Heat pumps: Breakthrough in performance efficiency

Researchers have now achieved an electrical efficiency of 99.74 percent using heat pump technology. This was made possible by advances in power electronics, which have been specially developed for electrocalorics. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, the effect is as follows: if an electrocaloric material made of special materials is...

Decoration: The "Celestial Look"

The "Celestial Look" makes it possible to bring the heavens into your own four walls. The look is characterized by star charts, depictions of the night sky and astrological symbols. These elements can set subtle accents as well as serve as striking eye-catchers and, according to the portal "brigitte.de", can be integrated into the living environment in a variety of ways. For the...

Housing: Home ownership decisive for satisfaction

Satisfaction with the housing situation depends largely on home ownership. This is the result of a survey commissioned by immoverkauf24 and ImmoScout24. The survey shows that homeowners are happier with their homes than tenants. Gender also plays a role in this context: women who live in a home of their own feel particularly happy with their...

Building a house: the hidden costs

Additional costs can be incurred when building a house. This is described by a couple on the website "wirbaueneinhaus.info". The couple originally started with a cost forecast of around 730,000 euros in 2022. However, the actual expenses later increased by almost 54,000 euros. This was due to various miscalculated or unexpected costs. For example, the land charge fees increased to...

Sustainability: generating energy from wastewater

A so-called ThermWin system from Huber SE, which recovers energy from wastewater, is used for heating and cooling in the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte in Regensburg. The ThermWin system works by means of a specially developed wastewater heat exchanger in conjunction with a heat pump. The efficiency of the system is enhanced by a fully automatic self-cleaning...

Solid wood furniture: protection with oil, varnish or wax

Solid wood furniture is known for its stability, durability and aesthetics. However, its lasting beauty depends heavily on proper surface care. Three conventional methods of surface care - varnish, oil and wax - each offer unique advantages. According to the Initiative Pro Massivholz (IPM), it is crucial that the method suits both the taste of the buyer and the...

Care costs: heavy burdens for residents

People in need of care in Germany are increasingly under financial strain. This is the result of a study by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (vdek). The costs for new arrivals in care homes are rising particularly sharply. Their co-payment has risen by an average of 348 euros per month compared to 2022. Even for those who have been living in a care home for some time, the...

Verdict: City must pay for total loss of car

The Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court (OLG) recently sentenced the city to pay damages of 6,500 euros for neglecting to maintain and inspect a street tree (case reference: 1 U 310/20). In this case, a broken branch had caused total damage to a Fiat 500 in a residential area. The OLG ruled that the city was liable for the damage due to inadequate inspection.

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