The Utah Amicus

Do you already have a room air purifier? If not, or if you just want to know what it is, then you might want to read this article for more information. This time we won't talk about cooling the air, we are going to talk about a machine that helps to clean indoor air by removing impurities such as bacteria and dust. This help to keep the air clean, free of tobacco smoke, cooking steam, furniture dust and pet’s hair and dust. The bacteria and allergen in the air that we normally breathe are very tiny, meaning they cannot be seen with naked eyes. However, continuous exposure to such toxic substances poses a very big risk to your health. In fact, patients who have been diagnosed with allergy and asthma symptoms are normally advised to avoid unpurified air.

There are numerous products in the market, but most of them do not function properly (thus worthless). Probably you have seen these machines being advertised on the media and online, whereby each manufacturer claims to make the best of all. Truth is, there are several factors that you need to consider to get a machine that will serve you effectively.

Does it Have a Filter that is Approved by HEPA?
Most machines do not have HEPA approved filters while others use water as a filter, but these are not the best air cleaners. HEPA filters are the recommended ones, and they guarantee you a 99% clean air. The machine should have a carbon activated pre filter that prevent the main filter from being clogged and removing bad odors as well.

The Size of the Room Being Cleaned
Most machines are normally designed to operate more efficiently in a defined space. The machine you take should be able to clean the air of the targeted room 5 or 6 times per hour. A smaller machine might not be efficient while a bigger machine can take a lot of space or produce excessive noise.

You need to determine the size and shape of the targeted room so that the purifier that you are going to acquire can fit easily. Purifiers differ in their designs and the way they operate . There are those that can be mounted on the wall and those that fit on a table easily.

The Noise Produced
Most air cleaners do not produce significant noise when operating at low speed but often become noisy at high speed. You can normally adjust the speed to suit your activities i.e., you can tune it to low speed when you are in the house and tune it to high speed when you are leaving. There are some manufacturers who claim that their products are ultra-quiet but these are normally useless.

Buying a high quality air cleaning machine comes with loads of benefits such as efficiency in performance, saves you on money since they do not break down easily and you will always have a piece of mind as a result of wise investment among other benefits.

Sources:
Plenty Air
Industrial Noise Control

A flat iron is among the essential tools used for straightening hair especially when you want to get rid of the curls. However, if you want to have a functioning hair straightening iron it is important to clean and maintain it on a regular basis. A good hair straightening tool should slide smoothly through the hair. This can only be done if the tool is clean and well maintained. The following are tips on how to clean and maintain these hair straightening tools.

Heat the Iron
Plug the iron in and let it heat for about three minutes then unplug it, this should make the tool warm but not hot (you could buy a separate thermostat if you want to be precise and measure). Put the straightener on a heatproof mat to prevent the surface from burning. Then let the tool cool down to enable you clean it.

Dampen a towel
The next thing to do is to take a terrycloth towel and moisten it with lukewarm water as explained in the referenced article. It is important to put the piece of cloth in warm water not hot or cold water. On top of that, ensure that the piece of cloth is moist not wet. Wet cloth may lead to an accident or even burn you during the cleaning process. You can also use a cotton swab in case the piece of cloth is too hard to get into the edges and corners.

Carefully Wipe the Plates
Carefully fold the damp piece of cloth on your index finger and gently rub it on one plate. Ensure that you clean off all the dirt on the plate’s surface and remember to also clean the sides as well as the edges. Reach down the bottom where the on and off button is situated and clean this areas as well. Avoid scrubbing the surface too harshly as this may scratch the plates and expose them to rust. To completely remove all the dirt from the plate’s surface, spray iron cleaner or use alcohol to clean the surface. You can repeat this same process on the other plate.

Dry the Iron
Once you complete cleaning both the plates and the on/off button, you can now dry the tool thoroughly before you can use it again. It is advisable never to try and use a hair straightener when it is wet. Doing this may lead to injuries and burns. To thoroughly dry your iron, you can either wipe it with a dry piece of cloth or simply wipe it with a soft piece of paper. You can also use a blow dryer if it is available to completely dry the iron.

Clean the iron regularly for best results. In between cleans, simply wipe the plates with a piece of cloth or paper towels dampened with water or rub alcohol over the cooled prongs to get rid of the styling hair products. When done repeatedly, this process will help in preventing the buildup. It is also important that after thoroughly cleaning the plates and the tool is now dry, you should store your iron. Proper storage is an essential part of good iron maintenance. It is however important to emphasize that when storing the hair straightener you should wrap the power codes around the iron as this will damage the cables.

Sources:
Hair Straightener Studio
Live Strong

An exercise bike is still beneficial, even though it’s no longer a glitzy gadget. This is especially true if you’re serious about losing weight or maintaining your ideal weight. Keep in mind that if you want to start an exercise program, you must find a routine that you enjoy most. Not only that. It must also be easy to do and that it fits your busy lifestyle. And this is what makes this bike a great option.

Easy on your joints
One of the reasons this bike is recommended by some doctors is that it won’t put too much strain on your joints. If you’re just starting to work out, then this bike can help you get easy on your workout routine. Compared with an elliptical machine, this type of fitness equipment is easy to use.

Apart from the fact that it’s easy on your joints, an exercise bike will push you more despite the weather condition. You won’t have an excuse of not exercising if it’s raining outside because it’s an indoor equipment.

No more going to the gym
Gym membership is quite expensive. Sometimes, you won’t be able to maximize it, especially if you have a very busy schedule. But with the use of an exercise bike, you can use it at home before you go to your office.

Then, you can use it while you’re watching your favorite television show. It’s a great way for you to burn calories and torch some fat even when it’s dark outside or raining. Even if you’re new to exercise, it’s still a better option for you to start an exercise routine.

For fitness experts, having this equipment is a great way to start working hard to achieve your fitness goals.

Things to consider
If you’re already thinking of purchasing an exercise bike, there are some things you’d want to consider. Like, what type of bike you want? Upright or recumbent? Should I get the best best upright folding bikes of today or is a small unit or a programmable model enough?

You may also opt for a new unit. But if you have a limited budget, you could try getting a used exercise bike as it’s cheaper. It’s great if you’re just starting out.

Purchasing a new thermostat is not as simple as looking for the right brand. You need to know other things besides the unit’s features, how it’s mounted on the wall, etc. Experts do recommend carrying out thorough research before making an actual purchase.

Listed below are some things you must know before purchasing your new thermostat.

1. Current system
You must look into the current system in your house. Some thermostats have features that can work with several heat and cool functions. If your house has air conditioning installed, a hot air system and another cool system, then you’ll need a unit that supports 2 cool sources and 1 for heat.

2. Programming features
You would like to purchase a thermostat that has programming features if you have regular schedule or you’re often away for a business trip. A complex model lets you make a schedule for Mondays to Fridays and another schedule on the weekends. If you want thermostat to learn about your schedule, then consider getting the nest thermostat as it comes with versatile programming.

3. Energy saving mode
A programmable thermostat is what you need to help you save money on energy bills. Getting an advanced model can tell you how much power you’re using and how you can maximize the system better. It may be more expensive but it’s worth the investment.

A convection oven is gaining popularity. Users of such opt for a compact version or choose an oven that comes with a convection setting. No matter what unit you choose, you can be sure that the best 8 convection toasters reduce cooking time significantly.

If you’re new to this type of appliance, here are some tips to know how to cook your food using this appliance.

1.Modify your recipe
Temperature, level of completeness and quantity can affect cooking time. To know the right way to cook a certain recipe, you may need to experiment by dropping the temperature or lowering the time. For specific advice, you must consult your owner’s manual.

2.Learn the method of cooking
Different foods require different method of cooking. For instance, if you try to cook fruits and vegetables, you should consider roasting them as natural sugars tend to caramelize quicker. When you bake cookies, consider using all shelf space to bake them all at once. You don’t need to rotate those trays as the fan of a convection oven disperses the heat throughout the unit.

3.Use trays and pans with lower sides
In this way, the air can circulate and move around the unit more effectively. With lower side trays, the hot air will just flow freely. Then, avoid covering the shelves with aluminum foil as it may prevent proper air circulation.

4.Do not preheat
With a convection oven, there’s no need for you to pre-heat the unit before roasting meats. If you plan to use it for roasting, then opt for a unit that comes with a special roasting mode. With it, it makes it easier for you to achieve optimum roasting results in a shorter period of time.

5.Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines
The guidelines are found in your user manual. You must always follow the recommendations of the manufacturer to get the right way of cooking certain food.

The number of grinding stages is paramount to the performance of a garbage disposal unit. As we have learned at Down the Sink, most models in the market have 1, 2 or 3 grinding stages, but let’s take a look at how they fair in real time.

Disposal units with just one grinding stage will grind large chunks of food wastes into smaller pieces. The problem with them is that you cannot process harder or fibrous wastes such as rice.

Disposal units with a second grinding stage are known to turn the wastes literally into liquid. These are great if your kitchen generates a large amount and different types of waste regularly. Chances of clogging are quite less with these ones.

Some top of the line garbage disposal units have a third grinding stage as well. This third stage is capable of cutting down harder rice grains into very small pieces. It is introduced after the first two stages and the chance of clogging is almost zero in such units.

A portable air conditioner is the ideal solution if you want to keep your home cool without the hassle of hiring someone to professionally install the air conditioner for you. However, with so many brands and models available, it can be challenging to find the right unit for your needs. Listed below are some handy tips to help you buy the most ideal unit for your space.

Factors to consider when buying portable air conditioner

Choose a unit that is light and can be moved easily
You can find some units labeled as portable air conditioner because they do not require wall installation. However, most of them are heavy and weighty to move. That said, you must pick a unit that comes with wheels and equipped with built-in handles so you can easily move the unit from one room to another. You can also find a unit that is lightweight and can be mounted in a window.

Purchase a model that offers the features that you need
Do not settle with a unit that comes with extra features that you will rarely or never use. Instead, opt for a unit that comes with features that you like and need. It must be a model that you know how to set up, rather than spending hours of your time figuring out how to turn it on. It is also ideal to choose a unit that has remote control so you can easily adjust the temperature from across the room. Then, choose a unit that has built-in water tanks. In this way, it will be easier for you to drain the water. A unit with window kits is also great as you can easily mount it on a window sill if you need stronger puff of air.

If you do not like standing up and run to your unit to turn it off, then consider getting a model with programmable timers. In that way, you can set the unit to work for a few hours, depending on your choice. This is essential if you are not fond of running it continually.
More information here at Air Reflect

These days, modern homes are utilizing stainless kitchen faucets. One of the reasons for their popularity is their classic design, which means they can easily blend with their modern kitchen appliances, like their fridge, oven, etc.

Many manufacturers are now making stainless kitchen faucets in different shapes and sizes. That said, it will not be easier for you to find a faucet that goes well with your kitchen décor.

But why opt for stainless models?

The classic design of these kitchen faucets is not the only reason you should consider buying them. Listed below are some of the advantages for this type of faucet, as you can read at Faucet Assistant.

• They are great for homes with little kids.

The reason for this is that stainless steel is resistant to harmful bacteria. This will ensure that irritants in the home can be prevented.

Furthermore, steel is considered to be a non-porous material. That said, you can easily wipe a disinfectant leaving the faucet free from dirt and germs.

• They do not rust.

Another great thing about stainless kitchen faucets is the fact that they do not discolor or corrode. However, they do become dull. But you can always polish their surfaces to get rid of their dullness and you can have shiny kitchen faucets again, like they are brand new units.

When you polish them, however, make sure that you use a substance intended for these items. In this way, you can prevent damaging them.

• They can last for decades.

With proper maintenance, they can last for years. However, leaking may occur. But this can be prevented by resolving the issue as soon as it arises or choosing faucets from well-known brands.

You must perform routine cleaning as per advised by the manufacturer of your kitchen faucets. It would be enough to maintain them in their working condition.

• They are cheap and easy to maintain.

Generally, stainless kitchen faucets are available at reasonable prices. However, if you are looking for extensive design, then you should expect to find them at more expensive price tags.

Because they do not absorb dirt, you can easily wipe off the area using a special solution. After that, your kitchens will look as if they are new again.

All of these benefits can only be obtained if you purchase your stainless kitchen faucets from well-known brands.

Being a victim of theft in your own house is a frustrating experience. Whatever things the thieves have stolen, simple or not, the entire experience is stressful.

But today, you have the option not to be in that same situation again by opting to install security cameras in your home. Security cameras are not just for businesses but they are also installed in several homes to monitor and protect the people living there.

Companies that provide security cameras
There are several companies that offer security cameras as part of their surveillance system services. They can offer you cameras that can be easily installed by yourself. The cameras are customizable so you can place them wherever you wish. Plus, you can add more if there’s a need to.

Unfortunately, with so many companies offering them, it can be overwhelming for you to find the right units for your needs. You can find units intended for outdoors or bullet-proof surveillance cameras that can be installed inside the house. To make things easier I'd suggest this review of the 10 best cctv video security systems by Home Security View, for a quick and effective overview.

Features available
Each camera has its own highlights. However, all of them have a basic set of features to complete a security system. These are the following:

• Motion sensor


• Infrared LEDs


• Black-and-white and colored recording functions

High-end models have high-resolution that can offer you the best picture quality. This means that if you enlarge the size of an image, the picture won’t distort. It can help you identify crucial details found on the video feed.

If you plan to install security cameras outside your house to catch thieves, you must opt for high-quality models designed for outdoor use.