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 The size of a complex is irrelevant, be it a block of offices to Buckingham Palace, all pipes need protection from frost and the cold weather. Trace heating is needed to keep the water from freezing in the pipes which can cause the pipes to burst. Replacing burst pipes is a messy and pricey endeavour and one that is sure to cause a headache.

 To prevent such a disaster it is advisable to invest in self-regulating electricals such as heating elements. These cables are able to either warm up or cool down dependent on the temperature in the pipes. The beauty of these heating elements is their ability to self-regulate, meaning that day to day maintenance and operation is not necessary. It is important to thoroughly research what system would be suitable for your building and to speak to experts about the issue, as it can be expensive to install.

The inner section of the cables are protected by either tinned copper or stainless steel braids which prevent mechanical shocks and electrical surges from destroying the heating elements inside the pipes, an essential addition which prevents costly repairs. The cost of a repair is not the only negative aspect; the process of making the repair is one that can cost time and money to the owner. These metal braids prevent such catastrophes from occurring. An essential part to heating installation is the drum heater. Choosing the right one can make the difference between an installation that works and one that doesn’t.

In conclusion regardless of the size of a complex, in cold weather the pipes are liable to freeze and break. A good heating installation is a key part of any structure.

• Have your wiring system checked by professionals regularly. Leakages due to damaged insulation and high resistances due to loose connections does not only increase your electricity bill but also pose an imminent danger to you, your family,and your property.
• Replace your incandescent lighting fixtures with electronic/led lamps. This practice will save you more than half of the power consumed for the same amount of light produced by the lamp. Aside from the fact that electronic lamps have longer burning life than incandescent. If budgetary constraints prohibit you from switching immediately, try to replace one or two at a time, starting with the lamp that has the longest duty hours in a day and setting aside the replaced lamps for spare.
• Fluorescent lamps are more economical than incandescent but still less energy efficient than electronic lamps and used by designers primarily for special areas in the house such as large or high activity areas.The ballast will cause the current to lag thereby increasing the apparent power consumption of the installation and also increasing your electricity bill.The most practical solution is to replace the ballast with a high power factor version which will cut the power consumption of each lamp dramatically.
• If you are using electric radiators for heating, make sure that all window openings are sealed. Also, inspect walls for cracks and patch them if possible.
• For cooking, use pressure cooker for tenderizing meat. Also, adjust the stove’s thermostat to low when the food is already boiling. Additional heat will only speed up the evaporation of the liquid and will not affect in any way the meat that your are cooking.
• For ironing, schedule your task once or twice a week. Ironing one or two pieces daily will cost you more energy that ironing the same 14 pieces or more in one time.
• Unplug appliances when not in use, all appliances consume electricity even when the main switch is off.
• If you are using pressure or level controlled pumps, inspect piping and fixtures for any leaks no matter how small it is. Electric motors may  take up to 600 percent of its rated current for a few seconds during starting, the more starting it made in a day, the more energy is wasted.

*Image from Google.com

When we made a quick trip to the mall last Tuesday, the little daughter saw a musicians friend mbox in a shop selling various musical instrument. She asked if we could stop a few minutes. Lately, she had been showing interest in playing the piano. I heard her tapping the keyboard of his cousin’s portable organ.

I told her if she continue to show interest to learn the musical instrument, we will schedule out to make it as her activity for the next summer.

Photographed this cast-iron chandy at a small hotel in Lucban, Quezon Province. The hotel is one of the top hotels in the town. It is located in the heart of Lucabn town, fronting the main thoroughfare and just beside the plaza Lucban. The hotel is a few steps away from the municipal hall.

Well, not the grand hotel one is dreaming to lodged into. But, definitely, with such a small and countryside town like Lucban, the miniscule hotel is a great addition. Its lobby has an old-world appeal. With draperies reminiscent of the Victorian era and as well as the decors and accessories, too.

Take this chandelier, for instance, the design is typical of the classic designs in the old world. But, the addition of kiping-like candle holders, it became an eclectic mix of the old and the contemporary. I love how the fuchsia magnificently becomes eye candy particularly when lighted.

chandelier found at the main lobby of the Patio Rizal Hotel in Lucban, Quezon Province

And, what we thought will happen, HAPPENED. It came in s super blast! The month of May here in our small town were celebrated with post-harvest events like “fiesta” in even the smallest of communities. Thanking the “gods and deities” of harvest for a year of abundant blessings. And, this month of May, as in where the hottest of the summer days came to be felt (with a scorching heat of 38 degrees Celsius recorded near our town three days ago), and, so were the expected summer storms.

Two days ago, heaven hath shown the furies of summertime weather, with thunderous thunders and strings of light dancing from above. Yet, there was no rain. People have been chanting for the rains to come. I was gonna start with my rain dance

Then, today, as the afternoon was envelop by a too scorching heat, me and the youngest daughter were planning to locked ourselves in the airconditioned room  (as always ), another “persecution” came. A brown-out. Yaiks! What have we done wrong?

We waited few minutes, but, the power supply was never “revived”. In all frustrations, we went to the nipa hut because we couldn’t imagine getting toasted inside the house. Then, as I prepped myself up for a good mythology read and 80′s music from the iPod, thunderstorms rocked the whole area. For what seems like feasts of sounds and lights invading the atmosphere, the threatening sky swell up in tears. HUGE!

It was an opportunity that my small front garden were waiting. Yes! Twas, my plants rejoiced! The dry summer weather has been giving them too much “sun tanning”.

Today marks their moment to completely soak in rainwater. All that they need.

It rained for two hours. Enough for the plants to be “energized” and be totally green again in a few days.

Looking forward to more rains tomorrow sans the power blackout, the thunder and lighting.

One at a time only, please, please…

With the heat becoming unbearable each day, our front garden is suffering. Grass in the lawn is turning brownish. A record high of 35.6 degree Celsius was recorded three days earlier in the city next to our town. The summer heat also brought forth frightening thunder and lightning late this afternoon which is a natural occurrence in summery months. Our front lawn should have been dancing had the impending torrents came. But, it was short of what we expected. There were only VERY FEW droplets of water. Not enough to have drench even the leaves of my plants.

Hence, the scheduled watering pushed through. An additional burden to our electric bill as our water pump is run by electricity. Though, we found some ways to save on water (and electricity).

Our basic science tells us that when humidity is high specifically during summer months, water evaporates easily. Hence, schedule watering the plants late in the afternoon when temperature is a bit low. This way, water evaporates on a slower pace, too.

Water recycling is a must to save on energy. Water use in rinsing the laundry can be use to water the plants and to clean cars, too.

For plants that are too sensitive on high temperature like cacti, move them to a place where it can get enough shade but can caught a glimpse of the sun for at least 4-6 hours each day.

This night lamp arrived yesterday. Husband gave me a sharp look when it was delivered by a friend/”suki”. Yeah, I did remember ordering one in December. This cost me around 3k. All the reason for the hubs to shoot me a disapproving look. Even if I assured him, the month’s budget would not be affected. Knowing me, he knew, there was no ‘NO’ to me

The body’s made from glass reinforced plastic (or fiber glass), the same material from the stained glasses that we often see at churches’ windows. As per the name suggest, fiber reinforced plastic is sturdy and fully unbreakable so unlike ceramics and/or stoneware crafts.

I had another night shade of the same material in another room corner and so this one, perhaps, might stay here beside a wooden chaise…for a while…until the time I changed my mind for which I had earned a notoriety.

Prep up the antique-y look with few stuff like scented candles and a bunch of faux flower stuffed in an unused strawberry cookie jar.

My share for Thursday Brownies.

Do you remove your footwear when you are entering one’s home?

A wooden frame found on the entrance of a villa in Leivy Lance Resort, Gabaldon, Nueva ECija

My share for: Thursday Brownies and Project 366 Blog Photo Challenge

Now that the project for the new family room is nearing its completion, we turn to the living room of the house as our next project.

That huge window will say bye bye in few months’ time. I know, it hurts to say goodbye…the window’s been there a long time! But, as the adage goes, “change creates opportunities”,especially when the purpose is for the improvement of everything around it!

My design inspiration for the area was to create fireplace-type space with either electric fires or woodburning stoves as the centre of focus. The walls will be bricked over and the addition of mantle will give me more spaces to place a few of my decorative pieces.

The window is of no use anymore. There used to be a garage on the other side that has been turned into a family room. A television unit now sits behind the window. Time to get decorating again!

Indeed, this is a year for change!

It is indeed another year. A new year to welcome changes. Changes that open doors to different opportunities. Even those stuff that were supposed to be constant is evolving. And, my headache, for one, is making me furious.

How can have gotten rid of this headache? It is January. Another taxable year!

In December of last year, we issued payment for husband’s insurance policy. We make it a point to pay annually. We have been receiving dividends from another insurance company which have ended few years. We used the cash as payments for his policy at Insular Life. We also had one policy for the youngest daughter which will have its due payment by May. At least, we have few months to save for that.

This January, we are free. Except for real property taxes. The notices of payments were sent to us second week of this month. Due payments for the residential lot were our house stood, and the tax due for the house itself. Two separate entity. We were surprised, there had been increased in payments for the next three consecutive years starting this 2012.

We were not aware. Somehow, we thought, being legal residents of this community, of voting rights, and are “righteous” taxpayers, our leaders (Mayor, Barangay Captain, whoever might be…) owe it to explain as to the bases of increases and where would the increased property taxes go.

Somehow, somehow, we needed answers. Perhaps, the good Mayor/leaders have conducted meetings or are just following the orders issued upon by higher law. So, okay. What if what is due on the 1500 square meters of lot were only 122.80 pesos (for year 2012 only) as compared to last year’s 103.60 pesos. And, the residential tax will cost me 1,571.40 this year as compared to 1,280 pesos last year. Not yet included the increases in payments for 2013, 2014.

Am I whining because of the almost immaterial difference? No. I beg to asked the basis, that’s the point. Somebody owe us an explanation. Oh, yeah, they will just say, “Hindi kasi kayo nagpupunta sa munisipyo para alamin ang lahat”.

Why? I do think that, for once, it is their job (we paid them through our levies) to relay to us whatever information effected on us. Why do I have to checked on their offices? Wherefore, these leaders used to pay us a visit…only when election comes.