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Welcome to Our Electrical and Appliance Articles.
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Any project which requires the use of tools carries the potential for injury. Use caution and your safety gear, this site won't be liable!
Featured Articles
Here's our most recent electrical and appliance articles. Enjoy!
Green Building and Energy Efficiency Articles
- These articles have been moved to the Green Building and Energy Efficiency page.
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Appliance Articles
- Benefits of the Tankless Water Heater This article compares the energy efficiency of a tankless water heater to a conventional storage water heater. Both electric and gas units save energy and save money.
- Best Washing Machine Brand Features Types of wash cycles, load size, spin speed, and energy consumption are key.
- Control Humidity with a Dehumidifier Mildew and toxic black mold from excessive moisture endangers your health.
- Household Appliance Cleaning Tips A maintenance and cleaning checklist for your appliances.
- How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Range No doubt about it - no range, lessened cooking ability. Troubleshoot and fix it; you don't want to be a slave to the microwave!
- How to Remove and Install a Dishwasher Save money unhooking and replacing kitchen appliances by doing it yourself.
- How to Troubleshoot and Repair Refrigerators Refrigerators are one of the longest-lasting and maintenance free appliances in the home. But, on occasion, things go awry. Find out how to troubleshoot yours.
- LG WT5001CW High Efficiency Large Capacity Washing Machine Review This Energy Star laundry appliance is expensive, but efficient.
- Swimming Pool Heaters Explained As winter approaches, consider installing an in-ground or an above ground swimming pool heater. Doing so will extend recreational and lap swimming. Types include electric, solar-powered, gas-fired, or heat pump.
- Top Hot Water Heater Maintenance and Repair Tips How to troubleshoot the circuit breaker, the thermostat, and the heating elements.
- Troubleshoot and fix a Clothes Dryer Diagnose and repair your broken clothes dryer to avoid a costly service call by an appliance repairman.
- When Dryers Refuse to Dry Your Clothes The exhaust dryer hose should be kept kink and lint free.
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Air Conditioning, Heating, and Ventilation Articles
- Air Conditioner Money Saving Tips Annual HVAC checkup and maintenance will cut utilities and extend the life of your AC and heater.
- Air Conditioning and Heating With a Heat Pump Modern heat pumps are incredibly efficient and that means bucks in your pocket. Variable speed blowers, scroll compressors, and more.
- Basement Ventilation Systems Basements should be well ventilated, especially if you plan to occupy the area. It will also minimize the possibility of toxic mold.
- Central A/C Troubleshooting Keep Your HVAC System Running Efficiently.
- Duct Dynasty: Command Better Energy Savings This Summer HVAC maintenance saves on utility bills.
- Great Ways to Get the Most out of Your Air Conditioner The summer calls for cooling with a central HVAC unit, a window AC, or a heat pump. Periodic equipment maintenance is critical to energy efficiency. These tips will tell you how.
- Heater and Air Conditioner Zone Control Single thermostat HVAC systems lack energy efficiency in larger homes with atriums and big windows.
- Heat Pumps are an Advanced Technology for Energy Conservation Reverse cycle chillers, split systems, cold climate, and all climate heat pumps explained.
- How Air Conditioner Units Work The energy efficiency of a central air conditioner is the SEER rating. Maintain it with periodic condenser and evaporator maintenance, and cleaning and calibrating your analog or digital thermostat.
- How Outdoor Wood Furnaces Save You Money Reduce homeowners insurance premiums, enjoy a cleaner home, and get allergy relief.
- How to Balance Ceiling Fan Blades How to stop fan blade wobble and noise.
- How to Determine the Correct Size for a New HVAC System Know all the factors that should be considered, not just square footage.
- How to Disassemble and Remove an Old Ceiling Fan A step-by-step guide with an emphasis on safety.
- How to Install a Ceiling Fan Using a ceiling fan allows you to set your thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter.
- How to Install a Power Attic Vent Power attic vents are activated by temperatures reaching a specified setting on a thermostat. Turbine (whirlybird) and ridge vents are considered passive components because air flow/negative pressure operate passive vents.
- HVAC Air Filters Do More Than Protect Equipment Filters protect your health and relieve allergies.
- Residential Heating Systems Overview The different components of devices that comprise your heater are the heat production unit, heat exchanger, the ductwork, and the thermostat.
- Lower Electric Bills with an A/C Misting System Modifying the ambient air temperature around your A/C condenser lowers power usage and wear and tear on your unit.
- The Benefits of Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Systems Offering peak energy efficiency and a federal energy tax credit, they are a great solution for room additions.
- The Benefits of Solar HVAC System Technology Reduce your carbon footprint and save money.
- The Downflow Gas Furnace for Residential Heating An energy-efficient home heater that guards against toxic vent gas.
- Tips for Keeping Your Air Conditioning Unit in Top Shape An annual HVAC inspection, routine maintenance, and filter changing are key.
- Top 5 Ceiling Fan Installation Tips Lower utility bills caused by excessive HVAC use.
- Troubleshoot and Fix a Thermostat If your heating or central air conditioner just doesn't seem to be acting right, the first and easiest thing to do is check your thermostat.
- Types of Air Conditioning Units There’s one for any situation. Find the one that's right for you and avoid the summer blues. Central air, portable A/C, swamp coolers, and more. Look for the Energy Star label.
- Types of Attic Ventilation Vents Attic Ventilation is critical for removing heated air This eases the load on the central air conditioner system, thereby lowering utility bills. Common methods are roof vents and electric or solar-powered fans.
- A Whole-House HVAC System Approach Offers Benefits Shared components reduce maintenance.
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Electrical Gadgets and Miscellaneous Articles
- Circuit Testing with a Multimeter This little diagnostic device seems perplexing to the electrical neophyte. Here are the answers.
- Home Automation Innovations Labor-saving devices conserve energy and assist the elderly and disabled.
- Puzzled by Your Home Electrical Issues? Learn how power is distributed in your home and how you can optimize consumption, lowering your electrical bill.
- Should You Do Your Own Electrical Repairs or Upgrades? At what point should you seek the help of a licensed electrician?
- What to Look For When Selecting a Garage Door Opener Consider horsepower, type of drive, noise generated, and how much home security it provides.
- Where Can Do-It-Yourself Homeowners Get Electrical Training? Community colleges offer the homeowner’s electrical exam.
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Lighting Articles
- All About Fluorescent Lighting Fluorescent lighting is more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs (6X more light) or line voltage halogens. Switching your incandescent to CFLs will reap savings on your utility bill.
- Contemporary Pendant Track Lighting Add Modern Decor and Curb Appeal by Installing Classy Swag Light Fixture. What could add more visual appeal than pendant lights or track lights? How about the combination of the two, modern pendant track and monorail lighting!
- Dramatic Lighting Solutions for the Christmas Family Room Use holiday and Advent Candles indoors and exterior spotlights on Nativity scenes for a dramatic effect.
- How to Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting Mix home security lights with landscape illumination for the right match.
- How to Install a Pendant Light Pendants make excellent accent lights all over the home. Installation is easy and straightforward.
- Installing Under-Cabinet Lights Under-cabinet lighting comes to the rescue for task lighting in the kitchen, work shop, and home office.
- How to Troubleshoot and Fix Christmas Lights With an analog or digital multimeter, you can be ready for the holiday season in no time.
- Natural Light in the Kitchen Brighten up your kitchen with windows, skylights, and French doors.
- Recessed Can Light Installation Tips Install lighting fixtures that flush-mount to the ceiling; save money with LED spotlights.
- Save Money with Low Voltage Lights Using energy efficient low voltage lighting works in landscape lighting, saves on electrical bills, and allows for precision lighting in kitchen work areas.
- The Benefits of LED Lighting These lights burn cool, unlike halogen, make great Christmas tree lights, and recent developments have made them a more viable option for economical lighting.
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Home Security
- 5 Easy Ways to Improve Home Security Video surveillance cameras and outdoor lighting deter home break-ins.
- DIY Home Security System Installation Tips Avoid home break-ins using hard-wired or wireless, dome or bullet cameras.
- How to Install Your Own Home Security System Custom surveillance cameras and burglar alarms secure the home.
- Keeping Your Home Security System up to Date Your burglar or intruder alarm and home insurance coverage may be compromised during a remodeling project.
- Protect Your Home from Burglars by Securing the Garage Use glass breakage detectors, deadbolts, and keep possessions out of sight.
- Ring Video Doorbell and Chime Review This next step in home automation puts another layer of protection between you and the bad guys.
- Surveillance Systems for Home Security The use of video surveillance cameras, along with a DVR or VCR recording device, helps homeowners avoid to deter home break-ins or solve crimes that have been committed.
- The Essential Home Security Vacation Checklist Avoid burglaries with these home preparations.
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Wiring Articles
- 2020 National Electrical Code Changes Yearly update to the electrical code.
- Electrical Ground Fault Protection GFCI outlets can save your life in the kitchen and bathroom. Older building codes didn't necessarily mandate them. But, if you don't have 'em, install 'em.
- How to Replace an Electric Light Switch Has a light switch, ceiling fan switch, 3 way switch, or garbage disposal switch gone bad? Learn how to safely remove the faulty electric switch and install a new one.
- How to Wire a Bathroom Bath wiring is strictly controlled by local electrical building code to prevent mishaps and to put the outlets right where you need them.
- How to Wire a Generator to Your Home An off-the-grid alternate power source during a natural disaster.
- How to Wire a Utility Room Wiring your utility room? Follow these guidelines for maximum effectiveness.
- Map Residential Electrical Circuits The home circuit breaker box, also called the service panel, needs to have have clear labels that identify which of the home's electrical circuits are protected by which electrical fuse or circuit breaker.
- Standby Emergency Generator Basics When a natural disaster occurs, an emergency backup generator is as important as a disaster preparedness kit. Rolling blackouts in California, hurricanes in the southland, and ice storms across the US and Canada! Be ready with an alternate power supply and an automatic transfer switch.
- The Hazards of Residential Aluminum Wiring Commonly substituted for copper wiring in the mid-60s to the early 70s, it was found to be a fire hazard; its use was banned.
- The Electrical Code is Critical for Exterior Landscape Lighting Leave it to the professionals? No chance! Unless their reputation is well-researched.
- Tips for Planning Kitchen Wiring and Lighting Wiring or re-wiring during a kitchen remodel should be carefully planned out and done compliant to local building code.
- Troubleshoot and Repair a Doorbell Troubleshooting and repairing a doorbell is rather simple but it’s far from intuitive. You’ll need to follow a few basic steps and have a few basic tools handy.
- Types of Residential Conduits There are several types of electrical conduit that are found in the modern home. Each is appropriate for its interior or exterior application.
- Typical Electrical Building Codes No matter where your home is located, you've got building codes to live and build by. This article gives you an idea of what to expect before you delve into the details of your local code.
- Understanding Home Wiring Confusing to many homeowners, your home's electrical wiring system is actually logical but must be installed and maintained according to local building codes.
- Wiring Considerations for Exterior Landscape Lighting A step by step guide for choosing electrical switches and installing conduit and wiring.
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About the Author:
Kelly R. Smith was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation and financial and energy trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at I Can Fix Up My Home Blog where he muses on many different topics.
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