Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 31, 2007
Role of vitamins in Mood Disorders
By: Juliet Cohen
Mood disorders are also called affective disorders. Mood disorders have a major economic impact through associated health care costs as well as lost work productivity. A mood is an emotion or feeling that lasts a long time. Moods affect how we act. Your mood also affects how you feel about yourself and life in general. Mood disorder problems may be caused by changes in your life. Chemical changes in your body can also cause a mood disorder. Moods range from feeling sad to feeling happy. Women who have a mood disorder are more likely to get depressed than men. Signs and symptoms of mood disorder start very slowly. Other people may see changes before you see or feel them. However, sometimes depression can occur due to another disorder or as a drug side effect, and in these cases it is known as secondary depression. The effects of exercise in improving the symptoms of depression are well-documented. Inadequate intake of zinc, vitamin B6, iodine, vitamin B12 and folic acid during early life may impair nervous system development and permanently alter function and behavior.
Having a mood disorder can affect your ability to function at work and at home. Treatment of mood disorders such as depression is a complex process and may involve psychotherapy and drug treatment. Where there is no clear physiological cause, the disorder is known as primary depression and it seems likely that the disorder will have several contributory causes. Research has focussed on biological factors such as heredity, hormonal abnormalities, medication side effects, disease-related effects, nutritional deficiencies and psychological and social causes. Drugs which have antidepressant effects usually alter levels of neurotransmitters, serotonin and noradrenaline, which are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain. An appropriate exercise program is an important part of any treatment of depression.
Causes of Mood disorder
Some common causes of Mood disorder are as follows:
1. Family history of mood disorder.
2. Changes in your life.
3. Chemical changes in your body.
4. You use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol.
Signs or Symptoms of Mood disorder
Following are signs and symptoms of a mood disorder:
1. Changes in your eating habits, energy level, weight, or sleeping patterns.
2. Inability to function effectively.
3. Fatigue.
4. Sense of Inferiority.
5. People may have trouble getting along with you.
6. Loss of interest.
The Role of vitamins:-
1. Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps protect the mucous membranes of the nose, eyelids, mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, vagina and uterus, thereby reducing susceptibility to infection.
2. Vitamin B Complex: Vitamins B complex provide the body with energy by aiding in the conversion of carbohydrates to glucose, which the body "burns" to produce energy.
3. Vitamin C Complex: Vitamin C plays a role in healing wounds and burns because it facilitates the formation of connective tissue in the scar.
4. Vitamin D: Vitamin D can be acquired either by ingestion or by exposure to sunlight.
5. Vitamin E: Vitamin E is necessary for all forms of oxygen-consuming life forms. It is also an antioxidant, which means it opposes oxidation of substances in the body.
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Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases. She also writes articles for depression treatment and health care.
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 31, 2007
Vitamins for your Skin
By: Juliet Cohen
Everything we eat and drink, or for that matter, some things that we do not eat or drink, have an effect on our skin. Dry skin, acne, psoriasis, and skin eruptions are just a few of the problems that can be helped with vitamins. Vitamins A, C, D, and E are especially important and are often prescribed for dull, lifeless skin. Vitamin A is often prescribed as a very effective treatment for acne. Even today, some people find that over-the-counter and prescription concoctions too harsh and drying for the face. These same people can safely consume a daily dose of vitamin A and their acne will greatly diminish. Selenium is a mineral found in cereals, nuts and eggs. Dietary intake of selenium prevents cancer in laboratory animals. It also shows signs of enhancing the performance of chemotherapy and slowing down the aging process. In terms of sun damage, daily doses of selenium have demonstrated an ability to ease the burning effect of the sun's radiation.
Vitamins are safe, cheap and highly effective. There are 8 different forms of Vitamin E - the synthetic form is only half as powerful as the natural version. It is an incredibly important vitamin for your body health and should therefore be taken in proper doses daily. Vitamin is necessary for proper skin balance. Too little of it causes the face to be oily. Biotin is sometimes prescribed when skin is dull and the pallor is gray. Most people get enough biotin without even trying. It's found in many foods including bananas, eggs, oatmeal, and rice, plus your body also makes some biotin on its own. Most vitamins are water-soluble and are quickly eliminated from the body. It is safe to consume varying quantities of these vitamins. Other vitamins are fat-soluble. That means that they are stored in the body and can build up over time. Mega-doses of these vitamins should be avoided.
Vitamins that Help Skin:
1. Vitamin A.
2. Vitamin C.
3. Vitamin D.
4. Vitamin E.
5. Niacin.
6. Biotin.
7. Vitamin K.
Skin Conditions that respond well to Vitamins:
1. Dry skin.
2. Acne.
3. Psoriasis.
4. Skin eruptions.
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Juliet Cohen writes articles on homemade recipes and skin care tips. She also writes articles on acne treatment.
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 31, 2007
Nutrition Facts and Basics
By: Juliet Cohen
Nutrition labels have revolutionized the way we buy food -- especially for people on special diets. Nutrition can affect more than just your weight. People who practice good nutrition, hygiene and exercise patterns develop a lifetime of habits that will keep them healthy for many years. Peanuts and peanut butter are whole foods that pack a lot of nutrition into just one serving. Peanuts and peanut butter are whole foods that contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, ample protein and beneficial unsaturated fats. Since they are a plant food, they naturally contain no cholesterol. Peanuts and peanut butter contain high quality plant protein. Protein is estimated based upon the amount of bound nitrogen in the sample. Total fat is estimated from the weight of all individual fatty acids plus the imputed weight of one unit of glycerol for each three fatty acids. When comparing peanuts to similar foods, peanuts have more protein than any other legume or nut. This is especially important for children, vegetarians and people eating more meatless meals. Carbohydrates in food help our bodies produce serotonin -- a sleep-inducing hormone. This meal plan incorporates plenty of healthy carbohydrate-rich foods like fruit, pasta, potatoes, oatmeal and brown rice. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep. This diet includes skim milk with meals and as a before-bed snack.
Carbohydrates are easy to digest and quickly absorbed. They can be found in sugar and sweets, honey, fruits and fruit juices. Daily values footnote is a reference tool, giving you basic guidelines on how much of each nutritional item you should eat daily. Grains based foods (pasta, bread, cereals) are very versatile and highly regarded by nutrition professionals because they are rich in nutrients. Whole grains are high in fibre and may help to lower blood cholesterol and maintain bowel regularity. They contain vitamin E and important trace materials like copper and zinc. For years, these foods were considered the ugly ducklings of nutrition. Thought to be fattening with little nutritional value, they were avoided in misguided attempts to control weight. Now scientific agreement among qualified nutrition experts points to increasing our consumption of grains based foods and reaping significant health benefits. Calories may be calculated using any one of several methods. The old-fashioned bomb calorimeter, one of the acceptable methods, is a poor model for the human body. Ideally, calories represent physiological energy -- the energy value remaining after digestive and metabolic losses are deducted from the gross energy. This type of calculation is called the At water system for determining energy values.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant. It is commonly found in fresh vegetables and fruit (peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruits). Severe lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy. It helps to heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy gums and teeth, and strengthen the immune system. It also helps the body absorb iron. Women and men should consume at least 60 milligrams of vitamin C each day. Vitamin C deficiency causes a disease called scurvy, which is uncommon in the United States. Taking more than 2,000 milligrams a day may cause a flushed face, headache, increased urination, mild diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. People who smoke need to consume more vitamin C because smoking interferes with the body's ability to use vitamins. Women who smoke should consume 110 milligrams per day of vitamin C, and men who smoke should consume 125 milligrams per day of vitamin C. Phytochemicals are natural substances in plants which may provide a wide range of health benefits such as reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Peanuts contain resveratrol which is one of the many phytochemicals found in plant foods.
Good nutrition is more important than ever. Regulations requiring nutrition panels on food labels were implemented as part of a campaign to get people to eat less fat. Dietary fiber has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and mitigate the blood sugar fluctuations of diabetes. Nutrients are divided into two groups. "Good" nutrients consisted of: "vitamin, mineral, protein, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, other carbohydrate, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat, or potassium" and must be present in at least 80% of the label value in every unit tested. Conversely, "bad" nutrients: calories, sugars, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium must be present in no more than 120% of the label value but may be less than the label value by a "reasonable" amount. Nutrition label legislation is to help consumers cut fat out of their diets, carbs are considered a valuable nutrient. Labels have serving sizes as required by law and indicate the number of servings contained in the package. However, selling underweight packages violates the oldest consumer protection laws. Many manufacturers deliberately overfill their packages to avoid the risk that their filling equipment may not be precise or that the product might dry out or otherwise not measure up. As a result, packages often contain more food than the nutrition label indicates.
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Juliet Cohen writes articles for health care clinic and home remedies. She also writes articles on beauty tips
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 31, 2007
Home Health Remedies
By: Sarah
Home health remedies made with plants, herbs and natural elements can do a lot for you. Contrary to aggressive chemical drugs their action is mild and beneficial for your body.
I am in danger, you are in danger, the whole humanity is in danger. While our health .... geez ... our survival is mortgaged, we keep ignoring that we are colonized by the pharmaceutical industry and our health system. While more and more drugs are being developped, we have never suffered so much from cardiac, neurological, mental and immune support diseases.
We continue to ask our governments to finance the cost of this major degradation of our health condition. We continue to push medical spending through the roof by using and consuming presciption drugs that are toxic to our system and can cause severe side effects. Perhaps, we should not accept to be so dependent of products developped by the pharmaceutical companies and financed by governments. Maybe ... we should conquer our independance and recover our health condition through home health remedies.
Let me take you with me and bring you to the .... kitchen. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants and other natural elements can form your army of home health remedies and they can help you win the war for enhanced wellness and better health. Don't wait tomorrow, start today !! Don't think I am "green" or vegetarian. I just think we should nourish our body with essential nutrients and reduce the damages caused by toxins from drugs, processed food and polluted water. Redefine the balance between the "good" and the "bad".
Only your will and desire to change the way you treat your body can make a difference. Just think of producers of canned food, alcohol, tobacco and precriptions or over-the-counter drugs. Why are they getting richer while our health is getting poorer ? We are told that processed products are good while they are actually toxic. Consumers are duped and the day they start asking for more and better, non-toxic products will manufacturers react. The same goes for pharmaceutical companies : if we demand more natural home health remedies, only then, will the production of toxic drugs go down and medications proposed become truly beneficial for our health.
While we should start a wave of "new" demands, we already have numerous home health remedies readily available. Combined with a healthy diet and appropriate physical activity they can treat certain conditions such as constipation, toothache, sore throat, hemorrhoids, colds, cough, dry hair, heartburn, etc.
We have put together a collection of free home remedies (see under the left navigation bar). To obtain good results those recipes must be prepared accurately and the remedies taken daily during the period of the treatment. They are mainly composed of herbs and plants that will provide their full healing action.
How to prepare these Home Health Remedies :
- Prepare them in non-metallic heat-resistant pots
- Use the right quantity indicated
- Prepare them one or two nights before the daily intake; let rest in the pot for better results
- Each condition requires a 3-week treatment. Then stop for one week and evaluate the results
- Several home health remedies are proposed for the same condition. You can vary the recipes to reduce the risk of dependance
- Home remedies are not "magical" treatments. Evaluate the results and determine if they are working well for you
- Plants can be stored for up to one year; blends prepared should be kept in a cool place
We realize that preparing home health remedies is not always practical. Time and budget constraints may make it difficult. But they are part of a "package" to improve your health that should also include a balanced diet, exercise and health supplements.
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Marc Deschamps is the editor of Health Longevity Magazine, a free online publication, featuring articles full of information on various health topics such as common diseases, immune support, cardiac appropriate solutions to help you find the road to health longevity. Free home health remedies are proposed at www.health-longevity-magazine.com/home-health-remedies.htm
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 31, 2007
Learn How To Build Muscle In 4 Simple Steps
By: Vince DelMonte
Are you sick and tired of everyone telling you a different way to build muscle? Are you unhappy with how you look in the mirror? Are you frusturated with your slow progress in the gym? Are you ready to learn five simple steps that will teach you how to build muscle safely and effectively?
There is a good chance that you are not maximizing one of these four steps. Your problem and solution lies in correcting these essential steps before you have any chance of building a muscular and lean physique.
Get read to learn how to build muscle in four simple steps, in less time, without any drugs and without bogus supplements.
Step #1
Committ to lifting weights at least three to four times per week. Your goal is to stimulate your muscles with resistance (stress) which results in your muscles growing bigger to avoid the stress from occuring again. Once you go home, let the muscle heal through nutrition and rest, it will grow bigger and you will repeat this process again. Ideally you should hit your muscles once every 72 hours so you could perform 2 upper body workouts per week and 2 lower body workouts per week.
Step #2
Focus on eating at least 5-7x a day with balanced meals from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. If your goal is to build muscle than you should be eating at least 15-18 x your current body weight. Your carbohydrates should equate about 45% of your intake, your proteins should equate about 35% of your intake and your fat should be the remaining 20% of your intake. You should focus on over half of those meals being solid whole food meals and the remainder can be liquid meal replacment shakes.
Step #3
You should focus on stretching at least half the amount that you lift weights. One of the biggest mistkakes I see is people training, training and training with out any stretching. Stretching helps restore normal length to the tissue and if you are constantly training, your muscle tissues will shorten and big to perform weaker and slower and have a higher incidence of injuries. So if you are lifting weights 4 hours in the week, at least an additional 2 hours should be dedicated to stretching. You must counteract the shortening of the muscle tissues that occurs with weights or else you are a injury screaming to happen.
Step #4
Avoid supplements that have not been around for longer than 3 years. I learned this phisophy from an Australian strength coach who recommended not trying any supplement until it has been around at least 3 years to pass the test of time. This will make your life much easier and help you avoid all the marketing hoopla in the latest fitness and bodybuilding magazine. If you follow this rule, you will discover only a small handful of supplements still standing. Here are the ones you should not go with out: a high quality multi-vitamin, fish oil capsules, powdered creatine and a protein powder. These products will cover your nutritional basis for health, healthy body composition, strength and muscle mass.
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www.VinceDelMonteFitness.com/ He specializes in teaching skinny guys how to build muscle and gain weight quickly........
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 30, 2007
6 Ways to Spend Less Money on Lawn and Garden Equipment
Investing in high quality lawn and garden equipment makes sense. Durable, top quality tools make for an easier job of taking care of your landscaping, and will save you money in the long run.
The problem, however, is how to pay for them in the short run.
Here are six frugal ways you can save a substantial amount of money when you buy a lawn mower, edge trimmer, chainsaw, leaf blower, or any other yard care tool: – Choose basic models, without the fancy gadgets. Bells and whistles raise the price on anything, usually by a significant amount; and they're also the features that malfunction the soonest, resulting in costly repairs. So go for the basic, stripped-down models of top-quality brands and you'll be making a smart investment in equipment you'll use for years. – Shop in February. Lawn and garden equipment dealers need to move out their remaining stock of last year's equipment to make room for this year's models, and February is one of the slowest months of the year for their sales. However, from March through June is peak season for this industry, and accordingly prices will be at their highest then. – Look for sales just after July 4. The yard-and-garden sector typically hits another slump in sales once summer has peaked, and you should be able to find discounts of around 20% on most lawn and garden items. – Check warehouse stores such as Sam's, Costco, and BJ's. Their yard equipment markups tend to be lower than what you'll find in hardware or home improvement stores. And when they start clearancing these items at the end of the season, you'll be able to purchase them at rock-bottom prices – if you're lucky enough to get one before they're gone. – Check the Internet. Many items are cheaper, even with shipping and handling charges included, if you buy them from an online supplier. Thanks to their low overhead costs and broad customer base, website-based suppliers of lawn and garden equipment often have much lower prices than brick-and-mortar businesses. – Buy used, reconditioned lawn and garden equipment. Check the classified ads of your local newspaper, and in lawn mower / small engine repair shops. If these places don't have what you're looking for, they're usually very helpful in suggesting other places you can try. Also check your phone book's yellow pages under such headings as "lawn mowers", "garden equipment", etc. for businesses selling used yard equipment.
Once you've purchased your yard care items, you can save even more money by taking proper care of them. Follow the manufacturers' maintenance schedules listed in the instruction booklets. Take care to thoroughly clean, dry, and oil everything before you put it away, and store all tools and equipment out of the elements.
About the Author:
Save thousands of dollars every year with the smart shopping tips and frugal living ideas you'll find in Spend Less Money.
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 30, 2007
How to Simplify your Living Expenses
Here's the thing: I'm a New Yorker. And in New York, it is amazingly difficult NOT to spend a lot of money, just on the basics! As a student of Harv Eker, I am trying to limit my expenses to 50% of my after-tax income, and I have to tell you, that is really hard to do. Harv isn't the only one to suggest this either: almost every money-management guru gives the same advice. Simplify your expenses.
The fact is, if you want to become financially free, you must do two things: increase your passive income and decrease your expenses. Once your passive income is equal to or greater than your expenses, you are financially free. The concept is simple enough -- and in other articles I address creating passive income (the easiest and fastest way to do this would be by renting your rooms). But how do you simplify your expenses? Especially when you look around and you don't see a way HOW? Here are a variety of ways you can still live a decent life and be a bit more frugal at the same time.
Food & Toiletries
* By far, making lunch at home was one of my biggest savings! I made lunch and snacks and bought them to work.
* Instead of buying shower gel, go back to soap bars. They last longer and are much cheaper.
* Don't wash your hair every day, and when you do wash your hair, only wash it once. That saves lots of shampoo.
* I made my own coffee at home -- or cut it out altogether and put that money aside in your financial freedom jar. One guru calls that the "latte factor."
* As a nation, we eat out a whole lot more and buy convenience foods to just heat in the microwave -- but these can be expensive. Cooking may take time, but it does save you lots of money.
* Buy generic! I was so opposed to this, and one day I ate some potato chips that my boyfriend bought. Seriously? They didn't taste different from the name brand. Try it. Ok, some things may be non-negotiable, but you'd be surprised what is. Your grocery bill will go way down.
* Take the effort to cut coupons, take advantage of sales, and go to discount warehouses, like Sam's Club or Costco.
Heat & Electricity
* If you don't already have one, get an electric thermostat with a timer, so you can change the temperature automatically during specific times of the day. Lower the temperature when the family is out of the house.
* Use space heaters and lower the heat in the rooms you use. Use an electric blanket at night.
* There is plastic covering you can get at the hardware store and cover your windows. That keeps the heat in the house.
* Make sure your boiler and hot water heater are maintained properly.
* Wear layers of clothing and keep the heat lower.
* Use kitchen and bathroom vents sparingly in the winter
* Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents
* Wash laundry in cold or warm instead of hot
* Use a clothesline instead of using the dryer
* Use a ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner.
Cell Phones, Internet, and Communication Utilities
* Avoid pre-paid cell phones, even if you just want the phone for emergencies, unless you are careful to use a plan with minutes that don't expire. You pay exorbitant rates per minute.
* Never underestimate the minutes your teen may use. Be careful not to get the lowest plan. Constant overages are very expensive overall.
* You don't necessarily need a home phone if you have a cell phone. With free nights, weekends and long distance, you may save considerably. Be careful with phone plans that have low rates, because the taxes add significantly to the bill.
* For your Internet connection, you don't have to get the highest rate of connection speed. For the average user, you won't be able to tell the difference and that can save you $20 a month.
* If you switch to broadband, don't keep your dialup (unless you travel often outside the country or in rural areas). Also, drop paying for AOL. All AOL features are free if you have broadband.
Entertainment
If you really wanted to be extreme about it, you could cut entertainment out altogether. But that's not really practical, so here are some ideas.
* First, if you think FREE, you may not get free, but you do end up with "cheap." Cheap doesn't mean less fun, either. Sometimes you can have MORE fun.
* If you live in a city, just try walking around. In New York, I have found impromptu concerts by street musicians or just sat in the park and people watched. You'd be amazed how much fun you can have!
* Instead of eating out or going to bars with friends, host a potluck at home or just have friends over for drinks. It's much cheaper to buy liquor than to buy drinks at the bar.
* For movies, go to matinees or the $2 movie (some communities have them). Yes, those movies are second-run, but hey, it's worth financial freedom to me. You can also always rent movies.
* Cable. When times are tough, the cable needs to get going. It can get so expensive! If you do need it for the reception, get basic and then rent movies. Buying a great DVD player and renting movies is cheaper than cable in the long run. If you rent rooms in your home like I do, keep the cable -- it's a perk for your tenants that are worth paying for.
* Take your kids to the bookstore and hang out.
* Find free community shows, like Shakespeare in the park or fireworks.
* Take the kids on the subway trip -- as far as you can and go explore. In New York, take the train to Coney Island.
* In the summer, there is always a local food festival or street fair.
* Get your kids involved in a community group, like a theatre. They develop skills, make friends and have fun.
Clothing
* For kids, don't go over the top with the brand names, especially since the kids will grow out of them quickly.
* For adults and older teens, don't buy really trendy clothes that will only last one season. Buy classical fashionable clothing that will last, and get trendy with accessories.
* Buy shirts and ties or blouses and just one suit -- accessorizing is cheaper.
* Buy a few pieces of quality clothing as opposed to lots of cheap clothing. They will last a lot longer.
* This goes without saying, but buy clothing in the off-season and on sale. You will save a tone of money.
Transportation
* A gas saving tip I just learned: put your car in cruise control whenever you can. It has cut my gas bill in HALF.
* If you live in a metropolitan area, try walking around the city as opposed to taking a bus or a train. In New York, you can even get there faster sometimes! :-)
* Maintain your car -- tire pressure, oil changes, everything. Preventative maintenance is way cheaper than repairs.
* Never use cheap gas - use quality gas and the correct octane for your car. It may seem more expensive, but it's cheaper in car repairs in the long run.
* Don't be afraid to walk, even in the winter. It's great exercise and it saves a ton of money. Bring a backpack with you for grocery shopping if you need only a couple of things.
The Change Jar
I have a change jar. Every time I pay for something, I always use bills and get the change. I put the change in the jar. You wouldn't believe how much money you can save! This money could be entertainment money, allowance for the kids, put it in a savings account or saved for emergencies. This change jar has saved my butt many times over the years, and is a great way to have "found" money at the end of the month.
About the Author:
To Your Victory,
A. Annika Smith
Annika Smith is dedicated to teaching others how to be not only financially free, but also wealthy and happy. Want to be rich? It's easier than you think. Follow the exact path Annika took to massively improve her life by checking free information at http://clues.rentrooms4cash.com.
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 30, 2007
How to Save Energy in your Home on a Shoestring
Many people are trying to cut down the amount of energy they use in the home these days. High energy prices have eaten into household budgets, and many people also want to do their bit to help prevent Climate Change. Everyone seems to be getting in on the act, with politicians installing solar panels and wind turbines on their houses.
However, you don’t have to invest in such expensive and sophisticated technology to make big savings on energy in the home. In fact you can save a large amount of money with some simple measures that are free, or else cost very little to do, with a very high return on your initial outlay.
You can start reducing your home energy consumption and your bills today with 10 simple actions:
1. Swap the 5 to 10 light bulbs that you use most with low energy bulbs. Low energy bulbs now cost only about 50p each, and can save up to £10 a year in electricity bills. Over its lifetime, a low energy bulb will save you £50-100 in electricity costs. It’s one of the best investments you can make. Plus always turn out lights when you leave the room
2. Don't leave appliances like televisions and computers on standby and remember not to leave appliances like mobile phones on charge unnecessarily. Things let on standby are still using electricity, and could be using 10-20% of your electricity per year.
3. Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent (or an average of £30). N.B. the recommended temperature for a living room is 21°C. And make sure you have set your thermostat to only heat your house when necessary, during the day when you are there. If you current heating controls don’t allow you to program this, consider replacing them
4. Fit a hot water jacket to your hot water cylinder that's at least 75mm (3") thick, and you could save around £20 a year. And it should cost only around £10 to do.
5. Make sure you are not overheating your hot water. Your cylinder thermostat should be set no higher than 60ºC/140ºF
6. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows, making sure that they do not cover your radiator.
7. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy, so make sure they're fully turned off and any leaking taps are quickly repaired
8. Use thick rugs with underlay on wooden floors to improve their insulation
9. Wash your clothes at no more than 40 degrees. All modern detergents are designed to clean successfully at 40°C and there is no need for a pre-wash. Washing at 65°C requires twice as much energy
10. Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle)
You can also have other valuable energy saving home improvements done for free if you receive certain government benefits. These include loft and cavity wall insulation, and new central heating. Your energy supplier or one of the major national insulation companies should be able to tell you if you qualify for one of these.
So there you have it – you really can save a lot without having to invest a lot.
About the Author:
Alex Perry is a founder of DownwithCO2.co.uk, which helps people cut their personal contribution to climate change through providing information and contacts
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 30, 2007
How to Get your Hot Water Straight From the Sun
Hot water straight from the sun may sound too good to be true, but even in the UK a solar hot water system can supply you with over 50% of your hot water needs over the year (the other 50% coming from a conventional gas boiler or electric heater). With recent high energy prices, and concerns about Climate Change, more and more people are looking to take advantage of this tried and tested technology to save energy in their home.
A solar hot water system works by capturing the sun’s heat with solar panels fitted to your roof. This transfers the heat to a fluid, which in turn transfers the heat to a hot water cylinder to store the heated water during the day.
A surprisingly large amount of energy can be captured this way, even in cooler climates like the UK. Over 1000 kwh of energy is received each year in the UK on each square metre of surface. That’s about 60% of the solar radiation found at the equator. Even on cloudy days we receive energy from indirect sunlight and this energy replaces the gas or electricity that would otherwise be used to heat water. Altogether this adds up to a big saving on fuel, and a big benefit for the environment. Each solar hot water system saves around half to three-quarters of a ton of carbon dioxide each year
Solar hot water is usually the most cost effective renewable energy system you can install at home, with a shorter payback than other options, e.g. wind or solar electricity generation. The payback is improved even more by the government grants that are available in the UK.
It is also a tried and tested technology that has been around since the 1970s. Very little maintenance is generally required for solar hot water systems. They normally come with a 10 year guarantee. They generally only need a basic check by you once a year and a check by a professional every 3-5 years.
Before you decide to move ahead with the purchase of a solar hot water system you need to check that your property is suitable. You will need 2 to 5 square metres of southish facing roof space (i.e. southeast, south, or southwest facing), that has little or no shading during the day. You may also need space to locate an additional hot water cylinder if it is needed. Solar hot water systems generally work well in partnership with condensing boilers. They do not generally work well with combination boiler systems. Installation with these usually involves extra cost.
Installation costs vary due to factors such as size of the solar panels, type of roof, the existing hot water system and where your house is. The typical installation costs are between £2,000 and £5,000, although you can get several hundred pounds in grants from the UK Government to help with these. The cheapest systems are generally those based on ‘flat plate collectors’, which will cost between £2,000 and £3,000. Another type of system (an ‘evacuated tube’ system) generally costs £3,500 to £5,000, but needs less roof space to provide the same amount of water heating, because it is more efficient. An installer will help you decide which type of system is best for you.
If you are interested in installing a system, you should contact a reputable installer to carry out a survey of your home, and get a quote. They will be able to assess your property’s suitability, advise you on which system is best, give you a quote and help you with grant funding. Before you can qualify for grant funding from the UK government for a system like this, you need to have already installed some basic energy efficiency measures in your home, such as low energy light bulbs, insulation and efficient heating controls.
About the Author:
Alex Perry is a founder of DownwithCO2.co.uk, which helps people save energy, save money and reduce CO2 through providing information and contacts.
Articles from July 2007
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Green Alternative Blog Post Date: Jul 30, 2007
Outdoor Patio Furniture - It Is Essential If You Want To Enjoy Your Outdoor Space
Let's face it, if you do not have nice places to sit on your posh, oversized deck, then really, what is the purpose of having it? That is why when you build that new deck or patio area, or have an existing one, it is important to buy quality outdoor patio furniture to go along with it because without those furnishing, you cannot fully enjoy your space.
Outdoor patio furniture is available in a wide variety of selections, making it easy to furnish your deck however you see fit. So, if you want to build a nice space perfect for entertaining and having a good time, then a great option would be a lovely rectangular or round patio table and some nice matching patio chairs. Not only does this ensemble provide you with a fabulous place to dine, but it would also be a great place to talk and mingle when the meal is completed. The patio table and chair sets are available in many sizes, from those that seat just four to others that seat as many as ten. Or, maybe you have a backyard pool area surrounded by a deck and you want a nice place where you can go and just get away from it all. Then a nice option for that spot would be some comfortable chaise lounges, perfect for sitting or laying since they feature a long, spacious seating area and will usually come with an adjustable back rest that lets you sit or lay down. When it comes down to it, there are many selections to choose from including Adirondack chairs, loveseats, garden benches, end tables, accessories like umbrellas, and these are just a few of them.
Since there are so many nice outdoor patio furniture selections, it might be a bit difficult to find them all at your local furniture store. So, instead of going there, just plop down at your computer and do some comparison shopping on the Internet. Also, like with all things, you need to buy something of quality if you want it to last and outdoor patio furniture is no exception to that rule. So, if you want yours to hold up well under the outdoor elements, you need to go with materials that are designed to do just that. Some higher quality options include sturdier woods like Northern White Cedar, Western Red Cedar, Meranti Mahogany, Shorea, Redwood, Alder, and Teak. There are manmade materials that are also very heavy duty and strong and those options include plastic, resin, polymer, and recycled plastic. All of these materials are very durable, and since they are available in many lovely colors and finishes, you can easily find the perfect one for your space.
In the end, if you do not have some comfortable places to sit on your new deck, then why do you even have it? So, it is important to buy quality outdoor patio furniture for your new, or existing outdoor space because without it, you cannot really enjoy your space.
About the Author:
Jesse Akre, owner of several home and garden sites gives insight on Adirondack chairs and garden benches. Shop for: teak patio furniture.
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