5 Signs Your Ductwork Needs Attention

You can’t see it because it is hidden behind walls, but ductwork is a vital part of your home and one that could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year if it isn’t working properly. It’s hard to know if your ductwork needs attention because the problems aren’t often noticeable or visible, but paying attention to these five signs could help you know if your ductwork needs to be checked.

Noises

Image via Flickr by HomeSpot HQ

If you hear rattling, whistling, or humming when your HVAC system is running, it could be a sign the ductwork isn’t working properly. It could be that the HVAC system is creating greater air pressure than the ducts can handle or there could be a leak in the ducts that needs to be repaired. In most cases, noises don’t indicate a major problem, but one that can be corrected with an HVAC tune-up or a relatively simply repair.

Weak Air Flow

Is your system not pumping out enough air? It could be that there is blockage or debris in the ducts that needs to be cleaned out. It could also indicate a tear or crack in the duct that is causing air to leak or the vents could be the wrong size to effectively deliver air. Weak air flow can happen throughout the entire home or in just a few vents. To get an idea of where the problem is located, check the air flow from each vent in the house.

Uneven Temperatures

Ideally, your heating and cooling systems should work so that every room in the house is the same temperature. If that isn’t the case, it could be due to blockage or breakage in the ductwork or vents in one area of the house that are the wrong size.

Dust

If your home is collecting more dust than usual, it could be a sign that there is debris in your ductwork. This issue can often be solved by simply changing the HVAC air filter, but it could also be a sign that a larger, system-wide filter needs to be installed. Dust and debris in the ductwork can cause the HVAC system to work inefficiently or break down.

Humidity

Mustiness or higher humidity than normal in your home can signal that the ductwork has cracks or tears that are allowing condensation to form. Pay attention to the humidity level in your home; if it seems to be increasing as the weather stays the same, it’s likely your HVAC system. If condensation isn’t removed and cracks aren’t repaired quickly, it could lead to mold growth in the ductwork.

Paying attention to how your HVAC system is working and how air is moving through your ductwork can alert you to potential issues before they grow into larger and more expensive problems. An HVAC technician can inspect the ducts and make repairs, but only if you are aware to what is going on. Paying attention to the ductwork and keeping up with home maintenance could save you lots of money.

Not Sure Where The Pests In Your Home Are Coming From? The Professionals At Terminix Can Help

Discovering ants, cockroaches, or other pests around your home may make you feel like a bad housekeeper, but the problem may not be due to a lack of cleanliness or home maintenance. Insects, rodents, and wildlife don’t need an invitation to move in and take up residence; everything and everywhere is fair game. To be specific, dry, warm spots inside your home are especially attractive to house-hunting insects. Part of the job of controlling pests is figuring out how they’re getting inside, and a professional, such as a pest control cockroach infestations, can help you find and fix the weak spots in your home’s defenses. For expert assessment, you should look at these areas:

Windows and Screens

Inspect window screens for tears and holes and look for edges of the screen that may have escaped from the frame. Examine the weather stripping for loose or worn spots and replace if needed.

Daylight and Doors

Look for light around the doors; if you can see it, insects can get through there. Ensure that your doors form a seal when closed by replacing worn door sweeps. Don’t forget to check the door into the garage too.

Gaps in Siding

Siding should meet the edges of the house trim; seal any gaps you find between the points where they should meet. Seal gaps between siding and the foundation as well because gaps at ground-level are entry points.

Foundations and Exterior Walls

Can you see a few inches of the foundation? If not, remove topsoil to expose a few inches or more. Soil that is high enough to meet the exterior walls provides easy access to bugs. Trim shrubs and plants to keep them from touching the exterior.

Dryer Vents

Inspect dryer vents as well as kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Vent dampers should be able to move without obstruction; replace any that are broken.

Crawl Spaces

If you can’t get into the crawl space yourself, have someone do it for you. Check screens over the opening for holes and tears, which may be a point of entry.

Wall Areas

Examine TV cables, plumbing, and HVAC passages through the walls and apply a double seal to block insects. Caulk around the exterior entry/exit points, as well as the interior openings.

Chimney Caps

Consider installing a chimney cap to block larger animals, such as squirrels, raccoons, or birds, from using this large entry point. Because rodents can bring bugs, fleas, and other pests into the home with them, a cap provides extra protection. Be sure to examine the cap for damage on a regular basis.

On the Roof

Inspect fascia, soffits, and roof vents for damage and look closely at the points where rooflines meet. These junctures can be attractive to yellow jackets and wasps. Examine vent screens too.

Whether you want to take back your kitchen from insects infestations or have bigger problems, such as rodents or wildlife, pest control in San Antonio is available through Terminix. Enlist a team of experienced professionals who know where to look and what to look for in helping you determine how pests are getting into your home.

American Federal Auto – What Are The Benefits of Buying a Used Car?

Last year I was, for the first position in my life, able to afford a brand new car, I had been toiling away in my Pinto for many years, but the time had finally come to get something new. In spite of the fact that I was in a position to afford a new car, I took the decision instead to buy a used motor, and headed to American Federal Auto, and picked up a great bargain. My reasons for buying a used car were not because I am tight and refused to part with my cash, but rather because it simply works out as the better deal, from every angle. If you are in the middle of deciding on which car you should buy, here are the benefits which I love about buying used, rather than new.

Cheaper

When it comes to the straight up cost of the car, buying used is just so much cheaper, and you can get almost the exact same model that the car dealerships are selling brand new, for half of the price. Let’s say that you are looking for a BMW Z-type, you can pick one of these up for more than 50% cheaper when you buy used, than when you buy new. Given that BMW no longer make new models each year, it is probable that your used car is only a couple of years older than the new one in the showroom. If you want to save cash, buy used.

Bang For Your Buck

The best part about getting a cheaper car, is that you can invest a little bit extra to ensure that you can have a car that is well kitted out. Take my situation for example, I was in a position to pay almost $20,000 for a brand new car, but instead I opted for a $9,000 car, and then spent $2,000 on some exciting add -ons and gadgets. Buying cheaper does not mean that you have to have a cheap car, and you an get way more bang for you buck when you buy used.

Cheaper Insurance and Registration

Both the cost of your insurance and of your vehicle registration, comes down to the value of your car. Naturally your car will be have a far lower valuation if you buy used, This is great news as you will have already saved some cash on the value of your car, and then you can save even more when it comes to insurance and registration.

Depreciation

The worrying thing about buying a brand new car is that it can depreciate by up to 30%, just from driving it away from the showroom. With a used car this is not the case and the lower value also helps to avoid heavy depreciation. In many cases your loss from what you paid versus what you receive, can be very negligible.

8 Figure Lifestyle – Life’s Riches are Available for Those Who Work Hard

Most people end up with riches in life don’t start out that way. There are those who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth and others who fall into something that provides them an ability to get the best that life has to offer. But for the most part the story is the same, good old-fashioned hard work.

This is the case whether someone is speaking in 8 Figure Lifestyle, a trip to the top of an academic ladder, or even looking to find and keep the love of their life. The bottom line is in each case that person has to dedicate him or herself and stay the course.

Many people wonder what the ingredients are for success. Although there are no exact ingredients, there are generalities and some specifics that are consistent with just about everyone was successful. Being successful demands mastering these things, but it also means understanding how to define success. The first let’s focus on how to attain success.

Success Starts in the Mind

Being successful starts in the mind. It is an attitude that you have about how you want your life to be, what you want to do during the day, and how you want your family to go through their lives. If you set a high standard for these things, then you realize that you must be in a good financial position in order to make them happen. This is not to say that money is everything, because it certainly is not.  But it is an important tool that you can use to buy you time and to take care of the things in life that cause challenges in life.So getting your mind right and focused on the appropriate things will lead to success and unlock life’s riches.

Success Then Comes from Actions

Based on what you believe, will come your actions. If you truly believe that you are destined to be successful, then you will do what is required in order to achieve that success. You’ll find the motivation to get yourself through the tough times and learn the skills needed to master your craft and defeat the competition. With this attitude you are almost unstoppable. It does not mean that you will be successful every time, but it does mean that you will reach your goal.

Success Continues if You Innovate

Finally, you must remember that one success is not mean that you are successful. There have been many one hit wonders who seemed as if they were going to always be at the top of the charts. History however has shown them to not have staying power. To continue to be successful, you must always get better at whatever you’re doing. Others will watch what you are doing, then mimic your behavior, and soon what you doing will not be special anymore. You must always learn to innovate and keep ahead of those who are trying to catch you. Make it as hard as you can for them to keep up.

Charles Nucci – The Two Most Important Steps to Creating Great Photographs

 Taking photos has moved into the center of our lives because of the addition of good quality cameras on smartphones, and digital photography that allows you to immediately see your picture and bypass the need to have film developed. The result of all of this is that cameras are everywhere and the amount of pictures taken has multiplied more than a thousand fold.

 But just because people are taking more pictures does not mean that they are taking better pictures. Yes smartphone cameras have improved greatly in quality, but they still cannot compare to a good SLR camera. Nor can the average picture happy tourist hope to compete and match the quality of photos taken by a professional. In order to take professional looking pictures like Charles Nucci, you need to understand how a professional takes photos. Ideally you also need to invest in a good camera, because higher price cameras give you more control over all of the different elements that make a picture perfect. With this in mind here are some tips on how to create great photos.

 Buy a good camera

 Only a decade ago, there were camera shops everywhere and they were filled with people looking to purchase the latest Minolta, Nikon, or Canon newly released SLR or hi in personal camera. If you were going on a special trip, attending a special event in San Francisco, or was a special occasion, you wanted to make sure that you could take great pictures, so purchasing a good camera was in a necessity.  However times have changed and today, it is no longer fashionable to shop for good cameras.

 But smartphone cameras have limitations in terms of their ability to deliver grey pictures. They use smaller and lower quality parts then professional cameras, and since the goal with a smartphone camera is to make it fit into an ever-shrinking smartphone, quality will always suffer. You may not notice this if you look at pictures on your phone, because the screen is optimized to make its own pictures look fantastic. But if you take those same pictures off your phone and want to duplicate them or put them into frames, you quickly see that the quality is not what you hope for. So it is imperative that you buy with camera. The great news about this is that prices of good cameras have plummeted and you can even find great used cameras for even cheaper prices.

 Take a photography class

 First, photography classes are a lot of fun. You’ll be around people who are really excited about learning the basics of photography, and you will more than likely have a teacher who has a background in taking professional shots. The opportunity to learn from a professional cannot be overstated. So much of what you read in books, or even see on Youtube videos can I prepare you for real life situations. However being in a class with the professional and other students who can ask questions as the class moves along, what position you with the level of knowledge that will make you a better photographer. In this class you learn the basics in framing, lighting, color, and even some-post production editing. In the end you will understand the basics of good photography and be on the road to becoming a great photographer who takes amazing photographs.

 Whether you live in San Francisco Bay Area or Miami Florida, the advice in this article will put you on the road to being exceptional photographer. The only downside is that all your friends and family will call you when they need great pictures taken, but they will want you to work for free.

 

The History of the International Road Transport Union

While the International Road Transport Union was originally launched in order to fast track the reconstruction of Europe after World War II left much of Europe in ruins.

The history of the International Road Transport Union:

1. The International Road Transport Union was launched in Geneva, Switzerland

Boris Blanche believes the International Raod Transport Union was founded on the 23rd of March, 1948, which was just one year after the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe voted to expedite the reconstruction of war-torn Europe. As a large proportion of Europe was damaged by powerful bombs, with some entire towns and cities needing to be rebuilt from scratch!

It was the hope of the United Nations Economic Commission that launching a transport union, would fast-track the reconstruction of all of Europe’s major transportation routes. Which could then be used to transport the necessary building materials across war-torn Europe.

2. Although the International Road Transport Union sounds like a world-wide organization, originally it only featured western European countries

You may be surprised to read that the International Road Transport Union originally only featured 8 western European countries. Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Norway. At the time each country was represented in the International Road Transport Union by their national road transport association.

While the International Road Transport Union may have had humble beginnings, it has since grown from strength to strength and now boasts over 73 countries.

Another noticeable change in the union is that each country also has representation from large transportation corporations as well as smaller owner-operators as well as national transport associations. Whilst in 1948, each country was only represented by a national road transport association. Whereas in its current form, the International Road Transport Union also allows corporate representatives.

3. Today the International Road Transport Union represents the interests of a diverse group of international transport operators

Today the International Road Transport represents the interests of bus drivers, coach drivers, cab drivers and truck drivers as well as other types of professional transport operators.

4. The International Road Transport Union forms both public and private sector partnerships, worldwide

The International Road Transport Union successfully organized the reopening of the Great Silk Road, which was a noticeable achievement as it involved multiple member nations as well as public sector organizations and private sector organizations.

5. The International Road Transport Union is looking to the advancement and development of new technology in order to transform the transportation industry

The International Road Transport Union now invests a large amount of money into developing new technology such as digital systems, which can help automate a large part of the transportation system. So while the International Road Transport Union may have been founded in 1948, it has definitely evolved as time has passed and has its sights firmly set on the future of worldwide transportation.

In conclusion, the International Road Transport Union has come a long way and has grown from an 8 member organization, which only featured European members, to an organization with boasts over 73 members from 5 continents!

Sono Bello Looks At The Financial Contribution Of Plastic Surgery to Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ is home to many plastic surgery clinics, including Sono Bello. The work that these clinics do injects a great deal of money into the local economy and they are actually one of the most helpful contributors of all. Indeed, people from all over the country, if not the world, have read reviews on the amp about Sono Bello and other clinics and they decided to come here. Best of all, they dont just come for the procedure itself, they stay for a while.

How Sono Bello Helps the Economy

Anyone who reads a review on a plastic surgery will likely read about the recovery period associated with it. This is a huge economic contributor. Those who come to Scottsdale for surgery generally arrive a few days before and stay for a few days after, generally staying in classy resorts, spending their money on a range of local activities, including dining and shopping. For many, having plastic surgery is something the combine with a vacation.

The figures don’t lie:

• 2013 saw $14.5 million raised in bed taxes, a 9.5% increase year on year.
• Total sales-tax revenues for hotels was over $7.8 million, an 11.3% increase year on year.

Naturally, not all these bed taxes were raised by people having plastic surgery, but much of it was. Consider, for instance, that the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has listed the five most popular procedures as being:

1. Liposuction
2. Nose surgery
3. Breast augmentation
4. Tummy tuck
5. Cosmetic eyelid surgery

Most of these procedures require a day or two of rest afterwards. The ASAPS has also reported that plastic surgery clientele now varies from people flying in on private jets, to those who inject their life savings.

What is of particular interest to the Scottsdale economy, however, is that clinics like Sono Bello report that they perform around twice as many procedures as what the ASAPS reports are average. This is in part due to the fantastic weather in Arizona, making it a prime destination for those who want to relax and recuperate. Meanwhile, the city is also known for the fact that the prices for their procedures are generally 10% to 15% lower than in areas such as Manhattan or Beverly Hills.

Meanwhile, realtors have noticed that many people who purchase homes in Scottsdale, are people who visited before to have procedures. Those people then often go on to have more procedures, while they have their own place to recover in.

Clearly, the contributions clinics like Sono Bello make to the overall economy, even if it is as a byproduct of their procedures, is significant. For those who still feel as if plastic surgery is nothing but spending money on vanity, it may be worth considering that it pumps money into a community, meaning it benefits many other people as well. If ever there was an excuse to have plastic surgery, there is one: it helps the world as a whole.

Bob Mims CPA Talks About The Best Golf Equipment Advice For Beginners In Memphis

From the outside, golf is regarded as a hugely expensive sport. This is a stereotype that has stuck for many years, although over recent times it could be argued that it has become a little more accessible.

For today’s post, we’re not going to talk about how to combat the high golf course costs, but instead take a look at the other side of the coin. Today is all about golf equipment for beginners, and the tips that Bob Mims CPA has up his sleeve to save you a small fortune as you begin your quest in the sport.

In truth, it’s absolutely essential to keep these equipment cost down if you live in Memphis. The likes of Louisville have some of the most expensive golf courses around, meaning that the community as a whole really has to hunt high and low in a bid to save money on other areas of the game. Bearing this in mind, whether you are starting to play this month or next August, here are some of the best golf equipment steps you can take.

Some golf clubs are more designed for beginners than others

Particularly in Memphis, where the fairways can be very hard in the summer, it’s crucially important to use clubs which are designed for beginners. These clubs have wider soles, meaning that there is far more margin for error. If you catch the grass before the ball, it’s not going to “dig” in and cause you to hit a heavy shot. Instead, it’s more likely to slide and still catch the ball relatively well, and disguise that potentially bad outcome.

Don’t fall into the golf ball trap

Golf ball manufacturers must be some of the best marketers around. After all, as soon as we see those “soft” balls advertised in the pro shop, we’re all desperately pining over them.

It’s at this point that few people reveal that these balls probably aren’t going to make much of a difference to the beginner. Sure, they might feel a little different of the face of the club, but in terms of the end results they won’t lower your score.

For the pros out there, it’s much different. But don’t be tricked by the marketing spiel for everyone else – it’s just trying to steal your money.

The more loft, the easier the shot

Whether it’s woods or irons, the same rules apply. Again, the pros might use drivers with barely any loft, but this doesn’t mean to say it’s the right strategy for you. On the contrary, as a beginner you should be looking for a driver with at least 10 degrees of loft. Any less than this and the club becomes much harder to hit. It’s harder to elevate the ball and ultimately, keep it on the fairway.

When it comes to irons, don’t be tempted to hit a Tiger-like 3-iron stinger. Instead, play sensible, 7-irons are much easier to hit and while they don’t carry the distance, they will keep you safe.

Why People Love American Football

American football is definitely America’s number one sport, with most American’s being able to name a favorite football team. Ryan Grigson has tips to discover why so many individuals enjoy following American football, simply continue reading to discover a few major reasons why American football is so popular.

Why People Love American Football:

1. American football is a physical, high-contact sport, which most individuals find entertaining to watch

Most individuals find watching American football entertaining as it’s a highly physical, high-contact sport, which most individuals find more thrilling to watch than non-contact sports such as golf, baseball and tennis.

Part of the thrill of watching football is seeing whether your favorite players is able to complete a touch down or whether one of the opposition will tackle them to the ground, before they’re able to complete a touch down.

If both teams have scored equal points with a few minutes left on the clock, spectators will end up on the edge of their seats as each and every play could be the play which decides the final outcome of the game.

2. Most supporters of American football teams are extremely passionate about their team

Most supporters of American football teams are extremely passionate about their favorite team and will attend every home team, dressed head to toin their favorite team’s official colors.

Even if you’re not a huge fan of football, if you attend a home game and sit with the home team’s fans, you’re sure to get swept up in the excitement around you and may end up becoming a die hard fan of the team, which you watch.

3. American football supporters love to track the career progress of their favorite players

Not only do football fans enjoy following the progress of their favorite teams but American football supporters also enjoy picking talented players who play for their favorite college teams and then following their career progress as they get drafted into the NFL.

As it’s incredibly satisfying to see a rookie player develop in talent and perhaps one day win a Superbowl or two.

4. American football is a major American past time

Throughout their lives, Americans spend a great deal of time watching football games over any other sports. Just think, in high school attending pep rallies, homecoming games and weekly clashes are a huge part of the American high school experience.

Then when students move on to college, nothing really changes as most colleges rally around their football team. Especially if their football team, is known for recruiting up and coming football stars, who are highly likely to be drafted into the NFL.

Even when students graduate from college, most individuals will still spend a great deal of time attending local college games as well as local NFL games! In fact, many adults continue to use watching NFL games with their family members and friends as a regular opportunity to socialize with their loved ones.

Hopefully after reading the list above, you’ll have a better understanding of why so many people love American football and why it’s well worth watching an American football game in person.

Jack Elway Talks About His Best Fitness Tips

 

It would be fair to say that Jack Elway, and his father for that matter, have enjoyed a very successful time in sport. They’ve played at the top of the game – and become household names in the process.

As anyone who has ever watched or played NFL will testify, this isn’t a sport for someone who doesn’t take their fitness seriously. It’s something that puts immense strain on the body, and there’s a reason why all of the guys have such an incredible physique.

Following on from the above, we have spoken to Elway about his best suggestions for staying in shape. As such, whether you are a bodybuilder or someone who is just starting their fitness journey, let’s take a look at the best ways to keep on top of your body.

Weight lifting doesn’t just give you bulging muscles

There’s no doubt that there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to weightlifting. Many people believe that this is something which is only worthwhile for bodybuilders, or at least those people who want to benefit from the bulging biceps and famous six pack.

Well, this isn’t necessarily true. Sure, all of the above will happen if you train seriously, but there are further benefits to weight lifting.

This is a practice which can boost your metabolism emphatically. The result is that through the course of the day, your body will be burning a lot more calories. The end result of this is that weight lifting can be a key tool in helping you lose weight. In fact, some people will only rely on this – and ditch cardio completely. This in itself should highlight just how powerful it is.

Don’t underestimate the power of resting

This is a heading that is certainly going to appeal to a lot of you. After all, staying in shape is all about pumping iron and running miles upon miles, right?

Well, while all of the above can help you, you also shouldn’t forget just how important it is to give your body a break. If you’re in the mood to train every day of the week, we take our hats off to you. At the same time, this is giving your body too much.

Every time you work your muscles, they need time to recover. Without this recovery time, it means that they aren’t able to rebuild and ultimately get stronger. Not only is this going to hinder your development, but it can also increase the chances of incurring an injury substantially.

Aim for form, not the big weights

This is something that Elway is a particular advocate about. While it might be tempting to grab the biggest weights in the room, try to resist the urge. If you’re not strong enough to lift said weights, you will just be risking injury. Instead, make sure that you are doing the exercise properly – this will allow you to progress much faster and actually make more efficient strength gains.