When using the energy efficient light bulbs it does not have to be difficult.  By following these simple steps you can install and properly use the energy efficient light bulbs.

1. Choose the proper wattage for your light and place the bulb beside the light you choose to replace.  Make sure the area in which you place the new bulb is dry.

2. Unscrew the old light bulb carefully.  When doing so you want to use dry hands and then place the bulb in a clean dry place. 

3. Have the new energy efficient bulb within reaching distance and carefully screw it into the outlet.  By screwing in the light bulb you are letting electricity reach the bulb and allowing it to light. 

Using the energy efficient light bulbs does not have to be difficult.  In reality they are practically no different from using the old fashioned light bulbs.  The only difference between the old fashioned light bulbs and the new energy efficient light bulbs are that the new ones save on energy and will save you on your energy bill.  Saving energy is extremely important in the 21^st century and the new light bulbs are one of the best ways to do so.

Place a clean sheet on the floor under where you will be dropping things like tools, parts and screws. The sheet will protect the floor and let you find what you have dropped due to the white background the items that fell will be easy to find. The sheet will also prevent tiny screws from being lost within the carpet.

Here are some simple tips to help you install a ceiling fan:

1. Place a clean sheet on the floor under where you want to install the fan.

2.  Pull out all instructions and parts from the box and lay them out in organized fashion.

3. Enlist the help of a patient friend who has had experience with the installation procedure in the past.

4. Be certain that the power to the entire house is completely shut off before beginning the task.

5. Follow the installation instructions that came with the fan precisely.

A ceiling fan is a comfortable addition to any room. Once you have installed you ceiling fan make sure you know how to effectively clean your ceiling fan.

In addition to providing cool air during warm weather, reversible fans can help funnel heat which has risen to the top of the room. They also provide “white noise” which makes some people sleep better.  They add gracious charm to any room and can help reduce heating bills year round. Fans are affordable ways to decorate and provide comfort to all in the room. With the many models available today, they are an excellent DIY project for a rainy weekend!

1.)   Start by taking a damp cloth and wiping the blades of the ceiling fan.

2.)   Remove the sconces (glass protectors around the light bulbs) on the lights.  You will want to soak these in warm water that also has a small amount of bleach in it and dish soap.  Make sure that you store the screws from the sconces somewhere safe so that you do not lose them.

3.)   Purchase a dusting solution and spray the ceiling fan blades the dusting spry and use a dust rang to whip away the dust.  Be sure to wipe it off completely. 

4.)   Once the sconces have had time to soak you will want to wipe them completely with a wet washcloth.  This will help remove any dust and dirt that has been lying on them for a long period of time.  You may need to soak them a second time if the sconces were in your kitchen because they may have a buildup of grease on them. 

5.)   Dry the sconces off completely and then place them back on the ceiling fan with the screws you had set aside.

Many people often forget to clean their ceiling fans.  This is something that should be done on a regular basis because you are only spreading dust around your room when you turn the ceiling fan on.  Try to make this a regular part of your cleaning routine. Cleaning your fans will also ease any allergies you have by removing the allergens found in dust.

If you notice that the flow of water from the spray is sluggish, first make sure the hose is not kinked. If the spray hose is not kinked, then you may need to clean the aerator in the spray nozzle. If the water flow remains sluggish after you have cleaned the aerator, you may have a diverter valve problem. You’ll have to clean or replace the diverter. 

If the spray head leaks however, you just need to replace the washer from the hose. For a leak at the faucet end of the spray hose, tighten the hose coupling. For a hose that leaks itself you probably have a cracked hose and will need to replace it.

Three common problems of a sink spray and how to fix them:

Clogged Spray Nozzle: Remove the nozzle screw and clean the perforated disc with a soapy water and small scrub brush. Open the clogged holes of the nozzle with a safety pin. Replace the nozzle.

Leaking Spray Head: With the water off, unscrew the spray head and replace the spray washer. Make sure the coupling is tightened once you reattach the spray head. 

Leaking Spray Hose: Remove the spray hose with a basin wrench. Remove the coupling under the sink along with the spray-head coupling. Replace the hose with a new one and reattach the spray head coupling and the sink coupling.

How to Clean the Diverter Valve: Unscrew the sinks faucet cap to reach the diverter. Make sure you know how to take apart a faucet.  Loosen the screw that is on top of the diverter just enough that the diverter is loose to lift it out of the faucet. Once you have the whole diverter out, take it apart for cleaning. Use soapy water and a small scrub brush to clean the inside and out of the diverter. If the diverter is too corroded you may need to replace it. Once you have cleaned the diverter or had purchased a new one, you are ready to reinsert it into the faucet.

In 2007 Congress passed the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007, which will aid the America people by transitioning to a more energy-efficient future by phasing out incandescent light bulbs between 2012 and 2014. By the removal of incandescent light bulbs from store shelves, homes and buildings within the next five years, the US will be saving billions of dollars each year of taxpayers’ money by reducing the amount of energy they consume.

This Act of Congress was designed to phase-out inefficient incandescent light bulbs to high-output, low-energy consumption bulbs like CFLs, LEDs, and halogens bulbs. Below you will find everything you will need to know about CFLs and LEDs, as well as what you need to know about the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 and how it will apply to you.

What are CFLs? Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs or CFL differ then an incandescent light bulb by the way if produces light. An incandescent bulb uses an electric current that runs through a wire filament and heats the filament until it starts to glow. A CFL uses an electric current that drives through a tube that contains argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. This process generates invisible ultraviolet light that reacts with the fluorescent coating within the tube, which then releases visible light.

What are the benefits of CFL? CFLs uses 75 percent less energy and will lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. If every home in American replaced just one light in their home with a CFL light, enough energy would be saved to light more than 3 million homes for a year.

How do you save money with CFL? Compact fluorescent light bulbs will save you about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself within 6 months.  Although the initial price of a CFL is more expensive than an incandescent light bulb, CFLs use 1/3 of the electricity than a regular light bulb and last up to 10 times as long. A single 18 watt CFL will save you about 570 kWh over its lifetime; at 8 cents per kWh that equals a $45 savings during the life of the bulb.

Do CFLs offer high-quality light? CFLs give out a warm inviting light unlike the “cool white” light of a fluorescent light bulb. The new electronically ballasted CFLs don’t flicker or hum and come in a variety of shapes and sizes unlike the old CFLs in the classic spiral shape.

Is the mercury in CFLs hazardous to my health? Mercury is a toxic metal that can lead to adverse health effects. A CFL bulb generally contains an average of 5 mg of mercury, that is about one-fifth of what is found in the average watch battery and less than 1/100th of the mercury found in an amalgam dental filling.* While the mercury in a compact fluorescent bulbs dose not poses a threat while in the bulb, however if you break one you should follow the steps below with caution:

- Open a window to air out the room for 15 minutes or more.

- Use a wet rag and gloves to pick up the broken pieces. Make sure to dispose the gloves and the rag, with the broken CFL, into a sealed plastic bag.

- Contact your nearest recycling center to see if they can accept broken CFLs.

- Make sure to wash your hands after you have disposed the broken compact fluorescent light bulb.

Burned out CFLs can be dropped off at your local Home Depot stores.

What are LED lights? Light Emitting Diodes are a solid light bulb which are enormously energy-efficient. Older models of LEDs were limited to a single-bulb usually found in your instrument panels, electronics, and more commonly the strings of indoor and outdoor Christmas lights.

What are the benefits of LEDs? Light Emitting Diodes last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents light bulbs and 20 times longer than the typical incandescent bulbs. LEDs are mercury-free and LEDs do not have a filament that can normally be easily damaged within the CFLs. Because they are built as a solid, LED bulbs hold up well.

How do you save money with LED? Because LEDs last for years, not only will you save money on energy coast, but you will save in maintenance and replacement costs far beyond the purchasing coast. Because LEDs require low power to run, using solar panels throughout your home becomes more reasonable.

So what does the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 mean to you?

•  The Act WILL NOT is requiring you to throw out your incandescent light bulbs.
•  Incandescent light bulbs between 40 and 100 watts will be phased out during 2012 and 2014.
•  The Act requires that all light bulbs sold must maintaining the same or greater light output and quality as an incandescent light bulb.
• Incandescent bulbs less than 40 watts or more than 150 watts including any appliance lamps, rough-service, 3-way bulbs, colored lamps and plant lights will be free from the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007.

For more information regarding government rules and regulations surrounding this legislation such as ways to recycle light bulbs, energy-savings tips and other key topics, please visit: http://www.geconsumerandindustrial.com/environmentalinfo/

*Resource: http://www.eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm

•Add to any existing flower bed some colorful seasonal plants.
•Attach stylish new home address numbers.
•Install a new all-weather mailbox.
•At the entrance of your home placing a new welcome mat and a group of potted plants.
•Add inexpensive, trendy lighting fixtures along your driveway or sidewalk.
•Clean your homes siding.

Can’t afford to do all the above at one time? Thank is ok; space the tasks out over a timeline. Give yourself three months, six months, or even a year to add curb appeal to your home. When the mission is complete, you can be satisfied with a job well done – not to mention not only did you add beauty to your home you also added value to your home.

Preventive maintenance around your home is to keep your home in good  repair.  Such routine home maintenance will avoid major repairs in the future. Below is a list of the most common year round home maintenance work you should do around your home. The chart is simply a guide. If you notice a problem developing take action immediately.

CAUTION: Before inspecting or working on any electrical system or on any device connected to it, shut off the power and check to make sure the circuit is dead with a circuit tester. Unplug any device you plan to work on. For maintenance or repairs to plumbing fixtures or water using appliances you should shut off the water before making any repairs. Follow safety tips when on the roof.

If your shower head leaks where it meets the arm, you probably need to replace the washer. To replace the washer, loosen the collar using tape-wrapper rib joint pliers to avoid damaging the finish; then unscrew the head from the ring and remove the old washer with the new.

Weak water pressure from the shower head usually means there is a mineral buildup in the shower head. To remove buildup and restore water flow, clean outlet holes with a pin or unscrew a perforated face plate of the shower head and soak it overnight in vinegar. Once soaked over night scrub the face plate clean and rinse off.

If the shower head will not pivot with ease, check the washer for wear and tear. If the washer is fine than coat the swivel ball with petroleum jelly before reassembling the shower head.

Tip:

If the nuts and couplings are frozen in place, instead of using a wrench to force them loss, place penetrating oil on the connections. Wait half an hour, then loosen the nuts and couplings with a wrench.

Make sure you always have handy the tools to help with plumbing repairs. Most are need for the repairs that are mentioned above for fixing a faulty shower head.

• Noisy tank fill

Possible Causes:

• Defective inlet-valve assembly
• Restricted water supply

Possible Fixes:

• Oil trip lever, replace faulty washers, or install new inlet-valve assembly
• Adjust shutoff valve

II. Problem:

• Running toilet

Possible Causes:

• Float arm not rising high enough
• Water-filled float ball
• Tank stopper not seating correctly
• Corroded flush valve seat
• Cracked overflow tube
• Inlet valve doesn’t shut off

Possible Fixes:

• Bend float arm down or away from tank wall
• Replace ball
• Adjust stopper guide rod and left wires or chain
• Replace defective stopper
• Scour valve seat or replace it altogether
• Replace tube or install new flush-valve assembly
• Oil trip lever, replace faulty washers, or install new inlet-valve assembly

III. Problem:

• Clogged toilet

Possible Causes:

• Blockage in drain

Possible Fixes:

• Remove blockage with plunger
• Remove blockage with plumbers snake
• Remove blockage with chemical cleaners

IV. Problem:

• Inadequate flush

Possible Causes:

• Faulty linkage between handle and trip lever
• Tank stopper closes before tank empties
• Leak between tank and bowl
• Clogged flush passages

Possible Fixes:

• Tighten setscrew on handle linkage, or replace handle assembly
• Adjust stopper guide rod and left wires or chain
• Tighten tank bolts or couplings, or replace gasket
• Clear obstructions from passages with wire

V. Problem:

• Sweating tank

Possible Causes:

• Condensation

Possible Fixes:

• Install rubber foam or polystyrene pads for tank insulation

Repairing toilet tank sweat and condensation

Toilet tank sweating often occurs during the summer time, when cold water in the tank cools the porcelain, and warm, moist air condenses on the outside tank.  Tank sweating must be repaired because it contributes to mildew, subfloor rotting, and the loosening of floor tiles.

Toilet tank sweating is repaired by insulating the inside of the tank.  First drain the tank, then glue a liner made of foam rubber or polystyrene pads to the inside walls.

If your incoming water supply is colder than 50 degrees, one unfailing way to eliminate condensation is to raise the temperature of the tank water. Raising the water temperature is accomplished by installing a temperature valve, which mixes hot water with the cold water supplying the tank. A hot water line is most often located at a near by sink or tub.

For pad insulation, first drain the tank and dry it thoroughly. Measure the inside depth and width of the inside of the tank. Measure the height from the bottom of the tank to a point 1 inch above the overflow pipe. Cut four pieces of 1/2 inch thick polystyrene pad or foam rubber to fit the front and back and each side.

Trim one 1 inch from the width of the front and back pieces so they’ll but up against the side pieces. Cutout a flush-handle shape in the front piece for the flush-handle bracket, and make sure the inserts do not interfere with any moving parts. Apply a generous coating of rubber cement or silicone glue to the tank surfaces and press the pads in place firmly. Let the glue dry 24 hours, and then before refill the tank.