As anyone who experienced the recent Polar Vortex on the East Coast can attest to, being cold in your home is rarely ideal. Thankfully, the market for smart thermostats has been growing ever since Apple alumni Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers first unveiled the Nest Learning Thermostat four years ago, ushering in a new wave of connected devices that had more or less been overlooked in the effort to revolutionize the home of the 21st century. The self-aware devicespack far more capabilities than their older counterparts such as the ability to learn your daily schedule, adjust the temperature of individual rooms, and anticipate your heating and cooling needs in conjunction with the local forecasts while simultaneously boasting connectivity with your smartphone or tablet.

Below are a few of our favorites, from Nest to Netatmo, so you can run a more efficient system and cut back onexuberant costs. Well, at least until the next vortex hits.

Related: Five smart home trends were looking forward to in 2015

Surprisingly, Nests Learning Thermostat really does learn. After you initially install the devicea process thats simple regardless of your heating and cooling systemyou can set a desired temperature for your home. The thermostat will then take note of how you move around your house throughout the week, adjusting the various temperature settings according to the time of day and your habits. It will also automatically log and apply said settings when suitable, and showcase the amount of time it will take to get your house to your desired temperature. Nests bevy of sensors will detect when youre not home and adjust accordingly, and like any good friend, the device will offer suggestions designed to save you money. Its ability to adjust the temperature of your home a half hour before you arrive from work is onlyfurthers its intuitiveness.

Full review

Available at:AmazonBest BuyTarget

In a nutshell, the Honeywell Lyric taps into your location and local weather forecasts via Wi-Fi. The circular device will then anticipate potential temperature changes and compensate for the weather, while offering a host of shortcut settings for straightforward programming and operation. The thermostat features three standard modes one for when youre sleeping, one for when youre leaving your home, and another for when youre arriving all of which you can adjust using the mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The device will adjust accordingly to save you the maximum amount of money, but if you prefer to work outside the box, you can set custom settings to fit your household.

Full review

Available at:AmazonB&H

The EcoBee3 monitors youre position in the apartment much like the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Honeywell Lyric, sure, but it does so utilizing physical sensors you place around your home. The remote sensors allow for more accurate changes in heating and cooling throughout your home, which in turn saves you money because it restricts heating and cooling to the spaces in your home you utilize the most (i.e. the kitchen, living room, bedroom). The slick EcoBee3 also takes notice of humidity, and if you have a humidifier, the thermostat will automatically adjust it to best accommodate your situation. And if you dont, it will simply tweak the temperature to keep you satisfied, whether at home or away.

Follow this link:
Baby, its cold outside: Heres our favorite smart thermostats to heat up your home

Workers with Las Cruces-based C D General Contractors continued construction on the roof of the Plaza Building at White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street Thursday afternoon. Construction to restore the more than 70 year old building began in early February and is expected to last five months. Workers said they expect construction on the roof of the Plaza Building to last a couple more weeks. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society plans to convert the adobe building into a historical museum. The renovations are expected to cost about 405,000. Workers will install a new roof and heating and cooling system, renovate the interiors and bathrooms and redo the parking lot, among other changes. (Bryan Betts Daily News)

Workers with Las Cruces-based C D General Contractors continued construction on the roof of the Plaza Building at White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street Thursday afternoon. Construction to restore the more than 70 year old building began in early February and is expected to last five months. Workers said they expect construction on the roof of the Plaza Building to last a couple more weeks. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society plans to convert the adobe building into a historical museum. The renovations are expected to cost about $405,000. Workers will install a new roof and heating and cooling system, renovate the interiors and bathrooms and redo the parking lot, among other changes.

Workers said they expect construction on the roof of the Plaza Building to last a couple more weeks. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society plans to convert the adobe building into a historical museum. Workers with Las Cruces-based C D General Contractors continued construction on the roof of the Plaza Building at White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street Thursday afternoon. Construction to restore the more than 70 year old building began in early February and is expected to last five months. The renovations are expected to cost about 405,000. Workers will install a new roof and heating and cooling system, renovate the interiors and bathrooms and redo the parking lot, among other changes. (Bryan Betts Daily News)

The rest is here:
Renovations underway on Plaza building

BUILDING PERMITS

PMT2014-04186 75 Bellevue Drive; $5,900,000; I. Peshtigo; Harrington Stanko Construction; A new two story single-family dwelling. The lower level is primarily below grade. A one story guest wing with below-grade lower level is attached via an underground connection. A semi-in-ground pool is attached to the home. the lower level includes three bedrooms and three baths, a family room, a work out space, a rec. room, laundry, mechanical and storage spaces. the main level includes a kitchen, dining, and living room, a bath, mudroom, pantry, fireplace sitting area, work area, and garage. The main level of the guest wing includes two bedrooms, a bath, a great room and a study.

PMT2014-05181 2560 Grape Ave.; $72,800; Albert and Britt Pearson; Ted Hoffman Construction LLC; Interior remodel of single-family dwelling and addition to attached garage. Scope of remodel to include renovation of kitchen, entry, master walk-in closet, and replacement of existing windows and enlargement of other openings. Garage to be expanded to the north and garage roof to be removed and reframed for rooftop deck with access from exterior stairs to the south. Mid-roof inspection required. Reference ADR2014-00276 for Administrative Setback Variance.

PMT2014-05214 2360 Grove St.; $529,120.63; Grove 3; Revielle Custom Carpentry; Three-unit townhomes. Unit A is 1,419 square feet with an attached 445-square-foot garage. Unit B is 1,703 square feet with an attached 445-square-foot garage. Unit C is 1,419 square feet with an attached 445-square-foot garage. LUR2013-00510 and LUR2013-00065.

PMT2015-00268 5387 Manhattan Circle; $205,000; Green Properties; Mountain States Construction; Unit 102: Tenant interior remodel to convert medical testing lab to a general dentistry office.

PMT2015-00340 3100 Arapahoe Ave.; $186,096.69; Roal Properties; the Magnolia Building Co.; Tenant remodel to existing professional office space (2,322 square feet). Scope of work includes demolition and reconfiguration of office space with new layout, including a board room, various individual offices, and a file room. Includes associated MEPs. [Tracks with scope of work listed under PMT2015-00339. 20 percent ADA upgrades included in scope delineated under that permit.

PMT2015-00492 2127 16th St.; $130,163.; BCH Community; Blue Spruce Design & Construction; Repairs and improvements to existing cooperative housing unit. Scope includes residing with stucco (including exterior rigid foam), re-roof of building, new railing at exterior stairs, plumbing repairs/fixture swaps at kitchen and three baths, replacement of boiler, replacement of kitchen hood, addition of two skylights and miscellaneous electrical repairs. Existing PV system will be removed and reinstalled after reroof.

PMT2015-00515 2060 Broadway; $16,426; Twenty-Sixty Broadway; BC Builders Inc; Tenant interior remodel to divide existing office space into two offices with clerestory wall separation. Scope includes replacement of common accessible baths entrance hardware.

PMT2015-00526 350 Ponca Place; $16,283.68; Frasier Meadows Manor; Unit 436: Interior remodel of type B dwelling unit. 224 square feet of remodel to include kitchen, bath, new closet with washer/dryer and addition of a dryer vent, and new 100 amp subpanel. Includes associated plumbing and electrical, and mechanical.

PMT2015-00532 835 Hartford Drive; $43,130; James Berry and Patricia Trustees; McCarver & Son, LLC; Basement finish in single-family dwelling to create two bedrooms, two closets, and utility room. Existing bathroom finishes to be replaced and shower stall to replace existing bath tub. Water heater will be replaced with on-demand direct vent unit.

Go here to see the original:
Boulder building permits: March 2, 2015

Flat Roof Repair Company W Edmonton|780-800-7295|Flat Roofing Pros NW Edmonton
http://edmontonflatroofer.com/ (780) 800-7295 Edmonton Flat Roofer - Give us a call to find out the cost for flat roof replacement. Residential or smaller Co...

By: Edmonton Flat Roofer

Read more:
Flat Roof Repair Company W Edmonton|780-800-7295|Flat Roofing Pros NW Edmonton - Video

Replace Sloped Roof Edmonton Area|(780) 800-7295|Shingle Roofing Consultant Southeast Edmonton
http://edmontonroofingpros.ca/ (780) 800-7295 Call Today! Thanks for visiting Edmonton Roofing Pros, your Edmonton roofing specialist! Since 1980, we have se...

By: Edmonton Roofers

The rest is here:
Replace Sloped Roof Edmonton Area|(780) 800-7295|Shingle Roofing Consultant Southeast Edmonton - Video

This article was contributed to 1967beetle.com by Jeremy Goodspeed ofGoodspeedmotoring.com. The vintage Volkswagen community thanks you!

The basic wiring of a VW Beetle is very similar to many other types of European cars. Like most cars, with age, time and exposure, resistance can build up in a wiring harness and render simple circuits useless. So with basic understanding of European wiring standards, many repair tasks can be tackled. From the addition of a simple accessory to a complete wiring harness overhaul, following some simple rules will make for a successful repair.

First, we need to discuss a few basics regarding VW wiring. If you have spent any amount of time looking at a VW wiring schematic, you will notice that RED is used for constant power, meaning powered regardless of the ignition position, BLACK is switched power and BROWN is used for ground. The other colors will vary depending on the circuit but these three colors will cover most basic circuits. In addition to the color coding, a VW wiring schematic will have a number coding assigned to each terminal on a switch or other hardware component. These European terminal designations are also known as DIN standard and are used to determine a terminals use. First, take a look at the Bosch Terminal Designations.

These numbers are generally printed on the switch or other device for easy reference. As you work with DIN standard wiring, certain numbers will be seen more often than others. For example, a terminal designation of 30 always represents a direct connection to the positive battery terminal. While a terminal designation of 15 represents battery power when the ignition is in the crank or run position. As you become more familiar with DIN pin designations, you should be able to figure out the purpose without looking at a wiring schematic. Now when you combine the colors with the pin designations, you will notice a pattern. Red wires go to pin 30, black wires go to pin 15 and brown wires go to pin 31.

The next item you will notice on a VW wiring schematic is a number size assigned to every wire. The number wire size varies from 0.5 to 6.0. This refers to a European sizing that is measured in millimeter squared (mm). European gauge wire is not easily obtained in America, so for replacement, it must be converted to AWG (America Wire Gauge). The conversion from European wire size to AWG is not exact. Using a slightly larger wire size is good assure against resistance and heat. For example a 1.0 mm wire should be replaced with a 16 AWG wire which is 1.31 mm.

More:
'67 Beetle Wiring Basics Jeremy Goodspeed | 1967 VW ...

Window Cleaning Marketing Tips: Meet Sid?
http://www.squeegeeology.com http://www.facebook.com/squeegeeology Hi, I #39;m Sid with Squeegeeology - here is a little about me. Thanks for watching. Like us o...

By: Window Cleaning

Read the original here:
Window Cleaning Marketing Tips: Meet Sid? - Video

Published: February 28, 2015

By Peter Hotton The Boston Globe

Q. I believe youve stated that the best ventilation for an attic is a ridge vent and long, continuous soffit vents. My question is what happens when the ridge vent is under 3-4 feet of snow. Should I keep the gable vents?

A. When a vent is blocked, by snow or anything else, it stops working. Im surprised you did not report ice dams and leaks into the attic or house. The soffit vents may be enough to prevent ice dams, but its a good idea to free the ridge vent of its snow burden. But not you. Lay off the roof; it is too dangerous. Hire a roofer or professional who does this sort of thing as his vocation.

Q. Several months ago I recaulked my bathroom tile shower, the corners where the tile wall meets the tile floor. I carefully removed the old caulk, let the shower dry a couple of days, and slowly applied the new caulk. For most of the shower, it looks great. But in one corner, it curled and came away from the surface. I again removed the caulk in this area, dried the shower thoroughly and replaced the caulk. Again it has curled and come away from the wall. Whats the problem and how I can fix it?

A. Problem? First, there seems to be no depth to the joint (maybe because the tiles are too close together), so any caulk is being applied to a flat surface. Second, the wrong caulk was used. Use instead grout, a white cement-like material that will get into any cracks that are available. Use sandless grout. If you really want to use caulk, do it this way: Put your caulk cartridge in a caulking gun, with a good spout, then push the caulk into the joint, then smooth it out with a wet finger, making a small concave cove.

Q. My kitchen ceiling is peeling just above the stove, probably from steam from pots. How can I repair it? It looks like parallel wavelets.

A. I dont think its calcimine, which must be removed entirely or painted with a paint called CalCoat. I think the steam from cooking did it. To fix, sand all the loose, wavelet type peelings, right to the bare plaster, then apply two thin coats of a latex ceiling paint. To prevent a recurrence, I suggest you install a stove hood vent, exhausting outdoors to clear out all that steam.

Q. I had a new gas-fired water heater installed about a month ago and every time I turn the hot water on everywhere in my house I have air in the pipes. Do you know how I can fix this?

A. I am guessing that you are getting hot water eventually; no one should go without hot water for a month. Id say you should call the installer to make sure you get hot water with each turn-on, with no air.

Read more here:
Ask the handyman: Checking snow-covered roof vent

CLEVELAND, Ohio -

Officials of the Postal Service are asking residents and owners of businesses to clear snow and ice from walkways and sidewalks for letter carriers.

The post office sent out an email on Monday saying that Postal Service carriers in Northern Ohio will attempt to make deliveries wherever possible.

Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgment, if a potential hazard exists, and to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared.

In past winter storm events, postal carriers have suffered serious injuries related to slips, trips and falls due to icy and snow covered walkways and porch steps.

The Postal Service is asking customers to help keep their letter carrier safe this winter through the following actions: Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail and to drive away from the box without danger of the need for backing. Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice and allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls. Steps should also be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair so as not to cause injury to the letter carriers or others who visit the customer's home. Overhangs should be clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.

Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgment, if a potential hazard exists, and to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared.

See original here:
Postal Service asks Valley residents to clear walks for carriers

Q:In the process of a home remodel, I've noticed the grout in my new bathroom varies in color. The tile installer and I agreed on a gray tone, which I see on the floor and maybe a wall or two. But the grout in the shower and other walls is definitely black. Can this be corrected without damaging the porcelain tile?

A: There's a good chance the grout for your project wasn't properly mixed. Fortunately, the problem can be fixed with no damage to your tile.

Essentially, your choices are to remove the grout or stain it. This can be a do-it-yourself project, though in your case you probably want the contractor to handle it.

Because sealant is intended to help grout resist moisture, staining will only work on unsealed grout. You can easily find grout stains in home improvement or tile stores.

Before you start staining grout, do these two things:

Stain a small, inconspicuous area to be sure there's no damage and the color is correct.

Thoroughly clean existing grout with a grout and tile cleaner and grout brush. This helps make the grout porous so stain evenly adheres. Let grout dry before applying stain. Also, remove any stain that comes in contact with tiles. While porcelain won't absorb the way other tile types might, you don't want stain to sit on the tile any longer than two hours.

Keep in mind that while it's possible to lighten a dark grout, the process may require multiple coats of stain.

You'll need grout remover and a manual or power grout removal tool, also available at home improvement or tile stores. Although porcelain tiles are quite durable, be careful not to nick or chip tiles during the removal process. Once the old grout is gone, simply install new grout. Follow package instructions and if the color is right this time, plan to apply grout sealer.

If grout work is something you'd rather pay someone to do, consider hiring a handyman service or an experienced tile installer. Top-rated grout companies say the cost to restain grout in a 6-by-10-foot tiled area ranges from $50 to $175; to re-grout the same size area is $240 to $350.

Read more:
How to fix discolored grout