Underfloor Heating Is Becoming More Popular in the UK

By Tal Potishman

Forced air is considered the "usual" form of heating homes in the UK by UK residents and is done via a heat source like a wall unit or a radiator. Though forced air is considered typical, underfloor heating is quickly becoming popular. Underfloor heating is a form of central heating that distributes heat via a conduction mechanism and radiant heat. Forced air is usually transferred through a convection heating system. Underfloor heating is transferred throughout a house via a variety of systems including heaters, cables, film, or mesh. Water can be used in underfloor heating as well.

Though Underfloor heating feels like a modern convenience it was first implemented by the Romans more than two centuries ago. When the system was first used, the heat was produced in a furnace that was usually kept in a cellar-type room underneath the rest of the house. Someone would light the furnace and the heat from the furnace fire would fill the cellar room and then move upward, warming the rest of the house as it went. Sometimes, if the furnace was contained on the first floor of a house, there would be channels connected to the furnace that would be used as a conduit for the heated air to be transported to the other rooms in the house.

The underfloor heating that is used today is based upon a method introduced in the 1960s. Electric resistance cables were run through concrete foundations of rooms and then heated with an electric current during the night. Most people did not like this method of underfloor heating because the temperature of the cables and floors could not be controlled, but this method did serve as the inspiration for underfloor heating mechanisms in place today.

The most appreciated benefit of underfloor heating is the money that is saved after it is installed. Wall units and radiators use forced air which is difficult to control and requires more energy. Underfloor heating is used to regulate the temperature of a room, which uses less energy.

Underfloor heating also saves space, unlike the radiators and wall units which can take up quite a bit of space in a room. Radiators and wall units are also known for stirring up dust which can be detrimental to people with allergies.

The installation of underfloor heating should be done by a professional. There are do-it-yourself kits that some underfloor heating companies put together, but if a home owner does not have experience with plumbing, insulation or working with a house's foundation, he/she should not attempt to install underfloor heating him/herself. Doing it without a professional's help could result in structural damage to the home. Professional installation is not expensive and can be done relatively quickly.

About the Author:

Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about home boilers, central heating, Forest Hill plumbers, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.

The Ageless Popularity Of Tintin

By Jason Black

Tintin was first introduced to the work from the artwork pen of Herge. An artist from Belgium, Herge gave the world its first comic hero based with a Belgian newspaper. Ironically, Tintin was also first seen in a newspaper comic strip and as his popularity grew, so did his published rate and will even appear in a movie soon.

There were many other characters in the comics. They were not unlike the people that you and I are familiar with in our lives. This detail alone would become a reason why Tintin continues to be a favorite of many readers from every corner of the world.

Tintin also had a lovable dog as a sidekick. Snowy was the white Fox terrier that captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. It also appealed to dog owners which increased the appeal of the comic.

Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus are two other well known characters from the world of Tintin. The former is a tough and grumpy ship captain who is often at odds with Tintin. The latter is a smart academic who provides Tintin with many answers on his adventures around the world.

Despite Tintin's popularity with people of all ages, it had its fair share of critics. They were critical of what they thought were negative slants spread throughout the stories. However, the millions of fans worldwide who have never caused any trouble from reading them cannot be wrong in their own assessments.

The popularity of Tintin was cemented with the production of the first live action movie. It is currently in the works and scheduled for release in 2009. With the introduction of the lanky Belgian reporter to the big screen, it is bound to garner a new audience and fanbase.

The influence of Tintin has not been restricted to just comic fans. It has spread far and wide to other areas such as artists like Andy Warhol. Musicians have also referred to the adventurous spirit of the character in their work.

By exploring other worlds from the mundane to exotic, the Tintin comics have established many avid readers and fans. The different genres explored such as adventure, mystery and science fiction have also brought about a wide appeal for the stories told.

About the Author:

Jason Black believes there is something for everyone in Tintin comic books. If you wish to buy Tintin comics, find out how you can do so at Jason's site.

Bouquet Of Flowers For Delivery To Colorado Springs

By Brioni Phillips

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching and you want to show that special someone in Colorado Springs, Colorado how much you care. How do you accomplish this, you ask? Using an online florist to choose your own bouquet for delivery to Colorado Springs is an excellent choice when you are considering flower delivery as a Valentine's Day gift.

Why Choose your own Bouquet? You may ask yourself why you should choose your own bouquet when you are looking for flower delivery to Colorado Springs. After all, the online florist has many of them on display. While it is far easier to just take a pick from one of the bouquets that are already created and pictured, when you choose your own bouquet, you can be assured of getting the color and type of flowers that you know that she likes.

In addition to getting her the right flowers and colors, you can also give her a gift that is unique. If she works in an office and you send the flower delivery to Colorado Springs to this office, then there is a good chance that this delivery will be scrutinized by other office employees. When you go through the trouble of picking out something unique and will not be seen on every other desk, you will be showing her that you care about her.

Most women love to get flowers and are especially happy to know that you thought enough of them to figure out what they liked and create your own bouquet when you chose flower delivery to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

How to Create your own Bouquet You can create your own bouquet by going to an online florist where you will have a selection from different flowers. You will also have a selection of vases from which to choose, although the vases are optional. You can then decide on the different colors and types of flowers for your bouquet. You can see the blooms so that you get a general idea what they look like. After choosing the flowers and the vase, you just have to write out a personal message on the card and away you go - your order is complete.

Going online to choose flowers for someone is the best way to shop for flowers because it gives you choices. Make your own bouquet by going online and then arrange for a Valentines Day flower delivery to Colorado Springs, Colorado to someone special.

About the Author:

Limited time only! Get unheard of deals on flower arrangements before supplies run out. Visit Colorado Springs Discount Flower Delivery today!

Serger What?

By David Trumble

I remember the first time a customer brought me a serger to repair. I was lost. Everything I had learned about standard sewing machines was lost because sergers are different. Over the years, however, I have worked on hundreds and generally find them as easy to service as regular sewing machines.

Do you know what an overedge machine is? Did you know that many people do not. It is true, many people including many who enjoy sewing and quilting have never used or even know what a serger is.

So, I decided to find out what ordinary people thought of sergers. To do so, I visited a local Walmart, with my shopping list. As I walked down the aisle of different departments, I stopped people and asked them (total strangers). Do you know what a serger is? or Do you know where I could find a serger?

You may not be as bewildered as I was by the range of stunned looks and puzzling responses. One lady said, I think that is one of those new video games over there. An older gentleman answered, Sure, you will find that in electrical supplies. I stopped asking after my fifth point of confusion. Apparently, sergers are an electrical part, a new game, a special kind of clap on lamp, a team sweatshirt, and of course some people just said they had no idea.

So, just what is a serger?

A serger is a specialty sewing machine that sews a seam, overcasts the fabric edge, and trims the fabric all in a single pass at a speed usually twice that of a ordinary sewing machine. There are essentially two types of serger sewing: utility and decorative. Utility serging is commonly found inside garments, pillows, and other projects where the serged seam is generally hidden from view. Decorative serging is just the opposite. Decorative serger aims to add distinction by serging seams that are obvious to the onlooker. Decorative serging can be found in many home dcor items as well as clothing items.

Nearly forty years after the first sewing machine was patented, the Merrow Sewing Machine Company launched their Merrowing or overlocking machine in 1881. While most ordinary sewing machines sewed straight stitches, the Merrow machine produced an overcastting stitch that sewed a hem, overcastted the fabric edge, and trimmed the fabric all at once. This was the origin on the modern serger.

The terms serger, overlock, and Merrow all refer to this specialty sewing machine. The sewing is oftendescribed as serging, overlocking, merrowing, overcastting, or overedging.

Sergers were the domain of industry and factories until 1964, when the Baby Lock brand of home sergers launched. Several engineers at Juki had envisioned a scaled down version of the heavy industrial serger, but the Juki company was not interested. So the professionals formed their own new company and launched Baby Lock home sergers.

Unlike the ordinary sewing machine that uses needle and hook assemblies to create interlocking stitches, the serger uses devices called loopers. A lower looper and an upper looper assist interact with the needle to create the overlocking stitches. Instead of using a shuttle or bobbin, the serger uses multiple cones of thread guided through tension assemblies to the loopers and needle. Sergers also use special needle plates with stitch fingers or horizontal needle fingers to help form the stitches.

Sergers double the speed of ordinary home sewing machines, but are far slower than their big sister industrial sergers. Home sergers are designed to for convenience and creativity. They are much lighter, smaller, sleeker, and more user friendly than the heavy duty industrial models. Industrials commonly sew up to 9,500 stitches per minute, but only produce one overcastting stitch. Home sergers sew between 1,500 and 3,000 stitches per minute and may produce a dozen or two different overedging stitches.

The serger may use two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight different threads in various combinations to produce an amazing array of different utility and decorative overcastting stitches. Baby Lock a serger capable of producing up to 86 different serging stitches.

Today the home serger has become an integral part of a quality sewing room set up. It is capable of streamlining sewing projects producing far better quality while cutting sewing time in half. Yet, it does not replace the regular sewing machine.

What is a serger? It is a particular type ofsewing machine that enables you to sew a hem, overedge, and trim the fabric in one pass through your machine at roughly twice the speed of a standard sewing machine.

About the Author:

Every user can now discover how to do their own Sewing machine repair. Technical Writer David Trumble makes it easy with is helpful tips, tricks, and courses including topics like white overlock machine problems and his free beginner's book 7 Steps To Peak Performance For Your Sewing Machine.

Getting it Done at California Craft Shows

By Jacen Fanning

It cannot be denied that crafting is one of the most rewarding arts in the world. Creating something that is wholly tangible and tactile is something distinct from the likewise amazing art of cinematography, for example. The capacity to hold and interact with with an object is a treat to the senses.

It is the norm for artists and artisans to turn up in California. As people go about their various day-to-day routines here, a lot very often want to stop and smell the roses; just appreciate the finer things in life. This is second nature to craftspeople; their works have echoes of life in them.

If you are one of these craftspeople situated (or thinking of moving to) California, then perhaps you'd want to sell your crafts at the various craft shows occuring annually in the state. But how do you go about it? In this year alone, after all, there are 849 craft fairs scheduled; and we all know that you should choose which fair to attend to carefully.

Well, you do have access to the Internet (you wouldn't be reading this otherwise), the leading source of information these days. A casual search will lead you to online listings of craft shows with little problems. From there, you can get the contact information of whoever is handling the event. Do, this, and you have already completed the first step.

Communication is an integral skill to learn, of course, and this skill must be utilized correctly in selling, starting with the event organizers. You have their contact information, give them a call or meet up with them and inquire about how they run things. Normally, these craft shows will have you pay a certain amount to use their booths, but that's where the similarity ends. Benefits included in the fee will vary; for example, some offer access to electrical outlets, while most do not. It's best to know small things like these before anything, so you won't be troubled afterwards.

About the Author:

Jacen Fanning is in the process of getting his PhD, but attends California Craft Shows in his spare time. Besides his student fund, he earns additional income at California Craft Fairs with a talent he developed back in High School.

Jewelry or Flowers? A Valentine's Day Dilemma

By Art Barron

Imagine yourself in a mall, searching for that perfect Valentine gift. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the beautiful arrangements of colorful flowers beckoning you. Just as you approach it, a flash on the other side distracts you, and the teasing twinkling from the jewelry store seems to be drawing you in! So you're stuck. Do you get flowers, or jewelry?

Before you go crazy trying to decide, here are some things you need to bring into consideration to help you decide easier:

Can your wallet handle it? Let's face it: money is truly hard to come by these days, but even the most extravagant, over-the-top bouquet carries a smaller price tag than a piece of quality jewelry. If you're just a little strapped for cash at the moment, then flowers are your better bet.

Interesting, there are a lot of men and women who value flowers more than jewelry precisely because it's budget friendly. They feel that Valentines has become so commercial over the years that the focus has shifted from relating to getting the most expensive gift. Flowers reinforce the sentiment that you don't really need to spend much for the day to matter.

Quality over quantity. Beautiful as they are, those flowers that were so colorful and striking a week or two ago will be gray and wilting by now. The best they can serve in the present are either dried pieces, or just mere memories.

Jewelry may be more expensive in the short term but considering that it's a possession you can use forever, the investment is well worth it.

The stage of your relationship. The gifting of jewelry suggests intimacy, both physical and emotional. After all, you'd hardly spend a lot of money on someone not significant to you. If you and your partner are still dating or exploring a friendship, flowers may be more appropriate. You do not want to send the wrong message and preempt a potential match. You might also want to steer clear of negative connotations of entitlement that comes with an expensive present.

Since jewelry is a symbol of solidarity and strength, these are more appropriate to mark a very special occasion, especially for couples who have been together for some time, such as the aptly named "journey chain", which basically represent the couple's journey together by adding pendants during anniversaries and specific milestones. Jewelry brings memories that are lasting, and it symbolizes the relationship's strength.

Go with what you know. Of course, you should always do a little homework before you go and spend willy-nilly on these presents. No matter which one you get, they're both expensive.

If you know nothing about jewelry and you don't want to purchase something you're not sure is worth your money, then flowers it is. However, if you're reasonably sure about your purchase, by all means, head to the nearest jewelry store.

Your girl's personality. You should always keep your girl in mind when you purchase these things, of course. If she's more the flowers type, then you should definitely forgo the bling. Those who are corporate types, cosmopolitans, or fashionistas might go for jewelry more as these are great accessories for both work and play. On the other hand, girls who are sensitive nature-lovers and are a tad old-fashioned loves the man who presents them with flowers. They're more likely to appreciate sheer poetry.

About the Author:

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Professional HD Video Camera: What You Should Look for in One

By Antoine Lindz

A professional HD video camera is one of the major tool of the trade that filmmakers - professional or amateur - should not do without. There are several video cameras in the industry that are specially designed for your needs. However, although there are so many high definition camcorders in the market that are available only a few are noteworthy. These are the:

- Canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder, - Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder, - JVC GYHD110U MiniDV Camcorder, and; - Panasonic AG-HVX200.

The Canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder

This is the younger and smaller version of the Canon XLH1DV. It also performs much like its big brother, the Canon XLH1DV. It has a low light performance which is a good feature for a professional HD video camera. However, being small has its drawbacks. It has no lens interchangeability unlike the bigger version. Customers are somewhat skeptical with the 30F and 24F frame rates too but some are finding it easy to adjust to. It also has a bad eyecup design and is quite heavy for a video camera. Nevertheless, this is still good for ENGs, budget documentarians, student filmmakers.

The Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder

The Sony's consumer camcorder is the FX7. It has a clear VID CMOS sensors which make a fantastic impression in bright light. Under low light conditions, the performance disappointingly falls to pieces. It can however, omit XLR inputs and external audio level controls.

The JVC GYHD110U MiniDV Camcorder

This camcorder is almost the same with the Canon XH-A1 HDV in terms of size and lens interchangeability. It has a standard Fujinon 16x ProHD Lens. It comes with true progressive video at 720p but it doesn't offer interlaced video recording options. The resolution is close to XH A1's resolution. If you are the type of shooter who prefers larger camcorders and lens flexibility, buy a JVC GYHD110U.

Panasonic AG-HVX200

Because this camcorder uses the proprietary P2 tapeless recording system it is able to record DVCPRO video DV tapes. However, it can only be recorded using Panasonic's solid state P2 memory cards or an external DTE drive like non-tape media. By using the P2 Cards, you can record non-stop and reduce the tape transfer time because of the camcorders 2 swappable P2 slots. The camcorder relies on pixel shifting to raise the resolution of its 3 1/3 " CCDs from 500k gross pixel count to a high definition resolution.

Different filmmakers have different professional HD video camera needs. The decision is yours to make. It is up to the aspiring filmmaker to decide which camera will cater to his or her needs more. Is the camera worth the price? That is for the filmmaker to judge.

About the Author:

Find the best professional HD video camera that fits your needs. Learn more HD video camera info online.