Muhammad Mukarram Technical Services L.L.C

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Pros and Cons of High-Efficiency Furnaces Vs. Mid-Efficiency Furnaces

If you are shopping for a new furnace, the first thing you probably think of is efficiency – as in, getting a furnace that is more efficient than the one you’re replacing. A mid-efficiency furnace has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 80%. Compared to this, high-efficiency furnaces have an AFUE between 90 to 97%. Therefore energy-efficient furnaces can heat your home faster and cut down on monthly energy bills. However, they are also more expensive to install and have higher maintenance costs.

There are several pros and cons of purchasing high-efficiency furnaces as compared to mid-efficiency furnaces.

Pros of High-Efficiency vs. Mid-Efficiency Furnaces

• A 95% is more efficient than an 80% furnace. The furnace uses an extra 15% of the heat produced during the combustion process to heat your home. Better efficiency also means lower energy bills. So, you are saving money over time by reducing your monthly energy costs.

• Purchasing an new Furnace will require less expensive repairs. You will not have to purchase spare parts like for an older model. This will also eventually save money in the long run. Older furnaces may suffer from various problems such as problems with ignition, blockages, high noise levels. Sometimes, they might not produce enough heat to warm the entire house.

• These furnaces use lower energy and produce cleaner air. They are better suited for the environment and for your comfort. An efficient unit can also reduce your carbon footprint levels compared to mid-efficiency ones.

• They are smaller in size and usually accommodate lesser space in your home. They also have a longer life cycle than conventional models, so you do not have to worry about replacing your unit in just a few years.

Cons of Higher-Efficiency vs Mid-Efficiency Furnaces

• 90% plus furnaces have higher upfront costs and equipment costs compared to mid-efficiency furnaces. They might cost between 25% to 40% more than an AFUE model. Even though you are cutting costs in the long run through decreased energy bills, still not everyone is ready to make such an investment.

• The cost of installation is also higher. 90%-plus furnaces are more difficult to install as they are more complex, and combined with the high price of the unit itself, your expenses are likely to add up. If you are getting a high-efficiency furnace for the first time, your contractor will have to install two new components in your home. This is piping for air combustion and drainage for the condensate. The PVC pipes used are also different from the traditionally used metal pipes to enable the process of sealed combustion. These furnaces also have demanding maintenance needs compared to mid-efficiency ones that need to be taken care of now and then.

Conclusion

To decide which furnace option is best for your home, you need to take several factors into account, such as the size of your home, your monthly budget, and the weather in the region you live.

If you live in a region that is cold all year round, an energy-efficient furnace is a great choice, as after the initial investment you make, you are cutting down monthly energy costs. But if you are using the furnace for a few winter months, efficiency may not be that important.

Source by Mike Petty

Contact Beds For Wastewater Treatment Filtration

In this type of wastewater filtration, the sewage applied on the contact material is allowed to stand undisturbed for some time before, being emptied and an interval is allowed before recharging the contact beds. During the ‘contact period’, when the filter is standing full, the fine suspended particles of sewage are deposited on the contact material and worked over by the anaerobic organisms. During the ’empty period’ that follows next, the deposited matter is oxidized by the aerobic bacteria. It is then washed off the contact material and carried out with the sludge effluent on the next emptying of the tank.

Construction

Contact beds are watertight tanks with masonry walls and very much similar in construction to an intermittent sand filter. The contact material is made of broken stone called ballast and is of 2.5 – 7.5 cm gauge. The tank is filled with the sewage over a period of an hour; allowed to stand full over a period of two hours, then emptied through underdrains. This process takes another hour. The tank is now left empty for 3 to 4 hours before admitting the next charge. (Thus with a total working period in a shift of 8 hours, the contact bed can be worked in three shifts daily). The organic loading in this case is about the same i.e., 1.1 million liters per hectare per day.

Use

The contact beds method is now only of historical interest and not commonly used. This is mainly because of the loss of efficiency brought about by the exclusion of air when the tank is standing full. For an efficient biological action, it is imperative that the aeration should be through the mass of sewage. It has therefore, been superseded by more efficient biological wastewater treatment process, as in the case of trickling filter wastewater treatment method and activated sludge plants. However, the contact beds have some merit when compared to the trickling filters as:

(i) Lesser operating head required

(ii) Freedom from filter (psychoda) flies

(iii) Lesser nuisance due to odor

Source by Richard Runion

5 Common Laptop Problems and Their Solutions in Hamilton, Australia

In today’s fast paced world, laptops have made our lives easier in Hamilton, Australia. Thanks to their portability! We can carry them from one place to another with ease. But there is no denying the fact that they are also susceptible to damage.

Regardless of how careful and gentle you are with your laptop, it is bound to have various problems eventually. A lot of people have a common misconception that laptop problems can be treated through costliest repairs. But this is not the case. Many of them can be fixed at reasonable prices in Hamilton, Australia without hassles.

In this article, we will discuss five of the most common problems with laptops and how you can fix them.

  1. Heating Issue: Overheating or heating issue can have adverse effects on your computer’s performance in Hamilton, Australia. It can even cause system crashes and freezing as well. Computers generate excessive heat. However, laptops are likely to overheat due to their small size. They don’t even have proper ventilation.

Solution: Clean out the air vents using a soft cloth or you can use a keyboard cleaner. Consider placing a filtered cloth over the inhalation vent. Make sure it’s not placed on the exhaust vent.

  1. Running Slowly: A laptop running slowly or even performing sluggishly is one of the most common problems that people face. This problem is quite a frequent occurrence with laptops in Hamilton, Australia. It could be caused from malware to hard drive space or even equipment failing to perform.

Solution: To deal with this problem, make sure you reduce the number of items running on your laptop when it’s started in the morning. Also, get rid of all those programs you no longer use. Even switching browsers is a good idea. Don’t forget to clean your drive as well as browser.

  1. Battery Does Not Last Long: Is there anything that seems more aggravating than being in the middle of something crucial and your laptop dies unexpectedly? Although your laptop is wireless, you know that you will never be near a power socket at a critical moment, should anything unwanted happen. If you’re hard enough on the battery, it will eventually die than it used to.

Solution: Make sure you check every cable and connector fit tightly. If they fit right, then have the battery drained completely until the laptop dies. Now, plug it into the charge. If these solutions don’t work in your favor, you might have to consider replacing the battery in Hamilton, Australia.

  1. Water Damage: Water damage is a very serious problem with laptops. Spilling water or any other liquid may cause severe damage to your laptop. You can find professional laptop repair in Brisbane, Australia.

Solution: It is recommended to shut down the laptop immediately. Disconnect every cable from the system. Now, hold the laptop upside down so all the liquid can be drained out. Use a dry cotton cloth to wipe it gently. Also, a hair dryer can help you dry out the remaining liquid.

  1. Does Not Turn On: You press the power button of your laptop. Nothing happens. No matter how hard you try, it just would not turn on in your in Hamilton, Australia home. You don’t want to be left without access to important files and programs, do you?

Solution: Ensure that your laptop is properly charged. If it is charged, its adapter might have not been working. Using a voltmeter for testing the AC adapter will be a good idea. You can even test it with a new adapter.

If there is a problem with your laptop, consider computer Geeks2u for the best laptop repair in Hamilton, Australia. A professional can diagnose the problem and have it fixed before you even know it.

Source by Aaron Hewitt

Air Handling Units and Its Important Components

Air handling units, or AHU, are essential to heat or cool the atmosphere. All air conditioning systems, heaters and ventilators have AHU to condition and purify the atmosphere. These units have a number of important components which have specific functions. There are various types of air handling units which include the terminal units or the small units, large AHU and packaged units.

Functions of Different AHU Components

Different components are included in the AHU which are essential for the smooth functioning of these units.

Filters: The most important element in the AHU includes the filters which are mainly used to clean and filter the atmosphere. Filters are essential to condition the atmosphere.

Blower: Another important component includes the blower which helps to recycle the air present in the building. Blowers collect the air from the building; it is then conditioned and released back into the building through ducts. It is either cooled or heated according to the different requisites. Large commercial buildings with huge AHU have many blowers for better and efficient performance.

Mixing chambers: The mixing chambers in the AHU absorb air from the outside and exhaust it from the interior of the building with the help of dampers. This helps to condition the atmosphere more quickly and efficiently.

Conditioning elements: Different conditioning elements are present in different types of AHU. Cooling coils are present in the air conditioners and hot coils are used in heating systems. The various conditioning elements include steam, hot water and cold water.

Humidifiers: One of the most essential components present in the AHU includes the humidifiers which help to control the level of humidity in the atmosphere. Constant level of heating can cause the atmosphere to become dry in cold places. This can result in severe discomfort which can be prevented with the use of humidifiers. Different AHU units have different types of humidifiers and vaporizers.

Vibrator isolators: Most of the AHU are prone to vibration and high level of noises while functioning. The vibrator isolator helps to reduce unwanted vibration and noise emancipating from the unit.

Pressure control devices: There are various dust pressure control devices which controls the speed of the blowers.

Other Important Devices

Various other devices are used to augment the performance level of the AHU. Different types of AHU are available for various purposes. It can be installed in large commercial buildings and homes according to the availability of space. These units are available in different sizes. There are packaged units which are available in small compact sizes. It can be moved around easily in rooms. As these units are small, it is less efficient and can be used to heat or cool small areas.

The mini cabinet fan is another variety of the AHU which can be installed on the ceilings of the rooms. Ample amount of space can be saved with the installation of these units. Various air pollution control devices are also available in the online markets at reasonable price rates. All these units can be obtained in different sizes to suit large and small spaces.

Source by Vaiv Jais

Turbotec Drive Sprocket Pulley Installation for Victory Motorcycles

The Victory motorcycles with the 5-speed transmission has gearing that is a little short. First gear is almost not usable and high gear is not high enough. This two teeth larger pulley makes your bike more user friendly.

The Victory 32 Tooth Overdrive Pulley. Fits All 03-05 Victor motorcycles and 99-01 Victory’s with Upgraded Transmission. This pulley will decrease RPM by 7% and uses All Factory Parts. I decided to install this pulley on my 2004 Victory Kingpin and write up step-by-step installation instructions along with photos of the install. Below are my working notes for doing the installation.

I was doing other maintenance and decided to put the bike on a jack.
You do not need to remove the wheel. In fact you want to leave it on to help in the removal of the sprocket.
I removed the slip-on part of the exhaust first to lighten the exhaust.
Remove the belt guard.
Remove the right-side drive floor board so you can pull the exhaust off.

Prior to removing the exhaust.
Note the condition of the exhaust flange nuts.
The exhaust flange bolts may be rusted. Spray with WD-40 and let stand overnight to loosen them up.
After you get these flange nuts off, remove the exhaust.

Here is the Kingpin with everything removed.
Exhaust, belt cover, driver right-side floor board.
Not the wheel does not have to be removed. In fact it should be installed to help in the removal of the sprocket.

Removed exhaust. The slip on canisters are around here somewhere.

With the exhaust off, remove the sprocket pulley cover.

With the Sprocket cover off you now see the Sprocket.
Here I have the belt loose. You want it snug and the wheel on since this will be used as your resistance when removing the sprocket nut.

Another shot of the right side of the Kingpin completely stripped.

Remove the sprocket lock plate screws and lock plate.

Remove the sprocket lock plate.

The sprocket nut takes a 48mm socket.
The nut has been Loctited at the factory.
You can use either an Impact Wrench to remove. Heat it up to loosen the Loctite.
Here I am using my heat gun. It took about 10-15 minutes to where I could simply hold the rear brake pedal and remove the nut.
Let the sprocket cool down.
It will slide right off.
Next, clean off any left over Loctite gunk off of the sprocket rod threads.

After removing the nut you will have to loosen the belt to remove,and install the new pully.
The sprocket will slide right off after you loosen the belt.

Here is the lonely drive shaft in wait of it’s new drive sprocket.
Stay tuned for more since this is all the further I have gotten. I need to now order the new sprocket.

Bike should be all the way tore down on the right side, Bags, Passenger Floor Board,Driver Floor Board and Controls,Side Cover for the Pulley,Belt Covers(top & bottom) and Belt removed. The worse part of the job was the Exhaust System, be careful with them. Here’s a picture of the bike ready to start putting it back together. Now clean everything you have removed and clean the Engine and all areas that are exposed.

Grind the Tab that holds the Speed Sensor. Grind about 3/8’s to 1/4″ off the bottom of the tab but not all the way to the side of the engine block.

Keep trying the OD Pulley until it goes all the way on without hitting the Tab. The side pulley Cover will also need to be ground down to allow clearance for the drive belt. It will rub on the bolt sleeves.

Now install the Speed Sensor using washers of a thickness of about 3/8’s to 1/4″ put them over the screw hole and then put the Speed Sensor on top of the washers, stick the bolt in and tighten down.

Check wheel alignment and belt tension. With the bike elevated on a lift rotate the rear wheel until you find tight spot in the belt — halfway between the front and rear pulleys. You should have about 9mm of flex with 10lb of force on the bottom. The marks on the swing arm are useless. After tension is set rotate the wheel and check belt alignment by watching the belt track on the front and rear pulleys. The drive belt should not rub on the sides of the rear sprocket.

Finally reinstall the exhaust system. Be careful not to scratch the pipes as you maneuver them into position.

Please not the manufacturer’s of the Victory overdrive pulley do not include installation instructions with their product. Hopefully these instructions will help you through the installation. I have found very good help from the Kingpin Cruisers site at http://www.KingpinCruisers.net site. This install requires some good wrenching skills, but if a service tech can do it, you will surely be able to do it and do a much better job.

Source by Beau Wiley

How to Analyze the Qualities of Good Cleaning Companies

Getting a cleaning company within the shortest time possible can be stressful and time consuming. This is especially true if you have never dealt with any cleaning company before. When you are looking for cleaning companies to hire, you should only consider the best in the industry. Finding the best would involve knowing the qualities that set certain companies apart from others.

If you can get companies that are proved, rated and accredited, you will reap many benefits. A company might rate among the best if it has a prestigious health and safety certification and accreditation, such as Contractor Health & Safety Scheme (CHAS) accreditation. In addition, the best companies should have employers and public liability insurance.

To determine the best professional cleaners, they should offer you competitive, qualified and market priced quotations. The service they provide should be reliable and of high quality. The level of expertise that the company possesses should be of utmost concern. In many cases, an experienced company would have a higher level of experience.

The best companies should invest in the best equipment to enable them do their work as efficiently as possible. Some of the common cleaning equipment that the companies should have include vacuum cleaners, sweeper, scrubber dryers, high pressure washers, outdoor maintenance machine, scrubber dryers, carpet cleaning machines, buffing machines, etc.

Most companies buy vacuum cleaners to carry out daily cleaning of offices, retail stores, hotel room and other light to heavy-duty applications. Such vacuum cleaners should have a strong filtration system to ensure that the quality of air within your room is not compromised during cleaning.

If you are concerned about noise pollution, you should insist on hiring a company that uses equipment that produces minimal noise. If you manage noise sensitive facilities, such as offices, reception areas, and hospitals, the cleaning companies in London should offer you guarantees of minimum disturbance from their equipment.

If you want to have the best company among hundreds of others, you should consider getting multiple quotes from different cleaners. This will enable you compare and ascertain the most suitable one for your needs. The comparison should be done to find out which company provides the best service offer. You should insist on getting detailed quotations. You may make a more informed choice if the quotation includes details such as buying of consumables like toilet paper and cleaning chemicals. By knowing such information beforehand, you can easily plan your finances to cater for the availability of the required items.

The best cleaning experts should be able to offer you multiple cleaning services, including emergency cleaning services, periodic carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, pressure washing of surfaces and floor waxing.

The best companies are those that offer assurances and guarantees for their services. For example, they should provide a contingency solution in case their cleaning employees are absent for any reason. If you get a company that offers customized cleaning plans, you will be able to choose the most appropriate time for cleaning to be carried out. With such great tips, you will be able to get the best cleaning service for your needs.

Copyright @ FastKlean

Source by Antoaneta Tsocheva

Storage Container Rental

Storage containers can be used for a wide range of storage purposes and even accommodation use. Many suppliers will source their containers new directly from the factories where they are manufactured.

They are available in many different sizes, and standard sizes will include;

• 8ft long x 7ft 6ins high

• 10ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6ins high

• 20ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6ins high

• 40ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6ins high

The 10ft and 20ft lengths are the most popular containers, and are available with multi-compartmental conversions.

Stores are made from steel which is exceedingly strong and resistant to corrosion. They are coated with paint that is designed to withstand the rigors of marine use.

Other features of standard storage containers are as follows:

• Available in a range of colours

• Can be easily stacked

• Made to marine specification

• Additional ventilation to minimize any condensation

• Marine ply flooring which is vermin and rot proof

• Locking bars for ease of use

• Fully coated with marine grade paint

Chemicals and dangerous products need to be stored in a safe and secure environment, and chemical storage containers are required for this purpose. They are strong, robust and highly secure, and meet all the required government guidelines.

Chemical containers may be made to customers specific requirements, and manufactured in a range of different sizes from 8ft to 40ft in length. Optional extras can include heating, cooling, ventilation, racking and many other adoptions.

Other types which are available for hire include;

• Portable steel offices Welfare facilities

• Canteens/kitchens Foldable stores

• Portable toilets; either mains or chemical.

Source by Wesley C Clarke

Three Types of HVAC Condensers

A condenser is a device that is used to liquefy gas by cooling it. In HVAC equipment, hot discharge gas (refrigerant vapor) from the compressor enters the condenser coils at the top and is condensed, drains out of the condenser to a receiver located near the bottom. The condenser coil is located along with the compressor and controlling devices in the condensing unit. In a remote or split system air conditioning installation, the condensing unit is located outdoors. Condensers are available in a variety of sizes and designs that include plain tube, finned tube and plate type, series-pass and parallel pass units.

Condensers are classified by their cooling method. The three main types are broken down to:

  1. Air-cooled condensers
  2. Combined air and water-cooled condensers
  3. Water-cooled condensers

Air-Cooled Condensers

An air-cooled condenser consists of a coil of ample surface that air is blown by a fan or induced by natural draft. This type of condenser is universally used in small capacity refrigerating units. Mostly designed for residential or small office air conditioners.

Air-chilled condensers should be kept from free from dirt, lint and other foreign materials because they tend to reduce the airflow around the tubes and fins if they are allowed to accumulate just like evaporators.

Combined Air- and Water-cooled Condensers

This type of condenser is also know as an evaporative condenser and consists of a coil cooled by water sprayed from above and then cold air enters from the bottom and is blown across the coils. As water evaporates from the coil it creates a cooling effect that condenses the refrigerant within the coil. The refrigerant gas in the coil is hot which changed to the liquid state by combining the sprayed water and the large column of moving air supplied by the fan. The water that does not evaporate is recirculated by means of a pump.

Water-Cooled Condensers

A water-cooled condenser is similar to a steam surface condenser in that cooling is accomplished by water alone that circulates through tubes or coils enclosed in a shell. IN a water-cooled condenser the refrigerant circulates through the annular space between the tubes or coils. Because of its construction, a water-cooled condenser is also referred to as a double-pipe condenser.

Because an evaporative condenser is not wasteful of water, large compressor installations are possible in areas where water is scarce. Tests have shown that the amount of water required will not exceed the.03 gpm per ton of refrigeration. This is one of the eco-friendly reasons to use this type of condenser. Evaporative condensers also eliminate water water disposal problems and provide the most economical means of cooling refrigerant gases of standard air conditioners.

Source by John Stackson

Asthma Generated by Cockatoo? Is It Possible And An Effective Solution

If you have recently adopted one of the many stunningly beautiful varieties of Cockatoos and are enjoying the bird tremendously, congratulations. But if each time you spend more than 5 minutes in close proximity to the bird, you find it hard to breathe, you’ve adopted a problem that you hadn’t counted on. Is it possible that the bird is causing these symptoms, and if so, what can be done?

This is not that uncommon a reaction for people who adopt powder down birds such as Cockatoos, African Greys, Cockatiels and Amazons. In addition to the dander that all birds create, Cockatoos also create a white powder that helps their wings stay healthy.

The protein in the dander and dust often cause people with asthma, allergic asthma, and allergies to become symptomatic with wheezing, shortness of breath, itchy or watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Studies have shown that there are more people who react to birds this way than to any other type of pet.

So what can be done? You can literally clear the air. And the best technology for doing that is HEPA (or high efficiency particle arresting) filtration. This type of filtration is designed to efficiently eliminate high volumes of airborne particles. Eliminating these particulates will greatly reduce the allergens in the air and make visiting with your bird not only possible but enjoyable.

To be designated as a HEPA filter, it must be able to eliminate 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particulates with 99.97% accuracy. The particle size that is able to eliminate is.3 microns or greater, with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter.

One of the most common ways for bacteria and viruses to spread is by attaching to airborne particulates making them available to be inhaled. And even though many types of airborne germs are less than.3 microns in size, by eliminating the particle you also get rid of the germs. And the most refreshing part about this technology is that there are no harmful side effects produced when the air is cleaned. The only by product is fresh clean air for all.

Eliminating the dust and dander is also good for your bird. Because birds’ airways are so small, they are easy to clog. And once they are clogged disease and infection often follow. And often once you are aware that your pet has a problem, it’s too for them to be saved.

HEPA filtration can greatly reduce the airborne allergens that are triggering your respiratory problems, and make your air the healthiest it can be for you and your bird.

Source by Debbie Davis

Notes on Tortoise Hibernation and Care

Tortoises can live for over 100 years and so need committed owners to look after them. Tortoises are not native to most countries and climates where they are kept as pets and so as an owner you should understand their needs when kept in these alien conditions.

We are mainly interested here in discussing hibernation but a brief overview of their needs are, a well ventilated vivarium or a Tortoise table with a heat lamp and U.V. (ultra violet lamp) of high output UVB. a 10% full spectrum reptile lamp being ideal. Keep the heat at one end so the Tortoise can self regulate its temperature, the range should be as high as 40c at the hot end and down to 25c at the cool with a night time drop down to 15 degrees. Feed with leafy vegetables and occasional fruit dusted with a good vitamin/calcium supplement, commercial complete foods are also available. You will also need to provide a shallow water dish for drinking and bathing.

Tortoises in their natural habitat will hibernate for only short periods and so need checking regularly throughout their hibernation in our colder climate. Before hibernating insure your tortoise is in good health and a good weight.

It is recommend you weigh your pet before and at least monthly during hibernation, weight loss should not be more than one per cent per month. Any sudden loss in weight means there is a problem and you will need to wake the tortoise.

Hibernate your tortoise in a well ventilated box placed inside another box filled with polystyrene chips, shredded newspaper or another suitable material. Store in a dry and frost-free place such as an insulated shed or garage that will not be liable to temperature changes. You should not hibernate your tortoise somewhere that is liable to temperature changes such as a greenhouse that will get too cold at night and too warm on sunny days. Airing cupboards also are not suitable places for hibernation as many people think as they are usually too warm. Make sure the temperature is between 4-10 degrees Celsius (38-50F) higher temperatures will mean the tortoise may wake up, and in lower temperatures the tortoise will try to dig down to find more warmth, you do not want the tortoise using up energy that your pet should not be using at this time. A maximum-minimum thermometer available from any good reptile specialist pet shop is useful for monitoring the temperature. It is a good idea to protect the hibernation box from rodents also using wire mesh.

If the tortoise shows dramatic weight loss it should be woken and kept awake indoors for the rest of the winter. In this case you will need to provide heat and u.v. Lighting available from reptile specialist pet shops.

Check list of what you will need; 2 boxes (1 to fit inside the other), Insulation material (polystyrene chips), Wire mesh, Scales, Maximum-minimum thermometer, Suitable hibernation place and an Infra-red heat bulb or lamp plus u.v. lighting in case you need to rescue the tortoise from hibernation.

If you have any concerns about the tortoises weight or general health then do not try to hibernate it.

Source by Gordon Bloomfield