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<title>Latest Articles by hotpotato</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
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<title>The Residential Solar Power System - Harnessing Residential Solar Energy</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/the-residential-solar-power-system-harnessing-residential-solar-energy.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/the-residential-solar-power-system-harnessing-residential-solar-energy.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A residential solar power system uses the energy of the sun to power household electrical items. Installing residential solar panels will allow you to get rid of (or at least severely reduce) your electricity bill and you will also be doing your bit for the environment by not purchasing energy from providers whose power generation facilities  contribute to the planet's stock of greenhouse gases.

Whilst the cost involved with installing residential solar power systems (and the associated payback period) has been prohibitive in the past, these days solar panels are much more affordable and indeed better looking. The cost of making free electricity from photovoltaic (PV) panels has dropped considerably in recent years, thanks to financial incentives such as installation rebates, improved production efficiencies and increased energy capacity, making them a much more attractive proposition for the average householder. Modern residential solar power systems are essentially a plug-and-play technology that having been installed, require little participation on the part of the homeowner. With so much attention paid to keeping things green and our energy usage to a minimum, it makes good sense to install residential solar panels for our home's energy needs. 

Typically installed on the roof, solar panels (also called photovoltaic panels) convert sunlight directly into DC electricity. An inverter then converts this DC current to AC electricity for all or some of your daily energy needs, depending on your home's daily power consumption. Installing a solar power system in your own home is a large step and one that involves a lot of forethought.  Consideration should be given to things such as your house's location (is your house shadowed by a row of large trees or a neighbor's mansion?); the size of your home (you need 200-250 feet of rooftop oriented towards the sun's trajectory for the project to be viable); and the size of rebate on offer for residential solar power installation (rebates will vary from state to state).

Systems will usually have a payback period of between 6-12 years - and will almost certainly have paid for themselves well before their 20-25 year warranties run out. The exact payback period will depend on the home's electrical usage, the electric rate schedule and the cost of your system. Systems that are not grid-tied usually have battery back-up storage. This means that systems that are not connected to the grid must overproduce during the day and store the energy in a battery. Installing your own solar power can isolate your exposure to rising electricity rates as the portion of your usage that is generated on site will no longer be subject to increased in electricity rates.

Installation of solar hot water heating has become the norm in countries such as Australia, Israel and Greece, where there is an abundance of solar radiation, and even in Japan and Austria where there is considerably less.  The increased take up of solar power as a domestic energy source has been aided by the increased global awareness of global warming and government incentives such as rebates for the installation of residential solar powered systems. ]]></description>
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<title>Solar Powered Batteries - Beefing Up Your Solar Capacity Using A Solar Powered Battery Charger</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/solar-powered-batteries-beefing-up-your-solar-capacity-using-a-solar-powered-battery-charger.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/solar-powered-batteries-beefing-up-your-solar-capacity-using-a-solar-powered-battery-charger.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ An array of solar panels can be set up on your house's roof to generate power and supply your home's electricity needs. The solar panels can be connected to the mains to ensure that there is always enough power in those situations where the power required is greater than that being generated by the solar panels. The cost of the installation is offset by selling surplus power back to the electricity utility when it is available. Where self contained systems are concerned however, this type of set-up is not possible. For self contained systems, it is necessary to have batteries to store energy.

A solar power battery charger is able to charge a battery (or batteries) in order to store electricity as a solar energy supply for use when the power is needed. Prior to the advent of solar battery chargers, solar power was only useful during daylight hours. A comprehensive solar power system will include a battery charger so that your solar panels can be useful around the clock. You need the ability to not only utilize solar energy, but also store excess electricity for use during the night. A solar power battery charger can be bought from a wide range of retail outlets and online stores whom specialize in solar energy supplies.

Most solar power systems will also need a charge controller. The purpose of the controller is to ensure that the battery is never overcharged, by diverting power away from it once it is fully charged. Most charge controllers incorporate a low-voltage disconnect function, which prevents the battery from being damaged by being completely discharged. It does this by switching off any DC appliances when the battery voltage falls to dangerously low levels. The principle behind a solar charge controller is simple. There is a circuit to measure the battery voltage, which operates a switch to divert power away from the battery when it is fully charged. 

The usual choice for energy storage is a lead acid battery though nickel cadmium batteries may also be used. The number and type of batteries is dependent on the amount of energy and storage required. For solar applications the battery needs to be capable of being discharged hundreds or even thousands of times (known as deep cycle battery) and there a number of different types of deep cycle batteries.

In addition to acting as a backup power source for a residential solar system,  portable solar battery chargers are perfect for maintaining and extending the life of 12V power systems for Cars, Trucks, Tractors, Motorcycles, Boats, All Terrain and Recreational Vehicles, and Mowers. Additionally solar charging systems can be set up for 24 and 48 volt DC systems and can be used to supply a remote cabin with electricity. ]]></description>
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<title>The Life Of A Mechanical Engineer</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/the-life-of-a-mechanical-engineer.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/the-life-of-a-mechanical-engineer.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In the field of engineering there are virtually hundreds of fields that bare the name engineering. One of the most recognizable of engineering fields is a mechanical engineer. If you have ever driven a car, or flown in an airplane you have benefited from the work of a mechanical engineer. A Mechanical Engineering Career is often times a very popular career choice for those with an eye on engineering. However, what does it take to earn a living as a mechanical engineer?

In order to successfully begin a Mechanical Engineering Career it is first necessary to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. While studying mechanical engineering, you will become familiar with the concept of mechanical engineering, which is the understanding of the principles of physics, which when applied, assist in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical devices. Other courses of study on your way to having a Mechanical Engineering Career will be to understand the concepts of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and energy.

It is also important to a successful Mechanical Engineering Career that one must embrace the core fundamental subjects of a mechanical engineering degree. These subjects are bound to be something that will be dealt with when you have a Mechanical Engineering Career. These subjects include dynamics, strength of materials and solid mechanics. Also included is fluid mechanics and fluid dynamics. These and a host of many others are all things a person hoping for a Mechanical Engineering Career needs to be aware of and knowledgeable about.

Another aspect of mechanical engineering someone interested in a Mechanical Engineering Career must be aware of is that most mechanical engineers need to have an understanding of basic concepts in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and civil engineering as well. Other core understanding of a mechanical engineer is the ability to understand the principles of robotics, transport and logistics, cryogenics, automotive engineering, and biomechanics.

A successful Mechanical Engineering Career certainly encompasses many different aspects. A Mechanical Engineering Career does not mean you will only be designing and building cars. Having a Mechanical Engineering Career means that you could be doing everything from designing trains to pumping systems for artificial hearts to designing and building the next space exploration vehicle. We often think of those having a Mechanical Engineering Career as someone who is good around a car, and that is one aspect of a Mechanical Engineering Career. However, the possibilities are almost limitless. Those, which have a Mechanical Engineering Career, know exactly what I mean. ]]></description>
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<title>Attending A Medical Assistant College - How To Get That Degree</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/attending-a-medical-assistant-college-how-to-get-that-degree.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/attending-a-medical-assistant-college-how-to-get-that-degree.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Those interested in a career as a medical assistant will want to attend a medical assistant college to get their associate's degree. It is possible to attend an accredited one year program that results in a certificate, but if you want to be as well prepared as possible for your new career, a two year program is better.

An associate's degree from a medical assistant college will also help you to better prepare for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Although certification is not required, it is looked upon very favorably by employers. The easiest way to find an accredited medical assistant college is to go to the Commission on Accreditation of Alllied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) website.

Most medical assistant programs are offered through community colleges, junior colleges, and technical colleges. There are a total of 267 accredited medical assistant colleges that have programs resulting in associate's degrees. This includes colleges in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

There is even one medical assistant college with an online option, Kaplan University in Davenport, Iowa. This means that no matter where you are located you can still get medical assistant degrees.

In order to prepare for attending a medical assistant college, it is helpful if you do some volunteer work in a health care setting, and if you take classes such as math, typing, biology, computing, health, office skills and computing while you are in high school. A high school diploma is necessary in order to get medical assistant degrees.

Once you have chosen a medical assistant college and been accepted, you will be expected to complete coursework to prepare you to help physicians out with a variety of administrative and clinical tasks. You will need to take some courses that focus on clinical tasks and medical knowledge, and others that teach you more about the administrative work that is commonly performed by medical assistants. You will most likely even learn a bit about law and ethics as well. Many programs also feature some sort of externship or internship that will give you a small taste of what the day to day job of a medical assistant is like. ]]></description>
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<title>The Civil Engineering Career - What's Involved</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/the-civil-engineering-career-what-s-involved.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/the-civil-engineering-career-what-s-involved.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you have ever driven down a road, crossed a bridge, or seen or been in a building, you have just experienced the handy work of a civil engineer. Civil engineering is one of the oldest forms of engineering known to man. The need for qualified engineers has continued to remain strong over the years and it is likely to continue as long as their is a need for public infrastructure. A civil engineering career looks to remain as one of the oldest and continually expanding careers in the engineering arena.

In order to embark upon a career in civil engineering it is important that the person apply themselves at a college or university in order to earn a degree in civil engineering. A career in this field will encompass a wide variety of engineering disciplines. As a result earning a civil engineer bachelors degree will require you, as a student, to study a vast amount of engineering fields such as structural, construction, environmental, as well as a host of other engineering techniques.

You also need to understand that there is no one particular career path for a civil engineer. A career in civil engineering will undoubtedly lead you down a very diverse and winding road. When starting out in your career you will more than likely be forced to assume more entry-level positions. Often times, in the early stages of your career you might serve as a company's eyes and ears on a specific project, usually on a construction project. As you move along in your career you may have the opportunity to manage, design and do more analysis of more complex and difficult construction projects.

Other paths to be taken in a civil engineering career, is working on specific projects involving a community's utility infrastructure. Designing terrain grading, drainage, pavement, water supply, sewer services, electrical services, and the like, all these and many more fall under the purview of a civil engineer.

Embarking upon a civil engineering career means that you are likely to end up in one of many different positions. Your career may lead you to a construction site, a design laboratory, or any one of hundreds of places in need of a civil engineer. If you enjoy variety and flexibility in terms of the jobs you do and do not care about the locations of these jobs then it is a sure bet that a civil engineering career might just be what the doctor ordered. ]]></description>
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<title>The Solar Powered Bird Bath And Fountain - An Elegant Addition To Any Garden</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/the-solar-powered-bird-bath-and-fountain-an-elegant-addition-to-any-garden.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/the-solar-powered-bird-bath-and-fountain-an-elegant-addition-to-any-garden.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A greater environmental consciousness around the globe is seeing many householders use solar powered pumps (rather than an engine powered by a fossil fuel) to create decorative garden features such as solar powered fountains or a solar powered bird bath. These garden features, powered directly from solar panels, will work whenever there is direct sunlight and the brighter the sun the stronger the flow. Some solar powered water installations will include a remote solar panel with enough wire to allow for the solar panel to be placed well away from the fountain. Solar power is a smart way to go in the garden when convenient electrical installation is not always possible.

Imagine the scene: you're sitting in your garden, you're dozing off the seductive sound of trickling water and chirping birds, and because you have the whole set-up powered by the sun; you know that you've created this little arcadia without putting a scratch on the environment. Because a solar power pump keeps water in constant motion, it is an ideal technology to attach to a birdbath. Water can bubbles gently upwards or with an extension, sprinkle down from above, enticing birds into your domain whilst eliminating standing water that can become contaminated with insects or bacteria. It is best in this situation, to re-circulate the water through a filter giving your feathery visitors both drinking water and a daily bathing space.

There are a number of different types of solar powered fountains - including copper fountains, cascading fountains, terracotta fountains and resin or ceramic fountains. Copper fountains are particularly appealing as the brushed copper finish will age to an elegant patina over time; but can also be polished if you desire a different effect. Cascading fountains which usually come in a 4 or 5 tier design can add a real air of serenity to your patio, balcony or garden. A low-voltage, solar powered pump sends water to the top vessel, where it trickles back down through the tiers to the basin in a continuous cycle. Terracotta fountains allow you to achieve a rustic feel whilst the wide range of colors available when it comes to ceramic designs will allow you to choose a fountain that will always blend in with its surroundings.

Prices for both the solar powered fountains and bird baths tend to be in the $100 - $200 range.

If it's not apparent already solar fountains and bird baths require direct sunlight to operate at full capacity so be sure that you have a sunny spot in which to place your fountain or birdbath. ]]></description>
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<title>The Career Of  A Medical Assistant - What You Can Expect</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/the-career-of-a-medical-assistant-what-you-can-expect.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/the-career-of-a-medical-assistant-what-you-can-expect.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Medical assisting is a great career to get into. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics this career is expected to grow much faster than average, especially for those who are certified. A medical assistant career also gives you a good change to have a great deal of variety in your day to day job.

Most medical assistants work in the offices of physicians performing a mix of administrative and clinical work. As you spend a lot of time dealing with patients, a medical assistant career is good for those who like to work with people. The exact mix of administrative and clinical work that is performed by a medical assistant is determined by the office where they work and the state that they work in. Some states allow medical assistants to do more clinical tasks than others.

In order to begin a medical assistant career, you usually need to complete an accredited one to two year program in medical assisting. Depending on the program, you will then receive a certificate, diploma, or associates degree. Once you have completed your degree you can begin searching for a job. This will be easier if you also go through the certification process to become either a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). These certifications prove to an employer that you have the proper knowledge base to embark upon a medical assistant career.

Medical assistants help physicians by handling a lot of the basic office tasks, as well as filling out paperwork for laboratory work, insurance, and patient records. They also help deal with the patients by taking medical histories, preparing patients for exams, and instructing them on any required medications or special diets. They might also draw blood, administer medications as directed, collect samples for lab work, and perform other clinical tasks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a medical assistant career made a mean annual salary of $28,270 as of May 2007, with the lowest paid 10% making less than $19,850 per year and the highest paid 10% making more than $38,490 per year. A variety of factors can affect the salary of someone with a medical assistant career, including whether or not they are certified, how much experience they have, where they are located, and the type of office they work in. If they have studied to become a more specialized medical assistant this will make a difference as well. ]]></description>
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<title>Solar Contractors - How To Find A Reliable Solar Power Installer</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/solar-contractors-how-to-find-a-reliable-solar-power-installer.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/solar-contractors-how-to-find-a-reliable-solar-power-installer.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It's not difficult to see the appeal of using solar power to meet our domestic energy needs: it utilizes a natural energy source (the sun) and thereby avoids any environmental damage that can result from the energy being generated via traditional means. The use of solar power for the home has become increasingly prevalent in recent years and particularly in dry landscapes that have an abundance of sunshine such as Australia or the state of California. For the majority of home owners however, installing a solar heating system without professional assistance is not a viable option. There are a number of things to consider such as adequate cable size, correct fusing (every circuit should be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker), the positioning of batteries and the correct positioning of the solar panels. Attempting to do all this by yourself and not getting it exactly right will result in a less than optimum performance of your solar power system. As such, it is prudent  to call on the assistance of a solar power installer or solar contractor.

The question that then arises is: "How do I go about finding a reliable solar power installer?" There is help at hand depending on where you happen to be located. The California Energy Commission maintains a list of registered installers on its Web site. California's solar rebates are available only to homeowners who use installers registered with the state, and all those contractors listed on the commission's Web site will qualify. You could also check the membership roster of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, the trade organization representing solar power installers. Similarly, homeowners in Oregon wishing to receive Energy Trust's incentives must have their system installed by an Energy Trust approved contractor. The Oregon Department of Energy maintains a list of tax credit-certified solar technicians. Many state-certified solar technicians are also Energy Trust trade ally contractors.

In Australia, in order to qualify for the solar power rebate, the person who carries out the installation of the solar panels must be accredited for design and installation of photovoltaic systems by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). A list of BCSE accredited designers and installers is available from the Clean Energy Council - or alternately you could contact a designer/installer and ask for proof of their accreditation.

As is always the case when dealing with any type of contractor, personal attention and responsiveness are important. If you find that one solar contractor seems to be able to communicate more clearly and is more responsive than others, you will probably want to take this into consideration when making your choice.  Ultimately you want to be able to deal with a contractor that can design a system for your home, sell you the solar modules and install them. To do this you will need to find a contractor that has a good track record and a load of good references. The longevity of their business is also important as you'd want to be able to go back to the same installer in the future, should you experience any problems. ]]></description>
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<title>Solar Powered Attic Fans - The How and Why Of Installing Them</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/solar-powered-attic-fans-the-how-and-why-of-installing-them.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/solar-powered-attic-fans-the-how-and-why-of-installing-them.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When it comes to energy usage these days a lot of people are looking for alternative energy sources and as such solar power is very much coming into vogue. At its current level of technological evolution, solar power is a useful means of powering small engines to run simple devices. Fans are one such simple device and you will many instances where using a solar powered fan makes more sense than a fan powered by conventional means.

Many manufacturers now offer solar powered attic fans to ventilate and help keep attics cooler. If there is inadequate ventilation in the attic and poor sealing between the attic and the other rooms in the house, attic fans powered by electric means can potentially draw air from the house into the attic. Not only does this compromise energy efficiency but it can also increase the risk of moisture problems in the attic. 

Solar powered fans rely on a small solar panel (typically 10 or 20 watt) to power a DC motor when the sun is shining. The fans are installed with intake vents to provide high-capacity powered ventilation without electric operating costs. Most vents are mounted high on the roof near the ridge and are combined with soffit or gable vents for balanced intake and exhaust air streams. Ventilation is only provided when there is ample sunshine to power the fan motor. The highest fan speed will tend to coincide with the greatest heat from the sun and consequently the greatest need for attic ventilation. By reducing attic temperature, attic fans can help reduce summertime cooling loads while at the same time providing ventilation without the added utility load.

Using solar energy to power air vents in your attic means you eliminate the need for electrical wiring in this part of the house and as a solar ventilator uses no electricity you are also avoiding any ongoing operating costs. You will find that the equipment costs for a solar powered attic fan are higher than those of a conventionally powered fan (around $200 more) but this will usually be offset by the money you save in not having to extend electrical wiring into the attic. In addition to attics you will also find solar powered fans used in greenhouses, outhouses, garages, sheds, out-buildings, and paint rooms.
Retail prices for solar powered attic fans range from about $350 to $600 depending on ventilation capacity, the manufacturer, and optional features such as a thermostat. 

In instances of new construction, roofers will usually install powered ventilating units. If these units are solar powered roof vents there will be no need for an electrician to rough and finish wire the units. For retrofit projects, a roofer or do-it-yourselfer will be able to install a solar-powered attic fan using conventional tools and techniques. 

Whilst not applicable in every instance where cooling is required, solar powered attic fans are an example of smart thinking utilizing a natural energy source. ]]></description>
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<title>Sustainable Home Building - Constructing A Greener Environment</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/sustainable-home-building-constructing-a-greener-environment.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/sustainable-home-building-constructing-a-greener-environment.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sustainability has become a key consideration of manufacturing in recent times - with the intended effect being that anything we make or build, not have a deleterious effect on the health of the planet. Indeed, sustainability is about using resources our in a healthy and environmentally friendly manner and in such a way that provide for the long term needs of our community. Sustainable home building pursues two broad themes: construction using environmentally friendly materials and the most efficient use of energy that is possible.

It should first be pointed out that there is much greater scope for sustainability when building new houses than there is when simply doing a green remodel of an existing dwelling - but that is not to say that there aren't things that any of us can do, irrespective of where we live. Buying more energy efficient appliances, using water conserving showerheads, using aerators in sink faucets and revamping insulation are all within the reach of any home owner. All of these measures save money in the long run by cutting down on our energy and water bills, and because they're utilizing less energy, they're also measures that will see that we're not unduly adding to the planet's stock of greenhouse gases.

Of course, if we're building a house from scratch then we have much greater scope to ensure its sustainability. The two areas that a prospective builder needs to concentrate on when building a sustainable home is energy efficiency and using sustainable harvested eco-friendly materials.

There are a few key areas that we can focus on when building an energy efficient house. The most abundant and cost free energy source we have is sunlight and a good passive solar design will ensure that our house is capturing enough sunlight to be absorbed by the surrounding thermal mass, which will then release heat back into the room when the sun goes down. The utility of this design is dependent on also having good insulation. The sun can also be used to generate a large portion (if not all) of our heating and electricity needs. By placing solar panels on the roof we can convert sunlight into electricity to heat water and power domestic appliances. Advances in solar technology are rapidly seeing solar power become a more cost effective way of generating power. These measures will all be complemented by making sure that all your electrical appliances are energy efficient.

Consideration should also be given to how water will be used in your home. Using low water capacity toilets and flow restricted shower heads are practices that are now actually quite common. This theme can be extended by diverting gray water from clothes washing and bathing facilities to watering plants, and by catching rain water from roofs for use inside the house. Concentrating your landscaping on indigenous drought tolerant plants can also save you an enormous amount of water.

A green builder will also ensure that he is only building with sustainable materials - ideally ones that have been certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)- an independent 3rd party non-biased ratings agency that certifies materials as being sustainable or not; as well using non-toxic paint and finishing products. ]]></description>
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