What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide

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Apr 102009
by Tal Potishman
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If you use gas, wood, oil, or coal as fuel for your home, you and your family may be at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is extremely difficult to detect because it is colourless and has no smell or taste. Although carbon-based fuels are safe to use under proper conditions, these fuels become quite dangerous when they do not burn completely and emit CO into the air.

When carbon monoxide is breathed into the body, it combines with the haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is the part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. When carbon monoxide is mixed with haemoglobin, the bodys cells, tissues, and organs cannot receive oxygen, and they begin to die. Over time, even small amounts of carbon monoxide in the blood over time can be fatal or cause paralysis and brain damage.

Someone with carbon monoxide poisoning may incorrectly diagnose the symptoms as being caused by another ailment. The symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to common illnesses, such as viral infections, the flu, food poisoning, and fatigue: nausea, vomiting, headaches, tiredness, and stomach pains. Other symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include problems with vision, trouble breathing, erratic behaviour, and chest pains.

Many homes contain gas appliances and flues, and these can both cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Sadly, an average of twenty UK residents die from CO poisoning each year, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Inadequte ventilation and/or improper installation of gas appliances and flues along with the lack of recommended maintenance cause the majority of residential carbon monoxide incidents. A constant supply of fresh air is essential for a home that operates carbon-based fuel appliances.

Educating yourself about carbon monoxide poisoning is the first step in protecting your family. Even if you take all the necessary precautions, you are at risk for CO poisoning if there is a carbon-based fuel appliance in your home. Share the information about carbon monoxide poisoning with family members so that everyone is aware of the dangers and symptoms. One good preventive measure is to install a carbon monoxide alarm. Compliance with British Standard EN 50291 and a British or European approval mark are two criteria to look for when you purchase a CO alarm. Choose an audible carbon monoxide alarm so that your family can be alerted to the presence CO even during their sleeping hours.

Insist on a Gas-Safe registered technician when you install a flue or gas appliance in your home. Gas-Safe registered installers are trained to set up your appliance or flue accordingly to safe procedures. Once your appliance or flue is installed, have it inspected once a year by a Gas-Safe registered professional to make sure everything is operating properly and there are no safety risks to your family from carbon monoxide. (The Gas-Safe Register replaced CORGI on 1st April 2009.) To prevent CO problems from your flue, hire a professional chimney sweep to thoroughly clean it every year. Advice on solid fuel safety can be found at the Solid Fuel Advisory Service

About the Author:
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about efficient heating, condensing boilers, Oxford plumbers, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
Posted by Tal Potishman at 2:03 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Building Wind Power Generators To Power Your Home

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Apr 092009
by David Sullivan

In the future, all of our energy will come from renewable sources. With traditional gas and energy costs skyrocketing, it is apparent that we need to find new ways to make energy production which are sustainable. We need to change our thought process about how we use the Earth and begin to convert our old energy grid into something sustainable.

There are some people who have already started thinking this way. New scientific breakthroughs in renewable energy are allowing us to create sustainable energy at lower and lower costs.

Using the right set of plans even homeowners who don’t know anything about construction or electricity can build their own alternative energy sources right in their backyards, such as wind power generators.

Homemade wind turbines can currently generate enough power to reduce the average household’s monthly energy bill by as much as 70% per windmill. With inexpensive plans they can also be built for as little as $200 using some recycled parts.

They can also be built with materials from a local hardware store and basic tools. An easy way to estimate how much power your wind generator can create:

Power(Watts) = (Wind Speed)^3 * (Blade Diameter)^2 * 0.00478

The speed of the wind makes the most difference because its value is cubed, then the blade diameter because its value is squared. Example calculation using a decent wind speed of 10mph and an 8 ft blade diameter:

W = (10*10*10) * (8*8) * 0.00478 = 305 watts/hour – x 24 hours and you can calculate 7.3 kWh generated per day by a wind power generator.

An average home uses about 12-20 kWh/day. Of course if you conserve your power you can reduce that to much less – even down to 5 kWh per day. So if you don’t have a great average wind speed in your area, a wind power generator can significantly reduce your power bill, and it may only cost you $200.

About the Author:
Do you want to learn how to build a wind generator? You should learn from experts in the field of renewable energy. Great plans are available that will show you how to build a home wind turbine fast and easy. Your generator will be efficient and last a long time, as well.
Posted by David Sullivan at 2:23 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Plan Carefully When Building a Greenhouse

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Mar 292009
by Paul Cameron

If you’re thinking about putting up a greenhouse, there are a number of things you’ll need to plan out ahead of time. There’s a vast array of styles, sizes and price ranges when it comes to greenhouses. You might decide to build a greenhouse yourself, or simply assemble a pre-fabricated kit. Either way, there are some fundamental issues you’ll have to think about before you begin. In the end this will save you a lot of time.

Your first step is to carefully consider the best location for your new greenhouse. You might be lucky enough to have just the perfect flat parcel of land where you can build it. Or you might have to create a level patch of ground for it. As well, you need to take a good look at the trees on your property. Your greenhouse should be positioned where there aren’t any trees that will block out the sunlight.

You also need to take into account some weather related issues, like how much sun you get and the climate conditions in your area. If you live further north, you’ll get plenty of sunlight in the summer months. You’ll get much less in the wintertime, however. If this is the case, you will need to supplement the sun’s light with a greenhouse lighting and heating setup. However, this will require an investment of both money and time.

As well, take into account the heat and moisture levels in your region. If your climate tends to be dry, an irrigation system will be necessary. The amount of rain you receive means you need to think about how to deal with drainage. Water and mud may have a tendency to pile up around the door and outside walls.

You also need to consider the wind. Strong gusts coming through the window or door could be very detrimental to your plants. The windows and doors will need to be sheltered as much as possible from the wind.

You also need to think about what kind of foundation you’ll use. You can choose from a variety of materials, ranging from gravel to cement. Some people cover the floor with tile or carpet. However, before you decide, think about the cleaning requirements for the material you’re considering and decide if it’s appropriate for you.

You don’t have to be a professional contractor in order to have a greenhouse on your property. But as you make your plans, you should attempt to think like one. That might be difficult if you’re more inclined to gardening than building. Ultimately, though, you’ll enjoy your greenhouse gardening much more if you take the time to make some plans.

About the Author:
Greenhouses are easy to build and maintain, and are available in an assortment of sizes and materials to suit every home and budget. You can even get an indoor greenhouse if you don’t have a backyard. Learn more at Garden Greenhouses.
Posted by Saun David at 12:14 pm Tagged with: , , , ,

Worm Farming

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Mar 292009
by Lucille Green

Worm farming or vermicomposting is basically getting compost vermicast or worm casting, waste, from organic matter that has been broken down by earthworms. By the use of worm farming we are able to get the best organic fertilizer that can condition the soil in producing crops. Most of the requirements for worm farming are yard and kitchen wastes so vermicomposting or worm farming can make use of kitchen waste and makes some nice humus.

Earthworms are the main workforce for creating humus where they, along with bacteria are the primary catalysts for the decomposition process. Species such as insects other worms and molds also play an important role in the decomposition process and the earthworms most frequently used for this are the Red wigglers. This sort of worm can be located in different regions of both Europe and Southern America where they are commonly found in decomposing vegetables compost and of course piles of manure or animal wastes.

The kind of compost produced by the vermicomposting function is clean and organic but it also has high quantities of micro nutrients N, P, and K which are very important for the growth of plants. Among the provision of good nutrients it also environmental friendly, since it assists in energy recycling and besides the fact that it’s ecologically friendly, it’s not toxic and uses almost no energy for the process.

Since the wide introduction of the chemical pesticides people have expressed concerned about the effects of residue left on the crops and produce. A study that took place in 2001 results showed that children who ate organically grown produce have demonstrated lower pesticide levels than children who do not eat organic.

Even though most studies conducted are strictly limited to organophosphorus and not on the effects it causes people think those who have lower levels have lower risk of neurological health problems.

As such, food that is grown organically can say that it has higher nutritional value than the food that has been grown using regular methods it’s fairly simple: healthy plants make healthy people, and that is the end vermicomposting promises to accomplish.

You can use the humus as another layer of soilin potted plants but an alternative method”but a different way is by directly putting the humus directly into the soil during re-potting. An additional positive thing about this variety of fertilizer is there’s no reason to worry about using too much fertilizer or damaging the plant due to excess expore to chemicals.

Worm farming is not only something you can take on in your own backyard but it might also turn into a business venture and through proper strategy you could easily establish your own vermiculture business through the sale of worm castings. You can also investigate local nurseries that will need organic fertilizer and then you just need a bit of patience so you can teach people about the importance of organic farming and other means of fertilizing the soil we require to farm.

About the Author:
Do you have delicious recipes? Visit:: The Ultimate Salad Recipe Collection plus Fresh Vegetable Salad Recipes for great recipes.
Posted by Lucille Green at 11:35 am Tagged with: , , , ,
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