One permanent fact in any topic during the digital age is that change is constant. This has been said so much that it’s almost repetitive nowadays. The question is what, if anything, are you and your organization doing about it.

Is your project plan prepared to adapt to the ongoing changes and if not then that needs to be addressed within your overall strategic project management plan otherwise you will be moving at a snail’s pace when all you other competitors are moving like the archetypal rabbit.

Next you need to worry about having very clear goals set forth and communicated to your team members. There’s nothing like having a project with no clear authority or vision and having it fall apart at the seams. Result? Wasting millions of dollars of company items as well as the lives of many of the employees.

Although the previous scenario might seem a bit pessimistic it is actually very rampant within many big companies especially. Without having a clear vision for a project it will not get anywhere.

The next step is to really prioritize the projects within your organization. No matter how much of a budget you have, you will not be able to do everything equally well. Therefore you need to discern which projects are actually critical to not only the sustainability of your company but the long-term growth and prosperity of your shareholders as well.

Once you’ve decided which project or projects to work on you will then need to set written goals and strict timetables as a whole. Next, it’s essential to apportion the appropriate tasks to the relevant authorities that will be responsible for making those particular milestones. Have meetings with your core constituencies in order to make sure that the project plan is as comprehensive as possible without slowing the overall productivity of your group.

Finally you just want to make sure that you have those end of project meetings and also incorporate project risk management plans where necessary.

Banks are defined as a business organisation that performs services in relation to money. Specifically is the process of keeping money for customers and paying it out on demand, in the form of deposits, borrowings and exchanges. It has become a cliché to note the revolutionary impact of information technology (IT) upon any industry, but the real upheaval lies just ahead. As experts back in the 90s stated, “If the number-crunching mainframe computers of the 1970s formed the childhood of IT, and the flowering of personal computers during the 1980s marked its youthful adolescence, then the 1990s seem likely to see the passage of IT into adulthood”. As it has been foreseen, during the 21st Century, technology became directly related to almost every single activity and function of a bank. Deposits, withdrawals, loans, transfer of capital and updating are just some of the functions that are carried out electronically, as computers support communication networks or ATMs.

In the late 1990s, banks have come to realise even more and understand better the importance of technology since they have tried to take advantage of its progress. The computer sciences and all aspects in telecommunications, with particular emphasis on the Internet capabilities, constituted one of the most profitable areas banks decided to invest. These two fields of technology have had the greatest potential for growth and profitability. Currently, as the banks anticipate the rapid IT growth potentials, they continue to give a lot of emphasis on the technology of e-banking-the transactions with banks through Internet-and e-commerce of products and services. Noticeable is the fact that almost every bank in the globe currently offers e-banking services via their Internet links.

During the past ten years, a trend has emerged as major banks or groups of banks have formed alliances with companies in the telecommunications and computer sciences fields, or in other diverse industries. For example, in the UK, two Scottish banks have joined up with major supermarket chains in order to provide an outsourced banking function for the so-called supermarket banks. The motive for such kind of strategic decisions was the profit from a dynamic field that showed revenues increasing in a rapid rate.

Furthermore, it is true that the Banking Sector throughout Europe has gradually restructured itself in order to be able to meet the challenges provoked by the unification that has recently reached the milestone of twenty-five member states. Operating in this new environment, banks have to confront some major issues, such as the intensification of competition, the technology breakthroughs referring to transactions, the globalisation of capital and money markets, the development of management and administration, the extensive use of derivatives, the development of international transactions and the introduction of financial innovations. Thus, EU banks in order to cope with the fundamental forces mentioned above, are trying to find ways to improve their productivity and effectiveness, reduce their costs, upgrade the quality of the services they provide, intensify their presence in new markets, reduce the exchange risk, and finally achieve great macroeconomic stability.

Experts state that the upcoming changes will also force banks to reconsider their position in terms of effective bank size, economies of scale in the new environment, creation of a new powerful capital base, globalisation of the activities as well as of the wide variety of product/service lines they provide to customers. According to the estimations of “International Monetary Fund” and the “Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development”, it is a fact that the banks have already invested significant capitals to new technology applications, while most have already introduced “personalized” services for their European or global customers.

This is where it all starts
Whether the advice is to be taken or not, businessmen agree that no business has survived successfully without passion. Passion is an emotional issue. Businesses likewise and the creation of products that will sustain the business has to start with what one knows best.

Business styles and approaches are as varied as the number of businessmen. Each according to techniques dictated by the circumstances and responses allowing each to make decisions and deviations. There are however proven methods common to all businesses and its corresponding creation of products.

Brick by brick.
Like all things created the actual work starts with very careful planning.

Get down and write. Do a blueprint of the product you have in mind. Getting down to it brings you face to face with your ideas. What was formerly abstract comes to you alive. Now you can do additions to it, deductions from it, enhancements, study it from all possible angles do revisions and alterations or sometimes do a total rewrite until what previously was an idea has now taken form.

Take your time and enjoy your plan. Rushing will only create an undesired result.

Be Specific – Make precision your keyword. Do not forget to include the following in your list of questions. What is its purpose? What do you plan to achieve.

Product creation addresses a particular need that may not be in the market. If a similar product already does, your version still has to offer something new that will spark interest and address a particular viable alternative to the existing one. The more popular the product is already available, the better it will do for your products introduction into the market and its eventual acceptance.

Product creation should target a particular segment of the market. While shotgun approaches can work, it is often best to identify a product with a smaller segment i.e. what age bracket do you want to attract, Male or female, what are the class/status of your targeted customers, what styles, what components. This will help you stay focused.

Go for the jugular.
If you are a shopper you can see that creating a new product can easily get lost in the jungle of goods already available. If you visit on line shopping, you may think that all products available for consumption can already be there. But the dream nags at you. You know it can be done. So what are the elements that could increase your products chance at penetrating the market?

Try niche marketing. Niche marketing is about placing your product in a special category that addresses a particular desire. Some strategies that are tested that somehow finds places in consumers hearts for example, are; low carbohydrates, low calorie, high protein, sugar free, non fat, energy releasing, long life, long lasting, value for money and the list goes on. Niche marketing makes your product extra specific for people with specific needs.

What’s in a name.
The hard part is over. It is now time to give your product a name.
One point to consider though, words elicits ideas. If one for example mentions a dark cloud coming, an idea immediately comes to mind of colder fronts or a rain coming or even a storm. The person does not even have to go outside and see for himself. The idea is there. On the other hand, take away the word and immediately, the idea loses its distinction. It loses identity it becomes nothing.

This is why names are so very important. So are labels. So are packaging.

Easy to memorize short names does wonders for the product especially when packaging are appropriately attractive. Sometimes, no matter what other people say a good and catchy dot com. attracts traffic to your product as it can enhance its perceived value.

Say that again.
Constant repetition. Top of mind recall. That is what the battle is all about. This is why marketing firms go to lengths at spending on advertisements. For many products however, newsletter and brochures work.

Get out from here.
You have it all on the launch pad; you can almost see it getting off. The channel of distribution has already been decided, the distribution model pinned down. You are making your creation available, visible and competitive. Then you hold your breath. Once the product is introduced, markets by large reacts. When it does, your sustainability will largely depend on how your product makes good at delivering what it has promised.

All you worry now are competitive advantages that you can sustain.

People who have trouble falling asleep may attribute their problem to a lot of things – a tight and busy schedule, caffeinated drinks and food, and maybe, high stress rate.

But what about the very environment that they sleep in?

A room is a reflection of one’s personality. So what does a messy, dirty room say about the person sleeping inside it? It implies that his thoughts and personality are just as haphazard as his room. If a quiet, deep sleep is what you’re after, then pay close attention to your sleeping environment.

There are types of therapies aimed at people with insomnia. One of them is stimulus-control therapy, which teaches them how to have a proper sleep hygiene. To learn more about this, here are some pointers.

First off, use your bed only for sleep and sex. You know that a lot of people do their homework, read, or eat on it. Don’t follow them. Don’t associate your bed with stress by lying on it thinking about your problems. When this happens, go out omewhere to a certain spot in the house where you can think about them. Having a designated spot where you can mediate is recommended.

There must be ventilation in your room, unless you want to wake up because it’s too hot. You can open the window to let the air circulate. There are noises that easily disturb you while trying to sleep. To hypersensitive people, a short buzzing sound could easily perk them up. In that case, use earplugs. While there are disturbing sounds that are irritating to the ears, there are types of noises like that coming from the fan that doesn’t disturb us at all. They are called white noise. To
prevent lights from distracting you, use eyeshades or blinds.

If you’re a busy person, do your office or school work anywhere else except in your room. Computers, TV and stereos must be
placed somewhere. Watching TV or surfing the ‘net hours before bedtime will only stimulate your visual cortex, so avoid it.

Also, avoid caffeinated drinks and food. Why? They stimulate you which will make impossible for you to fall asleep. Unless you are one of those rare people who drink coffee and can still sleep afterwards, consume your last caffeinated drink 3 hours before your bedtime. Though alcohol can lull you to sleep, you will wake up again feeling dehydrated, which could only become worse as you try to fall asleep again.

Also, you might develop an addiction to alcohol as a form of sleep aid, which is not healthy.

Smoking is an activity that should be avoided as the hours get nearer towards your bedtime. You might wake up as your body craves for more nicotine, and besides, it’s a fire hazard.

During these hours when all you are anticipating is your sleep, you can turn off the lights so your body will start winding down just in time for sleep.

Sleeping is an activity that gives the brain ample time to rejuvenate and to revitalize the body for the next day, so treat it with utmost care. Don’t neglect it, or else you’ll pay for the consequences later.

Author Patrick Ryall
I refer to my article
‘Looking towards a brighter MLM future’
Last night on Australian media,
‘The Rich Pom’ was shown for what he is, no more than a con artist.
‘According to the report Wednesday 29/11/06 Channel 10 A Current Affair’
This illustrates my point exactly with what is wrong with our industry, it matters not that he is not a ‘Network Marketer’ he is involved in online business. This taints the industry as a whole.

We have to change the face of internet marketing.
We have to implement accountability
We have to bring in pay per email
We have to educate new affiliates in ethical practises

If our ‘online industry’ is to flourish and grow we have to start implementing changes. YCWFH Affiliate Support is going to become as active as possible as time progresses to actively candidate for these changes to take place.

No other business sectors are allowed to trade and advertise in such a non-ethical manner, why should the Internet be any different.

We are about to install a poll, the question will be. ‘Should pay per email for commercial use be introduced?’ We hope to have it implemented by Saturday 2nd December please drop by and voice your opinion.

This will be the first in a series of polls we are going to hold on topics such as these; we will be publishing the results on our Blog.

YCWFH Affiliate Support
Ethical marketing strategies for home business and network marketers. Blog promotion, copy writing, ‘Image Solutions’
Training on ethical marketing practises.
Training and support for all affiliates of, Success University, Empowerism, I.A.H.B.E, SFI, Juvio. Training for other affiliates will be considered after evaluating business involved in for, sustainability, business code, and general ethical practises.

Prince Albert of Monaco visited the North Pole in April this year as part of an effort to push the environmental issue up the agenda with other world leaders.

Now he has established a foundation as part of his personal commitment for ‘the protection of the environment and sustainable development’ – and in the process show that far from his North Pole visit being a publicity stunt it was the beginning of a campaign to highlight the dangers of global warming.

His Albert II foundation aims to be a permanent source of dynamic and innovative actions for environmental protection.

It is just over a year since Prince Albert succeeded his father Prince Rainier to become Monaco’s leader, and in that year Prince Albert has changed his image from that of a Playboy Prince to one of a leader concerned for the future of not only Monaco – the second smallest country in the world – but for the world as a whole.

Apart from his visit to the North Pole, Monaco has shown her commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making the Monaco Yacht show, due to be held in September, to a carbon-neutral event by paying for enough wind turbines in New Zealand to generate power for 45,000 homes.

In a more recent development Monaco, at Prince Albert’s behest, has decided for the first time to calculate her GDP so she can play a more active role at the United Nations, which will include calculating how much to pay to meet the UN’s request for 0.7 per cent of developed countries GDP for third world development.

Europe’s Favourite Tax Haven

Previously Monaco has best been known as Europe’s number one tax haven, and for the Monaco Grand Prix, held each May around the streets of Monte Carlo.

Often referred to as the ‘Playground of Europe’ any concerns over Monaco changing style are misplaced insist local travel guide yourmonaco.com.

‘Monaco will continue to attract the wealthy due to her to income tax policy’, comments spokesman Henri Boulanger, ‘And as well as the Monaco Grand Prix there is also the annual Yacht Show each September. Prince Albert knows that these events along with being a tax haven are the geese that lay the golden eggs and without them there wouldn’t be a lot of point in calculating the GDP to send to the United Nations as it would account for very little. By promoting and encouraging events like the Monaco Grand Prix it allows him to play a serious and active part on the world stage’.

Real estate in Monaco ranks among the highest priced in the world, with one bedroom apartments ranging from nearly a million Euros to two million, and three bedroom apartments often over three million Euros.

Buyers from the UK have increased significantly in the last couple of years, and demand from them has helped push property price inflation to nearly ten per cent a year.

For the future it is expected that prices will continue to rise for the short and medium term, but with interest rates expected to rise in the UK it is not certain whether the supply of British buyers will continue at the same rate as recent years.

Automakers are constantly incorporating the most advanced technology in their lineup. This time around they are planning to use nanotechnology to come up with spectacular vehicles. Two of the most sought-after vehicles are Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans and Volkswagen Nanospyder.

Recently, automakers have unleashed their environment-friendly concept cars that are expected to be manufactured using nanotechnology. The latter is a technology of building tiny machines using functional systems at a molecular scale. According to experts, nanotechnology, in its original sense, means projected ability to assemble items from the bottom up, utilizing techniques and tools being developed these days to make complete, high performance products.

Nanotechnology works from the bottom to the inside of the machine called personal nanofactories (PNs). Using mechanochemistry, nanotechnology will facilitate control at the nanometer scale. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Basically, it is about the width of 3 to 4 atoms.

One of the striking future cars presented is FCX 2020 Le Mans from Acura. Said car is envisioned to be powered by advanced auto parts from the automaker. It will also be using Honda car accessories to boost its ergonomics and comfort.

Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans appears like a Batmobile. The difference is that it uses lightweight and recyclable materials. Moreover, it is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain that makes it an environment-friendly car. Its molecular nanotechnology made it lighter and more manageable than present day cars.

Another viable future car is Volkswagen Nanospyder. The captivating car is made up billions of spore-like nanobots. The car is inclusive of mouth, eyeballs and other Volkswagen car accessories including tiny logos.

One of the exciting features of this VW Nanospyder is the ability of its lead bots to pick up impending collisions. Aside from that, the information can be sent away to support particular sections of the car.

Analysts in the auto industry are expecting a greener car future because of nanotechnology. In fact, there have been interesting concept cars submitted in the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge. The latter is a competition designed to cover future cars that are environment-friendly. Mechanics of the competition include originality, safety, environmentalism and relevancy to Southern California’s ‘green’ lifestyle.

Green building is a design process that grows out of a connection with the natural landscape. It is a set of informed decisions that considers the site and materials to reduce the cost, maintenance, and energy usage of the home. Conservation is central to the green building approach. Green homes are healthier, safer, more comfortable, and cost less to operate. They connect people to the land and community around them. Here are seven green building ideas:

1) Build a passive solar design.

Passive solar design for natural heating and cooling is practiced throughout the world under all climate conditions. As energy costs rise, it is critical to use building orientation, window placements, stone floors, roof overhangs, reflective barriers and other techniques to control natural solar energy.

In warm climates, face the broad side of the house to the north or south, to avoid excessive heat gain as the sun rises and drops in the horizon. Use deep overhangs or solar screens to shield glass areas from direct sun. Avoid skylights or greenhouse rooms, because they allow too much heat gain.

In colder climates, solar heat can be captured and stored in materials such as concrete or stone to be slowly released during the evening.

An open floor plan optimizes the effect of passive solar heating or cooling.

Doors and windows should be placed to catch the prevailing breeze and allow cross ventilation.

Lower inflow windows and higher outflow windows keeps air moving, as hot air rises.

A thermal chimney uses a hot zone, such as a glass cupola with windows or vents, to create rising air currents to pull air through the building.

Double glass panes provide an insulating air space between the panes, reducing heat transfer.

The metal oxide coating on Low-E (emissive) glass helps to keep solar heat out, and interior heat in.

2) Ventilate attic spaces.

In hot climates, attic spaces can accumulate heat, transferring it to living areas below. AC ducts located in the attic will absorb this heat.

In cold climates, moisture can accumulate in unventilated attic spaces, causing wood rot or mold.

Continuous eave and roof ridge vents will create natural air flow through the attic. Air enters through the eave vents, and moves out through the ridge vents. As heated air rises, it ventilates the attic.

Lighter colored roof materials absorb less heat.

Reflective heat barriers on the underside of the roof deck help to reduce heat gain.

High levels of insulation in attics and exterior walls is crucial for comfortable indoor temperature in all climates.

Some research is being done on building sealed, highly insulated attics.

3) Optimize your heat and AC systems.

An oversized system will cool too quickly, and leave the room clammy. Smaller systems run long enough reach the desired temperature, and, at the same time, clear the air of humidity.

A smaller system lasts longer, does not cycle on and off frequently, and costs less to purchase.

Check for leaks in duct work joints, and around windows, doors, attic stairs, exhaust pipes, recessed lights, and electric outlets. Ongoing maintenance of central air systems is necessary to prevent air loss.

Use programmable thermostats to regulate your energy usage.

Use Pleated-Media Filters in AC return-air grills. This filter removes particles as small as mold spores from the air that is drawn back into the AC blower, keeping coils cleaner and improving the air quality in your home.

Heat pumps on electric furnaces reduce energy use by drawing heat from outside air, using the same technology that air conditioners use to remove heat from indoor air.

Check with your utility provider for free diagnostic testing and rebates for high efficiency AC systems, insulation, solar screens, and weather-stripping.

4) Reduce water needs.

Native landscaping that is suited to the rainfall in your area is fundamental to building green.

Keep as much native growth on your lot as possible.

Water pervious materials such as crushed granite or open paving blocks allow water to percolate into the ground.

Rainwater catchment systems use gutters and barrels to catch and store water that falls on roofs.

Front loading washing machines use less energy and water. Some dishwashers use less water and have no-heat drying. Check water and energy usage before buying appliances.

Low flow toilets and shower heads reduce water usage.

Reduce water and fertilizer needs by re-cycling yard waste and leaves for use as mulch.

5) Use renewable or recycled materials.

Consider decks made of waste wood and plastic, such as Trex or other brands.

Medium density fiberboard (MDF), a wood product used for interior trim and doors, does not contain formaldehyde.

Fiber-Cement siding, trim, and pipe materials (Hardie Board) are very durable, rot resistant, and fire retardant.

Use locally produced, and easily renewed, materials when possible.

Consider alternative building materials, such as rammed earth, straw bale or insulated concrete panels.

Concrete floors utilize the foundation material as finish floor, saving materials and labor.

Recycled wood floors are a very attractive re-use of materials.

Bamboo floors are made from a rapidly renewable source – bamboo is a grass that can grow several feet per day.

Hard surface floors do not hold dust, molds, and allergens, and are very durable.

Use materials with recycled content when possible, such as cellulose insulation, Thermo-ply, and lumber composites.

Plan for a place to re-cycle household trash, such as a storage bin in the kitchen, and holding bin in the garage.

6) Safeguard your site.

Trees, vegetation and bird habitat on the site should be protected during the construction.

Native trees, grasses, rock outcroppings and natural drainage can be made a part of your building and landscaping design.

Reduce the impact to the building site as much as possible.

Make sure construction waste is properly disposed of, especially paints and solvents. Do not allow them to be buried on the site.

7) Use safe materials.

Use products that are biodegradable, non toxic, water based, and cold water compatible.

Avoid products that contain dyes, ozone depleting chemicals, heavy metals, formaldehyde, or known carcinogens.

Avoid solvent based finishes, particleboard, adhesives, some carpets, and other products that release volatile chemicals into the air.

Look for green rated labels on carpets and other products.

Remove old-style pressure treated wood when possible, especially in play structures.

Green building is an approach to design and construction that respects the environment and conserves resources. It is a common sense approach that is available to all home owners. Green building techniques create a more cost effective, enjoyable and sustainable home to live in.

Companies, cities and individuals are getting involved in the green movement. They are doing there part to keep the environment healthier by reducing humans’ impact on the land, using recycled metals and nontoxic substances, organic gardening, adding more green space, building using environmentally friendly materials and more.

An increasing number of businesses are beginning to see it as a market advantage, especially when you consider organic foods is one of the fastest growing markets.

Here are some reasons that organizations and businesses have moved in that direction:

• Employees care
  o According to a recent survey by progressive community network Care2, 48 percent of employees say they would work for less pay, if they could work for a socially responsible company. And they would work hard; according to the survey 40 percent of employees would be willing to work longer hours for a job at a socially responsible company.

• Research dictates they need to be concerned
  o Turner Construction company conducted a study that revealed more than 70% of executives believe that green buildings enhance student performance.

• Environmental groups are forcing companies to become more responsible
• Due to pressure from environmental groups, now the top 30 banks have stopped funding environmentally and socially irresponsible corporations and have become more “green.”
• Competition from other environmental activities pressures companies to change their marketing initiatives
• Levi’s is introducing its 100% organic jeans this fall.
• Nike is making organic sportswear and talking about becoming a responsible citizen.
• A growing number of retailers are experimenting with more environmentally sensitive and energy efficient stores.
• McDonald’s started serving Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in 658 of its restaurants in New England and Albany, NY. These locations switched 100 percent of their coffee products over to Fair Trade Certified™ organic coffee from Newman’s Own Organics, roasted by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. They started this as a regional launch and with a goal of expanding it across the country.

Even more so, companies are starting to recognize that they need to be concerned with the triple bottom line-how they make decisions based upon the economic, environmental and social impact.

Unfortunately, the majority of people believe that green marketing refers solely to the promotion or advertising of products with environmental characteristics. This is only part of the equation. Green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising.

Here are some of the things you can do to incorporate the green movement into your marketing efforts:

• When manufacturing your products – consider using recycled materials for packaging and incorporating organic fibers or other materials. Once you have changed the way you manufacture, then make sure to make people aware that your product packaging or materials are made using natural materials that do not harm the environment.
• When renovating or building new – consider choosing alternative, environmentally sound building materials and using more insulation to minimize energy use. Make people aware that you’re a company who practices socially responsibility.
• Designate a place to recycle for both your internal and external employees as Staples does. They promote recycling programs at its stores for printer cartridges and consumer electronics.
• Identify local and global causes where your company and employees can get involved and make a difference in the environment. o Consider the efforts of Clif Bar Co., which was aware of scientific predictions of global warming and how it would diminish the snowpack by up to 70 percent in western U.S. coastal mountains over the next 50 years. Last winter, it launched a campaign to help ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders combat global warming. Research dictate consumers care about the environment. Even in the Midwest, consumers feel the same-eight-four percent of general consumer population indicate they care about protecting the environment, according to the Ohio Health and Wellness Research Report©, a research report by The Marketing Insider found in its August 2005 survey of 1,100 consumers in Ohio. They want to know that companies care as well and the only way they can know is if you tell your story.

When building a new home, adding on an extension or even just a simple remodel within your home, you should always consider your local environment to maximize the efficiency of every aspect of your project.

There are four main areas that need to be focused on when planning your building project. They include:

- water

- energy

- building materials

Each of these areas contain specific products and methods that can really benefit your home lifestyle and increase the capital on your house to.

The first area to cover is water, which may or may not be relevant to your project. However, where ever there is plumbing or an outside wall where gutters can be fixed the optimal water conservation methods should be utilized where possible. There are many interior products that can really help to reduce water wastage and improve efficiency which include:

- water saving taps

- water efficient showerheads

- composting toilets

- water diverters (diverters which hold the water while the hot water reaches your tap to save wasting all that water whilst waiting for the hot water to arrive)

Furthermore, by installing a Greywater system you can use all the water that usually runs down your drain, on your garden or lawn.

For the exterior, high quality gutters and water storage devices such as water tanks are ideal for harvesting hundreds of litres of water that can be used for a variety of applications.

A strong water budget mixed with an overall highly efficient water system can save you heaps of money on water bills and reduce the impact on your local catchment system.

The second part of this article focuses on energy. Most people immediately think solar and then think “I can’t afford it!” but there is much more that can be done to improve the efficiency of the energy usage in your home.

If you are doing large scale renovations, the position of your home / room in regards to sun direction is vitally important. A north-south facing house is much more energy efficient in terms of temperature control as the sun has less direct focus on the rooms.

Many different products exist to generate energy or improve the energy usage and overall efficiency of your home. Some of these include:

- a solar panel system, either stand alone, grid connect or hybrid with wind turbines to generate electricity

- high quality insulation, including batts and foil boards

- solar hot water systems

- ventilation and extraction fans

- energy efficient appliances and white goods

- lighting, including CFL’s (compact fluorescent lamp)

- hydronic heating

- air conditioners with inverter technology

All of these products will either generate free electricity, use much less energy than other products on the market, or control the temperature of your home to save on running costs to maintain comfort.

Building materials is another important consideration when starting your project. Many materials have good qualities, while others can contain harmful chemicals which can be dangerous for your health. Knowing all these risks is almost impossible, but there are certain things to look for when making these decisions.

- Use as much untreated materials as possible. Most treated materials use very harsh chemicals which contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and formaldehyde. Over time, these compounds break down and become part of your indoor breathing space.

- These VOC’s can also be found in conventional paints and finishes. Always ask your supplier for brands which use little or no VOC’s in their products.

- Concrete that contains high levels of flyash are much better for the environment and lower the use of the toxic concrete powder in construction

- Conventional termite control utilizes the harshest of all chemicals and can be extremely carcinogenic. However, there are many new products that can remove termite problems without the use of harmful chemicals. Always ask your provider about their environmental policy and research the chemical they use

- Many insulation companies still use the resin based fiberglass insulation which contains high levels of formaldehyde and are damaging to your health. Look for insulation that is glass wool or made from cellulose fibre is your best bet for your families health and the environments.

- Double glazed windows and the utilization of roller shutters and blinds is the best way to reduce heat build up within your home.

- Strawbale and compressed earth homes are becoming more and more popular due to their constant interior comfort levels, and no they don’t look like “mud huts”, in fact, they are fast becoming a distinguished and stylish home design

- Finally, cabinets and draws often use the cheap particle board over the solid wood varieties to save money. However, the particle board contains formaldehyde to bind the particles together.

Building and home improvement can be very satisfying when the job is complete. However, it becomes even better if taking into consideration these factors mentioned above to make your home comfortable all year round for you and your family.