Helpful Centers

Heat your pool with a Solar Pool Heater and save the heat with a Solar Pool Cover. Solar pool heating systems are very simple in terms of engineering and application. The basic principle being: run enough water through enough black stuff on the roof and the pool gets warm.

Most pool heating systems include a:

Solar collector: The device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun

Filter: Removes debris before water is pumped through the collector

Pump: Circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool

Flow control valve: Automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

How pool heating systems work.

Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool. In hot climates, the collector can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating the water through the collector at night.

Some systems include sensors and an automatic or manual valve to divert water through the collector when the collector temperature is sufficiently greater than the pool temperature. When the collector temperature is similar to the pool temperature, filtered water simply bypasses the collectors and is returned to the pool.

Solar pool collectors

Solar pool collectors are made out of different materials; the type that you buy depends on your climate and how you intend to use the collector. Collectors designed to operate only when temperatures are above freezing are inexpensive, made from specially formulated plastic materials, and generally do not include glazing (a glass covering). Collectors appropriate for colder climates, or that are designed to operate year-round, generally have metal components and a low iron-tempered glass glazing (glazing greatly increases the cost of the collector).

Solar Pool Covers

The largest heat loss from a swimming pool is from evaporation, by adding a simple barrier such as a pool cover can cut almost all of these losses. Covering the pool with a pool cover when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. Savings of 50-70% are possible. It is also worthwhile investing in a pool cover reel, to make covering the pool easier.

Gavin Dye is Author and Webmaster at http://www.solar-power-4u.com where you can learn how to save money using solar power and wind power.

Today’s look in window treatments ranges from a simple length of fabric arranged over
a rod to elaborate draperies reminiscent of those in historic mansions. If you have a
great view or want the maximum amount of natural light possible, hard window
treatments allow the most flexibility.

Nothing affects a room as much as it’s windows and their treatments. If you’ve got’em,
you’ve must dress them up. The variety of window treatments is immense and the
possibilities are endless. No matter what your style is, you can find window treatments
that will work for you, and have some fun in the process.

Living room windows might be formally dressed, and bedroom windows usually require
privacy, but kitchen windows can make up their own rules with lively treatments that
are just for fun and good looks. Blinds, shades, and shutters of every conceivable size
and type can help you add personality to your windows.

Choosing a color scheme is usually one of the first steps in the design process,
because color can be used to create a focal point and set the mood in a room. Window
treatments offer the ideal opportunity to let your artistic side shine since they’re ideally
colorful accessories to your home decor.

Where privacy isn’t an issue, you’ll have even more options and many different kinds of
window treatments available, it’s no wonder that selecting the right solution for your
home can be a difficult decision.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-in-blinds.com.
Window treatments and ideas to showcase your living space.

Are you an excellent do it yourselfer? If so, then remodeling your bathroom may be an excellent home job that could be enjoyable and rewarding for you. The bathroom is usually the smallest room in your home and if you have any doubts at all regarding your abilities, such as plumbing, electrical, etc. then you may want consider having professionals do the remodeling job for you. Regardless of the task, whether it’s installing a bathroom vanity, bathroom showers, bathroom faucets, bathroom sinks or even shower curtain rods, they all take some type of specialized skill. When it comes to compiling a list of the professionals required you will need a flooring installer, painter, bathroom vanity installer, electrician, tiler, and a plumber.

The bathroom can be a showcase of your wildest creativity. You may choose to do a cosmetic redecorating job only or a full remodeling job. One thing about a bathroom, when it comes to wallpaper or paint, this room is usually more receptive to colors that you wouldn’t normally use in any other room in the house. Sometimes materials that are prohibitively expensive when it comes to decorating larger areas in your home will fit into your bathroom-decorating budget. In new homes, special attention is being given to large bathrooms with custom bathroom shower stalls, multiple-sink bathroom vanities, toilet and bidet combinations, custom tile work, and huge walk-in closets.

One thing to remember is that there are always the basic necessities when it comes to a bathroom such as a sink, tub, shower and toilet. The extra accessories are always nice and when it comes to redecorating your bathroom the sky is the limit! Consider the following custom touches such as a claw-foot bathtub, a sunken whirlpool tub, and one of your least expensive alternatives are pre-molded fiberglass bathroom shower stalls and tubs. Regardless of what theme you choose for your bathroom, it’s important to have fun and create a bathroom just for you!

By Terry Price - The bathroom shower is a very important part of your overall design: http://www.bathroomvanitiescurtains.com/bathroom-showers.html Cultured marble is fantastic in a bathroom vanity! http://www.bathroomvanitiescurtains.com/custom-bathroom-vanity-tops-cultured-marble.html

More people are coming to the frightening realization that the air inside their homes can be “dirtier” than the air outside. New carpets release chemicals into the air, while old carpets harbor dust and mites. Paints, sealers, plastics–even seat cushions can release pollutants into the air. Dust, mold and pollen can become concentrated in indoor air, causing problems with allergies and asthma. Fortunately today’s air purifier technology can solve most of these problems. Popular brands such as austin air purifiers, honeywell, holmes and friedrich provide an abundance of choice. So how do you know which brand, what size and what features to get? If your home has central heating or air conditioning, then you already have the makings of a whole house air cleaner. The simplest way to improve the air quality in your house is to upgrade the filtration system of the heater. A heavy duty pleated filter will keep the air far cleaner than the standard fiber filter. To really clean the air, however, you need to have a specialized whole house unit professionally installed. These models use High Efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA) to screen out 99.97 percent of particles of 0.3 microns or larger–roughly 1/20th the width of a human hair.

Planning to remodel, repair or build a new home? Looking for some terrific features to include that can save you tons of time in shortcuts, efficiencies and saved steps? We can help! We started collecting over 1,000 uncommon, affordable convenience built-ins in 1998, when we first began writing books and consulting to help people have truly extraordinary but affordable homes. Here are some of our favorite ideas that’ll change your life via the time they save you. Add any of these to your next project, and you’ll be on your way toward creating a home that’s truly beyond the ordinary!

• A shallow closet or weatherproof cabinet at every outdoor hose faucet, for storing a hose at an easy-to-reach height where it will stay relatively clean, out of sight and out of the way. No more risk of tripping over a hose left in a heap on the ground! (And even recoiling and flat hoses can be awkward and dirty to move from faucet to faucet, especially if they’re stored outdoors.) This makes gardening a snap, as well as hosing down the deck, patio or outdoor furniture, or washing windows. You’ll also want flooring inside that prevents the unavoidable drips from encouraging mold.

• A non-porous, nonskid, self-leveling garage floor coating, so that soil and oil can easily be hosed away. (If you have a drain in the floor and flooring that slopes toward it, use a similar coating that’s not self-leveling.)

• A sewing machine permanently plugged in and set up on a desk or inside a well-lit closet or alcove. Be sure there’s space behind the machine for the fabric from large projects to accumulate.

• Remote-controlled window shades, especially on hard-to-reach windows or skylights. Choose among remote controls that can be operated manually; via a timer or photocell; or through any on-site or off-site computer, personal digital assistant or cell phone. Besides being safer than attempting to reach out-of-the-way shades by hand, easy-to-maneuver shades help control light and heat in a room, minimize fading of a room’s or closet’s contents, and the automatic or off-site controls can make an empty house appear occupied.

• Dedicated space for wrapping gifts that’s near where you store your wrapping supplies and tools. No more hauling stuff around!

• A doorbell intercom outside the door that can be answered from every telephone in the house (also via your cell phone while you’re out). No more dropping everything to run to answer the door!

• Shallow shelves with only one row deep of canned or dry goods, medicines, supplies, tools or equipment, for instant identification of and access to whatever’s stored. These can often be tucked into a space that’s otherwise unused.

• At least one full bathroom on every level of the house.

• A laundry chute from closets, cabinets or bathrooms to a laundry room on a lower level. No more hauling dirty laundry down stairs when gravity will do the job! And no more dropping items on the way to the laundry room that you might trip over!

• A pot-filler faucet attached to a wall near your cooking burners, that swivels into various positions as well as out of the way. No more moving heavy pots of water from the sink to the stove!

Like this article? Then you’ll love our books chock-full of uncommon, affordable convenience built-ins that increase your quality of life and your home’s resale value! We also offer a free e-book at www.extraordinaryhomes.com: The 34 ExtraOrdinary Home Principles: Over 70 Fabulous, Affordable, Innovative Ideas That’ll Improve Your Life and WOW You!

© Copyright 2005 by Carol Abrahamson/ExtraOrdinary Homes. All rights reserved.

Carol Abrahamson consults, writes and makes presentations about more than 1,000 of these fabulous features that can improve your life, add value to your home and make you the talk of the town. She spent years researching them via thousands of sources just so you can quickly and easily use them to create your affordable, extraordinary Home of Your Dreams. Learn more about her work via www.extraordinaryhomes.com or carol@extraordinaryhomes.com.

It was “in” in the 60’s, out in the 70’s and 80’s and came roaring back in the 90’s and hasn’t looked back. Hardwood flooring is more popular today than it has ever been. With so many different choices out there such as carpet, tile or laminate, most new home builders are sticking with today’s popular choice, you guessed it, hardwood flooring. People are looking for comfort and versatility in their homes. It comes in a variety of styles and colors such as maple, cherry, oak, pine, teak only to name a few. One of the most popular manufacturers is bruce hardwood flooring. I will give you more details about them below. Another option to consider is bamboo flooring.

Health professionals conclude that traditional hardwood flooring or bamboo flooring is helping people with respiratory conditions live healthier lives. Carpets contain amounts of dust, dirt and bacteria which contribute to serious health problems. For over 100 years, bruce hardwood flooring has been the most recognized name in the industry. Their most costly “best” collections will give you a more uniform appearance in color with less character. The lower you go within the line, the more character you will see so product is very popular with vacation homeowners. As you move up in grade, the warranties are longer and the grading is enhanced. Product available include French White and Red oak, teak, Brazilian cherry and mahogany to name a few.

The one challenging thing about traditional hardwood flooring such as bruce hardwood flooring is the installation process. It is important that you use a professional to do your installation in order to get great looking results. You need experience to laying and finishing it so don’t cheap out and try to do it yourself. A fantastic product is bamboo flooring. It is distinctive and unique and uses the latest technology to turn a plain room into a conversation piece. The grain comes in either medium or soft brown shades.

Amy-Jo Strutt is a successful home renovating writer and regular contributor to laminate-flooring-wood.com - An online resource to help you find the very best hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring and bruce hardwood flooring.
http://www.laminate-flooring-wood.com/hardwood-flooring.html