Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
The Unusual: Normal Weather
Weather is like one's children: for most of the time you think of it as being exceptional.
And to be honest, I give short-shrift to normality in the blog, since I love to talk about the unusual, the extreme, and the interesting weather situations.
But today I am going to break the mold and tell you that for the last week the weather has been excruciatingly normal. Boring to some, perhaps.
Take temperatures at Seattle Tacoma Airport for the past week (see chart below with normal highs and lows in red and blue, respectively). Pretty typical stuff.
Clouds...plenty of them, with a few breaks. Totally normal in late April.
The famous U.S. Drought Monitor: no drought in our State, except for some slight dryness over the far southeast.
The official Climate Prediction Center precipitation forecast for the next 3 months for Washington? EC (equal chances if above or below normal)....which means a forecast of normal.
This is simply maddening.... normal is not good for the weather business. But I am sure that someone will suggest that excessively normal weather is "consistent" with global warming.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/1T9fRUX
And to be honest, I give short-shrift to normality in the blog, since I love to talk about the unusual, the extreme, and the interesting weather situations.
But today I am going to break the mold and tell you that for the last week the weather has been excruciatingly normal. Boring to some, perhaps.
Take temperatures at Seattle Tacoma Airport for the past week (see chart below with normal highs and lows in red and blue, respectively). Pretty typical stuff.
Sea-Tac precipitation? The actual (red) is within .1 inches of normal during the same period. You are probably starting to yawn.
The famous U.S. Drought Monitor: no drought in our State, except for some slight dryness over the far southeast.
This is simply maddening.... normal is not good for the weather business. But I am sure that someone will suggest that excessively normal weather is "consistent" with global warming.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/1T9fRUX
The Unusual: Normal Weather
Weather is like one's children: for most of the time you think of it as being exceptional.
And to be honest, I give short-shrift to normality in the blog, since I love to talk about the unusual, the extreme, and the interesting weather situations.
But today I am going to break the mold and tell you that for the last week the weather has been excruciatingly normal. Boring to some, perhaps.
Take temperatures at Seattle Tacoma Airport for the past week (see chart below with normal highs and lows in red and blue, respectively). Pretty typical stuff.
Clouds...plenty of them, with a few breaks. Totally normal in late April.
The famous U.S. Drought Monitor: no drought in our State, except for some slight dryness over the far southeast.
The official Climate Prediction Center precipitation forecast for the next 3 months for Washington? EC (equal chances if above or below normal)....which means a forecast of normal.
This is simply maddening.... normal is not good for the weather business. But I am sure that someone will suggest that excessively normal weather is "consistent" with global warming.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/1T9fRUX
And to be honest, I give short-shrift to normality in the blog, since I love to talk about the unusual, the extreme, and the interesting weather situations.
But today I am going to break the mold and tell you that for the last week the weather has been excruciatingly normal. Boring to some, perhaps.
Take temperatures at Seattle Tacoma Airport for the past week (see chart below with normal highs and lows in red and blue, respectively). Pretty typical stuff.
Sea-Tac precipitation? The actual (red) is within .1 inches of normal during the same period. You are probably starting to yawn.
The famous U.S. Drought Monitor: no drought in our State, except for some slight dryness over the far southeast.
This is simply maddening.... normal is not good for the weather business. But I am sure that someone will suggest that excessively normal weather is "consistent" with global warming.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/1T9fRUX
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Destabilization
The air above us has cooled down substantially compared to a week ago, with temperatures near 5000 ft (850 hPa) on the WA coast at -1.1C this morning, compared to 16C in the middle of the heat wave last week. But the sun is even stronger being a week later and it has the ability to substantially warm the surface.
So with cool temperatures aloft and strong warming at the surface, a large vertical temperature gradient (or lapse rate) developed, one that allows the lower atmosphere to destabilize and convect.
Yes, just like in your hot cereal, when you rev up the heat, the cereal starts to convect--some cereal moving up, some moving down. Convection results when temperature in a fluid decreases rapidly in height. In the case of a dry atmosphere, the temperature must decrease by at least 9.8C per kilometer.
In the atmosphere today, instead of upward and downward convection currents in the oatmeal, we have convecting air parcels, with clouds (cumulus) forming with the upward motion. Today's satellite picture documented the convecting action. At 7:40 AM, there was a lot of layered (stratiform) low clouds over our region (see satellite picture). These are generally stable clouds without much vertical development.
The the strong late-April sun did its magic over land during the morning and that warming, coupled with cool temperatures above, caused instability and convection over land. The satellite image at 12:15 PM shows this clearly in the puff-ball looking clouds. Over our coastal waters it was virtually clear....same with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The water surface did not heat up.
The shallow nature of the convection was evident in local weather cams, such as my favorite SkunkBay Weather cam on the north side of the Kitsap Peninsula (see below)
And for those of you who like to have plenty of water during the summer, there is very good news. The Yakima River reservoir system, so critical for agriculture in the Yakima Valley, has now reached the typical full level, but nearly two months earlier than normal (see image)
There is still plenty of snow to melt int the mountains, unlike last year, so things look very good regarding water for this summer.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/2386iex
So with cool temperatures aloft and strong warming at the surface, a large vertical temperature gradient (or lapse rate) developed, one that allows the lower atmosphere to destabilize and convect.
Yes, just like in your hot cereal, when you rev up the heat, the cereal starts to convect--some cereal moving up, some moving down. Convection results when temperature in a fluid decreases rapidly in height. In the case of a dry atmosphere, the temperature must decrease by at least 9.8C per kilometer.
In the atmosphere today, instead of upward and downward convection currents in the oatmeal, we have convecting air parcels, with clouds (cumulus) forming with the upward motion. Today's satellite picture documented the convecting action. At 7:40 AM, there was a lot of layered (stratiform) low clouds over our region (see satellite picture). These are generally stable clouds without much vertical development.
The the strong late-April sun did its magic over land during the morning and that warming, coupled with cool temperatures above, caused instability and convection over land. The satellite image at 12:15 PM shows this clearly in the puff-ball looking clouds. Over our coastal waters it was virtually clear....same with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The water surface did not heat up.
The shallow nature of the convection was evident in local weather cams, such as my favorite SkunkBay Weather cam on the north side of the Kitsap Peninsula (see below)
And for those of you who like to have plenty of water during the summer, there is very good news. The Yakima River reservoir system, so critical for agriculture in the Yakima Valley, has now reached the typical full level, but nearly two months earlier than normal (see image)
The same thing is true for the City of Seattle reservoirs (red line below).
There is still plenty of snow to melt int the mountains, unlike last year, so things look very good regarding water for this summer.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/2386iex
Destabilization
The air above us has cooled down substantially compared to a week ago, with temperatures near 5000 ft (850 hPa) on the WA coast at -1.1C this morning, compared to 16C in the middle of the heat wave last week. But the sun is even stronger being a week later and it has the ability to substantially warm the surface.
So with cool temperatures aloft and strong warming at the surface, a large vertical temperature gradient (or lapse rate) developed, one that allows the lower atmosphere to destabilize and convect.
Yes, just like in your hot cereal, when you rev up the heat, the cereal starts to convect--some cereal moving up, some moving down. Convection results when temperature in a fluid decreases rapidly in height. In the case of a dry atmosphere, the temperature must decrease by at least 9.8C per kilometer.
In the atmosphere today, instead of upward and downward convection currents in the oatmeal, we have convecting air parcels, with clouds (cumulus) forming with the upward motion. Today's satellite picture documented the convecting action. At 7:40 AM, there was a lot of layered (stratiform) low clouds over our region (see satellite picture). These are generally stable clouds without much vertical development.
The the strong late-April sun did its magic over land during the morning and that warming, coupled with cool temperatures above, caused instability and convection over land. The satellite image at 12:15 PM shows this clearly in the puff-ball looking clouds. Over our coastal waters it was virtually clear....same with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The water surface did not heat up.
The shallow nature of the convection was evident in local weather cams, such as my favorite SkunkBay Weather cam on the north side of the Kitsap Peninsula (see below)
And for those of you who like to have plenty of water during the summer, there is very good news. The Yakima River reservoir system, so critical for agriculture in the Yakima Valley, has now reached the typical full level, but nearly two months earlier than normal (see image)
There is still plenty of snow to melt int the mountains, unlike last year, so things look very good regarding water for this summer.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/2386iex
So with cool temperatures aloft and strong warming at the surface, a large vertical temperature gradient (or lapse rate) developed, one that allows the lower atmosphere to destabilize and convect.
Yes, just like in your hot cereal, when you rev up the heat, the cereal starts to convect--some cereal moving up, some moving down. Convection results when temperature in a fluid decreases rapidly in height. In the case of a dry atmosphere, the temperature must decrease by at least 9.8C per kilometer.
In the atmosphere today, instead of upward and downward convection currents in the oatmeal, we have convecting air parcels, with clouds (cumulus) forming with the upward motion. Today's satellite picture documented the convecting action. At 7:40 AM, there was a lot of layered (stratiform) low clouds over our region (see satellite picture). These are generally stable clouds without much vertical development.
The the strong late-April sun did its magic over land during the morning and that warming, coupled with cool temperatures above, caused instability and convection over land. The satellite image at 12:15 PM shows this clearly in the puff-ball looking clouds. Over our coastal waters it was virtually clear....same with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The water surface did not heat up.
The shallow nature of the convection was evident in local weather cams, such as my favorite SkunkBay Weather cam on the north side of the Kitsap Peninsula (see below)
And for those of you who like to have plenty of water during the summer, there is very good news. The Yakima River reservoir system, so critical for agriculture in the Yakima Valley, has now reached the typical full level, but nearly two months earlier than normal (see image)
The same thing is true for the City of Seattle reservoirs (red line below).
There is still plenty of snow to melt int the mountains, unlike last year, so things look very good regarding water for this summer.
from Cliff Mass Weather Blog http://ift.tt/2386iex
Getting the Basics Right | Essential Improvements for Your Home
Fix the Roof
A good place to start with any home repairs is the roof. After all, if you have a leaking roof, any other improvements you make could be compromised. You may be aware of issues already. Or you may want to replace the roof if you feel it’s a little old. Experts such as Southwest Roofing, roof restoration services can evaluate the situation and advise.
Check your roof routinely throughout the year and be aware of any signs of wear or leaks. Blocked gutters can sometimes cause water to overflow and discolor the walls. Make sure there are no plants growing out of chimney tops. Check your loft for signs of leaks. Never climb to the roof yourself. Check from the ground using binoculars.
In addition to providing essential shelter and keeping in heat, your roof is important to the exterior appearance of your home. Old and worn roofs can look untidy.
Safety and Security
Providing a safe and secure home for you and your family is your main priority. Follow these tips to upgrade your security.
1. When you move into a new home, always change the locks. You never know who previous occupants have lent keys to in the past. It’s always a good idea to start fresh with a completely new set of locks.
2. In addition to locks, make sure all entrance points and windows are safe and secure. Ensure windows can be locked from the inside and move keys away from the window ledge.
3. Install a burglar alarm. Infrared alarms are good if you have pets as they can distinguish between them and an intruder.
4. Make sure any garages and outhouses are locked and secure.
5. Depending on your circumstances and local regulations, consider installing a CCTV camera. This will act as a deterrent to vandals and burglars.
6. Add motion detectors and automatic lighting to the exterior of your property. This will make it safer when you arrive home in the dark. It will also deter criminals.
7. Ensure your heating system is up to code and arrange for it to be serviced regularly.
8. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month.
9. Check plug sockets and electric cables regularly and replace if you see signs of damage.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are also essential for your safety and comfort. Check for any visible signs of damage including breaks in the seals. Replace any cracked panes to avoid further damage. If you have double or triple glazing, make sure this is intact. Condensation or water between the panes is an indication that they have failed. Also, be aware of any drafts. If you notice problems decide whether to repair or replace.
Starting with the basics will enable you to provide a safe, secure and comfortable home for your family. You can then move onto enjoyable tasks like choosing new furniture and decorating.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1Ss2bbM
Getting the Basics Right | Essential Improvements for Your Home
Fix the Roof
A good place to start with any home repairs is the roof. After all, if you have a leaking roof, any other improvements you make could be compromised. You may be aware of issues already. Or you may want to replace the roof if you feel it’s a little old. Experts such as Southwest Roofing, roof restoration services can evaluate the situation and advise.
Check your roof routinely throughout the year and be aware of any signs of wear or leaks. Blocked gutters can sometimes cause water to overflow and discolor the walls. Make sure there are no plants growing out of chimney tops. Check your loft for signs of leaks. Never climb to the roof yourself. Check from the ground using binoculars.
In addition to providing essential shelter and keeping in heat, your roof is important to the exterior appearance of your home. Old and worn roofs can look untidy.
Safety and Security
Providing a safe and secure home for you and your family is your main priority. Follow these tips to upgrade your security.
1. When you move into a new home, always change the locks. You never know who previous occupants have lent keys to in the past. It’s always a good idea to start fresh with a completely new set of locks.
2. In addition to locks, make sure all entrance points and windows are safe and secure. Ensure windows can be locked from the inside and move keys away from the window ledge.
3. Install a burglar alarm. Infrared alarms are good if you have pets as they can distinguish between them and an intruder.
4. Make sure any garages and outhouses are locked and secure.
5. Depending on your circumstances and local regulations, consider installing a CCTV camera. This will act as a deterrent to vandals and burglars.
6. Add motion detectors and automatic lighting to the exterior of your property. This will make it safer when you arrive home in the dark. It will also deter criminals.
7. Ensure your heating system is up to code and arrange for it to be serviced regularly.
8. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month.
9. Check plug sockets and electric cables regularly and replace if you see signs of damage.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are also essential for your safety and comfort. Check for any visible signs of damage including breaks in the seals. Replace any cracked panes to avoid further damage. If you have double or triple glazing, make sure this is intact. Condensation or water between the panes is an indication that they have failed. Also, be aware of any drafts. If you notice problems decide whether to repair or replace.
Starting with the basics will enable you to provide a safe, secure and comfortable home for your family. You can then move onto enjoyable tasks like choosing new furniture and decorating.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1Ss2bbM
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Duct vs. Ductless Which Is Better
When you choose a new air conditioning system, you'll find that you have two primary choices for your home. A standard central air conditioning unit relies on ducts, while a multi-zone ductless system is duct-free. While both types of air conditioning systems can keep your home cool, they have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Take a closer look at the pros and cons of each type of system.
This traditional type of cooling system uses a network of ducts connected to a cooling unit in order to distribute the cool air throughout the home. Most central air units are designed to cool the whole home, which can be comfortable but inefficient. Homeowners who want to have greater control over cooling certain rooms or zones more than others can consider investing in zoning systems. These systems incorporate dampers in the ductwork and a series of zoned thermostats throughout the house. Since each thermostat is assigned to a specific group of rooms, this system offers much greater potential for temperature customization.
Ductless systems have the same goal as central air systems, but their design is significantly different. Ductless systems rely on multiple indoor units or blowers placed in each rooms to provide cooling power. Homeowners can install multiple ductless systems to cover the entire home. Whether they opt for one or more ductless units, these systems make controlling the temperature in each room or one much easier.
Another positive feature of ductless systems is their ease of installation. Rather than a bulky outdoor compressor and extensive ductwork that can require numerous entry points throughout the home, a ductless system only requires a small hole in the exterior wall. Conduits that run through the opening then join the exterior and interior components. This means that installation is much quicker and easier than the process required for a central air conditioning system.
A central air conditioning system that relies on ducts can experience significant energy loss through inevitable leaks, cracks, and imperfections in the ductwork. In fact, statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy indicate that central air conditioning systems consistently lose up to 30 percent of the energy produced from heating and cooling. If you do choose a central air system, it's important to have the ductwork inspected in order to save this energy. To ensure that you don't experience this level of energy loss, consider a ductless system, which is a much more energy efficient system due to its lack of ductwork.
If you're considering installing a new cooling system in your home, be sure to contact a knowledgeable HVAC company. A professional technician will inspect your current system, provide calculations for your home's needs, and advise about which type of system will work best in your home. Experienced HVAC technicians can also advise about thermostat settings to ensure that you save as much energy as possible and make the best HVAC choice for your home.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1pAXWio
Central Systems Cool the Entire Home
This traditional type of cooling system uses a network of ducts connected to a cooling unit in order to distribute the cool air throughout the home. Most central air units are designed to cool the whole home, which can be comfortable but inefficient. Homeowners who want to have greater control over cooling certain rooms or zones more than others can consider investing in zoning systems. These systems incorporate dampers in the ductwork and a series of zoned thermostats throughout the house. Since each thermostat is assigned to a specific group of rooms, this system offers much greater potential for temperature customization.
Ductless Systems Cool by the Zone
Ductless systems have the same goal as central air systems, but their design is significantly different. Ductless systems rely on multiple indoor units or blowers placed in each rooms to provide cooling power. Homeowners can install multiple ductless systems to cover the entire home. Whether they opt for one or more ductless units, these systems make controlling the temperature in each room or one much easier.
Ductless Systems Are Easy to Install
Another positive feature of ductless systems is their ease of installation. Rather than a bulky outdoor compressor and extensive ductwork that can require numerous entry points throughout the home, a ductless system only requires a small hole in the exterior wall. Conduits that run through the opening then join the exterior and interior components. This means that installation is much quicker and easier than the process required for a central air conditioning system.
Ductless Systems Save Energy
A central air conditioning system that relies on ducts can experience significant energy loss through inevitable leaks, cracks, and imperfections in the ductwork. In fact, statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy indicate that central air conditioning systems consistently lose up to 30 percent of the energy produced from heating and cooling. If you do choose a central air system, it's important to have the ductwork inspected in order to save this energy. To ensure that you don't experience this level of energy loss, consider a ductless system, which is a much more energy efficient system due to its lack of ductwork.
If you're considering installing a new cooling system in your home, be sure to contact a knowledgeable HVAC company. A professional technician will inspect your current system, provide calculations for your home's needs, and advise about which type of system will work best in your home. Experienced HVAC technicians can also advise about thermostat settings to ensure that you save as much energy as possible and make the best HVAC choice for your home.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1pAXWio
3 Ways To Avoid Plumbing Disasters
Plumbing disasters are a headache for everyone, whether you're an experienced homeowner or a first-time renter. In order to avoid common plumbing issues, watch out for these common plumbing problems and learn how to prevent the issues in the first place.
Garbage disposals are convenient tools that let you eliminate kitchen scraps and debris right in the sink. Usually, this is a quick and efficient way to clean up without moving garbage from food preparation areas to the trash can. If used incorrectly, however, garbage disposals can be finicky and difficult to fix. One of the top reasons garbage disposals stop working is that objects becomes caught in the blades. To avoid that, use a drain strainer at all times to prevent utensils, sponges, and other non-food objects from making their way into the blades.
Food items can also clog up disposals and cause problems, especially tough scraps like potato peels. If grease or other buildup is causing problems, flush the sink with boiling water regularly, and make a practice of disposing grease in the garbage instead of the sink.
Some of the most common plumbing maladies, clogged bathroom sinks and showers, result from hair accumulating around and inside the drain. When hair gets into the drain and prevents water from passing through, the drain will begin to back up and stop functioning properly.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to address this issue. First, purchase a few affordable drain screens and cover the shower and sink drains. These screens will catch hair and other large debris, and they're typically very easy to clean.
If your drain makes using screens difficult, try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda into the drain once every few weeks. Follow this up with a splash of white vinegar. This easy DIY clog prevention tool can help cut through the buildup and wash away any hair clogging the drain without adding harsh chemicals to the pipes or to the environment.
A flooded washing machine can cause some serious issues throughout your household. Besides cosmetic damage, a flooded machine can lead to mold and other problems. If this happens more than once, it's a good idea to call a plumber to see if a plumbing upgrade can eliminate the issue before it happens again.
If this is the first time your machine has flooded, a faulty washing machine hose is normally the culprit. These hoses cost just a few dollars to replace, but faulty ones can lead to huge leaks and extensive flooding. If you check the hose at least once a year, you should be able to catch a faulty hose and change it out with no issue. Also, if you switch out a rubber hose for a braided one, you'll have a much lower chance of a burst hose in the first place.
Be aware of the common household plumbing issues and understand how to prevent them. With this knowledge in your back pocket, you can stay on stop of these problems and stop them before they even start.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1NOzqAJ
Broken Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are convenient tools that let you eliminate kitchen scraps and debris right in the sink. Usually, this is a quick and efficient way to clean up without moving garbage from food preparation areas to the trash can. If used incorrectly, however, garbage disposals can be finicky and difficult to fix. One of the top reasons garbage disposals stop working is that objects becomes caught in the blades. To avoid that, use a drain strainer at all times to prevent utensils, sponges, and other non-food objects from making their way into the blades.
Food items can also clog up disposals and cause problems, especially tough scraps like potato peels. If grease or other buildup is causing problems, flush the sink with boiling water regularly, and make a practice of disposing grease in the garbage instead of the sink.
Clogged Sink and Shower
Some of the most common plumbing maladies, clogged bathroom sinks and showers, result from hair accumulating around and inside the drain. When hair gets into the drain and prevents water from passing through, the drain will begin to back up and stop functioning properly.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to address this issue. First, purchase a few affordable drain screens and cover the shower and sink drains. These screens will catch hair and other large debris, and they're typically very easy to clean.
If your drain makes using screens difficult, try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda into the drain once every few weeks. Follow this up with a splash of white vinegar. This easy DIY clog prevention tool can help cut through the buildup and wash away any hair clogging the drain without adding harsh chemicals to the pipes or to the environment.
Flooded Washing Machine
A flooded washing machine can cause some serious issues throughout your household. Besides cosmetic damage, a flooded machine can lead to mold and other problems. If this happens more than once, it's a good idea to call a plumber to see if a plumbing upgrade can eliminate the issue before it happens again.
If this is the first time your machine has flooded, a faulty washing machine hose is normally the culprit. These hoses cost just a few dollars to replace, but faulty ones can lead to huge leaks and extensive flooding. If you check the hose at least once a year, you should be able to catch a faulty hose and change it out with no issue. Also, if you switch out a rubber hose for a braided one, you'll have a much lower chance of a burst hose in the first place.
Be aware of the common household plumbing issues and understand how to prevent them. With this knowledge in your back pocket, you can stay on stop of these problems and stop them before they even start.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1NOzqAJ
Duct vs. Ductless Which Is Better
When you choose a new air conditioning system, you'll find that you have two primary choices for your home. A standard central air conditioning unit relies on ducts, while a multi-zone ductless system is duct-free. While both types of air conditioning systems can keep your home cool, they have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Take a closer look at the pros and cons of each type of system.
This traditional type of cooling system uses a network of ducts connected to a cooling unit in order to distribute the cool air throughout the home. Most central air units are designed to cool the whole home, which can be comfortable but inefficient. Homeowners who want to have greater control over cooling certain rooms or zones more than others can consider investing in zoning systems. These systems incorporate dampers in the ductwork and a series of zoned thermostats throughout the house. Since each thermostat is assigned to a specific group of rooms, this system offers much greater potential for temperature customization.
Ductless systems have the same goal as central air systems, but their design is significantly different. Ductless systems rely on multiple indoor units or blowers placed in each rooms to provide cooling power. Homeowners can install multiple ductless systems to cover the entire home. Whether they opt for one or more ductless units, these systems make controlling the temperature in each room or one much easier.
Another positive feature of ductless systems is their ease of installation. Rather than a bulky outdoor compressor and extensive ductwork that can require numerous entry points throughout the home, a ductless system only requires a small hole in the exterior wall. Conduits that run through the opening then join the exterior and interior components. This means that installation is much quicker and easier than the process required for a central air conditioning system.
A central air conditioning system that relies on ducts can experience significant energy loss through inevitable leaks, cracks, and imperfections in the ductwork. In fact, statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy indicate that central air conditioning systems consistently lose up to 30 percent of the energy produced from heating and cooling. If you do choose a central air system, it's important to have the ductwork inspected in order to save this energy. To ensure that you don't experience this level of energy loss, consider a ductless system, which is a much more energy efficient system due to its lack of ductwork.
If you're considering installing a new cooling system in your home, be sure to contact a knowledgeable HVAC company. A professional technician will inspect your current system, provide calculations for your home's needs, and advise about which type of system will work best in your home. Experienced HVAC technicians can also advise about thermostat settings to ensure that you save as much energy as possible and make the best HVAC choice for your home.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1pAXWio
Central Systems Cool the Entire Home
This traditional type of cooling system uses a network of ducts connected to a cooling unit in order to distribute the cool air throughout the home. Most central air units are designed to cool the whole home, which can be comfortable but inefficient. Homeowners who want to have greater control over cooling certain rooms or zones more than others can consider investing in zoning systems. These systems incorporate dampers in the ductwork and a series of zoned thermostats throughout the house. Since each thermostat is assigned to a specific group of rooms, this system offers much greater potential for temperature customization.
Ductless Systems Cool by the Zone
Ductless systems have the same goal as central air systems, but their design is significantly different. Ductless systems rely on multiple indoor units or blowers placed in each rooms to provide cooling power. Homeowners can install multiple ductless systems to cover the entire home. Whether they opt for one or more ductless units, these systems make controlling the temperature in each room or one much easier.
Ductless Systems Are Easy to Install
Another positive feature of ductless systems is their ease of installation. Rather than a bulky outdoor compressor and extensive ductwork that can require numerous entry points throughout the home, a ductless system only requires a small hole in the exterior wall. Conduits that run through the opening then join the exterior and interior components. This means that installation is much quicker and easier than the process required for a central air conditioning system.
Ductless Systems Save Energy
A central air conditioning system that relies on ducts can experience significant energy loss through inevitable leaks, cracks, and imperfections in the ductwork. In fact, statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy indicate that central air conditioning systems consistently lose up to 30 percent of the energy produced from heating and cooling. If you do choose a central air system, it's important to have the ductwork inspected in order to save this energy. To ensure that you don't experience this level of energy loss, consider a ductless system, which is a much more energy efficient system due to its lack of ductwork.
If you're considering installing a new cooling system in your home, be sure to contact a knowledgeable HVAC company. A professional technician will inspect your current system, provide calculations for your home's needs, and advise about which type of system will work best in your home. Experienced HVAC technicians can also advise about thermostat settings to ensure that you save as much energy as possible and make the best HVAC choice for your home.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1pAXWio
3 Ways To Avoid Plumbing Disasters
Plumbing disasters are a headache for everyone, whether you're an experienced homeowner or a first-time renter. In order to avoid common plumbing issues, watch out for these common plumbing problems and learn how to prevent the issues in the first place.
Garbage disposals are convenient tools that let you eliminate kitchen scraps and debris right in the sink. Usually, this is a quick and efficient way to clean up without moving garbage from food preparation areas to the trash can. If used incorrectly, however, garbage disposals can be finicky and difficult to fix. One of the top reasons garbage disposals stop working is that objects becomes caught in the blades. To avoid that, use a drain strainer at all times to prevent utensils, sponges, and other non-food objects from making their way into the blades.
Food items can also clog up disposals and cause problems, especially tough scraps like potato peels. If grease or other buildup is causing problems, flush the sink with boiling water regularly, and make a practice of disposing grease in the garbage instead of the sink.
Some of the most common plumbing maladies, clogged bathroom sinks and showers, result from hair accumulating around and inside the drain. When hair gets into the drain and prevents water from passing through, the drain will begin to back up and stop functioning properly.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to address this issue. First, purchase a few affordable drain screens and cover the shower and sink drains. These screens will catch hair and other large debris, and they're typically very easy to clean.
If your drain makes using screens difficult, try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda into the drain once every few weeks. Follow this up with a splash of white vinegar. This easy DIY clog prevention tool can help cut through the buildup and wash away any hair clogging the drain without adding harsh chemicals to the pipes or to the environment.
A flooded washing machine can cause some serious issues throughout your household. Besides cosmetic damage, a flooded machine can lead to mold and other problems. If this happens more than once, it's a good idea to call a plumber to see if a plumbing upgrade can eliminate the issue before it happens again.
If this is the first time your machine has flooded, a faulty washing machine hose is normally the culprit. These hoses cost just a few dollars to replace, but faulty ones can lead to huge leaks and extensive flooding. If you check the hose at least once a year, you should be able to catch a faulty hose and change it out with no issue. Also, if you switch out a rubber hose for a braided one, you'll have a much lower chance of a burst hose in the first place.
Be aware of the common household plumbing issues and understand how to prevent them. With this knowledge in your back pocket, you can stay on stop of these problems and stop them before they even start.
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Broken Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are convenient tools that let you eliminate kitchen scraps and debris right in the sink. Usually, this is a quick and efficient way to clean up without moving garbage from food preparation areas to the trash can. If used incorrectly, however, garbage disposals can be finicky and difficult to fix. One of the top reasons garbage disposals stop working is that objects becomes caught in the blades. To avoid that, use a drain strainer at all times to prevent utensils, sponges, and other non-food objects from making their way into the blades.
Food items can also clog up disposals and cause problems, especially tough scraps like potato peels. If grease or other buildup is causing problems, flush the sink with boiling water regularly, and make a practice of disposing grease in the garbage instead of the sink.
Clogged Sink and Shower
Some of the most common plumbing maladies, clogged bathroom sinks and showers, result from hair accumulating around and inside the drain. When hair gets into the drain and prevents water from passing through, the drain will begin to back up and stop functioning properly.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to address this issue. First, purchase a few affordable drain screens and cover the shower and sink drains. These screens will catch hair and other large debris, and they're typically very easy to clean.
If your drain makes using screens difficult, try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda into the drain once every few weeks. Follow this up with a splash of white vinegar. This easy DIY clog prevention tool can help cut through the buildup and wash away any hair clogging the drain without adding harsh chemicals to the pipes or to the environment.
Flooded Washing Machine
A flooded washing machine can cause some serious issues throughout your household. Besides cosmetic damage, a flooded machine can lead to mold and other problems. If this happens more than once, it's a good idea to call a plumber to see if a plumbing upgrade can eliminate the issue before it happens again.
If this is the first time your machine has flooded, a faulty washing machine hose is normally the culprit. These hoses cost just a few dollars to replace, but faulty ones can lead to huge leaks and extensive flooding. If you check the hose at least once a year, you should be able to catch a faulty hose and change it out with no issue. Also, if you switch out a rubber hose for a braided one, you'll have a much lower chance of a burst hose in the first place.
Be aware of the common household plumbing issues and understand how to prevent them. With this knowledge in your back pocket, you can stay on stop of these problems and stop them before they even start.
from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/1NOzqAJ
Monday, April 25, 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Labour leader Kezia Dugdale struggling to keep her head above water - Herald Scotland
Herald Scotland |
Labour leader Kezia Dugdale struggling to keep her head above water
Herald Scotland WHEN she became leader of Scottish Labour last summer, Kezia Dugdale would use a football metaphor to describe her hopes for 2016. Following the general election slaughter - 40 of 41 seats lost, vote share nearly halved, Scotland the only part of the ... Scottish Labour's Kezia Dugdale 'would always vote No' to independence Campaign trail: What the politicians have been up to this weekend SNP dominance raises 'lopsided' concerns |
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Cardiff medic who helped topple Gaddafi backs British forces in Libya - WalesOnline
WalesOnline |
Cardiff medic who helped topple Gaddafi backs British forces in Libya
WalesOnline Welsh medic Nizar Mhani, who helped the revolution in his native Libya, backs British involvement in the country. A health worker who helped topple Colonel Gaddafi with an underground campaign of civil disobedience in Libya has backed suggestions by ... British ground troops could go to Libya, says Philip Hammond Up to 1000 British troops could be sent to Libya to stop ISIS launching attacks on Europe Britain might have to deploy troops to fight ISIS in Libya warns Philip Hammond |
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Google News
Reuters |
Fed seen holding rates this week with hike still on horizon
Reuters NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to hold interest rates steady when they meet this week, but may tweak their description of the economic outlook to reflect more benign conditions, leaving the path open for future ... Fed Meeting, U.S. GDP, Primaries, Brazil: Week Ahead April 25-30 Dollar Drivers In The Week Ahead Lackluster GDP throws wrench into Fed's rate-hike plans |
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Horror find in flat: Bodies of two women are discovered by cops - The Sun
The Sun |
Horror find in flat: Bodies of two women are discovered by cops
The Sun TWO women have been found dead after suffering suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a block of flats in Glasgow. Emergency services made the grim discovery at midday when they were called to the home near Gallowgate in the city's east end. Two women dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning Two women found dead at Glasgow flat in suspected gas poisoning Two women found dead in Glasgow flat in suspected carbon monoxide poisoning incident |
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Google News
KING5.com |
Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct to close Friday for 2 weeks
San Francisco Chronicle SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct is set to close for two weeks starting Friday and transportation officials are urging commuters to plan ahead. The closure is expected to cause widespread traffic throughout the region. The Washington State ... Delivery drivers dreading 99 closure Widespread traffic gridlock expected as Alaskan Way Viaduct closes next Friday for Bertha dig Seattle commuters: Two-week closure of Alaskan Way Viaduct to begin next week |
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Prom shooting in Wisconsin leaves 3 people injured
Jackob E. Wagner, 18, arrived at Antigo High School in Wisconsin around 11pm on Saturday night and started firing at the students, a male and a female, outside the building.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1r9SYuB
Experts say Mexico hampered probe into apparent student massacre
By Anahi Rama and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Reuters) - A panel of international experts on Sunday accused Mexico's government of failing to fully c...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1Vw2vZw
Peruvian championship results and standings
April 24 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Peruvian championship matches on Sunday Sunday, April 24 Sporting Cristal 1 Ayacucho FC 0 Satur...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1VQNcuh
Leicester show they can cope without Jamie Vardy as Leonardo Ulloa offers alternative point of attack in comfortable Swansea win
LAURIE WHITWELL AT THE KING POWER STADIUM: Filling the boots of Jamie Vardy was always going to be a challenging assignment for Leonardo Ulloa. So he did things differently.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1NJd83b
Dan carter closes on clean sweep as racing 92 end leicester's european dream
Dan Carter moved one step closer to completing the clean sweep of world rugby's premier trophies, booting Racing 92 into the European Champions Cup final. Th...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1pvIkNf
Barry hawkins holds onto advantage over ronnie o'sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan remained in deep trouble and at risk of his earliest Betfred World Championship exit since 2009 after Barry Hawkins clung to his lead in th...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1Vw2uVv
Kipchoge falls just short of world record in retaining london marathon crown
Eliud Kipchoge ran the second fastest time in history to retain his Virgin London Marathon crown in course record time. The 31-year-old Kenyan left the field...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1SrAQDb
One dead, 26 wounded as rockets hit Turkish town near Syrian border
By Umit Bektas and Akin Aytekin KILIS, Turkey, April 24 (Reuters) - Rockets pounded the Turkish town of Kilis near the Syrian border on Sunday, a Reuters wit...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/24cNKfD
British tennis star's twin brother has pretended to be his famous brother during flirty messages on dating app Tinder
Andraz Bedene (right), 26, sent flirty messages via the dating site after matching with the girl in Monte Carlo, while Aljaz (left) was preparing to face Rafael Nadal in Monaco.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1YONO1x
Leonardo ulloa at the double as leicester take step towards title
Leicester are a step closer to making their dream a reality after Claudio Ranieri's men swatted aside Swansea to tighten their grip on the Premier League tit...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1NJd7w0
Runners facing marathon challenge - Farnham Herald
Farnham Herald |
Runners facing marathon challenge
Farnham Herald One will be running the famous 26.2-mile course through London with thousands of others on Sunday, while the other will cover the same distance in her neighbourhood with her two dogs attached to her waistband. It will be a first marathon for Caroline ... |
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Dozens of looters steal bundles of free water left out at official watering stations for marathon runners
A group of people including parents with children were seen in Deptford, south-east London, stealing bottles of water from London marathon runners.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1Ss1kUW
Baby pilot whale saved by Costa Rican surfers after it became stranded during low tide
Mauricio Camareno and his friends arrived to the beach at Boca Barranca, Puntarenas, on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, on Wednesday morning to catch some waves.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1YONTCu
Crystal palace book fa cup final date with manchester united
Connor Wickham fired Crystal Palace into the FA Cup final to give manager Alan Pardew a third shot at lifting the trophy. Wickham's towering header just afte...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1Vw2o06
Two wickets for ben stokes while kumar sangakkara sparkles
England all-rounder Ben Stokes claimed two wickets on his return to action for the first time since his chastening experience in the final over of the ICC Wo...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1NJcOkV
Her Prince Charming? Brooklyn Beckham and Chloe Grace Moretz appear to confirm their relationship with cosy Instagram snap
Brooklyn Beckham has teased fans with a coupled-up snap with his rumoured girlfriend Chloe Moretz which he posted on his Instagram page on Sunday.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1pvINPi
Hull kr run riot at castleford to provide perfect response to shock cup exit
Albert Kelly inspired Hull KR to only their third Super League win of the season as coach James Webster got the perfect response after his team's shock 36-22...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1SFJRhb
Kim Kardashian leads a parade of stars in racy outfits at Dave Grutman's wedding
Stars such as Kim Kardashian upstaged model bride Isabela Rangel at her wedding to Miami nightclub tycoon Dave Grutman, flashing the flesh in a parade of revealing outfits.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1XPD177
Prince's final shows: intimate, playful with a Bowie tribute
ATLANTA (AP) — The crowd at Atlanta's Fox Theater was on its feet screaming. Prince had already taken an encore, but he'd only played for just over an hour a...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1pvIN21
Hull halt wakefield's winning run
Hull burst the bubble of Chris Chester's Wakefield as they secured a s ixth win from seven games to move to within two points of the Super League leaders. Wi...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1SFJQtN
British father and two children killed in france motorway accident
A crash on a French motorway which killed a British father and two of his children may have been caused by him falling asleep or being distracted, investigat...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1pvIN20
Liverpool hit by defender mamadou sakho's failed drugs test
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits Mamadou Sakho's failed drugs test is not "the most easy situation". The defender was left out of the 2-2 draw at home t...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1NHiJag
Leicester City 4-0 Swansea: Leonardo Ulloa's double inspires Premier League leaders to emphatic win as they close in on title
MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE KING POWER STADIUM: A helicopter was waiting to take Leicester's players down to the PFA dinner in London on Sunday night. They are flying, this team, in more ways than one.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1MR1Wqr
11,000 job losses feared amid anxiety that bhs could file for administration
A total of 11,000 jobs may be at risk amid fears the high street chain BHS could file for administration by Monday. A spokesman, who could not give details, ...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1SFJNy8
Elsa Hosk shows off a smile after New York City shopping trip with boyfriend Tom Daly
The 27-year-old model kept casual for the outing in distressed jeans and a T-shirt, and was joined by her entrepreneur boyfriend who lent a hand with the bags.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1pvIKTN
Sunderland and arsenal share the points in lively goalless draw on wearside
Petr Cech and the crossbar denied Sunderland a priceless Barclays Premier League victory, as Arsenal failed to reclaim third place from Manchester City. The ...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1NJcNNR
Google News
Stanly News & Press |
Money Smart Week Events in the Kanawha Valley
HNN Huntingtonnews.net CHARLESTON — Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced this week's schedule of events in the Metro Valley to celebrate Money Smart Week 2016. The events are designed to remind consumers about financial literacy and educate them on ways to ... Michigan 'Money Smart Week' is April 23 - 30 Money Smart Week offers free classes for all consumers |
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Kourtney Kardashian shows off her gams as she hits church in Miami with her daughter Penelope
When showing up to Kim Rich Wilkerson Jr.'s Vous church in Miami with sister Kim and her little girl North West on Sunday morning, the 36-year-old beauty showed off her legs.
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1Vw29C7
Resurgent Nadal beats Nishikori to reclaim Barcelona crown
April 24 (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal maintained his ominous claycourt form by seizing back the Barcelona Open title from Kei Nishikori with a 6-4 7-5 victory on...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1NJcD9f
Murder inquiry after two men's bodies found in hull back garden
Detectives investigating the deaths of two middle-aged men whose bodies were found in a back garden have launched a murder inquiry. Humberside Police named t...
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from Articles | Mail Online http://ift.tt/1VM8PMY
Jeremy Hunt: MPs' plan to avert junior doctors' strike is opportunism - The Guardian
The Guardian |
Jeremy Hunt: MPs' plan to avert junior doctors' strike is opportunism
The Guardian Junior doctors protest outside a screening of the film 28 Days Later in London. Photograph: Joe Pepler/REX/Shutterstock. Josh Halliday. Sunday 24 April 2016 08.16 EDT Last modified on Sunday 24 April 2016 09.37 EDT. Share on Facebook · Share on ... A strike too far for England's NHS junior doctors Jeremy Hunt slams Labour 'opportunism' over junior doctors' strike Jeremy Hunt REJECTS 11th hour bid to call off the first ever all-out junior doctor strike |
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