DuroMax XP10000E Portable Generator – Value For Your Money




The DuroMax XP10000E 10,000 watt portable generator can be used on a number of occasions, not only as emergency power backup. It serves well to supply power to drills, saws, and other equipment at the work site.

The XP10000E is enclosed in a frame made of thick steel and this frame well protects the generator. The vibrations are lessened with the vibration dampening mounts for the motor.

The DuroMax 16 HP overhead valve engine is designed to produce 8000 W and 10000 surge watts. It can either be cranked or turned with a key to start. Fitted with an 8.3 gallon gas tank, that is EPA and CARB approved, this can run for about 10 hours on half the load.

The exhaust design and the vibration dampening of the frame cause a noise of about 72 decibels when the generator is up and running. A low level of oil is indicated with the help of an indicator lamp on the front panel and the generator automatically shuts down in that condition to avoid any kind of damage.

The windings for the alternator are made of copper and the brush is of a good design. The generator also has a built in automatic voltage regulator system. With these factors in place, the generator is designed to produce maximum steady power for a long period without any problems whatsoever.

The fuel tank of this gas generator is fitted with a gauge that indicates the amount of fuel at any point of time. The DuroMax XP10000E has many power outlet points including two 120V, 20A 3-pin sockets, one 120V/240V, 30 A locking plug, one 120V, 30A locking plug, one 120V / 240V, and a 50A outlet socket. The power socket points come fully protected.

The generator is equipped with circuit breakers, power outlets, fuel level indicator, low oil level indicator and automatic shutdown facility, heavy duty frame, volt meter, wheel mounts, etc. The 8000 W output is enough to supply the entire power needs of a house.

It is also easy to assemble the generator. The XP10000E generator is balanced and stable. The wheel kit is also easy to set up and the tires are tough and are always inflated.

Starting the generator is easy, all you have to do is pull the choke and just turn a key. With a noise output of 72 decibels it may seem noisy, but not when you are considering the large power output.

For a power of 8000 watt, it is not so noisy after all. Perhaps it is only as noisy as some of the other 5 KW generators in the market. Some neighbors can choose to get disturbed with this noise, however.

Before I bought DuroMax XP10000E, I did my research online and found that there have been some reports on bad after sales service. The complaints were about unattended telephone calls and lack of proper service by Max Tools. However, there was positive feedback too on satisfying customer service experience.

On the whole, for a product that costs under $1000 and the features that are built in, the DuroMax XP10000E offers great value for money. There are other generators that are priced just about the same but do not have the power output of this one.

If you are looking for a portable gas generator which can churn out 10000 watt of power, click on the button on the right to order the XP10000E from Amazon.com right now.

Tinted Windows & Sunscreens – Inexpensive Way To Keep Your Home Cool




To protect your family and yourself from the harmful effects of the Ultra Violet rays of the sun and also to save your inside furniture from fading; reduce the effect of incoming sunlight to your home. You can do this either by tinting your house windows with films or by selecting sunscreens; both of these are equally effective in reducing the amount of light coming in your house.

Lesser sunlight in the rooms means lower temperature and these protective materials are especially useful in warm climates, since your air conditioner do not have to work overtime to keep the temperature down; thus saving your expense on energy consumption.

It is difficult to compare between these two, since both are equally effective in restricting the light coming in and keeping the room temperature low; you can choose any one of these as per your convenience and liking. Both, sunscreens and tinted windows reduce the absorption of heat from glass and this is measured as “solar heat gain coefficient”.

The tainted windows are advantageous but have some disadvantages, too. These windows reduce the incoming light only when you keep these closed and you can either avail the facility of air circulation or reduced temperature, but not both at the same time.

However, if you have installed decorative windows in your house, then tainted windows are going to prove beneficial, since these windows do not open. One more disadvantage of the tainted windows is that the tainted pane can absorb heat and transfer it inside the rooms, thereby unnecessarily increasing the room temperature.

You have to see to it that the film is properly applied; otherwise the heat is going to get trapped between panes, thereby stressing these and damaging the warranty of the window. Sunscreens, too, have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is generally believed that the phoenix window sunscreens are more effective, since these allow the heat of the sun rays to circulate before the window panes absorb it and transmit it inside the rooms.

Though these offer you lower visibility than the tinted windows; however this feature is not available with tinted windows. As per the Effective Windows Collaborative theory, because of this phenomenon, the solar heat gets reduced considerably, say by around 40% to 70%.

By installing the sunscreens, you will have the flexibility of opening and closing your windows for air circulation and during winter you can remove the panes and allow the sunlight to come in for heating up your rooms. Sunscreens are generally made from polyester or fiberglass and hence are economical and since, these are densely weaved; provides you not only comfort but privacy, too.

If you have storm doors and windows installed in your ancestral home, you can replace these, too, with sunscreens. To install, remove the screen from the windows and though the removal process varies depending on the style and design of your old window; you should initially determine your requirements and purpose.

Always purchase good quality sunscreens from reputed manufacturers and ensure that these prevent both UVA and UVB rays from coming inside your rooms. Log on to the internet to know more about these products from the websites which sell these. Adhere to manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the sunscreens, since this should be done periodically.

Sun rays can gradually discolor the sunscreens and though it is not possible to remove discoloration; you can use sealers to restore their quality.

If you are looking for more home energy saving ideas, check out the Green DIY Energy program on the web. I wrote a short GreenDIYEnergy review about the program on this blog, please read it for more information.

Getting The Right Type Of Air Conditioning Unit For Your Home




Air conditioning is a necessity for most people, particularly for those living in humid conditions of the Deep South or the sweltering heat of the deserts of the Southwest. Air conditioners are of two types: wall mounted or window type units and whole house units or central air conditioning systems.

While both types of air conditioners bring down the room temperature, cool and dehumidify the air, they vary in the extent of power requirements and the degree of cooling effect.

Components of air conditioner

Air conditioning equipment consists of several components such as compressors, heat pumps, fans, fan motors and coolant circulation system.

Air conditioning is a complex process in which hot and humid air drawn from the atmosphere is subjected to a series of processes designed to cool the hot air and eliminate most of the dampness from it. It is then forced into the house through an outlet vent reducing the surrounding temperature.

All air conditioning appliances need a coolant, external ventilation and electricity. Earlier, carcinogenic and environmentally harmful CFC s was used as coolant gas. However, at present several other substances are used as coolant.

Window type air conditioners.

Whether a window type or wall mounted or a split air conditioner, it is a single air conditioning system. This type of air conditioner can be permanently installed in the room through an opening in the wall or placed in a window. The ventilation and cooling systems are assembled within the unit.

Though the electrical installation of air conditioning equipment depends on how many BTUs the unit requires for efficient operation, most of the units normally consume 900 watts per kWh. Before purchasing window type units, it is essential to measure the area of the room to be cooled so that one can buy the right capacity equipment that can run efficiently without overworking.

Pros & Cons window type units.

Window units are normally portable equipments, though frequent shifting from place to place can damage the parts inside the units. When buying a window unit, one should select the proper size. If it is very small, it has to operate for long hours, resulting in increase of electricity bills.

On the other hand, too large a unit will operate inefficiently and cooling will not be so effective. In addition, it can increase sticky dampness in the room. Wall mounted units are susceptible to dripping and leaks, particularly in extreme humid conditions.

Moreover they make much more noise than central air conditioners. The operating expenses of window units are much lower if they are used in small areas and the thermostat is set to moderate temperature. Window units also cost less; as low as $300.

Central air conditioning system.

This is bigger air conditioning equipment comprising a ‘condenser’, which is usually kept outside the house, a ‘blower fan’ and a ‘cooling coil system’. The hot air from the atmosphere is compressed, channeled into the fan and after cooled by the coils is allowed to expand through the air conditioning ducts into the house and the rooms, accordingly cooling and dehumidifying the air.

If the house is not equipped with a ‘forced-air furnace’, the fans and cooling coils should be located in the roof space. The thermostat will monitor and adjust the temperature level in the house. A whole house air conditioning unit needs around 3500 watts of power per kWh.

If a house is spacious with many rooms that require cooling, installation of a whole house air conditioning system is the best option. The installation costs of a central air conditioning system depends upon several factors, such as the region, type of the system and the extent of modification required in the house for installation.

If the house is not provided with any duct network, installation costs will be very high. Whole house units dehumidify and maintain the temperature in the rooms at comfortable levels.

A central air conditioning system eliminates all the irritants that normally occur when it is unbearably warm inside the house. One should select a unit that has high energy efficiency rating.

You can ensure that electricity bills in each type of air conditioning unit are kept at acceptable levels by taking certain precautions. Set the temperature at 78° F as any temperature below this level will steeply increase power consumption, as much as 4%.

When not in the room or house raise the temperature level to 80° F or even more. Set the blower fan at a lower temperature to facilitate better air circulation. Insulate the home properly, especially the area directly facing the sun so that the room temperature is maintained at a uniform level throughout the year. In addition to these steps, regular maintenance of air conditioners is essential.

These jobs include replacing filters, cleaning ducts, inlets and outlets often to prevent clogs and checking coolant level from time to time. The number of rooms in the house that require air conditioning and the installation budget are the two major factors that determine whether to install a window type unit or a central air conditioning system or a combination of both.

Irrespective of which type of air conditioning system one opts for, it is important to set the thermostat at a desired level and maintain it properly to obtain maximum cooling efficiency.