Tuesday, April 28, 2009

More Hot Conservation Tips for Green Living - Go Green!

Going green is really about going back to many of the ways that we used to live before the world went crazy. In our human efforts to advance technologically and increase the convenience factors in our lives, we have devastated our available natural resources. We went through them like they were unable to be ever be depleted and now we are suffering the consequences. The people of yesteryear lived closer to nature and respected the fragile natural balances that dictate our very survival. When we make the decision to "Go Green", we are simply admitting that we have abused what Mother Nature has given to us and that it is up to us to attempt to restore those gifts. We destroyed them - now we have to build them back, if we even can.

Here are some simplistically effective methods that each of us can employ in our lives to help restore biodiversity and environmental vibrance to our planet. If you've heard it all before, then maybe it's time to ask yourself why you aren't doing it yet:

Set your thermostat 2 degrees lower in the winters and 2 degrees higher in the summers. It saves you money and helps to save the planet.

Put some $5 water-efficient shower heads on your shower's water supply. Why have loads of water just draining away when you can increase the water pressure of your shower with cheap shower heads and save it?

Wash your clothes in cold water and use a line to dry. Most people's clothing doesn't really get that dirty unless they are construction workers or the like. Line drying gives your clothing that fresh smell that all of the dryer sheets are trying to imitate chemically.

Opt out of the mailing list for the numerous phone directories that you receive every year. Most of these are just thrown out and fill our landfills with unnecessary waste. This alone can save the US billions of dollars of wasted resources and help to create a green mental shift for the entire society.

Replace your burnt out incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. The light is better and they last far longer - plus they look cool.

Saving energy is a great way to go green and feel good about being proactive towards environmental responsibility!

Inquire regularly and encourage your local utility providers to supply you with green alternatives. Renewable energy sources eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and many other toxins from our air, land and water. Oh yeah, they cost less too!

Buy one filter for your tap water instead of bottled water from the store. Plastic bottles are environmental disasters. They are expensive and a significant source of container waste and hence landfill abuse.

Embrace the concept of going meatless. Our human bodies are not designed to constantly metabolize and assimilate animal muscles. We are designed to function optimally on water-rich foods - like vegetables. If you just can't commit to a meatless life, how about just doing it for one day per week? Two? Commercialized meat production not only horribly mistreats the animal stock, it unleashes immeasurable amounts of pollutants to our environment, consumes exorbitant amounts of energy and water and spreads diseases like the avian flu.

Finally, you can simply speak up. In those numerous times when you hate to talk about the weather - again, bring up the topic of conservation and environmental responsibility. It makes for engrossing conversations and actually might stimulate some proactive involvement from your fellow humans.

Remember, we are really all in this together. Global warming, devastated natural resources and apathetic environmental standards are killing us all. We can all thrive together or we can all die together.

Phillip runs an awesome green website at http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/

He wants to call attention to the impact of wasted natural resources and help to advocate the necessity of the Green movement.

You are encouraged to check out the site's blog at http://ypggblog.com/

Please visit often!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_Allen

Monday, April 27, 2009

Is Air Conditioning Doing More Damage Than Good

As the temperature rises during the summer season, many households turn to more than just ice-cold drinks to keep them cool. Air conditioning was once regarded as a residential luxury, but has become something of a necessity throughout the United States. Not only will air conditioning cool a room to a bearable temperature during balmy, humid summer days, but also uses the same techniques as a refrigerator to provide ventilation and dehumidification for indoor air.

Brief Air Conditioning History

The concept of cooling spaces by using natural elements is one that can be traced to the times of ancient Egyptians, who circulated aqueduct water through the walls of various structures to produce a cooling effect. Even in those times, since water was scarce, wealthy residents were only able to enjoy this luxury. During hot weather, medieval Persians created wind towers to cool down buildings. It wasn't until the early 1800s that a British scientist started to experiment with the compressing and liquefying of ammonia. He learned that liquefied ammonia could chill the air when it evaporated.

In 1842, an American doctor named John Gorrie created ice to cool the air of hospital patients and had dreams of using this technology to create a cooling machine for buildings. He tinkered with the plans of constructing an ice-making machine with the help of a financial backer. When his support was no longer available, he could no longer finance his experiments. When he passed away in 1855, the idea of air conditioning was also laid to rest for about 50 years.

After the attempts of Gorrie, industrial air conditioning was created in the early 1900s with the first modern electrical version of air conditioning. Throughout the years, a shift was seen in the use of air conditioning, as automobiles and households began to benefit from the invention. The Carrier Air Conditioning Company began to lead the way in bringing the concept to the public, and during the 1950s, it was a contagious residential dream.

The Pros and Cons

The benefit of enjoying a cooler atmosphere during heated weather is not the only advantage gained when turning on the air conditioner. A household, vehicle, and other building environment becomes cleaner and safer for breathing when air conditioning is able to prevent the growth and spread of harmful microorganisms. Individuals who suffer from allergies and asthma are especially thankful for the better atmosphere an air-conditioned room provides, as less dust and dander are present. In seriously hot weather, babies and the elderly also benefit from air conditioning as heat waves have been known to take the lives of those whose immune systems and health might not be the strongest.

One of the most controversial topics attached to the subject of air conditioning deals with some of the materials that are used to produce the cooling affect of these machines. Fluorocarbon refrigerants also contribute to global warming concerns, which serves as one of the main ways that air-conditioning impacts the state of the environmental world. Fluorocarbon refrigerants also add to the problems concerning ozone layer depletion.

While the temporary relief that air conditioning provides makes hot summer nights and heat waves a more bearable event, many question how much the world will pay in the long run after the environmental damage has settled. Today, scientists are working on making more environmental friendly products, but for now, individuals are reluctant to part with their instant cool during the thick of summer.

Kimpton were the first company of our size in the North West to achieve quality assured status.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/is-air-conditioning-doing-more-damage-than-good-108142.html

Poorly Maintained Air Conditioning Proves Hazardous To Health

If you're a business owner, ensuring that your premises' air conditioning system is well-maintained is not just an option, but a legal requirement. Because there are definite health risks associated with air conditioning systems it is important to ensure they are regularly maintained and checked in order to prevent the spread of disease.

Air conditioning systems have been proven to harbour the Legionella bacteria; the organism that can bring on potentially fatal bouts of Legionnaires disease. They are not, however the only source of the disease, which is contracted by inhaling water droplets that contain the bacteria. Other potential threats include anything that creates moist air such as industrial cooling towers, hot water systems, spa baths and humidifiers.

According to experts there are over 40 variations of Legionella bacteria that can also be found naturally in soil and water. But, although the thought of becoming infected is very frightening, Legionnaires Disease is fatal in only around 15 per cent of total reported cases.

However, that is still a significant enough threat for the government to have passed legislation ensuring that businesses have a duty of care to occupants of their buildings. Under UK Health & Safety regulations building owners must ensure their premises are safe for employees and customers, and that includes taking the necessary precautions to ensure there is no risk from water-borne infection.

The Approved Code of Practice and Guidance for the control of Legionella bacteria in water systems, otherwise known as 'L8', places the emphasis firmly on business and premises owners to identify and assess any risk, and to subsequently prevent or minimise that risk. The best way to remove any possible threat is to regularly check the premises' equipment, and the water that runs through it.

A regularly maintained air conditioning system will provide a lesser threat of spreading disease than those left unattended. Thankfully, regular, simple tests can detect the presence of bacteria, and they should be performed in addition to regular maintenance.

However, it's not just Legionella bacteria that can cause a health hazard in air conditioning systems. Refrigerants can also be dangerous and they are covered under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1988. One particular type of widely used refrigerant, R1, has already been banned and another common variety R22 is to be outlawed from the beginning of 2010.

In the light of these impending regulations it is advisable for any building owner to ensure that they are within the bounds of the law. A one-off inspection would reveal whether any of the building's air conditioning plant would need to be replaced, and would allow the owner to make the necessary arrangements, well in advance.

Matthew Pressman is a freelance writer and frequent flyer. When not travelling, he enjoys golf and fishing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Pressman

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