Archives: Mechanical

How To Install A Dimmer Switch

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

Installing A Dimmer Switch A fairly easy home improvement project is installing dimmer switches. Dimmer switches can help create better visual settings in a room depending on the activity the room is being used for. In addition, using dimmer switches can actually help reduce your electric bill when the light is being dimmed. As with…

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Ceiling Fan Speed Controls

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

Today I learned something new about how to control the speed of ceiling fans. We have a ceiling fan in our bedroom that we use pretty regularly during the summer. It has three pre-set speeds, slow, medium and fast. Here’s the problem: the slow and medium speeds are so slow that they really don’t do…

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Evaluating a Domestic Solar Hot Water System

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Solar Power

Top 5 things to evaluate when choosing a Domestic Solar Hot Water system (SDHW) With the price of energy skyrocketing, many people are looking into ways to reduce their energy use and thus expenses. Solar systems, particularly SDHW systems are an excellent way to do just that. SDHW systems are often less expensive than their…

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Septic System Maintenance

By Todd Fratzel on Maintanence, Plumbing

Here in New Hampshire septic systems are the primary way of treating domestic waste water. In rural areas that don’t have municipal sewer systems a septic system is the best way to treat waste water. I designed our new septic system for the new home we just built and my wife often asks me questions…

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Oil Vs Propane For Heating

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning

Oil Vs Propane This year I wrote about comparing the cost of heating with oil versus heating with propane. The two posts that I wrote, Heating – Propane Vs Oil and Oil Vs Propane Fuel Calculator have been read more than any other posts I’ve written. So I thought it would be interesting to mention…

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How To Install A Dishwasher

By Todd Fratzel on Plumbing

Installing A Dishwasher Installing a dishwasher is a fairly easy to intermediate home improvement task. If you already have a dishwasher installed and you have the proper water shut off valves than installing a new dishwasher is very straightforward. As with any home improvement project make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and obey…

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AuroRa – Wireless Lighting Control System

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical, Product Reviews

When we built a our new home we installed this wireless lighting control system from Lutron. This wireless lighting control system is a very versatile product that allows you to replace single pole or three-way switches. Each wireless switch is controlled by the master control that you plug into an outlet and place somewhere in…

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FLUKE 1AC-A1 II VoltAlert

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical, Power Tools, Product Reviews

Today I bought a new electrical tester. In the past I’ve had testers but none that I really liked or trusted. I read some reviews and this Fluke 1AC-A1 II VoltAlert received some decent feedback. What I like about this tester is you can use it several ways. It has a flat tip that allows…

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