Many people ask "how much oil and how often?" It's a matter of common sense. There's no point in drowning the hinge and its supporting wood in oil, especially as oil may have undesirable effects on supporting wood, into which the cabinet hinges have been fixed. Oil that leaks into the fiber of wood will soften it and reduce its ability to retain screw fittings or to resist stress. Like water, oil soaking into wood may also lead to bloating, warping and paint shedding, all of which can either stress or pollute the cabinet hinge even further.


No Improper Stress

Cabinet hinges are made to open at right angles compared to the doors that they carry and the cabinet elements to which they are attached. Pulling downwards on cabinet door that is fixed above close to the ceiling or upwards on a cabinet door that is fixed below on the floor will bend the hinge. Little by little, deformation and metal fatigue set in. Over time, the repeated and improper stress shortens the useful life of the cabinet hinge. So make sure that you avoid these damaging actions and open doors at right angles so as to protect cabinet hinges.


Don't Let it Get Damp or Wet

The cabinet hinge itself should remain dry to avoid any problems of rust that we mentioned earlier. But just as important, the support into which the hinge is fixed needs to remain dry as well. This is crucial if the support is made of wood. The difference in resistance and tensile strength between wet and dry wood is immense. If you want an indication, think of the difference between wet and dry paper. Dry paper resists tearing, wet paper falls apart in your hands. So keep everything dry to ensure that your cabinet hinge can carry on doing the job it was designed for.


Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make those spots both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a fabulous indoor area by using sturdy cabinet hinges, dependable door hinges, and classic hinges.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre

Friday 25 July 2008

Attaching Wood To Concrete

A very important tip is to use the right tool for each method. When you're dealing with concrete and masonry, you're obviously dealing with extremely hard material. Woodworking hammers are too light and steel drill bits too soft. The concrete is also brittle. Hard sharp chips are likely to fly out as you work on it, so always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.


Nails. Nailing wood directly to concrete is probably the simplest, quickest and cheapest method. Unfortunately, once driven, these nails may jar loose from a few hammer blows to the side of the board. So, they are better for temporary fastening.


You'll usually find two types of special nails at the hardware store, cut nails and hardened concrete nails. Drive nails with a 2- to 4-lb. hammer. Actually, it's very hard to drive nails into cured (hardened) concrete, even with a 4-lb. hammer. They work best in concrete that's only cured for a few days.


Nails can be quite effective in mortar joints, however. Mortar is softer than either the concrete block or brick, and it holds nails fairly well. For best results, drive them right along the joint edge. And here's a professional tip: for improved holding power, run a bead of glue along the backside of your wood before nailing it up.


Predrilled Fasteners. There is a family of fasteners that can be driven into a predrilled hole. These not only fasten wood to concrete, but will fasten just about anything else to concrete as well.


They install easily, simply drill through the wood and into the concrete and drive the fastener.


Drilling the hole is the only difficult part. Use a carbide tip bit. Because these holes are relatively small, your standard 1/4-inch or 3/8 inch power drill can do an adequate job, although each hole may take several minutes to bore. A hammer drill, however, will drill your hole in a matter of seconds. A hammer drill is expensive, but they can be rented. If you have a lot of holes to drill, they'll save a lot of time.


It's a good idea to glue your wood to the concrete or masonry with this system as well, especially when using screws. Once screws are jarred loose, they may not retighten.


Expansion Fasteners. These fasteners are simple, effective and can carry a heavy load. They may be retightened should they be jarred loose.


Because they require a larger hole, you really need a hammer drill to bore the concrete. If you can't buy, borrow or rent one, try boring a 1/8 inch hole first with a carbide bit. Then use progressively larger carbide bits until you reach the proper size.


Buy these fasteners long enough to wedge into the concrete as deep as the wood is thick. Drill your hole an extra 1/4 inch deep, since the bolt draws back slightly when tightened.


Power Fasteners. These are extremely fast, powerful and dangerous. They are primarily professional tools which any untrained homeowner should steer clear of until they fully understanding the safety precautions. With power fasteners you can quickly nail into just about any concrete or masonry surface. Both the air and the power-actuated systems drive hardened nails through the wood and solidly into the concrete in one shot. Flying metal, wood or concrete are certain hazards, so eye protection is essential.


Glue. Over the past ten years construction adhesives have improved and become more specialized. You can securely glue just about anything to a wall now. Since glued wood must be held tightly in place until the glue sets, it's handy to use an adhesive with another fastening system for mutual reinforcement; the glue dampens the vibration and jarring that may weaken the fasteners, and the fasteners hold the wood tightly until the glue sets.


Proper preparation ensures a good glue bond. Be sure the wood and the concrete surfaces are clean and dry. Loose paint, surface chalking or moisture will cause the bond to release. When working with a very rough surface, apply a generous bead to bridge the wider gaps between the wood and concrete.


Thursday 24 July 2008

Kid's Jungle Bedding

If you are searching for Kid's Jungle Bedding, then you are sure to find several options available to help create the jungle theme in your little boy or girl's bedroom.


There are so many ways to furnish and decorate a child's bedroom to reflect their interests and hobbies and therefore providing them with bedding that depicts the lifestyle of the jungle is a great idea. It also encourages them to respect and be responsible for their own environment as well as inspiring them to continue learning plenty more about the types of animals and their habitat.


Perhaps you are wondering where to start with creating a jungle theme environment for your child? If that is the case, then acquiring kids jungle bedding is a great place to develop their interests of the wilderness.


There are so many exciting products available such as those that are available in High Street stores as well as in various places online, such as Amazon and other recommended places.


Kid's Jungle Bedding products come in a variety of colors such as green, brown, blue, yellow, red and other exciting colors. It's possible to get bedding that will accommodate any size bed and the prices will obviously reflect the quality of the products, as you would expect them to do so.


Whenever you are considering purchasing a product, it is recommended that you do a thorough research of all the types of items available so that you can decide on the right choice of kids jungle bedding for your children.


If you are interested in getting more information about Kid's Jungle Bedding, then please visit Children's Bedding Products including http://www.characters-and-products.com to get information about character bedding.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Scott

Wednesday 23 July 2008

Alternative Heating Fuels Cost Comparison - Summer '08

I've just finished updating the Fuel Comparison Chart at my alternative heating site, and once again the least expensive fuel to heat with is corn. Although corn reached a high of $7.60 a bushel at the end of June, it has since retreated to $6.31/bushel. This works out to $14.06 per 1 Mil Btu of heat. (The cost to produce 1 Million Btu of heat provides an "apples to apples" method for comparing fuel prices).


Compared to heating oil at $4.71/gal, or $33.41 per 1 Mil Btu, corn is almost 60% cheaper. This is good news if you heat your home with corn AND live in the Corn Belt. For the rest of us who live in the northeast or northwest, wood and wood pellets are still the best option.


A cord of seasoned hardwood for the '08 - '09 heating season now costs around $295, or $17.90 per 1 Mil Btu. This is roughly half the cost of fuel oil for an equal amount of heat. If you want to save even more by seasoning your own hardwood, green wood usually sells for $50 less per cord than seasoned.


The price for a ton of wood pellets has also risen about 8% for the upcoming heating season. Last year's $249/ton price is now $269, or $16.81 per Mil Btu. Despite the increase, the cost of heating with wood pellets remains 50% below the cost of oil.


So far this week, the price of crude has dropped by $15 a barrel and could possibly drop further. This doesn't necessarily indicate a future drop in the cost of wood or wood pellets. Although the price of oil directly affects the overall cost of wood and wood pellets, the dealers in these alternative fuels generally quote a price for the season to accommodate advance orders.


Improve your home with timely energy saving information from Alternative-Heating-Info.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Streubel

Tuesday 22 July 2008

Guidelines For Courtyard Home Plans

The courtyard house plan is a stylish choice that offers comforts such as air, light, seclusion, safety, and harmony into your dream home. In densely populated areas, a courtyard house plan can provide privacy, essential in the frantic pace of everyday life, and a safer place for children to play and enjoy. Whether it contains your garden, kitchen, playground, or office, the modern courtyard has few limits. This suitable alternative allows you to have different types of courtyard house plans and often fits well on the current smaller lots.


Primary importance in courtyard homes is to orient them to ordinal directions. Work out basic formulae Aya vyaya, Yoni, Nakshatra, Vara and Tithi based on the Hasta, measurement of the master or his/her spouse. The ayadi formulae identify the right dimensions to the building that can contribute to the health, harmony and happiness of the residents of the house. The Nakshatra calculations should work out compatibility with the master.


A courtyard home is known as a Chatussala and has rooms on all the four sides of the courtyard. The measurements can initially be on the requirements of the master or his/her spouse. This is generally known as Ishtadirgha. Those measurements can be fime-tuned using the formulae to work out the compatible dimensions of the building. The locations of various rooms, kitchen, living areas etc, should be based on the 9X9 module plan called Paramasayika Mandala. The courtyard of 3X3 (9) modules is in the center. This zone refers to the Paisacha Vidhi the negative zone in which construction is not recommended.


Monday 21 July 2008

How to Make an Outdoor Fire Pit

A fire pit can add dimension and value to your home. Fire pits are very nice in the winter as well as the summer.


There are kits available that allow you to simply put one together and away you go. However, I find that learning how to make an outdoor fire pit is the most cost effective way to go.


The first thing you want to do is consider what you want the fire pit to look like. Think about color, height, width, location and material needed.


You want to be away from any structures or things that could catch fire for obvious reasons, so location is the first thing to decide on. For material, most rock or do-it-yourself cement should suffice.


As these things go, always check with your local authorities for ordinances and regulations regarding fire pits in your area concerning where they can be placed and how big they can be. You want to be within the law with this. If you need building permits or neighbor's permission, get it so you are in line and legal so you don't run into problems later on.


With that out of the way, you can map out your location and begin. Here is an idea for a basic, in-ground fire pit that is approximately 24" inside diameter and 10" deep.


What You Need

You will need 2 or 3 bags of quick drying cement like Sakrete or the like, enough firebrick or stone to line it with, some quick mortar, a trowel, a 2x4 piece of lumber, a small piece of dowel wood, a can of spray paint (any color will do), some regular gravel and some string.


1) First, find the center of your fire pit's location and mark it with the dowel wood. Now attach a 12" piece of string to the dowel with a can of spray paint at the end. Using the string as a guide, paint a 24" circle. Then do the same thing with a piece of string 24" long.

2) Dig out between the paint lines 10" deep and you have a trench that is 48" in diameter at the largest point with a trench that measures 12" wide by 10" deep all around. This is your base.

3) Now add the gravel to the trench and tamp it down so it's firm. Then mix your cement and fill the trench to the top all the way around. Level this off with the 2x4 and smooth out with the trowel. Allow to set for at least two days, possibly up to a week so it has cured properly.

4) You will dig out the inside of the pit to so it is 2 to 3" higher than the sides, which will 7 or 8" and lay some more gravel in the bottom.

5) Then mix up your mortar and lay the firebrick so the bottom is completely covered. You may want to lay a second layer of brick. That's up to you entirely.

6) Allow the mortar to dry for a couple of days and you have an in-ground fire pit ready to go.


This is only one style among many, so look around and see what you want and go for it!


Visit, subscribe to and bookmark: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com and sign up for our free newsletter at: Clean Up Stuff for your home improvement projects & tips.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Ames

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Fix Leaking Shower Faucet - Hints & Tips

If you think only tennis and football can be fixed, you better think again. Guess what, it's just as easy to fix leaking shower faucet. So if scouting for solutions to put a definite end to the interminable battle with those ominous leaks and drips has become more of a tiresome joke, here are tips at their formula best that ensure the blueprint for success. They are ideal for those languishing in an ephemeral world of bright ideas.


A Vexed Subject, No More

Here are tips that neither require a nuanced understanding of plumbing techniques, nor the need of high-end tools. Just a pipe wrench and assortment of 'O' rings, and you're sure to experience an epiphanic episode. Let's start with:


Cutting off the water supply completely, either in the bathroom or in the main cut-off valve in the basement.


Let the water in the leaky faucet drain completely.


It's now time to take off the faucet handle screw. This is achieved by turning the screw clockwise, with a modicum of help from a screwdriver or knife.


Remove the faucet handle, making use of a handle hammer in case it's stuck at the head with the stem of the faucet.


You've finally managed to reach the root of the problem- the rubber gasket. The moment this part leaves dregs on your hands, you know its innings has come to an end.


Replace the worn out part, but make sure the new ring is placed correctly inside the shower head. A slight deviation from the norm could undo all your efforts.


Lime deposits around the handle should not be allowed to settle comfortably either.


Replace all the parts that have been removed.


I know you are delirious with anticipation and dying to know if your efforts have actually paid off. Just turn on the water and the self-evident truth is there for all to see.


Monday 14 July 2008

Thin Stone - The Many Benefits of This Versatile Stone

Many individuals are starting to select thin stone for their home improvement projects. This is considered to be an alternative to thick, bulky stones that are often made available for consumers. This type of stone is often used when there are considerations to be made when it comes to space and weight limits during construction. It can be used as a stand alone product for new construction projects, or it can be used to remodel or maintain already constructed projects. Here, you will learn a little about thin stone and how it can benefit the next construction project that you start.


Thin Stone Uses

There are many different uses for thin stone. This type of stone is so versatile that it can be used for everything from creating small garden and pond terraces to placing it on the exterior of the home! The following includes some common projects that may implement this use of this type of decorative rock:


• Creating decorative walls in and around the home


• Privacy gates for the lawn, patio, or pool area


• Lining sidewalks


• Sidewalks


• Adding decoration to doors leading into the home, or within the home


• Lining strong ceilings


In addition to the above uses, there are many other ways to use thin stone in and around the home!


Benefits of Thin Stone

There are a number of benefits associated with thin stone. They are as follows:


• Thin stone is extremely lightweight


• It will not fade or discolor over time


• It is extremely durable


• It requires no additional footings


• If chips occur, the inner core matches perfectly and it is not that noticeable


• It is great to use when you need something for small spaces, or require a lightweight product


• It is relatively inexpensive


• It installs quickly and easily


• Comes in a variety of textures, sizes, shapes, and colors


• It is considered to be the "economic" stone


• It can be used in many areas both inside and outside of the home


As you can see, if you select thin stone for your next project, you simply can't go wrong!


If you are interested in pursing a project that will require the use of thin stone, there are many different places that you can find this type of product. However, you must be very selective in where you attempt to purchase this type of stone. There are many places that will sell "fake" type of thin stone. However, there are places like Halquist Stone where you can purchase high quality products at a fair price.


Looking for a Thin Stone supplier? View the many different styles of Natural Thin Stone Veneer that Halquist Stone has to offer. For more information, call (262) 246-9000 or visit http://www.halquiststone.com to request a free brochure.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Buyer

Sunday 13 July 2008

Decorate Your Windows With Roller Shades and Blinds

All of us love our home as much we love ourselves. We dress ourselves in every possible way to look pretty and we remain thirsty to get complements. In the same way we also like to decorate our houses so that everyone praises our creativity. A beautiful house comprises of well dressed windows, covered flooring and patterns on the walls. Among these, windows play the most important rule as one can see them from inside as well as outside of your house.


Windows are needed to be properly placed and configured to have a healthy and fresh atmosphere in the house; hence you would like them in a really cool design. Nowadays, people are doing every possible method to make them decorative and beautiful. Earlier there was only one option to do so was window curtains, but now we are quite fortunate to have window shades and blinds with us. Hence the various traditional window curtains are replaced with shades, because they fit to your windows easily and can be handled, cleaned with an ease.


Roller shades are what I found very handy. Roller shades are coming in the market with a wide range of patterns and designs, giving you freedom to choose the right one, discount Roller blinds are also very popular among the customers. Some shades come with 100% opacity which will serve fruitful for your bedroom, another group allows normal light to penetrate in your living room, and some others allow full sunlight to enter without the dazzling heat of the sun. So you've got each category serving your unique purpose.


Roller shades can be used in your house at the same time in offices and factories to save you from the scorching heat of the sun. Roller shades has a unique property of reflecting sun rays thus it protect your interior from the blazing sunlight. This also helps the plants in the room to grow in you have any. Roller shades are made of pure polyester which imparts the property of one way looking, i.e. one cannot peep inside your room from outside but you can easily enjoy the outer world from the comfort of your bedroom, this gives a lot of privacy isn't it?


Now, if you are thinking that will your windows or other furniture and color of your walls will match or not, then don't worry you have a wide range of colors and designs available with roller blinds. They are very easy to install, you can even have custom sized Roller window shades to fit the size of your windows. So, what's your take on this, I think there are numerous reasons to give Roller Shades a try!


I am Sourav Sarkar, presently doing my graduation in IT (Btech). Internet Marketing is my hobby and I'm in this field from the last 2 years. Interior designing is one of my interests and you too must like to give your house a cool new look which will catch everyone's eyes. So what are you waiting for visit http://www.cheapshades.info/ and Pleated Blinds to discover how to decorate your windows using discount shades and blinds.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sourav_Sarkar

Friday 11 July 2008

Basic Guidelines to Proper Lawnmower Care

Repair your own lawnmower only if you have the skills required. Remember to use only the replacement pieces in good conditions. Learn how to keep your lawnmower in proper conditions and benefit of its good performance.


Lawnmower Basic maintenance can be performed along the year in various stages. A good cleaning to the engine and all the lawnmower pieces before storing the machine for the winter days is a proper measure, even during the period when the lawnmower is out of use, you can do a little check out to know if dust, dirt or rust is damaging your machine. Spring starts and your labors concerning lawn care is coming near. Don't neglect a good clean up again and check the good condition of the engine


Use fresh gas. Fresh gas preserve engine quality and life. You need you use a clean funnel to draw gasoline from the gas can. Gas can which is made of plastic prevents rust on your engine, so their use is recommended.


Avoid any contact with flames, or material that can cause fire. Don't expose your gas can, or any inflammable material to flames or even sparkles. As a general rule, when you are working with your lawnmower, or your lawnmower engine, any source of fire must absolutely avoid around the place.


Checking the engine oil is another crucial point. Drain out the old oil and replace, remember that old oil is very harmful to the engine, renew as frequently as required and always check the lubrication. It is necessary to check your manual for specifications on the topic.


Replacing the spark plug, it must be replaced after one hundred hours and check specification on you owner's manual again.


Keep clean air filter, a dirty filter lead to a bad performance of the engine and eventually, a damage. Recommended time for cleaning air filter is every 25 hours. Remove the air filter cartridge, then gently tap it over a table or flat surface.


Blades. Never underrate blades care, they are a very important part of your lawnmower and play a vital roll in your lawn care routine. and keep the blades on your lawnmower sharp . Renew blades frequently or sharpen them with a file or a grinder wheel. If you wish to sharpen them, never sharpen or clean blades on the mower. Accidents can happen, avoid unnecessary dangers.


Store your lawnmower in a dry place,away of smoke, grease or moisture. Blow off with air guns any dust or dirt on the mower, you can clean your mow after every mowing. Dry and spray silicone solution to preserve it,if you have doubts before using any product for cleaning the lawnmower, please read products label or even make a consult to customer services.


Repairing Lawnmower

Don't try to repair if you don't have experience, tools and skills, even if you can do is always prefer to let your mower be repaired by professional: if you lawnmower isn't working properly, search the suitable services from professionals. You lawnmower, small or large; easy to handle, or highly sophisticated, worth a good treatment from you. It is your one of the most valuable tools to achieve your precious goal:create an unique landscape design and have a healthy and beautiful lawn.


Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles with reference to lawnmower care for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com - Read additional info on type of grass or landscape design


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Thursday 3 July 2008

Crystal Chandelier Gives Elegance and Style to Your Home

Having a crystal chandelier will give elegance look on one's house. But sometimes they can be not too god in a home if this crystal chandelier are not properly maintained.


And the illumination that this chandelier has will not be visible if it has a lot of dirt on it. This will not do its purpose instead it will do the opposite thing of what you expect in having a filthy chandelier.


For some reasons, crystal chandeliers are hard to clean and it requires a lot of effort to do the cleaning job. We all know that chandelier are hanging way up in the ceiling, this is the most reason why chandeliers accumulates a lot of dirt. If you will notice that most of the mansions have chandeliers that are installed in a super high ceiling even superman can't reach.


Other reason why chandelier is too hard to maintain is because of the fragility of the crystals. If you can only wipe it in a regular basis you should not have any problem. You should learn how to clean this because you might destroy the beauty of the crystal if you don't know how to clean crystal.


But before cleaning your chandelier you should have an alternate light source before setting up. And for your safety make sure that you turned off the chandelier to prevent accident in electrical shock. Clear everything under the chandelier for some safety reasons and prepare all material needed before you go up to the ceiling, so that you don't need to go up and down getting some cleaning tools.


In cleaning the crystal chandelier you need to cover the light bulbs using a bag before proceeding on cleaning. Position a drop cloth or a newspaper underneath the chandelier to avoid messing up on your floor. Make sure that it will not put some stain on your carpet if any; good suggestion is put to covers of cloth or newspaper beneath the chandelier.


In cleaning the crystal, you can use spray or you may prefer glass cleaner. You don't need to have a lot of effort to scrub the crystal pieces by pieces or disassemble its parts. You just need to spray the glass cleaner and wait for it to dry.


If you want to thoroughly clean the crystal, you need to remove the light bulbs. Lay down a folded cloth cover over the bottom of a dishpan filled with lukewarm water. Place it on an adequate amount of cleaning powder and swish up to form bubbles. Next is, fill up a pan with hot water for rinsing, make sure that you have a cloth at the bottom of the dishpan to avoid breakage of the crystal. Add pure drops of ammonia for additional twinkle on the crystal.


Remove the crystal drop and soak it to the bubble water that you prepared earlier. Rinse it and dry them up. Place the crystal back to the chandelier and clean the remaining part of the chandelier with bubble water. Use a cloth to wipe each part of the chandelier to dry it up.