Archive for March, 2009

Ever wanted to build a wind generator? It’s not as hard as you would think.If this will be your first time making a wind generator the most important piece of information to have a firm grasp on the different parts of a wind generator.

The Insides of Wind Energy

There are four distinct parts to a wind generator: blades and hub, body, tail and tower.

The hardest part of building a wind generator are the blades only because they are very time consuming. The raw materials to make the blades and hubs are actually pretty cheap and sometime you can get them for free.

On the other hand, getting the motor is not something you’ll find for free. You will need to buy one. Here in the motor the wind power is converted over into electrical energy.

The best raw material to make into the body is some recycled double wall stainless steel chimney pipe.The durable stainless steel will protect the motor and other internal parts from being ruined by weather. You can obtain this from a chimney installer or wood stove dealer pretty cheap often times free.

The tail is the fun part to make. You can do the tail in any kind of way; get as creative as you want with the tail. Your inner artist can contribute to this portion of building a wind generator.

Now we move on to creating the tower. A critical part when building a wind generator is the tower.Depending on how high you make the tower will depend on how much energy is actually captured. The higher up you go when building your wind generator the more forceful the wind speeds.

As a rule of thumb, have your base tower be around 15 feet taller than the nearest peak object within 300 feet of the wind generator. You can get pre-made towers for your wind power but they can get pricey. One of the easiest towers to create is a tilt up pip tower or recycled TV towers. Recycled TV towers are a great option since they come in 30-50 foot versions and are made of strong materials. The parts to a tower are joined together every 10 feet and break apart for easy carrying and rebuilding onto your wind energy site.Frequently people who have them on their property will pay you to take them down, so it always good to seek them out! Now that most people are switching to satellite TV the old TV towers are not being used as much and are just a sore eye in people’s yard. {It takes about an hour to remove them, you get paid to do it, and it will make a great tower for your wind generator.}

Finally, the last and most critical step to building your own wind generator are the batteries and charge controllers. This will be a group of batteries and the means for you to oversee the charge process. This will let you change over all the wind energy collected into usable electricity. For the best batteries to use with your wind generator look for reconditioned ones since they are cheap, as safe and easy to locate. You should keep the batteries somewhere dry, covered, vented, and out of the way. Make sure that while they are out of the way, they are still somewhere you can reach to monitor and see the charging and make sure the connections are all working properly.

Between the wind generator and the battery bank will be a big diameter wire. The battery array connects to your home’s AC power outlets and becomes your new energy source.This is the heart of the renewable energy system and should be monitored frequently.

Building your own wind generator is a relatively inexpensive energy investment that will save you thousands every year in energy costs.

Best Residential Solar Power Systems

With the current administration focusing on developing clean renewable energy sources, now is the time to start thinking solar energy.  With solar energy, we could harness the power of the sun and use its free energy to power the country.  The United States has more potential for solar power than Germany yet Germany has more solar energy projects already in operation.  So now it is time for us to play catchup.  If you are looking to improve your property value and don't want to shell out $40,000 to $80,000 for a new kitchen, consider a residential solar power system.

Solar technology, also known as photovoltaic technology, works by converting sunlight directly into electricity.You can place solar panels almost anywhere on your property.You can place them on the roof, on the side of the house, anywhere they can receive the sun's rays.You can even produce electricity on a cloud filled day, you don't need direct sunlight all the time anymore.  Anywhere in the US is a good spot for installing home solar systems. 

With residential solar power systems, you could reduce your energy bill starting the first month.When you use PV technology to power your home, you use clean renewable energy that does not pollute the environment. 

Don’t think you have to be concerned about green living to install a solar power generator.  You can just be interested in lowering your electric bill each month.  Or you may only be concerned about increasing your property value when you decide it’s time to sell.  It does not matter why you do it, just that you learn more about it and see why you should consider installing one or two in your home.  The costs of installing a solar energy system is much lower than it used to be.  You can now install a complete system for under $200.  The plans for these systems are very affordable as well, you can get them for under $50.  $250 in startup costs to install a home solar power system and reduce your electricity bill every month is a very small cost to pay for all the benefits you get.

I was checking out CNBC today seeing how the market was doing and noticed that the price of oil is starting to creep back up.  They are predicting it to go up to $60 and $70 a barrel pretty soon.  And just in time for summer.  Time for outrageous $500 electricity bills that we can barely afford.Now is the time to look at home made wind generators because they make more sense now with high energy prices.You can make your own 1000 watt wind power generator for less than one hundred bucks.  Learn more in this short post. 

The costs of wind generator parts has dropped rapidly over the years.  Almost everything you need is at your local hardware store.  They recognize the need for cleaner energy sources so they have started stocking wind generator storage batteries and the wind turbine blades.  And if you live in an area without close access to a hardware store, you can buy the parts cheaply online.

Building homemade wind generators does not take long.You can find inexpensive wind plans that will walk you through the entire process of making a wind generator.  The whole process will take you less than 2 weekends.  Once you have enough wind power generators, you can power your home for free.You will no longer have to be at the mercy of the major oil companies.  You could even generate enough power to sell some back to them.That could put some much needed money back in your pocket each month. 

You can cut your electric bills in half and then work your way towards living off the power grid completely when you add in some solar power generators as well.  These days it pays to cut costs as much as possible.The benefits of using clean technology like wind power turbines are plenty.  You can help fight global warming, clean up the environment, reduce our reliance on foreign oil, increase our energy independence and cut your electricity bill all at the same time when you make a few home made wind power generators for your home and family.

According to Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the 2007 market puts buyers of homes at an “overwhelming advantage”. However, the NAR is also predicting that 2008 sales will increase due to a slow down in new home construction that is helping to balance out the market place. For those who are considering buying in this current real estate climate, the decision of whether to invest in newly built homes, or existing ones, can be pretty confusing. With fewer brand new homes available on the market, maybe you’ll get a better deal on a slightly older house. But how can you make an informed decision? The basic factors you want to keep in mind for the homes you consider are upkeep, neighborhood, structure, and cost. Refer to Properties in Mexico for more information.

Upkeep of Homes on the Market

Many first time homeowners assume that a new house requires less maintenance. While that should be the case, the reality is that the craftsmanship of the homes can have more impact than their age. A solidly built 10-year-old home may not have the same issues as a shoddily made, cookie-cutter home in new community. How can you tell? Find a good inspector to look at any homes you consider. Wood fixtures, appliances and overall structural integrity need to pass muster before you make any serious offers.
Go to Beachfront homes for more information.

Neighborhood of Homes on the Market

Older homes often surpass new construction in desirability if you want to live in an historic or popular area. If you are in love with a certain part of town, or committed to sending your children to a specific school district, new home construction may not be an option. Also, if you really love a specific architectural style, you might find you are better able to afford older homes in that style than to locate or have a newer one built. You may also find that you can afford a newer and bigger home, but in a less desirable area of town. You will need to weigh your priorities. This leads to the look and design of homes in general.

Structure of Homes on the Market

For buyers at the middle or lower end of the house buying spectrum, the trend for new home construction tends to lean towards deed restricted communities, small lots, and “cookie-cutter” style homes. There are some benefits here for first time homebuyers who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a new house. The down sides are that deed restricted communities place significant limits on what you can do to your property. Some tend to have very little space between homes. And appreciation of your home will be impacted by how well your neighbors maintain their property. Of course, you may also find this in buying an existing home in one of those communities. You will need to decide how important an established community or large yard is to your life. Just as you will need to evaluate the physical and aesthetic structure of the homes you consider.

Cost of Homes on the Market

Your final determination will be cost. You may be able to find almost new, or slightly older homes, in great shape. Or you may save $20,000 on an older home and get stuck replacing the roof the next year. Your best bet is to get a good home inspection, evaluate the quality of other homes in the area, and weigh your options and priorities. As with most aspects of evaluating homes for sale, your decision is personal and completely based on your needs and desires.
Visit Beachfront homes for more information.

Does the circuit need to cool off or do I need to get maintenance? Annoying cause it’s early Sunday and it’s the refrigerator circuit Good idea Ru, cause there’s an iffy microwave on the circuit too. Moved the fridge, left it unplugged a few moments. Plugged it back in and no luck. Tried different outlets too. Even with the major appliances unplugged, the circuit is staying tripped As it turns out, the surface problem is that I didn’t understand how to reset the circuit breaker. It tripped to a halfway point, and I didn’t know that it had to be drawn back further to be reset. We’ll see how things go from here.

Answer:
Unplug everything that is on this circuit, then switch the circuit breaker on. If you still cannot switch it on, the actual circuit breaker could be faulty. If it does switch on, plug in the appliances that you have unplugged individually to establish which appliance is faulty.

Dear sir, I have the following questions: 1- What is quick coupling valve? 2- Is a sprinkler and a bubbler the same? 3- What is coupler swivels that comes with QCV? Thanks,

Answer:
a quick coupling valve is a valve that has screw on tighteners on each end. It will tighten onto the pipe without having to use glue or solder a sprinkler sprinkles water while a bubbler is more like a low powered fountain, basically it lets a certain amount of water out onto the ground where the bubbler is located. It bubbles in a sense. I don’t know the 3rd q

I am looking for a shade tree that will be facing the west and getting most of the wind. I need something that can endure this torture but will not grow over 25 ft. high. Any suggestions? Sorry, forgot to mention I live in Indiana.

Answer:
Best thing is to go to a good tree nursery. Most species of trees have varieties that grow to different sizes. You can even get smaller oaks and maples etc. Or look on line. This is quite a good site. http://www.shade-trees.org/ Good luck Beulah

I bought a new mailbox and my old mailbox is plastic.. should that go in the recycling bin, or in the trash can?

Answer:
put in garage for small tools/gloves misc things.

How do I lessen or get rid of stickers? My yard is so full of them my dogs won’t walk in the grass and the grandchildren are terrified of getting stuck with them again.

Answer:
You have stickers in yards that do not have a thick stand of grass. Just keep mowing and fertilizing and water when needed and the grass will smother the stickers.

Time for a new mattress? You’ll know it when:

1. You wake up feeling stiff, tired, achy, groggy, or in pain.
2. You have circles under your eyes, and it isn’t because you stayed out late.
3. Your mattress isn’t young anymore. It sags, droops, or the fabric is falling apart.
4. Your current mattress is over ten years old, or you bought it in a previous decade.

You see, like people, mattresses have a specific lifetime. After 5 years, an innerspring mattress just isn’t as supportive and clean as it used to be. It sags and fills up with bacteria and dust mites over time, which we think is pretty gross.

Shopping for a new mattress doesn’t have to be a pain. With the right knowledge and shopping smarts, it doesn’t even have to be overwhelming. For a few simple shopping tips that will make you an expert mattress buyer in no time, finding the perfect mattress for your needs with less than a modicum of fuss, keep on reading!

The first question you need to ask is: which mattress is best for you?

With so many mattress types to choose from, selecting a mattress can be a confusing process. Use this guide to select the type best for you.

memory foam beds: specifically engineered based on modern NASA technology, these comfortable and allergy resistant (read: bug proof!) mattresses conform snugly to your body, delivering the most comfortable sleep.

Pros: These memory foam beds are totally hypoallergenic, due to their dense molecular structure, and they conform to every curve of your body for unparalleled orthopedic support. They alleviate pressure points – such as the hips – and the average memory foam mattress has an extra-long lifetime: upwards of 20 years.
Cons: Generally speaking, memory foam mattresses tend to be warmer than other mattress types as their dense structure retains more body heat. Sometimes, these mattresses have a mild chemical odor, depending on the factory and country of origin and the quality control regulations they were manufactured under.

Innerspring mattresses: Traditional and true blue, innerspring mattresses contain wire coils that hold up your body.

Pros: Dependable and the most popular style, the innerspring mattress is time-tested.
Cons: Innerspring mattresses cannot evenly distribute weight. Their hollow nature makes them an ideal breeding ground for dust mites, bacteria, and bedbugs.

Air Mattresses: These beds are highly affordable, lightweight, and portable. They can be inflated or deflated whenever you wish, making storage and space-saving a breeze.
Pros: easy to stow away, these air mattresses are feather light and are therefore great for campers, guests, and singletons. They sometimes come with small, electronically controlled air pockets, giving you improved dynamic control over your bed’s firmness.
Cons: This bed is filled with air and is easy to puncture, in many ways like a balloon or a bike tire. Additionally, these beds do not give you even support while you sleep.

Water Mattresses: these artifacts from an earlier time are full of water and as such are particularly soft.
Pros: Soft for those who like it that way, newer models are more stable than their 1970s counterparts.
Cons: unfortunately, these beds weigh a ton, and they can get very cold; they should be avoided by persons who suffer from motion sickness or chronic back pain. If your partner moves, you’ll catch a wave.

The second question you need to ask is: how do I get comfortable?

If you’re an average adult with proper sleeping habits, you will likely spend about a third of your lifetime in snoozing in bed. Obviously, with all that mileage, you’re going to want a supportive and comfortable mattress. Every mattress offers something different in terms of layers and firmness, and out of the wide variety of mattresses available today, most all of them will feel different.

Ideally, a mattress should keep your spinal alignment parallel to that of a person standing upright (with good posture), allowing for a sort of weak backwards ‘S’ curve. The wrong mattress will cause back pain. Mattresses that are far too soft, for example, will not give your back proper support, while mattresses that are far too firm will put too much pressure on your joints. Somewhere down the line you’ve likely heard that firm mattresses are better for your back, but this is a myth: the truth is that firmness is far less important than strong, even support. The trick of it is this: so long as your mattress allows for an even distribution of weight and pressure, it can be at any firmness level you want.

For best results, test out some floor model mattresses at your local warehouse or hotel and find the perfect soft/firm ratio for you. Then get online and shop around for the best deals. Online shopping has a much wider selection than brick and mortar stores. Consider purchasing a bed with removable layers if you can’t make up your mind.

Third: choose a size.

Each and every unique mattress size will suit a unique need.

Your standard twin mattress (a “single”) is perfect for kids, dorm rooms, guest bedrooms, or bunk beds. They measure 39” wide by 75” long, which probably won’t cut it for tall women and couples.

An alternative to the regular twin is the twin extra long mattress, adding 5” in length for those who need the room. Sheets may be a little more difficult to find, but should be readily available online.

Double or “full” mattresses allow significantly more room for moving, rolling, and stretching out. The average full mattress clocks in at about 54” in width by about 75” in height, which may prove (once again) a little short for some people. But for singles who find twin beds too crowded or uncomfortable, these are perfect fits.

If you anticipate sharing your mattress with someone now or in the future, a queen is the smallest size recommended. These large beds measure about 60” in width by 80” in height, easily accommodating taller persons and couples who like to snuggle.

A king mattress may be the most expensive, but it allows the most room for anyone who really likes their space. When purchasing a king bed, you’ll need to consider whether you prefer length or width in bed. There are two types of king mattresses:

The standard king, or eastern king, mattress is 76” wide by 80” long, making it 4” wider than its counterpart.

The famous California king bed (the “western king”) is about 72” in width by 84” in height, a whole 4” taller than its king sized counterpart.

Fourth: shop smart.

When testing out a memory foam mattress, wear comfortable clothing. Try and lay your body down in the position you normally sleep. Do this for several minutes. Note how the heavier parts of your body feel. Are your hips, shoulders, and lower back supported? Move around a little and test how well the mattress absorbs your motions, and how many vibrations make it to the other side.

Keep the following questions in mind as you shop for a mattress:
1. Where’s it manufactured? Who makes it?
2. Will the mattress aggravate any of your existing allergies or chronic joint pains?
3. Is it cost-efficient?
4. Just how confident am I in this mattress? Can I rely on it to deliver comfortable sleep for the years ahead?
5. How well does it support me?
6. What is the warranty policy?
7. Am I hoping to share this bed?
8. How much space will I need to accommodate my movement and size?

Always keep in mind that the sales associates you speak with should be competent, knowledgeable, and friendly or welcoming. If the person helping you can’t answer your questions, find someone else who can.

The fifth question you need to ask is: how can I further enhance the quality of my sleep?

In addition to sleeping on a supportive memory foam bed, there are a few things you can do to improve your sleep:

1. Drink some soothing chamomile (or other decaf) tea before going to bed.
2. Try to get some exercise in about four hours before you go to bed, but do not exercise within two hours of going to bed.
3. Create and practice a regular sleep ritual. This may include reading, listening to soothing music, stretching, or breathing deeply. This will signify to your body that it’s time to sleep soon.
4. Consider eating a very light snack before going to bed to avoid mid-slumber hunger pangs. Dairy products contain tryptophan, which induces sleep.
5. Sleep in a cool room on a cool mattress with enough blankets to keep you warm. If you have a memory foam mattress, consider using fewer blankets or sleeping in a cooler room.
6. Keep a nightstand near your bed where you can place books, water, or perhaps a music player; anything you may need to access easily before drifting off to sleep. This will keep you from getting up and feeling active.
7. If you need to get up, use a nightlight instead of turning on bright lights. This will prevent your body from thinking it’s daytime.
8. Every once in a while, it’s okay to spoil yourself: take a hot bath about 90 minutes before sleeping. The drop in body temperature after exiting the tub will relax your body and make you feel sleepier.
9. Some people find that writing down their thoughts and feelings in a journal before going to bed is a great way to calm your mind and relieve stress.
10. If all else fails, try breathing deeply and slowly while counting breaths and the seconds between them (the modern day version of “counting sheep”).

With these considerations in mind, you will surely find the perfect mattress for you!