Build Own Solar Panel

Home renovation is a process of restructuring or making improvements in your old house. It involves either complete makeover or adding a few things for a better looking house. Most often than not, the homeowners design and implement the changes on their own (Do It Yourself); and sometimes defined by the complexity of the job involved and the budget, c ontractors are also contacted to accomplish the task. There are many warehouses that not only supply the necessary material for but also help the homeowners with DIY ideas and educate them in handling the complexities of the work. DIY may appear to be palatable idea which also radically cuts down the cost of renovation however it is advisable to go for a professional help when the task requires technical expertise and task-specific artistry. The general contractor oversees and manages the entire gamut of renovation work ranging from designing to the work of laying down the electric cables, roofing and removing the debris once the task is complete.

‘Home renovation’ can include anything from mechanical work like wall makeover, that is wall papering, painting walls or installing wooden panels, floor improvement involving new flooring like wood flooring, carpeting etc., roof replacement, upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), water proofing basements, reducing utility costs with methods like energy-efficient insulation, wood burning stoves, solar panels etc, installing emergency preparedness safety measures etc to decorate the house which includes landscape construction like improvement of lawns, pools, attic etc.

Home improvement can be considered for the economy purpose, making provisions for water storage or installing gadgets that are power efficient or just work efficient like electronic chimney etc. Home remodeling can be simply for comfort reasons too like making arrangements for keeping the house warm in the winters, redesigning in a manner that allows for more sun shine, or making a swimming pool, or gym, or library, or laying gravel in the lawn, recontouring the patio or garden and so on. The extent to which improvement is carried out defines the type of remodeling, which can be partial improvement when instead of the entire home only a certain sections like just the bedroom(s), living room, kitchen, patio, garden and bathroom are being remodeled or damaged or worn out items are replaced with a new or just repaired. Home renovation infuses new life giving a completely different and better look to the house. This kind of man’s desire to combat the ravages of time and taste on the basic lifestyle of man with or without professional guidance come under home renovation.

Dr Pushpa Vrinda Baxi
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/home-renovation-55777.html

Green: it’s a word we seem to hear everywhere lately. The skyrocketing price of oil and the ongoing debate about the threat of climate change are only two of the factors that prompt people to think about going green.? Nowadays most people, and even some businesses, realize that we humans have an effect on our environment. There’s no getting around it, and that’s why going green can only benefit all of us.

But what is “green”? Ask 10 people, you’ll get 10 answers. Not even the U.S. government has a standard definition, so consumers must decide for themselves based on various definitions and standards created by different organizations. Usually, the word “green” connotes energy efficiency (a “green”? washing machine that uses less water and electricity, for instance) or environmental friendliness (such as paint stripper made from non-toxic materials). You might even be doing something green without knowing it, perhaps to save money. Have you abandoned commercial cleaning products in favor of using the natural products Grandma used, like baking soda, vinegar and ammonia? That’s green, because you’re opting not to use possibly toxic chemicals in your home!Do you put mulch, compost or manure on your garden instead of chemical fertilizer? That’s green, because you’re reducing the amount of potentially dangerous chemicals right in your own backyard! Do you like to shop for bargains at flea markets or secondhand shops instead of buying something brand new at the mall? That’s green, because you’re “recycling”? already-manufactured goods and most likely using up less packaging that would otherwise swell the town landfill! Even large organizations–schools, local governments or corporations–have gone green by switching from paper to electronic billing (less paper used = fewer trees cut down) or by installing solar panels instead of a new oil heating system.

Developers, architects, contractors, local governments and utilities are also getting into “green building.”? Just as individuals go green by recycling and businesses go green by reducing their paper use, those in real estate, construction, and associated fields can ride the wave of environmental awareness by adopting green concepts. Instead of clearcutting a forest in order to lay out a typical subdivision, some real estate developers have turned their talents toward refurbishing older hometown neighborhoods. Contractors can pledge to avoid arsenic-treated lumber or focus on reusing salvaged or surplus building materials. Architects can incorporate the newest energy-efficient technologies into their designs. In many areas, the local government or utility company is happy to perform an energy audit of a home or commercial building in an effort to reduce energy consumption and waste, and they may be able to supply information about green products and services that are good for the budget and good for the planet. Common products in this category include solar energy devices that can lessen dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels (i.e., home heating oil), long-lasting fluorescent light bulbs, or safer replacements for harmful “traditional”? materials such as fiberglass insulation.

Consumers can teach themselves how to go green. You can start small, with something as simple as choosing a product at the supermarket that uses less packaging than the one next to it on the shelf. Congratulations–by making that decision, you’ve just reduced the demand for styrofoam, which has the potential to sit in an ugly landfill for hundreds of years. Or you can think big by trading in your gas-guzzling SUV for a gas-sipping hybrid-electric vehicle. The bottom line is, you don’t have to be rich, a scientist, or a tree hugger to go green! You don’t have to change your lifestyle completely in one fell swoop to go green. Every little bit helps, and every little bit adds up to a lot.

Gen Wright

You can save 30% to 50% cost of using containers by using used cargo containers instead of new containers for your purposes. New containers can cost $2,000 and $4,000 but you can get quality-refurbished units less then that.

Whatever your plan-for storage, overseas shipping or as temporary mobile house-used containers are available online. Many sellers offer delivery to your door as well as a chance to preview the container via online photos. According to your need, you can try to find out a container.

In choosing cargo containers, here are a few attributes you’ll want to consider in advance:

1) What materials- aluminum, steel, stainless steel, of the container, both inside and out, beastly suits your intended use?

2) Considering size, weight, and cubic capacity is important. Though dimensions are standard fair of online postings, so containers that will be used to ship cargo overseas must meet the standard dimensions required for shipping. To compare both external dimensions and internal dimensions is important because external dimensions and internal dimensions may not same of a container. Whatever you plan to ship, make sure that recommended load volume for that container does not exceed.

3) Resistance to vandals, fire, wind and water is must for a container. It needs to be watertight, if the container is traveling overseas. Resistance to vandals is your top priority, if you will use it for storage in an unsavory part of town.

4) Consider which of the many options available you will need: Vents, partitions, electrical wiring, storage racks, windows, refrigeration (reefer), heating, door and cargo sensors, and so on.

5) Do you need doors on only one end or both ends? Open or hard top? Rolling doors?

6) Shop locally if possible. This will save you shipping and handling charges and help you obtain a money back guarantee just in case there is damage that you did not spot before you purchase.

7) Grade system is used to determine the quality of used containers. Learn the grade system. It helps you to purchase the best.

Compare among different services and prices offered by different suppliers. It will help you to walk through your options and determine the appropriate solution for your needs.

9) You can find plenty of used cargo containers available online. Simply type in “buy used cargo container” into any search engine and you’re off. This can give you an idea of what various buyers are paying for the same container.

These are the guidelines for you. By following these guidelines you can find and purchase the best used cargo according to your plan.

Container Conversion Service:

If you want to use used cargo container as a mobile home or office that’s a very good idea. Using cargo container as office or home is best because it is easy to transport, lees space is needed for it than a building, above all it is suited for the construction of the twenty first century.

There are many companies available who convert containers. Each of them help you to make sure the containers are safe and the steel is galvanized to avoid rust. The conversion involves fitting the modules with solar panels, Wi-Fi, bamboo flooring and charging facilities for electric vehicles of the future. The cost to the consumer is $100 to $200 a square foot, compared with the $300-a-square-foot preconstruction price of most ground-up units.

In Internet, plenty of companies are available online. Simply type in “conversion cargo container” into any search engine and you’re off. This can give you an idea about the services of various companies.

Rosie Cubbin

A state-of-the-art gym and dance studio, contemporary style coffee bar and facilities for fine dining are just some of the features at the new global headquarters of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

IHG has relocated from Windsor to a new site covering 100,000 square feet at Broadwater Park - formerly home to the Denham film studios - in Buckinghamshire.

Morgan Lovell managed the design and build project, which included full consultation, mechanical and electrical works, fit out and furniture.

Located in 13 acres of landscaped grounds, the open-plan space is set in a four-storey building. Taking advantage of the picturesque surroundings, a patio area complete with broadband coverage enables people to work outdoors.

The restaurant is a major showpiece of the office development based on the Crowne Plaza brand quality. A 20-room meeting suite has also been created.

Other features include fully functional sample rooms, relevant to the different hotel brands IHG operates, such as Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites. These rooms have a dual purpose, providing both a showcase facility for visitors and also providing overnight accommodation for visiting IHG staff when required.  

A Green Room has also been developed, where new products and fittings are tested, before being rolled out across the seven hotel brands IHG operates.

The fitness suite includes a well-equipped gym containing the latest machinery and a dance studio complete with full-length mirrors and sound system.

Tom Lord, IHG’s project director for the development, said: “We set out to provide an inspiring office space - that supports IHG in delivering ‘Great Hotels Guests Love’.  The key to our success was engaging with the 360 employees who work here to help us achieve that. 

The building also had to be as sustainable as possible and demonstrate best practice, serving as a benchmark for our hotels and other offices.  Our work at Denham will now influence future IHG fit outs and ideas from this project are already being introduced in our Singapore development.

Crucially, IHG and Morgan Lovell worked together as one team, to deliver the project on time and on budget.

It is an amazing result, a brilliant finish and our employees are very pleased with it. Visitors are also really impressed.”

Morgan Lovell’s southern team, based in the Thames Valley at Wokingham, managed the project. IHG has been able to tap into Morgan Lovell’s green office expertise for the carbon neutral fit out, which included a full eco-specification for products - based on limiting the travelling distances of materials sourced - and selecting those with a high recycled and recyclable content.

In particular, IHG was keen to illustrate the benefits of solar power – and panels are in place contributing to the running of the landscape and car park lighting. Solar blinds have also been introduced, controlled by a ‘weather station’ on the roof.

David Cannon, Morgan Lovell’s southern regional managing director, said: “This was an exciting project for us to be involved in. The end result is stunning.”

ENDS

Notes To Editors

Located in London, Birmingham and the Thames Valley, Morgan Lovell is the UK’s leading office interior design, fit out and refurbishment specialist. With its own teams of designers, surveyors and project managers, the company can design and deliver entire projects, with the benefit of just one point of contact. http://www.morganlovell.co.uk

It is part of Morgan Sindall plc, a top UK construction and regeneration group which operates through five specialist divisions of fit out, construction, infrastructure services, affordable housing and urban regeneration.

Morgan Lovell is a licensed BREEAM Offices Assessment Organisation. This means it is now licensed to measure the sustainability score of an office in order to identify ways companies can reduce high energy usage and waste, whilst increasing comfort and satisfaction for users of the building.

InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms.  IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.  The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 39 million members worldwide.

                                                                                             

IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 150,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com  

Contacts

Press release written by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR Limited. Tel 01538 308685 or 308099. Mobile 07985 129315

Jane Shepherd

The current trends in the minds of those willing to invest in new construction, as well as in the promises of the new incoming presidential administration, is a focus on renewable sources of energy and the preserving of the planet. This trend has the potential to save this country’s economy through the implementation of new infrastructure to support the shift to “going green”. The home contractor can dramatically benefit from this by adjusting his materials and construction practices to accommodate the clients who want to be ecologically responsible in their choices of contractors.

LEED Certification of Products and Services

LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system is a third-party program which certifies the design, construction tools and practices and operations for what are nationally accepted as green buildings. Having a LEED certification will put your company on the organization website’s list of exceptional contractors in the advancement of environmentally conscious design, and will provide your company with added exposure to an up-and-coming market sector.

Recycled Products Renewed Ideas

By using recycled or reclaimed products in constructions and implementing the use of fuel efficient heating and cooling systems, including the implementation of alternate energy sources such as solar panels and geothermal heating, the home contractor can both increase his business and have the satisfaction of knowing that his business is helping to sustain and renew our depleted natural resources.

Government Backing

It seems that the new administration is very serious about providing funding for new infrastructure required to implement green energy programs. If programs progress as Washington is currently promising, the home contractor is who not using green products and providing green energy solutions in his constructions will go the way of the dinosaurs. The resources seem to be there, the public is ready for the change, it is up to the construction industry to provide the tools we need to keep the green movement going forward.

Helena Topolova
http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/home-contractor-improve-your-business-by-going-green-724179.html

A “green” home is a home that is highly energy efficient, has excellent indoor environment, and is built to exceed local building code. Considering this, doesn’t this mean that a green home costs more to build than a person could save on energy costs? Absolutely not! A green home is affordable to build and can save a homeowner thousands in energy costs annually. And there are thousands in tax incentives to take advantage of.

First, planned right and built well, a green home can be built for no more than regular construction, and has greater market value when it is completed. It is important to have a builder that has built green homes before, not just one that has added green features onto existing construction. The latter has no experience with the type of building techniques that lower building costs. An experienced green home builder will know that getting LEED’s engineers involved in the process and restructuring the process of building to reduce waste and energy are key to starting the project off right. In addition, an experienced green home builder will be able to make valuable suggestions to the potential homeowner about trade-offs in costs and energy efficiency and apply his practical experience to estimates of energy savings.

Energy efficiency savings can be substantial. Using the weather and energy costs in Illinois as an example, and comparing an affordable green home to conventional home with forced air heating and central air-conditioning, a green home can save you around 75% on electricity, by using a combination of solar panels, landscaping, and Energy Star rated appliances and water heater and substituting central air with geothermal applications, over 90% on natural gas by using alternative heating methods, and 60% on water/sewer by implementing grey water recapture. Typical annual bills of nearly $3,000 per year could be lowered to $700 or less - a savings of $2,100 per year. Of course, these figures are for illustrative purposes only. Your actual savings depends on your electricity usage, the size of the home, the number of people you have living in your home, the number of solar panels you use, and the precise options you select for your green home.

And green homes look like regular homes inside and out, are maintenance friendly, and fun to own.

With tax incentives in the thousands, energy savings worth thousands, and greater market value, building and living in a green home is an affordable option for everyone.

Kimberley Ward

As more and more buyers are wanting energy-efficient and green homes, builders and sellers are trying to meet this growing demand.  In the past few months, the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) has incorporated a green features section on every MLS report where builders and sellers can list whether the home has Energy Star appliances, solar panels, bamboo floors, and rain collection systems already in place.

If you’re looking to buy an environmentally friendly home, the drawback is that most of the homes you’ll find are new construction.  This is great if you’re wanting a newer home anyway, but a lot of green buyers don’t want new construction because of the trees that are cut down and the idea that there are already enough homes on the market right now without having to build more!

The best advice for these buyers looking for older homes is to search the MLS using the new green features option.  Find a home that already has some of the features you want, and then use the money you’ll save by buying now to go towards other features that you add in either now or along and along.  Earth friendly materials are starting to make their way into mainstream stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot.  So, it’s becoming much easier to find these materials.  Sure, you won’t find items such as reclaimed wood in a Lowe’s, but you will in specialty stores around the area.  So, why not take a home you love and make it as green as you want it to be?

For newer homes in Charleston that are geared to be energy-efficient, you’ll find a few neighborhoods to choose from.  All of the homes in Summertrees were built to EarthCraft standards.  This neighborhood is on Johns Island, and the builder was Brentwood Homes.  EarthCraft is a program with guidelines ensuring that homes reduce energy by using tighter building construction, air sealing, controlled ventilation, as well as more efficient duct work, HVACs, and vents.  Water usage is also reduced, which cuts down on utility bills.  Last, the interior and exterior paint is low VOC.  These homes are also supposed to have better indoor air quality for an overall healthier lifestyle for the owners. 

Another builder, David Weekley Homes, is also starting to build green homes.  This builder uses a different program called Environments for Living, which is a national program with three levels of green-ness.  David Weekley’s new homes are classified in the highest level of requirements, which is the Diamond level.  These homes are fifty percent more energy efficient than comparable homes built to the standard codes in 2004.  And, for a better comparison, we’ll compare these homes with the Energy Star standards, which people are more familiar with.  Energy Star requirements are only fifteen percent better than the standard 2004 building codes.  So, these David Weekley homes are significantly better than Energy Star.  Buyers are also guaranteed that their new home will not use more than a certain amount of energy from heating and air conditioning.  If the buyer finds that the home exceeds this amount, he or she will be reimbursed the difference in cost.  Of course, this reimbursement does not account for the energy wasted during that time, but at least builders are trying to hold their homes accountable for energy standards.  And, this is a step in the right direction, I think.

For more information about these builders, check out their websites.  And, if you want to buy a pre-owned home and green it up yourself, check out the MLS with the new search feature!

Lee Keadle

Las Casas Verdes “Will be the first Eco-Responsible Solar neighborhood in Texas and the South.”

“Twenty single family homes will incorporate, as standard features, the latest in solar, wind and water energy systems to move toward zero energy usage. All homes are architecturally designed and will meet the strict standards of the Austin Green Building Program”. (as quoted from LasCasasVerdes.com)

This is positive news for Austin. Many developers claim green home construction by adding some extra insulation to the attic or maybe including a high efficiency furnace and a programmable thermostat. The Las Casas Verdes development is walking their talk by creating environmentally friendly, energy saving homes right from the drawing board to completion.

If the developers are able to successfully achieve their goals and simultaneously make a profit, this could lead to a green building revolution in the Texas market. Hopefully we’ll see other builders jumping on the bandwagon marketing similar subdivisions.

Las Casas Verdes was the creation of architect, developer, David E. Martin. He was first inspired by the common sense, conservation oriented idea of green building during the Arab oil embargo of the 70’s. In 2007, he formed Martin - Ayers Development, a company that promotes Solar Eco-Responsible living in Texas. His background in green building, and his ability to design homes that are not only energy efficient, but attractive, make him an ideal fit for Las Casas Verdes.

The Las Casas Verdes 3 acre subdivision plan includes shady, tree-lined roads, a park, a substantial common garden area and hiking-biking trails. The location is walking distance from major shopping areas, located on mass transit routes and included in one of the most highly rated senior high school districts in the area.

The Homes:

The custom designed, 1,800 square foot homes will all be unique in some ways, but will all share certain architectural styles. Each home will have an office, media room, alcove and large outdoor decks.

Standard Energy Efficient Features:

- 3KW Solar Photovoltaic System for generating electricity and Solar Thermal panels for hot water with a gas powered tankless water heater as back-up.
- Rainwater Collection System to store water for toilets, laundry and plant irrigation.
- SEER rated heating and cooling system.
- Homes will be constructed with prefabricated structural insulated panels in the walls and roof. They offer higher insulation values, tighter seals and less waste.
- Heat recirculation HVAC ducts to reuse pre-heated air in the winter.
- Low VOC paints, reflected metal roofs and recycled/green building materials.
- Automatic light switches will be used wherever possible.

Lesa Parham

Earth 4 Energy allows homeowners to take the first step in breaking free of dependence on overpriced natural gas and electricity. The eBook comes in a step-by-step, easy to read guide so that even the most novice homeowners will have no trouble in their energy generation efforts. We all should be using the earth as our energy source because it is one of the best ways to save on energy. Unfortunately, most of us are unaware of the potential that our earth holds. This is sad because it is now easy to take advantage of the earth for its power.

Earth 4 Energy not only shows you how to harness the power of solar energy, it also instructs homeowners on how to harness other renewable energies. One important fact to note is that Earth 4 Energy is only available online through a pdf format; you cannot go to your local brick and mortar bookstore to purchase this guide.

Within a few hours, any home in the world can begin to run on free solar power. The guide shows through simple English (no technical jargon) and descriptive diagrams on how to harness the power of the sun using materials from your local hardware store. The creator of the guide has created countless solar panels for under $200 a piece. Using the power he has saved on his home’s electricity and heating bills, the panels have already paid for themselves within a few short months of use.

Depending on how ambitious of an energy saver you are, it is possible to have virtually all your home’s power generated from just the solar panels you learned about in Earth 4 Energy. You can also take these portable panels with you on camping trips so that you and your family can enjoy the basic amenities made available by electricity. In case of an emergency, the electricity provided by the panels can be used to power cell phones and radios.

Not only does Swerd, the creator of Earth 4 Energy, show how you can benefit from the power of the sun, he also allows energy connoisseurs to exploit wind power. Much like that of the solar panels, homemade windmills can be made from basic hardware store products. However, unlike solar panels, these windmills can be created for less than a measly $100 using Swerd’s construction methods. With your home running on both solar and wind power, your energy independence and monetary savings will being to skyrocket. You will no longer go to sleep worrying how expensive the price of natural gas or electricity will be in just a few short months.

This do it yourself green energy guide shows every step of the process of making renewable power sources and it puts it into one booklet. You can be sure that the process of using the earth for power will be both quick and easy. In not more than two days time you can be saving money from creating your own source of wind or solar power. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to our earth as a energy source.

Claim your energy independence and refuse to consume overpriced gas and electricity from today’s conglomerates. Allow Earth 4 Energy to assist you in breaking away from the stranglehold that the world’s governments and economies have put on the price of this modern necessity.

Rick Williamson

Solar energy is a viable source to fulfill your energy requirements. No other source can be such a pure, cheap and convenient alternative source of energy as solar panels are. If you have decided to install a solar panel at home, office or any other place, you need to engage the most competent person who can help you to enjoy a better life.

Any solar installers that you are thinking to engage for your solar installation should at least have desired professional credentials. However, an installer must have qualities on personal level to help him/her to perform the task in the most desired manner. Professionally, an installer should have an impressive background that assures his/her skills and knowledge. In many parts, installers need to have licenses for practicing as professional installers. People with construction and electrical experience can work as solar installers.

Choose an installer who just not holds experience in installing solar modules, but supports the concept of solar, the efficient production of electricity for the property owner that leads to the protection of our environment. Look for a trained installer who can take care of every aspect of solar panel installation and help you to get unperturbed energy flow in the long run.

Gather Relevant Information:

Solar panel installation requires training and exact knowledge of the process. A person looking for solar installer should do a bit of market research before buying solar equipments. Open you computer and search online to explore websites that exclusive deal in solar equipments. Contact them and ask questions relevant to your investment. In addition, you can enquire about installation cost, rebates and other important information to get an overview. Many solar websites provide information about skilled solar installers who can help you to install the equipment at home. Discuss your requirements in detail and enjoy the improved service.

Roberto Luongo