Friday, October 07, 2005
Propane and Wood Stoves
We have this propane gas fireplace that just sucks the oxygen out of the air when we light it. It does a tremendously great job at quickly heating the entire downstairs, but we then end up opening the door for air.
Because we really hate that fireplace and propane is going to be astronomical this year, we're wondering if we could find an inexpensive way to convert the gas fireplace to a wood burning fireplace. We know that the gas one does not have a flue, but we do have a false chimney on the outside for aesthetics, so possibly one could be built.
Perhaps we could put in a woodstove and vent it out through the gas fireplace. I'd really rather set it in the opening instead of having a big stove sticking out into the room. Wonder if it can be done inexpensively. It would save us so much money this year. Living in the woods, we have wood at our immediate disposal and no where to burn it. We even have a couple of stashes of firewood stacked from some of the trees that we've had to take down or cut up.
Because we really hate that fireplace and propane is going to be astronomical this year, we're wondering if we could find an inexpensive way to convert the gas fireplace to a wood burning fireplace. We know that the gas one does not have a flue, but we do have a false chimney on the outside for aesthetics, so possibly one could be built.
Perhaps we could put in a woodstove and vent it out through the gas fireplace. I'd really rather set it in the opening instead of having a big stove sticking out into the room. Wonder if it can be done inexpensively. It would save us so much money this year. Living in the woods, we have wood at our immediate disposal and no where to burn it. We even have a couple of stashes of firewood stacked from some of the trees that we've had to take down or cut up.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Only a month has passed
Only a month has passed since our recent OBX vacation. I'm looking back with memories of relaxation and pristine summer weather.
Energy Conservation- telecommuting
Simple idea to conserve energy, lower gasoline demand, ease traffic and highway construction and rehab costs and Taxes!
How many of us travel everyday to an office where we sit and talk on the phone, do business over the internet and via email. Then get into our cars and fight the traffic home again. How many of us do this in a commute of 20 -30 miles or more one way? I'll bet it doesn't take only 20 or 30 minutes out of your day either. How many days do you literally, not talk to another person other than on the phone or email?
Realistically, there are times when you need to be in your office in case someone needs to walk into your office to see you, but wouldn't it be better and more efficient for business, if project meetings were scheduled regularly and not bumped around all day?
Back to the idea. Let's offer corporate American an incentive for not only allowing telecommuting, but encouraging it. Help me with some ideas here. Perhaps, states could waive the unemployment amounts they pay for telcommuting employees. Maybe the federal government could subsidize benefits corporations pay to employees such as the high cost of medical coverage. In general, employees who have lower stress levels because they have lowered their expense on gasoline and gained back a couple of hours a day, will need less medical care anyway!
Technology should be our friend. There are many many jobs that do not require daily face to face contact or daily interaction. Equipped with a laptop and cell phone (which most of us qualifying here already are) people such as finance analysts, sales analysts, IT professionals and similar workers can perform these activities from the comfort (and often more productive quiet) of home.
I'll be checking out if any studies exist to see if home workers are more productive. I was a home worker for a couple of years. I made a once a week 130 mile round trip to my corporate office where I met with associates based on topics and schedules we set ahead of time. I found that I was able to accomplish a great deal more in the quiet comfort of my own home. I was even "at work" earlier and often later and on occassion, on the weekends, because I was able to efficiently and effectively manage my time and tasks, both personal and professional. Byt the way I was also able to earn my MBA online, increasing my value to my employer.
Help me think of some of the incentives that might work to alleviate the congestion on our highways, save gas and reduce stress. Help me figure out who to share my ideas with to push this idea into fruition. I think its a good one - do you?
How many of us travel everyday to an office where we sit and talk on the phone, do business over the internet and via email. Then get into our cars and fight the traffic home again. How many of us do this in a commute of 20 -30 miles or more one way? I'll bet it doesn't take only 20 or 30 minutes out of your day either. How many days do you literally, not talk to another person other than on the phone or email?
Realistically, there are times when you need to be in your office in case someone needs to walk into your office to see you, but wouldn't it be better and more efficient for business, if project meetings were scheduled regularly and not bumped around all day?
Back to the idea. Let's offer corporate American an incentive for not only allowing telecommuting, but encouraging it. Help me with some ideas here. Perhaps, states could waive the unemployment amounts they pay for telcommuting employees. Maybe the federal government could subsidize benefits corporations pay to employees such as the high cost of medical coverage. In general, employees who have lower stress levels because they have lowered their expense on gasoline and gained back a couple of hours a day, will need less medical care anyway!
Technology should be our friend. There are many many jobs that do not require daily face to face contact or daily interaction. Equipped with a laptop and cell phone (which most of us qualifying here already are) people such as finance analysts, sales analysts, IT professionals and similar workers can perform these activities from the comfort (and often more productive quiet) of home.
I'll be checking out if any studies exist to see if home workers are more productive. I was a home worker for a couple of years. I made a once a week 130 mile round trip to my corporate office where I met with associates based on topics and schedules we set ahead of time. I found that I was able to accomplish a great deal more in the quiet comfort of my own home. I was even "at work" earlier and often later and on occassion, on the weekends, because I was able to efficiently and effectively manage my time and tasks, both personal and professional. Byt the way I was also able to earn my MBA online, increasing my value to my employer.
Help me think of some of the incentives that might work to alleviate the congestion on our highways, save gas and reduce stress. Help me figure out who to share my ideas with to push this idea into fruition. I think its a good one - do you?
