Activated Carbon/Charcoal Air Filters: How Long Do They Really Last?

That's a great question. A lot of air purifiers/air cleaners have activated carbon filters to help remove chemicals, odors, smoke, etc, and sometimes it's hard to tell if it's still working or not or exactly when you need to change them. The manufacturers usually give a suggested time frame for changing the filters, but then state that how long an activated carbon filter lasts really depends on the amount of pollutants in the area, which is a little confusing.

A good rule of thumb is to change out all filters, HEPA and activated carbon/charcoal filters once per year, especially if you're really sensitive to indoor air pollution. If you're extremely sensitive, don't take a chance-change your filters any time symptoms even begin to reappear.

For the rest of us that may not be able to tell if we're really sensitive or not, but still want a better idea of how long our activated carbon/charcoal filters last and really when to change them, there is a way to 'test' it-by how well it is still removing odors and smells.

Military grade carbon in gas masks, and in good carbon/charcoal air purifier filters work by absorbing or attracting airborne chemical residues in the air. And since odors and smells also come from airborne chemical molecules and residues, if an activated carbon/charcoal filter in your air purifier is still working well, it should be able to mostly or completely remove an odor or smell in a matter of minutes, right?

So, one way to 'test' your activated carbon/charcoal air filter is to put your air purifier either in the kitchen after you've finished cooking, making coffee, or spray a little air freshener or cologne into the air around you, then turn the air purifier on high for 15 minutes or so. If the smell goes away completely or is very noticeably reduced, the activated carbon/charcoal filter is probably still doing its job trapping the airborne chemical molecules responsible for the smell.

You can test the filter again later and if it takes longer to get rid of the odors, that tells you that the carbon is 'filling' up and the air is needing to circulate through the air purifier a few more times to become clean. True military grade carbon or charcoal filters (as in Austin Air purifiers) will do a better job and last longer, but once you begin to notice that odors aren't going away like they used to, that carbon filter is probably 'full' and needs to be changed to make sure you and your family are still breathing clean air.

It is very important, however, if you're using an air cleaner for severe health issues, chemical sensitivities, or in an industrial application where hazardous airborne chemicals are present, to replace the carbon filters or at least install fresh bulk carbon on schedule or a little before to ensure than the air cleaner isn't circulating more pollutants than normal because the carbon filter is saturated and just blowing polluted air through the unit.

There are also various electronic and saturation / color change type chemical and VOC detectors and for any industrial applications where dangerous vapors or gases are present, we highly recommend using those with your air cleaner to let you know when the filter has stopped removing the pollutants, or if the air cleaner isn't sufficiently removing them.

6 Steps to Effective Customer Relationship Management

Nurture Your Customer Relationships

Simply put, customer relationship management is a way of tracking and nurturing your customer relationships throughout the customer's life-cycle, as they move from prospect to customer, to repeat-buyer. Once a customer buys from you, it is much more profitable to make efforts to keep that customer, than it is to acquire a new one, because there is now trust between you. If your customer is happy with your product, then that customer is much more likely to buy from you again in the future, much more likely than a new prospect would be. That's why customer relationship management is so crucial.

Don't badger your customers to death with every product and affiliate offer you come across, especially if the products are unrelated to the product the customer originally purchased. Email your customers ONLY when you have something good to give them, some really helpful information, or when you have a really good, high-quality offer that would interest that particular customer. For instance, don't email your Internet Marketing customer a "Free Gift Certificate" to your gift store.

Automate Your Customer Relationship Management

Well, how do you automate customer relationship management in your e-business? You use email, and a dynamic database. You use auto-responders to stay in touch. I'm not talking about your regular auto-responders that deliver a vacation or "out of office" messages while you're away, either. I'm talking about sequential auto-responders.

Use Sequential Auto-Responders In Your e-Business

Sequential auto-responders allow you to pre-format and load a series of pre-typed messages to your prospects and customers. You benefit by not having to follow-up with these customers manually each time. Instead, your auto-responder delivers your messages on a timed interval set by you. To your customer, it looks as if you sent out each message yourself. This way, you stay in touch with your customer and not let them forget about you. When they have a need for one your products or services, your business will hopefully come to mind first and they will re-visit your site directly or by clicking a link in one of your emails, as a loyal repeat customer.

Personalize Your Messages for a Warm Feel! (Mail Merge)

Most decent auto-responders have mail-merge capabilities. This is the ability to merge personal information into your emails, like your customer's first and/or last name or their email address, etc. This personalizes your email messages even further and gives your customer some "warm and fuzzies". What's more you set all this up just one time, and any new prospects or customers will get the same message series without you having to lift a finger.

If the sequential auto-responder you're using has mail-merge capabilities, then it will automatically take that customers name and incorporate it into the email series you have set up. Usually the auto-responder service you're using will have some sort of tokens set up for this purpose. Look at the example below. Let's say your customer or prospect's name is Bob.

Hello, $firstname, - That translates into: Hello, Bob.

You could also do this with a customers email address too, like "$email". The token would be replaced with the customer's email: bob@bob.tld





Do you see the power of mail-merge?

Use Lead Capture and Subscription Boxes

For instance, you could set up a simple box on your sales or download page that asks the customer for his/her name and email address in return for some free product, or simply just to subscribe to your newsletter. If you set up a page specifically for this purpose this is called a "lead capture page". The information entered by the customer into your subscription box can be mail merged into the follow-up messages sent by your auto-responder.

Stay In Touch

Keep in contact with your prospects and customers. Set your auto-responder series to deliver your messages over an extended interval. There are several e-books and articles dedicated to this topic; however, if you want the first, most informative and still the king of auto-responder help, get "AutoResponder Magic". This e-book once sold for about $17, but you should be able to find it free many places on the 'Net. It has a plethora of information regarding auto-responders, as well as many examples you can build from.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Bakery

The title asks a question and of course it begs an answer, but we cannot give a straight answer to that particular question as it is too vague at this moment. So how can I answer the question "How much does it cost to start a bakery"?

I cannot today tell you that your bakery will cost one hundred thousand dollars nor can I say it will cost a million dollars. But both dollar amounts are quite reasonable depending upon your definition of the word bakery.

The word bakery can be and is used to define a business that produces food for public consumption. But again we have used a generic term in the word "Bakery". You can see that just using the word bakery is like opening and umbrella. It covers a large area.

Let's start by saying we are going to start a bread bakery. We can also define the word as a cake bakery or donut bakery and even a bagel bakery. Plus there are other types of bakery that we can define that question too. Now we have defined our term bakery.

Can you see where I am going here?

Your business plan is going to define "YOUR" bakery! This is where you answer your own question of how much does it cost to start a bakery.

Another question I have to ask is, "Will I be starting a franchised bakery"? Because here again is the question, "how much does it cost to start a bakery"?

When I can answer to the type of bakery, I can say to some degree the total price of that bakery.

I can tell you that there are a number of pieces of equipment that are almost standard in every bakery. The type of equipment and the size of that equipment is again going to decide for you as to, "how much does it cost to start a bakery"?

In today's employment standards acts, there are rules and regulation that have been put in place to prevent some types of equipment from being used. So again we have a problem here to answer your first question.

Notice too that I did not say; "prevents that equipment from being sold". This is because pre-owned equipment is still for sale and some of this equipment is in today's market requires upgrading to today's employment standards. The equipment still works and still does that job it was originally designed for, and very likely the price it is offered at, is extremely attractive. Meaning; it peeks our interest, because it is such a great price.

There are food equipment auction houses that offer all kinds of equipment that can do the job we are looking to do, so we could get that equipment at perhaps as little as ten percent, or less, of buying the same piece of equipment brand new.

The age of these pieces being sold pre-own, also has a bearing on the sale price as does the condition. For instance on a mixer it is possible that the oil seal of the spindle is cracked or has stood un-used for some time and so could break when the machine is placed into regular use.

If you were to purchase an oven from a pre-owned operation, that oven will quite often have to be dismantled and rebuilt. The rebuild could be faulty or rebuilt without installing new components in the proper place, or rebuilt on uneven ground.

I can go on but we haven't answered your question of "how much does it cost to start a bakery"?

I have tried to answer you as best I know how. We could do more if you want to know how to start a bakery then we have a program in our book where we go into all the different types of equipment that is used within a bakery.

Not to scare you too much your bakery could cost you as little as a few thousand dollars to well over two million dollars. This of course will depend upon you and your business plan.

That is where the answer as to how much does it cost to start a bakery will come from!

Proper Air Pressure - Life For Your Wheels and Tires!

Well, since we have been talking about auto parts and their maintenance, here is another one. Oh yes, another DIY (Do It Yourself). This one is about those car parts that bear the weight of entire vehicle and that is - Auto Wheels and Tires.

Wheels are vital part in any automobile and since need extra attention most importantly at regular intervals. Auto wheels and tires, in proper condition, are not only necessary for a comfortable driving but also for safe driving. Keep in mind the following directions to take proper tire care, to let your automotive wheels be intact and definitely for enjoying those long drives.

Air Pressure - For auto wheels and tires to yield maximum functionality, it is essential to keep the right air pressure. Every car has its appropriate standard and you must know the standard air pressure for your car wheels. You can also refer to the automobile wheel manufacturers manuals or other automotive industry publications in the market that may provide you with the required details.

What is important is that the air pressure should not be either high or low. If its low, wheels will get damaged due to friction and consequent heat. Low air pressure in automatic wheels also leads to more fuel consumption. Therefore always remember, The Accurate Car Wheel Pressure!

Check The Valve Cover - In the auto wheels and tires, you will find valve covers. Check these valve covers to make sure they are right on position on the automated wheels and there is no leakage of air. Keep Valve Covers of Wheels on Right Position.

Twice a Week Air Pressure Checks - Do your regular check ups on auto wheels and tires air pressure. You can take the help of a measure tool. Well, the gap between two air pressure checks depends upon the how much your car is used. Regular Checks Save The Wheels from Damage

Perform Checks When The Vehicle Has Been Used - This is very important. You should check the air pressure only when the vehicle has been used and the wheels temperature is down. This is so because the wheel pressure will be high if the wheels temperature inside is high. Remember, Check the Air Pressure When the Wheels Temperature is Down.

If You Add An Extra Weight On Vehicle, Increase The Air Pressure - At times, when you are off on a long trip or when you put loads on the poor vehicle, make sure to increase automatic wheels pressure. As told earlier, proper air pressure is directly proportional to the longer life of auto wheels and tires . Extra Weight or Extra Mile = Extra Air Pressure Required.

Air pressure is just one of the ways, through which you can increase the life of your auto wheels and tires. A check on the other wheel parts like auto tube, flywheel, linkage parts, lug bolt, lug nuts, wheel studs, radial tires & other wheels and tires accessories are among the other ways for smoother and hassle free drive. Also important for you is to how to repair a punctured tire functioning of automatic wheels and wheel parts. So just give some time to your vehicle and enjoy the smooth drive as a brand new car all your life. Have a Safe Drive!

The Top 20 Breakup Mistakes and How To Get Your Ex Back Even If You'Ve Made Every One Of Them

If you're going through a break up right now then your emotions are super charged and heightened and you're just not acting like yourself, am I right? Here's the top 20 breakup mistakes that are not only driving your ex totally nuts but ensuring that you're never going to get back together. I'm going to reveal what they are and then explain to you how you can completely clean the slate and still get them back.

I've compiled my top 20 break up mistakes after months of counselling both men and women in 31 countries going through a very painful break up. I invite you to read every single one and take notes if you need to and keep reading to the very end where I reveal how you can STILL get them back even if you've made every single mistake on this list!

Mistake #1 - Allowing Your Ex To Totally Control Your Life

You and your ex may not even be aware that they are doing this or that you are actually allowing your ex to do this but after your break up you gut reaction is to totally analyse virtually every facet of your relationship and your break up to the verge of driving yourself nuts.

That's not going to achieve anything and will only keep you stuck in the healing process.

Mistake #2 - Staying Friends With Your Ex

Many brokenhearted people stay friends with the ex for one sole reason - in the hope that one day they'll realize that they're really meant to be together.

WRONG. Once you get set in the friend trap it's very hard to get out of and it's not something I recommend.

Mistake #3 - Bombarding Your Ex With Text Messages

Basically you're not leaving your ex alone because you're not wanting them to get on with their life without you.

This is one of the worst things you can do because often all it does is ensure that they've made the right decision not being with you right now.

Mistake #5 -Firing Off Angry Emails To Your Ex

As above, when you make this mistake you are venting on your ex angry at the pain that they've caused you.

THIS IS A NO-NO because all it will do is drive potentially a permanent wedge between you and will ensure your ex moves on real fast.

Mistake #6 -Firing Off Desperate Emails To Your Ex

This mistake is different to the one in #5 because rather than being angry you're being desperate. You're acting pretty wimpy trying to get your ex to understand how much they've broken your heart and how much you need them in your life.

When you behave in this way you're acting high maintenance and also way too desperate and that is NOT going to be attractive to your ex!

Mistake #7 -Ringing Your Ex Around The Clock

Let's face it, you're not ringing them up with good intentions - you're ringing them up because you want to know where they are, are they home, who are they with, is someone at home with them?

This kind of harassing behaviour could end up with you being served with an AVO so hold off, this is not the way to get your ex's attention!

Mistake #8 -Stalking Your Ex Regularly At Places Where They Hang Out

Right, all of a sudden you have this insane desire to just be wherever your ex goes -- because if you aren't there how are they ever going to think about you now that you are no longer together, right??

WRONG! Not only will this not look like a coincidence but it will really put your ex off, it will put your friends off and your ex's friends off and you could end up with a nice little visit from a policeman!

Mistake #9 - Lending Your Ex Money

So you're throwing good money after bad at your ex because you believe this way you'll be able to stay in contact with your ex and they'll "owe you".

WRONG AGAIN. You're setting yourself for not only an emotional fall but a financial fall here....Once your ex knows they can come to you as their automatic ATM they'll be feeding you with lies and crap to make you feel that you're special to them.....but there will always be a BUT!

Mistake #10 -Staying Friends With Your Ex's Family

While there's nothing wrong with being on friendly terms with your ex's family, if you suddenly start hanging out with them in the hope of accidentally bumping into your ex then that's not a good thing.

Mistake #11 -Trying To Make Your Ex Jealous

The key to making someone jealous is NOT making it obvious. However, many people unfortunately aren't very good at this and make it real clear when they have their cousin's best friend from interstate playing their instant love interest when they come into town on a quick visit.

You'll actually have much better luck by moving on with your life and not being afraid to meet new people.

Mistake #12 -Having Sex With Your Ex

Yep, I had a fellow email me recently saying we've just broken up and we're seeing each other tomorrow to have sex, is that okay?

Why would you think that's okay?

I mean, if you want to be your ex's boyfriend or girlfriend you have got to stop acting like their girlfriend or boyfriend when you're no longer in a relationship with them -- otherwise what incentive will they ever have to get back together with you.

Mistake #13 - Constantly Asking Your Ex For A Second Chance

You can't cope without your ex, that's clear, but you don't need to make it constantly obvious to your ex all the time.

While that will certainly stroke their ego it will also drive them probably totally crazy so lay low and you'll achieve much better results.

Mistake #14 -Bad Mouthing Your Ex to Your Family And Friends

Unless you plan on never getting back together with your ex don't talk badly about him or her to everyone close to you. And definitely don't reveal some juicy tidbits that your ex would die if she knew you'd told them.

You've got to think of the big picture here....Your ex will never come back to you unless she's 100 percent comfortable in doing so.

Mistake #15 - Bad Mouthing Your Ex To Their Family And Friends

It applies even more so to the friends and family of your ex. Don't ever think for a moment that they'll keep their conversations with your ex private from them.

If you bad mouth her you're going to not only get your ex's hackles off side but also those of their friends and family!

Mistake #16 -Throwing Pity Parties

Another desperate effort to get back together - making your ex feel so sorry for you....some people even dare to say that they'll kill themselves if they don't get back together with you.

Not only is that blackmail that's totally childish and an unfair kind of pressure to put onto your ex -- and your relationship, even if you got back together, would have low chances of success!

Mistake #17 - Driving Your Friends And Family Insane By Always Talking About Your Ex

Okay this is going to hurt a little but you did have a life before your ex - and guess what -- you managed to actually carry some interesting conversations before you met your ex. So don't drive your friends and family totally nuts and isolate yourselves from people who really care about you.

Mistake #18 - Coming Across As Needy And Clingy To Your Ex

This may be your gut reaction but all this behaviour is going to do is reinforce your ex's desire not to be with you because you're so high maintenance.

Mistake #19 -Giving Threats And Ultimatums

You're desperate and totally acting irrationally and all you want is your pain to go away so you'll do just about anything to get your ex back.

Dishing out threats and ultimatums isn't going to bring you a happy ending so behave with self-dignity instead and you'll be amazed at the difference.

Mistake #20 -Being Vengeful

You're angry and you want them to HURT so you're gonna pay them back, right??

WRONG! You've got to think long term here.....that is going to not only infuriate your ex but everyone they know and could also land you in a lot of trouble with the law!

Hey, I said 20 break up mistakes but I'm going to throw in one more for good measure, okay.

BONUS - Mistake #21 -Making False Promises That You'll Change

Okay, we all have some little things that we could probably improve about ourselves and some of these may be quite realistic....however, others don't even bother.

While it's possible to spruce yourself up a little there's no use pretending to be someone you're not because your armour will come off when you least expect it and you'll be on your own again anyway.

Now that's quite a list, isn't it?

Do you know why these are so common mistakes?

Because your emotions are completely out of control as a result of your break up and you will do JUST ABOUT ANYTHING to make the pain stop -- and to get your ex back.

You and I both know that acting this way isn't the real you, is it?

You're not a stalker, you're not usually clingy, needy, or desperate or even so obsessed as you've been lately!

Let's put the shoe on the other foot for a minute. If your ex was acting the way you have been recently would YOU want them back?

No.

Let's face it -- you're high maintenance, you're highly emotional, you're clingy, you're desperate, your obsessive -- you're NOT the person that your boyfriend/girlfriend, wife/husband fell in love with?

How To Completely Wipe The Slate Clean

What you need to do first of all is accept right at this second that you ARE broken up (but in your mind it's temporary).

Then what you need to do is heal AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE so you can unleash the real you under all that emotional turmoil that your ex fell MADLY IN LOVE with.

HVAC Repair - Why You Need It?

One of the most common questions of people who are using HVAC systems is why they need to look for a professional to have their systems repaired. There are a lot of reasons why you need an HVAC repair, but this article will be going through the basics. In this article, we will be talking about some of the things that you need to know whenever you are using an HVAC system, and the reasons why you need to have someone who can have it repaired. Read on to learn more about how you can get the most out of your HVAC.

An HVAC system would normally last up to 10 years or more depending on how you are going to use it. However, if you are going to look for a professional who can help you maintain the perfect condition of your machine, then you can expect that it will have better life expectancy. This will give you better value for the money that you will be spending and will give you the performance that you are expecting from your machine.

Another reason why you need to have an HVAC repair is because you will have a lot of problems while using your system. You bought your machine to give you comfort while staying inside your home, but if there are problems with your machine, you will not be able to get the most out of it. With the help of a professional technician, you will be able to get better performance from your machine, and you can be assured that you will always get the comfort that you are looking for. Aside from this, you will also be able to save more time, since you do not have to worry about your HVAC every time.

The last reason why you need to conduct HVAC repairs is because this will help you save more money in the long run. Some people ignore the idea of ​​spending for repairs, but the truth is the more you try to save money for repairs, the more money you'll spend after some time. It would be better if you are going to conduct regular maintenance check-ups and repairs, instead of buying a new machine after a few years because you were not able to maintain its perfect working condition. All you have to do is to look for a reliable technician, and you can be assured that you will get better performance from your HVAC.

Organize and Clean - Turn Your Clutter Into Cash

Have a Garage Sale to Unclutter Your Life and Home

If you have an abundance of clothing, household goods, sporting equipment or basically anything you don't need, use or want, there is someone else out there who would love to have it. Garage sales have become a permanent fixture in neighborhoods from spring through early fall because more and more people are realizing they can organize their homes and make some good money doing it. Like everything else in your life, the more organized and prepared that you are for your garage sale, the more successful you will be.

Organize Your Items

Group everything that you are selling in categories such as kitchen, bathroom, toys, etc. The easier that you make it for your customers to find things that they are looking for, the more you will sell. There is no reason to have stuffed animals mixed in with purses or shoes!

It is also a good idea to make sure everything is clean. Just because you're selling something used does not mean that anyone wants to buy it dirty, especially if your garage sale stuff has been collecting dust and grime in your garage. If you are a smoker, you should also freshly wash any clothes, even if they are clean. Non-smokers are very sensitive to items that have been in a home around cigarette smoke.

Pricing

There is nothing worse than going to a garage sale where items aren't marked and you have to ask how much something is or make an offer. Many consumers would prefer to just leave and move onto the next one down the road. Small colorful stickers are handy if you don't want to write a price on everything because then you can just designate a price to every color, make a chart that's easy for people to read and simply designate a color to all your items.

It's always a good idea to have a free table with some items on it. Most people won't take something for free unless they also make a purchase and it is an easy way to attract customers when you advertise.

Advertise

Of course, the traditional sign on poster board stuck at the end of your street with eye-catching balloons will always attract people driving by but if you have a lot of stuff to move and you don't really want this sale continuing on for a week, you should do a little extra advertising. Newspapers are always effective as are online listings such as Craigslist. This way, if you have collectable items, you may attract people specifically looking for your products. Mention your hours and a general idea of what you are selling. It is always a good idea to have someone to help you and make sure you have shopping bags or boxes, money to make change and even consider having refreshments like ice tea or lemonade available.

Clutter can be turned into cash that you can spend on getting your home organized.