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Ulu Pandan Development Plans To Be Reconsidered Again by HDB

The advancement plans for Ulu Pandan have actually been revised following responses from the public and nature groups in addition to searchings for of ecological research studies.

Ulu Pandan Residential Estate is located in northern Singapore, just a short walk from Sentosa. It has many different villa offerings and condominiums that range in size from studio to penthouse. This Singapore luxury realty property offers a wide range of features for residents to enjoy including spacious pools and fitness centers, separate family areas, air conditioning and fully equipped kitchens. You will also find a state of the art swimming pool and spa facility. All of these are available at your fingertips so you can live in paradise with ease.

Located within the fully grown estate of Queenstown, Ulu Pandan has actually been set aside for household advancement because 2003.

What makes Ulu Pandan Residential Estate such a beautiful place to live? The answer lies in the many wonderful features this estate offers to residents. The property is modern and truly lavish. The architecture is exquisite with views of the ocean and scenic landscape throughout the property. There are two secluded back-yards to be enjoyed.

The villas are all fully furnished and provide magnificent views of the ocean. Each home is equipped with lush green gardens and other landscaping options. Your neighbors are friendly and welcoming. You are just steps away from the beach and shopping.

One of the most striking features of this Ulu Pandan Singapore property is that there are two completely detached living spaces that are great for families. There is a spacious foyer that opens up into a fully furnished home. Each home is beautifully furnished and has a relaxing atmosphere. Each space boasts its own bedroom, bathroom and home office.

The villas have an additional master bedroom. There is also a spacious family recreation area. Each home has its very own swimming pool. If you want to enjoy sunbathing and other types of outdoor activities, you are just minutes away from an awesome public pool. You will also find a state of the art fitness center.

Ulu Pandan Residences is conveniently located in the heart of Singapore. The area is highly urbanized and it has a very low crime rate. It is a very convenient location and is close to major shopping areas as well as nightlife. Shopping at nearby establishments will allow you to spend time with your family while enjoying the beautiful scenery. You can find many restaurants and cafes in the vicinity of your home. You can even catch a film at one of the many cinemas in the area.

The Housing and also Development Board (HDB) on Friday (30 July) revealed that the eastern fifty percent of Ulu Pandan will be created for public housing, “to fulfill the strong housing need in mature estates, including from young households who intend to live near their moms and dads in the location for better common treatment and also support”.

Actually, the very first of such jobs are set to be launched in the second half of 2022.

The price range is fantastic and you can choose a unit that fits your budget. You can find luxurious properties with breathtaking views of the ocean. You can choose a unit that offers easy accessibility to fantastic public transportation like the MRT. Or, if you prefer, you can choose an exclusive unit with its own plunge pool and tennis court. Your only downfall may be not being able to afford a bigger home, but at least you will never feel cramped in your beautiful room.

There are numerous perks when it comes to choosing Ulu Pandan Residences as your next investment property. This is a chance to live in a private tropical paradise. You will never feel crowded or run down while exploring your new property. You will have everything you need within a few blocks. You can choose between single family units or sprawling estates.

HDB kept in mind that the brand-new housing project “will certainly be sensitively designed to weave in plant and incorporate heaven elements in the location such as the Ulu Pandan Canal as well as a natural stream”.

This wonderful piece of property has a great location because of its amazing views. Imagine yourself relaxing on a splendid terrace overlooking the ocean as a backdrop for some of your favorite activities. Perhaps you want to spend a lovely day by the pool enjoying the beauty of sunset. You can do both anytime you want to. The only thing you will have to decide is what you want to do while you are in the room you can enjoy the most beautiful view in town.

HDB included that it is additionally “recommending to set aside approximately five hectares of greenery on the eastern side of the website and also along the canal for park as well as leisure usage”.

” This might make up a straight park along the Ulu Pandan Canal and also a park with natural stream on the eastern side of the website. This would be a five-fold rise from the 0.9 hectares of greenery gazetted in URA’s Master Plan 2019,” it said.

An environment-friendly corridor of as much as 40 metres large at some stretches, is also suggested along Ulu Pandan Canal, “to serve as an eco-friendly passage to promote wildlife movement”.

HDB additionally plans to retain “an existing all-natural stream with a 20-metre large riparian buffer on both sides of the stream”.

When you choose Ulu Pandan Residences, you get a chance to live in a lovely place where you can enjoy all the good things nature has to offer. You will feel the peacefulness of the area. There is no one to intrude on your privacy. You can relax and enjoy your privacy whenever you want. If you want to go out and enjoy the wonderful sightseeing opportunities, you can easily do so and also take part in the amazing ocean life.

On the other hand, plans for the growth of the western half will certainly be “avoided in the tool term and examined once again in concerning 10 years’ time”, while a considerable nature park will certainly be guarded.

The park will serve as environment as well as ecological adapter in between the Southern Ridges as well as Clementi Forest. It will certainly additionally enhance the connectivity along the Rail Corridor within the vicinity of Ulu Pandan.

” Agencies are studying the optimal dimension and also boundary of the nature park, as well as will subsequently collaborate with the area to execute woodland restoration and also habitat enhancement functions, to reinforce the area’s eco-friendly resilience,” stated HDB.

HDB shared that prior to growth prepare for Ulu Pandan were introduced in December 2020, an environmental standard research study was carried out to much better recognize the existing plants and also fauna.

The research revealed that Ulu Pandan’s western part is richer in biodiversity, including more intimidated plants types and a greater concentration of big trees of significance, such as the seriously jeopardized Ficus virens.

The site likewise serves “as a stepping-stone for wild animals movement to other green rooms”. About 158 varieties of fauna, including seriously jeopardized ones, were observed at the site.

Upon verdict of the research, HDB engaged nature teams to aid fine-tune the prepare for the site, including searchings for from the research. It also sought feedback from participants of the public on the research’s searchings for.

” The modified theoretical strategies additionally think about the findings from NParks’ Ecological Profiling Exercise (EPE), which revealed that an ecological connection could be established in the Clementi-Ulu Pandan location to enhance the connection from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to the Southern Ridges, via Ulu Pandan,” stated HDB.

Dr Shawn Lum, Senior Lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University’s Asian School of the Environment, and also President of the Nature Society (Singapore), claimed the development plans for Ulu Pandan undertook many alterations.

” The planned development at Ulu Pandan has actually been created as well as fine-tuned over several models and also after considerable assessment with academics, nature fanatics, and also various other stakeholders. The advancement establishes new standards for the assimilation of natural habitats and also greenery into a housing development– both public and also exclusive– in Singapore.”

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Government Grant to Support EC Charging Points in Condominiums

Condominiums and exclusive apartment or condos eyeing to set up electric automobile (EV) battery chargers can avail of a brand-new grant which offsets half the installment cost for such chargers, reported Channel News Asia (CNA). The Land Transport Authority (LTA) exposed that the Electric Vehicle Common Charger Grant will certainly aid money the installation cost of 2,000 EV chargers at such residences as an early adoption motivation.

Installing electric vehicle chargers in your vehicle can actually provide you with a lot of benefits. Aside from saving your money and increasing your car’s performance, these chargers can also help you as far as saving the environment is concerned. However, most people tend to forget that these chargers are not only essential for charging their electric vehicles but they are also part of the solution for creating a better environment. In fact, the installation of these chargers can go a long way in reducing pollution in the area where they are installed. The following are some benefits of installing electric vehicle chargers.

The Government targets to release 60,000 EV charging factors throughout the city-state by 2030, of which 20,000 will certainly be found secretive properties as well as 40,000 in public parking area. LTA kept in mind that proprietors of battery chargers, whether owners of the house or an EV billing driver, can get the grant to cover three upfront expenses– namely, the licensed employee fees, the billing system along with the cabling as well as installment prices, which is covered at $1,000.

One of the biggest problems that consumers face regarding electric cars is that the battery of their vehicles tend to leak a lot of acid. Once this happens, the performance of the battery of the car would greatly be affected. The reason why these cars run slowly and sometimes malfunction is because of the acid levels within the battery. By installing Electric Vehicle Charging points, you can avoid such issues as the leakage of acid. So not only will you be able to enjoy more of your trips with your Electric vehicles but you will also be able to save money and preserve the battery life of your vehicle as well.

LTA discussed that the give will co-fund 50% of these prices, subject to a general limitation of $4,000 per battery charger. To promote more effective electrical energy intake as well as energy planning, the grant will just co-fund chargers that include wise features which permit them to keep track of in addition to respond to energy intake data via changes to the rate of billing.

Although you might have heard a lot about the benefits of installing electric vehicles in your vehicle but you might not be aware that one of the main reasons why these cars fail to work properly is because of the power drain. This is why it is very important that you install Electric Vehicle Charging points in your vehicle. As a result of installing an efficient charger, you can expect your car to charge much faster and at a higher capacity level.

Moreover, it will just co-fund the installation of chargers for as much as 1% of residential parking lots in each house. This is to catalyse the first release of EV chargers in as lots of residences as feasible. The grant will certainly be available to private developments that include household systems, except for shophouses, landed homes, hostels, hotels, workers’ dorm rooms and also serviced homes.

Nowadays, you can find Electric Vehicles that is compatible with the Electric Vehicle Charging points. But before you purchase the said chargers, you must make sure that the Electricians you will be hiring are qualified and experienced enough to install it properly. It is also advisable that you get your Electricians from the same agency or company that you get your electrical wiring done from. This way, your Electrician will be able to understand your needs better and be able to give you the best advice and tips on how you can install the Electric Vehicle Charging points in your vehicle.

The moment you have determined that you need Electric Vehicle Charging points installed in your vehicle, the next step that you need to take is to contact Electricians from a reliable and reputed company. You can either look for them online or ask your friends to recommend one. There are also Electricians that offer their services in the vicinity of your residential home. So if you live in an apartment, you will surely find a Electrician that can help you install Electric Vehicle Charging points in your electric cars.

The Electric Vehicle Common Charger Grant will open up for application from 29 July and will be offered till 31 December 2023, or up until 2,000 chargers are approved for co-funding, whichever is earlier. In Budget 2020, Singapore revealed its vision to phase out internal combustion engine lorries in addition to have all vehicles operate on cleaner energy comes 2040.

The Government has actually since then turned out different actions to promote the use of even more environment-friendly vehicles, such as the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive.

Electric Vehicles is mostly used for short-distance commutes. So, when you are about to install Electric Vehicle Charging points in your vehicle, make sure that you do not only focus on the electrical wiring. You also have to pay a lot of attention on the charging units. A poor charging unit can cause huge damages and problems to your vehicles. Hence, you have to take a lot of time and attention in choosing the right kind of charger for your vehicles.

The good news is that there are now many companies offering Electric Vehicle Charging points in various locations. So, whether you want to install the same at your home, workplace or in public places like shopping malls, car parks etc, you will definitely find the right kind of unit for you. The good news is that these units are much smaller in size as compared to their electric vehicle cousins. The smaller size allows you to install them at various parking areas where you might not have been able to install them earlier. Installing Electric Vehicle Charging points at public places has also got some positive effects on the budget of electric vehicle owners.

Another good thing to install electric vehicle charging points is that they run silently. Earlier, the fans used to run inside the vehicle when the car was charging. This caused lots of problems in terms of noise pollution and also put extra strain on the car batteries. But, now, most of the companies are manufacturing the same in a silent manner. Hence, you need not worry about disturbing anyone with their noisy fans while charging your car.

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Green Features in Your Home Kitchen

If you want to go all the way and try to live environmentally, you might want to think about trying to incorporate some green features in your kitchen. You can find a lot of options for features at your local store or online. Some people will choose to go all out and do their whole kitchen a certain way that’s all green. Others still might just want to do things at a more basic level.

There are a lot of ways to cut back on your carbon footprint. For one thing, you could skip showering altogether. Most people use a lot of water when they’re taking a bath. Using a low water plan would be really good for saving money on the monthly electric bill.

Another big no-no is wasting water. You should use as much water as you can, whenever you can. This would mean doing everything from rinsing dishes to washing vegetables. Some homes have systems where all the water goes into one big storage tank so you don’t have to go peeing or washing the dishes.

You might also consider having a rain barrel. Rain water is free. It’s clean water that you can reuse. It might even have some nutrients in it that can help plants grow. If you have a lot of plants in your yard, this feature may not only save you money by not using any water for plants but also help to keep your lawn healthy.

You can also incorporate other water saving devices in your home. You can set up a sprinkler system so that you don’t have to use as much water when you’re trying to get rid of rain water. Instead, you can store the extra water until you need it. Then, you can just turn it on when you need it, like when it rains.

Another useful feature that you can add is a solar water heater. The sun will heat up the water so you can use it instead of wasting it by heating up the whole house. Even if you live in a warm climate, you may find yourself using less water if you have a solar heater because it will reduce your need for electricity.

If you want to reduce your water bill, but are concerned about rising demand, installing a green feature in your home is a great way to go. You can have a solar-powered water heater that will only use energy from the sun when it is shining. When it is cloudy or raining, the water pump will only work and so won’t use much power. Since this type of feature is relatively expensive, it may not be something you can do on your own.

Of course, you should also take other actions at home that can help your family save money. In order to save money, you need to make some changes. One simple thing you can do is to install insulation in rooms that don’t need it. This will keep your home warmer and you’ll be able to lower your heating and cooling costs. Another great green features to have in your home is energy efficient appliances and equipment that use less energy.

It is important to have a balanced effect when you install any of these features in your home. Too much of one feature or another can actually end up costing you more money in the long run. For instance, you should avoid putting windows with tint in a room where air conditioning is not needed. You should also avoid putting a heating unit or convection fan in a room where you plan to put on furniture. These items can both use more electricity than you realize and could end up costing you more money in the end.

Other green features for your home can include installing a motion detector light in your bathroom that turns on at dusk and turns off at dawn. This will save you on the power bill. A great way to save on energy bills and have an environment friendly home is to install solar panels. Your solar panels will collect sun energy and turn it into energy you use at night and when you are out of doors. Installing solar panels saves you money by lowering your electric bill and doesn’t harm the environment.

It can be easy to find a lot of green features to install in your home but you need to make sure that you research all the options available. Talk to a professional about what features would work best for you. You may also want to check out the Energy Star website for more information on the many energy saving features that are available.

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The Right Way to Clean Your Kitchen Countertop

If you have decided that it is time for you to clean your kitchen countertop, then you have come to the right place to find out what the correct method of cleaning is. As a kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, it needs to be regularly cleaned to prevent food poisoning and to keep your kitchen looking appealing. So how do you clean a kitchen countertop? This article will explain the best way to clean any countertop.

First of all, before anything else, make sure that you turn off the electricity, gas or water supply in your kitchen countertop. This is very important as all three of these things can cause damage when cleaning. Secondly, use a sponge dipped in dish washing detergent and a scrubbing pad. Make sure that you give the surfaces of the kitchen countertop a good scrubbing. Use a product like dish soap to clean all the non-slip tiles in the sinks and floors, and the backsplash.

Next, use a steel wool pad or scouring pad to clean the backsplash. This is another good way to get all the grease and grime off the backsplash. It will also help you if you can put plastic bags over the sponge while you are cleaning so that the grime doesn’t get all over the countertop.

Another good technique for cleaning a kitchen countertop is to use baking soda. Baking soda is one of the easiest absorbents that you can use. Just mix it with water in a big bowl and you have your miracle product. Simply rub the baking soda all over the kitchen countertop, including the tops of the shelves and the backsplash. It will pick up all kinds of grease from the pots and pans.

If you have stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, you are going to need to scrub them down periodically. You can use a special stainless steel sponge to do this. You want to start by putting some of the kitchen countertop cleaner on the sponge and working your way up. When you get to the top, scrub the entire countertop and then rinse it off. Using a clean sponge and some lukewarm water will help get the remaining bits of the cleaner off the countertop.

If you have ceramic tile, there are still ways to effectively clean your kitchen countertop. You can still clean the grout using a stiff brush, but you want to be sure that you only get the hard surfaces of the grout out. You don’t want to clean the grout using soap or water because that can end up making your tiles look dirty in the long run. Instead, scrub the grout with a stiff brush and some lukewarm water. Then you want to rinse it off completely and let it dry.

If you have granite countertops in your kitchen, you still have a few options for how to clean the kitchen countertop. One thing that you can try is using a commercial granite cleaner. These cleaners are designed to be used on granite surfaces. They contain surfactants that help lift the dirt that is stuck on the surface of the granite and get it off. It is important to completely wipe down the countertop after you clean it with the cleaner to ensure that it will be as good as new.

If you have copper kitchen countertops, you can also use hot soapy water and a stiff brush to clean them. You should only use cold water if you have stainless steel appliances in your kitchen. Copper kitchen countertops stain very easily and they can even discolor and yellow over time. Therefore, you want to be sure that you completely dry and sanitize the countertop after you clean it. It is important to wipe it down very carefully because discoloration and staining can happen if not completely dried and sanitized. After you completely dry and sanitize your copper kitchen countertops, you will find that they are much easier to keep clean and look great.

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NUS’ two buildings to pilot electronic remedies to improve energy efficiency standards

The National University of Singapore (NUS) will certainly pilot SP Group’s digital solutions to enhance energy effectiveness requirements.

This follows SP Group has actually been awarded by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) a grant “to create as well as carry out innovations and digital options to push the limits of buildings’ power efficiency requirements” under the Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Programme.

In a release on Wednesday (16 June), BCA exposed that the digital power options would be set up at 2 buildings in NUS’ University Town (UTown)– namely the Stephen Riady Centre and the Education Resource Centre– in the initial fifty percent of 2022.

The structures feature different groups of spatial usage like mentor rooms, workplaces, commercial occupants as well as sporting activities facilities, enabling SP to check the services on various areas.

The services comprise an online electronic website along with an expert system (A.I.) powered mobile application tool.

The site allows individuals to track the structure’s aggregated electrical power and water consumption, consisting of the resulting carbon emissions, enabling them to recognize methods to lower their energies use and carbon footprint.

” The website will include sophisticated data analytics to assist structure operators to strategy and also attain extra efficient structure monitoring by providing workable recommendations on conserving power and also an A.I. made it possible for anomaly discovery function to avoid power wastage,” claimed BCA.

The SP Utilities App will certainly likewise include an “At the office” feature, which is focused on boosting the sustainability experience of passengers by providing them personal energy data to help them better comprehend the consumption performance of the building.

Moreover, passengers will be encouraged to adopt green behaviour via gamification like quizzes, energy saving challenges, benefits, tips and suggestions on saving power.

” Decarbonisation is a cumulative initiative and we are at the forefront of allowing this paradigm change with our staminas in integrated smart power options. Leveraging digitisation and large information evaluations, we can make it possible for all building stakeholders to drive favorable change at range,” said Stanley Huang, Group Chief Executive Officer of SP.

” With the support of BCA as well as developing operators, we will certainly create user-centric options to progress next-gen environment-friendly, energy-efficient structures, and produce green neighborhoods that will certainly increase a carbon neutral future for Singapore.”

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Double Glazing Properties for Energy Green Homes

Double Glazing Properties for Energy Green Homes

Double Glazing Properties for Energy Green Homes

Many people prefer to buy an older house rather than a new build. Older houses tend to have more character when compared to new builds and they are often built to a much higher standard. Older houses were built to last, new builds just seem to be built to look nice and sell fast… and then fall apart!

However, these older properties usually need some updating and TLC. It’s not often you’ll find an older house that needs no work done to it but this is part of the attraction. Unfortunately many of these old houses are less than efficient when it comes to keeping warm! They were built in a time of open fires and outside toilets… People were just generally a hardier bunch back then!

Fitting double glazing is a priority for old houses that don’t have this already fitted and as such this is one of the first home improvements you should carry out. Make sure you plan ahead and estimate the cost of fitting double glazing before you buy! Keep in mind that you will want the new windows to match the style of the house, modern meets classic can look great if it’s done well but is an eyesore if it’s not!

The house may already have double glazing but you should still have a look at the energy performance certificate to make sure that it’s up to todays standards. There are huge savings to be made by fitting energy efficient windows. This could be a saving of hundreds each year!

Sometimes you won’t be able to or want fit double glazing due to various considerations such as the listed status of the building or not being able to find suitable windows that match the look of the house.

Many people choose to fit a secondary glazing instead.

If possible you should consider fitting double glazing as this is a more efficient way to keep the heat in, however if the building is listed you may not have that option. It should be easy enough to find double glazing that matches the style of your property, many manufacturers are aware of this need and produce glazing to suit all styles and eras.

If you are on a budget then just do the windows that matter the most, this could be the front of the house if you’re just looking to sell or maybe the most frequently used rooms if this is going to be your home.

So be sure to shop around and you should be able to find windows that not only look great but also perform well.

There is growing concern over the use and consumption of energy sources. The cost of electricity and oil continue to rise every year. It became necessary to find ways how to use energy efficiently. The Energy Star initiative came into existence with this goal in mind. This initiative has several aims including the manufacturing and use of energy efficient products, protecting the environment by utilizing energy efficient practices and save money on electricity.

Every year the costs of electricity and petrol continue to rise. People are consuming energy more than ever. This has been a growing concern for quite some time and there is a need to employ energy efficient practices today. Because of this need, the Energy Star initiative was born.

The Energy Star initiative is a program of the U. S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program has several goals that include protecting the environment by using energy efficiently and through green practices, minimize the emission of greenhouse gas and other pollutants through wasteful use of energy and encouraging consumers to buy products that save energy.

Although the initiative has not eradicated the problem of energy waste, it did create standards that a number of industries now follow, including manufacturers of lighting equipment, computer hardware and household appliances. Industry players acknowledge that more consumers are going green and look for the Energy Star label whenever they shop for electronic goods or look for energy efficient homes.

Energy Star products are certified by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA. These products have passed strict guidelines that ensure that they save on energy consumption without sacrificing its efficiency, features and comfort. Today, there are numerous Energy Star products available in the market. These include appliances, battery products, building products, computers, electronics, heating and cooling systems, lighting equipment and plumbing equipment. These products are clearly marked with the Energy Star label and their energy guide ratings show the usual usage in kW per year.

Sometimes, products with the Energy Star label are more expensive than the ones without. However, people do not mind this because the amount of money they invest on the Energy Star product, they can get back on what they save on their electric bill.

Aside from purchasing Energy Star products, people can also apply the Energy Star initiative in home improvement. Energy Star has tools that can help in assessing a household’s energy consumption such as the Home Energy Yardstick and the Home Energy Advisor.

Energy Star also gives tips on sealing and insulating because they know that this is the most cost effective way in improving the energy efficiency of a household. Included in these tips are covering air leaks, increase insulation to keep the house warm in the winter and cool during summer and installing Energy Star windows.

Energy Star also advises people how to cool and heat a home efficiently. They found out that a huge portion of a household’s energy consumption goes into cooling and heating. Among their recommendations include changing the air filter regularly, have regular maintenance checks on the cooling and heating equipment, sealing the cooling and heating ducts and setting up a programmable thermostat.

Owning an Energy Star home can have a lot of benefits. One, it saves as much as 20% on the household electric bill which can translate to saving money on maintenance costs. Energy Star homes also have consistent temperatures and are well-insulated. Moreover, these homes aid in lessening air pollution and help save the environment.

Post written by Robert Kirk who works as an SEO adviser Roofing Company Aqua Protection who are a roof coatings company based in Scotland. The company offer a range of services including roof coatings, wall coatings, roof cleaning and more.

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Green Options for Commercial Construction

Green Options for Commercial Construction

Green Options for Commercial Construction

Green is good. Even the color green has a positive effect on the eyes. Green symbolizes life and serenity. Whether to cut energy costs, make a sustainability statement, or a combination of both, the encouraging movement toward eco-friendly construction is in demand and on the rise amongst businesses.

Most buildings constructed before the green program instituted by the U.S. government under the auspices of GBCI or Green Building Certification Institute are found lacking many of the standard energy saving and conservation features found in newly constructed buildings. For this reason, many programs have come up like the LEED GA, LEED AP, and other green associations whose job is to audit and rate the buildings and to suggest what changes are needed to bring them on par with the new system of building construction.

Commercial buildings should adhere to building sustainability programs or green programs to make them convenient for the occupants and to make sure they don’t pose any danger to their health as well. Several ways of doing these things is to make sure the building is well insulated; light bulbs should be changed to LEDs, or light emitting diodes, and proper ventilation should be installed. Any waste should be properly disposed of and the buildings should only use eco-friendly materials.

Some commercial building owners complain about the additional cost that these innovations give them and they don’t get any advantages from these; instead, they all go to the consumers. However, the long-term savings makes up for the initial costs. One of the ways buildings can adhere to a positive green evaluation and save money is by using the best commercial roofing systems.

Green roof commercial solutions include solar panels, either using the old photovoltaic panels or newer shingle systems. Several commercial buildings are now using photovoltaic shingles for generating power. They’re not only a very efficient and clean source of energy, but they are beautiful as well.

Roofing materials such as industrial glass are also very useful in conserving energy by allowing sunlight to penetrate directly into the buildings. Skylight roofing was already in vogue before and now it’s even more popular than ever. It supplies the building with natural light, making it healthier for the occupants. Sunlight also helps kill bacteria and viruses common in enclosed buildings.

Garden roofs are very beautiful and they’re as green as you can get, both in color and effect. They’ll no doubt make the building very agreeable for human habitation. Plants have a dual effect. They produce much needed oxygen, while absorbing carbon dioxide for their food production process.

PVC systems are one of the coolest types of roofing. Quite literally! They don’t absorb heat, are durable, beautiful, and keep your house neat looking. However, you should be careful about using PVC. Unfortunately, some systems may still contain amosite asbestos, a deadly material known to cause mesothelioma cancer.

Reflective roofing systems containing aluminum or stainless steel help reflect the heat back to the atmosphere to keep the inside of buildings free from high temperatures. There are also reflective roofs made of tiles and PVC.

Another type of roofing, one of the oldest and safest kinds, is the BUR system. It’s a combination of several components including tar, bitumen, polyester, and fiberglass. This type of roofing is very efficient for buildings with flat roof designs.

Most of today’s newly constructed buildings are already certifiably green. Aside from adhering to construction standards they also use recycled woods, steel, glass and more. Some commercial projects even opt for organic paint, glues and other materials that are non-toxic to the occupants. The windows are bigger and recycled glass walls are used, where it is possible, to allow more sunlight to enter the house. Ventilation devices are either installed on the walls, ceilings, and/or roofs.

Overall, environmentally conscious businesses are becoming more popular. Even hotels are adhering to the green revolution and many of them have received green certificates for their efforts. Pre-existing buildings, like former franchises, are still popular because they’re cheaper and ready for occupancy. Furthermore, sustainable condominiums and casual studio type buildings have never waned in their popularity. This popular movement is becoming a new standard for commercial buildings everywhere.

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Getting Your Home Ready For Spring

Getting Your Home Ready For Spring

Getting Your Home Ready For Spring

It’s finally spring and you may be wondering what to do with the bleak, brown space called a yard. Beautifying your yard can not only be satisfying, but well-placed shrubs, trees, flowering plants and an attractive lawn can increase your property’s value.

Avid gardeners may already have been out with their hoes, planting seeds that can handle a nip of frost. Fresh greens such as lettuce, chard and spinach are plants worth taking a gamble on. But now that the long weekend has passed, you can go ahead with your planting without much risk to your garden.

To start, though, you have several things you need to get out of the way.

Begin by taking a reality check. Did you clean up, cut down, rake leaves, compost and generally tidy things up before the first snow? If not, you’ll have to do it now.

Even if you didn’t spend hours this past winter planning your garden on paper and ordering plants and seeds, there’s still time to do all the research needed to make it a success. Go to your local library or book store and pick up some books and magazines to help you visualize what you want.

Think of your yard as a cluster of “outdoor rooms”: some for enjoying sunshine, others for growing vegetables and others for appreciating the beauty of flowers, shrubs, trees and foliage plants.

Flower and vegetable beds need a lot of thought and planning, especially if you want continual colour or growth from spring through fall. You may have to plant more than one kind of annual or vegetable in a particular location to accomplish this.

You’ll also have to consider other factors such as sun, shade, heat, reflected light, winds and soil conditions.

Garden centres and nurseries get mobbed in spring, so be prepared before you get there. Start a shopping list of the seeds, bedding plants and shrubs you are going to need to get your yard in gear.

When to start

Because spring weather is so variable, it’s often difficult to know when the soil is ready to receive seeds and transplants. A good rule of thumb is to check other outdoor plants for clues. When spring bulbs and crocuses come into bloom, the soil is usually warm enough to start digging. The ground should also be thawed enough to divide and more perennial flowers and herbs, plant shrubs and trees and to start rejuvenating your lawn. It’s also a good time to prune back bushes and trees and begin insect management strategies. However, much still depends on the weather and how dry the soil is.

Understanding and improving your soil

Flowering plants and vegetable gardens required good soil drainage. How well your garden soil drains depends on its composition. Clay soils tend to drain slowly while sandy ones drain rapidly. Both can be improved with the addition of large quantities of organic matter such as peat moss, compost and leaf mould.

In addition to its physical makeup, soil can also be classified as acid, alkaline or neutral. This is also referred to as its pH content. High acidity or high alkalinity can be harmful to plants. Materials such as lime can be added to decrease soil acidity. Soil or peat moss is added to decrease soil alkalinity.

To test the pH of your soil, you can purchase a do-it-yourself kit or send a sample to a laboratory that will test the soil for you. Even if your soil turns out to be infertile, stony or poorly drained, you can still grow flowers and vegetables. Just build framed, raised beds and fill them with enriched soil.

Get digging

Digging an established garden is fairly easy as long as the soil is the right consistency. To determine if your soil is dry enough to work, squeeze a handful into a ball and drop it from shoulder height. If it shatters, the soil is dry enough. If the soil is too dry to form a ball, moisten it before digging.

As a general rule, garden soil should consist of about one-third organic matter. Apply three to six inches of peat moss or other organic material over the existing soil. Then till or spade all materials thoroughly to a depth of eight to 12 inches. You can single dig or double dig. Double digging is more work – you dig a trench in the soil to the depth of your spade, then dig down further with a garden fork to loosen the soil below. Plants with deep root systems respond better to double dug soil.

Prepare the soil a couple of weeks before you plan to start planting. Leave the prepared soil beds idle for about 10 days to allow any weeds time to germinate. Remove weeds before sowing or transplanting the area.

Time to plant

If you are planting seeds directly outdoors, make sure you don’t place them too deep in the soil. Many seeds need exposure to light to germinate. If the plants don’t tolerate frost well at the seedling state, ensure that all danger of frost has passed.

Plants grown indoors may go into shock if not hardened property before being transported to the garden. This process takes about 10 days. Start by putting the plants outdoors for an hour or two during the hottest part of the day and gradually increase their exposure. Water transplants before you plant them and once or twice every day.

Bedding plants can be purchased at garden centres or nurseries should already be hardened. Always look for stocky, compact plants that have a healthy green colour. Avoid tall, lanky specimens that have yellow leaves and appear to be stretched. These are already in stress. Never judge a plant by its height. Quality transplants are short with thick stems and have side branches close to the base.

Taking care to get the right plants and planting them properly will give you a garden space you can enjoy well into the fall. So happy gardening!

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Maintenance Of Your Unit For Indoor Aircon Filters

There are always things that need to be worked on or required on your home. This is the time of year when you really see what happens to your home when you have not taken care of certain things.

It’s all about home maintenance.

After the winter has had its way with your home, it always looks dirty and you always find damaged things.

This is also the time of year when most people take an inventory of what needs to be done and also start to plan larger projects and renovations. This is when you see damaged roof shingles, or split fence boards, or the deck boards are broken, and now you see why the cold wind was blowing around the windows and doors.

apr11 01 Maintenance Items and IssuesAll of these little items need to be addressed and looked after, because if you don’t repair them, they can become much larger problems. If you don’t repair and/or paint the window, you will need to replace it when it rots. Or the small opening in the siding will let rain into the wall and you will get water damage and mold problems. Does the eaves- trough still flow in one direction? Is the down spout clogged with last years leaves?

One area that most people miss is the HVAC equipment. Does the air filter need cleaning and/or replacement? When was the last time the HRV was serviced? Does the furnace and fan motor still run smoothly? Is the a/c unit ready to go for another summer? It can be very expensive to replace these pieces of equipment; and also you can greatly extend their service life with regular check ups and cleanings.

One thing to consider is to ask your renovation contractor to do a condition survey of your home. That way you can have a professional look at things to ensure you have not missed something. You can also discuss your immediate needs, future wishes and then plan for the completion of the various repair and renovation items in a systematic fashion.

Some of the rules of thumb I have heard are that you should invest between 2% and 5% of your homes value a year in your home for maintenance. That way you know your home will be in good condition and you will protect your investment in your home. If you don’t spend some time and/or money in your home, you could be in for a nasty surprise one day. As it was said in the commercial “you can pay me now, or you can pay me later”.

When it comes to breathing in healthy air, and keeping asthma and breathing problems at bay, furnace filters and AC filters are much more important than you think. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This article will help you make informed decisions as to the replacement of your furnace filters and air conditioner filters and how to care for them.

True or false: AC filters and/or furnace filters need to be changed every month.

True. You should be changing your filter every month, especially if you have allergies or asthma. By changing your air conditioner filter monthly, you’ll prevent dirt from contaminating the system, thus extending the life of your system. Many filters have the ability to provide relief for allergy and asthma sufferers because they trap mold, pet dander, pollen, bacteria, and many airborne particles.

Simply changing your air conditioner filters or furnace filters once a month is not enough to ensure healthy, clean air. You should also have your air conditioning and/or furnace unit serviced by a licensed Air Conditioning/Furnace Contractor at least once a year.

True or false: You can only purchase HEPA Air Filters.

False. There are many types of air conditioner filters and furnace filters to choose from. They work as air cleaner filters and vary in level of efficiency, design, and quality. There is no “best” air conditioner or furnace filter, as there are positive and negative characteristics to each. It’s important to research the different types of filters and find one that suits your individual needs. The type of AC filters and/or furnace filters available include:

Electrostatic Air Filters;
Pre Cut Media Air Filter Pads;
Pleated Air Filters;
Activated Carbon Air Filters;
Fiberglass Panel Filters; and
HEPA Air Filters.

True or false: The brand names are important when it comes to air conditioning filters and furnace filters.

False. Actually, brands have little, if any, importance at all when it comes to home air filters. The brands of most AC filters and furnace filters are interchangeable.

True or false: When shopping for a replacement air conditioning filter or furnace filter, you need to know the exact size of the filter.

True. In fact, you need to know the exact length, width, and thickness, as the dimensions are usually not exact. If you have an unusual size, most online suppliers offer custom sizing.

True or false: All furnaces have a filter.

False. If you have a warm air furnace then you have an air filter. If you have a boiler or radiator, chances are, you most likely do not have an air filter.

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Green Efforts At Home To Create Eco Friendly Home

There has been much media attention within the last year relating to the British government’s new environmentalist initiative, The Green Deal. The deal is due to be launched in October 2012 and promises to provide a significant boost to the energy industry in this country. It is hoped the deal will inject more capital and jobs into the energy sector. In this article we will look at what exactly the Green Deal is and how it will work.

The Green Deal – The Basics

The Green Deal allows UK home owners to apply for a loan of up to £10,000 to install energy saving devices in their homes. The ultimate aim of the installation is to improve the energy efficiency of a property and reduce utility bills. Under the terms of the deal, the loan can be repaid over a maximum period of 25 years. The repayments are added to the standard utility bills of the property. Energy saving devices that qualify for the Green Deal include double glazing and insulation.

How to Apply for The Green Deal

Before UK home owners can be accepted onto the Green Deal they must be visited by an accredited assessor. The Green Deal Assessor will survey the property and deduce whether energy saving devices can improve the efficiency of the house. If the assessor agrees that home improvements can be made, the application will be approved.

At this stage the application will be passed on to a Green Deal Provider. The provider will arrange the finance for the installation as well as the actual physical work. They will also provide a customer care system throughout the process. Providers can choose to outsource the work or carry out each task in house. The first batch of providing companies have recently been announced and include British Gas.

The Golden Rule

The Green Deal aims to reduce the financial burden of installation energy saving devices on UK residents. For this reason, the government has introduced the Golden Rule. This clause protects the applicant against high repayments.

The rule states that the monthly loan repayments can never exceed the expected savings from installing the device. In effect, this means if the installation of an energy saving device is calculated to save the home owner £100 a year then the annual loan repayments cannot be more than £100. The government hopes this will encourage more people to apply for the Green Deal.

Will it Work?

There is much excitement in the energy industry about the Green Deal and companies are clamouring to become approved Green Deal installers or providers. However, some have expressed caution over the system and in particular the Golden Rule.

They argue the Golden Rule is open for exploitation as it is difficult to judge exactly how much money an energy device will save. Others argue that assessors will not be impartial when recommending what devices need to be installed. It appears that it will be some time yet before we are able to evaluate the success of The Green Deal.

At present, people still continue to waste resources and add to the pollution, and these acts are taking their toll on the earth. The earth needs all the help it can get, and if people take steps to live green, their efforts will be rewarded in the long run. Start your environment-friendly efforts at home with these tips.

Water conservation

Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
Take 5-10 minute showers instead of filling up the tub for a bath.
Don’t use the washing machine unless you have an entire load of laundry to clean.
Use a bucket instead of a garden hose when watering the plants.
Collect rain water and use it for various chores, like washing the car and cleaning the garage.

Energy conservation

Turn off the lights when no one is using them.
Replace all regular light bulbs in the house with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which burn less energy while giving off the same brightness.
Choose electronics and appliances that have the “Energy Star” label; this assures the user that their equipment are energy efficient.
If you’re not using your appliances or electronics for a while, it would be best to unplug them rather than putting them on stand-by, as the latter still uses power.
Instead of using a clothes dryer, put up a clothesline outside and hang your laundry out to dry.

Gas/fuel

When cooking, always choose the right sized pot, since using a big pot for a small amount of food unnecessarily wastes gas.
Opt to cook your food by steaming; it uses only one burner and therefore uses less gas
Ride a bike or take a walk when going to a close destination, instead of taking the car.
Slow down when driving; speeding up burns more fuel.
Take your car to the shop regularly to ensure that it is still in good working condition.

Other efforts

Always take a reusable bag with you when going shopping to minimize the use of plastic bags.
Segregate your trash and take things like paper and plastic bottles to recycling centers.
Cook only the right amount of food to avoid excessive waste.

Instead of having an “I’m only one person” way of thinking, adopt a positive attitude and continue carrying out your green lifestyle. Remember, if more people practice these seemingly small act sat home, they would ultimately be doing the world a lot of good.

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