Green Home Ideas

Turning Your Home Into a Green Home

2012-01-24T18:59:00.000-05:00

Many people imagine a 'green home' to be some science fiction concept—an aerodynamic, chrome house fueled by wind and sun, levitating in the air. The reality of running a green household is much simpler and more practical. Before you even think about upgrading to solar panels, take a practice run consolidating your current energy expenses. The average home uses far more energy than the occupants need and it's precisely this level of excess that, added up all over the country, that leads to trouble. Start by taking baby steps. Here's how to get the ball rolling:

Know how much energy you use

All too often people recoil from the idea of energy efficiency because they think it will be too time-consuming and difficult for them. But with newer home automation services like Vivint, keeping tabs on your thermostat and energy appliances doesn't have to be a mysterious guessing game. It's possible to know exactly how much energy your home is producing during the course of a day. Simply taking this action toward quantifying your consumption is the first step toward making your home 'green'.

Replace your light bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs lead to a trillion additional pounds of CO2 emissions in the United States alone. Switching to compact fluorescent bulbs will reduce your emissions and save you money. CFL bulbs emit the same amount of light as incandescents, but use anywhere from a third to a fifth of the energy. Because they contain mercury, you'll want to look into responsible ways of disposing them.

Take control of your thermostats

Another way to save money AND reduce your energy consumption is to program your thermostats so that when you're not home or you're sleeping the temperature will be adjusted appropriately. During warmer seasons, your thermostat should be at some where around 78 degrees F, whereas in the colder winter seasons it should be closer to 62. As stated above, there are a number of services now which allow you to control your thermostat remotely.

These are just the first steps towards a future of green homes. In time, you'll want to take other actions, liking plugging air leaks, tuning up your HVAC and water heater, and using low-VOC products. But Rome wasn't built in a day, and nor will your energy-efficient new 'green home'. Simply being aware of the problem is a big first step. Now you've got to move forward and take practical steps toward running a more sustainable home.

Six Simple Steps To Getting a White Roof

2011-12-13T16:34:00.000-05:00

Securing yourself an energy efficient roof is one of the best ways to lower energy costs over the course of a year. The difference between the temperature of upper floors under a black tar roof and those underneath a roof painted white can be a matter of several degrees. When it comes to how hard your central air or window unit air conditioners have to work in order to bring your upper floor to a comfortable temperature, it's easy to see how helpful a white painted roof can be. By now you must be preparing for the “it's not easy, but it's worth it” part, but the honest truth is that painting your flat top roof white is a surprisingly easy process that can be explained in six steps:

STEP ONE

Go to a home improvement store armed with the knowledge of what kind of underlying roofing material you have – whether it's concrete, asphalt, clay, etcetera. Approach someone in the paint department to find out which kind of paint you need and how much you'll need for the size roof you have. Same goes for the primer. Make sure to invest in a sturdy paint roller. Also buy roofing caulk, sanding materials, and a long length of strong rope if you don't have these items.

STEP TWO

Get up on your roof and clear it of debris with a broom. Sweep clean every nook and cranny. If it's possible, run a hose up there and power wash the entire surface and wait for it to dry afterward.

STEP THREE

Inspect every section for cracks and blisters that break through the outer tar coating. Caulk these spots up as much as possible.

STEP FOUR

While the caulk dries, bring up your bucket or buckets of paint with your length of rope. Make sure you have everything you need up there with you – including a bottle of water to keep you hydrated.

STEP FIVE

Once the caulk is dried, smooth your roof out as much as possible with a sander, including the build-up of dried globs of caulk. Afterward do a final sweep to clear your roof of the dust churned up from the sanding.

STEP SIX

Apply paint and primer in several coats over the span of a day. Always start at the opposite end of where your ladder is, and set aside a small space to keep your supplies until the end, wherein once the rest is complete you can clear and touch up while positioned on your ladder.

Once the final coat dries, you'll have yourself a brand new white roof that will act as a reflector of the sun's heat instead of an absorber. It won't take but a day for you to see measurable results on your thermostat, and but a month before you see the savings on your electric bill.

Some final things to remember: Hold off painting an old roof white until you're sure it's on its last leg, as re-tarring a painted roof is nearly impossible. In addition, check the weather before beginning your project.

And to think – you could have painted your roof white years ago! Regardless, it's better late than never to utilize the energy efficiency of having a white painted roof.

Solar Powered Water Heating

2011-12-01T22:34:00.000-05:00

Want to get out of hot water with your energy bill?

Using hot water accounts for a significant chunk of most people’s utilities. Taking lukewarm showers might solve part of the problem, but so can a bathroom remodeling project, which will result in long-term savings.

A solar-powered water heater is one solution that is getting more affordable to install, now that solar power is a focus of earth-conscious contractors. Another, very new remodeling idea for the shower stall is to install a waste-heat recovery system. The system uses the water that goes down the drain to preheat the shower water itself.

Welcome the Technology of the Future

Going green means being friendly to the earth, and our wallets.
It also means rethinking how we flush a toilet.
Since 1994, federal standards have dictated that toilets, faucets, and showerheads be sold in “low-flow” varieties, to save water. If your home was built before 1994 and you haven’t updated the bathroom appliances, remodeling just those features of your bathroom could result in an enormous savings in your water bill.

Did you know that High-efficiency toilets, for example, can save literally thousands of gallons of water, per year?

But don’t think you’re being frugal by refusing to replace the faucet that drips. If you’ve learned to live with the drip, have you learned to live with its price?
A leaky faucet and a leaky toilet flapper valve can waste, jointly, over 300 gallons of water a day.

Interested in remodeling your bathroom or know someone who is? Bath Remodeling Maryland.

Storm Doors and Energy Conservation

2011-10-27T16:43:00.001-04:00

Storm doors can help you have a more stable "climate" inside your house, no matter how exterior conditions may change. Of course, this happens up to a point. Granted investing in a storm door will not get rid of all your electricity bills, and heating bills, but you will certainly improve energy efficiency of your home. Storm doors are just far more energy efficient than normal exterior doors, that’s all.

What Is Energy Conservation and How It Relates To Storm Doors

Energy is something that we use a lot. Some people already say we are using way too much of it, thus contributing to the green house effect and the global warming our planet is experiencing over the past decades. Energy conservation is a behavior which results in using less energy such as turning off the lights when we leave a room, or unplugging all devices when they are not in use.

Energy is something that we consume for heating our homes in winter and for keeping them cold in summer. Here, storm doors play an important role, as they help better insulating the house, therefore the exchange of heat between the interior and the exterior is reduced to a minimum. In this way, we won’t need so much energy consumption in order to be able to maintain a stable temperature inside the house.
Taking into consideration that about one third of the heat losses in an average household happens through windows and doors, you can easily see how important is to make them shut tightly and to seal them as well as we can. Additionally, we can install insulated drapes, blinds or shutters at the windows, and we can install storm doors over the existent ones.

Storm Doors Contribute to Better Home Insulation

Storm doors are built in such a way that they are very well insulated. This is normal, if we think that they need to resists extremely bad weather conditions. This is their purpose in the first place. Depending on your budget, you can have them resists even to those hurricanes we fear so much. This does not mean that you have to stay inside, if the government decides to evacuate your city, but at least you have better chances to find your house intact when you come back. Taking into consideration all these facts, and thinking of how much money you can save by cutting down on your energy costs, you can see that storm doors can be an option for every owner.

Wireless Home Security Systems

2011-10-26T20:17:00.000-04:00

If you are concerned about safety and security of your home, because there is no home security system installed in your home, consider installing a wireless home security system that will not break a bank, and is fairly easy to install for a handy homeowner.

A modern wireless home security surveillance system offers many advantages over a wired home security system:

- Faster and simpler installation
- No cable or wiring to install
- lithium battery can be used as a power source
- remote arm and disarm option
- Camera coverage for large areas inside and outside
- easy upgrades and modification

There are many options and components available for setting up and configuring your wireless home security system. You can use one, or several cameras, and microphones to cover the most vulnerable areas on your property. You can also opt to install special security surveillance cameras that can work well in low light, or even infrared cameras to monitor dark areas outside your home.

Did you know that most wireless home security surveillance systems can accommodate up to 16 cameras? This can certainly provide a good video coverage of your home

A modern wireless Home Security Monitor standard kit sells for about $100 online, and comes with many useful options. These include a range of multizone options, loud sirens with different tones for different types of emergency situations.

There are also many accessories available on the market including rechargeable battery backup, smoke detectors, outdoor sirens, voice markers, glass break detectors, and subscriptions to the law. Keep in mind that you may not be available at all times to monitor your home's security system. Consider subscribing to a home security monitoring service on your behalf.

In deciding how to configure your wireless home security system's source control, there are several things you should consider; Getting an adequate number of security surveillance cameras to cover critical areas of your home that you would like to monitor. You will also need to provide a sufficient level of lighting.

Write down all of the things you will need to cover, and then head out to see a specialist in wireless control of internal security at your local store, and ask for recommendations. Look at the different brands and models. For helpful tips on selecting the Best home security system for your home visit www.TheBestHomeSecuritySystem.com.

Installation Precautions: Make sure that your new wireless home security system control will not interfere with or be interrupted by other wireless devices in the home. Wireless Internet and wireless phones can reduce system operations efficiently and effectively. Make sure your Wireless Home Security Monitoring System operates on a different frequency that will not cause interference with the existing wireless equipment at your home.

Basic Home Improvement Tools

2011-10-21T15:43:00.000-04:00

Having the right home improvement tools is essential in a successful home improvement project, unless you are planning to hire a professional to do the project. Take note that if you choose to hire a contractor, the cost of the project will go up. However, if you choose to do it yourself, you will be able to save a lot of money. You just need to make sure that you have the experience and skills needed to do the job right.

Cutting Tools

Cutting tools are among the most basic home improvement tools that you should get. Some tools are only meant for a specific type of material. A ripsaw is for cutting wood while a hacksaw is for cutting hard materials, such as metal and plastic. If you are planning to redesign your bathroom, then you might need a tile-cutter tool. A cutting tool that you should definitely have is a utility knife, which can cut a good number of different materials. Among the things it can cut are metal, wood, plastic, and paper. It is also easy to handle.

Moving Tools

Examples of moving tools are a hammer, wrench, screwdriver, and pliers. A claw hammer does not only hammer nails, but it also removes them. Other types of hammers include wooden mallets, rubber mallets, sledgehammers, and framing hammers. A wrench turns bolts and nuts. Screwdrivers tighten and loosen screws. Pliers are used to bend, physically compress, or hold objects firmly. For moving bigger objects to another place, you might need a furniture dolly or a stair-roller that moves heavy items up and down stairs.

Measuring Tools

Measuring tools are very important home improvement tools. You need to have these tools in order to acquire accurate measurements. Doors, windows, and cabinets are some of the things that you need accurate measurements of. A tape measure is the most common measuring tool, and it comes in a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, and cloth. Common measuring tools are rulers, squares, and calipers.

Fastening Tools

These tools are what join or stick objects together. They range from glue guns, rivet guns, and staple guns to adhesive tapes. They are especially important when repairing small damages, putting parts together, and creating decorations.

Shaping Tools

You might need to get shaping tools to complete the finishing touches on certain objects or pieces of furniture. The tools you could use for these types of projects are moulds, trowels, chisels, and jigs.

Power Tools

Power tools work with the help of electric or air motors and combustion engines. They are mostly needed in large-scale home improvement projects. Some of the power tools that you might need are a drum sander, riding lawn mower, lathe, and drills.

Since there are a huge variety of home improvement tools in the market, and with many different types and brands to choose from, it might be difficult to find the exact ones that you need. To make things easier, compose a precise plan of the home improvement project that you want to work on. Make a list of things that need to be done so you will know what tools you need to buy.

Gardening pH levels for Landscapers and Gardeners

2011-10-17T17:42:00.000-04:00

We have all had that science teacher who made us learn the periodic table (and a bunch of other things we never thought would be something we would actually apply in our lives). Well, the time has come for you to finally be able to use all those numbers and elements you memorized way back when. If you are like most and forgot it all as soon as you were done with that class, you are in luck! The purpose of this article is to review a simple science lesson that you can learn and use right away, and will payoff in a pretty short amount of time.

The pH level of your garden can really help or hurt your efforts. My goal is to start you out with the basics and set you out to further improve your green thumb, as well as to give you some good ideas to inspire your garden in addition to the landscaping ideas of your own.

What is pH?

Simply put, pH is how acidity and alkalinity are measured. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Zero is very acidic such as battery acid, while fourteen is the highest alkalinity such as liquid drain cleaner. We don't really need to get to into specifics as long as you know that soil being either too high or too low can seriously effect a plant’s life, color, and output.
So what do I do with it?

Well, that depends. First, start with finding the pH of the soil where you wish to plant. Remember, different parts of your yard can have pretty different pH levels, especially if one section has gotten more care while the other sat untouched. You should definitely start by finding the pH level beforehand (this rule applies just as much for potted plants). You can go to a local gardening shop or a department store and get an adequate testing system. Keep in mind - most plants grow best around neutral (6.5 to 7.0) pH level, but be sure to consult the seed package or plant guide for best results.

What do I do if the pH is too high?

If your soil pH is too high then it’s a threat to the plants you wish to grow. I recommend adding organic matter or compost. If you get manure, horse is the most ideal. Above all aim for manure without any pesticides used, as this could further harm your garden. No matter what organic matter you find be sure to rake or spread it into the soil instead of simply throwing it on top and you’ll be ahead of the game already.

What do I do if the pH level is to low?

Lime is the standard to raise pH, usually in the form of limestone. Finely ground limestone typically allows for best soil absorption. Be very careful though, the lighter your soil's composure is, the faster the pH will raise. If you mistakenly add too much lime, it could take considerable time and effort to correct. So professional consulting/assistance might be necessary.

I hope you found this article informative and helpful. I think our former science teachers would be proud. Finally, remember things grow from the ground up, so soil is a key player.

A special thanks to:
Carroll-landscaping, a Maryland Landscaping company.

And The Landscaping Wizard, the place for Landscaping Ideas.

How to install kitchen floor tiles

2011-10-10T19:13:00.002-04:00

Your Kitchen remodeling project can have a dramatic positive impact with the installation of new kitchen floors. The most beautiful and durable flooring for kitchens are tiles. Tile floors require preparation and patience to install, but once finished can last for a very long time and rewarding you with beautiful ambiance in your kitchen.

Kitchen floor tiles are available in a number of materials, glazes, and designs including tiles made of ceramic, stone, porcelain, or slate. The key to having a great looking kitchen tile floors is in the meticulous installation.

Tools and Materials

You will need the following tools and materials to properly install kitchen floor tiles in your kitchen.

Acrylic additive
Backer board
Carpenter's square
Chalk line
Circular saw
Dust mask
Gloves
Grout
Grout float
Hammer
Level
Mesh seam tape
Painter's tape
Pencil
Power drill
Pry bar
Putty knife
Razor knife
Safety goggles
Silicone caulk
Small pieces of wood for shims
Sponge
Tape measure
Thin set mortar
Tile
Tile cleaner
Tile cutters
Tile nippers
Tile sealer
Tile spacers
Towels
Trowels

1. Carefully move everything that could be damaged out of the kitchen when getting ready to remodel your kitchen. This includes furniture, appliances, pots, and pans, etc.

2. Prepare the under floor. Remove existing flooring and level the under floor. Use a leveling compound or install a new sub-floor if necessary. It is tempting, but never install a tile floor over a vinyl floor. The tiles will eventually pop loose.

3. Remove the quarter round with a hammer and pry bar. Remove the baseboards only if necessary for fitting the tile underneath when kitchen remodeling.

4. Put down a backer board either 1/2 inch or 1/2 inch thick, depending on the height of the adjoining floor. Choose the recommended type of backer board for your tile.

5. Mix the thin set, making sure to follow the instructions. Spread the thin set evenly on the floor with a trowel and then put the backer board on top of it.

6. Find the center point of the room using the carpenter's square and tape measure. Snap straight chalk lines to follow when placing the first row of tiles against the furthest wall when kitchen remodeling.

7. Mix another batch of thin set. Apply it evenly to the backer board, starting in the center and following along the chalk line for the first row of tiles. Use strong pressure, making and "X" and smoothing it out. Install the first row of tiles over the thin set. Only install full tiles. Do not install tiles at the edges that need cutting. Do not walk on the floor. Let it dry for at least twenty-four hours.

8. After the full tiles have dried, make your cuts on the other tiles and install them. Let the cut tiles dry for twenty-four hours again when kitchen remodeling.

9. Mix the grout and apply it with a grout float according to the directions on the package. Let the grout set for at least twenty-four hours or as long as the manufacturer recommends on the package.

10. Clean the tiles off with water and a sponge. At this point, you are almost finished with this kitchen remodeling project.

11. Apply a sealer according to the manufacturer's specifications and let dry.

It is a long road, but well worth taking once you step onto that beautiful new tile floor you have installed yourself.

Weight and Mass Conversion

2011-07-01T09:20:00.003-04:00

Have you ever tried to convert mass in kilograms to pounds, or vice-versa? Unless you grew up accustomed to using metric system, converting from kilos to pounds can take some time to master.

If you take it a step further and try to convert a mass in kilos to ounces, then things are likely to get even trickier.

And what about scientific conversions, where you really need to be precise?

http://www.WeightConversion.Org provides an easy way to convert mass in kilos to pounds, or to any other unit of mass instantly.

This can be quite handy if you are trying to see/find out how a person's weight in kilograms would translate into his/her weight in pounds.

Soy Foam Insulation Benefits

2011-05-22T15:53:00.000-04:00

As climate changes begin to take affect all across the world, governments, corporations, non-profits, and individuals are beginning to take steps toward building more eco-friendly homes, and greener buildings.

Even individual homeowners, and some smaller for profit companies are becoming energized by the increased demand for building in a green and sustainable way, which stems from a wide spread of new knowledge and awareness about benefits of green building on the environment, general health, and fiscally.

In addition to more commonly known green building and alternative energy options like solar panels and energy saving lighting, one of the more advantageous options for insulation homes and commercial buildings is soy spray foam insulation.

Soy Foam Insulation Basics

Though it’s a bit more expensive than traditional insulators, insulation made from soybean oil remains a great “green” and fundamentally superior option. Soybean insulation is both renewable and sustainable, addressing a number of energy related issues, and can even reduce utility costs by up to 50%. By creating an air tight seal, unlike tradition fiberglass insulation, soy insulations keep air-conditioned air inside and heat out, and can reduce airborne noise pollution.

The growth of soy involves no drilling, spilling, or dredging - a massive benefit towards the environment. Most insulator companies also use American-grown soybeans and help to support over 600,000 farmers that grow them. The foam is applied using water as a blowing agent unlike most other spray-foam insulations that are applied using greenhouse gas causing refrigerants during the installation process. Best of all, soy foam insulation has an extremely small negative carbon impact on the environment, and personal health.

Pros

Soy insulation is an inert material and the water applicatory method used in installation means there is no worry of the breakdown or release of toxic carcinogens and contains no volatile compounds, chlorofluoarbons, hydrofluocarbons, or Formaldehyde, thus reducing the chances of illnesses like leukemia, asthma, a mesothelioma, a cancer related to chemical and asbestos exposure. The soy foam insulation also will not rot or foster any sort of mold growth.

Cons

The only glaring downside of soy bean insulations is initial costs. Even though the technology is more expensive to install, the savings stemming from the efficiency of soy insulators will eventually surpass installation costs.

Conclusion

As the discussion about the risks of the by-products of traditional construction materials and energy sources continues, eco –friendly technologies like soy foam insulation should continue to flourish.

LEDs vs. CFLs vs. Incandescent Lights

2011-05-17T01:59:00.004-04:00

Definition of LEDs

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor that emits light when the electric current passes through it. The original LEDs from the early 1960s only emitted a very low intensity red glow light. Early LEDs have commonly been used as airplane and automobile indicator lights, in TV remote control units, and as calculator read outs.

LED lighting technology has advanced in recent years to include wavelengths that are not only visible, but also very bright/having a lot of luminescence. Modern LEDs capable of producing bright white light are now being used more frequently as energy efficient replacement light bulbs alternative to CFLs and incandescent light bulbs.

How do LEDs work?

LED lights glow when an electric current passes through the device causing electrons to take up empty electron holes inside the device at a lower energy level than that of free moving electrons. Once an electron takes up an empty hole at a lower energy level, the excess energy gets released as photon that we see as light, an effect called electroluminescence. The color of the light is established by the resulting energy gap in the semiconductor. LED lights are designed to use electrical power of between 30 and 60 mW. Continuous use LED lights use a larger semiconductor in order to handle bigger outputs of power, and have a heat sink mounted on in order to keep the device from overheating.

Pros and Cons

LED lights have a number of advantages over CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. Latest bright LEDs use far less energy, and last far longer than CFLs or incandescent lights. Unlike CFLs that need some time to warm up, LEDs can be turned on instantaneously, providing a reliable and durable source of light that is up to four times more energy efficient than CFLs, and up to 12 times more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs.

LEDs' Prohibitive costs to most homeowners

Currently LEDs costing between $40 to $100 per LED light bulb are not very affordable for your average consumer, but that situation is expected to change as LEDs prices are expected to decrease by some 15-20% per year. Not only that as LED's prices decrease their performance is expected to increase. Who knows, maybe in a few years LEDs will have rendered CFLs and incandescent obsolete?

Reliability and Durability

Most LEDs that were created in the 1970s and 80s are still functional today. Modern bright LED lights have a life expectancy of 25,000 and 100,000 hours, provided they are used under optimal conditions being lit up for 8 hours per day. LEDs perform best under normal conditions. If you were to use LEDs in extreme heat such that LED light bulbs would overheat, then higher temperatures could actually lower the life expectancy of your LED light bulbs. Typically, LED lights will gradually fade over time rather than burn out immediately.

Potential Hazards

Some very bright LED lights could potentially cause eye damage and are classified as Class 2 LEDs. LEDs are considered safe when used under normal conditions, and very few LEDs pose any risk of temporary blindness. According to the state of California, all LED lights with the exception of low-intensity yellow can be hazardous due to levels of copper, Pb, nickel, or silver. Unlike compact fluorescent light, LEDs do not contain mercury found in CFLs, which could also contain arsenic and lead (poisonous/hazardous materials).

LEDs Vs. CFLs

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are also known as energy saving lights, and were designed to replace many existing incandescent light bulbs. As such, most CFLs can fit into incandescent light fixtures. CFL bulbs are comparable to incandescent, and generally provide the same amount of light. An advantage to CFLs is that they use less power, and can last up to eight times longer than incandescent.

Current biggest advantage of CFLs vs. LEDs is a substantially lower cost of CFLs vs LEDs.

Evolution of Florescent Lights

An important development in fluorescent bulbs came with the replacement of the electromagnetic ballasts with ballasts that are electronic. CFLs do not experience flickering or slow starts that traditional fluorescents were known for. Integrated lamps in CFLs allow for a simple replacement of incandescent bulbs with the CFLs. Non-integrated CFLs are typically more expensive.

CFLs Vs. Incandescent Lights

The average lifespan of CFL bulbs is at least 8 times, and sometimes as much as 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The rated lifespan of a CFL light ranges from 6,000 to 15,000 hours compared to the 750 to 1,000 hours of an incandescent light bulb. If a CFL light is turned off and on habitually, their lifespan can be reduced to nearly that of an incandescent light bulb, though.

CFLs Do a lot of good in Third World Countries

CFLs do have a few disadvantageous when compared to incandescent bulbs. A CFL bulb warms up to complete brightness only after a few minutes, while incandescent only needs a fraction of a second to reach full brightness. In cold temperatures, CFLs can take even longer to reach full brightness. Modern CFL bulbs are very cost effective and are leading the way for relief agencies to replace kerosene lamps in third world countries.

Recycling of CFLs

Environmental concerns are also at the forefront of many recycling company policies as leaking mercury can cause problems if released improperly. Many states in America and countries within the European Union regulate fluorescent bulb disposal and recycling. If you want to recycle your old CFLs properly, then simply bring them back to the store where you bought them, and they will recycle them for you.

How do Incandescent Lights Work?

Incandescent bulbs have been the standard lighting choice for since Thomas Alva Edison invented them. Incandescent bulbs work by heating a metal wire inside the glass bulb until it gets hot and starts to glow. The glass bulb is filled with an inert gas to prevent air from reaching the filament.

Good ol' Incandescent Lights are fading away...

Modern CFLs and LEDs are more environmentally friendly and longer lasting, are thus justly replacing incandescent bulbs. Many countries are in the process of phasing out incandescent bulbs completely, and some have already done so.

Why Incandescent Bulbs are Obsolete?

Almost all of the energy that is emitted by an incandescent bulb is heat rather than light, meaning that incandescent lighting is not very energy efficient. Incandescent lighting emits much more heat than compact fluorescent lights or LEDs, and therefore makes air conditioning costs rise in the summer.

Hybrid Incandescent Bulbs

While the initial cost of an incandescent bulb is less than that of a CFL, the wasted energy costs are much greater, and replacement intervals are too short compared to CFLs. Some incandescent light bulb manufacturers had been working to raise the efficiency levels of the bulbs, but have been unable to reach their initial goals. Hybrid bulbs have shown to be as much as 30% more efficient than original incandescent bulbs, working to redirect and recycle the excess heat back to the lighting filament.

State of The Lighting Industry

While manufacturers of incandescent light bulbs are trying to hold on, modern consumers tend to opt for CFLs, as incandescent light bulbs are too old, and LEDs are still too expensive. In the mean time, LED lighting manufacturers are continuously working on improving the performance of their products and are gradually decreasing their costs in order to edge out their competition. Early adopters, and green building conscious businesses are not scared off by a higher price tag of LEDs and take advantage of all that modern LED lighting technology has to offer. They are the primary beneficiaries of the state-of-the-art lighting products such as dimmable LED lights designed to work with standard dimmers. As for the rest of us, we are holding on till the prices drop even further. Perhaps in a few years consumers will be more open minded and ready to pay a higher price for LEDs.

LEDs vs. CFLs vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs

2011-05-17T01:59:00.001-04:00

Pros and Cons

LEDs vs. CFLs vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs

2011-05-17T01:58:00.000-04:00

Definition of LED

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor that emits light when the electric current passes through it. The original LEDs from the early 1960s only emitted a very low intensity red glow light. Early LEDs have commonly been used as airplane and automobile indicator lights, in TV remote control units, and as calculator read outs.

LED lighting technology has advanced in recent years to include wavelengths that are not only visible, but also very bright/having a lot of luminescence. Modern LEDs capable of producing bright white light are now being used more frequently as energy efficient replacement light bulbs alternative to CFLs and incandescent light bulbs.

How do LEDs work?

LED lights glow when an electric current passes through the device causing electrons to take up empty electron holes inside the device at a lower energy level than that of free moving electrons. Once an electron takes up an empty hole at a lower energy level, the excess energy gets released as photon that we see as light, an effect called electroluminescence. The color of the light is established by the resulting energy gap in the semiconductor. LED lights are designed to use electrical power of between 30 and 60 mW. Continuous use LED lights use a larger semiconductor in order to handle bigger outputs of power, and have a heat sink mounted on in order to keep the device from overheating.

Pros and Cons

Comparing Utility Company Rates to Cut Your Expenses

2011-04-21T15:45:00.000-04:00

Many consumers aren’t aware that there are actually more than one company in the local area that is providing utility services to consumers and therefore the customer can easily compare the prices that are available for the services, reducing the cost of the household expenses.
Researching the local utility companies that serve the area can be an effective way to reduce the overall expenses in the home. Sometimes, a fraction of a percentage of the base power or heating costs can actually lead to a chunk of money saved through the course of the year.

In addition, there are some utility companies that provide the customer with a bonus for obtaining a quote from the company or signing up for services. These types of bonuses can be an effective way to save money while making use of the utility services and can help to ensure that the homeowner is not paying more than they should be for the utility services that are being provided.

Using the internet, the customer can compare the costs of the utility companies. This way, the customer can easily find that they are able to compare the base rates for the utility companies and determine whether there are any credits or fees that are applicable to the customer changing utility companies. This way, the customer can easily compare the cost of the utility companies without having to make a special visit to the company or even use time making phone calls to the companies.

What should the consumer consider when it comes to comparing the rates of the utility companies? Some companies offer the customer introductory rates, which should be considered in the overall costs. Considering when these rates increase can be an effective way to have an accurate portrayal of the costs from changing companies.

How to Save Money on Your Electricity Costs?

Consider making your home more energy efficient by performing a free energy audit of your home, which will show you the places responsible for heat loss in your home and give you options for installing energy efficient upgrades and retrofits such as eco-insulation and energy efficient exterior improvements. You can also take a simple step towards better energy efficiency in your home by replacing conventional light bulbs with CFLs or even LED light bulbs that cost quite a bit more upfront, but add up in energy savings over time.

How to Mix Cement

2011-04-15T03:09:00.001-04:00

Mixing cement for use around the home is not necessarily a rocket science, but it should be approached carefully and systematically. While it might seem simple enough to combine water with sand, gravel, and cement - if your final mixture is off by even a little in the proportions, you can completely ruin your project. In addition, safety is just as important when mixing cement as when using power tools. For instance, if your skin is exposed to fresh concrete for an extended time it can burn. Always remember to be safe when working with cement by wearing rubber boots, gloves, goggles, and a shirt with long sleeves.

Many projects around the house require cement; building a patio, filling decking and fencing post holes, or fixing a sidewalk or a crack in the foundation of your house. There are also many trendy projects that you might like to try, like creating a birdbath or planter, pouring a new kitchen countertop or even a floor. Understanding how to work with and mix cement can be handy knowledge for all homeowners!

While there are pre-mixed formulas of cement in which all you need to do is add water and stir, it is helpful to understand how to make your own cement from separate ingredients so that you can understand and appreciate the need for proper measurements and proportions. Your quantity of cement might vary, but the recipe is always three parts gravel, two parts sand, and one part cement. When you do not need gravel in the mixture, adjust the ratio to one part cement and three parts sand. If you choose to use pre-mixed cement you should read the label on the package to make sure you are still mixing the ingredients in the correct proportions. Typically, the formula is one part pre-mixed cement powder, 1 part sand, and 1 part crushed gravel. In either case, water is the one ingredient that is never clear-cut, so even if the bag of ready-cement specifies an amount, add slowly and carefully.

Mixing cement in small batches can be accomplished with only a bucket or a wheelbarrow and a spade or shovel. Keep in mind that mixing cement is a physical job and your muscles should be ready for quite a workout. Normally a small spade is easier to work with than a shovel. Larger batches should be mixed in a portable cement mixer that is powered either electrically or mechanically. Both types of mixers are usually available at do-it-yourself home centers or hardware stores.

Begin by mixing your dry ingredients. The sand, cement, and gravel need to be combined very thoroughly. If there are any other dry specialty ingredients that need to be added, do so now. Next, add water to the mixture in small amounts. Although it might be tempting to pour in a bunch of water and start to stir, it works best when you add the water slowly and mix it well in between each addition. You are looking for a medium consistency that is neither too wet nor too dry. While you do not have to rush to blend the mixture, it will eventually dry out, so work as quickly as you can while taking enough time to do the job properly.

When you think you have the proper consistency test it by scooping out a bit of cement and placing it on a piece of wood or other flat surface. Make a few ridges in the cement and see how they look. Ragged ridges mean the mixture is dry, while ridges that fill back in means the mixture is too wet. Adjust your cement mixture accordingly by adding a bit more water or a bit more cement until you achieve the perfect balance. With some practice, your cement mixing talents will be perfected and will ensure the best project outcome. Remember that mixing the cement properly in the first place is the only way to create a successful DIY project.

Saving Money on Fruits and Vegetables

2011-03-25T17:14:00.001-04:00

Many people use coupons for food items to reduce the cost of the bill at the Supermarket, but there are not often coupons that are available for the fruits and vegetables that are being purchased in the frozen section. Without coupons however, consumers can still find creative ways to save while shopping for fruits and vegetables.

Here are some of the ways that you can save money on produce while shopping:

Track the Prices of Fruits and Vegetables

Tracking the prices of fruits and vegetables and comparing the prices of the vegetables and fruits can help the consumer to buy fruits at their lowest price, once the lowest price has learned to be recognized. Tracking the lowest prices using spreadsheets or a notebook can be an effective way to save money while shopping and can allow you to compare the sale prices and determine when certain vegetables or fruits should be purchased in advance and frozen.

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Using In Store Coupons
Often, there are in store coupons that are available for people that are shopping. These coupons can allow you to obtain a gift card for the store once a certain amount of money has been spent in the store and can be an effective way to help save on the cost of the entire grocery order, including fruits and vegetables.

Stop Buying Prepackaged Vegetables

Buying vegetables that are packaged and cut can be quite expensive. Buying reusable containers, you can easily prepare the trays yourself, reducing the amount of money that is spent on the vegetables and fruits in the budget. In as little as an hour a week, you can prepare and cut the vegetables to have them easily accessible through the course of the week, storing the vegetables in the refrigerator or freezer and reducing their cost.

For more tips on healthy shopping browse resources listed in a http://www.allconstructiondirectory.com/home-garden/

Thoughts on Organic Gardening

2011-03-16T18:14:00.000-04:00

The definition of growing food and gardening organically will vary among individuals. Some people think of the approach of growing organically to be associated with hippies or that it is merely a fad that will soon end. Whatever various idea individuals have about an organic approach to gardening the fact is that in order to be considered an organic gardener the only types of fertilizers that that individual ever uses are either animal or vegetable, never do they use a fertilizer that is synthetic. Organic gardeners only use substances that are natural and the insects that they use to repel pests are beneficial.

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This is just a very small part of what organic growing is all about, it not all about what types of products are used. Organic growing is also a type of philosophy that focuses on increases the soil's overall natural health. This means that individuals will only choose items that work best with their environment and the type of soil that they are working with.

Gardening in a chemical free environment in not just a fad, in fact gardening this way has been around ever since the ancient times. Chemically based fertilizers were not even created until the 1840s. For a long time gardening with chemicals has been incredibly popular, but now more and more individuals are paying attention to what they are putting into their bodies and into the earth which causes them to choose organic fertilizers instead of harsh chemicals. When chemicals are used in the gardening process a lot of unnecessary items get killed which disturbs the delicate balance of Mother Nature. In order to rectify this, individuals just end up using even more chemicals which harm the earth even more.

Some organic gardeners may even decide that they want to raise their own beneficial bugs to use in their garden, but if not they can search for other organic minded individuals who provide others with these types of bugs.

In the beginning organic gardening maybe difficult especially if the ground is packed down, this will make it extremely hard to aerate. Once the process has been used for a while individuals will notice that they are building up their soil just by using all natural items. Individuals who do not garden organically might be surprised to see the differences between a garden in which chemicals were used on and one that is chemical free.

Individuals who are interested in using an organic approach to their gardening can find a lot of information and helpful tips on how to begin this process by viewing various websites on the internet or by checking out books on this subject in their neighborhood library.

Installing Laminate Flooring How to

2011-03-15T18:34:00.000-04:00

Laminate flooring usually has the appearance of hardwood however, does not involve the mess and frustration that installing a real hardwood floor would bring. Laminate flooring can be found in almost any kind of design and color that a person could want. Of course, the price of this laminate flooring will differ depending on the brand, the color, and other aspects. For those that are considering laminate flooring in their home, then they should know how the overall process works, so that they know what to expect once they start installing.

Installing the laminate flooring is not that hard when compared to other home improvements that a person can make. In fact, some laminate flooring is so simple that one person can do this without the help. However, the more people you have helping, the faster the process is going to go. The first step is to remove the flooring that you currently have. Carpet must go as well as the padding underneath the carpet. For those that are installing over tiled floor or one that is concrete, then they do not necessarily have to remove this. But, keep in mind that if the current floor has a bulge or kink in it, then it will make the laminate flooring do the same over time.

A few days before you install the laminate flooring, be sure to put the boxes in the areas that you plan to install the flooring so that the wood can adjust to the temperature. You do not want to install wood that has shrunk from the cold and then expands once it is installed, this can lead to huge problems and more work that will have to be done.

Once these steps are complete, you need to follow the instructions on the laminate flooring perfectly. Many of these types of floors simply snap and lock together, while others require that you use a glue substance and nails. The manufacturer will include the best instructions that are going to give you the best results. You may find that installing new floors will require just basic home improvement tools such as soft rubber mullet, tapping block, and no-flip-clip that can usually be purchased from the same building supply store where you have purchased your laminate flooring.

Bottom-line, take your time with the project and just work at your own pace installing flooring in one room at a time. If you rush you will find that you may make more mistakes which could result in your flooring not looking as good as it could.

Plexiglass Sheets for Windows

2011-03-14T20:50:00.000-04:00

PlexiGlass Applications for Windows

Many people choose to use plexiglass for windows. Plexi glass is lightweight, transparent, and can withstand hot and cold temperatures. Plexiglass is also known as Polycarbonate and more common as lexan. Many people will use the term plexiglass acrylic and polycarbonate or lexan as meaning the same, when they are two different materials. Lexan is the happy medium between acrylic and glass applications. It is stronger than those two materials, and can be used in applications where glass or acrylic will not suffice. Some people consider plexiglass to replace a broken glass window. Contractors building a new home consider this material as well for many reasons.

PlexiGlass Vs. Regular Glass - Benefits and advantages

One advantage to plexiglass is that it is easier to work with that heavy glass. Another benefit is that it is sturdy and can withstand a blow or extreme weather better than glass. A kid playing with a ball is a good example of this. Plexiglass is more pliable, and gives more bounce than glass does. However, when working with this material, it is important to be careful as it can also break and crack.

Plexiglass window insert packages are sold in hardware stores or home improvement centers. This is very convenient for the do it yourselfer and an easy way to replace a damaged glass window.

It is important to clean plexiglass the old fashioned way, with a clean rag or cloth and water. Because it is plastic, ammonia and harsh soaps or chemicals cannot be used on it, as it will damage the material, corrode it, fog it permanently, opaque it, or scratch it.

Another down to plexiglass is that with time, areas that are hit with much sunlight will tend to change color - yellowish - and they get brittle and may crack. Plexiglass is also an expensive material.

Plexiglass sheets come in many solid colors other than clear - red, blue, green, yellow, orange, and brown. It also comes in transparent color sheets. Fluorescent color transparent sheets are also available, so are solid white and black sheets. Plexiglass is also made in non-glare sheets or frosted sheets. Non-glare sheets reduce and minimize reflection and glare, and frosted sheets offer a bit more privacy while letting light in. Plexiglass acrylic mirror sheets are available as a better choice for interior decoration uses, and safer, easier to use.

Whatever type of plexiglass you decide to use in your window will depend on the purpose - décor, privacy, special effects, aesthetics, durability - also, it is important to consider the amount of sun the window will receive, especially if using colored plexiglass.

References:

These are some of the pros and cons of plexiglass windows.

How to hang a picture

2011-03-14T20:08:00.000-04:00

Hang Your Pictures Perfectly Every Time

Hanging pictures in your home or office can be a frustrating job. Sometimes you feel like you need eight arms and hands to do it. What if it is crooked? What if it is not high enough? With a little bit of practice, you don't have to be frustrated by the prospect of hanging a picture. While it is the one thing many people avoid as long as possible, it's better to be able to hang a picture like a pro every time and enjoy them

When you get ready to hang your pictures make sure that you have everything you need readily available before you even pull out your step ladder. You will need the picture hangers (nails, hooks, etc.), a hammer, a level, scotch tape, brown paper big enough to trace your picture on and a pencil. The paper and pencil will allow you to create a template of your picture that will ease the hanging process.

Start by creating the template of your picture by tracing it on the brown paper. Mark on the paper where the hanger on your picture frame is. This will help you position the picture hanger in the wall properly at the height you want. Using the scotch tape, tape your templates to the wall where you want to hang your final pictures. The paper templates allow you to easily move the pictures around and position them a few times if needed. Once you have them in place, use the level to see if the pictures are even and adjust accordingly.

Take the nail or whatever item you will be using to hang up the final picture with and hammer them into position based on where the picture hanger is on your template. If you are using a stick-on wall hanger, carefully make a hole in the template big enough to apply the hanger with the template still attached to the wall. Once you have the nail or picture hanger in place, you can remove the templates from the wall.

All that is left to do is hang the actual picture. Place the picture on the hanger in the wall and adjust it using the level on the top of the picture until it hangs evenly. If you need to, place a cotton ball behind the picture between the picture back and the wall to keep it in place. You can also use double-sided sticky tape to help secure the picture to the wall and keep it from moving.

Ideas for Small Spaces

2011-03-09T01:50:00.000-05:00

When thinking about improving your home, one of the areas that you can work on are tiny or small rooms. The goal is to make rooms more functional and make them appear larger without spending a lot of money on expansions or additions. One efficient way to do this is by paying attention to the function of the room and how it is utilized. This will dictate much of the décor and pieces that will go in it. Multifunctional units and pieces that double will save space and money.

Furniture should be to scale, avoid chunky pieces that will not make a room breathable or that will give it a stuffed feel. Pieces that are open, have long legs, or are clear such as a glass table, will make the room appear larger. Furniture that folds into itself or to the wall is another great idea for small spaces. Try to include tall pieces that will draw the eye higher instead of wide pieces that may give the impression of not fitting on a small space. Come up with a design plan first, according to the purpose of the room, and later, select the pieces that will go into that room.

Another issue is draperies, keep them light and simple, not too formal. Paint should give the illusion of opening a room and of a receding ceiling, whether you use a painting technique such as trompe l'oeil, or just plain colors.

Organization plays an important role in making small spaces more functional. You may have the right pieces of furniture, but if the contents are not organized according to use and purpose, the room will not be conducive to efficiency. Conversation groups will make the room flow better and give a feeling of being larger. Storage bins and containers designated to house items by use works well. These can be decorative or just functional to be hidden away. Use shelving and small filing cabinets to keep things organized. The room should contain only the items that will be used. Anything that does not fit the purpose or function must be donated. Wall to wall shelving, instead of bulky cabinets and furniture, is a great idea to save space. Organize contents to be pleasing to the eye.

Dividers are a great way to make a small room handle separate functions. However, the dividers should be light and airy, not bulky. A simple light curtain hanging from tracking can serve as a divider from a living room area and a dining area. If left open half-way, it will not close the area. The material should be light and have flow, not stuffed or of a heavy print. These are just a few tips to improve small spaces.

Chalkboard Decor Ideas

2011-03-07T18:12:00.000-05:00

The Many Faces of Chalkboard Walls

Chalkboard paint is something that can either be purchased as spray paint or as regular brush paint. In addition to this, it is also possible to make chalkboard paint in the home at a minimal cost for the homeowner. For the finest paint job, it is necessary to paint several coats. Once this is done, the painted surface needs three days in order to have enough time todry completely. After this, chalk can be used to write on the surface. The paint is not only a way to update an old living space, but also a way to make things look more modern.

One way to access the versatility of chalk walls is by using them as a way to convey kitchen messages. This can be done by painting a chalk wall inside of a pantry or on the walls near the refrigerator. These walls can be used to write down ideas for recipes or for writing down grocery lists. In addition, if a coat of magnetic primer is used on the wall before the chalk paint, magnets can be used to keep additional housekeeping notes, receipts, etc.

Quite possibly one of the craftiest ideas is to use chalkboard wall paint as a way to fill a wall space in the playroom of your child. Instead of painting an entire world, paint a lower area on a wall so that it is easy for small children to gain accessibility to. For this particular project, only dustless large chalk should be used since smaller pieces can be a potential choking hazard to your child. Additionally, the chalkboard area should be regularly cleaned with a damp cloth.

Small chalkboard walls can also be painted in the inside of a bedroom closet. Similarly to the way painted kitchen walls can act as reminders, they can also act as organizers for one's bedroom. Private notes can be written directly on the wall: reminders for meetings, birthdays, exams, to-do lists, etc. It can also be an organizer for other rooms in the home, like walls of the laundry room.

Feeding directly off of the tip for organization, walls of home offices can also be painted. The need for calendars within the office environment is no longer necessary because painter's tape can be used to create the size you desire for the calendar you want. After the area has been painted, allow a few days for it to dry. After that, write whatever notes you deem necessary onto the calendar.

Green Home Improvements to Increase Home Value

2011-03-07T14:46:00.001-05:00

Green home improvement is catching on as people are becoming more environmentally conscientious and starting to replace old home systems and products with newer, environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

One of the most important things to maintain the value of your home is to perform at least the minimum necessary improvements and home maintenance throughout the years. Many people spend tons of money doing improvements that may not help raise the value of their home significantly due to poor material choices, or due to investing in the wrong types of home improvements that may not help raise the value of their home.

Important points to keep in mind

Unless you are going to live in the home for a long time and enjoy a too personal home improvement that appeals to your taste only, it is best not to go that route. Many people devalue their homes by adding improvements that reflect their personal taste and are not neutral enough to appeal to a larger pool of prospecting home buyers.

As we get used to the idea of a greener society, more green products are being developed and presented to the public. The building industry is making a lot of effort in that direction by presenting products, and building techniques that are eco friendly and sustainable for existing building retrofits and new construction.

However, many homeowners are slowly improving their older homes, replacing systems and appliances with more environmentally friendly, and energy saving products. If your budget is limited, but you want to join the green movement slowly, start by updating your appliances and lighting to energy efficient ones - this is a good place to start. Little by little, grow your budget so that you can do other eco friendly improvements - flooring, roofing, and windows.

Each decision you make as an individual and homeowner affects the environment, from not recycling the plastic jug, buying the paper towels that are made from trees, to other major remodeling projects or home improvements. A home can stand for many generations and for hundreds of years; by improving your home with green products and techniques you are creating a better environment for other generations to come that will live in your community.

Types of Green Home Improvements

Whether you start big or small in relation to green home improvements, is not the issue, the important issue is to start improving your home with green alternatives. When hiring building professionals to work on a project in your home, look for people that are trained in sustainability or that have acquired LEED certification in the industry. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Professionals that know about green techniques know about the right products and codes required for sustainability in a home remodel project.

Types of green home improvements include the areas of roofing, window replacement, solar energy panels, radiant barrier, gutters, siding, decks, patio enclosures, and other areas of remodeling. There are roofing shingles that have a radiant barrier to protect the roof from the sun's rays. These are known as energy star cool roofs. Energy efficient windows help keep the home's heating and cooling where it belongs - inside the home, and not escaping through the windows. Forty to fifty percent of heating and cooling can be lost during the summer and winter months if a home does not have energy efficient windows. Energy efficient windows help the homeowner save money on energy bills. Energy efficient windows have a low E glass and also Argon gas fill in the insulating glass. They also reduce noise, besides saving energy. They have a lifetime warranty.

Attic insulation with radiant barrier reflective products or foam attic insulation is another area in which you can practice green home remodeling. Over time, efficient solar panels will pay for themselves, and the energy company will be paying you instead of you paying them. Building a deck from sustainable materials is also another way to improve your home the green way. Replacing siding with materials that do not absorb water and last, means that you will not have to repaint in the future. These and other green techniques can be applied throughout your entire home, despite the home's age.

How to Remove Garden Pest by Hand

2011-03-03T19:37:00.000-05:00

This is the most basic method of pest control and can be rather tedious work, however it is also extremely satisfying - some even say addictive. Picking off pests, such as caterpillars, by hand (if you are squeamish, wear thin gloves for this operation). Don't just throw them away in a corner of the garden, as they¡¯ll simply return. They must be destroyed, for effective control. You will need to repeal the procedure al intervals of one or two weeks, until there are no signs of further infestation.

An effective way of dealing with slugs and snails is to go out with a torch and a bucket of soapy water at night, pick off the slugs and snails then drop them in the bucket. This, however, is not a job for the hunt-hearted. If you want to give slugs and snails a happy death, place bowls of beer stuck into the ground among your flowerbeds.

Sticky insect traps have been used in greenhouses for a hundred years or so and work just as well today. Position the traps very close to the plants under attack and brush the plants to encourage the insects to leave them.

Set earwig traps by filling a flowerpot with straw or crumpled newspaper, then placing it upside down on a cane in the flowerbed. Check it daily and remove and destroy any earwigs you find.

You can wash aphids off plants with repealed sprayings of soapy water but remember that birds, hoverflies and ladybirds adore eating them. In fact one ladybird can apparently dispose of a massive 500 aphid larva and 5000 adults during its lifetime.

To find a garden pest removal company in the UK, or to obtain home and garden and pest control products in the UK, go to www.buildingtradesuk.com - Construction and Home and Garden Products directory of London, Manchester, Liverpool, and the entire mainland UK, Scotland, and Ireland.

How to Plant Your Garden for Height

2011-02-27T21:36:00.000-05:00

Planting for the "third dimension", height, really allows all the space within the patio or courtyard to be used to the full, and the added heat retained by a south- or west-facing wall will protect more tender and exotic plants.

Planting Ideas

Having a wall to plant against adds a whole extra dimension to your possibilities, especially if it faces south or west, because the heat from the sun is absorbed during the day and given off overnight. Nearby plants will be kept several degrees warmer than those beyond the wall's influence. This allows the planting of subjects that could not survive without the extra heat.

Most shrubs can be grown near a wall. Wall-shrubs are specifically those that can be pruned back to form a covering for the wall, supported against it using wires and ties, and through which other plants such as climbers can be grown. Climbers support themselves in a number of ways: by twining their stems around a support; by twisting tendrils or leaf-stalks around a support; by using thorns to scramble; or by the use of aerial roots or sucker pads to attach themselves.

Whether the plant is intended for a wall or a pergola, it should be of a size chosen to be in context with its surroundings, otherwise it will need regular pruning to keep it under control, and this may be at the expense of the flowers. Do bear in mind that, after rainfall, the plant will drip for some time, and this may result in the surface underneath becoming slippery. If this is also a well-used route through the garden, it may be advisable to replace a smooth surface, such as decking, with a non-slip one, such as gravel. This can be edged with brick or bonded with resin to keep it from interfering with mowing the lawn.

How to make a Watering System in Your Garden

2011-02-27T17:10:00.002-05:00

A cheap way to install automatic watering is to make your own discreet watering device out of an old plastic drinks bottle.

1) Cut out a hole in the base of the bottle, just large enough to be able to water through.

2) Loosen the cap of the bottle then place it upside down in the pot so the base of the bottle slightly pokes just above the surface of the compost.

3) Fill the bottle with water through the hole in the base and it will slowly seep out of the loosened cap, providing your thirsty plants with just the correct amount of water that they need.

An alternative is to cut an old plastic drinks bottle in half. Make three or four small holes in the base, then stick it in a grow-bag of, for example, tomatoes (being very thirsty plants). Fill the half-bottle with water and it will slowly trickle through the holes to ensure the tomatoes never dry out.

It is also possible to buy specially made spikes which fit on the top of a two-litre plastic drinks bottle. Once the bottle is inverted you can stick the spikes into the ground and their ingenious little boles release water or liquid nutrients slowly. As the spike penetrates so far into the ground the water or feed will be at the right level to reach the roots.

Home and Garden Resources

If you line in the UK, you can find home and garden products in the UK with the help of an all new UK Construction Directory.

Designing the Back Garden to Suit You

2011-01-30T18:42:00.000-05:00

Having an overall plan in mind for the garden does not mean having to create an artistic masterpiece on paper. Garden design is entirely personal and depends on the garden, its uses and its owners - using a rough plan simply helps to keep things in perspective.

Assess Your Needs

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes and no two will ever look alike, especially once the plants are in place. How it is designed will depend on its intended use and the amount of time you want to spend maintaining it.

Where the garden belongs to a couple, or a single person, there is larger scope in the choice of plants. In a family garden, however, the plants have to be altogether more robust. Safety is also a priority where there are children; plants that bear thorns and prickles should be kept away from play areas. If the size of garden allows, create an area for the children to play where the plants are safe, resilient and easily pruned back, allowing the rest of the garden to be filled with more choice species.

Tailor the level of maintenance to suit your needs. If you don't have a lot of time, make use of mulches and ground-covering plants to smother weeds and conserve moisture for a low-upkeep regime.

Remember too, in a small garden, every plant should earn its place by providing a good display at least once, and preferably twice through the year.

Temperature Scales and Conversions

2011-01-24T20:55:00.002-05:00

Temperature can be measured on a number of different scales. The three most common scales are Fahrenheit, Celsius and Kelvin. The Kelvin scale is commonly used by scientists. Celsius is used both by scientists and in everyday life, although Fahrenheit is still in everyday use in some countries such as the US.

The Fahrenheit scale was created by a German physicist named Fahrenheit in the 18th century, although it was later modified by other scientists. On the Fahrenheit scale, zero is the temperature of a brine solution. The 100 degree point was once set as the temperature of a human body, but this was later changed to make the freezing and boiling points of water exactly 180 degrees apart, at 32 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. A single degree on the Fahrenheit temperature scale is equivalent to 5/9th of a degree on the Celsius temperature scale.

The Celsius temperature scale was named after an astronomer of the same name who created a temperature scale based on the melting and boiling points of water, although the direction of his scale was then reversed by other scientists to its modern direction. The zero point of the scale is the freezing or melting point of water, while water's boiling point is at 100 degrees Celsius.

The Kelvin temperature scale was named for the physicist Lord Kelvin, who was the first to suggest that there was a lower limit to temperature, which is known as absolute zero. It is impossible to have a temperature that is colder than absolute zero. Absolute zero is the starting point of the Kelvin scale. A single Kelvin unit has the same magnitude as one degree Celsius.

Conversions

Whenever the need to convert temperature from one scale to another arises, you can use the conversion formula, or use the instant temperature converter to convert temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit, Kelvin and Rankin.

To convert between temperature scales it is necessary to account for the differences between the starting points on which the scales are based as well as the differences between the magnitudes of the units that are used. The equations for temperature conversions, where C = temperature in degrees Celsius, F = temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and K = temperature in Kelvin are as follows:

C = (F -32) x 5/9

F = C x 9/5 + 32

C = K - 273.15

K = C + 273.15

F = K x 9/5 - 459.67

K = (F + 459.67) x 5/9

Example Conversions

1. A cook is reading a recipe that calls for the oven to be turned on at 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but their oven dial needs to be set using measurements in degrees Celsius. In order to set the oven to the right temperature and cook the dish properly, the cook needs to convert the temperature into Celsius.

To convert a temperature from Fahrenheit into Celsius, it is necessary to subtract 32 and then to multiply by 5/9.

The cook begins by subtracting 32 from 450, to make 418. Next, they multiply this by 5/9 to make 232.22.

450 degrees Fahrenheit is equivalent to 232.22 degrees Celsius.

The oven dial needs to be turned to 232 degrees Celsius in order to cook a dish at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. An American tourist is visiting Europe. Before leaving the US, the tourist checks the weather report for their destination and finds that the temperature is expected to be about 30 degrees during their stay. If the tourist assumed that these temperatures were given in Fahrenheit, they would assume that the weather was going to be cool. However, the tourist luckily recognizes that the weather report is given in degrees Celsius. In order to know what temperatures to expect so that they can pack appropriate clothing, the tourist needs to convert the temperature into Fahrenheit.

To convert a temperature from Celsius into Fahrenheit, it is necessary to multiply by 9/5 and then to add 32.

The tourist begins by multiplying 30 by 9/5 to make 54. They then add 32 to make 86.

30 degrees Celsius is equivalent to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

The tourist realizes that the temperature at their destination will actually be hot and they are, therefore, able to pack the right clothes for their trip.

3. An international team of scientists is working on a project during which they need to make very accurate measurements of temperatures. If their measurements are even a tiny bit wrong then it could ruin the whole project. The team is using an instrument that can measure temperatures in Kelvin.

The teams take a temperature measurement of 25 Kelvin. They use this scientific measure in their calculations and reports, but they also choose to calculate what this temperature means in scales with which they are more familiar in their everyday lives. This makes it easier for them to understand the temperatures they are talking about and it also makes it easier for them to communicate their findings to the media and non-scientists.

Some of the scientists prefer to use the Celsius scale, but others are more familiar with the Fahrenheit scale.

In order to convert the measurement from Kelvin into Celsius, it is necessary to subtract 273.15.

The scientists subtract 273.15 from 25 to make -248.15 degrees Celsius.

In order to convert the measurement from Kelvin into Fahrenheit, it is necessary to multiply by 9/5 and then to subtract 459.67.

The scientists multiply 25 by 9/5 to make 45. They then subtract 459.67 to make -414.67.

The measurement of 25 Kelvin is equivalent to -248.15 degrees Celsius or -414.67 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the scientists show their findings to non-scientists, their audience is much more familiar with the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales, so they are able to understand how cold this temperature is thanks to the conversion.

Estimating

Rather than performing an exact calculation, it is also possible to estimate a conversion between the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales. The temperature in Fahrenheit is approximately double the temperature in Celsius, so to estimate a conversion between then it is possible to simply double or halve the temperature. This method is most useful when cooking.

Also, learn about the history of names behind temperature scales in a comprehensive temperature conversion guide.

Watering and Drainage System for Your Balcony Garden

2011-01-11T12:15:00.005-05:00

Natural rainfall is not always sufficient for plants, even when they are growing in the garden, so it is particularly important to their health that watering is not neglected when they are growing in containers.

Watering Systems

In their natural surroundings, many plants survive during periods of low rainfall by extending their roots deep into the earth in search of residual moisture. In containers, they are totally dependent on a regular supply of water to keep them alive.

You can cut down on the need to water frequently by adding water-retaining gel to the compost. This swells up as it absorbs water, and releases it back to the plants as they need it.

Irrigation systems that connect the water supply directly to the plants are an excellent way of cutting down on wasted water, because all the water is delivered exactly where it is needed, at the plants' roots. These can be operated by timing devices to suit the needs of the plants.

Image Source: http://www.bluestonegarden.com/oasis-indoor-self-watering-system.html

As well as providing enough water for your plants, you also need to consider how to get rid of rainwater. On a balcony, excess water can usually be drained away without a problem, but on a roof it may be more difficult. The surplus must drain off quickly, or the roof might not be able to bear the weight.

If you are laying flooring, such as timber decking, it must not interfere with the waterproof membrane covering the roof, and it is important that no damage occurs during installation that would cause water to seep into the rooms below. You should also ensure that canopies will not trap water during bad weather.

Tip of the Day, installing energy efficient LED garden Lights in your garden can help save you money, and is good for the environment.

http://www.greenledlights.org/led-lighting-manufacturers-usa.html

Garden Plants can help fight Pollution

2011-01-11T00:12:00.005-05:00

Pollution of one sort or another is a problem in all areas but town gardens are particularly exposed to its effects because of their location in centres of population, commerce and manufacturing. In this battle between our need for the peace and tranquillity of nature and the necessities of economic activity, the front garden is the front line. Some plants can cope with the problems of pollution, while others cannot, but with thoughtful planting, the garden need look no less beautiful in a town than in the middle of the countryside.

Problem Sites

Any substance in the atmosphere that is not beneficial can constitute pollution, whether it is air-borne, water-borne or deposited directly. Some plants are more tolerant of pollution than others and it is worth knowing which these are.

The most obvious site at risk from pollution is next to a busy main road, where traffic is constantly streaming past or snarled up in slow-moving jams. Not only does the deposit from the vehicle exhausts settle on the leaves throughout the year but, if the road is salted in winter, it is splashed on to the nearest plants as the traffic passes. The solution may be as simple as a hedge of plants that can tolerate this kind of treatment, planted along the most vulnerable part of the garden to protect the more delicate species behind it.

Environmental pollution is a much more general problem to the garden. In an area with such difficulties it is worth choosing a selection of plants that are known to be tolerant of a range of unfavorable conditions. Careful selection will provide a varied collection of both evergreen and deciduous plants, for flowers and foliage, that will provide interest throughout the year.

Further Reading

LED lighting helps conserve energy, and is good for the environment. It does not contain any pollutants, and can be easily recycled.

Aspect of Your Front Garden

2011-01-10T16:18:00.003-05:00

The aspect of the front garden is something you don't have any choice about. Also, because of the primary need to make it an efficient access area, you may not have much scope for altering where blocks of planting or containers are positioned. Whichever direction the garden faces, though, there will be a range of plants suitable for growing in it; selecting the right plants will produce a wonderful show of color throughout the year.

Know Your Plants

The direction the garden faces will have a strong influence on the plants likely to thrive in it. If a plant originally hails from the warm, dry and sunny countries that border the Mediterranean, it is unlikely to grow well in a damp, shady corner, and, similarly, a bog plant from a northern forest will not enjoy being placed between a south-facing wall and a path. One of the basic keys to successful gardening is to match the position and the plant as closely as possible. Doing this when the plant is first acquired will save both time and money, because the plant will not have to be dug up later when it has failed to thrive and most of the growing season has been lost. A good nursery is invaluable for advice, but most plants will be labelled.

Home and Garden Publications

Roofing Publications

Access to the Balcony and Roof Terrace

2011-01-09T19:05:00.003-05:00

Access routes to the balcony or roof garden are usually pretty straightforward and should not present as many problems as in front gardens, for instance. There are some special considerations for these areas, however. The most important point, which must be borne in mind at the initial planning stage, is that fire escapes need to kept clear - especially when these are shared by neighbours.

Keep Exits Clear

In an older property, where several flats are reached by means of a system of metal stairs and balconies, the whole appearance of the building can be altered and enhanced by allowing a tracery of climbing plants to grow along the metalwork. The building develops a character all its own and each individual balcony can then become a small garden for its owner, all different, but linked by the overall greenery. However, if the area in which the garden is being created constitutes part of a fire escape, it is essential for safety to keep it clear so people can descend quickly and easily in an emergency. This is particularly important for a communal balcony, where the same escape route is allocated to several flats - the last thing frightened people need in an emergency is to be falling over pots and trellises.

How to prevent ice dams on roof terrace garden, or on a balcony during the winter

preventing ice dams on a roof

How to Use Screening to Provide Privacy in a Garden

2011-01-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

Privacy is important in the garden, particularly around the area intended for eating or relaxation. Plants, used either as a living screen or to clothe an artificial one, are the ideal solution.

Real Solutions

It is difficult to relax completely in the garden if there is no sense of privacy and protection from outside interference, or if something can be seen which is better left hidden, such as storage areas or rubbish bins (trash cans). The problem can be physical, visual or psychological, but if it is essential to the enjoyment of the garden, it should be addressed. You can increase the height of too-low walls and fences by adding a trellis to the top. This will create a barrier to deter nearby animals from trying to enter, without preventing contact with people on the other side or blocking the view completely. Painting the trellis will add interest until the plants have grown to cover it and will help harmonize it with the surroundings.

If the item to be hidden is within the garden and is not too large, such as a compost container or tool shed, a single evergreen shrub or conifer should suffice to hide it from view. If there is one intrusive eyesore beyond the boundary of the garden that is spoiling the view, a strategically placed upright tree or conifer may be the answer, so that the offending object is hidden but the rest of the scene can still be appreciated.

If taller protection is required, trees such as birch (Betula penduld) are excellent for screening from nearby houses. Because the leaf canopy is light and airy it will not block out too much light.

Privacy is particularly desirable around an eating area, and again, a trellis is useful, as it provides screening without blocking out the light, is durable, supports plants easily and can be painted or stained to suit the area. Its main disadvantage is that it allows in cold winds. Wattle fences, bamboo and reed screens are also extremely attractive, although they are not as long-lasting as trellises. More flexibly, shrubs, tall grasses and small trees in containers can all act as screens, and can be moved to different positions according to need.

For a more solid barrier, especially where a wall cannot be built, a fence of closely spaced boards will provide good shelter. Close-board, interlock and interwoven fencing is usually available in 2m (6 feet) wide panels of varying heights.

Resources

Steps to Eco Friendly Backyard

Roof Gardens and Balcony Maintenance

2010-12-27T21:22:00.003-05:00

Keeping the balcony or roof garden in a good condition will enhance your enjoyment of it. You need to consider the structure, the plants, and the fixtures and fittings. The big advantage of the balcony and roof garden over the ground-level variety is that many of the back-breaking routine tasks, such as digging, are simply not necessary. However, other jobs are unique to these areas and mustn't be neglected.

Plants

In general, the plants will need weeding only if any seedlings happen to appear, and pruning only to keep them healthy and in shape. If any are tied against a wall, check the wires and nails periodically, to make sure they are not pulling away, and tie in new shoots. Occasionally, especially if the plants are protected from the rain, wipe any build-up of dust from the leaves; if dust is allowed to remain, it will interfere with photosynthesis, and the growth of the plant will be slower. As a matter of routine, remove dead leaves from the plants before they begin to rot.

Floor Surfaces

The balcony is probably the easiest to maintain, because, by its very nature as an extended part of the living area, it is usually easy to sweep clean or wash down.

Decking will need to be brushed with a stiff brush to remove any algae; then treat with an algae killer. In addition, treat softwood decks with a preservative every year.

Wash tiles periodically to reduce any build-up of algae; relay any tiles that work loose before they crack.

Concrete tends to suffer most damage from small cracks. If you overlook or ignore these, the action of the weather, or a stray seedling that grows in the crack, can enlarge it and cause considerable damage. Chip away loose material and repair the hole with a stiff mixture of concrete containing an adhesive.

Regularly rake any gravel level; it should not need any other attention.

Seating

Bring the cushions from upholstered furniture inside during wet or cold weather and clean them according to the instructions. Wash plastic frames with a detergent solution periodically to remove the water marks left by rain.

Metal furniture can be left outside but it will need a scrub in spring with a detergent solution, to remove the dust and deposits of the winter. It will benefit from a new coat of weather-resistant paint every two or three years.

Treat softwood timber seating with a preservative or new coat of varnish every year. Hardwoods, Such as teak, do not need preservative. A rub over with white spirit, soap and water and, finally, teak oil will protect them for the year.

Containers

Most containers will need little maintenance. Weathering tends to enhance their appearance rather than detract from it. Any that have been painted may need another coat, and reconstituted stone containers may need to be brushed down.

Trellises and Pergolas

Particularly where the trellis has been erected as a windbreak, the means of support will need regular checking to make sure it is still rigidly in place. The bottoms of posts are prone to rot. Treat them with preservative but, as many wood treatments are toxic to plants, it is usually better to detach the plants from their supports, and protect them before you begin applying the preservative.

Railings

Rub these down and repaint them with a weather-resistant paint when they show signs of damage.

Electrical Fittings

If electricity has been connected to the roof garden, for lights or a pond pump, it should be checked every year for signs of wear; this is best done by a qualified electrician, who can replace any damaged cables or connections.

Resources:

Green Roofing - Guide to green roofs.

How to Plant in Garden Paving

2010-12-03T14:59:00.006-05:00

Whether the paving is a path or a patio, it will look much less stark, especially when it is new, if a few small, low-growing plants are added in among the slabs to soften and blur the edges.

Softening Edges

There is no reason why a paved area has to be a barren, plantless desert, unless it is by choice. By taking up the occasional paving slab or brick, or by scraping back the gravel, it is possible to add small plants that will grow only slowly and withstand being stepped on occasionally. Such plants work well to blend the hard surface into the garden, by integrating the two. This is especially desirable when the paving is new and clean, with sharp, well-defined edges. Long before the slabs begin to look weathered, the plants will have grown to give a much softer appearance to the area. Low-growing thymes are extremely effective at this, because, if they are walked on, the damaged leaves release oils that evaporate to give off their distinctive fragrance. For purely practical purposes, it may be useful to plant an ant-repellent such as pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) near to a doorway if ants are known to be a problem, rather than use a chemical.

As with any other planting scheme, the plants should be chosen to match the situation as closely as possible, with the sun-lovers in the hot areas, and the moisture-lovers in shadier parts.

Planting in paving

Image credits: http://blog.garden-nz.co.nz/stevenson/how-to-guide-paving-layer-patterns.html

Planting Steps:

1. Chisel out a few planting crevices if the paving is cemented, or clear out some of the old soil. Remove to a depth of at least 5cm (2in).

2. Fill the holes with a loam-based compost leaving space to plant.

3. Use small plants, seedlings or recently rooted cuttings. Tease away most of the soil to make insertion easier Trickle more compost around the roots after planting. Firm gently and remove pockets of air.

4. Water carefully. A fine mist from a compression sprayer is less likely to wash away soil than a watering can. Water regularly but avoid a forceful jet of water until the plants are established.

Resources

House and Garden Directory

Home Improvement Construction

Green Building Directory

How to Plant Ground Cover

2010-12-03T04:46:00.004-05:00

Plants which do not exceed 45cm (18in) in height are often referred to as "ground cover", particularly when they have a spreading habit and can be used as a means of softening and disguising hard edges or straight lines.

Low-maintenance Solutions

Low-growing and ground-covering plants are useful for the city front garden in a number of ways, both in the garden and around its edges. They are ideal for softening the edges of a path when they are allowed to grow partly on to the hard surface, and they can be dotted in planting holes left among the slabs, to break up a large expanse of paving. If you have borders in the front garden, ground-cover plants fill and soften the front of the border and will soon fill all gaps. This, in turn, helps to suppress weeds, because, in common with most other seedlings, weeds need light to grow. Eliminating the need to cultivate the soil to get rid of weeds will also help prevent more weeds from appearing, as no more seeds are brought to the surface. Thus ground cover is ideal for the city garden, as it is low-maintenance.

Another bonus is that a covering of leaves over the surface of the soil reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation on a warm or windy day. The soil is kept moist and the amount of water needed to keep the other plants alive is reduced.

Many of the plants used as ground cover are quite tough, and require little in the way of maintenance after planting. Hypericum calycinum, for instance, simply needs annual clipping with a strimmer (string-line trimmer), to reduce the height and encourage bushiness. Other than that, an annual feed will suffice for it to thrive.

Thus, when the amount of time available for maintenance is limited, as it often is for city gardens, using a low covering of plants can reduce the necessary work quite considerably, while still providing a welcoming entrance to your home.

Planting Ground Cover

1. To plant ground cover; clear the ground of weeds first. Annual weeds can be hoed off or killed with a herbicide. Some perennial weeds will have to be dug out by hand.

2. Fork in as much rotted manure or garden compost as you can spare, then apply a slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer and rake it in lightly.

3. Unless your ground cover spreads by underground stems it is best to plant through a mulching sheet to control weeds while the plants are becoming established. Cut a cross where the plant is to be positioned.

4. Plant in staggered rows, planting small plants through the slits with a trowel. Water thoroughly after planting and in dry weather throughout the first year

5. Until the plants have grown together you may want to use a decorative mulch such as chipped bark to improve the appearance.

Resources:

Home and Garden Directory

How to Plant for a Miniature Kitchen Garden

2010-12-02T00:05:00.003-05:00

Vegetable-growing isn't the first project that springs to mind for the balcony or roof gardener, but, in fact, there is a lot of scope for making the most of even a tiny gardening space to produce fruit, vegetables and herbs for the table. The taste of food brought in and eaten fresh from the garden is better than any bought from the shops, and, even in a small area, there are plenty of varieties that can be grown.

Dwarf Varieties

Many fruit varieties are available on a dwarfing rootstock, which keeps them small, and they can be grown in containers, either as normally shaped trees, or as single-stemmed cordons. Against a warm wall, fan-shaped peaches, nectarines and cherries will thrive, as will grapes, which can also be grown over a pergola.

A new generation of "mini-vegetables" have been bred that are aimed at the smaller growing area and designed to be harvested and eaten while they are still small and tender. Tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines (eggplants) and peppers will all thrive in containers, as long as they are sheltered.

Herbs, particularly the more ornamental ones, such as purple basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal') and variegated sages and mints, are decorative as well as useful. Edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, pot marigolds and borage, can be added to salads or frozen into ice cubes to add to summer drinks.

The main requirements for a successful crop are sunshine, water, food and shelter from cold winds. Sun is needed to ripen the fruit and keep the more tender crops, such as courgettes (zucchini), aubergines and peaches, at a warm enough temperature. Most edible plants need a lot of water. This is especially important for plants such as tomatoes, whose fruit has a high water content when ripe.

Edible plants may also need a soil or compost (soil mix) which is rich in organic matter or fertilizer, to provide the nutrients for their rapid growth, although the amount needed does vary from variety to variety, with lettuces being far more dependent on water than food, for example. For this reason, a crop of tomatoes in a grow-bag can be followed the next year by a crop of lettuce and radishes grown in the same bag.

Miniature Kitchen Garden

1. Not many of us have the space or time to maintain a kitchen garden, but this table-top selection will allow you to grow all the essentials. Place crocks in the bottom of terracotta pots for drainage. Plants with well-developed root systems, such as this marigold, will benefit from planting in a larger pot.

2. Pots of basil and other herbs are available from garden centres and many supermarkets. They can be potted on successfully to provide fresh herbs throughout the season. You may be able to divide a single plant into two or more pots when repotting.

3. Nasturtiums flower better in poor soil, and once planted should be left to their own devices. Give them a little water but no plant food or you will get lots of leaves and no flowers.

4. Additional plants to grow might include miniature tomato and strawberry plants. They need larger pots to allow for root development. Line a tray with a thick plastic sheet and cover with clay granules. These retain moisture and create a damp microclimate for the plants.

Additional Resources:

General Contractors Directory

Home Improvement Contractors

Construction Companies

How to Plant a Hedge in Your Front Garden

2010-11-30T21:12:00.003-05:00

While it is difficult to eliminate an annoying noise completely, it is possible to use plants to filter it down to a more acceptable level. Plants near the house look much more attractive than sound-proofing.

Hedges as Screening

The one thing it is difficult to get away from in a built-up area is noise - it is constant, from traffic, trains, aircraft, people and so on. To a large extent, noise becomes so familiar that it barely registers, but there are occasions when it is preferable to do something about it. At the front of a house, a particularly persistent noise may interfere with sleeping, for instance, and here it may be useful to install plants to act as a baffle to the noise and to try to deflect it up over the building.

Hedges, particularly when they consist of broad-leaved evergreen plants such as Prunus laurocerasus, Aucuba japonica or FJaeagmis x ebbingei, are effective at reducing noise, because they form a dense barrier throughout the year. The higher the hedge, the higher it will deflect the noise.

In a very small garden, this may not be an option, because hedges do take up quite a lot of space, so the strategic positioning of a single upright or small-sized tree may be necessary Both Prunus 'Amanogawa' (upright) and Prunus x subhirtella Autumnal is' (a small tree bearing flowers throughout the autumn and winter) are deciduous trees suitable for small gardens.

Planting a Hedge

Image Source: http://www.scrooby.net/page/environment

1. Mark out the line of the hedge with a string and canes. Use a spade to dig holes deep enough to accommodate the plants' roots, allowing space for the intended thickness of the hedge. For each hole, place the rootball against the side of the hole, and cover with soil.

2. Firm the soil gently with your foot. Repeat until the whole row has been planted; then apply a dressing of fertilizer on to the soil surface around the young plants and fork this into the top 5cm (2in) of soil.

3. Water the plants in well, then add a layer of organic matter 10cm (4in) deep as a mulch over the soil surface, to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Resources:

Home and Garden Links

Landscaping Directory

Home and Garden Directory

How to Plant Climbing Plants in your Back Garden

2010-11-29T20:37:00.005-05:00

A screen, whether a trellis or a hedge, will look more interesting throughout the year if other plants are used to liven it up. There is at least one climbing plant in flower during every month of the year and combining these with the screen will add an extra dimension.

Enhancing Screens

Many of the plants that have the best screening qualities, in terms of large, evergreen leaves, are fairly consistent in their appearance all year round. While this means that the screen is highly effective, it can be a little monotonous. To liven it up, climbers can be trained into it, to grow through and be supported by it. The flowers of the climber then peep through, with the plain foliage of the screen acting as a foil to their color. A large screen can act as host to several climbers, with flowering periods that follow on from each other, so that the screen is colorful for most of the year. If the climber produces interesting seed heads as well as attractive flowers, you have even more scope. Such is the case with Clematis tangutica, the seed heads of which persist well into the winter months.

Some climbers are more vigorous than others, so it is important to choose ones that are compatible with the plants forming the screen, otherwise the screen may be swamped or the climbers may be lost. The screen needs to be established and growing well before the climbers are introduced, or it will not be big enough to give the climbers the support they need.

Where the screen is made of timber or plastic, of course, there is no need to wait before plants are placed against it, unless the wood has recently been treated with a wood preservative which could harm them. Place the plants at the base of the screen, about 15cm (6in) out into the border, and use a cane to guide the stems towards the screen. As the stems begin to grow, weave them into the screen until they become established. Against a fence, the stems will need to be held in place with a system of wires and ties, but these will soon be hidden behind the foliage.

Planting a Climber Plant

1. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the rootball of the plant, and fork plenty of well-rotted compost or manure into the base.

2. Check the depth of the hole (the level in the container should be slightly below the final soil level) and then remove the container and place the rootball in the hole.

3. Refill the hole with topsoil and a small amount of fertilizer firm it down and water the area well.

4. Position a cane close to the base of the climbing plant and use it to guide the stems of the climber towards the host plant.

Resources:

Home and Garden

Paving a Garden Patio How to

2010-11-19T15:32:00.002-05:00

How to Lay a Paving on Garden Patio

Tiny as these areas may be in the city, the courtyard and patio can become the "room outside", where eating is a relaxed and social experience, surrounded by foliage, flowers and fragrances.

The term "patio" originally referred to an inner courtyard set among the living rooms of a building. Nowadays, it refers to almost any hard-surface area in the garden, although usually the one where the outdoor furniture is sited.

While the patio is often placed adjacent to the house, this is not critical. You may find it is better positioned to make the most of the evening sunlight. If this is at the bottom of the garden, make sure the access routes are planned properly.

Privacy and a feeling of seclusion are important to help make the area a relaxing one in which to sit, and some form of screening may play a part in creating this. The whole area should be designed to have a harmonious feel, with the colors of the furniture, accessories and plants all chosen to complement each other.

Patio Surfaces

As with the rest of the garden, the surface sets the mood in the courtyard or on the patio. It should be in keeping with the surroundings and practical for the situation.

Paving

There are many different types of paving available, in a range of materials, shapes and sizes. Traditional Yorkstone paving is attractive and hard-wearing, but is expensive. There are many concrete imitations that are equally attractive, widely available and much cheaper. Larger paving slabs can be smooth or textured ("riven"), and their use will depend on the purpose of the patio. Young children might find some of the textured slabs difficult to walk or ride a small bicycle across, and furniture placed on them may be slightly unsteady. In order to create a variety of patterns, the slabs can be square, rectangular or hexagonal, and they are designed to be easily laid on to a level, well-prepared base. Small paving blocks (paviours) and house bricks are equally easy to lay, although this does take a little longer because you have to lay so many more of them. They can be laid in a number of decorative patterns, such as basket-weave and herringbone; or used to change the apparent perspective of the area. By laying them crossways you will shorten the view, whereas lengthways they will extend it.

1. Lay a bed of hardcore, roughly 15cm (6in) deep and rake it roughly level.

2. Make five small mounds ("spots") of mortar, one to ft under each corner of the slab, and one for the centre. Lower the slab into a horizontal position on the sand spots.

3. Gently wiggle the slab from side to side, to bed it down on to the mortar spots, and check that it is level by placing a spirit level (carpenter's level) diagonally across it to get an accurate reading.

4. Repeat across the opposite diagonal. Repeat the whole process with the remaining slabs, placing each alongside the previous one and aligning with an even gap along the joint.

Resources:

Home Improvement Directory

Home and Garden Directory

How to Lay a Pave in a Back Garden

2010-11-18T18:43:00.001-05:00

Changing the material covering the "floor" of the garden can completely alter its appearance, by changing the perception of length or width, or by giving a definite flow of design, leading the eye onwards into the garden itself.

Practical Considerations

The "floor" surface in the garden fulfils the same function, in design terms, as a fitted carpet inside the house, providing a unifying link that flows through the area. It is the foil against which the planting can be arranged and, for every group of planting, there should be a balancing amount of open space.

The surface should also be practical. For instance, wooden decking positioned under overhanging trees will quickly become covered with slippery algae. Paving can be natural stone, brick, or concrete, and it can be laid in lines to lengthen the appearance of the garden, or in patterns to shorten it. Decking and timber are both softer than paving, and are very flexible materials to work with, both in terms of actual installation, and in how they are treated (stained or painted) afterwards. Timber can be mixed with other surfaces, such as paving and gravel, to give interesting textural variations, and laying it across, rather than along, the run of the path will make the distance look shorter. Railway sleepers (ties) are extremely useful in the garden, and can be used for edging borders and making raised beds as well as edging paths.

Small changes in contour and direction will alter the appearance of the garden, and can be used to give an interesting shape and pleasing sense of proportion. Steps should be wide enough to be functional, especially where food is carried, and shallow enough to be safe for both the very young and the not-so-very young.

Laying Pavers

1. Clay pavers look like bricks but are thinner and are designed to fit together without mortar joints. Prepare a sub-base of 5-10cm of compacted hardcore. Mortar into position a firm edge to work from. Lay a 5cm (2in) bed of sand, making sure the pavers are level with the edging. Adjust the depth of the sand if necessary. Use battens (laths) as a height gauge to enable the sand to be levelled with a piece of wood.

2. Lay the pavers in the required pattern, making sure that they butt up to each other and the edging.

3. Tamp the pavers in place using a club hammer over a length of timber. You could also hire a flat-plate vibrator to do the job. Brush more sand over the pavers to fill the joints, then tamp down again to lock in position.

Get more home and garden tips at Do It yourself Directory.

Container Gardening How to

2010-11-17T19:48:00.002-05:00

How to Choose Containers for Container Gardening

The vast range of containers available means that they can be chosen to match the situation and the budget. Most containers can be customized and can do a great deal to improve the most unpromising environments.

Types of garden Containers

There are a multitude of containers on the market, made from a wide range of materials, and of varying quality and durability. One of the oldest is terracotta, either glazed or unglazed, which produces a rough, earthy container; terracotta will blend well in most gardens but looks particularly attractive in a warm, Mediterranean-type setting. It is reasonably durable, as long as it was guaranteed frost-proof when it was bought, otherwise it may shatter during a cold winter. Terracotta is used for pots, strawberry tubs, troughs and wall pots. Wooden containers, such as half-barrels, tubs and troughs, have a rural look, are natural insulators (keeping plant roots warmer than stone or plastic) and are ideal for an informal setting. Those square wooden planters often called "Versailles", however, can be used very successfully in formal gardens and are particularly effective with very architectural plants, such as topiary, used in pairs to frame an entrance. How durable wooden containers are will depend upon how well they have been treated and seasoned, and they will probably need continued care as time goes on.

Reconstituted stone is used for larger pots, urns and troughs, and is much heavier than terracotta or wood. For this reason, it is a good choice where the container is likely to be left in position for a long time. These containers are usually highly ornamental, and suit a formal position near the house, at the end of a vista, or at the entrance to a seating area or walkway.

Concrete pots, urns and troughs are similar to reconstituted stone ones, and are equally heavy. Both concrete and reconstituted stone pots should be allowed to weather for several months before lime-hating plants are planted into them.

Plastic pots come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, are cheap and light to handle, and unlike the other materials, are not porous, so that water is not lost through the sides. Improvements are constantly being made to increase the durability, but they are still likely to become brittle and crack if they are kept in strong sunlight.

Compost (Soil Mix) for Containers

The two main types of compost (soil mix) available for use in containers are soilless and soil-based. Soilless composts are based on peat, or a peat-substitute such as coir fibre, and are light and easy to handle. They contain sufficient nutrients for at least one growing season, and are suitable for plants that will only be in the container for a maximum of 12 months before being repotted or discarded. They are free-draining and, once they dry out, they can be very difficult to re-wet.

Soil-based composts contain a lot of natural soil, so they are heavier to handle but much better at hanging on to both water and nutrients. Larger or older plants, or those which are to remain in the same pots for a long period of time, will benefit from the stability offered by this type.

Further Reading:

How to Apply a Loose Mulch in your Garden

Build Overhead Screening for Roof Garden

Home and Garden Directory

Back Garden Access - How to - Practical Planning

2010-11-16T21:37:00.003-05:00

While the front garden is generally on display, in the private part of the garden at the back of the house, your imagination can take over. In this secret haven, all the stresses and cares of the day are put aside in favor of pleasure and relaxation.

No matter what size it is, even the tiniest patch can be filled with plants to delight the senses. The size of the garden is of little importance to the end result, because, by considering scale and color carefully, and using every surface and dimension to the full, you can create an impression that the garden is much bigger, longer or wider than it really is.

Much more critical to success are the basic steps that will ensure the plants grow well. The pH of the soil - how acidic or alkaline it is -will govern the range of plants to an extent, as well as the general aspect of the garden and amount of sun it receives. By taking all these factors into account, you will discover ways to create the perfect garden no matter how restricting the site might at first appear.

Access to the Back Garden

Making sure that the routes to certain points around the garden are kept clear will reduce the risk of damage to the plants, but this does not have to mean having a straight concrete path down the middle.

Practical Planning

The back garden can have such a multitude of uses that the points for access are many and varied, and are seldom as simple as just in-and-out. There may be a back gate, for reaching a rubbish (trash) storage area or garage; a shed, compost heap or greenhouse; a clothes line; or a children's play area, all of which will need a direct line of access. Not providing this direct route will result in "desire lines" being worn across the lawn or through the plants as short-cuts are inevitably taken. Watching these lines develop is often the easiest way of working out exactly where the paths ought to go, but by then, the damage may have been done.

There are many different surfaces to choose from for paths, from bark to stone, brick to gravel, and the choice is entirely personal. Aim to keep the surface material in context with the house wherever possible. Match the brick to those used on the house or select a complementary shade of gravel.

If the path runs across, or next to, a lawn, it is important to remember that loose gravel will seriously damage the blades of a lawnmower. Unless the gravel can be resin-bonded to keep it in place, it is probably better to go for slabs or bricks, which can be set lower than the grass, or bark, which is softer and will not cause so much damage.

Sources:

Landscaping Directory

Home and Garden Directory

Home and Garden

How to Choose Plants for a Back Garden

2010-11-12T15:42:00.003-05:00

Every plant has a preference about its ideal growing conditions, and putting a plant in the right spot will I mean the difference between it thriving or merely surviving. Certain plants prefer to grow in soils that are higher or lower in acidity than others, while some cannot tolerate acidity at all.

Know Your Soil

Avoid expensive mistakes by choosing a plant that is suitable for the soil where it is to be grown. The best way to ascertain the soil pH level is to buy a testing kit, because the levels do vary considerably within even local areas, depending on where the topsoil was brought in from, or what the underlying rock is.

The pH of the soil is influenced by the underlying bedrock, the amount of rainfall, the rate of drainage and also nearby vegetation such as pine trees (which produce acid foliage).

Soil Structure

The soil in which the plants are to grow is a collection of minerals and organic matter (humus) which will be expected to support the plant throughout its life. To be able to do this, they usually need a little bit of help in the form of organic matter and fertilizer.

Soil consists of sand, silt, clay and humus, and the proportions in which each is present will determine the structure of the soil - its consistency and water-retaining properties. The more large sand particles it contains, the more easily water will drain through it and the more quickly it will warm up in spring, allowing earlier planting. Silt particles are smaller, so water is held for longer, but they retain little in the way of nutrients. Clay particles are smallest of all; they hold on to nutrients and water extremely well, but produce a heavy, solid soil that is cold (slow to warm up in spring, because the water has to warm up as well as the particles), and prone to damage if it is worked when it is too wet.

The ideal soil to have is a loam, which contains a perfect balance ' of all the elements, producing a crumbly soil, often dark in color, which holds both moisture and nutrients well, without becoming water-logged. Unfortunately, this is rare, and most gardens have a soil that favors one particle size over the others and so needs help in the form of added organic matter to make it easier to work. This can take the form of well-rotted manure or compost (soil mix). Organic matter adds air to a solid soil and keeps moisture for longer in a free-draining one.

How to Test the Soil pH

1. Take a sample of soil from the area to be tested from about 10cm (4in) under the soil surface. To get a representative sample from the whole garden, take at least five small samples from all over the plot. Mix them together thoroughly in a screw-top jar
2. Thoroughly mix the soil and indicator chemicals, according to the instructions on the pack.
3. Add liquid to the soil/chemical mixture in the container and shake it vigorously.

Sources:

Home and Garden Directory

http://www.allconstructiondirectory.com/home-garden/

http://www.homeimprovementdir.org/home-garden/

Finding Green Ways to Insulate Your Home

Aleksandr Biyevetskiy About me page

2010-08-06T15:01:00.005-04:00

I came to the United States when I was 16. I was really fascinated with all the opportunities that people have in the U.S. When I graduated from high school in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, I joined the United States army and became an infantryman. When I returned from the war in Iraq in 2006, I started my own metal roofing company, and later my brother and I expanded our business to the installation of cool flat roofing systems for residential homes and commercial buildings. While working on my business, I started attending college majoring in an international management. While in college, I discovered the beauty of ballroom dancing and music. I took my first ballroom dancing class in college and it was a very challenging and rewarding experience.

Metal Roofing Prices

2010-07-26T21:03:00.006-04:00

As environmental awareness continues to spread in America, the homeowners are starting to embrace green building technologies to make their homes greener and more energy efficient. Like many other energy efficient green building products, metal roofing is continuing to gain popularity and market share as the most energy efficient roofing material for residential homes.

For most people metal roofing is a high-end remodeling project that provides a beautifully looking and reliable roofing alternative to conventional asphalt shingle roofing. When homeowners consider a new roof for their home the first thing they focus on is metal roof pricing. According to the remodeling magazine a national average price for a new standing-seam metal roof installed on 30 squares home was around $42,000, while the same roof done with asphalt would cost $22,500. The roofing job included the complete tear-off and the cleanup of the old shingles.

Based on these numbers, metal roofing costs are nearly double of what you would normally pay for an asphalt shingle roof. Clearly, metal roofs are pricier than their energy inefficient and environmentally unfriendly, petroleum based counterparts. Despite the difference in roofing costs, metal roofing has been gaining roofing product market share with some very steady momentum, making it one of the fastest growing roofing products in America. So, what is it that makes metal roofing such an attractive option for the homeowners?

The answer lies in the reliability and longevity that metal roofs have to offer. Modern metal roofs are expected to last for many decades. While an asphalt shingle roof averages less than 20 years of useful life, professionally installed metal roofs can last well over 50 years. Metal roofing has an impeccable track record for longevity and reliability that dates back to the early 19th century when zinc roofs became popular in Europe. Zinc roofs perform extremely well lasting in many cases over 100 years. In fact, many zinc metal roofs installed in France are still protecting the buildings today.

Metal roofing offers many different styles and material options to the building owners. Starting from a zinc and aluminum coated steel roofing, to zinc and copper roofing. Stylewise, metal roofs are made in traditional profiles such as metal shingles, metal shakes, and tiles. Modern profiles such as standing-seam metal roofing and custom built metal roofing profiles are also available.

Metal roofs are fully recyclable when the time comes to replace them. Many metal roofing systems available on the market today contain over 30 percents of post consumer recycled metal content. Metal roofs are available in greater variety of of colors, with many profiles approved and rated by a energy star and cool roof council. Cool metal roofing colors can provide energy savings of up to 35% in the summer.

Metal roofing helps homeowners save money, make their home beautiful and more energy efficient, save money on air conditioning costs, and qualify for green building tax credits from the gov't. When shopping for a new metal roof make sure that You only hire experienced metal roofing contractors who can show you their work and provide good workmanship.

Green Metal Roofing for better environment

2009-07-05T17:20:00.003-04:00

Green Building a new way to build

It is truly amazing how green building and energy efficiency are becoming such a big part of our life and how green building practices can contribute to a better, cleaner and healthier environment.
Indeed new technology such as energy efficient cars and hybrids, water and light saving systems, wind mill farms, and solar power are becoming important contributors to cleaner environment and help us fight global warming.

How can I use green building in my home?

Thought, you would never ask:) Well, there are quite a few ways that you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment by performing some energy efficient updates in your home. For instance, next time your home needs a new roof, an important component of our home that protects the entire building, you can upgrade your old asphalt shingle roof with an energy efficient metal roof.

Metal Roofing offers great many benefits over conventional asphalt shingle roofs. Just to name a few, metal roofs can last as long as the building structure itself when professionally installed by Metal Roofing Contractors. Metal Roofs are considered green because metal is fully recyclable building material, that also reflects solar heat and reduces AC load during steamy hot days of summer. In fact, an energy star certified metal roof can save you quite a bit of money in energy savings and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere when Power plants burn coal to produce electricity.

Metal Roofs can also be outfitted with solar panels, which will not only keep your roof cool and leak free, but will also generate free electricity for your home and pay for itself in seven to ten years!

Visit NewEnglandMetalRoof.com for more information about installing metal roofs and solar roofing panels.

How to reduce energy cost by planting trees around your house.

2008-12-17T19:16:00.003-05:00

This winter caused a lot of worries and concerns for a lot of people who did not know how they can afford the outrageous increases in the cost of heating oil.

The sudden spike in home heating costs forced people to get creative and make their homes more energy efficient. Many homeowners took measures such as installing high R - value insulation in the walls of their homes, replacing old windows with high R value - energy efficient windows, and energy star rated home heating systems.

Like everything else in life, tough times call for innovative and adaptive measures. Luckily, the oil prices did not go up as much as was earlier anticipated. Slow economy did help to bring the price of crude oil down which in turn helped to contain the price of heating oil for our homes.

Hopefully, it will stay this way for some time and now that the winter is in full bloom, it may not be a bad idea to start planning for the summer when will have to deal with energy efficiency and air conditioning costs ones again.

In my previous post, I have suggested measures such as installing cool roofing systems to reduce the load on air conditioning and help with energy savings. House Insulation, Energy Efficient Windows, and cool roofing systems are all very viable options when it comes to making our homes more energy efficient.

Today, I would like to suggest another way to make our homes greener and energy efficient for the summer using what the mother nature has given us.

Planting trees on the south side of your home can provide the shadow for your house, which will reduce the load on you air conditioning and result in significant energy savings, especially if you live in a one story ranch that has a lot of windows facing the south side.

Planting the trees will improve the aesthetic appeal of your home. To do this right, would require some skillful landscaping on your part, but the pay back is well worth the effort; you get energy efficiency, a beautiful landscape and fresher air outside of your home.

What type of plants should I use to provide shadow for my windows and help with the energy efficiency?

It is best to use deciduous trees because they will shadow your windows from the sun in the summer, but in the fall they will drop their leaves letting the sunlight through, which will help to warm up your rooms and reduce heating expenditures. This would also work well with R -rated energy efficient windows that would let the sunlight in the winter, and help retain the warmth inside your room.

What particular trees can use to block the solar heat from my home?

You could use maples, burr oaks, overcup oaks and river birches. When planting the trees it is important to make sure that mature trees will be able to withstand the strong winds so they do not cause the damage to the home they are supposed to protect.

Another technique you could use is using the trees to cast a shadow on your air conditioning unit. This should be done with care as there needs to be adequate ventilation present.

In tough times we have to use every measure we can to fight the rising energy costs and global warming. Let smart landscaping be one of the ways to accomplish it.

References:

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/di_green_sustainable/article/0,2618,HPRO_20616_4026977,00.html

Solar and Green Building

Green Solar Metal Roofing

411 Home Repair Directory

As Always, I invite your comments, ideas, suggestions and contributions. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Getting rid of Green House Gas to prevent Global Warming

2008-11-29T16:52:00.001-05:00

Burying the greenhouse gas

New tool could aid safe underground storage of CO2

Deborah Halber, News Office Correspondent
November 17, 2008

To prevent global warming, researchers and policymakers are exploring a variety of options to significantly cut the amount of carbon dioxide that reaches the atmosphere. One possible approach involves capturing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide at the source -- an electric power plant, for example -- and then injecting them underground.

While theoretically promising, the technique has never been tested in a full-scale industrial operation. But now MIT engineers have come up with a new software tool to determine how much CO2 can be sequestered safely in geological formations.

The work will be reported Nov. 18 at the 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-9), to be held Nov. 16-20 in Washington, D.C.

According to the 2007 MIT study, "The Future of Coal," and other sources, capturing CO2 at coal-burning power plants and storing it in deep geological basins will mitigate its negative effects on the atmosphere.

However, injecting too much CO2 could create or enlarge underground faults that may become conduits for CO2 to travel back up to the atmosphere, said Ruben Juanes, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and one of the authors of the work. "Our model is a simple, effective way to calculate how much CO2 a basin can store safely. It is the first to look at large scales and take into account the effects of flow dynamics on the stored CO2," he said.

Already Juanes and co-author CEE graduate student Michael L. Szulczewski have applied their model to the Fox Hills Sandstone in the Powder River basin straddling Montana and Wyoming. They found that the formation would hold around 5 gigatons of CO2 -- more than half of all the CO2 emitted by the United States each year.

A geological basin is a large underground bowl between 100 and 1,000 kilometers wide and 5,000 kilometers deep that has filled over millennia with layers of sand, fine-grained clays, and other sediments that are eventually consolidated into porous rock. Some of the layers contain brine and are called deep saline aquifers. CO2 would be injected into the aquifers through wells.

The MIT model predicts how much a plume of CO2 will migrate from its injection well and the path it is likely to take due to underground slopes and groundwater flow.

"A lot of people have done studies at small scales," Szulczewski said. "If we're going to offset emissions, however, we're going to inject a lot of CO2 into the subsurface. This requires thinking at the basin scale."

"Despite the fact that our model applies at the basin scale, it is very simple. Using only pen and paper, you take geological parameters such as porosity, temperature and pressure to calculate storage capacity," Szulczewski said. "Other methods suffer from major shortcomings of accuracy, complexity or scale."

Juanes studies a phenomenon called capillary trapping, through which CO2, liquefied by the pressure of the Earth, is trapped as small blobs in the briny water (picture bubbles of oil in vinegar). The CO2 dispersed throughout the basin's structural pores eventually dissolves and reacts with reservoir rocks to precipitate out into harmless carbonate minerals.

CO2 has been sequestered in small pilot projects in Norway, Algeria and elsewhere. In 2004, 1,600 tons of CO2 were injected 1,500 meters into high-permeability brine-bearing sandstone of the Frio formation beneath the Gulf coast of Texas. Current proposals call for injecting billions of tons within the continental United States.

The GHGT-9 conference is organized by MIT in collaboration with the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEA GHG), with sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Energy.

This research was supported by the McClelland Fund, administered by the MIT Energy Initiative, and by the Reed Research Fund.

This article was originally published by MIT and can be seen below:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/bury-greenhouse-1117.html

Green Home Tips

2008-11-06T18:43:00.007-05:00

Do you consider yourself to be a green living friendly person?

Chances are that you would love to become greener, but you think that it is going to require too much time and extra effort. I know that it may seem overwhelming at first and you may feel like you do not know where to begin, but the reality is that it is actually quite easy to green up your life.

Let me suggest just a few simple steps that will help you become greener and more earth friendly:

Start Recycling

You know these blue plastic boxes the city is providing you for free? Why not start using it. It will only take a little bit of extra time to sort out all your plastic bottles and put them in that blue box. It is well worth the effort and it will make our environment greener.

Ride a bike when you can!

So, why not take that bike that has been seating in your garage for years and take it out for a little ride in the neighborhood next time you need to go somewhere close by. Biking is an excellent exercise that will not only help you build your legs, but it will also spare the unnecessary emission deposits into the environment. Simply put, Biking is healthy, fun and refreshing.

Get those energy efficient bulbs.

Next time you go shopping to Wall Mart or Home Improvement Store, why not get those energy efficient bulbs and replace all the regular bulbs in your home, or in the stair way if you live in a small apartment building.

Shovel Like there is no tomorrow.

I know winter is just around the corner. So next time it snows hold yourself from starting that crazy snow shoveling machine and grab a shovel instead! Shoveling can be a great exercise that builds muscles and burns the extra pounds!

Alright those were some simple tips that come to mind and can be a great way to get you started thinking about all the other ways you can green up your life. Now that we got our mind going, let's move to more advanced ways to green up your home.

Energy Efficient Home Improvements:

Here are some of the ways you can make your home greener next time you are doing renovations in your home.

Energy Efficient Windows

Are your old windows letting cold air in from the street and are difficult to open. Why not replace your old windows with energy efficient windows that will help keep your home warmer or cooler depending on the season and will save you tons of money on heating and cooling costs.

Green Roofing for slope roofs

Is your old roof curling and cracking? Perhaps it is time to upgrade to a newer energy efficient roof. There are many green roofing options available. Consider installing green roofing system made out of steel, aluminum or copper. Metal can provide excellent energy efficiency benefits and a new metal roof could last a lifetime of your home.

Energy Efficient roofing for flat roofs

If your house has a flat roof and metal roof is not an option, then you can still benefit from an energy efficient IB cool flat roof system that reflects solar radiation and can outlast most conventional roofs by a factor of 3! You could also get your roof set up with roof integrated solar panels that can provide some free electricity for your home. Talking about the ways to really go green!

You can find energy efficient roofing contractors listed in Specialty Roofing Directory.

Save money on heating

Turn down the heat in you appartment during the day and save some money!

As a tip of the day you can find more environmentally friendly blogs at Blog Directory by Blogzoop.

As always, I welcome your comments, let me know what you think!

Green Car Tips - Perfect time to buy a Hybrid

2008-10-24T10:25:00.001-04:00

Have you ever asked yourself a question of what can you do make your world better?

Have you ever wondered about the specific steps you could take to improve the world you live in and the way you interact with it?

Have you ever tried to attain harmony with the world and with yourself?

I know we live in a crazy and Volatile world where wars erupt all over the place, and world financial markets crumble under uncertainty and lack of confidence in the financial markets.

When I was thinking of all this craziness going on around us, it made me realize that there is not much a single person can do to fix it, but it also made me realize that an individual person can still change the world by making themselves a better person and better citizen of this world.

Well... I know those are some rhetorical statements, but what specifically can an individual person do to improve their own world and bring the positive changes to the world around them today?

I am going to suggest that now is a good time to make some positive changes... Let me share some of the ideas that I pondered lately.

Despite the slow economy and falling stock market, we have seen some positive changes in price of gasoline coming down from its heights of over $4.00 a gallon down to $2.59 in North Attleboro, MA. I think this is a great opportunity to take advantage of and I am not suggesting that you go and buy 1000 gallons of unleaded gasoline to stock up for the winter.

Instead I am going to suggest something completely different. Do you remember all the hype with electric hybrids such as Toyota Prius, Civic hybrid? I tried to buy one in the begging of the summer when fuel prices went through the roof, but it was bad timing because everyone else was doing it.

But, look at what is happening now? It is mid October, and the dealerships are empty of their customers. In fact, a friend of mine who works at Honda dealership told me that they had to let go of six sales people in just one week.

Do you see where I am going with this? Now, that the fuel prices are down, people are no longer in a rush to go to the dealership and buy a Hybrid. It means that you can actually get a nice hybrid and I am not talking about paying three grands over the sticker price, which was the case at many dealerships over the summer. Instead you can go and get the individual attention you deserve and buy a nice hybrid and get a good discount too.

Yes, the fuel prices are down, but who knows for how long. So why not try to improve your world and buy a green fuel efficient car that will save you money and help preserve our environment.

Now is the time to do it because, no one else does it. Remember the key to success is not doing what everybody else does, but rather finding the good opportunities and recognizing market inequalities when they present themselves.

Why not take advantage of it?

I will be sharing a few more ideas about making your world greener and finding a harmonious way to interact with the world, soon.

Please share your ideas and let me know what you think about taking advantage of the slow economy and low fuel prices to buy a Hybrid now.

You can find a lot of great of great ways to become greener and earth friendly when you Visit DoItYourself.com - The Leading Home Improvement and Remodeling Website Featuring the Internet's Largest Hardware Superstore.