On the Wire - Standby Power
Recent wildfires in California, fall hurricanes and droughts across the country are reminders that weather, and life, are unpredictable. The intensity and randomness of extreme weather continues to increase nationwide – and power failures often accompany these events.
Winter is no exception, and with cold, ice and snow coming, now is the time to get prepared. Although more than two-thirds of power outages are caused by weather-related events, blackouts and brownouts also occur because of high power usage, aging utilities and other unpredictable forces. In a world of high dependence on technology, homeowners can’t risk power loss from any cause. An increasing number of homeowners and small business owners are installing a permanent standby power generator – and even more are considering one, based on the growing popularity of these automatic units.
Most standby residential generators feature an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that continually monitors utility power and automatically transfers electrical loads from the utility to the generator when power is lost. The resident doesn’t need to be home for the generator to bring power back to the home. The ATS reverses the process and shuts down the generator automatically once utility power resumes. Kohler Power Systems offers the following tips regarding standby power:
- Shop Around. It is illegal to raise prices on any products or services due to high demand,so be sure to purchase generators form certified dealers that can provide appropriate
consultations.
- Look for Efficiencies. Building or remodeling is the perfect time to consider standby power needs. Even if you aren’t able to install a generator immediately, pre-wiring can save time and money down the road. Many builders and remodeling professionals in coastal areas specialize in storm preparedness and can be of assistance with a host of issues, including standby power.
- Understand Key Features. When shopping products from various manufacturers, be sure
to consider noise levels, size, power quality, warranty, and service support in addition to the product’s kilowatt capacity.
- Make Safety a Top Priority. While a portable generator can be a cost-effective alternative to a permanently installed standby generator, always take proper safety precautions. These gasoline powered generators can create sparks and need to be operated in a well-ventilated area because of the carbon monoxide produced. Kohler’s residential generators are available with power sources ranging from 8kW to 125 kW and can be set up for an “essential loads” application (to power just a few key, pre-determined appliances) or for a “whole house” application.
For additional information on sales and service, visit www.KohlerSmartPower.com.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Reface it Right
This week’s question comes to us from MeeMee in Tory, Alabama. “I recently moved into an older rental home. It has plenty of kitchen cabinets but the fronts have been abused. What can I do to give them a new look? I love the look of wood, antique, etc."
MeeMee, you first need to figure out what your cabinets are made of. If they are particle board covered in a wood veneer your options are a bit limited. You can give them a new painted finish, which would require you to clean them with a degreaser and then prime them with an oil based primer like Zinser. This will give excellent adhesion and allow a latex top coat to stick very well. Make sure you remove the doors before you paint them and keep the hinges attached to the cabinet itself so you do not have to readjust all the hinges. Also be sure to label the back of the door and inside the cabinet so you know exactly where each door goes. For an antique finish, paint the cabinets an almond-white and then use an aging glaze tinted in a brown tone. Use the glaze sparingly until you achieve the look you desire.
If the cabinets are solid wood, you can paint or you can completely refinish them. Remove the doors same as above, and strip the current finish off of the doors. Rock Miracle is an excellent stripper because it goes on thick and you can see it change as it is removing the existing finish. You might have to apply it a few times to get the finish completely off. Once you have reached the raw wood. You can reapply a new stain in any color and finish that you like. You can paint the cabinets like above without removing the stain but you would have to rough up the surface by sanding it with a medium/fine grit to scuff the surface and get it ready to sand, then prime and paint as above. Or you can hire a pro to re-laminate the cabinets which is also known as re-facing. There are so many options of laminate available that the choices are almost endless from wood looks to really fun and interesting textures and colors. Hope this answers your question. Enjoy your new house and the project!
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - Operational Oven
Getting ready for some heavy duty holiday baking? Better make sure your oven is ready for it. Coming up on the next Money Pit radio show, we’ll tell you how to freshen up your oven without harsh chemicals so your cookies don’t smell like oven cleaner! To find out where we broadcast in your area or download our podcast, visit www.moneypit.com.
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Dot Common Sense - Tools with Power
Stock up on the tools you need – or want. If you’re proud of your power tool arsenal, it’s time to add a couple more. There is no better time than right now. Ryobi has a brand new line of Lithium Ion power tools that just can’t be beat. Included in this line is a drill kit with 3/8 inch heavy-duty keyless chuck for quick and easy drill and driver bit changes. It also comes with a MagTray magnetic holder for screws and bits. It is very light weight so it reduces fatigue during extended use. And for even more comfort, there’s an ergonomic handle. It comes with one lithium-ion battery and charger with 1-hr charge time. You will be amazed at the longer run time and power it gives your tool. Sound good? Would you like to have one, FREE? There is a GREAT deal going on RIGHT NOW at The Home Depot. If you purchase a qualifying Ryobi Combo Kit, you get to pick out one Ryobi One power tool, FREE! It’s a great deal, but there are only a few days left to take advantage of this offer. Visit your local Home Depot store for details on this promotion and check out the Drill Kit at www.ryobitools.com.
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Fun Fact - Warranty Dos and Don'ts
Consumers spend millions and millions of dollars on extended warranties for laptops, flat-screen TVs, and other electronics, as well as appliances. And Consumer Reports says a lot of it is money down the drain. Years of survey data from Consumer Reports data shows that extended warranties are a notoriously bad deal for consumers because:
- Some repairs are covered by the standard manufacturer warranty that comes with the product.
- Products seldom break within the extended-warranty window--after the standard warranty has expired but within the typical two to three years of purchase--our data show.
- When electronics and appliances do break, the repairs, on average, cost about the same as an extended warranty.
In a time of razor-thin margins, extended warranties have been a boon for retailers. Extended warranties can reap a 50% margin or higher, which is often well more than the profit on the product being sold. If you want absolute peace of mind and don’t mind paying for an extended warranty that you’ll probably never need, make sure you first:
- Check your credit card – Plans, often found on gold and platinum cards, typically lengthen the original manufacturer’s warranty by as much as one year.
- Shop around – Extended Warranties vary in length and term. Consumer Reports advises that shoppers shouldn’t pay more than 20 percent of the purchase price for the Extended Warranty and should negotiate the price and terms.
- Beware of hidden “gotchas” – For heavy items such as large TVs or major appliances consumers should ask if in-home repair or pickup is included. For TVs, who reinstalls it? And if the product will be repaired, is there a lemon clause such that after a few repairs the product is replaced?
For more information and an online hub that invites consumers to share their extended warranty experiences, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.
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Short Cuts - The Right Stuff
If you're hiring a contractor for your home improvement project, YOU should pick the products to be used. Most people choose their own brands of exterior paint and stain, but allow contractors to make buying decisions about products like asphalt roofing and vinyl siding. Don't do that! When you’re doing-it-yourself - YOU are the one who shops for and chooses materials, right? You should have just as much input on materials for your DIRECT-it-yourself project as well. There are significant performance differences among products, and homeowners would do better to make the key decisions themselves.
For example, contractors traditionally use thirty pound felt as the underlayment of choice for roofing jobs. This is probably a very outdated practice because not only does felt tear easily, but it also absorbs water. This means that if water gets under your roof’s coverings, it may stay pressed against its wooden decking for weeks – or worse yet, find a way into your home and cause structural damage. There are many better underlayments out there. For example, Grace has a synthetic underlayment called Grace Tri-Flex 30. Unlike conventional roofing felts that actually absorb water, this product SHEDS water when properly installed on sloped roofs. It is stronger and more tear resistant than felt and the best part: the cost difference between the two is minimal. So make sure you are choosing the right materials for your direct-it-yourself project. And for more information on synthetic roofing underlayments or Grace’s family of weather barriers, visit www.GraceAtHome.com.
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Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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