A Cheaper Alternative to Overpriced Alkaline Water Filters

I have noticed lately that a lot of information is being put out concerning the health benefits of alkaline drinking water. Many companies have begun to advertise alkaline water filters as a part of their line-up due to what they refer to as the "miraculous effects" that they can have on you.

Alkaline drinking water is purported to help people with weight loss, detoxification, reducing the aging process, alleviating the symptoms of diabetes and other health conditions, and even helping in preventing cancer. This new system seems as though it would be well worth the money that you paid for it if it will truly do all of these things, doesn't it?

The premise behind alkaline water filters is that nature provides us with water that has a balanced alkalinity and acidity level, and that when the processed water that we drink has been rendered to acidic for us it has a detrimental effect on our health. The key they say is to separate the acidic water from the alkalized water.

This process of separation provides us with healthy alkaline drinking water, and it also provides us with acidic water because it is supposed to be healthier for our skin. It truly seems as though the designers of these new systems are truly giving us the best of both worlds, doesn't it. The problem is that they are not.

What these alkaline water filters are doing is simply controlling the pH levels in your drinking water. These stand alone filters cost anywhere from $650 to up to $2600 and they require an electrical supply in order to perform the duties that they were designed to do.

On the $650 alkaline drinking water filter the manufacturer would offer only a limited liability, and would not even guarantee that the product would perform as specified on the Performance Data Sheet. Of the eight different models that I compared the warranties didn't start until you got to the $900 model.

The truth is that these overpriced alkaline water filters are not even necessary in order for you to keep the pH level of your drinking water balanced. You can buy a top of the line countertop water purification system containing what is known as an ion exchange unit that will do exactly the same job as these other filters.

Not only will these filters give you every advantage and health benefit that an alkaline drinking water filter will, but they will also re-mineralize your drinking water. This is a feature that I didn't see listed on any of the alkaline water filters that I compared, and you can get one of these fine, electricity free filters for as low as $125.

There are many benefits to be had from alkaline drinking water, but it is not necessary to have to pay the kind of money that these companies are asking in order to enjoy those benefits. There are far better choices that you can make when it comes to having your pH level balanced.

Autor: David Surgeon

The drugs in your tap water can increase your chances of getting cancer and other illnesses. We tell you which home water purifiers are most effective and what you should know before you one.

Added: December 31, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Get the Cysts Out of Your Drinking Water

Not every present parasitic cyst in water is eliminated during the chlorine disinfection cycle as many people seem to believe. Every time that you attempt to draw a glass of unfiltered tap water you are in very real danger of being contaminated by ingesting a cyst in drinking water. You probably don't even know how bad the results could be.

The constant threat of a parasitic cyst in water is what originally prompted the people to begin the use of chlorine disinfection a century ago. This was in response to the high number of deaths that had been occurring over the previous years due to waterborne diseases, but this act didn't completely resolve the problem.

There are several species of cyst in drinking water that are seemingly immune to the effects of the chlorine disinfection process. They live in the water while waiting for a host to consume them. They may lay dormant inside of the body for quite some time before their effect is actually felt.

It is the illness caused by a cyst in water that kills literally millions of people each year, most of these people being children. Don't allow yourself to think that this kind of thing only happens to people in third world countries either, because it happens right here also.

A cyst in drinking water can cause serious gastrointestinal illness that requires immediate attention. Not only children, but the elderly, and those with immune system deficiencies face the possibility of death from these parasitic infections. If you have anyone in your family that falls into any of these three categories then you owe it to them to install a water purification system in your home.

In order to prevent a possible infection from a cyst in water you will need to purchase a purification system that includes a sub micron filter. This filter will remove up to 99.99% of all parasitic threats from your drinking water, which will severely limit the chances of anyone in your family becoming infected.

Now that you have taken away the danger of a cyst in drinking water there are other things with which to concern yourself. There are a tremendous number of highly dangerous contaminants in the water other than parasites and their cysts, and these contaminants must be dealt with also.

There are any number of the 80,000 industrial chemicals that we use every day that can be found in our drinking water reservoirs at any given time. Over 2,000 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer in humans, including chlorine. These pollutants also need to be dealt with in order to maintain your health.

A purification system that features both an activated granular carbon filter and a multi media block will effectively remove all chemical threat from your drinking water. Remember to be sure to purchase a system that has all of these features in order to keep your family safe from not only the cyst in water, but from the chemical contaminants as well.

Autor: David Surgeon

Stop drinking contaminated water. Find out which water purifiers gives you the safest healthiest water in your home.

Added: December 30, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

80,000 Reasons For Installing a Drinking Water Filter

The purchase of a high quality drinking water filter is a must for every family. The importance of owning and regularly using drinking water filter systems simply cannot be overstated as there are more and more pollutants that are being discovered in our water supply every year.

I can give you up to 80,000 good reasons for installing a drinking water filter today. I say that because that is roughly how many industrial pollutants that are possibly in your water supply at any given time. This is not even counting the number of prescription drugs that have been found present in our water.

Drinking water filter systems are necessary not only to protect your family's health against the 2,000 plus cancer causing chemicals that can be found in our reservoirs, but also from the threat posed by waterborne parasites and cysts that survive the chlorine disinfection process. Chlorine itself is one of the deadliest chemicals in our water.

Scientists and medical professionals will advise that you install a drinking water filter if for no reason other than to prevent the consumption of chlorine. They believe that chlorine alone is largely responsible for the staggering rise in cancer cases that has occurred over the last 100 years. This is not a chemical that you take a chance with.

Since we absolutely need to use chlorine as a means of protecting ourselves from waterborne diseases it seems that drinking water filter systems are our only means of protection from this cancer causing agent. The water treatment facilities have no way of separating the chlorine from the water that is sent to your home.

Of course these treatment centers are woefully inadequate at preventing most anything from reaching your home. Their filtering systems allow anything of that is of equal or lesser molecular weight than water to pass right through making it necessary for us to install a drinking water filter in our homes.

To tell you the truth the quality of our water has become so bad that it is not even good to take a shower in it. Chloroform gas from the chlorination process fills our lungs through the steam that we inhale. That is why I always advise the installation of showerhead filters in addition to filter systems.

Your filter should contain both a multi media block and a granular activated carbon filter in order to effectively block out all of the harmful chemical contaminants in your drinking water. The system should also feature a sub micron filter for ridding your water of potentially harmful parasites and cysts.

If you want complete protection from your drinking water filter systems then you will purchase one that also contains an ion exchange unit, which will block out toxic metal traces, it will add minerals to your water, and it will balance your water's pH level. These four features are pretty much all that you will ever need in a drinking water filter.

Autor: David Surgeon

If you're scared to death of the drugs found in drinking water, we compare the various water filter systems at http://www.best-water-filter-guide.com and show you which ones have been scientifically proven to remove the highest amounts of contaminants.

Added: December 28, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

What You Should Know Before Buying a Water Softener

Many people live in areas where their water is calcified to the point that they feel that they have to add a water softener in order to get fresh tasting water. There are chemical water softeners, and certain filtering methods will also lessen the severity of the calcification, but which steps are the best when it comes to softening your water?

Distillation is the oldest method used as a water softener, being literally thousands of years old. This method employed two tanks, one from which the water is vaporized and one that acted as a catch tank. The vaporized water was drawn into the catch tank leaving all of the mineral content back in the holding tank.

Another one of the mechanized water softeners is known as a reverse osmosis system. This is the type of system that is used at your local treatment facility. It is usually a very good system for the de-mineralization of our drinking water, but sometimes people still have trouble with having "hard" water.

There is also a style of water softener that is hooked up to the main water line running into your house. From there it further filters for calcium and magnesium that cause scale buildup in your pipes. These machines don't actually remove these "hard" elements from your water, but rather exchanges them for potassium.

There are just a couple of problems with these water softeners though that you should know about before you buy them. For one thing all that these machines do is demineralize your water, they do not filter out any of the chemical and biological contaminants that are commonly found in our tap water system, and they are outrageously priced.

A quality water softener can run you $600 or more, and if you ask me that's simply too much money for such a one dimensional apparatus. You would be far better off by purchasing a home purification system that offers you all of the protections from pollutants that you need, and that includes an ion exchange feature.

This feature gives you all of the benefits that the larger water softeners do, because all that they are performing is an ion exchange. These smaller models remove "hard" debris from your water just as efficiently, and will actually offer you both potassium and sodium exchange as opposed to just one.

In addition to being a water softener the ion exchange filter in a home water purification system will also remove any trace metals such as lead or copper from your drinking water, and it will act to keep your water's pH level balanced. Just because this type of filter is smaller does not mean that it doesn't do a lot.

Water softeners don't have to be bulky, and they don't have to be expensive. You can get a high quality full service home purification system for as low as $125, and it will keep your family safe from 99.99% of all of the impurities that may harm you. A simple water softener won't offer you that kind of protection.

Autor: David Surgeon

If you're scared to death of the drugs found in drinking water, we compare the various water filter systems at http://www.best-water-filter-guide.com and show you which ones have been scientifically proven to remove the highest amounts of contaminants.

Added: December 26, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Electric Cookers Have Changed the Way People Cook

Electric cookers can be said to be one of the greatest innovations ever to grace the kitchens of modern homes. This is because in medieval times, people used to use coal, fire and rudimentary cooking stoves to prepare food and warm the house. These are still used in some parts of the world where modern civilization has yet to find a foothold. Today homes use mostly a combination of coal, electric cookers and gas cookers although electric cookers and gas cookers are predominant. Gas cookers are more or less found in homes while electric cookers are usually found in apartment homes and condominiums. This is true in the United States but in other parts of the world the opposite may be true. It is not uncommon especially in the Third World countries to find people purchasing a gas stove which has a portable gas container which can be refilled when the gas is depleted. In the West, these portable stoves still exist but they are mostly used for outdoor activities like picnics or backyard barbecues which are common during the summer. Let us examine some basics about electric cookers and also see why they are popular.

Electric cookers usually come in a one freestanding stove that has four electric coils. The mechanism that drives them is simple. The coil is attached to a metal plate that is in turn connected to an electric cable. When you turn the knob to light the cooker, electrons bombard the steel plate that is attached to the coil and because of the resistance, heat is generated. As more electrons continue to hit the plate, the coil gets hotter and hotter until it is red hot and sometimes white hot. At this juncture it is ready to be used to cook or warm whatever is needed. The cooker comes with the ability to adjust the level of heat and this is ideal because not everything requires the same amount of heat to prepare.

The electric cooker also comes with an in-built oven which is usually situated right under the top of the countertop, usually metallic, where the coils are embedded. The oven works much in the same way as the coils work. There are differently-shaped coils which also when heated in turn heat the air inside the oven. The oven works best when it is closed and the heat inside can also be regulated to fit whatever is being cooked or broiled.

Electric cookers are generally cheaper to buy because the technology involved in creating them is rudimentary. They are also advantageous because there is a very low risk of fire and some are even created to cut off power if water spills on them or something is forgotten on the stoves. Modern innovations in electric cooker design has also seen what we call as Induction cookers which have a specialized coil which only heats up when in contact with a surface. This was created because wit the previous cookers, someone could easily and accidentally touch the coil and be seriously burnt.

Autor: Theodor Cartman

Looking for electric cookers? Check out complete guide to electric cookers.

Added: December 25, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Dry Out Your Damp Basement With Basement Dehumidifiers

Basements are notoriously prone to dampness and high humidity. Humidity levels above 50% significantly increase the amount of water vapor present in the air. This can cause mold to grow, furniture warp, wood to rot and metal to rust. If the cause of excessive moisture is from condensation due to high humidity, basement dehumidifiers may be the solution.

Water typically enters basements by 1 of 3 ways:

1) Seepage through concrete

2) Leakage via cracks and openings

3) Condensation

Of these three, condensation is the main culprit behind damp basements. Condensation happens when warm air that is carrying more moisture than cool air begins to build up and as the air cools it releases moisture in the form of condensation. Depending on the severity of the problem, high basement humidity can lead to:

Musty smells

Mold & mildew growth

Blistering/peeling paint

Wood rot

Discolored/peeling wallpaper

Rusting tools

Condensation dripping from pipes

Wet insulation

Damp carpets

Left unchecked, these problems can lead to structural damage of your basement and house and can even adversely affect the health of you and your family. There are several types of molds that cause allergic reactions in people and a few are actually toxic.

Using a high quality basement dehumidifier is one of the most effective ways to protect your home and your health from humidity related problems. Basement dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by using 3 essential components: a fan, a cold coil and a hot coil. The fan draws air from the basement over the cold coil to condense the moisture. The condensed moisture is then released into a holding pan or removed via a drain hose or condensate pump. The dry air then passes over the hot coil, returning dry air to the basement.

Many homeowners have the misconception that they have to keep turning the dehumidifier on and off every day. In fact, most high quality basement dehumidifiers are equipped with a humidistat. Simply set the humidistat at your desired level and a sensor will automatically turn off the dehumidifier once the desired humidity level is achieved.

Before you consider purchasing a basement dehumidifier it's important to be certain the problem is condensation and not a leak. Try the following test to determine if your basement as a leak or a condensation problem:

Firmly tape a 10" x 10" plastic sheet onto the basement wall where you have noticed dampness

Seal the edges of the plastic with tape

Examine the plastic over the next few days

If there is moisture on the wall side (inside) of the plastic there is a leak

Moisture on the room side (outside) of the plastic means there is a condensation problem

If you are considering remodeling your basement, you should purchase a hygrometer and check the humidity level before you do anything else. Even if you're not transforming your basement into a finished one, basement dampness is not a problem you should ignore. Basement dehumidifiers are frequently the easiest and most effective solution to basement humidity problems.

Autor: Chuck Jaymes

About the Author - Chuck Jaymes writes frequently about Basement Dehumidifiers and air quality issues for OscarAir, Inc.

Added: December 24, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Ready to Switch From Gas Cookers to Electric Cookers?

When it comes to cooking and baking appliances, many homes now use either electric cookers, gas cookers or coal. Some units especially those used by major restaurants actually do both. But we can comfortably say that in modern homes,electric cookers and gas cookers are the most widely used. In the United States, electric cookers are predominant in apartments, town homes and condominiums while gas cookers can be seen mostly in homes. There are however many exceptions to this rule. Coal is no longer widely used in homes because gas and electric cookers are faster, cleaner and safer. Coal is only used either outdoors or in less developed countries but this is also lessening in these countries.

There has been debate regarding which is better; the electric cooker or the gas cooker. The gas cooker is more or less preferred by professional chefs because they feel that it is easier to regulate the flame of the burner and thereby cook better food than if they were using electric cookers. Gas cookers are freestanding stove/ovens which have a burner which can be ignited by a match or a lighter. A gas lighter pumps a gentle stream of gas onto the burner and this can also be regulated using a series of control knobs or buttons on the stove.

In many countries, there are two ways to get the gas to the burner. In developing countries the stoves can be purchased as a freestanding unit which is complete but minus the gas. Then there is a place where the gas cylinder can be inserted and its nose attached to a faucet which then propels the gas to the burner. The stove will then function as perfectly as any other as long as the gas cylinder has gas. This types of stoves are still very much in use in the Third World but in the First World, they are more or less used either backyard barbecue purposes or for outdoor picnics. In the developed world, there is an intricate network of pipes that runs under most homes much in the same way as water pipes run. Gas is then pumped through these pipes by a gas utility company much the same way as electricity is transmitted or water is pumped. This means that if the customer does not come good on his or her bill then the gas company can actually turn off the gas just the same way as the electric company would turn off the power.

Electric cookers rely solely on electricity. They are easy to operate and cheap to buy. They are also considered safer by many people. This is because when it comes to gas, it is very easy to accidentally turn on the gas without cooking. Gas is highly flammable and there have been numerous accidents associated with gas fires and explosions in recent times. There is no such danger with electric cookers If someone accidentally leaves the cooker on, the coils or surfaces will only get hot but there is little risk of a fire.

Autor: Theodor Cartman

Looking for electric cookers? Check out complete guide to electric cookers.

Added: December 22, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Are Electric Cookers Safer Than Gas Cookers?

There has been a raging debate on whether electric cookers are actually safer than gas cookers. Both are now an integral part of many kitchens in most continents although coal is also used in remote places and in some countries which are considered Third World. Both gas and electric cookers have revolutionized the way we cook and bake and this has contributed to the great variety of modern foods that we enjoy and which could never have been possible if these two were not around. Both gas and electric cookers constitute of freestanding stoves and ovens which usually have three, four or six heating surfaces. These surfaces are where the cooking pots or utensils are placed and heated. When it comes to appearance, electric cookers and gas cookers share a lot. They both have surfaces on top and they also have control knobs or buttons which are used to regulate the heat. They also both come with in-built ovens which can also be easily regulated to bake.

Gas cookers are actually preferred to electric cookers by culinary professionals who site the flame produced as being more conducive to precision cooking than the electric surfaces. Gas cookers come in many sizes. They even come in small flat portable units which can be easily transported from place to place. In the Third World countries, these portable gas cookers are widely used. The gas comes in the form of a gas cylinder which can be sold separately. There is then a place to attach the gas cylinder to the actual cooker and the burner can be lit with a match or a lighter. This has been the predominant way of cooking for decades.

In the West, gas cookers are larger and more innovative, spotting precision temperature controls and safety valves. The gas is pumped through a network of underground pipes which are maintained by a gas utility company in much the same way as water or electricity is done. The gas utility company can disconnect the gas the same way as the power company can in the event that the customer falls behind on their bill.

Electric cookers on the other hand use primarily electricity. They also contain surfaces where the electricity transmits the heat and the surface increased in heat gradually until it is hot enough to cook or warm something. Electric cookers have been deemed safer than gas cookers. This is because gas is highly flammable and if someone was to accidentally turn on the gas and leave it on it can leak into the atmosphere where it can explode if someone does as little as light a cigarette. This has been the cause of many deaths and property damage in many places.

Electric cookers on the other hand does not pose this threat. If someone was to leave the electric cooker on accidentally, the only thing that would happen would be a waste of power and the fact that the surface would remain hot to the extent that it would warm the immediate area. But the threat of fire is minimal.

Autor: Theodor Cartman

Looking for electric cookers? Check out complete guide to electric cookers.

Added: December 21, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

What Do Maytag Water Filters Offer?

Maytag water filters, like so many others, are somewhat behind the times. Hopefully, they'll catch up eventually. In the meantime, let's look at what they currently offer and how we can get better protection. If it's time to replace your filter, it may be time to take a different approach.

Maytag offers Puri-Clean I and II. System I is advertised as removing chlorine, lead, cysts and sediment. First of all, no system completely "removes" these things. They may "reduce" them by 99% or better, but the brochures that accompany the Puri-clean systems do not indicate the percent of reduction.

System II reduces chlorine, lead, asbestos, cysts, lindane, Atrazine and sediment. That's a little better, but the filter is not compatible with older refrigerator models. So, you either buy a new refrigerator or you stop using your dispenser and buy a filtration unit for your kitchen faucet, instead.

Even if you bought their latest model, there are some chemicals that Maytag water filters do not remove. One group is present whenever chlorine is used for disinfection. They are called trihalomethanes or THMs.

There have been numerous scientific studies concerning the risk of THM exposure, because they are known carcinogens. At one time, it was believed that the amount that was present in publicly treated supplies was "safe". Even though, many scientists warned that there was no way to actually determine a safe level of consumption for any chemical, since they combine with other chemicals, which increases their toxicity.

But, regulating agencies needed some sort of guideline, so maximum contamination levels (MCLs) were established. Using those MCLs, researchers evaluated the cancer-risk from consumption, inhalation during a shower and dermal absorption. They also tested individuals in their homes, after drinking and showering in unfiltered water. It was found that the blood levels were higher after a 15 minute shower than they were after drinking a liter.

Since there are no Maytag water filters that reduce THMs, they cannot help reduce your cancer risk. The latest research indicates that the amounts we are normally exposed to increase our lifetime risk of bladder cancer by two-fold. To reduce the risk, you need a faucet filter with special resins that traps the chemicals. To further reduce your risk, you can install one in the shower, as well.

You might be wondering if all refrigerator systems are like the Maytag water filters. From the research that I have done, it looks like they are. It seems to take the manufacturers too long to respond to new research. Atrazine and lindane, for example, are common herbicides and pesticides. They also cause cancer. Over seven years ago, studies were published concerning the presence of these contaminants in publicly treated supplies, but only the refrigerator models have a filter that traps them.

The studies concerning THMs continue to come in. The most commonly quoted report was only published in 2008. That means that it will probably be several years before Maytag water filters catch up. Until then, buy an effective purifier and drink from your faucet. That's the best choice you can make. If you have two minutes to spare, please feel free to browse through my website.

Autor: Gordon P Hall

Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of Water Purification Systems. Visit his website now at: http://www.water-safe-and-pure.com to discover which Water Purification Systems Gordon recommends after far ranging comparisons.

Added: December 20, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Well Water Filtration Systems and Your Health

If you do not live in an area that provides your home with water through a city or rural water system, you no doubt have a well, which requires well water filtration systems. Finding the right system to install will save you dollars down the road and also assure you that the water you drink, cook and bathe with will be safe and free of contaminates.

The best well water filtration systems will protect your pump for the sediment and other large particles in the water so you will not incur costly repair bills to your pump. Or worst yet have the pump malfunction beyond repair and you have to replace your pump.

The best well water filtration systems will also protect your health from dangerous contaminates in your water. These substances can be weed killers, pesticides and other chemicals you find in largely agriculture areas that farmers use on their fields.

Any chemical used on those fields will get into your water supply through ground water run off into lakes, streams and rivers. Even if you don't reside in a large agriculture area, there is still run off from residential yards. The best water filtration systems will have more than one kind of filter so all the dangerous contaminates will be removed before you drink, cook or bathe in the water.

Chlorine is a chemical you will add to your well water to kill the parasites and other bacteria that cause diseases such as typhoid and cholera. Putting chlorine in water is a good thing for prevention of those diseases, but it adds a whole another ball of wax to our health problems.

"Chlorine is so dangerous" according to biologist/chemist Dr. Herbert Schwartz, "that it should be banned. . . . Cancer, heart trouble, premature senility, both mental and physical are conditions attributable to chlorine treated water supplies. It is making us grow old before our time by producing symptoms of aging such as hardening of the arteries . . ."

I don't know about you, but I am not interested in drinking water that will make me old before my time. I seem to be aging fast enough on my own; I don't need my drinking water to speed the process up.

And speaking of chlorine it is also dangerous in the form of chloroform gases in the shower water. Inhaling these gases have been linked to asthma and nervous system disorders, along with the threat of cancer and various skin irritations we get from having the chlorine come in contact with our skin and being absorbed into our blood stream through our pores.

The reasons listed above are why you need the best well water filtration systems you can find. When shopping for a system, look further than just a sediment filter to protect your pump, look also for one with granulated carbon filters that also include sub micron and multi block filters along with an ion exchange for heavy metals. Having all these in your system will assure you of water that is safe to drink, cook and bathe in.

My web site below gives you more information about the state of our water supply and also will take you to the best place to buy your point of use filtering units for your well water filtration systems. Check it out today.

Autor: Juanita Ruby Juanita Ruby
Level: Platinum
I am passionate about health issues. Our bodies contain 70% water, and the quality of our water greatly affects our health. I study and research, ... ...

Juanita Ruby is passionate about health. She knows our bodies contain more than 70% water, thus the quality of our water greatly affects our health. She uses a water filtration system to purify her water. Visit her website at http://www.your-best-water-site.com/ to discover which water purification system she trusts for her health.

Added: December 19, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Choosing a Bosch Dishwasher

For most families life is a fast-paced race through each and every day. There are tasks that must get done in the few short hours of "free time" throughout any given week day. Household tasks such as cooking and cleaning can take up a great deal of that free time - in fact statistics indicate that an "average" household sees from one to two hours each day dedicated just to washing up after meals.

This is one of the main reasons that dishwashers are so universally popular, especially in family homes where there are larger meals and more dishes. A dishwasher takes a member of the family only a few moments to load, and saves a tremendous amount of water, and water heating resources. Most modern dishwashers will clean dishes much better than simple hand washing, and they will save a lot of time doing the work.

How does a family determine the best dishwasher for their needs? The best way to begin is by assessing exactly what the family will need. For example, is the sink frequently piled high after a meal? Or are there only a small number of plates and cups that require washing during the day? Will there be a need for a sanitizing rinse? Does the family want to wash pots and pans and yet save water? Choosing a dishwasher with a variety of washing options is the best way to meet the demands of for a household of any size, but where does a search for such a machine begin? The Bosch dishwasher line makes a huge range of options and pricing available for those looking for a reliable machine.

Most feature a "Quick Wash" feature for completely cleaned crockery in under a half hour, there are adjustable load sizes to save water on smaller numbers of dishes, most are programmable to allow tasks to get done while the family is at work or school, and most come with flexible baskets configurations to allow a machine to be fully loaded before starting. The Bosch dishwasher line currently includes the Slimline dishwashers - designed to give maximum freedom and performance, and the traditional line of dishwashers. All are available as freestanding or built in models, and some have the "ActiveWater" technology which delivers a significantly lower water and energy usage while delivering superior cleaning performance.

Each range of the Bosch dishwasher line has models available in three distinct formats - the Logixx, Exxcel and Classixx. While each of the machines in the various ranges offer a wide variety of options, even the simplest and least complex, the Classixx, are outfitted with flexible options and settings. Standard settings include programmable washing cycles, residual drying, and anti-flood devices, easy to read LED indicators, time delay and quiet operation. When looking for a dishwasher to meet a busy family's needs it is best to begin with a review of the many options and variety available from a Bosch dishwasher. The manufacturer continually looks to improve efficiency and results and the Bosch dishwasher line consistently receives Energy Savings Trust recommendations, as well as consumer raves.

Autor: Stuart Armstrong

Deal4u.co.uk offers the best in cheap electrical goods and home appliances to Ireland and the UK. You will find a wide variety of home appliances and home electronics available at affordable prices. For more information, visit http://www.Deals4u.co.uk

Added: December 18, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Discover the Amazing Health Benefits of Using a Shower Head Water Filter

Anyone who has ever spent much time swimming in a chlorinated pool knows the harsh drying and itching effect chlorine has on skin and hair. That drying, itching and aging effect comes about because chlorine removes the natural protective oils from our skin and hair. In this article we will discuss the only type of shower head water filter that will solve not only these cosmetic issues but the more alarming health concerns recently reported in such sources as The American Journal of Public Health, the EPA and Rutgers University as well. These issues concern the tremendous toxic burden our bodies take on when we take hot showers and baths in chlorinated water.

Now most people reading this would probably think a little chlorine, in minute quantities, in our tap water would not cause a health problem when showering, even if we did not use a shower head water filter. But, did you know the EPA, who oversees the quality of our tap water, allows more chlorine to be in tap water, to kill bacteria and viruses, than is allowed in swimming pools! That is not to say all tap water has chlorine concentrations at that level, but I have tested the level of chlorine in homes, especially ones closer to the municipal treatment plants, that had much higher levels than a swimming pool is allowed.

Another thing you should know is chlorine is not the only harmful chemical pollutant in our water that evaporates easily in hot shower water. There is a whole class of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and radon gas possibilities as well. The EPA's own scientists have identified 600 cancer causing byproducts of chlorine and some of them exist in virtually every chlorinated water supply in America. You can count on at least some of them being in your water.

When we bathe in water containing these toxins, some of them are absorbed into our bodies through our skin, and our bodies have to become their filter. But, by far the most dangerous health risks come from the effects from breathing in the chemicals and radon gas which evaporate into the air after they are released by the hot shower water.

For example, chloroform is one of the common byproducts of chlorine, and Rutgers University researchers recently showed we receive as much chloroform into our bodies in a ten minute shower as we would from drinking a couple liters of unfiltered tap water. And the EPA agreed, saying that "Due to chlorine and showering, virtually every home in America has a detectable level of chloroform gas in the air." Chloroform is a strong respiratory irritant that also causes fatigue.

The American Journal of Public Health linked chlorine to "significant increases in certain types of cancer, asthma and skin irritations", noting that, "up to two-thirds of the harmful exposure was due to skin absorption and inhalation of chlorine in shower water".

Scientists tell us 98% of the tap water goes down the drain, but 70% to 90% of the volatile chemicals in the water will vaporize into the air before the water hits the shower floor. And this leads to serious health risks since we are inhaling steam while we are showering, taking toxins from our lungs directly into our blood streams in concentrations up to 20 times the concentrations of chlorine and other synthetic chemicals found in tap water.

The only way to protect yourself and your family from inhaling VOCs or radon gas is to filter the water before you use it. To filter the bath water would require a costly whole-house water treatment system and a good one runs about $1,000. However, you can do a pretty good job of it by getting inexpensive shower filters and a kitchen faucet filter for drinking and cooking water.

For the shower head water filter you will want to get the type having both a carbon filter and a redox filter. The carbon will remove VOCs, radon and most of the chlorine that might be in your shower water. The redox filtration will remove all the chlorine and reduce any pathogen growth in the filter. You should be able to get a shower head water filter for about $70, and a good kitchen counter top unit around $100 (add $50 for an under counter unit).

Autor: David Eastham David Eastham
Level: Platinum
David Eastham shared with his wife, Kathy, a 25-year fight with cancer and heart disease. The experience has made him determined to help as many ... ...

About The Author: David Eastham is a health enthusiast who learned the hard way that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". His website at http://www.Good-Safe-Water.com offers the way, not only to the best dollar for dollar buys in water filtration products, but the best products over all, regardless of price.

Added: December 16, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How Water Filtration Systems Significantly Contribute to Your Health and Well-Being

What if I told you that the cleanest, healthiest water you can get your hands on comes only from using water filtration systems? Sounds a little crazy, I know! Surely you say, tap and bottled water must be safe as it has to pass Government standards. Well, hear me out.

Firstly, how many times have you heard of a water scare, residents having to boil their water for a while, contaminated water? It happens. A recent study found over 2000 toxic chemicals in tap water, some of which can cause cancer. A high quality water filtration system will effectively remove almost all of these contaminants.

You may know that chlorine is added to water to kill many of the bacteria, but is itself a harmful toxin. Another recent study showed that chlorine levels in tap water in some areas exceeded the limits in place for swimming pools. And you know how strong the chlorine smell can be!

We live in an industrialized world, with thousand of chemicals being used and many are getting in the groundwater and polluting it. Therefore these are getting into the water we drink, despite the best efforts of the water authorities. As Carol Browner, U.S. EPA Chief said: "The way we guarantee safe drinking water is broken and needs to be fixed."

As for bottled water, well it doesn't get any better I'm afraid to say. Much of the problem here is lack of any regulation. For example, 60-70 % of all bottled water is exempt for the FDA's standard for bottled water as it is produced and bottled in the same state.

Every day 60,000,000 plastic bottles are produced, transported and disposed of in the US. Every day! It's one of the most polluting industries we have. Using a water filtration system also means being environmentally friendly. For example, fill you own bottle each day with clean, healthy water.

The few high quality filter systems out there can deliver great tasting, healthy, chemical free water for less than 10c gallon. Bottled water costs on average from $1 to $4 a gallon.

A sign of a good water filtration system is one which incorporates a multi-stage process, which significantly improves the overall quality and taste. Also these systems must document the purity of the water they produce, adhering to strict guidelines.

These systems not only filter out all the toxins and odours but also leave in the vital minerals we need for our well-being. The reverse osmosis systems out there tend to take out everything, leaving none of these vital minerals. This can itself lead to deterioration in health.

So there we are. I really hope you now feel more informed on the significant health advantages a good water filtration system can bring, and the potential dangers of not having one.

Autor: Ric Hawkins

Ric Hawkins is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the incredible benefits of safe, clean, healthy water. Take a moment to visit his site now and discover which products he recommends: http://www.healthy-filtered-water.com/

Added: December 15, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Choosing a Home Freezer

A common question that bothers most families is how to chose a home freezer. What a freezer requires is care and a continuous supply of electricity. But lots of thought is required before venturing out to buy one.

Firstly, measure the level space that is available. The freezer requires surrounding space for venting. Then decide between an upright or a chest freezer. The upright ones have more features. The 'Energy Guide' tag of the freezer should be checked. A low number indicates low energy consumption per year. You may go for frost free freezer but do check its capacity. Ensure that the arrangement of baskets and trays is not inconvenient and cumbersome. Note carefully the warranty and the after sale services offered.

Size of a home freezer would depend on the size of the family. Often people impulsively go for large freezers thinking that they might require it for stocking large amount when offered at a discount. But in reality most of the time the freezer remains half empty. Moreover frozen food has a certain shelf life beyond which it tends to get dehydrated. This reduces both taste and nutritional value. Eventually we discard them. A waste of money, energy and time!

First decide how much frozen food your family consumes in six weeks, as it is prudent to consume frozen food within that period. Then calculate how much space would those items require. Then will tell you the capacity of freezer required by you.

Upright Freezers would definitely add more to your electricity bill than a chest freezer. Every time an upright freezer is opened the cool air spills out but when we lift the lid of a chest the cold air remains trapped inside. The electric consumption for frost-free upright freezers is more than that of chest freezers. The chest types would require total shutting down and manual defrosting at least once annually.

If cost is really a problem then shutting down the freezer in those months when fresh garden food is readily available can reduce it. There is an ongoing debate about filling up the unused racks of large freezers with blankets, tins of water and other insulating materials to lower electrical consumption. A right sized freezer would eliminate the need for such practices.

Today freezers come with various features like touch buttons, alarms, temperature panel, rapid freeze etc. However added features would mean added cost. Haier has launched a chest freezer with an additional bottom drawer for short-term storage. It allows quick and easy access to frequently used material.

Based on family needs you should buy your freezer. Proper discussion and pondering would relieve you of the problem of how to choose a home freezer.

Autor: Carl Formby

carl formby owns and operates http://www.refrigeratormerchant.com Compact French Door Refrigerators and Restaurant Refrigerator Freezers

Added: December 15, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/