When choosing an attic ventilation system, you need to first establish what goal you are trying to meet: cool air in the attic, a boost for your home’s heat and air system, or the many other functions that an appropriate attic ventilation system can aid by improving efficiency and economy.  Possible types of attic ventilation to be considered for installation in your home include attic fans, mounted in the ceiling of the attic and venting to the roof, fans installed in an attic window, as are found in older homes, smaller turbine-type fans mounted through the roof, louvers installed in attic gables to permit air flow, solar-powered attic fan systems which require no electricity, and numerous other features which provide equally good ventilation for your attic.

Here are some tips to consider when learning how to install attic ventilation:

• First, find out whether the makers of the heating or cooling system in your huse have established any recommendations concerning attic ventilation to enhance the operation of their system(s).

• Consider the state of your attic as it exists now. Is there any operating or old, unused attic ventilation? If there is already pre-existing ventilation material present, can it be adapted to use again or does it need to be modified or removed to make way for a newer ventilation system?

• What pieces are you prepared to add to the new ventilation system. What, if any, modifications need to be made to the attic to complete the job? Can all of the new parts be obtained locally, or will they have to be ordered? Can you order them online, or will they need to be ordered through a store?

• Assemble all of the parts needed and determine from reading the instructions on each whether you are able to install these based on the instructions on the parts themselves.

Here are some tips on how to install attic insulation in various situations:

• Attic insulation is made to either be installed as roll insulation or to be mechanically blown into the attic space. The roll insulation often presents less of a mess to the installer, as it is literally available as rolled up strips of insulation which can then be laid in the space requiring coverage.

• Determine the correct type of insulation for your project. Insulation is typically designated for its effectiveness by an r-value, indicating its potential efficacy to work adequately in certain conditions.

• If you are planning to install insulation under an attic floor, blowing insulation into the open space is the appropriate method for such a space.

• When considering insulation to be placed along the attic walls, rolled insulation is an appropriate choice, as it can be measured to fit the space.

• Take appropriate protective care when dealing with fiberglass insulation. The insulation should not come into contact with skin, and should not be breathed into the lungs. Gloves and masks should always be used to keep the installer safe.

1. The first consideration is to choose a compressor unit which will be of sufficient to handle the space being cooled. Find the manufacturer whose units meet your general specifications as to price and availability, and then locate a unit to accommodate your living space needs.

2. Read the box carefully to determine if the existing ductwork available in the dwelling fits the specifications of the unit. If an adjustment to the ductwork is needed, you may need to consult a professional HVAC company unless you feel that you can install the needed items properly. Inadequate ductwork can impair the efficient cooling of your living space and correcting it properly is worth the extra cost.

3. Secure any recommended hardware needed to complete the installation.

4. The new unit will function best when seated on a level concrete pad. Be certain that you are able to secure the requisite pad and its proper placement to join with the electrical and other necessary connections where they are to enter the house.

5. Be certain to follow all installation instructions precisely as the unit is being hooked up, especially any safety concerns. If you are unfamiliar with any of the electrical hook-up procedures, be sure to ask someone to help who has handled that type of job before.

6. Be sure that you are fully informed about the requirements of the system before attempting to install the inside thermostat to make the unit turn on automatically. Make sure you know the proper maintenance of both the air conditioner and the thermostat to allow the unit to last at maximum longevity.

Here are tips on how to install an air conditioner:

• For the new unit, recommended installation instructions should accompany the packaging of the unit as it is unpacked.
• If there are no instructions included with the new unit, as in the case when the purchase is a display model, check the Internet to see whether the manufacturer has posted any instructions concerning installation.
• If you are attempting to install a unit without manufacturer’s instructions, be sure that the window or wall cut is adequate to accommodate the unit. Be sure that there is access to a properly rated cord powerful enough to handle the load the unit will place on the electrical system of the building where the machine will be placed.
• Be sure that there are sufficient supports to handle the weight of the unit being used.
• Be certain that there is an adequate drip pan or other means of collecting condensation that may be created by the unit. It may also be necessary to tilt the unit slightly to allow any water to run from the unit toward the outside and toward the ground to avoid any water damage.
• Hardware stores or home goods stores carry materials that can be placed adjacent to a unit which will seal up any airspace open to the outdoor elements to prevent unwanted outdoor air or bugs from getting in the room where the unit is located.
• It is preferred to not use an extension cord with an appliance as heavy as a window unit, for safety considerations. If one must be used to connect to a power supply, be certain that it is the shortest length of cord  possible to keep the unit safe.
• Be sure that the air conditioner filter is clean and accessible, especially in the instance of used units and display model units.

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 have a fireplace you probably want to be able to use it without any fears and concerns. But, chimney fires are a cause for great concern for individuals that do not know the proper steps to take in order to decrease the likelihood of them occurring. Try following these simple steps to decrease the chance of any chimney fires taking place in your home.

1.)   Only use really dry wood when you get ready for your fire. This is often called seasoned wood and it is very important in preventing fires. Your chimney may become clogged if you are using wood that has a lot of moisture in it. This can increase fires, so the dryer the better. 

2.)   Build small fires each time that you decide to have one. This will also decrease the amount of smoke that the fire produces.

3.)   Only burn wood. When you burn paper and trash you will be increasing sparks that can contribute to chimney fires. Because paper and trash is lighter than wood, it can float up out of the chimney and onto the roof. A paper that is still on fire and lands on the roof will cause the roof to become a blazed.

4.)   Have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis. If you are not able to clean the chimney yourself then you can call a professional to come and do it for you. These individuals are very easily found by looking in your local phone book or on the internet.

You should always practice safe precautions when working with any type of fire. Make sure your family knows the do’s and don’ts of using the fire place, where you keep the fire extinguishers, how to extinguish home fires, and what to do if your home is on fire.

The first thing that you can do would be to turn off the lights, televisions and computers when you are not using them.  This sounds easy but many people forget. In most homes today there are two or even three computers.  These really do pull a lot of electricity. Therefore, it is very important to remember to turn then off when you are not using them.

The next thing that you should do is spend some time looking around your home and identifying what is currently plugged in that is not being used.  Many people do not realize it but there are a lot of home appliances that will continue to draw power even if they are not being used.  Therefore, these things may need to be completely unplugged until you are ready to use them, for example your coffee maker.

Making simple changes like this can really benefit you in the long run.  Of course, there are simple things like turning the heat down at night or washing your laundry in cold water.  However, if you do these things along with the tips mentioned above, you will be sure to see an improvement in your monthly payments. Don’t forget you can also save money in the long run by purchasing energy efficient appliances.

Evaporative air conditioners, or swap coolers, work well in dry desert regions like Phoenix, Arizonian.  However, if you had purchased, say a Fort Worth new home in Texas, you will need to use a refrigerated cooling system for your home. Refrigerated units are categorized by room air conditioners that fit into a wall or window and central air conditioning. Central air conditioning is the most common type of home cooling systems.  Thought the initial purchase price is higher, central air conditioning is generally more efficient, quieter, and less costly in the long run than an individual room unit.  In a home without forced warm-air heat, a central air conditioner can be a single unit that is installed next to the house with the condenser and compressor outdoors and the evaporator and blower inside.

It’s important that your refrigerated cooling system properly maintained and if necessary, professionally served to keep your energy cost low.  To ensure efficient operation of your refrigerated cooling system, you will need to clean the filter every month during the cooling season; make sure to replace the filter as necessary. Check the condensate drain for clogs and keep the condenser and evaporator coils clean. 

For problems with the operation of your refrigerated cooling system, see our Troubleshooting A Refrigerated Air Conditioner Chart below. Always call a professional to repair a refrigeration air conditioner.

 
Step One: Use the manual control handle on the automatic gas valve to turn off the gas to the main burner and pilot. Allow at least 5 minutes for built up gas to disperse before proceeding. Use extreme caution and take more time if your fuel is bottled gas; it doesn’t dissipate as quickly.

 
Step Two: Once the gas has dissipated, set the thermostat well below room temperature. Turn the manual control handle to PILOT and light the pilot, holding the handle there for a minute. Then release the handle and turn it to ON.

Adjusting the Pilot Flame: The Pilot flame should be blue and should cover the thermocouple. Before adjusting the flame turn the thermostat down and turn off the power to the system. Then reset the thermostat when done.

 
Cleaning the Pilot Orifice: One cause of trouble lighting the pilot light, is the orifice may be plugged. To clean the orifice, you will need to shut off the gas supply.

 Step One: Turn the gas inlet handle to a right angle with the pipe.

Step Two: Disconnect the thermocouple tube and the pilot gas line form the automatic gas valve.

Step Three: Remove the bracket holding the pilot and the thermocouple.

Step Four: Use a stiff wire brush to clean out the orifice and reattach the bracket, pilot gas line, and the thermocouple tube.

Step Five: Turn on the gas and relight the pilot light.