2012年2月9日星期四

Japan Consumer Appliances Market

The March earthquake and subsequent shutdown of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima completely transformed the consumer mindset regarding energy use. Following the disaster the Japanese Government officially set the target of a 15% reduction in electricity consumption nationwide, and advertised the reduction of 50% in household electricity use by switching from air conditioners to fans. As a result sales volume of fans surged thereafter as consumers rushed to stores, with fans achieving the highest sales volume in 10 years.

Economic contraction encourages home dining and laundry

The continued economic downturn has put downwards pressure on consumer spending, with people spending an increasing amount of time at home. A trend of ‘uchishoku’ – home-cooked meals – continued to dominate the Japan consumer appliances market, and sales of premium food preparation and cooking appliances both increased in volume. The world’s first auto-rice mill breadmaker, Gopan, also became a huge hit, with home bakery another trend observed in 2011. In addition to home cooking, consumers are increasingly taking care of fashion items at home, and premium irons with a unique symmetrical base shape proved popular.

Increase in pollen allergy and multiple chemical sensitivity among consumers

Although the exact number of Japanese who are allergic to pollen is not known, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare cites research suggesting that approximately 29% of Japan’s population suffers from pollen allergy, with recognised symptoms including a runny nose and watery eyes. The population with pollen allergy is concentrated in urban areas, but the number has been rising, with indoor air quality a major concern among consumers. Air purifiers and humidifiers experienced a spike in sales volume as the news forecasts estimated pollen levels in 2011 to be five to 10 times the 2010 level. In order to maintain clean room air quality, ultra-fine filters are often used in premium vacuum cleaners to reduce dust emissions from the machine. Vacuum cleaners with high levels of filtration limit the release of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria and other particles back into the air.

Demand for larger appliances increases among family households

Larger fridge-freezers over 400 litres are growing rapidly in the refrigeration appliances environment. As more women stay longer in the workforce, family households are storing large quantities of food in refrigeration appliances to avoid frequent trips to grocery stores. Additionally, increasing awareness of cleanliness and health concerns have led to consumers placing items that do not require refrigeration into such units, including rice and flour. Larger laundry machines are also popular among family households. Furthermore, the continued economic downturn has put downward pressure on professional cleaning services, with an increasing propensity among consumers to clean fabric items at home, including thick winter jackets and large blankets.

Electrical goods retailers continue to show strong presence

Although the Eco-point system ended on March 2011, the Tohoku earthquake and the power shortage continued to spur demand for energy-efficient consumer appliances in 2011. The majority of consumer appliance sales are made through electrical goods retailer multiples, and they have benefited the most from the strong-performing consumer appliances market as a whole. Major electrical goods multiples reported sales increases, and further concentration of the industry was also observed. The share of multiple electrical goods retailers has increased over the past 10 years, with their competitive positioning and customer service appealing widely to consumers.

2012年2月8日星期三

Air Purifiers Are They Worth It?

Air purifier filters can have a huge impact on the choice of air purifier we choose to buy, as many of us do not wish to incur the time and expense involved with regular replacement of these air cleaning filters. As the effectiveness of your air cleaner is dependent on keeping it well maintained and running smoothly, it is wise to consider whether you want to deal with air purifier filters before you buy.

One of the most effective air cleaning technologies available today is that used in the HEPA air purification systems, said to remove 99.97% of particulates from the air. This type of air cleaner, however, employs special air purifier filters, which must be changed on a regular basis in order to maintain the system’s efficiency.

In addition to that, bacteria and viruses as well as other types of microorganisms are constant threats. Due to these invisible creatures, people get pneumonia and tuberculosis, diseases that may lead to death if not treated properly. Unfortunately, there aren’t many things we can do in order to protect our family or our environment at work. We can’t prevent pollution, allergens or microorganisms from existing in the air that we breathe and we cannot stop breathing either.

The very job that air purifiers do – removing particles and dust from our air that we do not wish to breathe in – necessitates some maintenance, as these particles will gather within the cleaner and will need to be disposed of. But while both filterless systems and those that employ air purifier filters require some upkeep to remain effective, this is minimal in both cases. The job itself involves only the simple wiping down of collection plates, or quickly changing a filter – the problem is remembering to do it!

There are several techniques available for people who want to create a safe – or less dangerous – indoor environment with respect to the air. Some air purifiers use adsorbent techniques and electrostatic charges and ionizers. Some others include a germicidal UV light and the emission of ions into the air in order to react with the agents that may cause health problems and reduce or eliminate them. However, there isn’t an air purifier sold for homes able to create indoor conditions as clean as those found in hospitals.

Using an air purifier should not make you ignore medical advice and guidance that can lead to the removal of the irritant sources and allergen habitats in your house. At the same time, they are not a substitute for thorough and regular cleaning of the air. However, they can help you to diminish the number of air particles and to maintain a healthier environment inside your house.

2012年2月7日星期二

Howell Company Secures $465 Million Contract With Army

A company with only 40 employees in Howell is one of five that will share in a $465 million dollar contract with the U.S. Army. It's a contract that holds the opportunity to bring jobs and money to the area.

"We've been doing military work for over 20 years. They're a great customer," said Ralph Beebe, President of Highland Engineering.

Ralph Beebe and his crew at Highland Engineering work hard to provide our troops with what they need.

"When something leaves our facility, the people know where it's going…who's using it and we make sure it's right," said Beebe.

15 years ago they designed a water treatment purifier now used by the Air Force, NATO and FEMA. Recently, they've added on some new products to their list.

"It was a competitively bid contract. Highland Engineering was one of the winners and that's up to a $465 million contract over the next 5 years," said Beebe.

Beebe's company was one out of 5 companies across the country and the only one in Michigan chosen by the U.S. Army to build portable bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms and kitchens that will be shipped to troops all around the world.

The local company brings the comfort of home to our troops, the things we take for granted, like running water to wash your hands and to flush the toilet.

Not only is this one of the biggest contracts for Beebe's company, he says local suppliers will also feel the effects and when these units are in full production it will add about 40 to 50 jobs.

"The veteran unemployment rate right now is an issue and as new jobs come on that would certainly be our first stop...is hiring the vets," said Beebe.

The focus of their work is making the troops as comfortable as they possible.

"They're doing one of the hardest and most difficult jobs, a hot shower at the end of the day is great thing," said Beebe.

Beebe says they hope to be in full production of the units in 5 to 6 months. They plan to produce about 60 a month and ship more than 700 a year to troops.

2012年2月6日星期一

Air quality in your home may cause headaches

When the weather report issues an air quality warning, some people stay indoors, but there's no guarantee that the air in the home is any healthier than the air outside. Common indoor air pollutants such as dust mite grime, pet dander, mold, tobacco smoke, and airborne allergens and germs may be lurking about without anyone ever noticing.

Adults spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors and inhale approximately 2,300 gallons of air a day. Given that, people face significant, ongoing exposure to a variety of unwelcome indoor air pollutants. Extended exposure to these pollutants can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, respiratory problems, headache, fatigue and even allergy symptoms. Asthmatics, the elderly and children are the most vulnerable to indoor air pollutants and can develop more serious symptoms. Prolonged exposure to some pollutants has even been linked to cancer or other serious diseases.

Homeowners do, however, have the power to combat indoor air pollutants and improve their home's air quality.

One common first line of defense is a home air filtration system. These devices filter pollutants from the air circulating throughout the home. The whole-home purifier, installed in line with the ductwork of a home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, re-purifies the air as many as eight times an hour, removing a majority of pathogens, allergens and pet dander.

But an air purifier shouldn't have to do all the work. Homeowners need to do their part by maintaining a clean household. Simple things like asking people to take off their shoes at the front door or preventing family and guests from smoking indoors go a long way toward clearing indoor air, allowing homeowners to breathe a fresh sigh of relief.

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2012年2月5日星期日

Automakers developing efficient engines that overturn fuel's dirty image

Diesel-powered vehicles used to get a bad rap for being noisy, dirty and slow. But they have been getting an image makeover thanks to "clean diesel" that emits less pollution--a change that could shake up the race with eco-friendly hybrid and electric vehicles.

At the Tokyo Motor Show in December, there were many "oohs" and "aahs" around the displays of two Mazda Motor Corp. vehicles powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine--a world first. The fuel-efficient engine can reduce emissions that cause air pollution, without an expensive purifier.

The CX-5 sport-utility vehicle, which will go on the market Feb. 16, runs 18.6 kilometers per liter of diesel oil, a fuel cheaper than gasoline. The CX-5 is the most fuel-efficient SUV, including minicar SUVs and hybrid SUVs, and packs as much power as a four-liter gasoline-powered vehicle.

The Takeri concept sedan stores energy generated during braking as electricity. According to Mazda, it can travel about 1,500 kilometers on a full tank of fuel.

"Diesel vehicles had the shortcomings of being dirty and slow. We've conquered those problems," Mazda President Takashi Yamanouchi said.

The diesel SUV market is becoming rather crowded. Germany's BMW AG will introduce a diesel model of its X5 in Japan this spring. Nissan Motor Co.'s X-Trail and Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s Pajero are already equipped with clean diesel engines.

With more diesel-powered vehicles arriving in showrooms, some drivers will likely be giving diesel vehicles a second look.

Diesel vehicles and gasoline vehicles produce their power quite differently. In gasoline vehicles, gas is mixed with air, and this mixture is injected into a combustion chamber and ignited. In diesel vehicles, air is compressed until it reaches a high temperature, and diesel oil is then injected into it and burned.

Diesel vehicles are powerful--and more fuel-efficient--even when driven at a low speed because their combustion efficiency is better than that of gasoline vehicles.

However, diesel vehicles emit nitrogen oxide and soot, and they need a big, tough body to handle the volume of air being compressed. They tended to be noisy and had poor acceleration.

Japan experienced a recreational vehicle boom in the latter half of the 1980s, and diesel vehicles accounted for 6 percent of total new car sales. However, their popularity waned and automakers stopped introducing new diesel models, except for buses and trucks.

In the latter 1990s, European automakers developed cleaner diesel engines that produce less exhaust gases by improving the fuel injection system and using filters.

In Europe, fuel-efficient, diesel-powered vehicles have become very popular, accounting for half of new car sales.

Diesel oil is obtained with gasoline during the process of refining crude oil. Because Japan cannot consume all the diesel produced here, some is exported. The spread of diesel vehicles in this country will lead to more efficient use of diesel oil.

2012年2月2日星期四

Why the Military Hates Fossil Fuels

A strange thing has happened in the politicization of climate change: Oil has become something conservatives must love, while things like energy efficiency and renewable energy have become stand-ins for liberal politics, government intervention, taxes, take your pick. So it is that people are always surprised to learn that one of the biggest proponents of green technology in the United States is that most conservative of organizations, the U.S. military. Reducing energy use, in particular this country’s dependence on fossil fuels, has become a priority amongst all branches of the military pretty much since we got involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, and given that the Department of Defense is the single largest consumer of energy in the country (spending about $4 billion per year on facility energy consumption), it has started with its own house.

Time and again top military leaders have spoken out against our dependence on oil as a matter of national security. The thing you need to remember about the military, though, is that it’s comprised more of doers than talkers. To wit, the Department of Defense has been making major investments of time and money in green technology of various kinds over the last several years, and has been executing plans to improve efficiency and reduce energy usage far faster than any of the countless state, local and federal programs we hear so much more about.

The work has begun, as any resource optimization plan should, with efficiency. In addition to the Air Force’s energy conservation program, the DoD is researching and testing several technologies through its Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). Concurrently, the Army and Navy have both kicked off net zero programs, aimed at reducing not only energy use on bases, but also water use and waste. The Navy is aiming for 50 percent of its bases to have net zero energy consumption by 2020. Compared to any states renewable energy portfolio standard or energy efficiency program that is extremely aggressive, but the Navy is confident it will get it done.

The Army, meanwhile, kicked off a net-zero base competition in 2010, selecting winners for its net-zero base pilot program in spring 2011. The Army identified six net zero pilot installations in each of the energy, water, and waste categories and two integrated installations striving towards net zero on all fronts by 2020. In its Vision for Net Zero, the Army states:

By all accounts, the competition was a huge success, with base commanders putting a lot of time and energy into their proposals, and now even those that were not selected are forging ahead with their plans.

Gensler cites Major General Dana Pittard, Commanding General of Fort Bliss, in west Texas, as an example of such a commander. Although the net zero program has set 2020 as the target date, Commanding General Pittard intends to get his base to net zero energy by 2015.

The net zero programs are fairly thinly funded at the Pentagon level, but the individual bases have thrown their full support behind it, finding funding not only through various government programs but also from the private sector. It turns out most renewable energy developers and cleantech manufacturers would love to have a military base installation to showcase, and banks see the military as a great, low-risk investment.

There are a lot of moving pieces and a variety of agencies, companies, and funding sources involved, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing the military’s progress at all.

2012年2月1日星期三

Vendors deem weekend show a great success

Many of the exhibitors at the annual Greater Portsmouth Home Show deemed the weekend event a great success as Saturday was great and Sunday was almost as well attended, was their joint agreement.

John and Mary Mirabella of Newfields have had a leaky basement for years and found several companies anxious to share their knowledge and potential solution to their long standing problem.

"I was impressed with the professionalism of the vendors I spoke with, and plan on doing business with one of them," said John.

The show offered one-stop shopping for people looking for solutions or suggestions, such as in-home vacuum systems or air purifiers, both available from Electrolux.

According to representative Nicole Bodzivch of Wales, Mass., Electrolux has more than 600 stores across the country and she does "an incredible" number of shows each year.

"This is a good one," said Bodzivch, "it is well attended and the people ask good questions. I have several good prospects and sign-ups this weekend."

A popular spot was the booth occupied by Urban Tree Service Of Rochester. According to Edward Roy, arborist for the company, the weekend was an opportunity to show the public that Urban Tree does more than take down trees.

"We do everything from transplanting trees to mosquito control, " said the UNH grad. "I enjoy expanding the public's image of our company."

Rich Guidice, a representative of the Portsmouth MetLife, enjoyed his time at the show.

"We are hooked up with WiFi," said Guidice, "and are able to give showgoers exact quotes on our very low rates."

Luncheon was available from the Frank Jones Center with scrumptious looking sandwiches and decadent brownies evident. A representative of the kitchen advised that their appropriately called homemade shepherd's pie was a big hit.

From basements to roofs pretty much anything home-oriented was available including an evaluation of your posture from Breakfast Hill Chiropractic of Rye.

As chiropractic assistant Carly Taylor put it: "You can't take care of your home if you can't move."