Do it Your Self Repair Tips

Energy efficiency: Important Facts
Wasted energy is the leading cause of air pollution, carbon dioxide production, acid rain, and lots of money down the drain. Even though the average household spends more than $1,200 per year on home appliances, you can easily save 50 to 75% off this expense by giving some thought into your appliance choices. For example, by substituting a twenty-year-old refrigerator with a newer energy-efficient model will save you $85 per year in electric bills while saving 1,000 k W h of electricity also reducing your home's carbon dioxide production  by about a ton per year (it helps reduce the  effects of global warming). Yes the new appliances are a bit pricier but it will be paid back through reduced power costs before the product stops working.
Efficient refrigeration
Following AC and water heaters, the refrigerator is likely the largest single power consumer in your house. Refrigerator efficiency has made significant advances in the past few years, mostly due to government prodding from government agencies. Nationally, an average new refrigerator with attached freezer sold today uses not more than 700 kWh per year, the standard model sold in 1975  used nearly 2,000 KHz. Some of the most efficient models use less than 400 kWh per year.
Usually a refrigerator lasts from 14 to 21 years, the costs of operation in its life-time total 2 to 3 times the initial cost of the appliance; but if you pay a bit more up-front for higher efficiency it pays back. The time will come for you to throw out your old fridge, when you do: buy the most energy-efficient models available. (Remember to have a professional remove your Freon. some communities have this as a free service.)
Improving your current fridge's efficiency
Follow these simple tips to help any fridge do its job efficiently:

  • Uncovered foods release moisture, making the compressor work harder. Cover all liquids and wrap foods in the fridge.
  • The door gasket and sealing surface need occasional cleaning. Replace the gasket if broken or ripped. How to check the gasket seal; by closing the refrigerator door on a dollar bill; if you can pull the bill out without resistance, replace the gasket. On new fridges with magnetic seals, place a flashlight inside the fridge when its dark, turn off the room lights, and check for light leaking through the seal.
  • Don’t leave  the extra fridge or freezer in the garage on. it uses—typically $130 a year or more—. To avoid the danger of a kid getting inside, Take the door off or disable the latch,
  • At least once per year, vacuum its condenser coils, clean coils carry waste heat off quicker, and the fridge runs shorter cycles. Leave a couple of inches between the coils and the wall for air flow. (some models have the coils under the fridge.)
  • Check to see if you have a power-saving switch or a summer-winter switch. Many refrigerators have a small heater (yes, a heater!) inside the walls to prevent condensation build-up on the fridge walls. If yours does, switch it to the power-saving (winter) mode.
  • Defrost your fridge if frost has built up.
  • Don’t use your automatic icemaker. Save money by making ice in ice trays.
  • Move the fridge away from the dishwasher, stove, or direct sunlight.
  • Set your refrigerator's temperature between 38 and 42° Fahrenheit, and your freezer between 10 and 150° Fahrenheit. Double check with a separate thermometer, as your fridge’s might give wrong readings.
  • Keep cold air in: open the fridge door as infrequently and briefly as possible.  It helps if you label the food for finding it quicker.
  • Keep the fridge full. An empty fridge cycles more without any mass to absorb the cold. (use empty jugs with water)

Buying a new refrigerator
A new, more efficient refrigerator will pay for itself in nine years; as it  can save you  $70 to $80 a year. Newer models also free you from the guilt of hurting our ozone layer—most are entirely CFC-free.
Shop wisely; carefully read the yellow EPA Energy Guide label found on all new appliances. Use it to compare models of similar size.
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic development and environmental protection. Every year ACEEE publishes the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, a guide listing the most efficient appliances by manufacturer, where to get it and its energy use. We strongly recommend consulting this guide before taking any guesses on a new appliance. It has an amazing calming effect on overzealous sales personnel, and allows you to compare energy use by model.
The refrigerator-shopping checklist

  • Use a size suitable for your needs, smaller obviously will save you more If you don’t need the extra space.
  • Top- or bottom-mounted freezers average 12% less energy use than side-by-side designs.
  • Avoid using the refridgerators with water dispenser/ ice maker/ and such.. it will not pay off as they mark them up about $250.
  • Check  that any new refrigerator you buy is CFC-free in the refrigerant and the foam insulation.
  • Be willing to pay a bit more for lower operating costs. A fridge that costs $75 more initially, but costs $20 less per year to operate due to better construction and insulation, will pay for itself in less than four years.

Some additional energy efficient information

Stopping Running Toilets;
Getting rid of that constant trickling sound

The majority of toilets have this problem that keeps the water running from the tank to the bowl. This problem wastes gallons of water, not to mention the bothersome trickling water sound. Usually a refilling the bowl or extending chain that connects with the flushing handle will fix this problem; however it may be caused by a drain hole located at the base of the tank, known as the valve seat.

The flapper valve connects to the valve seat to stop the flowing of water coming from the tank. Sediment and other deposits start collecting in the valve seat over time, weakening water tight seal it needs to stop the running water. To fix this; lift the flapper and clean the valve  seat with a emery cloth or fine steel wool (this is if the valve seat is made of metal), however if the valve seat is made of plastic use a plastic scouring pad.

Save half on your electricity using Fluorescent Lamps

Most people use “incandescent” light bulbs. These bulbs are old technology and compared to fluorescent lamps they burn out quicker, create more heat and are an efficient source of light.  Save money by switching to fluorescent lights.

Here are the benefits:

  • Produces less heat and saves you money on air conditioning.
  • The cost of electricity ranges from 50% to 70% less
  • The bulbs will last up to 20 times more than incandescent.

Many fluorescent lamps fit in standard sockets. The initial cost is more for the bulb, but over time the savings will pay off for the initial investment and will lower the yearly cost of electricity.

Local hardware stores carry a wide range of fluorescent lights,  when replacing the ceiling light fixtures remember to turn the power OFF before you start, and secure the power connections with wire nuts, use electrical tape to cover the wire and nuts when finished.

Replacing a Faucet the Easy Way

Tools you will need:

  1. Basin Wrench

The head functions on a cam principle, tightening any size nut as the handle turns. The head mounts to the end of a handle, its flip function lets you turn clockwise or counterclockwise.

Step One: Remove the old faucet; close the shut-off valves located under the sink
Step Two: Using the basin wrench remove the coupling nuts that hook up the water-supply to the faucet,
Step Three: Loosen the mounting nuts that hook up the faucet to the sink.
Step Four:  Remove the pop up drain link, do this by removing its retaining nut
Step Five: Before positioning the new faucet, firmly press plumber’s putty around the underside along the outer edge, clean the excess with a knife or a rag.