Danny Lipford » Electrical and Lighting

Advantages of an Automatic Standby Generator

Jodi Marks — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:27 +0000

More and more people today are concerned about emergency power. A portable generator can only backup appliances plugged directly into the generator while a Generac automatic standby generator powers entire circuits and everything on them.

For example, if you choose to back up the family room, the generator will power the TV, stereo, lamps, ceiling fans, and lights. Select the kitchen, and you will be able to use the stove, refrigerator, microwave, overhead lights, and all the outlets.

A standby generator constantly monitors the utility so when the power goes out, the generator starts itself, and delivers power to your home within seconds. When the utility comes back online, the generator shuts itself off until the next outage.

A standby generator runs off of your homes existing natural gas or LP fuel supply, so unlike a portable generator, it never needs to be refueled. Once a week, it automatically run a brief self-test to ensure that everything is working properly when you need it. With a Generac standby generator, you can relax knowing that your home and family are protected, even when you’re not there.

(704) Eco-Friendly Living: How to Have a Greener Home

Danny Lipford — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:57:11 +0000

We’re taking a look at some innovative green ideas from the Los Angeles homes of actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. and science guru Bill Nye. From conserving water to solar landscape lighting to green lawn equipment, find out how you can make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Ed Begley Jr. explains how his greywater system works to Allen Lyle.

In his new book Ed Begley Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living the noted actor and environmentalist explains how to conserve, produce, and manage the energy and water used in your home. Ed and his wife, Rachelle, also star in the Planet Green TV series Living with Ed, an informative and often humorous take on what it’s like to live a green lifestyle.

Recycled plastic fencing.

The Begleys installed a greywater system in their home to filter waste water from showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines for use on their fruit trees and vegetable garden. Before it can be reused, greywater must pass through a series of filters to remove or kill any bacteria and other contaminants in the water.

Another eco-friendly improvement the Begleys made is a privacy fence made from recycled plastic milk jugs. Composite decking—composed of plastic and sawdust—is a plastic product that is a durable alternative to wood decking. Since not all composite is made from recycled materials, check with the manufacturer if you want to make a green choice for your home.

Danny Lipford discusses green living with Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Just down the street from the Begleys’ is the home of science guru and TV personality Bill Nye, who is also a green enthusiast. His home includes solar panels for producing electricity and a solar hot water system.

Eco-Friendly Lawn Equipment

The propane powered Eco Blower from LEHR.

One way to make your yard work easier on the environment is with the LEHR Eco Blower and Eco Trimmer. Powered by clean burning propane, these award winning lawn and garden tools emit 70% less hydrocarbons, 96% fewer carcinogens, and 97% less particulates than gasoline powered models.

Solar Powered Landscape Lighting

LED solar powered landscape lighting with NiMH batteries.

Recent advances in solar powered landscape lighting have made them work far more effectively and efficiently. Features to look for when choosing solar landscape lighting include:

LED (light emitting diode) light.
NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) battery.
Improved solar photovoltaic panel.

Water Saving Toilets

HydroRight dual flush converter.

Toilets account for a quarter of the water used in the average home. Older toilets use up to five gallons of water per flush, three times that of newer models. Dual flush toilets save even more water by giving you two flushing options, one for liquid and one for solid waste.

While you can replace your existing toilet with a water saving model, another option is to modify your existing toilet with the HydroRight dual flush converter. The kit costs less than $30 and reduces the water used by a toilet by 70%. Installation is easy and takes less than 10 minutes.

Other Tips from This Episode

Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Coffee Container for Paint

Rather than buying a special container to hold paint for trimming out a room, reuse a plastic coffee container instead. They come with a plastic snap on lid to keep paint from drying out, and a built-in handle that doubles as a handy holder for your paintbrush.

Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Philips LED Flood Light

The new Philips LED flood light for indoor recessed and track lighting applications is energy efficient and produces a soft white light. The bulbs last up to 15 years and are guaranteed not to hum. Philips LED lights are available at The Home Depot.

Thinking Green:
Burning Newspaper Logs

You might think that rolling up newspaper to burn in your fireplace would be an eco-friendly idea, but hand rolled logs are not compressed enough to burn effectively and can actually cause damage to your flue and the environment. A better alternative is to recycle old newspapers.

LED Outdoor Solar Lighting

Why You Should Choose a Generac Standby Generator

Jodi Marks — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:18 +0000

Generac home standby generators are the easiest and least expensive in the industry to install. Their prepackaged models come with everything needed, including a prewired automatic transfer switch and prewired conduit for the whole system.

Wires are color coded and clearly marked, so connections are fast and easy. The generator even comes with a pre-attached, composite mounting pad, making a concrete pad unnecessary, unless required by local code. Plus, there’s a DVD and step-by-step instructions to answer any questions.

Larger Generac models can be easily installed by a qualified electrical contractor, so there’s no need for a generator technician. Installation is fast, easy, and inexpensive. Generac generators also feature the Generac OHVI engine that was built exclusively for the high demands of power generation and are capable of providing 3 to 4 times longer life than competitive engines.

How an Automatic Standby Generator Works

Jodi Marks — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:22 +0000

The installation of an automatic standby generator maintains security and comfort for your home in the event of a power outage. An automatic standby generator system monitors incoming voltage from the utility line. When the utility power is interrupted, the generator automatically goes to work.

The automatic transfer switch safely disconnects the utility line and simultaneously connects a new power line from the generator, providing emergency power within seconds. When the utility power is restored, the generator automatically returns to standby mode.

Should You Install a TV over a Fireplace?

Danny Lipford — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:02:17 +0000

Is it a good idea to install a TV over a fireplace? -Herb

Hi Herb,

Mounting a flat screen TV over the fireplace has become quite popular, but there are several potential problems to consider first:

Heat: Depending on the type and design of the fireplace, it may generate more heat than the TV is designed to handle. To find out, attach a thermometer to the wall above the fireplace while a fire is burning. Temperatures over 100° F are considered too high for most sets. Check the specifications in the operating manual that came with the TV to find the maximum temperature for your set.
Smoke: A wood burning fireplace can also emit smoke, ash, soot, and other particulate matter into the room. Since hot air rises, these contaminants will be drawn directly into your TV where they can build up and cause problems over time.
Wiring: If the wall above the fireplace wasn’t wired for a TV, electrical and transmission wires will need to be run first. This can be especially difficult if the wall is brick. In addition, cables for accessories, such as a DVD player or home theater system, will need to be included as well.
Viewing: Flat screen TVs are made to be viewed at eye level. When mounted higher, the screen may need to be angled downward for optimal viewing. Also, consider whether looking up at the TV for long periods of time will be comfortable.
Anchoring: When attaching a TV to a wall, make sure it is properly anchored. This is particularly true when mounting a TV on a brick wall, which will require drilling holes with a masonry bit for plastic or lead anchors.

Good luck with your project,

How to Save Energy with Dimmer Switches and Motion Sensors

Danny Lipford — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:48 +0000

Dimmer switches are a great way to enhance the atmosphere in almost any room of your home, but they’re also a great way to think green. Dimming your lights by half, increases your energy savings on that fixture 40%.

While motion sensors on outdoor lighting add safety and security, they’re also a good way to save energy and can be used on interior lights as well. Including dimmers and motion sensors in your home not only saves energy, but it saves money, too.

Generac Generators vs. the Competition

Jodi Marks — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:12 +0000

Some manufacturers claim their 15-kilowatt generator can handle the same electrical loads as a Generac 25-kilowatt model, but in fact it will produce 40% less electricity to power your home. In order to handle 25,000 watts of electrical load, some generators “manage the power” by locking out up to 40% of the total demand to keep from overloading their generator.

So what does that mean to you? Well, an average 5-ton air conditioner requires about 13,000 watts of power to start. For the Generac 25-kilowatt, that’s only about 50% of the generator’s potential. But, 13,000 watts is almost 90% of a 15-kilowatt generator’s potential output, so it has to lock out just about everything else to start the air conditioner.

With the Generac 25-kilowatt, you can run air conditioning units, cook dinner, and do laundry all at the same time. Now that’s real power.

How to Identify Electrical Circuits in Your Home

Joe Truini — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:25 +0000

To determine which circuit breaker controls a particular electrical outlet in your home, plug a radio into the outlet with the volume turned on high, then turn off each breaker at the electrical distribution box one at a time until the radio stops playing.

(702) Four Step Energy Makeover: How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Advantages of Tubular Skylights in Your Home

Danny Lipford — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:21 +0000

Tubular skylights are a great way to provide natural light in dark rooms, closets, and hallways. The interior of the tube contains a highly reflective surface, so sunlight is reflected into the room throughout the day. Tubular skylights are easier to install than traditional skylights and provide light during the day without using any electricity.

Difference Between Standby and Portable Generators

Jodi Marks — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:02 +0000

When the power to your home fails, a standby generator goes to work automatically, then shuts itself off when the utility power resumes. With a portable generator, you have to move it outside, find the gas can and extension cords, fill the gas tank, run the cords through the house, manually start the generator, and refuel it every few hours.