Water Hardness In the US
Water is full of dissolved minerals that are found naturally in nature. However, two specific types of minerals create problems for human use when they are present in the water. The minerals of calcium and magnesium are the causes of water hardness. It can be quite distressing when one tries to use water with a high degree of hardness.
The Extent of Water Hardness in the US
In the US, hard water is found almost everywhere. In fact, 85% of the country is made up of hard water. The hardness varies, and it can be seen on a map of water hardness in the country. However, this map is not used to determine the hardness in one’s locality. The local council is responsible for preparing accurate data on the water hardness in a locality.
What Problems Does Hard Water Create?
Hard water creates many problems for human beings. The main problem associated with hard water is the lime scale deposits. These deposits can make the bathroom fixtures look quite unsightly. In addition, it can have disastrous consequences for the utensils in the kitchen. The biggest problem is that water with a lot of hardness requires a lot of soap. Consequently, one spends more on detergents.
Another common problem of hard water is that it clogs pipes. It is a major issue, especially in old homes. As a result, one should consider replacing the pipes if the house is quite old. Hard water also makes the skin feel quite dry. It can be quite uncomfortable if one is wearing tight clothes. Hard water also affects the hair negatively. It makes it look dull and lifeless.
The scale deposits also have a negative effect on a water heater. For one, it shortens how long the water heater can stay active. In addition, the mineral deposits make it harder for the water heater to work. As a result, water takes longer to heat up. It means that the energy used is also more. The result is that one has a high electricity bill over time. Besides that, hard water makes food and tea lose its taste. The change is usually quite significant. In addition, clothes wear out much faster.
How To Get Rid of The Hardness?
There are two types of water hardness. One of this is known as temporary water hardness. This kind of hardness can easily be got rid of by boiling the water. The other type of water hardness is permanent. That sort of hardness cannot be removed by just boiling the water. A more specialized tool is needed to get rid of this kind of hardness.
The primary instrument used in getting rid of water hardness is a water softener. These devices are fitted with special salts that get rid of the calcium and magnesium minerals in the water. However, these devices may cause the electricity bill to rise.
Conclusion
Although water hardness has some adverse effects, it also has some good ones. For one, the hard water is known to prevent osteoporosis. To absorb calcium in the body, one should consume a diet that contains vitamin D.
What Is the Government’s Role In US Health Care?
The role or government in healthcare is quite far reaching. The health sector is going to get quite big in the coming decades. It is estimated that it could take up about 40% of all GNP of the US by 2050. As a result, it is significant that one understands what role the government plays in this sector.
Putting Things into Perspective
As of now, healthcare costs the US two trillion annually. About six hundred billion of all these money is used up in administration. However, this amount is almost double of what other countries spend around the world. These are countries that have higher life expectancy than the United States.
In addition, the system is not able to cover about forty million people. The reason for this is that they have a very low income or they do not have any work. Incentive programs by the government are just not robust enough. They have to be able to go further so as to offer more people cover.
What the Experts Say
Some experts believe that the government should expand its role in healthcare. As of now, the government’s main role is regulation. However, this has meant that the private sector only focuses on profit making. In addition, the incentives that the government offers these private insurance companies are not taken up. In fact, most insurance companies avoid the very people such programs are meant to help. Experts suggest that the government sweeten the deal for insurance companies. As a result, when they comply with the incentives offered, the get better benefits.
There are those who feel that the government should also be directly involved in offering medical cover to the people. The main opposition comes from people who do not want to pay higher taxes. They feel that that is a move towards socialism, which they oppose. However, the reason for this is that they may be lacking in education. By giving them information, thy may be able to see the long-term benefits of such a move. The government would be able to save up more for the economy in the end.
What Role Does the Government Play?
The main role it plays is to regulate the marketplace. It ensures that insurance companies are no colluding at the expense of the citizens. It ensures that everyone gets a fair deal and that competition determines what people have to pay.
The government also regulates the standards of the sector. It ensures that medical providers adhere to a particular code of conduct. It is enforced through fines and at times, jail sentences. It is also keen to ensure that patients receive quality medication. As a result, it has established an agency that has to approve all drugs that meet certain criteria. It also controls who can access these drugs. It is to ensure that drugs are not abused.
Conclusion
The role of the government in the US health sector is quite minimal. However, this role could expand significantly in the future. It will all depend on what the legislative arm of government decides.
Study Shows: The Internet Is Spoiling Youth and Family Bonding
How It Is Breaking Family Bonds
Unfortunately, the internet is awash with all kinds of propaganda. Teenagers are constantly being told that their parents are clueless and immature. With this in mind, they begin to view their parents in a negative light. As a result, they lose respect for them subconsciously. It leads them to believe that their parents have no role to play in their life. In fact, they begin to treat the internet as their parent. Anytime they need something answered, they just search for it.
The other way the internet is affecting family bonds is that it reduces the time for interactions between parents and children. Some websites offer twenty-four-hour entertainment at just a small price. In addition, there are online sources of gaming such as playing world of Warcraft. It means that the teenager will have little time to say anything to other family members. The situation can be so bad at times that a family can spend a whole without having exchanged more than two sentences in a week.
Parents Do Not Understand Technology
The other reason why the internet is affecting family bonds is that parents have little understanding of the internet. It can be quite hard for one who never grew up with the kind of possibilities possible with the internet today. As a result, they cannot interact with their kids on the internet. The reason for this is that the internet is always evolving. However, parents are too busy with work to be able to keep with these trends. The result is that they find that they have nothing meaningful to discuss with their kids. It contributes to weaker family bonds when parents and kids cannot find a topic they share in common.
Youths Are Being Spoiled
The young people of today is out of touch with reality. Every time they interact with their friends, most of it takes place on the internet. The internet is all about visual effects. As a result, they try to outdo each other. These leads to kids having unrealistic expectations about their life and what they should expect. They end up becoming dysfunctional members of society. They are unable to create value for themselves and others.
Conclusion
The internet has had a significant effect the economy and for job creation. However, the negative consequences on the youth and family ties cannot be ignored. This needs to be addressed systematically. School programs should be established that bring the discussion into the classroom. It will help them understand that there is a problem, and it needs to be addressed.
What Type of Kitchen Faucet Is Eco-Friendly?
The kitchen faucet is one of the areas in the home that uses an enormous amount of water. It only comes second to the showerheads. However, the United States is currently undergoing a drought. That means that each drop of water needs to be treated with a lot of care. There is thus an urgency to identify ways to reduce water wastage in the kitchen.
The Options Available
The WaterSense program by the EPA is one of the few options that consumers have. However, merely reducing the flow rate is not enough. Humans are still wasteful in nature; they will leave the faucet running overnight at times. The best way to avoid this is to seek the assistant of technology. There are already some technologies available for this purpose.
One of these technologies is the use of a spring device. The water only flows out as long as one hand is on the springy lock. However, this is a problem since one may need the use of both hands. As a result, this technology has proven impractical in the kitchen, where both hands are required. The next step has been the use of touchless faucets. These are excellent faucets that can reduce wastage to zero.
How They Work
A touchless faucet is fitted with motion sensors. When the hand comes close to the faucet, it begins to release a steady stream of water. As soon as the hand is not present, flow is cut off. As a result, there is almost no chance of any water being wasted. In addition, the fear of failing to shut down the faucet completely is eliminated. It is one of the best technologies for reducing water wastage. The technology has proven to be quite efficient in helping a home cut down its water usage.
Other Benefits of Touchless Faucets
One major advantage of these faucets is in health. These faucets can reduce the risk of disease transmission to zero. As a result, if someone has the flu and they touch the kitchen faucet, it would spread to others through food. However, the touchless technology ensures that the person with a disease does not touch the faucet. As a result, the chances of an illness being spread through food are reduced to almost zero.
Another unique benefit is concerning assistive technology. For people with some disability, this will prove quite useful. They do not have to strain themselves trying to get some water from the faucet. This technology has been hailed for doing so much for the disabled. It also eliminates the need for repairs. The touchless technology ensures that no one has to touch the device. As a result, it can continue to work for many years without incident. It can help one cut down on repair costs.
Conclusion
Technology has been one of the best tools in creating eco-friendly products. These faucets are just one among the many devices helping to conserve water. Although a wasted drop is not much now, the cumulative effect is quite astonishing. One should install such a faucet in the home if they feel passionate about water conservation.
How to Make Your Inflatable Hot Tub Bath Relaxing?
Hot tubs are one of the best ways to relax after a long day. An inflatable hot tub is an excellent way to do so. This is because it can be moved around during the winter season for indoor use. In addition, these types of hot tubs are significantly cheaper. They also ensure that backyard space is not all taken up by one activity. Some things can make the bath more relaxing.
Listen to Music
One of the best ways to make the hot tub bath more relaxing is to put on some relaxing music. It can be done using some water resistant speakers that can be inserted into the hot tub. It will help to put the mind in a state of relaxation. It will also help the muscles to release any tension they have. The result is that one can relax more.
Set the Temperature Right
When people think of a hot tub bath, some of them think about dipping themselves in scalding water. It should not be the case. If the temperature is way high, it will be difficult for the mind to calm down. The nervous system will be too stimulated. It will make one uncomfortable and more stressed. The trick is to find just the right temperature for the inflatable hot tub bath. It will help the body to calm down so that one can relax even better. However, it is important to note different people perceive warm water different. One should look for a temperature that is just right for them.
Invite Friends Over
There is nothing more relaxing than being around friends. They help to make the hot tub bath experience more fun. One should invite their friends over to join them in the hot tub. As one shares a joke with friends and talks about how their lives are, they will achieve a state of relaxation. Friends can be important if one is trying to look for ways to have fun.
Read a Book
If one has a book they have been trying to read, a good opportunity to read it is during a hot tub bath. One should look for a book that stimulates their mind in the right way. It will help the mind to get off all the pressures of the day. By getting lost in the fictional word of a book, one can achieve nirvana inside their inflatable hot tub.
Meditation
The hot tub bath provides the perfect opportunity for on to meditate. A few moments spent getting the mind into a state of relaxation is important. However, one has to meditate correctly. At times, people mistake mediation for only closing the eyes. There is a lot of information online that can help one learn how to meditate in the proper manner.
Conclusion
Inflatable hot tub baths have many benefits. Some of them are medical while others are financial. However, it is important to remember that simply being immersed in the hot tub bath is not important. One needs to seek actively ways to be more relaxed.
Best Tips to Use Massage Chair to Relieve Fatigue
Massage chairs are an awesome invention that has taken the world by storm. They are used for reducing stress by giving the experience that one would get if they went to a massage parlor. However, to enjoy the benefits of these chairs, the process has to be done in the right way. Some guidelines can help to make the process more relaxing and soothing.
Start Out Small
The feeling of seating on a massage chair can be heavenly. However, too much of anything is unhealthy. For instance, if one has not been to the gym for many months, it is usually advisable that one starts with a few simple exercises. When this is overdone, it leads to extreme sourness. In some cases, it may even require that one makes a hospital visit. It is something that needs to be carefully considered when one is starting out with a massage chair.
It is advisable that one starts out with short sessions of maybe ten minutes. With time, it will be possible to go for longer sessions. If one starts out too first, they may end up causing injury to their body. In addition, if a problem arises, one will not be able to identify it unless it is too late. Over time, one will find that they can relieve fatigue better.
Safety First
Another issue to watch out when trying to relieve fatigue is the safety issue. For one, it is not recommended for one to make modifications to the massage chair. The massage chair is a complex piece of electronic. It requires the hand of an experienced expert to repair it. For instance, one should avoid messing around with the cords. If anything blows out, one should desist from using the chair until a repair is conducted. In addition, the instructions for assembling the massage chair should be adhered to fully. It will reduce the chances of anything going wrong.
Purchase the Right Chair
Buying a vintage massage chair that is a decade old can be quite affordable. However, it will do little to release fatigue. The massage chairs of past years were simple vibrating machines. They offered little comfort to their users. However, they helped to pave the way for the massage chairs of today.
The massage chairs of today use a complex set of gears, rollers, and even airbags. In addition, they offer users many comfort options. It is made possible by the different modes that one can select on the chair. These modes mean that one can increase the intensity of the massage to areas they feel deserve more. If one is serious about relieving fatigue, they have to be ready to spend. If a massage chair costs more, there is a high chance that it offers good quality.
Conclusion
Fatigue can be a major problem for a working person. It will reduce their output at the workplace and deny them promotions. Using a massage chair can help one get past this and thus feel better about their life. In addition, there are many other health benefits such as better blood circulation.
Facts of WaterSense Labeled Showerhead
Some of the states in the United States are experiencing one of the worst droughts in memory. As a result, the EPA has been looking for ways to cut down water usage. There is recognition from all stakeholders that current water use practices are not sustainable. The water sense program is a way in which people who care about the environment can assist.
How It Works
The EPA cannot tell people what kind of showerheads thy can buy. However, it can put out material that lets people know how their decisions influence the environment. The water sense program was set up as a voluntary program. With this program, people can purchase showers heads that reduce the amount of water a person uses during a bath. A typical showerhead produces about 2.5 gallons of water per minute.
The water sense program encourages manufacturers to produce showerheads that reduce this flow to about 2 gallons per minute or less. When a company does that, they earn the right to use a water sense label. It is only the EPA that can give this label. For the company to get approval, a third party is invited to conduct tests. If they find the showerhead gives results consistently, the company earns the right to use this label. It is a program that has proven to be quite successful.
The Potential Savings
By installing a water sense showerhead, a home could make huge savings. This cash could be used for other services within the home. The savings are multipronged. For one, during a shower, one will use less water. The result will be that the water heater needs to run less often to supply hot water. Secondly, the water bill will be lower. When the water heater is running less often, that means that one is saving up on energy costs. Energy represents a huge expense for any home. At the end of it, one will have more money in the pockets. It is money that can be used to conduct upgrades to the plumbing system. The result will be further savings for the home.
How Are The Standards Developed?
The EPA is very concerned about consumer welfare. As a result, they do not want to bring about something that reduces comfort. The standards for water sense were developed in conjunction with a group of qualified engineers. These are people who have excelled in their respective fields. As a result, one should expect the same level of performance from a water sense showerhead as with any other showerhead. The EPA conducts vigorous tests to ensure customers are not being shortchanged.
Conclusion
The main issue that consumers have is with the cost. Most of them have a belief that these showerheads may be slightly more expensive. However, this is not the case. These showerheads come in a wide range of prices. With a bit of effort, one can find a showerhead that is at the right price point for them. Besides that, one will be able to recoup costs due the significant savings over time.
How Does Tankless Toilet Work?
Most residential houses are fitted with a tank above the toilet bowl. There is a major reason for this, without the tank, water would simply drip into the bowl. As a result, nothing would get flushed away. The reason for this is that the water pressure in credential houses is quite weak; in addition, it varies widely with time. During peak hours of usage, the pressure can go down significantly. However, designers have been able to get past this with a tankless system.
What Is the Advantage of a Tankless Toilet?
A major benefit of this system is that it uses up significantly less space. It can be a great advantage for aesthetics too. In general, the tank above the toilet is not pleasing at all. In addition, there is less cleaning that one has to do. It also reduces the chance of water wastage. In addition, this type of toilet does not need time to refill. One can quickly flush it again in case the process does not work the first time.
How It Works
The main reason people use toilets with tanks is that they need to utilize gravity. The concept has already being explained at the start of this article. A tankless toilet uses modern technology in a big way. There are variations to these toilets, but they rely on a basic principle.
At their most basic level, the tankless toilets are connected to the buildings plumbing directly. There is a small valve that is between the tankless toilet and the plumbing. This valve is crucial. It has to comply with national recommendations of the amount of water that can be used per flush. It is especially the case in areas with little water such as California.
The intense regulation around tankless systems at times puts people off it. However, its popularity is steadily growing. The second part of the setup is the pump. Each tankless toilet is fitted with a small pump. However, if a home has enough water pressure from a pump already installed, this may not be a requirement. It would still be great to have it, though. At times, the main pump may fail. When one flushes the toilet, the pump is activated, and it forces water into the bowl. After the required amount has been poured at high pressure, it shuts down.
The main area of contention has been what size of pipe to use. Some prefer to use a half inch pipe for tankless toilets. However, there are those who argue that a one-inch pipe would work better. It will help to ensure that enough water is pumped into the bowl. It is highly recommended that one uses a one-inch pipe. It will eliminate the chances of insufficient water being pumped into the toilet bowl.
Downside to Tankless Toilets
The main downside is the toilet is too complicated. As a result, nay repair that needs to be conducted will require one to invite a repair man. The complex electronics involved need experienced hands.
Conclusions
When installing this tankless toilet, one needs to watch their power supply. It can be quite a downer if the electricity supply shuts down on a regular basis. In addition, the initial investment is not cheap. It is a decision that one should consider carefully.
Is Hot Bath Necessary for Health?
Few pleasures in life feel as good as taking a nice hot bath after a long day at work. Scientific facts are supporting the benefits of a hot bath. Since ancient times, taking a bath by a hot spring or bathing in hot water has always been something of great significance. With the invention of the water heater, it made it possible for people to take hot baths from home instead of going to hot springs. Here are some of the benefits one gains:
Do Not Make It Too Hot
Hot baths are an excellent way to relax. However, if they are made too hot, they can make it hard to relax. It is especially the case for people who suffer insomnia. One needs to make the bath just hot enough. As a result, the water heater needs to be turned on just moderately. If one likes taking baths first, a tankless water heater is the best route to use. If the water temperature is way high hot, it will rev the nervous system too much. As a result, relaxation will remain an illusion.
The Health Benefits
During a hot bath, body temperature shoots up significantly. The first benefit to this is that the blood circulation rises significantly. It means that more blood is supplied to the organs in the extreme edges of the body. Increased blood flow will mean that more nutrients are transferred to the body organs.
The other main benefit is that a higher temperature causes on to sweat more. Sweating has many benefits for the human body. It helps to get rid of toxins trapped within the body. These are dangerous compounds that could have an adverse effect on the body. The effect of taking a hot bath is that toxins are eliminated. For one, simple ailments like a common cold disappear much faster after a hot shower. To ensure full benefits, one should always take water before and after the bath. It helps to keep the body hydrated.
When there is increased body temperature, there is a great health benefit for the mind. Endorphins are chemicals that help to put the mind at ease. They are the same types of compounds released after an intense workout. These chemicals are also released during a hot bath. They help to calm down the mind and thus help one to sleep better. They also work well in helping to cure mild and intense headaches. One will also notice they are in high moods more often if the take baths on a regular basis.
Hot baths help with relaxation too. If one is always tense, a hot bath can help one learn how to relax naturally. It helps one gain better control of their nerves. As a result, one can more easily release tension from their body.
Conclusion
A hot bath is an impressive means of relaxation. One can make things more interesting by choosing the right showerhead. Some showerheads will increase the pressure of the water, which can be soothing. It is something worth considering.
Key Health Benefits of Using Soft Water
Water is an essential part of life. In fact, some medical organizations say we should take eight ounces of it daily. Refusing to take enough water can have adverse effects on the digestive system. Soft water has some advantages for the human body that cannot be easily ignored.
What is Soft Water?
Water is usually described as being hard or soft. To determine this, the levels of calcium and magnesium ions are the main mode of measurements. Soft water is thus water that does not contain these ions. If it does, they have to be at very minimal levels. The main source of soft water on earth is rain. It is the only place that one is likely to find the most amount of soft water.
Main Benefits
If one installs a water softener for their home, they stand to repay in a big way. For one, their health will see some major gains. One of the main benefits of soft water is that the body more readily absorbs it. As a result, if one was suffering dehydration, their body will have more water available. It can be a significant advantage in the hot seasons. It ensures that one does not have to make visits to the hospital because of heat stroke.
Another benefit of soft water is on the teeth. The minerals contained in hard water can have some effects on the teeth. Over time, one may notice that their teeth become weak. It is in addition to them becoming darker in color. Dental problems can be prevented by using soft water.
A significant health benefit of using soft water is on the skin. The skin is one of the largest organs of the human body. However, it can be easily damaged. When one bathes in hard water, a thin layer of minerals forms on the skin. Over time, this thin layer chokes the skin, making it look weaker and feel scaly. The skin is an important point of the synthesis of vitamin D. When the skin is unhealthy; it makes it hard to conduct this function well. In addition, the ski is also a way through which the body removes waste when we sweat. Skin that has closed pores will have a hard time getting rid of the waste. It could affect the body internally.
Other Health Benefits
Hair is also part of our body. However, washing it with hard water can be quite damaging. It makes it brittle, and it does not grow as long as we would want. Hairs on the skin play a major role in cooling down the body. As a result, when these hairs start to break off, it makes temperature regulation difficult. When one uses soft water, this problem is eliminated.
Conclusion
There are clearly a lot of health benefits to using soft water. However, hard water also has some advantages. It would be nice to drink both of these types of water once in a while. Taking too much of either can have some adverse effects on the body.
