Stop Burning Wood Pellets

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During these times of fuel price volatility, it’s important to keep a close eye on the relationship between fuel prices. Any homeowner who uses a wood pellet stove to supplement their gas furnace could be losing money and not even know it


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I recently updated the Fuel Cost Comparison Chart at Alternative-Heating-Info.paving and the results were surprising. As of 3/20/06 it was actually cheaper in Metro Boston to heat with natural gas than with wood pellets!

During these times of fuel price volatility, it’s important to keep a close eye on the relationship between fuel prices. Any homeowner who uses a wood pellet stove to supplement their gas furnace could be losing money and not even know it..

If you can use a calculator, you’re only minutes away from figuring out which fuel is the cheapest to burn at any given time.

When you compare fuel heating costs make sure it’s apples to apples. The standard quantity used for comparing residential fuel costs is 1,000,000 BTUs of fuel heat content.

Cost To Burn Wood Pellets

Since a wood pellet stove needs only 125 lbs (1/16 of a ton) of pellets to generate 1,000,000 BTUs, divide the cost per ton by 16. At $198 a ton for wood pellets it costs $12.38 to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

Cost To Burn Natural Gas

The price per therm (look at your gas bill) of natural gas in Boston is $1.1813. When you multiply that by 10.30 (10.30 cubic feet) it costs $12.17 to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

It’s easy to see that natural gas heat now costs about $0.21 less per 1,000,000 BTUs than wood pellets.

Here are the quick fuel cost comparison formulas for wood pellets and natural gas:

Price per ton of wood pellets divided by 16 = Cost to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

Price per therm of natural gas x 10.30 = Cost to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

The quick formulas are useful only for comparing natural gas to wood pellets since their fuel efficiencies are similar.

If you are comparing fuels with different efficiencies, all you have to do is find the coefficient of the fuel efficiency percentage rating. Please don’t run screaming out the door because I said coefficient. Just divide 1 by the percentage’s decimal equivalent to obtain the coefficient.

For example: The fuel efficiency rating for natural gas and wood pellets is 85%.
If you divide 1 by .85 you get a coefficient of 1.18. Now plug this into the quick formula to obtain the effective, or true cost, of the fuel you are burning.

Wood Pellets: $198 divided by 16 x 1.18 = $14.60

Natural Gas: $1.1813 x 10.30 x 1.18 = $14.36

By expanding the quick formula to include the effective cost calculation, the spread between the two fuels has now widened to $0.24.

Assuming fuel prices don’t go crazy, you could save as much as $75 during the remainder of this heating season by switching from wood pellets back to natural gas.

When prices do change, you have armed yourself with two simple, yet powerful tools to help you quickly and confidently determine when one fuel is more cost effective than the other.

These are the coefficients of commonly used percentages:
60% = 1.67, 65% = 1.54, 70% = 1.43, 75% = 1.33, 80% = 1.25, 85% = 1.18, 90% = 1.11, 95% = 1.05, 100% = 1.

Crib Bedding

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Getting a baby crib may seem simple enough. However, before you proceed, think carefully about this item, as it is where your baby will spend most of his time. A crib needs to be comfortable, safe and durable. A few easy guidelines on crib bedding may help you to choose the right one.


Crib Bedding, Crib Bedding Sets, Custom Crib Bedding, Round Crib Bedding

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Getting a baby crib may seem simple enough. However, before you proceed, think carefully about this item, as it is where your baby will spend most of his time. A crib needs to be comfortable, safe and durable. A few easy guidelines on crib bedding may help you to choose the right one.

Once you’ve decided on your budget, you need to ensure that the crib you buy meets the safety standards with a firm, snugly fitting mattress. It needs to be a faultless crib without cutouts or footboards and a short corner post. While fixed sides can be comfortable for taller parents or if the crib is to be used less frequently, drop sides – either on one side or on both — are convenient to lift the baby out of the crib in a fairly big nursery.

It is important to see that the mattress fits properly and that it is firm. A firm mattress, one that does not bend easily when squeezed, is best because it allows babies to lift their heads in case they turn over in the night. In the case of coil mattresses, the higher the number of coils, the firmer the mattress usually is. A multi-layered cover will last longer especially if it is vinyl or waterproof.

Anti-microbial covers are effective to keep the germs out. Don’t crowd the child’s sleeping space with toys or heavy blankets to cut out the risk of suffocation.

If you are afraid of your baby’s feet sticking out of the crib then a crib bumper could be an option. However, experts advise against one unless it is a mesh crib-shield bumper because regular ones could reduce air circulation and pose a safety threat.

Interior Decorating and Home Decor With Native American Indian Art

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Interior decorating with today’s natural styles and how Native American art could fit in.


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Since there has been a trend in recent years towards more earthy color tones for interior decorating, Native American Indian art can fit in nicely as part of home decor. Most subjects used in Native American Indian art tend to be focused on nature whether the pieces are prints, carvings or pottery. Colors tend to be earthy shades of browns, reds, blacks and yellows since the main raw materials are wood as in carvings from the Pacific Northwest region and clay from the Southwest. Even painted wood carvings or pottery tend to have natural colors often found in nature such as greens and blues. All of these colors work well with the more natural styles of interior decorating today.

The Pacific Northwest region which covers the states of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia (Canada) and the southern part of Alaska, produces some excellent Native American Indian art in the form of wood carvings. This is not surprising since the Pacific Northwest is abundant with forests which have provided the wood as raw material for the region’s Native American Indian art. The wood is sometimes painted in striking colors or just stained with natural looking browns. Either way, such pieces fit in perfectly in rooms with earthy color tones. I have seen walls of living rooms, bedrooms, office den rooms, hallways and even bathrooms enhanced with Pacific Northwest Indian art in the form of both prints and wood plaque carvings. The Pacific Northwest Native American artists also make some of the most striking aboriginal masks in the world which are also suitable for hanging on walls.

Native American Indian art as home decor helps bring in an atmosphere of nature in the overall interior decorating of a room. This is because of their natural colors and also their subject matters which tend to be animals such as eagles, bears, thunderbirds, killer whales and salmons. Pacific Northwest Native art in particular gives homes in that region a local flavor. Many homes in this part of North America have this type of artwork as part of interior decorating. This style of Native American Indian art is still relatively unknown to many parts of North America and the rest of the world so for homes outside of the Pacific Northwest region, a nice wood carving can be seen as exotic treasure brought back from a homeowner’s travels. Check out some examples of Pacific Northwest Indian art either in a gallery or online and imagine how a piece or two can be part of your home’s interior decorating.

MV Interior Decorating For Small Apartments

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So you have a small apartment. You are possibly wondering, how do I make my small space look comfortable and inviting with out looking cluttered? I have your answer. Actually several answers first of all start with looking around, notice the placement of windows and which way the light reflects in the rooms during different times of day. You do not want to blind someone, who could possibly be visiting, by that stunning sunset. Also look at your current furniture and the colors that it is or is not. Some colors can make a room look small, clinical and cold. Good warm toned colors also make it more comfortable for you to live there. Browns, Reds, Yellows, and Oranges are great colors to open up space and make the room warm and inviting. Use accent rugs to help with the addition of colors as some Landlords do not allow you to paint. Sofa Covers are a great way to add color and save from wear and tear on your furniture.


Interior Decorating

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A Quick Guide to Plastic Mailboxes

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If you are in the market for a new mailbox, you may be having trouble deciding what kind to purchase. One type that has been gaining in popularity is that of plastic mailboxes.


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If you are in the market for a new mailbox, you may be having trouble deciding what kind to purchase. One type that has been gaining in popularity is that of plastic mailboxes. They are the most inexpensive version of all of the mailboxes. They often cost less that $50 (not including the cost of the post). For more information, please read on for a quick guide to plastic mailboxes.

Plastic mailboxes are highly durable, lightweight,weatherproof, and often made with indestructible double walled plastic construction materials (which protects against vandalism). This is a great advantage when you compare it to other types of mailboxes. They are also rust proof and usually do not need to be repainted.

Plastic mailboxes come in a variety of shapes and styles.The most common is the standard mailbox shape. This can also come with an extended section below the mailbox that is used to hold magazines, newspapers, and small packages.The most common colors are brown, black, white, and green.There is also one style that many people really enjoy. This is a plastic mailbox in the shape of a small house. It is quite adorable to look at and can be painted to match your home.

Now that you know a bit more about plastic mailboxes, you may want to consider getting one. There are many advantageous to owning one and you are sure to have many to choose from. Take your time and shop around so that you can find the perfect mailbox!

Benefits Of A Heated Driveway For Residential Use

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A heated driveway may seem a bit extravagant for the average homeowner. However, if you live in a climate where it snows or frequently gets icy, consider the benefits that can be had by installing one. With today’s technology, a heated driveway is not nearly as expensive as you might think and it will help save time and will be safer for your family. Think about all the time you spend shoveling walk ways and getting up early to get your car out of the driveway safely. A heate…


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A heated driveway may seem a bit extravagant for the average homeowner. However, if you live in a climate where it snows or frequently gets icy, consider the benefits that can be had by installing one. With today’s technology, a heated driveway is not nearly as expensive as you might think and it will help save time and will be safer for your family. Think about all the time you spend shoveling walk ways and getting up early to get your car out of the driveway safely. A heated driveway will help alleviate all those issues so you have more time and save money by not having to purchase expensive snow equipment.

If you live in a cold climate that is prone to ice and snow, you are very familiar with the inconvenience of having to shovel your driveway in order to get the car out. You also need to keep it clear in order to walk down it safely without slipping and falling, risking possible injury. If you have visitors to your home, it is also important to keep the driveway clear to protect their safety. If a person slips in falls on your driveway and has a serious injury that requires medical assistance, you may be liable and need to put a claim through your homeowner’s insurance. This can possibly raise rates and make it more difficult to obtain insurance in the future. However, if your driveway is free from these hazards, you will be able to rest assured that your property and the people you care about are safe. A heated driveway will help accomplish this.

A heated driveway can be used in residential homes in order to keep the area clear. It can be installed in the areas that need to be cleared for maximum protection. A heated driveway is custom made to the specifications of your driveway so you can be sure only the parts that need to be covered are. If you spend a lot of money on shovels or snow blowers, the initial investment in a heated driveway will be well worth the expense. You will be able to save time by not having to go out and shovel or use your snow blower. You will also be a lot more comfortable. You will not have to get all bundled up in winter clothes to trudge out in the snow to clear the driveway. Instead, with a heated driveway you can ensure you are safe and comfortable in the warmth of your home and the heated driveway will do the work for you.

If you have a garage where you store your car, a heated driveway is especially convenient for being able to go to work in the morning. Many people who live in colder climates have to wake up in the morning much earlier so they can shovel the driveway and warm up the car just so they can get out to the street with their car to go to work, school or to run errands. You will no longer have to worry about this with a heated driveway. You can, instead, wake up, walk to the garage, get into the comfort of your car and back out of your driveway without worrying that you will run over snow or hit ice patches, jeopardizing your safety or your property.

The heated driveway consists of a heating element that is installed in the concrete. The automatic sensors in the element are custom designed based on the climate in which you live. It will gauge, automatically, temperature and moisture to be able to determine when it should be turned on or off. There is no manual work involved and it is very easy to use. One of the important aspects of a heated driveway is the design. You need to be sure to have a heated driveway that is designed for your area and region of the country so you attain maximum benefit. The heated driveway system can also be installed on steps and walkways. This is an ideal solution for home owners who have a walkway leading from their driveway or sidewalk to the front of their house. They can stop worrying about making a clear path since it will be done automatically.

If you already own a house and have an existing driveway, you can still have a heated driveway. A heated driveway can be retro fitted to your existing area fairly easily. The concrete is cut into and the heated driveway installed. Then, the seams are sealed so it looks as good as new.

Fireplaces and How to Locate the Best Stores

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Locating the best online fireplace stores can sometimes be a real pain, discover how to home in on the best fireplace review sites in no time at all.


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If you are mostly searching for solid stone fireplaces or tempered glass fireplace closures, undoubtedly these types of items may not turn out to be commonly available on a large number of portals, be sure that you use your browser favorites function as you carry out this variety of fireplace targeted search, your precious information ought to be treated with the utmost of care.

A substantial number of fireplace merchants ought to be helpful and a small minority really poor, if someone needs local heat installation guidance it might very well be best to send your local sources of fireplace expertise a brief email, make it as clear as you can and include something a lot like this “are you able to assist me with refractories or faux fireplace finishs”, the contents on the email depend on what kind of fireplace item you are mostly interested in.

For consumers searching for products such as wood burning fireplaces or wood fireplaces, you would be wise speaking to a mixture of home furnishing experts in advance of your search, you could be shopping for a special item like a 3 sided fireplace or even arlington fireplace mantel yet because of a lack of advice choose the wrong product.

Most online heating research can uncover a vast number of items, although good fireplace portals will often contain a ton of electric two sided fireplaces, this could often be remarkably overwhelming, see thru gas fireplaces, ventless fireplace inserts, so many products to choose from, it may then be difficult to choose which item to order.

Due to the internet, access to a massive amount of fireplace advice can give you guidance on a sizable number of great items, should a consumer want a particular product, for example a fireplace grate, you could possibly be smarter searching in a interior design or fireplace website, such sites will contain categories so finding a lennox fireplace, decorative tin fireplace screen and even a direct vent insert will not turn out to be a problem.

A good deal of fireplace knowledge with the help of the internet can be sourced in the USA, Canada and a ton of countries and continents, home furnishing directories will give any consumer the details of internationally based fireplace directories so ordering fireplaces from your global vicinity is faster and more effortless than it used to be.

Now if you should require advice on ventless gas fireplaces it will often be better to use a fireplace site in order to initiate contact with a fireplace expert, by doing this you will obviously be able to get a modest amount of fireplace info for free.

If it turns out you are ordering an item like a majestic gas fireplace it does not always mean buying a fireplace from a fireplace or home improvement focused internet store, pretend for a moment you are residing in Mississippi for instance, a fireplace internet directory should be able to give the contact information of closely situated fireplace merchants who will hopefully be able to help you to find the fireplace you require.

Convenience when buying specific items like rock fireplace mantels or three sided gas fireplaces is a subject that no individual should ever take for granted, you should value the sites that supply useful fireplace purchasing facilities and take their info for the future.

Steps On How To Make Perfect Curtain Rods

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While redecorating your home’s interior is an expensive project, there are some simple ways for you to cut costs just by making some items yourself. For example, did you know that it is possible to make perfect curtain rods that look great and save you money? If you think that making curtain rods will be too difficult or time-consuming, you may want to think again. In this article, we’ll give you all the necessary steps on how to make perfect curtain rods. You may be surprise…

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While redecorating your home’s interior is an expensive project, there are some simple ways for you to cut costs just by making some items yourself. For example, did you know that it is possible to make perfect curtain rods that look great and save you money? If you think that making curtain rods will be too difficult or time-consuming, you may want to think again. In this article, we’ll give you all the necessary steps on how to make perfect curtain rods. You may be surprised at just how simple this project can be.

The first step in making perfect curtain rods is to make perfect measurements. Use a standard tape measurer above your intended window to find out how long of a rod you will need. It is important to measure 2-3 inches beyond the actual width of the window. This will ensure that your curtain rod provides sufficient coverage.

The next step involves driving to your local home improvement store. These stores (such as Lowe’s and Home Depot) have all the supplies you will need for making perfect curtain rods. Don’t forget to bring your measurements and tape measurer along with you. This will prevent you buying ill-fitting materials.

So, what exactly are you going to need to make perfect curtain rods? The first item you need to purchase is the rod itself, and the best fit is usually a dowel (these are very inexpensive and can usually be found in the lumber section). This is where it is important to know the proper measurements of your window, so you can choose a dowel of proper length. Remember, it is always better to buy a dowel that is too big as opposed to one that is too small. A bigger dowel can always be cut down to size. Once you have selected a dowel as your curtain rod, you will also need two large hooks (to support your curtain rod), screws to apply the hooks, and two decorative attachments to put on each end of the rod (these are known as finials). Depending on the color of your interior, you may also need to buy a paint or finish to apply to the curtain rod after completion. Usually, browns and tans work well for curtain rods, but the decision is strictly yours. You now have all of the necessary items needed to make a perfect curtain rod.

Now that you are back at home, you can begin the simple task of putting up your curtain rod. The first thing you want to do is to screw both large hooks above the window according to your measurements. There should be atleast an inch of room on both sides for the curtain rod to comfortably rest. This will reduce the likelihood of the rod falling down. The next step is to sand down your dowel and apply your chosen finish to the rod. After a period of drying, you can then slide your curtain onto your new curtain rod (make sure the rings are big enough!). The last step is to attach the finials you have selected to complete your curtain rod’s look. Hang on the hooks you previously attached, and there you have it! You have made a perfect curtain rod!

Wasn’t that easy? By following these steps on how to make perfect curtain rods, you can create a cheap alternative to standard curtain rods while giving any room in your home a truly unique look.

The Rising Trend of Do-It-Yourself

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This article summarizes the rising trend in America regarding people becoming “do-it-yourselfers” when it comes to improving or completing projects in their own homes. While contractors are still being hired, many people have decided to tackle their own minor repair tasks.


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Within the last few years, America has become a do-it-yourself type of country. From television to books to magazines, the people in the U.S. have decided to help themselves with the projects that need to be done at home instead of hiring someone to do it for them. The reasons for becoming a “do-it-yourselfer” are many and people have found that DIY is the answer to many issues. Taking on a project at home yourself can be very advantageous. Many people do DIY to save money by tackling household projects. Some “do-it yourselfers” are such because it helps them to be able to flip houses, a popular way to make money, without hiring a contractor. Others are “do-it-yourselfers” in order to make money as a handyman, doing projects for people who can’t do it on their own. One more reason “diyers” do what they do is to improve the value of their own homes.

Some people are “do-it-yourselfers” because it saves them a great deal of money. Generally, contractors can be expensive when fixing something that you, for the price of materials, could accomplish. Paying someone materials plus labor tends to put a giant whole in one’s check book. By doing small projects around your house as things need doing, two things can occur. One, you can put away the money you might spend needlessly on professionals and save it for something that you really need or want. The money can even go toward making upgrades to your house that you would not be able to afford otherwise. For example, a “do-it-yourselfer” can install a tile floor for the cost of having a professional install a vinyl floor. This would be an upgrade. Two, if you learn to do something on your own, the knowledge will most likely come in handy again if the problem arises at another time in the future.

Another reason “do-it-yourself” has become popular over time is because of the popular rise of people flipping houses. With the recently strong real estate market, many people have picked up the task of buying houses that need fixing up, fixing them, and selling them for a sizeable profit. A way that doing projects themselves comes in is that people can save money so that their profit margin is much larger. Using a contractor on only large jobs that are dangerous or require training to execute is a smart way to make money and in many cases, helps the flipper to take more pride in a project.

Sometimes, a person’s reason for becoming a “do-it-yourselfer” is to make money being a handyman and helping someone else. Many times, people can not afford to hire a professional contractor and can not do the work themselves. In this case, they will call a handyman to be able to do what ever work is needed around the house. Many people make good money off of being the local neighborhood handyman. When work is done to a satisfactory degree, word of mouth will generally fill up the calendar of the handyman who has done the work.

One more advantage to becoming a person with “DIY” experience is the fact that tackling projects at home can definitely add value to your house and property. Texturing the rooms in your house or removing dated popcorn ceilings, for example can drastically change the look and value of your house, no matter how old it is.

Whatever the reason for the changing wave of “DIY”, it has definitely become a trend. Stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware have seen a marked rise in customers coming in to take on bigger and more difficult projects. Whatever the motivation, “DIY” is very advantageous in many ways.

TR Safety Tips When Kitchen Remodeling

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Are you a homeowner who is looking to start a kitchen remodeling project? If so, are you doing that project by yourself? While a large number of homeowners make the decision to hire a professional contractor, others do not.


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