1. On the Air - National Hardware Show
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Summer AC Use
3. Short Cuts - Painting Prep 101
4. Fun Fact - At Your Disposal
5. Dot Common Sense - National Trust
6. On the Wire - Hardware Show Hot List

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ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Sheila in New Jersey. She says, "My husband hates to run the air conditioner as he says the house gets too damp. Is this normal or is there any way to fix it?"

Sheila, It sounds like your air conditioner may be too big. While it seems this might be a good thing, it's not. Air conditioners that are too big don't run long enough to take moisture out of the air inside your house. As a result, they waste energy and leave you feeling cold and clammy, not to mention increase the risk that you could develop a mold problem. We suggest contacting a local heating and cooling company to have your house "sized" for the proper size air conditioner. As a rough rule-of thumb, you generally need one ton of A/C power for every 600-800 square feet of living space. Another option is to consider installing a whole house dehumidifier. Aprilaire makes one that will remove up to 90 pints of water a day from the air inside your home. Unlike room dehumidifiers that have to constantly be emptied, a whole home dehumidifiers are installed into your heating and cooling ductwork and run automatically. One benefit of whole home dehumidification is comfort. With all the moisture out of the air, you won't need to run your central air conditioner nearly as much and that will save some money in the long run.

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GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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.

Preparation is the key to a great paint job on previously stained or lacquered furniture. Start by washing surfaces with a cleaning solution, then rinse well with clean water. Next, give cabinets a good sanding with 320-grit sandpaper and lastly wipe surfaces down with a tack cloth. Now your furniture is ready for that fresh coat of paint and a whole new look!

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FUN FACT

Does your garbage disposal smell like last night's dinner? Here's a recipe to kill odors and keep your disposal fresh. Flush your disposal with a mixture of water and ½ cup baking soda once a week. You can also grind citrus peels for a clean, fresh scent. NEVER use harsh commercial drain cleaners - they'll harm the machine. It's much safer to use the natural alternatives - they're inexpensive and right at your disposal!

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DOT COMMON SENSE

Check out The National Trust for Historic Preservation. If you are wondering if your home, community or organization is qualified for federal funding this is the site for you. After answering a few questions, you will be able to determine what is available to you or your organization. You will also be able to apply for funding online if you qualify.

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ON THE WIRE

Innovations in products and services for your home - both inside and out - was the theme at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas this week. The largest event for the home improvement industry in North America and an industry standard, the event showcased more than 3,000 exhibits in nearly 700,000 square feet using both the Sands and Las Vegas Convention Centers. With so much ground to cover and so little time, following is our "Hot List"of some of the best products to make our homes safer and more beautiful with less effort. The innovations include:

• Ryobi, creators of the 18-volt One+System™, a line of cordless power tools that use the same interchangeable battery, is adding five new tools and accessories to the line of products. The Right Angle Drill has a compact shape to fit into tight spaces and a swiveling battery. The Trimmer and Cordless Cat Finish Sander are perfect for woodworkers, providing the performance of a corded tool with the convenience of cordless. The Caulk and Adhesive gun makes caulking tasks quick and easy with a variable speed lever to adjust rate of flow and a lock-off switch to prevent dripping. An in-vehicle charger and carrying case is also being added for the ability to charge batteries even while driving. For more information visit www.RyobiTools.com or call 1-800-525-2579.
• KILZ, the same company known for its trusted primer, has developed a guaranteed one-coat coverage paint. Kilz Casual Colors makes it easy to change the look of a room with 243 one-coat guaranteed colors and more than 1,000 designer colors. It's available in both interior and new exterior formulas and a variety of finishes. The container is unique, too. It opens easily without tools and has an easy-to-carry handle and a spout for controlled pouring. For more information visit www.KilzCasualColors.com.
• The Gardus LintEater™ from Gardus offers an ounce of prevention for the more than 15,000 dryer related fires that occur in homes each year. The Gardus LintEater kit is a rotary brush that attaches to flexible rods. The end of the rod attaches to any cordless drill and quickly navigates through the dryer vent to loosen lint. The debris can be suctioned out with a shop vac. Other accessories are available such as the hand-held Lint Trap Brush and the Blockage Buster. For more information visit www.Linteater.com or call 888-985-0208.
• Lutron Electronics makes it easy to set the mood - or dim the lights for your home theater experience with the new Maestro IR™ Remote Control Dimmer. By pressing and holding the one-touch silver button on the remote you can save a favorite light setting to recall later. The remote can be used up to 30 ft. away from the dimmer and can be replaced by most programmable universal remotes. The dimmer has screw terminals in the back for easy installation in just about 15 minutes. For more information visit www.lutorn.com or call1-877-258-8766.
• Roto Rooter, the largest provider of plumbing and rain cleaning services in North America, has developed two types of non invasive, trenchless pipe repair. Leaks and clogs can be detected using a color camera that snakes through pipes. Roto-Rooter can replace broken residential and commercial sewer pipes with just two small access pits at either end of the line. A new full-size seamless pipe is pulled through the path of an existing damaged pipe while safely breaking away the old pipe. It takes half the time of the usual methods and saves landscaping that might otherwise be damaged or destroyed. Pipe lining is done in a similar manner, replacing the damaged pipe with a tough new interior surface that can be installed without damage to sidewalks, driveways, utility lines or any other obstruction. For more information and a franchise near you visit www.rotorooter.com.
• The Drill Doctor® Drill Bit Sharpeners sharpen standard 118° point twist high-speed steel, carbide, tin-coated, cobalt and masonry bits to factory-sharp condition in less than 60 seconds. The powerful 20,000 rpm motor makes the Drill Doctor fast and easy to use and its compact design also makes it easy to store. It also includes a ½" chuck in a double-insulated, impact resistant casing. For more information contact Drill Doctor at 1-800-597-6170 or visit www.drilldoctor.com.
• Zircon, inventors of the first electronic stud finder, has developed the first intelligent wall scanner. The MultiScanner® i700OneStep™ incorporates CenterVision™ technology, Auto Depth Sensing™ and Auto Recalibration™. The OneStep can find the center of wood and metal joists up to 1 ½ inches deep in just one pass. It also finds rebar in concrete up to 3 inches deep and includes an important safety feature that alerts users to hot electrical wires. It does all the work for you quickly and easily. For more information visit www.zircon.com.

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Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.