Saturday, May 1, 2010

Tanning Bed Light Bulbs - The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

Whether you own a tanning bed for personal home use, or for your salon, you are well aware of the pain it can be to replace tanning bed light bulbs once they've lost most of their effectiveness. Most tanning beds allow for multiple types of bulbs, but checking your manual is always a good idea.

Purchasing your bulb directly through the manufacturer is usually the option people take when deciding it's time for a replacement. This can be pricey, as manufacturers usually don't offer discounts. However, most find this the most convenient, as local shops and suppliers can run out of supplies fast. If your hard bent on getting the best deal your best bet is to open a relationship with a local supplier and have them hold your preferred bulb for you.

A big question or concern for many tanning bed owners is the quality of the bulb. The top styles that come recommended by most are by Voltarc, Wolff System, and Cosmedico. You usually end up paying a small amount for the "branding" in the bulb, however these bulbs have proven their reliability and effectiveness throughout the years. Using a low quality bulb will result in an uneven and unwanted tan that can be detrimental to your business if you own a salon. Choosing the right bulb is the most important part of the tanning equation.

Higher quality bulbs tend to last longer than cheaper bulbs. You typically get a full 500 hours of use out of a quality bulb before it needs to be replaced. Cheaper bulbs burn out much sooner and costs can add up in the long run. For home use only beds, a good set of bulbs should last you 4-5 years if you use it 20 minutes a day. This is just an estimate, and most people don't use their bed every day so the figure could theoretically be much higher. Tanning salons beds that get used regularly will obviously need to replace their bulbs much sooner.

Friday, April 30, 2010

What Did Thomas Edison Invent in 1879?

Thomas Edison in 1879 invented the incandescent light bulb to replace the candle. This light bulb is the one that we normally see but in 2012 we will have to use a new type of light bulb. This new light bulb that some of us may have seen or use is called the compact fluorescent or CFL. It has the same type of base but a spiral bulb on top. On Wednesday December 19, 2007, the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. approved a new energy law to stop the manufacturing of the old fashion light bulb to a new less energy using light bulb.

Question: Why are they taking the old fashion light bulb away?
Answer: It is a low cost way to reduce electricity use and greenhouse gases from power plants.

Question: CFL's cost more, about six times as much, why buy them?
Answer: CFL's use about 75% less energy, so you save money on your energy bill.

Question: How long do they last?
Answer: CFL's last for five years instead of for a few months just don't turn them on and off all the time.

Question: Are the CFL's bad for the environment?
Answer: There is some mercury in them, 100 times less than a thermometer, but they should be recycled without any problems.

Question: Is this it for any new lighting for another 100 years?
Answer: Manufactures are working on better CFL's and LED lighting, which are used in some holiday lighting.

In conclusion, President Bush should sign this new energy law. Our Congress is doing a good job of protecting our environment and trying to save us money. Almost anyone can afford to change to these new bulbs. It is less money than installing a new home heating system or new windows throughout a home. My home already has CFL lighting in almost all of our fixtures and lamps. I think this is an enlightening idea!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Countertop Water Filters Can Replace Your Plastic Water Bottle Addiction

Buying bottled water is more expensive than gas for your car! So many of us don't realize just how expensive this is until one day we realize that this is crazy! With the current economic times we need to start looking at ways to save money and still get high standards of water.

Counter top water filters fits the bill. They are a snap to use,connecting them is just as easy, and at the same time comes great tasting water. Looking at a glass of unfiltered water is all the evidence that you need for not wanting to drink it. There are literally hundreds of harmful elements within the water. These elements include chemicals, bacteria, and metals, who really wants to drink it?

We drink water to be able to enjoy the benefits provided by magnesium, potassium and calcium but in the case of tap water all this goodness is rendered useless due to its harmful contents. This is, after all, the reason why so many people made the switch from tap to bottled water in the first place. Nonetheless, using counter top water filters not only provides you with healthy water but saves you money at the same time.

There is nothing difficult about using a counter top water filter. Just hook up the value to your faucet and you're done. The valve of the water filter fits directly onto the standard faucet fitted with the usual aerator.

It is important to understand the faucet type because if you do not have a standard faucet with a standard aerator, the counter top model will not work for you, as the valve will not fit. You will then have to look into an alternative method of filtering your tap water.

Using a counter top water filters not only will your drinking water taste terrific but you will also be able to save an incredible amount of money. Let's face it; if you buy bottled water on a regular basis or have larger quantities delivered to your door, the amount of money you spend on water soon mounts up.

It's a well know fact that bottled water tastes good but what normally costs you between 25 and 35 dollars can be dramatically reduced to just a few pennies when you use counter top water filters to clean your tap water supply.

Finally, when it comes to counter top water filters, you can use the filtered water for most anything. This includes drinking, cooking, and cleaning. You get bacteria, metal, chemical, and odor free water that looks and tastes great. Getting great tasting and good for you water that your body needs every day.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Hydrogen As Clean Fuel - Advantages and Disadvantages

Several scientists believe that hydrogen is the best form of alternative energy resource and has unlimited potential. It is considered as a clean energy resource and also one of the most acceptable forms of fuel available today.

Using hydrogen has numerous advantages. One is that it burns in the air and leaves water vapor as residue. Water vapor has no environmental disadvantages as of now. Also, several experts think that hydrogen will very soon replace all types of fuels, including gasoline, diesel, oil, coal, natural gas and nuclear power. So there will be a cleaner form of energy in the future if this concept develops.

Hydrogen is available in the entire universe and in abundant quantities. Also, it is a renewable source of energy and does not get depleted with time. Hydrogen is found in water, and the three parts of our planet is made up of water. So there is no question of depletion when it comes to hydrogen. Also, another interesting fact is hydrogen is being used to power space shuttles and to provide electricity on their voyage. Therefore, it is already an established resource for power.

Today, there are hydrogen powered vehicles in the market. Several manufacturers are exploring the options for future use. However, in order to produce hydrogen, a great deal of energy is used. This is the biggest disadvantage of producing hydrogen as a clean fuel. One of the most common methods is to break down compounds that contain hydrogen in huge quantities. These compounds include methane. When methane is broken down, it leaves behind just hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Where to Find Deals on Hanging Light Fixtures

A hanging light creates a warm feeling and a focal point in any area. There are so many different styles and models have been created that there is sure to be something to suit your room. The price range is equally diverse and therefore everyone should be able to find something without having to over spend. However it all depends on looking in the right direction.

Hanging lights are very popular and can easily be found in any of the relevant stores or retail outlets. Searching online is also a good option as you not only come across many different styles and varieties of hanging lights but you can also view their prices by sitting in your home and save a lot of time and energy.

The price range for these lights is anywhere from as low as $30 to as much as $300. Their price depends on their style and material used. For instance chandeliers are a type of hanging lights which are pretty expensive owing to the intricacy of design as well as their artistic style and durability. These can be purchased for a couple of hundreds of dollars and look very elegant and beautiful. They are mostly preferred for more formal areas.

After that the crystal and iron lights are comparatively affordable and are available for anywhere around a hundred dollars. They are little less fancy however they are perfect for a contemporary and more simplistic look. Scone shaped casings, lanterns and globes are the most affordable of all of these kinds of lights. Some of these are as cheaply priced a merely $30. These look funky and mostly admired by younger people.

To enhance the effect created by one of these fixtures you can use wall sconces and different colored bulbs to go with it. A lot of refurbished or modern designs of homes have hanging lights in some part of the residence or the other. Amongst outdoor lights, solar ones are preferred by people for areas which have great exposure to the sun. These lights cut the cost of electricity and work as well as the battery or power operated lights.

Owing to the varieties and styles of these lights available in the market it is no longer difficult to find an ideal one which not only suits the area but also your budget. All it takes is a little patience and a bit of research on your part.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Why Ethanol is a Great Alternative and Renewable Energy Resource

Ethanol, a biomass fuel that can be used to power cars and even generate electricity, is the very same ethyl alcohol that's used to make alcoholic drinks. It is considered a sustainable energy resource because it can be extracted from agricultural stocks and crops. Brazil is the leading country that uses biofuel or bioethanol to run their cars and it's only second to the US in ethanol production. Using ethanol is gaining popularity in countries around the world as an alternative fuel to gasoline and diesel fuel. It isn't hard to see why.

Crops such as switchgrass, sugar cane, and corn that are mainly used as feed for stock are the crops that hold the most promise for conversion into ethanol. The production of ethanol starts in photosynthesis, which makes feedstocks and crops grow. These plants are then collected, fermented, distilled or dehydrated to remove the water and burned.

The only problem associated with producing ethanol is the amount of land that would be required to grow enough of these crops to fuel the world. But currently, an alternative process of making ethanol from algae without harvesting it is being studied. If this becomes successful, a growing algae can continuously provide ethanol without having to kill the plant. Research is underway. Scientists are finding new and better ways to turn plants into fuel.

The world will eventually run out of fossil fuels. There's no more being made. Fossil fuel is not a renewable energy source. When what we have is gone - well, it's just gone, and there won't be any more. On the other hand, ethanol, which is made from plants, is a renewable energy source. Corn or grass or whatever that's used to make fuel this year will be available again next year, and the year after that, and so on into infinity. Ethanol is made from a renewable source unlike gasoline and diesel.

And we can use ethanol now. Most all of the cars on the roads in America can run on a mixture of 90% gasoline and 10% anhydrous ethanol (contains less than 1% water) just fine. That would mean a 10% DECREASE in gasoline consumption. Researchers are also arguing that using ethanol to replace petroleum in generating electricity might be more efficient that using it as a liquid fuel.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Advice on Electromagnetic Radiation in Your Home

The advice below is based on many years of experience within the field of electromagnetic radiation.

Microwave Ovens
Microwave Ovens emit electromagnetic radiation whilst they are connected to the power grid, and so therefore you should unplug the oven after use, or install a timer that disconnects the power line after a determined time.

Clock Radio
Clock Radios emit electromagnetic radiation whilst they are connected to the power, and therefore we advise against anyone using them on the bedside table or in the vicinity of the bed, but particularly EMF sensitive people.

Compact fluorescent lamps
Electricity saving light bulbs can cause health disorders and problems, as the electronic device, metals and mercury gas inside the bulb cause electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, we do not advise using electricity saving lamps in living rooms, particularly for EMF sensitive people.

Wireless routers
The router antennas for a wireless network can cause health disorders for EMF sensitive people. If you have a router with an adjustable antenna and by positioning the antenna to point in horizontal position or less than 45° upwards, these problems may be greatly reduced.

Ring on the left hand
If you are very EMF sensitive, please also be careful to put rings on your left hand. Primarily it concerns the ring finger, although symptoms have been observed on other fingers. No logical explanation has been found for this phenomenon which is possibly related to the body energy fields, similar to those for acupuncture treatment spots. If you believe this may apply to you, try removing any rings for a few weeks, and observe any differences.