Weekend Projects & Solar Industry Update Print

We chat hiking the Grand Canyon with Katie Stumbo and what she's done to train for a rim to rim to rim trip.

• Training on smaller trails that have significant height gains.
• Avoid over-training and running too much.
• Stretching to help prevent injuries. Don't push through injuries. Take care of it!
• How your diet should change to help you prepare.

• More on allergies and the increase in people suffering.
• The Romero family actually moved from Louisiana to Arizona to avoid all the allergies they were suffering from.
• Back to hiking and how Katie is training a new hiker to get ready for the long hike.
• Rosie shares how the McDowell Mountain got its name.

Sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation!!!

*Jennifer shares a story from a listener and how she enjoyed her stay at the Best Western PLUS Inn of Sedona, plus we thank Cerreta Candy Company for adding a sweet treat for your trip!

• Dr. Manning has Rosie in pretty good shape with his allergies.
• Remember, a specialist like Dr. Manning can help you enjoy the outdoors.
• Did you know about cockroach protien?
• Katie talks about an older woman she's working with that is hiking with two replaced knees. Plus, she gave some fireman a run for their money.
  

We have a giveaway for Mother's Day from Pluma Designs!

Thanks to our guests Dr. Manning and Katie Stumbo.  If you'd like to chat with Katie, click here!

Summer's about here....get your outdoors ready and join Jay with Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Comany as we talk lanscape, lawns and gardening. Plus, Julie with the Arizona Farm Bureau is here!

*It's too late for the sale at Oldcastle Superlite, but remember you can always find pavers and other great hardscape elements anytime.

Tip of the Week: It's Mother's Day and Jay shares some ideas on helping her celebrate.

• Arizona is a great place to grow the Mediterranean diet and Julie shares what that includes.
• We talk with Ewing Irrigation about their role with Water Use It Wisely and how you can conserve water in Arizona.

• More about the mediterranan diet.
• Fruit is here and you can pick up peaches at Schnepf Farms right now.

Text From a Listener:

• She has 6 tomato plants. Do they need fertilizer or not?

Recommendation - Absolutely. Our soils are low in nitrogen and with all the watering we do, it needs to be supplemented to stay fertile and healthy. Just make sure you use each fertilizer exactly as directed.

*Getting rid of old fertilizer.

Caller:

• David - He has a shamel ash tree that's been in the ground for 12 years and only half of the tree leafed out this year. It's not growing on the north side....

Recommendation - We tackle it in the next segment.

• More with David about his shamel ash tree. 

Recommendation - After Jay investigates, it's hard to know for sure, but it's been a very dry season, so he can give it a long and slow watering.

• How this spring is effecting the landscape & Arizona weather has changed in recent years.
• Rosie has been looking for whole buttermilk in Arizona and he found it! It's at Singh Farms. Plus, we talk more about the mediterranan diet. 

Caller:

• Audrey - She is blind and plants for scent ("and some flashy color plants to make the sighted folks feel good") Recently, she was given a gardenia plant and arabian jasmine plant. She wants tips on mixing her fertilizer and when does the jasmine plant bloom?

Recommendation - The jasmine should start blooming about now and go through the summer months. Usually, it's a table spoon per gallon with the brand she's talking about.

*Jay and Audrey talk about a few other plants she could use for scent that do well in this area.

Caller:

• Debbie - It's her 1st year with a garden and she's having a ton of fun. She loves her artichokes and was told that this time of year, she should cut it back and cover it up and don't water it, but there are baby shoots coming off the plant. Does she cut the shoots off and give them to a friend? Plus, there is more fruit being produced....will that mature before she cuts it back?

Recommendation - Don't cut it until all the leaves have died back. She might get another round of blooms while the weather is still mild. Jay wouldn't cover it, but wait until the buds die and leaves fall off to let it go dormant. Fall is usally the time you divide up the starters, not while it's actively growing.

*Rosie talks about his new recipe for artichokes. Sounds good!

Reach Jay during the week at Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company! Plus, find great recipes from the Arizona Farm Bureau on the Fill Your Plate website.

• Updates on where to find Rosie's weekly news articles.
• More on the special you missed this week at Oldcastle Superlite.
• Did you know we have How to Video's? We do and they're sponsored by Stampede Plumbing and you can find them here!
• Our topic for the day is "Weekend Projects" and Rosie talks through one you can take on...replacing a mirror in the bathroom or framing a more intimate mirror.

More about working on a 3-day weekend projects:

• Cutting glass for a mirror. It's easier than you think.
• Adapting your medicine cabinet to store all your toiletries in.
• Using a wing nut to hold your mirror up. It can hold a LOT of weight doing it this way.

Caller:

• Roland - How many inches of insulation should he blown into his attic to equal his R38?

Recommendation - Rosie talks about the different zones an how that changes the amount of insulation you'll need and the different R-ratings required. Don't believe the contractors that say you need an R60. We talk through Roland's situation and what he should do.  

*Rosie gets on his soapbox and tries to explain what you should and should not be doing to increase your homes insulation rating.

**NEVER EVER TURN A FAN ON IN YOUR ATTIC TO SUCK OUT THE HOT AIR. IT COSTS YOU MORE MONEY TO COOL YOUR HOME THAT WAY. LISTEN FOR DETAILS!

• More on working with a mirror and the safety precautions you should take.

Caller:

• Mike - He is a contractor in Tucson and he has a different way to take down a mirror and walks through his method. To get the details, listen to the segment!

Recent changes in the solar industry might mean it's right for your home! Find out as we talk with Harmon Solar.

• How the AZ legislature worked solar into totally unrelated bills. Wow.
• How rates are about to increase for all homeowners, not just solar customers.
• SRP has had some changes to the board of directors that could improve the relationship with the solar industry.
• What SRP had set up that made it nearly impossible to use solar.
• Dan explains the changes and how it will help solar be a more feasible option for more homeowners.

Email From a Listener:

• He's wondering about his south facing home in Chandler. He's had several door to door salesman wanting to install a free solar system. My APS bill is currently $186.00 & they say they can drop it to about $130.00. He gets nervous when he hears "Free." So who's making money?

Recommendation - Dan assumes it's a lease and the combination of the lease payment with the leftover electric bill he has should be less than he's currently spending. The lease company is making the money. If you're considering this, make sure you completely understand what's in it and be weary of "escalation clauses."  Savings decrease year after year in these cases. READ THE FINE PRINT!

• Both Dan & Rosie agree that buying the panels is the best way to save money in the long run. We understand not everyone can write a check for that amount.

Caller:

• Colby - He heard of Tesla's new battery storage system. Are there any regulations against this right now and when do we think it will be economical for the masses?

Recommendation - It's called the Powerwall and is available right now. They're trying to get it on the market and outlets to sell it now.

• Dan shares what homes are the right fit for solar.
• We discuss batteries and the next step in the solar industry. Storing electrical will help you stay off the grid more.

Callers:

• Louis - Tucson Electric Power is about to vote on changes to net-metering and a rate increase. If that goes through, that will eliminate any savings he had by putting solar on his home. Will he be "grand-fathered" in?

Recommendation - This is something they are working with the corporation commission on and historically "Grand-Fathering" is the norm. He should not be effected, but it's not something that can't change.

• Trevor - He has solar on his house and hadn't heard of the "demand manager." Is that an add-on component?

Recommendation - It is an additional piece for solar and Dan talks through how it works and whether he needs it or not. It would take an evaluation and depends on the plan he is on.

*We discuss the considerations that go into determining whether your home is a good candidate to use solar energy at your home.

• How do you find a "good" solar company? We discuss!
• How can you tell the difference between mono and poly solar panels?

• Dan & Rosie talk about what has stayed the same in Arizona. APS is still great and a 30% tax credit along with a 10% state tax credit (capped at $1,000). 
• SRP changes should make you reconsider if you were considering it before the changes.

Text From a Listener:

• Does APS still include a demand charge and can you explain it?

Recommendation - You'll need to listen to Dan explain the different rates and how it works. The demand controller can help make that work.

• How do the solar panels effect the roof itself?

Recommendation - The solar system has a 20 year lifespan and if the roof isn't going going to last, it should be fixed before installing the panels. Once the panels are installed, it actually increases the life of your roof by taking the sunlight instead of your roof.

• How does a Tesla PowerWall fit into a solar system's cost and will it help offset the electric company charges?

Recommendation - Yes, it will offset electric company charges. It is still pretty expensive right now and you'd have to run the numbers to make sure it makes sense at your home.

If you think solar might be right for your home, find out and start saving and call Harmon Solar!

Join Rosie On The House Every Saturday Morning!!!