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Monthly Archives: August, 2013

Extreme Weather Cases Increasing, According to British Farmers

In Britain, August is a month for harvesting crops. While it can be a period of plenty, it is also be the time when the effects of climate change can be felt in its full effect. British farmers are, in fact, reporting that there is a huge increase in extreme weather events, and these events are wreaking havoc in the way that they harvest their crops.

According to Ed King, “If many farmers are feeling sore, it’s because the UK’s 2012 wheat crop was devastated by the wettest Autumn since records began followed by the coldest spring in 50 years.”

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If you need heater repair in Austin, Texas click here.… Continue Reading

New AC Units 101: To-do List

Getting a new air conditioning unit is not as easy as buying a new television set; you can’t simply find a spot where you can let it sit, plug a few cords here and there, and you’re done! There are a number of things that you have to consider before, during and after buying an AC unit.

This article from Toronto Sun Homes shares a list of the things that a homeowner needs to accomplish when getting a new air conditioning unit from finding a contractor to reading the contract proposal.
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Save Money on AC Maintenance Tips

Save Money on AC Maintenance TipsMany people ask how they can save money while still being able to use their air conditioners at home. Though we know that our AC units could be the highest energy consuming appliances in our houses, there are still many things that we can do to minimize this consumption.

The most common advice that we get when it comes to AC maintenance is for us adjust the thermostat and clean or replace the filter. However, these are only two things that we can do for our units; we should also consider scheduling their annual check-ups, among other things.
To get more energy saving tips, click here.
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Extreme Weather Conditions Affect Low-Income People the Most

It’s been reported by the Center for American Progress on Monday, August 19, that low-income people are the ones mostly affected by extreme weather conditions.

According to the report,  neighborhoods that are living slightly above and way below poverty level aren’t that prepared to face fallouts due to storms and other calamities. As a result, this population has a harder time dealing with the devastation of extreme weather.

To prevent this from happening in the future, several policy recommendations were enumerated. These were all aimed to strengthen low-income communities’ resilience against devastating calamities. Such propositions include remodeling of existing buildings and environment to be able to withstand and guard against storm damages.

Another suggestion includes adjusting disaster-related insurances to a more affordable price for the low-income populace. By doing this, there will be more people who can seek assistance after experiencing grave losses in a major catastrophe.

You can learn more about this report and find out how you can be of help if you click here.… Continue Reading

Tips on How to Conduct Basic Water Heater Repairs

Water heaters have two main variations – gas and electric. The former doesn’t usually use a storage tank while the latter has one fitted to it. Albeit these appliances don’t need high-cost maintenance, regular inspections are vital in ensuring its topnotch performance.

Below are some ideas to get the best results from your water heaters.

– Make sure that the outlet pipes are properly insulated. The use of foam pipe insulation will prevent any heat loss. It’s also considerably the best way to maintain the heater’s efficiency and keep your house abundantly supplied with hot water.

– Depending on how often and extreme you use your water heaters, check its temperature and thermostat settings every so often. This will help prevent hazards from happening. And as a precaution, set the temperature to a degree where scalding hot water accidents aren’t likely to occur.

– Regularly inspect valves to avoid any pressure buildups which can then cause perilous accidents.

Learn more about basic water heater maintenance and repair tips on this page.… Continue Reading

Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

brown lab puppy

Animals are known to be more sensitive than humans which is why, when it’s hot for us, it’s probably more inconveniently hot for them. That said, it is very important that we also pay attention to our pet dogs and make sure that they are feeling comfortable, too, despite the blazing heat.

Dr. Heather Puksta, a veterinarian, offers some tips on how we can keep our pets cool this summer. Learn how your dogs can avoid developing burnt off pads, and why drinking water and giving them baths aren’t always the best solutions.
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Energy Saving Tips for Efficient AC Usage

an open windowThough using an air conditioner can be quite costly, no household will want to stay in an uncomfortably warm house. Fortunately, there are ways for homeowners to minimize their expenses even while using an AC unit in their homes.

Here are three energy-saving tips that can keep homeowners’ electric bills from skyrocketing:
1) Install a ceiling fan, in addition to your air conditioning unit to even out the cool temperature inside the room without having to set the AC to a lower temperature.
2) When nights are generally cool, you can skip the AC and just keep the windows open to let the cold breeze in.
3) Leave the curtains drawn to prevent the sun’s heat from entering the room.
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How Pregnant Women Can Avoid the Harsh Effects of Extreme Heat This Summer

pregnant womanPregnant women can become extra sensitive when it comes to extreme temperatures. With the ultimately delicate condition that they’re in, it will not be practical to take risks and disregard minor effects brought about by heat.

An article from 89.5 KVNE offers some practical tips on staying cool and mitigating the harsh effects of the summer heat for pregnant women. Discover the importance of drinking plenty of water, wearing appropriate fabrics, and eating lighter meals.
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