Tag: UV

Home Improvement Tips that will Add Comfort and Distinction to Your Living Spaces

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Most homeowners continually look for new ways to update the look of their home while being energy-efficient at the same time. Living greener is also important for improving the air quality and cutting back on harmful toxins found within an air-tight space. Here are a few home improvement tips that can help you add beauty to your home plus provide a more comfortable atmosphere.

The Secret of Cork

Cork is an amazing natural product that is made from tree bark. These cork trees are never downed and continue to provide substantial products. Popular in home renovation for floor replacement, users find that cork is durable, sound absorbent and a wonderful insulating material. New technology has provided different styles that virtually trick the eye into seeing wide planks of wood, bamboo or marble effects. Easy to care for and never cold, cork is easy to install for a home improvement project. Different shades are also made to match any decor.

Tackle Winter Blues with Solar Light

Having sunlight stream into your home during the dead of winter may sound appealing but can be expensive. Tubular skylights have been introduced as an alternative to costly skylights that require major home renovation. An aluminum tube is fitted between rafters with a polycarbonate UV resistant dome on the exterior. Light is allowed to flow evenly into any area without danger of fading carpet and saves on energy costs. This is a great home improvement idea for those that live in areas with dark winter months. Plants also thrive under the vast sunlight, providing cleaner air.

Mold Resistant Products

Mold is considered a silent killer because it hides and works on respiratory areas of the body. While trying to keep your home as clean and airtight as possible, there is always this risk. If your home improvement project consists of replacing drywall, look into a new product that partially does away with organic material that mold feeds on. Fiberglass facing is being used as a barrier against moisture and is offered by most of the top drywall manufacturers. Caulking, drywall tape, paint, sealant and insulation are also available to help protect your home from mold.

Bathroom Smart Fans

If your home improvement project is geared toward the bathroom, be sure and include a smart fan. Fans that dissipate high humidity are great for keeping mildew and bacteria at bay but no one wants to run the bathroom fan all day. The smart fan detects someone entering the room, turns on and stays on as long as high humidity is detected. Once the humidity level is brought to a normal level, it automatically shuts off. A home renovation of the bath has a much better chance of staying fresh and clean when utilizing proper humidity levels.

Home improvement jobs can be time consuming and seem never ending. By selecting new items that address problems in your home, you will feel more secure and also be able to add value and flair. There are many other home renovation ideas that are available through companies that strive to update products for better living. Follow those that promote green construction and LEED energy efficiency. Your home improvement projects will become more worthwhile and provide a larger degree of comfort to your family.

Cedar Roof Shingles

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If you’re considering putting a new roof on or changing your existing one, then one of your considerations should be cedar roof shingles.

There are a number of advantages to using this type of roof material. Number one is that it is very distinctive and looks really good. Cedar shingles will complement many different architectural designs. They have a clear rustic look that is appealing to many people.

Besides the looks though there are several other advantages to using cedar shingles. This shingle on your roof will last for a long time because it is especially noted for its durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions throughout the year. There is an abundance of cedar trees in many regions so it is a natural and traditional choice in many parts of the country. This type of shingle also has the advantage over such other roofing materials that are made from petroleum products. This makes it more environmentally friendly to use.

Lots of homes experience hazards like hail, heavy wind storms, UV damage and insects. Cedar will naturally resist these types of damages to homes. If one of your concerns is great insulation then this type of shingle would be the way to go. It makes great insulation for home to keep your home warmer in winter months and cooler for those hot, summer days. Many other roofing materials don’t have the lifespan of these roofs. These are actually known for lasting 30, or even 40 years.

If you are thinking about selling your home now or maybe even later, cedar shingles add to the resale value of any home. It is a great selling point with prospective home purchasers and will help you increase the amount you sell the home for.

As with any notable advantages though, there are some drawbacks to consider with cedar roof shingles. For one thing, they are a little more expensive to install than your ordinary run-of-the-mill roofing materials.

This expense is usually a welcome advantage due to the many benefits and the known durability of the product. You want to be sure you use a professional to install your roof properly. There will be less risk of any damage if it is nailed and installed properly and they won’t be as likely to split or shrink, leaving replacement at a minimum.

Make sure you choose cedar roof shingles that have been treated by the manufacturer with fire-resistant chemicals. This provides more safety to your home and family than untreated wood shingles.

How To Select The Right Swimming Pool Heater

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Swimming pool heaters are essential if you want to use your pool after the sun has set or if you want to enjoy a longer swimming season. There are many different types and models of pool heaters available to choose from and it’s important to have one that meets all of your needs. While the many available choices and the number of considerations that need to be taken into account may seem overwhelming when purchasing a pool heater, it doesn’t have to be that way. Simply by determining the answers to a few questions before you start shopping, you can greatly narrow down what you’re looking for and make your choice much easier.

Whether you’re in the market for a heater for an above ground swimming pool or an in-ground swimming pool, you will have a number of different types of heaters to choose from. To begin with, different models of pool heaters are powered by different energy sources. For example, swimming pool heaters can be powered by electricity, natural gas, propane or solar energy. The power source that will be right for you will depend upon what is available in your area as well as your preferences with respect to operation, efficiency, cost and environmental impact.

The specifications for swimming pool heaters will typically use BTUs, or British Thermal Units, to express the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of your pool by one degree Fahrenheit. Most models of pool heaters will fall somewhere in the range of 75,000 BTUs to 400,000 BTUs. The higher the BTU rating, the faster the unit will heat the pool water. Therefore, it’s not surprising that higher BTU ratings also come at a higher cost. The speed that you need your heater to warm up your pool at will depend upon your pool usage. For example, if you only want to heat your pool for weekend use, you might want faster results. However, if you are keeping your pool at a constant temperature throughout the swimming season, you might not mind if it takes a few days to raise the temperature of your pool at the beginning of the season.

In addition to considering the amount of energy required by a certain pool heater to raise the water temperature of your pool, it’s also important to consider efficiency. Fortunately, swimming pool heaters are given an efficiency rating so this factor is typically easy to determine. While most electric and gas heating units feature an efficiency rating of 80% to 83%, it’s possible to find models with a rating as high as 95%. Naturally, heaters with a higher efficiency rating require less energy to operate and therefore will also cost you less money to operate.

As a result of modern-day energy costs, electric heaters are generally the most expensive type of pool heater to operate. Propane heaters are next in line while heaters powered by natural gas tend to cost approximately half as much to operate as propane heaters. Solar heaters, on the other hand, are very inexpensive to run and are extremely efficient as they are powered by sunlight. In fact, solar swimming pool heaters involve extremely low or even zero energy costs. While solar pool heaters depend on sunny weather to heat pool water, they are a great option for regions that receive plenty of sunshine.

Another consideration to keep in mind when shopping for a new pool heater is the durability of the models that you’re looking at. Since your heater will be outdoors, it’s important to make sure that the model you choose is designed to withstand harsh weather and UV radiation. Many high quality units will come with weather resistant housing which protects the internal components of the heater and extends the lifespan of the unit significantly.

Some people like the peace of mind that often comes with purchasing products from trusted manufacturers with a long history of providing top-quality, long-lasting products. In the swimming pool equipment industry, there are several manufactures and brands that have been around for many years and that have a reputation for producing durable and high-performing pool heaters. If you’d like to go with a trusted brand name, you can either rely on word-of-mouth from other pool owners or conduct some simple research online to determine which manufacturers have the best reputation.

When considering the purchase of a new pool heater, you will also have to figure out the size of heater that your pool requires. This will depend upon the surface area of your pool and the thermal efficiency that you want. Pool equipment retailers will often provide equations or sizing charts that will allow you to easily determine the size you need. Last but not least, you will need to consider how much you are willing and able to spend so you can determine which swimming pool heaters will fit your budget.

Flooring Options For Homes

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Flooring is an integral part of any home construction or remodeling project. People love decorative flooring styles for more attraction as well as convenience. Different people like different flooring styles and material as per their living conditions, weather conditions, and living standards. This is the reason people choose different types of flooring from vinyl to cork and laminate. Some of the different types of flooring options are:

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is the most suitable flooring option for the people nowadays. It is tough, scratch resistant and completely waterproof, which makes it durable and reliable in nature and different types of residential and commercial flooring applications. It looks highly homogeneous on the floor and its sheen never fades. Its attractive appearance has been inspiring designers throughout the world.

It is also perfect for different types of applications and requires very low maintenance. It is anti microbial, and stain proof as well as anti slip. It is often recommended by the architects and engineers because it is eco friendly. One can find vinyl flooring in commercial sectors because it is highly durable and tough in nature.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is supposed to be he most popular choice among architects and interior decorators. It is the most beautiful, elegant, stunning and comfortable floor material options available for the modern people. It can be easily used in new houses and kitchens for exceptional comfort and beauty.

Cork flooring is environmental friendly and is considered as a renewable and sustainable natural resource. Most of the people neglect cork flooring because of its expensive nature, however its beauty is unmatched and can rejuvenate the complete environment and attract attention! It is worth the cost when used in smaller spaces like kitchen or dining room, etc.

Its softness makes it the better choice for the kitchen renovation or remodeling projects and it is fire-resistant and sound proof also.

Laminate flooring

It is also known as a floating wood tile in most of the places. Laminate flooring is selected due to its great features and characteristics. It is high UV resistant and can be installed anywhere easily with little efforts. It looks and brilliant and excellent at different places like dining room, kitchen, living room, hall, etc. It also gives you great flexibility and accentuates the place with its colorful shine. It is used as it dramatically transforms the overall look and feel of a room.

Now, plates for commercial projects, floor. The installation of the new album, clearlythe benefits of installing hardwood floors. There is a great resistance, and there is a certain, often less expensive. There are good reasons for the shops, which is completely incompatible with the liquid on the floor, love, hard. This is completely in compatible with stains to give it away, removes scratches, humidity and problems. Sustainability and efficiency are the perfect choice and valuable products and business models, experts from the floor.

Get The Facts On Energy Efficient Windows Part 2

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It’s easier to shop for new or replacement windows if you know the same things the window manufacturers know. This is the second part of a series on options and features that can make new windows more efficient.

Things To Know About Energy Efficient Glass Choices
Here’s a list of glass or glazing choices that can make windows more efficient. Quality replacement windows will offer these features.

Unless they are handmade in a local shop, virtually any windows you buy today will be at least double pane, which is two layers of glass sealed with an air space in between. This is also known as insulating glass, or sometimes double glazing. Some window companies fill the air space with argon, a nontoxic gas used to increase energy efficiency and lower the amount of heat the glass will conduct. Insulating glass is a great first step in improving efficiency. Plus, added benefits of insulating glass include cutting down on outside noise and making your home more secure from glass-breaking intruders.

Better window brands also offer tri-pane insulating glass, which is also known as triple pane or triple glazing. We’ll get back to this in a second. But first, here are some upgrades to insulating glass.

LoE-272 glazing (glass) is a double metallic coating that is applied to the inside glass surface in between the panes. It reflects heat into the room in winter and keeps out the sun’s heat in summer, optimizing room comfort and reducing utility usage. How does it know the difference? The sun is higher in the summer, so the coating is especially engineered to block these rays. This can significantly lower air conditioning bills. In the winter, when the sun’s rays are lower, the coating will allow the light through, naturally warming rooms. This warming is enough to make a difference in your heating costs.

In addition, this coating decreases the damaging effects of UV rays. Benefits of LoE-272 glass include both an enhanced U-factor and improved Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. (U-factor is the amount of heat loss to the outside, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is how much heat from the sun your windows let in.)

LoE-366 glazing (glass) is three metallic layers of silver, and like LoE-272, it allows heat into the room in winter and keeps out the sun’s heat in summer. The difference is, LoE-366 glazing is tweaked to block more heat so it is recommended for warm climates, such as Georgia, where cooling costs are high and also for areas where intense exposure to the sun is an issue, such as a large wall of windows facing a southern exposure.

Tripane glazing, offered in Marvin window products, provides advanced energy efficiency. The air spaces between the three panes of glass are filled with argon gas or, for even better insulating value, krypton gas, and that it is available with LoE coatings to match a variety of climate requirements.

Energy Panels are sometimes confused with storm windows. Actually, this glazing option is a removable exterior glass panel finished on the edges by a frame. Energy panels cover the outside glass surface of each sash, and can further increase energy efficiency for wood windows with single glazing, such as those used in historical homes.

Storm and Screen combinations are two movable glass panels and one movable screen panel. The individual panels can be set up multiple ways depending on the season and homeowner’s needs, and can be easily removed from the interior for cleaning.

Framing Your Choices for Window Materials
Besides the glass, what your window frames and sashes are made of also makes a difference. Since the frames and sashes represent 10-30% percent of the total area of each window, the frame properties will definitely influence overall efficiency.

Wood Windows
Wood and aluminum clad wood are naturally better insulators than vinyl and aluminum. This means wood windows do not pass temperature extremes through their frames as readily as, say, aluminum windows. Ever stand near the interior of an aluminum window when it’s cold outside? They can feel very cold! Stand near a wood window, and you won’t notice the cold as much.

From a thermal point of view, wood-framed windows have a positive influence on a window’s overall U-factor (see below for the definition of U-factor). Well-built and well-maintained wood windows from a good manufacturer can have a very long life. Paint protects the exterior surface and allows you to change the color easily.

Wood windows with a clad aluminum exterior are another excellent choice for improving home efficiency. They possess the same properties as wood windows, and the sturdy exterior aluminum cladding acts like a coat of armor against the elements. Considered to be among the best, Marvin clad windows’ exterior color finish is extremely fade resistant and strong so they are a great choice for low maintenance good looks that last for decades.

Fiberglass Windows (Composite)
Another strong choice you can make in upgrading your energy efficiency is composite or fiberglass windows. As a window and door material, fiberglass comes closest to perfection. A quality fiberglass, such as Ultrex used in Integrity and Infinity replacement windows, is extremely strong and warp resistant much more so than vinyl. Besides helping your replacement windows last a lifetime, the strength of fiberglass keeps the shape of your windows intact for decades to come. The more your windows stay in shape, the better that layer of air sealed in between the insulating panes of glass can do its job.

What’s more, fiberglass expands and contracts very little, unlike vinyl, which can grow and shrink measurable amounts in the temperature extremes that windows and doors endure. The low rate of thermal expansion in fiberglass, again keeps your windows sealed tight, to prevent energy-robbing air leaks from finding their way in over the years. And finally, fiberglass is 500 times less thermally conductive than aluminum, which means it doesn’t allow in the heat or cold extremes from the outside.

With this knowledge under your belt, you can shop for replacement doors and windows and feel confident that they will add newfound comfort and energy efficiency to your home.

In case you missed it, please read GET THE FACTS ON ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS Part 1.

Enjoy Immense Energy Efficiency With Houston Window Tint Solutions From Sun Tech Glass Tinting

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If you’re interested in turning your home into a lean mean ‘green’ machine, then you should consider the high quality Houston window tint solutions available from Sun Tech Glass Tinting. We specialize in providing homes and businesses with quality tinting solutions which can lead to not only improved privacy, but also heightened energy efficiency as well as a whole host of other great long-term benefits.
Sun Tech Glass Tinting is the best company to turn to if you’re interested in having a more energy-efficient home. With summer right around the corner, most Houston-area homes will be blasting the air conditioners and using a great deal of energy. But with our high quality Houston window tinting solutions, less heat will enter the home thus lowering energy use and making it possible to save big money on energy bills. If this sounds like a good idea to you, then you can count on Sun Tech Glass Tinting. Not only are we experienced, but we also utilize the superior Huper Optik window film which is not only aesthetically-pleasing, but also provides for unrivaled performance! As a matter of fact, Huper Optik film can be relied on not only to improve energy-efficiency within homes and businesses, but also to improve security as this film technology is super strong and can protect homes and businesses against smash-and-grab burglars.
Enjoy a great deal of benefits when you select the high quality Houston window tint solutions from Sun Tech Glass Tinting. Our company has been satisfying our customers for a number of years, and this is not only due to our unmatched window tinting Houston solutions. We’re also proud to provide some of the best customer service available anywhere! So if you’re looking for a glass tinting company that’s able to provide both long-lasting tinting solutions as well as a friendly and professional customer service experience, then you need to look no further than Sun Tech Glass Tinting!
Sun Tech Glass Tinting is proud to offer energy-saving, privacy-enhancing, security-heightening, UV ray-deflecting Houston window tint solutions that you’ll be sure to enjoy for a very long time to come. So be sure to learn more today by browsing through the rest of our website. If you have any questions or would like to move forward with our tinting services, then feel free to contact us directly by phone or email.

Led Lighting Company In India – Energy Saving Necessity

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Spreading of industrialization world over and population explosion, our natural resources have been ever shrinking. In India, the last two decades the rise of spending power of the middle class has increased their energy consumption drastically. Each and every family have around 2 to 4 bedroom flats, with one or more television, fridge, Air conditioners, and lighting to illuminate their homes . Over dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like coal powered energy stations screams for the expansion of energy saving systems by bringing in LED lighting company in India. The LED lights are designed in such a manner, that they can last longer and consume a lot less energy than their previous counterparts. A LED lighting company proudly states that their products with help the new urban India reduce its ever growing energy consumption drastically, with new and improved array of products. They boast, with their enhanced technology they have created a new range of products which with not only last longer and stay brighter but will also be cost effective as well.
Urban India is moving a step ahead with the rest of the developed world in the area of good quality LED Lighting, with the presence of LED lighting company in India. LED lighting Delhi, have a wide variety of products which aims to brighten up the streets of the urban jungle. They are revved up to meet the ever growing demands of LED lighting services by these products which not only have longer life, but also encompass smaller size, better design, light output with no ultra violet and infra red radiation that is harmful to our eyes. They are a lot safer to use because of lower voltage and lower heat operation.
A new LED lighting company in India said that LED lighting is the future, and the next wave of revolutionary lighting systems. LED products are more brilliant and emit higher color saturation when compared to conventional light sources. You get different color effect from the same light source, which is good for home use for decorative purposes in festivals like Deepavali. These products from LED lighting company are also said to have unbreakable plastic bulbs, weather proof, and shock proof to a certain degree. Also has silent operation and fast switching capabilities. Development of solar powered LED lighting India has even a brighter future.

LED lighting services have proven to be a the best lighting solution for places which need to be lit for a long duration of time such as streets, parking areas, reception areas, living rooms, hallways, restaurants, offices, kitchens ,lobbies etc. They do have more of a initial cost, but due to their efficiency, longevity, more durable compared to conventional breakable fluorescent bulbs, and also reduces trips to the doctor because of low UV imitations they turn out to be more cost effective solution. LED lighting services have also been developed to make benefit of the best renewable source of energy Sun. LED lighting services are the most efficient lighting service available in market today, reducing the damage done to your pocket and suits your varied needs.
Reference website: www.ikioledlighting.com

Ensure Energy efficiency with a proper Insulator

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A home is built for a lifetime. Any damage to the home out of bad weather is definitely heart breaking. So it is well-said that “prevention is better than cure”. This is not only applicable to all human beings; undeniably it fits well when coming to the use of insulators for our home.

Researches say that half the heat is lost from the home through the wall and loft, also a good contribution is made by the doors, windows and pipes. So investment on insulation is worthy. To name a few varieties of insulations applied to the homes are cavity insulation, wool insulation, floor insulation, loft insulation, glazing, tanks and pipes and many more.

A building having a cavity wall i.e, the outer wall and the inner wall being separated by an empty space or a cavity needs to go for the cavity wall insulation, since the outer wall tends to lose a larger amount of heat. With good cavity wall insulation, which uses a suitable insulant material, a suitable room temperature can be achieved. It is a simple and a cost effective solution that saves the fuel of the occupant.

Coming to the insulating board widely used by many movie halls, pubs, conference halls and the recording studios, it guarantees noise reduction coefficient, sound absorptive properties, flame resilient and low weight when the board is an acoustic wall. Besides some other categories of insulation boards also provide benefits like UV resistance, ozone resistance and corrosion resistance. The insulating boards are also used for the floor having rooms below with adequate ventilation.

Wool insulation is also a popular choice these days. Some of the great features of the wool are a natural choice, not inert, healthy, eco-friendly, hygroscopic, non-allergic, fire resistant, low in conductivity, absorbs gases and fumes, and low in embodied energy. Therefore with wool insulation, air conditioning is of course natural.

Mineral wool insulation isnt similar to the wool insulation. Mineral wool is the rock wool which is manufactured from the steel slag. This kind of insulation is permanent and effective against moisture and some agents of rots which are often unavoidable. One of the similar properties it shares with the wool insulation is its fire resistant property. But simultaneously extra precaution needs to be taken while working with it as it raises certain health concern especially to the eyes, skin and lung. So taking professional help at the time of installations guarantees the protection of our home and health as well.

Another way of saving a lot of valuable and expensive energy is by insulating the loft. So using the loft insulation, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced, the major cause for climate change. Loft insulation prevents internal condensation assuring a warmer winter and a cooler summer, reduces noise from outside and thus improves the energy efficiency rating of the home.

Global warming the rising concern these days can be prevented to some extent with the application of above mentioned insulators to our homes. So let us take the initiative in making our planet a better place for living.