Friday, July 31, 2009

10 Ways to Help Secure Your Home From Burglars

By Rob Lederman

Monitored alarm system When the alarm sounds someone will call the police and dispatch them to your house.

Two-way voice verification By speaking directly to the monitoring station in an emergency, this tool gets you the quickest police response possible. Its like on-star for your home.

Auto arm With this feature, your security system can be set to turn on at a specific time, in case someone forgets to activate it.

Latch-key ability Designed for school aged children. When a child comes home and turns the security system off, it will text or email a notification.

Cell back-up service If the phone line is taken out, this will send cellular signals to the monitoring station so you are still protected.

Surveillance systems Proven Security can install cameras on homes or businesses that can record up to a month at a time, have Internet access, and burn onto a disc if required.

Night vision and customizable cameras. Lederman says there is a camera for any application a customer could possibly want.

Covert surveillance With the ability to hide chip cameras in fire alarms, clocks, motion detectors, or anything the customer desires, your house will be protected without anyone noticing.

Intercoms with buzz in Dont let anybody pass your front gate without speaking to them 1st. This device is most effective when used along with a camera.

Proven Security Solutions systems are completely customizable Whatever the customer wants, they can get.

Install a stockade fence. Any obstacle that gets in the way may send the intruder to the next house.

1 out of every 5 homes will experience a break-in or house invasion, according to a United States Department of Justice report. According to the FBIs Crime in the US report, 98,508 Ohio homes were burglarized in 2007. Those are some frightening statistics; thankfully, homeowners can take precautionary measures to protect themselves, their families, and their property.

About the Author:

Folding of Fireplace Screens

By Pamela Smith

There are several hundreds of fireplace screens that comes is multitude of designs and style from the classical to the contemporary. One of the most sought-after is the contemporary type. It can always fit in with any contemporary architectural designs and modern concepts. They are equipped with the mesh spark guard to protect your floor and furnishing from sparkling embers that could be flying out from the wood-burning place.

The mesh spark guard comes in different colors, sizes and models you can choose from to suit to your personal taste. This is the most excellent means to avoid sparks and sparkling embers from damaging your floor, carpet or rug and other furnishings situated near the firebox. The spark guard which offers optimum safety around the firebox is also available in a variety of finishes.

One good feature provided in these flame protectors are coordinating accessory sets that comes in several forms. These fireplace screens have panels which are in small, medium and large sizes. They can be square or arched to fit in to your type of hearth. Designs are usually in different folds which are hinged corners on every panel. They also serve as doors for the hearth.

Folds can be one up to five panels which are all created for a purpose intended by the homeowners. The one-panel hearth door has a wide variety of designs, sizes and shapes for this is the most popular and affordable. The folding fireplace screens are great designs that likewise enhance the burning flame.

There is a stellar collection you can select with different shapes, designs and styles of these flame protectors that can match your needs. You find on the Internet the awesome creations concerning these firebox doors. Do not wait for the time the burning flames or sparks get out of the hearth before you decide buying fireplace screens.

About the Author:

How To Remove Mold From Walls

By Brian Barker

To say the least, mold is very annoying. You will find that it grows in some of the most inconvenient places, them worst of these being the walls. If you look closely at your house you will find that the walls make up a very significant part of the entire thing. They are the first thing that people see when they come into your house, and if they happen to be covered with mold then the entire image is ruined.

Mold can grow for a variety of reasons, one of these being moisture buildup in the air. Once this happens it can be difficult to get rid of, but not entirely impossible. All you have to do is use a little bit of ingenuity, and try to avoid scraping your walls with a putty knife because in the end that will do more harm than good.

What you need to do is create a solution of bleach, laundry detergent, and hot water. This is the way to do it by yourself. Now you should know that you can go out and buy a commercial mildewcide to take care of your problem but youll find that it costs quite a bit more than actually mixing it yourself. If you dont want to mix it yourself though, purchasing a pre-made solution is definitely the way to go.

The next step involves you using a plastic sponge and dipping it into the solution, and gently scrubbing the wall starting from the base and working your way up. Continue this until you see the mold vanishing. You want to visit every wall in your house that has this problem, and give them all a good but gentle scrubbing using as much of the solution as needed.

Next, use a plastic sponge, dip it into the solution, and begin scrubbing the walls that have mold on them. Start from the base of the wall, and work your way up. Continue scrubbing until the mold has dissolved, and repeat this procedure on every wall in your home that has mold on it, using as much of the solution that you need.

Now that you are done with that, you need to think about a way to prevent it from happening for the foreseeable future. The best way to do this is to purchase some paint that has anti-mildew properties. Its possible that youve never heard of this but you can actually buy this paint at most hardware stores. Get enough of it to cover your house and get to work repainting. Yes repainting is a pain, but just think of how much time and money you will save when you prevent mildew from growing on your walls again.

Yes, painting is laborious, but think of the time, hassle, and money you will save yourself with not having to deal with mold on your walls again. Ridding of mold on your walls can be a simple do-it-yourself job. Make sure you take the measures of keeping it away to maintain a clean and healthy household and prevent the ugly embarrassment of having it on your walls.

About the Author:

Growing Climbing Roses - My Easy Guide

By Kor Rassad

No rose garden is truly perfect without including climbing roses into the mix of rose species. Climbing roses, also recognized as pillars, ramblers, trailing roses, and everblooming roses depending on how they grow are not considered true vines. They don't grow their own support structures to hold onto surfaces. But they are the ideal decoration to grace any arch, wall or any other structure in and around any garden.

Because climbing roses do not have the capabilities to hold onto structures like vines do, they need help from us. Grower can loosely tie the plant to a structure or wind it through the structure. Some types of structures you can grow climbing roses on are trellis , arbors, fences, sheds, columns, walls or virtually any other big, solid structures. Climbing roses that are educated to grow laterally instead of vertically often produce more blossoms. Vertically trained climbing roses will produce little spines along their main stem or canes which will develop blooms. Besides the direction they grow, growing climbing roses is not unlike growing other types of rose plants. Climbing roses need about 6 to 7 hours of direct unfiltered sunshine a day. Even climbing roses that are said to do good in the part shade still need about four to five hours of direct sunshine a day.

When projecting to grow climbing roses in your garden, take into consideration the elevation or distance that these types of roses will grow to. Some varieties of climbing roses can grow to be around 30 feet in height. Other species can grow to be seven feet in height. Can the structure that you are planning to grow them on support this type of plant? The height of the plant will also depend on the type of climate you get in your country. Another thing to deliberate is which type of climbing rose is going to suit your garden. Some varieties of climbing roses are everbloomers which means that they bloom all throughout the growing season. Other varieties are spring bloomers meaning they only bloom in the spring.

One great difference between climbing roses and different species of rose plants is that they ask very little pruning. There is no need to trim the plant for the first 2 years. If climbing roses are pruned each year like other rose plants, the opposite will happen to the climbers; they will develop less flowers. Owners can get away with pruning their climbing roses every three or four years. Even then, clipping comprises of removing small canes and old or less vigorous canes at the bottom of the plant. Vigorous young canes are encouraged to grow and to become long and flexible. Owners will get an easier time training these canes through and onto structures.

The thing to remember with climbing roses is that you must be patient. They may require a little while to get established and start flowering right after they are planted. But, when they do become established, the aroma and the beauty of their colors are well worth the wait.

About the Author:

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Designs of Fireplace Screen

By Pamela Smith

The simple fireplace screen is one good way of improving the appearance of hearth without creating conflict from it architectural design. They are effective blockers of ashes and flames being thrown out of the wood-burning place. Generally, designs like these are available in brushed steel finish. This simple type of blocker has a classic style that can fit in with any of your pre-existing house decors

This also serves as the door for your fire place. It does not obstruct your sight of the flickering beauty of the flames. It is important that it has a mesh guard to avoid sparkling embers from getting out that can cause damage to your floors or nearby furnishings. A fireplace screen such as this come in different colors, sizes and models you can choose from to suit to your personal taste.

This type of flame protector can match with your house and floor designs. There is another type of fireplace screen which can be used to match the hearth itself. It can be made of graphite which is truly an elegant style. It can come in many shapes, sizes and colors depending on the needs of the owner. It is more beautiful when it is equipped with a mesh guard to prevent flaming embers getting into your floor and leave burn marks on them.

You can also opt for this type of a modern flame protector which usually has piano hinges for more support, durability and stability. It has the mesh spark guard to protect your floor and furnishing from sparkling embers that could be flying out from the wood-burning place. This is a fireplace screen that has geometric designs that coordinates with your modern hearth style.

Whatever style of hearth you have in your home, there is always a corresponding style that can fit in to that. You always find on the Internet your needed craftsmanship. There are hundreds of different shapes, designs and styles of these flame protectors that can match your need for a fireplace screen.

About the Author:

Butterfly Iris New Hybrids, Varieties And Colors

By Thomas Fryd

The Spuria iris, long relegated to the neglected back of the perennial border, emerged as the glamorous "Butterfly Iris" in the 1950's with development of new hybrids. The familiar white, blue, or yellow spurias, dependable and hardy though they were, were not far removed from the wild Species. Almost unnoticed, a few breeders patiently worked for the development of new varieties, added new colors, form, and true branching.

For those who are not familiar with the butterfly (spuria) iris, here is a brief description of the species: The spuria iris is one of the apogon (beardless) irises native to the northern and eastern hemispheres. Because its seeds are enclosed in an air filled parchment like membrane which permits them to float, they have migrated to river mouths and along shore lines. In color, the wild species are blue, white, or yellow, all with a yellow signal patch.

Some of the blue species have slightly purplish tones and a subspecies whose right to membership in this group is often questioned is the wine-colored dwarf "graminea." The flower resembles that of the Dutch iris but the average height is three feet and the stalks carry three or four pairs of buds, often opening a flower of each pair at once.

Spuria irises bloom after (in the North) or with (in the South) the bearded iris. The large size of the flowers (up to seven inches in diameter), height of the sturdy stalks, number, heavy substance, and keeping ability of the flowers make them unsurpassed for florists or flower arrangers use.

They like, but do not demand, full sun, good drainage, and plenty of food and water with a good garden soil to improve there growth. After they bloom they prefer to bake through the summer months, refusing to produce good bloom or increase next season without this summer dormancy. Mature rhizomes are temperamental about being moved and should be transplanted during their summer dormancy or when new growth begins in the fall. If moved at the wrong time and not place in a better garden soil they will sulk for a year or two. The foliage dies back after being lifted unless the roots are undisturbed by moving a ball of soil with them.

Like all members of the iris family, butterfly irises are subject to virus and bacterial (rot) infections. Good cultural practice and attention to their requirements make control of these factors easier than other iris species.

About the Author:

Accentuating Heart With Fireplace Accessories

By Pamela Smith

The fireplace accessories complete the appearance of your hearth. These ornaments for your hearth are functional items which you cannot have without. They do not only enhance the place with decorative touch, but they make it easy and convenient for you to tend your warmth giver. You can enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the entire area if you are not so disturbed with the wood-burning place.

Your nee tools near the burning area for accessibility. Can you imagine how you can remove those burnt logs and shove those ashes so you can have better fire without messing up yourself and the place? Keep them organized for your easy access. It is also important to place your paraphernalia in one good tool keeper. The hearth tools are very essential fireplace accessories.

Do you think you can produce long-hour burning flames without logs or woods? The logs or the woods are vital accessories for the hearth. Have these wooden ornaments piled up neatly on a log rack. There are many styles and designs of the rack that is made of different materials which ranges from canvass to wood to metal. Can you imagine having all awesome and expensive fireplace accessories but you do not have the number accessory?

You cannot just leave your pile of firewood sprawling on the floor. The log racks are also important fireplace accessories to keep your wood safe and at same time avoid them causing injury to people. The log racks keep them neatly piled up and you can place them near the fire place for convenience. Someone might stumble or slip or get injured because they are left unattended somewhere else.

You will find a wide array of selection which comes in designs and styles from the classical to the contemporary types. There are still a lot more of the other things which can found around your hearth to accentuate it. You may browse on the Internet for web sites that offer for your wood-burning hearth the other fireplace accessories.

About the Author:

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Delta Woodworking Tools And Parts - Simplifying The Woodworkers' Job

By Bart Icles

Delta woodworking power tools have been in the market since 1919 when the company began it first business in Herbert Tautz's garage in Wisconsin. Delta power tools today are known for their durability, reliability, and power. From its humble yet significant start, the Delta power tool company has branched out into the portable or cordless tool market, with having the same top quality of its powerful stationary tools.

Herbert Tautz vision of his tools revolutionizing and bring simplification and efficiency to the woodworking man's job is now a reality. His innovative ideas and creative craftsmanship has made Delta woodworking tools garner many awards and accolades in the power tool segment. His company has continued to produce and incorporate many pioneering advances that be found in most of today's tools. Having learned from experience from many years of tool production and repair, Delta built a reputation as a company that produced woodworking power tools that were safe and easy to use, as well as being tools that were unquestionably unmatched in performance.

The Delta woodworking tools are divided into two segments: the stationary tools and portable tools or "Shopmaster power tools". Comprising the stationary tool line are the heavy duty table saws, planers, and other major woodworking tools. While the Shopmaster line of tools include the top saws, planers, compressors, and cordless tools.

Delta Machinery, Inc. which was then named Delta-Milwaukee was bought by Rockwell Manufacturing in 1945. Through the passing years, Rockwell became a major manufacturer of stationary and woodworking machinery and expanded into the more businesses by acquiring Walker-Turner and Crescent Machine Company. Delta's first commercial success came with the introduction of the first 10" saw, known as the Unisaw Cabinet Saw. A few years later, it again set the standard with its 14" band saw. Its design has been copied by most competitors' band saws. In 1981, it was sold to Pentair and regained its single known brand name - Delta. In 2004, Delta was bought by the giant tool manufacturer Black and Decker.

Delta woodworking power tools are in essence all about strength and durability, but in all fairness, all power tools no matter how great and superior they are will at some point in their use break down, and may need replacement's for its consumable parts. This is where the ingenuity of the Delta replacement tool parts comes in. Each replacement part is as reliable as the original part of the machinery as the day it came out of the assembly line. Delta replacement parts are guaranteed to be as durable and efficient as the worn out or broken part with having undergone a rigorous and stringent manufacturing process inherent in all Delta machinery.

About the Author:

Ways on Decorating Large Walls With Best Home Paintings

By Truman Crawford

There are several ways walls can be decorated. A large wall is a canvas an artist within you can use and make expressive and electrifying collages of anything you find worth displaying.

There are many combos that can be employed for wall decoration. You may use combination of both live and inert art. If you are an artist you can use walls inside your house as a showcase for your talent. However, not each one of us as an eye for art and details and some of us are not graced with enough time on hand.

For wall decoration, one of the most commonly used tool are the paintings, though paintings are done by other artists, making a choice of the hottest and artistic one is an art in itself. Your choice of a painting is certain to make an impression and show your preferences in art to all those that visit you.

Large walls mean large spaces that should be used and blended to give look, feel and personality to your room. Particularly if this wall is in the main hall of your home, then it is the most ideal location for you to decorate. And with a giant wall you have a lot of scope to decorate.

If you are thinking of using paintings to embellish the large wall in your home, then you've got a massive choice how this will be done. You have a choice of selecting one or many paintings that would make this wall look lively and attractive. Firstly you have to pick which paintings to select according to the personality you want to give your room. If the room is contemporary, you can use still life and object paintings to embellish your wall.

If your room showcases chemistry of nature, then the landscape or flora paintings would look great on the wall. You can use a single painting to create wizardry on the wall. With a single painting you should make sure that you don't leave rest of the wall looking empty. You can use supporting accessories to put on both sides of the big paintings and also employ a cupboard by the wall under the painting. You can surely use some little artifacts to set on the cabinet which are related to the general theme of your room.

You can also employ a combination of several home painting colors on the wall; you can select tiny paintings and put them in different grid designs, related paintings would mean you are making a nice collage. You can make different geometric designs out of these paintings and make sure that the wall looks full and vibrant.

If you want to bring in some vibrancy into your home, the best ones are the light colours that reflect the natural light of sun. At the time of building your home it is of utmost significance that you design it in a way and in the direction in order to permit sufficient daylight. You may use light tones of all colors, however, what home decorating painting to select should principally remain your choice.

About the Author:

Be With Nature By The Wild Flower Gardens

By Kent Higgins

A garden of wild flowers can transform a small area of a garden to one beaming with color. Here are a few selections to let nature bring on the color.

The light blue, bell-shaped blossoms of the Greek valerian or Jacobs ladder (Polemonium reptans) are a pleasing addition to the shaded garden or a spot with some sun. The plants I have observed grow eight to 12 inches high though it is reported to grow somewhat higher. As a boy I looked for it in April or May and knew it as the other bluebell. Actually the name bluebell means very little unless we know something of the background of the individual using it.

The Scotchman's bluebell is a campanula, while the bluebell of English poetry is really a hyacinth. The wild flower commonly called a bluebell in this country is known botanically as Mertensia virginica. Also called the Virginia cowslip, it is an old favorite that is easily grown if given semi-shade and a good deep garden loam. In the wild it is frequently found in rich, moist soil along streams. It blooms in May.

A happy accident in our garden last season gave us the combination of wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). The honeysuckle was growing on our garden fence with the columbine in front of it. The combination of colors was most pleasing. Actually, the coral honeysuckle is found in the wild only as it has escaped from cultivation. Both plants in our garden are in part shade though both get the mid-day sun. They both bloom in late April or May. The columbine with its scarlet and gold blossoms is one of our loveliest flowers. Easily identified by its resemblance to the cultivated columbine, it is frequently found clinging to a rocky bluff. It reseeds itself readily in the garden.

The last snow bank has hardly disappeared in early spring until we are gladdened by the sight of a drift of bloodroot with its ephemeral white blossoms. In the splendid book on "Wild Flowers of Missouri" it makes reference to the flower buds as being "wrapped in a scalloped graygreen leaf, like a blanketed papoose. Thus protected, it is "pushed up to the sunlight." Though frequently found in open wood, the bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) adapts itself to varying situations. It is easily grown either from seeds or divisions of the fleshy roots. Though the petals fall quickly, the ileaves hold interest through most of the season.

Few wild flowers have the dainty grace of Dutchman's breeches. The low cluster of finely cut leaves surmounted by a flower stalk, six or eight inches high, strung with four to six or possibly eight delicate, somewhat heart-shaped white flowers delight the nature lover in his April or May woodland walks.

Other names that admirers have bestowed on this little flower are bachelors kitten, little boys breeches, butterfiy banners. and soldiers caps. The botanical name is Dicentra cucullaria.

Given good drainage and partial shade such as we find in open woods, Dutchmans breeches is easily grown in good garden soil well supplied with leaf mold. It is frequently found growing in rock crevices mostly in a river rock landscape where the roots may penetrate to rich cool soil formed from the accumulation of decayed leaves. In such a location like the river rock landscape, the lichen covered stones make a perfect foil for this airy little wildling.

It grows from a tuber and is easily transplanted when dormant.

The pleasures of wild flower gardening are as real and satisfying as they are intangible and indescribable. To the wild flower lover a clump of bloodroot in an appropriate setting has an appeal equal to that of a good piece of art on canvas.

About the Author:

What The Wind Does For You

By Brit Xavier

When one considers the general concern nowadays about the state of the environment, it isn't surprising that many people are now looking for an alternative means of powering their homes and businesses. Even though there are numerous companies investing in solar energy, one simply cannot overlook the fact that wind power has been in use in various forms for over 100 years. From the windmills of yesteryear to present day wind farms, the phenomenal power of the wind is now being used not only by businesses, but also for home use.

While the wind is not always plentiful or abundant if you have at least a breeze of more than ten MPH, it's enough to power some low voltage turbines. You can expect to cut your electricity bill by 50-90%, with some average power bills ranging from $8-$15 for most of the year. Where it's cooler and an air conditioning unit is used less often or not at all, this could be your electricity bill throughout the year.

In the United States, the average household uses about 9,000kWh during the course of a year, which means they use more or less 780 kilowatt hours per month. Even a wind turbine which only has a five to fifteen kilowatt capacity is able to reduce your monthly electricity bill considerably.

Given the very nature of wind turbines, one should realize that it's necessary to have an adequate amount of space. In fact, one should ideally have approximately an acre of land. Remember, even small wind turbines which are mounted on towers measuring a foot or less, also require a suitable amount of space.

If you don't have an average wind speed of more than 10mph, then a wind turbine will not work for you. However, there are at least 47 states where wind powered homes are found, with the majority being in areas of being in the Northeast and Midwest.

Apart from the financial savings you stand to gain, installing a wind generator will also benefit the environment in many ways. For example, wind generators help to reduce noise pollution, just as they help to reduce the tremendous burden placed on the national power grids. Furthermore, utility companies may be willing to pay you for any excess power produced which you don't use. Once you start to see your electric meter spinning backwards, you'll know that your wind turbine is not only helping to save the planet, but it's also supplying electricity to the grid, for which you'll be paid.

It's hardly surprising that one can now see wind farms springing up everywhere considering that many companies are realizing just how much profit there is to be made. In fact, many farmers today are also starting to focus on wind power as a reliable source of income.

Irrespective of what changes you make, be it that you start turning off the lights when not in use, or be it that you decide to start using a wind generator, it is absolutely vital that we all begin making some changes in order to preserve this wonderful planet.

About the Author:

Garden Furniture Covers Are Ideal For Protecting Against Nasty UK Weather.

By Aaliyah A Lamb

Buying garden furniture covers, furniture, plants and other items for your home can sometimes be a bit of a struggle. However, these days it's easier and there is a lot more choice on the market. You should easily be able to find things that you like.

Whatever you're looking for, it shouldn't be a problem to find items that are worthwhile. There is so much available on today's market that you'll be spoilt for choice. It can sometimes be hard to decide on what is right for your needs though.

If you're finding it hard to decide on products then you may want to read on to learn about what to do and what not to do when searching for garden products. Garden furniture covers are a little easier to shop for than other products.

If you're buying garden furniture covers then you'll need to think about the items you need to cover. You may need to consider measuring properly to make sure that you buy what you need. Measuring is easy; just remember to measure the height and allocate for wrapping as well!

You will then need to do some research to find the items that you like. The style you decide on may be different to what you're used to but you should be able to see a range of options on the internet. Searching online can really help the decision making process.

If you spend some time doing research on the internet you'll probably find that it's easier than you think to find cheap items. Do some Google searches to find items that you need and you'll need to make a note of what you're interested in.

Have a pen and paper with you so that you can note down the prices of each item you like. Do some price comparison and this should help you find the budget you'll need as well as giving you a clearer idea of the items that you want to see in shops.

Once you're armed with information you'll be able to head down to your local store and have a good look at the products you like. It's always a good idea to touch and feel the product you're interested in so that you can be sure you like it.

Some of the most popular stores are Homebase and B&Q so you should probably head there first. However, you don't have to buy at these stores - you're just looking at the moment and you could find better deals online.

Choosing the styles that are right for you should be easy - just go with your first instinct - if you like it then settle on that style. You can then look into the ranges available such as colours, sizes etc. Just make sure that you do a lot of research before you buy anything.

Overall, buying garden furniture covers or any other garden items should be easy. As long as you have done your research and you take your time you should be fine.

Remember that it's a long term investment. You should be able to find styles that you like on today's market because there's so much available.

About the Author:

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Rose Bush Care - Tips for Better Roses

By Kor Rassad

There is in all probability no flower as lovely or as popular as a rose. They have been around for 1000s of years and are loved in almost every country. Growing rose bushes is reward full and easy. All you require is a slight bit of gardening know how to get started. Through understanding a little bit more about horticulture care, the more productive you will be with your rose bushes.

There are umpteen other assortments of rose bushes. There is literally a rose to accommodate every taste, orientation, color, shape and anything else you can think of or they can come up with. Rose bush care is somewhat easy when you understand what roses need. Roses like to be established in sunny spots. They call for at least six hours of unfiltered, direct sunlight a day. Even those rose bushes that are said to do very well in the shade still require about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Roses also require good land to develop in. You can always change the ground in your garden with a little bit of compost.

Like any other plant you will sometimes have to deal with a pest problem. Rose bushes are inclined to being invaded by many different varieties of damaging insects like rose midge larva, rose cane borer, thrips, Japanese beetles, stem girders, aphids, rose slugs, mites, caterpillars, scale insects, and rose chafers.

Nobody wants to have to deal with these pests but to maintain the life of the plant, it is obligatory to correct the problem. You have several choices of how you are planning to deal with the pest trouble after you have identified which type of bug you are contending with. If you only see 1 or 2 insects you can try plucking them off the roses and killing them yourself. Make sure to remove the entire leaf you find them on because they could have laid eggs that are still concealed on the leaf.

You constantly have the pick of utilizing synthetic or natural chemicals to assist you get rid of the pests. Make sure to observe the guidance on the package of how to apply these types of chemicals. Even natural or organic chemical substances can be detrimental to people if they are used improperly. If you are adamant about not utilizing any type of chemicals on your rose bushes, you can always try utilizing the natural foes of the pests. Not all bugs that you find in your garden are devastating to plants. Lady bugs and some types of wasps feed on pests that can harm rose bushes. You can contact your local garden center to see if this is an option for you with the type of pests that you have. Or you can check online.

Another role of rose bush care is deadheading. Deadheading is another word for pruning. This promotes more blooms. The rose will set seed and stop growing new flowering shoots if the bloom is left to fade. That is why deadheading is necessary. Trimming is also getting rid of dead twigs or educating the bush to grow a particular way.

There are numerous gardeners who believe that no garden is complete without one or several rose bushes. A properly cared for rose bush can develop blooms from the month of June until it begins to frost. Rose bushes decorate the yard and adorn your home with elegance. With a little care can turn your rose bushes into a perfect bush furnishing an abundance of roses.

About the Author:

21 Your Guide to an Effective Real Estate Marketing: The Importance of P.S. in Your Copy

By M. B. Bradley

P.S. Have you ever noticed that every sales letter ends with a P.S.? It's true. And there's good reason why.

If your latest real estate postcard mailing doesn't have a P.S. on them, you can simply put a P.S. and leave every detail in your copy as they were.

The next step would be the message you want to include in your P.S. It is important that your message will be memorable to your prospect. You can simply include your phone number or just a gist about your offer. Keep in mind that your customer will be moved to reply if they read anything that catches their attention.

Why is the P.S. such a fundamental fixture in the copywriting world? Simply because it works, it is also pure and simple. Statistics show that after the headline of your copy, your reader will immediately turn to see who has sent the mailing. And in the process, the reader then reads the P.S. This means that if you don't use a P.S. you're missing out on a vital selling opportunity.

Therefore, not having a P.S. in your real estate direct marketing materials is like not having a business card. You are making a decision, not to take advantage of all the marketing opportunities that are open to you.

How do you make your P.S. more productive?

First, make sure that your P.S. has an interesting and appealing introduction. Your prospects would normally read the headline of your P.S. first. You must grab their attention at once so they will continue reading the content of your P.S.

It is also important to make the content of your P.S. short but substantial. Make sure to boost the content with powerful words but avoid making it long. Prospects hate it when your P.S. contains too many sentences.

Just as you spend a good deal of time perfecting the headline of your mailing, you need to spend some time, effort and thought, deciding what your P.S. message says. While it can be anything you deem appropriate, urgent and necessary, you do need to say it with flare. So don't hurriedly write this.

Another effective method to writing your real estate postcard marketing copy is to first write the beginning of your copy (the headline) then the end (the P.S.) before tackling the middle. This helps in constructing a tight and sexy real estate marketing copy!

About the Author:

Rose Planting

By Kor Rassad

Planting a rose plant goes beyond how deep the hole should be and if plant food should be utilized now or later. The first and most fundamental measure in rose planting that should not be forgotten is picking the positioning of where you are going to plant your roses. It is as true in planting as it is in real estate; location, location, location. There are different things that are required to be studied when picking out a position for our rose plants.

Will the place you care selecting to plant your roses get plenty sunlight? The majority of rose species should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight a day. Yet rose plants that are shade tolerant need about four to six hours of direct sunshine to do well.

Is the ground where you project to plant your roses healthy? Roses are hungry eaters and demand to have nutritious soil. They do not like soil that has too much clay or too much sand. A quick test you can do with your soil to find out if it has too much clay or sand is to clump it in your hand. If the soil holds the mold and does not fall apart easily, it has too much clay. If the soil crumbles too easily and does not hold the mold, it has too much sand. Good soil should maintain the mold in your hand but crumble easily. The soil should also not be too acidic, contain too much limestone or too much chalk.

And lastly, is the site where you are going to plant your rose plant too near to trees or other plants? There are many another trees and other larger plants that will extract water and nutrients from the ground from roots that extend far beyond their drip line. If you see a lot of roots where you are digging your hole for your rose bush, most likely these roots are going to make a problem for your plant. There are some climbing rose and some shrubs that are an exception but most rose plants only like to be mixed with other roses or other non-invasive plants.

Now that you have the perfect location for your rose plant, you can consider the basics such as how deep the hole should be. You will need to dig a hole that is slightly larger than the size of the pot the plant is in or root system of the plant. The depth of the hole depends on the climate that you live in. Colder regions need to plant their roses somewhat deeper. It is a good idea to talk to other rose growers in the area as to which is the right depth for you. Depths may be different for lots of different people but, everyone can benefit from loosening the soil at the bottom of the hole.

You can also set some compost in the bottom of the hole plus a scatter of bone meal which is a source of Phosphorus and is slow working and advances healthy root development. Spread out the roots slightly after you place the plant into the hole. Fill Again the hole and make sure that the soil settles around the roots. Water the roots before you cover them with the last couple of inches of soil. And finally place the last of the soil back into the hole and firm the soil slightly. You can water the plant at this step also.

About the Author:

Easy Baby Nursery Decor Ideas

By Stephanie McLain

There are so many different things to consider when designing babys room. What colors should I use? What theme should I go with? What safety considerations should I keep in mind? Its enough to drive a person crazy. In this article my aim is to steer you on a path away from insanity on your way to a vibrant babys lounge that you can brag to all your friends about. When designing a babys room the most important things you should focus on are choosing your colors, deciding on a theme, and baby proofing.

Colors, colors, colors. It all starts with the colors. With the advancement of color psychology, science has shown that soft colors are the best route to go for your little guy. Remember, baby is new to this whole big place full of different sites, sounds, and touch. The best thing for your baby is to provide soft colors that will sooth and calm baby as he ventures into this big world of ours. Now I'm not saying its all gotta be peaches and creams. You can use bold and exciting, but just remember to use it as an accent around the baby nursery in things like the trim or design patterns on fabric.

Colors may have psychological advantages and disadvantages to baby's mind and development. We want to use colors that will enhance baby's senses instead of confusing them. Now this may sound like over kill, but why make things difficult for the little tike. Remember, baby is a sponge soaking in everything around. Let's look at two colors and what their impact may be on baby's mind.

Black may not be a color you want to include in your nursery decor. It symbolizes authority and power and is a color that implies submission. This in my opinion is an adult color and should not be forced upon baby. Bottom line, I would stay away from black.

White is a wonderful color to use in your baby nursery decor. White symbolizes purity and innocence. What better way to represent a new life on earth? The added bonus of white is that it is a neutral color and goes with everything.

When deciding on a theme think of it as the first learning experience that you want to give your baby. After all, this room is to help baby to learn, develop, and grow so keep that in mind when deciding on what theme fits best for baby and not you. Keep your personal likes and dislikes at bay and save them for decorating your master bedroom. A good rule of thumb to use is if you find something that is cool or just right for you, find something one step behind in simplicity so baby's brain is not warped into overdrive from day one. You can always build up to your ideal theme as baby grows. Just don't rush it. Some good themes to kick start your baby nursery are animal shapes, silly frogs, beautiful simple butterflies, or good ole fashion shapes and colorful dots.

With so many terrible news articles out there with unfortunate accidents that occur in baby's room, its a wonder why safety is not a number one priority when creating baby's nursery. Throughout your baby nursery decorating adventure look for thinks like small items on themes that baby could choke on like buttons and beads. Look for baby furniture with safety feature like a crib that locks firmly and securely. And finally, prep the room with electrical outlet plugs so baby's first shock is only the amazing room you have prepared. Also it is a good idea to invest in a baby monitor so you can hear how baby is doing at all times. Safety first will keep you from being sorry last.

Now you have a great head start and are armed with some things to consider when designing babys room. You know to pick your colors first: three is good and any more than four and youre your going too far. Pick themes that are simple and keep baby in mind. And finally, remember to keep safety always on the back of your mind when doing your baby nursery decor.

About the Author:

Wood Wine Rack - The Story

By Anne Durrell

Building a wood wine rack is simple to do, especially if you are good with your hands. The first thing that you will need to do is find a plan for your rack. You can do this by searching the internet for "wood wine rack patterns."

You can also find patterns in wood working books. If you do not own any wood working books you might try looking at your local library. Most libraries will have a wide verity of wood working books. You can be sure that you will find the wood wine rack plans that you are looking for.

The next thing you will need to do is gather your materials. If you are in a hurry, you can go to your local hardware store and purchase the materials that you will need.

If you are a person who likes to save a few bucks then you might want to think about trying to find some scrap wood to make your wood wine rack out of old cabinets are an excellent choice for making a wood wine rack. You might also consider using an old piece of furniture or scrap wood from an old project to create a wine rack.

Try setting aside weekend or a day that you will be off work to finish your wood wine rack project. So many people will start a project only to be distracted by something else. When this happens, it is likely that the project will never get finished.

When you have prepare the time for your project, make sure to organize the materials and then layout all your materials in the order in which you will use them. That is a good time to take inventory as well. Before you start to work on your wood wine rack, make sure you have everything ready.

You will probably want to paint or stain your wood when you have completed your project. If you choose to paint your wood, don't forget to choose a color that matches your decor.

Remember that it should not be difficult to create your wood wine rack. Take your time and have fun creating your wood wine rack. Create a fantastic wine rack that is as unique as you are. With a little time and creativity, you will have a piece that you and your family can enjoy for years to come!

About the Author:

Monday, July 27, 2009

Solar Garden Lights - a Modern Way to Light up Your Garden

By John Monsholi

Solar garden lights are unique garden lamps, powered by natural solar energy. Solar garden lights do not require wiring, and thus there is no threat of anyone in your garden (i.e., pets, children, or, yourself) getting an electric shock. The lights help you save on the cost of electric, and are very easy to install.

Sunshine is the source of all of the natural energy on earth. Solar garden lights utilize the energy of the sun, free of charge, to emit light. The lights are made of special cells, generating electricity when exposed to the sun. Solar cells, a regular rechargeable battery and an LED special light emitting diode is all that is needed for these lights to shine, when an electric current goes through it.

Solar garden lights usually emit a moderate amount of light for a modest amount of time. However, due to constantly improving technology, the lights keep getting better, shining brighter and longer.

Advantages of solar garden lights include:

1. The lights are extremely easy to set up. When needed, solar garden lights can be also moved with the same ease. These lights can be placed anywhere throughout your garden, during the daytime hours in which there is sun.

2. Solar garden lights are much safer than regular lighting, since they operate with a very low voltage.

3. Solar garden lights are very energy efficient. They are powered by DC (direct current) electricity, i.e. common batteries being charged by the sun and thus giving electricity for the lights to shine. They allow you to save on electricity and fossil fuel costs.

4. Most of the solar garden lights come with a built in photo sensors, which make the lights go on and off according to if there is sunshine or if there isn't. At the same time, most of the lights have an on and off button for maximum convenience.

5. The lights do not produce pollutants, which are common for the electricity generating utilities.

6. Solar garden lights will create a unique pleasant ambiance in any garden. The lights are very stylish, nice-looking and compact.

7. Merely four hours of a direct exposure to the sun will provide your garden with up to nine hours of light in the evening. Good solar garden lights are also capable of shining even during the months with limited sunshine, such as autumn and winter.

8. One of the most common complaints of homeowners is that the wires in their garden get damaged, for example, by animals. Solar garden lights eliminate this problem due to not requiring any wires or electric sockets.

Before purchasing solar garden lights for your landscaping, please note the following:

1. Make sure that the spike of the lights, which goes into the ground, is either made of a durable plastic or is made of metal.

2. Some lights are meant for nice appearance rather than for bright light, and they may just glow instead of emitting a bright light. Other lights may be short lived in the evening. If you are looking for brighter solar garden lights, which would emit light for many hours, you should look for lights with a larger area of solar cells and higher capacity batteries. The light intensity varies from one type of light to another.

3. Ensure that the solar garden lights of your choice are waterproof and weatherproof. For example, if the water leaks through the solar panel of the lights, the lights may stop working.

4. You should also try to place your solar garden lights, where there is no shadow cast in your garden. Note that on the overcast days, the lights will not shine for so long and as bright as on bright sunny days.

5. In case the lights do not go on, you should look for one of the following: batteries leaking fluid, poor quality batteries, rusty batteries, or corroded battery terminals.

6. For most convenience, opt for solar garden lights that come with an on and off button.

The bottom line

Solar garden lights are a big step forward in the modern technological development. The lights help create a garden with an extremely pleasant and relaxing ambiance, as well as they are cost efficient and environmentally friendly. Solar garden lights are one solution to consider for any garden enthusiast.

About the Author:

Identifying Black Mold

By Matt Armstrong

If your home has had a problem with dampness, and If you are experiencing symptoms such as chronic fatigue, irritation of the eyes or mouth, sneezing, rashes or continuous coughing, there is a great chance that you are being exposed to black mold in your home. In people with allergies to black mold, symptoms can become extreme and they may experience reactions such as bleeding in the lungs, diarrhea, far worse.

The first thing you should do to determine if your home has black mold, is to simply look for it. You can identify black mold by looking for a greenish black smear that can grow on things such as carpets, walls, insulation, and shower curtains. This mold, which is known as Strachybotrys chartarum, or Strachybotrys atra, is said to be the cause of forty different kinds of lung disorders.

Mold simply just occurs in the home. One cannot completely sterilize their home, and trying to do so, may cause far worse issues than the black mold. Keep in mind that most black molds are benign. However do not let them live in your home, but deal with them when you see them, and look for them if you experience symptoms associated with black mold.

Black mold requires a moisture-rich environment, and food to live. What this means is that black mold can occur where there is damp wood, carpets, and even beneath wallpaper. It can also appear in wall paneling, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and anything else that is not glass, ceramic, or metal.

Once you find the culprit, you need to figure out how extensive it is. If it's something you can throw away, chuck it. It's not worth the problem. If you can't throw it away, use a solution of about one cup of bleach to a gallon of water, and a tablespoon of dish soap or baking soda. Slosh the mixture over the mold, let it saturate for about 15 minutes, and then wipe it up. Then thoroughly dry the area, and if possible, use a dehumidifier.

Once you've dealt with a spot of black mold, take the usual precautions: Keep humidity down, keep the bathroom and kitchen (the primary source of moisture) well ventilated, and clean thoroughly with a bleach solution in those areas.

Sadly, black mold in carpeting or in the insulation on walls is not remedied with bleach, and usually requires you to throw it out and replace it. If the black mold is reoccurring, the best idea is to call a building inspector, and have them advise you on cleaning contractors or building contractors.

Black mold in the home can potentially be a big problem. Households with children and elderly people with asthma and people with weak immune systems are typically prone to experiencing the most severe reactions.

About the Author:

Points To Consider Before Buying A Lawn Mower

By James Beckman

There are many things you think about first before buying a lawn mower. Not everything is created equal, so to speak. The same adage holds true for lawn mowers. Not all models of lawn mowers parades the same features and designed for the same amount of work or produce the same output in a given time.

Reliability, durability and efficiency are some of the things your lawn mower should provide if you intend to buy one, or any other home equipment for that matter. A lawn mower is a huge investment, therefore being picky is somewhat a necessary trait. It might be a bit difficult to make a final decision on which lawn mower to buy, but if you pick the right one, then its all worth it.

One thing you need to keep it mind is how big is your lawn area. The size of your lawn affects the performance of your lawn mower. If you have a big lawn, tyr checking those commercial lawn mowers. they may be expensive than most models, but they are faster and perform better at any rate than most other models.

There are different types of lawn mowers that can really fit into the way you are living. There are those walk-behind models and the rider type. As the name suggests, the first type requires you to steer the machine with you walking after it, very ideal for those who really enjoy mowing and see this activity as a form of physical fitness. On the other hand, ride-on lawn mowers are perfect for those who enjoy mowing but have problems with walking or prefer to just relax while maintaining their lawns.

Power is also a factor worth considering. Most lawn mowers run on gas. But there are many models out there that boast of energy efficient systems and do not require fuel. These environment-friendly lawn mowers utilize alternative forms of energies such as solar cells and rechargeable batteries. If you want to perfect your lawn while doing your ecological duty, this is one way to do it.

When it comes to money, you just have to remember that as long as you can afford to buy it and other expenses such as repairs and maintenance, then you are in the right path. Money does matter. If you really want to get the best of your money, go for something you can afford and that would provide you with optimum performance at the same time.. Ultimately, that's all there is to it.

About the Author:

Should You buy a Plasma Television?

By Graham Taylor

Buying a television used to be easy. There were only a few televisions of varying sizes in most stores and each television used the same technology. Today this is not the case. Shoppers much choose from LCD, Plasma, CRT, rear projection and other technologies when shopping for television. So, should you buy a plasma TV?

Plasma televisions are flat panel units with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Like any responsible consumer, you must decide whether the advantages are greater than the disadvantages when purchasing a plasma television. This article will take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying a plasma television.

Plasma television disadvantages include the fact that there are more susceptible to screen burn in. However, technological improvements as of late have made this disadvantage almost nonexistent. Another disadvantage of flat screen plasma TVs is an increase in power consumption and resulting he generation when compared to other flat screen technologies. Finally, flat panel plasma TVs tend to perform poorly at higher altitudes and are commonly heavier and more prone to screen glare than other technologies.

Yet, plasma televisions pose several advantages. These advantages include a much better picture when compared to LCD and other flat screen units. Plasma TVs provide superior motion tracking, a large assortment of big screen televisions, better contrast ratio and deeper blacks and colors. If you are concerned with getting high definition video from your television, you should definitely consider purchasing a plasma TV.

There is one final note about possible advantages of the plasma television compared to LCD technology. Some people claim that because LCD flat screen televisions contain mercury that they are unsafe. In reality, the risk is so minuscule that there is very little reason to worry. Unless you, your family or your pets are prone to disassembling televisions and licking the components, you probably dont have anything to worry about.

Purchasing a plasma television relies on your perception of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of technology. If youre still unsure how these will play into your choice, consider the following scenarios.

Some people choose to open their windows and allow a lot of sunlight into their homes. In this situation, plasma TVs will likely show a lot of screen glare and cause unwanted heat buildup when combined with the sunlight. However, because most homes are air conditioned and do not allow much sunlight in, plasma televisions will likely be the better choice. Simply put, the increased quality of video that is produced by a plasma TV will definitely lead many people to buy them.

In conclusion, purchasing a plasma TV is a process which requires education and research. Based on current home trends, a plasma television will likely fit your needs much better than other technologies. However, the choice is ultimately yours.

About the Author:

How To Save Money On House Improvement Supplies

By John Millner

As many as half of all Americans now shop online for things such as books, music and movie purchases, but a surprising number of people could save even more money by search for home improvement supplies online as well! Whether you're buying parts to repair your lawn mower or installing a new front door, there are probably some things you can buy on the web for less cash than you'd expect. There are thousands of different home improvement stores that sell everything from bathroom tile to high end light fixtures at prices much lower than many local home furnishing stores. There are even lots of online daily hardware sales that change on a regular basis.

You can now shop for lots of different home improvement products, tools and even instructional videos on the web. Even better, if you invest a little time you can definitely buy more home improvement supplies with less cash being taken out of your pocket. Here are some tips and tricks for buying home improvement items online:

Be careful with shipping and handling charges: Home improvement tools are often heavier than the average video you might order from the internet so shipping prices are sometimes pretty high, even if you choose the slower options.

Don't always take the first deal: If you're searching for something be sure to shop at several different web sites to find the best overall deal. Compare shipping costs, return policies and other details to make sure you're getting what you really want for the price you want.

Shop at local and online stores: Just because you're buying some house improvement supplies online doesn't mean you have to do that for all of them. Be selective. Maybe you can buy the heavier items at a local store and order the more expensive lighter things from an internet store, saving plenty of money by using the cheapest seller in both cases. Some stores even offer price matching guarantees which you can use to have different stores compete for your business!

Overall, you just need a little patience and persistence to save a lot of money on all the materials and supplies you need to complete your own house improvement projects. Buying over the web may not be great for some things like cinder blocks but it could save you a lot of money and time when it comes to other things like basic hardware supplies and building plans!

About the Author:

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Great Ideas for Gardening Vegetables in the Fall

By Dave Truman

When the majority of people think of vegetable gardening, they instantly associate it with planting seeds in the spring and then harvesting the rewards in autumn. This does not mean, however, that gardening vegetables in the fall is not an option, too. Some plants are quite well disposed for being gardened during the fall.

Just because the weather is getting cooler doesn't mean you have pack up the gardening tools for the year. Here are some fall gardening ideas for those who want to keep the fresh veggies rolling in.

Things To Consider

Research is the essential first step when it comes to fall gardening. Learning more about the weather patterns in your local area during the fall is important, as is finding out when the average first frost is in your zone. Zones were determined be gardeners in an effort to categorize which plants can be grown in which parts of the country. Plants receive a rating based off of which zones they are best suited for.

You can easily find out what zone you live in by looking online for growing zone maps. These sites may also have suggestions for what types of plants are recommended for each zone. This will be important information for you to have as not all vegetables will grow well in every zone, especially in the fall. Some of the best vegetables for fall gardening include beets, broccoli, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, onions, and radishes among others.

Making Plans for Your Fall Garden

The timing must be right for your fall garden to turn out well. This timing includes making sure that you plant your vegetable seeds early enough for them to be able to mature before the first frost comes and ruins them. In order to calculate this properly, check the maturation time of the vegetables you are going to plant. This should appear on the seed packets you use. Then, add twenty one days to that figure. The other figure you need is you growing zone's estimated first frost date.

Then, take that number, and count back from the first frost date to determine your planting date. One problem you might run into is that some cool weather seeds will not germinate well in the hot weather of summer. In this case, start your plants inside, and then move them outside after about 30 days.

About the Author:

Bedroom Designs - The Feng Shui Way

By Kelly Kim

A great way to smarten up your bedroom is not just to do it with style and comfort in mind. How about a dose of good luck for you? A Feng Shui -stimulated bedroom design can bring in all the optimistic energy you need so that when you wake up in the morning, you are in precisely the right mood to take on another day of life's joys and challenges. And when you retire back into it, you'll have all those good vibes for a nice long and sleepy night. Next morning, you're all fresh and revived. Sounds like a perfect idea.

According to Feng Shui, the position of the bed is imperative in the course of energy into your bedroom. Though it matters what direction your headboard points to, your sleeping position would not make a difference. Ideally, you should be able to lay on your bed and have a sight of you door, but the bed should not be right in front of it.

Must your bed be directly across the door, ensure that you have a high footboard or anything strong to have at the foot of the bed. On the other hand, if the position of your bed doesn't allow you to see the door, hang a mirror where it reflects the door and you in fact see it.

Feng Shui also puts significance on the view you get while you're on your bed. Surround yourself with dcor and anything beautiful. Bathroom and closet doors should also be shut. Certainly no TV in the bedroom. But if you can't sleep without it, put it in furniture that allows you to keep it hidden as the night goes deep. Pulling down the curtains and covering big mirrors at night also help promote better sleep.

When it comes to colors, Feng Shui recommends skin tones like beiges browns and yellows. There's also room for the pinks, redsand violets. On the other hand, other cool shades such as grays, greens and blues may not be that loaded in terms of the positive vibes that they can produce.

As for your bedroom furniture, a Feng Shui design does not call for any particular type. That means whether you go for an elaborate traditional set or simplistic modern furniture, it won't matter. A practical proposition would, perhaps, be to get something of good quality in keeping with the tradition of all things good and fine-looking in order to attract only the good energy.

About the Author:

Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages

By Jordan Iwase

Knowing the solar energy pros and cons is one of the most important things in deciding whether or not you should buy this source of power. The uses for solar energy are nearly endless, some of the most practical uses are: electricity, central heating, hot water and cooking

Solar energy comes from rays generated from the sun. Solar energy is extremely helpful for the environment. However, when the rays emitted from the sun enters earth's atmosphere, it dilutes quite a bit

We'll start with the cons. The biggest disadvantage of solar power is that it is dilute. This means you need several solar collectors installed around your home. Solar energy may be very cheap but the solar collectors are relatively expensive and require maintenance in order to work properly and efficiently.

Your house roof may not be at a good angle for collecting solar energy, which would make installation on your roof less effective or in some cases, not possible. This can pose a big problem for those wishing to convert to solar energy.

There are many benifits in using solar energy too Fuel costs are nowhere to be seen, since you use the sun's energy, you won't have to pay for costly fuels to keep your energy going This can shave off quite a hefty sum of money for your overall bill!

Solar energy is very clean. In order to produce heat or electricity to use with solar energy, you only need the sun's rays. You don't need to use harmful fossil fuels when using solar energy All you need for energy is a solar energy collector or solar power panels.

Fuel costs are nowhere to be seen, since you use the sun's energy, you won't have to pay for costly fuels to keep your energy going This can shave off quite a hefty sum of money for your overall bill!

Solar energy can be great for desalination of water, if you are in an area where fresh, drinkable water is scarce. Solar energy evaporates brine and leaves the salt crystals in the bottom of the basin. Water then condenses back into another basin, where it becomes drinkable.

About the Author:

Costa Rican Land Development

By Randy Berg

Costa Rica offers some exciting opportunities for investment in real estate with affordable property rates, which are offered to investors. With Costa Rican land development, the government is encouraging lot of foreign investors for purchasing second homes or retirement homes for living. Baby boomers in the US looking out for suitable location to settle down can find Costa Rica to be the perfect destination which is more safe and secure as compared to other locations.

Lesser cost of living and reduced prices of properties are the main factors, which lures many investors for making real estate investment across Costa Rica. In addition, the crime rates are lesser in this region with a more politically stable environment, which attracts many investors from across the world to purchase properties in Costa Rica. Availability of good infrastructure, communication facilities and flexible government policies entices people to make use of Costa Rican land development for the purpose of investment.

There is a high demand for hotels and vacation rentals in Costa Rica owing to the increase in the number of tourists who visit this place every year. As a result of this, investors with commercial interests can make use of this opportunity to purchase land for building hotels and resorts, which can help in generating lot of profits. The low cost of property prices has given a good chance for investors to invest in Costa Rican land development.

The splendid natural attractions found in this region along with exotic beaches, lush rainforest and rich flora and fauna catches attention of the tourists coming to this place. Besides, this country also offers plenty of national parks, which have been well preserved along with good habitat for wildlife. Most of the revenue for Costa Rica comes from tourism, which is a flourishing business with lot of business opportunities offered to investors who are keen on making the best use of Costa Rican land development.

There are plenty of farm plots and development lands, which are available for sale across Costa Rica at reasonable prices. Lot of buyers are making use of this opportunity to purchase low priced lands offered in Costa Rica. Those who are looking for some excellent deals on real estate properties can hire the services of real estate agents to finalize some good property deals. With the fall in prices of real estate and Costa Rican land development, there has been an increase in demand for rental homes across the country. Potential investors are making use of this excellent opportunity to buy some decent homes across Costa Rica.

It is always a good idea to buy properties in areas which have good resale value along with well-developed infrastructure as the average prices tend to be high on such properties. This can be particularly useful, if you are planning to offer such investment properties on rent. Proximity to the main city centers with easy access to schools and offices are some of the features that most of the buyers look while opting for residential homes across Costa Rica. Many people are taking this opportunity to invest in Costa Rican land development by purchasing lands for constructing their own homes.

Prime locations across Costa Rica command a higher rental value, which can help the investors to get good returns on their investment. Lot of investors are showing interest in Costa Rican land development with the availability of low priced homes, which makes it affordable for them to make property investment.

About the Author:

Use Water Filters/Purifiers for Great Health

By Zachus J Winestone

One of the most important yet under-rated inventions of modern times is water filters/purifiers. They are a part of our every day lives yet we rarely even need to consider its importance. In third-world countries these filters are saving many lives. In areas where filtration and purification dont exist water borne diseases and sickness from contaminated water take their toll. While there have been countless initiatives taken to get more filtered and purified water available every where in the world, there are still people dying from water-borne illnesses.

The problem of water contamination does not only exist overseas but also in our own backyards. Even as I write there are thousands of Americans out there who are unaware of the potential dangers in the water they consume on a daily basis. Though many are skeptical about the water filter/purifiers hype it is indeed a potential solution to a growing problem. Recently chlorine based water has been linked to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, birth defects, and many serious illnesses.

Many people fall prey to the misconception that all water dispensed at home, is certified clean; and therefore healthy to consume. Though true, it is impossible to tell the purity of water without the aid of a microscope. The water distributed to our tap system still contains a variety of bacteria harmful to our human immune systems.

If your water supply is from a dug out well or from a municipal source then the dangers of your water being highly contaminated with sediments, bacteria and excessive chemicals is certain. Municipal sources recycled waste water for consumption and they are the main water supplies to most city dwellers. It is a fact that 90% of water in the United States has at least 10 different traces of synthetic chemicals and lead. So, if you live in the city then you may want to research your water source and find exactly how clean your water is. Today, thousands of households in the United States alone have taken some precaution against water contamination and installed a water filter/ purifier.

Some Useful Choices

Of the many different water filters/purifiers available- undersink, countertop, faucet and whole house filters are the most commonly used. Even though each filter uses a different method of filtering, the aim of getting purer water coming out of your taps is the same. The filters/purifiers remove harmful sediments and bacteria and deadly chemicals. Generally filters are affordable except for the more elaborate filters,. A whole house system provides great quality, needs little maintenance and fits most budgets, which is why this is the one I recommend. Don't look at water filter/purifiers as an expense rather as an investment in your health and well-being.

About the Author:

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Solar Panel Tracking Systems

By Walter Hull

Tracking systems are designed to orient your solar panels toward the Sun. They will add an extra level of performance to your solar power system, for a little bit of expense and complexity.

The Sun changes daily, monthly, and seasonally the way it carves its path across the sky. Therefore the angle of beam radiation is constantly changing. The solar panels should be oriented perpendicular to the Sun at all times to best receive this radiation. A solar power tracking systems helps us achieve this.

The amount of energy gained will depend on your location and the type of tracking system used. We looked up the solar energy tables for the state of Washington, and the difference between a fixed solar panel system and one with tracking was ~40% more in the summer months. The spring months showed a 25% increase, and winter about 10%.

The simplest type of tracking is a manually adjustable one axis system. The solar panels are installed in a south facing direction, with a rotating mechanism on their horizontal axis. One can make seasonal adjustments to maintain the best operating angle for that time of year. A simple system such as this can gain 20% better performance when compared to a fixed solar panel installation. The Rotek design we use is an example of one such system.

To further boost performance we can add a control system to our one axis tracking. This is called active solar tracking, where the solar panels automatically rotate throughout the day. These systems provide the largest gains, up to 50% in the summer months. Performance remains good throughout the year as well, so for a little more cost they are worth investigation.

Two axis tracking systems are the most complex and most accurate installations available. With these systems, your solar panels have additional flexibility on their vertical axis (East to West). These systems are the most exact when it comes to following the Sun.

Two axis systems are commonly used with concentrating solar collector designs. These types of collectors, like a magnifying glass, focus the rays of the Sun. Systems with these installations require the highest possible operating temperatures. Examples include thermal power stations, stirling engines, and pebble bed transfer systems.

When it comes to using solar panels to generate electricity, a two axis system is not the way to go. They will yield a very modest 5% gain over an actively tracking one axis system. For the cost and simplicity, we recommend a manually adjustable or actively tracking one axis system.

The primary applications for solar power are with generating heat and electricity. A solar power tracking system is useful in either case. The more energy we receive, the more heat and electricity we can manufacture. It's that simple.

If you are serious about maximizing your solar power system, then you should be considering a tracking system. One axis systems are available that are effective, inexpensive, and easy to use. Two axis systems are more complex and normally used for high temperature systems. Either which way, a good tracking system will go a long way in getting the most out of your solar panels.

About the Author:

The Secret To Reducing Your Electric Bill

By Allen Anderson

It comes as surprise that there are many energy crisis talks when we have easily available to us the most abundant form of energy on earth. The suns energy. The sun is capable of giving us more than heat and light. The sun is practically our life's resource as without it the earth wouldn't be habitable. If we can all contribute to helping the planet by using solar energy (power generated from the sun) we can be sure to keep our earth as healthy as possible and to use the energy the sun has provided.

Here are the advantages of using solar energy.

The solar energy solution is gaining popularity amongst the alternate energy solutions.

Join the Green Movement:

When you look at the solar energy solution, you will realize that it uses absolutely no fuel other than the suns light. There is no byproduct created from solar energy which means that there are no harmful substances or any unknown substances that gets placed in the our atmosphere.

Solar power has the ability to be stored:

With conventional power, you wouldn't be able to store the power, but with solar power you can store the energy until you need to use it. Having a stored supply of energy ensures that you can have energy even during a black out or any power outage.

Easy to maintain:

The solar energy systems are easy to maintain.

In what ways can solar energy be used?

Solar power can be used in many ways, such as.

Did you know you could cook without fire or with an electric grill? You can good with solar energy! Solar cooking doesn't change the taste of the food. You can cook just like how you usually cook with any other grill, only difference is that you are using solar energy! The only demand that solar cooking makes of you is being patient; it is a matter of more than a few minutes. The food is just as tasty and even more healthier! In addition, you'll be saving money on your gas and electricity.

You can now light up the entire house, use every electrical appliance without thinking about cutting down bills. Solar energy can power a house at night and light it up due to its ability to store its energy in batteries for nighttime use. Many people have used how to create solar power guides to help create solar lighting systems for their personal uses.

Using a solar heating system is a great way to keep your house cozy and warm without the added costs of doing so.

The energy is free since it is coming from a free natural resource, the sun. Aside from the installation costs (a one-time cost) youll be receiving energy for free.

You can even reduce the costs of installation by learning how to make solar energy. Deciding to build your own solar power would make it cheaper to have solar energy in your household.

About the Author:

Costa Rica Property Investment

By Randy Berg

Property Investment in Costa Rica is a booming sector. Costa Rica welcomes people from countries all around the world to come here. The country of Costa Rica nestled in the Central American region was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 1500s. This country comprises of a group of islands and was aptly named Costa Rica by its discoverer because of its extensive and rich coastline. Costa Rica is a Spanish name which when translates to English means "rich coast".

The people of Costa Rica, also called the "ticos" are very warm and welcoming in their attitude. This is what increases the beauty of this place even more. The enthralling landscape, the towering mountains and the regal volcanoes are not just what Costa Rica has on offer. Any visitor who comes to Costa Rica leaves with the dream of owning a property here which equals to owning a piece of paradise.

There are numerous reasons why Costa Rica is becoming a preferred choice for property investment. Costa Rica is a land beyond just sensuous beaches, picturesque landscape, lush greenery and majestic mountains. It is a land of happy and content people. The natives of Costa Rica, also referred to as "ticos", are warm and friendly in nature.

The various options that Costa Rica offers for property investment are beach properties, upscale residential homes, farms and mountain properties. Some of the places in Costa Rica where your investment in property will prove worthwhile are in the Central Provinces of Heredia and Alajuela, locations in San Jose such as Escazu and Santa Ana and places like Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva and Dominical.

Costa Rica property investment is also a good option because the country offers good infrastructure support like good roads, good Internet connectivity, public transportation, free trade zones, universities, schools, banks and good air transport. The weather in Costa Rica and the scenic beauty of this land ranging from the bountiful rainforest's to the volcanoes and the enticing beaches ensures that property investment is worth every penny here.

Costa Rica property investment is a good option because this place is also safe to a great extent, and offers peace of mind and protection to the foreigners who invest their money here in purchasing property. The government of Costa Rica has introduced many liberal economic policies that are in favor of the investors looking to invest in property here. As compared to many other Central American countries, Costa Rica has the longest and strongest democracy too.

There are certain points to keep in mind while investing in property in Costa Rica. The Costa Rica real estate market is a two-tiered market which means that there are different rates for the same property for the "ticos" (natives of Costa Rica) and "gringos" (foreigners who come for investment). The property prices quoted for the "gringos" are nearly twice the price quoted for "ticos". Hence, it is important to bear this point in mind and negotiate on the costs demanded by the seller for the property.

Another important aspect to note is that the legal process is completed thoroughly. It is important to have sufficient knowledge on how to get the property registered in your name completely and take over 100% ownership rights on the property. If you are not aware of this, it is recommended to take the services of a local attorney who can hand hold you through this entire procedure.

About the Author: