Ceramic Disc Faucets

You’re just drifting off to sleep and then you hear it: the drip, drip, drip of the bathroom faucet. Well, rest easy. Those drips may be an irritation of the past. Today, ceramic disc faucets are more the norm than the exception–and with their popularity, faucet problems are evaporating.

The ceramic disc valve, a type made popular by high-end European faucet makers, is now produced by American Standard, Kohler, Price Pfister and many other American faucet manufacturers. A ceramic disc faucet actually has two fire-hardened ceramic discs–an upper one that moves and a fixed lower one. The two discs move against each other in a shearing action, blocking water or allowing it to pass through. The seal between the two discs is watertight because they are polished to near-perfect flatness.
Ceramic disc faucets are nearly maintenance free and are generally guaranteed not to wear out. They are more durable over the long run in a broader variety of water conditions than any other variety of valve on the market. The discs themselves have diamond-like hardness; they are impervious to line debris, mineral buildup, and other common problems that affect valve life. But they’re not indestructible. If a peeling from galvanized pipe or a small rock gets into the valve, it can score the surfaces, but these occurrences are rare. Rick Brandley of George’s Pipe and Supply in Pasadena, California, advises, “If a ceramic-disc faucet drips, don’t try to force the handle closed–just flutter it back and forth a few times to dislodge any particles.”
The range of control with a ceramic disc faucet varies. From full-off to full-on may require only a quarter or half turn; for a fuller adjustment range and greater flow, three-quarter-turn models are also available. In general, all washerless faucets offer very precise, ergonomic control. And they’re very easy to use–even a child can turn one off and on with one pinkie. With this in mind, they’re a smart choice for people who have arthritis and who want something more decorative than a lever style.
Ceramic discs are popular because of their ease of use and reliability. Though competitively priced ceramic disc faucets are now available, ceramic discs are used primarily in mid-range and high-end styles-faucets that cost $100 or more. If repair is ever needed, the entire ceramic-disc cartridge is replaced, which runs from about $15 to $25.

Electronic Therostats $ave You Money

Is it time to upgrade your old electo-mechanical thermostat with a modern fully electronic theromostat? Because the human body is very sensitive to heat gain and heat loss, comfort can be elusive. In the quest to capture it, we fit houses with heating and cooling systems, insulation, efficient windows, weatherstripping, ventilation, and other features meant to control unwanted heat loss and heat gain.

One of the most important parts of a home's comfort system is a thermostat. The thermostat was invented in the early Seventeenth century by a Dutch man, Cornelis Drebbel, who placed a float inside a mercury thermometer and connected that apparatus to a damper cover on a furnace. When the mercury climbed to a certain level, its float caused the damper to close. Today's thermostats are a bit more sophisticated, but fundamentally, they do the same thing: they connect room temperature to the output of a heating or cooling system. Essentially a heat-activated switch, a thermostat has a temperature sensor that causes the switch to open or close, completing or interrupting an electrical circuit that runs the house's heating or cooling system. Most residential models do this with a low-voltage circuit. To do its job properly a thermostat should eliminate broad swings in room temperature. During the heating season, room temperature drops to a low point right before the heat goes on and reaches a high just after the heat goes off. According to researchers, the key to comfort is to maintain room temperatures within a 2-degrees F swing. Within that "comfort window" range, people don't notice variations in temperature.

Unless you have a multiple-stage system that requires a particular type of thermostat, the type or brand usually boils down to personal preference, which is generally a dynamic of features and price. People who are techno-phobic often prefer the simplicity of a conventional electromechanical model. Those who are interested in more control and potential energy savings opt for an electronic type.Most electronic thermostats cost more than electromechanical types. For example, a professionally installed, Honeywell T-87 Round(r) thermostat, a very familiar model, may run about $40. A high-end electronic model can cost up to about $200 installed. You can, however, buy an electronic thermostat for as little as $40.
Though all electronic thermostats may look alike, they're not. If one is considerably cheaper than another, there is probably a reason for the price difference. Some low-priced ones may not be able to maintain a narrow "comfort window." And some may not be properly programmed to anticipate at what point the furnace must turn off to avoid wasting residual heat in the system or overshooting the desired room temperature. Also, ease of programmability is important; some types are more difficult to use than others.
Today, most manufacturers are focusing on features. For example, in the pursuit of the ultimate user-friendly electronic thermostat, Carrier and Bryant have each developed a line of thermostats based on input from consumer focus groups. The resulting products are aesthetically pleasing, have large "positive action" pushbuttons made from soft rubber, and give you useful feedback and system alerts such as a "clean filter" indicator that lets you know when its time to change the filter. The units automatically change over from heating to cooling. In the event of a power outage, they hold their programming up to 72 hours--without backup batteries. These are the types of features to look for if you want a state-of-the-art thermostat that will offer you comfortable, efficient control for years to come.

Pellet Stoves Offer High-Tech Heating

(hometips.com)With skyrocketing oil prices, the cost of heating homes is jumping off the charts. The Department of Energy expects heating bills to be 27 percent higher this winter for people who heat with oil and 41 percent higher for those who heat with natural gas. In cold-winter climates, this number will be closer to 30 percent. What can you do?

Some homeowners are turning to pellet stoves to provide supplemental (or in some cases, primary) heat. Pellet stoves look similar to wood stoves or fireplace inserts, but the similarities end there. Inside, they are very sophisticated combustion appliances.Most pellet stoves produce a small fire that, concentrated in the center of the unit, burns hot. If you like the look of a fire, it's important to find a unit with a good flame pattern and large viewing glass. For some stoves, you can get ceramic logs that help disperse the flames and give the fire a more traditional look.
One drawback of pellet stoves is that they're relatively complex. The various moving parts and motors require occasional maintenance. It's a good idea to select a model that gives you easy access to any parts that need care. In regard to maintenance, it's not a bad idea to get a service contract because servicing a pellet stove can be a bit tricky.
When choosing between a bottom- or top-fed pellet stove, consider the benefits and drawbacks of each. A top-fed stove has a lesser chance of fire burning back into the hopper because of its pellet delivery system. But the combustion chamber is more likely to become impeded with ash and clinkers (the deposits that are caused by reheating ash). As a result, many manufacturers of top-fed models recommend burning high-grade, low-ash pellets. Bottom-fed models don't require premium fuel because the ash and clinkers are pushed into the ash pan. Keep in mind that you have to remove the ashes about once a week with steady use. An easy-to-use, large-capacity ash access drawer makes cleanup easier.
The motors, of course, require electricity (some have battery backup units). A stove will need a nearby 110-volt outlet. If you live where power outages are frequent, you may want to have a gas-powered generator on hand so that you can use the stove if the power goes out.
Pellet stoves are measured in heat output range, also called heating capacity. Most have a rating of 8,000 to 90,000 BTUs per hour. To choose the right size of pellet stove to buy, work with a knowledgeable dealer who can take into account the many variables and factors that will determine the best choice.
A variety of styles are available in both freestanding stoves and fireplace inserts. Some manufacturers also make pellet-fueled furnaces and boilers that are designed to take the place of--or supplement--conventional forced-air heating systems.
Prices range from about $1700 to $3000 or more for the stove and from $150 to $400 for installation. When comparing prices of pellet stoves with wood stoves, remember that pellet stoves offer a substantial savings--they don't require installation of a full-height conventional chimney or flue, the most costly part of some fireplace and wood stove installations.