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

The Advantages of Envirofill Artificial Grass Infill

January 29, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

If you’re shopping for artificial grass for your home or commercial property, you will have to determine whether you will also need to purchase infill — material put between the blades of artificial lawns. But not every fake grass project requires infill. For example, you will not need to buy infill if you’re using synthetic grass strictly for aesthetic purposes. Infill is also not required if you’re using fake grass to landscape slopes and steep hills. If you’ve been told that you need infill, read on to learn whether Envirofill artificial grass infill is the right product for you.

Artificial Turf Supply carries two main types of infill: crumb rubber infill and acrylic-coated sand infill, or Envirofill. Artificial grass suppliers use crumb rubber infill for athletic applications and commercial playground structures. But if you’re not designing an athletic field or a playground, then you probably need Envirofill. Here’s a look at Envirofill and when you will need it for your synthetic turf project.

Advantages of Envirofill

Acrylic-coated, green sand, Envirofill is utilized to keep the residential artificial grass blades from bending or falling over. The final result is blades that stand up and appear like natural grass blades. However, Envirofill offers more benefits than the standard infill. Envirofill helps prohibit pet odors and the growth of bacteria. It’s also designed to keep the turf cooler. In fact, Envirofill has been shown to keep fake turf 25 percent cooler.

Another advantage of using Envirofill is that it helps extend the life of your synthetic turf products. Envirofill is used to make the synthetic turf system more durable. Finally, Envirofill can be used to add a layer of softness underfoot.

When to Purchase Envirofill

There are many synthetic turf applications that can be enhanced by the use of infill. Do you have pets? If you have pets, for example, Envirofill is a must. Use Envirofill if your pets go to the bathroom on the turf, because it will combat bad odors and keep bacteria from growing on your turf. It’s also important to use Envirofill if you plan to create an exercise run for your dog. Using Envirofill for your dog run will make it more durable.

Envirofill is also useful in high traffic areas. Whether you’re using fake grass to design a walkway to your front door or to create a backyard retreat, Envirofill infill will ensure that your turf doesn’t wear down under heavy foot traffic.

Other applications that require Envirofill include areas that are 500 square feet or smaller, backyard play structures, and commercial uses, and retail projects.

 

Keeping your Heating Bill Low with Heated Tile and Other Tips

January 29, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

The winter wonderland is a fantasy ideal, but this year’s winter has brought near-arctic temperatures to the Midwestern United States. There are several precautions families have to take in these conditions just to keep pipes from bursting. Keeping your power bill low is difficult in these severe conditions, but not impossible. Heated tile and sealing caulk can go a long way in heating your home while keeping costs low.

Best Low-Cost Fixes

The cheapest things to fix can have a huge impact on the warmth in your home. Start by covering your pipes with some insulation, which helps protect against freezing water that bursts your pipes. Insulation won’t cost more than about $30, and it looks like a pool noodle. Wrap this around your pipes to keep the flowing water warmer, especially near walls that have no insulation. A low-flow shower head can also reduce warm water usage by 25% daily, a huge boon when added up over time. For less than $100, you can have your furnace inspected, maintained and repaired by professionals. Far less expensive than a full on replacement.

Radiant Heat

Infloor heat can provide a solution for the problem of cold feet in winter. Set the floors to warm up while you sleep, then wake up to a pleasant morning. Installation is easy as well! Space heaters can also provide ambient heat that drains your power bill, but may be lower cost than running heating for the entire home. Never under estimate dressing in layers either. Thermals and light sweaters trap body heat and keep your insulated.

Replacing Appliances

If you must replace appliances, go for the big ticket items to have the greatest effect. A new water heater, for instance, may be more energy efficient than your old one. Double-pane window systems last a long time, add to the value of your home and lower energy costs. Also don’t forget to replace your furnace. Most homes have a furnace that is years old, and it’s probably costing more to use it. Using these energy efficient appliances may also qualify some home owners for a tax credit.

Other Cost Savers

Low-income seniors can get aid from the state in most cases. Aside from the state, utilities may offer discounts or rebates on products that meet energy star certification. Call your utility company first before you plan to fix the heating system in your home. They may have some thoughts on reliable brands that will give you tax breaks for purchasing.

 

Use Foam for Better Comfort

January 24, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

No material can compare to foam when it comes to getting comfortable. People have been slowly catching on to this idea which is why so many of us have seen commercials for memory foam mattresses and similar types of pillows and cushions.

But what makes foam so great? The main thing is that foam does a tremendous job of disbursing your weight when you lie on it. As a result, you don’t get unnecessary push back, nor do you fall through in other areas. Box spring mattresses are notorious for doing this, but if you think about it you probably have a couch or sofa with cushions that do the same thing.

Switching to foam as much as possible is a great idea, but it’s not always an option. It’s just too expensive for many of us to sleep on memory foam. Canada has many other options, fortunately. High density foam sheets are a good example. you can slide these thin sheets of foam under your comforter and on top of your mattress. While it won’t provide the same effects as an actual memory foam bed, your comfort when you sleep will be immediately improved and it will only cost you a fraction of the price.

Expect to see more and more foam products in the future thanks to how comfortable the material is. Fortunately, as this happens, products like memory foam mattresses will come down in price.

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Article submitted by Canada Foam by Mail. The company excels in all things foam including mattress and cushion options as well as polystyrene insulation.

Responsible drilling mad dash taking place in the Gulf of Mexico

January 17, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

BP’s April 2010 Gulf disaster happened not too long ago. It led to a five month drilling moratorium in the Gulf. But within last few months more than ten new mega oil discoveries happened in the Gulf of Mexico. Billions of dollars have been invested in deep-water wells off of Louisiana and Texas since the BP disaster. Drillers in the Gulf of Mexico include BP, Hess, Chevron, Royal Dutch, Anadarko Petroleum, Murphy Oil and others. The United States is producing more gas and oil than ever and setting new production records thanks to fracking and other technologies. Is this another environmental disaster waiting to happen?

New wells are being drilled in the deepest part, more than 1,300 feet deep in the ocean that will increase the U. S. production by more than 15 percent. Since the disaster regulators have bolstered safety regulations. Seismic and drilling technological advancements since the disaster satisfy many regulators who are equally concerned over environmental protection and overall Gulf region. There are billions of barrels of oil yet to be drilled using environmentally sensitive technologies. New regulations will help to avoid another disaster taking place similar to BP.

Moving isn’t So Bad

January 16, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

There are currently a lot of Bergen county homes for sale today, not because nobody wants to live there anymore, but because of the fact that the area is currently experiencing an fast rate of development and real estate owners are currently on a mad dash to build up homes and sell them to interested households. It is definitely a good place to live if you’re thinking about settling down and starting a family. The neighbourhood is quiet and the infrastructure available in the area is perfect for raising a child.

The New Jersey area is indeed, being developed as the perfect area of good homes, for those looking for Ramsey real estate, there’s no better time to find a good home for you than right now. Finding the right real estate agent is not difficult as many homes are available and not to mention, very affordable.

Sure, moving can be a very big decision to make in your life. It will cost a lot of money and the lifestyle change you have to make can be very stressful, but if you’re thinking about starting a family, then the big urban city is definitely not the place to do it. The population is dense and the accident rate in these areas are much higher than in the rural areas of the country. Think about it, you’ll soon realize that this is simply the best course of action for your future and the future of your children.

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If you’re looking for Ridgewood New Jersey Real Estate, then look no further than online, Ebergen County Homes is the website for you.

A New Take On Traditional Equipment

January 15, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

Whenever you hear the word “farm”, a very common notion is that you are an uncivilized redneck from some never heard of town with gravel roads and no electricity. But that really isnt the situation on farm lands these days, with the advancements in recent technology, you’d be surprised  to know that some farms have equipment to harness renewable sources like a micro hydro plant or windmills to generate power for its operations. Moreover, other farm equipment has been improved taking traditional methods to adapt them to suit modern needs. One of these is farm fencing.

                Fences are very important in farms because they are what keep the livestock within the confines of the land. Traditionally, posts would be set up and wires or planks would surround the posts and create a barrier to prevent livestock from getting out. Of course, this wouldn’t prevent persistent ones from trying to break free. This brings me to electric fence wire; this is simply a conductive wire that you can use to replace old farm fencing and run electric current through it resulting in a slight electric shock to the livestock upon contact. The voltage is just right such that it will make the animal avoid contact in the future with no serious harm inflicted.

                Times change very quickly and farms change along with it, contrary to popular belief. It is simply a matter of using advances in technology to your advantage to improve the efficiency your farm operations.

 

Three Key Features of Home Access Controls

January 14, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

Having a home access control system makes sense if you are concerned that a simple door doesn’t provide you and your family with enough protection from intruders. Your front door is your first line of defense and a home access system is an ideal way to fortify your security system. Plenty of systems offer enhanced support, but there are certain features that add significant value to any home access control system:

Combination Entry Systems: Key, numerical combinations and card readers are just three of ways that a system can control access to your home. But what happens if someone gets a copy of your key, password or card? You can increase your security by combining entry methods. For example, you can purchase a deadbolt that requires a password entered into a keypad along with a key to open.

Video Systems: Heading to the front door to peer into a peephole to see who is knocking on your door isn’t safe. It’s hard to see who a person is, and walking to the door alerts the person on the other side that you are home. You can eliminate this problem by installing a video surveillance camera that is hooked up to your front door. When someone rings the bell, the video camera is turned on and you can view it from different points in your home.

Intercom Systems: Installing an intercom as part of your front door system allows you to talk to people at your door without leaving your home. Many video systems also have the ability to act as an intercom, although standalone intercoms are also available.

 

Points of Comparison Between Front Doors

January 3, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

Choosing the right front door for your home can seem difficult at first glance. After all, there are plenty of different types of materials and construction details to consider as you review different doors. It’s important to know what to look for before you start looking for new or replacement entry doors. Here is a review of some of the most important points of comparison between different doors:

Energy Efficiency: Much like windows, HVAC units and water heaters, doors are a part of the home that can be energy efficient. Partially this is done by making sure that they are properly weather stripped to keep heat from being lost, but the construction of the door can also play a major factor in its energy efficiency. The most energy efficient doors are made of steel or fiberglass because they have a foam core at their interiors that help with retaining heat.

Security: The most important thing that a front door does is to keep people who you don’t want outside of your home. You’ll want to look for front doors that have added security features. This can include having a deadbolt lock or a door chain. Metal doors offer the most protection but you can increase the level of security of wooden doors by adding and exterior metal screen door.

Durability: You want to make sure that your front door will last for years. Steel doors are resistant to problems such as cracking and warping that are prevalent with wooden doors. You can extend the life of wood doors by selecting ones with higher-quality finishes and performing routine maintenance.