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Valairco Heating and Cooling Offers Solution to Surface and Air-Purification - TAPinto.net

By Raheem Akingbolu

In a market that is dominated with products of similar attributes, superior brands are known to show clear differentiation with innovative ideas that come with them.

This, perhaps, explains the reason why many corporate organisations launch distinct innovations to set them apart from the crowd. In the water heating sector, one organisation that has demonstrated this trait over the last few years is the Ariston Thermo Group.

Determined to prove that its product offerings can deliver comfort even in the most extreme weather conditions, Ariston Thermo Group conceptualised and executed the Ariston Comfort Challenge (ACC). The delivery of this real-life mission has continued to reverberate in the minds of its target consumers.

The Ariston Comfort Challenge proved to be the best campaign to express the Groups core vision of delivering sustainable comfort for everyone, everywhere in the world, which includes innovation, comfort, sustainability and efficiency.

The Ariston History

While Ariston Thermo Group was founded in Italy in 1930, starting with the production of weighing scales, the company witnessed intense growth and metamorphosed into a big brand 30 years after, producing gas cylinders and electric water heaters.

Having enjoyed acceptance in the market where it operated, the company consolidated its leadership position in the Italian water heater segment by expanding into Western Europes main markets. Years after, it began to make inroads into the heating sector, producing boilers. The Ariston brand, the most international brand of the 90 years old Ariston Thermo Group, is an Italian brand with a strong heritage and history.

The group, a manufacturer and marketer of heating and hot water products, systems and services offers energy-efficient solar, electric and gas water heaters and components such as electric heating elements and thermostats in the thermal comfort market for domestic, commercial and industrial spaces

Ariston Thermo Group has grown to become a global brand establishing a huge presence in both emerging and frontiers markets located in different parts of the world.

Currently, the group has maintained a leadership stronghold in the global thermal comfort market for domestic, commercial and industrial spaces operating in three different sectors with leading brands and an extensive range of solutions and services. In Nigeria, the company has entrenched its name in the mind of its relevant target segment through different product offerings.

Over the years, the Ariston brand appears to have worked along the line of thought that each market has its behaviours, cultural nuances and consumer trends, which calls for specialized variations of this original brand identity. Through some corporate identity elements, such as brand values and logos, which have been maintained across all countries, Ariston local departments have also been given enough power to adapt products and messaging to appeal to their consumers. Analysts have since described this as a fine balancing act between creating a shared brand experience worldwide and being adaptable enough to remain relevant in each specific country.

The positive side of all these is that the Ariston brand has remained a strong brand in the water heating industry and has remained a worldwide expert in water and environmental heating, providing innovative solutions to its consumers.

The products are characterized by comfort, exclusive design, efficiency and quality and features at the same time very competitive price.

For instance, in some countries, including Nigeria, Ariston LYDOS ECO, which was also recently introduced into the market, is believed to be the best solution for the user who wants a product that would guarantee energy-saving and at the same time maximum performance and maximum safety, is believed to be changing the market. WaterPlus technology provides up to 16 per cent more hot water. According to experts, some of its unique selling points are; simple installation, safe and environmentally friendly construction.

New Brand Communication Campaign

Like a scene from an epic thriller, the recently premiered global campaign of the Ariston brand comes with suspense, anxiety and curiosity. Through adventurous elements in the campaign, the promoters successfully enthralled their consumers.

The Ariston Comfort Challenge is though meant to further boost the profile of the Ariston, the leading and the most international brand in the Ariston Thermo Group, by highlighting its global mission of bringing sustainable comfort, even where it seems impossible to find but it will be achieved beyond that, considering the creative ingenuity explored in the campaign.

The Ariston Comfort Challenge focused on ensuring thermal comfort could reach anywhere in the world. Through this mission, Ariston has donated a warm shelter to a group of scientists from the University of Copenhagen involved in climate change studies in the remote and icy Island of Disko, in Greenland (Arctic).

Thanks to this mission, Ariston brand has also had the chance to give evidence to its product quality, which can work even in Extreme Conditions.

Director, Central Africa, Ariston Thermo Group, Mr Gaurav Bisaria explained that a safe and sheltered house, heated and provided with hot water for the maximum comfort even during Polar winters would have not been possible without our commitment to quality.

He noted that the success of the Ariston Comfort Challenge Greenland Mission is another proof of the company core value of superior quality of Ariston products, which could be seen in the efficiency of the output of the product even in the extreme weather condition.

We are really glad about launching this amazing campaign on the 90th anniversary of Ariston Thermo. The Group is a is a global leader in thermal comfort solutions for domestic, commercial and industrial spaces and The Ariston Comfort Challenge Greenland Mission is a campaign that makes us very proud as it testifies to the commitment to product quality in the quest of bringing comfort to everyone, even where it seems hard or impossible to find. Our new breed of water heaters introduced into the Nigerian market will help us embrace a completely new and different way to bring our purpose and mission to you he said.

He averred that the different ranges of Ariston Water Heater are of great quality which has endeared many customers to the brand. He noted that specific features in the products have continued to give the brand the edge in the marketplace. He listed the features to include high PUF insulation, Ultra-strong tank among others.

We are not known for compromising quality for all our products. It is the same quality of Water Heater installed in developed markets that you see available in Nigeria. Apart from that, the Water Heater acquired ten years ago is as good as the new one.

I can say that we have kept strictly to European standards in terms of the components and the maximum requirement for power consumption. Our Water Heaters are designed to withstand heat and rust. With Ariston Water Heater, you can keep water warm for a long period even when it is not in use. This is made possible because only Ariston has high PUF insulation and Ultra Strong tank that enables it to withstand high pressure and keep water hot, he said.

Speaking on safety, Bisaria stressed that all Ariston products have inbuilt protection that reduces chances of any accident or hazard arising from usage. According to him, each product comes with a safety valve which when properly installed protects it and the end-user against high pressure. Also, he stated that the product has a thermostat that protects the Water Heater against power surge which is seen by cutting off heating when it reaches the desired temperature.

To further prevent human or material losses, Bisaria explained that users must take precautionary measures by ensuring they engage the service of skilled personnel for installations.

Speaking on the effort made to bridge the capacity gap in the area of installation, he noted that Ariston had taken huge steps to improve on the number of skilled personnel. He further disclosed that the company had embarked on refresher courses and training to increase the pool of installers needed.

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Positioning through Sustainable Comfort - THISDAY Newspapers

Andy Fillmore| For the Star-Banner

TheCommunityWith A Heart2020-21 campaign kicked off this month, with thevolunteer outreach continuing to helplocal families achieve a better life.

CWAH has raised more than $1.8 million in 34 years of operation, and all funds went directly to local families, according to a campaign announcement from CWAH Chair Monica Bryant.

"This is a tough year for a lot of families, so we're hoping for a successful campaign," Bryant stated.

Last year, the lives of 52 families were improved with more than $69,000 donated by members of thecommunity. One of those helped was Essie Wright, of Ocala.

A Dec.25, 2019,Ocala Star-Banner article detailed how Wright's home in northwest Ocala needed bathroom plumbing, flooring repairs anda properly working hot water heater.

The 86-year-old woman was forced to walk with a cane across the interior of her home to use a second bathroom because of bad flooring in the bathroom nearest her bedroom.

Wright and her daughter Wanda Follins had cared for a family member in the home for 30 years, and house repairs were a low priority, Follins said.

In 2019, CWAH stepped in to help Wright, who also has medical issues.

"(The CWAH help) was a godsend," Follins said in a recent phone interview.

Scott Hackmyer is a CWAH board member and one of the field case workers who screens clients and helps coordinate repairs or other needed assistance.

More: Christmas during COVID-19: USPS launches Operation Santa with new digital letter adoption

Doc's Restoration in Summerfield was set up to do plumbing repairs and renovateflooring in the bathroom, and anew hot water heater was installed by another company.

"You could feel the love," Follins said about the coordinated effort, which she said made her mother's life better.

Hackmyer said a donationby Doc's Restoration made the complete job possible.

"As the cost of renovating the bathroom exceeded the $1,200 maximum limit that CWAH has in place, a local church also helped with the cost and, as a Christmas present to Essie Wright, Doc's Restoration absorbed the total cost of the plumbing work that was needed to complete the bathroom repair," Hackmyer stated.

Follins gives thanks to God and appreciates the upgrades to her mother's home done by other members of the community through CWAH.

Hackmyer said a donor would be sought to upgrade Wrights heat pump system, which has had freeze-up problems.

More:Have you thought about donating miles or reward points? Here are 5 ways to help those in need this holiday season.

CWAH has assisted with outstanding mortgage and utility bills, and repairs have been madeby local tradesmen who donate their time to help their neighbors.

Fundraising, screening and organization of assistance projects is done by volunteers with no overhead costs.

"One hundred percent of all donations received go directly to help individuals and families that live in Marion County. The Marion County Sheriff's Department donates meeting space for us to use, and the member agencies that make upCommunityWith A Heart are all donating their time and services," Hackmyer stated in an email.

"Families are screened to assure the needs are legitimate, and a home visit is made to every family requesting help so we can verify what has been told to us. We are really trying to help those in crisis get from Point A to Point B, where they will be self-sufficient and survive the crisis they are currently experiencing," Hackmyer stated.

"The donations made by the public are what allow us to extend this helping hand to those in need in ourcommunity," Hackmyer stated.

To donate toCommunityWith A Heart, mail checks to CWAH Fund,P.O. Box 1777,Ocala, FL 34478.Donations are tax deductible and go directly to help residents in Marion County.

How to Apply for Assistance:

To seek help fromCommunityWith a Heart, contact one of the following agencies for a referral to the program: Marion County Children's Alliance, Brothers Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County School Social Services, Salvation Army,CommunityLegal Services of Mid-FloridaInc., Ocala Housing Authority, Soul Harvest Ministries, Isaiah Foundation, City of Ocala, Central FloridaCommunityAction Agency, Marion CountyCommunityServices and Habitat for Humanity.

Other ways to help

Marion County Children's Alliance:Funds for emergency shelter in motel/hotel for victims and survivors of domestic violence; gas cards, new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for children ages 12-18. Call(352) 438-5990.

Brothers Keeper:Gas cards, bus passes, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-12.(352) 622-3846.

Salvation Army:Shampoo and conditioner,coats for children ages 2-12,towels, bedding, bus passes and canned food items.(352) 732-8326.

Interfaith Emergency Services:Coats for all ages, Bus passes and non-perishable food items. (352) 629-8868.

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Community With a Heart ready to help in Marion County - Ocala

Similarly people will do big things in an attempt to keep love alive. They will plan and hold huge, expensive weddings and elaborate honeymoons. They will go on big trips or at least an expensive dinner for their anniversary. And then in between the big, elaborate, and fancy, they will do very little to keep love alive.

Much like it doesnt make sense to install a water heater and not keep the pilot light lit, it doesnt make sense to do everything people do to get married, including changing names, addresses, adding kids and adding debt, to simply not keep the simple light of passion alive. Especially when that is the easy step.

I will be honest that Im not the best at paying my gas bill. Although Ive never had it shut off from lack of payment, it has been late a few times as I get busy doing other things and forget to pay my bill. Luckily, theres a due date or I may not ever pay it at all.

Similar to me needing to take the time to pay my bill to keep the flame on, we all must take the time to do the small things to keep the flame of love alive. Each day before work I make the bed and hang the bath mat over the shower door. These very small acts of love help keep the flame lit in our relationship.

Each day my wife asks me how my daily run went. While her day would certainly go on without such information, her simply asking helps me know she cares and helps keep that little flame lit.

The great thing about keeping a little flame lit is it can be used to produce large amounts of heat. As one wisely said, You cant fan the flames of romance if you havent kept the pilot light lit.

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Keepin Love Alive: Light it Up - Scottsbluff Star Herald

In the early 1950s, two countries led the world in the development of solar hot water heater systems (SHWS): Israel and Australia.

Based on technology pioneered in California and Florida in the 20s both countries were developing integrated tank models: water is heated pipes in 2-3 sqm of dark copper plates behind glass (the absorber), that then flows to and from a tank mounted horizontally above the absorber.

As water in the absorber is heated by the sun it rises up the sloping panel into the tank, at the same time drawing down cold water into the bottom of the panel to be heated; a closed loop or thermosiphon. Simple and self-regulating, easy to manufacture, at first it appears a very elegant solution, and given the plentiful sunshine in both countries it seemed a no-brainer that this technology would be widely developed and implemented.

Fast forward 70 years: in Israel there is hardly a building that doesnt have some form of SHWS; in Australia less than 5 percent of houses have one. The big question is: if both countries started out with the same enthusiasm, technology and access to sun, why did Australia fail?

The answer is usually believed to be twofold: cheap energy and no incentives. Energy in Australia was cheap for ages, and a SHWS expensive (relative to an electric or gas storage heater). Payback periods of 6 to 8 years were considered too long; a really stupid argument, since no-one asks the payback period of a stone benchtop over laminate or a big window over a small one. Nevermind that a SHWS will continue to save money for decades, which the bench and window wont.

Another reason was a lack of government regulations or incentives to install a SHWS (as had been in Israel since the 70s). The few rebates eventually introduced were state or council-based, periodic and without mandatory installation requirements. No national co-ordination, confused information and poorly promoted (need we add that over 70 years the conservative LNP has been in power for twice the time of the ALP).

But the real failure, rarely acknowledged, was design: an integrated tank style SHWS is ugly, ungainly and difficult to install. The elegant idea of the original design was more than offset by the eventual clunkiness in appearance and the clumsiness of installation: great theory, terrible practice.No manufacturer made an effort to visually integrate a SHWS onto Australian roofs, rather the tanks were finished in bright aluminium or polished stainless steel, not coloured to match the roof. And adding insult to injury the manufacturers splashed garish signs across the entire tank; no other household product had this aggressive, not to say offensive, branding.

Add to this the impracticality of installation: north-facing roofs required just structural reinforcement, but any other direction needed extra structure AND a separate frame, uglier than the SHWS itself. The increasingly popular two storey houses also needed the SHWS craned in.In any event the plumber had to install multiple fixings to fix the panels and tank in place, and several penetrations for the hot and cold-water pipes and the booster connections. All this on our preferred terracotta or concrete tiles, getting more brittle with age, not to mention being on those fragile tiles for maintenance. Two generations of plumbers, the most expensive sub-contractor on site, became inured to the attractions of the SHWS.

Some Councils -like the then Leichhardt in Sydney - had a policy mandating a SHWS but prohibited them being visible from the street. This highlighted the contradiction facing homeowners: they wanted to be eco-conscious, but so difficult were the issues of aesthetics, efficiencies, approvals, frames and overshadowing they preferred not to install a system.But wait, theres more: in cold or frost-prone conditions the water can freeze and burst the absorber. The solutions, using a separate circuit of liquid with an antifreeze agent, or pumping warm water through on cold nights, increased the initial price and created other problems of failure. Hailstorms, common in coastal Australian cities (more than the Middle East) can wreck the panels laminated or tempered glass.

One of the most vexing problems was the booster: using electricity or gas in cloudy or rainy conditions. The booster wouldnt know when the sun was about to come out, or when the users were about to use the water, so the system defaulted to use energy to heat the water overnight in case there was early morning demand for hot water. Early morning sunshine (or owners showering late) meant the solar input would be wasted in a pre-heated tank. A later solution was to use instantaneous gas to heat only the water that was not hot enough.

Early issues were eventually resolved, but the design never suited Australian houses and conditions, and the public resisted installing them, so the potential for mass production to reduce prices was never achieved. Even more amazing, the manufacturers persisted with this design for over 40 years, spending more time seeking government rebates than looking at the design failures.Fortunately, two changes in technology improved the situation. About 20 years ago a better absorber, using evacuated tubes, that worked on a wider range of roof angles and orientations became common. The panels were still vulnerable to hail, but more efficient to eliminate the need for a bulky frame. Equally important, the tank was now separate from the panels, located on the ground and connected by a pump, where it was more easily installed and maintained, and where instantaneous gas boost could be connected.

More recently there has been an even more radical change. Hot water can now be produced by a heat pump motor. Like an AC set to heat, they are super-efficient: every kWh of energy input pumps out 4 kWh of heat (a coefficient of performance, or COP, of 4). Now if we add a PV panel system, then the energy for the heat pump, and thus the hot water, comes for free.

Technically this is a solar water heater but more efficient than the traditional types, particularly if the heat pump is set to run when the sun is out and the PVs are working, and the back-up has a COP of 4 when its not. The installation is easier: the tank and pump are on the ground near the kitchen / bathrooms, and the PVs are more easily fixed and hail resistant than the older hydronic glass panels.

Despite 70 years of innovation water heating still produces as much greenhouse gas in Australian houses as the AC we have been discussing in recent weeks. Ten years ago, when I first wrote some of this critique in Architectural Review Australia, I called for more SHWS, saying:

Australia needs a coherent program to promote solar water heating for 95% of its dwellings, particularly in widespread suburbia that has access to sunlight on almost every roof. Ten years from now, travellers arriving by plane should remark on three things: the red terracotta roofs on the houses, the blue swimming pools and the black solar water heaters that are offsetting the energy demands of the former two.

The sentiment hasnt changed, just the technology to deliver it has: the black that I so ardently wanted is now PV panels on 2.2 million homes; it needs to be linked to heat pump hot water systems, storing energy in hot water, and then the last old-style SHWS can be taken down and consigned to the Powerhouse Museum.

Tone Wheeler is principal architect at Environa Studio, Adjunct Professor at UNSW and is President of the Australian Architecture Association. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and are not held or endorsed by A+D, the AAA or UNSW. Tone does not read Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Linked In. Sanity is preserved by reading and replying only to comments addressed to [emailprotected].

Original post:
Tone on Tuesday: On Solar Water Heating - Architecture and Design

A recent survey by LightStream found that despite the coronavirus pandemic, 73% of homeowners are planning to renovate this year. And these homeowners are planning to spend big money, too the survey found homeowners plan to spend an average of $11,851 on these renovations. These numbers might sound shocking in light of the financial hardships many Americans are facing due to the pandemic, but it seems the health crisis actually mightbe the reason so many are so motivated to renovate.

As a result of COVID-19 shutdowns that closed offices, businesses, schools and more, self-isolation has forced Americans to take a much closer look at their homes, Todd Nelson, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at LightStream, said in a news release. Many have clearly decided that renovation remains the right move.

If youre one of the many homeowners whos eager to update your home this fall, these are the best renovation projects to tackle.

Last updated: Sept. 3, 2020

Fall is the perfect time to give the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint, saidJames Watson, marketing director at Omaha Homes For Cash, which specializes in house flips and renovations.

Summer months are too hot and paint tends to get runny with humidity, he said. Depending on where you live, winter weather is not conducive to painting your house. Fall temperatures and the lower humidity tend to make it the perfect time to spruce up the outside of your house.

The cost of the project will depend on the size of your home and whether you tackle it yourself.

If you are a DIY person, you can get the job done on an average-sized house for around $1,000, and the curb appeal and wow factor alone is well worth the investment, Watson said.

Now is the best time to prep your lawn for 2021, saidBryan Clayton,CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, which helps homeowners to find a lawn service provider.

Aerate and overseed turf to make sure youll have a great looking lawn next year, he said. Fall is the absolute best time of year to do this as the temperatures are cool enough for the seed to germinate and get established for the following year.

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to aerate a lawn is $130 and the average cost to reseed a lawn is$964.

Clear those gutters on the roof to avoid all kinds of problems, like wood-rotting along the roofline, Clayton said. Youll be glad you did.

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Your gutters should be cleaned one to three times annually, according to HomeAdvisor. The average cost to hire a professional to clean your gutters is $157.

If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures during the winter, now is the time to winterize yourirrigation system and pool if you have one, Clayton said.

The average cost to winterize a sprinkler system is $81, according to HomeAdvisor. If you have a pool, expect to pay between $150 and $300 for winterization, the company said.Paying for these services now could save you money in the long run.

Failing to get this done before your first frost could cost you thousands, Clayton said.

One of the best ways to prepare your home for the winter is to check out your roof and make sure there isnt any damage to be fixed or debris that needs to be removed, saidJesse Silkoff, founder of MyRoofingPal.

If there is work to be done, fall is a good time to take care of it.

If your roof needs repair, the cost of this project will depend on the scope of the work. The average roof repair cost ranges from$353 to $1,435, with a national average of $887, HomeAdvisor reports. Small roof repairs tend to cost between$150 and $400.

When it comes to preparing your home for the winter, you want it to be draft-proof, said Andy Kolodgie, co-owner of The House Guys. It is important to check the doors, windows and chimneys for air leakage. Depending on where you discover an air leak, you should consider adding a door snake if a door has a gap, caulking windows if your windows are not sealed properly or using spray foam if there is a non-visible leak such as a dryer exhaust vent. Blocking the breeze will prevent warm air from leaking outside.

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Kolodgie also said to double-check any openings in your attic.

Most people insulate the whole attic but forgo adding insulation on top of the opening to the attic, he said. Having that 9-square-foot area insulated is a worthy task to add to your winter preparation list.

The cost of these projects ranges from $20 to $200.

These draft-proofing methods wont add value to your home, but you will save a considerable amount in energy savings during the winter months,Kolodgie said.

Be Prepared:How Much It Really Costs To Protect Your Home Against Natural Disasters

Sometimes caulk just wont cut it. If your doors or windows have gotten warped, now might be a good time to replace them.

Over time, wood can swell and not fit into the window or door frame properly, said Jen Stark, founder of the gardening and home improvement blog Happy DIY Home. When this happens, drafts come into the house and your energy bill shoots up as you try to heat the house.

Replacing your windows costs around $175 to $700 per window, and doors cost around $600 for the national average, Stark said.

These improvements can pay off when it comes to selling your home, she said.

Putting in new windows and doors to seal out drafts can boost your homes value by $8,000 to $10,000, and adding new exterior doors can boost your homes value by giving your home more curb appeal, Stark said.

It can be quite costly to install solar panel arrays to power your whole home. A cheaper alternative is to install a solar-powered water heater.

The solar panels used for a heater are smaller, simpler to install and easier to remove during roof maintenance, Kolodgie said. This is essential to do before winter, as you dont want snow on your roof for installation.

A solar-powered water heater including installation costs around $4,000, Kolodgie said. This will add minimal value to your home roughly $1,000 but there is a federal tax credit for solar panels and you will save money on heating.

Replacing your HVAC filter is a small project, but a worthy one,Kolodgie said.

These are inexpensive around $10, he said. Any amount of debris trapped in the filter will cause a decrease in airflow, creating an energy deficiency.

Although its more costly than simply replacing your filter, if your HVAC system hasnt been cleaned in the past 15 years, consider getting it serviced this fall.

There is a lot of dust and debris which will slow down the flow of the air and cause heat to escape in places where it is not efficient for your home, Kolodgie said. Further, doing this will also help if you are hypoallergenic.

Servicing your HVAC will cost about $100 and could save you from an expensive repair in the winter,Kolodgie said.

Tips:25 Tricks To Sell Your House for a Bigger Profit

The fall is also a great time to switch over your basic thermostats to smart thermostats, Kolodgie said. You can control your heat remotely and conserve more energy while youre away from home.

A smart thermostat such as the Google Nest or ecobee will cost you $200 and add the full value back into your home if you plan to sell before your version becomes outdated,Kolodgie said.

This is the ideal time to convert your garage into a functional living space that works for you, said David Cusick, chief strategy officer at House Method. With remote work more popular than ever and commuting becoming a thing of the past, homeowners are also looking to add more space as they live through lockdowns and quarantines. The garage is a great place to start.

Cusick said the cost will depend on the scope of the project. If you want to convert your garage into a full guest house with a kitchenette and bathroom, the project could cost up to $30,000. If it makes more sense for your needs to convert your garage into an office space, expect to spend around $5,000.

This kind of project can be costly and may require regulatory checks from your local building authority, he said. However, adding this extra space could increase your homes value by 10-15%. Moreover, you can rent out the space or put it on Airbnb to start making money immediately after the projects completion.

Find Out:What Homes Will Be Worth in Your State by the End of 2020

The fall and winter are filled with great food and drinks in the kitchen, so why not spend some time updating your cabinets and countertops? saidChris Gold, CEO and owner of Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis.

Not only will this project make your home more inviting for holiday guests, but it can increase the resale value of your home when its time to sell.

As a realtor, I know how much attention is put on the kitchen cabinets when showing a house, Gold said. If they are outdated or ugly, people instantly start talking about how much money and time it will take to replace them. If they are modern and new, people get excited and rave about how much they love them.

Gold recommends replacing cabinets and countertops, rather than just painting them, even though this is a bigger undertaking.

Sometimes [paint] can help, but most times it honestly makes them look worse, he said.

Gold said kitchen cabinets typically cost between $200 and $600 per linear foot, and the entire project is likely to cost between $4,000 and $6,000.

An unfinished or underused basement can be transformed into an entertainment space for your family and now is the time to take on this project, said Romana King, real estate expert and director of content for Zolo,Canadas largest independent brokerage.

As the days get shorter and the weather gets wetter and colder, we are all going to end up staying inside for longer and longer periods, she said. To help, homeowners should consider creating a dedicated entertainment zone such as a family room, den or multi-use playroom.

King said a basement is often the ideal area to create this space.

King acknowledged that this could be a major and expensive undertaking she estimated it will cost $60,000 to $70,000 but said the investment could be well worth it.

Homeowners will have the benefit of a communal gathering space where the family can either relax or let off steam, and between 70% to 75% of the costs will be recouped with the added value to the home, she said.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Best Home Improvement Projects To Tackle This Fall

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13 Best Home Improvement Projects To Tackle This Fall - Yahoo Finance

Shamsina improves its offer. After six years of existence, the Egyptian start-up, which specializes in manufacturing solar water heaters for disadvantaged communities, is redesigning its product. Shamsina is supported in its project by the innovation laboratory of Harvard University in the United States. The American laboratory incubated the start-up in January 2020, as part of their BuildIt programme.

Shamsina, created by two Egyptian-American entrepreneurs Deena Mouse and Sara Mousa, is developing a new version of its solar water heater, the third in fact, and hopes that its product will be mass-produced. The start-up also plans to create a scalable company that can serve the millions of Egyptian families who currently lack the means to heat water reliably and safely. We plan to start production in the spring of 2021. We will produce our models and moulds and entrust production to an existing plant. Well be able to produce them at the speed, scale and quality we need, says Startup Shamsina.

We will use what we describe as a cross-subsidy model which consists of selling the heaters at a normal price of about $300 (4,840 Egyptian pounds) and also at a reduced price of less than $100 (1,613 Egyptian pounds) for the poorest. Production will be subcontracted to Egyptian factories, the start-up says.

Like the previous versions, the third version of Shamsina solar water heater will consist of two main units: a water storage unit and a solar panel. The new solar water heater technology will be installed on rooftops or other locations with long periods of direct sunlight. The heat radiation from the sun will pass through stainless steel panels to quickly heat the water. The new prototypes insulation will allow the water to stay hot longer than the first two Shamsina solar water heaters, which keep the water hot for only two to three hours. The start-up is thus innovating on traditional flat panel heating by making it more compact and better adapted to local infrastructures.

The idea of setting up the Shamsina start-up was based on an observation. After a field survey, Sara Mousa, the CEO of the start-up noticed that almost half of Egyptian households do not have access to modern water heaters. In several unplanned areas of Cairo, the CEO also found out that families use kerosene lamps, gas tanks and fireplaces on a daily basis to heat water to meet their basic needs such as bathing, cooking and cleaning. These are alternatives, of course, but they are very dangerous because of their negative impact on the health of the population (respiratory diseases). Kerosene, gas and fires are fossil fuels. They therefore emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

The first version of the Shamsina heater was installed in 25 homes and organisations in eight governorates of Egypt. Subsequent prototypes with a capacity of 0.1 m each were built and sold for about $210 (3385 Egyptian pounds) to local families throughout Egypt. To implement this project, the start-up received support from numerous companies and organisations including Yomken, Nebny, Ruwwad and Hand Over. With the launch of Shamsinas new version of solar water heaters, several other households will also see a change in their lifestyle.

Start-up Shamsina has received funding from Davis Projects for Peace, an initiative for all students at Davis United World College Scholars Programme schools in the United States and the American non-profit organization Synergos. The start-up is currently seeking seed funding of approximately $50,000 (806,340 Egyptian pounds).

Ins Magoum

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EGYPT: Start-up Shamsina develops its third version of solar water heaters - AFRIK 21

BELOIT The West Branch school board this week approved repairs to the driveway at the Beloit campus.

The board approved a resolution to proceed with driveway repairs at the middle and high schools at a cost of $49,827. Vasco Asphalt Company will start the stand alone project immediately, with the cost to be covered by the Maintenance Fund.

The board also approved continuation of a sports participation fee for the 2020-2021 school year. Fees will be $75 per student for unlimited sports for seventh- and eighth-grade students and $100 per student per sport for ninth- through 12th -grade students. There is a cap of $200 per student and $400 per family.

Also at the meeting, the board accepted a dry erase board for the high school weight room valued at $860 from DFC Sports & Fitness and expressed thanks to Greg Shaheen for installing two boiler tanks and one new water heater in the district at an estimated labor cost of $1,190 and Scott Tuel, general manager of Ventra Salem, for arranging the donation of over 400 face shields.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Jerry Yeagley effective Sept. 1 after 18 years with district, as well as the resignation of Starr (Fisher) Martin as family & consumer science teacher, Rebecca Zeisler as vo-ag teacher and Stephanie Ruark as guidance counselor.

The board also approve Christy Biery as student success liaison paid with funds allocated for the Students Success and Wellness Initiative, Joseph Ginocchi as student attendance & community liaison/suspension coordinator, and Leslie Pierce as a consultant on an as needed basis for no more than 24 hours per week.

Additionally, the board granted supplemental summer conditioning contracts for the 2020-2021 school year to Ken Harris for football, Walt DeShields for girls basketball, Michael Brown for boys basketball and Penny DeShields for volleyball; and approved a stipend for the completion of the CCIP/Federal Programs for Micki Egli, not to exceed $8,500.

The boards next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the high school.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. Workers are preparing to start the demolition of an 80-year-old South Carolina public housing complex where two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly maintained heater.

The 400 residents of Allen Benedict Court in Columbia were never allowed back into their homes after the bodies were discovered and the neighborhood evacuated in January 2019.

Crews are installing fences around the project and will start removing asbestos, lead and other dangerous materials on Monday, the Columbia Housing Authority said in a statement.

Officials said they hope to have heavy equipment on site to begin tearing down buildings within two weeks and have the project finished by November.

Calvin Witherspoon Jr., 62, and Derrick Roper, 31, were found dead in separate units in the same building. Firefighters immediately checked all 244 homes in the complex and found unusually high gas levels in at least 65 units coming out of water heaters, stoves and other appliances.

Residents were evacuated and never returned as Columbia officials determined it would be better to just tear the complex down.

The Columbia Housing Authority was fined just under $11,000 earlier this year after pleading guilty to 24 safety violations including broken smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers as well as failing to do routine maintenance.

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Demolition of public housing complex where 2 died starts - Winston-Salem Journal

Nothing says summer fun like being on a boat, but boaters, swimmers and marina staff must be aware of the unique dangers in and around the water.

Electricity and carbon monoxide (CO) bring particular risks to the boating world. CO is a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Often called the silent killer, CO is created when fuels such as gasoline, diesel, or propane do not burn fully. Another potentially silent and deadly hazard is electricity and water. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) is the result of the passage of a typically low-level AC current through the body with sufficient force to cause skeletal muscular paralysis while immersed in water, eventually resulting in the drowning of the victim. Learning how to protect you and your family from these dangers will make your time on the water most enjoyable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, all carbon-fuel engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce CO. The most common symptoms of low-level CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Higher levels of CO inhalation can cause death. CO poisoning can also cause you to pass out and fall into the water and drown. A person who is sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before waking and realizing you have symptoms.

Your local firefighters have a few recommendations to protect you from CO poisoning while you are on your boat. The first step to staying safe is to install CO alarms inside your boat and test the alarms before each trip. Whenever the CO alarm is activated, move to a fresh-air location right away and fully investigate the cause.

Larger boats, such as cabin cruisers and houseboats, sometimes have generators that vent toward the rear of the boat. This venting poses a danger of CO poisoning to people on the rear swim deck or water platform. Because of this danger, it is suggested that swimmers avoid the water near rear swim decks or water platforms. Since the exhaust from a nearby vessel can send CO into the cabin and cockpit of another boat, you should always dock, beach, or anchor at least 20 feet away. Traveling at slow speeds or idling in the water can also cause CO to build up in a boats cabin, cockpit, bridge and aft deck, or even in an open area. You should always keep hatches, windows, portholes and doors free from debris so exhaust can vent freely.

While CO may be the silent killer and present a hazard in the air and around the boat, electricity poses a silent threat in the water. Electric Shock Drowning can occur when marina electrical systems leak electrical current into the water. It is important to note that there is no visible warning or way to tell if water surrounding a boat, marina or dock is energized or within seconds will become energized with fatal levels of electricity.

According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, ESD can occur virtually in any location where electricity is provided near water, and the majority of ESD deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks. The typical victim of ESD is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock where electricity is present. The electricity that enters the water and causes ESD originates from the wiring of the dock or marina, or from boats that are connected to the power supply at the marina or dock.

In most circumstances, victims do not immediately feel electrical current when they enter or swim in the water around a marina or dock, thus giving the victims the false impression that it is safe to swim. Electricity enters the water when an electrical fault occurs aboard a boat. Often the electric fault occurring aboard the boat is intermittent. For example, the fault that places deadly current into the water may only occur when a light switch is turned on, or when a hot water heater, battery charger, air conditioning unit or other electrical device cycles on. Water can appear and feel safe and in a split second become energized with deadly electricity.

Even though ESD is more common in fresh water, salt water is not completely risk-free. The danger of shock exists wherever there is water and electricity. Depending on the level of the electric current, you may feel tingling or lose control of your muscles, suffer from paralysis and drown. The current can also trigger a fatal heart rhythm. Remember, there is no visual warning or other clue that water may be electrified, and it doesnt take much electricity to cause drowning. In fact, as little as 2 watts can be fatal to a swimmer.

Like many risks, there are steps you can take to prevent this horrible tragedy from happening to you or your loved ones. The best preventative measure is to never allow swimming near the boat, marina, or launching ramp. It is also a good idea to have your boats electrical system inspected annually by a certified marine electrician. Ground-fault circuit interrupters and equipment-leakage circuit interrupters should be tested monthly to ensure functionality. Only use shore power cords that are UL-Marine Listed because they are safe to use near water. Household cords are never appropriate for a boat, at a marina, or on a dock! Verify the location of your main breakers on the boat and the shore power source so that you can respond quickly in case of an emergency.

In an emergency, disconnect the shore power at the breaker, throw a flotation device to the victim, and call 911. Remember to never jump in after someone who is experiencing ESD, because you may fall victim as well.

Your local firefighters are a great resource for learning more about carbon monoxide prevention in your home and on your boat. For more information about Electric Shock Drowning, visit http://www.esfi.org.

This column was written by Jane Perkins, Fire Safety Specialist for the Rhode Island Southern Firefighters League and Captain of the Watch Hill Fire Department. If you would like to see a question answered in this column, please e-mail her at askafirefighter@yahoo.com.

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Ask a Firefighter: Beware the hazards of summer boating - The Westerly Sun