October 2nd, 2008 — Bathroom, Handy Man, Sink, Toilet, water heater
A water heater is an essential appliance that is commonly overlooked in many homes. Typically they will provide years of service, and you may never realize that it is either terribly inefficient or even faulty. Here are some tips to help you determine whether your current water heater should be replaced and how to find a brand new one.
First and foremost, it is important to consider energy efficiency. Propane water heaters can be more efficient than electric, but the rising cost of propane is leaving many to consider making the switch to electric. However, electric water heaters, especially older models, can be an incredible drain on your energy.
If your water heater is more than ten years old, chances are it is not as efficient as today’s models. The new Energy Star guidelines have made quite a change in the industry and water heaters that are built today can typically be run all year round for around $20 to $40. Compare that with older models that cost in excess of $60 a year, and you can easily pay for a new water heater in less than two years.
Another common complaint with water heaters is scalding. Whether it’s from someone else in the house flushing a toilet, or running a sink, scalds are very common. This can be very dangerous with young children in the house and no one really appreciates getting scalded with hot water, or frozen with cold.
If your water heater does not have a safety setting that will prevent scalds, it is definitely time to consider replacing it. Today’s models have built in features that can reduce the risk for scalding, and they are much more child friendly. If replacement is not an option, you may want to consider turning the thermostat on your water heater down to reduce the overall temperature of the water in your home. This is an easy fix that can prevent terrible burns.
Another common complaint with older water heaters is capacity, or overall efficiency when it comes to producing hot water on a regular basis. For example, if you have four people in the home, chances are if your water heater is cold, one or more of them will be taking a cold shower if you all go in a row.
Look for a water heater with a bigger capacity in this situation. Forty to fifty gallons is usually appropriate for a bigger family, but depending on water usage and the length of showers, you may need to go bigger. It’s really almost impossible to have a water heater that is too big, unless you are the only person in the home.
Last but not least, there is a tip that many people do not know about. During the summer months, the water in your home’s well or water supply is naturally warmer. Reduce the risks of scalds by turning down your water heater’s thermometer during the summer months. This can also help you save money on energy costs during the summer months.
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August 18th, 2008 — Flooring, Handy Man, Heating
Even though winter is the farthest thing from many minds right now, this is the perfect time to start thinking about your heating options. As heating oil and propane costs skyrocket, many homeowners are starting to think about different ways that they can save money on their heating costs. Here is a quick overview of the different options that are now available.
1. Wood stoves -
The old standard, but they still work. A wood stove should not be confused with a fireplace. These stoves are stand alone and must be vented through a pipe in the wall. They are incredibly efficient and can put out quite a lot of heat. Many are also made of materials that hold in the heat, making it last even longer. They do however require a lot of wood, which can be expensive and cumbersome to deal with. This option is best for those with plenty of storage space.
2. Corn stoves -
This is a new take on the old wood stove and it uses corn pellets to create heat. However, the popularity of ethanol has driven up the price of corn, and the weather may cause a great deal of shortages this coming winter. These stoves also have a tendency to leave a lot of black soot in the area and are not recommended for people with breathing disorders
3. Radiant floor heating -
This type of heating system utilizes small tubes that are placed in the flooring. Hot water is run through them on a constant basis, heating the room. These are pretty efficient, but very expensive to install. They are usually worth the effort, until one tube breaks and you have to rip up the flooring to replace it. This is usually best reserved for new home builds or those that are completely renovating their homes.
4. Electric baseboard or alcove heating -
These little heaters actually work pretty well and with the right installation, they can heat a whole room. There are still some complaints about cold pockets however with many of these heaters. The main downside is that they are usually not very energy efficient and can cause quite a drain on your wallet.
5. Central electric heating -
Right now, this may be the most economical choice for many homeowners. These furnaces are usually pretty efficient and run cleanly. You will need to change out the filters occasionally, but they are a great alternative if you’ve got a propane furnace that you need to replace.
6. Central propane heating -
As mentioned previously, propane prices are still quite high and these furnaces range from being very efficient to being very costly. Overall, they are probably the easiest to deal with, but right now, they are not the most economical. Until gas prices dip, many homeowners are just not willing to make the jump to switching to propane and with good reason. However, if your electric bills could already choke a horse, you may actually be able to save money in the long run with one of these furnaces.
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July 21st, 2008 — Handy Man, Install, Kitchen, Sink, filtration unit
No matter where you live, there is a chance that you may be dealing with some contaminants in your water. Many of us have trace amounts of lead in our drinking water and this can be harmful to your health over time. It is a good idea to have your drinking water checked for any contaminants, especially if you live in a rural area and use your own well.
One of the easiest solutions to getting clean water is to install a filter at the tap level. However, this can get pretty old since you can’t run hot water through it and the filters can be expensive over time. If you want an easier solution, there is a type of permanent water filter that can be installed under your sink or even at the source of your water, to filter everything that goes through the faucet.
Whole house filters are an excellent investment and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are bathing and drinking in clean water. However, if this is out of your price range, a simple filter that is installed under your sink can be a great alternative. Your number one priority is making sure that your drinking water is clean, so let’s look at how to install one of these filters under your sink.
Most of today’s newer filters may include a special faucet, but these can be pretty complicated to install. It is easier to pick a filter that will just use your existing fixtures. First, you’re going to need to turn off the water supply to your sink. If you don’t have a shut off valve there, you may need to turn off the water supply to your home instead. This can usually be found near your water pump.
Once the water supply is turned off, get under your sink (removing anything that may be under there) and locate the saddle valve. This is a small valve that should be located under the shut off valve. Open this up and get your filtration unit ready. It is a good idea to follow the unique instructions that come with your filter, but this is a general guideline for most filter installation procedures.
Attach the filter in between the saddle valve and the main valve. Make sure that it is located on the cold water valve since you don’t want to run hot water through the unit. Once the unit is in place, close off the valve again and install the carbon filter. These units typically have a much longer lifespan than the smaller faucet based filters, so even though you are using a carbon filter, you won’t have to change it as often.
Make sure that all of your connections are tight and turn the water supply back on. Depending on the unit, you’ll want to run at least two gallons of cold water through your tap before it is safe to drink. This is due to the little bits of carbon that can come through when it is brand new.
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