Proper Thermostat Placement Is Key To Accurate Readings Print

May is the time to start transitioning to summer lawns (bermuda grass).

Mowing shorter, cutting back on watering winter grass (rye).  Begin dethatching and aerating the lawn.  Marking your sprinkler heads to keep from damaging them.  

Benefits of dethatching.  Careful not to churn up dirt.  Advantages of an aerating machine to make holes for air space, root growth and nutrients.

Discussion of the time frame for bermuda grass to come up.  And the downside of leaving the rye grass in place while getting the bermuda to grow.

Jay's reasons for not going with a summer lawn.  An option for artificial grass.

Transition time for gardens.  The number one thing is to adjust your irrigation system for summer and responsible conservation of water.   Examine every sprinkler head and drip emitters for leaks.  

Transition time for planting summer flowers, vegetables and melons.

Discussion of nightshade plants like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and others.  'Technically' they are listed as containing harmful substances.  But.....

Using melon vines as ground cover to cool the soil.

Discussion of plants that attract pollinators like bees.  Very important to gardens, flowers and best to leave them alone.

Discussion of annuals (flowers) and perennials.  Most annuals grow during one long season then die off.  But that season varies in different parts of the country.

David Byrne of Green ID discusses your air conditioner thermostats!

First a basic understanding of your system.  What is a return and why its the easiest maintenance to extend the life of your unit.  What is your supply (or register)?   The function of the condenser and evaporator.

David explains the placement of the thermostat is important to detect the exact temperature you desire for comfort.

Explains The Approach Method to check unit performance.  A 15-20 degree split between the air in and out.

David's Rules Of Where Not To Place The Thermostat:

Don't place near beams of sunlight. 

Don't place inside an exterior wall.  Example a garage wall.  

Don't place under or in the flow of a supply register.

Don't place the thermostat in the hallway.  It should be in the living area where you spend the most time.

Don't place in the kitchen where heat and humidity can affect temperature detection.

Don't place near a window or door exterior.

When moving a thermostat, a discussion of the wire and how to thread it to the new spot.

Why the height of the thermostat from the floor matters and what that length should be.

A home energy audit is the best money you can spend to spot efficiency and comfort issues.  A combination of science and conservation.  Each audit is taylored to a home based on how it uses energy.

The low audit cost (mostly $99) helps utilities companies meet demand and avoid building an additional power generation station.

Rosie tells the story of ordering a dresser drawer and having to assemble it.

CALLER:  Home built in 1982, 1400 square feet, block stucco facing east/west.  Home energy audit showed leaks in the metal air ducts.  Looking at replacing with insulated flex hose.

CALLER:  Has a masonry home with a smooth stucco surface.  Wants to know the difference between using ceramic paint and regular paint for the stucco.  (Rosie has some thoughts on that)

Sanderson Ford

Weekly To Do on Purposeful Energy Spending.  Helping you understand what the SEER Rating means on an air conditioning unit.  Jeff Carmichael of REEis Air Conditioning speaking on behalf of Trane explains the rating number and how to choose the right unit with the right SEER for your home.  

CALLER:  Wants to turn his garage into a workshop.  Only has 3 outlets and woefully lacking in electric power.  What are his options to get more power in the garage?

SAHBA Home Show is BACK!  May 21st-23 at the Tucson Convention Center!

CALLER:  How to get rid of ducks flying into their pool?

Fire danger is very high.  Be dilligent and don't do anything that can start a fire.  And leave baby wildlife alone!