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on December 15th, 2011% ![]()
Press Release – West Papua Media Alerts
The President of the Federal Republic of West Papua may be behind bars, he may have been savagely beaten by the Indonesian police, but he has not been silenced. From his 5×4 meter cell in the bowels of the Jayapura Police Station – quarters he shares …
West Papuan leader urges peaceful defiance in the lead-up to December 1st
by westpapuamedia|30 November 2011
Exclusive interview by Alex Rayfield (New Matilda) with West Papua Media
The President of the Federal Republic of West Papua may be behind bars, he may have been savagely beaten by the Indonesian police, but he has not been silenced. From his 5×4 meter cell in the bowels of the Jayapura Police Station – quarters he shares with five other Papuans also charged with rebellion against the Indonesian state – Forkorus Yaboisembut recently issued a rousing call to action smuggled out of prison.
“To all the Papuan people” Yaboisembut writes, “don’t be afraid to celebrate December 1st, whether you do so simply, or as part of large gatherings. do not be afraid because we, the Papuan people, do not intend to destroy any country; we only wish to defend our political rights.”
Our interview, the first – clandestine – interview with Western media, may be constrained by time and space, but I can picture the tribal elder from previous meetings. He is a quietly spoken man, late in years but strong and alert. He walks tall, sits up straight and dresses neatly in long dark pants; polished slip-on shoes and patterned but subdued crisply ironed business shirts. His short hair and longish grey beard gives him the look of an old Testament prophet, grandfatherly if you like.
It is painful to think that he when he was arrested on October 19 he was tortured so badly that he could barely sit down – or stand. Dominikus Surabut, from the West Papua Council of Customary Tribal Chiefs, who was detained with the man who is now the President of the Federal Republic of West Papua and who was also badly tortured, tells me that when Mr Yaboisembut was arrested the Police beat him mercilessly with a rifle butt, raining blows down on his head and crashing their weapons into his solar plexus. in a widely published Indonesian language account of the arrest, a religious leader said that an Indonesian soldier was ready to shot him dead but was urged not to by a policeman.
West Papuan’s political rights, Mr Yaboisembut says, are inalienable. “Whether you take the United Nations founding document, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Political Rights or even the Indonesian Constitution as your starting point, Papuans have the right to self-determination.”
“The preamble to the 1945 Indonesian Constitution mentions expressly, that independence is the right of all Nations, and because of this colonialism must be swept away, it is consistent with the principles of justice and humanity. Consequently, the people of Papua cannot be blamed in accordance with any law for wanting to celebrate their national day.”
These ideas, the same ideas that inspired Indonesians to liberate themselves from Dutch rule, are igniting the imagination of entire generation who yearn to be free. What makes Mr Yaboisembut’s ideas even more extraordinary is that he is urging an insurrection that grounded in what he calls “human dignity”.
“December the first 2011, is the fiftieth anniversary of when Papuans first raised the Morning Star flag. it is our golden anniversary, the year of God’s liberation” he says evoking the images of the ancient Jewish custom of Jubilee – of freeing captives and erasing debts. “It must be celebrated in an atmosphere of peace, safety and calm”.
“To Papuans, I therefore say, do not carry out acts of terror, intimidation or commit violence of any kind towards anyone, for whatever reason, whether they are Papuan or migrants.
“Do not be afraid,” Mr Yaboisembut repeats, “God is with us.”
“The roots of our oppression is political” says Mr Selphius Bobii, Chair of the Committee of the Third Papuan Congress, who also shares a cell with Mr Yaboisembut and Surabut. “The annexation of our country by Indonesia and the acquiescence of the international community has resulted in state sanctioned human rights violations and creeping genocide.”
Those arrested on October 19 in the wake of the Third Papuan Congress are not backing down from the declaration of independence. “We are committed to using people power, diplomacy and the law to achieve our rights” Bobii tells me.
Dominikus Surabut says that he and the other prisoners are refusing to sign police statements charging them with “rebellion” (makar) under sections 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.
“We have done nothing wrong” Surabut says. “We have a political right to declare independence. we do not seek to destroy Indonesia or any other country. On the contrary, it is the Indonesia state that has attacked us.”
How can it be, they rhetorically ask, that the Indonesian police get written warnings for killing Papuans when Papuan activists nonviolently exercising their rights to freedom of expression are beaten and jailed?
Is this the same country that Obama and Gillard lauded for being a beacon of democracy?
In a widely published letter in support of Papuan political prisoners Human Rights Watch says that the articles under which the six Papuan political prisoners arrested after the Third Papuan Congress have been charged “are a legacy from the Dutch colonial era”. Charging nonviolent activists with rebellion is “in violation of the Indonesian Constitution, Articles 28(e) and 28(f) which respectively afford “the right to the freedom of association and expression of opinion,” and “the right to communicate and obtain information for the development of his/her personal life and his/her social environment, and shall have the right to seek, acquire, possess, keep, process and convey information by using all available channels.”
The charge of rebellion is also inconsistent with Indonesia’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which Indonesia ratified in 2006, a point which the jailed Papuan leaders make repeatedly to me. besides, the Papuan leaders sigh, we have been left with no other option. “Special Autonomy has totally failed and even the MRP, a state institution convened a meeting which came up with eleven recommendations, one of which was to hold the Third Papuan Congress.”
Outside their police cell, in the streets of the cities and towns of West Papua, in the cloud covered mountains and on the coconut palm fringed coasts a new political consensus is emerging. this consensus has been forged not through endless meetings of the Diaspora, nor in stillborn discussions with political elites in Jakarta, nor in the conference halls of NGO deliberations, but in the furnace of political action. it is simply this: that West Papua must be free.
After the Congress three overlapping political groupings have emerged: the Papuan Peace Network who is calling for political dialogue, the West Papua National Committee who demands a referendum, and the Papua Congress leaders (supported by a loose alliance made up of the West Papua National Authority, the Council of Customary Papuan Chiefs, the Presidium Dewan Papua, and the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation).
The killings of nonviolent Papuans by the Indonesian police and military on October 19 have divided ordinary Indonesians, flushing out ultra-nationalists and their racist discourse, and outraging political moderates longing for a different kind of future than the one left to them by former dictator Suharto.
Inside Papua the massacre appears to be having a unifying effect, although Papuan politics remains complex affair. the West Papua National Committee who opposed the Congress later marched in support of the six political prisoners. Father Neles Tebay, respected intellectual and leader of the Papua Peace Network has intensified the demand for political dialogue. it is a call that has been supported by Yaboisembut and others. “All Papuans, wherever they are must respect the dialogue process democratically initiated through the Papuan Peace Conference and the Papuan Peace Network” wrote Mr Yaboisembut in a message smuggled out of prison.
Whether the Indonesian police and military act in a similarly dignified manner, or not, remains to be seen.
As I write this a long-term Papuan human rights activist sends me this message: “there’s an increase of military patrol of soldiers around Jayapura Township.” Some put the numbers as high as forty thousand. Reports are filtering in of troop surges in Sorong, Paniai (where gunshots have been heard), the border region and Jayapura.
“The atmosphere here is quiet but eerie” my friend writes. we are all waiting to see what December 1 will bring.
Related articles
• Triple J Hack: Papuans fear bloodshed after footage emerges of Congress Violence (westpapuamedia.info)• AWPA calls on Rudd to monitor Increasing tension in West Papua, focused on 1st December (westpapuamedia.info)• Indon Army preparing to attack OPM in Paniai. (westpapuamedia.info)• Why now? a West Papua Backgrounder (westpapuamedia.info)• Australia must act to protect human rights in Papua: Joint letter from HRLC and Human Rights Watch (28 Nov 2011) (westpapuamedia.info)
westpapuamedia | November 30, 2011 at 10:58 am |
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nzOriginal url
on December 14th, 2011% ![]()
A solar pool heater uses energy from the sun to heat your pool – which of course is free and environmentally friendly.
It has other advantages too:
Can be installed by pool owner – Solar heating kits are available that suit both above ground pools and in ground pools and are easy to install. there is no need for qualified gas contractors or electricians. The main issue is the installation of the solar collectors which can be on a roof or on a frame angled towards the sun.
Little maintenance – once installed the system requires little maintenance which compares favorably to gas and electric heaters.
Long lasting – A solar pool heater will last a long time and hence maximize the return on your investment. 15 year guarantees are available.
However there are a number of disadvantages to consider:
Needs large area for solar collectors – As a rough guide the area of the solar collectors will be similar to the surface area of the pool. even with a small pool this can be a significant space requirement and may spoil the appearance of the pool surroundings.
Not as powerful as gas heater or heat pump – Even in ideal conditions the heat output from a solar pool heater will not match those of gas pool heaters and electric heat pumps. Solar heating will still work on overcast days but the output will not be as high as on a sunny day.
Dependent on Local Conditions – The effectiveness of a solar pool heating system will depend on average temperature for the location, wind factors, the angle and orientation of the collectors and the solar exposure. To work at their best the solar collectors need to be facing south and not be shaded by trees or anything else at any time of day.
Can be expensive – The cost of buying a solar pool heater system depends on the area of solar collectors you need. For an in ground pool it can work out considerably more that a gas heater.
Whether a solar pool heater will work for you really depends on your location and how long you want your swimming season to be. If you can locate the solar collectors to get best results and are not looking to extend your season into the colder months then a solar pool heater is well worth considering.
Why do we recommend POOLCENTER.com? One of the top retailers in the sector this site dates from 1996 and now offers over 15k pool related products. As well as competitive prices it also offers lots of background information, great support and customer interaction. A real pool owner’s community.
on December 14th, 2011% ![]()
Pool owning isn’t seasonal, so why should swimming be? if you are considering installing a heated pool, upgrading to a heated one, or rethinking the method of your heating system, there are several options available.
Once concern for water heating is the cost. Pool heaters, the most common appliance used to heat units, uses natural gas or propane to warm the pool. however, they come in very energy efficient models, which means they are not only better for the environment but cost less to maintain. Not only are they efficient during use, but they can be turned off and on according to use, so they do not need to be running and using up gas constantly.
Make sure your heater is till working efficiently. An out of date heater can use up much more energy. if your heater is too old, consider replacing it, especially considering the energy-efficient models available.
Not to mention heating is usually done only seasonally when the weather is not warm enough to heat the pool naturally. both in-ground and above-ground pool scan be heated. Pool heaters can heat up quickly and effectively, which is great if you have kids who are antsy to swim
An alternative to heaters are pool pumps. Pumps use electricity instead of gas or propane so there is nothing released into the air. Pumps heat pools using the warmth of the air around it. this means that they do not generate heat, and thus use less energy. like a pool heater, it does not need to be running constantly. some pumps can even be used to chill your pool during the summer.
You can also use a solar pool cover to keep your pool warmer. Even if you live in an already warm climate, this will help retain heat to keep your pool warmer on cloudy days or for nighttime swimming. These covers usually keep your pool around fifteen degrees warmer. if used in addition to a pool heater or pump, they can keep maintenance costs for heating a pool low.
Heated swimming units usually require more chlorination than during the seasons when you are not heating. Find heaters, pumps, solar blankets, and all the necessary chemicals at a pool supply store to make sure you are taking proper care of your heated pool. There are certain climate, size, and budget restrictions to consider in making the decision.
on December 12th, 2011% ![]()
Keeping your pool heated may cost a pretty penny. These days we are all seeking to reduce the power expenses and leave a lesser co2 footprint. this guide will explain exactly how inexpensive solar swimming pool addresses will help you do both.
Summary of Photo voltaic Swimming Pool Addresses
Also called photo voltaic covers, photo voltaic pool covers are an economical as well as effective way to use solar energy to heat your own pool.
Generally like percolate wrap, photo voltaic swimming pool addresses are often obvious, silver or blue colored. they have thousands of tiny air pockets which move sunrrrs heat to your pool as well as help to keep the present warmth in the water. this means that much more warmth is added to your own swimming pool whilst less heat is misplaced via evaporation. Enabling you to warmth your swimming pool for a fraction from the price. Decreased water loss means less chemical reduction as well, costing you less all around.
Frequently, the heat increase associated with ten to fifteen levels Fahrenheit is possible by using a solar pool include.
The Different Kinds of Swimming Pool Solar Addresses
While just about all pool photo voltaic addresses get the job done in providing savings on your home heating and reducing water loss because explained over, not all solar blankets are identical in style or usefulness.
Pool addresses come in various thicknesses. Selecting a heavier one will set you back much more, however it will offer you more power savings. The heavier covers insulate much better and move more heat to the pool. Being an added reward to cost savings, they’re stronger and keep going longer too. Common pool include thicknesses tend to be 8mm, 12mm, as well as 16mm.
Color can also be key point in the effectiveness associated with solar swimming pool addresses with regard to pools simply because whilst all addresses prevent more or less the same quantity of drinking water and chemical evaporation, they do not just about all provide equivalent heat move when it comes to capturing the sun’s solar power. Blue colored covers tend to be typically the most popular choice, however, a clear cover which blocks minimal quantity of sunlight offers the the majority of amount of solar heating system. Azure addresses usually block about twenty in order to 40 percent from the sun’s power while clear photo voltaic covers block only in between 5 as well as 15 % from the sun’s energy. For the most improved heating ability, a solar swimming pool include with a gold coating which displays added heat into the swimming pool is better option.
Deciding on the best Cover for your Pool click here
The type of pool you have will also determine the type of solar cover which will best suit your needs. The kind of include you need to use depends on the shape as well as size your own swimming pool. if your pool is a regular rectangle-shaped or round form, choosing the best size include is usually fairly easy. Nevertheless, if you have a kidney-shaped, oval or even custom-shaped swimming pool, you will likely have to possess a include made to fit it’s unusual dimensions. The good news is that this can be achieved effortlessly. The majority of addresses can simply be cut along with scissers to suit your pool, which means you will merely need to purchase a include that is large enough to pay for the entire pool after which shape it you to ultimately comfortably fit the pool’s form.
Pool covers bring the benefits of decreased heating and chemical substance costs, lowered water water loss prices plus an prolonged going swimming season. since they are extremely affordable, they’re recommended as a good money saver for those swimming pool proprietors.
on December 12th, 2011% ![]()
Heated water is actually a definite step up when you own a swimming pool. it can make all the distinction on the planet, particularly when you live in a cool climate where summers are short. Warm water is just more pleasant to swim in, and that to begin with dive in is wonderful. So a pool heater not just enhances the swimming experience but additionally implies that you can get far more days of use out of your pool. In reality if it’s not too cold outside using a pool heater you may even swim in the dead of winter.
If you’re tight budget, and do not demand that your pool temperature be raised a complete lot one option you might choose to contemplate, would be to try out a solar blanket. Really what it’s is actually a giant sheet of heavy duty bubble-wrap in the shape of your swimming pool that looks pretty much like the bubble-wrap you may obtain to package and ship factors with. now this really cost-effective passive solar heating program functions on two levels and it out by insulating the leading your pool to quit and evaporation cooling. Then the second level is the fact that it functions would be to let the sunlight by means of to heat the water some 8 on optimal day.
Then gas heating systems have a reputation for getting high-priced as a result of cost in the gas it’s utilized to power them. They’re nonetheless really cost-effective to purchase and have installed. the technologies contained in them really hasn’t changed much over the years mainly because it’s pretty much exactly the same technologies you will obtain in a gas water heater in your dwelling. That is that a flame is utilized to heat a vessel of water. the massive plus for gas systems though, is they can sure get your water hot.
Then in recent years electrical pool heating systems have become more efficient as they have also become more technologically advanced. the older style electric heaters warmed the water using a easy heating coil in the tank, in much exactly the same way that you might heat a pot of water on an electric stove. Today on the other hand, newer systems are referred to as heat pumps mainly because that’s what they are. They include exactly the same technologies that you would obtain on a central air-conditioning heat exchange program on a dwelling.
Solar power has been generated a huge buzz for some time now, so yes you will discover solar powered pool heating systems accessible. be aware though that they are the amongst essentially the most high-priced to purchase, and also essentially the most high-priced to install. but there’s a huge bonus here just after it’s in. That is that the power that they use to heat the water not just costs you nothing but it’s also 100% guilt no cost mainly because it’s green energy . There’s one glaring downside to a solar heater though, and that is that they do not work nicely in bad weather, and not at all at night.
This brief report only brushes on the fundamentals mainly because you will discover a number of other elements that you will choose to take into account as you appear over all the many selections available. For example the size of your pool, plus the quantity of water it contains need to weigh heavily into your choice mainly because if it’s smaller sufficient you may choose to wind up going using a gas heater. However, even though solar power is no cost, a solar program calls for a considerable quantity of space for it to operate efficiently. So in the end, a number of the ideal research you may do would be to speak to other pool owners.
Want to find out more about above ground pool liners, then visit Jessica Kraux’s site on how to choose the best swimming pool supplies.Similar Posts:
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on December 10th, 2011% ![]()
Newswise — the calendar year is quickly winding down, the leaves have turned and a chill is in the air. Now is the time to turn your attention to getting your home prepared to keep you warm this winter, says Temple University mechanical engineering professor Steven M. Ridenour.
An expert in heating, ventilating and air conditioning, Ridenour suggests having the furnace cleaned and checked; making sure windows close tightly; inspecting and replacing old weather stripping around all windows and doors; and, since warm air rises, checking your home’s upper floors for openings around attic doors and windows, ventilation fans, and ceiling light fixtures.
“Having your furnace serviced is one of the first things you want to have done,” he says. “It’s worth the expense and will have your heating system running at maximum efficiency.
Ridenour also suggests checking the flue or chimney exhaust for clogs, as well as changing filters on warm air heating systems.
As for a heating system with radiators, he says to make sure that they are open to air and kept clean. “They also work much better if you don’t put anything on top of them,” says Ridenour. “This allows the heat to get out to a wider area.”
The second most important step in preparing your home to be warm this winter is stopping infiltration of outside air (cold air coming in through cracks).
“Now’s the time to check if the storm windows are closed tightly and fastened securely,” he says.
Ridenour says to carefully inspect the weather stripping around the windows for a tight fit to keep cold air from infiltrating the house. If it’s worn, he suggests considering purchasing a weather stripping kit from the hardware store.
“An ordinary roll of duct tape will also work well in helping to seal around the windows and is very economical,” he says.
In addition to the windows, Ridenour says to check the weather stripping around doors, especially at the bottom of storm doors. “Even if you’ve replaced it last year, check it again. It can wear out very easily through repeatedly opening and closing the door.”
If the weather stripping at the bottom of the door is worn, but not enough to warrant replacing, Ridenour says to just do what your grandmother did, place a rug or towel along the bottom of the door.
Since warm air rises, Ridenour suggests making sure there are no openings around attic doors and stairs, upper level vent fans, and light fixtures. “Keeping the doors closed to upper level rooms that are not in use will also help keep more warm air in the living spaces that are more in use,” he says.
Ridenour also suggests using alternative heat sources and rolling back thermostats at night to save on heating bills.
“People with south-facing, double-paned windows can use them to generate solar heat,” says Ridenour. “You want to keep them clean and open the shades to the sun during the day, while keeping them closed at night.”
Each square foot of south-facing double window pane used in this manner will save about one gallon of home heating oil over the course of the winter, he says.
Even more effective at helping save on the heating bill is rolling back the thermostat at night. “A five-degree setback each night for at least six hours will save about five percent on the heating bill over the winter season,” Ridenour estimates.
Ridenour urges caution to people who would use kerosene heaters or fireplaces for heat.
“Kerosene heaters are very efficient because all the heat goes directly into the surrounding space, but so too does dangerous carbon dioxide from burning the kerosene in the heater,” he says. “On the other hand, burning fireplaces pull air out of the surrounding space and that causes more infiltration of cold air.
“So both need to be used with some ventilation, which means cracking open a nearby window that you’ve been trying to keep sealed,” says Ridenour. “That allows outside air for the burning process and actually improves the efficiency of fireplaces.”
Finally, Ridenour suggests only using an electric heater for a small space, and as needed. “While it’s true that they give more efficient heat, electricity costs more than oil or gas.”
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on December 10th, 2011% ![]()
Media rooms? Out. Multipurpose game rooms? In.
Sprawling square footage? Out. Compact and energy efficient? In.
As San Antonio peers into 2012, five custom-home builders share their thoughts of what trends are taking off here and which ones are fading away.
There is much common ground.
Clients are asking to find ways to use less water, while also adding more showerheads in deluxe master bathroom showers. they are asking for eco-friendly features that can cost a lot more up front but provide long-term savings, such as tankless water heaters. and they are asking for a more minimalist, clean-line look.
Don Craighead of Don Craighead Homes sees a trend toward smaller houses. many clients now ask for a home in the 3,500- to 4,000-square-foot range; a few years ago, they may have gone for 6,000 to 7,000 square feet.
“They’re just scared to commit at the level they were before,” Craighead says.
For Craighead, building green is picking up steam.
“I’ve been promoting it for about three years,” he says. “They’re interested in it, even though they know it’s going to cost more.”
Such clients envision energy and water costs going up and are looking for longer-term savings. they are requesting spray foam insulation and tankless water heaters.
Meanwhile, clients are still wanting top-of-the-line appliances, lighting fixtures and plumbing fixtures — just in a more compact and energy-efficient house.
While the Mediterranean look is “still pretty hot,” Craighead is seeing more straight lines and contemporary features.
What’s gone by the wayside? for Craighead’s clients, it’s the media room. most choose instead to hang a huge flat-screen TV above the fireplace or on the wall of a great room.
To Teresa Fransik of Sierra Homes, the biggest current trend is also downsizing.
“We’re getting into that era of the not-so-big house, where clients are building not quantity but quality,” Fransik says. “The official term is a ‘jewel box’ — small but tricked out.”
Her firm, a green-home building company that operates within about 50 miles of Fredericksburg, has never really built large houses because of her focus on energy efficiency. But in the last five years or so, the norm of desired square footage has declined from about 3,000 or 3,500 square feet to about 2,500.
Her clients are asking for super energy-efficient homes, with rainwater collection systems, future solar connections and whole-house surge protection.
“They’re looking at the possibility in the future of trying to make certain they’re guarded against rising energy costs, brown-outs, reduction in water supplies. Those things are starting to be important,” Fransik says.
They are choosing low-flow water fixtures and dual-flush toilets; other eco-friendly elements such as low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint and sealants are often standard now and “not as odd as they were 10 years ago.”
For flooring, carpet is out; hardwood, concrete and tile are in.
As for design, simple and basic is the desired look, she says. “They’re not asking for a lot of interior trim details. There’s not a lot of glitz and glamour.”
While house size is coming down a little bit, Mike Hollaway of Mike Hollaway Custom Homes sees clients asking for more quality within the square footage; for example, they might steer those same dollars into better appliances or more tile work.
Clients are willing to put up more money for quality windows and foam insulation because of energy efficiency. they are spending on gourmet kitchens and outdoor living areas that include cooktops, smokers, fireplaces, under-counter refrigerators, icemakers and integrative fountains and pools.
Clients are asking for elaborate lighting-control systems and integrated electronics systems that might, for instance, allow them to operate music or videos or even HVAC units from their smartphones.
Stylistically, Hollaway sees the trend shifting toward contemporary, with a more open feel than ever before, higher ceilings and more glass. a fair number of people are moving away from formal dining and they are adding seating at an island in an open kitchen.
“The kitchens are very important,” says Hollaway, with clients asking for more storage and more functionality. “People are spending more money on appliances than ever before.”
Hollaway is building fewer media rooms but instead creating game rooms that have, perhaps, one or more TVs, a pool table and a bar.
There’s also a heavy emphasis on a large master bathroom, with elaborate freestanding bathtubs, large showers with multiple showerheads and closets outfitted with cabinetry and lighting.
While there may be additional showerheads inside, on the outside an increasing number of clients are asking for xeriscaped yards, water reclamation systems both underground and above ground (for gray water and rain water for irrigation) and solar panels.
“Probably one of the bigger things I’m seeing is energy conservation,” says Kyle Lindsey of Kyle Lindsey Custom Homes.
Clients want to make sure that they are building a high-performance house.
The eco-friendly elements clients are asking for are not necessarily the “feel good” green things like countertops made of recycled material but “pay back” green things like a high efficiency HVAC, spray foam insulation and tankless water heaters. “People are constantly asking about those,” he says.
From a design perspective, Lindsey says media rooms have faded away and been replaced by multifunctional game rooms, perhaps with a big TV, treadmill and a pool table.
The two areas where people still have a tendency to spend their money are the kitchen and master bathroom, he says. Big open showers with multiple showerheads are definitely in. “It’s kind of like the human car wash, if you will,” he says with a laugh.
He is still putting in a lot of big Jacuzzi-style garden tubs, and big closets are very popular right now.
In the kitchen, granite countertops “still seem to be the ‘in’ thing”; in fact, clients are asking for granite countertops in all possible places — secondary bathrooms and even utility rooms.
“Nowadays, it seems like the variety and colors of the granite are so wide,” Lindsey says. “The client has the opportunity to go and pick that out, the actual slab that’s going to be in your house.”
Glass tile backsplashes are in, with multiple tiles and decorative pieces.
What seems to be going out of style? Tuscan.
“Tuscan seems to be fading away from an overall design perspective,” Lindsey says. he is seeing more of a transitional style, a cross between rustic and contemporary.
“I personally don’t feel like San Antonio has arrived at the place where it’s ready to take on a custom and modern-style house like you would commonly see in an Austin loft,” he says. “I don’t think this market has accepted that yet. I do think we’re starting to see that stick its head out in more of a transitional manner.”
Mattern & FitzGerald
Kevin FitzGerald of Mattern & FitzGerald Custom Builders says the thing he hears the most demand for is clean lines.
Clients approach him armed with copies of the magazines Luxe and Veranda.
“You’re starting to see more minimalist and less stuff,” FitzGerald says.
Clients are asking for transitional-type architecture, which is a cleaned-up version of traditional types.
“In the past, you saw a lot of heavy stain and rich colors on the walls,” he says. “People are really starting to get away from that now.”
Instead, they are selecting more modern light fixtures, more contemporary art and lighter colors in general.
“Hill Country Modern” is a real popular trend right now. “It’s kind of a Frank Lloyd Wright look, where the exterior has different roof pitches than we’re used to,” Lindsey says. “They’re lowering the pitches of these roofs; you kind of think of the Brady Bunch house, and that’s what were seeing in terms of roofs.”
Clients also are incorporating commercial-type glass into their homes, and taking glass all the way to the ground, for more visible light.
Inside the home, FitzGerald is seeing a lot more concrete and natural materials for a more organic look. Walls are now smooth, no texture, and fireplaces are becoming long and rectangular instead of box-like.
Cabinets are more minimalist, without raised panels, and there’s a lot less crown molding. Stained wooden beams that were very common in San Antonio architecture are slowly moving out.
All this has been gaining steam in San Antonio over the last three to four years.
“San Antonio is still a pretty conservative town by nature, so you have to be careful you’re not too modern or contemporary where it’s a turnoff,” FitzGerald says.
As for the newer look?
“I can definitely live with this,” he says. “I think it’s cool.”
on December 9th, 2011% ![]()
There’s just no doubt about it but that a nice warm heated pool could be the epitome of luxury. It’s so significantly nicer to dive into the pleasant warm water, and one bigger “plus” for warm water pool, is the fact that you get so many more weeks, and months of use out of it. as a matter of truth if the system is effective sufficient to help keep your water warm year-round you’ll be able to even take pleasure in your pool within the dead of winter, regardless of what climate zone you live in.|Now for sure a pool heater you can make all of the difference on the planet in relation to enhancing the swimming experience. A heated pool is just far extra comfy to swim in simply because you do not must get utilized towards the water temperature. then a thing else to consider, is the fact that a water heater indicates that you’ll get a far far more days of swimming out in the year, and even on into the dead of winter. it seriously all has to do with how effective your technique is, and what you’re willing to invest.|Heated water is usually a definite step up if you own a swimming pool. it could make all the difference on the planet, particularly in case you live in a cool climate where summers are short. Warm water is just far more pleasant to swim in, and that to begin with dive in is fantastic. so a pool heater not merely enhances the swimming expertise but additionally implies that you simply can get far a lot more days of use out of your pool. In fact if it is not too cold outside having a pool heater you may even swim within the dead of winter.
If you are tight budget, and don’t demand that your pool temperature be raised a complete lot one alternative you may want to take into consideration, would be to try out a solar blanket. actually what it really is can be a giant sheet of heavy duty bubble-wrap in the shape of your swimming pool that looks pretty considerably like the bubble-wrap you are able to purchase to package and ship items with. Now this really cost-effective passive solar heating program functions on two levels and it out by insulating the best your pool to stop and evaporation cooling. then the second level is the fact that it functions is usually to let the sunlight by means of to heat the water some 8? on optimal day.
Then an additional economical alternative will be the normal gas water heater mainly because they’re surprisingly low-cost to buy and set up. the problem on the other hand, is they run on gas, and based on how much you program on using your pool and how hot you desire the water, the gas bill can become a substantial monetary drain. Even so, when you only strategy on making use of your pool occasionally, and like your water nice and warm, this may possibly be the kind of system that you simply choose to go for.
Then more than the past few decades electric pool heaters have gone by way of substantial advancements in terms of technology. so for 1 thing they are far far more efficient, and they’re no longer use a straightforward electrical heating filament contained in the vessel heat the water. rather today’s electric heaters use the same power effective technology that you simply would find in a home’s central air-conditioning heat pump. the fact is that’s exactly what today’s electrical pool heaters are referred to as. Heat pumps.
Then of course the new and growing trend is in solar heating systems for 1 obvious reason and that is that power taken from the sun expenses you nothing, and is “100% guilt free”. as soon as you’ve got an operating solar heating technique installed you could just go ahead and leave it on 24 hours each day, with no concern whatsoever. Even so, prior to you make the decision to go solar you should know that they are high priced to purchase, costly to set up, and don’t function extremely nicely in cold overcast climate.
Now this brief write-up only covers the incredibly simple surface difficulties of the most preferred systems which are offered for your pool. there is certainly obviously an entire list of other relevant variables you may would like to take the consideration inside your choice before you obtain. as an example, for those who have a smaller pool that may heat up swiftly you could be much better off having a gas heater that you can run only after you need to use it. Also although the solar technique makes use of green absolutely free energy, it also requires a substantial quantity of space to set up.
Looking to find the best deal on above ground pool liners, then visit Jessica Kraux’s site to find the best advice on swimming pool supplies.
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Deserts get a lot of sunlight and there is currently something of a race to develop and deploy the best technology to exploit this free energy.
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems with mirrors, dishes or parabolic troughs focussing the sunlight to raise steam to run a turbines are currently in the lead. There have been some major developments in Spain and the USA, but also now in N Africa and the Middle East, with new projects opening in Morocco (the 470 MW Ain Beni Mathar hybrid project) and Egypt (the 150 MW Kuraymat hybrid project). and more are planned. for example, the UAE is planning a 100MW project, and the Egyptian National Plan for 2012 -17 includes a 100MW CSP plant in South Egypt, while the follow-up National Plan for 2018-2022 has 2,550 MW of CSP. the German-led Desertec project seeks to build on the CSP option, making supergrid links back to the EU. It has plans for a €600m 150MW CSP plant in Morocco as a first stage. desertec.org/
It’s hard to know what the impact of the recent political convulsions in North Africa may be, but CSP does seem likely to continue to move ahead in the region, as well as elsewhere- the largest CSP array so far planned is the 1 GW Blythe project, being developed in California by Solar Millennium LLC, on which more later.
A solar industry roadmap, as outlined in a study by a.T. Kearney and the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association, ESTELA, sees solar thermal reaching 12 GW of installed capacity globally by 2015, 30 GW by 2020 and between 60 and 100 GW by 2025. But that may prove to be pessimistic- CSP is not just limited to desert areas. for example, South Africa has a plan for a 5GW solar park, with the initial 1000MW phase, aimed for 2012, incorporating an already planned Eskom 100 MW CSP plant, which has received part funding from the World Bank. the Indian Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s National Solar Mission aims to generate 20GW of grid linked solar power by 2022, 50% CSP. and in Australia a new ‘zero Carbon Australia 2020’ report has 42.5 GW of CSP supplying 60% of total electricity there by 2020! beyondzeroemissions.org/zero-carbon-australia-2020
However a rival technology – Concentrating Photo Voltaic (CPV) power – may challenge CSP. CPV uses conventional solar cells but with large arrays and sunlight focussing arrangements, as with CSP. the crucial point is that mirrors are cheaper than solar cells. There are already some very large projects in existence, 20 MW or more globally, including the 4MW array in Springerville Arizona, and the 10MW Masdar project in the UAE. and costs are falling- some say faster than for CSP.
A GTM Research study claims that the growing market for CSP is being seriously challenged by the rapidly falling price of solar photovoltaics. GTM predicted that, although the CSP market will grow by around US$7 billion over the next two years, it will then tail off, due to the dramatic decrease in the cost of solar PV panels. So although CSP project costs are set to decline between 3% and 7% per year from 2010 to 2020, PV costs will also continue their own substantial declines, with PV expected to maintain a cost advantage (on both a cost-per-watt and cost-per-kWh basis).
In fact, some utility companies are already choosing PV over CSP for future solar plants. for example, Masdar, the Abu Dhabi government backed renewables company, had been backing CSP. its $600m, 100 MW Shams 1 CSP unit should be completed in 2012. But the newly proposed 100MW Noor solar PV plant will cost less than Shams 1, because of improving efficiency and “the normal learning curve for the industry,” according to Frank Wouters, director of Masdar Power.
The cost battle is also evidently having an impact in the USA. According to an report carried by Renewable Energy World, conventional residential rooftop solar PV system in Los Angeles can deliver lower electricity at less cost per kilowatt-hour than the most cost effective, utility- scale concentrating solar power plant. It noted that CSP had higher operations costs and a higher cost of capital than for the residential rooftop system, and there were also transmission infrastructure and efficiency losses, which would increase the cost of power from the CSP plant further.
It may be too early to make longer-term policies on the basis of calculations like this, but PV and CSP do seem to be rivals. CSP has the major advantage of being able to store heat in molten salt heat stores, so that power production can be continued after the sun goes down, while most PV cell performance falls with time and rising temperature. But then CSP plants have to have some form of cooling as with any steam raising system- air cooling is less efficient than water cooling, but one thing deserts don’t have is water, so it would have to be piped in, adding to the cost. and with cell cost falling, PV may increasingly have the edge. after all, its not just domestic roof top PV systems or simply arrays that are in contention, new ideas for very large-scale CPV systems, including energy storage, are also emerging
Earthscans ‘Energy from the Desert’ three-volume book set edited by Kosuke Kurokawa et al , details the background and concept of very Large Scale Photovoltaics (VLS-PC). Overall the authors are very optimistic- they say VLS-PV can be competitive with fossil fuel-fired plants assuming economic energy storage is available- they look to Vanadium flow batteries. and longer term they see large scale PV solar are becoming a dominant energy option.
CSP and CPV both have similar environmental impacts in terms of their land use footprint, with some projects in the USA falling foul of local concerns about desert wildlife, and CSP’s need for water.solar.ehclients.com/images/uploads/envimpactsoflg-scalesolar_projects.pdf
But there should be plenty of desert areas around the world where there are minimal land use conflicts, and some North African CSP projects have been seen as being used partly for desalination- with sea water piped in over perhaps long distances from the Mediterranean, possibly linked to Solar greenhouses projects. seawatergreenhouse.com. saharaforestproject.com
New ideas may also emerge. It’s conceivable that CSP and CPV or PV arrays could be combined. There are some small-scale hybrid solar thermal-PV systems for domestic uses, the big advantage being that the solar heat absorbers keep the PV cells cooler, so they operate more efficiently, in tandem, with heat collectors in wafers in a sandwich with PV cells. although it’s harder to see how this could be achieved with large scale focussing systems, it could be worth exploring in hot desert environments.
Hybrid CSP/PV systems were mentioned as a future option by the developer of the 1GW Blythe solar project in California mentioned earlier. Reflecting the changing fortunes of CSP and PV, it has now decided that the first 500-MW phase will be switched from CSP to PV technology because they say market conditions in the US now favour PV. But they also noted that CSP was a valuable ‘grid-stabilizing renewable energy source with storage capabilities,’ so a combination might prove to be the best option. powermag.com/POWERnews/3985.html?hqe=el&hqm=2269044&hql=45&hqv=0c00b9b673
For more: Peter van der Vleuten, Free Energy International:energyfromthedesert.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=31
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Solar power has become portrayed since the most effective various source of energy accessible, and in many instances this is often authentic. but how dependable is solar power instead energy resource? Allow us take a look at some examples of how the sun has become utilized in the past to reply this problem.
The sun has become used through human historical past to heat h2o, dry clothes, cook and also to heat properties. Even before the creation of electricity home based internet businesses people have realized to take advantage of solar energy. Historic Greeks two,000 years back had created the first architectural layouts to get edge of solar heating.
Even the Romans had applied solar power to assault enemy vessels, as sizeable magnifying eyeglasses had been utilized to immediate the suns rays to melt away the sails of enemy ships.we will see that through historical past male has applied solar energy and reliably depended on it. what about nowadays in present day time? Is solar energy becoming applied any extra, or much less, and how dependable is solar power nowadays?
Solar energy remains becoming applied nowadays just as it’s been applied for several thousand years. People in establishing international locations nonetheless heat their h2o, cook their meals and heat their properties with it. but together with the creation of electricity mankind now employs solar energy to supply electricity. among the present day tactics to harvest the suns energy is from the use of solar panels, with solar panels changing solar rays into electricity.
Is solar energy dependable? certainly it really is. nevertheless, the technological tactics that we use nowadays to show the suns rays into electricity, isn’t 100% dependable. Solar panel engineering has without a doubt razor e100 electric scooter come a protracted way, however it remains in its infancy stage. Yearly more effective options to harness the sun’s power are rising, but the major hurdles at this degree of engineering, stopping solar energy from becoming 100% dependable, stands out as the weather conditions.
For the period of cloudy and rainy days electrical energy output from solar panels drop noticeably. its feasible however to realize 100% reliability from solar energy, by integrating solar panels which has a wind turbine to supply plenty of electricity for a family. In this particular regard the sun is definitely a viable and dependable various power resource.
K is incredibly captivated with solar power and environmental difficulties and feels it important to examine options wherein can maintain the world for longer. She would really like to teach other individuals over the rewards of renewable power sources from the hopes of convincing consumers to change a greener power resource.
Vitality difficulties certainly are a very hot subject today. we have been becoming informed over and over yet again to conserve power. We’ve got to save lots of power or the sources of power, so that they say. perfectly, when the power with the universe continues to be regular, then where exactly did the rest of the power go?
Nearly all of the beneficial power from the universe has now been transformed into not-so-useful power. A not-so-useful power case in point is thermal power, which explains world wide warming. so a particular way or a second, it really is best suited to say that we should really conserve power. A single method to do this will be to utilize the foremost abundant power sources just like the sun in addition to the wind or by combining solar and wind energy.
Combining solar and wind energy is becoming favorite today. Scientists and engineers see this since the upcoming how to make a solar panel energy source of the long run. so while these power sources are overflowing free of virtually anyone utilizing it, why not utilize them now?
First, precisely what is solar energy? Solar energy in the phrase solar, which means sun. In essence it signifies energy in the sun! The sun, and that is the source of power of all sorts of things the following in the world, is a particular reply to power concerns. how does solar energy work? Solar energy is collected by solar energy panels. this collected power is then saved in the generator. up coming time you will need make use of energy, you can utilize it just like any other power resource.
Similar goes for wind energy. Wind energy converts power in the wind into other forms of power like electricity because of the use of turbines. Despite the fact that wind energy produces only about one.5% of world-wide electricity production, it’s been gaining a great deal of attractiveness. In fact, somewhere between the years 2005 to 2008 the usage of wind energy has doubled.
These two abundant sources also are renewable and atmosphere helpful. Though becoming all of the power wanted to run your family appliances, you don’t have to worry about all of the shortcomings they give to mom earth. these power sources are clear, abundant, and renewable. Combining solar and wind energy subsequently, is incredibly safe and sound.
As being the use of these two sources of power gets favorite day following day, you may be thinking about who will use it or if you should can use it. Any person who will feel the heat with the sun previously mentioned them and feel the gust of wind on their cheeks can use them, as in anyone the following in the world.
If you are dwelling in the place where exactly you can actually see the sun all day extended, all through the yr it’s best make use of solar energy in your place. If you happen to are in North Carolina or somewhere actually windy, you can actually take advantage of wind energy to its greatest likely.
If these two sources are both abundant in your place, combining solar and wind energy is most effective.Only an infinitesimal amount of power in the sun and wind are now being applied today. Why don’t you learn more about this? by combining solar and wind energy, allow us conserve power nowadays.
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