How much light your kitchen needs

With the help of designers are planning to light zone and pushed the space. - Food should be covered very well - explains the designer Elena Sokolova. - If an ordinary room illuminated for 30 watts per square meter, the kitchen - 40 - 50 watts per square meter. meter. Only then there will be quite comfortable. Thus you can visually enhance even a tiny kitchen in the Khrushchev. Accordingly, the plan area of ??illumination. But it is worth considering that most three of them should already be built into a kitchen set. So the choice of furniture, in whatever style it may be done, pay attention to it. - Kitchen - is the center of the house, which gathers not only the family but also the guests - experts say the company "People's Kitchen in Germany." - But while the kitchen should not only be comfortable but ergonomic, functional and very comfortable. It was here hostess spends most of his free time. In fact, the cuisine - is a second job for a woman. Therefore, furniture, lighting, and appliances are to be as convenient as it is for women. The main thing - to organize the space and light. Five zones of light 1. Table working surface should be covered REQUIRED. Therefore, the lighting under the upper cabinets is not even discussed. Let there be no other lamps, but then they should attend. Of course, this applies to the hood - the illumination it must be built to cover the plate. 2. The top light - in fact, home. In some headsets on the lockers still have outrigger panel with backlight.

Energy conservation at home

Unfortunately, in the home is now saving the term often denotes the theft of electricity. Given the size of fines and criminal and administrative responsibility for such actions is far better to hold a series of measures to reduce consumption of electricity in your home. We begin to examine this issue from the very energy-intensive equipment - electric heating. Using electricity to heat itself is irrational given more than its cost. But, nevertheless, sometimes the only source of electricity energy. Currently, there are many modern ways of heating, with clear advantages over traditional: the long-wave heaters, underfloor heating, heat storage. Recent allow the use of low-benefit "night" tariff for electricity, because precisely during the period of this tariff is an accumulation of heat in heat storage. In the afternoon the same time, they give heat in strict accordance with the exposed temperature. Generally, in the case of electric heating installation dvuhtarifnogo accounting simply obligatory. Detailed descriptions of these methods can be found on the Internet. Often in the home in conjunction with central heating (due to its quality) used oil heaters. Before using make sure to reduce heat loss in the apartment. If we consider the heat balance of the home, it becomes clear that most of the heat energy heating system goes out to block heat loss. They have a home with central heating and water supply are as follows: losses due to non-insulated windows and doors - 40% loss through the window glass - 15% loss through the walls - 15% loss through ceilings and floors - 7%; Obviously, that the use of plastic windows can significantly reduce losses.

Autonomous Power: independence and comfort

Zoe Dydynskaya autonomous power has long ceased to be the preserve of large enterprises and are increasingly used in private suburban homes. It is no secret that most of the existing villages and cottage settlements electrical network does not hold water because of deterioration, lack of power fluctuations and power failure. Some holiday homes are under construction and does away from power lines. In this regard, before the homeowners there is the problem of providing a reliable electricity supply dwelling. The solution is to create a system of uninterrupted power supply to the house on the basis of autonomous power. Factors for choosing As practice shows, the choice of battery power to keep in mind several key aspects. Among them: the power generator, safety, fire safety, low noise, the possibility of battery operation, automatic start and, of course, price. First of all, you need to determine, as a source of electricity - the main or reserve - will operate your installation. This factor depends on the presence or absence of close to your home network backbone. Another important point - the right choice of generator power. Depends on the capacity and quality of the unit, and its cost. That is why this feature is worth paying close attention. But keep in mind: many manufacturers in the directories give the so-called "maximum power". So, this option provides short-term operation of the unit (from several seconds to several minutes). Actual rated power is usually much lower.

How smart can be a house?

Until recently, "smart home" seemed to us fantastic: automatic temperature control, security of premises during the absence of the owner or run a home theater system. To date, this system seems to many quite reasonable and even natural. On the technology features, capabilities and functions of "smart homes" will tell our article. Features of the system in mid-1970's in Scotland, the technology was developed X10, which became the basis of "smart home". Professional language, X10 - this is an international communications protocol used to connect electronic devices in home automation systems. It defines the methods and means of transmission control modules, which are connected appliances. Devices that support the protocol, performed by several companies, but they are all compatible with each other. System X10 - completely full in terms of autonomous control equipment, and it is very easy to install and configure. For each device, there are special instructions and manuals that explain the installation and programming features. For communication network X10 modules used house electric or radio-frequency pulses. Here importance is the possibility of blocking signals outside the network, the modules one at home does not affect the network to another. Necessary devices Smart House, in the broadest sense, is a unified management system and electrical appliances has its elements: Special sensors can perceive the different environmental variables - temperature, humidity, pressure, illumination, and the presence of a person, leakage of water or gas.

Solar panels

There are currently a variety of energy industry can be characterized by type of use of energy: nuclear, coal, gas, oil, hydro, wind, geothermal, biomass, wave and tidal, temperature gradient, solar. Comparing these industries on several factors: economic, environmental, resource, and also on safety, it can be concluded that solar energy as a long-term perspective, is one of paramount importance. Ratings of the direct social costs of harmful effects of traditional power plants, including disease and reduced life span of people, payment of medical care, loss in production, yield reduction, forest restoration and repair of buildings through pollution of air, water and soil, provide value add about 75% to the existing world market prices for fuel and energy. Essentially, it costs society as a whole - an "environmental tax" which is already implicit, and very long paying citizens of their health and personal expenses for the imperfection of power plants, and this "tax" to finally be realized by all people. Solar energy is actually delivered in three days on the territory of Russia, the energy exceeds the entire annual output of electricity in our country. In addition, solar energy has very little peers on environmental and resource base. Raw materials for the production of solar cells - ordinary sand. However, to get out of it and of highly light-sensitive silicon requires rather expensive manufacturing processes. Thorough cleaning of the sand and get out of it a single crystal (or polycrystalline) silicon are the most costly parts of their production.

High-quality electricity in a country house

Quality electricity - a major problem in many regions of Russia. Fluctuations of voltage and current are so large that in some cases lead to failure of an expensive home and other equipment. Reasons for lowering the voltage a great many: the distance from the substation, the presence of feeders powerful consumers, outdated and not designed for modern electrical cable, just next to the ongoing welding and much more. Low voltage network is dangerous for refrigerators, pumps and any engines. Increasing the voltage - the situation is less common but more fatal in effect, as a danger to all electrical equipment, without exception. The first sign by which to judge the faults in the network - a flashing or frequent burnout of incandescent lamps. The main indicators of power quality are determined by GOST 13109-97, which provides that, subject to these regulations is provided "compatibility of electric networks of general purpose power and electric network electric power consumers (receivers of electric energy). The rules of the standard are mandatory in all modes of power supply systems of general use, except for modes associated with unforeseen situations. However, the reality is much more complicated. About any safeguards can not speak, for example, in rural areas where there is a massive building of cottages, and where the substation and yard is extremely worn. In a survey of more than 300 objects in various places like the Moscow region and other close lying areas, made some analysis of really existing network quality.

Passive voice of comfort

Vadim Alexeev Many of us have the content of a country house is associated with high costs. It would seem that one thing - to maintain a comfortable environment in the apartment, and quite another - daily heat thoroughly two-storey cottage. But do not rush to conclusions. If we are talking about so-called passive, or, more correctly, energopassivnom, house, the cost of gas or wood can be avoided. And not at the expense of comfort, but rather the contrary. The word "passive" in the Russian language, usually used with negative connotations. Called passive man-slacker or a bad title of a journal article. However, with regard to home-town is different. Do you need to actively cottage (note) exchanges heat with the environment? In winter, gave him, and in summer too hot? Hardly. So in a passive house is constantly maintained for human comfort temperature and humidity (regardless of whether the wind is raging in the street, knocks the snow melts from the heat or asphalt). How does this effect is achieved? To get started back on 21 years ago. First energopassivnye house appeared in 1987. Their founder and ideologist - Dr. Wolfgang Feist, the founder of the Institute of passive houses in the German city of Darmstadt. First, these homes were built in Germany and later in Scandinavia, famous for a rational approach to energy use. Not so long ago began to use a unique technology in Russia. It is true that widespread cost houses so far prevented some of the stereotypes of consciousness of buyers.

From rain and frost

Mikhail Skvortsov Protection exterior communication network remains relevant as far as actual bad weather in our region and filled with soil moisture. And if you've paved the pipe or cable outside the house, then try to neutralize or at least minimize the impact on them of negative external factors. Such factors have, frankly, in excess. First, always pour from the top, but the fact that the top, is inevitably in the soil. Secondly, the bottom is also constantly threatened by "flood" ground water, which, combined with atmospheric moisture present answered by a serious danger to networks installed in the ground. But moisture is not all there is such a thing as frost heaving of the soil. Soil due to this shift, and with such force that squeezes out of the ground even for houses. What to say about some unfortunate pipe? Different parts of the soil may then shift to a different intensity, a result of which the pipe or electric cable elementary bursts. Of course, the best option - where all communications are concentrated within a well-heated homes. However, alongside modern cottage, as a rule, is Bath. Need a guest house, perhaps, the garage will be separated, and the boiler in our time are often put to one side of the house, which increases the security of living and reduce environmental harm. This means that the inevitable strip of sections of pipelines and power grids. We list to start outside engineering services of a modern country home. Let's start with the fact that any home need water for drinking and household needs.

Protect your home by the forces of each

Zoe Dydynskaya security problem the country house is sharp and relevant. Provide rest homeowner help technical resources that are now offered a great deal. And our review will help you understand them to be ready for a substantive conversation with the experts when ordering security system for your home. Before we talk about a variety of ways to protect a country house, is to understand what may be threatened him in your absence? Danger to your dear hearts and wallets to property may come from natural factors (flood, fire), utility systems (gas leak, sewer break) and from the actions of criminals (theft, destruction of property). Typically, homeowners are most concerned about the possibility of theft or fire. And not without reason: these two disasters, first, to occur more often, and secondly, bring the most damage. Of course, you can (and should) insure your home against such disasters. But even better - they are not allowed. And for this you should choose appropriate methods of protection. To protect his beloved cottage or cottage from thieves, it is necessary to take into account all possible protective factors. To get started is to create a uninvited guest physical obstacles. These include fences, gates, reinforced windows, doors, grilles, locks and other mechanical devices. But even if your site is fenced with concrete fence with a solid gate, the entrance to the house is protected by steel doors and windows - shutters, that does not guarantee that an attacker can not penetrate into your home.

Three Pillars of power cottage

Zoe Dydynskaya Comfortable accommodation in a country house is unthinkable without electrical appliances. And the issue of reliable power is becoming one of the most important for the homeowner. Try to understand how to correctly make a grid cottage. According to experts, it has rested on three pillars: AC voltage stabilizer, UPS and battery power. And it should be set in that order. Centralized power supply voltage, unfortunately, have a number of problems including: invalid deviation of voltage and frequency, high frequency and impulsive noise, the failures and the total disappearance of stress. This leads to the malfunction of electrical equipment, up to its failure. Voltage deviation in most cases can be eliminated by using voltage alternating current. The use of stabilizers enables stable operation and extend the life of electrical equipment, minimizing the likelihood of failure because of poor power supply. Choosing a model of the stabilizer depends on many criteria: power consumption and operating voltage range of power equipment, the presence in its composition motors with high inrush currents, climate, etc. to choose the model of the stabilizer is difficult, so try to help you with this. Advisable to consider the characteristics of a voltage stabilizer in the following order: the number of phases, power output, the operating range of input voltages, the static accuracy of stabilization, speed, operating conditions, weight and dimensions. First we need to understand what problems are common to your mains: constantly over or under voltage surges or dips stress or something else.