Niche Thaw

10 Eco-Friendly Water and Money Saving Tips While RVing

2011-05-26T04:28:00.000-07:00

It's easy to cut back on the amount of energy consumed in your home, but, what if you live in an RV -or- go camping for a few months.

Simply follow these 10 energy and water saving suggestions and discover the good you can do for nature and your wallet.

1) Get a quality holding tank heater and set the thermostat no higher than necessary for RV living uses.

2) When hiking away from your recreational vehicle for more than a day,turn the water heater control to a low temperature setting.

3) Wrap water lines with inline pipe heaters from holding tank to place of use.

4) Leaky faucets waste tremendous amounts of water. A small leak that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes wastes 3,280 gallons of water a year. And, if it's hot waer, you're wasting fuel as well.

5) If you need to boil water, start with water from the hot water tap ... part of the heating job is already done.

6) If your RV is equipped with a dishwasher, wash a full load of dishes. Dishwashers use approximately 15 gallons of hot water. Washing by hand could use as much as 20 gallons.

7) Use only cold water when operating a food disposer. With hot water, the disposer doesn't work efficiently and the energy used to heat the water is wasted.

8) Insert a showerhear restrictor to limit the amount of waterwasted while showering.

9) When shaving, partially fill the basin with hot water rather than letting the hot water go down the drain.

10) Don't wast water. If it's hot water, you're wasting the energy it takes to heat it.

These 10 Tips Brought To You By: UHI Worldwide

UHI Worldwide is the leading manufacturer of RV Full-Season water system heating.

Safety Tips For RV Campers

2011-04-05T05:05:00.000-07:00

By: UHI Woldwide

We know how excited you get when you go camping, so here are a few friendly tips to remember you about safety and protection for you and your RV whenever you "Go RVing" .

Check with local park, forest, or public lands agents to see what precautions need to be taken in regard to storing food away from wildlife
Do not feed the local wildlife
Take precautions against parking your RV / camping in an area that may be dangerous in the case of sudden flash floods. Check with local rangers to find a safe and legal parking / camping area
Remember to take along non-perishable food that won't make you ill if it spoils
Be courteous and remember that you are sharing public lands with other RV'ers, campers and recreationists
Do not park your RV in unauthorized areas
In winter avoid frozen freshwater and greywater by remembering to install UltraHeat® on the RV holder tanks, pipes, and elbows.
Bring along extra safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cellphone or radio

3 Easy Ways For RVer's To Protect Wildlife by UHI Worldwide

2011-03-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

The phrase "Go RVing" is not only about an individuals comfort and pleasure, it also requires that we help to take good care of our public lands so that wildlife and others may enjoy these areas for years.

UHI Worldwide, the manufacturing leader of RV holding tank heaters wants to help by giving RVer's three simple ideas that will go a long way towards protecting our public lands.

Don't Litter ...
Consider taking along a bio-degradeable trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash so that you can deposit it in the proper trash receptacle at a later point.

Make sure that your Recreational Vehicle is permitted ...

Did you know that some parks and camping areas have length restrictions on motor homes and RV's? These restrictions exist to protect natural habitats, such as short trees, as well as, to protect you from narrow trail and drop-off points. UHI recommends you check with your destination ahead of time for any restrictions.

Don't park your RV in areas where you are not permitted ...

Watch closely for signs within Public and RV Parks, sometimes there are areas that have been declared "off limits" to RV's to protect wildlife, vegetation, and/or to help keep you safe.

Want more great RVing tips ...

http://www.Facebook.com/UHIWorldwide.com

3 Easy Ways To Avoid Litigation Due To Slipping On Ice

2011-03-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Slip and fall accidents and injuries often occur with snowy and icy conditions. Most accidents occur outside because of slippery sidewalks, stairs, and transportation steps. Often times the danger is not immediately apparent to the injured victim, as in the case of black ice.

On the 28th of December 2010, NYC slowed-down. Not, because it was the Christmas Holiday Season, but because of icy conditions. According to the New York Times : "New York City Subways and Buses: Service is suspended to portions of the B, L, N and Q trains and the S and A shuttles. Limited bus stop service has been suspended across boroughs. In Staten Island, trains from St. George to Tottenville are running once an hour."

Here are 3 easy ways to protect yourself from icy steps, and if you are a business owner... from litigation.

1) Reduce the danger of slipping and falling on icy steps or slick walkways by rolling out a No-Slip Ice Carpet whenever it's needed. This natural fiber no-slip outdoor runner is safer to use than salt which can take forever to work, especially in very low temperatures. And rolling out a No-Slip Ice Carpet is a lot easier than trying to chip away ice with a shovel! Learn More >>>

2) Why protect your step from ice... it's almost a silly question isn't it? When snow and water are carried onto steps in cold temperatures, they freeze and become ice! This causes a potential hazard that may result in serious injury, especially to children of all ages and older adults.

The UHI StepWarmer^TM will protect your passengers (and employees) from slippery ice build-ups. The Step Warmers safely heat the steps so that when they are wet with slush and water, they WILL NOT FREEZE.

Using UHI StepWarmers can greatly reduce the likelihood of winter-time injuries to your passengers or employees, helping avoid employee time-off or possible legal actions due to injury.

Learn More >>>

3) In snowy environment it is vital to find an effective way of dealing with ice. Sand and salt are the two main options for dealing with icy roads, but they both have their advantages and disadvantages. To best know what material to use to manage ice in your area and under your conditions, you need to understand both materials. Learn More >>>

Slip and fall injuries occur quite often in snowy or icy conditions. The inherently slippery nature of snow and ice make sidewalks, steps, and outdoor surface particularly dangerous. Therefore, you need to protect yourself.

Feel free to comment below, and share any other ideas you might have about protecting yourself against slip and fall litigation.

How to Protect Your Recreational Vehicles ( RV 's) Total Drainage System?

2011-03-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

If the drainage system in a recreational vehicle ( RV ) is totally protected, the owner of the RV can use the RV in cold temperates... YES... all through the winter!

Protecting the holding tank from freezing is a wise decision. Waiting for the tempurate to rise enough to thaw so you can dump the tank is frustrating and inconvenient. Installing tank heaters on the tanks will give you the protection you need.

It must be remembered that pipes and elbows freeze quicker that the actual holding tanks. Pipes and elbows have more exposed surface area and smaller amounts of liquid in them, thus they will freeze quicker. Installing heaters on the pipes and elbows will also protect them from freezing.

There are other pipes that may freeze which should be considered. The fresh water tank, and the 1/2" fresh water pipes. If the freshwater tank is exposed, it should be protecting with an appropiate size tank heater, and then the water supply can be inspected to determine if they are exposed to cold temperatures. If they are exposed, 1/2" pipe heaters should be considered.

5 Tips Every Four Season RVers MUST Know

2011-01-29T03:10:00.000-08:00

1) The underside of an RV is exposed to the elements. To combat the cold, consider using layers of insulation (such as foil insulation, down comforter, foam) under the mattress.

2) Vent cushions fit into roof vents to help reduce heat loss and condensation in these areas.

3) UltraHeat model 1200 RV Heater can protect a 40-gallon holding tank. Clean the tank’s surface with isopropyl alcohol, peel off the protective paper, and stick it in place. It's used to keep exposed plumbing from freezing and works on holding tank, pipes and elbows in a typical RV application.

4) Apply some new foam adhesive to the doorway of your recreational vehcile, and then adjust the striker plate as necessary to achieve a perfect, leak-free fit. This helps keeps warm air in and cold air out. Another type of doorway uses a nader pin instead of a striker plate. To adjust these, simply loosen the pin and turn it one direction or the other to tighten your seal.

5) When the wind blows, cold air can get in through a range vent. Replace the hood with a “flapper” valve that stays closed until the fan is on.

Keeping Warm in Your RV This Winter

2011-01-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

When the weather gets cold, your RV can be a welcome sanctuary, but is it ready for the big freeze?

RV Buyers Beware (old language new meaning)

2011-01-29T02:46:00.000-08:00

When purchasing a new RV there are a few things that need to be brought out to the light, Some RV Manufactures have put “NEW MEANING” into “OLD” accepted phrases. In 2007, the market dropped nearly 70% and the cost of production had to be minimized. “Heated Holding Tanks” was a common phrase and meant that tanks had electrical heating panels attached to the tank.

The Old Meaning of "Heated Underbelly"

How is this term “Heated Holding Tanks” used by “some” manufactures today?

Electrical Heat Panels are removed and several RV manufacturers are putting a 2" or 4" heat ducts into the belly of the RV. Now, they can say they have “heated tanks” when in reality, this is market trickery.

In most cases they haven't reduced the overall price of the unit but they have taken away a crucial element from your unit. You are mis-lead to believe that you have cold weather protection!

Here are the basic facts why "Heated Underbellies" do not work:

Air from the furnace will follow the path of least resistance. Without a return air vent from the belly of the unit, you are blowing hot air into the closest hole going to the outside. If your tanks are not in that path, they get no heat!
Let's give the manufacturer's the benefit of the doubt:

The bottom is sealed completely and they have installed a cold air return, (I have yet to see one that does this, it would let too much cold air back into the living space of the RV), the air will still go the path of least resistance so if your tanks aren't in this path they still won't get heat.

Again let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and say air somehow air is going past all of your tanks to a cold air return. The area they are trying to put heat into is an area that has almost as much square footage as the living area of the complete RV. How can they expect to keep this area warm when they have a hard time keeping the bedroom warm and in most cases the bedroom has multiple 4" ducts and proper return air ventilation? Even if they do get a little heat into the storage tank area, heat rises. Your tanks will start to freeze from the bottom. All pickup lines for you fresh water tank and dump points for your gray and black tanks are at the bottom.

In most cases electric space heaters are being used inside the RV because of the cost of the propane which will limit how much the furnace runs. If they are trying to heat the tanks with ducted air it obviously only works when the furnace is running. Now think; what is the first thing you do when leaving your RV? Naturally, you turn the furnace off to limit the propane use.

The new meaning of "Heated Underbelly"

In summary, when they tell you "Heated Holding Tanks" in literature or during the sales pitch, be sure to ask how this is being accomplished. When you truly have heated holding tanks they will work independently of the furnace, turn on and off as necessary, and work if you are in your RV or away.

So, next time you go to purchase a a new RV remember to ask if by heated underbelly they are referring to the "OLD MEANING", which is a common phrase and meant that tanks had electrical heating panels attached to the tank.or the “NEW MEANING”, that means you get heated duct air?

Learn more about Heated Ducted Air versus Eletrical Heating Panels >>>

Learn More About UHI Worldwide >>>

ATTENTION: Full Season RV Campers - Demand more from your dealers!

2011-01-29T01:54:00.000-08:00

Dealers take note, four season RVer's are getting younger, travel longer, and pay closer attention to securing their investments. They want the best products that truly address their FULL-SEASON needs.

With this in mind, why not carry a fantastic product for both "NEW" RV owners and seasoned RVers who need an all-weather recreational vehicle water and waste system protection RETROFIT solution?

Four-Season RVer are demanding UHI Worldwide's UltraHeat Panels, which provide protection against liquid freeze-up (below -11° F) in holding tanks, pipes and elbows. UltraHeat is made in the USA with nearly twenty (20) years as the RV Industry standard.

Check out this short video to better understand the benefits of carrying UltraHeat as the ELITE solutions for full-time RVer's who need a complete all-weather water and waste protection system that gives them more "BANG" for their "BUCK"!

To learn more about UHI Worldwide and its other great brands and products visit: http://uhiworldwide.com/

RV Industry Trends in 2011

2010-12-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

Guest Blogger: Rob Rohena

As the industry moves forward into 2011, many OEM's need to find ways to reduce cost in production. Some of the most popular and requested OPTIONS will be dropped as standard equipment. This means more "PROFITS" for all dealers with SERVICE CENTERS!

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Now's the time to coordinate between your Sales and Service

UHI Worldwide's "UltraHeat" panels are one of the most popular and requested options. Following the sale, train your sales agents to suggest UHI heat panel options and install them through your own service department. A definite customer value, fast and east to install, with GREAT Profit Margins!

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Here to help with four season RV questions

2010-12-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

Throughout my time within the industry I have noticed a lot of mis-information regarding how to utilize Recreational Vehicles (RV) for full time use, specifically focused on how to keep your holding tanks, drain lines and water lines from freezing during cold weather RV camping.

It is my intention to share as much helpfull information about the products, services, and information surrounding the RV lifestyle.