| Give your attic a breath of air
Winter weather can find every weak link in a house to create drafts and raise utility bills. So how dumb is it to purposely let cold air into an attic or crawl space? Not dumb at all -- in fact, it's essential, and a component of each of the four building code systems in the country.
Ventilation makes obvious sense in summer when temperatures soar in attics, and sunstruck shingles become so gooey you can't walk on them. Thorough ventilation is the answer. It keeps temperatures in check, reduces air conditioning cost, and also extends the life of asphalt shingles.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but venting attics is just as important in winter. Seal up roof vents the way you seal up windows, and moisture created in the house will be trapped and condense in the attic.
Tories demand Salmond quit as MP
However, the First Minister later announced he would be donating the one-third of his Holyrood salary to which he is entitled as a so-called "dual mandate" politician to a special trust fund to help community projects in the north-east of Scotland. It means that when his First Minister's salary of £76,907 a year is added to his £60,277 Westminster wage, Mr Salmond's total annual income is £137,184. A spokesman for Mr Salmond yesterday accused the Tories of "scraping the bottom of the barrel" and ignoring the Scottish national interest. "There is a clear advantage to Scotland in having a First Minister who can make key interventions at Westminster on Scotland's behalf," the spokesman said. "For example, on the UK Government's legislative programme or, for that matter, his exchanges with the Prime Minister on co-operating against terrorism." He added: "There is much more to being an MP than trooping the lobbies at Westminster, as is shown in the latest available league table for MPs' participation.
Trane Reports 2007 Record Results, Provides 2008 Outlook
PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trane Inc. (NYSE: TT) today announced fourth-quarter income from continuing operations (Trane Air Conditioning Systems and Services) of 32 cents per diluted share, down from 36 cents a year ago. Fourth-quarter 2006 results included a benefit of 10 cents related primarily to the sale of some operations in Australia and tax items. Adjusted income from continuing operations was 33 cents per diluted share, up 27 percent from 26 cents a year ago. Adjusted income excluded various costs and benefits that are detailed in the financial charts that follow this text. Sales from continuing operations were $1.82 billion, up 14.2 percent (up 11.9 percent in local currencies). Both the company's former Vehicle Control Systems (WABCO) and Bath and Kitchen segments are classified as discontinued operations.
AUSTRALIA: Telstra's powerful result
And expected full-year growth in earnings before interest and tax has been upgraded from between 5% and 7% to between 6% and 8%. Trujillo says his big structural and technological re-make of the giant telco is on track, and Telstra's December half numbers indicate that Trujillo's hugely ambitious re-make of the former monopoly is producing an accelerating shift in the group's revenue and profit base, across from old fixed line services to new technologies. Retail services sales growth -- sales to external consumers, business and government customers -- was an impressive 7.6 per cent in the half, and Telstra's overall domestic revenue growth of 5.9% was world-class, beating groups including Spain's Telefonica (4.3 %) China Telecom (2.8%), AT&T (2.6%) and France Telecom (1.9%).
Topping 2008 List of New Year's Resolutions: Go Green at Home
VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- This year many homeowners are adding a new commitment to their list of New Year's Resolutions: go green at home. Alongside pledges to quit smoking, exercise more, and spend more time with friends and family, fostering eco-friendly homes is a positive step for families' health and finances. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings in the United States account for 71 percent of the nation's electricity consumption, 39 percent of energy use, 36 percent of all greenhouse emissions, 12.2 percent of potable water consumption, and 40 percent of global raw materials use. "Americans realize that all buildings, even their own homes, impact our environment. People are now doing what they can to help improve the health of our planet and are choosing materials and remodeling projects that make homes healthier, comfortable and longer lasting," says Stanley Gatland, Manager of Building Science Technology for CertainTeed.
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