Genae Valecia Hinesman

Genae Valecia Hinesman is a former finance/banking executive who has been writing professionally since 2002. Her business and finance articles appear online and in print, drawing on more than two decades of corporate and entrepreneurial experience. Hinesman is also a fashion model and fitness enthusiast who has studied exercise physiology.

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Installing a water heater disconnect (or shut-off valve) may require a basic competency with plumbing tools (like the use of a soldering rod), but it is still a project that most DIY-ers find that they are able to successfully complete. If you have never attempted the installation of a water heater disconnect before, you will be pleased to see just how simple it can be.

When a water heater has ceased to work and must be replaced, a homeowner or maintenance professional must remove it before installing...

There comes a time when repairs to an old water heater are too expensive and the best solution is to replace the...

Whirlpool sells a number of electric water heaters that differ in type and capacity, from the Energy Smart, self-cleaning models to their...

Like all plumbing components, a water heater is subject to corrosion and mineral deposit build-up, and there comes a time when it...

Certain Rheem water gas water heater models feature electronic controls with a flammable vapor sensor installed on the bottom portion of the...

The hot water heater is one of the most neglected appliances in a home. People often do not think about it until...

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How to Install a Disconnect On a Water Heater | eHow

Imagine you want to use 20 percent less energy in your home.

It's a noble goal, but it can be tough. You might have to change your insulation, install energy-efficient windows, put on a new roof, maybe get a different furnace or water heater. You have to get your kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room, and learn to take a quicker shower in the morning.

Now imagine that you have almost 100,000 kids, spread out in 24 cities, with 289 houses in one town alone.

Welcome to saving energy at Penn State.

The university joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge this month, committing to cutting the energy use in its buildings by 20 percent over the next 10 years. More than 200 businesses, organizations and government agencies have signed onto the challenge, including Macy's and Kohl's department stores, the states of Massachusetts and Maryland and cities such as Denver and Atlanta.

Penn State is the largest educational institution to pledge participation, as well as being a leader in the state. The university is one of First Energy's five largest customers in Pennsylvania.

According to Rob Cooper, director of energy and engineering for the Office of Physical Plant, the challenge is the continuation of something Penn State has been working toward for more than a decade. Since 2003, the university has invested $75 million in energy-saving projects.

That might seem like a lot of money, but the University Park campus alone has a $14 million electric bill every year. Heating the buildings over the winter takes another $12 million. Cooper said the projects have actually made it possible to get energy costs down to levels from 10 years ago while simultaneously adding 4 million square feet of facilities to the campus.

Some projects are being tackled purely for energy reasons, such as converting the West Campus Steam Plant from using coal for production to cleaner-burning natural gas. Other projects are being tackled as they arise.

There are building projects happening all over campus, and as they are planned, OPP is evaluating them for efficient energy improvements.

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PSU attempts to cut energy use

TEMPLE - Firefighters are crediting a carbon monoxide alarm with saving a Temple family's life Wednesday.

Temple Fire & Rescue were called to a home in South Temple Wednesday, October 29, shortly after 7:30 p.m., after a carbon monoxide alarm went off. Responding units found the family of five safely outside their home.

Fire officials say the family had used their gas range earlier in the day to prepare dinner. About an hour later, the alarm activated, and the family immediately went outside and called 911.

Firefighters noticed increased levels of carbon monoxide while monitoring the area, and found the source of the gas was the faulty natural gas range in the kitchen.

After turning the range off and ventilating the house, fire crews later detected zero levels of the gas.

Temple Fire & Rescue, along with other safety organizations, offer the following tips to keep your family safe:

Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.

Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.

Excerpt from:
Carbon monoxide alarm credited with saving family's life

Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon
http://upacreekplumbingllc.com (503) 999-1847 Up A Creek Plumbing L.L.C. is a residential plumber that offers water heaters repair, and strives to satisfy al...

By: Up A Creek PLumbing LLC

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Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon - Video

Hot Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon
http://upacreekplumbingllc.com/ (503) 999-1847 Up A Creek Plumbing L.L.C. is a residential plumber that offers water heaters repair, and strives to satisfy a...

By: Up A Creek PLumbing LLC

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Hot Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon - Video

Learn how to install an electric water heater with these step by step instructions. To install an electric water heater, you will need common plumbing tools, screwdrivers, a circuit tester or voltmeter, and pipe joint compound. If you have copper pipes, installation kits are available.

Make sure electrical power is off. Check the circuit for power. Let the hot water run until cool. Drain the water heater. Disconnect the electrical wires. Remove the discharge pipe. Connect hot and cold lines to the correct fittings. If soldering, solder the pipe to an adapter first, then connect the adapter to the water heater using pipe joint compound. Add a thermal expansion tank to the cold water line.

Attach the discharge pipe to the temperature and pressure release valve. Never cap or plug the discharge pipe.Turn the cold water supply valve on and fill the tank. Open the hot water faucet and let the hot water run full for 3 minutes. Check the water pressure. Check for leaks. Check the wiring. Connect the power wires. Connect the ground wire to the green ground screw.

Find electric water heaters at http://www.Lowes.com/WaterHeaters

Learn how to install a gas water heater by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGkME6...

Subscribe to Lowe's YouTube for great how to videos and home improvement tips: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c...

Or head to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/Lowes

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Electric Water Heater Installation - YouTube

Another cold night ahead and many of us are reaching for a space heater to keep warm. Spokane firefighters say as the temperatures drop they see a 30 to 50 percent increase in fire calls.

"I don't just mean a small up tick," Asst. Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said. "I mean a significant up tick in our volume is very routine this time of year."

He says many of them can be prevented. Make sure there is at least three feet around space heaters, wall heaters and your furnace.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends the following things to keep you safe this winter.

Assistant Chief Schaeffer says inspect your wiring if you have an older house. Over the years it breaks down and might not be able to handle the added load new heaters bring.

"Every year that goes by, it becomes more brittle and more brittle, we recommend you replace that with a licensed electrician," Shaeffer said.

Another thing to have checked, your chimney. Tony Parker, the owner of Woody's Chimney and Masonry says business is starting to pick up. He suggest getting a sweep done to get rid of any creosote that has built up.

"The natural bi-product of a solid fuel is creosote form that is highly flammable and when it burns it can burn up to 3,000 degrees for up to 15 minutes," Parker said.

It may seem like common sense but he says to make sure the area around your fireplace is clear of any flammable materials like kindling or paper.

If you need help heating your home SNAP of Spokane can help. http://www.SNAPWA.org

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Cold weather brings fire hazards with it

TOWER Barges and excavators will arrive here next Monday to start the harbor dredging project. In celebration of the next step in the Historic Harbor Renaissance project, the City of Tower will host a groundbreaking celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public can come and get an up-close look at the dredging equipment by the East Two River in the morning and learn more about the project over coffee at the Civic Center in the afternoon.

The barge will dredge the river portion of the project until Thanksgiving and then scoop out the harbor area until early January.

The harbor projects development of the future Cobblestone Hotel is also reaching its next step.

On Tuesday, the Tower City Council authorized the harbor committee to apply for a $250,000 grant from the Community Development Block Grant program to help install sanitary and storm sewer systems, and water and road reconstruction for the hotel which will sit on the shoreline of the new harbor.

In total, the project will cost $650,000 and the city will cover $50,000. The other $350,000 will be sought from an IRRRB Economic Development grant.

The city is currently negotiating the development agreement for the approximately $3,000,000, 35-unit hotel. According to the harbor committees grant application, the agreement should be signed in November.

In other news, the council:

Will set public hearing dates before setting an ordinance that would restrict council members from holding any other paid or unpaid department head positions for the city until a year after their terms have ended.

Motioned to pay up to $3,000 toward a second water heater at the Vermilion Country School. The total cost of installing a new 50-gallon power vent gas water heater would be $8,400. Steve Abrahamson and Joan Broten denied support for the motion, suggesting the city help cover half of the cost, given that the city renovation project for the school significantly underestimated the hot water needs of the facility.

Since the school opened last fall, the existing 50-gallon 4.5 KW Bradford White electric water heater has been unable to consistently provide adequate hot water to the dishwasher to meet health code. Kitchen staff have had to wash dishes by hand instead.

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Dredging of harbor to begin next week

A law making carbon monoxide warning devices mandatory in Ontario homes took effect Wednesday.

Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Yasir Naqvi said the odourless, colourless gas kills about 50 Canadians, including 11 Ontarians, every year.

"We know that carbon monoxide gas is a silent killer," Naqvi said Tuesday. "It's a serious issue and that's why we're taking the additional step of requiring carbon monoxide detectors to be in place in all residential homes."

While there will be an emphasis on public education for the next few months, failure to install a carbon monoxide detector carries a fine of $235.

Bill 77 updates the Ontario Fire Code to mandate the use of carbon monoxide warning devices in houses, condos, apartments, hotels and university residences that have a fuel-burning device such as a fireplace, gas stove, water heater or furnace -- or if the home is attached to a garage.

The province will holds its first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, starting Nov. 1.

The devices range in price from $30 to $60 and can be plugged in, hard-wired or battery operated, Naqvi said.

"They save lives which has no price attached to it," Naqvi said.

The Ontario Building Code has required detectors in residential construction since 2011, but this bill applies to all homes in the province.

Progressive Conservative MPP Ernie Hardeman first introduced a private member's bill calling for mandatory carbon monoxide detectors after the tragic death in 2008 of OPP officer Laurie Hawkins, her husband, Richard, and their two children.

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Carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in Ont. homes 0

Insurance choices for a green home

An energy-efficient home is the superhero of housing, providing homeowners with lower utility bills, reduced risk of fire and other benefits, all while helping to sustain the planet. Federal, state and local energy rebates often pick up part of the expense of "going green."

But before you install that solar panel array, wind turbine or solar water heater, check with your home insurance agent. After all, you don't want to make a dumb insurance move with your energy-smart home.

Insurers are bullish on green homes. Farmers, Fireman's Fund, State Farm, Travelers and others offer: premium rebates for building green; policy endorsements that pay the difference to repair a damaged home with environmentally friendly materials; or both.

Ed Charlebois, vice president of personal insurance for Travelers, says there's a good reason insurers roll out the red carpet for a green home.

"It shows that this homeowner is very into good home maintenance, and I will tell you that better-maintained homes are less risky," he says. "It's not that you have a solar water heater; it's that you care about your home and you're going to maintain it to a higher standard."

Here's a look at some insurance considerations when going green.

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Best insurance for 5 green home upgrades