TIPS
Light Bulb Buying Guide
Standard 40, 60,
75 and 100 watt incandescent bulbs can no longer be sold. CNET says, " With all of the new options out there (not to mention the disappearance of some important old ones), finding the perfect bulb can seem pretty daunting. New lights that promise to last 20 years and save you hundreds
of dollars might sound good in theory, but how do you know which one is the right one for you? How do you know the bulb you're buying is going to be bright enough? And what if you're just not ready to say goodbye to your incandescents?” Fear not, because they've got you covered with a
handy guide that's chock-full of all the information you'll need to make sure that your next light bulb is the right bulb.
Back to top
Bob Vila's Essential Toolbox
Home Improvement and DIY guru Bob Vila says," Whether you’re a rookie handyman or a
seasoned do-it-yourselfer, a range of basic tools is essential to doing the small jobs around the house… What tools will you need? Your skills and the kinds of jobs you do must be your guide, but a good basic selection would include a tape measure, square, and torpedo level for measuring and setting. A handsaw or handheld circular saw; a utility knife; a cordless drill; and maybe a glass cutter will take care of your cutting and drilling tasks. For fastening, how about a small set of screwdrivers; a staple gun; pairs of electrician’s, waterpump, and locking pliers; and a hammer?"
See the article.
Back to top
Install an Electrical Outlet with Built-in USB Ports
To a reader's question about installing electrical outlets with built-in USB charging ports,
Popular Mechanics replied, "These receptacles are great—they eliminate the need for bulky USB
adapters that hog valuable outlet space. They are especially useful by the bed, where many of us stash all kinds of USB-equipped devices, such as phones, tablets, and e-readers. That stuff competes for space on a standard duplex outlet that may already be serving a desk lamp or a
clock. But to answer your question: Yes, USB receptacles are fairly easy to install, but there are a few things you should know before you switch off the breaker and remove your old outlet."
Back to top
May – Late Spring Maintenance Checklist
The Homeowner and Trades Resource Center (HTRC) says, "May is quite an interesting
month. It seems to be a month of first’s and last’s; the last full month of spring, the last day of school, the first of many holidays, the first start to summer vacations, the first gripes on it being to hot,
and the list goes on. For most of us, we managed to survive the dreaded interior “Spring Cleaning,” the kids are now whining about having to mow the grass almost every weekend, the gardens have been planted, and the pollen is finally starting to slack off, and it’s time to fire up the BBQ." HTRC offers a dated (2010) but comprehensive
May Homeowner Maintenance Checklist and the Exterior Spring Cleaning Guide.
Back to top
NEWS
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2014 Spring Construction Forecast
On April 24, 2014
NAHB said, “A growing economy, pent-up demand, competitive mortgage rates and affordable home prices will keep housing on an upward trajectory through 2015. However, several obstacles including tight consumer credit, shortages of lots and labor and rising materials prices are hindering a more robust recovery, according to economists who participated in yesterday’s National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2014 Spring Construction Forecast Webinar. “Housing needs an improved economy,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe, adding that the economy is expected to respond as payroll employment continues to grow and the unemployment rate slowly recedes from 6.7 percent in the first quarter of this year to 6.2 percent by the fourth quarter of 2015. Consumer confidence is back to pre-recession levels and the purchase of motor vehicles and home furnishings are on the rise, indicating that consumers are increasingly
willing to buy big ticket items such as houses."
Back to top
No comments:
Post a Comment