AC Problems And How To Fix Them Print

Lake Havasu's anniversary of the record hottest temperature.  And the 6th Anniversary of the passing of the Granite Mountain Hotshots in Yarnell, AZ.

Steve Hoza is the author of a detailed book about the 24 German Prisoner Of War Camps in Arizona during World War II.   'PW: First Person Accounts of German Prisoners of War in Arizona'

Steve talks about how the book came together with extensive first person interviews with former prisoners, guards and farmers who used the POWs for labor.

Discussion about the Papago Park POW Camp that was the site of a Great Escape when the inmates dug a tunnel.

How the POWs describe their treatment in the camp and their desire to dig and escape tunnel.

How a stolen Arizona Highways map set up a plan for the escape, built a kyack that they tested in the camp and why it didn't go as planned.

Rosie explains how incredible they were able to dig a tunnel thru caliche 

Discussion about the extremely lax camp guards and why they didn't think anyone could escape.

Steve tells the various stories of the POWs after the escape.  What they did to survive and how long it took to capture them.  

Residents didn't believe the escapees were dangerous to society.  Some of them got jobs and saw them on a daily basis.

Funny story of a Winslow basketball team who joking replied to a Flagstaff police officer in German and arrested them.

Lake Havasu Staycation Winner Chuck talks about his experiences enjoying the trip!

Farmer Greg of The Urban Farm and Don Titmus discuss Rainwater & Graywater Harvesting.

Why harvest rainwater?  1 inch of rain on 1000 square foot roof can produce 600 gallons.  

Details the definition and what you can/cannot use of Graywater, Blackwater, Stormwater and Condensation Water from evap coolers and A/C units.

Harvesting system need to consider where the water is coming from, the collection and plumbing, and pumping system.  They discuss.

The design process for a water harvesting system.  Discussion of assessing the various elements to determine collection and distribution of the water in your space.  Not all systems are the same in size and design.

Don discusses some of his rainwater harvesting projects he's done including the materials for the infrastructure.

How to manage overflow and excessive runoff of water.

All harvested rainwater must be covered to avoid bugs, algae and debris.

Never store graywater.  Must be transported below ground.  Dilute with rainwater.

Art Ludwig is the father of graywater.  Book:  Create An Oasis With Graywater!

Never dead end a system into the dirt.  Use an underground tank infiltrator with pea gravel.

Discussion of the return on investment in a system.  Financial versus water savings.

David Byrnes of Green ID  (Green Intergrated Design) talks about how you can improve the energy efficency in your home.  Managing your time of use plans and supercooling.

Despite APS Rate Plan changes, supercooling still works with proper energy use.  Checking your rate plan for starters.

More facts about supercooling.  Including shifting your demand for power to 'off peak' prices.

Green ID provides a Whole Home Energy Audit for $99

David explains the process of conducting a Home Energy Audit.  And the results that give a roadmap to improving energy efficency in your home.  

Some of the things you should not do before you get an audit.

Discussion of duct leakage that can be one of the issues an energy audit can catch.  Explains how they test the duct work.

How they fix duct work leakage when its accessable or not accessible.

Two tests involved measure the air leakage in the home and duct work leakage.

Why its not recommended using an attic exaust fan to remove heat.

Don't spend money on quick fixes.  A whole home energy audit will show the problem areas that need attention that you can spend the right money on to fix.

TEXT:  Supercool their 2400 square foot home.  Last month APS bill was $134 and very comfortable.

Romey explains supercooling by cooling down your house on a lower off peak rate and letting your A/C rest during on peak hours.  

Updating our recent show with SunTrac who manufactures a solar hybrid panel that replaces mechanical energy with solar energy to run the compressor.   Saving electricty and reducing your cooling bill.

CALLER:  Installed a whole house fan that blows out warm air in the home.  Reduces few months of A/C use before and after summer.  Is there a negative to using it?

CALLER:  Has a radon gas issue thats preventing them from sealing the home and not getting efficient cooling from A/C.

CALLER:  Told some technicians don't like variable speed A/C due to high maintenance costs.  Question about warrenties, parts and hard start units.

Mike Rowe's 'Microworks Foundation' gave out 2019 Work Ethic Scholarships.  Two of them from Arizona.  Designed to get people interested in a skill or trade in construction or maintenance.

ADOT added reporting litter to their 511 system.

50% of homeowners are willing to spend up to $100,000 to save $1000 in cooling costs.

CALLER:  Cooling the garage with a ductless mini split.  Yes!

CALLER:  When to replace an A/C unit with R-22 refridgerant.