We all know that sound, the water constantly running no matter how many times you kick it. It’s quite simple to fix so don’t let that annoyance bother you anymore. This Do It Yourself project will be beneficial for the years to come.

Assess the Situation

Make sure to evaluate if the repairs required are needed to be addressed immediately or not. The source of the leak may be due to:

• The ball/flapper can stick causing a considerably large waste-water bill

• The flapper valve and valve seat are deteriorated/corroded

• The flushing arm or chain are not working properly

• The water level in the tank is too high and spills into the overflow tube

Plumbing, if not done correctly has the knack of becoming worse before becoming better. If the repairs are extensive, it is better that you call a professional to repair it sooner than later. What’s the number to a reliable professional with reasonable costs you ask? 1800Anytyme, with over 35 years of experience, can serve your needs 24/7. If on the other hand, the repairs are not very extensive, go ahead and do it yourself and save a bundle.

Step One:

First you want to go to the store such as Home Depot and buy a new universal flush valve. Preferably the kind that have the float connected right on the stem, NOT the big ball hanging off of the wire.

Step Two:

When you get back to the house stand in front of the toilet and locate the water shut-off valve. This should be located down below the toilet on the wall. Just turn the valve off completely (Remember righty-tighty!) and flush the toilet dry. All the water should have left the tank, or at least the majority of it. If there is remaining water get it out with paper towels or a rag. If there seems that water is somehow accumulating, it is most likely that your valve is not shut off all the way or not working which may hurt more than help your situation.

Step Three:

Next, unscrew the water line connecting to the old flush valve from the tank. It may be very tight so a wrench might be needed for this task. Once you unscrew the plastic nut, the flush valve should easily pull right out. Proceed by removing the existing O-ring from the tank if it is still there.

Step Four:

Unpack the new flush valve and scan the directions. You should add a new washer or O-ring to the flush valve when installed. Push down firmly and make sure it is seated evenly. From there, attach the water line to the new flush valve and secure the connection. Use that wrench to make sure the nut is nice and tight to prevent any further issues with the toilet.

Step Five:

Last but not least secure the DIY repair is perfectly intact. Open the valve all the way and water should start filling the tank. The float on the stem of the flush valve is adjustable, usually by turning a small nut on the side of the float with your hand or a small screwdriver. Just adjust it to control where you want your water level at. You may also have to adjust the chain or plastic line that attaches to the plunger from the flapper valve to make sure it seats correctly without too much slack. Flush it a few times, make sure it works and voila… you have stopped your running toilet!

Popularity: 19% [?]

Prevention is the best cure, even when it comes to home drains. Clogged drains are best avoided by adopting everyday habits that reduce the chance of clogging, while performing more arduous drain cleaning tasks at regular intervals.

The material of the plumbing pipes is also a big factor when it comes to preventing drain clogs. Certain materials in drains accumulate more debris, like food particles and soap and chemical residue on the pipe lining. Older iron pipes also rust, which over time causes clogs and even fractures in home drains. If you live in an old home where the piping is galvanized or cast iron, you may want to consider a repipe in order to upgrade to drains made of copper or PVC plastic, since these materials are the least likely to clog and will not rust.

Regardless of the material of your drain pipes, there’s a lot you can do to avoid drain clogs. Preventing clogged plumbing begins with awareness of little habits that over time cause clogging. Another important step to remember is performing regular drain maintenance that goes a long way in preventing blocked drains.

Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains:

Every Day:

• Make sure all your sinks and tubs have stoppers. Clean them regularly
• Never pour cooking grease down the drain

Once a Week:

• Fill up the sink all the way to the top, then remove the stopper. This will perform a simple flush of the drain line with the sheer weight and volume of the water mass

Once a Month:

• Pour bleach to the fixture traps and let it sit overnight. This will help loosen up build up inside pipes. When you no longer need to run water at night, pour 12 ounces of bleach in the drain, and the next day water that runs through the drain carries the minor clogs away

Once in Three Months:

• A simple clogged drain prevention task involves checking the stoppers in all sinks and tubs and removing buildup of organic material
• Perform a thorough flush by simultaneously filling all sinks and bathtubs in your home to the brim with water. At once, remove all stoppers, and the mass of water will flush even drains running underneath the house (you may need the help of a few friends for this one!)

What If I Still Get a Clog?

Unfortunately, drain clogs can hardly be avoided forever, even though the frequency can be reduced with the above measures. If your drain clogs and there is no sewage back-up present, go to the plunger first – minor drain clogs can often be cleared simply with a plunger. Pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain, or a chemical drain cleaner also does the trick in some cases. If the main line is clogged, you can try a few DIY tricks, but the safest solution is to call a professional plumber. Most companies have drain cleaning discounts, since it is such a common problem among homeowners.

Popularity: 23% [?]

What does plumbing have to do with carving pumpkins?

Believe it or not, Halloween can be a scary time for kitchen sinks and drains, garbage disposals and even toilets. No, we’re not talking about the consequences of an accidental overload on Halloween candy, but the misconceptions about dealing with pumpkin scraps. We put together a list of simple rules of thumb on to how to avoid clogged drains and avert serious plumbing disasters during the Halloween season.

Rule #1: No pumpkin carving in the kitchen sink

You might think you’re saving yourself the hassle of cleaning by carving pumpkins in the kitchen sink, but beware, the sticky insides quickly block drains when they slip past the sink stopper. Pumpkin pulp tends to slide down the drain easily enough, but it then sticks to the insides of the pipes where it’s hard to reach, hardens, and leaves you with clogged kitchen plumbing and no choice but to call a plumber. A great alternative for the kitchen sink is to get the dirty work done on a thick stack of newspapers away from any drains that can potentially clog.

Rule #2: No tossing pumpkin scraps in the garbage disposal

Garbage disposals are no doubt useful for most food waste, but pumpkin guts aren’t one of them. Save your garbage disposal and avoid kitchen clogs by opting for roasting the seeds and making soups or dessert out of the pulp, or come up with your own creative ideas on getting the most out of pumpkin scraps.

Rule #3: No pumpkin gunk in the toilet

Surprisingly, many people think that this is a good idea, but the sticky pumpkin leftovers will clog bathroom pipes just like kitchen drains, generally forming a clog further down the pipes and making unclogging even more of a tricky task.

What is the best way of handling pumpkin scrap?

Instead of simply throwing the carving leftovers in the garbage, compost them, or make bird feed our of them. And don’t forget that the jack-o-lanterns themselves can be composted as well come November 1st!

P.S. If you already have a messy kitchen sink or toilet clog after your pumpkin carving session, don’t panic; you can always try these DYI tricks to clear the blockage.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Keeping your drains clean not only saves you a headache by preventing an unpleasant drain clog, but it also protects you and your family from harmful bacteria, infestations of drain insects, and odors originating in your home’s drains and plumbing systems.

When a drain clogs, you can attempt to unclog the pipe with simple home solutions without calling a plumbing company, but it is always important to remember certain safety measures when taking on do-it-yourself plumbing projects.

Why Are Clogged Drains Harmful to Health?

The worst case scenario caused by blockages in drains is sewage back-flow, but even when the clogging is minor and no sewage is present, other problems like drain insects breeding on the insides of the pipes and persistent drain odors threaten the well-being of your household.

Backed-up Drains and Sewage

If at any time you notice sewage backing up in your shower drain or bathroom drains, you should take caution to minimize exposure to the contaminant because it contains numerous bacteria that cause disease. Immediately protect yourself by following this check list:

1. Make sure children, pets and the elderly are not allowed in the exposed area; they are the most vulnerable to bacteria threatening health.
2. When in contact with sewage backing up from the clogged drain, use gloves and a face mask, and avoid skin contact with the material
3. Clean up the contaminated area and every item that came to contact with the sewage (especially toys) with diluted bleach (1 cup bleach for every 5 gallons of water)
4. Be sure to carefully wash your hands with soap after treating the sewage from the clogged drain
5. If you or a family member has symptoms such as fever, chills, or vomiting, it is a sign of exposure to sewage, and medical attention may be needed.

Drains Flies and Insect Infestations in Drains

Drain flies, also called moth flies or sewer flies, breed in drains, and while they do not bite, they sometimes spread bacteria and microorganisms from the location of breeding around your home. Cleaning drains professionally not only eliminates clogs, but will also make sure that the breeding areas for drain flies are disinfected. You can also locate the drain or drain trap where the flies are coming from, and use an appropriate drain cleaner meant for removing organic debris from the interior of the pipes.

In homes, the most common areas for drain flies to breed in are the bathroom drains, most likely the shower drain. You can place masking tape on the drain opening, and if numerous flies get caught, you have probably found the source. Beware that the flies might not be coming from just one drain, but areas like sump pump pits and sewers in the basement are also common homes for the drain flies.

Regular drain cleaning ensures that your drains remain free from odors, insect infestations, and minor clogs. Clogged drains are only one of the nuisances involving drains, and protecting the health of the members of your household requires keeping the plumbing in your home running smoothly, even if that means calling in the pros every now and then.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Here in San Diego it gets too hot in some locations to be without air conditioning. Not only does air conditioning make your body more comfortable, but it also helps with your breathing. This is especially important for people with asthma.

What Air Conditioning and Asthma Have in Common

Asthma is most commonly triggered by mold, pollen, and animal dander. For most of us, breathing in these particles is unavoidable, but the good news is that air conditioning units all contain filters that keep our particle intake to minimum. Air conditioning also helps eliminate humidity. Humidity feeds mold and algae to grow much more rapidly then it could if it were living in dry air.

Air conditioners work by:

1. pulling air into the unit
2. which gets forced through filters, blowers, compressors, condensers, coolers and evaporators
3. then blasted back at the temperature of your choice.

• His first priority will be to make sure the unit is still performing efficiently and all of the mechanical aspects are operating smoothly.
• He will then check to make sure your coolant is pure and at a high level.
• He will check to see if the coils have mold or algae growing on them. If they do, he will clean or replace them.
• The blower will be examined to make sure it is not corroded with dirt or other debris. The wheels are easy to clean if the damage is minimal.
• He will replace your filter.
• He will clean your drain line of mold and algae.

In addition to having a professional come to your home once a year there are things you should be doing in the meantime to better your breathing.

1. Your first personal responsibility will be to make sure you are changing your filter at least once a month. This is the most important step in keeping up with your A/C unit. Your top choice should be the Pleated Filter since it works the best.This will drastically effect the air quality in your home. Once a month filter replacements prolongs the overall life of your air conditioning unit by stopping dirt from getting to the other major mechanical components that make up the unit.
2. Your second personal responsibility will be to clean your drain line as often as you are changing your filter. Mold and algae love to grow inside of drain lines and if there is an overgrowth then you might have to deal with a major backup.

Call a Professional To Get A Good Start On Your A/C Upkeep

If dirt is left sitting too long inside any part of your unit then the mechanical life of the system could greatly be impacted. Whether you have a new unit or an old one, it is probably time for you to call in a licensed professional to do a tune up. Feel free to ask him questions and learn how to take over the easy stuff. From there you can get yourself in the routine of replacing filters and cleaning drain lines.

Being active in the maintenance of your air conditioner could save you from experiencing a major asthma attack. It feels good knowing that you are safe breathing in quality air at home.

Popularity: 64% [?]

With the current societal pressures in today’s down economy, more and more of us find ourselves with sleep problems. Stresses cause us to be restless and toss and turn in our beds. Our daily lives give us enough to sweat about. It doesn’t help that the summer heat is rolling in and making our living spaces uncomfortably hot. Nobody wants to be tired, cranky and hot all of the time.

The good news is that Air Conditioning has a direct effect on our level of sleep. The cooler we are at night, the deeper we will sleep, and the better rested we will be!

Getting Back Healthy Sleeping Habits Requires Us To Balance Our Behavior, And Our Environment.

There are a couple of things you can do before bed to increase your chance of a sound sleep.

Behavior:
1. Avoid Caffine
2. Drink Warm Milk
3. Do not eat a big meal for at least 3 hours before bed
4. Nibble a small snack
5. Follow routine
6. Stick to same night hour for sleeping
7. Do not work out for at least 3 hours before bed
8. Do not drink alcohol
9. Do not smoke nicotine

Environment:
1. Sleep between 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Keep your core body cool right before bed
3. Keep your hands and feet warm under the covers
4. Have a comfortable mattress
5. Avoid light and noise
6. Try a hot water bottle at your toes

The best way to keep our core bodies chilled before bed is simply to louge around in the cool air of our A/C units. If we keep the unit going all night then our bodies through the night.

Air Conditioning and Babies

San Diego babies that live in our Southern California heat should be growing up in households with A/C units. Babies become dehydrated much quicker than adults because of their perspiration prevalence. Leaving a small child restless in a hot room all night results in sweaty pajamas, sleepy eyes, and thirsty mouths.

More importantly there has been evidence to suggest that a baby’s sleep environment is a critical factor in the risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), which is diagnosed when the sudden death of an infant can’t be explained by other health concerns. Researchers who study SIDS found that simply having a fan in the room lowered a baby’s risk of SIDS by 72 percent. Babies sleeping on their backs and in cooler rooms have a smaller chance of experienceing SIDS than ones placed to sleep belly down in hot air.

Purchasing a New Air Conditioning Unit

The fact that Air Conditioning can improve  overall quality of life, starting with a good night’s sleep, is more reason than just the weather to purchase a unit this season.

Popularity: 62% [?]

Why Choose a Programmable Thermostat for your Air Conditioner and Heater System?

Attention homeowners! Did you know that most homeowners spend around 50% of their annual energy bill on heating and A/C? San Diego may well have a climate that borders perfection, but only few of us can tolerate those freezing winter nights and scorching summer days without smoothly functioning heating and air conditioning systems in our homes. One simple way to reduce energy usage in your home is to install a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts indoor temperature according to preset times and temperatures. Your air conditioning and heating expenses should be reduced by more than 10% if the programmable thermostat is used properly.

What are the Benefits of Programmable Thermostats?

1. Energy Savings – An estimated $180 a year or more (*Energy Star Estimate) can be saved when a home air conditioner and heater system are used in conjunction with a programmable thermostat.
2. Higher Level of Comfort – Programmable thermostats tend to be more accurate than manual models, and you will have the increased flexibility for instance to set the temperature slightly higher before you wake up for those cold mornings.
3. Convenience – By having an automated temperature control for your home heating and air conditioning system, you can stop worrying that you are wasting energy while you’re not home, and you’ll avoid frequent trips to the controller unit.

Installing the New Programmable Thermostat

Before attempting the installation of a programmable thermostat, make sure you have thoroughly read all instruction and electrical safety guidelines, and you have the following tools handy: drill or driver, level, screwdriver, pencil, tape and goggles for safety.

The unit should be installed on an interior wall, away from heating or cooling vents and other sources of heat or drafts (bright lamps, doorways, sunlight, windows, or skylights).

1. Turn power supply off.
2. Detach old thermostat, along with the wall plate, but be aware that older models often contain mercury, a toxic substance that needs to be appropriately recycled.
3. Label wires (usually there are 2or 4) and secure them by tying them in a loop.
4. Install the new wall plate first, then connect the wires, following instructions.
5. Finally, mount the new programmable thermostat on the wall plate and restore power.

How to Best Program a Thermostat?

New models usually come with pre-programmed settings that are designed to keep energy efficiency to the maximum, but at the same time delivering comfort with ideal cooling and heating times and temperatures. It is recommended that the time periods for different settings are set to at least 8-hour increments.

The following table provides a good guideline:

If you have little experience installing electrical equipment that requires wiring, don’t hesitate to call in a professional San Diego air conditioning and heating company to perform the installation safely and quickly. By relying on an HVAC specialist, you will also rest assured that the unit will function properly and all warranties will remain valid. Selecting the right model may also be a daunting task that also depends on the cooling and heating system currently in use in your home, and a professional is always the best person to answer any questions you have.

Popularity: 88% [?]

So you are invited to another housewarming party, but this time you don’t want to bring the traditional flower pot or yard gnome as a gift. Like the rest of the society you are learning the importance of living a green lifestyle and know it is time to share the knowledge. What better way then to spread the word than to get your friends an environmentally friendly housewarming gift to kick off the beginning of their new lives?

Some of the most common types of gifts have an earth friendly sister. If you find a gift idea, don’t just run to the checkout to close the purchase. Compare the product labels. Shop around at well known green stores for the same item, but made earth friendly. 

Inside-the-Home Gifts:

1.  Bamboo Towels- made with biodegradable bamboo. Hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. The bamboo provides natural anti-bacterial agent and is often softer to the touch than regular cotton towels. 
2.  Reusable Coffee Thermoses- made with a double interior wall to keep drink hot. The silicone lid eliminates splashing.
3.  Food Basket- made with woven leaves or rope, or carved from wood. Fill with fruits and tea.
4.  Eco-Friendly Bags- made with organic cotton, and recycled materials. A current top fashion rave.

Around-the-House Gifts

1.  Organic Cleaning Products- made with natural oils mixed with other solvents. You can make an arrangement of soaps, sprays, and lotions.
2.  Self-Powered Flashlight- light generated from the energy of shaking the flashlight. A common product, but very useful.
3.  Electric Consumption Power Monitor- used to monitor the total amount of energy used throughout the home. The device even helps you be aware of what is unplugged and turned off.

There are plenty of organic solutions to nearly any gift idea you may have. Showing up to your friends housewarming party with your arms full of earth friendly products helps spread the knowledge of the importance of environmental awareness. This is the best time to change the habit of common boring gifts and really stand out of the crowd.

Popularity: 55% [?]

Prepare Your A/C Unit Before the Heat Rolls In

Spring can be a hectic time for a San Diego homeowner, but the annual air conditioner check up should never be left out of the (endless) to-do list of maintenance chores of the responsible homeowner. Unfortunately, most of us wait until the first heat wave to crank the old air conditioning unit, and more often than not, an unpleasant surprise awaits those who procrastinate. Local air conditioning contractors are busy during the hottest months, so to get in on the most convenient service and best air conditioning repair discounts, time your service call between March and May.

Central Air Conditioner Check List

1. Physically inspect the surroundings of the air conditioning unit. Cut down shrubs and weeds, along with other plants that have sprung up around the unit. This essential step ensures that the unit will manage to suck in sufficient amounts of outside air to cool and blow inside the house.
2. Turn on the air conditioning unit on the first day that the temperature hits 70 degrees in March or April, and let it run for about 60 minutes. Detecting problems and scheduling proper air conditioning repairs and even replacing a faulty unit will be painless when it is still relatively cool outside and HVAC companies are not running around from house to house tackling emergency calls.
3. Check the air filter, and change it if necessary. Some air filters may need to be replaced every year, whereas permanent air filters only require annual cleaning for optimal performance. In either case, dirty filters can create a multitude of problems for an air conditioner; the unit’s energy usage will increase, while the evaporator may even ice over when a filter is allowed to accumulate too much dirt. In addition to making sure the filter is changed or cleaned, go around the unit, picking out obstructions such as leaves or debris that may be blocking parts.
4. Freon level inspection: If the freon levels are low in the air conditioner, a leak is probably present and a freon recharge might be necessary to compensate the lost freon. Low freon levels significantly decrease the life of the compressor, the key component in any a/c unit, and overheating is likely.
5. Tighten screws. A yearly air conditioning maintenance routine also includes checking that all screws are tightly fastened.
6. Check Air Conditioner Thermostat operation. While this may sound obvious, you should also double check that the A/C thermostat is set on “cooling” mode, and the temperature is well below room temperature to automatically turn on the air conditioning unit.
7. Safe air conditioning maintenance: If you encounter a problem during the air conditioner test run and you have a hunch of what may be causing the malfunction, don’t fail to follow basic safety rules that apply to any home maintenance jobs. Cut off power to the a/c unit first, and never just hose down a unit; you will run the risk of electrocution.

How to Maximize Useful Life of the A/C Unit

If you run into problems that require professional air conditioning repair service, as an early bird you are likely to get the fastest and most attentive care from a local Heating and Air Company. Routine Air Conditioning maintenance is the most economical solution to guarantee cool air blowing through your house during the summer months, but if it is time to install a brand new unit, make sure to look into energy standards and tax incentives offered to homeowners who opt for environment friendly appliances.

Popularity: 64% [?]

The majority of people do not know that indoor air pollution can often have much higher levels than outside. This is not good for people who suffer from allergies or asthma as these pollutants are the direct cause.

Indoor Air Pollutants

Your home could be harboring any number of common indoor allergens such as:

• Mold
• Pet dander (skin flakes), saliva, and urine
• Dust mites
• Cockroach droppings
• Pollen

Once airborne, these particles enter your body through breath and cause a reaction internally, which results in sneezing, coughing, runny nose, or worse symptoms.

How Your Home Harbors Pollutants

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in your home can both harbor and spread mold and other allergens. Old HVAC units circulate indoor air. With the old units, you can be breathing in the same mold over and over again while your body continues to react to it. The modern day solution is to purchase HVAC systems that bring outside air in that is constantly filtered.

Always Use Fresh HVAC Filters

There are multiple different types of filters you should be aware of when replacing your old used ones.

• Flat panel filters- Are designed to protect the furnace, not improve indoor air quality.
• Medium efficiency filters. -Have a higher surface area so they filter more particles out of the air.
• High efficiency filters.-Remove even smaller particles than pleated filters.
• HEPA filters. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters use high energy

Since higher efficiency and HEPA filters tend to put so much stress on your HVAC system, you may want to use a medium efficiency filters since they still work really well and they are cheaper.

The best HVAC experts can help you pick out which filter fits your needs and install it for you any time.

Popularity: 49% [?]

While standing over your running faucet, do you ever think about what a shame it is to waste all of that cold water while you wait to feel hot water emerge? Sure you do. Not only is it entirely wasteful to nature, but also wasteful of your time.

In order for you to finally receive the hot water from your pipes, all of the cold water first needs to be emptied out. Even then, you never get immediate hot temperature. The heat gets absorbed into the cold piping material as it travels through the fixture. This process results with more wasted water. What are your options for more energy efficient plumbing??

Insulate the Hot Water Pipes

Insulating the pipes keeps them from cooling off as fast, thus the new hot water doesn’t have to give up so much heat to the piping material. The insulation preserves existing heat so less water is lost due to temperature.

Hot Water Demand Systems

Another solution for energy efficient plumbing to receive hot water more efficiently is to get your plumber to install a Hot Water Demand System. These systems work in the following way:

1. Push button
2. Pump blasts water through piping to fixture
3. Hot water is returned to water heater through cold water return pipe
4. Once water is returned pump immediately turns off
5. Pump is only used a few seconds at a time
6. Energy is Saved

Typical Hot Water Demand Systems use less than $2.00 per year in electricity. A typical family of four saves up to 14,000 gallons per year by no longer wasting cold water down the drain.

Professional Assistance with Energy Efficient Plumbing

Whichever method you choose to help save energy with your plumbing, you should call in a professional. It will only take your skilled and certified San Diego plumber several hours to save the environment thousands of gallons of water a year. Your time will be saved, as well as your consciousness knowing that you have invested in energy efficient plumbing.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Should you keep your old water heater or buy a new model to save energy?

If you’re not aware of what the bulk of your home’s energy use goes to, you may be interested to know that water heater tanks are a major source of energy waste in most households. Old homes are usually equipped with outdated water heaters that are close to retirement, but if you’re hesitating about making that big investment to buy a brand new one, you can still start saving money without installing a new unit.

Does Your Hot Water Have to Burn You?

The most obvious trick to save on energy costs is to consider whether you really need your hot water to be scolding hot, or get by turning it down a few degrees. Just by tuning the knob on the hot water heater a tad you are guaranteed to decrease in your monthly utility bill. Turning the heat up, on the other hand, is usually not recommended because you risk burning out the heating elements.

Insulate Your Old Hot Water Heater

The second trick is not as obvious and common as just turning down the heat, and it does require a bit of work. Insulating your water heater either with a cabinet or with an insulating blanket that wraps around the hot water heater is a great way to save money with relatively little effort. Older water heater models are especially susceptible to losing heat around the tank, whereas modern water heaters don’t necessarily require insulation. Here are some tips on how to go about insulating your hot water heater tank:

1. Water Heater Insulation Cabinet: If you’re a natural born DYI builder, you may want to consider putting together a cabinet that surrounds the water heater tank, and insulating the box to prevent heat from radiating from the tank.
2. Water Heater Insulation Blanket: These water heater accessories are available in most hardware stores, and shouldn’t cost much more than $20. A blanket around the water heater will ensure that the tank retains the temperature of the water longer, hence needing less energy to keep reheating it. If you’re not sure whether your water heater actually needs insulation, you can test the temperature on the top of the heater with your hand, and if the temperature difference is major, you can probably benefit from insulation.

Ready to Switch to an Energy Efficient Water Heater?

Resuscitating an old water heater just might be a lost cost, and there comes a point when switching out your outdated model to a new one makes the most sense. If you’re afraid of high installation costs, remember that down the line you are looking at significant monthly savings on your energy bill when your home is supplied with a modern hot water heater that’s designed to conserve energy.

Before you start calling around for deals on new water heaters, it’s a good idea to make a decision on which type best fits your needs. Tankless water heaters combine efficiency with compact size, but you may even want to consider a solar heating system for even better savings. If you are a believer in traditional water heater tanks, you may want to go with a gas water heater, since natural gas is a cheaper form of energy than electricity.

Popularity: 51% [?]

If your current furnace is malfunctioning or more than 20 years old, you should be looking into a new purchase. If you buy a new energy efficient furnace for your house, you will end up saving a lot of money on energy bills in the long run. Energy efficient furnaces are not as harmful to the environment because they require less fossil fuels to operate.

Tax Credit “Green” Furnaces

The government is encouraging people to make the switch from old units to new models. Currently some very lucrative federal tax credits are available for those ready to make the move to an energy-efficient appliance. You can take advantage of a 30% tax credit on the purchase of a new energy-efficient gas furnace, and other state incentives are often available as well.

Who Qualifies for the Tax Credit?

When you upgrade to the new unit there are 2 components that will need to be replaced: the furnace unit and the circulation fan that blasts air through your house. If your old furnace has an annual fuel utilization efficiency over 95%, you qualify for the rebate. To get the rebate for your circulation fan, the old fan must account for less than 2% of the total annual energy used from the furnace. If you are fortunate enough to qualify for both rebates, you will get the total 30% off the new unit combined with the instillation bill. The credit does not exceed $1,500 however, so you still may need to look around for a good deal.

To get the current energy calculations of your old furnace and circulation fan, you should call an HVAC professional to do the reading for you. Making the switch may seem like a big ordeal, but it is worth it. You will save money in the long run, and you can rest assured knowing that you are being environmentally friendly.

Popularity: 31% [?]

When you are experiencing a problem with your electrical wiring, you should always call in a professional. There are always those hard-core DYI types who think they can take matters into their own hands, but when messing with electricity, you are messing with danger. There a few common mistakes experts found that people have made when tackling electrical issues on their own:

Wire Mistakes

It can be very risky messing with wires. If you happen to use the wrong sized wire for a specific project, you could be causing unbalanced electrical surges in the mismatched gauges. The thicker the wire, the more capable it is to handle electrical flow. The small wires are the ones that usually overheat. When this kind of short happens, you can completely break your circuit.

Cable Mistakes

Plastic coated wires, known as cables, are very delicate. It is easy to fasten the cable too tightly against the board it is attached to. The pinch in the cable caused by staples can mess with the electric current. The worst thing that can happen is an electricity-induced fire.

Electric Connections

Electric connections should never be created outside electrical boxes, because of the risk of sparks. Do not overfill your electrical box with connection wires. This will create short-circuits.

Short Wires

Short wires generally have the worst connections, so extensions should be considered for safety reasons.

The Bottom Line

The best practice when dealing with circuits and electricity is to get the opinion of a skilled electrician before attempting anything yourself. An expert electrician will always know what to do about your wiring issues.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Do You Realize the Importance of Consuming Purified Water Instead of Tap Water?

Tap water is filled with multiple types of impurities such as synthetic chemicals, toxic heavy metals, parasites, chlorines, chloramines, and thousands more compounds that can threaten your health. Consuming tap water on a daily basis can be devastating for your body.

The EPA has reported estimating 9,300 cases annually in the US where bladder cancer has been a direct result by consumption of chlorinated by-products. That means that people drinking tap water have a slightly higher risk to obtain cancer in their lifetime then those who are drinking purified water.

Unfortunately, people have been taking the wrong preventative matters. The average family of four spends over $1,000 annually for bottled water to free themselves from this risk. Many of these people do not know that the EPA tested 1,000 bottles and found that two third of them still contained contaminates. Money is being spent and the problem is not being resolved.

Right now over 250 million Americans are drinking and bathing in water contaminated with chlorine and chlorinated by-products whether they know it or not.  In the shower, your skin’s pores act like sponges that can absorb up to 100 times more contaminants than you would get by drinking the same water.

What is the Best Solution to Have Purified Water in Your Home?

HALO water systems have the highest quality water you can get in the US without the burden of having to buy bottled water. Not only is HALO a cheaper alternative, but it is manufactured to the highest standards in America to make sure your family gets the purest water possible.

HALO water is filtered through a process that uses alternating magnetic fields to pull most minerals away from forming hard brittle scales in your water. Calcium ions become bonded to each other instead of getting bonded to the lining in you plumbing.

If your body is over 80% water, then shouldn’t you provide it with the purest water available?

How Can You Get a Halo Water System Installed Today?

Being aware of your current water situation is not enough to change it. Bottled water has proven not to be the best solution. It is time to consider getting a professional plumbing company to install your new HALO water system for you.

Make sure you call the right plumbing company to do the job for you because not all companies install HALO products. Call a plumbing company that specializes with HALO water because they will possess the expertise you need to install your new water system in correctly.

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