A good question for many car owners is “where do I store my four summer tires during the winter?” Whether you don’t have room in your garage or you live in a condo with no storage space at all, that kind of dilemma shouldn’t stop you from realizing the benefits that dedicated winter and summer tires offer. A Great Solution for Storing Tires Many tire retailers now offer great, low-cost options for customers with dedicated winter and summer tires through a tire valet storage service. Drivers can bring their vehicle in ...

There was a time not too long ago when the only significant public concern on the topic of energy was having access to it, and being able to afford it while keeping lights on, buildings cool on hot days, warm on cold days, and machines running to keep the functions of society in check. Coal and petroleum have been in use for thousands of years to fulfill the purpose of providing energy, transforming traditional societies into modern societies through both industrial revolutions, and are still the primary means of energy ...

Rising energy costs and increasing public awareness of the importance of energy conservation have caused the “green” movement to gain some serious momentum. More than ever before, people are being proactive in attempting to save energy; turning off lights and television sets, monitoring thermostat use, and putting themselves as well as their homes on “energy diets” by making a concerted effort to simply use less. Aside from these common sense practices, there are other steps that can be taken, in varying degrees of cost and exertion, which drastically lower both ...

A report released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks California as our nation’s most energy efficient state. ACEEE periodically examines energy efficiency policies throughout the country and releases their report as a way to put a spotlight on leaders in the field and the practices they use. ACEEE ranked states on a wide range of energy efficiency programs. Their criteria included: energy efficiency programs and policies, transportation and land use policies, building energy codes, appliance efficiency standards, and financial incentives for efficient technologies. Out of fifty ...

These days, everyone is trying a little harder to get more bang for their buck. Whether it’s switching your credit card to one with a lower interest rate or trying to choose a cheaper energy provider, we all seem to be searching for a better deal. Sometimes this can be a little more difficult than anticipated-especially when you’re talking about something with as many factors involved as shopping for a electricity supplier. Below you will find a few tips to make your search a little bit easier. 1) Take a ...

Without petroleum, the world would probably come to a screeching halt. Petroleum and its byproducts serve a lot of purposes for mankind, but the most important is probably the energy it provides us. Everyone knows that most cars run on gasoline, a fuel refined from crude oil, but the electricity in some homes across the United States is generated by petroleum as well. So, what is petroleum? Like other fossil fuels, petroleum starts with organic materials and takes millions of years to form. A large amount of petroleum is found ...

Many people think they only use coal on beautiful summer days when they pour briquettes into their barbecue grill. While your char-broiled burger might be the most delicious way to use coal, it’s by no means the most important. Coal, a simple combustible rock, is a big contributor to the American way of life. Plentiful and (relatively) inexpensive, coal is very important in industrial and residential applications. Like other fossil fuels (petroleum and natural gas), it takes a lot of time for coal to form. Coal starts out as peat: ...

Everyone knows that Americans rely heavily on fossil fuels. Much of our electricity is generated by the burning of coal. Furthermore, you probably cook your dinner on a natural gas range, and you pump gasoline into your car’s fuel tank every couple days. What you might not know are some of the different ways these raw materials are extracted from the Earth. Before you can extract the fossil fuel, of course, you need to figure out where it is. Finding petroleum and natural gas is still an evolving science. Most ...

Going green is a huge trend, even a bit of a craze, these days. Not only does it make sense in terms of taking care of our planet, but it can also save you a bundle of money. Here are ten simple ways to help out the earth and your wallet! 1) Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They may be more expensive to purchase than their incandescent counterparts, but changing just a few can save you significant money each year. How is that possible? Not only do they use less ...

Electric power holds an interesting place in our lives. We use it every day to communicate with loved ones, cook our food, and even keep ourselves alive with machines. In spite of this importance, we don’t often think about the forces at work when we heat our cup of soup in the microwave. For many of us, it’s been quite a long time since we learned about this stuff in school. Let’s look back on how electricity works and find out a little bit about how much juice we really ...

An interesting study from the American Wind Energy Association shows that jobs in the wind industry increased seventy (70) percent last year. With 35,000 new jobs created in 2008, the wind industry now employs more people than the coal industry. For clean energy advocates, this is a huge milestone-but can it be sustained? Will wind energy continue to blossom and create more job opportunities? First, we should examine how this boom came to pass in the first place. For one, wind energy is quickly becoming a popular idea. It’s one ...

The American power grid, for all its importance, doesn’t get the attention that it deserves. We all know that electricity is generated in big plants and is sent to our homes via wires. The power grid, however, is so much more complicated and important than that. It’s also a matter of national safety and security. When American businesses and residences don’t have the power they need, lives and property are at risk. In August 2003, a power company in Ohio suffered three power line failures, putting excessive strain on the ...

Many people dream of owning a home. But due to financial constraints, for some it remains just that – a dream. Whenever the terms of loans are relaxed people jump at the opportunity of fulfilling their dream of owning a house. This is exactly what happened when Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (ARMS) hit the market. Banks gave financing to nearly every home loan applicant. In addition, low adjustable, introductory rates and small down payments were offered. People seized this opportunity and home sales rapidly increased. Unfortunately, many people ...

Hosting a complete banquet or luncheon with kinsfolk is a desirable affair. But it would be imperfect without great food. Regrettably having the most proficient home science accomplishments cannot prevent accidents in the cooking room. A few accidents may be prevented through the usage of proper cooking aids such as the oven thermometer. Cooking is generally not for everyone. Any number of things could go horribly wrong. Baking is especially tricky especially if one is following a new recipe. The disappointment of not getting what is in the pretty picture can ...

Kids don’t understand the need to keep those energy bills down. Even teenagers, most of whom have a vague sense of fiscal responsibility, sometimes have trouble pitching in to minimize their family’s use of electricity. Yes, nearly every parent has lectured their children about the basics. (Don’t leave windows open when the air conditioner is running!) Unfortunately, lectures don’t always work. There are two big reasons to involve your children in energy conservation measures. First: you want to save money by reducing the amount of electricity you use. Second: you ...

An enormous part of our lives is affected by electricity. From the lights we turn on when we wake up in the morning, the power going to our coffeemaker, the traffic lights on your way to work, and the computers and equipment we use once we get there. Without electricity, life as we know it would be dramatically different (just think about what a damper a power outage puts on your day!). Still, most people never stop to think about how this essential utility became such a huge part of ...

When the leaves are back on the trees and the flowers in the garden are in full bloom, you know that summer is on its way. You know what that means: bright sun, rising mercury and spending extra time outside. Just as winter brings challenges to the American energy infrastructure, summer brings its own, unique challenges. Here are some things you need to think about between warm June and chilly October. With so many hot and muggy days to deal with, air conditioning is in the forefront of most people’s ...

Most Americans entered the year of 1973 under the impression that oil would always be plentiful and cheap. The great post-World War II expansion of the American economy was fueled, in part, by the vast energy supplies that petroleum provided to industry. Then, after some price and supply fluctuations, OPEC (Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries) decided to flex their power. They enacted an oil embargo that reduced the American oil supply so drastically that rationing measures were put into place. Motorists often had to wait in long lines during ...

Everyone’s concerned about energy prices and they’re worried about where American’s energy supplies will come from in the future. While the answers can sometimes be bleak, there are some unexpected options that can increase American supplies of petroleum and natural gas. Believe it or not, there are plenty of people in the U.S. extracting fossil fuels from their own backyards. In this way, individuals can provide for their own energy needs while making a little bit of money for themselves. But how is it done, and what are the risks ...

What does your electric bill look like lately? With the hot, sticky summer months rapidly approaching, chances are your total is heading up. Would it surprise you to know that there are numerous ways to reduce the amount of electricity you use, benefiting both your wallet and the environment? It’s so easy you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing these things sooner! The first thing that you can do to lower your bill and conserve energy is to turn off appliances when you’re not using them! This may sound simple ...

Are you trying to determine what neighborhood is right for you? The reality is that every neighborhood has a distinct look and “feel” to it, which means it is essential to take the time to find the one that suits your personal lifestyle and taste. While selecting the perfect neighborhood certainly is no small task, there are a few steps you should keep in mind in order to make certain you choose the one that is your perfect match. Step #1: Determine What You Want Before you even start looking at what ...

When you first envisioned your home’s basement you probably didn’t imagine your storage boxes floating around and little duckies inhabiting your home. You most likely just saw the space and had the best ideas in mind for how you’d use it for a little while until you saved enough money to finish the space. Then a couple rainstorms later you’re beginning to worry. Will my foundation get ruined? Could this get any worse? Where do I go from here? When the Basement Leaks The first time you noticed the water was during a ...

Trimming your yard with fresh grass can add a coziness and style to your home while also offering a place for entertainment and relaxation. However, choosing to have and take care of a lawn can be quite a large responsibility. Anyone that chooses to have a plot of grass in the front of back of their home must make use of a mower. Even small yards take a fairly intensive amount of time and work. Those that just have a small patch may only need the help of a push ...

Most people want to have a flat screen television. It seems they’ve become all the rage in electronics-land. Unfortunately, these new plasma and LCD flat screen televisions aren’t nearly as energy efficient as the older rear projection televisions. Although our fashion tastes have changed and most people snarl at the sight of the old “bubble back” televisions, they may have been the most energy savvy model. Ah! That’s a lot of Energy! Did you know that your television can actually use as much electricity as a refrigerator? According to ENERGY STAR, some ...

The type of grass that your lawn is composed of will have a large effect on the type of care that it should receive. The common types that are usually used to adorn the yards of homes are cool and warm season turfs. Some cool season examples are bluegrasses and fescues, whereas, warm season types are Bermudagrass and buffalograss. There are definitely some maintenance aspects that will have to be taken care of despite which type you decide to use. One thing that must be done is to apply a ...

The first place to start is the space you intend to place your movie room in. The size of the space will determine the size and type of video display device that would be of best use. Before embarking on buying your actual home entertainment system components, especially for a medium-to-high end system, it might be a good idea to consult with a theater installer to come and assess your space and address the above questions. The installer can make useful suggestions on components or installation concepts that ...

First, start to think about how much you can afford to spend and how much building your new home is likely to cost. Chances are you will need a construction loan and a mortgage. Find out what size loan you qualify for, and know the approximate costs that will help you modify your construction plans to meet your budget. Whether you are building in a suburban development or a site with sweeping ocean views, you will almost always need to choose the land before you select floor plans ...

Moving into a home can be a very exciting process. A new life is beginning and a new adventure has begun. It is really nice when you move into a new area to know that your new neighbors and friends are friendly and welcoming. One of the best ways to get to know your new neighbors and potential friends is to throw a house warming party. At the house warming party, they can get to know you and you can get to know them. Of course, if you are the ...

When you are designing a new home you want to make sure that you understand the recent trends. Understanding the most recent design trends will enable you to design your home in a modern way. First, you want to make sure that you understand the feeling that you want to have in your home. One of the most popular feelings for people to have in their home is one of comfort and welcoming. When you are looking for this type of home you want to make sure that you understand your ...

There are a number of people that are taking advantage of the low cost of the Arkansas real estate market. By looking for deal on homes that have been reduced in price some smart homebuyers have been able to pick up their new home for a lower price that is originally sold for. Throughout the state there are people that have been able to move into a home of their own because of the lowering of the Arkansas real estate prices. Like other states in the south there have been ...

Like many other states in the Union Alabama has seen a fair share of houses being put up for sale by individuals that are trapped in a high rate mortgage and have no alternative but to sell their property before it is taken over by the bank. Short sales and foreclosures are very common in the Alabama real estate market and while it may be unfortunate that a homeowner is being forced to leave their residence there is an opportunity for many people to purchase the Alabama homes for sale ...

As stunning reds, golds and burnt oranges surround me, the Autumn leaves throughout the beautiful countryside remind me of exactly why I love living in Kent. So rightly named ‘The Garden of England,’ with its rolling hills and endless green fields, Kent provides us with some breathtaking scenery year-round. Littered with quirky towns and cities, full of shops and great places to eat, many of the urban areas offer something for everyone. Canterbury, with its cobbled streets and cafe culture invites you in for shopping and a place to catch up with old ...

When you are having difficulty paying your mortgage on time every month it can be a scary situation. When do you know if a short sale is the best option for you? Here in New York, where I hold my broker’s license, Mahopac Real Estate has seen an exploding number of short sales. However, short sales are not for everyone. Let’s talk about the process and what you need to qualify. Why would any bank or mortgage holder agree to a short sale? Because, banks are not in the business of owning ...