Month: July 2021

Carter Jenkins

Smart Ways to Reduce your School’s Carbon Impact (Part 1)

Blog

Lowering your school’s carbon impact is not as hard as it may sound. In fact, there are a variety of ways to reduce carbon emissions in order to help protect the planet. Here are some tips and recommendations from the Let’s Go Zero campaign, a zero carbon movement uniting schools in the United Kingdom.

Wise energy use and conservation

Saving energy consumption is actually easy. Simply switching off lights and electronics when not in use can make a big difference. Keep in mind that electronics still consumes electricity when left plugged in, which can accumulate to a significant amount over time. Clean energy sources must also be considered. Solar energy for instance is a much greener alternative. The cost of solar panels may be quite high but when you look at the long-term savings and benefits you can get and the great impact it has on saving the planet from harmful emissions from traditional energy sources, you will know why going solar is a great move.

Improvement of school buildings

School buildings can be transformed into energy-efficient structures with the right design and materials. One way to do it is by improving the buildings’ ventilation and natural lighting use. Other mechanisms for improved cooling and heating features must also be incorporated. Upgrades such as external wall insulation, roof space insulation, and window treatment installation can also significantly help lower energy use and costs. In addition, these improvements can improve comfort levels in a classroom.

Canteen menu revision

Reducing school carbon footprint is not only about cutting down energy use; it also has something to do with what people eat. Beef and lamb, for instance, are known for the environmental damage caused by their production. Excluding these meats from the school’s canteen menu is a great start. Another wise way is to encourage students to eat more vegetables by putting vegetarian dishes first on the menu.

There are many more ways for schools to reduce their carbon impact. Check out the second part of this article for more tips and recommendations.

Carter Jenkins

How to Choose a Shower head for your Home Bathroom

Maintenance

Showerheads are among home fixtures you don’t think about much until the need for them arises. And when you do need one, it should be pretty easy to purchase, right? 

But as you head to shop, you realise there seem to be a billion options. So, how do you filter down your choices? How can you find the perfect shower head for your needs? 

In this post, we talk about tips on how to choose a showerhead. Read on so you can decide better which showerhead and showerhead accessories to invest in for your bathroom.

  1. Choose a showerhead type. If you’re updating your bathroom, take a look at which type of showerhead would work best for it. The three types you can choose from are ceiling, handheld, and wall-mounted. Here’s how they vary from each other.
  • Ceiling. Ceiling or rain showerheads are mounted on the ceiling. They’re installed directly above the head for a rain-like shower experience. They’re usually considered the easiest to install, especially if you’re working on a new home, as they don’t require major plumbing work. You can find ceiling showerheads in different features, whether you want a single spray or one with multiple nozzle options. 
  • Handheld. Handheld showers may be ideal for a family or shared bathrooms as they’re flexible. They give you control over various tasks, such as rinsing your hair and body or even cleaning other bathroom fixtures. You can unload them from their holder anytime you want and some options can even be attached to sliding bars so you can adjust them to your desired height. 
  • Wall-mounted. This simple showerhead option may be suitable if you’re working on a budget. You’ll find wall-mounted showerheads at various prices, and installation is straightforward. You may even be able to do it on your own simply by unscrewing the old showerhead and screwing the new one. These showerheads usually work with existing plumbing and are also available with extra features, such as different nozzle patterns.

Talk to your plumber to verify which types of showerhead your existing plumbing will be able to accommodate. This will lessen the work needed, reduce installation costs, and reduce risks of common home improvement issues, such as leaks.

  1. Decide on the spray pattern. The showerhead’s spray pattern can significantly impact your bathing experience. Try to look for options that allow you to customize or adjust the spray setting. The default spray pattern is often the wide one, which delivers water at a consistent speed and amount. Targeted, on the other hand, gives off the water with a stronger pressure and uses only a few nozzles. Pulsating, meanwhile, may be ideal if you prefer alternating patterns for the shower spray.
  1. Think about the water pressure. Some homes don’t have enough water pressure, making water flow in bathrooms a concern. You may want to check your home’s water pressure to ensure you’re getting the right showerhead for it. Showerheads may require different water pressure strengths to work effectively.

Choosing a showerhead may be overwhelming at the start, but you don’t want to leave your choice to guesses or purely aesthetic considerations. A showerhead works daily, so you’ll want to ensure your purchase can withstand heavy use and last you a long time.

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