Test your Electrical Savvy
Most people know only as much about electricity as is absolutely necessary to go about their daily lives; in other words, not very much.  But ignorance isn't always bliss. A little information can prevent shocks and reduce power bills.

Here are a handful of true/false questions to test your Electrical IQ:

1. If lights flicker or dim repeatedly, you should call an electrician.
TRUE. "Anytime you're getting flickering or dimming lights, there is a problem and you should call your electrician," said Douglas Sutton, Sr., president of Sutton Siding and Remodeling in Springfield, Ill. "Power outages due to power line accidents, strong wind, storms or extreme heat can cause brief interruptions. Customers can call their power company to find out details on the situation, or check their circuit boxes for those outages. But flickering or dimming lights signifies an overload, and a professional should be contacted." You should also call your electrician if you are constantly resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses, smell burning electricity or need to replace faulty wiring.

2. It's cheaper to leave fluorescent lights on when exiting a room than it is to turn them back on when you return.
FALSE. This is a commonly held belief, based on the erroneous notion that fluorescent bulbs use a lot of power to get started. While it is true that a compact fluorescent bulb does require a brief surge when switched on, it works out to be around the same amount of energy as five seconds of normal use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So turning the lights off for more than five seconds will save more energy than leaving them on.

2. House wiring never needs replacing.
FALSE. Depending on the amount of use, insulation on house wires can become frayed or broken, creating a fire hazard. If you have any doubts about your wiring, have a qualified electrician perform a complete inspection. Houses built between 1965 and 1973, in particular, are at risk because many were built with aluminum wiring, which the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says is 55 times more likely to reach “fire hazard conditions” than regular copper wire.

3. A circuit breaker is not designed to protect against a ground fault.
TRUE. Circuit breakers are designed to protect against high levels of electrical current caused by a short circuit. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect against
ground faults, when current leaking from an appliance goes to ground through a person touching the appliance. Even a small amount of current passing through a person this way can be lethal; a GFCI will trip if there's a ground fault, whereas a circuit breaker won't.

4. A two-parter: Computer screen savers save energy, and your computer will last longer if you leave it on all day, instead of shutting it off when you're not using it.
FALSE AND FALSE. Screen savers only save screens, not energy. If you want to save energy, turn the monitor off. In fact, the EPA recommends you turn the computer off, too, if you aren't going to use it within a half hour. They claim the lifetime of the hard disc is limited by use, rather than start-ups.

5. You can damage a power tool by using the wrong size extension cord.
TRUE. If your electric lawn mower, hedge trimmer, or leaf blower doesn't get enough power, either because the extension cord is too thin or too long to deliver it, it can damage and eventually destroy the motor. Also, overloading an extension cord can cause a fire or shock hazard. Be sure to use a cord rated to provide the proper amperage the tool requires, listed on the tool.

Remember, when dealing with electrical issues in your home, safety should be your number one priority. "We've seen homeowners put themselves in dangerous situations by thinking they could do a job cheaper by themselves," said Frank Malpere, Jr., owner/president of Quality Building and Remodeling in Effort, Pa. "If it's more than changing a light bulb, call a professional. Or take a how-to class at a local community college."
 
Just a little electrical knowledge can go a long way. For more information, visit the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties website, www.masterbuildersinfo.com. Some material in this article was provided by the Leviton Institute.

Hot on Demand

Are you considering replacing your hot water heater?  If so, you should consider replacing your old system with a tankless water heater.  Heating water makes up 20% of the average american household's energy expenditures.  Tankless hot water heaters are more efficient than traditional gas or electric heaters, and can cut your related energy costs by up to 50%. 

Instead of maintaining a tank of water at 120 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, tankless heaters heat water by running it through a network of coils or burners on its way to the faucet.  As long as you don't overdraw the unit (by running two showers at once while doing the laundry), the hot water supply is endless.

Here are a few tankless water heater brands to investigate:

Rinnai:  http://www.rinnai.us/
Bosch: http://www.cpotanklesswaterheaters.com/
Noritz: http://www.noritz.com/
Niagara Industries, Inc.: http://www.tanklesswaterheater.com/


Where Have All the Toxins Gone?

90% of the household hazardous waste collected through the King County Wastemobile and at the Factoria Transfer Station collection site is either reused or recycled into new products:

• Corrosive liquids such as drain cleaner and pool chemicals are neutralized at a treatment facility.
• Uncontaminated latex paint is blended and given away for reuse.
• Latex paint that isn't recyclable may be used as an additive in the manufacture of certain cement compounds.
• Lead acid batteries are recycled at US smelters, reclaiming the lead.
• Mercury is processed through retort, which means it is heated and forced to vaporize. The vapor is distilled and cooled to liquify, then filtered and prepared for use in commercial applications.
• Oil-base paints, solvents and thinners are blended into a fuel mixture for use at facilities such as cement kilns.
• Used motor oil is re-refined into new lubricating products or reused as fuel for ships and cement kilns.
• Pesticides and poisons are incinerated or placed in a hazardous waste landfill.

From the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management program Web site.


Showerhead Facts and Tips for Conserving at Home

•    The shower is the second heaviest water user in the home (after the toilet), using up to 30 percent of total household water.

•    In most homes, the gas hot water heater is the second largest contributor of heat trapping greenhouse gas. Because of that, efficient showerheads can cut a household’s greenhouse gas emissions by 350 pounds each year, simply because less water gets heated.

•    Seattle City Light estimates that the showerhead program will save more than 5.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, removing 7.5 million pounds of greenhouse gases otherwise generated.

•    High efficiency showerheads save on average about half a gallon a minute more than standard showerheads in the home. Water conserving showerheads typically are used at 2.5 gallons per minute, while high efficiency showerheads provide an enjoyable shower at just 2.0 gallons per minute. Many older showerheads still in use supply 4 to 5 gallons per minute!

•    Seattle City Light estimates that showerheads installed in main bathrooms will save an average of 190 kWh per year. Customers with gas water heat will save on their gas bill as well.

•    If just one-half of all single family households install a high efficiency showerhead in each shower, the region can save almost 200 million gallons of drinking water per year. That’s enough drinking water to meet the needs of 3,000 households a year.

•    Many households can reduce the hot water they use for showering by 20 percent by installing an efficient showerhead.

•    High efficiency showerheads provided by participating utilities offer a flow spray adjustment feature from a gentle spray to a pulsing jet. They also compensate for different water pressures, ensuring both high and low water pressure households get invigorating showers. 

•    Utilities are offering efficient showerheads and aerators to 330,000 single family households, through September 15, 2007.

Want to find out more about efficient showerheads? Visit www.savingwater.org.


Aphid Control 101

Have an aphid problem in your garden? You are not alone; these ubiquitous pests are a problem for most flower and vegetable gardens in the northwest.  Before you reach for insecticides, however, consider that the chemicals used to kill aphids also kill beneficial bugs.  As an alternative, you can spray a diluted solution of dish soap and water directly onto the little green critters and save your plants from ruin and your soil from chemical contamination.  As long as it's not raining, soap spray will kill the adults, but not the eggs, and may require a  second or third application.

If you live in a rainy climate, or you're not excited about getting soap on your  broccoli, try cultivating some beneficial insects of your own.  Lady bugs are staunch aphiditarians.  These often anthropomorphized bugs can be delivered to you in the mail, and are available for order by the thousands online.  Lady bugs are also attracted to cilantro, dandelions, dill, fennel and yarrow, so a smattering of these in your garden will keep your ladies around once you release them.

Courtesy of C2 Urban Garden Design Co.


Coal Power Got You Down? Green Up!

Both residential and business clients of Seattle City Light can now designate between 25 and 100 percent of their energy as renewable, thanks to the electric utility's alternative energy program, "Green Up". 

Through the Green Up program, you can choose to purchase renewable power generated from sources such as the Stateline Wind Project in Eastern Washington for 25%, 50% or 100% of your power for one year. The cost is $3, $6 or $12 per month added to your bill.

Courtesy of Seattle City Light.

A Rind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

In King County, more than 35 percent of the waste collected from single-family residences is composed of food scraps and soiled paper. That's over 256,000 tons of food waste and soiled paper, per year, that could be recycled to make compost.

Seattle Public Utilities provides composting services as a part of their yard waste collection program.  The following items can be placed in your curbside yard waste bin along with your organic yard waste:

Food-soiled paper:
    • Paper towels & napkins
    • Paper plates & cups
    • Paper food wrap
    • Paper take-out cartons
    • Greasy pizza boxes
    • Long shredded paper
    • Cross-cut shredded paper
    • Paper bags containing vegetative waste
    • Milk cartons containing vegetative waste (no spouts or foil liners)

Food scraps (vegetative waste):
    • Fruit & vegetables
    • Bread, pasta, grains
    • Eggshells, nutshells
    • Coffee grounds & filters
    • Tea bags

If you don't have access to the City's yard waste collection program, you can easily compost your own food scraps by starting a worm bin.

Courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities.

Zero-VOC Paints
In the past year, zero-VOC paint products have greatly emerged in the market and people tend to be confused about what zero-VOC really means. VOC is actually an acronym for Volatile Organic Compounds, the toxins which off-gas into the air as paint dries. By law, these toxins cannot be used to such a degree that they emit low level smog.  The government rates paints as safe if they contain less than 5% VOC's.  There are paints available now that are entirely VOC-free. 

It is possible to add VOCs back into a zero-VOC paint by using tints that have VOCs in them. If a customer is getting a lighter color, the VOCs are probably negligible but darker colors might contain enough to cause problems.

Even low- and zero-VOC products can have a smell to them. If you are sensitive to odors have the company send a sample, paint a thick coat on a piece of glass (glass has no added odor) and let it dry. If there is no reaction to the paint on the glass, you're probably fairly safe as far as the odor goes.

Courtesy of Best Paint Company, maker of environmentally safe and non-toxic paints.

For the Birds  For those looking to build, remember that the Seattle Audubon Society encourages using lumber that protects the birds, forests and the environment.  There's more information online at www.forestfriendlylumber.com.

"Call Before You Dig!" Whether you're a homeowner, contractor or anyone considering a dig, Puget Sound Energy encourages you to call this toll-free hotline at least two days before any excavation. Calling can prevent damage to underground utilities and enhance public safety:

"Call Before You Dig"
www.callbeforeyoudig.com
1-800-424-5555

Recycle your old electronics! Did you know that your trusty cell phone and computer contain toxic chemicals? Nevertheless, never fear. You have many options for recycling, reusing, repairing and donating your electronics. Click here for more info from King County.

Go for non-toxic cleaning products! Next time you are in the store, look for cleaning products that have no scent or only a mild scent – fragrances can add lots of synthetic chemicals to products. Or, you can make your own cleaning products out of non-toxic, even food-grade, ingredients – and they really do work.

In fall, make your yard and garden "salmon friendly."
Sixteen pesticides have been detected in the Northwest at levels that exceed standards set to protect aquatic life. Try natural yard care products and construct a garden that reduces water run-off and incorporates native plants.

Check your chimney! There are a number of environmental factors common here in the Northwest that can affect the integrity and functionality of your brick chimney. The best solution is to call a qualified mason to make a careful, thorough, up-close inspection.

Courtesy of EcoDeals.org, a service of King County, and Jorve Roofing. Visit EcoDeals online for information about environmental practices, products and services.

Make Your Bathroom Water-wise. Efficient fixtures, like ultra low flow (less than 1.6 gallons per flush), or dual flush toilets, low flow showerheads (2 gallons per minute with an on/off switch) and faucets save a lot of water AND energy since so much of the water used is hot water.

Moving? Don't Stress! The key to an easy move is organization. Draw up a rough layout of your new home and furniture placement. Label all furniture with the location, as this will speed up unloading and furniture arrangement.

You’ve had your new home built, and now you’re moving in! Keep in mind the typical home has over 3,000 parts to be assembled and corrections are inevitable. The builder catches most of these problems ahead of time but if a non-routine problem arises, be ready. Put any problems in writing and send directly to the builder.

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association


Mind your mold - it grows everywhere. You should pay particular attention if your home has had exposure to excess water, such as a flood, sewer backup, or even an overflowing toilet. Leaking pipes, roof and window leaks, use of a humidifier and any other serious water-related problems also invite the growth of mold..

Focus! Use lighting to create focal points in the home. Add lights to help guide the eyes in new and different directions. For example, direct the light to a family portrait, a piece of art, or furniture.

Summer Painting, 101. When touching up exteriors, do not paint in the direct sun or on hot surfaces, nor when the air temperature is expected to exceed 85 degrees. Doing so can cause blistering in oil paint and lap marks in latex paint. Follow the sun around the house when applying coats to avoid subsequent heating of the surface before the finish has dried.

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association, Lighting Universe and Best Paint Company 

Make your small bath big! Small bathrooms can appear larger by using wall coverings with a metallic flair. The metallic sheen allows light to bounce around the room.

Use PVC conduit when burying lighting wires so they do not get damaged by water, a lawn mower or a shovel. If the wires don't need to be buried, they should be covered by mulch or hidden behind bushes. It could be dangerous if someone tripped over any exposed cables.

Avoid the creeping menace! Garden vines and groundcovers are prized for color, beauty and often require little maintenance. However, vines and groundcovers such as English ivy, wild clematis, bindweed and yellow archangel are invading our forests by creating impenetrable ground cover and smothering trees. Although their impacts are well documented, these plants are still available for sale at most nurseries. Be a wise consumer and plant native plants instead! 

Handi-capable. Today’s builders can accommodate special and disability needs effectively in your home. Whether you require wheelchair access or special features for the blind, you can find builders that will accommodate your needs if you just ask.

Bug off! Landscape lights add dimension to your yard, but they also attract bugs. The next time you host outdoors, point light fixtures away from the entertainment area. You can still get enough light without shining it directly on the utilized space.

Check before you plant! Many commonly planted ornamental shrubs - butterfly bush, spurge-laurel and cotoneaster, among them - pose a serious threat to urban forests and parks. Be a wise consumer and plant native plants instead. 

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association, Lighting Universe and The Seattle Urban Nature Project 

 

Revive your siding! The easiest way to renew the wooden siding on your home is to use a stiff bristled brush on a dry warm day.

Make those vines vacate! Vines and other climbing plants can deteriorate your home's siding when they grow between the joints.

White film on your masonry? A white, powdery film may occasionally appear on masonry. This is water-soluble salt and is completely normal. 

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association

 

Don't go on price alone! When selecting a contractor for your remodel or construction project, consider more than price. Communications skills, customer service and competence are very important and should be considered along with these bids.

'Orient' yourself with your new home. Are you buying or building a new house? Request a new home orientation when construction draws to an end. New home orientation is a great way to go through your home and see if any items need adjustments.

Find your Green Team. If you are serious about a green remodel, find contractors, designers, builders and suppliers who are familiar with green practices. Also make sure to use environmentally friendly cleaning products for maintaining your home. 

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association

 

 

Try high-efficiency gas water heaters. Their seasonal energy efficiency is much higher than regular water heaters. According to Puget Sound Energy, these heaters supply more hot water per hour and have more insulation in the tank, thereby needing less natural gas to heat and store water.

Consider a mulching mower this summer season. They put grass clippings back into the lawn for fertilizer. You can even use the clippings as part of a compost pile for yard waste, which can then be used to fertilize your lawn. 

What are SIPs, and why should I care? Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative for stick framing and fiberglass insulation. They provide great design flexibility and excellent air quality, with no CFC's or off-gassing.

Courtesy of EcoDeals.org, the Master Builders Association and Shirey Contracting, Inc.

 

 

Control pests naturally in the garden. Build healthy soil and attract birds and pest-eating insects, rather than rely on week killers and pesticides.

Living Small? Utilize your unused space!  You can store household items above doorways, under beds and even over the kitchen sink. Visit our Small Home Living section for more tiny tips!

For new floors and countertops  Install durable, low maintenance products such as tile, linoleum or reclaimed wood.

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association, EnviroStars and OriJenelle Organizing


Plastics as lumber?  Yes!  In addition to environmentally friendly lumber, recycled plastic makes a great building material.

Add compost to your soil.  Tilling compost into the top 8-13 inches of your soil can improve its ability to absorb water and provide nutrients to plants.

Liquid Recyclables and More.  Ninety percent of materials taken to household hazardous waste collection sites are either reused or recycled into new products.  Take your drain cleaners, uncontaminated latex paint, motor oil or lead acid batteries to these facilities.
 

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association and EcoDeals.org

 

Plants - more than decoration.  Particularly if you're living in a small dwelling, large potted plants and hanging plants can conceal unsightly objects in your home when strategically placed.  Use a plant to camouflage exercise equiment, boxes or anything else you want to hide.

Install solar powered outdoor lighting.  As the temperature goes up around Puget Sound, rely on high performance solar power to keep your yard well lit while reducing energy consumption.

 

For painting your exteriors, stick with the mid-day.  Avoid painting early in the morning or later than two hours before sunset if condensation is present.
 

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association, Best Paint Company, Inc. and OriJenelle Organizing

Want to vacuum less?  Minimize carpet use.  Hard surfaces are easier to keep free of dust, mold and mildew.  If carpet is needed, install low emitting carpet. 

 

Use solar design.  If you're seriously considering a remodel, try to incorporate solar design - it controls heat gain, light, water heating and generates electricity.  Seek a contractor who uses solar.

 

When it comes to paint rollers, the thicker the better.  Most indoor walls require at least a 1/2-inch thick nap roller in order to get good coverage on the first coat.  If you're painting a slicker surface, such as a door, you can get away with 1/4in - 3/8in nap thickness.

Courtesy of the Master Builders Association and Best Paint Company, Inc.
 

Want a roof that lasts forever?  Try slate roofing.  With a life expectancy of over 100 years, it's both a stylish and durable choice in material.  Consider this and other resilient materials when rebuilding your roof.

Install an energy-efficient shower head.  It will reduce flow without cutting water pressure.

Go with cold water when washing clothes.  Most clothes will get clean in cold water, especially if you use a detergent made for cold water washing.  Plus, you'll save on energy and cost. 

Courtesy of Jorve Roofing, Best Paint Company, Inc. and the City of Seattle