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Vinyl cladding, also called vinyl siding, refers to plastic exterior cladding for homes. The cladding is used as an alternative to traditional wood, fiber cement, and aluminum cladding. The cladding is made up of about 80% polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin and the remaining 20%, ingredients to give the material its color, gloss, opacity, flexibility, durability, and impact resistance. Vinyl cladding has been in the market since the late 50s and it is today one of the most popular exterior claddings in the U.S. and Canada. There are several reasons why you should consider installing vinyl cladding.

This is one of the most affordable sidings in the market. You will spend between 25% and 50% less than what you would have spent on aluminum and wood siding. Most vinyl cladding manufacturers offer competitive warranties.

Many people neglect their homes’ exteriors, but waterproofing the exterior is important because it improves the longevity of your walls and it saves you money on repairs. A strong wall is also important for your security.

Vinyl cladding comes in different colors, styles, and patterns, meaning there is something for everyone. You do not have as much flexibility with other options like brick and stucco.

You can go for years without maintaining, leave alone replacing the cladding. The cladding is very durable. It is not damaged by termites (the major problem with wood sidings) and other wood boring pests and insects, there is no fading, and there is no chalking. All you need to do is occasionally clean the siding with a mixture of water and a mild detergent.

Given that pigments are mixed with the resins, the colors are deep and penetrating. Unlike the case with aluminum and wood sidings which are painted on, blemishes and scratches are not visible with vinyl siding. The fact that no painting is necessary means you get to save money.

Another advantage of vinyl cladding is that it is environmentally friendly given that it is recyclable. Wood sidings lead to the destruction of forests while extraction of aluminum from its ore is energy intensive and it leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. The insulation you get from the siding means greater thermal performance of your house and consequently reduced energy expenditure.

You could go for a vinyl cladding brand that features perforations for the moisture to escape. This is important because you will prevent mold, mildew, and condensation. Installing vinyl siding is also a good idea because it increases the resale value of your home.

Metal fabrication began in the earliest civilizations when the metals gold, mercury, silver, tin, iron, lead, and copper were discovered. These metals were worked by early artisans into decorative pieces, religious iconography, and jewelry. Items of a practical nature were forged from metal including coinage, tools, and weapons. Using heat and tools, metalworkers began to make functional objects and the industry developed through the years advancing and gaining value from society.

As an industrialised society, the world cannot live without metal; it is essential to almost every industry from mining and heavy industry to agriculture and medical equipment.

Specialist engineers and manufacturers fabricate metal and metal alloys, which are made from a combination of different metals for a staggering number of uses. The pivotal role of metal has been responsible for significant advances in technology, construction, transport, and agri-science. Metal has strength; it is very low maintenance and will last a lifetime and more. Specialist metal fabrication companies are made up of a group of skilled people who all have a role in the process of turning metal into supports for a building, heavy duty mining equipment or boilers and tanks to name a few.

Metal fabrication is a series of processes used to manufacture an object from metal. The specialised equipment involved includes laser cutting machinery, turret punches, machine centers, rollers, welding machinery, water jets, and metal shears. The metals most commonly used for fabrication are aluminium, stainless steel, and carbon steel, which is in the form of sheets, tubing and bars. Most metal objects start life as sheet metal in varying thicknesses depending on the application. Thicker sheets are known as metal plate.

The process starts with the design and then the fabrication begins with the metal sheet being sheared, laser cut or punched into shapes. Once the required basic shape is achieved, the object goes next to the press brake machine to form any bends a process known as forming. Dies are used in the press brake to make the correct accurate shape according to the design plans. The product may be finished at this stage or will be just one component in a series that requires moving on to the next process, which is welding.

Welding is a skilled practice and the artistry of the welder is to take the component parts shaped and formed previously and weld all the pieces together to make the final product in accordance with the design. This final assembly is critical and it is up to the welder to use the welding technique necessary for the job in hand.

Metal fabrication is essential to heavy industry such as mining. The manufacturing of support equipment, skids, conveyor belts, tanks, crushers, drill rigs and hydraulic lifting equipment through to pipe work are all the result of the metal fabrication process. In the mining industry there are very often special requests for one off pieces of equipment that are needed in a hurry and the metal fabrication business that can design and manufacture the product to implementation on site is the company that has the advantage. Metal fabricators may also be called upon to repair equipment or weld a broken object. Mining relies upon rugged, tough machinery often needing custom manufacturing or enhancements making metal fabricators an essential support service to the industry.

Reputable metal fabricators have the ability to design high quality, complex products with precision and manufacture them to full compliance with the specification, which is essential to mining companies who need to be operational at all times. Other metal fabrications for the mining industry include chutes, bins, screen stands, safety guards, stairs, catwalks, platforms and wear plates.

Metal is an essential material for mankind and industry and has the ability to be recycled over and over again which makes it a valuable resource for the global environment. The long working life of all metal fabrications due to its durability means once your product is manufactured, you will not have to worry about it, as it is highly unlikely it will need your attention again.

The mining industry is reliant upon the equipment and the expertise of metal fabricators not only for mine construction but also for ongoing support and maintenance in such rugged environments. For metal fabrication Mackay or metal repairs Mackay, contact 3D Engineering Mackay today.

If you desire a Brisbane website design team to enhance your company’s website, or to recreate your site, Nicholas Burge can do the hard yards for you. With the use of the wordpress templates, he will make a unique site, the content you want, and a fully functional site, on both ends. With several developmental features, different design types, and customizable designs for any online business, regardless of the type of site, or the customers they exist for, with the proper web design services, and the correct template, your online site is fully going to deliver on all fronts.

Free & Open source -
One of the main reasons to use wordpress for your site’s template is the fact that it is completely free. There are zero hidden costs if you reach a certain size, or if a certain quota of visitors visit, nor are there hidden fees you will come across, based on the style selected, or the format of your site. It is also possible for you to use a diverse selection of codes, making it fully accessible, easy to modify, and easy to develop a fantastic looking site, for a very low price.

Plugins -
With wordpress, you can also add a huge selection of plugins ,easily, and make modifications when you choose. From adding pictures, galleries, forums, blogs, shopping carts, or any other add ons, you can swiftly and simply do these, and make these modifications, when the format used for your site design is wordpress. So, whether the business owner decides to adjust, or whether you approach Nicholas and his team of Brisbane website design professionals, they can quickly and easily add, edit, or modify plugins, for anything the business owner desires to add or remove from the company site.

User friendly -
WordPress is probably the most user friendly option for a website. Whether it is a blog, forum post, or a company site, wordpress is simple to use, and extremely easy to navigate. WordPress is also always improving the CMS, and adding several new features, to make the site even simpler to use, and make additions to or deletions from. All visitors are going to love the ease of use, layout, and the background design selections there are to choose from when they are on a site that is wordpress based.

Themes -
If you require a specific theme for your site, wordpress is the best solution to this concern as well. Whether you decide to go with one of the thousands of free pre existing themes, or whether you would prefer Nicholas and his Brisbane website design team to create a unique design, with wordpress there are no limits. You can select the color combinations, designs, layouts, format, font, and the whole aesthetic and layout of the page. No matter what the business owner requires, or what style and design they are looking for, when wordpress is the selected format for their site, they are going to get the overall look they want their customers to see on their end.

Security -
WordPress is also extremely easy to keep safe. It takes only a few minutes to install, and with constant updates, adaptations and new security features being added at a frequent rate, business owners can be confident that their site is safe. In turn, customers who use the shopping cart feature, or input other sensitive information on the company’s site, can feel assured that their material and their personal information is wholly safe and secure when they go to a specific site.

These are a few of the multitude of reasons to choose wordpress as your theme, as opposed to drupal or other web design substitutes. When you need the most professional Brisbane website design company to do the work for you, maintain and update your site, and keep it current for your visitors, Nicholas Burge and his highly trained team will do the job for you. With the most experienced team, the industry experience, and the wordpress themes you will adore, all business owners will find what they are searching for with this design group. And, if you do not want to maintain your own site, they will also run and operate your online business for a minimal monthly cost.

The lower back is critical to our function as a human being. It provides structural support as well as enabling movement in all directions. The lower back is primarily responsible for forward and backward movements and also allows sideways bending and rotation. Another critical function of the lower back is to protect the tissues of the nervous system, spinal column as well as the organs of the pelvis and stomach. As such an essential aspect of our lives it is also susceptible to a number of injuries that cause us pain. The top 8 most common causes are outlined below.

8. Bone Injuries
Fractures of the lumbar spine usually occur after a traumatic event such as a fall or motor vehicle accident. If the fracture is unstable, risk of damage to the spinal cord and permanent paralysis is extremely high. Patients are stabilised and immobilised for long periods. If the fracture is stable patients are treated with rest and pain relief. In some cases people with osteoporosis, or those taking medication such as cortisone long term, can be susceptible to fractures even with minimal stress on the spine. This may cause a crush fracture where the vertebrae loses some of its height. Pain can be severe and is often aggravated by movement.

7. Congenital Inherited Conditions
Some of the common inherited conditions that cause lower back pain include scoliosis which is a sideways curve of the spine, sometimes caused when one leg is shorter than the other (functional scoliosis). You can also get structural scoliosis which is a fixed sideways curve often due to unknown factors, more common in women. Another common congenital cause of lower back pain is a forward slip of the lower lumbar vertebrae on top of the sacrum. This is referred to as spondylolisthesis, which in some cases can be associated with fractures of the joining bones in the vertebrae and is known as a pars defect.

6. Bone Encroachment
Sometimes when the bony canal of the spinal cord and the spaces that the nerves exit can be narrowed by bone spurs or other soft tissues. This can cause sciatic pain which radiates down the leg. Often pain from narrowing of the spinal canal gets worse with walking and improves with rest.

5. Arthritis
Arthritic changes and inflammation can affect the lumbar vertebrae as well as sciatic joints and can commonly cause lower back pain and stiffness, which is often worse in the morning. Degeneration can also affect the disc and is known as sponydolosis. This shows up on x-rays as narrowing of the lumbar disc joint space.

4. Lumbar Radiculopathy – Damage to a Disc
When the disc is injured or weakens over time the outer rim can bulge or rupture (herniate), putting pressure on the spinal cord and/or the nerves exiting the bones. This can produce both local low back pain as well as sciatica characterised by pain down the leg. It can also be associated with pins and needles, numbness and weakness. In more serious cases, patients may experience problems with bladder and bowel function. They should seek medical attention immediately.

3. Nerve Irritation
The nerves exiting the bones of the lower back can be irritated by pressure from bone, soft tissue, as well as inflammation. Pain can be both local, as well as radiating down the leg.

2. Tendon and Ligament Strains
The soft tissues supporting and connecting the bones of the lower back can be stretched or injured in a number of ways. Commonly there is some sort of microscopic tear of varying degree which is often caused by an acute injury or overuse.

1. Muscle Strain
The most common form of lower back pain is of muscular origin. Muscle pain can be brought on by poor posture, overuse, improper use, sustained positions and even trauma. It is so common because not only is it the primary cause of most lower back pain, it is a significant component of all the other causes of lower back pain. This is because with arthritic changes, structural changes, such as curvature of the lower back, disc disease or even ruptures will all sensitise the muscles. This is why it is essential to understand muscle pain specifically, to learn strategies for prevention as well as self-management long term.

If you, your friend or family member suffer from back pain please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly Camp Hill physiotherapists on 07 3847 8040. Our Camp Hill physios can also provide treatment from our Camp Hill Physiotherapy practice in Brisbane.

Wherever you live in the world, whether it is a Local Council, State, Federal or Presidential election, your mailbox will groan with the weight of materials aimed at getting your vote. It might be the electronic era, but it seems that a piece of paper in your letterbox is still considered the most effective way of getting a message across.

While an informed electorate is essential to the democratic process, there appears to be a glut of over-sending of junk mail for political purposes – and no clear way on how to fix this. What’s worse, the content of most of the political flyers is simply mudslinging about their opponents with no substance. Is anyone else reminded of children in the playground?

How can you help stop this frivolous waste of resources? Imagine the strain on our environment and the large volume of greenhouse gases generated from all the trees cut down, printing, electricity and transport of the materials. Grab a cup of tea or your water bottle and let’s get down to it.

We know in Australia that material deemed to be political, educational, religious and charitable is exempt from “No Junk Mail” signed letterboxes according to standards developed by the Australian Catalogue Association. So there is no way to stop it being posted in your postbox along with the other junk mail catalogues enticing you to buy all sorts of stuff you don’t really need. It is probably the same in other countries.

Step 1. Incorrectly addressed political mail
Much of your mail may be addressed to past occupants of the house. You need to “return this to sender” with the note “no longer at this address”.

Step 2. Contact every political party or politician that is mailing you
There is no central database so you will need to call the office of each individual sender and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Remember to be nice! You catch more bees with honey than vinegar.

Step 3. National Standard to stop political junk mail
Write a letter to the Electoral Commission asking them to implement a National Standard to curb the volume of pieces each political party is allowed to put in each household’s letterbox.

Step 4. Polling day
Don’t forget to recycle any materials you are given on the day – often the Greens Party has a box at the booths for such materials on polling day!

Written by Tracey Bailey, Director of Biome Eco Stores in Brisbane, specialists in water bottles and eco friendly, reusable choices for your home, body and lifestyle.

Over the past several decades, more and more people have become aware of the numerous benefits of modern vinyl cladding and started to use it instead of paint. Paint is a great choice if you plan on selling the house in the near future since it does not involve a major investment, but if you want to make your home more comfortable, then vinyl cladding is the best choice. The truth is that vinyl cladding does have a series of advantages that should be taken into account if you want to get the best quality for your money. Here you will find the most important benefits:

What Is Vinyl Cladding?
In order to fully understand its benefits, you must firstly know what vinyl cladding is. In a nutshell, this is a type of cladding made from PVC combined with several other substances that aim to increase durability. This material is fixed on the exterior of your home to improve its overall aspect and also for improving thermal performance. Paint, on the other hand, is used only for improving the aspect of your home and it does not improve the thermal performance of your house in any way.

This type of cladding is also very durable in the long run, unlike paint which peels off and loses its intensity thoughout the years. This is possible with the help of the acrylic components found in vinyl cladding, which help it stand the test of time – and weather! It does not rot or crust, and it can last for decades even in the harshest weather conditions.

One of the most important advantages of this type of cladding is that unlike paint, it is very easy to maintain in the long run, and it adds value to your home. Paint is difficult to maintain over the years as it can easily deteriorate, but fortunately this is not the case with this type of cladding: you can easily wash it with a sprayer and some mild detergent once in a while, and that is it! It is true that vinyl cladding does require an initial investment, but the quality and the comfort are certainly worth it. Besides, this will also lower your energy bills.

Vinyl cladding is undoubtedly one of the most affordable and versatile cladding options: you can easily adapt it in order to match the overall style of your home, no matter if you own a traditional or a modern house. All you need in order to make your home stylish and unique is some high-quality products and a little bit of creativity. Besides, it is so affordable that you can even clad your entire home with it without having to spend a little fortune!

Last but certainly not least, another great benefit of this type of cladding is that it comes with an important warranty that confirms the quality and the durability of the material. This warranty will give you the peace of mind you need: your investment is fully protected, should anything happen with the cladding.

In conclusion, these are the main advantages of vinyl cladding over painting. Painting may be cheaper, but it is less durable in the long run, it does involve some maintenance costs, it can easily peel off and it does not improve the thermal performance. On the other hand, vinyl cladding is extremely durable, affordable, easy to maintain, it adds extra style to your home and it improves thermal performance as well. For cladding Mackay contact Prestige Exteriors today. Make sure you check out the before and after photo gallery.

Vinyl wall Cladding is a popular choice when it comes to homes, particularly because there are so many vinyl cladding colors from which to choose. The extensive palette of 13 colours will suit almost any décor or style of home and give it a modern appeal. Some cladding colours are bold and modern, others can make your home look authentically original with heritage designs that mimic old-style timber weatherboard, which means that you can give your home a totally new distinctive look, or simply restore some of its old charm.

The extremely competitive prices of installing vinyl cladding to your home exterior is another reason for the growing popularity, wether your looking to encapsulate asbestos fibro sheeting or flaking lead paint on older weatherboards. Taking into account that paint fades over time, leaving you no other option but to repaint quite often, where vinyl cladding is fade resistant, requiring less maintenance on your part and provides an overall better look for your home. No matter what your budget is, less expensive, yet durable, vinyl cladding is an excellent choice if you are considering changing the exterior appeal of your home. Even monumental homes have succumbed to its convenience since it can perfectly replicate real wood paneling in different horizontal and vertical styles. Our manufacturers even offer a range of decorative wide architraves including door and window surrounds and shutters.

Vinyl House Cladding is constructed out of a PVC plastic resin, which makes it remarkably strong. Unlike metal or aluminum, it won’t rust, conduct electricity, or dent even if a cricket ball hits it, the boards simply bounce back. And unlike wood, it won’t warp, rot, or chip. It also holds up remarkably against the elements since it’s rain, extreme UV, and wind resistant. It won’t wear down in the harsh Queensland environment or become affected by cold weather. In fact, it’s so long-lasting it will retain its physical qualities for up to 50 years and comes with a manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee. However, the real benefit of the material is its competitive price, it’s one of the best value materials around proving a real investment and unlike fibro or wood, vinyl Cladding installation is quick, easy, and undemanding, which also helps to reduce the overall price of the product.

But what will you have to do to keep it in good shape? Oddly enough, not much. It won’t attract termites or pests. If you hire the right people for the initial vinyl Cladding installation, it can act as a great insulator to protect your home against extreme temperatures (saving you additional money on energy bills). Also, you’ll never have to paint again. Since the entire product is cast in a certain color, the shade goes all the way through the material. Therefore, it’ll never peel, flake, or scratch like painted surfaces. Not only does this save you on aggravation and sore muscles, it will also save you from hiring a painter every few years. You can save money, time and hassle over a lifetime with this simple switch. So put it on your home improvement to-do list, and enjoy the style and comfort that a home with vinyl cladding provides.

If you are looking for Cladding, Vinyl Cladding or House Cladding, contact Prestige Exteriors today. As Queensland’s premier supplier and installer of house cladding we offer the most comprehensive range of colours available in the market giving the finished project a beautiful and long-lasting appearance and finish.

When you think of a typical Queenslander, apart from the massive stilts and open-plan design, one of the most recognisable qualities is the corrugated iron roof.

Since the 1840s when Australia was first developing, corrugated iron has been considered one of the best materials to use for roofing. Because of it’s lightweight, sturdy properties, it is the ideal material to use in terms of easy transportation and construction as well as protection.

Although it is a relatively strong, fire proof and weather-resistant material, if exposed to water (particularly salt) rusting is inevitable. This is why it is extremely important to coat the steel in a layer of paint in order for it to remain protected.

Even today this roofing remains to be one of the most popular choices in materials for a range of reasons. Its flexibility, strength and thin sizing allows for quick repairs, relatively cheap installation and durability with little maintenance.

Apart from the practical side of things, there is also the aesthetics. The typically 3 inch curves rolling into one another create a very symmetrical feel, breaking up the angles of the rest of the house and creating a harmonious contrast.

Since iron is quite a durable material itself, compared to wood it is very easy to prepare for installation. Instead of needing to purchase an expensive sealant, a few layers of paint will generally be enough to prevent any damage.

One aspect of corrugated iron that can pose a genuine issue is the fact that the wavelengths of most sounds are echoed loudly into the tube of the corrugated iron. This means that any noise close to or coming into contact with the roof is going to release a high pitched “ping”. This can be a genuine issue for Queenslanders as falling tree branches and wildlife are a part of our every day lives.

On the other hand, the echo can be the perfect culprit to amplify raindrops into a soothing lullaby and because of the shape of the typically 3 inch tubing and smoothness of the iron, the water runs straight down and off the roof, making cleaning very manageable. Also because it is a very thin material it allows the house to stay cool in the warm summers, making it the ideal choice for a house in Queensland. For roof restoration Brisbane, contact Retro Roof Restoration.

The iron sheets themselves are relatively cheap and can be purchased with a coat of Colorbond or made galvanised to order. They range from around 5 to 45 dollars per sheet depending on the size of the sheet and what coating you have selected.

Compared with other common roofing materials such as clay, slate, concrete, wood, Spanish and asphalt, corrugated iron is often said to be one of the most durable and certainly one of the most cost-effective.

So whether it’s the classic sound of rain on the tin roof, or the practical desires of someone looking for a sturdy home, or anyone who doesn’t want to waste their precious pennies, it is no surprise that corrugated iron is one of the most popular choices in Queensland.

When it comes to working as an escort, whether you are male or female, gay or straight, you can decide to work for an escort agency, or join the ranks of the independent escorts, or indies. Which you should choose is very much a personal decision, but you need to take into account the pros and cons of each thoroughly before commencing work.

If you are new to the business then it might be a good idea to work for an agency, even if only for a while, so that you can learn the ins and outs of the escort business. This will also give you the chance to talk to other escorts employed by the agency, and learn from sharing their experiences.

The Advantages of Working for an Agency

There is more to working as an escort than many people think when they initially commence, and it can be nice to have someone else to take care of some things for you, while you are getting comfortable. For example, the agency will handle the advertising, will check prospective clients, will manage your diary for you, and will handle booking hotel rooms and arranging transport, when appropriate.

Perhaps most vitally for many escorts, the agency implements a safety net as they know where you are and what you are doing at any given moment, and the client is very aware of this. This provides you with a significant degree of protection, and with a backup team to call on if you fall into trouble.

Speaking of trouble, the law also plays an important part in many escort’s lives, and the degree to which it affects you will hinge on where you are working, and how you are exceuting your business. Many escort agencies have been around for a while, and are extremely accustomed to what you and cannot do. This again can be enough to stop you inadvertently running into issues.

The Disadvantages of Working for an Agency

An escort agency is the same as any other business, and some are ridiculously well run while others are poorly run, and may even simply exploit their escorts without a care for anything other than the money the business can make. For this reason, you need to do your homework and make sure you know exactly what sort of agency you are joining.

While an agency will take care of much of the background work for you, such as advertising, client screening and arranging appointments, they will also require certain things from you in return. For example, they may need you to be free for work between certain hours each day, and determine how much time off you can have each week. They may also dictate where you must be when you are not working, perhaps letting you go home, as long as they can contact you on the phone, or requesting you to be available in the agency’s office.

The agency is also in the business of making money and does this typically by taking a percentage of the fees paid by the client for providing him or her with an escort. Fees can be high, especially in major cities where it is not out of the ordinary for clients to pay several hundred dollars an hour for an escort. You will need to look carefully at the financial arrangements sought after by different agencies and decide what is, and what is not, acceptable to you.

The Advantages of Working as an Independent Escort

Private escorts are very much their own bosses, deciding for themselves when they work, who they accept as clients, and what they are prepared to do. In effect you are entertaining all of the benefits, including the monetary benefits, of being self employed and, for many people, these benefits often overtake any disadvantages.

The Disadvantages of Working as an Independent Escort

Working for yourself means that you will have to handle everything yourself, including such things as advertising, sizing up potential clients, booking hotel rooms, arranging for transport, and indeed handling anything else that comes up. This can be a great deal of work at first, but much of this day to day work becomes second nature as time goes on. One thing that you have to understand though, and which will never become irrevelant, are the risks that come hand in hand with escort work.

Like it or not, escort work can certainly be very dangerous, and you must not only be constantly vigilant, but must take positive steps to care for yourself. The list of precautions you need to take is far too extensive to detail them all here, but will include such things as guaranteeing that any room you use with a client has an emergency exit that you can use, and making sure that someone knows where you are, and that the client is aware of this fact. Convincing yourself that this is a safe enough area and that nothing is going to happen to you does not work, and safety needs to be the main concern on the list of things to consider for independent escorts.

On Balance

As with any job there are both good and bad sides to being an escort, and this is certainly one job that you need to go into with a careful mindset. That said, independent escorts can enjoy a very nice lifestyle if they get it right, and the job can be good fun if you have the right personality for it, take the time to understand what you are doing, and set your business up correctly.

Queenslandwide steel rainwater tanks are an increasingly common sight across the Australian suburban landscape, and for good reason. We live in a hot, dry country where every drop counts, and many homeowners are eager to protect the earth’s precious resources and save money at the same time. While earlier models tended to be bulky and unattractive, the latest domestic water tanks are specially designed to fit into awkward spaces and complement modern architecture. Steel is proving to be the correct choice, not only for its stylish looks, but for its durability.

Space is a premium on urban blocks with smaller land sizes. Because of this Queenslandwide’s extensive range of custom-size slimline water tanks are increasingly popular in urban areas of Australia, where space is a real problem. These slimline water tanks have evolved so oval tanks, rectangular tanks and other configurations meet the needs of customers who don’t have the space to fit the traditional round water tanks on their blocks.

The benefits of a steel rainwater tank for your home are considerable and will offer you plenty of return on your investment, and you don’t need to live in a rain forest area or a high rain density area to have one.

Australia is now embracing the water tank phenomenon and at Queenslandwide Tanks, we are here to help you with all you need to know when it comes to rainwater harvesting. When you invest in a Aquaplate water tank, you will be able to collect most of the rain that falls on your roof if you have it connected to your gutters and downpipes. For example, if 10mm of rain falls onto about 100m2 of your roof, you will collect about 1000 Litres of rainwater into your water tank. Just imagine, after 4 days of light rain you could easily harvest around 4000 litres of rainwater.

The benefit of rainwater tanks are endless and of course ensures that your home becomes environmentally friendly. You can reduce the amount of water used from the main supply therefore reducing your drain on this precious resource. By reducing the demand on mains water to your home, you will reduce your water bills, and by connecting the rainwater tank to a rainwater pump you will be able to water your gardens, wash your cars and fill your swimming pool whenever you want at no cost.

The other benefits of installing a Slimline rain water tank in your home are the government rebates now available to residents across Australia. And did you know that rainwater is actually less salty than dam supplies therefore it is much healthier for your gardens and appliances like your washing machine as they will actually be better of using rain water. The other benefit of owning rain water tanks means that you will never have to worry about water restrictions around the home for washing your car and watering your garden.

Imagine how easy it would be to wash your car with rainwater whenever you like, and imagine how beautiful your lawn and plants are going to look when you start using rainwater for your garden.

It’s best to use the water in the tank on a regular basis so there is always storage capacity available in the water tank when it rains. By connecting your water tank to a washing machine or toilet, you will get good use of the tanks supply and will allow rainfall to re-fill the rain water tank more often. By using the water tank this way you will maximize the amount of rainwater you will harvest and the money you will save.

If you are looking for Steel Tanks Brisbane, Slimline Tanks Brisbane or Water Tanks Brisbane

Are you dreading your next power bill? Starting to worry about how the increases in electricity prices are going to drain your household budget. Well you’re not alone, so here is what you can do to reduce your anxiety and your bills.

Most of the time simple and easy common sense measures can shave hundreds of dollars fromyour bills just by following the following steps.

Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Bills FOR FREE

1. Most people do not realise how much electricity a simple light bulb could be adding to the cost of their electricity bills. Turning off lights when you exit a room will make a significant difference.

2. Try to avoid using the clothes dryer, if the weather is bad purchase a clothes rank that you can use inside.

3. If going on holidays, turn off your electric hot water system at the meter box to avoid the system constantly heating up water when it’s not being used.

4. If you have a peak smart enabled air conditioner you can connect your air-conditioning unit to Tariff 33 – which provides a guaranteed 18 hours of electricity at tariff 33 rates. You may not be able to turn on the system on during peak times, but this could be a good compromise to still enjoy your heating/cooling system without costing the earth. Energex are currently offering $250 reward for split system (peak smart enabled) and $500 reward for ducted systems (peak smart enabled). To see whether your air conditioner is eligible go to the Energex website.

5. An old inefficient pool pump could be costing you up to $640 annually to run on tariff 11. By connect your pool pump to Tariff 33 (if possible) could save you hundreds off your bill. Energex are currently offering a $250 reward for connecting your pool pump to Tariff 33.

6. Turn off additional refrigerators. Have a good think about how much you really use the other fridge. If it’s only for the occasional party switch it off in-between time or if it is to store extra food think whether you really need to stock pile this much as you could be paying a fortune for “just in case you need it”.

7. When running your air conditioner set the temperature to 23 degrees in Summer, as every degree below this will cost you 10% more in running costs (eg. Running at 20 degrees will cost you 30% more than running it at 23 degrees) Or to save more open windows for ventilation rather than turning on the air conditioner in summer time.

8. Use cold water to wash your clothes. With the many washing detergents available today that are made for cold water washing it makes sense to use these rather using your electricity to heat up the water.

9. Once the weather starts to cool down, remember to close any windows that have been left open, use a throw blanket to snuggle up and keep warm whilst watching TV and get out the ugg boots. . If you do turn on the heater, keep the heat in the room you’re in by closing the door.

10. Using low flow showerheads in your shower usually consume less energy and provide the same amount of comfort.

All these free suggestions will reduce your energy usage and your power bills but they do take self discipline and children are often the worst offenders in leaving everything turned on. So if you don’t want to comprise on life style you can still reduce your bills by purchasing energy saving products such as a solar hot water system, solar power system, led lighting, skylights and monitoring systems. If you’d like to find out more visit www.anyenergy.com.au