Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner® and home expert for The Weather Channel
Design and Decor, Electrical and Lighting, Plumbing, Quick Picks Published 05/09/2008 by Ben Erickson
Documenting the construction process when building a new house can be a valuable resource for future renovations. Photograph every wall and ceiling after the plumbing and wiring have been roughed in but before the insulation and drywall are installed. Include a yardstick in the photo to allow you to gauge distances and label each picture on the back. Also, photograph and mark on your survey the location of outside wires and pipes that are buried.
Electrical and Lighting, Repairs and Installation Published 04/17/2008 by Joe Cuhaj
The popularity of Home Theater Systems (HTS) has taken off in recent years as prices have fallen. These days you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to enjoy remarkable sound and video quality in the comfort of your own home.
Electrical and Lighting, Heating and Cooling, Safety and Security, Quick Picks Published 03/21/2008 by Ben Erickson
Wireless lighting systems for your home used to be considered a luxury item that could set you back thousands of dollars, but the JetStream Lighting Control System® from CentraLite contains everything you need to control up to five rooms in your house for under $700. Individual wall switches communicate with each other using radio frequency signals without the need for a central controller, making the system easy to install in existing home.
The JetStream Starter Kit comes with five dimmable wall switches and a battery powered remote control which can be used to turn lights on and off from your house or car. Four preprogrammed lighting scenes are included, but up to 100 custom scenes can be programmed using a computer and optional USB interface device. Additional switches and accessories—like an automated timer, tabletop keypad and controllers for lamps—are available as well.
Installation requires a neutral wire at wall switches, which may not be present in some older homes. The JetStream carries a five-year limited warrenty and can be expanded to control thermostats as well as security and entertainment equipment. A searchable database of dealers and installers is available on their website.
Electrical and Lighting, Repairs and Installation Published 03/13/2008 by Danny Lipford
Telephone jacks can be either flush or surface mounted, so be sure to buy a replacement jack that fits your particular setup. While phone lines are low in voltage, they carry enough current when they ring to give a mild shock, so it’s a good idea to disconnect the line before working on it. Also, never work on a phone line during a thunderstorm, since lightning can travel down the wire causing serious injury.
Electrical and Lighting, Interior, Ask Danny Published 03/06/2008 by Danny Lipford
Sylvia asks, “Is it difficult to replace an existing telephone jack? Does the electricity need to be turned off to replace it?” Replacing a phone jack in not difficult and typically just requires transferring the color coded wires from the old jack to the matching terminals on the new one. While telephone lines do have 48 volts of electricity running through them, it’s usually not enough to cause a shock, though it may affect a pacemaker.
Electrical and Lighting, Green Living, Quick Picks Published 03/04/2008 by Ben Erickson
If you’re curious how much power your television set uses even when it’s turned off, or whether your refrigerator should be replaced by a more efficient model, then the Kill A Watt EZ™ from P3 International is just the ticket. Simply plug it into any 110 volt wall outlet, key in the price you pay per kilowatt-hour, and plug the appliance (maximum 15 amps) into it. It not only displays how much the device costs to run, but the voltage and amps it draws as well.
Electrical and Lighting, Quick Picks Published 02/19/2008 by Ben Erickson
If you’re tired of walking into a dark room at night and fumbling for the light switch, then SenorPlug might be just the answer. Simply plug it into any electrical outlet and attach a lamp or other device. A built-in infrared motion sensor activates the unit when movement is detected. It can be set to come on only when the light level is low, and an adjustable timer turns the device off after you leave the room.
Electrical and Lighting, Garage and Storage, Quick Picks Published 02/08/2008 by Nicholas Roussos
Video, Doors and Windows, Electrical and Lighting, Green Living Published 01/25/2008 by Danny Lipford
While skylights are a great way to bring more natural light into your home, they can be hard to install, result in unwanted heat buildup, and are prone to leaking. ODL Tubular Skylights solve these problems by using a small diameter round lens on the roof to gather sunlight and shine it down a reflective metal tube to an diffuser mounted on the ceiling.
Electrical and Lighting, Quick Picks Published 01/24/2008 by Ben Erickson
At midnight on February 17, 2009, analog television signals will stop broadcasting over the airwaves in the U.S. and digital signals take their place. While this won’t affect TV sets with digital tuners, or those on cable or satellite, a converter box will be necessary for older sets that use an antenna. To help homeowners with the change, the federal government is giving away $40 coupons for the purchase of a converter box. To apply, go to TV Converter Box Coupon Program.
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