Whether you are moving into a new home or have decided to redecorate, finding the exact style you want for a room can be a difficult process. So many different choices need to be made. Paint or wallpaper? Carpet or hardwood floor? Dark colors or light? These are just a few of the hundreds of options you have to choose from when it comes to decorating your home.

The best place to start is by doing research. You don’t want to just rush into the first idea you have for a room. It may not work out for you, or you might find something you like a whole lot better. When you go to decorate a room, like a dining room with oak dining sets, you need to really figure out what you want, and that means finding inspiration. If you’re not sure where to turn to for inspiration, here are several places to get started.

Decorating Books and Magazines
A visit to your local library will yield an abundance of decorating books and magazines you can go through. Take the time to really go through these books. Once you’ve narrowed down your preferences, you can even take some of them home with you to really find what you want. Not only are they inspirational, but these books can also help you expand your knowledge about interior decorating. Do keep in mind, however, that some of the pictures and designs featured may not be functional for every family. Use these ideas and images as inspiration for your own functional designs and styles.

Design Shows on Television
For those of you who get cable channels such as HGTV, consider watching decorating shows once in a while to get inspiration for your home. These days, there are plenty of decorating shows on TV that can at least give you some ideas you might want to incorporate into your decorating project. Another great aspect of designs shows is that many of them actually show you how to do the things they’re suggesting, so you can replicate what you see at home quite easily.

Model Homes and Rooms
Look around your city to see if there are any home tours or model-home showcases you can check out. You may get lucky—some cities will have a model-home showcase where top interior decorators get together and redecorate rooms and home. Then these homes are open to the public for a small fee, which is usually donated to charity. This is a great way to see firsthand the extraordinary work done by interior decorators without having to pay for a consultation for your own home.

Interior Decorator
If it’s in your budget, you can always hire an interior decorator to come to your home and give you ideas. Just because you have them come for a consultation visit doesn’t mean you have to hire them to do the work, and you might get some great ideas. Some decorators charge an hourly price and others charge a flat fee per visit. Be sure to always ask for an estimated price before you have an interior decorator come to your home.

There are so many different ways to find interior-decorating inspiration from American made Amish furniture to contemporary Italian styles. Sometimes just walking into a store you might see a great piece of décor that will spark an inspiration. Just remember to take your time and enjoy the process.

Is your Roof leaking, how can you tell?

The most apparent sign of a leaky roof is water falling into your house. It is very easy to detect a leaky roof, just before it becomes evident. For example, the first thing you notice can be: brown, discolored spots on the drywall ceiling. That means that the water is escaping and leaking in. Sometimes the water leak can occur outside, by rotting the roof framing system. This type of leakage may not be noticeable. However, it can jeopardize. And even if there are no visible signs of a leak, water leakage can rot the roof framing system, compromising its structural completeness, and may require extensive and costly repairs.

There are several tips for prevention roof repair:

• Conduct regular roof inspections at least twice a year, as it is recommended by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). It is highly recommended to perform fall and spring inspections. In certain parts of the country, the winter takes a heavy toll on your roof. If you discover any type of leak, small or big, your first action should be calling the roof specialist. If left unattended, the leaky roof can cause significant damage to insulation, walls, ceilings, flooring and personal property.

• Check the flashing. In some cases, the flashing around the chimney, vents, fans and skylights, and lining roof valleys may cause the leaking. Commonly, the material used with flashing, such as asphalt or caulking compound, that is used for sealing pipes and protrusions-gets torrid and stale from being exposed to natural elements to sun and the heat. In time the dry materials crack or loosen the seal, allowing water to penetrate. The resolution can be inexpensive. The asphalt cement can be used and last for about three years. Another option would be to replace the flashing, which can last much longer, for about ten years. Oxidized and rust-covered flashing can be cleaned, and coated with the special rust-resistant paint. However, if the flashing is completely deteriorated, it needs to be replaced. Tips to replace flashing: http://www.roofdoctor1.com/

• Replacing of shingles. Decaying and ruined shingles can cause leaky roof. When asphalt shingles get cracks, tears, or when it reveals the black asphalt, it is time to get them replaced. If several shingles are damaged, you can just have a small repair, by replacing just several of them. However, If the majority of shingles are damaged,

Clean leafs and other natural debris. A buildup of leafs and debris in he roof can cause water backups to leak through the roof. Make a habit of inspecting your roof for possible debris on the roof and clear it away right away. Left unattendant, debris, may cause damage of the wood and sheathing. Also, make sure to keep the gutters and downspouts clean, as they me get cluttered with leafs and other debris; therefore causing the water to go back and leak the roof

• Ice build up at the eave, called an ice dam, and can also lead to roof leakage. It can even cause structural damage to the roof’s framing system. The best ways to prevent an ice dam is by using an eave-heating system – heated wires that are strung on the roof above the overhang which prevent the water from freezing, and promoting proper watershed. A worthwhile investment if your roof is prone to ice dams.

Call a professional for a roof inspection

Regardless of how many reasons cause a roof leak, it is wise to have a roofing contractor to inspect your roof. For smaller repairs like shingle replacement or re-applying caulking, you may be able to save some money by hiring an experienced handyman. But for bigger repair jobs to your asphalt shingle roof, it is best to call a professional roofing contractor.
Many roofing contractors will provide a free roof inspection, including a written estimate outlining the required repairs, as a means to solicit work

Tanya is the Roof Repair Experit with

Roof Repair Sacramento Company

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A stitch in time saves nine, and this principal couldn’t apply more to roof repairs. When damage is noticed, repairing it right away is usually easy and inexpensive, but wait until the damage get worse, and you will be facing major repairs and expenses.

There are many components to a roofing system that can go wrong, tiles can crack, shingles can curl or be blown off, flashing can bend. All of these will lead to the same dangerous problem-roof leaks. You won’t see the damage coming, usually. Water may be seeping in, but you won’t see it in the house until it the water is coming into the interior of the home. At that point too much damage is already done.

The way to avoid this is to do periodic inspections of your roof. Get up there and look for damaged or missing tiles, shingles that are warped, flashing that has lifted. With adobe or rolled asphalt roofs, some of these problems won’t be so visible, and you may have to pour water over the roof and look at the results.

Check any cracks with a flashlight. You should not be able to see the light from the inside of the house. Perform an interior inspection by walking around in the attic on the beams and looking for any daylight that shows through.

Check all of the beams for any signs of moisture. Finding moisture won’t necessarily tell you where the problem is, however. Water may flow across the beam-follow the trail to find where it is coming from. If you find a crack or hole, drive a long nail through the roof close to the hole. Be careful of any wiring or cables. (This technique should not be employed for adobe roofs, as it will only create more damage.)

Next, squeeze toothpaste into the hole so that it goes to the outside. Toothpaste works for this purpose since it washes away easily. If it is a very small crack, you may be able to just squeeze silicone gel instead of toothpaste, and let it cure to a hardness that will prevent a leak.
If you know you have a leak and the flashlight method does not work, you may be able to locate cracks by measuring the distances inside and apply them to the outside.

Once you have located a crack, you can repaper it from inside the attic, or replacing a shingle or tile on hate outside, depending on where the crack is. If you have major damage to your roof, you should have a professional tend to it. But to replace one or two tiles or shingles, it is a simple matter of removing the damaged one and replacing it. For an asphalt or wood roof, just nail in place on each corner.

Frequently asphalt can just be glued down if curling has occurred. If you have a tile roof, chip the damaged tile off and glue the same size tile down in its place.
Many times, however, just replacing the shingle will not cure the problem and you have to re tar that portion of the roof or even replace the roofing felt. Only attempt this yourself if it is a small job that you can get at easily.

The bottom line is examine your roof frequently and perform small repairs that you can before the damage Gert out of hand. When you consider the damage a roof leak can do to the walls, ceilings and flooring in your home, you will realize it is worth the trouble.

Adam Peters is a syndicated writer of http://www.allsunrooms.com

Find more publications about sunrooms at his website.

Plywood is used in different applications including boat construction. This is a wood product made from many sheets of veneer or plies. It undergoes the process of pressing together, glued and grains going in multiple directions.

Plywood is a high quality wooded sheet that has resistance to:

• cracking
• breaking
• twisting
• warping
• bending and
• shrinkage

In boat-building, it is not practical to discuss all types of lumber. There are specific woods common in each country yet imported lumbers can also be found.

The common rule:
Any lumber in the locale that becomes successful in boat-making can be applied.
Although there are some characteristics of the wood that need to be considered like:
• weight
• strength
• decay resistance

Look for wood that will match these requirements. If the boat designer wants a lightweight lumber like Sitka Spruce, do not give him white oak. It would double the weight of Sitka Spruce. White oak weighs heavier. Weight will affect the performance of the boat. You can use woods of similar weight and strength as substitute. They must also prove to be successful for boat making.

In buying Lumber
Determine first the required thickness of wood material to be used. The designer must note in the plan or material listing the specific lumber thickness. The thickness of the lumber is usually the first dimension. It is called the sided dimension. For practicality, the designer must give specific standard for lumberyard dimensions like:
• 1″ material refer to four quarters or
• 1″ material to 1″ NET

When asking for a quotation, note these to your lumber supplier. You can also purchase just one big board and re-saw them into desired pieces to save money.

Example:
Specified three 1″ x 2″ members, group these together. You can cut this from one big board sized 1″ x 6″ + extra allowance.

To re-saw this board, you will need a power saw. It can be a:
• table saw or
• radial arm saw

In Selecting Lumber
Select the actual board to use after deciding on the type of lumber. Wide width is mostly preferable. Long length is advantageous. When the plan needs a member 20′ long but the available is only 12′, it can be formed by:
• Scarf joint or
• Butt joint

The builder must check his plan to assure that the joint be found at a strategic location.

Example:
By using a butt joint and butt lock, a two 10′ length can be used to make 20′ member. It is probable that the joint be found in the location of the hull. It has stern curvature that will make the joint more difficult to make. On the other hand, 12′ and 8′ length makes 20′ member also. It could be manipulated to locate the joint outside curvature. It will simplify the joint.

To select appropriate material, the builder must check all choices against the plan. The lumber for boat making project must be seasoned. It means removing moisture from the wood. It is done to improve its purpose.

The two methods of lumber seasoning are Air drying and Kiln drying. The characteristics of the two methods:
1. Air drying process
• It is the best process
• It requires year or more of drying time

2. Kiln drying process
• It is acceptable if done correctly
• It can leave more moisture in the wood if rushed or
• It removed too much moisture in the wood that makes it brittle if cooked

If it is cooked, the wood will no longer be suitable for boat building. And, if the wood contains much moisture after seasoning, the wood will shrink or split. If possible, select boards that have vertical grain also called edge grain or rift sawn stock. These boards expand and contract without too much distortion.

Look for lumber defects
Defects must be checked. People confused with blemish as defects. Blemish affects only the appearance but not the service it gives. A defect is an irregularity on the wood that may affect strength. It is sometimes limited to a certain area only. It can be cut away.

Two types of defects:
• Those caused by seasoning
• Those caused by the way of tree growth

Seasoning defects are caused by removing moisture and shrinkage. Common seasoning defects include checking and warping. Natural defects caused by growth depend on the species of lumber.

Common natural defects are:
• knots
• cross-grain in wood
• shake
• decay and rot

For more information on Plywood Boat Building and Plywood Supplies, please visit our website.

If you want to spice up your home, add a bit more room, and help to raise the amount that your home is worth, adding on a four season room is definitely a great idea that you may want to give some consideration. This is a great room that you can use all year long and it is a wonderful room that can be used for a variety of different things. You’ll find that many different themes can be used in your room, although you’ll want to decide on your theme before building the sunroom so it can be built with your theme in mind. So, if you’re not quite sure what you want to use your own four season room for, here are a few wonderful ideas that you may want to consider.

A Wonderful Bedroom

One great theme to consider when you are building your sunroom for use all year long is to use the room for a bedroom. Sometimes bedrooms can be a bit dark and dreary, but you won’t have to worry about this with all the windows that are in these rooms. This will be a wonderful way to add a bedroom onto your home that will be filled with light and looking cheery all day long. Even during the winter the bedroom will be a happy place to be, so using the sunroom for a bedroom is definitely an excellent idea to consider.

An Office

You may want to consider using your new four season sunroom as an office as well. If you are running a home business out of your home, adding a sunroom is a fairly inexpensive way that you can add on to your home so that you get the room that you need to have your own office. You won’t have to worry about getting too sleepy in this office with all the light that will be shining in on you during the day. With the bright light and relaxing atmosphere, this is a wonderful way that you can enjoy having a sunroom that doubles as an office.

Exercise and Spa Room

A four season room is also an excellent choice for an exercise and spa room as well. Perhaps you have been wanting to get into shape but you just are not quite sure how to do it since you don’t have the room for the exercise equipment that you need. Maybe you want to have a nice spa that you can enjoy and relax in. Well, having a sunroom is the perfect idea and you can have your exercise equipment in the room as well as a nice spa that you will be able to enjoy.

Family Room for Relaxation

Last of all, you’ll find that using this room for a family room where you can relax and enjoy your family is another great idea as well. Sunrooms make the perfect place to sit back and relax after a long day at work and you can enjoy watching television together or playing some games with the family. So, if you want to make good use of your new four season room, consider making it a special room for the whole family.

For more information on sunrooms, sunroom additions and related topics visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com

Once you have a sunroom installed, more than likely you are ready to start enjoying it. Of course you are probably going to want to decorate and furnish the room first. This can be a whole lot of fun, but when you are decorating your sunroom, there are some special considerations to remember. Not sure where to begin or which decorations to pick? Well, here are some great tips that will help you to decorate your sunroom so it looks great.

Tip #1 – Choose Items that Won’t Fade – First of all, you’ll want to make sure that you avoid purchasing anything that may fade. Remember that your sunroom is going to get a lot of sun all day long, so you will want to make sure that you pick out items that are not going to fade in the sun.

Tip #2 – Go with Lightweight Options – Going with lightweight options is important as well when you are decorating and furnishing your sunroom. More than likely you are going to want to move things around from time to time, so you’ll want to avoid anything that is too heavy in the room. Go with lighter options, such as wicker or even some wrought iron furniture as well.

Tip #3 – Install Shades or Blinds – No doubt you will also want to install some shades or some blinds in the sunroom as well. There may be some times that you want to keep the sun out, so it is important that you have shades or blinds that will allow you to decide how much sunlight you want in the room. Also, they can provide you with the privacy that you need as well.

Tip #4 – Add Some Plants – Adding some plants to the room is a great way to decorate as well. It will make it feel even more like you are outdoors. Make sure that the plans you choose are real too for a great look. Since you have all the sunlight, consider going with some beautiful and large tropical plants for the room. The plants will grow wonderfully with the sunlight; just make sure that you water them regularly.

Tip #5 – Install a Ceiling Fan – Another great idea when you are furnishing your sunroom is to install a ceiling fan. Even if you have air conditioning in the room, a fan can provide more circulation of air in the room. There are many great fan styles that will look great in the room, and you can make it seem even more beautiful while keeping it cool as well.

Tip #6 – Consider a Hot Tub – If you really want to have a great time in the sunroom, then you may want to consider adding a hot tub. You can add a screen that will screen it off from the rest of the room and you’ll have a great place to relax. This is a great way that you can make your sunroom even more enjoyable.

For more sunroom decorating ideas as well as information on sunroom furniture and related topics visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com

The sink is the most important fixture in any kitchen or bathroom. Nowadays, it is very difficult to imagine a kitchen or a bathroom without a sink. It is the duty and the responsibility of the homeowner to take great care in choosing the sink that best suites his kitchen or bathroom. Earlier, the kitchen and bathroom sinks came in one size, shape and color. But with the changing times a lot of varieties of sinks flooded in the market and people had a wide range of sinks made from various materials to choose from. But one type of kitchen sink that has existed for a long time and still is one of the most popular choices among people from all over the world, for a luxury kitchen is the copper sink.

There are a wide variety of copper sinks that are sold today which have different finishes like the dark bronze color, stainless or hammered by hand. As the time passes by the copper sinks will develop susceptible change in quality and color. The change that the copper sink undergoes depends on the environment where it is used. The most important appeal of the copper sink is that the living finish it possesses changes its color to medium coppery brown as the years go by. But to maintain the fresh look of the copper sink a special wax of copper can be applied whenever necessary. Copper sinks are maintenance free. Copper sinks are built to last a lifetime and grow more and more beautiful as it ages.

The maintenance of copper sinks is very simple and it only requires a thorough wash with mild soap and water regularly. Copper sinks have natural antibacterial elements and hence the copper surface will not be affected by the attack of bacteria. It is also proves that copper sinks are more sanitary than all the other types of regular sinks made of porcelain, ceramic, vitreous china etc. Also germs like E-coli cannot survive on the copper surface for more than a few hours. Most of the copper sinks available in the market are hand hammered. This technique along with its natural living finish will prevent it from exhibiting the dents and scratches it develops with regular use. Copper sinks are so natural and elegant that it brings the antique and classic look to any bathroom or kitchen. Most of the copper sinks available are made by hand and hence will be costlier when compared to the other varieties of sinks available.

It is of utmost importance that the homeowner takes great care in choosing the perfect copper sink and a genuine one of that. Some of the cheaper varieties of copper sinks available in the market are made from recycled copper and are only 90 percent pure, which are generally made from melted down computers, machines and other electrical and electronic equipments. But homeowners are advised to be bewaring of these cheap copper sinks that are available in the grey markets all over the world. The demand and the rise in sales of copper sinks have brought down the rates of the copper sinks considerably. Also because of the huge demand, a vast range of newly designed and crafted copper sinks are now readily available in the markets which gives a homeowner the option of going for a unique design of copper sink that suits his needs and will reflect the personal sense of décor of the homeowner.

Click here to learn more about Copper Sinks and Sinks in general, everything you need to know at the sinks site http://awesomesinks.com

An undersink water filter works much the way a countertop point-of-use unit works, except it is hidden away underneath for those who don’t wish to have the filtration system showing. These units are usually very easy to install, usually less than a half hour, and can effectively remove most harmful contaminants from your home’s water.

According to most undersink water filter reviews, the most effective, and cost-efficient systems are multi-stage units with a combination of filtration methods, including ion exchange, carbon and sub-micron filtration. This ensures that the unit will remove lead, chlorine, volatile organic chemicals, parasites and other toxins from the water, yielding clean, pure drinking water for your family.

There is certainly a growing demand for whole house and undersink water filter systems these days as more and more research points to the damaging effects of toxic chemicals present in our water. Even in the best areas, studies show there are over 2100 cancer-causing contaminants in our water, with new chemicals finding their way into the system each and every day.

The reason for this is that most municipal water facilities use old, rudimentary filtration methods which are unable to work nearly as effectively as some of the better undersink water filters. Also, government regulations only set maximum levels for a few dozen chemicals…there are no standards for the majority of toxins in the water.

So you can see why the water in your home is not nearly as clean and pure as it should be, and why an undersink water filter system makes sense. Not only can the better systems remove harmful chemicals and micro-organisms, but they leave in the healthful trace elements that give water its therapeutic benefits. So essentially, these filters take out only the bad stuff, while leaving essential magnesium, calcium and potassium behind.

How To Find The Best Undersink Water Filter

There are many different products on the market and many different filtration methods. Some are definitely better than others, but from our undersink water filter reviews we were able to determine which are the best overall buys for your home.

You want to find the unit that removes the most harmful chemicals and other toxins from the water. You can find this information on the Performance Data Sheet, which lists everything that is filtered out and in what quantities. This will give you a good idea of the product’s capabilities.

Many states have very strict guidelines when it comes to whole house and undersink water filter system performance. They review all of a manufacturer’s claims, product information, filtration methods and other company criteria. The strictest guidelines are issued by the California Department of Health. If you find an undersink water filter with California Certification, you can be sure that filter of the highest quality.

Other than the performance data and certification, which should give you a good sense of what you’re getting, go with a reputable manufacturer that has been in the business for a while. Also, look for some kind of guarantee of performance, so if the product doesn’t do what it says it does you can return it. Every good company has some kind of satisfaction guarantee.

If you want to be sure your family is drinking safe, pure, clean water, look into a countertop or undersink water filter for your home…you’ll be glad you did!

Martin Spencer is a health researcher who has been studying water filtration for over 25 years. He is a regular contributor to Water Filtration Guide, a site dedicated to various methods of treating and purifying water. Read our undersink water filter reviews on our site.

When it comes to choosing countertops for the home, most people will tell you that it is a decision that you should not take lightly. Covering a large amount of space – at an often affordable price – countertops have the ability to maximize their design impact, dollar for dollar.

Choosing those countertops that will work best within your space comes down to overall design theme, level of functionality desired, and proposed budget. There are many different materials used to make countertops and they differ according to price and durability.

In particular, ceramic tile countertops continue to be one of the more popular countertop materials on the market today – as much for their beautiful appeal as their resilient and functional surface.

Ceramic tile countertops have such enormous appeal for a number of reasons; owners choose this material as much for its ability to set a warm and gracious tone in the kitchen, as its ability to function successfully for cooking. Such countertops come in individually colored and textured tiles that when put together make up a larger pattern.

The prices of the ceramic tiles range even within this category. Hand-painted designs tend to be extremely costly per tile but the effect can be stunning if a few pieces are appropriately added to the overall look.

The installation of ceramic tile countertops can certainly be done by a professional – either the company from which you purchase the ceramic tile or an independent contractor. But many tenacious do-it-yourselfers find the installation of ceramic tile to be the perfect project for them – to be tackled over a long weekend.

Of course, it helps to have as much information as possible; there are free instructional classes offered at most large home improvement retailers that will arm you with the tools and knowledge to get the job done right.

Grout, between the tiles, is also a part of the look and design. Primarily used to hold the ceramic tile in place, it is also a critical modifier of the overall look when installing ceramic tile countertops.

This is evidenced by the fact that grout can be obtained in different colors to match or highlight the color choice of the ceramic tile chosen. When choosing grout it is important to remember that the grout should be sealed to prevent seepage of water that will provide a haven for microorganisms. It is recommended that grout made from acrylic or epoxy be used.

Finally, upon installation of the tile and the addition of the grout, the ceramic tile countertops are either left alone or finished with a glaze. A glaze provides a shine to the finished product and also prevents tile damage that could result from heat, cutting, or staining. If you choose not to apply a glaze the countertop will have a flat – rather than shiny – appearance.

Ceramic tile countertops are a durable and beautiful way to complement your overall kitchen and add a unique flair to your decor. With some simple installation, before you know it you’ll have a kitchen that’s sophisticated and appealing.

Still looking for the perfect counter tops? Try visiting http://www.typesofcountertops.com – a website that specializes in providing counter top advice, tips and resources including information on corian countertops.

1. My home summer air conditioning bill is bigger per month than the winter heating bill per month. Traditional air conditioning is less efficient than heating and natural gas is less expensive than electricity.

2. Air conditioners have two motors that use electrical power. The compressor is the machine that makes the refrigerant cool the air. The other motor drives the fan that moves the air. Motors are energy hogs.

3. Every degree that you set your thermostat below 78 increases your air conditioning cost by 3 to 4%.

4. While your AC is working normally, you should feel the amount of airflow from your window unit or register for central units. You need to know what is normal to be able to trouble shoot problems.

5. Use a thermometer to check the room temperature and the temperature of the air that the AC is putting out. The air coming out of the AC should be about 20 degrees F cooler than the room temperature. Make a note what the difference is. This is good trouble shooting data for future use.

6. Air conditioning reduces the water vapor in the air turning it into liquid water. This makes us more comfortable by lowering the humidity in the home. The condensed water will flow down hill.

7. The water is supposed to drain outdoors from the back of a window unit, or to a basement floor drain for central air conditioning. There is a drip pan at the bottom of the window unit. There is a drip pan located under the cooling coil, inside the ductwork above your furnace for central air conditioning. The drip pan is there to catch the water and direct it the proper drain location. Seeing a lot of water going to the right place is very good news. It indicates that your AC is working as designed.

8. If water is draining to the wrong place, it can make an unpleasant mess. Window units should be tilted so the outdoor end is a little lower than the indoor end. If it is tilted, too much the wrong way water will drain into the house and make a mess.

9. Water from a central AC draining down inside of the furnace, will rust the furnace and destroy it before it wears out.

10. If the water is not draining, it will make ice and stop your AC from working. When the drip pan fills with water ice will start forming on the cold coil. The ice “grows upward” starting at the bottom of the cold coil. As the ice builds up it blocks the air flowing through the cold coil. You are likely to be unaware if the problem until the temperature in the house goes up. Given enough time a mixture of dust and dirt from the air, will plug the drain. Cleaning the drip pan and drain needs to be part of the pre-season maintenance.

11. How do you know when the coil inside the ductwork is iced up when you cannot see in there? If the fan is running but the airflow is reduced or stopped, it is iced up. See number 4 above.

12. If you do not take corrective action, the AC will continue to run wasting expensive electricity. The ice will continue to build up and the house will continue to get warmer. Action plan: Turn the AC off. Let the ice melt. Fix the drain problem. Turn the AC back on.

13. If the AC stops cooling but the air is flowing normally, the problem is not ice. If there is good airflow but the AC is putting out air that is not 20 degrees cooler than room temperature the problem may be due to low refrigerant level in the AC. See number 5 above. When the refrigerant leaks out the AC will continue to run wasting electricity. With low refrigerant, the AC will cool poorly and waste power.

14. What to do if your AC puts out a normal amount of air that is 20 degrees cooler than room temperature but the house does not cool down? The AC may be too small for the job. It needs your help. Action plan: Reduce the amount of outdoor hot air that is sneaking into the house. Shut off heat producing appliances and old style light bulbs. Close the storm windows and doors. Add more insulation to the attic. Spray water on the outdoor part of the central AC. Spray water on the house. Make shade for the house. Make shade for the AC. Buy another window unit. Pack up and move North.

You can save money on your energy bills at home at work by visiting the ENERGY BOOMER blog at http://energyboomer.com

I am a Baby Boom Vintage Energy Engineer with a mission to help folks save money on their energy bills.

I am building on my work experience, or rather trying to put it to work for my readers.

Trying to save the planet from global climate change or delaying the economic collapse that using peak oil is expected to cause are good motives. But, saving some cash right now is better.

I just want to help folks save a buck, both at home and at work.

If it helps promote energy independence, I can support that too.

When we each shave a little off our energy bills, it is good for the environment and good for our economy.

It is nice to have good side effects while keeping cash in your pocket.

I graduated from Michigan State University with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1971 and have had a long career saving energy in a variety of industries.