The Four Major Types of Air Filters
February 27, 2006
Hygienic air is essential to human life, and in this modern age, that requires air cleaners. There are a few different methods of air cleaning, like Filtration, Electro-static Precipitation and Ion Generation. Air Filtration cleans air through the removal of sub-micron particulate, gases and odors. If you are plagued by allergies or asthma, an air filter might help you. Air filters are the best tools for eradicating allergens from the house. Particularly for those people who are suffering from asthma and allergies, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration.
The ability to remove allergens and contaminants depends on the amount of air drawn through the filter. Factors that affect filter efficiency include fiber size, fiber density, airflow rate, and particle diameter. Air filters may be centralized, in-home filtration systems or portable devices. When the air quality problems exist throughout the house, then a centralized filtration system is needed. Otherwise, portable cleaner may serve the purpose of air filtration.
There are four major types of air filters, depending on specific needs. They are:
Mechanical Filters
These filters force air through a special screen that traps pollen, dust particulate, smoke and air-borne irritants and pet dander. The best example of this type of filters is HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
Gas Phase Filters
These air filters are used for removing odors and other types of pollutants such as gases from cooking, paints, perfume etc. These filters are not meant for the removal of allergens in the home.
Electronic Filters
In these types of filters, allergens are trapped through electrostatic precipitators with a fan. Electronic filters use electric charges to attract contaminants.
Hybrid Filters
These air filters combine electrostatic and mechanical filters. These are used to trap allergens rather than gas based contaminants.
Another type of air filters is the Ozone air filter, but it is not environment-friendly.
When purchasing an air filter, one has to consider things like which type of allergens will be removed, the filter’s efficiency with respect to HEPA standards, the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the filter, the ease of changing the filter, and the noise that it will make. Changing air filters regularly facilitates is ability to improve the quality of air.
Air Filters Info provides detailed information on home, car, electronic, and HEPA air filters, as well as air conditioner filters and air filter manufacturers. Air Filters Info is the sister site of Air Purifiers Web.
Help Your Heart Grow
February 27, 2006
I turned into my parents’ driveway in Maryland and parked the car. Before I could even step out and close the door, Mom flew out of the backyard, gesturing frantically.
"Your father had a breakdown," she blurted. "Your brother took him to the hospital. He’s on the sixth floor. Go. Go. You need to go to him right now."
"Wait a second, Mom," I gently asserted. "What happened? What hospital?"
"He didn’t eat anything, like he’s supposed to. He started flailing himself around, threatening to kill himself. Your brother had to hold him down. Go."
"Okay, Mom." I squeezed her tight. "We’ll take care of him."
I remembered earlier that morning how Dad disappeared from the kitchen. I sought him out to say goodbye and found him curled up in a fetal position on his bed.
"Hey, man," I razzed. "Taking a little nappy?"
"Yeah," he mumbled. "I’ll be alright."
"Strange answer," I thought to myself as I gave him a kiss and left.
I found Dad on the sixth floor of the Medical Center, sitting in the corner with my brother, Laird. His seeing eye dog lay curled at his feet.
"Hey guys," I smiled. "What’s the word?"
"I guess I got kinda’ depressed," Dad confessed. "I forgot to put food in my system. I’m alright now."
I looked over at Laird, who shook his head-a telling communication. I’d hear the details later.
"My blood sugar must have really dropped," Dad added.
"Gotta’ eat," I empathized.
Diabetes, selling a house, leaving the state of his ancestors after 69 years to move to Florida, learning to cope with blindness-any one of these might trigger a meltdown.
I knew my Dad would resist more than a trifling of professional help.
Too much shame.
Wait a second. Where did the judgment start? Who decreed our superhuman nature? What happened to compassion, for others and ourselves, the soulful cry that recognizes our humanity, faults and shortcomings included, weaknesses acknowledged, differences celebrated?
Does another person’s struggle bring us down so much that we teach and preach denial as an alternative?
"Buck up. Tighten your chinstrap. Get a grip."
A grip on what?
We stuff emotions, squelch our feelings and put up false fronts of courage for the sake of appearances. We deny our right to sit with our own suffering and reflect, grieve or cut ourselves any slack.
Like a dormant volcano, our insides churn with prejudice and bias, slanted views painted by others, seldom questioned or examined.
Rampant dis-ease.
When the volcano blows the lava takes the form of cancer, heart attacks, depression and other illness.
What if we poked a few holes in that mountain of pride before it swelled to explosion?
What if we forgave and accepted, praised and lauded our crazy diversity?
Could we release the steam before it gushes and burns?
Try today, at least once to pick a moment and notice someone else’s struggle-without mental commentary or your idea of a fix. Reach out without expectation.
Then do the same exercise on yourself.
You, too, deserve untainted appreciation.
Give yourself a break.
Thanks, Dad, for showing us your human side. It helps us love you even more.
That’s A View From The Ridge?
About The Author
Author Ridgely Goldsborough invites you to subscribe to The Daily Column, a heart-felt collection of stories that inspire hope and courage. Please do so at www.aviewfromtheridge.com.
7 Easy Ideas for Organizing Kids Artwork
February 27, 2006
In school, kids are encouraged to create, draw, color, paint and build. These activities can certainly stimulate children, and help them grow.
Very often, these masterpieces that your children create are brought home and proudly displayed. But what do you do when all of the artwork begins to take over your home? Here are 7 great ideas:
1. FIND THE DIAMONDS. Rather than keeping every single piece of artwork your child creates, sit down with your child on a regular basis and ask him to choose the one or two he likes best. By the end of the year, you should have no more than 5 pieces of artwork that your child believes to be his “best” pieces. This will help keep the artwork under control, and will still give you an opportunity to save his creations for future memories.
2. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. Take photos of the artwork that your child creates and keep these photos in a scrapbook. This way, even if the artwork is discarded for space purposes, you’ll still have the memory!
3. KIDS FILE STORAGE BOX. Office supply stores carry portable file boxes that hold hanging file folders. These generally have a cover and a handle for easy portability. Help your child create her very own filing system. Perhaps one file folder for 2nd grade artwork, one for 3rd grade artwork, and so on. Now, all the drawings, and any type of artwork that lays flat, will be kept safe and organized. You’ll even be teaching your child filing skills! It’s never too early!
4. KEEP IT CONTAINED. For other artwork that does not lay flat, the perfect container may be a large, plastic container with a lid. Your child will have a space for shadowboxes, and other artwork that won’t fit into a file folder. Again, be choosy. If you keep every single piece of artwork your child brings home for the next 15 years, your house is going to be overflowing with it.
5. HANG IT. Get your child his very own artwork bulletin board so he can display his favorite artwork in his bedroom. When organized on a nice cork board, this really adds a nice touch to a child’s room. Plus, your child can very easily switch one piece of art, with another.
6. SUPPLY MANIA. If your child produces a lot of artwork at home, she probably has tons of crayons, markers and other art supplies. Keep it all in a portable box, light enough for your child to be able to transport it from one room into the next. In addition, separate and organize the supplies into separate Zip-lock baggies before putting them in the box. This will keep everything organized and easily accessible.
7. THE PERFECT GIFT. Kids artwork makes the perfect gift for grandma, grandpa, sister Jane, Aunt Sue, Uncle Jim, and so on. Rather than buying gifts for your child to give to family members, encourage them to give their creations away as special gifts to special people.
About The Author
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com
FREE Idea-Pak and E-zine filled with tips, ideas, articles and more to help you organize your home, your office and your life at the Get Organized Now! Web site!
An Introduction to Air Compressors
February 27, 2006
Air compressors are widely used among American manufacturers, industries and are often valuable components in automotive functions. Air compressors are typically available as both gas and electrically powered devices. It usually costs quite a bit to operate the compressors effectively, and this can form a large part of a business’s utility budget.
Air compressors are often the single most important source of energy; they are also one of the largest expenses, both in terms of purchase and maintenance costs. They are usually available in a horsepower of three-quarters or larger and can have air tanks with up to an 80-gallon tank. Makes, model and features of an air compressor will vary among brands and models.
The governing body over equipment such as air compressors is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). An important safety component in all ASME certified air compressors is an air safety release valve. This valve allows air to escape if the tank pressure exceeds the maximum level as required by law. This prohibits accidents caused by excess pressure and the explosion of the compressor. Other safety measures include a cord that can be pulled to make sure the pressure is allowable and that the valves are not clogged or corrupted.
You should always choose an air compressor based on quality and protection; cost is important but should be a secondary factor for choosing an air compressor for your needs. The only way to guarantee your safety and the quality of workmanship is to purchase an air compressor that is certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). These air compressors have undergone quality testing and will have a label attached to the unit. Not all air compressors will be ASME certified, although some states do not allow the sale of any compressor that has not been tested and certified by ASME.
Air Compressors Info provides detailed information about portable, industrial, engine-driven, 12 volt, and used air compressors, as well as air compressor parts, manufacturers, and more. Air Compressors Info is affiliated with Original Content.
Make Your Dreams Reachable
February 27, 2006
All too often, we may be envisioning a level of success, which is far beyond what we can realistically accept and thus fall short of full manifestation. However, if we can envision a period of time in which our success can gradually increase, quite often our subconscious can more easily accept it. However, allowing ourselves to get comfortably accustomed to a steadily increasing flow of abundance in our lives tends to stabilize it for us.
We’ve all heard stories about people who won the lottery and promptly lose it. This is a problem with acceptance. Simply, it was too much, too fast. It is far rarer to hear of someone who steadily and consistently increases his or her income losing it.
Because the subconscious mind has time to grow familiar with the experience of steadily increasing abundance, there is no need to sabotage the process. Another problem is the subconscious mind’s “believability factor." It is far easier for the subconscious to swallow this new approach to success a small piece at a time. Allowing the process to occur in simple steps permits the Universe to cooperate solidly, with substance. This is because the subconscious can grasp the change more solidly and with greater substance.
Being gentle with yourself in your success work is very important in gaining success. Doing violence to your own inner logic accomplishes nothing. Stretch yourself of course, but allow it to be a natural growth process.
About The Author
Janet K. Ilacqua is a freelance writer based in Tracy, California. She specializes in academic writing and ghostwriting of books and manuals for individuals and small businesses. For more information about her services, check her website at http://www.writeupondemand.com.
How To Create A Collage Journal
February 27, 2006
Creating a collage journal is a unique and fun way to personalize and enrich your journal. Making a collage journal is something that everyone can enjoy. If you are a visual artist, photographer, writer or just someone who wants to enhance your written journal, then creating a collage journal can be quite an adventure.
CHOOSE A PAPER FOUNDATION: Find a journal with a ring binding. This will allow you to open the journal flat with two blank pages facing up. If this is your first collage, I recommend that you work create only one collage. (Note: Make sure to use a thicker strength to create a multi-dimensional collage.
LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC MATERIALS: Look for unusual words, pictures, images and other materials for your collage. Don’t forget your basic office supplies such as: transparent tape, glue, scissors, stickers, glitter, paper punches as well as artistic paper, and small pieces of fabric or yarn.
CHOOSING A THEME: Take a second look at your collage pieces collection. Choose one picture that represents your theme. For example, an airplane ticket, could represent someone with a travel bug, a honeymoon plans or a future home. Remember to place your main picture at the center of your page, or wherever it fits in your overall theme.
LAYER YOUR WORK: Glue the main picture to the page. Choose from other words and images that will complement your theme. Have fun, experiment and continue your page. This is your time to shine !!! (Note: Please reread the second point for a full list of materials to layer on to your collage.)
FINAL TOUCHES: When putting the final touches on your collage, make sure to check through the page for any area that doesn’t look quite right. Fix any areas that you notice. Finally, take a quick look at your completed creation and smile. Turn your collage over and write a sentence summarizing your collage journaling experience. (Note: Feel free to share your collage with one of your neighbors and vice versa.)
Congratulations on creating first page of your collage journal! Feel free to create more collage pages in your collage journal.
Copyright 2005 Writer’s Eye Advisory Service
Lael Johnson, owner of Writer’s Eye Advisory Service, offers creativity coaching services and additional writing resources. For more information please visit http://www.writerseye.com
