Green Party U.S. – Green Technology, Recycling & Alternative Energy News & Information

Comfort Tips for Back-Sleepers

April 26, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

Getting comfortable at night as you lie in bed is a unique experience for everybody. People fall asleep in all kinds of positions and what is most comfortable for one person may not be for another. These different positions do different things to our bodies as well, impacting alignment, circulation and pressure. Back sleepers make up a major chunk of the sleeping populace, and there are a few things these people can do to have the most comfortable sleeping experience possible.

For back sleepers, it all starts with the pillow. A pillow that has too much height, also known as loft, puts the head and neck at a downward angle, propping it up too much for all-night comfort. A pillow with too much loft can leave a back-sleeper with neck soreness in the morning or even all day. Pillows custom made for back sleepers are typically softer and feature a lower profile than a side-sleeper would want. This allows the head to rest in a straighter position in line with the spine and cradles the neck and shoulders.

The most common complaint people have about their mattresses and pillows is waking up with back pain. For back-sleepers, alleviating this may be done in a couple ways. A back pain pillow is a useful bolster that can lend support to the small of the back during the night. These can be as large or as small as desired and most are made in an oval shape to keep them from rolling away during the night.

Another comfort addition people don’t always consider is a leg pillow. These can help with circulation and take pressure off the lower back. They can be large pillows, body pillows or even specially designed wedges, but any sort of boost is often of benefit to back sleepers.

If sleeping on your back is your preferred nighttime position, consider these options as a way of getting even better rest.

Affordable Roof Repair Chicago

April 23, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

Posted by: Chicago Remodeling Solutions

So you have chosen to take the plunge and hire someone to help with home improvements. Depending on what area of your home that you need done first many home owners choose to go with kitchen improvements first especially since it’s one of the most important rooms in the house.  Finding someone who can handle your kitchen remodeling Chicago project may seem like a daunting task but once you have reviewed the skills and workmanship found here you will look no further.

Once your dream kitchen is in place they can help with other important projects such as roof repair Chicago. Replacing or repairing your roof can be costly but if done right the first time it can last you for years to come. So whether you are looking to have a small issue repaired or need an entirely new roof leave it to them to choose only the best material and options that will save you the most money without sacrificing quality.

If you are searching Chicago tuckpointing companies that can give you that extra help that you need they can also help you out there as well. They can help with all of your residential or commercial tuck pointing needs so if you are currently having issues with loose or cracked mortar. These small issues can be easily corrected but if it goes untreated it can cause major damage and can alter the overall appearance of your business which you do not want. They can help correct all current issues and prevent any future ones.

Renovating Your Home Can Be Easy

April 22, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

A second floor addition is a big project, but, with the right plan, can provide for a total different feel from any house.  Existing floor plans, especially for older homes, can be riddled with problems.  A second floor may even serve to enhance and correct some problems from the original floor plans.  This can be pricy, but companies work with their clients to ensure a proper budget and a realistic plan for time of completion. 

For those looking to make other major changes to their homes, whole house renovations can serve this purpose.  Here, companies can either do the work themselves or provide an outline for an individual to complete the work themselves, making use of tools and construction tools from their local hardware stores.  If you see a friend’s home that has been remodeled to your satisfaction, ask them the name of the contractor that completed the work.  These types of renovations can have a strong effect on visitors and, with the right company, the stress of tearing apart one’s whole home and renovating can be reduced substantially. 

In carrying out whole house remodeling, different contractors provide a range of services that cover minor damage repairs to the complete teardown and rebuilding of one’s home. A contractor can act as your representative in dealing with an insurance company to ensure a fair settlement after a disaster such as a flood or fire.  Whole house remodeling is a lengthy process, so choosing the right team becomes essential in ensuring the right design and proper timeline of the project.

It’s time to change your incandescent light bulbs

April 18, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

A new breed of more efficient light bulbs is coming to the market. The CFLs, compact fluorescent light bulbs, have been in use for a while. The most recent addition to the family is LED, light emitting diodes. Both are 80 percent more efficient than their previous cousin, incandescent light bulbs and last longer.

New technologically advanced bulbs can help reduce your monthly electric bill. You don’t have to wait till your old bulb goes out. If you replace them with a new improved variety you can start your savings sooner and help the environment.

New varieties could last up to 10 times longer than the old incandescent bulbs and use 75 to 80 percent less electricity. So, you will be replacing your bulbs less frequently.

Your savings from replacing an old 100W incandescent bulb with a new improved CFL or LED lights could save over $67 over the life of the bulb according to the Southern California Edison Company, a provider of electricity in Southern California.

CFLs and LEDs come in a wide variety of bulbs that are suitable for outdoors and indoors. Also, they can be purchased in various sizes and types such as dimmable, 3-way, globe, reflector and many others.

The Importance of Fire Retardant Foam

April 4, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

With the wide range of uses for foam materials, it makes sense that some applications need to hold their products to different standards than others. For applications that expose materials to potential ignition sources or even open flame, fire retardant polyurethane foam is the right material to get the job done safely.

While often used in situations where it is a part of construction or encased in a cover, some foam uses require the material to be exposed and out in the open to perform their job. One of these uses is acoustical treatment, where foam can be used in an assortment of ways. Acoustic material foam can absorb vibrations, reduce echoes and standing waves and clarify and clear sound in products from wall tiles to corner bass absorbers. These products are mounted in environments like recording studios where there are many potential sources for ignition like smoking, candles or the amount of wiring and electronics in the space. Proper acoustic foam materials are fire retardant so in the case of an accident, the foam treatment will smolder and provide an opportunity for extinguishment, rather than burst into fast-spreading flames. This can easily be the difference between a close call and tragedy.

Another example of the importance of fire retardant materials in the right application is a motocross pit. Used to provide extreme sports athletes a safe landing area to experiment and practice tricks, these are filled with foam blocks. Landing a motorcycle or ATV in materials not treated to resist fire is incredibly dangerous. This is why riders exclusively use fire retardant foam materials for landing cushions in their foam practice pits.

Specialty products exist for specialty purposes, and fire retardant foam is just one example of a product that has identified the unique requirements of a job and rises to meet expectations.