Articles by Sam Streubel on ArticleSnatch.com

Gap Auto Insurance For $30 A Year

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:23:44 -0500

Gap insurance auto coverage is important only if the following two conditions are present: 1. You finance the purchase of your new or used car. 2. You will be making a down payment of lower than 20%. And in a case where you take advantage of one of the several 0 down/60 month financing offers you undoubtedly have to have gap protection. . Nevertheless, even when you do need gap insurance, it is only necessary for as long as the outstanding loan balance exceeds the actual cash value of your car or truck. Generally what this means is a period of 21/2 to 3 years. Typically towards the end of the 3rd year of payments your vehicle’s loan balance should approximate the cash value of your car. At that point the gap insurance can be discontinued; but only if it was bought as a rider to a comprehensive policy sold by an insurance provider. If, on the other hand, you purchase gap automobile insurance coverage from a dealership it cannot be cancelled because you make a one time, up front payment. Another critical difference between acquiring gap insurance from an insurance company or auto dealer is cost. **End Summary** Topics: gap auto insurance]]> gap insurance providers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> But not all insurance companies offer gap insurance auto coverage. For a list of those who do, please visit this selection of gap insurance providers .

Dyson Hot Space Heater Review

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:17:55 -0500

When consumers go on-line attempting to find specifics about room heating units they often times add the word “best” or “reviews” to the search term. Rarely, if ever, does anyone use the word “perfect” to search for anything unless they’re making hard boiled eggs. Although the creator of the Dyson Hot doesn’t assert it’s perfect, you would expect something costing roughly 5-6 times greater than the standard space heater to at least come close. So what makes the Dyson Tower Fan so extraordinary? According to the manufacturer the “Air Multiplier uses an airfoil-shaped ramp to amplify the airflow 16 times to create a blast of smooth air without the unpleasant buffeting caused by spinning blades.” This one-of-a-kind air foil design is not only appealing but makes for effortless cleaning and renders the heating surfaces cool to the touch - a plus in case you have little ones or furry friends. For more safety the heating unit systematically turns itself off if accidentally tipped over. The 23” tall Dyson Hot also boasts a 360º oscillating motion and tilts back by varying degrees to aim the warmth where you want it to be. **End Summary** Topics: dyson heater]]> dyson heater review]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If youâre more interested in a reasonably priced space heater than prestige, youâll find the perfect match for any room in your home at Space Heater Reviews.

Cheap Car Insurance You Didnât Know You Needed

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:54:54 -0400

Gap insurance (guaranteed auto protection) and loan/lease coverage might be two of the most significant vehicle insurance coverage options you haven't heard about. Most motorists assume collision and comprehensive coverage offers full protection if their vehicle is stolen or totaled. But if your new vehicle is financed or leased and you experience a total loss, you may be in for a shock. Total loss – PLUS Suppose you just bought a brand new car or truck for $25,000. You put $1,000 down and finance the balance - $24,000 - over a five year period. You purchase the mandatory collision and comprehensive coverage with a standard $500 deductible. Regrettably, a few weeks later your vehicle is hit by an oil tanker; you survive, but your car doesn't. You file a claim and your insurance provider notifies you they've settled on a payment of $21,000 based on your car's actual cash value at the time of the accident. You think you're in good shape until you find out from the bank the loan pay-off amount is $24,000 - $3,000 more than the value the insurance company assigned you car. **End Summary** Topics: gap buyers guide]]> cheap car insurance]]> gap insurance providers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you have you just bought, or are thinking about buying a new or used car, take a quick look at the Gap Insurance Buyer's Guide to find cheap and hassle free gap insurance providers.

Energy Star Space Heaters: Do They Exist?

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:40:19 -0400

Whether you"��re using a space heater to add a little extra comfort to one of your rooms or attempting to reduce overall heating costs, it"��s only natural in this era of expensive energy that consumers would be concerned about space heater efficiency. For us non-scientific types the definition of energy efficiency is simply getting the level of service we expect from an electric appliance for the least amount of energy. But it would be extremely helpful if a simple, reliable system existed for evaluating space heater efficiency. We"��ve all seen the easy to understand, yellow EnergyGuide tags that estimate the yearly operating costs for a wide variety of household appliances, but unfortunately they don"��t exist for electric space heaters. The reason for this omission is stated by the EPA on the Energy Star website: "��EPA does not currently label space heaters as an ENERGY STAR qualified product, but has evaluated them and has no plans to label them in the near future."�� Despite manufacturers"�� claims to the contrary, there isn"��t a measurable difference in efficiency among the hundreds of makes and models of space heaters worth noting; **End Summary** Topics: energy star heater]]> efficient space heater]]> space heater efficiency]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> One thing you can rely on is how space heater owners rate their experience with individual heaters. At Space Heater Reviews we feature only the best of the best rated 4 stars or higher.

3 Reasons Not to Buy a Portable Air Conditioner and Heater

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:28:04 -0400

If you like the idea of a portable air conditioner and heater combo you’re really going to love the Cream ‘n Crock. This amazing new 2 in 1 product makes delicious ice cream in the summer and doubles as a crock pot during cold winter months ensuring year round use and enjoyment. Of course there’s no such thing (yet) but at first glance multi-function products seem to make a lot of sense, but rarely, if ever, do they live up to expectations. Invariably one of the functions under performs leaving the user feeling cheated. 1. Under Powered Heater In the case of portable air conditioners with heaters it’s the heater function that usually disappoints. The reason is simple; the space heater is under-powered. While a typical free standing space heater is rated at 1,500 watts, the power rating of most heaters within a portable AC is only 950 watts - or 36% less. So if you’re unhappy with the performance of your current stand alone space heater, a portable A/C heater won’t do much to improve your mood. 2. How About Convenience? The average portable air conditioner weighs in at around 60 - 70 pounds. **End Summary** Topics: portable air conditioner]]> space heater]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Forget the block and tackle and get yourself a top of the line portable air conditioner and a full powered space heater for less at Alternative-Heating-Info.com

How To Save $500 On Gap Auto Insurance

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:24:50 -0400

The average price for gap auto insurance sold by an auto dealership or finance company is $578. Q. So why would anybody in their right mind pay $500 more they should? A. They don’t know any better. Imagine you’re in a car dealership and you’ve just purchased a brand new car. You’re sitting there with a self satisfied smile on your face that lets everybody in the showroom know you just brought the salesman to his knees with your finely honed negotiating skills. Next you go see the finance person to arrange a loan. This is where you’re casually informed that if you wreck your beautiful new car during the next year or two you’re going to have fork over maybe five grand because the car will be worth that much less than what you still owe the bank. Lucky for you the finance guy has a tailored made solution to the problem. For a measly $578 one time fee you can purchase a gap policy that protects you from a potential shortfall, up to $5,000, if you owe the bank more than the car is worth when that bus hits you. **End Summary** Topics: gap auto insurance]]> gap insurance refund]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Now that youâve learned how to save 0 on gap auto insurance, pass it on, because the insurance companies wonât.

5 Things You Should Know About Portable Air Conditioning Units

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:19:07 -0400

Every year when the summertime heat and humidity hit home large numbers of shoppers will descend on the big box stores or search the internet for some type of air cooling unit. Everyone’s first choice is the window air conditioner. They’re easy to install and operate, relatively inexpensive, and do a reliable job of cooling and dehumidifying. But many home owners and apartment dwellers, for a variety of reasons, are unable to install a window unit or are out-right prohibited from doing so by the landlord or home owner’s association. With the window A/C out of the picture, three popular options remain: The fan, the portable swamp cooler, and the portable air conditioner. Although the house fan is imminently portable and creates a good stiff breeze it does nothing to reduce humidity. And the portable swamp cooler actually adds moisture to the air, which is fine if you live in the desert, but not if you live in Alabama. So for most of us the only viable alternative method of cooling and dehumidifying is the portable air conditioner. 1. Contrary to what you might have heard or read there is no such thing as a vent-less portable air conditioner. **End Summary** Topics: portable air conditioning]]> portable cooling units]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> See the best of the best portable air cooling units at Alternative Heating and Cooling.

When Gap Auto Insurance is Unnecessary

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:50:24 -0500

Gap auto insurance, in case you didn’t know, picks up the tab if your car is totaled and you owe more than it’s worth. Although gap insurance coverage can be purchased for as little as $30 a year it isn’t always necessary. One instance is if you pay cash for your new car; if you don’t have an unpaid loan balance, there is no financing gap to worry about. However, paid for or not, a new car will still depreciate at the same rate. In this case you might want to look at New Car Replacement Insurance. New car replacement insurance is offered by a number of carriers for different lengths of time. Some insurers offer replacement insurance for only a month while others, such as Allstate, offer a plan where “you may be able to get a totally new car” if totaled in the first three model years. A second instance when you would not need gap insurance is if you put at least 20% down. In most cases if you put 20% down the rate at which the car loan is paid down should track pretty close to the depreciated value of your car. **End Summary** Topics: gap insurance]]> gap auto insurance]]> auto insurance]]> replacement insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Protect your investment with a free gap auto insurance price quote .

Bionaire Electric Fireplace vs Dimplex Cube

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:54:44 -0500

The Dimplex Cube and the Bionaire Electric Fireplace are two cool looking, clean and green electric fireplaces that are as much conversation pieces as they are room heaters. Their compact size and price ( around $200) makes them a good fit for just about any room and any budget. Before we delve into the not so obvious differences between the two, there are a number of features they have in common. Each features a flame effect that operates with or without heat for year round enjoyment. They plug into standard 110 volt outlets and have over-heat and safety tip-over protection. Both have 1 year warranties and are shipped for free from most retailers. But this is where the similarities end. Quality of flame display Judging the quality and realism of the flame display for an electric fireplace is personal and highly subjective. As they say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Owners of the Cube describe its flame display in mostly positive terms with phrases like, “The flames seem so real and the wood chunks so red and hot,” and “…the flame simulation is very attractive - realistic from a distance. **End Summary** Topics: bionaire electric fireplace]]> dimplex cube]]> dimplex electric fireplace]]> electric fireplace]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> See the Bionaire Electric Fireplace and Dimplex Cube along with every style of electric fireplace you can think of at Electric Fireplace Reviews.

Double Your Heat With A 220 Volt Electric Fireplace

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:15:24 -0500

A built-in, 220 volt fireplace requires a bit of carpentry to install since it’s recessed and mount flush to the wall, but the eye catching results are worth the effort. Beyond visual appeal, they offer the opportunity to double the heating capacity of a conventional electric fireplace. Most traditional plug-in electric fireplace mantels are not capable of hard wiring into a 220 volt circuit due to firebox design limitations. However, with a “built in” electric fireplace, you have the option of plugging it into a standard 110 volt outlet or hard wiring it into a 220 volt circuit. Instead of the standard 1,440 watt (5,000 Btu) heating output of a plug-in fireplace, a built in will boost heating capacity to 2,700 watts (12 amps), or 9,000 Btu’s. In terms of coverage, 9,000 Btu’s will heat up to 800 square feet versus 400 square feet for a 5,000 Btu unit. The two premier manufacturers of built in, 220 volt fireplaces, are Dimplex and Classic Flame. Between them they offer a dozen different models ranging in widths from 33” to 52” with prices starting around $800. **End Summary** Topics: 220 volt electric fireplace]]> built in fireplace]]> electric fireplace mantel]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find a selection of built in, highly rated 220 volt electric fireplaces at Alternative Heating Infoâs Electric Fireplace Reviews.

How To Choose The Best Small Space Heater

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 09:46:03 -0500

For a variety of reasons, consumers are often let down with the general performance of their newly purchased small space heater. It's very simple to avoid the frustration of purchasing the wrong space heater and achieve the comfort you're looking for if you answer a few easy questions before you start shopping. How Many People Do You Need to Make More comfortable? Should you be the sole user looking for added warmth, a radiant heater will be more practical compared to a convection heater. Radiant heaters warm humans and objects first. As soon as you turn on a radiant heater you are going to experience immediate, focused heat. However, a convection heater works the opposite of a radiant heater by warming the air in the room first and people second. Most convection heaters take 20 minutes or more in order to heat up an average sized room or living area. However, in a room populated by 3 or 4 people at the same time, like a living room, a convection heater offers even heat enjoyed by all. How Much Space Are You Heating? **End Summary** Topics: small space heater]]> best space heater]]> small space heaters]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find the perfect small space heater , whole room heater, or quartz infrared heater at Alternative Heating's Space Heater Reviews.

Infrared Heater Reviews: Are They Real?

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:20:13 -0500

Infrared heater reviews are an easy way to find out what the owners of a particular brand of heater think about its performance and reliability, and how they rate their overall satisfaction; usually by awarding a number of stars. Heater reviews are the consumer’s version of Consumer Reports and the internet equivalent of word of mouth. However, many reviewers inadvertently omit important information about the circumstances influencing the heater’s performance and the resulting review. These are the facts that you can parse by reading between the lines. But first you have to ask yourself: Is this a real review? Most of the time it’s easy to spot a self serving review. These are usually planted by a company employee or PR firm and go into great detail telling you what an incredible product it is. But sometimes the approach is more subtle making it difficult to spot. These reviews usually take the form of someone masquerading as a hillbilly and littered with intentional misspellings and carefully constructed bad grammar. Planted reviews are usually among the first posted and intended to stimulate sales. **End Summary** Topics: infrared heater reviews]]> infrared heaters]]> heater reviews]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> See Dr Heater infrared heater â which I own and recommend - plus a selection of only the highest rated, energy efficient space heaters at Space Heater Reviews: Best Electric Space Heaters.

Gap Auto Insurance Coverage: Can You Afford To Pay For The Same Car Twice?

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:51:07 -0400

I’ve been preaching the gospel of GAP auto insurance ever since my son’s SUV got stuck on a boat ramp and was swallowed up by the incoming tide. It’s one thing to kiss your car goodbye, but quite another to find out you still owe the bank $6,400, as in the case of my son, even after the insurance company payout. Now if you’re reasonably well off you could afford to take the hit and move on. But if you’re just starting out on your own, or in a precarious financial position, it could set you back for years to come. Can you imagine how you’d feel struggling to make payments for 2 or 3 years on a car you’ll never see again while at the same time trying to pay for its replacement? Just to drive the point home, I would like you to read this comment appearing in InjuryClaimGuide.org from a young lady who just lost her car. “Hello again. I was involved in an auto accident on monday. The other driver was found at 100% fault. **End Summary** Topics: gap auto insurance]]> auto gap insurance online]]> gap auto protection]]> gap auto coverage]]> gap auto insurance providers]]> gap automobile insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out which well known insurance providers offer Gap automobile insurance at Auto Gap Insurance Online .

The Danger of Zero Down, Zero Interest Auto Loans

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:29:59 -0400

Zero down, zero interest auto loans are the ultimate temptation. Especially if you’ve just gotten a new job or recently returned to work. Everyone deserves to be rewarded, especially after the events of the last two years. And nothing says “you done good” better than a shiny new car. But since you put 0 down and have no equity in the car, the last thing you want to do is jeopardize the value of your new investment by not protecting it against the ravages of depreciation. Just about any auto will lose 30% of its value after the first year, even if you’ve racked up only 10,000 miles. And in the case of a 2009 Chevy Malibu, by the end of the second year it will have lost almost 60% of its value. In the matter of only two short years the value of this popular car will have plummeted $13,000 from its original valuation of $22,500 to only $9452. You could almost stomach the steep drop in value if you knew the loan balance was declining just as swiftly. But it isn’t – not even at 0 % interest. **End Summary** Topics: zero down]]> auto gap insurance online]]> gap insurance online]]> insurance online]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn how to protect your investment for pennies a day at auto gap insurance online .

Solar Whole House Fans: Having Trouble Finding One?

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:51:32 -0400

Everyday, on average, 78 people search the internet for “solar whole house fans.” Imagine their dismay after 20 or 30 minutes of diligent research when they fail to turn up any information. Although information abounds for solar attic fans and whole house fans there’s nary a word on the elusive solar whole house fan. Is it extinct? Has it been banned the EPA? No, it’s nothing as dire as that, there’s simply no such thing as a solar whole house fan. But it’s easy to see how one would assume if there’s a solar attic fan, then there surely must be a solar fan for the entire house. The misunderstanding arises from unfamiliarity with the appropriate use of a whole house fan. In order for a whole house fan to cool down the inside of a house, the temperature outside has to be cooler than the temperature inside. So you’re faced with a major problem; right about the time it starts to cool off outside, your source of free power is starting to dip below the horizon. **End Summary** Topics: solar whole house fans]]> solar attic fans]]> whole house fans]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out more about solar attic fans and whole house fans at Alternative-Heating-Info.com

3 Popular Radiant Panel Heating Systems Compared

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:08:09 -0400

If you search online for information about “radiant panel heating” you’ll quickly discover the same phrase is used to describe three completely different heating systems. To help you zero in on what you’re looking for, I’ve compiled a list of the systems that can be described as radiant panel heating and a brief explanation of how they work. Electric Radiant Ceiling PanelsRadiant ceiling panels are about 1 inch thick, and range in size from 2’x 2’ to 2’ x 8’. They are textured to look like the ceiling and can be painted to match the room’s decor with any quality water based acrylic paint. The simple design and easy installation of electric ceiling panels lends itself well to remodeling or retrofit applications. The panels operate at 150-170 degrees F and radiate heat to objects and people in the room. The panel itself reaches operating temperature in only three to five minutes. The advantage is heating only the room(s) you occupy with the flick of a switch. Radiant Floor PanelsIn this case you’re looking for pre-cut modular floor panels that incorporate PEX tubing to provide radiant in floor heating. In floor radiant heating systems are low mass, modular board underlayment systems. **End Summary** Topics: radiant panel heating]]> radiant ceiling panels]]> radiant heat panels]]> radiant floor panels]]> radiant heating panels]]> electric radiant panels]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Need more help? You can learn more about these Radiant Home Heating Systems at Alternative-Heating-Info.com

Solar Power Savings Yield 20 to 1 Payback

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:24:29 -0500

If you’ve been shopping around on the internet for a home solar electric system then you’ve no doubt come across this enticing claim on more than one website: “for every $1,000 you save in energy costs, you can increase your home’s value by up to $20,000.” And you know what? It’s true. But I doubt if many of the companies or individuals making this claim to solar power savings have a clue as to its origins. Usually the source of their information is attributed to the ubiquitous “industry averages” or, more often than not, it’s stated as an accepted fact with no further discussion. Actually, the source of this claim can be found in an article written by the economist Rick Nevins titled “Evidence of Rational Market Valuations for Home Energy Efficiency” published in the October, 1998 edition of The Appraisal Journal. The reasoning behind the $20,000 in added home value for every $1,000 saved, or a ratio of 20:1, goes something like this. **End Summary** Topics: solar electric system]]> solar power savings]]> solar savings]]> savings on solar energy]]> power savings yield]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Get more solar savvy at Alternative-Heating-Info.com

Dr Heater Quartz Infrared Heater Review

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:21 -0500

Dr Heater is the most recent entrant in the field of the infrared heaters. Much like the EdenPure, CZ, and the iHeater for example, the heat source is an infrared tube or bulb. Infrared heat, by its nature, does not reduce humidity or deplete oxygen from the air. Another similarity among infrared heaters is an excellent safety record. Safety features such as overheat cut off and tip over protection, standard on Dr Heater, make it safe for kids and pets to be around. Remote control, digital display, and thermostatically controlled temperature control are also standard features on the Dr Heater. Not all infrared heaters are carbon copies of each other 1. The first notable difference between Dr Heater and the others is the components of the heating system. In addition to quartz tubes, most infrared heaters incorporate a copper tube heat exchanger. Although copper is an efficient conductor of heat, it adds substantially to the cost of the finished product. In place of the copper tube heat exchanger Dr Heater uses PTC technology. **End Summary** Topics: dr heater]]> dr heater infrared]]> portable electric dr heater]]> dr infrared heater]]> dr heater dr-968]]> dr heater quartz]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> See the best selling DR Heater plus a selection of highly rated, energy efficient space heaters for every budget at Space Heater Reviews: Best Portable Electric Heaters .

The White Mountain Ice Cream Freezer - Then and Now

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The ice cream maker you buy today is no longer rooted in the tradition of small town manufacturing. As more and more goods are manufactured overseas consumers are being forced to rethink the definition of quality. Explore with me the fabled history of the White Mountain Ice Cream Freezer Co., some common ice cream freezer complaints, and suggestions to keep your ice cream making experience a happy one. A Brief History of White Mountain Ice Cream Makers The Good Old Days 1872-1962 "The White Mountain Freezer Company which manufactures ice cream makers is the largest establishment of its kind in the world. The company began business in Laconia, New Hampshire in 1872. Thomas Sands being the inventor was the proprietor and manager. The enterprise was a success from the start and greatly expanded its business until 1881, when its factory was burned. Mr. Sands carried on the business until 1888 when a corporate company was formed and he disposed of his entire interest. The company is organized with a paid-up capital of $100,000. **End Summary** Topics: white mountain ice cream freezer]]> ice cream maker]]> ice cream freezer]]> rival ice cream maker]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you choose to keep looking, you do have other options. One is the Classic Electric / Crank Ice Cream Maker by Kitchen Selectives. It gets high marks from reviewers and costs less than half as much as the White Mountain Freezer.

Firewood Heat Value vs BioBricks

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Firewood is the original renewable fuel and still being used as the sole source of heat for approximately 1.5 million homes. Recently, an eco-friendly alternative to firewood has been introduced to the consumer under the brand name BioBrick. If you're not familiar with BioBricks, they can be described as a two pound, 2"x4"x6" brick made from compressed sawdust just like wood pellets. The bricks are stackable, burn clean with less than 1% ash, and cost around $300 for a 1,900 pound pallet. While reading the homepage of BioBrick's website I noticed an interesting statistic used to qualify the heat content. Here's the heat claim quoted from their website: "One pallet of our BioBricks(TM) brings as much heat into your house as one cord of wood*." *(typical cordwood moisture content of 21%) What got my attention was the 21% figure they offered as the typical moisture content of cordwood. Any homeowner heating with wood knows that firewood isn't considered seasoned unless the moisture content is 15% or less. Maybe the 6 points separating the two examples doesn't sound like much, but wood with 21% moisture content is actually 40% wetter than the 15% variety. **End Summary** Topics: BioBrick]]> BioBricks]]> firewood]]> heat value]]> seasoning firewood]]> cord of firewood]]> ash firewood]]> types of firewood]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> See the Heat and Weight Values for 39 species of firewood at Alternative Heating Info.com

Residential Energy Tax Credits Extended Through 2010

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Residential Energy tax credits have been extended until December 31, 2010. Many of the caps, or limits on the tax credit amount you can claim, have been eliminated. With the exception of a biomass stove, you may be able to take a credit of 30% of your costs of qualified solar electric property, solar water heating property, fuel cell property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property. This includes labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property and for piping or wiring to interconnect such property to the home. Biomass Stove 30% of cost, up to $1,500* Stove which burns biomass fuel to heat a home or heat water with a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%. Biomass fuel is defined as "Any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops (corn) and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers." *Subject to a $1,500 maximum per homeowner for all improvements combined (storm windows, doors, roofing, insulation, etc. **End Summary** Topics: energy tax credit]]> tax credit]]> biomass stove]]> geothermal heat pump]]> solar water heating]]> photovoltaic systems]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative-Heating-Info.com Learn more about solar, radiant, geothermal, wind, and pellet stoves

Five Eco-Friendly Heating Helpers

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Here are five eco-friendly ideas to help you get the most bang for your heating buck. 1. Say No to Your Fireplace There's nothing like a fireplace to make you feel all warm and fuzzy. It's also the most inefficient way to heat your home. Consider yourself lucky if your fireplace provides slightly more heat than it sucks out of your house. A fireplace insert, however, will transform your fireplace's inefficient ways into a 70-80% efficient heating appliance. Various models of fireplace inserts are available to match your fuel preference: wood or BioBricks for wood stove inserts, or wood pellets or corn for pellet inserts. 2. High Efficiency Wood Stoves and Fireplace Inserts New wood stoves and fireplace inserts equipped with a baffle system in the firebox are just as clean and efficient (75%) as catalytic combustor stoves but don't require replacing the combustor every few years at a cost of $150. 3. The Pellet Stove Alternative Pellet stoves are the free standing version of a fireplace insert but burn only corn or wood pellets. The recent introduction of multi-fuel stoves offers homeowners the choice of burning corn or wood pellets; whichever is cheaper. **End Summary** Topics: fireplace]]> fireplace insert]]> pellet stove]]> corn stove]]> wood stoves]]> battery backup]]> heating alternative]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Hundreds of useful, info packed Alternative Heating articles are available at Alternative Heating Info.com

Electric Fireplace Heaters: Make the Best Choice

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

An electric fireplace heater is an easy and cost effective way to add welcome additional heat and a touch of elegance to any room. What you won't be getting is the smoke, potentially deadly CO2 fumes, and the mess associated with a conventional fireplace. Prices for an electric fireplace start at $299 and can skyrocket to $2,300 for a combination fireplace/home entertainment center. However, there are many well made, attractively designed models in the $450 - $700 range. The heating unit, or electric insert, includes the blower, log set and controls. Depending on the model, heat output varies from 1,350 to 1,500 watts. This is enough power to comfortably heat 150 square feet. In general, the electric insert accounts for roughly $200 (retail) of the total price. So whatever you end up spending over $200 will be for decorating and romance, not additional heat. Electric Fireplace Styles In addition to the standard fireplace design, corner units are available to make excellent use of wasted space. Other models offer enhancements such as book shelves, curio cabinets or home entertainment centers. The mantel piece itself can be constructed of finished wood, wood with tile inserts, or expensive cast marble. **End Summary** Topics: electric fireplace heater]]> electric fireplace]]> electric insert]]> electric heater]]> corner fireplace]]> mantel]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out which electric fireplaces are the best value.

Niche Marketing Mini-Sites: Making Money Online Doesn't Get Any Easier!

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Over the last two years I've built two profitable niche websites and it wasn't quick or easy. I can attest to the experience of other successful niche marketers who report it takes about two years to achieve a 4 figure monthly income. Along the way your patience is put to the test by daily income reports that never seem to budge and you start to wonder if it's all just a big waste of time. If you're a first time entrepreneur, waiting for your hard work to achieve critical mass and explosive earnings can be maddening. When I built my first website the prevailing wisdom was to build a large, 50+ page content rich website. With 25 years of off line business experience behind me, I was prepared for whatever this new internet marketing business model threw at me. And after 3 or 4 months of part time work I got my first check from Google. But this isn't everyone's cup of tea, especially if you're just itching to get started and can't wait to see those five fabulous words: Pay to the order of. **End Summary** Topics: niche marketing]]> mini site]]> quick and easy]]> niche]]> internet marketing]]> money online]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out how one Niche Marketing Mini-Site program eliminates the 3 major obstacles to internet marketing success.

Ashley Qualls - You Can Learn a Lot from a Teenage Millionaire

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The ever changing interests of teenagers aren't usually on my radar, so it took me a while to discover Ashley Qualls and the multi-million dollar website she created. What started as a hobby with $8 borrowed from her mother for domain registration quickly ballooned into a teen friendly business grossing $70,000 a month from AdSense and paid ad placements. Ms. Qualls, 17, operates her business from a home in suburban working class Detroit with the help of friends and a business consultant. At the ripe old age of 9, she was already spending hours at the kitchen table playing computer games and learning basic web design. In 2004 she applied her knowledge of HTML to building Whateverlife.com. Ashley's original purpose for Whateverlife was to exhibit her web designs. It was well received but didn't start gaining momentum until she worked out a way to customize MySpace pages. Soon her friends were clamoring for personalized pages of their own and Ashley started posting free MySpace layouts and graphics on her site to meet the demand. With a little help from viral marketing magic, Whateverlife.com now receives 7 million visitors and 60 million page views a month. **End Summary** Topics: Ashley Qualls]]> Ashley Squalls]]> teenage millionaire]]> internet business]]> online business]]> sweat equity]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you don't have countless hours to piece together all the secrets of profitable niche marketing, take two minutes to visit Your Magic Money Machine.