Quick Fixes & Building Science with Energy Experts Print

Discussing why "Family Businesses" fail or survive:

• Top 7 reasons they fail.
• Some Romero experiences with their family business.

We invite author and speaker Dr. Kevin Leman to the show:

• "The Way of the Shepherd" & "The Birth Order Book" are a few books you may have heard of.
• His past experiences in Phoenix and with KTAR, plus his background & history.
• A life lesson using a story about sheep.
• Talking about being a great leader & what it takes.

• Romey talks about another book he's reading right now, called "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath.
• A few stories about Southwest Airlines to drive home a few points.

It's fall & time to get outdoors...Sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation!!!

*Thanks to great partners like the Lazy Trout Motels & Cabins & Coyote Oatie Cookies for making our last winner's trip a success.

• The Copper Queen Hotel is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

Jay with Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company is here to help you with your yard!

• Irrigation tips for your transition into a winter lawn.
• With the warmer temps this fall, it's pretty much a perfect time for planting virtually everything.
• Costs to expect for getting that winter lawn ready.

Caller:

• Jim - He comments on the origin of his grass seed and is concerned with the blend of seed he used, because it includes bermuda seed and it's coming in before the winter rye grass.

Recommendation - That's one reason we tell people NOT to put their winter lawns in too early because the bermuda is coming back. When the 1st frost hits, he'll know how well the rye came in. Listen as Jay talks about mowing and seeding tips for success.

Text From a Listener:

• What Texas sage plant has the deepest green leaf color and will it survive in an irrigated lawn?

Recommendation - It's probably "heavenly cloud" variety & if it's in a flood irrigated lawn, it should do great.

• Talking veggies and what you can plant.

• We love hardscapes and talk about creating a great space with Belgard Pavers.

Caller:

• Scott - He planted cucumbers in his above ground planter and after 2 weeks they aren't doing well. He's heard that they might be too many, too close together.

Recommendation - They sound like they're about 10 inches apart and that should not be an issue for "stealing nutrients." He might need to add some organic fertilizer. Jay would check the moisture and it sounds like he's keeping them too wet. 

• We get into a discussion on watering veggies and some common misconceptions. 

• It's a great time to be planting & caring for your citrus plants!

Callers:

• Mickey - He planted a bunch of oleander and some are not doing well, compared to others. Any ideas what could be the reason?

Recommendation - Oleander's will grow in pretty much any soil. Jay would add some fertilizer to the ones struggling. It probably is NOT this, but it could be that he got some dwarf oleander's mixed in. We talk extensively on what it could be.

• Dan - He got a bunch of cuttings from his neighbors lemon tree and they look good. When can he plant them and when can he put them in direct sunlight?

Recommendation - He needs to find out how many roots are established. This is tricky and Jay gives a few ideas. It will need to be in shade for a while so it doesn't burn up too.

Text From a Listener:

• Can you graft 2 different fruits onto on dwarf tree?

Recommendation - You can add two similar fruits, but not citrus with apples, etc. So yes! They're called a "Cocktail Tree." Jay talks about better options for success if you have limited space. 

Texts From Listeners:

• Is sedgehammer my only option when it comes to nut grass?

Recommendation - If it's in a lawn, it kind of is. It could take multiple applications and years to get rid of it.  There's no magic bullet.

• They have a 1 year old lemon tree. How long do they take before fruit will start to grow?

Recommendation - Citrus takes about 5 or 6 years before it really starts producing fruit. If he's planting a 5 year old tree, it might take a few more years to establish, so he's got a few years to wait.

• What fruit trees need pollinators?

Recommendation - Technically, they all do. Some are just self-pollinators. We have a few examples to make the point. It's a really hard thing to answer, but they can ask about a specific plant and we can tell them no.

• Jacob - His sod has been laid down and is overseeded. How long before he needs to fertilize?

Recommendation - Jay recommends it after the 2nd mowing.

Remember, you can stop by Harper's Nursery & Landcaping Company during the week in Scottsdale.

• Discussing events happening at Arizona Construction Career Days.
• We'll be live at Oldcastle Superlite for the "Arizona's Fastest Trowel" event next weekend!
• Why we love masonry building.
• Where you can read all of our publications across Arizona & our topic this week.
• A few of the 6 things to get fixed before the holiday season coming up. Cleaning up is key!
  

Text From a Listener:

• Rick - Can you discuss wages in the trades?

Recommendation - Romey talks through why he thinks Rick is wrong and some of the causes, plus what homeowner's can do themselves.

Caller:

• Jeff - The window in his bathroom has the seal broken on his dual pane window. What can he do to get it repaired?

Recommendation - Romey gives an alternative example, but he can call a glass company to get just the glass replaced or he'd need to replace the entire window unit with a Pella Windows & Doors.

• Romey talks about a great benefit for a family in need. It's sponsored by Sanderson Ford and you can learn more here.

We continue our interviews with Water Use it Wisely's "Drab to Fab" partners. This week Jennifer talks with Jody Lattmer with the city of Peoria.

• Fall planting and the right plant for the right place.
• Consider the micro-climate in your own yard. (Shade, wind, reflective heat from the driveway)
• What type of soil does your yard have and what type of plants work best there.
• Planting & watering tips.
• Supplementing the soil is frowned on when your planting.
• Tips on properly staking a new tree.
• Avoid overdoing it! (Water, fertilizer, etc.)

More tips on quick fixes before the holiday season.

• Fix sliding closet doors in bedrooms.
• Test your smoke alarms.
• Add path lighting to the exterior of your home.

Caller:

• Joe - He wants to know where he can find a fireplace chimney brush for himself?

Recommendation - We're not sure, but he can start with calling Becky at Arizona Chimney Sweep.  (After talking with her, it's best to hire a professional to do the cleaning)

Text From a Listener:

• Nancy - Her yard has holes everywhere in her yard. What can she do to get rid of them?

Recommendation - We love Bonide's Mole Max Rx and it's safe for pets.  We talk about a few other options and remind listener's that it's an ongoing job.

• We remind you to join us next week at Oldcastle Superlite!

Letter From a Listener:

• April - She wants to know what we can tell her about "Rammed earth" vs. block constuction?

Recommendation - Romey loves it. Describes how they're made and why we love them in certain applications.

We're talking "Building Science" with David Byrnes, owner of Green ID.

Products that were designed to save you $$$ and are questionable.

• Radient Barriers
• Reflective paint coatings.
• Solar attic fans.
• Magnetic window screens (better application is for soundproofing)
• Be wary of companies promising a certain percentage of savings.
• KVAR Boxes.

Products & Tips for Homeowners that work and they can do themselves to save energy:

• Leave bedroom doors open! It helps the AC system stay balanced in his home.
• Keep air registers open too.
• Keep your air filters clean. We talk through the types to use and a few that David likes.
• Check the settings for your pool timer. Change the settings for summer/winter.
• Thermostat settings, including "Super Cooling"

Callers:

• Mike - The laundry room is the coolest room in his home and he was going to close the vent because he can see daylight. Is that a good idea and is the ductwork so thin, he should see daylight in the first place?

Recommendation - He should NOT be seeing daylight.  Instead of closing the register, David would put in a balancing damper in where the ductwork splits so you're cutting it off at the source instead of at the register.  Listen! Good stuff.

*When it's a good time for Aerosealing or alternative methods.

• Tim - He loves using the time of use plans and avoiding peak electricity charges, so he doesn't use AC from noon till 7pm. Would it make sense to put in a small window unit to run from 5 to 7?

 Recommendation - It will take less energy than the homes AC system and could work to cool off a small portion of the home for 5-7 while he waits to turn the off peak hours to kick in at 7.  We discuss a few different options he could consider, including mini-split systems. 

Common Problems David sees in Home Energy Audits:

• Flex-duct is undersized in many homes.
• Duct leakage.

*We talked about 4 inch hepa filters and discuss where you can pick them up.

• Some history on "Home Energy Audits" and the industry.
• Testing should not be geared toward a specific product. That's a red flag!

If you need an expert at your home, contact David at  Green ID!

Join Rosie On The House every Saturday Morning!!!