Monday, May 21, 2012

Getting to know....

The 0696B000


NuTone 0696B000 Motor Assembly (Motor Number JA2C394N)

All NuTone QT100 and QT110 series bath fans have been discontinued. The 0696B000 is the NuTone replacement motor assembly for all the QT100 and QT110 series fans. This includes both the A and B units.

The 0696B000 replacement motor assembly, is by far NuTone's most popular fan motor. It is powerful, quiet and easy to replace. You don't need to be a handyman to change this motor.

The NuTone 0696B000 replacement motor assembly, includes the motor, the blower wheel, and the mounting plate.

This motor assembly works with the following Ventilation Fan models:
NuTone QT100FL Fan
NuTone QT100L Fan
NuTone QT100LH Fan
NuTone QT100LHM Fan
NuTone QT100LM Fan
NuTone QT110 Fan
NuTone QT110NB Fan
NuTone QT110N Fan
NuTone QT100H Fan
NuTone QT9093WH Fan
NuTone QT9093AB Fan
NuTone QT9093CH Fan
NuTone QT9093BR Fan
NuTone QT9093 Fan

This is the direct motor replacement for the following motor numbers:
8253210230
8253210930
AL41285A
JA2C119
JA2C119H

Monday, May 14, 2012

Advantages Eco-Friendly Furniture

Every homeowner wants his house to look unique, which can be achieved within an average budget by purchasing different, beneficial and eco-friendly furniture, which is available at some exceptional costs. When a purchase purchases a new home, it is seldom that it is furnished, and home furnishing are essential. The purchase of a new home is not the only time that home furnishings are needed, they are also sought after when a homeowner wishes to update or add to their home. Homeowners typically choose to complete the decorating of the home themselves to not only save money, but to purchase their taste in interiors.
The eco-friendly decors are no doubt very useful for home owners because they do not only benefit the homeowner by saving money but also benefit others as they are sustainable furniture. Because the world is becoming more conscious about their surroundings and environment, the demand for this furniture has increased. People find the trend catchy and choose to keep the "Go Green" theme for their houses to benefit the humanity. Below are some advantages of using eco-friendly furniture and decors for your home.
Better for the Family's Health: The furniture that people often consider stylish is made of toxic substances that affect the air and make it worse for the family's health. But, the environment friendly furniture is engineered to take care of a human's health moreover it comes in same styles and designs that a person normally finds attractive.
Prevents the Risks of Deforestation: According to a recent research it is found that more than 137 types of plants and animals are terminated because of the cutting of the different rainforest trees. People are, therefore, promoting this furniture it may seem to be a very little contribution but, on the contrary, it is causing extremely positive differences.
Pay Less for the Better: Even though this type of furniture is cheaper than the modern furniture, they both of them look the same and it is difficult to spot a single prominent difference. This means people buying this furniture are wiser than others as they are paying less for the same thing while they enjoy all the benefits.
Save Energy and a Fortune: These days saving energy is not only important for the country but also for your own pocket. Electric bills can bleed a person's wallet dry. In the environment friendly furniture's category there are some types of them that run on solar power; one example is a fireplace that works on solar energy. This not only saves the energy but also saves people from paying a fortune in return of the same usage.
All in all buying this furniture has uncountable benefits and is of course the better choice. It decorates the house uniquely, costs less, saves money, saves the environment and looks just the same. Considering all these points and the importance of saving environment, one should only buy www.eco-friendlymodernliving.com Eco-Friendly Home Furniture and decors for his house. For those who want to contribute more can buy the house decors from the manufacturers who have taken a step forward by producing furniture from unusable old trash.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Reclaimed Wood Flooring and Products

After a brief hiatus to focus on this year’s Oceana Ball (more to come on that in the future), we’re attempting to return to our normal routine and schedule. Having spent an inordinate amount of time the past several months concentrating on all things themed “Oceana,” including pieces of driftwood that washed up onto the shores of some of our native beaches, taking a look at reclaimed wood seemed a logical fit.
Salvaging wood for reuse helps to minimize waste sent to landfill and the thinning out of our forests, responsibly done or otherwise. Using reclaimed wood also introduces a sense of character to a space which simply cannot be achieved through the use of new materials. From hardwood and softwood flooring to barn board and timbers, there are many sources from which to choose.
Reclaimed woods are typically wider planks (4″ or more) and offer a rich patina and depth that can only be authentically created with time. Local wood types vary from oak, maple, elm and ash, to pine, fir, and hemlock. Mantle pieces and timbers are thick, solid pieces of wood, unlike many look-alike products which now flood the market.
Though the images and general opinion suggest otherwise, reclaimed woods are suitable for much more than cottage-like and countrified interiors. By removing the furnishings shown in the above and replacing them with more clean-lined, contemporary pieces, you’ll create an entirely different look. Other options include applying a deep, rich stain colour or a higher gloss top coat, both of which are available in water-based applications. The character, patina, and charm will remain, but you will make the product truly your own.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Top 5 Types of Safes to Protect You and Your Valuables

A safe is one of the single most important things that you can have in your home or business. Some people assume that they don’t need a safe because they don’t keep a lot of money around the house or have expensive jewelry, but everyone has something of value. Valuable items are not necessarily expensive, they can be things that have sentimental value, and that you would miss if you were a victim of disaster. Here at Gun Safe Pros, we offer a wide range of products to suit the needs and budget of anyone.
  • Security Boxes – Sometimes, all you need is a security box. If you don’t have a gun or if you need something compact in size, these are ideal. They are affordable and convenient. Some people who have a large safe still have one of these smaller boxes to toss their money, wallet, watch, etc., in before they go to bed.
  • Office Safes – It does not matter if you keep petty cash in the office or not, you will need a safe. Chances are good that there are important items that should be secured, such as checks, gas cards, CDs and important business documents. If you do deal with cash, checks and credit cards, you will be interested in a safe that allows employees to make a deposit but not a withdrawal.
  • Wall Safes – You do not need to live in a castle to have a wall safe! If you own your home and can cut into a wall, these safes are a phenomenal investment. Installation is easy because they fit between two studs. Just like in the movies, these can easily be hidden by a piece of art or furniture. Some of these even have a hidden compartment inside for extremely valuable or dangerous items as well. This way, if you were forced to open the safe by a robber, they wouldn’t find the hidden items.
  • Gun Safes and Cabinets – Here at Gun Safe Pros, we understand the importance of security your firearm. Even if you don’t have children, you will need to secure it because guns are stolen every day during break-ins. We offer a large selection of safes and cabinets for one hand gun or rifle up to a large collection.
  • Gun Cases – Whether you are transporting a gun, bow or both, they need to be secured in a case. We even have cases that are stackable, water and dust-proof and padlock compatible. Guns and bows are an investment, they need to be protected property

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Don't let a break-in ruin your summer vacation

By far, the most common threat to our home while we are away on summer holidays is burglary. Burglary, by definition, is a non-confrontational crime but being victimized can leave a family feeling vulnerable and violated.
According to Patrice De Luca, V.P. of Marketing and Business Development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, the first step in burglary prevention is gaining an understanding of who commits these crimes and why.
"The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when most people are away on holidays, at work or at school," De Luca explained. "Burglaries also occur at night when there are obvious signs that residents are away."
Most home burglars are young males looking for things that are small, expensive, and can easily be converted to cash. Items like cash, jewelry, guns, watches, laptop computers, and other small electronic devices are high on the list. Quick cash is needed for living expenses and drugs. Although home burglaries may seem random in occurrence, they actually involve a careful selection process.
"This selection process is simple," De Luca added. "They choose an unoccupied home with the easiest access, the greatest amount of cover, and with the best escape routes."
What follows is a list of suggestions from Protectron to minimize your risk by making your home unattractive to potential burglars.
  • The first step, according to De Luca, is to "harden the target" or make your home more difficult to enter. "Remember burglars will simply bypass your home if it requires too much effort or requires more skill and tools than they possess," he says. Most burglars enter via the front, back, or garage doors. Burglars know to look inside your car for keys and other valuables so keep it locked, even inside your garage. Use high quality Grade-1 or Grade-2 locks on exterior doors to resist twisting, prying, and lock-picking attempts.
  • When vacationing, leave a car in your driveway or arrange for a neighbor to keep a car there and move it around from time to time. Have someone mow your lawn, rake leaves and pick up your mail while you're away.
  • Home security systems play a crucial role in a home security plan and are very effective, if used properly, especially when monitored 24-7 by ULC-listed monitoring centres. "The reason why home security systems deter burglaries is because they increase the potential and fear of being caught and arrested by the police," added De Luca. "The deterrent value comes from our house alarm system decals on the windows." De Luca cautions that home security systems need to be properly installed and maintained to be most effective. He recommends your home security system include a loud inside alarm, detectors at all exterior doors, and motion sensors in the master bedroom and main living areas.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Top 5 Pieces of Office Décor to Turn Your Space from Ordinary to Extraordinary

It does not matter if you have a boardroom that welcomes international business partners, or a waiting room that sees sick, injured or anxious people, your office décor is a lot more important than you think. Whether individuals are sick or stressed, they can be comfortable and put at ease by proper pieces. Wouldn’t it be nice to get through a Monday morning meeting without everyone being on edge? Do you get tired of listening to patients complain about how uncomfortable their chair is? The products here at Office Décor Pros will transform your space into an entirely different environment.
Fountains – These are a must have for any office or reception area. They are soothing, offer a focal point and immediately allow people to feel relaxed. The gentle sound of cascading water also drowns out office noise, such as medical equipment, phones, fax machines and chatter. If that’s not enough, they offer just the right amount of humidity into the air to make the space healthier and more comfortable.
Aquariums – There is something very soothing about watching fish swim around. This is why they have become so popular in doctor and dentist offices, especially those that cater to children. One can’t help but smile when they look at an aquarium, and that’s beneficial in any situation.
Bonsai Trees – These perfect little trees are quite magical. Why have a contemporary painting or sculpture when you can have a live piece of art that will become a main attraction in any room? Experts suggest that simply being in the presence of a bonsai tree is incredibly relaxing. Just make sure that you know exactly how often your tree needs to be watered as these are traditionally thirsty trees and they have very little soil.
Safes – Every office needs a safe. If you deal with cash, check or credit cards, you may want a safe with a deposit slot. There are plenty of things around the office that should be secured. Keys to locked cabinets, payroll, CDs and gas cards are just a few items that should be tucked away safe.
Reception Furniture – Here at Office Décor Pros, we have all your furniture needs. If you need an office chair that’s eco-friendly or ergonomic, we have countless options available to fulfill the needs and personal preference of anyone. If you are shopping for desks, cabinets or reception chairs and sofas, we have these items too.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Go Green By Switching to Permanent, Washable Furnace and Air Conditioning Filters

Over 95 million American households throw away disposable air filters on a regular basis. Stacked up, these filters would reach 6,000 miles high, or the height of 25,333 Empire State Buildings. Most of these filters are made from non-biodegradable spun fiberglass and are clogging up landfills.
Looking at the relatively small filter, homeowners may not appreciate the extent of the problem that these common products create for the environment. But, for a moment, try to get a mental image of the size of the stack of filters that every household throws away in a year's time. Now imagine every household on your street throwing away that stack of filters. Now imagine filters discarded by every homeowner in a town, a county or a state. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 95 million homes, or 86.1 percent of all occupied homes in the United States have a central heating system. (SOURCE: 2007 US Census Bureau American Housing Survey]) Homes with central heat or air conditioning systems require the use of at least one air filter and change the filters every three months. That means there is the potential of U.S. consumers disposing of 380 million air filters each year. A standard air filter is one inch thick. A stack of 380 million 1 inch thick filters would reach 32,666,666 feet or 5,997 miles high. That’s more than twice the distance across America or the height of 25,333 Empire State Buildings. The most common type of residential air filter is the disposable fiberglass spun filter readily found at most large retail stores. These air conditioning filters are non-biodegradable and take up a tremendous amount of room in our landfills.
Permanent, washable furnace filters have a lifetime warranty, provide much better filtration against dust and allergens and can simply be vacuumed or hosed off when needed. These filters are also commonly referred to as electrostatic furnace filters and lifetime furnace filters. They are made from non-corroding aluminum or stainless steel and are built to last as long as an HVAC unit with proper maintenance. Even better, they have 10 times the filtration capacity of a throwaway fiberglass filter. A good electrostatic filter is rated at 90% peak dust arrestance or higher using the ASHRAE 52.1 Protocol and will have an initial air resistance rating of 0.12" W.G. or lower. These filters do not require any electricity. They simply drop in the same slot where the disposable filter goes. A natural static charge is built when air passes through the special layer of self-charging mono-filament woven polypropylene. This results in dust and allergens being attracted to the filter.
Permanent, washable air filters generally cost between $40.00 and $70.00 and pay for themselves in about one year when compared to similar MERV 8 disposable filters. They are available in all standard sizes and can be custom made to any size in 1/8 inch increments. The aluminum frame comes in widths of ½ inch, 1 inch and 2 inches. By far, the most common size for household use is 1 inch. Permanent, washable filters can also be made with flexible woven frames so they can bend and twist to fit unusual applications. The air filter media generally comes in 3-stages or 5-stages.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Place for Everything, and Everything in its Place

Finding Space Harmony within Your Garage
Do you find yourself doing a “dance” every time you step foot in your garage? Shimmying past bikes, hopping over boots, sliding into your car through a narrowly opened door? If you’d rather save your dance moves for date night, maybe it’s time for a garage storage makeover.
Here at Imagine Storage Solutions, we have encountered all types of garage storage dilemmas: limited space, too many toys, hoarder purgatory. You name it, we’ve seen it. We’d like to share our experiences with you to help you get started with your own garage storage makeover.
Here’s a proven approach:
  • 1. CLEAN IT OUT. Pick a weekend when you know the weather will cooperate. Consider renting a storage pod, especially if your project requires longer-term storage.
  • 2. SORT IT OUT. Make three piles: Keep, Donate and Trash It. Be diligent. If the kids can’t part with some of their toys, provide incentive. Let them know there are children out there that would love to receive the gift of a well-loved toy. Remember if you donate your items to a charity, it can be itemized as a tax write-off. Lastly, if you haven’t used something in a year, pitch it. You won’t miss it. The 50-50 Rule applies: most likely only about half of what you have in your garage right now is necessary and of value to you.
  • 3. PLAN IT OUT. Take a look at your newly cleaned space. Imagine how you want to use this space. Consider all the planes of your garage: ceiling, walls and floor. Consider the traffic flow from the car to the house, from the work bench to the refrigerator. How does your garage space get used? Most flat and long items such as ladders, rakes, shovels and brooms are best suited for wall hanging. Larger items like bikes and luggage are best stored in a ceiling rack. Using a sheet of graph paper or a simple software program can help keep your dimensions in perspective. Start to layout your garage zones keeping ease of access to your cars as a priority.
  • 4. ENVISION YOUR ZONES. Categorize what gets used often versus items that are more seasonal. Place your zones appropriately, allowing frequency of use to determine locations. Here are some ideas for your zones:
  • a. Workbench Zone – If you are fortunate enough to have a workbench zone, you’ll want to keep it organized. Space is a premium in these areas. Use clear, small bins for hardware, hooks for tools, wire bins for lubricants and chemicals, and cabinets for blades and other items that need to be locked away. We recommend the HandiWALL® slatwall system because it is flexible. It can easily accommodate additional shelves, hooks, and cabinets as you add to your tool collection. Considering storage systems that grow over time is a smart investment in your livelihood or hobby.
  • b. Garden Zone – In different regions, gardening is a seasonal past time. Shelving and cabinets to store pots, baskets, and liners are a great way to optimize your space. Large hooks are necessary to store weed-wackers, chain saws and other small yard appliances. Smaller hooks and bins can be used to store gardening tools, hoses, extension cords and trellises when not in use. Fertilizers and pesticides are best stored higher, and/or enclosed in a cabinet away from children and pets.
  • c. Toy and Kids Zone – Many garages fall victim to the smallest members of a household. Toys and sports gear can take up precious garage space. There are very clever accessories to keep balls, rackets, fishing poles and more in their place. The HandiNET is a novel way to keep soccer balls, basketballs, footballs and volleyballs at bay. The net attaches to the wall, pulling the balls up against the wall keeping the space open and passable. When it comes to kids, the garage may have to do double-duty, especially in the absence of a mudroom. Placing hooks for coats and backpacks, and mats for boots and shoes, by the garage door becomes a must.
  • d. Recycle Zone – Installing a recycle bin on the wall is a great space saver. Think of separate bins for your different types of recyclables. e. Clean-up Zone – Life is messy. Clean-ups are inevitable. Think of creating a clean-up zone with spray cleaners and de-greasers that help with the projects that take place in the garage. A paper towel dispenser is convenient, too. If you work with chemicals often in your garage, you may want to install an eye wash station in case of an emergency.
  • 5. START YOUR STORAGE TRANSFORMATION. Installing a slatwall system is certainly a DIY project for any handyman or woman. With proper planning, it’s easy and fast. But if you prefer having the hardware installed by a professional, look into finding a local installer or handyman. Slatwalls do not have to cover the entire wall. They can be installed around cabinetry, or installed in smaller “picture frame” areas to ease the budget or accommodate a sleek design. Also, consider labeling your bins and storage areas. It serves as a reminder for the “organizationally challenged” members of the family.
  • 6. SAFETY. SAFETY. SAFETY. It is worth another mention that you can never be too careful in the garage. Many garage accidents are preventable with a little planning. Again, chemicals, fertilizers, anti-freeze and driveway salt should all be well out of the reach of children and pets. Blades and other sharp items should also be stored and, if possible, locked away. Also be aware of items that can topple onto children. Ladders and bikes especially should be well secured on hooks or pulley systems.
  • 7. DON’T FORGET THE FLOORS. There are excellent garage flooring options available that won’t break the budget. Corrosive materials like oil, antifreeze, and salt can damage your concrete garage floors. Protecting from stains, corrosion and wear is wise choice. Options include tiles, mats and polyaspartic rapid-set liquid coverings. The colors and designs are limitless and the result is a durable and attractive floor.
So if you’re tired of “dancing” around the garage, consider these steps and recommendations. We wish you best of luck creating storage harmony within your garage.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Keeping Our Homes Green – Roofing Options

teaser green roofs2 Keeping Our Homes Green   Roofing Options
Looking for a way to reduce your energy costs? If you consult your local energy company, you will likely receive a brochure explaining how to wrap your pipes, put a blanket around your hot water heater, plugging cracks and holes through which drafts can flow, and adding reflective coatings to your windows. No harm in any of that, and it’s a good start. But for homeowners, there is a better place to start – start at the top, with your roof.
Why start with the roof? For the same reason that your mother tells you to wear a hat outside in snowy weather – just as most of your body heat is lost through your head, most of your home’s heat is lost through the roof. Heat rises.
Likewise, your roof is the part of your home that is most exposed to the sun, so the question of whether your home will absorb the sun’s heat or reflect it back into the atmosphere is decided right there – on the roof.
Homeowners don’t like to mess with their roofs, and for good reason – roof work can be expensive. But there are a range of options, and if you are considering an ecofriendly option such as installing solar panels, you may qualify for state or federal tax subsidies that will help to defray the cost. (To find out what subsidies exist in your area, check the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, DSIRE, or try this calculator).
If you are considering making your roof a part of your home’s energy efficiency plan, you will need to begin by answering the following questions:
  1. What material do you want to use for your roof?
  2. What color should your roof be?
  3. Do you want to add solar panels or solar shingles to your roof in order to capture solar energy for electricity or to provide heat for water?
Materials
These days, homeowners have many roofing materials to choose from. Most Americans (about 75 percent) go for cheap asphalt shingles – but cheap is the best that can be said of asphalt as a roofing material. It doesn’t insulate well, it is generally not recyclable at the end of its life, and its life is not long.
On the other end of the economic spectrum, affluent homeowners will often choose wood shingles, such as cedar shakes, or slate. These options are all natural, insulate well, and are expensive. But cedar often comes from old-growth forests and slate is a non-renewable resource. Moreover, wood shingles will swell and shrink over time, producing cracks and resulting in moisture damage. Clay tiles are more durable and are made from a renewable, sustainable material, but they are so expensive that most homeowners can only manage to use them as accent materials along the edges of roofs.
Somewhere in the middle, you have metal roofs. Metal roofs insulate well, they have high solar reflectance (meaning they stay cooler in the summer), they last a long time, and they are frequently made from recycled metals (and can be recycled themselves at the end of their lives). But they can be somewhat expensive.
Nowadays, there is another option: recycled roofing materials. Believe it or not, you can now make your roof from recycled plastic, carpet, or tires. You can also opt for reclaimed or sustainably grown wood.
Make Your Electric Meter Spin Backward
If you want to generate electric power on your roof, or at least collect enough heat to warm up water, you may want to start with a basic metal roof. A standing-seam metal roof can work well as a base for thin-film photovoltaic panels. You’ll be following in reputable footsteps – President Barack Obama is adding solar panels to the White House roof this year, as is Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Solar panels can be expensive – most solar panel systems cost at least $2,000 to $3,000 to install, and many cost more, depending on the system and the particular circumstances at your home. Solar panel systems pay for themselves within a few years, but that doesn’t help when you are trying to scrape together the money for the installation.
There is also another solar roofing option – solar shingles. Solar shingles may be an ideal solution if by chance you have a roof that is already shingled, but is losing shingles in (preferably) a south-facing location where you can free up 300 to 400 feet of roof space. If you need to replace shingles anyway, you may as well replace the old shingles with matching solar shingles (they are designed to blend in with the asphalt shingles that most American homes use). Like solar panels, solar shingles can be connected to your local energy grid, so that if you produce excess electricity, it can go back into the system and your electric company can reimburse you for it. By absorbing heat from the sun, solar shingles can also reduce the amount of heat that your home absorbs, so you may find that you do not need to run an air conditioner as much in the summer. Don’t expect to go entirely off-grid with solar shingles – shingles do not store solar energy (unless you have also added batteries to hold stored energy, but adding batteries can add as much as $10,000 to your shingle installation costs), so you will need your regular electric grid at night. Homeowners who choose this option find that the solar shingles pay for themselves in about 8 to 10 years, while they last for 20-40 years (depending on climate and maintenance).
Solar panels and shingles not only pay for themselves over time by allowing you to sell power back to your electric company, but they add to the value of your home. According to a recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 72,000 California homeowners who added solar panels to their roofs saw their home values rise by an average of $17,000 when they put their homes on the market. Consequently, you may be able to roll the cost of installation over into your mortgage.
Caution
Unless you are a roofing contractor yourself or have equivalent experience, don’t try to install your own roof. Find a contractor who is experienced in the kind of roof that you plan to put in place. If you are adding solar panels or solar shingles, you will also need an electrician. Be aware, as well, that if you are replacing a roof that was originally installed between 1940 and 1975, you may need to hire someone to do asbestos remediation. Finally, don’t forget to check your local building codes (or better yet, work with a contractor who is intimately familiar with them). Be sure, as well, to check with your homeowner’s insurance company to find out if the change in roofing materials will affect your insurance premiums.
Do your homework and use common sense. If you can find a contractor and a roofing system that you are happy with, chances are that you will be very pleased with the results.