Archives: Mechanical

Surge Protection for Valuable Circuits

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

Adding Surge Protection To Computer and Entertainment Circuits We live in an electronic gadget age that sees most of us spending significant money on the gadgets that make our lives more enjoyable. Many of us have a home computer network, home entertainment, and even home automation all powered by our homes electrical service. Most of…

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AFCI Breaker | How to add one to your panel

By Jeff Williams on Electrical, Home Improvement, Safety

AFCI Breaker | How to add one to your panel An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt (AFCI) Breaker is a circuit breaker that detects unintentional arcs. In unintentional arc is an arc that occurs outside of the normal operation of electrical devices. Many electrical devices arc, switches, relays, motors, and plugging items into an outlet.  Beginning…

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Kohler Introduces Smaller-Sized Generator Units

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

8, 10 and 12 kW Generators Make Standby Power More Accessible KOHLER, Wis. – September 23, 2014 – Kohler® Generators is rolling out a complete new line of standby generators designed for homeowners with fewer power requirements, and who are looking for the performance and reliability of a KOHLER unit at an entry-level price point.…

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Backup Generator Power – Be Prepared

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical, Safety

Using Backup Generators Each year hundreds of thousands of homeowners get left in the dark due to power outages caused by extreme weather. Whether it’s extreme wind, lightning, snow or ice the outages can last for days at times leaving no power for heat, water and refrigeration. One of the best solutions for power outages…

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A Beginners Guide to Home Automation

Guest article by David Glenn on Electrical

Four Steps to a Smarter House Guest Article by David Glenn Welcome to the future. As technology becomes smaller, easier to produce, and about as ubiquitous as oxygen, humanity is discovering that it can be put to good use controlling various systems around the home. Lighting, climate control, door locks, security, and entertainment can all…

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Heating – Propane Vs Oil

By Todd Fratzel on Heating

Update: This is a popular article written several years ago. While pricing may have changed the basic comparison still holds true today. Heating Fuel – Propane Vs. Oil When we built our new house one of the big decisions I had to make was what type of heating fuel to use. Should we use the…

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Electrical Supplies at The Home Depot

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

PRO Grade Electrical Supplies I’ve never seen the bid market as tight as it is today which means contractors need every advantage when it comes to material pricing. Did you know that The Home Depot offers an extensive line of Electrical Supplies for the PRO? Utilize their exclusive services for Pros designed to get you…

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Winter Window Condensation – Sweaty Windows

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning, Windows

What Causes Window Condensation Each winter I’m asked repeatedly why new energy efficient windows have condensation on them. I’ve written several articles about window condensation, Winter Window Condensation Problems, Window Condensation – Part II, and More On Winter Window Condensation, but I thought it was worth reviewing the issues because it seems to be so…

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