In this episode:
Richard discusses the possible causes and solutions for a frozen air conditioner; Tom fixes an end cap on a stair railing that keeps coming loose; Ross travels to Napa to tour a house that’s testing out a variety of interconnected smart home devices.
How to Diagnose A Frosty Air Conditioner
Richard discusses the possible causes and solutions for a frozen air conditioner.
Where to find it?
Air filters on HVAC equipment should be changed or cleaned periodically. Replacement air filters come in many sizes and can be purchased at home centers. Reusable filters should be cleaned at least once per season, more regularly in homes with pets.
Outdoor units should be cleaned with a vacuum brush attachment and kept clear of bushes and other obstructions.
A professional HVAC contractor can help assess if a system may be oversized and need replacement or if the refrigerant is recharged incorrectly.
How to Fix a Loose Hand Railing End Cap
Tom fixes an end cap on a stair railing that keeps coming loose.
Where to find it?
Railing parts to fit a variety of applications can be found at home centers, as can both the railing bolt with a wood thread and machine thread and the spring-style connection.
Tom used Clear Gorilla Glue to hold the railing pieces together, which can be found at home centers.
Future House | Touring a Napa Valley Smart House
Ross travels to Napa to tour a house that’s testing out a variety of interconnected smart home devices.
Where to find it?
Jason Johnson is the CEO of August Smart Lock, which manufactures the doorbell video cameras and smart lock system that integrates with a traditional deadbolt.
The exterior camera system was manufactured by Arlo, which is a division of NETGEAR.
The smart thermostats that also serve as digital assistants were manufactured by Ecobee.
Jason was able to integrate several smart home devices using the IFTTT platform.
The “smart windows” used a combination of technologies to work. The motorized windows were manufactured by Loewen and were connected to IFTTT using a Z-Wave controller. IFTTT was connected to the local weather station and the Ecobee thermostats to determine indoor and outdoor temperatures and open and close the windows according to programmed parameters.
Expert assistance with this project was provided by TE2 Engineering.
Original Air Date: April 12, 2018 Season 16; Ep.19 23:43
Products and Services from this episode
Platform to integrate several smart home devices
Manufacturer: IFTTT
Adhesive to hold the railing pieces together
Manufacturer: The Gorilla Glue Company
Exterior camera system
Manufacturer: Arlo
Jason Johnson hosting a tour of a house testing interconnected smart home devices
Expert assistance: August Smart Lock
Motorized windows
Manufacturer: Loewen
Smart thermostats that also serve as digital assistants
Manufacturer: Ecobee