Ask This Old House TV

Showing results for "Season 6"
Scan the episodes below and select "more" to get information on products or services you saw on that episode.

Episode #626

Rebuilding a toilet tank, Lawn Watering, Building a simple bookcase… more

Episode #625

Installing a water pressure reducing valve, Choosing the best types of grass seed, What is it?, Installing crown molding on kitchen cabinets… more

Episode #624

Replacing broken tile, Cutting ceramic and stone tile, Installing glass tile on a kitchen backsplash… more

Episode #623

Overseeding a lawn using a slice seeder, Viewer tip, Preparing a home for sale, Finding and fixing a mysterious plumbing leak … more

Episode #622

Installing granite steps, Choosing "Keyless" Deadbolts, Replacing polybutylene water piping… more

Episode #621

Installing an old full-mortise lockset into a new door, Installing a pellet stove, Non-Gasoline Lawn Mowers… more

Episode #620

Building a soccer goal with PVC pipe, Building stilts, Building a sandbox… more

Episode #619

Increasing attic insulation, Installing landscape lighting, Replacing an old kitchen faucet… more

Episode #618

Installing a Water Softener, Installing fiber-cement siding … more

Episode #617

Improving a lawn, What is it?, Water Supply Piping… more

Episode #616

Replacing a leaky skylight, What is it?, Repairing a 3-way light switch… more

Episode #615

The ATOH crew repairs a smelly dishwasher, transplants a rosebush, changes a circular saw blade, and plays another exciting round of What Is It?… more

Episode #614

Installing thermostatic radiator valves on hydronic radiators, What is it?, Making a refrigerator fit into an opening that is too small, Viewer tip… more

Episode #613

Installing a vinyl fence, Installing an epoxy coating on a garage floor… more

Episode #612

Determining landscape grades, What is it?, Seeing inside walls, Repairing a bathtub drain that won't hold water… more

Episode #611

Improving front steps with bluestone, What is it?, Installing a propane kitchen stove… more

Episode #610

Diverting storm runoff to a "rain garden," What is it?, Refinishing a wood floor … more

Episode #609

Picking a Christmas tree, What is it?, Safety equipment, Caulking a leaky window… more

Episode #608

Improving a muddy backyard, Choosing space heaters, Preventing condensation in a bathroom fan… more

Episode #607

Original Air Date: Week of November 15, 2007

In this special episode, the crew demonstrates several ways to save energy at home. First, general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner select and install energy-efficient “replacement” windows. Up in the loft, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O’Connor a few ways to reduce the energy needed for heating water. Then, Kevin and an energy auditor visit a home and discuss how to improve the heating and air conditioning system and reduce electrical consumption.

Installing replacement windows

Tom helped a homeowner select and install new energy-efficient replacement windows. After measuring the openings, Tom took the homeowner to a local home center, where he showed her a replacement window with double panes of insulated glass and high-quality weather stripping. They placed an order for two windows and Tom came back several weeks later to help her with the installation. Tom first removed the “stop beads” and removed the old sash units and the old storm windows. He then caulked around the perimeter of the opening and tilted the new window units into place. After checking to make sure they were centered and plumb, Tom added shims and screwed the windows in place. He then reinstalled the old stop-beads, caulked around the perimeter of the windows outside, and the installation was complete.

Where to find it?

Tom installed new replacement windows manufactured by:

Andersen Corporation (model# 400 series “Woodwright”)
100 Fourth Avenue North
Bayport, MN 55003-1096
(800) 426-4261
www.andersenwindows.com

Anderson replacement windows are available at:

The Home Depot
www.homedepot.com

Heating water more efficiency

Richard showed Kevin a few ways to save energy while making domestic hot water. For gas and electric water heaters, Richard recommended adjusting the thermostat to 125-degrees. Next, he recommended wrapping all the hot water pipes in a house with pipe insulation. Richard also recommended using a water-saving showerhead to reduce the amount of hot water being used. Finally, Richard showed an alternative to a traditional storage tank-type water heater: an “instantaneous” unit that only heats water as it’s needed.

Where to find it?

Pipe insulation and water-saving showerheads are available at your local hardware store or home center.

The instantaneous water heater Richard showed was manufactured by:
Rinnai
103 International Drive
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(800) 621-9419
www.rinnai.us

Home energy audit

Kevin and energy auditor Paul Scheckel visited a home to see what could be done to make it more energy efficient. In the basement, Paul inspected the ductwork of a forced-air heating and cooling system and determined that the ducts needed insulation. Paul also said that the seams in the supply and return ducts can leak air, causing even greater energy-loss. To find out where the leaks were occurring, Paul connected a “duct-blaster” that pressurized the ductwork and a gauge showed severe air leakage in the ducts. Paul then blew smoke into the ducts so he could see exactly where the leaks were. When the smoke cleared, Paul applied a duct sealant over any unsealed seams to prevent future air loss. For other duct connections, Paul recommended sealing them using a foil-faced duct tape. Finally, Paul recommended using R-6 foil-faced insulation around the ducts.

Upstairs, Paul gave some tips on saving electricity. He recommended replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s), which use less energy. Paul also connected a meter to an old refrigerator to measure its energy consumption and determined that a new refrigerator could save nearly $150 per year on electricity costs. Paul then showed how to save money by disconnecting electronic components like computers and televisions when they are not in use. He demonstrated that, even when they are “off,” many appliances have a “phantom load” and continue to consume electricity.

Where to find it?

Paul Scheckel has over fifteen years experience as an energy efficiency specialist. He has visited thousands of homes educating people about energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and renewable energy options. His book, The Home Energy Diet, contains thorough research and many energy-saving suggestions. For more information or to purchase the book, please visit his website: www.nrgrev.com

Paul used a portable meter to measure the electrical usage of the refrigerator and the “phantom load” of the entertainment system. It is manufactured by Watts Up meters (www.wattsupmeters.com).

In the loft, Kevin showed a device that connects to a residential electrical meter and displays how much electricity the entire house is using. It also displays the cost of the electrical usage in real-time. It is manufactured by:

BlueLine Innnovations PowerCost Monitor
1st Floor ICON Bldg
187 Kenmount Rd.
St. John's, NL A1B 3P9
Canada
866-607-2583
www.save-electricity.ca

Additional technical assistance for this segment was provided by Air Purchases, Inc (www.airpurchases.com).

Episode #606

Removing a dangerous tree, What is it?, Installing interior door trim… more

Episode #605

Repairing a jammed garbage disposer, What is it?, Stripping exterior paint, Drilling and notching in joists … more

Episode #604

Preventing floods, Removing and replacing foundation plants, What is it?, Fixing rotted wood with epoxy… more

Episode #603

Replacing a toilet flange, What is it?, Repairing cracked plaster, Viewer Tip… more

Episode #602

Carpentry squares, What is it?, Installing a patio using concrete bricks… more

Episode #601

Replacing a bathtub drain trap, What is it?, Repairing a cracked drywall ceiling… more