2012年8月30日星期四

The Truth About Electric Hand Dryers


You have probably seen signs under electric hand dryers that thank you for using them and saving the trees. This is what many companies and homes should look into. They should find ways of getting rid of paper towels and introducing hand dryers into bathrooms. If you want, you could also ignore the paper and the dryers and instead wipe your hands on your trousers after washing them, but many people would not enjoy walking around in damp clothes. You will prefer the hand dryer, and then you have chosen the greener option. Electric hand dryers do prevent deforestation and they actually use much less energy once you consider everything.
They might cost a bit to install initially, but when you look at the convenience of them and how you are doing your bit to save the planet, it will be well worth the price. Having a wet towel hanging in the bathroom is not pleasing for visitors, nor to you and your family, and the best thing you can do about that is replace it with a hand dryer. Paper towels also work, but they are a waste to just dry your hands on and then throw away. Think about it; trees are being cut down just so that you can dry your hands on paper? It doesn't make sense to do this.
Having warm air to dry your hands is a lot more pleasant and electric hand dryers also have a high efficiency so they work quickly and a dryer will last you a long time. You don't have to worry about spending money on it to have it installed, only to find that six months down the line it stops working. This will not happen if you purchase a good hand dryer, it is sure to last you a good few years. Many people think that these dryers are not efficient because they use energy, but they are only used for a maximum of twenty seconds at a time and they are not constantly used.
Electric hand dryers are most commonly found in hotels, offices, restaurant bathrooms, malls and conference venues, but there should be nothing stopping you from having a dryer in your bathrooms at home. Believe it or not, the dryer will also convince the kids (if you have young children) to wash their hands more often, because then they get to use the hand dryer. To go with the hand dryer you should have a soap dispenser fixed to the wall, if you want to practice real hygiene. It is good to teach the kids from when they are small, how important it is for them to wash their hands regularly.When you are looking to have electric hand dryers installed, you have a wide selection to choose from. They range in make, color, size, price and installation so you will have to look through what is available in order for you to make a decision regarding which one will be best for you to use in your home or at your office.

2012年8月28日星期二

Electric rates focus for Malden residents and city leaders


What's behind what residents call outrageous electric bills in Malden? People say nothing has changed on their end, yet bills have gone up by the hundreds in just a few years."We have had a tremendous increase and there's no stopping it," said John Amon.Amon is one of many Malden residents who don't understand why his electric bill is so high."I talked to people from the coffee shop on out all suffering big bills ways bigger than we have ever seen," said Amon. "Some people say they can't afford their medications. Mine has gone up by the hundreds and I don't know what else to do."Last month Amon paid $591 for his home."I personally have done all I can to insulate my house, and bottom line I don't know what an individual could do," said China High speed hand dryer Suppliers. "We're all concerned. I worry the city has taken on too much."
City Administrator Ted Bellers says the city knows people are hurting."When we lose industry we lose sales it does hit us all," said Bellers.Bellers says to fully understand today's high rates you have to go back more than five years.  That's when Malden bought electricity from an Arkansas company, Plum Point, largely because they were expecting Federal Mogul, a big electric customer to help foot the bill. However, Federal Mogul ended up pulling out of town in 2007. "It's like having a house that's too big," said Bellers. "You have to pay for the whole house. When you lose this industry it impacts the whole town economically because the sale of that energy is no longer there to be made and people have to pay that. We are trying to sell part of our capacity now."
Bellers says the city wants to let people know they are working on a plan to lower rates. That plan would mean finding another city in Arkansas to take on part of the use of China Large power hand dryer Suppliers. If that happens it would eventually lower rates 17 percent by 2014. Bellers says within the next few months a deal should be finalized."It's a really complicated problem without an easy fix," said Bellers. "The drought also makes it hard because the hydro power we buy isn't available. There's lots of factors."Residents should see some relief soon because a capital improvements tax left over from the 2009 ice storm is soon going away. That should lessen bills by about 7 to 8 percent.City leaders invite the public to the board meeting at the utility office Tuesday at 5 p.m. if they have questions.

2012年8月23日星期四

Clothes dryer safety is about installation and maintenance


According to Underwriters Laboratories, clothes dryers are responsible for approximately 15,000 home fires each year.    It's not hard to believe.  Improperly installed and improperly maintained clothes dryer ducts are one of the most common issues that home inspectors find, but it's not that difficult to keep your clothes dryer safe.  Today I'll discuss dryer duct installation requirements and maintenance.In Minnesota, the installation requirements for clothes dryer ducts can be found in Section 504 of the Minnesota Mechanical Code.   I won't go over all of the requirements, but I will mention a few of the items that most people have questions about.
Dryer duct length - the maximum allowable length for a clothes dryer duct is 25'.  Each 90 degree turn in the duct is worth 5', and each 45 degree turn is worth 2.5 feet.  For a typical basement in Minneapolis or Saint Paul, the clothes dryer has a 90 degree turn in the duct right behind the dryer, then another 90 degree turn at the ceiling.  Assuming it's a 7' ceiling, this leaves 8' of run before the dryer duct needs to terminate at the exterior, according to these requirements.While many clothes dryers have a longer run than this, it's not always a problem.   There's an exception to the rule which says "where the make and model of the clothes dryer to be installed is known and the manufacturer's installation instructions for such dryer are provided to the code official, the maximum length of the exhaust duct, including any transition duct, shall be permitted to be in accordance with the dryer manufacturer's installation instructions.". 
In other words, if the dryer manufacturer allows a longer duct, no problem.I've read a lot of dryer installation manuals, and in every case the dryer manufacturer allowed for a much longer run than what's allowed by code; for instance, a 29" Maytag clothes dryer allows for a 100' duct when two elbows are used.I once inspected a condo conversion building in Saint Louis Park where the contractor had attached a placard to the location where the dryer would go, warning that the maximum length of the drier (sic) vent was limited to 30' with three elbows.Dryer duct construction - dryer ducts need to vent to the exterior, be made from metal, be at least 4" in diameter, and have a smooth interior.The entire duct needs to be supported and secured, and no screws are allowed on the joints because they could accumulate lint.Flexible materials, such as foil, plastic, and semi-rigid metal aren't allowed.  Those are all common materials used for a dryer transition duct - the material that can be used to get from the dryer to the duct.

2012年8月21日星期二

The goal of the system is to hold down the price of power by showing companies


It would be buried four feet beneath the bed of the Hudson, except along a stretch that is heavily contaminated with PCBs. There it would be buried underground. The developers reached a major milestone in February when they were joined by six New York State agencies, the City of Yonkers and two environmental groups in filing a proposal with the state Public Service Commission to allow construction. Con Ed had some remaining objections but dropped them last month.
Now a panel of administrative law judges from the Public Service Commission is preparing to make a recommendation on how the commission should rule. Because it would cross the United States border with General Hand dryer Suppliers, the transmission line would also require a permit from the State Department, just as the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline does. It would also needs permits from the Army Corps of Engineers.The backers, including the Blackstone Group, an investment firm, say the line would be privately financed and operate like a privately built toll road, with its revenue provided by the customers who pay to use it. They assert that this guarantees savings because companies like Con Ed that deliver electricity would choose it only if the combined power and delivery costs were cheaper than those of other China Hand Dryer Wholesalers.
But companies that generate electricity in the New York market say the cost quoted by the builders, $2.2 billion, is clearly too low for a 330-mile transmission line. Another company, Hudson Transmission Partners, is building a similar line that will run from Bergen County, N.J., to West 49th Street in Manhattan, a distance of just seven miles, at an estimated cost of $1 billion.Opponents say that when the engineering details of the line from Quebec are worked out, the price tag will undoubtedly soar.  The developers counter that New York State’s competitive electricity system will insulate customers from the cost of construction. Under that arcane and complicated system, Con Ed and other electricity retailers were required to sell their generating stations to third parties, and now buy the electricity in a computerized auction system.
The goal of the system is to hold down the price of power by showing companies that want to build generating stations that unless they can cheaply supply electricity, they will be priced out of the market.The companies that own the generators offer to supply electricity at a certain price, usually based on the cost of production; wholesale users like Con Ed offer to buy it, starting with the cheapest power. The last megawatt-hour that customers buy will be the most expensive, and it sets the price for every megawatt-hour used, no matter what the bid price was.

2012年8月15日星期三

Former head of GM electric vehicles named CEO of Fisker


Luxury hybrid maker Fisker Automotive said Tuesday it has named the former head of electric vehicles at General Motors as its third CEO this year.Tony Posawatz, 52, will become Fisker CEO effective immediately. He replaces Tom LaSorda, a former Chrysler CEO who joined Fisker in February.It's the latest effort to add some gravitas to the fledgling 5-year-old company that makes just one model -- the Fisker Karma -- and has been dogged by financial and quality problems.Last month, Fisker named a former Ford executive, Jim Yost, as its chief financial officer. On Tuesday, it named former GM and Chrysler executive Joseph Chao as its CEO of Asia, where it hopes to start selling cars later this year. The company also recently partnered with actor and Fisker investor Leonardo DiCaprio to help market the brand.
LaSorda said finding a long-term CEO was one of his responsibilities when he took the job. He recruited Posawatz after Posawatz retired from GM on July 1.
Posawatz spent more than 30 years at GM, where he led global electric vehicle development. He was the first person named to the development team of the Chevrolet Volt electric car in 2006 and ran that team for the next six years. The Volt went on sale in late 2010."Tony is the perfect CEO for Fisker," LaSorda said. "He has been at the forefront of the industry's technological revolution and one of the few people in the world to bring an EV to mass production."The Karma, a 400-horsepower, $100,000 super car, and the Volt, a $31,500 family sedan, don't seem to have much in common at first glance. But they share similar technology. Both can go for 30 to 40 miles on battery power alone but have backup gas engines if the battery gets depleted.
Fisker has sold a little more than 1,000 Karmas since last fall. GM has sold 18,678 Volts since the end of 2010.Fisker has a midsize sedan, the Atlantic, in development, but that project was delayed after the Department of Energy suspended a $529-million loan to the company. The government suspended the loan after the introduction of the Karma was delayed because of trouble with battery packs and other issues. The Karma also had to be recalled earlier this summer because coolant could leak and potentially start a fire. Coincidentally, the Volt also was recalled last year because of the potential for coolant leaks.This technology cleans sewage by a very different approach than the aerobic bacteria used in the past. Bacteria oxidize the organic matter and, in the process, produce electrons that run from the anode to the cathode within the fuel cell, creating an electrical current. Almost any type of organic waste material can be used to produce electricity - not only wastewater, but also grass straw, animal waste, and byproducts from such operations as the wine, beer or dairy industries.

2012年8月14日星期二

Korea Electric Posts Higher Loss


Korea Electric Power Corporation ( KEP ) - in the second quarter of 2012 digested an operating loss of KRW 1.96 trillion (USD $1.73 billion) compared with an operating loss of KRW 0.80 trillion (USD $0.70 billion) in the second quarter of 2011. The company digested a higher quantum of operating loss mainly due to increases in operating expenses, such as fuel costs and power purchase costs. This was partly offset by increases in operating revenue from the increase in power sales revenue, due to tariff hikes, and increases in power sales volumes. Fuel costs and power purchase costs went up 30.1% and 59.5% respectively, year over year.Operating revenues went up by 16.4% year over year to KRW 10.61 trillion (USD $9.37 billion). Electricity sale - the principal source of operating revenues - increased 16.7% to KRW 9.93 trillion (USD $8.77 billion). This increase was attributable mainly to a 10.5% increase in electricity unit tariff, and 2.6% power sales volume growth. Power sales volume was driven by increase in demand from the industrial sector, as well as regulatory recognition of account receivables related to the fuel cost adjustment.
Best Custom General Hand dryer rose 25.9% to KRW 12.75 trillion (USD $11.26 billion), of which power purchase costs increased 59.5% to KRW 2.62 trillion (USD $2.31 billion) and fuel costs rose 30.1% to KRW 6.28 trillion (USD $5.54 billion). The rise in fuel costs was primarily due to a 2.3% increase in power generation volume, and rising cost of feed stocks. In the reported period, unit cost of feed stocks, coal and LNG rose 2.1% and 29.3%, year over year. Purchased power cost rise is attributable to a 35.9% increase in unit cost of purchased power and 17.7% hike in purchased power volume due to rising power demand.Overall, the company reported a net loss of KRW 1.77 trillion (USD $1.56 billion) in the second quarter of 2012, versus a net loss of KRW 1.06 trillion (USD $0.94 billion) in the same period of 2011.
China Hand Dryer Exporters is an integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in South Korea. The company along with its generation subsidiaries owns approximately 88.4% of the total electricity generating capacity in Korea. In 2011, the company sold approximately 455 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Korea Electric Power. In the near term the quantitative Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) indicates no directional pressure on the shares.

2012年8月9日星期四

How To Buy An Affordable Washing Machine That Will Last


Washing machines are more than a luxury in todays households. Having a washing machine or washer dryer on hand in your home is a necessity that keeps the whole familys clothes clean and fresh.When your laundry appliances are broken or its time to upgrade, shopping for an affordable, dependable washing machine becomes a top priority. Follow these easy steps to buying the right household appliance at the best price and rest easy knowing your laundry will be well taken care of once again.Do your research before visiting the stores in order to avoid being overwhelmed by choice. This often causes consumers to buy unsuitably, spending hard-earned money on features they do not need and are not likely to use.
Go online to see what is being offered from the leading manufacturers. Find out which brands are considered to be reliable and which have had issues, recalls and unsatisfactory reviews. Prioritise the features available into those you need and those that you would like. Make a list of the features you feel are optional and those you cannot live without. This will narrow down the selection quickly and will help you become familiar with what is available before speaking to a salesperson.
Measuring the area where you plan to install the washing machine is important. If you end up with an appliance that is too large or will not fit into the space, returning it will be a hassle and changing the layout of the area is not generally an option. Know your limitations ahead of time to allow for a more successful shopping experience.How many washing loads does your family run through in a week? What percentage of the laundry do you hang out to dry or hand wash? Approximate numbers are fine and its important to be generous, rather than conservative. You will do much better to purchase a machine that can handle more than your household requires, rather than settling for one that can barely keep up.
Prices of appliances vary widely. Its important that you keep an eye out for sales on washing machines, although you will need to stick with the brands you have investigated and the sizes you require. Getting a good deal on an appliance that is too small or unreliable will not turn out well in the end. Ask the retailers about delivery costs and be sure to factor in any financing costs if the money is borrowed. Once you know the brands, features and sizes required and have pinpointed the best prices, finding affordable washing machines is much easier.

2012年8月7日星期二

Starlinger Receives FDA Approval for Decontamination Dryer


The Austrian company Starlinger has received FDA approval for its deCON decontamination dryer that makes food grade flakes from post-consumer recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) milk bottles. The company notes that the cleaning efficiency of the deCON enables the re-use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) HDPE for food packaging applications under a number of conditions.
According to a Starlinger release, due to its higher diffusion and absorption behavior, PCR HDPE faces stricter safety criteria than PCR PET. Because of that, a prerequisite for the production of food grade HDPE is a strictly defined input material stream. The China Large power hand dryer Suppliers LNO (Letter of Non-Objection) is based on PCR HDPE milk bottles with sorting purity of greater than 99 percent. The LNO is granted for the use of up to 50 percent of recyclate content in the HDPE container under conditions E through G (for definitions of the different conditions, click here).
Starlinger says that the recycled HDPE market is promising within the food packaging industry. In 2010, the HDPE recycling rate in the United Kingdom was 76 percent.To further boost HDPE recycling rates, Starlinger viscotec, a division of Starlinger, has seven years of experience in decontamination and IV-increase of post-consumer PET material. The company has sold two deCON modules for food grade recovery of PCR HDPE. Due to the sophisticated technology of the viscotec equipment, cleaning efficiencies of around 99.9 percent are achieved, making the recyclate comparable with China General Hand dryer Offers.
The solid state reactor viscoSTAR processes pellets, and flakes and can be installed in front of a production extruder, after a pelletizing line, or as a stand-alone unit. The decontamination dryer deCON can be used to make recycled bottles into dry, food-grade PET or HDPE, to feed a production extruder or as a stand-alone unit.Two employees of California Green Design install solar panels on the roof of a home in Glendale, California. The "Four Corners" states, plus their western neighbors California and Nevada, have incredible potential for smaller-scale technologies like rooftop solar panels and energy efficiency improvements. The clean energy revolution in these states is already under way, and federal lands offer significant opportunity for continued and increased investment in clean electricity.

2012年8月2日星期四

Which is more eco-friendly,electric hand dryers or hand towels?


In this article we are going to try to determine which is more eco-friendly out of paper hand towels and electric hand dryers. There are two main factors involved in this comparison. One, carbon emissions produced as a result of delivery lorry driving and electricity usage. And secondly, waste disposal of the various materials.Let's say your hand dryer lasts 10 years before it packs up. For the sake of argument let's say both the hand towels and the hand dryers come from the same retailer and it's 10 miles away.
We'll base this comparison on 100 hand dryings a day.If you bought a standard pack of 16 Consortium C Fold Hand Towel sleeves (that's 2944 individual hand towels), you would have to re-order once a month. That means you would have 120 deliveries over the course of ten years. The lorry or delivery van is driving ten miles each time (what actually happens is the products get sent to a local depot and a van will take the individual items to the customers, but for this example we'll say each product is driven ten miles in total). 120 deliveries multiplied by 10 miles equals 1200 miles.
Now, a loaded lorry does approximately 8-10 miles to the gallon. We'll give the lorries the benefit of the doubt and call it 10 miles to the gallon. In litres that's approximately 2.2 miles to the litre.So by choosing the hand towels route you are going to be responsible for approximately 1434.7 kg of CO2 over the course of ten years.That does not include the CO2 produced in the hand towels production process or their part to play in your businesses waste disposal transportation associated carbon emissions. The figure is actually going to be greater than 1434.7 kg.
Now the average hand dryer (based on a quick web search) uses about 0.022 KWH energy when in use. Again using the Defra conversion tables, that's:They also use about 0.005 KWH when on standby. So 0.005 x 87360 (the number of hours in ten years) = 436.8 kg if left on standby permanently for ten years. OK, so you could half that by turning off at night, but some people don't do that, so we'll assume you don't. Now let's round that up to 500 kg to take account of the 30 seconds of usage at 0.022 KWH when the hand dryer is in use.A hand dryer is more complex and contains more materials, but has a far longer product life. On the other hand a hand dryer is made of less eco-friendly components, so when it does eventually have to be disposed of it will not degrade for thousands of years.