All bathroom spaces have high levels of humidity and moisture and this is unavoidable. However, if the moisture is allowed to linger in the air for a very long time without being vented out of the space, it can result in mould and mildew growth on the grouting, the drywall structure as well as along the window ceilings and air conditioning ducts and can damage other aspects of your home’s structure as well.

In some cases, water damage may also occur which can become expensive to fix. That is why every bathroom in your home or commercial property should have an exhaust fan installation to suck out the moisture from the air and release it outside the structure. This may seem like an easy job and DIY enthusiasts sometimes feel, it’s a job they would be able to manage themselves.

But the fact is it’s never a good idea to play with electricity. Even something as seemingly simple as an exhaust fan installation can pose the risk of electrocution or death when handled incorrectly. The bathroom exhaust fan installation has to be handled with care, primarily due to the high moisture content interacting with the electricity that’s running through your exhaust fan.

Image via CleanTechnica.com

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Other Cool Stuff…

As part of the UN Conference For Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, this Image via UNCSD2012.org

OSRAM introduced a new OLED fixture, called “Rollercoaster” for its interesting architectural design. It features the innovative transparent OLED panels, and OSRAM hopes to begin mass production of these products by 2014. Read more on the fixture Image via LightNOWblog.com

Have you made any lighting changes to your home or building this month? Or have you learned anything new about light? Please share!

Choosing the right size depends on the level of energy independence that a renewable energy owner wants. It may simply boil down to what you can afford. These levels range from 100 percent or completely off the grid (the most costly), to a simple energy backup for emergencies.

100% energy independence or completely off the grid: this requires a huge investment in terms of generation and storage. In addition, it may require other power sources such as fossil fuels or wind generators.

High energy independence: This requires a solar system with enough batteries to last a few days or even through the winter. PV systems are sized to enable the owner to have surplus energy to store during summer and be self-sufficient through winter without relying too much on the grid. The customer will still rely on the grid for backup just in case there are prolonged days of bad weather.

Summertime independence: Customer installs just enough panels and storage capacity to get through a normal summer day but will have to draw power from the grid during the winter.

Peak time independence: Battery size should be large enough to supply power during peak times when electricity rates are highest.

Reduced reliance on the grid during peak times: Some customers cannot afford to install enough storage to cover their entire peak time usage. In such a case, some will install a system that will enable them to at least reduce part of their grid usage during these times.

Emergency power backup: This requires smaller energy storage, enough to cover a short power outage. Some customers use this together with fuel generators. Battery storage is only required for the short duration from the time grid power goes out, to when the alternative power becomes available.

Even though a solar energy system is a great investment that reduces your electricity bills, it is not possible to completely get off the grid without investing in large storage systems. However, adding modest battery storage to a grid connected to solar systems is a better way of increasing your independence from the grid without spending too much.

Most marketers have online tools that can help you get the right size battery based on various factors. However, it is advisable to consult professionals for the best advice.

Customers with solar systems are increasingly adding battery storage to reduce their electricity costs or become independent from the grid. With better technology and prices getting lower every day, battery storage is becoming an appealing component to many solar power system owners.

This type of storage allows the customer to charge their batteries during the day and then discharge them when there is no generation. This permits homeowners and businesses to have a backup power source and save on electricity bills. In addition, you can sail through cloudy periods or other times when power generation is low.

The majority of all homes and businesses get their electricity from the local electric grid. Although this is very convenient, it can be a burden whenever there are issues that cause either a short-term or long-term outage. Extreme weather, for example, can leave your home without power for days or even weeks. While this is annoying for everyone, it can be dangerous under extreme temperatures or for anyone who needs to keep medical or other vital equipment running at all times. You also run the risk of spoiled food as a result of your refrigerator no longer running.

A standby generator is a device that was developed to make sure that you still have electrical power at your home or business whenever the electricity from the utility company has failed. Rather than placing all of your faith on the traditional electric grid, these generators allow you to get electricity by burning a fuel such as natural gas, diesel or propane. Depending on the size of your standby generator, you can expect your generator to work for several hours, or even days at a time. Your only real limit is the source of your fuel. If you have to stop and refuel your generator constantly, you must keep in mind that you only have a finite fuel source that may be difficult to replenish. If your generator hooks directly into your natural gas utility, you can likely run the generator continuously.

In most cases, an electrician in Glendale will connect your standby generator directly up to your electrical panel. A transfer panel is used to detect whenever there is a power outage. Whenever this occurs, your generator is designed to turned on automatically so that you have very little loss of power. To learn more about standby generators, or to talk about having one installed, call one of our technicians at The Electric Connection. You can also learn more at our website www.theelectricconnection.com/.