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

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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,

SimpleMat is a double sided, adhesive sheet that is perfect for attaching tile to a countertop or backsplash. It can be used on drywall, plywood, plastic laminate, or painted surfaces. Simply cut the mat to fit, press in place, peel off backing, and attach tile. SimpleMat is available at The Home Depot.

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Inexpensive towel racks mounted on the inside of cabinet doors is a great way to store cookie sheets and cutting boards for easy access. Simply cut the racks to length, attach them to the door, and mount a plywood shelf near the bottom to hold the items in place.

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Owning a home often involves tackling common maintenance and repair chores around your home. Recently Access Hollywood entertainment correspondent, Laura Saltman, received a helping hand from Danny and Allen to solve some nagging problems on her home in Los Angeles.

Toilet Repair

Toilets that run constantly or don’t flush properly are a common problem. Solutions include:

• Adjust the float to control the water level in the tank.
• Replace the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank.
• Adjust the chain length between the handle and flapper valve.
• Replace corroded or broken chain.

More information can be found at How to Repair a Toilet.

Water Heater Maintenance

It’s important to drain your hot water heater periodically to remove any sediment in the bottom of the tank. Here’s how to go about it:

• Turn off the gas or electricity to the water heater.
• Close the cold water supply valve coming into the water heater.



• Attach a garden hose to the drain at the bottom of the tank.
• Run the hose outside on the ground.
• Open the drain valve on the tank.
• Release the pressure relief valve on top of the tank.
• Allow the water in the tank to drain out.
• Once the tank has drained, open the cold water supply valve for a few minutes to flush out any sediment.
• Close the drain valve and pressure relief valve.
• Remove the hose from the drain valve.
• Allow the tank to fill.
• Turn the power back on or relight the pilot light.

More information can be found in our video on How to Drain a Water Heater.

Heating/Cooling System Maintenance

The heating/cooling system on your home needs periodic maintenance as well. To keep your HVAC system running properly, be sure to have it inspected by a trained professional at least once a year. In addition, the homeowner should perform the following routine maintenance:

• Replace the air filter every 1-3 months with a high quality filter.
• Pour a cup of bleach in the air conditioner condensation drain line at least once a year to keep mold and mildew from forming and clogging the pipe.

More information is in our article on Air Conditioner Maintenance.

Closet Door Repair

Sliding closet doors can become hard to open and close. To free them up:

• Lift up on door and remove from track.
• Clean track and bottom of door with putty knife and sandpaper to remove any dirt or paint.
• Apply paraffin wax or other lubricant to the track and bottom of door.
• Rehang door on track.

To replace sliding doors with bifold ones, check out How to Hang Bifold Closet Doors.

Window Screen Repair

To repair a torn window screen:

• Place the screen frame on a flat surface.
• Insert a small screwdriver or the point of a utility knife under the end of the rubber spline.



• Pry the end of the spline out and remove the spline around the frame.
• Remove the screen wire from the frame.
• Position an oversized, new piece of screen over the frame.
• Use the convex end of a spline roller tool to push the screen into the groove at one end of the frame.
• Place the spline over the groove, and use the concave end of the roller tool to push it into the groove.
• Pull the screen tight at the other end of the frame, and use the roller tool to push the screen and spline into the groove.
• Pull each of the other two sides tight and press the spline in, being careful to avoid wrinkles.
• Trim off excess screen with a utility knife.

More information is available in our video on Repairing Window Screens.

Drywall Repair

To repair nicks and dents in drywall, simply fill the damaged spot with premixed drywall joint compound, allow to dry, and sand smooth.

To repair a hole in drywall:

• Cut a patch slightly larger than the hole from a scrap of drywall the same thickness as the wall.



• Place the patch over the hole, and trace around it with a pencil.
• Cut to the lines with a drywall saw, and remove the damaged wallboard.
• Position 1”x 4” cleats in the wall behind the hole, and attach them in place with drywall screws.
• Insert the drywall patch in the hole, and screw it to the cleats using drywall screws.
• Cover the patch with joint compound and imbed strips of drywall tape over the seams.
• Smooth out the joint compound with a 6” drywall knife and allow to dry.
• Apply two additional coats, with a 10” drywall knife, feathering the compound out evenly over the adjoining surface.
• Once the compound has dried, sand it smooth before priming and painting.

More information can be found at How to Cut and Hang Drywall.

Paint Stuck Window

Windows often become painted closed over the years. To free paint stuck window:

• Score the paint film where the sash meets the frame on both the inside and outside of the window.
• Insert a putty knife in the gap between sash and frame, and run it around the opening on the inside and outside of the window.
• Position a flat pry bar on the outside of the window where the sash meets the sill, and tap it with a hammer to force the pry bar under the sash.
• Carefully pry the sash up, working from each side.

More information is available at How to Open a Paint Stuck Window.

Other Tips from This Episode

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Simple projects you can tackle now will help ensure a nice, toasty winter, and also help you save on those energy bills.

I’ve created the perfect list you can print to keep things organized…pick the ones you find most helpful or add ones you’d like to get done.

Happy Home Improving!

When repairing small, irregular objects, it can be hard to clamp them while gluing. To solve this problem, apply glue to the parts, then mold modeling clay around the pieces, and use it to hold the pieces securely in place until the glue sets.

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Fix It in a Flash features the 25 most common home repairs covering electrical, plumbing, walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows. Readers will learn how to install a faucet, replace a light socket, fix a toilet, repair broken floor tiles, and many other essential projects around the home.

Each project in the book comes with a flash card summary giving the time involved, skill level, and tools required to get the job done right. A 45-minute DVD is included with the book that shows 10 of the most common fixes in real time, with crystal-clear repair techniques demonstrated by Jodi.

Jodi Marks was the co-host of HGTV’s Fix It Up for nine years and has also hosted shows on HGTV, TBS, and Turner South. Since 2008, she has appeared on Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford. Jodi lives in Marietta, Georgia, and also has a number of how-to videos available on the web.

Fix It in a Flash: 25 Essential Home Repairs and Improvements is published by Betterway Home, an imprint of F+W Media, and is available for $24.99. ISBN 978-1-55870-863-1.

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The plastic coating on dishwasher racks can wear off over time. To extend the life of your rack, snip off the end of the rusted tines with wire cutting pliers, then lightly sand the metal and apply dishwasher rack coating (available at appliance stores) to the bare ends. To speed the process, turn the rack upside down, and dip each tine in the bottle of coating. Allow it to dry at least 24 hours before using.

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It’s easier to attach a shim to the short leg of a wobbly chair than cutting off one of the legs. Start by setting the chair on a flat surface, then slide a shim under the short leg. Trace the outline of the leg on the shim, and cut the shim to size using a hole saw. Attach the shim to the leg with a furniture glide. Install glides on the other legs as well.

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