Archive for March, 2009.
Mar 17
As the temperature rises during the summer season, many households turn to more than just ice-cold drinks to keep them cool. Air conditioning was once regarded as a residential luxury, but has become something of a necessity throughout the United States. Not only will air conditioning cool a room to a bearable temperature during balmy, humid summer days, but also uses the same techniques as a refrigerator to provide ventilation and dehumidification for indoor air.
Brief Air Conditioning History
The concept of cooling spaces by using natural elements is one that can be traced to the times of ancient Egyptians, who circulated aqueduct water through the walls of various structures to produce a cooling effect. Even in those times, since water was scarce, wealthy residents were only able to enjoy this luxury. During hot weather, medieval Persians created wind towers to cool down buildings. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that a British scientist started to experiment with the compressing and liquefying of ammonia. He learned that liquefied ammonia could chill the air when it evaporated.
In 1842, an American doctor named John Gorrie created ice to cool the air of hospital patients and had dreams of using this technology to create a cooling machine for buildings. He tinkered with the plans of constructing an ice-making machine with the help of a financial backer. When his support was no longer available, he could no longer finance his experiments. When he passed away in 1855, the idea of air conditioning was also laid to rest for about 50 years.
After the attempts of Gorrie, industrial air conditioning was created in the early 1900s with the first modern electrical version of air conditioning. Throughout the years, a shift was seen in the use of air conditioning, as automobiles and households began to benefit from the invention. The Carrier Air Conditioning Company began to lead the way in bringing the concept to the public, and during the 1950s, it was a contagious residential dream.
The Pros and Cons
The benefit of enjoying a cooler atmosphere during heated weather is not the only advantage gained when turning on the air conditioner. A household, vehicle, and other building environment becomes cleaner and safer for breathing when air conditioning is able to prevent the growth and spread of harmful microorganisms. Individuals who suffer from allergies and asthma are especially thankful for the better atmosphere an air-conditioned room provides, as less dust and dander are present. In seriously hot weather, babies and the elderly also benefit from air conditioning as heat waves have been known to take the lives of those whose immune systems and health might not be the strongest.
One of the most controversial topics attached to the subject of air conditioning deals with some of the materials that are used to produce the cooling affect of these machines. Fluorocarbon refrigerants also contribute to global warming concerns, which serves as one of the main ways that air-conditioning impacts the state of the environmental world. Fluorocarbon refrigerants also add to the problems concerning ozone layer depletion.
While the temporary relief that air conditioning provides makes hot summer nights and heat waves a more bearable event, many question how much the world will pay in the long run after the environmental damage has settled. Today, scientists are working on making more environmental friendly products, but for now, individuals are reluctant to part with their instant cool during the thick of summer.
Derek Both
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/is-air-conditioning-doing-more-damage-than-good-108142.html
Mar 31
Why should we consider a backup solar power system? Not only have we seen how sudden power failures have crippled entire cities, but regions and even entire states. Everyone at one time or another has experienced how an unexpected power failure has interrupted the simplest of daily tasks. Suddenly the power goes out and we realize how much we depend on electricity and don’t ever think about it until it’s not available. Our society uses electricity to power nearly every aspect of our lives, from heating and cooling to basic communication with our family, friends, and associates. It is becoming ever more imperative that we have backup or reserve power for when the inevitable happens and a backup solar power system can supply this need with continuous and free source of power for as long as we need it.
When there is a sustained period of power loss, expected or unexpected, the most common backup power is supplied by generators or invertors. Commonly, these supply enough power to make things more convenient and a bit more comfortable, but they do not supply enough power to operate all the appliances and devices, or if they do, not for long. Normally these items are sufficient for up to eight hours. You may have to limit the times of operating your backup power to be able to last for the duration of the power failure.
For instance, after a hurricane you know to be prepared for extended power outages. We can expect the power to be out for up to a week, even in minimally damaged areas. If your household is running off a gasoline generator, you will have to have a supply of gasoline on hand to operate the generator. And quite possibly your generator is only powerful enough to operate the bare essentials of your household, such as refrigerator and lights, but not climate control.
There are times when there are deaths that occur due to power failures. Older people accustomed to Air Conditioning are unable to regulate their body to endure extreme heat. Or those that depend on electricity to operate in home life support systems. These people generally are unable to do the maintenance required to keep a gasoline generator operating during prolonged power outages. Not only that, but people have died from incorrect installation of a generator or carbon monoxide poisoning from improper ventilation or fire.
A backup solar power system could be your answer for a safe, efficient, and unending power supply as long as necessary. As long as the system is installed correctly, it can supply all of your power needs without interruption. Think of the security and convenience of reliable and safe power supply whenever you need it. Backup solar power is the obvious choice for the safest and reliable supply of power when the expected or unexpected power failure occurs. Much safer and little to no maintenance makes a backup solar power system the most reliable and obvious choice for your electricity backup plan.
Gregg Hall
http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/how-to-set-up-a-safe-and-secure-emergency-backup-system-71711.html
Mar 31
One of the most versatile soundproofing materials in the industry is closed cell vinyl nitrile foam mat. This foam is weather resistant as well as flame retardant and is used in more outdoor applications than any other soundproofing product. Closed cell foam is used in marine applications to quiet noisy engine rooms where there is a wet bilge to contend with. This foam is virtually indestructible and when used in conjunction with mass loaded vinyl can be a very formidable soundproofing system.
Closed cell foam is often adhered to the back of an HVAC enclosure as a sound blocker and sound-absorbing barrier. The weather resistance of the closed cell foam makes it perfect for any application where soundproofing is needed outside. This product is also used to stop reflective noise that bounces off a normally hard surface such as the exterior wall of a house. Many times reflective noise is the main reason an air conditioning compressor is so annoying to a next-door neighbor.
America mat closed cell foam can be used in automobiles, trucks and motor homes to quell the sound of a loud engine or onboard generator. Lining the underside of a cars hood with the 1″ closed cell foam can quiet the engine noise from the hood area by deadening the bare hood metal and also by blocking and absorbing the sound of the engine as it tries to escape from the engine compartment. The America Mat can also be used to line the insides of car door panels as well as the trunk and wheel well areas to prevent road noise from entering the passenger cabin.
America mat foam can also be used in the plenum area of a cedar or redwood fence. The foam would be sandwiched in between to sides of slats on the fence and would seal the seams of the slats to block unwanted noise from penetrating through the fence. This product is also very effective when adhered to a barricade wall in a shooting range or a police training facility. America mat is easily cleaned with a pressure sprayer and will dry out much quicker than regular open cell foam.
America Mat has endless possibilities for soundproofing in areas where other products just can’t be used. From Aircraft to large ocean vessels, America Mat closed cell foam is the choice of people in the know. To learn more about this wonderful product or to learn more about any of our soundproofing products, read the soundproofing blog at: One of the most versatile soundproofing materials in the industry is closed cell vinyl nitrile foam mat. This foam is weather resistant as well as flame retardant and is used in more outdoor applications than any other soundproofing product. Closed cell foam is used in marine applications to quiet noisy engine rooms where there is a wet bilge to contend with. This foam is virtually indestructible and when used in conjunction with mass loaded vinyl can be a very formidable soundproofing system.
Closed cell foam is often adhered to the back of an HVAC enclosure as a sound blocker and sound-absorbing barrier. The weather resistance of the closed cell foam makes it perfect for any application where soundproofing is needed outside. This product is also used to stop reflective noise that bounces off a normally hard surface such as the exterior wall of a house. Many times reflective noise is the main reason an Air Conditioning compressor is so annoying to a next-door neighbor.
America mat closed cell foam can be used in automobiles, truck and motor homes to quell the sound of a loud engine or onboard generator. Lining the underside of a cars hood with the 1″ closed cell foam can quiet the engine noise from the hood area by deadening the bare hood metal and also by blocking and absorbing the sound of the engine as it tries to escape from the engine compartment. The America Mat can also be used to line the insides of car door panels as well as the trunk and wheel well areas to prevent road noise from entering the passenger cabin.
America mat closed cell foam can be used in the plenum area of a cedar wood fence. The foam would be sandwiched in between to sides of slats on the fence and would seal the seams of the slats to block unwanted noise from penetrating through the fence. This product is also very effective when adhered to a barrier wall in a shooting range or a police training facility. The foam is easily cleaned with a pressure sprayer and will dry out much quicker than regular open cell foam where the water would penetrate all the way through the foam.
America Mat closed cell foam mat has endless possibilities for soundproofing in areas where other products just can’t cut it. From Aircraft to large ocean vessels, America Mat closed cell foam is the choice of people in the know.
Random Writers
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/america-mat-closed-cell-foam-67697.html
Mar 31
Green Nanotechnology
Water treatment system
Removing hazardous levels of arsenic from drinking water
Inventor and entrepreneur’s Mayer Fitoussi .Briefly, Aqua Soft Natural ®
It offers better built, longer lasting, cleaner, safer, and smarter products for the home, for medicine, for transportation, for agriculture, and for industry in general.
Most water is used for industry and agriculture; Aqua Soft Natural ® A high-performance products; powerful modern ceramic magnets; Structurally Modified and Molecularly Infused Water; maximum Contact time to water treatment systems; Green Nanotechnology; inexpensive method for removing hazardous levels of arsenic from drinking water ; reduce harmful levels of arsenic in recycling water; reduce Infectious disease; reduce the risk of cancer; has biochemical function and slows aging; increase in 2-3 DPZ Enzyme levels; increase hemoglobin levels; reduce lactic acid levels; has no chemicals; has no salt and/or Siliphos (phosphate) for softening water ; dismantling chlorine; enhanced water; improves taste ; destroys bacteria; destroys coliform ; destroys algae; destroys virus’s in dairy barn; stimulation of immune system; prevent and cure mastitis in milk cow’s ; increase milk production ; de-scales all pipes/water heater/cooling system/fixtures; preventing salt water to be stick an “mattress” radiator / cooling system for agriculture green hothouse in the desert; no maintains cost;
Because the treatment requires no electricity, residents of developing nations where high levels of arsenic occur naturally in water supplies will be able to easily use it. That would help reduce the risk of cancer for tens of millions of impoverished villagers in China and Southeast Asia, where high levels of arsenic occur naturally in many water supplies. Arsenic contamination is also a threat to water supplies in parts of Latin America, Africa and the United States, where the Environmental Protection Agency this year (2006) reduced allowable levels in municipal water systems to 10 parts per billion, down from 50 parts per billion.
New York Times: A simple way to remove arsenic. Vicki Colvin, director of the university’s Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology, said ” researchers were surprised to find that we didn’t need large electromagnets to move our nanoparticles, and that in some cases hand-held magnets could do the trick.”
Scientist; Professor; Researcher, Dr. Klaus Kronenberg: Permanent magnet materials have been developed in recent decades to be 100 times as strong and much more durable than the old-fashioned magnets made out of steel. In contrast to steel magnets, which weaken with age, modern ceramic magnets do not show any changes with age.
bacteria/algae : under “open loop” (exposed to air, such as cooling towers) brought the bacteria count down from over 4,000 per milliliter to only 4 count per milliliter. Open loop systems are the most difficult. When in a “closed loop” system (pipe), bacteria/algae is much easier to control. Dr. Klaus Kronenberg: “Magnetic Water Treatment can actually make naturally polluted lakes and streams fit to drink and safe”.
Pool & Spa News: Magnetically altered water kills Algae. Algae is controlled, PH is stabilized, minerals are polarized and water is soft and silky”.
Better tasting water: Dr. Klaus J. Kronenberg: ” the chlorine odor of chlorinated water is greatly reduced by effective magnetic treatment. In fact, slight chlorination may become unnoticeable to the average user. Water that comes with a slight sulfur odor loses this smell after being treated with magnetic devices”.
Health News: Scientist, Researcher Professor Israel Lin, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology stated: “the change of water’s properties is the key. The magnetized water increases the solubility of minerals to all parts of the body, making the organism work more efficiently, because of breaking minerals down to the smallest particle size, and reducing “surface tension” of water, makes it a better “carrier” of food and minerals. Testing on Dairy Cows proved a 15% better TDN (total digestible nutrients)”.
The recent investigations have indicated that there are a more number of hexagonal structure at a lower temperature (cold water), 22% at 10% AND 26% at 0 C . The hexagonal water can exist almost 100% at super cooled temperature of â30C to â40C. Also, another factor to increase hexagonal structure of water when the water was magnetized by a powerful magnetic field.
Experiments on magnetized water under various magnetic fields AND various flow conditions of ionic solutions indicate that the effects observed in magnetized water are related to the effects shown by the addition of structure-making ions OR by lowering the temperature.
Most people think we take oxygen only through the air we breathe, but foaming oxygen increased by magnetized water activates the kinetic energy, stimulates the mucous membrane while passing through the stomach, small AND large intestines AND promotes blood circulation to the blood vessels. The oxygen also takes out the toxic gases AND waste in the intestines, which provide a clean intestinal environment as well as clear blood stream.
An excess amount of oxygen existing in the magnetized hexagonal water can easily be absorbed AND penetrated in the blood within 30 seconds, to the brain tissues AND genitals after one minute, to the skin after 10 minutes and, to the liver, heart AND kidney after 20 minutes. The brain accounts for 20% to 30% of total oxygen consumption in our body. Lack of oxygen to the brain may cause one to be lethargic, have a lower attention span, AND over an extended period of anoxemia will certainly lead to dementia AND eventual death.
Lemon juice, vitamin C powder OR other health aid, mix with hexagonal water will be more effective.
Hexagonal water is believed to activate the enzymes that remove the harmful free radical oxygen in the body.
Hexagonal or magnetized water is not a medicine but is an effective medium against certain diseases, playing a preventive medical role in enhancing the resistance AND immunity of the human body AND as such, has the natural healing properties against diseases.
Human Studies (Japan)
A study with the Japanese Olympic Scientific Research Team to test the enhanced waterâs ability to remove waste byproducts ⦠in particular, lactic acid. In the study, 25 members of the Japanese Olympic swimming team (13 men and 12 women) were required to swim at an accelerated pace until their heart rates were highly elevated (i.e., 180 beats/minute to 200 beats/minute). Each swimmer was then allowed to rest and given a controlled quantity of either enhanced or tap water to drink. Lactic acid levels were then monitored over time until they had returned to normal. This trial was repeated several times in a crossover, double blind fashion so that each athlete was tested with both enhanced water and tap water but without knowing which water they were drinking. During two months of additional training, the athletes were given the enhanced water on an exclusive basis and monitored for 2-3 DPZ Enzyme (an enzyme critical for the ability of blood to absorb oxygen) and blood hemoglobin levels.
In all test subjects, swimmers were observed to quantitatively reduce lactic acid levels by an average of 50 percent greater with the enhanced water versus tap water. The lactic acid removal rate was also approximately 50 percent faster with the enhanced water than the control tap water. During the testing period, all athletes showed an increase in 2-3 DPZ Enzyme levels and hemoglobin levels when compared with the baseline levels.
“Water that has been Revitalized through Magnetic Treatment is restored to its natural energy”. retains valuable minerals and converts them to a form that increases digestibility. No other system will do this. Improves digestion. Some individuals have a stomach trouble involving digestion. in most cases eliminates this problem. Since this treatment reduces “surface tension” of water, it becomes a better carrier of nutrients”.
“Naturally Soft Water”. Dr. Klaus Kronenberg states: “The positive effects were described as making the water appear to “behave” as if the mineral content was lowered”. Water feels soft and silky.
Reduces the need of soaps ; detergents; shampoo/conditioners; chemicals; chlorine for pools/spa. Dries quicker, eliminates water spots; ends chlorine irritation. Magnetic Water Treatment reduces the surface tension and makes water a better “wetting agent”. It takes about 75% less to do the job because it increases the solubility of the treated water.
De - Scales Pipes and Equipment. Magnetized, by Dr. Klaus Kronenberg: (New Technologies) Not only was formation of scale totally eliminated, the removal of scale deposits in old water pipes could be accomplished in relatively short time.
Michael Keefe (Magnetic Water Conditioner): Every private home can be relieved of water problems by utilizing permanent magnets. The thermal efficiency of hot water heating systems is impaired with scale build-up and corrosion problems. The magnets can thus save energy by keeping heat transfer surfaces free from insulating scale.
Air Conditioning, radiator, Plumbing and Heating: As the water flows through the Aqua Soft Natural ® the hard water minerals are polarized and remain in liquid suspension eliminating the problem of the particles clinging to water pipes, cool radiator and water heater, Essentially, scale forming minerals end up suspended in the water and all prior scale is magnetically attracted to the water. This descaling process is known as the stabilization period and lasts from two to six months.
Reduces Heating Costs: National Air Conditioning; Plumbing and Heating Contractors: 3/8 inch of scale in hot water heaters uses 48% more fuel to heat. When the scale is removed a more efficient water heating system is created. U.S. Bureau of Standards: On the third year, your 40 gallon water heater only hold about 30 gallons (10 gallons of scale) and costs about five times as much to heat. One half inch of scale has a 70% increased fuel cost. Magnetic Water Conditioning, by Michael Keefe: The tangible benefits to the user are preservation and improvement of thermal efficiencies in hot water heaters, which results in energy savings and a reduction of the economic impact of steadily soaring heating costs.
www.aquasoft-natural.com
Mayer Fitoussi
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-opportunities-articles/water-treatment-system-removing-hazardous-levels-of-arsenic-from-drinking-water-84973.html
Mar 31
We are so used to the concept of an air conditioner that we hardly take notice of it. That is only until it stops working. And then we have a serious issue at hand and at times we are clueless as to what exactly the problem is and how to tackle it.
The air conditioners have become so integral to our lives that we cannot think of living without it. First it came to our offices and factories. Then we brought them to our homes. And now we have them even in our cars. Come to think of it, it is actually essential to have an air conditioner in your car. Of course the interiors of a car is more affected by the heat of the sun than the interiors of your house or office are. And there would be additional heat from the engine to deal with. So it is quite necessary to have a car air conditioned. And it is equally important to see to it that you take proper care of the unit so that it delivers when you need it to and doesn’t break down.
It has been seen these days that to repair older air conditioners it is costing one a few hundred bucks more than it used to. This is primarily because of the regulations that have brought about a change in the refrigerants being used. The previously used R-12 refrigerant, popularly known as Freon has been replaced by R-134a. This is considered to be environmentally safer.
Since you cannot mix the two kinds of refrigerants, so any repair now would mean that you have to flush out the existing refrigerant and fill it up with the newer approved refrigerant. This will obviously increase the costs of fixing your car air conditioner.
The best way to avoid costly repairs would be to check the Auto Air Air Conditioning system once every year. There are many automotive service station which would provide special check-ups before the summer seasons. You can also go for a bundle check-up where your entire car, including the air conditioner is fine tuned. This would also cut down your maintenance costs.
Since having an air conditioner in your car is a sizeable investment it would be prudent to have it functioning properly. If that would mean regular check-ups then so be it. And it is only once a year. So it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Barney Garcia
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/cars-and-air-conditioners-71931.html
Mar 31
When you think of Air Conditioning, do you ever wonder who made it, the history behind it, maybe different applications involved or even environmental concerns? Well, if so, then you have come to the right place. We will not only go over each of these but you will find that a Sub-Heading for ease of use marks each section.
The Air Conditioner was first introduced in 1820 by Michael Faraday a British Scientist and Inventor. He discovered that by compressing liquefied ammonia you could cause the rooms are temperature to cool down. Dr. John Gorrie who used this technology to make ice for his patients later followed this up. Once the Doctor had proven that using the ice helped his patients he then received a grant to do more studies. However this was not meant to be and it was another 50 years before the first air condition was made in 1902.
An air conditioner is a machine designed to create cool air using a refrigeration system.
THE HISTORY OF THE AIR CONDITIONER
The Air Conditioner or its uses and methods can be traced back to Medieval Persia, where they used large open pools to hold water while using wind towers using tunnel like pipes to catch the wind and push it into another direction. This caused the collected water to evaporate and cool the buildings during the hot seasons.
While the modern air conditioner was first introduced in 1902 for factories, the first home and car air conditioner was not brought in until 1950.
First is the Comfort Application, which is designed to keep indoors comfortable for both mankind and our animals. There are different types of this application and are used in such places as Residential Homes and Buildings, Commercial Properties, Schools and other Institutions. This application is also used for personal Aircraft, Ships, Spacecraft, Trains, and Vehicles.
Then we have the Process Application, which is geared for the place it is located such as Operating Rooms, Static Clean or Data Rooms, Breeding Facilities, Airplanes, Factories, Testing Facilities, Greenhouses, Mines, Kitchens, and Nuclear Plants. Each of these areas has to maintain a center degree and this application provides that safely.
Many people forget that we have to be careful of what we do and how we use such conveniences as the Air Conditioner, but as the Earths health slowly declines and we have more and more health related issues in today’s society we have to take care. When you don’t take care of your air conditioner properly you set the stage for the outbreak of Microorganisms that contribute to anything from the common everyday cold to pneumonia, or even asthma. Which if you have ever had an allergy reaction or worse an asthmatic attack then you know how life threatening this can be.
Not to mention the fact an air conditioner, if maintained properly, can save on your heating and electric bill, as well as cut down on the electricity that, in turn, cuts down on the emissions from both the AC unit and your local power plant.
Derek Both
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/air-conditioning-and-the-environmental-impact-123438.html
Mar 30
I just thought I might buy the freon and the equipment myself.
Sorry buddy, due to EPA regulations you cannot purchase R-22 freon yourself. Though if your unit is that old, you might want to consider getting a new system, could drop your electris bills 50-100 a month depending on size and effeciency you get. If its a small leak, say 3 or so pounds low,, its ok to just top off the charge , but if its completly empty, or looses the charge again that season it will need to be found and repaired. And NO, there is no drop-in replacement for freon, the new R-410 Puron refigerant requires a complete system changeout.
Mar 30
I don't know much about the military at all, mostly because kids where I live usually have their parents pay for absolutely everything, so please bare with me as I have no knowledge in this subject.
I'm thinking about joining after high school, but I'm not sure which would be best for me. My brother is going through college and it has put alot of strain on my family to keep up with the expenses.
I'm a very good student (4.09gpa) and would like to eventually become a doctor, would any of these military branches help me in getting there? What are the physical demands? I'm a female, I'm in shape, but running's not exactly my best attribute and I need to work on swimming. I'm also willing to start working out alot more often.
I spoke with my teachers brother who joined the Navy and now works in submarines, he says the Army doesn't have good living conditions at all, which branch has the best living conditions?
Are females treated differently in the military?
I had the same question in front of me only a few months ago. I do, however, have experience with the military through friends and family. I decided to go with the Navy.
Marines - As a woman, I decided against the Marines simply because it is the most difficult to get through. USMC bootcamp is longer in duration, and has higher completion standards than any other branch of the military. They do not want you as simply an 'officer candidate', they want to train you to "KILL, KILL, KILL". That is the mantra of the United States Marine Core. It isn't a bad thing, it's what keeps the brave men and women in the core alive. If you go into the core, you need to keep in mind that they want to use you as a soldier. Your main goal is to gain an education, so unless you intend on getting that education directly on the front-lines, then I suggest you look into a more tame branch of the military. The main thing I LOVE about the Marines is their devotion to the core, and the fact that they are willing to die for it. It is an indoctrination process that begins in boot camp and never does end. True allegience to anything worthwhile is admirable. If what you're really looking for out of your time in service is respect, admiration, and a sense of belonging to something greater than yourself…then GO MARINE!!! Semper Fi!!!
Navy - As a woman looking to go to law school, I decided to go with the Navy. Their boot-camp (basic training) is approximately 10 weeks in total (including in-processing), and is considerably easier then Marine boot-camp. The major benefit I found with the Navy was their willingness to pay off all of my student loans from undergraduate school ($70,000), and additionally pay 100% of my tuition for me to go to law school. I will be going to Officer Candidacy school upon completion of my law degree. Good deal, in my opinion.
Air Force -Is known to treat their people the best. It is common knowledge amongst all the branches that the Air Force has the best equipment, the best food, the best housing, and an all around better standard of life than any other branch. Bear in mind though, that it is actually more difficult to get into the Air Force than any other branch. Likewise, in the current situation it is EXTREMELY difficult to get commisioned as an officer. They are currently in the process of offering alluring 'severance packages' (for lack of a better term) to officers already serving. If you're a smart gal, and you want to be a doctor, then you need to get into a branch that will give you the opportunity of serving as an officer. So in summation, the treatment and living conditions in the Air Force are great, but the opportunities for advancement are highly competitive, and rather limited.
Army - Well, my best friend is serving as a Sgt in the Army as I type this. He is in the 172nd Stryker Brigade (you know, the one that was supposed to come home a few weeks back when they were suddenly told they would be extended another 4 months +). His advice to me when I was still deciding what branch to enlist with was "Anything but the Army…just don't go into the Army". It isn't that I personally have anything against the Army…it's just that it isn't the best branch to advance professionally in. My first cousin is a General in the Army…and he advised me to go into the Air Force. That alone should be more than a hint.
National Guard - Ummm…I won't go there…tee hee!
Okay, now for my advice to you. Go to undergrad school, and get your degree in pre-med, or biology, or whatever you decide…FIRST…before you enlist. I know you think that the funding will be a problem, but I can assure you from personal experience…it won't be. With such a high GPA I find it hard to believe that you don't have access to any state, federal, or privately funded scholorships. If worse comes to worse, then just take advantage of alternative funding options (i.e. student loans, many of which have deferred interest). Your education is your bargaining chip with the military. In order to even qualify for enlistment you need to meet the minimum qualifications, which includes a high school diploma. Granted, you do have a high GPA, but when you look at the big picture, you will be entering having only fulfilled the MINIMUM standard. No matter which branch you choose I can tell you exactly what they are going to offer you: an $8,000 sign on bonus, as well as full tuition reimbursement for undergraduate school. Consider how much more you could get if you signed on with your undergrad degree already in hand. This is what they offered me: $30,000 sign on bonus,to pay off all the student loans I took out in order to get my undergrad degree, and a full and free ride to law school. Much better deal. Just read up on it…and talk to recruiters (just don't believe whatever it is they promise you). Below are a few links that I think may be of some interest to you.
This is a good link to read about the general differences between each of the branches. http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101.htm
This is a link to the main page on about.com regarding everything you ever wanted to know (and then some) regarding each branch of the military. Do some digging. http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/
Good luck…but don't leave it up to chance. Research, research, research!!!
Mar 30
I commute from Berkeley (65 in the summer) to Pleasanton (90 in the summer), so I'd like to set my Auto AC to 72 and leave it there. But I'm worried that it will run the AC compressor even when it's cool outside, thus reducing my gas mileage. So to be very specific: Suppose it's currently 70 degrees in the car, 65 degrees outside, and my Automatic Air Conditioning is set to 72 degrees. Will the Prius still run the AC compressor, reducing my gas mileage for no good reason?
Well, if you go to the Climate screen and turn off the light for AC, that'll stop using the compressor.
Even in your scenario where you want to warm the cabin, it is possible that you may want to use the AC compressor, such as if you need to defog or defrost your front windshield (remove humidity from the cabin).
The AC compressor in the 2004-current Prius is electrically-driven off of the hybrid traction battery. If the battery's SOC gets low enough, then the gasoline engine may come on to recharge it. So, if you live in an area with high/hot summer heat, you'll have lowered fuel economy as compared to a more mild spring/fall where you don't need any heating or cooling. (note that governmental fuel economy tests, like those done by the EPA, are done in ideal conditions with no heat/AC use!)
Most owners just set a cabin temperature that they're comfortable at, and use the Auto button. The Prius will attempt to get you as quickly to that temperature as possible, and then it'll hold you there nicely (adjusting fan speed and use of AC or heat as necessary). Front defroster use will automatically turn on the AC compressor to remove humidity from the front window.
