Residential Solar energy System – Which sort to Build by Gerald Sun Freidreich

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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Residential solar energy systems are gaining interest and are being deployed by many families around the globe Increasing numbers of people are realizing that reliance upon fossil fuel needs to be reduced. This is possible only by building alternate causes of energy over a period of time. Fossil fuels will not last forever. It is possible to install your personal power system using the light energy emitted by the sun. All places about this earth high is sufficient sunshine, spending a small amount of money will help you generate electricity.

The three types of residential solar power systems which may be integrated into your house are discussed in this aricle. The three types are utility-tie systems, utility-interactive system and what is sometimes known as a stand-alone system.

Utility-Tie System

Utility tie systems do not have a battery equipment associated with the unit. In this kind of system all electrical power developed by solar power panels travels with the inverter and offsets the ability that will normally be consumed in the power company. This type of system slows or reverses your meter dependent on the quantity of solar energy created. This kind of product is popular because there are no batteries to buy. Because there are no batteries associated in the system, the machine is only going to function when there is sunlight and won’t function at night.

Utility-Interactive System

This type of product is like the utility match although it comes with a battery and additional controls. The utility interactive system will feed the utility meter and can permit you to operate fully from the grid. With respect to the overall size your solar power system and also the quantity of appliances and devices you actually have to power, this type of system can support your whole home or simply the appliances you feel are required. With the additional batteries, an utility-interactive system costs typically 30% more than an utility-tie system, however, you have the added advantage of being able to store solar electric power in batteries later.

Standalone System

A stand alone system is ideal whenever you do not have direct connection to public utilities. This kind of system may also include additional power generation sources such as wind power and conventional gas generators. This type of system has absolutely no interaction with the power utility grid. The number of solar power panels and components are dictated through the overall solar power requirements of your house. This kind of system will be ideal for remote homes, cabins or RVs.

About the Author

The author of this solar energy article. Delivers additional excellent information about the latest news on going solar, solar cells and Residential Solar Power System, for homes on his blog dedicated to solar technology.

Be sure you take a look for nice guidelines. Many thanks!

Don’t Overlook Water Along with your Survivalism Food Storage by Mike Pearson

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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Water is sometimes an overlooked component of the survivalist emergency plan. Clean, fresh water is so abundant in modern society it is usually easy to never expect it to be scarce or unavailable at all sooner or later. However, in reality an individual can live up to a month without food but will perish within three days without water. After only a day with no water you will become critically lethargic and it simply gets worse from there. You do not need this to happen in an emergency. So it is imperative to use a reliable source of crisis water storage during a potential .
Even though water is so abundant there are some logistical issues to take care of when storing it. Water is actually heavy at eight pounds per gallon, and we go through a variety of it on a daily basis for cleaning, food preparation and hydration. Prefer to use a gallon of water per day, per person in an emergency situation. Half of that gallon will probably be used for drinking as well as the other half will be used by cooking and cleaning purposes. Keep in mind that this is simply a bare minimum with regard to survival. If the emergency circumstance takes place during the summertime a gallon of water per day may be needed for just hydration. If that’s the case you would have to store 1.Your five gallons of water for each person for every day. So to have adequate emergency water storage for a four person family regarding 14 days you would have to store at the least 56 gallons of water.
One of the best ways to store large amounts regarding water is in 55 gallon plastic drums created for liquids. You can buy these new from neighborhood container companies or online. You can also find these used at food manufacturing companies, particularly those that make liquids. The syrups used to generate sodas for example are generally delivered in these big plastic drums.
When you’re planning on using used drums keep in mind that any food which was stored in that drum earlier will impart a flavor to your water no matter how tough you clean the particular drum. So select a pot that stored food that you’d not mind introducing a slight taste in the water. Additionally you will need to have a particular pump in order to get the actual water out of the drum so do remember to purchase that too.
Also, consider that water weighs about eight pounds for every gallon so that 55 gallon drum will weigh over 400 weight when full. It’s recommended that you purchase smaller, much more portable water containers that can be transported to another location in an emergency or if you have to go and get water it is simple to transport it back to your home. Re-purposed two re soda bottles can function well for this function. Don’t try to store water in quart milk jugs because plastic is not built to last for long periods of time and definitely will quickly degrade along with leak.
Survivalist’s water stored in clean, food grade containers should last a few years before it needs to be modified. Most tap water is okay to go directly into the containers with no further treatment method, although if you desire to cleanse for long term emergency water storage you can include one-eighth teaspoon of swimming pool water bleach per quart of water to be sure that there’s zero bacteria in the water.

About the Author

Come to my survivalist blog and become a better survivalist. Discover survivalist aids to help you get prepared!

Preparing for a Nuclear Disaster by Matt Redhawk

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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It’s hard to believe it could happen… but the reality is that a nuclear disaster could happen anywhere in the world at any moment. The good news is, if you are fully informed, you can be fully prepared for a nuclear disaster.
Below is a review of what you should do if a nuclear disaster strikes does and what you can do to prepare yourself and your family.
What to Do ImmediatelyIt is advisable to practice this with your family several times a year to ensure you are prepared to work as a team for the best results.

    1. If advised by authorities of an imminent nuclear threat or radioactive exposure by plume or fallout, take Potassium Iodate KIO3 tablets which is a thyroid blocker and will help prevent radioactive damage to the thyroid. Ensure the entire family and any pets take the appropriate dose according to the directions on the label of the bottle.

    1. Close all the doors, windows, vents and open crevices leading to the outdoors. Anything that opens to the outside should be closed and covered. Work quickly. You must close off all the outside air space to the best of your ability. Pet owners should move pets inside the home with you. Any living creature outside will be irradiated by nuclear material.

    1. Turn off your air conditioning and all appliances that circulate external air into your home. If you do not, then the nuclear fallout from the outside could flow more easily into your home.

    1. Move your family into a room without any windows, preferable the nearest to the center of your home. A windowless bathroom is the best place. Babies can be bedded in the tub for extra protection. If you have a basement or bunker, stay away from any windows and stay against the walls. This will help limit exposure from “ground shine”. You want to be in a secure room without access to the outside air.

    1. Listen to your local media via a portable television or radio that is battery-operated. Emergency personnel will be able to instruct you when it is safe to go back outside. If an EMP has destroyed your communications then be prepared to spend two weeks in your place of safety.

What You Can Do Ahead of Time

    1. Pack at least one emergency kit that is easily accessible. It is critical that your emergency kit contain Potassium Iodate KIO3 tablets which will help prevent radioactive damage to the thyroid. Likewise, pack an extra supply of any life sustaining prescription drugs so that you do not have to skip taking them. The kit should also be stocked with all of the essential items you might need to sustain a long-term situation without electricity, food, and water. Pack several flashlights, batteries, a battery-operated radio, head lamps, a first aid kit with plenty of bandages and skin disinfectant, and any other emergency supplies you need such as a supply of bottled water, and tightly sealed, non-perishable food for emergencies. Anything that you need to prepare food must be battery operated because you will very likely be without electricity.

    1. Pack extra sets of clothing and foundations in clothing storage containers so that you and your family can stay fresh and as clean as possible without access to showers.

    1. Pack hand sanitizer and wet wipes that you and your family can use to wash down your bodies and clean yourselves because you will not be able to use the water in your home.

    1. Pack pillows and mattresses or cots in a safe, clean space in your basement or windowless room so that your family can sleep and stay as comfortable as possible. By packing these items in an easy-accessible space in the room designated as the meeting room, you will have all the resources you need in one place and you may be less stressed because everything is accessible to you and your family.

Because the United States has nuclear power plants that are close to residential areas or that could effect residential areas within a certain number of miles of the plant and because there are world powers who have some nuclear capabilities at different stages, a nuclear disaster could happen in the United States and in other parts of the world at any time. While you cannot live in perpetual fear of a nuclear disaster, there are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family should a nuclear disaster happen near you. Simply review this handy guide to review the preventative steps you can take and keep this tips in mind should a nuclear disaster ever take place near the area where you live.

About the Author

Matt Redhawk is the Chief Survivalist at http://www.MyPatriotSupply.com, North American’s premiere online survival supply and equipment store. Founded on a passion for self-reliance, preparedness and freedom, My Patriot Supply offers top quality survival equipment and products, including the world famous Survival Seed Vault featuring 20 varieties of heirloom seeds.

How to Freeze Dry Food by Michael J Wilkinson

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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How to freeze dry food

How would you like to compile your emergency or survival food su0pply cache that will last for over 30 years? Safe for you to eat for years to come?

As an added bonus, you can store this in your home at room temperature. It takes less space than the original food you start with and weighs next to nothing. So, you can imagine how much you can store in a small space! The cost is minimal and it doesn’t even take much time to get it done.

How awesome is that??

No special long term storage equipment, so special freezers or refrigeration or anything like that.

Here’s good news for you. This technology is available for the common man or woman. You can protect your family by stocking up your survival food cache without having to pay an arm or a leg. You will be amazed at how easy this process is for everyone!

(The technical terms, if you’re interested are lyophilisation or cryodesiccation – but you don’t need to know these words – knowing the term freeze dried foods is enough!)

Determining how to freeze dry food without expensive gear

The ability to freeze dry food to preserve it was first invented during World War II. It was used to get foodstuffs to the front lines during the war so that the soldiers could eat great, nutritional foods. Prior to using freeze drying, the foods shipped to the soldiers would spoil without refrigeration on its way to them. Freeze drying solved this huge problem. It didn’t take long for the public to see the value in this process!

The process includes several steps:

First: Flash freeze the foodstuffs. This is done by freezing the product very fast at extremely low temperatures. This keeps the ice from becoming crystals and damaging the cells of the food.

Second: The moisture is removed from the food by using sublimation (changing it from solid ice to vapor) – Usually with the utilization of a vacuum chamber.

Third: Now that the moisture is removed, the food is locked into moisture- and air-proof bags and stored away.

All you need to do to prepare the food to eat is to add boiling water – this rehydrates the food to its original state. Yum for you when you are on the run with survival gear during a disaster or emergency!

There are several good questions you should pose to yourself before you start:

How quickly can you develop your survivalist acumen?

And how valuable is your survival kit? Whether you are camping or backpacking due to a natural disaster or crisis, you must be prepared for survival.

At Home Freeze Drying – How to freeze dry food

Vacuum Chamber

Using a vacuum chamber, you can freeze dry your own food products at home. After you have frozen your food – place it in a vacuum chamber with a pump level below 133 X 10-3. This will cause the sublimation process to occur quickly and you can prepare more food in less time. When the food is fully sublimated, it is ready for you to place in your storage cache.

With Dry Ice

You can use dry ice to prepare your freeze dried foods. Enclosing your food in dry ice (CO2 in a solid state) can create a near zero humidity environment and perform the process by efficiently drawing out the moisture.

You will need a container than is double the size of the food you will be freeze drying. Using a lockable plastic container is a common choice. Punch a couple of holes in the lid so the gasses can escape. Place the dry ice and food in a 1:1 ratio inside the container. A layer of dry ice, a layer of food, another layer of dry ice is the optimum way to place it inside the container. Now place the container into your freezer in order to keep the dry ice solid as long as you can. Check your container every 24 hours or so until you see that the dry ice is no longer. At this point, your food should be completely freeze dried and ready for long term storage. As stated before, place it into a moisture-proof and air-proof container to preserve in your survival cache.

Freezer

You can freeze dry using your own freezer instead of a vacuum chamber, but it takes a little longer. First, cut the food into small pieces and then lay them out on a perforated tray inside your freezer. In a few hours the food will be frozen through and through. It will take about a week for the full process of sublimation to happen (getting all the moisture out of the food). To test the food, remove a piece from the freezer and allow it to thaw – if it turns black, it is not yet fully sublimated. If it doesn’t turn black, you are ready for placing it into air-proof, moisture-proof bags and storing it away. (Using a vacuum sealer – like the Food Saver brand – is the only way to be sure that your food is protected.)

Machine Dryers

Of course, there are machine dryers for home use – however, they are significantly more expensive than the procedures mentioned above to dehydrate the items you want to store.

Storing the food

It is highly recommended that you use a vacuum sealer like Food Saver to protect your cache. Although some folks have been successful using zip lock bags, it is so hard to really get all of the air out. For the best protection, purchasing one of these vacuum sealers will help you to maintain the value of your stored foods. You can complete your survival kit by learning how to freeze dry foods.

What can be freeze dried?

Fruits and vegetables are the easiest and best for you to prepare at home. Remember that only the water sublimates (is removed) so acids and chemicals inherent in foodstuffs will remain. Occasionally, test the items in your stash to confirm its viability and usefulness.

About the Author

Are you sick and tired of so-called survivalists telling you that you have to spend hundreds of dollars of your hard-earned money on products to build up your survival cache? You can build up your food stash by learning how to freeze dry food at home.

It’s totally UNNECESSARY!

Check out this awesome survival plan that will help you get ready for any crisis or disaster – knowing you have protected your family is an awesome thing!

Preparedness 101 or one survivalist’s manifesto by David Morris

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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After I’d been serious about preparedness and self reliance for a year or two, I realized that my buying, training, and planning had been based on whatever was the most exciting or urgent to me at the time. I’d go through a gun phase, then a food phase, then a natural medicine phase, but I didn’t have anything to tie it all together.

I want to go over a few things that have acted as a compass for my personal preparedness planning. Yours should be unique to you, but feel free to use mine as a jumping off point to create your own.

1. I define survival/ preparedness/ self-reliance, in part, as the ability for my family to survive and possibly thrive during periods of civil breakdown without having to depend on government agencies or non-government agencies. This will be as a result of a combination of our family preparedness and because of relationships with friends who have also prepared in advance.

2. We have decided in advance that we will make the necessary preparations so that we don’t have to compromise on our morals and values in civil breakdown situations. A large number of people’s survival planning involves stealing/looting after a disaster. Ours does not. Remember, at some point, some form of stability will return and you’ll have to live with the consequences of your actions.

3. We are not so focused on potential disaster that we miss out on daily fun. We continually evaluate our decisions and purchases based on how they will play out, regardless of whether we ever have to live through civil breakdown. This keeps us balanced. As an example, we tend to buy large quantities of food that we already eat rather than large quantities of MREs that, truth be told, we really don’t like. We actually USE a lot of our survival supplies on a daily basis.

4. Preparedness planning should not only be useful in a disaster, but enrich your daily life. Increasing your situational awareness will cause you to see more beauty as well as more potential threats. Exercise will help you be more resilliant in a disaster, but will also burn off stress hormones and help you sleep better every day. Learning trauma skills and natural health care will allow you to treat yourself when there are no doctors available and it will put you more in tune with your body.

5. Preparedness planning should be realistic. I’m always amazed at the number of people I talk to who’s plan is STILL to “head to the hills” when “it” happens. I kind of laugh because if half of those people actually DO go to the wilderness, the wilderness is going to be hunted clear of food in no-time. Then all the people will die…except for the handfull who actually know what they’re doing. The reality is, most people live in urban areas (even communities of a few thousand) and will have to survive disasters in those areas.

6. “Survival” is not necessarily romantic, fun, or comfortable. If it was, it would be “Primitive Living.” Understand it, prepare for it, practice it if you’re able, and if you are ever forced into a situation where you need your skills to survive, you’ll have a more realistic idea of what to expect.

7. Most people will never understand preparedness. Whether you call yourself “self-reliant”, a “prepper”, a “survivalist”, or just practical and moderately observant…everyone is not going to share your passion. Fortunately, we have a community online that does share your passion.

8. You’ll never be 100% prepared for everything that could happen…deal with it. We’ve got dozens of natural and manmade threats to contend with. Dirty bombs, EMPs, earthquakes, hurricanes, mud-slides, cyber attacks, economic collapse, attacks on the electricity grid, local accidents, etc. etc. Don’t waste your time worrying about it…Just start taking steps to prepare.

If all of your gear is at home and an earthquake buries it while you’re at the store, you’re going to have to improvise, adapt, and overcome. (and maybe decide to set up some caches) Especially as you’re starting out, try to focus on the basics…food, fire, water, shelter and then medical, security, and tools. These are all things that will help you on a regular basis and will help you if you go through rough economic times. They’re also ways that you can get prepared that are more “tolerable” for relatives who aren’t on board yet.

9. You don’t have to be rich to get prepared. Focus on skills and double up on groceries as you’re able and you’ll be light years ahead of people who have a pallet of food in their garage but no manual can opener to get them open.

10. Since most people live in urban areas, most people are going to have to survive disasters in urban areas. Some have no intention of leaving and feel honor-bound to stay. Full-time law enforcement and first responders, sheepdogs, CERT personnel, and others who aren’t willing to leave. It may not be ideal, but if your plan (or backup plan) for survival is to Survive In Place in an urban area, you aren’t going to be on your own. After every disaster, there will be remnants who are currently training to be able to help stabilize neighborhoods, cities, and regions if necessary.

The fact that you might HAVE to survive for a time in an urban area is the core of the 12 week SurviveInPlace.com Urban Survival Course. To see more information about the course, please go to http://SurviveInPlace.com.

About the Author

David Morris

Surviveinplace

Surviveinplace

Urbansurvivalplayingcards

8 Tips for Designing a New Home by Steve Hawk

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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Designing your home can be fun and exciting but putting together a home design that reflects your taste and also fits your needs and budget can be a challenge. But the task can be accomplished with the right planning. Take a look at some home designing tips that I have jotted down:

1. Do your homework: Decide the type of home you wish to build. Home styles today can be as varied as the inhabitants living in them, offering you a plethora of ideas from which to borrow. Whenever you see some features of a home that appeals to you, keep a note of it.

2. Design your garden: Have a well established garden design company to design your outdoor living area. A neat and well decorated outdoor space helps in enhancing the look of your house and also adds to its value.

3. Maximise your space efficiency: When mapping the floor plan, make sure there’s a logical flow in your home design. Isolate your bedrooms for better privacy and reduced levels of noise. The doorways, hallways and stairways must be wide enough to pass furniture.

4. Design for expansion: When building your house, plan a design that will facilitate future expansion and make it not only possible but also easy. You can build your house in phases. Build your main house first, build the detached garage in a few years, and finally finish that basement.

5. Consider the sun: Depending on the position of the sun and the direction your home faces, the planning of your house will differ. Though a south facing home will be warmer in the winter, it will get hotter during the summers. Place windows to take advantage of natural light. This will help in better energy conservation. If you love witnessing sunrise or sunsets, place windows or verandas in the east or west side.

6. Make a mud room outside: Let it have the usual shelves, cupboards, dryer and washer. Make it large enough to accommodate a fold- out bed. You can use it when you come late from office or party and you don’t want to disturb anyone.

7. A room beside the master bedroom: Have a room beside the master bedroom function as a guest room, storage or sewing. You can also use it as the child’s nursery. There should be at least one window in the room so that light and air may pass.

8. Paint: Painting can be your cheapest investment and yet one with the most dramatic effect on the look of your home. Give different colours to different rooms, as different colours are believed to have different effects. For the bedroom, have something soothing and soft that can lull you to sleep, for the home office or your child’s play room, add some vivacious colours, like orange or yellow. Orange is said to improve concentration, so you can use it for the study room as well. You can consult colour therapy to choose colours for different rooms.

Visit here for good outdoor design companies.

About the Author

Steve Hawk is a renowned author. He has written many articles on home decor and renovation. In this article he has given tips on building a new house.

Start Your Home Design Using These Home Design Tools by Alexander Schwartz

Posted on by January 25, 2014
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Does the space you have now fit your needs? Write down the measurements of your space and then mark whether or not the space is adequate. Wherever possible, look for areas to reduce the living space. For instance, if you have a large laundry room now and you only really use half of the space, mark it as a potential space saver. Anytime you reduce the square footage of your new home you will save money in initial material costs, but in energy costs over the life of the home as well.

A home fulfills many purposes, but it can also satisfy numerous personal, aesthetic, and emotional requirements that can be difficult to describe in words. In starting to imagine your home design, it will help your architect if you identify and communicate how you want each space to feel. How?

You may find it a challenge to explain how you want a room to feel. Start by doing some simple exercises. Pick up a home magazine or imagine a home you are familiar with. Find a room you like. What do you like about it? The way the afternoon sunlight casts shadows within the room? The room’s intimacy or its abundant space?

Think about other spaces you enjoy – the park, the library, your friend’s home. How does the space make you feel? What creates that feeling? Be specific, and write down what you like about it. For instance, you might write, “I like how the room’s color tones change as the sun sets” or “I love how the outdoors is brought inside”. These small realizations will help the home design to evolve from a floor plan to a custom home that is an extension of your life philosophy.

Do this for each room in your home design. It is also helpful to describe what you don’t like about certain floor plans, rooms, or space. For instance, if you are not fond of having to walk through your closet to enter your Master Bedroom, document this. Perhaps you like the great room in a magazine photo but you don’t like the television being the center of attention. Or, you may like the space but find it lacks the intimacy you’re looking for in your home – a cozy corner where you can chat with another couple, a well-lit reading area, or a secluded spot for your cell phone chargers, mail and telephone. Keep all of your notes together. Cut out full pages or small photos that describe your likes and dislikes. As you go through this process, you can update your thoughts with text and photos. Eventually, you will come to a good understanding of what you want your custom home to look and feel like. Bring your notebook to your first meeting with your architect. Starting with your vision in hand will expedite the design process while guaranteeing success.

Your custom home architect will spend time with you to guide you through this process and will translate your ideas into a preliminary design for your consideration and review. The result will be much more than a home with a standard floor plan – you will have a custom home design that matches your philosophy and lifestyle, a reflection of who you are, your dreams and aspirations.

About the Author

If you’d like information on home design tips in spanish then please visit our spanish language sister site at lamparas de mesa,

Design Styles for your New Home by Carol Bayer

Posted on by January 22, 2014
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One of the best parts of buying a new home is getting to decorate each room to fit your family’s personal style. Decorating turns a house into a home. Here are a couple great styles to choose from:

Shabby Chic – Shabby chic is a very feminine design aesthetic that incorporates white interiors, distressed furniture and soft pastels. Shabby chic is often referred to as cottage, English country or romantic design and accessories range from distressed picture frames and chandeliers to old china and quilts.

Neoclassical – Neoclassical style is making a comeback for interior design choices and gives your home a stately and lavish look. Furniture is light, graceful and high quality. Curtains are patterned and flowing, and it’s highly likely to find accent walls of geometric wall-paper.

Mid-Century Modern – Mid-century modern was a popular style in the 1960s and is making a comeback in the 21st century for its funky and functional feel. Furniture is often smooth and geometric, with brightly colored fabrics. Teak furniture, egg-shaped chairs and globe-like lighting are typical of the Mid-Century Modern era.

Eclectic – Eclectic design is a varied style that mixes multiple styles and colors. An eclectic home can combine mid-century modern furniture with neoclassical geometric prints, or a shabby chic base of white with contemporary and classical flare. An eclectic design is fully up to the homeowner’s tastes and creates a very realistic and homey look. Some of our Cherry Creek homes for sale have a delightfully eclectic style.

Contemporary – A contemporary look uses solid colors and sleek lines. The latest trend in contemporary design is natural woods and textures as well as whites, blacks and grays. Furniture is often simple, with straight lines and sharp corners. There are typically few accent pieces in a contemporary home, which add to its clean, open feel.

Tuscan – A Tuscan feel originated in Italy and includes rich reds and rust colors, similar to the clay brick you could find in Italian country sides. Wall and floor colors are typically more muted, and accent colors can range from deep, dark browns to yellows and tans. A Tuscan look is warm and inviting, and can be accented with ornate ironwork, marble and gold.

Traditional – A traditional style is often timeless, and will not need constant updating. A typical traditional home will use jewel tone colors and coordinating hues. Silks and satins are often used in a traditional style and accent pieces include less ornate mirrors, wall sconces and floral arrangements.

About the Author

About PorchLight Real Estate: PorchLight Real Estate Group has the most experienced and knowledgeable Denver real estate agents in Colorado. For more information about homes for sale in Denver CO or specific neighborhood homes please visit www.porchlightgroup.com.

Bug Out Bag Checklist for Preppers and Survivalists by Jeff Jones

Posted on by January 22, 2014
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A bug out bag (BOB), also referred to as a Get Out Of Dodge Bag (GOOD Bag), is a pack that has all the necessary items for any survival situation for 72 hours or longer. Below I’ll provide a detailed checklist that will give you a good understanding of what you should have in your bag. Remember that when you pack to think about the weight of each item and ask if it will be worth carrying it. Most times more gear will be better, but just keep weight in mind.

The most important thing about a bug out bag is the QUALITY of the bag itself. You will be entrusting this bag with your life, so try to get a good quality. The best ones have a place for a water bladder, straps and good amount of outside pockets.

Remember the four 3’s:

3 minutes without Oxygen, 3 hours in harsh weather, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.

Shelter- Shelter is the most important (3 hours in bad weather). If you know how to pitch a tent correctly then all this may mean to you is packing a tarp and equipment to set it up. If you don’t then remember to pack something you know how to setup. Also remember to pack a sleeping bag and anything else you might need to keep you dry and warm.

Water- Water is behind shelter (3 days without water). Pack a few water bladders and remember to keep your water bladder filled with clean water (this may mean dumping the water in it and refilling it every now and again to make sure the water is nice and clean if the situation arises where you need to use it). Also, a water filter can save your life if you run out of water. Never drink water in the wild without boiling/treating it. Recommended amount of water intake is different for everyone but a good way to think about is half your weight in fluid ounces. So if your weight 150 pounds, 75oz a day is your recommended amount. 128 fluid ounces is a gallon so that would mean you need to drink a little more than half a gallon a day.

Food-Food is in last at 3 weeks (that’s assuming you have water). Freeze dried food and MRE’s are recommended for survival because they are high calorie food rations that will provide your body with the energy it needs. Trail mix also has a lot of calories so you may want to consider packing some to eat while you’re traveling. Like water, the recommended amount of calories differs from person to person depending on height, weight, gender and more but try to eat 3,000 calories a day. Never eat below 1,200 calories a day.

Checklist:

Here is a simple checklist for your bag (This is not set in stone, everyone has difference skills and this is just to give you an idea):

Flashlight
A good survival knife
Tape (Duct Tape/Gorilla Tape)
MRE’s or freeze dried food
Sewing kit
Some form of getting your hands clean if needed (dish soap, bar soap, etc…..)
Bottles of Water (Water Bladder that’s filled would be good too. Water purification tablets and a water filter would be good as well)
Multi-tools are very good to have because they take up less room
Radio (Hand Crank/Solar would be best but battery operated is fine)
Rechargeable batteries for your equipment that needs them.
Camp stove (try to find one that uses multiple fuels)
A copy of emergency and important contacts (include addresses and phone numbers)
First Aid Kit
Money (If you have to leave your city for a few days
Maybe an extra copy of your I.D.
Para cord (preferred) or very strong rope
Map of the area
Hygiene necessities (comb, toothbrush, small can of shaving cream, razor, toothpaste)
A waterproof way of starting fire (flint/waterproof matches/etc…)
Extra change of clothes (include socks and underwear)
Can opener (small one)

A list for defensive purposes:

100+ extra rounds for each of your firearms
a form of night vision sight (Sighting scope, a rifle scope that functions in daylight and night, etc…)
Remember to camouflage all of your equipment (including your bug out bag itself)

About the Author

This is Jeff from Survival Hour we are dedicated to informing the public how to survive almost any situation and providing the best gear to help.

Link to original article can be found here:
Bug Out Bag Checklist

Is a Heat Pump Right for You? by Ace Abbey

Posted on by January 22, 2014
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eat Pumps may not be the foremost thought in most people’s minds, but face it–you can be throwing money away if forget about your heating and cooling components. Find out if heat pump installation can save you home or business some serious cash.

Just in case you are unfamiliar with the term, they are an alternative to traditional heating appliances such as furnaces or electric heaters that can also be used to cool homes. By heating and expanding gases and liquids at key moments as well as transferring heat from various mechanical or natural sources your heat pump can make your home or office a much more comfortable place to stay in, reduce your impact on the environment, and save you money on your utility bills. But here are a few things you may need to know before deciding if this type of system is right for you.

It works by transferring heat from outside air or, as in geothermal heat pumps, from the ground. These systems produce a mild heat that evenly heat the entire building without any hot or cool spots. Though some people may prefer the faster, more intense heat of a traditional oil or gas burner, most would prefer the more even temperature produced by these systems.

Plus, the system needs to be turned off and on less frequently, so you will not experience as many of those uncomfortable hot to cold moments throughout your day. Not to mention the use of traditional forms of energy is greatly reduced, which brings down the total cost of heating your home–sometimes by as much as 30 or 40 percent!

The downside of the systems is the initial cost of heat pump installation. These systems are larger and can cost more than other heating appliances, so many overlook them for just this reason. But this system can save you quite a bit in milder climates such as in Kentucky where even in winter time there is still plenty of heat to be extracted from the air.

Over time you can be saving enough money for the system to pay for itself. In addition, if you choose to purchase an Energy Star rated heat pump you may qualify for a nice tax break at the end of the year to couple with the monthly savings.

All in all, the system may be a much smarter alternative to relying solely on gas, oil, or electric heating systems. You can also help reduce the impact your home or business has on the environment. If you have any questions about the system, or doubt that it could really save you as much money as described above, then just call your local heat pump installation specialists.

The Richmond area has the system readily available and can do a heat pump installation, so you do not have to worry about the additional cost of hiring an out of town dealer. So find out today if you can save money by working with the forces of nature, instead of against them.

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Find a heat pump installation in richmond ky that is experienced in performing the process and provides quality service. For more, visit http://www.superiorheatandairky.com