Deep Sojourner

As a fleet manager, one of your most important jobs is fleet fuel management. Part of this job is optimizing fuel purchases as much as possible, in order to minimize your fleet’s expenses and maximize profits.

Luckily there are many tools available to help you optimize your fuel usage far beyond what even the most diligent manager could do on their own, sans technology. For instance, there are fuel optimization programs that you can use to make sure you are getting the most out of your drivers’ fuel stops along their routes. These programs use state of the art modern technology to analyze your drivers’ routes, and determine where would be the best places to fill up.

Although it might not sound like it right away, choosing where to fill up is an important part of properly optimizing your trucks’ fuel usage. Prices may be lower at one gas station than another, but will driving out of your way to get to the lower prices actually cost you more than what you are saving? That is one of the things that fuel optimization software looks at.

The other thing that a fuel optimization program does is to find the best fueling prices along each driver’s routes. This allows you to ensure that you are always getting the best price on fuel. The amazing things about fuel optimization software is that it makes all of these calculations for you quickly, not just for one or two gas stations, but for all the potential fueling stops along your route.

Most fuel optimization programs are designed to work with your existing fleet gas cards and fuel networks, so you don’t have to change anything in order to start using the software. If you have an automated dispatch system, rather than hiring a person to do the job, the software will work with that as well. In addition, fuel optimization software is designed to work with fleets of any size, whether they have two vehicles or two hundred.

At first look, these software programs may seem too pricey to make them worthwhile, but consider this: Fleets who use the software generally save about $1,000 per vehicle per year. The larger your fleet, the greater your savings every year. Therefore, fuel optimization software should be a no-brainer for managers of large fleets. Buying a program may make sense for smaller fleets, too, but in any case, it is worth it to price the software and weigh your options!

If you are using fleet cards to pay for your drivers’ fill-ups, you are already utilizing a powerful tool that helps you to cut costs and closely monitor your vehicles. Adding a fuel optimization program simply allows you to save even more. Regardless of the size of the fleet or the systems you already have in place, a fuel optimization program can help you to realize substantial additional savings in your fuel costs.

Technorati Tags: fleet fuel management, fleet gas cards

Many people believe that air conditioning has made living in the South possible. Industry was able to migrate from the cooler, northern states to the south because of air conditioning.

You may be surprised to learn that air conditioning did not begin its life as a way of making people more comfortable. The first electric power plant opened in New York in 1882. This made energy affordable for both commercial and residential building. Soon after (1889) major cities began to use large scale refrigeration to preserve foods and perishables. At this time, it was widely known and accepted that being surrounded by cool air helped foods to last longer. However, it was not common knowledge how heat and humidity were related. The first air conditioner was built in 1902 by Willis Carrier to control humidity inside of a printing company. Using air conditioning to control the humidity levels in printing companies and textile mills was the very beginning of environment control and management.

Willis Carrier is commonly called the ‘father of air conditioning.’ He received a patent for his device in 1906 and, in 1911; Carrier presented his formula to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This ‘Rational Psychrometric Formulae’ is still used today for calculations in the industry.

The first residential air conditioner, called ‘Weathermaker’ became available in 1928. Office buildings, banks, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters and department stores began using air conditioners in the 1930s. Air conditioning in Phoenix went a long way in making public venues and private homes more comfortable during the hot summer months.

Due to the Great Depression and World War II, residential air conditioning began to wane in popularity. However, sales began to grow once again with the end of the war. Air conditioning became widespread in the South in the 1950s. Cost effective window units became available in 1951. Currently, over 90 percent of homes and businesses in southern states are air conditioned. Air conditioning has actually improved working conditions for millions of people and towns that were previously too humid and hot to attract visitors became large, bustling cities full of life and activity.

Today, air conditioners even come in a portable form! Portable air conditioners may be what you are looking for if you want to cool the interior of your home without going through the hassle and cost of permanent installation. Portable air conditioners are also great for people who live in apartments or condos that do not permit window units. Portable units are small and convenient. You usually only have to run one exhaust hose to the outside of your house, apartment, or condo. Although effective for many different applications, it is important to keep in mind that a portable air conditioner uses a refrigeration cycle. This will reduce the humidity level in your home. If you live in an area that is dry or arid, a swamp cooler may be better suited to your needs. When deciding if a portable air conditioner is right for you, remember that although they are portable and can be moved around your home, they must be vented to the outside. Therefore, you will have to set up your portable air conditioner next to a window.

If you live in a dry, desert-like climate, you may want to consider a swamp cooler. A swamp cooler uses evaporation to cool the air. A swamp cooler will draw in hot air and force it through water soaked pads. This will decrease the temperature of the air by about 20 degrees. Swamp coolers add moisture to the air. This means that they are great for dry climates but they are not suitable for humid climates.

When deciding between a portable air conditioner and a swamp cooler, keep the following in mind:

• Both are easy to move
• Both are ideal when permanent air conditioners are not an option
• Both are cost effective
• Portable air conditioners are more suitable for humid climates
• Swamp coolers are more suitable for dry, arid climates

Regardless of the type of home or climate in which you live, you can find a cooling option that is right for you. How can air conditioning help to improve your life?

This is a guest post by Vern Marker.  Vern is a writer for an HVAC Phoenix company.  When he is not writing or blogging, he loves to travel the world. Follow his adventures on Twitter @VernMarker.

Technorati Tags: air conditioning, HVAC, HVAC phoenix

As your vehicles age and new technologies emerge, you may find your fleet is comprised of vehicles that don’t get the best possible gas mileage. Newer vehicles tend to get better gas mileage than older ones, especially if they are not well maintained as the miles add up. Leaky seals and gaskets, clogged fuel filters and air filters, and other issues that crop up as the parts age all contribute to poorer fuel economy.

In addition, the vehicles now hitting the market are better designed than ever, making them more fuel-efficient. For instance, many fleets are now switching to hybrid trucks, which offer considerably better fuel economy than their traditional counterparts.

If your fleet vehicles are aging or seem to pale in comparison to what is currently available, you may be wishing you had the budget to buy new ones. However, replacing all the vehicles in your fleet is an expensive proposition, and not an option for most fleet managers. Luckily, you can improve your gas mileage at a lower cost to your company with vehicle modification. The cost of updating your vehicles will be recouped over time, as you save money on fuel expenses.

Still not sure you have the money for vehicle modification? Don’t worry — government grants exist to help fleets like yours fund an overhaul of their vehicles. The government is motivated to encourage fleets as well as individual drivers to conserve fuel as much as possible, and since vehicle modifications often make more sense for fleets than buying all-new trucks, the government is providing grants to help fleets achieve their energy goals. Therefore, with a little financial assistance, you can start the process of modifying the vehicles in your fleet, enabling you to save money on fueling costs in the future.

In addition to the grants the government is offering fleets that want to modify their vehicles, they have also set aside money for the purpose of advancing fueling technology in areas that will affect most fleets. For instance, the government gave $38.8 million to Cummins Inc. for them to develop cleaner and more efficient diesel fuel, a more aerodynamic tractor and trailer combination, and a fuel cell auxiliary power unit that will reduce engine idling by giving the truck an alternative power source. A full list of the grants created for the purpose of developing new ways to conserve fuel can be found in this January 2010 list of fuel-efficiency projects.

Regardless of whether your fleet vehicles are new, old, or modified, always be sure to take good care of them. Do scheduled maintenance when you are supposed to – whether it is an oil change, a tune up, or new tires. Have your employees regularly check things like tire pressure, and have them replace their air filters regularly. By keeping up on your fleet service, you can maintain your vehicles’ fuel economy for much longer, making the regular maintenance worth the expense.

Technorati Tags: fleet service

Make sure to take the proper precautions to keep your eyes safe when completing risky endeavors.

Can you imagine waking up tomorrow without your eyesight? It’s a situation that most of us don’t even want to have to think about. Unfortunately, each year, there are people who lose their eyesight due to various accidents that they encounter. Making sure to use proper eye care safety when completing projects that have any type of risk to the eyes can prevent this horrible situation from becoming a reality in your life. In fact, Prevent Blindness America reports that at least 86,000 people have avoided eyesight loss thanks to proper eye protection.

Situations Requiring Eye Protection

• Many people don’t realize that they need eye protection during the course of regular every day life. They think that this type of safety precaution is only necessary when you’re on a work site or working with dangerous materials. However, that’s not the case. Some very common situations when eye protection is necessary include:
• · Completing home improvement projects. If you are using a hammer or drill to complete a project in your home then you’ll want to protect your eyes. One misstep with these tools can lead to debris flying away from the item and injuring unprotected eyes.
• · Playing certain sports. Any sport where a ball or other item might hit your eye is a sport that requires eye protection. For example, you should never enter a racquetball court without proper eye safety gear.
• · Working with chemicals. You don’t have to be working with dangerous hazardous waste on a work site to be risking the health of your eyes. Even normal household cleaners can be dangerous to eyes. Wear safety glasses or other eye protection when using these items.
• · Cooking with very spicy foods. If you want to cut up the hottest peppers available then you should protect your eyes from the fumes in the kitchen.
• · Doing yard work. For example, when you use the lawnmower you should protect your eyes in case it kicks up stones.

Safety Glasses and Other Tools for Eye Protection

The type of eye protection you need varies depending upon the reason for using the eye protection. Some of the most common tools for protecting the eyes include:

• · Safety glasses. These may be regular-sized glasses similar to sunglasses that are designed for basic safety care. Alternatively, they may be wraparound goggles.
• · Full face shields. Face shields with eye protection may be necessary when doing home improvement projects.
• · Face respirators. These protect the eyes as well as the lungs during potential exposure to dangerous chemicals.
• · Emergency eye wash solution. It is a good idea to keep eyewash in the home just in case a chemical or spice gets into your eye. Work sites may have more detailed emergency eye wash stations

This information from the CDC is helpful:

“The eye protection chosen for specific work situations depends upon the nature and extent of the hazard, the circumstances of exposure, other protective equipment used, and personal vision needs. Eye protection should be fit to an individual or adjustable to provide appropriate coverage.”

Some Tips for Proper Eye Care

The best tip for protecting your eyes is to always use the safety glasses or other items available for eye protection. Remember that it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your eyesight! Some additional tips to keep in mind include:

• · Take contacts out when working in a risky situation. There are prescription safety glasses available. They are worth the investment.
• · Work in well-ventilated areas when using chemicals. This will reduce exposure to the eyes.
• · Never panic. When your eyes are injured, it’s easy to panic and start grabbing at the area in pain. This often makes the situation worse. Stay calm. Let someone in the vicinity know that you are injured. Get to an eyewash solution immediately if necessary. Call 911 for additional assistance.

Did anything in this article about eye care surprise you? We would love to know so share your response in the comments.

About the Author:

Vera Mosley is a blogger, tweeter, and writer for a safety glasses manufacturer. In her spare time, Vera is an avid health enthusiast and marathon runner. Vera can be reached at www.twitter.com/VMosley.

Technorati Tags: eye injury, prevent eye injury, safety goggles

Infographics are a relatively new phenomenon. They are, in essence, a visual way of exploring and explaining a wide variety of data. One of the industries that has benefited from the increased used and development of infographics is the wedding industry. In our current wedding-obsessed culture there is always a lot to talk about and reflect upon. The year of 2010 saw the development of some really excellent wedding infographics that managed to relay a lot of information about weddings, wedding spending and other details while displaying the information in a very readable, user friendly, highly visual format.

1. Buysights infographic “The High Cost of Wedding Bells” detailed how much it costs to get married these days. It showed that last year about 75% of all weddings in the United States took place between May and October. May, marking the beginning of wedding season is when the industry sees a serious influx in spending. Interestingly, the peak spending month in 2009 was noted as October, where over $8 billion was spent on weddings. In second place month, June $6.5 billion was spent. This infographic showed that the average cost of an engagement ring was $3,186, and that, interestingly, despite all of the coverage that celebrity weddings receive, the average cost of wedding has decreased steadily since 2005.

2. F.Y. Weddings infographic explored the kinds of weddings that most people are likely to have. Most popular was the “traditional wedding”, which would likely have a white dress, three tiered cake, a band and a DJ. As you might expect, the extravagant wedding in a cathedral, with masses of flowers and hundreds of guests was the kind of wedding enjoyed by only a small percentage of people. Another chart revealed that the bride and groom are most likely to pay for the wedding themselves, with the bride’s parents taking second place. This infographic also detailed the average time of engagement which is seventeen months, the average number of guests, which is about 196, and the average cost of a wedding which is a whopping $27,710.

3. Exploring the wedding-planner-or-no-wedding-planner question was Wholesale Event Solutions’ wedding infographic. It is said that wedding planners generally account for 15% of the cost of the wedding. The infographic breaks down the basic pieces of planning a wedding-caterer, flowers, venue, dresses, photographers and invitations- and shows that thousands of dollars can be saved on your wedding and put towards your honeymoon, or the beginnings of your new life together, if couples ultimately decide not to use a planner.

4. Another interesting infographic to examine the details and realities of weddings was the Book of Odds infographic, which measured the odds of certain wedding-related things. Their exploration revealed that the odds that a bride will hire a wedding planner to be 1 in 5.26. The odds that a bride will plan to spend at least $50,000 on her wedding day are 1 in 4.55. The odds that a couple will choose to have a destination wedding are 1 in 10.

5. Finally, Fast Company’s infographic dealt in hard facts. This beautifully designed infographic showed that David’s Bridal doles out dresses for 30% of the brides in the country, that December is the most popular month to propose resulting in one in five engagements. It also reveals that steel tyccoon Lakshmi Mittal spent $60 million on his daughters five day wedding at Versailles, and that $707,051,028 worth of wedding cake and fondant frosted was consumed in 2009 in the United States.

The infographic is an innovative and creative way of displaying information without forcing readers to parse through tons of numbers and data. The visual representation of the facts allows the viewer to gather information without reading paragraphs of information, making the learning more fluid and enjoyable.

Technorati Tags: planning a wedding, wedding, wedding infographic