Friday, December 25, 2009

Filters in Air Conditioners

Generally, all the air-conditioning systems have a filter towards the source of the evaporator or indoor coil. They commonly located in special slots in the duct system and look like a folded paper. The filter removes pollen or dust particles from the indoor air stream and also keeps the air conditioning system clean.

In this process of collecting more and more dust particles the filter gets loaded. This increases resistance and reducing the airflow of the air conditioner. This is the time when you have to change the filter. The duration of the filter getting dirty depends upon the size of the filter.

The system will not perform well and the airflow will reduce if don’t change the filter. Apart from that, the filter acts as a source or air pollution itself when the filter is too dirty.

You can avoid this problem by completely removing the filter, but the dust particles will start to go directly into the system and get deposited on the indoor or evaporator coil. It may lead to the failure of the coil. Therefore, it is better to change the filter, as it is lot cheaper compared to the evaporator coil.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a filter with Minimum Efficiency Rating Value of MERV 6 or more.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Know how an Air Conditioner Works

Many homes in warm climates use air conditioners. For them, it may not be a luxury, but it is a necessity. There are many benefits of air conditioning like cooling, heating, ventilation and disinfecting your home. But do you know how an air conditioner works? Read through to know how this amazing system works!

Air conditioner at your home transfers heat from inside to outside the home. In this process, air conditioners provide cool air into your home by pulling the heat out of that air. Blowing it over a set of cold pipes called an evaporator coil cools the air. The evaporator coil is filled with a liquid called as ‘refrigerant’. It changes into a gas from a liquid as it absorbs heat from the air. This refrigerant is then pumped to another coil outside the house. There it expels its heat and changes back into liquid form. The coil outside the home is called as condenser as it condenses the refrigerant from a gaseous state back to a fluid. A pump is used to move the refrigerant between the indoor (evaporator) and outdoor coils (condenser). This pump is called a compressor. It also helps to change the pressure of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant evaporates or condenses in the respective coils.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Common Problems of Air Conditioners

Air conditioners are complex mechanical systems that depend on a variety of conditions to work properly. They have certain amount of ‘charge’ also known as the refrigerant. They have a certain amount of air flow across the coils with the help of a pump. When any of these things does not work properly, the air conditioning system will have troubles.

Sometimes, the air conditioning may not be able to perform properly, when more heat is produced indoor either due to more occupancy or through appliances in the home.

The capacity of the system is lowered when the refrigerant charge on the air conditioning system leaks out. It may not provide enough cooling and system may not be effective on the high load.

If airflow across the condenser (outdoor coil) is lowered, its ability to dismiss the heat outdoors is also reduced and the again the capacity of the system may fall down. This may especially happen at higher temperatures outdoor.

In dry climates, the same problems may arise with regard to the evaporator (indoor coil). Where, higher airflow helps the system and the lower airflow damages the system.

Monday, September 28, 2009

UNESCO and Its Structure

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the UN, created in 1946 to aid peace by promoting international cooperation in education, science, and culture. It supports member states' efforts to eliminate illiteracy, encouraging the extension of free education, and acts as a clearinghouse for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. In 1972 it sponsored an international agreement to establish a World Heritage list of cultural sites and natural areas that would enjoy government protection. In 1984 the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO to protest what it considered the agency's anti-Western approach to cultural issues; the United Kingdom and Singapore withdrew a year later. The United Kingdom rejoined in 1997, and the U.S. followed suit in 2003.

STRUCTURE OF UNESCO
The following are responsible for policy-making, governance, and day-to-day administration at UNESCO:

The General Conference: The General Conference is a gathering of the organization's member states and associate members, at which each state has one vote. Meeting every two years, it sets general policies and defines programmed lines for the organization.

The Executive Board: The General Conference elects The Executive Board’s 58 members for staggered four-year terms. The Executive Board prepares the sessions of the General Conference and ensures that its instructions are carried out. It also discharges other specific mandates assigned to it by the General Conference

The Secretariat: The Secretariat consists of the Director-General and his staff and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. The Director-General, who serves as the public face of UNESCO, is elected for a (renewable) four-year term by the General Conference.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Who are responsible for Global warming

Global warming becomes a big issue in today’s media.

What is Global Warming? Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations," which leads to warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases are released by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, and agriculture. Other phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes have had smaller and probably negative effects 1950. There are lots of myths about the global warming like? It is undisputed that humans are entirely responsible for the increase in atmospheric CO2 over the past few centuries. In pre-industrial times, large
natural sources of CO2 were balanced by equally large natural removal processes, such as photosynthesis in plants, maintaining a stable level of CO2 in the atmosphere for thousands of years. Human-produced emissions, though smaller than natural emissions, upset this balance. Because human-produced emissions aren’t completely absorbed by natural processes, they accumulate in the atmosphere, increasing the concentration of CO2.

There are natural sources of greenhouse gases. At times during the earth's history, natural emissions of greenhouse gases have been critical factors in major biological calamities on the planet. For instance, during the "Permian extinction" 250 million years ago, volcanic greenhouse gases played a primary role in the catastrophic climate change that caused about 80% of the life on earth to die off. At other times, naturally released greenhouse gases have also played a role.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Factors that influence the price of gold

Today, like all investments and commodities, the price of gold is ultimately driven by supply and demand, including hoarding and dis-hoarding. Unlike most other commodities, the hoarding and dis-hoarding plays a much bigger role in affecting the price, because almost all the gold ever mined still exists and is potentially able to come on to the market for the right price.

Given the huge quantity of aboveground hoarded gold, compared to the annual production, the price of gold is mainly affected by changes in sentiment, rather than changes in annual production.

According to the World Gold Council, annual mine production of gold over the last few years has been close to 2,500 tonnes. About 3,000 tonnes goes into jewelry or industrial/dental production, and around 500 tonnes goes to retail investors and exchange traded gold funds. This translates to an annual demand for gold to be 1000 tonnes in excess over mine production, which has come from central bank sales and other dis hoarding. Demand from the electronics industry is rising by 11% a year, jewelry by 19%, and industrial and dental by 21%.


Central banks and the International Monetary Fund play an important role in the gold price. At the end of 2004 central banks and official organizations held 19 percent of all aboveground gold as official gold reserves. The Washington Agreement on Gold (WAG), which dates from September 1999, limits gold sales by its members to less than 400 tonnes a year. European central banks, such as the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank, have been key sellers of gold over this period.

Although central banks do not generally announce gold purchases in advance, some, such as Russia, have expressed interest in growing their gold reserves again as of late 2005. In early 2006, China, which only holds 1.3% of its reserves in gold, announced that it was looking for ways to improve the returns on its official reserves. Many bulls hope that this signals that China might reposition more of its holdings into gold in line with other Central Banks.


In general, gold becomes more desirable in times of:


Bank failures
:
When dollars were fully convertible into gold, both were regarded as money. However, most people preferred to carry around paper banknotes rather than the somewhat heavier and less divisible gold coins. If people feared their bank would fail, a bank run might have been the result. This is what happened in the USA during the Great Depression of the 1930s, leading President Roosevelt to impose a national emergency and to outlaw the holding of gold by US citizens.

Low or negative real interest rates
:
If the return on bonds, equities and real estate is not adequately compensating for risk and inflation then the demand for gold and other alternative investments such as commodities increases. An example of this is the period of Stagflation that occurred during the 1970s and which led to an economic bubble forming in precious metals War, invasion, looting, crisis
In times of national crisis, people fear that their assets may be seized and that the currency may become worthless. They see gold as a solid asset, which will always buy food or transportation. Thus in times of great uncertainty, particularly when war is feared, the demand for gold rises.

Anti-trust litigation
:
The Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee was organized in January 1999 to advocate and undertake litigation against illegal collusion to control the price and supply of gold and related financial securities. GATA underwrote the federal anti-trust lawsuit of its consultant, Reginald H. Howe -- Howe vs. Bank for International Settlements et al. which was pursued in U.S. District Court in Boston from 2000 to 2002. While the Howe suit was dismissed on a jurisdictional technicality, it became the model for Blanchard Coin and Bullion's anti-trust lawsuit against Barrick Gold and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which was filed in U.S. District Court in New Orleans in 2002 and prompted Barrick Gold's decision to stop selling gold in advance for 10 years.

Monday, September 7, 2009

How to Choose apartment for Vacation

Choosing a vacation apartment is surely far from simple. Not only does it get to be a spot where you look relaxed, it too has to be a spot you know you are going to instinctively enjoy before you come. Many holidaymakers fail to make sufficient investigation before they intend a vacation and sustain as an outcome; thus it is essential to go some measures to guarantee your holiday is going to be an unforgettable one.

Set a Budget:
Before choosing apartments in atlanta for vacation, setting a budget is more important aspect to consider. This will allow you to explore options in terms of where you can go, whilst you will be able to forget about options that are too expensive. A budget allows you to stay firm and not become attached to places that you will not be able to afford further down the line. This is why setting a budget should always be the first step in planning a vacation.

Research Online
:
Search online and look for places that you would like to visit. Once you develop a short list do more research on each apartment you are in the process of considering? What attractions are there that I would find appealing? It is also a great idea to look online for reviews of the apartments that you have short-listed.

Where is it Located:

It is important that you find out where your apartment is situated in relation to the attractions you plan to visit. Consider your proximity to locations you want to visit. Another important consideration is how far away the vacation home is from the airport if you are getting there on a plane.

What Does Everyone Else Think:

If you are going away with other family and friends, it is important that everyone decides what they would like to do among themselves. Should everyone sit down and discuss the options then it more likely that everyone will have a good time. If nobody can make up his or her mind, then you may have to settle it with a vote!

Plan Ahead
:
Further to book the las vegas apartment or any other apartment, which you have decided to go for a rental, it is important that you ask for relevant information in terms of what you will get when you arrive, and what you will not. Many apartment homes will supply bedding and towels, while others will ask that you bring it along. You should also ask the landlord if there is anything else that they would recommend that you bring. Before you leave it is very important that you make a definitive list and tick it off as you go. This will make sure you remember everything, and have the memorable vacation as you dreamt of.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Suggested qualities of leadership

Every leader should maintain some qualities. According to Thomas Carlyle, leadership emerges when an entity as "leader" contrives to receive respect from other entities who become "followers". The process of getting deference can become competitive in that the emerging "leader" draws "followers" from the factions of the prior or alternative "leaders". Some studies of leadership have suggested qualities that people often associate with leadership. They include:
  • Technical/specific skill at some task at hand
  • Charismatic inspiration: attractiveness to others and the ability to leverage this esteem to motivate others
  • Preoccupation with a role: a commitment that consumes much of leaders' life service to a cause
  • A clear sense of purpose, clear goals, focus, commitment
  • Results orientation: directing every action towards a mission prioritizing activities to spend time where results most accrue
  • Cooperation: work well with others
  • Optimism: very few pessimists become leaders
  • Rejection of determinism: belief in one's ability to "make a difference"
  • Ability to encourage and nurture those that report to them - delegate in such a way as people will grow
  • Role models: leaders may accept a persona that encapsulates their mission and lead by example
  • Self-awareness: the capability to "lead" one's own self prior to leading other selves likewise
  • With regards to people and to projects, the capability to choose winners: recognizing that, unlike with skills, one cannot (in general) teach attitude. Note that "picking winners" ("choosing winners") carries implications of gamblers' luck as well as of the capacity to take risks, but "true" leaders, like gamblers but unlike "false" leaders, base their decisions on realistic.
  • Empathy: Understanding what others say, rather than listening to how they say things.
  • Integrity: the integration of outward actions and inner values.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Continuous Sales

You might have come across the situation where you have been disappointed to find the shop you went had run out of stock what you were looking for. There are some the clearance outlets, which sell continuously or ex-display, stock all year round.

You can save up to 70 per cent on furniture and home ware items either because they are cancelled orders, mail order returns or bought direct from the factories, which supply those products.

Cancelled orders and discontinued lines from big-name stores which is able to pass on discounts of up to 50 per cent to customers, both in the store and online. This designer-labels-for-less outlet sells fabulous home ware items at up to 60 per cent off, and stock constantly changes. The factory outlet in Manchester sells discontinued wallpaper, fabric, duvets, pillows, bed linen, towels, rugs and furniture at up to 50 per cent or more off.

Friday, June 26, 2009

What is left for teens in troubled job market?

I don’t really think that teens had much concerns about their career before recession hit the nation’s economy. But today, it is a practical truth that jobs are not as prevalent and income comes from lot of struggle.

The recent numbers from The Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that there was a significant 41% decline in teens aged from16 to 19 in the labor force, during April 2009 compared to the .same month the previous year.

Many of the teens are looking for alternatives for their regular paying jobs with minimum wages. They include starting their own business, volunteering, helping family members, etc.

However, the present job market doesn’t seem to contain as many jobs as the teens had previous year. And they have certain competition from adults who lost their jobs recently in recession. This increased the jobless rate of teens from 15.4% in previous April to 21.5% in April – this year.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Treasury Commits for $60 Billion Student-Loan Sponsorship

US treasury has agreed to provide a $60 billion loan plan for the students. The recent recession has made many lenders to go out of the business. These lenders include the famous names of student loans providers. Since then students were in a dilemma of how to cope up with the situation. Their vows increased when the remaining bankers stopped lending fresh loans.

Actually, it is not the fault of bankers on their halt to lend more loans. The recent recession has left them with bad assets, due to which they had to compel themselves to stop providing more loans.

This plan with $60 billion budget doesn’t come from the $700 billion funds set by the government to help the ailing economy. Apart from these $60 billions, the Federal Reserve has separate $200 billion plans for the student-loan market.

So, with these hefty amounts of loans sanctioned, students can focus on their studies without bothering much about loans.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Court Orders White House to Preserve Emails

A federal magistrate has ordered former President George Bush’s employees to search and preserve email messages in their computer units and other storage devices.

According to the order, federal agencies should search the email messages under the Bush’s administration from 2003 March through October 2005 and preserve these in their records. This rule will be applicable for all the federal agencies under Federal Records Act or Presidential Records Act.

After the acknowledgment of White House on 5 million missing emails in the above period, which included major situations like invasion of Iraq, and the advent of Hurricane Katrina, there were lawsuits filed by two private groups. These lawsuits filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and the National Security Archive, asked court to order the White House to preserve emails of that period.

In response to this lawsuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered the officials of the White House, to search for the email messages, no matter in what intent they were created, and preserve them.